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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 JAMADA ALAWWAL 24, 1438 AH www.kuwaittimes.net KJA elects Born killers: Pakistan’s Bye-bye new board French army third sex ‘Boom Boom’ members, grooms eagles seeks a as Afridi ends top officials5 to down7 drones reformation39 int’l18 career Lawmaker proposes granting Min 03º citizenship to non-Muslims Max 20º High Tide 08:40 & 18:44 Low Tide Panel to probe jail attack • MP demands investment reforms 01:57 & 12:46 40 PAGES NO: 17148 150 FILS POWs recall nightmare Amir meets Sultan Qaboos By B Izzak KUWAIT: MP Khaled Al-Shatti yesterday submitted a draft By Athoob Al-Shuaibi Kuwaiti army officers. law calling to scrap a provision in the 1959 nationality law His son Ali, a citizens band radio that prohibits granting Kuwaiti citizenship to non- KUWAIT: Retired Maj Gen Hassan enthusiast, speaks about how his hob- Muslims. The lawmaker said that scrapping the provision Jassem Hussein and his son by led to his capture, and will end what he called decades of discrimination against Ali were taken prisoner in the harrowing time he non-Muslims in the country’s nationality law. the final months of the 1990- spent with other Kuwaiti The proposed amendment must first be cleared by the 91 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. In inmates in an underground National Assembly’s legislative committee and approved an exclusive interview with cell. His mother, Makiya Al- by the interior and defense committee, before going to Kuwait Times, Hussein, who Bannay, tearfully recalls the the Assembly for a vote. To become law, the amendment was a colonel then, recounts moment her husband and must be approved by the Assembly and then be accepted the horrors of the invasion Hassan Hussein son were dragged away by and his incarceration. He Iraqi soldiers, and the by the government. speaks about the fear - and ingenuity - months of trepidation that followed Shatti said the provision wrongly bases citizenship during the time he spent in an Iraqi without any news whether they were conditions on religious affiliations and not legal bonds, as prison along with hundreds of fellow dead or alive. (Full story on Page 3) it should be. “This is an outdated provision and it’s time that it is deleted from the nationality law,” Shatti told reporters after filing the draft law. Under the current pro- vision, Kuwaiti citizenship can only be granted to Muslims KIA chief Saad ‘to step down’ by birth or those who converted to Islam at least five years before applying. The provision states that Kuwaitis KUWAIT: According to a Bloomberg ed the appointment earlier yesterday, say- who leave Islam will have their citizenship revoked. report yesterday, Kuwait Investment ing Saad will remain on KIA’s board. Meanwhile, member of the Assembly’s human rights Authority is set to name Farouk Bastaki as Bastaki was the fund’s executive direc- committee MP Abdulkarim Al-Kandari said yesterday the managing director, replacing Bader Al- tor for alternative investments after join- panel will investigate an attack on former MP and promi- Saad who ran the world’s fifth-largest sov- ing in 1989, the newspaper said. In that nent opposition leader Musallam Al-Barrak in jail. Kandari ereign wealth fund for 14 years, a person role, he was responsible for private equi- said the committee plans to investigate conditions at the familiar with the matter said. KIA is finaliz- ty, hedge funds, real estate and the KIA’s Central Jail and will focus on the incident, which took ing the appointment, said the person, ask- representative office in China, according MUSCAT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is received place on Sunday night. Barrak was hit in the face by ing not to be identified because the infor- to the fund’s website. at the airport by Omani Sultan Qaboos bin Said after he arrived on an official another inmate jailed for a drugs offense. mation is private. Al-Rai daily also report- Continued on Page 13 visit to Oman yesterday. — KUNA (See Page 2) Continued on Page 13 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 LOCAL

MUSCAT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his accompanying official delegation arrived in Muscat, Oman, yesterday for an official visit. They were welcomed by Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al-Said of Oman amid popular reception ceremonies by Omani troupes for popular and traditional arts.— Amiri Diwan photos

Bahraini Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al- Khalifa meets with National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem. National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem and his accompanying delegation meet Bahraini Shura Council’s Chairman Ali Bin Saleh Al-Saleh and other Bahraini MPs. Bahraini Crown Prince receives parliament speaker

‘Amir leading talks with Rouhani on behalf of GCC leaders’

MANAMA: Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin oping brotherly links between both Gulf delegation, lauded stands by Kuwait, leader- Hamad Al Khalifa met yesterday with Kuwait’s nations, hoping that his visit would lead to ship and people, in support of the Kingdom, visiting National Assembly Speaker Marzouq upgrading the level of parliament-to-parlia- adding that the visit by Speaker Ghanem and Ali Al-Ghanem and his accompanying delega- ment cooperation and coordination. The the accompanying MPs would further cement tion. During the meeting, the Bahraini Crown meeting was attended by Kuwaiti MPs Faisal the brotherly bonds between the two coun- Prince hailed brotherly Bahraini-Kuwaiti rela- Al-Kanderi, Thamer Al-Suwait Al-Dhafiri, Dr tries’ peoples. tions, with their historical and social dimen- Humoud Al-Khudair, Usama Al-Shahin, Majed The premier underlined efforts exerted by sions. He said the interest of Bahraini King Al-Mutairi, Nasser Al-Dosari, Abdulwahab Al- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- MANAMA: Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa meets with National Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Highness the Babtain, Alhumaidi Alsubaiee, National Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for achieving unity Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem. — KUNA Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Assembly General Secretary Allam Al-Kanderi, among Arab and Gulf states and role played Jaber Al-Sabah in bilateral relations is based in addition to Speaker of the Bahraini House of by the GCC legislative assemblies for realizing increasing the coordination between Kuwait’s adding that parliamentary diplomacy support- on firm foundations laid down by both broth- Representatives Ahmad bin Ibrahim Al-Mulla. aspirations of the GCC peoples. Ghanem National Assembly and Bahrain’s Shura ed the foreign policies of governments. erly nations for historical relations. He expressed gratitude to Prince Khalifa for his Council in all fields. Asked about Iranian President Hassan expressed belief that the Kuwaiti speaker’s vis- Stronger cooperation keenness on boosting the Kuwaiti-Bahraini On Sunday, Ghanem reiterated “deep-root- Rouhani’s recent visit to Kuwait, Ghanem said it to Bahrain would lead to a further promo- In the meantime, Bahraini Prime Minister ties and overhauling the GCC to the level of ed historic” relations with Bahrain. Ghanem, in His Highness the Amir “is leading talks with the tion and development of close bonds for the Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa affirms the peoples’ aspirations. a statement to reporters after a meeting with Iranian president on behalf of all GCC leaders.” common interest of both sides. The Bahraini that his country and Kuwait are bonded with Speaker of Bahrain House of Representatives Ghanem hoped these talks “produce positive Crown Prince also appreciated Kuwait’s sup- mutual brotherly cooperation turning Deep-rooted Ahmad Al-Mulla, said Kuwait and Bahrain were results.” Mulla said they reaffirmed importance port to Bahrain in different situations and stronger with days. These solid relations are in Earlier yesterday, Ghanem and his accom- small in size but “characterized by openness.” of unity in the face of terrorism, as well as events, while congratulating the Kuwaiti lead- the forms of family bonds, joint history and panying delegation met Bahraini Shura The Kuwaiti people, he added, would never rejected foreign interference in the affairs of ership and people on their country’s national destiny, said the premier during his reception Council Chairman Ali Bin Saleh Al-Saleh. forget the “heroic and brotherly” support of Kuwait and Bahrain. He said Kuwait has a long celebrations. of Ghanem and his accompanying delegation During the meeting, they stressed on the the Bahraini people during the 1990-91 Iraqi history in restoring international peace and Meanwhile, Ghanem hailed the Bahraini yesterday. Prime Minister Prince Khalifa, dur- strong and deep relations that combine the invasion of Kuwait. Ghanem said they dis- security, citing relevant contributions of His Crown Prince’s interest in continuously devel- ing the reception of the Kuwaiti parliamentary people of both nations and the importance of cussed a variety of issues of mutual interest, Highness the Amir. — KUNA TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 LOCAL

A US Navy Grumman F-14A Tomcat from Fighter Squadron 114 (VF-114) Aardvarks flies over an oil well set ablaze by Iraqi troops during the 1991 Gulf War. Burning ‘oil lakes,’ seen in the foreground, also contributed to the smoke plumes. — US Defense Imagery

Father and son POWs recount invasion ordeal ‘I was truly born again’

By Athoob Al-Shuaibi from Kuwait. ‘Operation Desert Storm’ last- ed from 17 January to 28 February 1991. In KUWAIT: He was warned: Surrender or be - We helped the Kuwaiti resistance as much as we could, from distributing leaflets to November 1990, the UN Security Council dragged from his home, in front of his wife gave a deadline of 15 January 1991 to and children, and be humiliated. That was supplying weapons Saddam Hussein to withdraw his troops how Retired Maj Gen Hassan Jassem from Kuwait. After the deadline passed, Hussein knew that the Iraqi occupation - After the Iraqi intelligence discovered that some Kuwaitis were using CB radios to coalition strikes targeted Iraqi army loca- forces were looking for him. tions inside Kuwait and Iraq. The Speaking this week at his home in Salwa, communicate with neighboring countries, they hunted us one by one Baghdad intelligence building and Hussain recalls his experiences during the - Days and months passed with no news. I didn’t know whether they were dead or alive Baqouba prison where Ali and his father Iraqi invasion and occupation of Kuwait. The Hassan were imprisoned were bombed. “I former police officer served as the assistant - My CB radio friends were tortured before me in order to force them to reveal the cautioned my colleagues not to go out to director of security of the Hawally gover- watch due to the danger of flying shrap- norate in 1990 and after the Invasion, was a names of the people involved nel,” Hassan said. On the other hand, his supporter of the Kuwaiti Resistance and lat- son couldn’t see anything. He could just er taken as a prisoner of war. - What an unforgettable image it was. Sadness hung over my country hear the sound of explosions amid a state After three months of phone calls from of severe panic and fear that their cell Iraqi military warning him to turn himself in, would be destroyed. “We were saved by Hassan decided to go into hiding. He Allah,” said Ali. moved his family to his father-in-law’s house in Khaldiya and assumed a fake iden- Rescue and release tity as a teacher. But the subterfuge failed Relief came from the Red Cross a month when the Iraqis started looking for his 23- after the victory of coalition forces. Hassan year-old son, a citizens’ band radio enthusi- and his son had spent three months in ast. “As soon as we learned that Iraqi forces detention. They were freed and set up for were invading Kuwait, I went to my office the return trip to Kuwait through Ramadi like other policemen to follow the situation, in Iraq, from where they were taken in spreading our men in all areas of Kuwait on buses to Arar in Saudi Arabia. Ali had still the first day of the invasion. We continued not seen his father. He arrived in Kuwait on to operate from our sites for three consecu- March 26, while his father flew in to his lib- tive days, until they took control of the erated homeland. whole country. So we had to withdraw and “My mother was the first person I go back home,” Hassan told Kuwait Times. hugged. I was truly born again” Ali “We helped the Kuwaiti resistance as much recounted. With tears in his eyes, Hassan as we could, from distributing leaflets to recalled the moment he saw the skyline supplying weapons. On January 13, just of Kuwait smothered in black smoke. three days before the coalition airstrikes “What an unforgettable image it was. began, they arrested me with my son. We Sadness hung over my country. He spent a night at the Jewan camp in Kuwait (Saddam) must have burnt Kuwait before before they took us to Baghdad,” he KUWAIT: Retired Maj Gen Hassan Jassem Hussein. Ali Hussein — Photos by Athoob Al-Shuaibi he left,” he realized. The Kuwaiti govern- recounted. ment managed to rebuild the country’s Ali, the eldest son of Hassan, was a CB told her husband. “I hid the radios inside the torture me,” explained Ali. Ali was separated friends were permitted to visit the prisoners infrastructure and save the natural envi- radio hobbyist along with his friends, and washing machine. But they searched every- from his father, who had been placed with and give them food and a lot of Iraqi dinars. ronment in record time. But many still had no connection with the Kuwaiti resist- thing in the house and found them. The other Kuwaiti prisoners of war at the But, they stopped after the airstrikes.” wonder if the Kuwaiti society learned a ance, unlike his father. “The soldiers some- world shattered in front of me, as my hus- Rasheed camp. Meanwhile, Ali was remand- lesson from the invasion, or is it again times spoke to us through the radio, but band and my dear son were led away before ed with 45 prisoners in a special detention Operation Desert Storm repeating the same mistakes... this didn’t bother us at all. They wondered my eyes amid the wails of my other kids,” center of the Iraqi intelligence in Baghdad, A US-led coalition of 33 countries why we were using these radios, so I Makiya told Kuwait Times. where cases were registered against them. launched the Gulf War to oust Iraqi forces answered them quietly that it was simply a “The soldiers told me that I shouldn’t At the intelligence building, Ali and the hobby and was allowed in Kuwait,” Ali worry, and claimed that it was only an inves- other prisoners were held in a dark, narrow recalled. “But after the Iraqi intelligence dis- tigation and my husband and son will be underground cell. They were only permitted covered that some Kuwaitis were using CB returned later. But they lied. Days and to go to the bathroom twice a day - once in radios to communicate with neighboring months passed with no news. I didn’t know the morning and again just before sunset. countries, they hunted us one by one, until whether they were dead or alive. I cried a lot They showered only once. “It was hard for us and couldn’t eat. How could I eat while they to move around and sleep in that cell. The were hungry?” Makiya said, fighting back only food we had was rice, cabbage soup tears as those memories were rekindled, as and rock-hard bread. We were told that we if they occurred yesterday. Even after 26 were at the mercy of our cases and were During our period years, the pain is still there. destined for death. They had isolated us completely. No wonder no one could see us. of detention, our Due to the lack of sunlight and malnutrition, Imprisoned in Iraq our faces had yellowed. There was no means talents emerged Hassan and his son were first taken to a of entertainment besides our conversations police station. On the same night, they were with each other,” Ali told Kuwait Times. in recycling and transferred with other Kuwaiti prisoners to Meanwhile, Hassan was reunited with his Arifjan military base. One night before the fellow officers from the police, army, nation- airstrikes began, they were shifted to al guard, navy and air force at Baqouba inventing the Baghdad, on Jan 17, 1991. prison. “Our numbers were between 600 to Thousands of Kuwaitis and expats were 700 prisoners. Among us were technical and impossible killed, beaten or tortured during the occu- electrical engineers, while others were pation. More than 600 Kuwaitis were taken artists and athletes. During our period of prisoner - with most never to be seen alive detention, our talents emerged in recycling they found me and my father. They took us again. Tens of thousands were forced to flee and inventing the impossible. From some in front of my mother and my younger sib- their home and live abroad as refugees dur- abandoned telephone cables, we managed lings,” he added. ing the entirety of the conflict. to run electricity for lighting. Other prison- When the Iraqi soldiers arrived at their “My CB radio friends were tortured ers invented a primitive water heater and hideout, Ali’s mother, Makiya Al-Bannay, before me in order to force them to reveal connected it to our toilets using pipes. We rushed to tell her husband about the intelli- the names of the people involved. My good also made rosaries and sculptures from date gence officers at the door. “Hurry, we’re in fortune was that I was the last to be interro- seeds,” he narrated. peril. They have definitely found you,” she gated, so there was no reason for them to “Before I arrived there, families and Retired Maj Gen Hassan Jassem Hussein and his wife Makiya Al-Bannay. LOCAL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 Cabinet Oks decree on social care to citizens Consultant sought for Failaka development project

KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Cabinet has consented Saad Al-Abdullah City, the minister said. It fur- opportunity for both leaders to share views on to a draft decree instructing the Ministry of ther entrusted the Public Authority for several regional issues and developments. The Social Affairs to provide social care to citizens Partnership Projects to contract an international ministers were then notified of a letter received as part of social solidarity and better social consulting office to carry out the Failaka Island by His Highness the Amir from President of activity. The move was taken upon a recom- development project, he added. Moreover, the Mexico States Enrique Pena Nieto, inviting him mendation by the Cabinet’s legal committee cabinet decided to ask the Public Authority for to attend the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Al-Sabeeh visits Zain’s booth. during its weekly meeting held at Kuwait Partnership Projects to coordinate with the Reduction due in Cancun in May. They also International Airport under chairmanship of Ministry of Finance to issue the shares of Shamal reviewed a letter sent to His Highness the Amir His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Az-Zour Al-Oula (a Kuwaiti shareholding compa- from Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. ny) due to be established for implementing Az- handling the historic agreement reached by Under the decree, the ministry shall provide Zour North Independent Water and Power OPEC and non-OPEC producers in December social care services to all segments of the Project (IWPP) until public prescription proce- and an expected summit of oil-producing Kuwaiti society, and supervise non-governmen- dures are completed. countries’ leaders to find a fresh plan to ensure tal organizations (NGOs), children’s care activi- stability and balance in the global oil market ties and cooperative societies and federations, National celebrations and to safeguard the interests of all parties. Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh At the onset of its customary meeting, the Furthermore, Deputy Prime Minister and Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah said cabinet voiced sincere congratulations to His Interior Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al- in a statement following the meeting. Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Sabah briefed the cabinet on the outcomes of The decree is mainly intended to revamp Prince and the Kuwaiti people on the occasion his participation in the 53rd session of the social services in general pursuant to the coun- of the country’s national celebrations, wishing Munich Security Summit last Friday. try’s development drive aiming at promoting Kuwait everlasting security, stability and pros- On regional developments, the cabinet com- social security network and ensuring citizens’ perity under their wise leadership. mended Saudi security authorities for arresting stability, added Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, The cabinet was informed of a letter four cells of the so-called Islamic State (IS) last who doubles as Acting Minister of Information. received by His Highness the Amir from Omani week, voicing full support to Riyadh’s anti-terror The cabinet also instructed the ministries of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, inviting him to visit measures. The cabinet also condemned a recent defense and oil, Public Authority for Manpower Oman on February 20-22 as part of mutual bomb blast in southeast Turkey, which left sev- and Public Authority for Industry to take imme- keenness on promoting existing cooperation eral innocents dead or injured, reiterating diate moves to remove obstacles hindering the between both Gulf nations. The cabinet Kuwait’s unwavering rejection of violence and housing projects of South Al-Mutlaa City and stressed the significance of the visit as a good terrorism. —KUNA Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Al-Sabeeh honors Zain. Zain strategic sponsor of Organizational Learning Conference

KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunica- development of local human resources and tions company in Kuwait, announced its talents that are the key element to the fur- strategic sponsorship of the Organizational ther progress of the country, especially that Learning Conference in partnership with the event hosted a number of prominent the Manpower and Government speakers from across local, regional, and Restructuring Program (MGRP) and the international levels. Arabian Gulf Career Development Forum The Organizational Learning Conference (CADEF). The event was held throughout mainly aimed at strengthening the rela- three days at Salwa Hall - Marina Hotel. tions between governmental organizations Zain was present during the opening and the leading private sector companies KUWAIT: Officials speak during the ‘Prevention is a Goal’ conference which was organized yesterday in cooperation with the ceremony that witnessed the attendance to further develop human resources strate- Ministry of Health. —Photos by Abdellatif Sharaa of the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor gies, organizational development Hind Al-Sabeeh, Secretary General of approaches, employee performances, local MGRP Fawzi Al-Majdali, as well as Zain job opportunities, and more. Kuwait’s Human Resources Director Nawal Zain is keen on participating in devel- Health Ministry sponsors Bourisli. The event witnessed the atten- opmental projects and initiatives as part dance of many HR representatives from of its Human Resources strategy, which across the public and private sectors with closely focuses on supporting HR fields the aim of exchanging expertise to devel- internally and externally hand in hand ‘prevention’ conference op HR performance levels across Kuwaiti with various universities, colleges, and organizations. training institutions in Kuwait. The compa- Zain’s strategic support to this confer- ny is committed to playing an active role By Abdellatif Sharaa aim at promoting the principle of comprehensive environmental safety and other activities that ence came to highlight its keenness in sup- in the investment in the human element, health, which is the goal of the health ministry, to promote the well-being of the society and its porting the various developmental projects and seeks to provide young and eager KUWAIT: The ‘Prevention is a Goal’ conference have the society enjoy comprehensive health members. Dr Enezi thanked the sponsors and and initiatives in the country, as such part- Kuwaitis with suitable job opportunities opened yesterday under the patronage of security that covers physical, social, psychologi- participants at the conference, adding success nerships showcase the collaborative spirit that allow them to apply their practical Health Minister Dr Jamal Al-Harbi, who was cal, environmental and other aspects. He said was only possible with their participation. between the private and public sectors. skills, achieve their potential, and fully represented by Assistant Undersecretary for Kuwait does not spare any effort or money for Meanwhile, Patient’s Aid Fund representative The company heavily contributes to the develop their capabilities. Dental Health Dr Yousuf Al-Duwairi. The con- the sake of health promotion and care. Jamal Al-Fouzan said such events are very ference is organized by the ‘Prevention is a Meanwhile, President of the ‘Prevention is a important to make people aware of the impor- Goal’ voluntary team, in cooperation with the Goal’ team Dr Musaed Al-Enezi, said the team is tance of health promotion and benefits of pre- 1.2 million square meters Health Promotion Department at the Health celebrating the first year of its existence, and it vention. He said the fund helps patients receive Ministry, Patient’s Aid Fund and Copthrone comes during auspicious occasions, as Kuwait treatment which they cannot afford, regardless allocated for housing projects Hotel in Jahra. is celebrating its 56th National Day, 26th of nationality. The opening ceremony of the con- Dr Duwairi said the goals of the conference Liberation Day and the 11th anniversary of His ference included a patriotic performance by By Meshaal Al-Enezi parking spaces in Jaber Al-Ahmad’s are based on cooperation between participants, Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- school boys and girls, as well a video presenta- Olympic Village project. Furthermore, who are keen on instilling the principle of disease Sabah’s ascension to power. He said the team tion that showed the achievements of the team KUWAIT: In an extraordinary session the council referred a proposal made prevention, as prevention is better than cure. “We has worked in various fields including health, in the past year. held yesterday, the Municipal Council by member Fahad Al-Sane to use spe- approved a request made by the Public cial tire restraints that are only remov- Authority for Housing Welfare to allo- able after paying the fine by violating cate 1.2 million square meters located vehicle owners. east of Sabah Al-Ahmad residential area to build houses for citizens who Court orders had previously sold their government The court of cassation yesterday houses. The council also approved a acquitted a citizen who was previously request from the municipality’s direc- charged of forging his Kuwaiti citizen- tor to allocate a location to build ship and being a dual citizen, which is renewable energy plants in Shaqaya. illegal under Kuwaiti law. Separately, a The council further discussed allow- court yesterday sentenced a fourth ing the municipality to recruit a third electoral constituency voter to two company to join two others in cutting years in prison for photographing his and removing tires from Erhaiya. ballot paper during the 2016 parlia- Kuwait Municipality’s Director Ahmad mentary elections; which he did to Al-Manfouhi said that the two compa- prove that he had voted for a certain nies found out after they started candidate. working at the site that more used tires were already buried under- Renewable energy ground. Based on those findings, the Presided by the Ministry of Electricity cabinet recommended hiring the serv- and Water’s (MEW) Undersecretary ices of a third company to work on the Mohammed Boshehri, a committee site in order to manage to remove the tasked with developing renewable ener- tires completely within the six-month gy projects met yesterday at MEW head- timeframe. quarters to discuss renewable energy The council’s technical committee uses as recommended by His Highness agreed to remove the site of solid the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- wastes recycling outside poultry farm- Sabah’s initiative aiming at using renew- Fake domestic help Manpower authority, program ing areas in Shaqaya. The council also able resources to generate 15 percent of merger to be complete in June agreed to allocate an extra location for electricity by 2030. office busted By A Saleh while PAM handles labor-relat- ed issues in the private sector Kuwait labor towns will be By Hanan Al-Saadoun noticed a crowd in an open area, but KUWAIT: The process of inte- in general. Hiring in the public on approaching, they escaped. Bags grating the Public Authority for sector is handled by the Civil according to Int’l standards KUWAIT: Police busted a bogus full of liquor bottles were found. Manpower (PAM) with the Service Commission. domestic help office run by a citizen Meanwhile, a man who ran into an Manpower and Government Meanwhile, PAM’s Deputy Restructuring Program (MGRP) Director for Implementation KUWAIT: Kuwait’s planned labor towns tal consultations in coordination with a in cooperation with an Arab man, the animal pen was chased and arrested. will be built according to international conglomerate topped by Progress Ministry of Interior’s (MoI) Relations The pen was found to have been into one governmental entity Affairs Ali Al-Hubail said that has entered its final stages, and the Cabinet agreed to acceler- criteria and moral responsibilities, a local International. and Security Information Department turned into a liquor brewery, and had authority affirmed yesterday. Kuwait The presentation showed field surveil- said yesterday. The two hired the serv- a pool full of liquor. Police found 2,124 the merger will become official ate the red tape process need- at June 1, 2017, announced ed to provide labor forces Authority for Partnership Projects said in lance at the project zone, studies on air ices of eleven runaway Filipina maids bottles, 62 drums, five evaporating a statement that the labor towns project quality, wild life, and various forecast social and sent to houses to work in viola- drums, 60 empty drums and six gas Kholoud Al-Shehab, Deputy required for the south Mutlaa in South Al-Jahra will include residential and environmental impacts. The project, it tion of the law. The department said cylinders. Director for Financial and project. Hubail added that the two confessed to employing Human Resources at PAM. coordination is in progress units, services for the workers “with says, will help in resolving traffic problems workers from various nationalities in Salmiya fire Shehab added that many coor- with the Ministry of Social humanitarian, environmental and health particularly where workers mingle with violation of the residency law. All were Fire broke out in a Salmiya build- dination meetings were held Affairs and Labor to assess the specifications according to international residents and will regulate security, health sent to concerned authorities. ing, prompting Salmiya fire station to between officials from both total number of laborers need- responsibilities and moralistic responsi- and social status of the expatriates. The respond. People who were trapped on state departments to discuss ed for the project. bilities.” The statement said that the labor towns project, forecast to accommo- Brewery found the eighth floor were rescued and legal, procedural and organiza- Coordination is also in progress authority had organized a visual presen- date up to 20,000 limited-income workers, Ahmadi security raided a liquor evacuated to the roof. The fire, which tional steps needed for the with the Ministry of Public tation on environmental and social will be promoted for investment by means brewery in the camel pens area in was on the seventh floor, was put out merger. The MGRP currently Works to link the project with impact of the mega venture in South Al- of forming a Kuwaiti shareholding compa- Kabd, and found 147 liquor bottles in and prevented from spreading. No handles the process of hiring rain drainage and sewage Jahra. The presentation was conducted ny, according to build-operate-transfer Mahboula. Patrol officers in Mahboula injuries were reported. Kuwaitis in the private sector grids, he added. by Shams International for environmen- (BOT) basis. —KUNA TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 LOCAL KJA holds ordinary general assembly meeting

KUWAIT: Kuwait Journalists Association (KJA) yesterday held and Labor and a representative from Al-Buzi audit firm. Fatima Hussein Al-Essa, Adnan Khalifa Al-Rashid, Jassim welcomed the new members and called on the general an ordinary general assembly meeting at its temporary quar- The majority of the Assembly approved the board of Mohammed Kamal, Duhairan Mermeh Abalkhail, Abd Al- assembly to vote on electing a new chairperson, secretary ters in Shuwaikh industrial area. The meeting was attended directors’ 2016 financial and administrative reports, before a Rahman Yousef Al-Alyan, Rabea Hussein Makki Al-Jumaa and and treasurer. The general assembly elected Fatima Hussein by Secretary Faisal Al-Qenae, Treasurer and Manager Adnan Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor’s representative Owayyed Ayed Al-Seleili. The meeting began with a welcome as chairperson, Adnan Al-Rashid as secretary and Jassim Al-Rashid, representatives from the Ministry of Social Affairs announced the names of the new board members, including speech delivered by the eldest member, Fatima Hussein, who Kamal as treasurer.

The new board members of Kuwait Journalists Association (KJA).

Faisal Al-Qenae (center), Adnan Al-Rashid (right) and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor’s representative.

Members vote on the financial and administrative reports. ISN hosts edu fair

KUWAIT: The International Student Network (ISN) will return to Kuwait for an edu- cational fair at the Regency Hotel. The event will be held today from 6-9 pm. Senior Commercial Officer Jeff Hamilton will provide opening remarks. The fair will include representatives from seven Colleges and universities who will pro- vide information about their schools and answer questions from students and parents about educa- tional opportunities in the United States. The three- hour educational fair is organized by ISN in cooper- ation with the US Embassy. The following universi- ties will attend the event: Illinois State University, Eastern Kentucky University, University of Central Missouri, Grand Valley State University, University of San Diego, Drury University and University of South Florida. EducationUSA advisers will be present at the fair to answer students’ questions about higher education in the US, including the admissions process. Embassy consular officers will also be present to answer questions about the student visa application process. Additional infor- mation about the fair can be found at http://www.studentlane.co m/en_us/. For more infor- mation about studying in the United States, visit http://www.educationusa.s tate.gov/. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 FROM THE ARABIC PRESS Crime Report Al-Anbaa

Suicide suspected Have we learnt our lesson? in man’s death KUWAIT: An Indian man was found hanging from a tree By Dr Abdul Rahman Al-Awadhi in Farwaniya under mysterious circumstances. Forensics inspected the body and it was sent to the coroner. Interior e have absolutely learned nothing from the Ministry detectives are investigating to make sure no foul tragedy we suffered when the criminal Saddam play is involved. Preliminary investigations indicated that WHussein unexpectedly invaded Kuwait. He fooled the man had committed suicide. us with his sweet-talk and convinced all his listeners while hiding things behind the lines as if Satan himself was talking through him. The poor people were his first victims and only Search for fake cop discovered that when he occupied Kuwait in the most crimi- nal manner and practiced all sorts of torture, terror, theft and An Egyptian deliveryman was robbed by an imposter. Corruption The victim was stopped by a person who claimed to rape that made him look more like the Hulagu of his time. be a detective and asked for his ID. He then took the When this crisis took place, we became victims to a fraudster whose crimes became exposed to the world. As a wallet and asked him to go to Maidan Hawally police government and people, we had never suspected his inten- station. Police are investigating. tions. However, Almighty Allah enabled us to overcome this plight when an international army of allied strangers defended us. Both Saddam and his people learned a lesson Rampage that they are still suffering. Iraq will never go back to its sta- A woman in her seventies called police as her son (in his ble political situation because of the sectarian tumult that forties) was destroying furniture at home. He was found had claimed the lives of thousands of Iraqis. We will never to be in an abnormal condition. He was taken to the know Iraq’s fate in a world whose leaders are waiting to police station for further investigations. jump on us. Throughout such confused and frightening international

Al-Jarida circumstances, we see that Muslim nations are at their worst Robbed at knifepoint condition. Our countries have been divided. They promoted tumults amongst us and claim to be protecting us. We know A Lebanese teenager was beaten up by a thief who the truth behind phrases showing us friendship and affec- stole his phone, after he tried to seek help from Al-Jarida tion while, as I see it, conceal the worst nightmares. They are passersby in Salmiya. The 15-year-old boy was going hiding behind absolute disguise and we have become sub- to a grocery store when he was stopped by a man jects to their threats, envy and conspiracies. with a knife who demanded his phone and money. The peasant eggs’ plan We have heard about US President Donald Trump’s lec- After the thief got hold of his phone, the boy started tures during which he addressed us; the GCC states, as a screaming, so the thief beat him and fled. A complaint master asking us to pay for the cost of their casualties, wars was lodged at Salmiya police station. and new colonization done under the name of globalization By Hassan Al-Essa to control the world’s trade. We might accept those inevitable threats, but the worst is the Iraqi claim, that we Stabbings n her way home, a peasant was carrying a basket of The government then explained the situation, promoting eggs and dreaming about them hatching into chick- bright hopes for a beautiful future. It is as though we were have taken over a part of Iraq. An Iranian woman who had already taken KD 60,000, Oens. She decided she would sell them and buy a ranch watching a governmental Superman, flying faster than the The question here is this: are we reassured about such demanded KD 50,000 more from her husband, causing a on which she could graze sheep. Suddenly, in the middle of speed of light. Superman is trying to adjust things that had accusations and provocative Iraqi acts? Are we ready to face such threats? Can we, without any help from major allies, fight that ended in stabbings. The citizen married the her daydream, she fell and the eggs smashed on the ground. been upside down for long decades, ever since we produced With them, her dreams had vanished. The same scene was evi- and exported the first oil barrel to lay the foundations of a cor- stop the newly emerging trend in Iraq? I see those threats as Iranian woman two months ago, during which he spent the serious ones. We ought to be alert and stop wasting time in KD 60,000 on gifts. But he had a dispute with her and she dent when our cabinet members posed for propagandist pho- rupt, revenue-based economy, while at the same time, tos at the Jaber Cultural Center. It was as if they were advertis- destroying the values of true work and production, alienating useless parliamentary debates. We ought to expect the left the house and went to live with her brother, who worst because the threats we are facing from the world’s demanded KD 50,000 more. When the husband refused, he ing buying a luxury vehicle without a down-payment, when the rule of law and institutions. they were in fact declaring Kuwait’s vision for 2035. So, before the peasant slips and falls down, we have to richest caucuses is much more dangerous than what we made verbal insults before they exchanged blows and stabs. faced during the Iraqi aggression. Both were taken to hospital, and police are investigating. Similar to how the peasant envisioned making profits out remember the wisdom of the saying that says ‘the deprived of selling the hatched chickens, the government discussed its has nothing to offer.’ To be fair to the current one, our govern- Never take statements of Iraqi officials lightly. Never strategic plan that it said would help increase “the national ments since the 1960s have been the same and are expected underestimate Iraqi provocations because, despite GCC ‘Indecent’ account GDA, citizens’ living standards and economic development of to remain so. This is the result of our political structure, which states’ support to us, what we are witnessing is a war developing with major power’s war drums beating. Things Criminal detectives are looking for two men wear- non-oil sectors.” The government then went on talking in an selects a cabinet member from two candidates. The winner is academic manner that it itself and most of its interlocutors then imposed on the people, who have to accept it for good. are more evident now after Arab countries managed to ing tight clothes and claiming to be policemen, would fail to comprehend such as ‘building Kuwaiti individu- We do hope the peasant will not fall and break the eggs. avoid the evil they sent us. However, they managed to who made threats while listening to loud music. als.’ The government then lectured the audience about devel- Those eggs are our kids, whose future we have every right to decrease our national revenues by five percent but still Detectives who saw the video clips on an ‘indecent’ opment, its problems and the role of the private sector as if we be concerned about. But previous experiences with the gov- believe that we are too rich and do not deserve our luxuri- account are working on identifying the two to face ous lives. So, beware of what is currently being plotted do have an active private sector that is not part of the govern- ernments tell us that we ‘Can’t win them all!’ Translated by Kuwait Times legal action. —Translated from the Arabic press ment spending! — Translated by Kuwait Times against Kuwait in Iraq. —

ABK’s 20th group of participants graduate from ‘ABK Academy’

KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) recent- of Human Resources at ABK said, “ABK Academy but also to the Bank who have the chance to multiple areas in the banking profession, with cational platform that focuses on training stu- ly congratulated the 20th group of students has graduated a total of 468 candidates to date; train and employ local talent.” particular focus on customer service, which is dents and individuals seeking a job opportuni- who graduated from the ‘ABK Academy,’ preparing a substantial number of individuals He continued saying: “Kuwait’s youth have the backbone of any successful company. We ty in the banking sector. By engaging with whereby a ceremony was held for the 15 par- to take on jobs within the Bank. This type of always been of primary interest to ABK. With look forward to supporting these young ambi- these participants, the Bank is able to build on ticipants who successfully completed the four involvement and contribution is of tremendous the launch of the ABK Academy in 2009, the tious graduates and giving them the chance to existing potential and talent, and better identify week intensive program. value not only to national youth, who gain a Bank has been able to encourage youth to con- achieve their career objectives.” the areas in the bank, in which they could put Commenting, Hamza Enki, General Manager wealth of insight into banking as a profession, sider a career in banking. The Academy covers The ABK Academy was launched as an edu- this positive energy to work.

KFH keen on supporting students, youth KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House (KFH) participated in opening the second semester at the College of Business Administration at Kuwait University. The bank was accessi- ble to students through a special booth to educate them on the characteristics and benefits of ‘Hesabi’ account designed for the youth. This stems from KFH endeavors to support students and the youth, yet confirms the strategic partnership between KFH and the college. KFH organized competitions and handed over prizes to the winners as part of its social responsibility. KFH partici- pation witnessed huge students’ turnout. Moreover, KFH Direct Sales team educated the students on KFH business- es, products and services. The team demonstrated the ben- efits of ‘Hesabi’ account. It is worth noting that KFH is keen on participating in Gulf Bank hones skills of Fikra Program participants different activities and events of importance to the society and the economy. KFH raises the importance of reinforcing ties with the youth and students. KUWAIT: Gulf Bank was pleased to lead a training session for dees indicating that they understood the subject better skills, comprehensive business plan, investment opportuni- participants in the Fikra Program, a nonprofit initiative that after attending. Furthermore, 100 percent also said the train- ties and others. helps youth transform ideas into businesses. The Bank’s ses- er answered their questions; 80 percent said they had bene- Fikra is a non-profit program designed by Cubical sion was on non-financial analysis and was conducted on fitted from the session while 20 percent were neutral. Services- business incubator. It aims at turning young peo- Thursday, 16 February 2017, in Al-Hamra Tower. Highlighting the benefits of the training, one of the par- ple’s ideas into business projects and to help the youth Omar Al-Muhaisen, Relationship Manager - Business ticipants stated: “I would like to thank Gulf Bank and Omar achieve their aspirations and to overcome the obstacles of Banking at Gulf Bank, led the training and focused on help- Al-Muhaisen for conducting this training. It has helped me implementation. The program is supported by a range of ing the participants understand techniques to conduct to be better able to position my project and analyse the governmental agencies and companies from the private analyses of and make informed strategic directions about strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats within the sector in Kuwait and they are: the Ministry of State for Youth how to establish their businesses. market. The trainer brought great energy and knowledge to Affairs, the National Fund for SMEs Development, Hamra The tools Muhaisen focused on were Porter’s five forces the session and Gulf Bank has been encouraging us every Tower, Markaz, and Gulf Bank and SWOT analysis. Porter five forces are used to analyze the step of the way.” Gulf Bank’s sponsorship of Fikra comes as part of its competitive environment within an industry, often focusing The main goal of Fikra Program is to empower a new corporate social responsibility program. The Bank is on external forces, while a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses generation of entrepreneurs to develop successful business- strongly committed to giving back to Kuwait as it supports Opportunities, Threats) analysis tends to look more deeply es and advance the local Kuwaiti market. It is an intensive numerous events and initiatives focusing on youth, educa- within an organization to analyze its internal potential. entrepreneurship training that provides aspiring entrepre- tion, health and fitness, helping the underprivileged, Directly after the session, participants were surveyed and neurs with the technical skills and business knowledge women’s empowerment, as well as promoting Kuwait’s the responses were positive, with 100 percent of the atten- needed to launch their own businesses such as leadership heritage and culture. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 Duterte ‘ordered’ ‘We’re not here for your oil’, US defense chief tells Iraq death squad hits

Page 9 Page 12 Born killers: French army grooms eagles to down drones

MONT-DE-MARSAN: Faced with the risk of (seven feet). Like all birds of prey, the golden drones being used to snoop or carry out eagle has excellent eyesight, capable of spot- attacks on French soil, the air force is showing ting its target from two kilometers away. its claws. At Mont-de-Marsan in southwestern At between three and five kilograms it also France a quartet of fearsome golden eagles is happens to weigh about the same as most of being trained to take out unmanned aircraft in the drones that could be used for nefarious mid-flight. The roar of a departing Rafale fight- purposes or that simply go astray. And an er jet gives way to the buzz of a drone lifting eagle is devastatingly fast, clocking 80 kilome- into the air on a runway at the air base, some ters an hour as it swoops in for the kill. Hatched 130 kilometers south of Bordeaux. Suddenly, a in captivity, the four “musketeers” had their loud squawk fills the air as a beady-eyed eagle food served atop wrecked drones from the age bears down at breakneck speed from a control of three weeks. Thanks to this technique, the tower 200 meters away. birds very quickly began to seize remotely In about 20 seconds the raptor has the piloted aircraft for food. So when drones buzz drone between its talons, then pins it to the above, their hunting instinct kicks in, with fal- ground and covers it with its broad brown coner Gerald Machoukow rewarding every suc- wings. The drone has been destroyed: Mission cessful interception with a hunk of meat. accomplished for D’Artagnan. The valiant bird is one of four feathered fighters-along with Protective mittens Athos, Porthos and Aramis, all characters in The birds begin with flights in a straight line, French novelist Alexandre Dumas’s “The Three graduating to diving from a height. Soon they Musketeers”-being put through their paces will be casting off from peaks in the nearby since mid-2016. Mont-de-Marsan is one of five Pyrenees Mountains. The buzz around the proj- air bases in France to boast a falconry. Usually, ect is palpable. A first progress report is due in the birds of prey-generally falcons or northern June, halfway through the 24-month test pro- goshawks - are kept to scare birds away from gram, but the initial feedback is positive. “The the runway to reduce the risk of accidents dur- cost is very low considering the job at hand,” ing takeoff or landing. But with France on high said Commander Laurent, listing strategic sites alert after a string of jihadist assaults since such as airports, or events such as summits and January 2015, they are now sinking their beaks football tournaments, among those where the into national security. “The results are encour- eagles could be deployed. To prevent the birds aging. The eagles are making good progress,” from harming themselves on the job, the mili- said Commander Christophe, who heads the tary is designing mittens of leather and Kevlar, air safety squadron that is training the plumed an anti-blast material, to protect their talons. predators. Like all French military personnel, “I love these birds,” Machoukow said. “I don’t he offers only his first name and rank to jour- want to send them to their death.” He cautions nalists. He says the birds are performing three against setting “impossible” tasks for his to four months ahead of projections. charges, like launching them against larger drones with potentially deadly propellers. Hunting instincts Commander Laurent agrees that the birds are Police in The Netherlands were the first to part of a palette of weapons available to the come up with the idea of using raptors to inter- army in countering the threat from drones - not cept drones, inducting bald eagles into the a fix-all solution. But the air force is already service in late 2015. The French army followed smitten enough to have ordered a second suit last year, but it opted for the golden eagle MONT-DE-MARSAN: A royal eagle catches a drone during a military exercise at the Mont-de-Marsan airbase, southwestern France. As brood of eaglets. Mont-de-Marsan expects to a natural-born killer with a hooked beak, malicious or poorly controlled drones are becoming more and more a security threat, the French army explores all options for defense. welcome four more future aviator eagles by the amber eyes and a wingspan of up to 2.2 meters They train royal eagles for six months at the airbase to chase drones. — AFP summer. — AFP INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 Global arms trade ‘highest’ since Cold War

STOCKHOLM: Worldwide arms trade has period since the end of” the Cold War, the the Middle East have turned primarily to the Saudi Arabia was the second largest exports of heavy weapons. France’s boost in risen to its highest level since the Cold War in independent institute said in a statement. USA and Europe in their accelerated pursuit importer of weapons in the world (up 212 the export ranking is a result of important the last five years, driven by a demand from The share of Asia and Oceania in interna- of advanced military capabilities”, said Pieter percent), behind India, which unlike China, contracts signed with Egypt, which acquired the Middle East and Asia, a study said yester- tional imports was slightly higher (44 per- Wezeman, Senior Researcher with the SIPRI does not have a production at national level Mistral-style warships and Rafale combat day. Between 2012-2016, arms imports in cent) between 2007 and 2011. The share of Arms and Military Expenditure Program. yet. The United States remains the top aircraft. Aude Fleurant, head of the arma- terms of volume by countries in Asia and countries in the Middle East and the Gulf “Despite low oil prices, countries in the weapons exporter with a 33 percent market ments program at Sipri said that “competi- Oceania accounted for 43 percent of global monarchies jumped from 17 percent to 29 region continued to order more weapons in share (up 3 point), ahead of Russia (23 per- tion is fierce among European producers” imports, a 7.7 rise compared to the previous percent, far ahead of Europe (11 percent, 2016, perceiving them as crucial tools for cent, down 1 point), China (6.2 percent, up with France, Germany and Britain in the 2007-2011 period, according to the Stockholm down seven points), the Americas (8.6 per- dealing with conflicts and regional tensions,” 2.4 points) and France (6.0 percent, down lead. The United States and France are the International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). cent, down 2.4 percentage points) and he added. Sipri said worldwide arms 0.9 points) passing Germany (5.6 percent, main weapons providers for the Middle East “Transfer of major weapons in 2012-16 Africa (8.1 percent, down 1.3 points). imports and exports over the last five years down 3.8 points). These five countries while Russia and China are the main reached their highest volume for any five-year “Over the past five years, most states in have reached a record level since 1950. account for almost 75 percent of global exporters to Asia. — AFP Syrian army ramps up shelling near capital

BEIRUT: Syrian government forces yester- Geneva that demonstrates its rejection of day escalated their bombing campaign any political solution,” the HNC said in an around Damascus, raining shells down on online statement. rebel territory and sending out a “bloody The HNC-formed in December 2015 and message” just days before renewed peace which has emerged as the leading umbrel- talks in Geneva. Representatives from the la group for Syria’s opposition factions-has opposition and of President Bashar Al- a new chief opposition negotiator for the Assad’s regime are to head to Switzerland Geneva talks, lawyer Mohammed Sabra. on Thursday for another attempt to end Sabra replaces Mohamed Alloush of the their country’s brutal six-year war. Army of Islam (Jaish al-Islam), a powerful But regime forces yesterday escalated rebel faction headquartered in the opposi- their bombing of the edges of Syria’s capi- tion bastion of Eastern Ghouta. Eastern tal, according to the Syrian Observatory for Ghouta-which has faced a blistering army Human Rights and activists on the ground. offensive in recent months-lies neat to the “Regime air strikes killed four people and opposition-controlled districts of wounded another 15 in escalation on Damascus being increasingly targeted by Barzeh,” a northern rebel-held district of the government. Assad’s regime is “bitterly Damascus, the Observatory said. The determined to rid itself of the insurgent Britain-based monitor said rockets also hit enclave, one way or another,” wrote analyst the northeastern opposition-controlled Aron Lund in a post for the Carnegie neighborhood of Qabun overnight. Endowment’s Middle East Center. Rebels and regime forces reached a local ceasefire deal in Qabun in 2014, but vio- ‘Dagger’ pointed at regime lence has built up in the neighborhood “However weakened and contained, since last week. At least 16 people were Eastern Ghouta remains a dagger pointed killed on Saturday in government rocket at the heart of Assad’s regime and it ties fire on a funeral in Qabun, according to the down many thousands of soldiers,” Lund Observatory. “This is the third day of bom- said. Overrunning the area could have a bardment-rockets, artillery, mortars, and air significant impact on peace talks “since no strikes,” said media activist Hamza Abbas, opposition delegation would be of much speaking to AFP via internet from Qabun, value” without the Army of Islam, Lund where he said he could hear non-stop added. The talks in Switzerland are the shelling. “The bombardment is targeting fourth round of UN-hosted peace negotia- three neighbourhoods - Qabun, Barzeh, tions. Since the last round in April 2016, and Tishreen,” Abbas said. A Syrian military rebels have lost their stronghold in east CAIRO: Egyptian family members of victims of the Port Said massacre react outside the Court of Cassation following the court’s ruling in the source contacted by AFP declined to com- Aleppo and seen a new partnership form case in Cairo yesterday. — AFP ment on the operations. between their main ally Turkey and govern- ment backer Russia. ‘Bloody message’ Ankara and Moscow teamed up in Egypt’s court upholds death Syria’s opposition on Sunday lambasted December to secure a truce deal between the government’s renewed bombing cam- rebel groups and government forces, but paign around the capital, calling it a the ceasefire is barely holding across Syria. sentence of 10 in soccer riot “bloody message” aimed at sabotaging the Along with regime ally Iran, the two powers peace talks. The High Negotiations also hosted two rounds of talks between Committee (HNC) said the attacks near government officials and prominent rebels One of the world’s deadliest soccer disasters Damascus and elsewhere across the coun- in the Kazakh capital. More than 310,000 try were “obstructing the efforts aimed at a people have been killed and millions forced CAIRO: Egypt’s highest Appeals Court yesterday Hundreds of others fled into an exit passage, only odds with the nation’s highly militarized police, political transition in Syria”. “It is a bloody to flee their homes since Syria’s conflict upheld the death sentences against 10 people to be crushed against a locked gate with their rivals taunting them with offensive slogans during message from a criminal regime just a few broke out in 2011 with protests against convicted over a soccer riot that killed over 70 attacking from behind. The riot led to the suspen- matches and fighting them in street battles. days ahead of political negotiations in Assad’s rule. — AFP fans in 2012, becoming one of the world’s dead- sion of Egypt’s top soccer league for over a year. Hard-core fans of other clubs also identify them- liest soccer disasters. The verdict by the Court of The league later resumed, but with matches selves by going under variations of the Ultras’ Cassation is final. The defendants were charged played in empty stadiums. name. During the 2011 uprising that toppled with murder, along with other charges. The The first Egyptian Premier League game in autocratic President Hosni Mubarak, the Ultras court also upheld convictions of 22 suspects which fans were allowed back into the stadiums often provided muscle at street rallies, directing who received up to 10 years imprisonment over was played in February 2015, but that occasion protesters, leading chants and standing first in the rioting. A total of 11 defendants were sen- was also marred by the death of 22 fans in a stam- the line of fire as riot police unleashed tear gas. tenced to death but one remains at large and pede outside the grounds. The stampede followed Earlier this month, Egyptian police detained was tried in absentia. the use of tear gas by police to stop what authori- more than 100 Al-Ahly fans over a period of two The rioting erupted on February 2012, at the ties at the time said was an attempt by fans to days on suspicion they had planned to stage a end of a league match in the Mediterranean city of storm the military-owned stadium in a suburb protest on the anniversary of the Port Said riot- Port Said between Cairo’s Al-Ahly, Egypt’s most east of Cairo. In the Port Said disaster, most of the ing. The Ultras subsequently cancelled a planned successful club, and home side Al-Masry. In a sock- victims belonged to Al-Ahly’s “Ultras Ahlawy,” an commemoration. Five of those detained were ing and unexpected turn, Al-Masry fans rushed to association of hard-core fans now banned by charged with inciting protests and belonging to attack Al-Ahly supporters with knives, clubs and authorities. In 2015, an Egyptian court ruled that an outlawed group. Public gatherings without a rocks. Witnesses and survivors described victims the “Ultras” were a terrorist organization. permit are banned under Egypt’s draconian anti- falling from the bleachers as they tried to escape. Members of the “Ultras” have long been at terrorism laws. — AP ‘Erdogan assassination

DARAA: Fire and smoke billow following a reported car bomb explosion at a Syrian pro-government position during clashes between rebel fighters and regime forces to plot’ suspects on trial take control of an area in the southern city of Daraa yesterday. — AFP MUGLA: The trial opened yesterday of almost 50 Islamic State tortures, rapes suspects accused of plotting to assassinate Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a lux- Sunni Arab women too: HRW ury Aegean hotel on the night of the botched July 15 coup. Forty-four suspects, mainly sol- BAGHDAD: Fighters from the Islamic State she refused, she was blindfolded, beaten with diers, are under arrest, while three others still on group, whose abuses against Yazidi women plastic cables, suspended by her arms for the run are being tried in absentia at the court in have been well documented, are raping and some time and then raped. “The same guy the southern city of Mugla. The suspects, several torturing Sunni Arab women too, Human raped me every day for the next month with- smartly dressed in suits and ties, were led into Rights Watch said yesterday. The watchdog out a blindfold, always in front of my chil- the court by security forces in front of television documented cases of arbitrary detentions, dren,” Hanan told HRW. cameras, AFP correspondents said. beatings, forced marriages and rape by the The group said the issue was not given Onlookers heckled them as they stepped out jihadists on women who have fled the town enough attention and that too little was of the buses that took them from prison, shout- of Hawijah, which is still under IS control. being done to tackle the stigma that prevents ing “we want the death penalty!” and “Allahu HRW recounted the story of Hanan, a 26- many more victims from coming forward. Akbar” (“God is Greatest”). Erdogan, who was year-old whose husband had already fled “Little is known about sexual abuse against holidaying at a hotel in the upmarket Aegean Hawijah, who was captured by IS fighters Sunni Arab women living under ISIS rule,” said resort of Marmaris with his family on the night of along with other women when they also Lama Fakih, deputy Middle East director at the coup, has said the plot left him 15 minutes attempted to escape the town. HRW. “We hope that the international com- from death. Prosecutors have sought multiple IS fighters told her that her husband’s munity and local authorities will do all they life sentences for each of the suspects, who flight made her an apostate and that she can to give this group of victims the support include an alleged hit squad of 37 soldiers sus- should marry the local jihadist leader. When they need,” she said. — AFP pected of seeking to carry out the plan. The trial was taking place under the highest security with snipers posted on rooftops and helicopters cir- cling overhead. It is being held in a conference centre rather than a standard courtroom to MUGLA, Turkey: People, mainly Turkish soldiers, accused of trying to assassinate Turkish accommodate the high number of suspects. President during the July coup attempt, are escorted by security forces towards the court- house in Mugla, western Turkey yesterday. — AFP ‘Game over!’ waving Turkish flags chanted slogans against the including his son-in-law, Energy Minister Berat Turkish officials say the plot to kill Erdogan accused and Gulen, including “Execution!” and Albayrak, Erdogan managed to flee Marmaris was a key part of the plan to depose the elected “Game Over, FETO”.After the coup, there have been and fly to Istanbul where he oversaw the sup- government, a scheme they say was master- calls to reimpose the death penalty in Turkey, pression of the coup. minded by the US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah which was abolished in 2004. Its reinstatement “If I had stayed 10 or 15 additional minutes Gulen and his so-called Fethullah Terror would spell the end of Turkey’s embattled bid to there, I would have been killed or I would have Organization (FETO). The plan was to “neutralize join the European Union. Despite this, Erdogan has been taken,” Erdogan told CNN in an interview the president,” Erdogan’s lawyer Huseyin Aydin repeatedly told crowds at rallies he would approve on July 18. Two Turkish policemen who were said outside the court. “If our president was neu- legislation reimposing the death penalty if it was helping to guard Erdogan at the hotel were tralized as planned, the course of the coup approved by parliament. Getting the trial under- killed, according to the indictment. Some 43,000 would have been different. We would have been way, judge Emirsah Bastog said the initial phase people have been arrested following the coup faced with a different Turkey,” he said. would last until March 15, with more hearings in attempt in a massive crackdown on followers of Ankara has repeatedly demanded that the April and then in June. Inside the tense court, sus- Gulen that has raised international concerns. United States extradite Gulen, who lives in a pects were placed at the centre surrounded by Gulen vehemently denies being behind the plot. HUSSEINYAH: Iraqi security forces evacuate comrades, wounded in an explosives- secluded compound in the US state of dozens of soldiers with batons. The Mugla trial is one of many now getting laden vehicle attack claimed by Islamic State group, as the troops advance towards Pennsylvania. The preacher, who is on trial in sev- underway across the country to judge the coup the village of Husseinyah, south of Mosul yesterday, during the offensive to retake eral cases in Turkey, is one of the three suspects still ‘15 minutes from death’ suspects, the biggest legal process in the coun- the western side of Mosul. — AFP at large in the assassination plot trial. Onlookers Accompanied by close family members try’s modern history. — AFP TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 INTERNATIONAL ‘We’re not here for your oil’, US defense chief tells Iraqis Mattis distances himself from Trump’s oil comments

BAGHDAD: The US military is not in Iraq “to seize anybody’s oil”, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said, distancing himself from remarks by President Donald Trump at the start of a visit to Iraq yesterday. Mattis, on his first trip to Iraq as Pentagon chief, is hoping to assess the war effort as US-backed Iraqi forces launch a new push to evict Islamic State militants from their remaining stronghold in the city of Mosul. But he is likely to face questions about Trump’s remarks and actions, including a temporary ban on trav- el to the United States and for say- ing America should have seized Iraq’s oil after toppling Saddam Hussein in 2003. Trump told CIA staff in January: “We should have kept the oil. But CALIFORNIA: Traffic passes along the scene, where a tractor trailer and a San okay. Maybe you’ll have another Bernardino County Fire Department fire engine fell from southbound chance.” Mattis, however, flatly Interstate 15 in the Cajon Pass, Calif. —AP ruled out any such intent. “We’re not in Iraq to seize anybody’s oil,” he told reporters travelling with Traffic jams cost US him. His remarks are the latest example of his policy differences with Trump. Trump has acknowl- drivers $1,200 a year edged that Mattis did not agree with him about the usefulness of torture as an interrogation tactic DETROIT: Traffic jams cost US drivers an vehicle access to central city areas. The but, in a sign of Mattis’ influence, average of $1,200 a year in wasted fuel INRIX study sliced data in different ways. said he would defer the matter to and time, and much more in Los Angeles, Los Angeles drivers spent an average of his defense secretary. the city with the world’s biggest rush 104 peak drive-time hours fighting slow Mattis has also been more criti- BAGHDAD: US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis (second from right) is greeted by US Ambassador hour traffic delays, according to a study traffic during 2016. That put Los Angeles cal than Trump of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and distanced him- Douglas Silliman as he arrives at Baghdad International Airport, Iraq, on an unannounced trip by INRIX Inc released yesterday. INRIX, at the top of the list of cities where driv- yesterday. —AFP based in Kirkland, Washington, aggre- ers spent the most hours stuck in slow self from Trump’s labeling of the gates and analyzes traffic data collected rush hour traffic. media as “the enemy of the American people,” saying he had no Iraqi officials in Iraq. His visit beyond the less than 6,000 taking root between Iraq’s Shiite from vehicles and highway infrastruc- But on a different measure, time stuck problems with the press. A retired comes a day after Iraqi Prime American troops deployed to both leaders. Influential cleric Moqtada ture. The company said the latest edition in congestion as a share of all driving, Marine general who led American Minister Haider Al-Abadi Iraq and Syria today. Al-Sadr, who is openly hostile to of its Global Traffic Scorecard report was Moscow drivers had it worse. They spent troops in Iraq, Mattis has also announced the start of the ground Experts say the Pentagon may Washington’s policies in the based on 500 terabytes of data from 300 25.2 percent of their total driving hours sought an exemption from Trump’s offensive on western Mosul, where also look at increasing the number Middle East, has begun mobilizing million sources. While Thailand was the on congested roads, while Los Angeles travel ban for Iraqis who served Islamic State militants are essen- of attack helicopters and air strikes supporters ahead of parliamentary world’s most congested country in 2016, motorists spent 12.7 percent of their with US troops, including transla- tially under siege along with an and bringing in more artillery, as and provincial elections. Sadr yes- according to the study, the United States total driving time in slow traffic, the tors. He said he had not seen a new estimated 650,000 civilians. The well as granting greater authority terday said the government had the worst traffic among rich, devel- study found. In Bogota, Colombia, executive order which the adminis- insurgents were forced out of the to battlefield commanders fighting should demand the withdrawal of oped economies. Five of the world’s 10 motorists spend 31.8 percent of their tration is considering. “But I right east of the city last month after Islamic State. The future for US US and allied forces after the bat- most congested cities are in the United total driving time in traffic jams. The now am assured that we will take 100 days of fighting. forces in Iraq, and for Iraq’s frag- tle of Mosul. “The Iraqi govern- States, INRIX found. worst stretch of road in the United States steps to allow those who have The US commander in Iraq, mented society, is unclear once the ment has to demand that all occu- US traffic congestion is not a new is New York City’s Cross Bronx fought alongside us, for example, Army Lieutenant General Stephen hardline Sunni group has been pying and so-called friendly forces problem, but it could get renewed atten- Expressway, where drivers on the 4.7 to be allowed into the United Townsend, has said he believes expelled from Mosul. Mattis told leave Iraq in order to preserve the tion if President Donald Trump pushes mile road spent an average of 86 hours a States,” Mattis said. US-backed forces will recapture the Senate last month that the top prestige and the sovereignty of both of Islamic State’s major US goal in Iraq should be “to ensure the state,” he said. Sadr’s main rival for a large-scale infrastructure invest- year staring at the bumper of the car Mosul campaign strongholds - Mosul and the city of that it does not become a rump is former prime minister Nuri Al- ment program as he has promised. ahead. After Los Angeles, INRIX listed Mattis is finalizing plans at Raqqa in Syria - within the next six state of the regime in Tehran”, Maliki, a pro-Iranian politician re- Chronic traffic jams are a concern for New York, San Francisco, Atlanta and Trump’s request to accelerate the months. The defense secretary’s which has close ties with the Shi’ite emerging as a possible kingmaker global automakers, and some major Miami as the most traffic-choked US defeat of Islamic State and is strategy review could lead to addi- political elite ruling Iraq. or even for a return to the premier- cities have begun to limit private motor cities. —Reuters expected to meet senior US and tional deployment of US forces, A power struggle appears to be ship itself. —Reuters

QUITO: Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa (left) hugs Lenin Moreno, the presidential candidate of the governing Alianza PAIS party, at a hotel in Quito after the exit polls indicate that the leftist candidate won the first round of the elections. —AFP Ecuador heads to presidential runoff vote

QUITO: Ecuador’s presidential election looked headed to a Washington since Trump’s election victory in November. runoff as partial results showed leftist candidate Lenin Moreno fell short of the lead needed to win outright in WikiLeaks’ Assange Sunday’s first-round vote. The vote is a test of the legacy of Lasso has also said he will end WikiLeaks founder Julian outgoing President Rafael Correa, Moreno’s ally and an out- Assange’s asylum in Ecuador’s London embassy. Assange is spoken critic of the United States. With 51.8 percent of the taking refuge there for fear of extradition to the United ballots counted, Moreno had 38.26 percent of the vote States for publishing leaked documents that embarrassed with 29.86 percent for his conservative rival Guillermo Washington. The busting of a commodities boom has has- Lasso, the president of the National Electoral Council, Juan tened the end of two decades of leftist predominance in Pablo Pozo, said in a televised announcement. Moreno Latin America. Argentina, Brazil and Peru have all switched needed more than 40 percent and a 10-point lead over his to conservative governments since late 2015. rival to win outright without facing a runoff. Economic crossroads President Trump Correa says Sunday’s presidential and legislative polls If in the end Lasso wins the presidency, a pillar of the are an opportunity to halt the “conservative restoration” in Latin American left will swing to the right. Correa says Latin Latin America. The busting of a commodities boom has America needs a strong leftist movement to resist US hastened the end of two decades of leftist predominance President Donald Trump’s hard line on immigration and in the region. Economist Correa, 53, initially oversaw a trade. But Lasso has shown more willingness to work with boom in the oil-rich country of 16 million. Now, “what is at stake are two visions of society, two visions of develop- ment, two visions of the state,” he said of Sunday’s election. Voters were deciding whether to continue his tax-and- spend policies or give Lasso a mandate to cut spending and taxes. Lasso has slammed Correa’s allies over alleged links to corruption.

Boom and bust Ecuador exports half a million barrels of oil a day. Correa used the wealth to fund social welfare schemes and public works. But oil prices have plunged over the past three years. The economy shrank by 1.7 percent last year. “I want a change because it has been stronger than any economic crisis we have felt before,” said Alexandra Orbe, 48, before voting in the capital Quito. But voter Nora Molina, 53, judged “these past 10 years have shown how the country has advanced. I think we are going to keep that going.”

A close contest Analysts said voters fed up with Correa may rally behind a conservative candidate if the vote goes to a second round. “Any party could beat the governing one in the sec- ond round, because there is major resistance to and rejec- tion of the government,” said political scientist Paolo Moncagatta of Quito’s San Francisco University. But Michael Shifter of the Inter-American Dialogue think tank in Washington cautioned: “It is a mistake to underestimate the strength of support for Correa’s side.” Voters also cast ballots in a simultaneous referendum on whether to fire politicians who hold funds in tax havens while in office. —AFP INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 Nigeria signals normality by putting VP in charge Uncertainty over health of President Buhari

LAGOS: Nigeria’s deputy leader is making President Jonathan,” a government official the time. In contrast to Yar’Adua, whom tion from his family,” said Olugbolahan, an Nigeria-focused PM Consulting. “But wide use of powers granted by President said, asking not to be named. “In this pres- officials cut off from the world on his engineer from Lagos. The arrangement Nigeria has quite a good record of manag- Muhammadu Buhari, who is on extended ent scenario this is not the case. No vacu- sickbed in Saudi Arabia, the presidency with Osinbajo ensures the day-to-day run- ing the worst crises in leadership.” sick leave abroad, as the country seeks to um was left because President Buhari sent publishes almost daily pictures of Buhari ning of government business. But the avoid a debilitating power vacuum while it a letter to the National Assembly,” he said. receiving visitors in his London drawing long-term risk is that the Muslim north, Reforms confronts its first recession in 25 years. The Osinbajo has thrown himself into his work, room. He took a phone call from US where Buhari hails from, might not accept For now investors and Nigerian firms West African oil-producing nation was holding cabinet meetings and travelling to President Donald Trump on Monday, both Osinbajo as a permanent solution if the hope Osinbajo will enforce reforms to gripped by instability in 2010 when then the Niger Delta in an attempt to end mili- administrations say. president became incapacitated at some drum up badly needed investment. He President Umaru Yar’Adua spent three tant attacks on oil facilities which cost up In an indication that his British stay point. Osinbajo is a Christian lawyer from took advantage of Buhari’s absence months in a Saudi hospital while his aides to $100 billion in lost revenues in 2016. might drag on, the speakers of both of the commercial capital Lagos in the south. abroad last year to float the idea of a more shrouded his illness in secrecy. His deputy Investors welcome the fact that the Nigeria’s chambers of parliament flew to He has shown conspicuous loyalty to flexible foreign exchange policy, which Goodluck Jonathan only took over after he government will not postpone a long- meet Buhari at Abuja House, a Nigerian Buhari and given no sign that he plans to paved the way for an overdue devaluation died in the midst of a constitutional crisis. awaited reform plan intended to stimulate government residence in west London, run for president himself. of the naira. Osinbajo has been always The Nigerian stock exchange, already hit an economy hit by low oil prices. according to an official picture. “I thanked Traditionally in Nigeria, the leadership been in charge of the economy but Buhari by recession, has fallen to a nine-month “Obviously the fact that the president is them for visiting. I am also grateful to rotates between north and south to has left him little space, subscribing to the low on the uncertainty over Buhari. But away creates uncertainty, but we believe Nigerians, Christians and Muslims alike, for ensure a balance in a country evenly split view that a strong country needs a strong officials are keen to avoid the mistakes of Vice President Osinbajo is capable of run- their prayers and kind wishes for my between Muslims and Christians. The capi- currency. Keeping the naira artificially high the past and drive home the message that ning things in the meantime,” said Cobus health,” a smiling but thinner-looking tal, Abuja, is placed right in the centre as has deterred investors, who assume government work will continue whatever de Hart, senior economist at South Africa’s Buhari said, according to an official tweet symbol of unity. Jonathan, a Christian from Nigeria will have to devalue again. This happens. Before Buhari left home almost a NKC African Economics. Officials refuse to late on Wednesday. the south, upset many northerners by week, the naira hit a new low at 516 to the month ago to be treated in Britain for an disclose what is ailing Buhari, saying only refusing to give way to a northern candi- dollar on the black market, where import- undisclosed illness, the 74-year-old that he has been having tests and is not in Uncertainty date. Northerners felt there should have ing firms need to go for their dollars, in appointed his deputy, Yemi Osinbajo, as a serious condition. Diplomats say Buhari Some Nigerians have been getting been another northern presidential term contrast to the official rate of around 305. Acting President. has made several visits to Britain to see his worried. “Nigerians are supposed to know after Yar’Adua’s death. Hundreds were “Some of his (Osinbajo’s) statements “The nation came to a political stand- doctor, routing official trips even to desti- the health condition of the president, just killed in riots after Jonathan’s election in have conveyed a more liberal approach to still because of the failure of Yar’Adua to nations as far afield as Asia via London so like the head of the family is sick and the 2011. “The politics of rotation is always del- economic policy, which is a good sign,” submit a letter transferring power to Vice as not to have to declare medical leave all doctor is holding back the health condi- icate in Nigeria,” said Anthony Goldman of said de Hart. —Reuters

Jammeh’s missing: Tracing The Gambia’s disappeared

BANJUL: Pensioner Sarjo Manneh celebrat- and to investigate “black sites” that may still ed more joyfully than most when former be holding victims. “The responsibility lies leader Yahya Jammeh agreed to leave The on us to give an explanation to our people,” Gambia in January. After a decade, he he told AFP. believed he might see his son again. But Pro-regime figures may still be holding nearly a month later, he is still waiting. His Gambians incommunicado. “Some people son Chief Ebrima Manneh, a journalist for a may still be held and are not known pro-government newspaper, went missing because the previous government has so in 2006 during a summit held in the tiny many detention centres that were not dis- west African country. Agents of the feared closed to the public,” Fatty said. National Intelligence Agency (NIA), which reported directly to Jammeh, appeared at Jammeh’s ‘death squad’ the offices of the Daily Observer and took Barrow has promised to reform the NIA, him away. His colleagues and family have changing its name, replacing its chief and never seen him again. In 2009 The Gambia’s promising training for staff whose work then attorney-general Marie Saine-Firdaus would be limited to “intelligence gathering, told parliament that Manneh was not in analysis and advice to the relevant arms of state custody, while others including the government”. ”An appropriate commission current chief of police claimed he was living will be established to conduct inquiries in the United States. Jammeh’s stunning into disappearances,” he said. Almost every electoral defeat in December-after 22 years sector of society was targeted by the NIA in power triggered the release of many and the “Junglers”, a group of around 40 political prisoners-but not the journalist. men described as Jammeh’s death squad. “My hope is shattered,” his father said. Tumani Jallow, a 24-year-old soldier with the elite State Guards battalion that per- ‘Criminal action in court’ sonally protected Jammeh, had an elevated Despite the crushing sorrow he feels, status in Gambian society, but when the Manneh is shaking off the fear that kept NIA came this suddenly meant nothing. BENTIU: Women who fled fighting in nearby Leer in recent months, queue for food aid at a food distribution made by the World Food Program in him from fighting a symbiotic system of After he was arrested in September Bentiu, South Sudan. —AP secret police and trained killers that took 2016, taken to NIA headquarters in Banjul, an unknown number of lives. and then whisked to an unknown location, “I want to institute criminal action in Jallow’s family are painfully aware he may court against Yahya Jammeh and those never return. “He and two of his colleagues S Sudan ‘suffering a responsible for the disappearance of my in the Gambia Armed Forces were arrested son,” Manneh said. Gambian diaspora by state security agents shortly after the media regularly published lists of the arson attack on the ruling party’s head- unsolved crimes concerning the missing, quarters,” said his brother Buba Sawo. appealing for details and circulating years’ “We have searched for him everywhere, man-made’ tragedy worth of rumours about the most high-pro- but the NIA said he is not in their custody,” file cases. And there are nascent signs the Sawo told AFP. “We are pleading with the new government of President Adama current administration.” Fredy Peccerelli, a Barrow is determined to bring closure for world-renowned forensic anthropologist 100,000 people affected by famine families like the Mannehs, even while mired who has helped nations as varied as in a financial crisis and faced with reform- Guatemala and Sri Lanka identify scores of JUBA: South Sudan yesterday declared famine In September last year, several aid agencies people are predominantly farmers and war has ing a state that Jammeh’s critics say catered victims, told AFP the process would proba- in some parts of the country, with more than had to pull out of the famine-hit area of Leer disrupted agriculture. They’ve lost their live- to the interests of one man. bly take several years. Work on genealogy, three years of war leaving nearly five million because of escalating fighting between the two stock, even their farming tools. For months there Interior Minister Mai Fatty, one of the forensics, testimony and any documentation hungry in what aid groups called a “man-made” forces. “I would like to use this opportunity to has been a total reliance on whatever plants most vocal Jammeh opponents within the from the prison system would be required, tragedy. Isaiah Chol Aruai, chairman of South call on the government, the warring parties and they can find and fish they can catch.” new administration, has said a body will be along with the funds-potentially from inter- Sudan’s National Bureau of Statistics, said some all actors to support humanitarians to provide The famine declaration comes as millions set up to look into forced disappearances national donors-to pay for it.— AFP parts of the northern Greater Unity region “are the necessary access so we can continue to across the Horn of Africa are going hungry due classified in famine, or... risk of famine”. Aid agen- bring lifesaving services to those in need,” to a devastating drought following two failed cies said 100,000 people were affected by the Owusu said. rainy seasons. The drought has also affected famine, which threatened another one million food security in South Sudan, however the people in the coming months. “A formal famine Agriculture disrupted biggest contributor to the famine is the inability declaration means people have already started According to aid groups, the number of peo- of aid agencies to reach areas where the econo- dying of hunger. The situation is the worst ple facing hunger is expected to rise to 5.5 mil- my has collapsed due to the war. Famine last hit hunger catastrophe since fighting erupted more lion at the height of the lean season in July if the region six years ago, killing an estimated than three years ago,” said the statement by the nothing is done to curb the spread of the food 260,000 people in Somalia. Famine early warn- World Food Program (WFP), UN children’s crisis. “Many families have exhausted every ing system FEWSNET has warned that if 2017 agency UNICEF and the Food and Agricultural means they have to survive,” said the FAO’s rep- rains were again poor in Somalia-as forecast- Organization (FAO). resentative in South Sudan, Serge Tissot. “The ”famine would be expected.”— AFP South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, was engulfed by civil war in 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his rival and former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup against him. An Montenegro accuses August 2015 peace deal was left in tatters when fighting broke out in Juba in July last year. Violence-initially between ethnic Dinka support- Russia of ‘plot coup’ ers of Kiir and ethnic Nuer supporters of Machar- has since spread to other parts of the country, PODGORICA: Montenegro’s special prosecutor an alleged Russian military spy, was the main engulfing other ethnic groups and grievances. has accused Russia and its secret service opera- coordinator of the plot that included taking The United Nations has warned of potential tives of plotting a coup attempt that included over of the parliament in the capital, Podgorica, genocide and ethnic cleansing and there is no plans to kill the small Balkan country’s former and the killing of then-Prime Minister Milo BANJUL: This file photo taken on January 21, 2017 shows former Gambian president Yaya prospect of peace in sight. prime minister. Prosecutor Milivoje Katnic said Djukanovic, who brought the small Adriatic Jammeh (center up), waving from the plane in Banjul as he leaves the country. —AFP an investigation into the alleged plot last nation to the threshold of NATO membership. Humanitarians under attack October to overthrow Montenegro’s govern- Shishmakov and another Russian operative Oil-rich Unity State, a traditional Nuer home- ment and prevent it from joining NATO has reportedly coordinated the action from neigh- Delay risk as UK’s Lords land and Machar’s birthplace, has been one of shown “that Russian state bodies were involved boring Serbia using encrypted mobile phones the flashpoints in the conflict and has flipped at a certain level.” and other sophisticated spy equipment. They several times between government and rebel Speaking in a conference call yesterday, were allowed to return to Russia despite begin Brexit bill debate forces. “The convergence of evidence shows that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Serbian officials’ acknowledgment of their Dmitry Peskov, denied the claim as “absurd” activities. Shishmakov was deputy Russian mili- the long-term effects of the conflict coupled LONDON: Britain’s House of Lords could expecting to stick to its timetable of trig- and “irresponsible.” “There can’t be even talk tary attache in Poland before being expelled with high food prices, economic crisis, low agri- delay a bill empowering Prime Minister gering Brexit by the end of March. “There cultural production and depleted livelihood about any sort of Russian officials’ interference for espionage in 2014,” Katnic said. In 2014 into Montenegro’s internal affairs,” Peskov said. there were several tit-for-tat expulsions involv- Theresa May to trigger Brexit, with EU citi- will be debate and scrutiny in the House of options” have resulted in 4.9 million people zens campaigning for their rights to be pro- Lords, but I don’t want to see anybody going hungry, Aruai said. That figure represents “Russia hasn’t interfered and isn’t going to ing Russia and Poland but the people expelled interfere into domestic affairs of other coun- were never named. tected as debate gets under way yesterday. holding up what the British people want... 42 percent of the country’s population. The The upper house of parliament was to start which is for us to deliver Brexit, to leave the famine classification is according to an interna- tries, and in particular Montenegro with which Katnic said that Shishmakov traveled to we have very good relations.” Earlier, Russian Serbia on a passport with another name, considering the draft legislation after it was European Union,” she said. tionally recognized sliding scale of hunger in Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also denied Eduard Shirokov. “So, the passport was given to overwhelmingly approved by the elected The bill gives May the right to trigger which an extreme lack of food has led to starva- what he described as “unfounded accusations,” him by certain Russian state bodies under lower House of Commons earlier this Article 50 of the European Union’s Lisbon tion and death. adding that they “haven’t been backed by a sin- another name, and he is a member of the month. But the bill’s passage through the Treaty, the formal procedure to start nego- “The main tragedy of the report that has gle fact.” Russian military structures,” Katnic said. “It is Lords may not be smooth as May’s tiations on leaving the bloc. The govern- been launched today... is that the problem is The Kremlin, opposed to further NATO clear that the passport on another name could Conservative Party does not hold a majori- ment presented the short bill after losing a man-made,” said Eugene Owusu, the United expansion in Europe, has repeatedly denied not have been issued, as well as everything else ty in the unelected chamber, which may try high-profile court battle in which judges Nation’s Humanitarian Coordinator for South involvement in the alleged plot. But it has ... without the involvement of certain (Russian to push through amendments to the law. ruled that May must have the consent of Sudan. “The underlining drivers have been there actively supported nationalist groups opposed state) structures.” US President Donald Trump’s Peers are proposing changes, including parliament before beginning divorce pro- for some time and we have all known that we to Montenegro’s NATO membership. Some 20 stand on NATO, which he has described as an measures to guarantee the rights of EU ceedings with Brussels. The legislation have a major food crisis.”He said conflict and people, mostly Serbian citizens, have been “obsolete” organization, and his warming of nationals in Britain, and defining how par- sailed through the Commons earlier this insecurity for humanitarian workers, who had arrested in Montenegro over the alleged elec- relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, liament votes on a final Brexit deal. May month by 494 votes to 122. In a June refer- suffered attacks while carrying out their work, tion-day plot. The Montenegrin prosecutor told has worried many in Montenegro and the rest urged the Lords to follow the lead of the endum, 52 percent of voters opted to leave and the looting of “humanitarian assets” had Prva TV late Sunday that Eduard Shishmakov, of the war-torn Balkans.—AP Commons and neither amend the bill nor the EU after four decades of membership, exacerbated the crisis. delay it, although the government is still sending shockwaves across Europe.—AFP TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 INTERNATIONAL News N Korea, Malaysia row rages in brief

Explosion at Colombia bullring injures dozens as Kim’s killing film emerges BOGOTA: An explosion injured at least 26 people in the Colombian capital Sunday, most of them police guarding a bullring that had been targeted by protests Airport killing seen on CCTV; probe strains ties on reopening last month, officials said. “We condemn the attack with explosives. An unacceptable use of vio- KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak lence. We are told police officers are injured. There are said yesterday his government’s investigation of the killing no mortal victims,” Interior Minister Juan Fernando of the North Korean leader’s half-brother, Kim Jong Nam, Cristo said on Twitter. The defense ministry said 26 will be “objective”, as tension rose between the countries. people were injured, two of them civilians and the rest Earlier yesterday, Malaysia said it has recalled its envoy police. The city hall put the figure of injured at 30, say- from Pyongyang and summoned North Korea’s ambassa- ing four were civilians. Six of them had to undergo sur- dor in Kuala Lumpur, who again cast doubt on the impar- gery and four of the police may lose eyes due to tiality of Malaysia’s investigation into the murder and said the victim was not Kim Jong Nam. “We have no reason why injuries from flying fragments, Defense Minister Luis we want to do something to paint North Korea in a bad Carlos Villegas told reporters after visiting the hospital light, but we will be objective,” Najib told reporters in the where they were treated. The explosion struck near the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. Plaza Santamaria bullring in the Macarena district. CCTV footage obtained by Reuters appeared to show Police cordoned off the area at the center of the blast, Kim Jong Nam being attacked at Kuala Lumpur where fragments of rubble lay as police explosives International Airport yesterday last week by a woman, who experts inspected the site. is believed to have wiped a fast-acting poison on his face. Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the video, and police officials were not immediately avail- Cambodia’s leader empowers able for comment. Kim Jong Nam, 46, who had been living court to dissolve rival parties in the Chinese territory of Macau under Beijing’s protec- tion, had spoken out publicly against his family’s dynastic PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s parliament passed a law control of isolated, nuclear-armed North Korea. yesterday giving judges sweeping powers to dis- South Korean legislators last week cited their spy solve political parties, a move seen as a brazen agency as saying the young and unpredictable North attempt by premier Hun Sen to checkmate his Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, had issued a “standing order” opponents ahead of next year’s polls. Hun Sen, who for his half-brother’s assassination, and that there had been for three decades has led the country with force and a failed attempt in 2012. Malaysian police are hunting four political guile, has used the kingdom’s pliant courts North Koreans who fled from the country on the day of the to ramp up a legal assault on the Cambodia National attack, having already detained one North Korean man, a Rescue Party (CNRP), currently the only viable oppo- Vietnamese woman, an Indonesian woman, and a sition party. The CNRP has been gaining in populari- Malaysian man. ty, propelled by frustration over corruption and At least three of the wanted North Koreans caught an rights abuses under Hun Sen’s rule, and is seen as a Emirates flight to Dubai from Jakarta late on the day of the threat to the incumbent government in 2018 gener- attack, an immigration official in Indonesia said. Malaysia’s Star newspaper reported that all four had returned to al elections. But the party has been hobbled by an KUALA LUMPUR: In this image made from airport closed circuit television video, Kim Jong Nam, (sec- onslaught of lawsuits that rights groups say is part North Korea. North Korea had sought to prevent Malaysia from conducting an autopsy, insisting the body be handed ond from right) exiled half-brother of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un, walks with an airport security of the strongman’s crackdown on critics as he looks over. Its envoy in Kuala Lumpur accused Malaysian authori- official towards a medical clinic (top right) after he was attacked at Kuala Lumpur International to extend his grip on power. The controversial new ties of “delaying” the release of the body. “At the moment Airport, Malaysia. —AP amendments passed on Monday empower the we cannot trust the investigation by the Malaysian police,” Supreme Court to dissolve any party which violates ambassador Kang Chol told reporters after talks at the for- killing. “The murder carried out in public at an internation- As the woman in white quickly walks away, the second the constitution, “incites” the public or whose lead- eign ministry. al airport of a third country is an unforgivable and inhu- woman also moves off rapidly in another direction. Later ers are convicted of a crime. He said the embassy had only identified the victim as mane criminal act and clearly demonstrates the reckless- footage shows the portly, balding middle-aged man stum- Kim Chol, based on the passport found on the dead man, ness and brutality of the North Korean regime that will bling, wiping his face, and seeking help from people while and suggested a joint investigation with Malaysian authori- spare no avenues when it comes to perpetuating itself,” gesturing to his eyes before being escorted to a clinic. The ties. Kim Jong Nam had been caught using fake travel doc- Hwang said. mother of the detained Indonesian woman told Reuters uments in the past. Malaysia’s foreign ministry announced “The North Korean regime’s terrorism tactics are get- that her daughter, Siti Aishah, had been duped into believ- the withdrawal “for consultations” of its ambassador in ting bolder so we must be more vigilant.” South Korean ing she was part of a television show or advertisement. North Korea and said the body would be handed over to and US officials had earlier said the killing was probably According to Malaysian media, the Vietnamese suspect, the next of kin, although none had come forward. carried out by North Korean agents. The grainy CCTV Doan Thi Huong, told police she had been tricked into tak- Malaysia’s health minister said autopsy results could be images showed Kim, wearing a light-colored jacket and ing part in what she thought was a practical joke. There is released by Wednesday. Malaysia is one of the few coun- trousers and with a backpack on one shoulder, heading speculation that China’s patience with North Korea could tries that maintains ties with the reclusive state and the dis- for an automatic check-in counter in the airport departure be tested by the killing because Kim had been living in pute could further isolate impoverished North Korea. hall. A woman approaches Kim from behind on the left Macau, where he was headed when he was attacked. and another - identified by Fuji as the Vietnamese woman, China said on Saturday it had suspended coals imports ‘Getting bolder’ wearing a white shirt - walks rapidly up behind him from from the North, a vital source of revenue. China is seen to South Korea, acutely sensitive to events in its volatile his right, before what appears to be a scuffle takes place. be irritated by the North’s repeated aggressive behavior, neighbor, convened a meeting of its National Security In footage taken from another angle, the woman in the including two nuclear tests since early 2016 and a Feb 12 Council. Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn told the meeting white shirt appears to lunge from behind and throw some- intermediate-range ballistic missile launch, the latest in a UTTAR PRADESH: In this Feb 15, 2017 photo, women that it was nearly certain that North Korea was behind the thing over his head, locking her arms around him briefly. series of missile tests. —Reuters stand in a queue to cast their votes at a village near Amroha in Uttar Pradesh, India. —AP

How Indians will ‘vote Scuffles at Thai temple their caste’ in election as police hunt for monk NEW DELHI: The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is vot- ing in the biggest democratic election anywhere in the world this year. If it were a country, Uttar Pradesh - BANGKOK: Monks and police scuffled yes- that is 95 percent Buddhist, assaults on saf- with a population of nearly 220 million - would be the terday at a Buddhist temple in Thailand fron-robed monks are taboo. “If Phra where security forces are trying to arrest Dhammachayo turns himself in, then this sit- world’s fifth-largest. Even though India today is a an influential former abbot on money- uation would be resolved, it would be over, vibrant democracy, politics in the battleground state is laundering charges. The standoff at the because his disciples listen to him,” National still influenced by the Hindu caste system, a social scandal-hit Dhammakaya Temple repre- Police Chief Jakthip Chaijinda told reporters. hierarchy with its origins in antiquity. Figuring out sents one of the biggest challenges to the “Let us fight in a court of law instead.” which party can win in Uttar Pradesh depends on a authority of Thailand’s junta since it took Most police taking part in the search at complex equation of so-called “vote-bank” politics. Or, power in 2014. Police said they would try the temple, on the outskirts of Bangkok, are as a famous Indian saying goes: “It’s not how you cast to avoid violence while threatening arrest not armed. Thailand’s largest temple, it covers your vote, but how you vote your caste.” It’s shaping for followers of the sprawling temple who some 1,000 acres. The government used up to be a three-cornered contest. Each party needs to have defied orders to leave and instead what critics call “the dictator’s law” on shore up its core support - and grab votes from rivals - flocked there, hampering the search for Thursday to let police search the In this file photo, the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson sails out of San Diego to stand a chance of winning. The ruling Samajwadi 72-year-old Phra Dhammachayo. Dhammakaya Temple after months of failing Harbor leaving for a nine month deployment. The US Navy is planning a Party (SP), led by youthful Chief Minister Akhilesh With tension rising four days after the to get it to hand over Phra Dhammachayo. fresh freedom of navigation operation around China’s man-made islands, Yadav, is seeking re-election in voting that is being military government ordered emergency He faces charges of conspiracy to launder the first under President Donald Trump, Navy Times reported, citing held in seven stages - starting in the West and moving powers to be used in the search, monks and money and receive stolen goods, as well as defense officials. —AP East - that run until March 8. police pushed and shoved at one of the taking over land unlawfully to build medita- temple gates. A Reuters photographer said tion centres. His aides dismiss the accusations there were no serious injuries. The actions as politically motivated. by police were a violation of international Police declined to comment on a report in South China Sea Pirates kill Vietnamese law, the temple said in an open letter to the Bangkok Post newspaper that Phra sailor, kidnap 6 others Thailand’s National Human Rights Dhammachayo escaped the monastery on BANGKOK: A look at recent developments in disputed waters. Trump’s Defense Secretary MANILA: Pirates have attacked a Vietnamese- Commission. “They are a clear attack on reli- the first day of the search. Although the tem- the South China Sea, where China is pitted Jim Mattis said recently that such operations flagged cargo ship off the southern Philippines, gious freedom, putting Buddhist monks and ple has no overt political affiliation, the abbot against smaller neighbors in multiple disputes will continue while also ruling out any military killing one seaman and abducting at least six others laypeople at risk of arbitrary arrest and other is widely believed to have had links with pop- over islands, coral reefs and lagoons in waters escalation. “Any miscalculation from either side in a region notorious for such attacks, officials said punishments simply for the peaceful prac- ulist former Prime Minister Thaksin crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and may escalate tensions, which could spin out of tice of their beliefs,” it said. Shinawatra, who was overthrown in 2006. A Monday. The MV Giang Hai was attacked by pirates potential oil and gas reserves: control,” Zhiqun Zhu, who heads The China The widespread belief that the temple has government led by Thaksin’s sister was top- Sunday near the southernmost Philippine island of Institute at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, links to the populist government ousted by pled by the army in 2014. Slogans scrawled Baguan near the Malaysian coast, said coast guard Freedom of Navigation Mission told the Navy Times. “China is unlikely to cave the army in 2014, and a brasher brand of by disciples on makeshift cardboard placards spokesman Armand Balilo. Philippine coast guard The US Navy is planning a fresh freedom of in no matter what the US military does in the Buddhism than the conservative traditions of in Thai and English also showed the politiciza- speedboats reached the scene but found one navigation operation around China’s man-made South China Sea. Cooler heads are needed king and army, make the temple a thorn in tion of the standoff. “Thai dictator try to Vietnamese dead and at least six others abducted, islands, the first under President Donald Trump, from both sides, not moves to unnecessarily the side of the establishment. The temple invade the holiest stage of Buddhism,” read said military spokesman Colonel Edgard Arevalo. the Navy Times reported, citing defense offi- provoke the other side.”?? claims millions of followers and, in a country one. —Reuters Arevalo said it was too early to say if the attackers cials. The operation would most likely be carried were members of the Abu Sayyaf, a Filipino Muslim out by the San Diego-based USS Carl Vinson China, US fleets extremist group that has been abducting people for carrier strike group, which began patrolling the Just as the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier ransom in the south for decades. The waters South China Sea. It would involve sailing within strike group begins its deployment in the South between Malaysia and the southern Philippines 12-mile territorial waters of the island features China Sea and the Western Pacific, China dis- have become increasingly dangerous in recent years China claims as its own, the report said. patched its own fleet for scheduled drills. The as Filipino Muslim extremists have taken to piracy, According to newspaper, the plans are missile destroyers Changsha and Haikou and boarding ships and seizing seamen for ransom. awaiting Trump’s approval. China’s Foreign the supply ship Luomahu wrapped up week- Affairs spokesman Geng Shuang said he was long exercises on Friday. The fleet includes three aware of the reports. He said that while China helicopters and marines on board. According to respects freedom of navigation under interna- the official Xinhua News Agency, the drills Pakistan airstrikes kill tional law, “we have firm objections to any involved naval aviation forces and military gar- ‘dozens’ of militants country that impairs China’s sovereignty and risons from both the Spratlys and the Paracels, PESHAWAR: Pakistani airstrikes killed “dozens” of mili- security interests in the name of freedom of as well as elements of the Beihai and Donghai tants yesterday in a tribal region along the Afghan bor- navigation and overflight.” fleets. They practiced air defense, escorting, der, the military said. Pakistan had vowed to fight back “We urge the US side not to take any anti-terror, anti-piracy and defensive operations after a series of suicide bombings last week killed more actions that challenge China’s sovereignty and under real combat conditions, Xinhua said. security, and respect the effort made by than 100 people, including 88 worshippers gathered at regional countries in safeguarding peace and Revisions in maritime law a famed Sufi shrine. The attacks were claimed by various stability in the South China Sea,” he told China is considering revisions in its 1984 Islamic militant groups, which have long operated in reporters. Navy warships have deliberately maritime law that could bar foreign ships from the porous border region. The warplanes targeted mili- sailed close to Chinese-occupied features four passing through what it considers Chinese tant hideouts in the Wucha Bibi area of North times since October 2015, ignoring Beijing’s waters and require submersibles to travel on Waziristan, the Pakistani army said in a statement. The sovereignty claims. The first three missions the surface, display national flags and report to information could not be independently confirmed, as challenged China’s requirement for ships to Chinese authorities. According to a draft that media access to the region is heavily restricted. Pakistan obtain permission prior to transit, while the was published to solicit public opinion, foreign carried out a blistering artillery assault on suspected last one challenged China’s sovereignty over ships that violate Chinese laws would be terrorist camps in Afghanistan on Friday and Saturday waters encompassing the Paracels. expelled, state-run media reported. The pro- after giving the Afghan government a list of 76 alleged Some criticized the Obama administration posed changes are in line with international Pakistani terrorists it said where sheltering there. The BANGKOK: Buddhist monks of the Dhammakaya sect temple confront Thai for curtailing freedom of navigation opera- maritime law, Beijing media said, but they could artillery assault displaced nearly 200 families, according policemen outside the temple in Pathum Thani, north of Bangkok, Thailand tions and allowing China to build military also set China up for conflict with Washington, to the Norwegian Refugee Council. yesterday. —P installations on seven artificial islands in the which insists on freedom of navigation. —AP TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 INTERNATIONAL Philippine leader Duterte News in brief

Saudi, Israel ‘working operated a ‘death squad’ together’ against Iran TEHRAN: Iran yesterday criticized what it said was coordi- nation between Israel and regional rival Saudi Arabia, describing attempts to create an “international atmos- Ex-cop says Duterte paid him, others to kill suspects phere” against Tehran. Foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said the two countries “imagine they can com- MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte operated a tion created by the media. Yesterday, Lascanas asserted Martin Andanar said allegations that Duterte was linked to pensate for their numerous defeats and failures in the “death squad” while mayor of Davao city, giving cash and that the Davao death squad was no myth and he was one extrajudicial killings had been proved false by numerous region by creating an international atmosphere against our orders for police and assassins to murder criminals, accord- of those who carried out secret killings of drug dealers and independent agencies. country.” The alignment is “not accidental”, he was quoted ing to a former policeman who said he was involved in the criminals at Duterte’s behest. “It is true, the Davao death “Our people are aware that this character assassination as saying by the official IRNA news agency. Israel and Saudi clandestine killings. In remarks contradicting his denial squad, or DDS, really exists,” Lascanas told reporters at the is nothing but vicious politics,” he told CNN Philippines. Arabia accuse Iran of fuelling regional conflicts by support- under oath last year of the existence of such a “death Senate in Manila. Lascanas said he had decided his “obedience and loyalty” ing armed Shiite movements in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and to Duterte must end and had promised God that he would Bahrain. Iran rejects the accusations and says Riyadh must confess. He is the second man to go public with claims of stop its support for Sunni “terrorists” like the Islamic State involvement in murders allegedly ordered by Duterte, the group and Al-Qaeda. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin hugely popular president nicknamed “the Punisher”, whose Netanyahu visited Washington last week and said there ruthless approach to tackling crime has won public were now “broader conditions for broad peace in the approval. Middle East between Israel and the Arab countries”.

‘Explosive’ The account given by Lascanas was similar to that of hit British bomber strikes man Edgar Matobato, who testified in September he had near Mosul, IS claims also been a death squad member in Davao and he had BAGHDAD: The Islamic State group yesterday claimed seen Duterte shoot a man dead and give orders for police responsibility for a suicide attack near Mosul it said was to kill criminals. Senator Antonio Trillanes, a critic of carried out by a British suicide bomber, the SITE Duterte who appeared at the same news conference as Intelligence Group reported. “The martyrdom-seeking Lascanes, said he would file a motion for a Senate investi- brother Abu Zakariya Al-Britani-may—Allah accept gation into the so-called Davao death squad. him-detonated his explosives—laden vehicle on a Another anti-Duterte Senator, Leila de Lima, who led a headquarters of the Rafidhi army and its militias in Tal Senate investigation last year into the Davao killings, Kisum village, southwest of Mosul,” the claim quoted by described Lascanas’ account as “a very, very explosive devel- SITE said. The IS statement did not say when the bomb- opment”. Human rights groups have documented about ing occurred. The jihadist group uses the word “rafid- 1,400 suspicious killings in Davao while Duterte was mayor ha”, which means “rejectionists”, to refer to Shiite and critics say the war on drugs he unleashed as president Muslims in a derogatory way because it considers them has the same hallmarks. More than 7,700 people have been heretics. Forces from the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular killed in the latest crackdown, some 2,500 in what police Mobilisation), a paramilitary umbrella dominated by say are shootouts during raids and sting operations. Shiite militias backed by Tehran, are active in the area Most of the rest are under investigation and activists mentioned in the statement. They are fighting along- believe many were extrajudicial killings. Lascanas said side other Iraqi forces—including the army and the MANILA: Former police officer Arthur Lascanas (center) wipes his tears as he relates the death of his death squad members in Davao got 20,000 to 100,000 federal police—as part of a push that started on pesos ($398 to $1,990) per hit, depending on the target’s Sunday to retake the west bank of Mosul. brothers, during a press conference next to lawyers from the Free Legal Assistance group Arno value. Some members, he said, were former Communist Sanidad (left) and Manuel Diokno III at the Senate yesterday. —AFP rebels. He confessed to the unsolved murder of a Davao radio show host who was staunchly critical of Duterte. 22 migrants flee US to squad”, Arturo Lascanas said he was one of the ringleaders “When Mayor Duterte sat down as mayor for the first Lascanas detailed his involvement in the bombing of a seek asylum in Canada of the group that began operating when Duterte became time, we started what is called ‘salvaging’ of people, these mosque and the killing of the family of a suspected kid- mayor of the southern city in 1988. people are suspects committing crime in Davao.” “We napper. The victims included a pregnant woman, a small OTTAWA: At least 22 migrants fled the United States for Duterte has repeatedly denied involvement in vigilan- implemented the personal orders of Mayor Duterte to us.” boy and an elderly person. Both attacks were ordered by Canada over the weekend, sneaking across the border in tism or summary executions, either as president or during Duterte’s legal counsel, Salvadore Panelo, said Lascanas’ Duterte, he said. “This is how it began, all the killings we Manitoba province to request asylum, authorities said his 22 years as Davao mayor. His police chief has denied allegations were a “continuing fabrication” and “another did in Davao, whether we bury or we throw in the sea, we Sunday. Twenty-two people, mostly from Africa, crossed the there was ever a death squad in Davao, describing it as fic- false narration”. Presidential Communications Secretary are being paid by Mayor Duterte,” he said.—Reuters border on foot overnight Saturday into Sunday, said Greg Janzen, a local official in the city of Emerson. Eight others had arrived on Friday. Emerson, 120 kilometers south of Winnipeg and close to the US states of North Dakota and Minnesota, has seen the porous border-in many areas with no official Japanese men crossings-drawing greater numbers of asylum seekers since US President Donald Trump’s travel ban. The Republican took office in January and promptly signed an order to temporari- ly ban US entry for nationals of seven Muslim-majority coun- strip off for tries, and for all refugees. Under a bilateral agreement, asy- lum-seekers from the United States are usually turned back at Canada’s border crossings. But this does not apply to those naked festival crossing the border illegally in other places. Norway Nobel Committee chairwoman dies aged 65 OKAYAMA: With only a skimpy loin- like disco lights at a rave-before all cloth to protect their modesty, thou- hell broke loose. OSLO: Kaci Kullmann Five, the chairwoman of the sands of men brave freezing tempera- Norwegian Nobel Committee which selects the Peace tures to fight for lucky charms thrown Dante’s ‘Inferno’ Prize laureates, has died aged 65 after a long illness, the by a priest at Japan’s annual Naked In a scene reminiscent of Dante’s organization said yesterday. Kullmann was diagnosed Man Festival. A writhing mass of “Inferno”, steam rises as thousands of with breast cancer in 2014 and underwent treatment. sweaty worshippers wrestled for groaning men, faces contorted with But her condition worsened, and she was forced to can- elbow-room inside Saidaiji Temple in pain, thrust their arms upwards from SINGAPORE: Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd left) and his cel several appearances last year. “She was a role model Okayama, western Japan, late on the suffocating pit below, as if begging wife Sara (left) look at a Dendrobium Benjamin Sara Netanyahu orchids, for many young women,” Norway’s Conservative Prime Saturday night in the hope of catching for forgiveness-or if not a pair of named in their honor, as Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Minister Erna Solberg wrote on Facebook. Kullmann became a member of the Norwegian Nobel committee in the sacred batons. Around 10,000 trousers and a shirt to keep warm. Those wife Ho Ching look on during an orchid naming ceremony at the Istana pres- idential palace in Singapore yesterday. Netanyahu is in Singapore on a two- 2003, and was elected chair in 2015. She was among the hardy souls celebrating the religious who snaffle one of the holy talismans decision makers who honored former US vice president festival stepped under ice-cold foun- tossed from above have to fight tooth day official visit. —AFP Al Gore (2007), former US president Barack Obama tains to purify their bodies before risk- and nail to keep hold of it as they come (2009), Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo (2010), and Iranian ing life and limb in a mysterious cere- under attack by rivals desperate for the Israel Prime Minister human rights activist Shirin Ebadi (2003). The former mony dating back some 500 years. “It juju it bestows. Fuelled by beer and businesswoman served as trade and shipping minister can get very rough,” 62-year-old auto sake, many festival-goers came to between 1989-1990 and was the leader of the mechanic Kazuhiko Nishigami told blows. “I was lucky to escape,” said fire- on historic Asian trip Conservative Party between 1991-1994. AFP, bare-chested and ready to rum- fighter Kosuke Yasuhara, clutching one ble. “You have to write down your of the talismans. SYDNEY: Benjamin Netanyahu will become the obstacle to peace in the region. blood type on a form and tuck it into “It dropped right in the middle of first Israeli Prime Minister to visit Australia tomor- Netanyahu has also long wavered on his sup- your loincloth in case you get serious- our group,” added the 38-year-old. “I row on a historic Asia trip that also includes port for a two-state solution to the Israel- ly hurt.” had to quickly slip it into my loincloth Singapore, but faces protests Down Under. The Palestinian conflict, that has been on the table for Most who took on the ‘Hadaka to hide it and then force my way out.” right-wing Israeli leader will meet with Australian years backed by the US and other major powers, Matsuri,’ or Naked Festival, suffered no High priest Zenko Tsuboi insisted Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Sydney. But a though President Donald Trump recently more than a few bumps and bruises the festival was not an orgy of violence, group of 60 business leaders, academics, mem- appeared to put Washington’s commitment in after scrapping over a pair of wooden even if wailing ambulance sirens have bers of the clergy and former politicians signed a doubt. Opposition Labor leader Bill Shorten said letter released yesterday saying that Australia he would tell Netanyahu when they meet on sticks, measuring 4cm (one and a half provided an unwanted soundtrack in should not welcome Netanyahu, claiming his Friday “that where settlement building is an obsta- inches) in diameter and 20cm (eight previous years. “Those who catch the policies “provoke, intimidate and oppress” the cle to a two-state solution, it should be stopped”. inches) in length, believed to bring charms will prosper and receive a Palestinians. “Israel continues to defy all United Australia and Israel have traditionally enjoyed good fortune to whoever catches bumper harvest,” he said. “We want to Nations calls for it to comply with international friendly ties but this is the first time that a serving them. But revellers have been crushed remind people this is a religious festi- law in respect of its illegal settlement building, Israeli prime minister has visited the country since BEIRUT: France’s far-right presidential candidate Marine to death in the past in a melee that val so we have become much stricter and its treatment of the indigenous Palestinian the establishment of the Jewish state in 1948. Le Pen (left) meets with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad makes Tokyo’s infamous rush-hour these days about alcohol and rough population,” the letter reads. Netanyahu yesterday met with Singaporean Prime Hariri in the capital Beirut yesterday. —AFP trains look like a walk in the park. And behavior.” As revellers and the hun- Demonstrations are planned in Melbourne, Minister Lee Hsien Loong in the city-state, also on it’s easy to see how fatalities could dreds of police and firemen on call Canberra and Sydney during the visit. The letter a first-time visit. Israel played a key role in Le Pen in Lebanon; first occur when the lights suddenly go off made their way back through the rice also calls on the Australian government to reassess Singapore’s history after the city-state became head of state meeting and priests cast the mystical charms fields to the city, father-to-be Yasuhara its “one-sided” backing of Netanyahu’s govern- independent from Malaysia in 1965, helping to set BEIRUT: France’s far-right leader and presidential candidate from the temple’s rafters into the broke into a wide grin. “This charm is a ment. Israel passed a new law this month that up its armed forces after other countries declined. Marine Le Pen yesterday met for the first time with a foreign heaving crowd below. As holy water gift from the gods,” he said. “I believe it legalises dozens of Jewish outposts and thousands Netanyahu said both countries were “kindred spir- head of state, holding talks in Beirut with Lebanon’s was splashed from above, camera will deliver us a bouncing baby when of settler homes built on private Palestinian land in its” being “small nations that have become in many President Michel Aoun. “We discussed the long and fruitful flashes illuminated the sea of bodies it’s born in April.” —AFP the occupied West Bank. The international com- areas global powers”. He is set to arrive in Australia friendship between our two countries,” the National Front munity sees the settlements as illegal and a major tomorrow for four days. —AFP (FN) leader said after her 30-minute encounter at the presi- dential palace in the hilltop suburb of Baabda with Aoun, the Middle East’s only Christian president. Le Pen, who is leading 14 on Philippine camping polls of voters’ intentions for the first round of France’s presi- dential election on April 23, said they also discussed the trip killed in bus accident refugee crisis in Lebanon, where more than one million Syrians have fled their country’s conflict, making up one in four of the Lebanese population. “We raised... the concerns TANAY: Fourteen people, mostly college Associated Press. The students, mostly tak- we share over the very serious refugee crisis,” she said. “These students on a camping trip, were killed yes- ing computer courses, were less than thirty difficulties are being overcome by the courage and generosi- terday when the brakes on their chartered minutes from their destination when the ty of Lebanon but this cannot go on forever.” bus apparently failed on a steep downhill crash occurred, he said. Some of the sur- road and it smashed into an electric post vivors said they smelled burning rubber and a tree, Philippine officials said. About before the brakes of the bus apparently 350 migrants storm the 45 others were injured, many seriously, said failed. Some students screamed in panic as Morocco, Spain border Darlito Bati Jr, a disaster-response officer in the bus went out of control. Tanay town in Rizal province east of Manila. Garbage truck driver Danny Gutierrez, MADRID: Over 350 migrants stormed the border between The dead included the driver and a profes- who helped the victims into ambulances, Morocco and Spain at Ceuta yesterday, officials said, days sor, he said. Bati, who helped pull the vic- said some of the survivors wept, while after one of the largest rush of arrivals over the frontier in tims from the wreckage, said many of the others suffering from broken legs and more than a decade. The young migrants forced their way dead were piled in a heap of bodies at the cuts were too shocked to speak. Parents through the high border fence into the Spanish North African front of the passenger cabin. and siblings later collected the dead territory, ecstatic to have finally crossed into a European The impact was so strong it ripped off a from a funeral parlor, stunned by the Union state. Some kissed the ground and shouted “Thank you large chunk of the roof of the bus and scat- tragedy. The bus was one of several vehi- lord” and “Viva Espana”, although several had bloodied hands tered the victims’ belongings, including cles transporting hundreds of college and feet as well as torn clothes after making it through the containers of rice, a stuffed toy, shoes and a students to a camping resort when the barrier. Ceuta and Melilla, also a Spanish territory in North neck pillow. “They were having fun along accident happened in Tanay, about 50 Africa, have the EU’s only land borders with Africa, so are entry TANAY: Police and soldiers stand guard next to a tourist bus which hit an the way because the camp-out at a resort kilometers east of Manila. A police inves- points for migrants who either climb the border fence, swim electric post in Tanay town, Rizal province, east of Manila yesterday. —AFP was to last for three days,” Bati told The tigation is underway. —AP along the coast or hide in vehicles. NEWS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017

A boy flies a kite on the Red Sea beach near the landmark Jeddah fountain yesterday.— AP

KIA chief Saad ‘to step down’ Lawmaker proposes granting citizenship... Continued from Page 1 fund managers as it seeks to manage more of its assets Continued from Page 1 said yesterday he has sent a series of questions to Finance and take on more risk to boost returns, Saad said in an Minister Anas Al-Saleh about Kuwait’s foreign investments, The KIA, which started as a Bank of England interview with Bloomberg TV in January. It wants to He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was “which include major mistakes”. The lawmaker said the min- account dedicated to receiving oil money in 1953, increase the allocation of funds managed in-house to as examined, and his injury was found to be minor. He was ister has two weeks to answer the questions and start now has $592 billion of assets, according to the much as 8 percent from 1 or 2 percent at present, he taken back to prison the same night. undertaking the necessary reforms, or he will be ques- Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute. Its most high-profile said. Bastaki, who holds an industrial engineering Interior Minister Sheikh Khaled Jarrah Al-Sabah tioned in the Assembly. Tabtabaei said he has submitted holdings include a 6.8 percent stake in Daimler AG, a degree from the University of Miami, is also on the ordered an investigation into the attack. A number of proposals to establish a fourth mobile company, a new 1.7 percent stake in BP Plc and stakes in Vodafone board of the Kuwaiti investment firm National opposition MPs claimed the attack was planned. Barrak is Islamic bank and a pharmaceutical firm. He also proposed Group Plc and HSBC Holdings Plc, according to data Technology Enterprises Co. and has been a board mem- serving the last two months of his two-year jail sentence establishing a company for solar energy, another for petro- compiled by Bloomberg. ber of the Gulf Bank of Kuwait since 2009, according to for insulting HH the Amir and undermining his authority. chemicals and a third for the planned metro project. The The fund may pull billions of dollars from external the bank’s website. He is due to be released around mid-April. constitutional court meanwhile set May 3 to issue its ver- Separately, Islamist opposition MP Waleed Al-Tabtabaei dicts on 54 challenges to November’s Assembly election. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 ANALYSIS

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FOCUS China wields stick with North Korea

ith the suspension of all North Korean coal imports, China has wielded a big stick against its reclusive Wneighbor, but there is no sign it will cut off all criti- cal links and Beijing is still promoting talks to solve the dis- pute over Pyongyang’s program to develop nuclear weapons. China has been getting increasingly fed up with what it sees as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s recalci- trance and unwillingness to show any sign of wanting to seek a peaceful resolution to the nuclear weapons issue, according to Chinese experts on North Korea. It has also come under increasing pressure from the United States to get tough with Pyongyang. The Global Times, a widely-read Chinese state-run tabloid, said on Monday that the coal decision showed China’s determination to work with the international com- munity to stop North Korea’s nuclear schemes but did not mean China’s policy towards its neighbor had or would fun- damentally change. “Despite participating in UN sanctions, Chinese society’s friendship to the North remains unchanged. Chinese sanctions only target at its nuclear Snap bets on hardware as Facebook looms weapon program, and we are firmly opposed to Seoul’s political fantasy against Pyongyang,” it said in an editorial. nap Inc takes to the road in London today to promote format that’s unique, at least for now. “If you’re going to 3D scanning technology, according to people close to the The fantasy reference related to speculation in the South its initial public offering with a daring proposition: make the bet longer-term on Snap, you are betting they discussions. Korean media that China may have halted the coal shipments SThat it can build hot-selling hardware gadgets and are going to come up with innovative products that Spectacles itself came from Snap’s acquisition of startup to punish North Korea for the killing of leader Kim Jong Un’s ad-friendly software features fast enough to stay one step Facebook can’t copy,” said Nabil Elsheshai, senior equity Vergence Labs in 2014. The sunglasses surprised even half brother Kim Jong Nam last week in Malaysia. South ahead of Facebook. No longer just a purveyor of a smart- analyst at Thrivent Financial, who is considering whether to Snap’s earliest investors, who say hardware was not in Korean officials say they believe that Kim Jong Nam was phone app for disappearing messages, Snap has hired recommend that his firm buy Snap’s IPO. Facebook-owned Snap’s initial pitch to them. “It was a disappearing messag- assassinated by North Korean agents. The economic impact hundreds of hardware engineers, built a secretive product Instagram last year rolled out a feature called Stories, mod- ing product, and that’s it,” said Jeremy Liew, a partner with of suspending coal imports would be severe and may force development lab and scoured the landscape for acquisi- eled after Snapchat’s feature by the same name. Snapchat Lightspeed Venture Partners, who made the initial venture Pyongyang to the negotiating table, some of the Chinese tions as it pursues its newly stated ambition to be “a cam- had about 100 million fewer downloads than Instagram in investment into Snap. Like most Snap backers he lauded experts said. China imported about $1.89 billion of coal from era company”. 2016, according to market research firm App Annie. the Spectacles rollout. Snap has acquired at least 10 start- North Korea last year, a significant proportion of the $2.5 bil- These efforts, which are aimed at developing hardware ups since 2014 according to firms tracking such deals, and lion in total Chinese imports from North Korea that year. and so-called augmented reality technologies, are central New gadgets M&A deal makers say Snap is one of the most active shop- “This is a very severe measure that has broken with pre- to the strategy of a company that is seeking a valuation of Snap had 158 million daily active users in the fourth pers they have heard from. vious convention, it shows just how much China has been up to $22 billion in its early March IPO despite heavy losses quarter, up just 3 percent from the previous quarter, com- antagonised by [Pyongyang’s] recent missile tests,” said Jin and the specter of stiff competition for advertising dollars pared to 14 percent growth during the same period in ‘Amazon pass’ Qiangyi, director of the Centre for North and South Korea with a far-larger Facebook. 2015, according to Snap’s IPO filing. Snap’s R&D investment as a percentage of revenue is far Studies at Yanbian University, who specialises in China’s rela- It is a big gamble and the odds against Snap are long. New gadgets that offer more ways to interact with higher than what Facebook or Twitter were spending tionship with North Korea. “The situation is such that doing There is little precedent for a company with its roots in Snapchat could help attract new users and get existing before they went public. One result of that investment has nothing will only see risks exacerbate; doing this still comes software and social networking succeeding in the notori- users to spend more time on the app. been a wave of patent filings - about 46 total, according to with some risk but it may force North Korea to negotiate.” ously difficult consumer hardware business. Few US firms “Ultimately, that’s what advertisers are going to be look- research firm CB Insights. They include eyewear patents for aside from Apple have made big profits on hardware, and ing at,” said Douglas Melsheimer, managing director at Spectacles, as well as patents for photo and video-capture Fears of Collapse camera and wearable gadget makers have much lower val- investment bank and consulting firm Bulger Partners. Snap, devices, and object and facial recognition, which is key to Still, Beijing will want to tread carefully to avoid upset- uations than Snap is seeking. Once-hot camera start-up along with Facebook and host of online rivals ranging from developing augmented reality technology. ting Kim too much, according to a source with ties to GoPro is a cautionary tale: Its stock sits 61 percent below its Google to BuzzFeed, is capitalizing on the shift of video One former employee said Snap is working to figure out China’s military. One concern is that Kim could even point 2014 IPO price. advertising dollars from traditional television to the inter- ways to turn the warehouse of data it collects from his missiles in China’s direction, the source said. “Kim is like a More broadly, creating new products and features that net. Snap’s IPO filing reads “as if all the hard things in front Memories, a feature for users to save photos on Snap’s dog who needs to be both loved and beaten to keep him in have mass-market appeal and cannot be readily mimicked of them that they have to do are already done,” said Rett server, into augmented reality or facial recognition applica- line,” said the source, who has also visited North Korea. “But is a huge challenge, analysts say. “It’s worrisome,” said Paul Wallace, cofounder and chief executive at Triton Research. tions. Spectacles “opens the doors for augmented reality”, beat him too hard and he’ll bite back. That’s the quandary.” Meeks, chief investment officer at Sloy, Dahl & Holst, which But, he said, that’s not the case. “How will they hold up Elsheshai said. “That’s a different direction for the company Among the Chinese government’s other fears is the pos- manages more than $1 billion in assets. “Snapchat is going against all the guys you don’t want to be fighting against in than just adding more social media capabilities.” The quirky sibility of a sudden regime collapse in North Korea leading to have to continue to be really innovative and distinctive. the world - Facebook, Google and Apple?” popularity of Spectacles further endears users to Snapchat, to chaos and the potential for hundreds of thousands of It’s going to be very tough to trump Facebook.” Snap Hardware is part of the answer. Snap has recruited hard- he said, but doubted that such niche products can propel North Korean refugees to head across the Chinese border, declined to comment for this story. ware experts from Apple, Alphabet Inc’s Google, Nest and the user growth Snap needs in the long term. diplomatic sources have said. In that scenario, Beijing would Snap first signaled its new focus with the September Motorola, according to an analysis of LinkedIn profiles. One The greatest impediment to Snap’s innovation efforts, also be concerned that US and South Korean armed forces reveal of Spectacles, funky sunglasses with an embedded former employee described ample resources and support however, may be its hefty losses: the company lost $515 would move into North Korea and soon be on the Chinese video camera for posting to the Snapchat app. The compa- from management for the hand-picked hardware teams. million last year on $404 million in sales. Revenue from border. If China really wanted to throttle Pyongyang, it ny spent $184 million on research and development last Last spring, Snap set out to hire up to 300 hardware, aug- Spectacles was “not material,” according to Snap’s IPO filing. could simply stop all trade with the country, including oil year, nearly half its revenue. Augmented reality, which mented reality and virtual reality specialists in a single Snap, like Amazon.com, is expecting public investors to and food, ban flights to and from North Korea, and end all refers to computer-generated images overlaid on real sur- month, according to another former employee. It also set allow the company to lose money for years on the promise financial transactions with the country. At the same time as roundings and viewed through a smartphone or special up Snap Labs, a group dedicated to working on secretive that more investment in innovation will pay off later. “They unveiling the coal measures, China has been promoting glasses, is a big part of the plan. Snap’s “lenses” image-over- projects. Its members have reviewed acquisition targets in are going to have to get the Amazon pass - investors that diplomatic efforts. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speak- lay feature has been a hit, and gives Snap an advertising areas including wearable cameras, facial recognition and don’t care in the short run,” Elsheshai said. — Reuters ing at a high profile security summit in Munich over the weekend, said China has not given up hope for a new round of diplomacy with North Korea, even as he pledged support for UN sanctions. Wang also took aim at the repeated calls Caucasus ‘land grab’ feared in remote site from Washington for Beijing to step up the pressure on Pyongyang - and said the United States had its responsibili- or the people of Upper Svaneti, a remote sliver of land ‘Up to the sky’ five hectares based on historic use by communities. ties too. “The United States and North Korea are the parties nestled high in the gorges of Georgia, the last words A 2015 impact report by the dam’s major investor, the However Minister Eloshvili told the Thomson Reuters most directly involved, and they must as soon as possible Futtered by the dying are portents of the future. And the Korean state-owned K-water (Korea Water Resources Foundation that land registration by individuals takes time be politically decisive,” Wang said, adding China would con- future looks bleak. Residents say the same ominous rattle has Corporation) identified a need to relocate just two inhabited and “for the government to start construction, it cannot just tinue to play a mediating role. Last month, before being echoed over so many of its death beds this past year - “The homes in the power house area. sit around and wait until people get property rights”. “But we sworn into office, US President Donald Trump criticized Svans are in danger, be careful” - that villagers are now braced The report said the reservoir would also flood almost 400 will compensate everyone who uses the land,” he said. China for benefiting from economic ties with the US but not for battle. The source of their deep unease - electricity. hectares of land, most “state forests” used “intensively by the Rekaz Tkavadze, a Partnership Fund lawyer, said the state’s doing enough to curb North Korea’s erratic behavior. They say a dam and hydro power plant proposed for the local population for grazing, collecting firewood, gathering of was “a primary registration” and the land belonging to the two region could threaten the livelihoods of 17 villages perched wild fruits and other purposes.” earmarked houses would be given to families once they regis- Residual support among valleys and flanked by mountain peaks that soar to In the earliest phase of planning, the Korean investor did tered the plots. While China is frequently called North Korea’s only seri- 4,000 m. In the Chuberi and Nakra communities, some resi- not refer to the villagers’ traditional land rights as these were He said the promise to re-register lands in the name of ous remaining ally, relations have soured steadily due to dents fear flooding, others predict the loss of ancient stone not formally recognized by the Georgian state. However the local families was not in writing, but would be upheld. Land Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile tests and Chinese houses that have been home to six consecutive generations of Svan communities soon united and while very few had prop- flooded by the reservoir would be given by the state to the President Xi Jinping has yet to meet with his North Korean their family. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Upper Svaneti erty deeds, they argued that the two valleys belonged to consortium “if not today then in one of the following counterpart. The killing of Kim Jong Nam has only under- boasts spectacular mountain scenery, mediaeval villages and them, historically and culturally. Tradition dictates that house- weeks”, he added. lined the unpredictability of the regime. Malaysian police tower houses fit for a fairy tale. holds own their land from the fence round their house right have detained four suspects - a Vietnamese woman, an The Svans - as the local people are called - actively nurture ‘up to the sky’ while they shared forest lands on nearby moun- Pandas in a zoo Indonesian woman, a Malaysian man, and North Korean links with their ancestors and their isolation high in the tains to graze animals and for logging. In Upper Svaneti, residents described the difficult and cost- man - and are on the hunt for four other North Koreans who Caucasus has cocooned its people and cemented traditions. The villagers’ campaign to protect their livelihood was also ly registration process. They confirmed they had been offered fled the country on the day of the attack. The dead are buried in their own front yards and every supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB), which compensation but did not know by whom while those who Unlike the US and South Korea, China has not pointed January, a seven-course feast is cooked for ‘lipanael’ celebra- pressed the Koreans to recognize the Svans’ traditional land use land communally for pasture felt most vulnerable as they the finger at the North Korean leader for the killing. Chinese tions when the souls of the departed are invited back into rights. A spokesman for JSC Nenskra Hydro, the consortium in fear the loss of their livelihood. School teacher Tamar experts on North Korea said the decision to suspend coal their old homes for a week. which K-water is majority stakeholder, said supplementary Chkhvimiani called it “shameful ... We rejected the compensa- imports would only have been taken after careful delibera- studies required by the EIB were complete and would be tion. We depend on the animals and, if we can’t use that area, tion, and was unlikely to be a knee-jerk reaction to Kim Against nature made public for consultations “in the first quarter of 2017”. where will we go to feed them?” At the time of publication, no Jong Nam’s assassination. — Reuters More than 1,000 Svans live in Chuberi, another 400 in Natia Turnava, Deputy CEO of the Partnership Fund, the information had been made public about compensation or Nakra, and many fear the 280 megawatt Nenskra dam will Georgian investment fund with a minority stake in the project, provision of alternative pastures. destroy their ancient culture. Plans put the dam on the said investors would offer compensation to all affected resi- Manana Kochladze of the Georgian environmental cam- Nenskra river, using additional flows from the Nakra river dents, whether they had official property rights or not. paign group, Green Alternative, called the process “land grab- All articles appearing on these pages are brought in via a tunnel that would cut through the mountain Turnava said the project had also been slightly modified to bing”. “On the one hand, the state acknowledges that this is the personal opinion of the writers. separating the two communities. Giorgi Tsindeliani from avoid relocating the two homes identified for the power people’s land and they need to be compensated. On the other, Nakra, whose family owns land near the tunnel path, is bitterly house area and that all those who had been offered compen- it puts the land under state ownership leaving people no Kuwait Times takes no responsibility for opposed. “This is a severe aggression against nature: they are sation “were satisfied”. choice but to take the compensations offered or be left with views expressed therein. Kuwait Times diverting the whole river,” he told the Thomson Reuters nothing.” Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili, who oversees the invites readers to voice their opinions. Foundation. “We already have mudslides here and, with no riv- What’s in a name? observance of human rights in Georgia, said he would launch er to clean them, our lands will be covered in mud. We will be The Thomson Reuters Foundation has learned that late last an investigation. Please send submissions via email to: forced to move away.” Projected to cost $1 billion, the dam is year, when investors were negotiating compensation pack- “They are using the old methods again ...previously (in the [email protected] or via snail mail just one of about 100 new hydro facilities planned by the ages with locals, all the land identified for the dam was regis- case of another dam, Khudoni) they gave it to the company Georgian government. Georgia’s Deputy Minister of Energy, tered by the Georgian state under its own name. not to people.” Nato Subari, headmaster of the Chuberi school, to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. The editor Ilia Eloshvili, expects electricity consumption to grow as the This included 600 hectares of pasture and forest beneath questioned the state’s right to decide the fate of communities reserves the right to edit any submission economy expands. He said the government must meet the reservoir used communally by the Svans, the two homes built by “our Svani ancestors”. “We are indigenous and our as necessary. demand with domestically produced hydro power to avoid in the power house and land owned by families. A law passed lands should get protected status. Otherwise, we will end up increased reliance on Russian imports. by the government last year allowed people to register up to like the pandas: a few of us left in a zoo.” — Reuters TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 SPORTS

Infantino to talk, UK Sport rejects Japan prodigy Harimoto party in S Africa funding appeals seeks Olympic dream LONDON: UK Sport chiefs have rejected funding application appeals by seven sports that hoped for a cash boost ahead of the NEW DELHI: A 13-year-old Japanese table tennis prodigy has set his sights on JOHANNESBURG: FIFA president Gianni Infantino will be in South Africa and 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Archery, badminton, fencing, table ten- the Tokyo Olympics after he narrowly failed to become the youngest champion Zimbabwe this week to meet African football bosses and attend a birthday nis and weightlifting, and Paralympic sports goalball and wheel- in World Tour history in New Delhi. The 14th seed Tomokazu Harimoto lost to top party. He has invited all 54 African national football association presidents to chair rugby will now receive no financial aid from the lottery- seed Dimitrij Ovtcharov of Germany 11-6, 11-8, 11-4, 14-12 in the India Open Johannesburg for two days of meetings, starting today. The 46-year-old backed funding agency. Badminton is the biggest loser as it was final on Sunday but only took the defeat as his stepping stone to success. “Was Swiss-Italian leaves for Harare Thursday to attend the birthday party of given £5.7 million ($7.1 million) ahead of last year’s Rio Olympic. amazing to have such a run to my first World Tour final at 13 years old,” Zimbabwe football chief Philip Chiyangwa. Organisers of the two-day summit The sizeable cut comes despite the sport hitting its medal target Harimoto said after going down against the 28-year-old Ovtcharov. said Infantino will explain changes to the global game, including thanks to a bronze medal in the men’s doubles. In a press release, “I am disappointed not to win today, but I will use this event as expanding the World Cup to 48 teams from 2026. African officials Rod Carr, chairman of UK Sport, said: “I’d like to thank all the motivation to go home and train even harder to get my first World have long argued for more than the five World Cup places they sports for their professionalism and openness throughout this Tour win and then move on to my overall goal, which is Tokyo compete for, even though teams representing the continent process. Our decision is in no way a reflection on them, their ath- 2020 success.” The reigning Junior World Champion though has consistently underperform. No African team has reached the letes or support personnel and everything that they have still time to match his compatriot Mima Ito, who won the women’s semi-finals and the first time two nations from the continent achieved to date. “I appreciate that for the majority of national singles title in Germany in 2015 at 14 years and 152 days. “I am not reached the knockout phase was in Brazil three years ago. governing bodies that attended the representation meetings worried about breaking records, but of course it is nice when Under the 48-team format, there has been media speculation today’s outcome is extremely disappointing. “We are operating in they come,” said Harimoto. However, aged 13 years and 237 that Africa could get up to nine slots. Chiyangwa, recently a tight financial envelope, and have responsibilities to both days, Harimoto does have the privilege of being the elected head of southern Africa football umbrella foot- develop the system underpinning our best athletes as well as the youngest ever World Tour men’s singles finalist after he ball body COSAFA, has come under fire over his sports and athletes themselves, and sadly our investment won’t clashed with his Ukraine-born rival at Delhi’s Thyagaraj birthday celebrations. —AFP stretch to these sports for the Tokyo 2020 cycle.”— AFP Sports Complex.—AFP PAS shooting tournament concludes

By Abdellatif Sharaa

KUWAIT: Public Authority for Sports (PAS) tournament concluded at Sabah Al- Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex on Sunday evening with a closing ceremony that was attended by President of Arab and Kuwait Shooting Federations Eng Duaij Khalaf Al-Otaibi, secretary general of KSF and ASF Obaid Munahi Al-Osaimi, Director of Sports for all department at PAS Hamid Al-Hazim and KSF Assistant Secretary Mohammad Al-Ghurba. The tournament organ- ized by KSF in the trap and skeet events, so 80 shooters participate and the results were as follows:

In the Juniors Skeet: 1. Hamad Al-Banai 2. Ahmad Al-Awad 3. Hamad Al-Khaldi

While in the Trap Juniors: 1. Yousuf Tami Al-Rashidi 2. Bader Al-Adwani 3. Yousuf Al-Mutairi. Kuwait’s eighth open tennis tournament begins March 2

By Abdellatif Sharaa Al-Jaber Al-Abdallah Al-Sabah, Chairman of the Board and President of the Higher KUWAIT: Kuwait Tennis Federation gives Organizing Committee, who urged all sports ranking points to clubs players participating clubs to have their players participate in the in Kuwait’s Eighth open tennis tournament tournament. as the deadline for registration in the event is Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber called upon all approaching which is 27th February, 2017. those who play the same to participate as The tournament will start on March 2nd and well as current and former national team continues until March 14th, as the board of members to also be involved. Adel Abdulla directors agreed to give ranking points to He said Kuwait Open Tennis tournament clubs players as the technical rules of KTA plays an important role to spread the game FIA confirms Nissan’s Adel Abdulla stipulates. and develop it in Kuwait and wished it all That was in a statement by Sheikh Ahmad success. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Abdallah Al-Sabah as 2016 FIA T2 World Champion

DUBAI: Nissan’s Adel Abdulla has won Berezovskiy’s victory in 2015. his FIA appeal and has belatedly been In his first full season of cross-country crowned the 2016 FIA T2 World competition, Adel Hussein claimed wins Champion. in Portugal, Abu Dhabi and Spain during Running with support from Nissan a successful campaign in the world’s Middle East, Nissan Qatar and the Qatar toughest off-road championship. Motor and Motorcycle Federation “I would like to thank the FIA for con- (QMMF), the Qatari produced several firming me as the 2016 FIA T2 World stunning performances in last year’s FIA Champion and a special thanks to Nissan World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies and Middle East, Saleh Al-Hamad Al-Mana Co. finished second in the unofficial points’ and the QMMF for their support,” said standings behind Saudi Arabia’s Yasir Adel Hussein. “I am very happy and am Saeidan. now looking forward to 2017 and a cal- But Adel Hussein’s TOK Sport team endar that features an extra two events, protested the legality of his main rival’s where I hope to defend my title. I expect car at the Rally of Morocco in October the competition to be even stronger this and the protest was upheld at a recent year. The timing of the decision was par- FIA Court of Appeal. This meant Saeidan ticularly poignant for me with the new lost the points he scored at the event and season set to start in Russia at the end of Adel Hussein was declared the FIA T2 February. “I am the number one ranked World Champion, with Nissan’s rugged T2 driver in the world and it is the perfect Patrol on top of the championship for the start to what I know will be another chal- second successive year, after Denis lenging year.” TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 SPORTS

Great expectations: Indians eye series title after ‘16 run

GOODYEAR: Above the small cactuses sights set on a return to the postseason - World Series title drought stretching to champagne. Game 7 of the World Series in 2014 to and flowering plants dotting the con- and this time winning it all. 1948 - now the majors’ longest. There was obvious heartache in winning it the following year, as a model crete blocked plaza outside the doorway “Everyone is very proud of what we Cleveland has vaulted from powder- Cleveland. But also hope. By going so far for the Indians. to Cleveland’s training complex is a new accomplished last year, but everybody puff to powerhouse. The Indians are in the postseason despite not having “They knew they wanted to be right sign that serves as both a reminder and wants that one more run,” Indians sec- determined to erase the memory of last Brantley, missing starters Carlos Carrasco back there,” he said. “They knew what it motivator. ond baseman Jason Kipnis said Sunday. year’s Series when they gave away a 3-1 and Danny Salazar and losing starter might take or fill in the hole from what “American League Champions 2016,” “Everybody wants to get back. We finally lead to the Cubs, who completed their Trevor Bauer in the AL Championship they were missing the year before and it says. The Indians have some unfinished got a taste of that fruit, and we want to comeback by winning an unforgettable Series when he sliced open his right they went out and did it. We’re kind of business. One swing away from beating be there and we want to stay there.” Game 7 on Nov. 2 pinkie while repairing a drone at home, hoping to follow that path and there are the Chicago Cubs in an epic World Series With one of baseball’s best starting in extra innings. Chicago’s victory not the Indians showed resiliency, confi- guys who now know what it takes and last year, the Indians, who pumped up rotations, deepest bullpens and a lineup only triggered a celebration on the sog- dence and a glimpse of their potential. what they need to work on and what their payroll to nearly $130 million by counting on the return of All-Star gy grass in Progressive Field, but a They were one step away, and this they need to kind of fix to get back there. winning baseball’s offseason with the Michael Brantley from injury, the Indians, national outpouring of affection for the year the Indians are better prepared to It gives you that past experience that surprise signing of free-agent slugger who lost 94 games in 2012, are posi- lovable Cubbies and their fans, who take it. Kipnis pointed to the Kansas City now you don’t have to ask any questions. Edwin Encarnacion this winter, have their tioned to make another run at ending a waited 108 years to sip championship Royals, who bounced back from losing You have that experience yourself.”—AP

MOTOR RACING Hamilton has ‘zero problems’ with Bottas

LONDON: Triple world champion Lewis debut with McLaren in 2007 alongside Hamilton has clarified comments about not double champion Fernando Alonso. wanting to share data with Formula One “It has been my feeling since the day I team mates and says he has “zero prob- started F1 and still is 10 years later. There is lems” with new Mercedes arrival Valtteri zero problems in my team, zero problems Bottas. Hamilton told a Facebook Live ses- with Bottas.” Hamilton is favourite to clinch sion with F1 sponsor UBS last Friday that a fourth title this season after losing out drivers should do their own “homework” last year to team mate Nico Rosberg, who rather than be able to copy a team mate’s promptly retired. racing lines and braking points. The German, a rival since their teenage “I go out, do my laps, do all my home- years in go-karting, won fewer races than work and the other guy can see every- Hamilton (9-10) but enjoyed better reliabili- thing,” said the Briton. ty. Hamilton beat Rosberg to the title in the “When we’re driving we’re picking out previous two campaigns. braking points, bumps, tyre rubber marks The Briton has said it does not matter on the track, all these different things to who his team mate is and spoke warmly of help get you through the corner quickest ... Bottas, who joins from Williams without but because of this (shared) data they having won a race so far. (team mates) can just copy you. “It is interesting to see how it’s going to “They should be able to go out there on go, how quick he will be, how quick he their own and find it all themselves, with- adapts, how he does with pressure ... I out you.” Hamilton’s comments were inter- would say the most fascinating thing is the preted by some as Hamilton criticising mind of my competitors, what limits they’ll Mercedes for insisting on shared data go to,” Hamilton said during the Facebook between team mates, but he took to Live session. “Some people will sell their Twitter yesterday to emphasise that was mum to win a race, sell your soul, and some not the case. people will do other things so it’s really “I wish to clarify, I have not hit out at my interesting to see where Valtteri will go.” team at all. My point on data sharing is The season starts in Australia on March solely my feelings about the sport in gener- 26 and Mercedes present their new car at al,” said the 32-year-old, who made his Silverstone on Thursday. —Reuters

PACIFIC PALISADES: Dustin Johnson and his son Tatum pose with the trophy during the final round at the Genesis Open at Riviera ountryC Club on Sunday in Pacific Palisades, California. — AFP

GOLF Johnson wins at Riviera, goes to No 1 in the world

LOS ANGELES: The only question about Dustin house. When he tapped in for par, he headed for ning. Nothing fazed him, and the same is true of Johnson going to No. 1 in the world is: What took the side of the green toward his fiancÈ to pick up Johnson. Major setbacks? Johnson might be the so long? The talent was never an issue. their young son. leader in the clubhouse. He lost one major with an Jordan Spieth once referred to Johnson as “a “Little man” is what Johnson calls him, and there 82 in the final round, another when he grounded freak athlete,” a term rarely heard in golf. Pat Perez already are tales that he’s a lot like his father. his club in sand without realizing it was a bunker. NEW SMYRNA BEACH: Amber Balcaen, driver of the #39 Shead Racing/Glen McLeod was partly in awe and partly exasperated Sunday Gretzky told of the time Tatum was going through The most crushing was the U.S. Open at Chambers & So, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Jet Tools 150 at as he stood behind the 10th green during the final the house and banged his head on a table. The Bay, when Johnson had a 12-foot eagle putt to win New Smyrna Speedway on Sunday in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. — AFP round at Riviera and said, “The guy hits it 40 yards boy rubbed it for a second and kept right on run- and three -putted to lose.—AP by me, hits his short irons great and makes 30-foot putts. What do you do?”

Mercedes boss Toto Crown him. Finally. Johnson looked like a world-beater against the Sauber aim for return to Wolff signs new deal strongest field of the year at the Genesis Open. He went 49 consecutive holes without a bogey. During the third round Sunday morning, when he shot a 7- midfield with new F1 car STUTTGART: Mercedes Formula One team expectations. “A key factor in this success under 64 and built a five-shot lead, his two longest boss Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda have has been the combination of Toto’s entre- par putts were from 4 feet. On the 606-yard 17th LONDON: Sauber presented their new Kaltenborn said Sauber had the resources extended their deals with the world cham- preneurial skills and Niki’s experience. Their hole in the second round, on a day when no one Formula One car yesterday, celebrating the to develop the car, which will use the reliable pions until at least 2020. renewed commitment gives our pro- could get it back to the flag, Johnson went over the Swiss-based team’s 25 years in the sport with 2016 Ferrari power unit rather than the latest Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the Daimler gramme important continuity for the next green. With his five-shot victory, he became the golden lettering but little in the way of spon- model, through the season and was aiming at conglomerate that includes Mercedes, said four years.” 20th player since the world ranking began in 1986 sorship branding on the blue and white a return to the team’s previous place among that under Wolff and ex-drivers’ champion Wolff, who joined Mercedes from to reach No. 1. And it never crossed his mind. machine. the midfield. Sauber have only once won a Lauda: “The results have exceeded our Williams in 2013, one year after Lauda Neither did the 72-hole scoring record at Riviera, “The anniversary car for a new era,” said race, in Canada in 2008 when BMW owned expectations.” became the team’s non-executive chair- set in 1985 by Lanny Wadkins at 20-under 264, Sauber, which was bought by Swiss invest- the team. The team has retained Swedish Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton and the man, has brilliantly kept the lid on the bit- making it the oldest such record on the PGA Tour ment firm Longbow Finance last year, along- driver Marcus Ericsson this season but now-retired Nico Rosberg as lead drivers, ter Hamilton-Rosberg rivalry to steer the schedule. Johnson didn’t even know what the side pictures of the C-36 car posted on the Brazilian Felipe Nasr has been replaced by have dominated the world championship team to success. “Winning is never down to record was, nor did he care. He was at 20 under team’s website (www.sauberf1team.com). Germany’s Pascal Wehrlein. since 2014. They have won the drivers’ and single individuals-it is about the right after making his 21st birdie of the week at the par- The words ‘25 years in Formula One’ were The wider and lower car has no carry-over team titles for three years in a row. group of people coming together, aligning 3 sixth, played it safe from there with a big lead written in gold on the side of the airbox and parts from last season, reflecting the new The announcement came ahead of themselves with a common objective and and closed with three meaningless bogeys for a 71. in front of the driver but the car shown was aerodynamic and technical rules that should Hamilton and new teammate Valtteri then combining their talents to achieve “Winning the golf tournament ... that’s what I otherwise a blank canvas in terms of sponsor- see faster lap times. “We put greater emphasis Bottas unveiling the new Mercedes car at that target,” said the Austrian. “Each day I was here to do,” Johnson said. That’s what he’s been ship. The new livery is a change from last on aerodynamic stability as opposed to max- Silverstone in England on Thursday. The come to the factory, I am humbled to have doing ever since his rookie season. Johnson has year’s blue and yellow, the corporate brand- imising downforce,” said technical director first Formula One testing of the season the privilege of representing this inspiring won every year on the PGA Tour except for 2014, ing of now-departed backer Banco do Brasil. Joerg Zander, who returned to Sauber only starts in Barcelona next Monday, leaving group of people.” Lauda, the three-time which was cut short when he stepped away for six Ferrari-powered Sauber finished 10th of last month after a previous stint at the Hinwil one month before the season starts in world champion who also has a 10 per cent months to seek professional help for personal chal- the 11 teams last season, scoring their two factory under BMW. “Basically, big teams also Australia on March 26. Mercedes will be holding in the team, added: “The last few lenges amid a published report he had tested posi- crucial points only in the penultimate round have an advantage when it comes to major looking to extend their domination and see years have been some of the most enjoy- tive twice for drugs. in Brazil to overtake now-defunct Manor. changes in the regulations. But when the Wolff, who has a 30% shareholding in the able I have had in Formula One. “Together with Longbow Finance S.A., we cards are reshuffled new opportunities Formula One team, in particular as a key “Toto and I formed a perfect partnership CONFIDENCE have great opportunities to be competitive always present themselves as well.” element. “It’s great news that Toto and Niki at Mercedes and we have a great team on He found guidance from hockey great Wayne again and to return to previous successes in Testing starts in Barcelona next week, have extended their agreements,” said every level that has delivered results.” Gretzky - Johnson is engaged to the Great One’s Formula One,” said team principal Monisha although Wehrlein is ruled out with a back Zetsche. Lauda and Wolff had formed a manage- daughter, they have a 2-year-old son and Paulina Kaltenborn. “We want to position ourselves problem. Sauber has yet to name a replace- “In 2013, we restructured the manage- rial triumvirate with Paddy Lowe, but the Gretzky announced this week on Instagram that with a new approach, and we have already ment. Monday marked the start of a week of ment of the team with the clear goal of Briton left in January and since been another one is on the way. Gretzky’s words carry a taken the first steps in order to build a solid Formula One launches, with Renault next up improving our performance. Since then, replaced by James Allison, formerly of lot of weight on and off the golf course. foundation for the future.” in London today. — Reuters however, the results have exceeded our Ferrari. —AFP “When an athlete of his stature ... thinks very highly of you, it definitely gives you a lot of confi- dence and gives you more belief,” Johnson said. Johnson won in his fifth tournament back from that six-month break to get back into the top 10 in the world, and it’s been a slow rise ever since. He won his first major in the U.S. Open at Oakmont the following year, added his third World Golf Championships title, a FedEx Cup playoff event and swept all the big awards, starting with PGA Tour player of the year.

And now he’s No. 1. “No surprise to us players, and I don’t think too much surprise to many others,” Jordan Spieth said. Dating to that US Open victory, Johnson has won four times in the last eight months against the strongest fields in golf. In 16 tournaments since, he has finished no worse than third place in eight of them. He could hear chants of “No. 1” when he DAYTONA BEACH: Crew members push the #20 DeWalt Toyota of Matt Kenseth on the grid Toto Wolff walked up to the 18th green at Riviera, with fans qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 59th Annual DAYTONA 500 at Daytona crammed onto the hillside below the storied club- International Speedway on Sunday in Daytona Beach, Florida. — AFP TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 SPORTS

CYCLING Statesman Froome has ridden above controversy: Boardman

LONDON: Chris Froome has emerged as Yet despite the controversies, ed corticosteroid triamcinolone ahead about what I’m looking at and how I feel sation). What we need are experts in a shining light from the anti-doping Froome’s reputation has been enhanced, of his 2012 Tour de France win to treat about that.” managing people and big business.” controversies that have engulfed Team according to former British Cycling tech- asthma. Froome also reportedly dis- With Brailsford battling to uphold Of far greater concern to Boardman is Sky and British Cycling over the past nical advisor Boardman, who wore the tanced himself from Dave Brailsford Team Sky’s reputation and the British safe cycling in Britain and making year, former Olympic champion Chris yellow jersey in three separate Tours. after the Team Sky boss was grilled by Cycling reeling from the resignations of cycling part of everyday life. Boardman says. “What I’ve found interesting about British lawmakers in December about head coach Shane Sutton, CEO Ian Drake It is a subject especially close to his Team Sky, with whom Froome has the last few months is that Froome has the contents of the package delivered to and chairman Bob Howden in the space heart after his mother was knocked off won three of the last four Tour de France become more of a statesman for the Wiggins. of nine months, the sport is facing test- her bike and killed. races, has been dogged for months by a sport,” Boardman told Reuters at the “I think people have tried to infer ing times. Boardman said there was too “We have stalled,” he said. “The gov- row over Therapeutic Use Exemptions London Cycle Show. things, spin what (Froome) said, which I much negativity though. ernment says it wants to double the (TUEs) and a package that was delivered “He is more comfortable in that role think is unfair,” Boardman said of a per- “Over the past two Olympic cycles amount of cycling by 2025. Well that’s to Froome’s former team mate Bradley now. He’s clear on what he thinks and ceived cooling in the relationship the sport has been the most successful two percent to four percent which is Wiggins in 2011. doesn’t contradict himself. I think Chris between Froome and Team Sky. for Britain,” he said. “Half the medals are hardly ambitious. “They are ignoring it. Wiggins consistently denied any Froome has handled himself very well.” “But what he has said has been bang coming from women. Yet everyone There are 10 million people in London wrongdoing but the episode brought a Froome has insisted “there are ques- on.” Boardman said the sooner questions seems willing to shoot at it. and they have to move around. Cycling sour postscript to a stellar career and is tions” to answer about Wiggins’s use of are answered the better. “I think people “People are riding bikes, it’s on main- is a logical solution but the acid test is part of an ongoing UK anti-doping TUEs after leaked World Anti-Doping are going to have to come up with stream TV. I like the new chairman. We providing spaces to ride that are attrac- investigation in the sport. Agency (WADA) data revealed he inject- answers,” he said. “I’m not 100 percent don’t need more cyclists (in the organi- tive and safe.” —Reuters ‘This ship has sailed’, Budapest 2024 bid chief tells radio

BUDAPEST: The Hungarian capital has likely he saw no chance for a Hungarian Games in lost its chance to organise Summer Olympic 2024. “The Mayor is right, this issue belongs Games in 2024, the bid’s chief told local radio to all of us,” he said. “The Hungarian Olympic late on Sunday after a nascent political move- family, the capital, Parliament, and the gov- ment collected a quarter million signatures to ernment have all made unified decisions. force a referendum on the bid. Now I see that cause ran aground, even Budapest was considered a long-shot can- though a 120-year-old Hungarian dream had didate next to powerhouses Los Angeles and a palpable chance of coming true.” Paris but the eastern European city pinned He said Agenda 2020 and internal political high hopes on the International Olympic unity were both necessary to allow any Committee’s new frugal bid concept, known chance for a small, poorer country like as Agenda 2020. Hungary to host the Games. A political accord behind the bid once “Now that unity has gone up in the air, and included most parties, the government and lacking that we stand no chance against Paris Parliament, which voted to support the can- or Los Angeles. This ship has sailed, it seems. didacy in 2015. That broad unity evaporated The Budapest Olympics can soon wrap it in, as the new political group, called Momentum, although now it would have really had a tapped into popular dissent. chance.” He said even a favourable referen- Budapest Mayor Istvan Tarlos flagged he dum result would not save the situation now. might withdraw from the 2024 race but “I would have been the first to propose a rejected responsibility for allowing the bid to referendum had it not been for the complete fall apart, saying it was always a national mat- unity that formed in the Budapest city council ter in Hungary. and a decisive majority in Parliament,” he said. Balazs Furjes, a government commissioner “With no unity the Budapest bid suffers such for special projects and the chief organiser of a blow that a referendum to heal that would the 2024 bid, told Inforadio on Sunday that be too little too late.” — Reuters

Pelicans acquiring DeMarcus NEW ORLEANS: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans celebrates with the 2017 NBA All-Star Game MVP trophy after the 2017 NBA All- Star Game at Smoothie King Center on Sunday in New Orleans, Louisiana. — AFP Cousins in multi-player deal BASKETBALL NEW ORLEANS: DeMarcus Cousins is on Denver for the eighth and final playoff his way out of Sacramento - and right into seeding in the Western Conference. an All-Star frontcourt pairing with Anthony Cousins, like Davis a former collegiate Davis. The New Orleans Pelicans agreed to star at Kentucky, is averaging 27.8 points Davis scores 52, West acquire Cousins from the Kings on Sunday, and 10.6 rebounds this season. But he is the same night the center was playing in due to become a free agent in 2018 unless the All-Star Game in their arena. the Pelicans can sign him to an All-Star cal- The Kings dealt one of the most talent- iber extension. New Orleans will also have ed but temperamental big men in the to hope Cousins can dial back some of his tops East 192-182 game along with Omri Casspi to New after-the-whistle intensity and antics. He Orleans in exchange for Tyreke Evans, 2016 leads the NBA in technical fouls with 17, first-round draft pick Buddy Hield, putting him one away from another one- NEW ORLEANS: Move over, Wilt. After 55 years, er broke into celebration. Players jumped and seven. ... Isaiah Thomas scored 20 for the East. Langston Galloway and first- and second- game suspension. one of your records is no more. threw hands skyward, Curry tossing a cupful of Kyle Lowry scored 19 points and DeMar round draft picks this summer, a person While Davis said after the All-Star Game Anthony Davis took care of that. At the ice water onto a smiling Durant amid it all. DeRozan added 16. ... No East player logged familiar with the situation said. that he wasn’t aware of an impending defense-free dunkfest that now serves as the “It was a nice give-and-go, man,” Westbrook more than 24 minutes. West: Curry took cover in The person spoke to The Associated trade, he said he admired Cousins as a play- NBA’s All-Star Game, Davis scored a record 52 said. Added Durant: “It was a great basketball the third quarter, comically hitting the deck Press on condition of anonymity because er. “He’s a great player, dominant in this points and led the Western Conference past the play. He was open so I threw him the lob. He can face-first as Antetokounmpo went in for yet the trade is not official and has not been league, of course, with all the numbers he Eastern Conference, 192-182 on Sunday night. jump really high so yeah, good play.” another dunk. So later in the quarter, announced by either team. puts up,” Davis said. “Of course, DeMarcus is He made 26 of 39 shots, scored 20 points in the Kerr said that set the West up for the rest of Antetokounmpo went over Curry for a rebound The deal pairs the 6-foot-11 Cousins, a an elite player in this league.” But the Kings fourth quarter and became the first player since the night. “I guess that’s kind of the beauty of slam - one that left Curry staring at the score- frontcourt All-Star from nearby Mobile, decided to move on without him, having Kobe Bryant in 2011 to win MVP honors on his the game,” Kerr said. “You just let the game break board for a replay. Alabama, with the 6-11 Davis, who on not made the playoffs since taking Cousins home floor. the ice, and that play, I thought, broke the ice.” Sunday night was the All-Star Game MVP with the No. 5 pick in the 2010 draft. “It was amazing,” Davis said. “That’s what I Westbrook scored 12 points - all on 3s - in a CELEB WATCH after scoring 52 points, breaking Wilt The Kings get a player with a lot of wanted to do ... get the MVP for this crowd, for 63-second span late in the third quarter, coming A huge roar greeted Jon Batiste, who per- Chamberlain’s 1962 record of 42. potential in the 6-4 Hield, although he has this city. This one definitely means a lot to me.” off the bench and firing over and over and over formed “The Star-Spangled Banner” pregame, The move also sends a message that the been inconsistent during his rookie season Davis was the star of stars in a game where again. And then he opened the fourth quarter when he started the song. It wasn’t for him. Pelicans are more concerned with making a out of Oklahoma, where as a senior he was the teams combined for more points than in any with another 3, giving him 34 points in just That happened to be the moment when John 25-game push for the playoffs this spring one of the best players in the nation. other All-Star contest. It came on a night when under 14 minutes played to that point. Legend - the halftime performer - and Chrissy then where they’ll be drafting next offsea- Hield is averaging 8.6 points but has Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant provided a It looked like he was a cinch for MVP honors, Teigen were shown at their sideline seats on the son. The deal was still in the works when been explosive at times, with a season high glimpse of the past, Giannis Antetokounmpo until Davis scored 20 points in the fourth. video screens around the arena. And a louder Cousins spoke with reporters after the All- of 21 points. The 6-6 Evans, who can play had more dunks - 12 - than his name has conso- “He did a good job,” Westbrook said, “and got cheer came not long afterward when Beyonce Star Game, when he played just two min- point guard, shooting guard or small for- nants and LeBron James became the first player it done.” and Jay Z got on-screen. Among the other utes as trade rumors swirled. ward, will be entering a second stint in to eclipse 300 points in an All-Star career. celebs in the seats: Guy Fieri, Dave Chappelle, He said he was happy with the Kings, Sacramento, where he was drafted in 2009 Being linked to Wilt Chamberlain, who had 42 TIP-INS Julius Erving, Alonzo Mourning, Bill Russell, but would also be happy playing closer to and went on to be Rookie of the Year. points in the 1962 game, only made it more spe- East: Irving also led the East in rebounds with Oscar Robertson and The Roots. — AP home and alongside Davis. Galloway has been a solid reserve, providing cial, Davis said. “If I’m blessed enough to have a job scoring punch from the perimeter. The 6-9 “The next one I’m going to try to do is 100 here, absolutely,” Cousins said. “If that’s Casspi has been playing about 19 minutes points,” Davis said. He even outdid Westbrook, OLYMPICS what happens.” New Orleans (23-34) went per game for the Kings this season, averag- who had 41 points in just 20 minutes - which into the All-Star break 2 1/2 games behind ing 5.9 points and 4.1 rebounds. —AP ordinarily would have been enough to merit him what would have been a third straight MVP Admit women or lose Tokyo award. Not this time. It was Davis hoisting the trophy, thanks to his West teammates deferring Games golf, IOC tells club to their host time and again. “It shows our guys recognize what the weekend is about,” West SAPPORO: The club scheduled to host the “There’s plenty of time to move to another coach Steve Kerr said golf at the 2020 Tokyo Games must allow golf course if we have to.” Durant had a triple-double with 21 points, 10 women to have full membership or organis- rebounds and 10 assists. Stephen Curry added ers will have to find another venue, REVISED BUDGET 21 points for the West. And after the game, word International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice Tokyo 2020 organisers unveiled a revised came that Sacramento is trading All-Star center president John Coates told Reuters yesterday. budget of $16.8 billion in December and DeMarcus Cousins to New Orleans as part of a The private Kasumigaseki Country Club in vowed to seek further savings in cooperation deal that will involve five players and two draft Saitama prefecture, which is set to host both with the IOC. Coates said the budget issue picks. Cousins played only two minutes. The New men’s and women’s tournaments in July and should be resolved some time this year and Orleans fans will see much more of him soon August 2020, forbids women from playing on the final figure would be nowhere near the enough. Antetokounmpo had 30 points for the Sundays and excludes them from becoming 3.0 trillion yen ($26.52 billion) that a Tokyo East. James scored 23 - including a 3-pointer full members. Coates, who is head of the city government panel forecast last year. from the midcourt logo - while Cleveland team- coordination commission which oversees “The costs that were being speculated mate Kyrie Irving added 22 points and 14 assists. preparations for the Games, said he had only were vastly over-speculated,” he said. “There were a few too many transition bas- become aware of the issue on his last visit to “We haven’t yet accepted a final budget. kets allowed,” East coach Brad Stevens dead- Tokyo at the end of last year and that organ- (It should be worked out) on this forthcom- panned. “But I think that was strictly coaching.” isers were now aware of the IOC’s stance. ing visit or the one after.” Davis became the story that overshadowed “We made quite clear that there has to be Budget worries could put paid to The Story coming into this game, that being the gender equality,” Coates told Reuters in an Budapest’s bid for the 2024 Games after a Durant-Westbrook whatever. interview at the Asian Winter Games in the political movement collected a quarter mil- If any animus remains between Durant and northern city of Sapporo. lion signatures to force a referendum on the Westbrook, it was hidden. They passed each oth- “If they can’t achieve the gender equality proposal. The city’s mayor conceded on er the ball in the pregame layup line, and not then we have to get another course, but the Friday he might be forced to withdraw the long after Westbrook checked into the game the organisers are very confident that they will.” bid, leaving only Paris and Los Angeles in a former Oklahoma City teammates provided one Japanese media reported that members of race which at one stage involved six cities. of the game’s top highlights - a give-and-go, the club had met on Sunday to hear an expla- “On the technical side and everything capped by Durant lobbing the ball to set nation of the situation. The club was closed else, I’ve been very impressed (and) I’d be Westbrook up for a dunk. yesterday and nobody was available to com- very disappointed if, as a result of a referen- NEW ORLEANS: Western Conference forward DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento ment. Coates said he was aware that discus- dum, they didn’t proceed,” said Coates. “It’s a Kings (15) plays during the first half of the NBA All-Star basketball game in New GAME BREAK THE ICE sions were underway. very strong bid technically, and they have a Orleans, Sunday. The New Orleans Pelicans agreed to acquire Cousins from the Kings ‘Oh My God! What Just Happened?’ Curry “They either will or they won’t,” he said. large number of existing venues.”—Reuters on Sunday, the same night the center was playing in the All-Star Game in their arena. — shouted on the West bench, which moments lat- TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 SPORTS Real Madrid expect Ramos boost for Valencia trip

MADRID: Real Madrid captain Sergio pressure on Barcelona, whom they lead all are set to start at the Mestalla stadi- ence and that is why he is special.” games in all competitions, Valencia kept Ramos is expected to return from injury by a point at the top of La Liga. Real will um. “We have a lot of games ahead and The Valencia match was originally a clean sheet for a second straight game, when his team plays at Valencia tomor- also have a make-up game to play we need all the players,” Zidane told his scheduled for December but was moved while also ending their 262-minute goal row, looking to move four points clear at against Celta Vigo. club’s website after Saturday’s win. due to Real’s involvement in the FIFA drought thanks to Nani. the top of La Liga. Real coach Zinedine Zidane has used Gareth Bale could start too after Club World Cup, which they won. Zidane Valencia have slipped into relega- Ramos missed Saturday’s 2-0 home 19 players in the last two games and will impressing on his return from an ankle wants his team to pull away from tion danger after enduring a season of win against Espanyol with a hip injury continue his rotation policy, with a game injury. The Welsh forward came off the defending champions Barcelona as soon frustration, but the players have a new sustained in last week’s 3-1 home win at Villarreal to follow on Sunday. bench and outpaced Espanyol’s defence as possible. spring in their step after Sunday’s 2-0 over Napoli in the last 16 of the Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and before scoring Real’s second. “Only two teams can get points on home victory over Athletic Bilbao, a Champions League. However, he trained Keylor Navas all rested against Espanyol “He doesn’t give the impression that Wednesday and this is important,” he result that ended a three-game winless on Monday. as part of seven changes made by he’s been three months out,” Zidane said. said. While Real set a club record at the streak and lifted the team to 15th Real have an opportunity to keep the Zidane to the side that beat Napoli, and “He has a lot of power, makes a differ- weekend by scoring in 42 consecutive place. — Reuters

PREVIEW Guardiola’s Man City face Monaco moment of truth

MANCHESTER: A hotly anticipated stag- What City’s defensive configuration will ing post in Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola be against Monaco, meanwhile, is anyone’s era arrives today when Monaco visit the guess. A rotating cast of full-backs has seen Etihad Stadium in the first leg of the midfielder Fernandinho fill in on both Champions League last 16. flanks of the defence of late, while Guardiola was appointed to take City to Aleksandar Kolarov continues to flit the next level on the European stage and between left-back and centre-back. he has already masterminded a stirring 3-1 win over his former club Barcelona in the FALCAO RETURN group phase. But Monaco have been ram- Yaya Toure has been successfully reinte- pant this season, powering to the Ligue 1 grated into midfield alongside Kevin De summit with a tally of 76 goals that is Bruyne and David Silva, having previously unsurpassed in Europe’s five major leagues, been frozen out by Guardiola. and Guardiola is keenly aware of the dan- But the complicity that was developing ger they pose. “My impression against PSG between the front three of Raheem and from what I’ve seen is they’re a really Sterling, Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus has strong team,” he said recently of Leonardo been scuppered by the broken foot sus- Jardim’s side, puffing out his cheeks for tained by the latter. effect. “They score a lot of goals, they are Jesus’s absence has allowed Sergio physical. We have to go to the gym in the Aguero to reclaim his place up front, next days!” Guardiola and his assistant although he was unable to find a way past Mikel Arteta watched Monaco’s game at the Huddersfield Town defence in Paris Saint-Germain last month, when a Saturday’s 0-0 FA Cup fifth-round draw. 92nd-minute equaliser from Bernardo Silva While uncertainty abounds regarding rescued a 1-1 draw. City’s best XI, Jardim’s Monaco team largely Another Silva equaliser secured another picks itself. Joao Moutinho, a European 1-1 draw in Monaco’s last outing, at Bastia champion with Portugal, cannot get into on Friday, but in the main they have the team and 18-year-old sensation Kylian encountered scant resistance in the French Mbappe, whose 11 goals this season top flight this season. Monaco have aver- include two hat-tricks, begins most games ROME: Roma’s Juan Jesus, left, challenges Torino’s Andrea Belotti during a Serie A soccer match between Roma and Torino at the Olympic stadi- aged 2.92 goals per league game, scoring on the bench. Both could start, however, if um in Rome, Italy, Sunday. — AP four or more on no fewer than 10 occa- Jardim elects to ditch his habitual 4-4-2 for- sions, and have already prevailed on mation in favour of a 4-3-3. SOCCER English soil, winning 2-1 at Tottenham With Jemerson suspended, Andrea Hotspur in the group stage. Raggi is expected to start at centre-back. Three successive wins have lifted City to The trip to Manchester will have special second place in the Premier League table, significance for Radamel Falcao, who has Roma rout Torino to eight points below leaders Chelsea, but rediscovered his shooting boots after two they remain a work in progress. dismal years on loan with Manchester It is just over a month since their scar- United and Chelsea. ‘El Tigre’, 31, no longer ring 4-0 defeat at Everton-their fifth defeat bites with the force of his Porto and of the campaign-and Guardiola’s selection Atletico Madrid days, but, aided by a cus- keep title dream alive decisions continue to raise eyebrows. tomised playing schedule, he has scored 22 Claudio Bravo, signed amid great fanfare goals in just 28 games. “I manage him dif- to replace Joe Hart, has been axed after a ferently to the others,” says Jardim. MILAN: Edin Dzeko struck his 19th Serie A goal from tomorrow we start working seriously, also thing special.” In Sunday’s late game, on-loan string of weak displays, meaning Willy “Because he’s a top-level player. I said at the and Francesco Totti came off the bench with an with (running up) the stairs. They’re not in great Everton midfielder Gerard Deulofeu struck a Caballero, City’s nominal third-choice goal- start of the season that I was sure he’d suc- assist as Roma kept their ‘scudetto’ hopes alive condition,” said the chain-smoking Czech. 31st minute debut winner as AC Milan edged keeper in August, is now the number one. ceed. Quality is permanent.”—AFP with a 4-1 win over Torino on Sunday. Roma’s Earlier, 20-year-old Brazil international Gabriel Fiorentina 2-1 at the San Siro. Fiorentina striker 18th win of the campaign saw Luciano Spalletti’s ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa came off the bench to hit his Nikola Kalinic responded to Juraj Kucka’s 17th men leapfrog Napoli, 3-1 winners at Chievo, and maiden Serie A goal for Inter Milan and secure a minute headed opener with the leveller four return to second spot to sit seven points behind 1-0 win at Bologna that has boosted their minutes later. leaders Juventus. Europa League qualifying hopes. “I’m really But when Borja Valero lost possession in mid- Napoli, nine points behind Juventus, are six happy, for my first goal and for this important field, Deulofeu pounced to sweep a curling points ahead of both Inter Milan and Atalanta win,” said Barbosa. “I hope it’s the start of some- drive past Ciprian Tatarusanu. — AFP with Lazio and AC Milan boosting their European hopes with wins over Empoli and Fiorentina respectively. “We were great tonight,” Spalletti told Leverkusen protective of Premium Sport. “After our win at Villarreal we risked struggling to get into this game, but 17-year-old jewel Havertz instead we showed our true qualities.” Fresh from hitting his second successive BERLIN: School aside, Kai Havertz has been perception to anticipate teammates’ move- Europa League hat-trick in Roma’s 4-0 romp at learning a lot this season. ment and ability to then play the ball right Villarreal, Dzeko got Roma off the mark on 10 The 17-year-old midfielder is one of where they want it - that has the rest of the minutes after collecting Radja Nainggolan’s pass Bayer Leverkusen’s brightest prospects, and league sitting up and taking notice. to coolly beat Hart at his far post from the edge he has a chance to put his skill on display to Against Augsburg last Friday, Havertz set of the area. a wide audience today when his team faces up two scores, helping Karim Bellarabi score With 19 goals in 25 games, Dzeko is tied with Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the the league’s 50,000th goal and then sending a Gonzalo Higuain at the top of the scoring charts Champions League. “We saw him in training. perfect through ball for Javier “Chicharito” after the Argentina striker struck once in MANCHESTER: Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero during a training session at the City We tried to give him a bit of playing time in Hernandez to wrap up the 3-1 win. Juventus’s 4-1 win over Palermo on Friday. Football Academy in Manchester, England, yesterday. Man City play Monaco in a the last games to see how he reacts playing Havertz was involved in seven of A former teammate of Dzeko’s at Manchester Champions League round of 16 soccer match in Manchester today. — AP in a full stadium,” Leverkusen coach Roger Leverkusen’s efforts on goal, won more chal- City, Hart was in for a busy night in the Torino Schmidt said after Havertz played his first lenges (14) than any of his teammates, saw goal. A Nainggolan volley was straight at Hart full game in November. more of the ball than any of them, completed but he was powerless against Mohamed Salah’s “He’s an excellent footballer with outstand- as many passes (40) as teammate Kevin Sevilla offers little respite superb volley from Dzeko’s failed attempt to ing technique, fast, robust in challenges, a Kampl, while he ran almost 12 kilometers - control in the area. good header of the ball and, yeah, he’s a play- more than any other player on the field. to struggling Leicester City Salah hit the far upright and Dzeko fired just er that does us really well.” “He’s so young and he plays so well,” over after the restart. Torino fought back, Sasa Havertz started the season with Bellarabi said of Havertz. Lukic’s volley coming close and Wojciech BARCELONA: Embattled Leicester City They will get little respite from from a Leverkusen’s under-19 team and was just over Leverkusen has been protecting its new Szczesny forced to stop Marco Benassi down turn their attentions to the one competi- transformed Sevilla side, however, which is 17 years, 4 months old when he made his first star from the increased attention so he can low. But all thoughts of a comeback were ended tion they have had success in during a enjoying its most exciting season in a senior team appearance as a substitute concentrate on his schoolwork - he still has to by Leandro Paredes’s stunning long-distance nightmarish season for the English champi- decade as it chases Real Madrid and against Werder Bremen on Oct. 15. More play- complete his final secondary-school examina- volley that sneaked inside Hart’s near post. ons when they visit high-flying Sevilla Barcelona in La Liga and mounts a serious ing time followed against Wolfsburg before his tions. While he isn’t giving interviews, words tomorrow for their Champions League last challenge in the Champions League after first full game against Darmstadt on Nov. 5. are left to others. “If he keeps his head clear, he ‘RUNNING UP STAIRS’ 16 first leg. winning the Europa League three times in a Schmidt has been coming under pressure can be a great one,” Leverkusen goalkeeper Totti was applauded when he replaced Kevin Europe’s elite competition has been a row. Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli has lately after several lackluster performances in Bernd Leno said after the game in Augsburg. Strootman on 82 minutes, prompting a tactical welcome distraction for Claudio Ranieri’s brought a new speed and intensity to the a disappointing season, but Havertz in partic- Schmidt’s enthusiasm is tempered by an change by Spalletti. side, which has come crashing back down Andalusian side’s possession play that ular starred in the team’s last two games as urge not to overburden the player with expec- It was enough for Maxi Lopez, sidelined by to earth after last year’s logic-defying title yielded its biggest ever points total in the Leverkusen dug out impressive wins over tation. “Havertz has outstanding technical coach Sinisa Mihajlovic for several weeks for win but keeps defying the odds in Europe. first half of a season. Eintracht Frankfurt and Augsburg in the abilities and the gift of making very good being overweight, to fire an angled drive past Leicester finished top of their group and “He has very specific ideas that he has league. Havertz started and set up goals in decisions. That’s why he plays for us,” the Szczesny into the far bottom corner for a late conceded just one goal in their first five implanted in our heads and we have both games, as he did on his previous start Leverkusen coach said. “We don’t want to consolation. But when 40-year-old club captain games, and a brief escape is just what they responded really well to them,” midfielder against Cologne. But it’s his overall play - his praise him too much, though. Now we’re really Totti controlled a high ball in the area to lay off need as their domestic woes show no sign Pablo Sarabia told newspaper Estadio composure on the ball, his technical skill, his looking forward to Atletico.” —AP for Nainggolan, the Belgian unleashed a power- of easing. Deportivo. “We’re getting really good ful curling drive that gave Hart no chance. A winless start to 2017 in the league has results too which is vital when you change Spalletti added: “We need more leaders like left the club one point and a single place your idea of how to play.” Totti in this squad.” above the drop zone, and in danger of Sevilla lost a number of top players last Mihajlovic was almost inclined to agree. “We becoming the first team since Manchester summer last summer, including losing top were never going to cause an upset by winning City in 1938 to be relegated the season scorer Kevin Gameiro and midfielders here tonight because Roma are better than us after winning the English championship. Grzegorz Krychowiak and Ever Banega. and are undefeated at home all season,” On Saturday they endured an embar- Yet smart work by sporting director Mihajlovic told Sky Sport. rassing exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Monchi has helped them shrug off those “The quality of their players made the differ- League One side Millwall despite playing high profile departures and build a dynam- ence, to the extent that Hart, who wasn’t able to most of the second half with an extra man. ic squad around two former Premier make one save, conceded four goals.” Marek League players, former Stoke City midfield- Hamsik moved to within three strikes of Diego er Steven Nzonzi and playmaker Samir Maradona’s Napoli record of 115 goals in a 3-1 Nasri. Stevan Jovetic has given them an win at Chievo, while veteran Zdenek Zeman extra lift in attack since joining on loan Matches on TV steered Pescara to a first win since August in a 5- from Inter Milan last month and created 0 rout of Genoa. The Slovakia midfielder’s 112th (Local Timings) both goals in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Eibar was an easy tap-in seven minutes before half- which kept them on the heels of league time. Pescara, meanwhile, will now harbour UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE leaders Real and second-placed Barcelona. hopes of escaping the drop after Zeman, who Sevilla’s explosive form contrasts with Manchester City v AS Monaco FC 22:45 replaced sacked Massimo Oddo in midweek, led Leicester’s seemingly endless troubles, beIN SPORTS 1 HD the league strugglers to their first win in six LEVERKUSEN: Leverkusen’s head coach Roger Schmidt talks to the media prior to the although Sarabia warned against his side Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Atletico 22:45 months. Zeman, however, said the task will be Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match against Atletico Madrid in thinking tomorrow’s game would be a cake beIN SPORTS 2 HD difficult and the players he inherited are unfit. Leverkusen, Germany, yesterday. — AP walk.—Reuters “I’ve only laid some basic foundations, but Johnson wins at Davis scores Riviera, goes to 52,West tops No 116 in the world East17 192-182 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017

Bye-bye ‘Boom Boom’ as Afridi ends career Page 18

Steve Ott #29 of the Detroit Red Wings skaores a goal against Matt Murray #30 the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on February 19, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. — AFP Tatar, Vanek lead Red Wings past Penguins

PITTSBURGH: Tomas Tatar and Thomas Vanek for the Capitals. Backup goaltender Philipp Condon stopped 17 shots in the Ottawa net. the third period lifted Nashville over scored early in the third period to help Detroit Grubauer was strong in net but took the loss Columbus at Nationwide Arena. Ryan Ellis, Bruins 2, Sharks 1 (OT) skate past Pittsburgh at PPG Paints Arena. The despite 28 saves. Islanders 6, Devils 4 Kevin Fiala and Calle Jarnkrok also scored for Brad Marchand scored a breakaway goal Red Wings have won two games in a row fol- John Tavares and Jason Chimera scored in the Predators, who got two assists apiece from 2:36 into overtime as Boston beat San Jose. lowing a five-game losing streak. They have Jets 3, Senators 2 the first minute of the third period and New P.K. Subban and James Neal. Juuse Saros made Patrice Bergeron won a defensive-zone beaten the defending Stanley Cup champions Winnipeg scored two goals in the first peri- York prepared for the longest road trip in fran- 35 saves in the win. draw from San Jose’s Joe Thornton and Torey twice this season despite languishing at or od, then hung on to defeat Ottawa at chise history by holding off New Jersey at Zach Werenski, Brandon Saad and Oliver Krug lofted a lead pass to a breaking near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Canadian Tire Centre. Dustin Byfuglien, Barclays Center. Ryan Strome scored twice and Bjorkstrand scored for the Blue Jackets. Marchand, who scored his team-leading 25th The loss ended a Pittsburgh string of nine Mathieu Perrault and Josh Morrissey scored Casey Cizikas and Andrew Ladd added a goal Werenski, Alexander Wennberg and Seth goal of the season. The Sharks lost for the sixth games in a row with at least one point. They the Jets’ goals, while Mark Scheifele and Patrik apiece for the Islanders. Miles Wood, Kyle Jones each had two assists, and Sergei time in eight games but have picked up points became the last team to lose in regulation Laine had two assists apiece. Mark Stone and Palmieri, Steven Santini and Taylor Hall each Bobrovsky stopped 28 shots. in seven of those games. Boston is 4-0-0 under since the All-Star break. Zack Smith had replied for the Senators, who scored a goal for the Devils. new coach Bruce Cassidy, and the Bruins own got a pair of assists from Erik Karlsson. Maple Leafs 4, Hurricanes 0 two victories over San Jose this month. Blackhawks, Sabres 1 Connor Hellebuyck made 32 saves for his Predators 4, Blue Jackets 3 Curtis McElhinney secured his first shutout Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist to second win of the weekend for the Jets. Mike Mattias Ekholm’s tiebreaking goal at 9:09 of as a member of Toronto in a win vs. Carolina at Ducks 1, Kings 0 help lead the Chicago Blackhawks to a 5-1 win PNC Arena. John Gibson stopped 24 shots for his fifth over the Buffalo Sabres. Kane reached 20 goals McElhinney, who joined the Maple Leafs shutout, and Josh Manson scored the only on the season, making him the first American- NHL results/standings last month when he was claimed off waivers goal as Anaheim topped Los Angeles. The born player to ever score 20 or more goals in Toronto 4, Carolina 0; Chicago 5, Buffalo 1; NY Islanders 6, New Jersey 4; Nashville 4, Columbus 3; Winnipeg 3, from the Columbus Blue Jackets, made 37 Ducks moved into a tie for second place in the each of his first 10 seasons, according to Ottawa 2; Detroit 5, Pittsburgh 2; NY Rangers 2, Washington 1. saves in his sixth appearance with Toronto. His Pacific Division with the Edmonton Oilers STATS, LLC. record is 3-3 with his new team. while giving the Kings their third consecutive Ryan Hartman, Marian Hossa, Jonathan Western Conference Eastern Conference Connor Brown scored twice, while Auston loss and fifth in six games. Toews and Artem Anisimov also scored for the Central Division Atlantic Division Matthews and Jake Gardner also found the net Manson scored 1:19 into the second period. Blackhawks, who dominated the Sabres from W L OTL GF GA PTS Montreal 31 20 8 166 153 70 for Toronto, which won for just the second Ryan Getzlaf stole the puck from Kings start to finish. Scott Darling made 25 saves. Minnesota 39 13 6 195 133 84 Ottawa 31 20 6 156 152 68 time in six games. Carolina goalie Cam Ward defenseman Brayden McNabb in the left cor- Kane has 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in Chicago 36 18 5 172 151 77 Boston 30 23 6 159 156 66 stopped 20 of 24 shots before he was replaced ner, skated toward the left circle and passed to 13 career games against the Sabres. Chicago St. Louis 31 23 5 169 171 67 Toronto 27 20 11 181 173 65 by Eddie Lack for the final 11-plus minutes. the onrushing Manson, who converted a wrist (36-18-5) increased its winning streak against Nashville 28 22 8 164 159 64 Florida 27 20 10 147 161 64 shot inside the right post for his second goal Buffalo to 11 games. Evander Kane scored for Winnipeg 28 29 5 180 194 61 Buffalo 26 24 10 147 168 62 Lightning 3, Avalanche 2 (OT) of the season. the Sabres, who had a three-game win streak Dallas 23 27 10 165 193 56 Tampa Bay 26 24 8 160 166 60 Jonathan Drouin scored unassisted at 2:27 Detroit 24 25 10 149 175 58 end. Robin Lehner made 32 saves. Colorado 16 38 3 113 190 35 of overtime, and Tampa Bay beat Colorado. Flyers 3, Canucks 2 Metropolitan Division Pacific Division Drouin got the winner when he stole the The Flyers scored two power-play goals, Washington39 12 7 195 126 85 Rangers 2, Capitals 1 San Jose 35 18 7 166 144 77 puck from Matt Nieto in front of Colorado’s net Shayne Gostisbehere had three assists, and Pittsburgh 36 14 8 204 165 80 Mats Zuccarello’s 12th goal of the season Edmonton 32 19 8 171 152 72 and beat Pickard with a backhander for his Philadelphia defeated the Vancouver Canucks midway through the third period lifted New Columbus 37 16 5 187 143 79 17th of the season. Ben Bishop made 27 saves, 3-2 Sunday night. Wayne Simmonds, Jakub Anaheim 31 19 10 154 151 72 York past Washington. NY Rangers 38 19 1 196 152 77 Brayden Point and Vladislav Namestnikov also Voracek and Brayden Schenn scored for Calgary 29 26 4 153 167 62 Ryan McDonagh also scored and Henrik NY Islanders27 21 10 174 174 64 had goals for Tampa Bay. Philadelphia (28-24-7). The win snapped a Lundqvist picked up the win after stopping 31 Los Angeles28 26 4 143 145 60 Philadelphia28 24 7 154 179 63 Mikko Rantanen scored early in the third two-game losing streak and was the Flyers’ shots, including one from Evgeny Kuznetsov Vancouver 26 28 6 142 172 58 New Jersey 25 24 10 138 170 60 period, Matt Duchene tied it in the final second victory in six games. Philadelphia is on the doorstep in the final minute. Alex Arizona 20 30 7 137 181 47 Carolina 24 23 8 141 162 56 minute of regulation, and Calvin Pickard had two points behind the last Eastern Conference Ovechkin scored his 27th goal of the season 35 saves for the Avalanche. wild-card playoff position. — Reuters Messi’s 90th minute penalty gives Barcelona 2-1 win BARCELONA: Lionel Messi scored a 90th- considering how we are right now, we will While Barcelona remained one point minute penalty for his second goal of the take it.” Leganes was clinging to a well- behind leader Real Madrid- which has two night to give Barcelona a 2-1 win over lowly deserved point when Neymar stumbled over games in hand, few of its fans will take much Leganes in the Spanish league on Sunday. Martin Mantovani in the area. The contact was solace from the drab performance against a Messi’s spot-kick, following a questionable enough to secure a penalty and Messi’s side making its first visit to Camp Nou. penalty after Neymar tumbled in the area, league-leading 19th goal of the season. Barcelona had romped to a 5-1 victory at saved Barcelona from a second demoralizing The match couldn’t have started better for Leganes earlier this season, but this time around result this week after a 4-0 loss at Paris Saint- the hosts, when Messi tapped in Luis Suarez’s Leganes was by no means intimidated by Germain in the Champions League on cross after just four minutes. But Leganes, a Europe’s biggest stadium. It remained disciplined Tuesday. Coach Luis Enrique, however, modest club from Madrid that earned in defense despite falling behind early and knew acknowledged that the match was far from topflight promotion for the first time last sea- when to take its chances going forward. uplifting for a team that is staring at elimina- son, never lost its poise and threatened when- Winter signing Nabil El Zhar was particular- tion from European competition and is trail- ever it emerged from defending its area. ly dangerous. The attacking midfielder tested ing Real Madrid in La Liga. Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Ter Stegen three times before Miguel “We foresaw that it could be a complicated Stegen had to make four saves of goal-bound Guerrero cued the equalizer when he stole match given where we were coming from in strikes before Leganes’s Unai Lopez got one the ball from right back Sergi Roberto. Lopez the Champions League,” said Luis Enrique, past him for the equalizer in the 71st. then fired a shot past Ter Stegen after fellow who has been heavily criticized for the loss at “We wanted to leave here reinforced either substitute Darwin Machis found him arriving PSG. “Everything was difficult for us, and that way, with points or thanks to our showing,” unmarked inside the box. “The match was a after having scored at the start. It’s clear we Leganes coach Asier Garitano said. “We didn’t difficult one,” Ter Stegen said. “It has been a BARCELONA: FC Barcelona’s Neymar, right, duels for the ball against Leganes’ Iago were lacking confidence for stretches. The get the points, but I think we leave bolstered complicated week. I hope these three points Herrerin during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Leganes game was finally decided by a penalty, but by the match. We competed well.” can lift our spirits.” — AP at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday. — AP Eurozone tries to avoid another Greek crisis Page 23

Business China’s huge debt poses major headache for CB TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 Page 25 KAMCO real estate fund wins award Qatar Airways awarded for content innovation Page 26 Page 22

LILLE, France: This file photo taken on January 11, 2017 shows people shop in Lille during France’s annual winter sales period.Winter sales in France, which end today have been disappointing, experts say, due in particular to the increase of private sales. — AFP Ooredoo Kuwait net profit up by 75% y-o-y Customer base grows by 6% to 25 million • Dividend of 85 fils recommended

KUWAIT: National Mobile Telecommuni- its position as a leading ICT company with the Tunisian economy is still suffering from slow significantly compared with the same period KD 25.4 million, an increase of 2 percent com- cations Company KSCP: NMTC (Ooredoo), a acquisition of “FASTtelco”, a Kuwait based ISP, tourism and the KD results were impacted by last year, impacting the results reported in KD. pared to KD 25.1 million for the same period in member of Ooredoo Group, announced yes- through which it can expand its offer of the depreciation of the Tunisian Dinar. Revenues for 2016 were KD 309.8 million com- 2015. EBITDA for 2016 was KD 6.6 million com- terday its financial results for the year 2016: advanced fixed broadband and mobile services. Revenues for 2016 were KD 142.3 million com- pared to revenues of KD 332.5 million for the pared to an EBITDA of KD 6.5 million for 2015. Ooredoo Kuwait delivered a 5 percent increase pared to revenues for the same period in 2015 same period in 2015. Revenue in Algerian Financial Highlights in Revenues and maintained a healthy EBITDA of KD 149.0 million. However, in local currency dinar terms increased slightly (+1 percent). Ooredoo - Maldives * Total customer base increased by 6 per- of KD 51 million. A significant development for terms revenue increased by 4 percent. EBITDA EBITDA for 2016 was KD 108.5 million, a At the end of 2016 Maldives total customer cent to 25.2 million in 2016, compared to 23.8 the year, Ooredoo Kuwait deployed more LTE million in 2015. sites and by the end of 2016 it had successfully * Revenues for 2016 stood at KD 706.8 mil- covered the entire populated area of Kuwait. In lion, compared with KD 718.4 million for the Algeria the 6 percent growth in our customer same period in 2015, a decrease of 2 percent. base was supported by successful marketing * EBITDA for 2016 was KWD 240.2 million, strategies, network upgrades and deployments. compared to EBITDA of KD 250.2 million for With the launch of 4G and continued expansion the same period in 2015. of the 3G network, Ooredoo Algeria covered a vast majority of the population by the end of the year. Due to continued currency deprecia- tion and challenges associated with the slow- down of tourism, Ooredoo Tunisia saw a slight decrease in Revenue. Despite these challenges, we maintained our market leadership and grew our customer base by 6 percent to 8 million at the end of 2016. In local currency terms Revenue actually increased by 4 percent year on year. Ooredoo Maldives increased Revenues by 33 percent to reach KWD 32 million and showed significant growth in profitability, EBITDA increased 56 per- cent to KWD 17 million in 2016. Ooredoo Maldives is well positioned to continue deliver- ing growth as it is preparing for the public listing in 2017 on the local stock exchange. Wataniya Palestine also strengthened its market position, growing customer numbers by 10 percent num- ber serving now more than three quarters of a Sheikh Saud Bin Nasser Al-Thani million customers. Wataniya Palestine main- * The net profit attributable to NMTC in tained profitability and delivered Revenues of 2016 stood at KD 46.7 million compared with KWD 25 million for the year ended 2016.” a Net Attributable Profit of KD 26.7 million for The Chairman of the Board of Directors the same period in 2015. Good performances declared that the Board decided to submit a in the Maldives supported the increase. recommendation to the AGM to distribute Additionally net profit in 2015 contained a cash dividends to the Company Shareholders non-cash KD 16.7 million impairment loss on valued 85 percent of the nominal value of investment in Tunisia due to the economic share, which is equivalent to 85 fils.” challenges in the market. * The consolidated earnings per share was Review of Operations 93 fils compared to 53 fils per share earned for The Group’s operational performance can the same period last year. be summarized as follows: * Ooredoo Kuwait (NMTC) acquisition of “FASTtelco”, a Kuwait based ISP, to offer Ooredoo - Kuwait advanced fixed broadband and mobile servic- Ooredoo’s customer base in Kuwait stood es finalized in October 2016. at 2.3 million at the end of 2016 a 3 percent * Ooredoo Maldives is preparing for an IPO increase over the previous year. Revenues for on the local stock exchange in 2017. 2016 were KD 197.8 million, an increase of 5 Sheikh Saud Bin Nasser Al-Thani, Chairman percent compared to KD 188.1 million in 2015. was KD 57.0 million compared to KD 61.6 mil- decrease of 11 percent on KD 121.8 million for base stood at 0.4 million, an increase of 14 per- of the Board of Directors commented: “During EBITDA was KD 51.0 million versus EBITDA for lion for the same period in 2015. the same period in 2015. cent from the same period in 2015. Revenues the year 2016, Ooredoo consolidated its leading 2015 of KD 51.3 million. for 2016 were KD 31.6 million, an increase of position across key markets, with customer base Ooredoo - Algeria Wataniya - Palestine 33 percent compared to KD 23.8 million for increasing 6 percent to reach more than 25 mil- Ooredoo - Tunisia Ooredoo’s customer base in Algeria at the The total customer base for Wataniya the same period in 2015. EBITDA for 2016 was lion. Ooredoo maintained a stable EBITDA of KD Ooredoo’s Tunisia customer base stood at end of 2016 was 13.8 million customers, an Mobile Palestine at the end of 2016 was 0.8 KD 17.1 million, an increase of 56 percent 240 million for the year ended 2016. In a highly 8.0 million at the end of 2016, an increase of 6 increase of 6 percent compared with the same million, an increase of 10 percent from the compared to an EBITDA of KD 11.0 million for competitive market, Ooredoo Kuwait cemented percent on the same period in 2015. The period in 2015. The Algerian dinar depreciated same period in 2015. Revenues for 2016 were the same period in 2015. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 BUSINESS

NBK Capital acts as global coordinator for EQUATE Sukuk

KUWAIT: Watani Investment Co K.S.C.C. international debt capital markets including fund managers, government both of its debt capital markets (NBK Capital) acted as Global issuance, with their first time being their institutions/pension funds, financial issuances. The overwhelming demand Coordinator and Joint Arranger in the debut $2.25 billion rule 144A/ Reg S intuitions and insurance companies, from investors in Kuwait reflects on the establishment of Equate Sukuk SPC dual-series bond offering in November with an over-subscription rate of 7.4x importance of the Kuwaiti market in Limited’s (EQUATE SPC) $2.0 billion Trust 2016. times and a global order book exceed- supporting both regional and global Certificate (Sukuk) Issuance Program NBK Capital, Citigroup Global ing $3.7 billion. The issuance proceeds issuances. Furthermore, the successful and its debut $500 million 7-year Sukuk Markets Limited, HSBC Bank plc, JP will be to refinance EQUATE Group’s execution of two landmark issuances for offering, maturing in February 2024. Morgan Securities plc and KFH Capital existing debt. EQUATE further recognizes the EQUATE EQUATE SPC is a wholly owned sub- Investment Company KSCC acted as Mohammad Husain, EQUATE Group’s brand name as a reputable issuer on a sidiary of EQUATE Petrochemical Co Global Coordinators. NBK Capital, Chief Executive Officer commented: “We global perspective and reflects on NBK K.S.C.C. (together with The Kuwait Citigroup Global Markets Limited, HSBC are very proud of our debut Sukuk Capital’s ability to execute global trans- Bank plc, JP Morgan Securities plc, KFH issuance which marks our second suc- actions at the highest quality.” Capital Investment Company KSCC, cessful transaction in the global debt The Trust Certificates (Sukuk) have an MUFG Securities EMEA plc, Mizuho capital markets. We are especially proud ijara and Murabaha structure. The 7-year International plc, National Bank of Abu of the strong investor reception, which Senior Unsecured Sukuk were priced Dhabi P.J.S.C. and SMBC Nikko Capital is a true testament to the quality of competitively at 100 percent of the Olefins Company K.S.C.C. rated “Baa2” Markets Limited acted as Joint EQUATE Group’s credit.” Faisal Al- issue price with a profit rate of 175 basis by Moody’s and “BBB+” by Standard and Arrangers. The issuance was well Hamad, NBK Capital’s Chief Executive points over the 7-year mid-swap rate, Poor’s) (altogether “EQUATE Group”). received globally by a diversity of both Officer added: “We are incredibly hon- returning a yield-to-maturity of 3.944 This marks EQUATE Group’s second Islamic and conventional investors ored to have advised EQUATE Group on percent.

Scandinavians take sweeping steps to enter housing market

OSLO/STOCKHOLM/COPENHAGEN: “What is special in Sweden is that we Joakim Bakka, a 29-year-old shop worker, have negative rates and very, very strong was so desperate to get into Norway’s growth. We are one of the few countries booming housing market that he was pre- that has that or has ever had that,” Erik pared to borrow money at 13 percent for a ThedÈen, head of the Swedish Financial deposit to buy a home. It would have been Supervisory Authority, told Swedish radio risky but he felt he had no choice. Bakka, last week. “This creates what I have called a from the Norwegian city of Drammen, is greenhouse for growing debt.” not alone in considering such drastic steps. Scandinavians are taking increasing CALMING MEASURES risks on housing as prices have soared over Nevertheless governments have been the last decade, fuelled by low interest trying to calm the market. Norway in 2015 rates and tax perks that have encouraged reduced the amount of money housebuy- people to buy homes rather than rent. ers can borrow from banks to 85 percent Household debt levels have risen sharply, from 90 percent of the purchase price. Khaled Fouad, Chief Investment Mohammad Al-Othman, Head of Alternative Investments at KAMCO worrying governments that have tried This year the government introduced Officer at KAMCO without success to cool the market. new rules, including capping borrowing at “Even though my partner and I have full- less than five times a householder’s income time jobs, we were not able to find enough and stipulating that buyers of second KAMCO real estate fund wins ‘Best cash for a deposit, so as an emergency homes in Oslo must have a deposit of at solution, we applied for a consumer loan of least 40 percent compared to 15 percent 100,000 crowns ($12,000),” Bakka told elsewhere. In June, Sweden banned inter- Real Estate Fund, Kuwait’ award Reuters. “In the end we did not have to use est-only mortgages. Denmark has pro- it, as we managed to get a loan from a posed new tax rules that should reduce communal public bank at about 3 percent. swings in housing prices from 2020 Recognition from International Finance Magazine But it was not difficult at all to get a con- onwards, something the central bank and sumer loan.” economists have called for since a freeze KUWAIT: KAMCO Investment Company, a lead- comparison to $40.50 million in 2015. Fouad fur- Kuwait by investing in and supporting compa- House prices show no signs of slowing. on house taxes was imposed in 2001. ing investment company with one of the largest ther noted, “KAMCO’s Alternative Investment nies that demonstrate strong growth opportuni- In Norway they grew 12.4 percent year-on- But the measures have had little impact. AUMs in the region, announced that KAMCO’s team strives to deliver superior investment ties. We target a wide spectrum of private equity year in January after a record high of 12.8 “People got very scared when the bank Real Estate Yield Fund has been awarded the banking services which includes private equity, deals in various regional and global sectors percent in December. Swedish house prices rules were changed last year. But now we “Best Real Estate Fund - Kuwait” in 2016 from real estate and fixed income. Our objective is to including telecom, technology, real estate, rose 9 percent year-on-year in January. sell flats at record prices and lots of people International Finance Magazine (“IFM”), a cater to the growing demand for such services in healthcare and traditional service companies.” In Denmark, prices of owner-occupied show up at viewings,” said Fredrik Flodin, a renowned financial publication that recognizes flats have risen between 50 and 75 percent and honors individuals, as well as organizations, in Copenhagen since 2012, according to real estate agent in Stockholm. Norwegian home building is set to in the financial investment industry. The awards mortgage lender Nykredit, compared with were presented to those who made a significant Nashar named Saudi Arabia’s first 37 percent outside the capital. Sofie reach a 38-year high of 38,000 homes, up from a previous estimate of 33,000. Snorre value addition to the industry through innova- Borbiconi, 29, is a radio host looking to buy tive products and services. female commercial bank CEO a flat in Copenhagen. “It is crazy. When we Storset, the chief executive of Nordea in Norway, said some buyers were hit by rules KAMCO Real Estate Yield Fund (KREYF) was visit flats, we have to queue in long lines to selected from a pool of nominees who went DUBAI: Rania Nashar was named chief execu- The Saudi Stock Exchange last week get in,” she said. “You have to use uncon- restricting mortgages to five times their tive of Samba Financial Group yesterday, appointed its first female chair, Sarah Al- incomes. “But the underlying demand is so through a reader and expert analysis process, ventional measures,” she added, although followed by extensive scrutiny based on the sec- becoming the first female CEO of a listed Suhaimi, who became the first female chief she preferred to keep them secret. strong that we don’t believe prices will stop Saudi commercial bank in line with the gov- executive of a Saudi investment bank when rising in the short term,” he told Reuters. tor, innovation, growth, sustainability and their contribution towards society. ernment’s economic and social reforms. she took the helm of NCB Capital in 2014. The Ultimately, raising interest rates may be the GROWING CONCERN Commenting on the award, the Chief Nashar is a board member of Samba’s glob- kingdom’s top sovereign wealth fund, the only tool left for central banks. But none of Governments are concerned. Denmark Investment Officer of KAMCO, Khaled Fouad al markets subsidiary and a Pakistani unit, and Public Investment Fund, holds stakes in major them can, partly because rates are low tops the OECD list of developed nations said, “This international recognition serves to has nearly 20 years of experience in banking. companies and is at the centre of restructur- with the most household debt relative to internationally and partly because they affirm KAMCO’s capabilities in delivering com- Women, banned from driving in Saudi Arabia ing the economy. It is hiring Saudi women to disposable income, with Norway third and want to prevent their currencies from petitive and innovative services. The award high- and subject to a system of male guardianship, help manage its assets, sources familiar with Sweden fifth. The International Monetary appreciating. lights our successful approach over the past hold few top posts in the financial sector. its operations said. Saudi Arabia’s reform plans Fund has said Sweden’s high household In Norway, the central bank expects years, in appealing to a large segment of clients But reforms which Saudi Arabia launched aim to have women account for 30 percent of debt levels could stifle other areas of the rates to stay at their current record low of through delivering customized and sophisticat- last year to make the economy more efficient the workforce in coming years, up from the economy. 0.50 percent, “in the period ahead” to help ed products, which serve the fluctuating market and less reliant on oil exports include boost- current 22 percent. Samba is Saudi Arabia’s “Swedish housing prices are historically sustain a weak economic recovery, despite dynamics. Through this approach, we strive to ing the role of women in the economy. third-largest bank by assets. — Reuters high, implying downside risk to consump- an overheating housing market. set the standard of excellence in asset manage- tion, even as housing shortages lower the In Sweden, the Riksbank says urgent ment and investment funds across the local and risk of a major decline,” the IMF said in measures are needed to cool housing regional markets.” September. prices. Still, its key deposit rate is set at a Fouad added, “Our model is based on a bal- Venezuela names new Both Denmark and Sweden have seen negative 0.50 percent, with more cuts pos- anced investment policy which aims to minimize house prices collapse before. In 2008, the sible as it fears a global recovery could be investment risks and preserve the Fund’s capital global crisis punctured a Danish housing tripped up by Brexit, slower growth in through the diversification of assets across low- mining minister bubble, triggering a local banking crisis Europe and a more protectionist United risk and income generating real estate opportu- that wiped out over a dozen lenders. States. In Denmark, the central bank has nities. The model serves to maximize client CARACAS: Venezuela’s President Nicolas Venezuelans are suffering shortages of food and Swedish house prices fell 20 percent in two left its key deposit rate at a negative 0.65 returns and meet their investment objectives.” Maduro named a new mining minister on medicine as prices for the country’s crucial oil years in the early 90s, contributing to the percent since February last year. Its top pri- When commenting on the Fund’s perform- Sunday, the latest of several appointments as he exports have fallen. Fending off opposition pres- nationalization of what is now the region’s ority is maintaining the country’s three- ance, Fouad said that KREYF achieved 5.33 per- seeks to strengthen his position against opposi- sure for a vote on removing him from office, biggest lender, Nordea, which has since decade-old currency peg against the euro cent returns during 2016 in comparison to 4.17 tion pressure to quit. Maduro has vowed to rescue the economy by been re-privatized. and so it dislikes anything that might push percent returns in 2015. The Fund increased by Announcing the appointment of Jorge boosting production in the countries’ southern While high prices are encouraging new up the crown too much. 116 basis points with a growth rate of 27.82 per- Arreaza, 43, in a television broadcast, Maduro mining belt and other sectors. “Mining is one of homebuilding in some parts of “Over the past year I have sold three cent, and successfully distributed 4 percent divi- recalled that developing mining was part of his the great sources of financing for development Scandinavia, easing upward pressure on parking spaces: one for 1,050,000 crowns, dends to investors in 2016 and 4.17 percent in emergency plan to reboot the stricken economy. for the coming years,” he said on Sunday. The prices, the shortage of housing, notably in one for 900,000 crowns and one for the previous year. In terms of the Fund’s size, Arreaza is a son-in-law of Maduro’s late pred- president claimed that Venezuela is in the Sweden, and high demand due to immigra- 850,000 crowns,” said Jonas Lind, a real assets under management (AUM) rose by nearly ecessor Hugo Chavez, father of the “socialist rev- process of “authenticating what could be the tion is expected to keep prices high. estate agent in Stockholm. — Reuters $23 million, reaching $63.24 million in 2016, in olution” that is now floundering in crisis. biggest gold reserve in the world.”—AFP

EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Swiss Franc 306.710 Bahrain Exchange Company Japanese Yen 0.002633 0.002813 Australian Dollar 236.310 Kenyan Shilling 0.003008 0.003008 US Dollar Buying 304.900 ASIAN COUNTRIES Korean Won 0.000256 0.000271 CURRENCY BUY SELL Japanese Yen 2.707 Malaysian Ringgit 0.064861 0.070861 GOLD Europe Indian Rupees 4.571 20 Gram 252.410 Nepalese Rupee 0.002994 0.003164 Pakistani Rupees 2.920 British Pound 0.374773 0.384773 10 Gram 129.130 Pakistan Rupee 0.002610 0.002900 Srilankan Rupees 2.029 Czech Korune 0.004081 0.016081 5 Gram 65.410 Philippine Peso 0.006023 0.006323 Nepali Rupees 2.860 Danish Krone 0.039867 0.044867 Singapore Dollar 216.710 Sierra Leone 0.000068 0.000074 Euro 0. 320465 0.329465 Hongkong Dollar 3.438 Singapore Dollar 0.210922 0.220922 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Norwegian Krone 0.032904 0.038104 Bangladesh Taka 3.845 South African Rand 0.017565 0.026065 Philippine Peso 6.105 Romanian Leu 0.084833 0.084833 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001681 0.002281 Thai Baht 8.757 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Slovakia 0.009178 0.019178 US Dollar 305.750 Swedish Krona 0.030506 0.035506 Taiwan 0.009673 0.009853 GCC COUNTRIES Canadian Dolla 234.165 Swiss Franc 0.299247 0.310247 Thai Baht 0.008396 0.008946 Saudi Riyal 81.681 Sterling Pound 380.970 Arab Qatari Riyal 84.128 Turkish Lira 0.078565 0.088865 Euro 326.190 Bahraini Dinar 0.805365 0.813865 ani Riyal 795.478 Swiss Frank 306.650 Egyptian Pound 0.013815 0.023068 Bahraini Dinar 813.334 Bahrain Dinar 810.520 Australasia UAE Dirham 83.395 UAE Dirhams 83.635 Australian Dollar 0.227005 0.239005 Iranian Riyal 0.000085 0.000088 Qatari Riyals 84.860 New Zealand Dollar 0.214804 0.224304 Iraqi Dinar 0.000187 0.000247 ARAB COUNTRIES Saudi Riyals 82.460 Jordanian Dinar 0.426072 0.435072 Egyptian Pound - Cash 23.400 Jordanian Dinar 432.410 America Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 19.394 Egyptian Pound 19.487 Canadian Dollar 0.228576 0.237578 Lebanese Pound 0.000148 0.000248 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.229 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.028 Tunisian Dinar 134.700 Indian Rupees 4.564 Georgina Lari 0.138253 0.138253 Moroccan Dirhams 0.020147 0.044147 Jordanian Dinar 431.220 Pakistani Rupees 2.916 US Dollars 0.302000 0.306400 Nigerian Naira 0.001269 0.001904 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.041 Bangladesh Taka 3.853 US Dollars Mint 0.302500 0.306400 Omani Riyal 0.789644 0.794324 Syrian Lira 2.185 Morocco Dirham 30.795 Philippines Pesso 6.093 Qatar Riyal 0.083267 0.084717 Cyprus pound 167.905 Asia Saudi Riyal 0.080540 0.081840 Japanese Yen 3.710 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Bangladesh Taka 0.003623 0.004207 Syrian Pound 0.001298 0.001518 Syrian Pound 2.425 US Dollar Transfer 306.100 Chinese Yuan 0.043117 0.046617 Tunisian Dinar 0.130733 0.138733 Euro 326.460 Nepalese Rupees 3.850 Hong Kong Dollar 0.037381 0.040131 Sterling Pound 381.710 Malaysian Ringgit 69.620 Turkish Lira 0.078565 0.088865 Canadian dollar 234.740 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 44.950 Indian Rupee 0.002681 0.004904 UAE Dirhams 0.081915 0.083615 Turkish lira 84.910 Thai Bhat 9.725 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024 Yemeni Riyal 0.000995 0.001075 Turkish Lira 84.620 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 BUSINESS

Wanted: A CEO willing to hold Greek banking’s ‘poisoned chalice’

ATHENS: Wanted: A chief executive to run of senior bank executives, but higher than in negotiations with its official lenders. The Greece’s bank-rescue fund. Job description: two years ago when then-finance minister fund pumped the cash into banks in 2013 work hard and pray for a miracle. Greece Yannis Varoufakis capped it at 132,000 after an overhaul of Greek debt had forced has failed to find a boss for its Hellenic euros. Moreover, the boss has to answer to them to slash the value of their govern- Financial Stability Fund since July, when its several masters who are currently at log- ment bond holdings. Later, they needed to three-member executive team resigned. A gerheads over the broader question of raise more capital, dramatically reducing new CEO, offered the job in late October Greek reforms. The government, the central the value of the fund’s stakes. quit a week later. His predecessor, an inter- bank, the EU, ECB and European Stability The HFSF once hoped to recoup the im boss, had lasted two months. Mechanism are all represented on a six- money, just as Washington did from its bank The fund, financed by eurozone and member selection panel, set up in 2010, to bailouts in the 2008-2009 financial crisis. International Monetary Fund loans, has not recruit fund executives. Athens and its key Private investors who took part in the Greek explained its failure to find a new leader, lenders are in disagreement over the terms bank rescues were given “call warrants” as but a source close to the recruitment of the latest bailout. If a resolution cannot sweeteners, allowing them to buy bank process said the role was challenging and be found by July, Greece again may face shares from the fund. That would have giv- “less enticing than initially thought”. insolvency. en the CEO of the fund an easy way to win Former fund executives describe it as “At times you are the slave of 20 masters,” back its 25 billion euros of investment. But one of the most thankless jobs in banking. a former fund executive said, adding that it the instruments are well out-of-the-money One called it a “poisoned chalice”. The fail- was no job for a hard-driving chief executive and due to expire by year-end. In the case ure to find a new CEO means the fund lacks accustomed to pushing through obstacles. of National Bank, the warrants , exercisable a strong leader to push banks to make The fund executives who discussed the job in June and December, carry strike prices of painful reforms, such as tackling bad loans. with Reuters declined to be identified. The 78.5 and 81.1 euros. The bank’s shares trade Their huge burden of bad debt, totalling selection panel has been trying to recruit a ATHENS: A man walks past a slogan on a wall in central Athens yesterday. at just 0.23 euros. 106 billion euros ($113 billion) or about half CEO to run the HFSF since the fund’s previ- Eurozone finance ministers will on February 20 seek the outline of a deal to Instead, the new CEO is probably going of all loans, inhibits them from providing ous three-member executive team was unblock bailout cash for Greece before fraught elections across Europe to have to hang on to the stakes and claw credit to the shattered economy’s vibrant removed in an effort to beef up leadership, endanger a quick fix. —AFP back whatever can be recovered of the firms. The CEO’s role is to use the fund’s which in turn was a condition of Greece’s state’s investment the hard way, by pushing leverage as a major investor in three of third bailout deal with its lenders. more challenging” than envisaged, the ance sheet data. It owns 40 percent of the banks to reform their way back to prof- Greece’s four major listed banks to help The source close to the selection source said of the difficulty in filling the National Bank, 26.2 percent of Piraeus Bank itability. “It’s safe to assume the warrants push through banking reforms designed by process said the panel had studied more vacancy. and 11 percent of Alpha Bank, as well as a will expire worthless,” said analyst Nick the European Union, the European Central than 70 resumes in its latest search, which 2.4 percent holding in Eurobank. Koskoletos at Athens-based Eurobank. Bank and IMF and to eventually divest its began in late December, but no suitable PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE However, the fund has lost about two- “The HFSF has lost any chance of stakes, returning banks to private hands. candidate emerged. The fund kicked off yet The Hellenic Financial Stability Fund thirds of its original 25 billion euros invest- recouping the 25 billion euros, given the The job now comes with an annual another search last week, advertising the employs just 32 people and has total assets ment, money Greece had borrowed from dilutions in the two rounds of recapitaliza- salary of up to 270,000 euros ($290,000), job. Efforts to “give the fund a stronger role of around 8 billion euros, including 375 mil- the EU and IMF, part of a mountain of debts tion that followed.The sum will remain a perhaps low by the international standards through new executive leadership proved lion euros in cash, based on Sept. 30 bal- for which Athens is now keen to get relief part of public debt.” — Reuters Kraft in swift reversal on Unilever bid, hitting shares LONDON: Kraft Heinz Co’s rapid retreat still valid,” a shareholder with one of the from its surprise $143 billion bid for biggest 20 holdings in Unilever stock told Unilever in the face of stiff resistance from Reuters. “A takeover at a later stage seems the company and politicians sent shares in unlikely to me as Unilever will build their the Anglo-Dutch group 8 percent lower defenses and sharpen their focus on prof- yesterday. Kraft, which is backed by Warren itability,” the shareholder added. Buffett and the private equity firm 3G, wanted to buy Unilever as part of its strate- CULTURE CLASH gy to become a global consumer goods A combination of the two firms would giant by buying competitors and cutting have been the largest acquisition of a UK- costs and jobs to drive profits. based company, Thomson Reuters data However, the US food group had not showed and would have brought together factored in the resistance it received from some of the world’s best known brands, Unilever Chief Executive Paul Polman, who from toothpaste to ice creams. While it dismissed its offer as having no financial or would also have combined Kraft’s strength strategic merit, and requiring no further in the United States with Unilever’s in discussion. Britain’s response was also a Europe and Asia, it would also have faced a concern after Prime Minister Theresa May potentially huge cultural clash. In 2013, 3G, signalled she would take a more proactive which made its name in corporate America approach to foreign takeovers, sources by orchestrating large debt-laden acquisi- familiar with the matter said. tions and then slashing costs, teamed up May, who had previously singled out with billionaire investor Buffett to acquire Kraft’s 2010 acquisition of another British Heinz and then bought Kraft two years later. household name, Cadbury Plc, as an exam- It is now the second-largest shareholder ple of a deal that should have been in Kraft, behind Buffett’s Berkshire blocked, had indicated her government Hathaway. Unilever feared that a merger would want to examine the deal if it went with Kraft risked eroding the value of its ahead, according to a person familiar with brands and could impede its expansion in BRUSSELS: (From left) German Ambassador Ruediger Luedeking, Finance Minister Johan Van Overtveldt, German Finance Minister Wolfgang the situation. emerging markets, which requires more Schauble, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy and Consumer Affairs Kris Peeters and European Commission First Vice- Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who investment, people familiar with the com- President Frans Timmermans attend a conference organized by the Federation of Enterprises in Belgium (FEB/VBO), in Brussels yesterday. — AFP used to work at Unilever, had also said he pany’s thinking said. would examine what it would mean for the “It was always going to be a difficult Netherlands in the “positive and the nega- pitch to convince shareholders to relin- Eurozone tries to avoid tive” sense. Unilever’s London-listed shares, quish their grip on Unilever, given the which jumped 13 percent to a record high expectations for the company to keep when the bid was made public on Friday, churning out resilient growth in the years fell 8 percent to give it a market value of to come,” George Salmon, Equity Analyst at another Greek deadlock 100 billion pounds after Kraft said in a Hargreaves Lansdown, said. Kraft’s decision statement on Sunday it had “amicably to pull the deal also removes a political agreed” to withdraw its proposal. headache for Prime Minister May who has The company’s Dutch listed shares were been adamant that Britain should vet for- Broad agreement on Athens’ reform course down 7 percent andanalysts at Macquarie eign takeovers. During her leadership cam- said Unilever’s stock should not give up all paign last year, May criticised Kraft’s 2010 BRUSSELS: The eurozone’s 19 finance ministers eurogroup we will discuss whether we’ve come their condition is that there are enough substan- its gains following the approach. “Unilever’s takeover of British chocolate maker will be looking to defuse the risk of another to that point,” he said. “Because that is my goal: tive reforms - not necessarily cuts, but reforms - share price is still performing remarkably Cadbury, following which it reneged on an Greek crisis as they try to agree yesterday on to get the mission back in Athens on the ground so that things improve in Greece.” well as I suppose the argument that these earlier promise to keep a factory in south- what reforms Greece must still take to qualify for to talk about all the difficult stuff that needs to The stakes could hardly be higher as the last stocks were cheap versus borrow costs is west England open.— Reuters more loans. be sorted out.” such crisis, which followed Tsipras’s election, Hopes of an imminent breakthrough that will As part of its most recent bailout agreement nearly saw Athens expelled from the euro. A unlock further bailout funds for the cash-strapped struck in July 2015, Greece committed to a series possible default by Athens is still some months country were dashed in recent weeks due to dis- of economic reforms in return for the loans. off but it needs enough money to repay seven agreements between Greece and its creditors. There are a number of reforms still to be carried billion euros in debt in July. Greece remains dependent on bailout loans from out, including to pensions, tax and the labor The elections in Europe are adding to the its partners in the eurozone to pay its debts. It has market. Agreeing on the next set of reforms will pressure, with Dijssebloem himself at risk of los- a debt repayment hump in July, and without new unlock the next batch of funds and potentially ing his job if the polls are right about his party’s loans, it faces bankruptcy and a potential exit from trigger the involvement of the International position. Anti-EU candidates are leading polls in the euro. Ahead of the meeting in Brussels, the Monetary Fund in the Greek bailout program. those elections and officials worry that Greece’s eurozone’s top official, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, said The IMF was meant contribute to the latest future could get ensnared in the campaigning. he hoped there will be agreement on sending bailout program but has held off, saying that “Absent political agreement on Monday, a deal ... back to Athens representatives from the institu- Greece’s debt is unsustainable and the eurozone is likely to drift until April or indeed May,” said A Heinz ketchup sign is shown on the side of the Senator John Heinz History Center tions overseeing Greece’s bailout back to Athens. needs to write off some of its loans. The Mujtaba Rahman, an analyst at the Eurasia in Pittsburgh. — AP Once there discussions will commence on what Europeans are hesitant, leaving the IMF’s posi- group risk consultancy. The delay would worry further reforms Greece will have to undertake in tion in the balance. “The position of the IMF already jittery markets. Greece’s two-year bor- order to get its hands on more bailout money. remains unchanged under the principle that rowing rates have risen as high as 10 percent in “We’ve had intense talks with the institutions they formally want to join this program, while recent weeks while France has also come under Japan returns to trade and the Greek government to clear the ground informally, they continued to be involved,” some pressure as investors seek safety in deficit in January for the mission to return to Athens and in the Dijsselbloem said. “It is still their intention but German assets. — Agencies TOKYO: Japan logged its first trade August and marked a sharp reversal from Hedge funds bet big on oil as deficit in five months in January, official a surplus of 640 billion yen in December. data showed yesterday, as higher energy Japan’s China-bound exports prices overwhelmed slower growth in increased 3.1 percent in January, sharply OPEC gives a free put option exports due to the lunar new year. lower than the 12.4-percent jump seen in The country routinely falls into deficit in December. Imports from China, mean- January due to the lunar new year celebra- while, rose 7.2 percent, resulting in Japan LONDON: Hedge funds and other money man- bance to the market price of crude. Volatility has the mid-2014 means fund managers can run a net tions in key trade partners such as China, recording its 59th straight monthly deficit agers have amassed a very large bullish position in been most remarkable by its absence. position twice as large in barrel terms for the same which sees an extended holiday. But Yuichi against Asia’s largest economy. Overall crude oil futures and options without so far having Funds have increased their net long position by commitment of capital. Some analysts therefore Kodama, chief economist at Meiji Yasuda exports rose 1.3 percent, falling short of much impact on oil prices. Hedge funds raised 107 million barrels since Dec. 13 while prices have insist funds still have scope to increase their expo- Life Insurance Co in Tokyo, said that the the market expectation for a five-percent their combined net long position in the three main traded sideways in a narrow range of around sure significantly in the weeks and months ahead. export weakness would not last. “Exports rise, which was the median estimate of derivative contracts linked to Brent and WTI by +ACQ-55.50 +ACQ-1.25 per barrel. But that raises questions about whether the very are still on the recovery track,” he told economists surveyed by Bloomberg. another 51 million barrels in the week to Feb 14. Oil prices have been steady at around the large hedge fund position in mid-2014, immediate- Bloomberg News. “The global economy is Imports increased 8.5 percent, the first Funds now hold a net long position equivalent +ACQ-55 level most energy professionals expected ly before the biggest slump in prices for 30 years, is steadily recovering. “There’s no change to rise in more than two years, and came in to a record 903 million barrels of oil, according to would be the average for the year at the start of the right baseline for comparison. the view that Japan’s economy is driven by higher than the market expectation of a an analysis of records published by regulators and 2017. The accumulation of a large long or short external demand while domestic demand 4.8-percent rise. Increases in commodity exchanges. The combined net long position has a position by fund managers has normally been the FLIGHTY AND STICKY MONEY is remaining weak.” prices, triggered by oil producers’ agree- notional valuation of more than +ACQ-49 billion, harbinger of a sharp reversal in oil prices when it There have been suggestions that much of the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been ment last year to reduce production, also which is the highest since July 2014. Hedge funds unwinds. So the massive net long position has trig- increase in net long positions comes from pension trying to kickstart growth for more than boosted energy bills for Japan, which hold more than 9.5 long positions for every 1 short gered a heated debate about whether hedge fund funds and hedge funds pursuing inflation-linked four years with a policy of spending, cen- depends mostly on imports from the position in Brent and WTI combined, the highest managers are fully invested yet or have the poten- macro strategies rather than specialist commodity tral bank policy easing and structural Middle East. The yen’s relative strength ratio since May 2014. tial to increase their exposure even further. funds and trend followers. Capital committed by reform, but the outcome has been mostly compared with a year ago was also seen Fund managers now have the most bullish view The record net position in barrels and high ratio pension funds and macro funds may be more disappointing. Inflation and consumer weighing on Japanese exports. on oil since the first half of 2014, when Libya’s of long to short positions both indicate the position sticky and less prone to abrupt reversals than com- spending are weak, and companies have Japan’s exports to the United States exports were nearly halted by civil war and Islamic may already have become stretched. But that has mitments from commodity specialists and trend been reluctant to boost wages in the fell 6.6 percent, led by weaker automo- State fighters were racing across northern Iraq. not stopped hedge fund managers from continuing chasers. But there is no way to identify the different world’s third-largest economy. bile and semiconductor shipments, while to raise their combined position in four of the last types of money managers separately in the pub- For January, the trade deficit came to imports rose 11.9 percent, driven largely DOLLARS AND BARRELS six weeks. And while the notional value of the net lished data from regulators and exchanges. There is 1.08 trillion yen ($9.6 billion), expanding by gas and grains. Asia-bound exports The scale of the net long position is puzzling long position has more than doubled from a recent no way to prove or disprove the hypothesis that 67.8 percent from the same month a year rose 6.0 percent, led by steel, ships and and raises important questions about how it will low of +ACQ-20 billion in the middle of November it the increase in net long positions is from sticky ago. The deficit was the first since auto parts. — AFP eventually unwind. Fund managers have been able remains well below the peak of +ACQ-69 billion pension funds and macro tourists rather than to increase their bullish bets with almost no distur- reported in July 2014. The halving of oil prices since flight-prone commodity funds. — Reuters BUSINESS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 European stock markets climb but Unilever sags

LONDON: European stock markets rose yesterday, day's losses for Unilever was a jump of 5.7 percent Friday for the sixth time in seven sessions. with gains in London capped by a sharp drop in the to 256.20 pence for shares in Royal Bank of US markets were closed yesterday for the share price of Unilever following the collapse of a Scotland. The British government late on Friday Presidents' Day holiday. In Tokyo, stocks overcame proposed mega-merger. Unilever shed 6.6 percent proposed plans for the bailed-out RBS to fund ini- early losses to end modestly higher as yen weak- on London's benchmark FTSE 100 index to trade at tiatives worth £750 million to improve competition ness prompted late bargain-hunting. Shanghai £35.47 in morning deals. in the sector, in order to meet its rescue conditions. gained 1.18 percent after a Chinese media report Over the weekend, US food giant Kraft Heinz "RBS shares jumped... after it confirmed the EU is that a first tranche of investment into China's stocks dropped a bid to buy Unilever just days after the looking at alternatives to forcing the troubled by official pension funds was expected as early as Dutch-British consumer goods group rejected a lender to selling off around 300 Williams & Glyn this week. "This is great news for the mainland $143-billion buyout offer. "Although the Kraft Heinz brand branches," said Neil Wilson, senior market Chinese market. Investor confidence and trading deal for Unilever met a very quick end, the market analyst at traders ETX Capital. Rolls-Royce mean- enthusiasm was fired by this," Yingda Securities' has been quick to embrace the wider possibility of while won more than 4.0 percent after a broker chief economist Li Daxiao told AFP. Retail conglom- future potential mergers and acquisitions, which is upgrade from Goldman Sachs, traders said. erate Shanghai Bailian Group surged by its 10 per- giving equity markets a boost," said Rebecca In Asia yesterday, Shanghai's main stocks index cent daily limit to 17.82 yuan on Monday after the O'Keeffe, head of investment at stockbroker won more than one percent by the close, with announcement of a tie-up with e-commerce giant Interactive Investor. traders buoyed by reports that China's official pen- Alibaba. Unilever's share price had surged 14 percent on sion funds may start investing. news of a possible deal, while Kraft closed Friday Wall Street's strong performance last week con- Shanghai stocks climb with a gain of nearly 11 percent. Offsetting yester- tinued to reverberate after US stocks hit new highs Shanghai stocks closed more than one percent

TOKYO: People walk by an electronic stock board of a securities firm in Tokyo yesterday. Asian stocks were mixed in early trading yesterday as investors looked for fresh leads while they awaited economic and corporate earnings reports and Fed meeting minutes due out this week. — AP

higher yesterday, with traders buoyed by Securities Chief Economist Li Daxiao told AFP. reports that China's official pension funds may Retail conglomerate Shanghai Bailian start investing, as markets across Asia saw Group surged by its 10 percent daily limit to modest gains. 17.82 yuan yesterday after the announcement Wall Street's strong performance last week of a tie-up with e-commerce giant Alibaba. continued to reverberate after US stocks hit Heavyweight banking shares were among the new highs Friday for the sixth time in seven gainers in Shanghai. Bank of China added sessions. Tokyo stocks overcame early losses 1.65 percent to 3.69 yuan, while China CITIC to end modestly higher as yen weakness Bank Corp climbed 2.17 percent to 7.05 yuan. prompted late bargain-hunting. With US markets closed yesterday for the Shanghai gained 1.18 percent after a Presidents' Day holiday, investors were turn- Chinese media report that a first tranche of ing to corporate and political developments investment into China stocks by official pen- elsewhere. Europe was back in focus after a sion funds was expected as early as this week. poll showed German Chancellor Angela "This is great news for the mainland Merkel's ruling party lagging the Social Chinese market. Investor confidence and trad- Democrats for the first time under her leader- ing enthusiasm was fired by this," Yingda ship ahead of looming elections. — Agencies TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 BUSINESS Etihad Airways signs agreement with Kenya Airways

ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways Engineering has signed an Airways in optimising its fleet performance and building facility.” Etihad Airways Engineering is the largest commer- ments in seven airlines: airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, agreement with Kenya Airways to perform mandatory its technical know-how through our expanding Boeing cial aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) servic- Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based checks on its Boeing 787-8 fleet. This is part of an integra- 787 heavy maintenance capabilities.” es provider in the Middle East and has served more than Darwin Airline, trading as Etihad Regional. tion program for the newest additions to the airline’s fleet. Martyn Haines, Kenya Airways Technical Director, said: 100 airlines and aviation operators from around the world. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to, or has The first of six scheduled Boeing 787 C-checks begins “We will use this opportunity to upscale and retool some of The company was named MRO Service Provider of the Year announced plans to serve, more than 110 passenger and this month, with the last one planned for October 2017. our technical department, who will be onsite to provide - Middle East at the 2016 Aviation Business Awards. cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, The airline is also planning a number of product and relia- oversight of all work being done. The agreement also opens Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) is a diversified global avia- Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of over bility improvement modifications to systems and compo- up other collaborative opportunities including training pro- tion and travel group comprising four business divisions - 120 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with 204 aircraft on firm nents during these heavy maintenance checks. grams. “We have an ongoing maintenance program of Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777Xs, 62 Jeff Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways small and large checks across our other fleets, with all of Emirates, Etihad Airways Engineering, Hala Group and Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s. For more information, Engineering, said: “We are pleased to support Kenya these scheduled for completion within our maintenance Airline Equity Partners. The group has minority invest- please visit: etihad.com. China’s Geely to bid for Malaysia’s ailing Proton

BEIJING: Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely people with knowledge of the bidding said Holding Group Co is expected to bid as early Geely is looking for at least a 51 percent stake. as this week for a strategic partnership with struggling Malaysian carmaker Proton Driving on the left Holdings Bhd, two people familiar with the By offering Proton some of its own tech- bidding process told Reuters. nologies, Geely hopes to help Proton’s sales in As part of its pitch following discussions right-hand-drive (RHD) markets, including with Proton’s owner, Malaysian conglomerate Malaysia, the UK, India and Australia, the peo- DRB-Hicom Bhd, Hangzhou-based Geely, ple said. The technologies include those which owns Sweden’s Volvo Car Group, is Geely has used to engineer midsize vehicles expected to offer Proton some of the latest such as its GC9 sedan and Boyue sport-utility vehicle technologies it has developed with vehicle, as well as small car technologies Volvo’s input. developed with Volvo, the people said. DRB-Hicom said earlier this month it was Strong sales of the GC9 and the Boyue waiting for prospective foreign car makers to SUV helped Geely grow its China sales by 50 submit bids for a strategic partnership. percent last year to 765,851 vehicles. Geely’s Proton, founded in 1983 by former Malaysian investment would help Proton - which also premier Mahathir Mohamad, received 1.5 bil- owns British sports car maker Lotus - grow its lion ringgit ($338.2 million) in government sales overseas and recover some of the global aid a year ago on the condition that it imple- presence it has lost in recent years, the peo- ment a turnaround plan and seek a foreign ple said. For Geely, a significant partnership partner to help its research and development. with Proton would give the Chinese firm Other potential bidders have included entry into the global (RHD) market. Peugeot maker PSA , Japan’s Suzuki Motor “There are 8 million RHD vehicles sold Corp and French car maker Renault SA. In every year globally,” one of the individuals said. response to Reuters requests for comment, “Geely sells roughly zero RHD cars, so even if Mahmood Razak, DRB-Hicom’s head of strate- Geely cars were sold under Proton, if nothing gic communications, said: “We have nothing else Geely would make a handsome license new to say,” noting a previous statement fee.” “The overall plan is basically to invest in about it being a complex process. It has said Proton to bring it back to global (sales) levels it A construction site in Lianyungang, China’s Jiangsu province. Chinese banks lent more money in January alone than the annual GDP of South it expects to announce a decision in the first had in the 1990s,” the person added. Africa, as borrowers rushed to take advantage of government policies intended to stimulate the economy with easy credit. — AFP half of this year. Geely’s offer comes amid a thaw in often “We are evaluating the bids received. No chilly ties between Malaysia and China. In disclosures until we have selected a FSP (for- November, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib eign strategic partner),” he added. A Geely Razak returned from a six-day trip to China with China’s huge debt poses spokesman declined to comment. It was not about $34 billion worth of deals - including an clear whether Geely’s pitch - part of what the agreement to buy four Chinese naval vessels - sources said was the final bidding round - which could help lift the economy ahead of includes a cash offer for a stake in Proton. The elections due by mid-2018. — Reuters major headache for CB Germany sees encouraging Banks’ lending in January jumps

signs on jobs in Opel talks BEIJING: Chinese banks lent more money in cost of credit. The abundance of cheap cash has sion of banks’ balance sheets make the financial BERLIN: Initial talks between the German January alone than the annual GDP of South had unexpected consequences: the cost of garlic system vulnerable to too abrupt a change,” she government and carmakers PSA and Africa, as borrowers rushed to take advantage of jumped 80 percent last year on speculation, said. “The tightening cannot be too harsh.” General Motors have led to some encour- government policies intended to stimulate the investors poured money into bitcoin and real aging signals that jobs at Opel factories will economy with easy credit. But the free-for-all estate prices in some parts of the country have Thirst for liquidity be preserved, but no guarantees have been has had unintended consequences, creating a gone through the roof. Authorities are also worried about the inten- made yet, a top official said yesterday. tottering tower of unsustainable debt, with Last year the average price per square metre sifying risk of corporate defaults, particularly in Europe’s car industry has been dogged Beijing now trying to tighten monetary policy jumped 14 percent in Beijing, 38 percent in the unregulated “shadow finance” sector that by overcapacity for years, and the planned and reduce access to credit without bringing the Nanjing and a staggering 49 percent in the covers loans to heavily indebted manufacturers sale of GM’s European Opel/Vauxhall arm to entire edifice crashing down. southern city of Shenzhen. At the same time, and property developers. Social financing-a Peugeot-maker PSA has raised the spectre Chinese debt exceeded 270 percent of the empty apartment buildings have mushroomed broad measure of credit including that offered of cutbacks in the wake of a deal. GM and country’s GDP by the end of 2016, stoked by across other cities where builders are struggling by non-bank entities-soared to 3.740 trillion PSA so far have not given binding guaran- multiple interest rate cuts as well as the growth to find clients willing to invest in their specula- yuan ($545 billion) in January, double that in tees to preserve German jobs and factories of the unregulated “shadow finance” credit sec- tive ventures. December, according to the PBOC. at Opel, Deputy Economy Minister Matthias tor which involves lending to already indebted The “monetary policy has only inflated the These unregulated schemes include compa- Machnig said when asked to comment on companies. Thanks in part to the easy credit, real estate bubble,” economist Zhong Pengrong, ny-to-company lending, which jumped 20 per- media reports, but he added there had Europe’s car industry has been China’s economy-a key driver of global growth- CEO of Shiye, told AFP. “If the market collapses, cent in 2016 to $1.92 trillion, according to data been some encouraging signals. dogged by overcapacity for years, and expanded by 6.7 percent last year, with a con- the risk is immense,” he said. firm CEIC. Commercial banks have traditionally “This is why speculation is premature at the planned sale of GM’s European struction boom and increased public spending Although a dozen municipalities have recent- been reluctant to loan money to small and this point,” Machnig told German television Opel/Vauxhall arm to Peugeot-maker on infrastructure. ly tightened rules on apartment purchases, over- medium-sized businesses, regardless of interest station ARD. He expressed hope that a PSA has raised the spectre of cutbacks But the world’s second largest economy is heating persists, with home loans accounting for rate cuts, leaving owners with little choice but to combination with France’s PSA could form in the wake of a deal. now saddled with an unwieldy debt load, a record one-third of bank lending in January. turn to “shadow financiers” to quench their thirst the basis of a better future for Opel. government and that both countries would Andrew Fennell of ratings agency Fitch said in a Hamstrung by the need to prop up growth for liquidity. A jump in interest rates is unlikely to German newspaper Bild am Sonntag had not let themselves being played off against January 23 note, adding that “China’s stable while also reining in speculation, the PBOC has affect the demand for this kind of lending, reported that PSA had pledged to continue each other. Economy Minister Brigitte growth reflects stimulus, not sustainability”. sent mixed signals on monetary policy. It inject- meaning there is no immediate solution in sight. operating all four of Opel’s German produc- Zypries will discuss the planned deal in Standard & Poor’s also warned that “reliance ed additional liquidity into the financial system Under these conditions, analysts say, it will likely tion sites. Germany is heading towards a talks with her French counterpart Michel on credit-fuelled growth poses the downside before the Lunar New Year, when demand for take a long time to get China’s debt monster federal election in September and any Sapin during her visit in Paris on Thursday, risk of a hard landing for the economy.” cash is traditionally strong. under control as the country attempts to re-bal- major job cuts at Opel could weaken the the ministry spokesman said. Then in early February the bank raised short- ance its economy. chances of Chancellor Angela Merkel get- Zypries, a senior member of Germany’s ‘The risk is immense’ term rates in the money market by 10 basis “China economy is a bit like a high-speed ting re-elected for a fourth term. co-governing Social Democrats, said last The People’s Bank of China (PBOC), the coun- points for the first time in four years. Societe train,” Zhang Fayu, economist and manager for Merkel is constantly being updated on Thursday she expected the deal to go try’s central bank, helped stimulate the out of Generale analyst Wei Yao said the bank was assets management firm Million Tons Capital in the progress of talks between the govern- ahead. Germany accounts for half of GM control lending with multiple interest rate cuts attempting a precarious balancing act. “The Shanghai, told AFP. “It must slow down well in ment and the management of the carmak- Europe’s 38,000 staff, while there are 4,500 between the end of 2014 and 2016, lowering the high debt level and the previously hasty expan- advance before turning.” — AFP ers, government spokesman Steffen Seibert in Britain where the company operates said during a regular news conference in under the Vauxhall brand. Berlin yesterday. An economy ministry Two sources close to PSA said last Economy good, but homes spokesman reiterated the government’s Thursday that job and plant cuts were part main goal was to preserve jobs. He added of the tie-up talks, with the two Vauxhall Berlin was also in contact with the British sites in Britain in the front line. — Reuters in German cities overpriced FRANKFURT: Homes in large German cities are factories run at full capacity and companies invest percent in December, hitting the highest level in between 15 and 30 percent overpriced, the more. Export activity should also benefit from three-and-a-half years and touching the European Bundesbank said yesterday, in a message that is like- strong demand, the Bundesbank said. Central Bank’s target for price stability of just under ly to stoke further fears in Europe’s strongest econo- “Improvements in labor market conditions, 2 percent. Jens Weidmann, the powerful president my about the side-effects of monetary stimulus. favorable income prospects for workers and a good of the Bundesbank and a member of the ECB’s rate- The German economy will stay on a strong foot- consumption climate let us expect a continuation setting body, has argued recently the increase in ing in the coming months thanks to high industrial of strong consumer spending, even if the higher inflation should be countered by exiting step by and construction activity, the central bank said, but inflation rate limits the scope for spending”, the step from the ECB’s unprecedented monetary stim- it warned this could not fully account for the surge Bundesbank said. But the bank said a large US fiscal ulus. However, ECB President Mario Draghi and oth- in residential property prices. “According to current stimulus as promised by Washington could lead to a er members of the central bank’s Governing Council estimates, there were price overshoots of between general rise in prices globally and fuel inflation rates want to see more evidence of a sustained raise of 15 and 30 percent in the cities last year,” the in Europe and Germany. Inflation in Germany the inflation rate before winding down the bank’s German central bank said in its monthly report. picked up further in January to 1.9 percent from 1.7 2.3 trillion euros ($2.44 trillion) stimulus. — Reuters “The deviations in prices were particularly pro- nounced in the case of owner-occupied apart- ments in the big cities.” Commercial Bank launches Germans have been sceptical of the European Central Bank’s policy mix of sub-zero rates and Al-Tijari Offers program aggressive bond purchases, fearing it would eat into returns on their savings and inflate a property KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait counts offered to Al-Tijari credit and pre- bubble. In recent years, many Germans, who tradi- announced the launch of ‘Al-Tijari Offers’ paid cardholders are available on the tionally are more likely to rent than buy a home, put program for the year 2017 which comprises Bank’s website www.cbk.com. their money into the property market to benefit direct privileges and discounts up to 25 Additionally, a booklet has been issued from the low interest rates and put their savings to percent from reputable and renowned as a manual of the offers provided by par- work. At the same time more people moved to big- restaurants & coffee shops in Kuwait ticipating restaurants & coffee shops ger cities such as Munich, Frankfurt and the capital including the restaurants of Jumeirah, including their names, addresses and tele- Berlin, a trend that led to rapidly increasing prices Radisson Blu, Movenpick and Symphony phone numbers. These restaurants & coffee because the higher demand could not be met. Style Hotels and many more restaurants shops will be also posted on the Bank’s Residential property prices in German cities and coffee shops. This program is especially social media networks. rose by 8 percent last year after increasing by 6.75 designated for Al-Tijari credit and prepaid Commercial Bank of Kuwait always percent on average in each of the previous six cardholders (Visa and Mastercard). endeavors to provide the best offers and years, according to Bundesbank calculations based This Program includes a large number of discounts to its customers and reward on data from consultancy company Bulwiengesa. participating restaurants & coffee shops them through cooperation with well- with diverse dining in order to attain cus- known companies to cater for their require- Economy in good shape tomers’ satisfactions with their different ments and needs. The Bank also strives to The central bank said the German economy was segments. The full list of participating meet its customers’ expectations and bank- in good shape and should run even better in the restaurants & coffee shops and their dis- ing needs that suit their lifestyles. future, as the construction sector is buoyant, many FRANKFURT AM MAIN: German central bank Bundesbank headquarters in Frankfurt am Main. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 business

Gulf Bank offers free movie tickets for its New Red customers In celebration of Kuwait’s National and Liberation Days

KUWAIT: On the occasion of Kuwait’s of their choice at KNCC. In fact, exist- their student allowances. Each month, National and Liberation Days, Gulf Bank ing red customers receive a multitude an iPhone 7, an iPad Pro, and an Apple will be present at the Avenues Mall to of benefits by simply being a red Watch will be gifted to three lucky win- offer free movie tickets on the spot for all account holder. They are actually enti- ners until December 31 2017. In addition those who open a new red account! The tled to automatically discounted to the Apple prizes, students will have Bank’s campaign will run until February movie tickets for KD2 instead of the the opportunity to win a Fiat 500-Model 27 2017 in all Kuwait National Cinema customary KD 3.5 fee, applicable all 2017 at the annual car draw; not to men- Company (KNCC) theatres. year long, seven days a week in an tion the exclusive offers from Edfa3ly, Gulf Bank installed a corporate red unlimited way. which is an international internet shop- booth in KNCC cinema at the Avenues Gulf Bank invites all high school ping services company. Mall, to help potential customers open students, college and university stu- The Bank seeks to provide new and new red accounts instantly as well as to dents aged between 15 and 25 to visit interesting initiatives and reward its loyal showcase the Bank’s products and serv- its booth at the Avenues Mall and customer base. By offering its red cus- ices and answer any question. open a red account during this hon- tomers with the right promotions, tai- Upon opening a new red account orary celebration. lored to meet their specific needs, the at the booth in the Avenues Mall, Eligible customers will get the chance Bank is pleased to celebrate the National Gulf Bank’s new customers will to enter the red draw automatically and Liberation Day with the people of receive free tickets to watch a movie on a monthly basis, upon transferring Kuwait. URC’s Abdali Mall to develop signature destination spa with Al-Adnani Group

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s leading diversified real tional customer experiences in our Abdali Mall. estate development company, United Real We strive to set a new benchmark in retail Estate Company (URC), has announced the and dining for the local market, and the addi- signing of an agreement between its sub- tion of a seven-star, signature spa will comple- sidiary in the Kingdom of Jordan, URC-Jordan, ment the integrated shopping experience.” and Al-Adnani Group, to launch a new signa- Located in Amman’s inner city urban renew- ture health spa in its Abdali Mall, in Amman, al hub ‘Abdali’, Abdali Mall is the first develop- Jordan. ment of its kind in the country boasting an The 929 square meter women only spa will award-winning mix of over 111 tenancies operate under the seven star Gaia Cocoon Spa including indoor-outdoor restaurants, open-air brand and be one of the Al Adnani Group’s food courts, a multi-cinema complex and largest in Jordan offering the only 7-star beau- supermarket. ty center in Amman catering specifically to Abdali Mall was previously awarded ‘Best women’s health and beauty services including Retail Project Award (BUILT)’ in Emerging skin care, make-up, hair & body products and Markets category at Cityscape Global 2016 and signature therapies designed with advanced Best Retail Project - Middle East in the Large- technologies and run by an internationally cer- Cap category at the World Finance tified team of professionals. Construction Awards. Ahmad Kasem, Deputy CEO of United Real Estate Company said, “We are very pleased to Note to Editors Qatar Airways awarded be partnering with a true market leader and About URC innovator such as Al-Adnani Group.” United Real Estate Company (URC) is one of “URC’s long-term strategy has always been the MENA region’s leading real estate develop- for content innovation to have strategic partnerships in the countries ers, with total assets of KD 571 million (US$ 1.9 that we operate in and this agreement is Billion) as of 30 September 2016. Headquartered DOHA: Qatar Airways was recognized for the experience many passengers enjoy at another commitment to the delivery of excep- Ahmad Kasem in Kuwait, URC was founded in 1973 and was list- content innovation at the fourth annual home. Frequent flyers are spoilt for choice, ed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange in 1984. in-flight workshop and awards at Aircraft with more than 90 new feature films and URC primarily operates in the Middle East Interiors Middle East, held in partnership 220 TV shows being updated each month. and North Africa (MENA) region through a with F&E Aerospace. The award recognizes The library of on-board content number of operational subsidiaries and invest- the outstanding array of the airline’s on- includes full box sets of movies and TV ments arms. The company’s portfolio includes board entertainment platform, Oryx One. series such as The Star Wars Collection, The retail complexes, hotels, resorts, residential Qatar Airways was commended for X-Men Collection and the Marvel buildings, high rise office buildings, as well as offering a wide selection of content to Cinematic Universe movies. TV Box sets mixed use developments. Operational assets enhance its global passengers’ journeys, are booked exclusively before any other include KIPCO Tower, Marina Hotel and Marina including regional content selection tai- airline. Qatar Airways was the only airline Mall in Kuwait, as well as Salalah Gardens Mall lored to the Middle East market. The to feature the complete first season of the & Residences in Oman. Regionally, URC’s assets award, which the airline received for the highly rated Turkish drama Sultana Kosem. include Abdali Mall in Jordan, Raouche View at second consecutive year, was presented at Passengers can also select from a wide 1090 in Lebanon, Aswar Residences in Egypt a ceremony during the exhibition held on range of Bollywood movies and from and Assoufid in Morocco. 8-9 February at the Dubai World Trade more than 200 hours of Arabic content URC’s majority shareholder is KIPCO Group, Centre as part of the Inflight IFEC Pavilion originating from Qatar, Gulf (Khaleeji) and one of the biggest holding companies in the Workshop. the Middle East region. Middle East and North Africa, with consolidat- Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Oryx One also offers an exciting array of ed assets of US$ 33 billion as at 30 September Akbar Al-Baker said: “We developed Oryx kids’ entertainment, including the entire 2016. The Group has significant ownership One to offer our passengers the highest Pixar catalogue of movies. Kids can also interests in over 60 companies operating standard in on-board entertainment, and enjoy a fantastic range of content from the across 24 countries. The group’s main busi- we continually strive to innovate and Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and Disney ness sectors are financial services, media, real expand our state-of-the-art entertainment branded sections. estate and manufacturing. Through its core library, unrivalled for its wide range of con- Oryx One provides its passengers with companies, subsidiaries and affiliates, KIPCO tent in multiple languages. This award rec- up to 3,000 channels of entertainment also has interests in the education and med- ognizes the extensive selection we offer to options, including 500 blockbuster Abdali Mall ical sectors. our customers, from the latest premieres, movies, 1,300 episodes of TV programs, to classic movies, popular TV and special- 1,000 audio channels and 50 games, interest programmers, providing them refreshed each month. Oryx One offers a Burgan Bank celebrates with a superior entertainment experience huge variety of the latest audio and video to enhance their journey around the world content as well as star-studded world cine- national days with with Qatar Airways.” ma in more than 30 languages, including The content innovation award recog- award-winning, Hollywood premieres, its BuBa customers nizes the airline’s fantastic range of on- Arabic hits, Bollywood blockbusters, mod- KUWAIT: On the occasion of Kuwait National and board entertainment options. Passengers ern favorites, classics and much more. A Independence days, Burgan Bank is eager to announce its lat- can enjoy up to 3,000 channels of enter- dedicated family channel offers younger est offer tailored to its BuBa account holders. On both tainment options. passengers a wide choice of the latest February 25 and 26, 2017, BuBa customers will benefit from Qatar Airways Senior Vice President movies and age-appropriate TV content . entering “Trampo” Promenade Mall located in Hawally for free. Marketing and Corporate Communications, Passengers flying on Qatar Airways BuBa customers can avail the offer from 10 am to 11 am Salam Al-Shawa said: “This award is a testa- flights served by its B787, A350, A380 and or 11 am to 12 pm during both days, and will in turn enjoy ment to our continued commitment to A319 as well as select A330 and A320 air- an array of activities including Jump, Climb, Leap and Slide, enhancing our passengers’ in-flight experi- craft can also access on-board Wi-Fi. Qatar in one of the most fun and dynamic kids’ places in Kuwait. ence by providing them with the widest Airways passengers on all connected air- Burgan Bank always ensures to offer BuBa account hold- selection of high quality, on-board enter- craft will enjoy free Wi-Fi for the first 15 ers exciting benefits that suit their lifestyle. tainment options. We are delighted to be minutes courtesy of a global partnership Established in 1977, Burgan Bank is the youngest com- honored with this award for the second with Ooredoo. A simple-to-use portal mercial Bank and second largest by assets in Kuwait, with a consecutive year.” makes it easy for passengers to log on and significant focus on the corporate and financial institutions Qatar Airways continues to explore connect, and then browse the Internet or sectors, as well as having a growing retail, and private bank ways to deliver quality content on a post on their social media channels direct- customer base. Burgan Bank has majority owned sub- dynamic platform through a choice of ly from the comfort of their seats, reaffirm- sidiaries in the MENAT region supported by one of the familiar, award-winning and hugely popu- ing Qatar Airways’ commitment to provid- largest regional branch networks. lar entertainment options that replicate ing a superior on-board service. The Bank has continuously improved its performance over the years through an expanded revenue structure, diversified funding sources, and a strong capital base. The Genuine spare parts from adoption of state-of-the-art services and technology has VIVA launches ‘Double positioned it as a trendsetter in the domestic market and Chevrolet Alghanim within the MENA region. Burgan Bank’s brand has been cre- ated on a foundation of real values - of trust, commitment, Your Benefit’ promotion excellence and progression, to remind us of the high stan- holds second draw dards to which we aspire. ‘People come first’ is the founda- KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-grow- tion on which its products and services are developed. ing and most developed telecom oper- KUWAIT: With the established popularity on the new 2017 Chevrolet Trax LT, the The bank was re-certified with the prestigious ISO ator, and “Best Telecommunications of the Genuine Spare Parts campaign, event will take place on March 20, 2017. 9001:2008, making it the first bank in the GCC, and the only Company of the year, Kuwait 2016” by Chevrolet Alghanim, as well as the largest As the agent of GM in Kuwait, bank in Kuwait to receive such accreditation for the third con- International Finance Magazine, distributor of genuine spare parts from Chevrolet Alghanim provides its cus- secutive year.The Bank also has to its credit the distinction of launched “Double Your Benefit” promo- General Motors, held the second draw on tomers with world-renowned, genuine being the only Bank in Kuwait to have won the JP Morgan tion, for postpaid, prepaid and internet February 16 under the supervision of the spare parts that enhance customers’ Chase Quality Recognition Award for twelve consecutive years. customers, coinciding the annual Hala Ministry of Commerce, and in the pres- safety and prolong vehicles’ longevity February festival. ence of Chevrolet management. IPhone 7 and performance. Chevrolet Alghanim This new promotion allows cus- winners were announced, while another service facility is equipped with a mod- tomers exclusively to subscribe in batch of phones, as well as the grand prize ern and air-conditioned warehouse that February with annual commitment in - the 2017 Chevrolet Trax - are still up for stocks all the required parts using the lat- postpaid packages, KD 10, KD 15, KD 20 grabs. Clients who purchase in the value est global systems and processes, which and KD 5 and get two times more calls, of KD25 can still receive 4 chances to enter include making deliveries to all parts SMS and internet. Prepaid customers the 3rd draw. locations in Kuwait. with allo packages, KD 3, KD 5, KD 8, This offer is still valid until March 17, Customers can purchase genuine spare are eligible to double their minutes their families and friends during the 2017, the promotion offers customers parts from Chevrolet Alghanim [Shuwaikh and internet balance and they can national celebrations. This promotion is multiple chances to win valuable prizes. 24967772, Canada Dry Street (tel. 24834822) recharge their prepaid lines and enjoy part of “More” campaign that VIVA Customers will get the chance to win one - Faheehel, (tel. 23929849) - Sharq (tel. 100 percent bonus on local calls and launched recently, built on the belief of 30 iPhone 7 on a number of draws-the 22460972) and Jahra 24965935] open from SMS. In addition, internet customers that while life can be enjoyable and first of which already took place on Saturday to Thursday, from 8:00am to 7:30 with package KD 6 can get two times rewarding, consumers are always seek- January 17, 2017, and the second was on pm, with the exception of the Shuwaikh their internet capacity, and enjoy the ing that little bit extra enrichment as February 16, 2017. As for the grand draw Main Branch (tel. 24969772). 4G LTE network and communicate with they go about their daily lives. technology TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 Cisco Tetration Analytics secures business applications

DUBAI: Cisco announces that Cisco Tetration Analytics now automates poli- cy enforcement, enabling organizations to build secure environments for their business applications and also expands Tetration with new deployment options. Building on Tetration’s original discovery and visibility capabilities, Cisco’s latest software for Tetration Analyticsnow provides the industry’s first consistent security policy enforce- ment applied holistically across each application. Policy is enforced regard- less of where the application resides: virtual, bare metal, physical servers, or in private or public clouds, across any vendor’s infrastructure. This new enforcement model binds policies to workload characteristics and behaviors while ensuring that the policy stays neous infrastructure, both in the data policy is enforced through the workload that generate customized data exports intact even as the workload moves. center and in the cloud. This complexi- agent for any workload, anywhere. and notifications in open formats spe- “Enterprises worldwide are adopting ty is further compounded by virtualiza- cific to their business needs. Cisco is multi-cloud strategies to realize their tion technologies, application mobility New Tetration Deployment Options continuing its tradition of open ecosys- objectives for digital transformation, but and constant application changes due Cisco is also delivering two new tems by working with partner compa- these present ongoing challenges relat- to modern DevOps environments. As a deployment models for Tetration nies to build applications and integra- ed to visibility and security. Although 80 result, IT managers are challenged to Analytics. In addition to the original tions with their solutions: AlgoSec, percent of security spending is focused understand an application’s compo- large scale platform, Cisco now offers a Citrix, Dell EMC, F5, Infoblox, on the perimeter, only 20 percent of the nents, their communication pattern new smaller-scale platform, Tetration-M, ServiceNow, and Tufin. breaches occur there. IT organizations and dependencies - all necessary to suitable for deployments up to 1,000 are often under siege by a mix of elevat- meet security requirements for mod- workloads. Cisco is also introducing a Cisco ASAP Data Center ed expectations and a rising tide of secu- ern applications. new cloud appliance with software Tetration Analytics is a key part of rity threats, not to mention the need to deployed in the public cloud on Cisco’s strategy to help enable digital show ongoing improvements in opera- Enhanced Security through Amazon Web Services (AWS), Tetration transformation, which starts with a tional efficiencies,” said Osama Al-Zoubi, Application Segmentation Cloud - also suitable for deployments Cisco ASAP data center. ASAP stands for Chief Technology Officer, Cisco Middle Tetration Analytics takes micro-seg- up to 1000 workloads. Regardless of the Analyze, Simplify, Automate, and East. “Cisco Tetration Analytics addresses mentation- a security technique deployment model, Tetration can moni- Protect. This architectural approach these challenges through pervasive visi- enabling workload separation - a leap tor workloads in private as well as pub- enables organizations to modernize bility and application segmentation, further by delivering “application seg- lic clouds. their data center and IT infrastructure which is designed to bolster security- mentation”, which consistently drives with a hybrid IT solution that maximizes policy enforcement across hybrid appli- policies across the application layer, Platform Extensibility application performance, mitigates risk, cation environments.” regardless of where the application through APIs and Apps and increases operational agility in sup- resides: virtualized, bare metal, physical Tetration Analytics now enables cus- port of digital transformation. Cisco’s Complex Applications Osama Al-Zoubi, Chief Technology servers, or in the cloud. Policies can be tomers and ecosystem partners the comprehensive data center portfolio Challenge Security Officer, Cisco Middle East pushed to any vendor’s firewall, and can ability to write their own applications underscores its commitment to innova- Today’s complex business applica- be orchestrated at the network layer as results dynamically based on behavior that access data stored on the platform. tion: Cisco Nexus 9000 switches, Cisco tions often span hundreds of servers well. Compared to static legacy solu- analysis of billions of flows, processes, Users can bring their own analytics ACI, Cloud Center, Tetration Analytics, residing on a wide array of heteroge- tions, Tetration provides actionable and workload characteristics. Consistent algorithms to Tetration to create apps Cisco UCS, and Hyper Flex. Iran bans drones in Tehran Atlanta, other cities eye test after device shot down TEHRAN: Iranian officials have banned the president and several other state institu- tracks for self-driving cars flying of all private drones over Tehran after tions. Last month, anti-aircraft cannons were two recent incidents led to one of the fired at another drone, footage of which was devices being shot down near the supreme shared on social media. The unidentified Self-driving vehicles should be a national priority leader’s office. “Based on a recent order drone left the area a few minutes later. regarding prevention of unlicensed flight by Rabii said media drones, equipped with private drones, we have stopped these cameras, had led some people to complain ATLANTA: Self-driving vehicles planes which had created security... prob- after the devices flew over their homes and could begin tooling down a bustling lems,” said Revolutionary Guards official disturbed their privacy. The drones can film Atlanta street full of cars, buses, General Alireza Rabii, whose department is “sensitive, vital and important places,” bicyclists and college students, as in charge of the capital’s security. which may be exploited by the “enemy”, he the city vies with other communities The order comes after two separate inci- added. Permits must be obtained to oper- nationwide to test the emerging dents of security forces opening fire on ate drones, he said, adding that authoriza- technology. Atlanta would become small camera drones flying over central tion would not be given to individuals. The one of the largest urban areas for Tehran. The first one, owned by Iranian state use of camera drones has significantly testing self-driving vehicles if plans television, was shot down in December for increased in Iran in recent years. They are come together for a demonstration entering “the no-fly zone” over Enghelab mostly operated by photography studios, as early as September. Nationwide, square, which is near the offices of Iranian advertising agencies, filmmakers and avia- 10 sites were designated last month supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the tion enthusiasts.—AFP as “proving grounds” for automated vehicles by the US Department of Transportation. They include North Mimecast combats rise of Carolina turnpikes, the eastern Iowa prairie and a Michigan site where World War II bombing aircraft were internal email threats produced in a factory built by auto- mobile pioneer Henry Ford. DUBAI: Mimecast Limited (NASDAQ: some form of insider security incident in Atlanta isn’t on the list, but city AUSTELL: In this photo, a driverless shuttle sits on display at the Riverside EpiCenter in Austell, MIME), a leading email and data security the past 24 months. officials nevertheless hope to make company introduced the latest capability The newly launched Internal Email an impact. Backers of driverless cars Georgia. —AP photos of its Targeted Threat Protection service, Protect service can address these threats say they could be part of a broader Internal Email Protect, the first-to-market by enabling customers to detect and effort to rebuild the nation’s infra- cloud-based security service providing remediate security threats that originate structure, something President threat capabilities for internally generated from their internal email system. This could Donald Trump has pledged to do. As email. Internal Email Protect allows cus- include emails from the unassuming com- roads and highways are rebuilt, “we tomers to detect and remediate security promised insider, the careless employee think it would be very, very wise to threats that originate from their users’ inadvertently sending files and/or a mali- build modern infrastructure with email accounts. This capability includes the cious employee who wants to do harm to 21st-century capability in mind,” said scanning of attachments and URLs, as well the company.According to the Forrester Paul Brubaker, president and CEO of Technology Adoption Profile study, com- the Washington, DC-based Alliance promised accounts can cause the biggest for Transportation Innovation. Self- headache, as three quarters of respon- driving vehicles, he said, “should be dents described the financial impact of a national priority.” compromised accounts as moderate or The Trump administration hasn’t significant, and 68 percent said they led to revealed its approach to the tech- a moderate or significant productivity loss. nology, but two US senators this Internal Email Protect gives organiza- month announced a bipartisan tions the visibility they need to help effort to help speed deployment of reduce downtime and data and financial the vehicles on the nation’s roads. loss by detecting and remediating inter- Republican John Thune of South nally generated email-borne threats.Key Dakota and Democrat Gary Peters of benefits of Internal Email Protect include: Michigan said they’re considering Broader, more comprehensive protection legislation that “clears hurdles and from targeted threats: single cloud solu- advances innovation in self-driving tion to inspect email coming into, going vehicle technology.” Atlanta has out from and staying within an organiza- sought proposals from companies tion. Detection of lateral movement of for a demonstration of an attacks from one internal system or user, to autonomous vehicle on North another. Identification of threats, or sensi- Avenue later this year, city docu- tive data leaving an organization, which ments show. could result in reputational damage. AUSTELL: In this file photo, pedestrians and cars move along a busy section of North Avenue Email from internal users can also be Key conern near the Georgia Tech campus in Atlanta. Neil Murray, Chief Technology used to send threats laterallyacross an The street, which connects the Officer at Mimecast organization- through the distribution of Georgia Institute of Technology cam- nals and warning self-driving cars of they developed rules for testing people have a relatively open mind malware, malicious URLs or impersonation pus to some of the South’s tallest sky- red lights or treacherous conditions vehicles developed by Google and to embracing technology solutions as content inspections via DLP services. emails. In fact, the recent Forrester scrapers, would be among the busiest such as snow or ice, the city docu- other companies. Now, Court and that will improve the traffic flow,” Additionally, Internal Email Protect Technology Adoption Profile study cited urban environments yet for such test- ments show. Cameras would pro- others are watching to see how Brubaker said. However, critics say includes the ability to automatically that within the last 24 months: 40 percent ing. In Atlanta, city officials say a key vide live video of traffic, and com- often human drivers must take over the cars are not yet able to safely extract infected email or attachments from of respondents experienced business com- goal is to create optimal conditions puters would analyze data on road to prevent accidents as vehicles are navigate clogged streets with tradi- users’ inboxes. promise/impersonation attacks; 36 percent on North Avenue for such vehicles to conditions, concerts or other events tested in California. Tying together tional cars and pedestrians. Mimecast Internal Email Protect is an experienced insider emailing sensitive operate. The goal of September’s likely to clog streets. massive amounts of data from so “The technology really is not add-on to the award winning Mimecast data; and 44 percent experienced phishing demonstration is to show how such a Security is a key concern, however. many sources “will pose myriad ready to be used on urban streets, Targeted Threat Protection family of email attacks all due to internal threats. vehicle would navigate in real-world “Imagine if these vehicles were security challenges,” Atlanta Mayor unless they are going to be cleared security offerings which includes URL pro- “Not all threats are created equal; there- traffic, though a driver will be inside hacked. Imagine if the system that Kasim Reed acknowledged in a of human drivers and dedicated tects, Attachment Protect and fore, organizations need a cyber-resilience and can take the controls if needed, controls them were hacked,” said report last year on a related initiative strictly to autonomous vehicles,” Impersonation Protect. New research strategy to help organizations prepare for said Faye DiMassimo, an Atlanta offi- Jamie Court, president of Consumer to transform Atlanta into a “smart Court said. “The real problem is Mimecast commissioned from Forrester any type of attack - whether that be from cial involved in the North Avenue Watchdog. “I don’t think our society is city.” Researchers at Georgia Tech, these technologies tend to fail Consulting indicates that organizations outside or inside of the organization, mali- project. going to want a robot glitch or a soft- Reed said, will be key to that effort. when they’re around pedestrians, need to move beyond basic email security cious or accidental,” said Neil Murray, chief “We still think that autonomous ware hack to be responsible for mass Public acceptance of the vehicles cyclists, human drivers,” Court said. capabilities. The research evaluated the technology officer at Mimecast. “Internal vehicles are sort of ‘The Jetsons,’ deaths,” he said. “If we sanction robots is among the main challenges to The key obstacle, he said: “human state of enterprise understanding of insid- Email Protect is the only cloud-based email right?” DiMassimo said. “When you controlling these vehicles without their widespread use on city streets behavior is really unpredictable.” At er security threats by surveying security service addressing internal-to- looked at all the information, you really knowing the risks, I think the and highways, Brubaker said. He and one North Avenue intersection 253Security and Risk Management internal emails for malware, malicious realize not only is this here and now, technology will go under when the others see Atlanta as a logical base near Georgia Tech’s football stadi- expertsfrom the US, UK, South Africa, and URLs and the improper movement of sen- this has been in development for first major catastrophe befalls us.” for the emerging industry. Atlanta’s um, “students tend to jaywalk, so it Australia. The results were compiled in a sitive content.With Internal Email Protect, quite some time.” North Avenue notorious traffic congestion could can get a little bit messy over there,” Forrester Technology Adoption Profile organizations can get ahead of the attack would first be equipped with Smart city lead residents to welcome such said Georgia Tech student Maura study which found that99 percent of and stop feeling like they’re playing a nev- devices and sensors, enabling vehi- Court’s group worked with vehicles, Brubaker said. “In any city Currie, 19. She called it “a hectic organizations surveyedhad experienced er ending game of catch-up.” cles to communicate with traffic sig- California transportation officials as that has that level of congestion, stretch of road.”—AP TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 HEALTH & SCIENCE Struggling college students get a hand to graduate

WASHINGTON: Getting through college Association for the Advancement of Science pleted the course with extra help from her Band-aid on a headache? Some experts have voiced concern that isn’t easy, and it can be even harder for conference in Boston on Saturday. professor. “Not everybody has somebody The average time to a bachelor’s degree the large amounts of student data collect- low-income and first generation students Inspired by Renick’s results, the to turn to and when an academic adviser at Georgia State decreased by more than ed could be used for profiling. But Ellen with few support resources. A new tool Education Department awarded a four- asks them ‘Hey is there anything we can half a semester, enabling the Class of 2016 Wagner, a researcher who has studied pre- involving big data can help those at risk. year $8.9 million grant that will significant- do, what’s going on?’ They feel as if they to save $15 million in tuitions and fees. “We dictive analytics in education, said it would Researchers at Georgia State University ly expand his study. The project, which have somebody to turn to who actually are leveling the playing field not by doing be hard to help the students without first spent four years analyzing students’ kicked off last year, will involve 10,000 low- cares about their success,” she said. academic work for the students ... but identifying their problems. grades, test scores and other information income and first generation students at Renick analyzed past student data at instead by giving them timely information “Why would we want to put a in order to identify those in potential trou- Georgia State and 10 other large public Georgia State to make forecasts about cur- about what might maximize their chances metaphorical Band-Aid on a headache?” ble, and promptly assisted them. The study research universities. While some students rent students’ academic outcomes, a type of graduation,” Renick said. “We have a Wagner said. “If we can remove the guess- shows the number of students graduating are good at keeping track of their academ- of study known as predictive analytics. For moral obligation to these students and work of trying to support students to be has jumped by 30 percent and that stu- ic progress, students from low-income instance, a grade of C in an entry-level their families, many of whom are taking the most successful they can be, then we dents are spending less time and money to backgrounds may find it more difficult to class in a student’s major was a sign that out large loans to give them every chance owe them the respect to find where they earn a degree. spot a problem, choose the right courses student would struggle with more to graduate.” are strong and where we can help them be “These are really encouraging gains,” said from an abundance of offerings and navi- advanced courses. Scoring poorly in a Martin Kurzweil, director of the stronger and get on with their lives.” Ryan Timothy Renick, the school’s vice president gate the university bureaucracy. math class meant problems for STEM Educational Transformation Program at Baker, associate professor at University of for enrollment management and student That’s because they may not have rela- majors. When such warning signs were Ithaka S+R, a nonprofit research group Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of success and the principal investigator in the tives or friends who had gone to college spotted, academic advisers reached out to tasked with evaluating Renick’s study Education, said that similar algorithms study. “Because of these proactive interven- and could offer advice. Gabriella Salinas, a students to guide and counsel them. As a because it relies on federal money, called have been proved successful in auto insur- tions all students benefited, but the students 21-year-old junior at Georgia State major- result, STEM degrees awarded to black stu- the result “pretty much unprecedented, it’s ance and banking. “Any technology can get who benefited the most were first genera- ing in marketing, said she was doing well dents rose by 69 percent, to black male fantastic.” He stressed that it was important misused, but I tend to think that for stu- tion, low-income and students of color.” academically, but then received an F early students by 111 percent and to Hispanics to keep the data protected lest it be used dents at risk, prediction systems are doing Renick presented the study at the American in her finance class. She successfully com- by 226 percent. for commercial purposes or identity theft. more good than harm,” Baker said. — AP Toughening penalties if pets are harmed during crimes

FLORIDA: When Denise Krohn came home motivated by two cases in which heroin to find her golden doodle Kirby bleeding traffickers smuggled drugs in the stomachs on the kitchen floor, she at first thought it of puppies and dogs and were charged was a terrible accident. But she soon real- with drug crimes but not animal cruelty. ized that her home had been ransacked, “Attorneys said it had nothing to do with and that her other dog, Quigley, was lying cruelty, they were just smuggling heroin,” dead on his favorite blanket in the living Tedisco said. “What this bill does is make it room. Burglars who tore through her hill- clear that if you harm a companion animal top farmhouse north of Albany made off while committing another crime, you face with several televisions, a laptop, some an additional penalty.” Tedisco’s spokesman cheap jewelry and change. said the measure is intended to apply only And, police say, they apparently shot her to cats and dogs. But the bill says “compan- friendly, goofy dogs on their way out the ion animals,” and a state appellate court door. “It was just a mean, nasty thing,” once upheld a felony cruelty conviction Krohn said. A year later, the crime remains under the current law of a man who unsolved. But what bothers Krohn is that stomped a goldfish to death. police told her that if someone is caught, The bill passed the state Senate 59-2 they would likely get 25 years in jail for bur- this month but has died in committees in glary, but no additional punishment for the Assembly the past five sessions. killing the dogs. “It’s just not right,” she said. Opposition has focused on whether such a “I don’t care about the TVs and other stuff. law is really needed. In the case of Kirby What hurts us every day is losing our dogs.” and Quigley, Balkin said the criminal could Krohn hopes to gain some measure of probably be charged under the existing justice by making her pets the poster pups cruelty law because the shooting was clear- for New York state legislation that would ly an intentional act. The new law would make it a felony to harm a companion ani- also cover an unintentional act, such as hit- mal, even by accident, during the commis- ting a pet with a getaway car. “This bill is BOSTON: Johanna Klein, an internal medical doctor, center, holds a placard and chants during a demonstration by members of the scientific sion of a crime. Conviction would be pun- unnecessary,” said Assemblyman Joseph community, environmental advocates and supporters in Boston. — AP ishable by a $5,000 fine and two years Lentol, a Brooklyn Democrat. “It’s already a behind bars on top of the jail time for the crime to assault or kill an animal; it’s already burglary or other crime. Dubbed “Kirby and a felony if you do it with malicious intent.” Scientists hold rally in Boston Quigley’s Law” for the slain dogs, the pro- Lentol said if the point of the law is to posal currently faces an uphill fight among deter cruel acts; it makes no sense to lawmakers. But if it does pass, experts say it expand it to include unintentional harm. to protest threat to science would be one of the toughest animal-cruel- Publicity about Kirby and Quigley led sev- ty charges in the nation. eral breeders to offer golden doodle pup- Diane Balkin, a former Denver prosecu- pies to the Krohns. Scientists respond to Trump’s anti-science rhetoric tor who’s now with the Animal Legal They now have 8-month-old Porter and Defense Fund, likened it to felony murder, a 7-month-old Tedi, who’s related to the legal rule that allows someone to be blond, curly Quigley and looks just like him, BOSTON: Hundreds of scientists, environmental “anti-science rhetoric.”“We’re really trying to send of those who turned out criticized Trump’s charged with murder if they kill someone right down to the joyful grin. Krohn has advocates and their supporters held a rally in a message today to Mr. Trump that America runs appointment of Scott Pruitt as head of the during the commission of another danger- already written a pile of letters to lawmak- Boston on Sunday to protest what they see as on science, science is the backbone of our pros- Environmental Protection Agency over the ous crime, even if the killing wasn’t inten- ers and promised to keep fighting for the increasing threats to science and research in the perity and progress,” Supran said. objections of environmental groups. tional. Sen. Jim Tedisco, a Schenectady bill. “I never thought of myself as an animal US. The scientists, some dressed in white lab coats, The “Rally to Stand Up for Science” in Boston’s During six years as the attorney general of County Republican who first introduced activist,” said Krohn, a retired teacher. “I just called on President Donald Trump’s administration Copley Square was held outside of the American Oklahoma, Pruitt filed 14 lawsuits challenging the bill five years ago, said he was originally want to do what’s right.”—AP to recognize evidence of climate change and take Association for the Advancement of Science EPA regulations. He previously expressed skep- action on various environmental issues. annual meeting, one of the first major gather- ticism about scientific evidence showing the Geoffrey Supran, a postdoctoral fellow at ings of scientists since Trump was elected in planet is heating up and that humans are to Harvard University and the Massachusetts November. blame. However, during his Senate confirma- Institute of Technology who studies renewable Protesters held signs that read “Science tion hearing last month, he said he disagreed energy solutions to climate change, said scientists Matters,” “Scientists Pursuing Truth, Saving the with Trump’s past statements that global warm- are responding to the Trump administration’s World” and “Make America Smart Again.” Some ing is a hoax.—AP FDA alerts about potential risks with fluid-filled intragastric balloons

he FDA has recently received multiple reports for two different types of adverse events associ- Tated with fluid-filled intragastric balloons used to treat obesity. We recommend that you closely mon- itor patients with these devices for these adverse events, and to submit reports to help us better under- stand any complications from the use of these obesity treatment devices. The first type of adverse event involves the fluid-filled intragastric balloon over-inflat- ing with air or with more fluid (spontaneous hyperin- FLORIDA: In this photo, Denise Krohn sits at her kitchen table with photos of her flation) in patients’ stomachs, resulting in the need for golden doodle dogs Quigley, left, and Kirby, right, in Florida, New York. — AP premature device removal. The second type of adverse event is the develop- ment of acute pancreatitis, which has also resulted in the need for premature device removal. The FDA Deep sea mining wants to ensure you are aware of these potential com- plications that have been observed in patients treated with FDA-approved obesity treatment devices, gets a second look although the root cause and incidence of these com- plications is not known. BOSTON: The risk of running out of rare Mark Hannington, a geologist at GEOMAR- earth metals that are essential to modern Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research in Background and summary technology has led to a surge in interest in Germany. Observations so far indicate that of the two issues mining the deep seas. But fears have also seafloor deposits targeted for mining could the abdomen (abdominal distension) with or without Recommendations Intragastric balloon systems are weight-loss sys- discomfort, difficulty breathing, and/or vomiting. The FDA recommends that health care providers: mounted about the environmental impact of include from 600 million to a billion tons of tems to treat obesity, which function by taking up The event may require premature removal of the Recognize that patients with implanted fluid-filled disturbing vast areas of the pristine ocean minerals, including 30 million tons of copper space in a patient’s stomach. In 2015, the FDA balloon to resolve the patient’s symptoms. The reports intragastric balloons may develop balloon related floor, experts said at the American and zinc, resources which could help approved two intragastric balloon systems in the US. indicate that balloon over inflation can occur as soon symptoms or other abnormalities following balloon Association for the Advancement of Science respond to growing global demand for elec- The ReShape Integrated Dual Balloon System is manu- as nine days after implantation. As the current label- placement, and throughout the duration of their annual conference in Boston. Demographic tronics. He also said that nodules-or rocky factured by ReShape Medical Inc., and uses two bal- ing for fluid-filled intragastric balloons does not treatment. Consider spontaneous over-inflation growth and the acceleration of technological formations containing valuable metals on loons. The Orbera Intragastric Balloon System manu- address the issue of spontaneous over-inflation, and/or pancreatitis in the differential diagnosis of innovations in the past 40 years have dou- the ocean floor-”are enormously abundant.” factured by Apollo Endo-Surgery uses one balloon. health care providers, including ER professionals, may patients presenting with the symptoms noted in this bled the quantity of minerals extracted Both brands are fluid-filled balloon systems, and are not be aware that the symptoms listed above could communication. If abnormalities are found, perform worldwide, leading to shortages of certain 30 years is too late indicated for use in conjunction with diet and exercise. potentially be related to an over-inflated balloon. At any confirmatory diagnostic studies. If the device is key metals, according to a recent UN report. But details on this potential remain poorly The balloons are placed into the stomach through this moment there is not enough information to removed, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for “Mining is essential for modern life,” said understood, because for the past three the mouth, using a minimally invasive endoscopic determine what is causing the balloon to over-inflate. device returns or evaluations. Report any adverse Thomas Graedel, professor emeritus of indus- decades, exploration has been concentrated procedure, while the patient is under mild sedation. Acute Pancreatitis - A separate set of reports events related to intragastric balloon systems that trial ecology and chemical engineering at on certain areas near hydrothermal vents. “We Once in place, the Orbera balloon is filled with saline involving both brands of fluid-filled balloons (Orbera come to your attention. Voluntary reports can be sub- Yale University. “If global development pro- have not found the large deposits yet,” said only, and the ReShape balloons are filled with saline and ReShape) indicate that acute pancreatitis devel- mitted through MedWatch, the FDA Safety ceeds at its current pace, traditional land- Hannington. “We have got to figure out how and methylene blue dye. The maximum placement oped in several patients due to the compression of Information and Adverse Event Reporting program. based supply of resources may be challenged to find them if we want to truly understand period for both brands is six months. In 2016, the FDA gastrointestinal structures created by the implanted Device manufacturers and user facilities must comply to meet demand.” When it comes to copper, the resources,” he added. “We’ve got to speed approved the Obalon Balloon System, which consists balloon(s). All of these cases required premature with the applicable Medical Device Reporting (MDR) an essential element for electrical equipment up the process dramatically because it has of up to three balloons that are delivered to the stom- device removal, and four of the patients required hos- regulations. Health care personnel employed by facili- and numerous industries, a shortage could taken 30 years to get where we are now and ach inside a swallowable capsule. The capsule is pitalization. Symptoms of acute pancreatitis in the ties that are subject to FDA’s user facility reporting attached to a thin inflation catheter used to inflate the begin around 2050, he said. This uncertainty 30 years from now it will be too late.” He presence of a fluid-filled intragastric balloon system requirements should follow the reporting procedures balloons with air. highlights the importance of considering added that all the zones granted exploration included severe abdominal and back pain. established by their facilities. Prompt reporting of To date, the concerns addressed in this letter have deep-sea mining, even though the process permits so far represent only 0.5 percent of The reports indicated that pancreatitis can occur adverse events can help the FDA identify and better only been observed with the use of fluid-filled intra- as soon as three days after implantation. Pancreatitis is understand the risks associated with medical devices. involves environmental risks. the total area that could be mined in the gastric balloons and have not been reported for the Cobalt, iron, manganese, platinum, nickel, ocean. Until now, 27 countries including India not listed as a potential complication in the labeling Obalon Balloon System. Over-Inflation - The FDA has information for the Orbera or for the ReShape balloon FDA actions gold and other rare earth minerals are gener- and China have signed contracts to explore received several dozen adverse event reports regard- systems. Therefore, health care providers, including ER The FDA continues to work with ReShape Medical for these resources with the International ally found at depths ranging from a few hun- ing balloon over-inflation of fluid-filled systems. Most professionals, may be unaware that acute pancreatitis Inc. and Apollo Endo-Surgery to better understand dred to several thousand meters. But just Seabed Authority, the body charged with con- have involved the Orbera Balloon System although could develop following balloon placement. This these issues of acute pancreatitis and over-inflation in how much valuable material lies beneath the trolling exploration and exploitation of the this type of event has also been reported with the could lead to unsuitable or delayed treatment for pan- patients with fluid-filled intragastric balloons. We are ocean floor remains highly uncertain, said areas beyond national borders. — AFP ReShape Balloon System. Symptoms of balloon over- creatitis in patients with balloons who may have acute committed to providing additional information as our inflation included intense abdominal pain, swelling of abdominal pain. investigation continues. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 HEALTH & SCIENCE Solar-powered Africa never more possible, less expensive

ABU DHABI: A “solar revolution” is coming to electricity to the 600 million Africans who the higher initial costs are coming down, number of entrepreneurs, Amin said. that outages, which are a daily thing with Africa, comparable in scale and importance currently lack access”, Amin said. he said, with solar panel prices expected to Government finance institutions will also grid (power), are non-existent,” he said. to the rapid surge in mobile phone use on Innovations - including better transmis- continue falling. The price of producing need to help cut the risks investors face in Reliability “is one thing that is attracting the continent two decades ago, predicts the sion and storage for solar power, and new power from solar mini-grids - installations financing large solar projects in order to people to solar”, he said. Solar firms such as head of the International Renewable Energy payment systems - also mean using more unconnected to larger national grid sys- keep interest rates for loans low, he said. Azuri not only offer solar panels but also Agency. Fast-dropping costs for solar power, solar power in Africa could boost tems - is expected to fall by at least 60 per- That view is shared by Snehar Shah, director accessories to make the most of that pow- combined with plenty of sun and a huge economies and create jobs for millions of cent over the next two decades. of solar company Azuri East Africa, which er, such as efficient LED lights, televisions, need for electricity on a continent where people across the continent, he said. “The rapid rise of pay-as-you-go solar has sold over 100,000 solar home systems in torches, phone chargers and radios, Shah many are still without it, means solar has “Africa’s vast solar potential presents a home systems and integration with mobile East Africa over the last four years. said. The company also provides finance huge potential in Africa, said Adnan Amin, huge opportunity for people to engage in payment technology is an example of the He believes the majority of people in for customers, cutting out the need to seek the director general of IRENA. a range of economic activities such as irri- speed of innovation that is taking place. In East Africa living away from national power separate bank loans. “Africa’s solar potential is enormous,” he gation and agro-processing, and it is East Africa alone, over 450,000 such sys- grids will need to rely on solar for energy - Crafting policies to support the growth said in an interview with the Thomson already beginning to happen,” said the tems have been deployed,” he said. IRENA and that emerging innovations will per- of solar power will be a key for continued Reuters Foundation. The continent gets Nairobi- born Amin. estimates that up to 60 million Africans suade them to do that. “Just as landline uptake of it, said Pavel Oimeke, director of 117 percent more sunshine than Germany, already may be using off-grid renewable telephones once were the preserve of renewable energy for the Kenya Energy which today has the highest installed solar More innovation, less cost electricity of some kind. elites in Africa but mobile telephones are Regulatory Commission. Some African power capacity, he said. “It has never been Solar can have high upfront costs, com- now owned by nearly everyone, solar pow- countries have lowered or removed duties more possible and less expensive for Africa pared to traditional fuels, but a number of Right policy crucial er presents much larger possibilities for on the import of solar equipment and to realise this potential,” he said. Both grid- technological and financing advances - But for use of solar to dramatically expansion than grid power,” Shah said. appliances, while others - such as Kenya - connected solar power and off-grid solar such as pay-as-you-go solar, with pay- expand further, countries will need sound “Solar is cost effective when compared to have set attractive feed-in tariffs for renew- energy now offer “cost-competitive means ments made by mobile phone - are help- regulatory frameworks, master plans that the cost of getting connected to grid elec- able energy to attract investment in solar to meet rising energy needs and bring ing deal with that problem, he said. Even help draw in local investors, and a sufficient tricity in Africa and it is stable, ensuring power plants.—Reuters On frozen fields, North Korean farmers prep for battle ahead Harsh life as a farmer in North Korea

PYONGYANG: Plug your noses and ready your “Juche fertilizer.” It’s time to prep the frozen fields in North Korea. North Korea relies on its farmers to squeeze absolutely all they can out of every harvest. It’s a tall order in a country with 25 million mouths to feed that is mostly mountains, hamstrung by inter- national trade sanctions and, beyond a handful of showcase cooperatives, hard-pressed to modernize its agricultural sector. Without doubt, life as a farmer in North Korea is harsh. But there are some signs of change in how North Korea is treating its fields and its farmers. In typically propagandist fashion, the North’s SALT LAKE CITY: This file photo, Karrie Galloway, CEO of Planned Parenthood Action state media are already reporting that workers Council, laughs as the roar of the crowd drowns out her speech at the state Capitol in inspired by leader Kim Jong Un’s New Year’s Salt Lake City. address are heroically churning out “117 percent” of their production quotas of what they call Utah’s anesthesia abortion “Juche fertilizer.” A grain of salt is certainly in order. What exactly the patriotic-sounding Juche law unenforced fertilizer is isn’t all that clear, though it’s likely a mix of largely organic components augmented SALT LAKE CITY: Last year, Utah enacted a ically or what’s best for people’s health.” Utah with some chemicals. first-in-the-nation law requiring that fetuses Gov. Gary Herbert told the AP that physicians Because of the general lack of livestock, human feces are a key ingredient. Juche refers to PYONGYANG: In this photo, women farm workers shovel locally-produced Juche fertilizer at receive anesthesia or painkillers before elec- should try to get directions from the attorney Migok Cooperative Farm near Sariwon, North Hwanghae Province, North Korea. — AP photos tive abortions starting at 20 weeks gestation. general’s office if they don’t understand how to the North’s longstanding but mostly inspirational Nine months later, the only licensed clinic pro- follow the law. policy of self-reliance. The battle in the fields, some lessons since. According to Randall Ireson, ify microorganisms. “What I’ve seen and heard viding those abortions in the state says no Dan Burton, a spokesman for the attorney however, has certainly begun. With the ground a private consultant and former nongovern- of is the use of effective rapid aerobic compost- changes have been made in how doctors per- general’s office, said that the office does not still frozen as the North waits out its notoriously mental program director in the North, farmers ing of plant residue and, where available, animal form the procedures. The handful of doctors “specifically regulate doctors in Utah.” He sug- cold winters, farmers, joined by workers and stu- have shifted their emphasis since about 2000 to and human manure, with the composted mate- who do the abortions at the clinic run by the gested asking Utah’s Department of Health but dents mobilized from the cities are in the process adding compost and organic fertilizers to rial further augmented with some chemical fer- Planned Parenthood Association of Utah are the spokesman for that agency, Tom Hudachko, of transporting truckloads of pungent fertilizer to rebuild the organic content in the soil and reviv- tilizer,” he said. — AP trying to comply with the law passed last May said it had no guidance for the doctors because fields across the country for the planting season but it contained no specific guidance on how the law “didn’t task us with doing that.” ahead. Kim Song Ryong, head technician at the to do so, said Karrie Galloway, the group’s CEO. Sixteen states ban abortions starting at Migok Cooperative Farm in Sariwon, south of Dr. Leah Torres, one of five or six licensed about 20 weeks, according to Guttmacher Pyongyang, said it takes about 20 to 25 days to physicians who perform elective late-term Institute, a research organization that sup- distribute the compost. In March, it will be abortions at the clinic, said she went to legis- ports abortion rights. Utah allows such proce- spread over the fields in an even layer and then lators, the governor’s office and the attorney dures, but last year passed the first law in the ploughed in below the surface. “Our respected general’s office seeking an explanation on nation to require anesthesia or painkillers for supreme leader comrade Kim Jong Un instructed what treatment she’s supposed to give. She fetuses after 20 weeks. Montana lawmakers us that agriculture is the main approach to build- said they gave her none and recommended passed a similar law in 2015 requiring fetal ing a strong economy and country,” he said in an she speak to a lawyer. “I guess I’m breaking the anesthesia before surgeries, including abor- interview with AP Television News. “To get the law, but I don’t know how to not break it tions, performed after 20 or more weeks of best harvest with scientific farming, all our farm- because no one would tell me,” Torres said in gestation, but its Democratic governor vetoed ers and workers are out in the fields to improve an interview. the measure. The Utah law has no definition of the quality of the soil.” Dr. M. Sean Esplin, a Utah physician who legal fetal anesthetics or whether doctors In the past, the country’s over-reliance on sci- performs late term abortions in emergency have complied if women receive anesthesia or entific magic bullets has had tragic results. situations, such as if the mother’s life is at risk, painkillers during abortions with those drugs Overuse of chemical fertilizers that began in the which is not covered by the law, said a strict passing to the fetus. Burton said the attorney 1950s devastated the natural microbiotic soil interpretation could force doctors to choose general’s office is unaware of any investiga- environment and fueled a cycle in which its between two risky procedures: Administering tions into doctors for alleged violations. He fields grew increasingly dependent on ever- anesthesia via a needle directly into the said any violations would probably be punish- more-artificial fertilization. In the 1990s, the fall umbilical cord or giving women general anes- able by fines of up to $750. The Republican of the Soviet Union and Pyongyang’s other com- thesia. The law, he said, “is, in my opinion, a lawmaker who sponsored the legislation, Sen. munist benefactors disrupted the supply of that waste of our money and our time by someone Curt Bramble, said in an interview that he did fertilizer - which, coupled with other factors, led to widespread famine. PYONGYANG: In this photo, a group of farm workers stand on locally-produced Juche fertilizer who is trying to make a political statement not know how the law is being implemented, at Migok Cooperative Farm near Sariwon, North Hwanghae Province, North Korea. and really not worried about what’s best med- but expects doctors to comply. — AP But Pyongyang appears to have learned WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017

Chinese Embassy celebrates Chinese New Year, National and Liberation days

By Ben Garcia Ministry of Culture of China, the People’s Government of Wang Di, attended by various dignitaries. Mongolia is a part of China which is also called as Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the National It was held to enhance cultural cooperation between Autonomous Region of Inner Mongola of the People’s triple celebration of the Chinese New Year, the Council for Culture, Arts and Letters. The theme of Sunday’s two countries, showcasing Inner Mongolia’s unique cultur- Republic of China. Inner Mongolia is in the north of the National and Liberation days was marked on Sunday presentation was ‘Oh, my beautiful grassland is my home- al dance, song numbers. There were 14 mixed songs and country, containing most of China’s border with Mongolia. Aat a jam-packed venue. The event was organized by land!’ The event was held at Abdulaziz Hussein Hall in dances demonstrated during the event performed by 20 Its capital is Hohhot, and other major cities include Baotou, the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait in collaboration with the Salmiya, graced by the Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait artists who were invited from Inner Mongolia. Inner Chifeng, and Ordos.

Kuwait National English School Early Years trip to Kuwait Zoo

he Early Years children of Kuwait National asking caring questions about the animals and proud of our young children’s behavior while at English School took the opportunity to vis- shared what they knew. The Kuwait Zoo is a the zoo, always being polite and considerate Tit the Kuwait Zoo. The bear growled, the wonderful opportunity for children to discover with strangers and the environment. KNES Early lion roared, the elephant trumpeted and the and learn about animals and their habitats, help- Years would like to thank the staff and the State monkey played. The young children of KNES ing children to build the skills and intellect to of Kuwait for providing this wonderful opportu- showed their understanding and compassion by become Global Citizens. We were also very nity for learning and caring. Exclusive offers on National and Liberation days at Hilton Kuwait Resort n commemoration of Kuwait National and brunch buffets of authentic Kuwaiti and inter- Liberation Day, Hilton Kuwait Resort will national food, with live music and children’s Ihost an array of exciting entertainment activities, on 25 and 26 Feb. For dinner, the opportunities for parents and children alike restaurant’s menu will feature international from 24 to 26 Feb. For the celebratory week- cuisines, Kuwaiti Ouzi and live music per- end, the resort will also honour the Kuwait’s formances to wrap up the day’s festivities. rich history and culture by adorning the Hilton Kuwait Resort is thrilled to offer property in Kuwaiti flags and traditional families a great time by the beach in celebra- Arabic decorations. On 24 and 25 Feb, fami- tion of Kuwait’s landmark days. From chil- lies can enjoy various fun activities on the dren’s activities to cultured dining offerings, main beach, including but not limited to we look forward to providing a weekend of magic show, volleyball game, football tourna- fun for everyone,” said Ziad Tantawi, General ment, bouncing castle, balloon twisting and Manager of Hilton Kuwait Resort. For those face painting. wishing to stay at the hotel, Hilton Kuwait Furthermore, hotel guests are promised to Resort is offering a great opportunity to witness a breath taking performance at the spend the holiday and revel in its unparal- remote airplane show at the resort’s beach leled rooms. Families can choose to stay in side. Teatro, the resort’s elegant dining restau- the hotel’s impressive chalets, Presidential vil- rant overlooking the Arabian Gulf, will serve las and Royal villas. WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017

International Women Group meets minister of Amiri Diwan The International Women Group recently visited the minister of the Amiri Diwan, Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to extend congratulations on the anniversary of the National and Liberation days.

LuLu Hypermarket launches Hala February promotion

uLu Hypermarket, the largest retail shopping norate, Jassim Al-Eraj and LuLu International Group A traditional Kuwaiti cultural program was held to very special prices. LuLu Hypermarket’s participation destination in the country, launched their Hala CEO Saifee Rupawala, along with top management of mark the occasion. Besides adding to the month-long in the month-long Hala celebrations is a further indi- L February promotion with an inaugural ceremo- LuLu Hypermarket, cut the ceremonial launch ribbon Hala February festivities, the promotion will celebrate cation of the brands ongoing commitment to connect ny held on 19 Feb at their Al-Qurain outlet. The in front of a large gathering of shoppers and well- the upcoming National and Liberation Days by offer- and interact with the community and to engage in all Manager coordinator of Mubarak Al-Kabeer gover- wishers. ing a host of products that are produced in Kuwait at activities that mark Kuwait’s special occasions. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 TV PROGRAMS

06:30 Gym Rescue 13:55 Disney Mickey Mouse 14:55 Storage Wars Canada 04:00 Chopped 07:20 Catch A Contractor 14:00 Welcome To The Ronks 15:20 Alaska: The Last Frontier 05:00 Guy's Grocery Games 08:15 Catch A Contractor 14:15 Gravity Falls 16:10 Running Wild With Bear Grylls 06:00 Barefoot Contessa: Back To Basics 09:05 Disaster Date 14:40 Hank Zipzer 17:00 Deadliest Catch 06:30 Barefoot Contessa: Back To Basics 09:30 Ridiculousness 15:05 Star Darlings 17:50 Fast N' Loud 07:00 The Kitchen 01:15 I Am Soldier 09:55 Ridiculousness 15:10 Austin & Ally 18:40 Misfit Garage 08:00 The Pioneer Woman 03:00 Sharknado 2: The Second One 10:20 Key And Peele 15:35 Jessie 19:30 How Do They Do It? 08:30 The Pioneer Woman 05:00 Escape 10:45 Disaster Date 16:00 Bunk'd 19:55 How Do They Do It? 09:00 Siba's Table 07:00 Escape 11:10 Ridiculousness 16:25 Kirby Buckets 20:20 Running Wild With Bear Grylls 09:30 Siba's Table 08:45 Dragon Blade 11:35 The It Crowd 16:50 Rolling To The Ronks 21:10 Storage Wars Canada 10:00 Anna Olson: Bake 11:00 Six Days Seven Nights 12:00 Gym Rescue 17:15 Sunny Bunnies 21:35 Storage Wars Canada 10:30 Anna Olson: Bake 13:00 The Throwaways 12:50 I Live With Models 17:20 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug And 22:00 The Island With Bear Grylls 11:00 The Kitchen 14:45 Fury 13:15 Lip Sync Battle Cat Noir 22:50 Bear Grylls: Mission Survive 12:00 The Pioneer Woman 17:15 Pompeii 13:40 The It Crowd 17:45 Elena Of Avalor 23:40 Ed Stafford: Into The Unknown 12:30 The Pioneer Woman 19:15 Tracers 14:05 Catch A Contractor 18:10 Stuck In The Middle 13:00 Siba's Table: Fast Feasts 21:00 Last Knights 14:55 Ridiculousness 18:35 Descendants Wicked World 13:30 Siba's Table: Fast Feasts 23:00 Wild Card 15:20 Bondi Ink. 18:40 Girl Meets World 14:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 16:10 I Live With Models 19:05 Bizaardvark 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 16:35 Ridiculousness 19:30 Bunk'd 15:00 Chopped 17:00 Ridiculousness 19:55 Best Friends Whenever 16:00 The Kitchen 17:30 Disaster Date 20:20 Disney Mickey Mouse 00:00 Programmes Start At 6:00am KSA 17:00 Anna Olson: Bake 17:55 Lip Sync Battle 20:25 The Next Step 07:00 Danger Mouse 17:30 Anna Olson: Bake 00:00 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet 18:25 Key And Peele 20:50 Austin & Ally 07:25 Gravity Falls 18:00 Chopped 00:55 Gator Boys 18:50 Life Or Debt 21:15 Star Darlings 07:50 Atomic Puppet 19:00 Guy's Grocery Games 01:50 River Monsters 19:39 The It Crowd 21:20 Shake It Up 08:15 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 20:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 02:45 Bondi Vet 20:03 Sweat Inc. 21:45 Backstage 08:25 Counterfeit Cat 20:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 03:40 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet 20:50 Disaster Date 22:10 Liv And Maddie 08:40 Supa Strikas 21:00 Man Fire Food 04:35 Tanked 21:13 Idiotsitter 22:35 Cracke 09:10 K.C. Undercover 21:30 Man Fire Food 05:25 Call Of The Wildman 21:37 Important Things With Demitri 22:40 The Next Step 09:35 Star Wars Freemaker Adventures 22:00 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 05:50 Call Of The Wildman Martin 23:05 Best Friends Whenever 10:00 Lab Rats Elite Force 22:30 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 06:15 Gator Boys 22:00 The Daily Show - Global Edition 23:30 Jessie 10:25 Lab Rats Elite Force 23:00 Iron Chef America 07:02 River Monsters 22:30 The Meltdown With Jonah And 23:55 Tsum Tsum Shorts 10:50 Danger Mouse 07:49 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet Kumail 11:20 Supa Strikas 08:36 Going Ape 22:54 The Jim Gaffigan Show 11:45 Supa Strikas 09:00 Going Ape 23:18 Broad City 12:10 Counterfeit Cat 09:25 Groomer Has It 23:42 Broad City 12:35 Pair Of Kings 10:15 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet 13:00 Pair Of Kings 00:15 Coronation Street 11:10 Call Of The Wildman 00:00 Sofia The First 13:30 Future-Worm! 00:40 Coronation Street 11:35 Call Of The Wildman 00:30 Sofia The First 13:55 Lab Rats 01:10 The Chase 12:05 Tanked 00:55 PJ Masks 14:20 Lab Rats 02:00 Emmerdale 13:00 Groomer Has It 01:20 Henry Hugglemonster 14:45 Atomic Puppet 02:30 Coronation Street 13:55 Bondi Vet 01:35 The Hive 15:10 Disney Mickey Mouse 03:00 Coronation Street 14:50 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet 00:15 Destroyed In Seconds 01:45 Loopdidoo 15:15 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 03:30 Couples Come Dine With Me 15:45 Gator Boys 00:40 Ultimate Survival 02:00 Henry Hugglemonster 15:40 Supa Strikas 04:25 Vera 16:40 Call Of The Wildman 01:30 Science Of The Movies 02:15 Calimero 16:05 Lab Rats 06:15 Grantchester 17:05 Call Of The Wildman 02:20 Baby Animals 02:30 Art Attack 16:30 Gamer's Guide To Pretty Much 07:10 The Chase 17:35 Tanked 02:45 Baby Animals 02:55 Zou Everything 08:05 Couples Come Dine With Me 18:30 River Monsters 03:10 Pick A Puppy 03:05 Loopdidoo 16:55 Right Now Kapow 09:00 Vera MY GIRL ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY HD 19:25 Rugged Justice 03:35 Pick A Puppy 03:20 Henry Hugglemonster 17:25 K.C. Undercover 10:30 Callie-Anne Cooks Into The Wild 23:30 Filthy Riches 20:20 Catching Monsters 04:00 Destroyed In Seconds 03:35 Calimero 17:50 Future-Worm! 11:00 Grantchester 07:00 Alaska Off-Road Warriors 21:15 Tanked 04:25 Destroyed In Seconds 03:50 Zou 18:15 Gravity Falls 11:55 The Chase 07:50 Shipping Wars 22:10 Call Of The Wildman 04:50 Ultimate Survival 04:05 Art Attack 18:40 Lab Rats Elite Force 12:50 Couples Come Dine With Me 08:15 Shipping Wars 22:35 Call Of The Wildman 05:40 How It's Made 04:30 The Hive 19:05 Disney Mickey Mouse 13:45 Emmerdale 08:40 Counting Cars 23:05 Rugged Justice 06:05 How It's Made 04:40 Loopdidoo 19:10 Supa Strikas 14:15 Coronation Street 09:05 Counting Cars 06:30 Dirty Jobs 04:55 Henry Hugglemonster 19:35 Right Now Kapow 14:45 Coronation Street 09:30 Pawn Stars 07:20 Mythbusters 05:10 Art Attack 20:00 Atomic Puppet 15:15 The Chase 09:55 Pawn Stars 00:30 River Jaws: Monster Catfish 08:00 Kids vs Film 05:35 Loopdidoo 20:25 Gamer's Guide To Pretty Much 16:10 Couples Come Dine With Me 10:20 Storage Wars 01:20 Big Cat Games 08:25 Bear Grylls Survival School 05:50 Calimero Everything 17:00 Murdoch Mysteries 10:45 Storage Wars 02:10 Maneater Manhunt 08:50 Bondi Vet 06:05 Art Attack 20:55 K.C. Undercover 17:55 Him 11:10 American Pickers 03:00 Big Cats: An Amazing Animal 00:00 Orphan Black 09:40 How It's Made 06:30 Henry Hugglemonster 21:20 Kickin' It 18:50 Grantchester 12:00 Search For The Lost Giants Family 00:40 Casualty 10:05 How It's Made 06:45 Zou 21:45 Mighty Med 19:45 Emmerdale 12:50 Time Team 03:50 South Africa 01:35 Line Of Duty 10:30 Science Of The Movies 07:00 Art Attack 22:10 Danger Mouse 20:15 Coronation Street 13:40 Swamp People 04:45 Soul Of The Cat 02:35 Line Of Duty 11:20 Mythbusters 07:30 Henry Hugglemonster 22:40 Disney Mickey Mouse 20:45 Coronation Street 14:30 Ax Men 22:45 Marvel's Avengers: Ultron 21:10 Couples Come Dine With Me 15:20 Mountain Men - Closest Calls 05:40 Hidden Worlds Revolution 22:00 Murdoch Mysteries 16:10 Shipping Wars 06:35 Big Cats: An Amazing Animal 23:10 Ultimate Spider-Man: Web 22:55 Him 16:35 Shipping Wars Family Warriors 23:50 Emmerdale 17:00 Counting Cars 07:30 South Africa 23:35 Boyster 17:25 Counting Cars 08:25 Soul Of The Cat 17:50 Pawn Stars 09:20 Hidden Worlds 18:15 Pawn Stars 10:15 Wild 24 18:40 Hunting Hitler: Inside The 11:10 Dead Or Alive Investigation 12:05 Soul Of The Cat 00:00 Pirate Treasure Of The Knights 19:30 The Curse Of Oak Island 13:00 Squid vs. Whale Templar 20:20 Mountain Men 13:55 Leopard Queen 00:00 E! News 01:00 The Universe: Ancient Mysteries 21:10 American Pickers 14:50 South Africa 00:15 Keeping Up With The Kardashians Solved 22:00 Ice Road Truckers 15:45 Safari Brothers 01:05 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 02:00 Warriors 22:50 Leepu And Pitbull 16:40 Hidden Worlds 01:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 03:00 Ancient Discoveries 23:40 Swamp People 17:35 Wild 24 02:55 LA Clippers Dance Squad 04:00 Missing In Alaska 18:30 Dead Or Alive 03:55 LA Clippers Dance Squad 04:50 Ancient Aliens 19:25 Moody Beasts 04:50 LA Clippers Dance Squad 05:40 Pirate Treasure Of The Knights 20:20 Safari Brothers 05:40 LA Clippers Dance Squad Templar 21:10 Hidden Worlds 06:30 Fashion Bloggers 06:30 The Universe: Ancient Mysteries 22:00 Wild 24 07:00 Hollywood Medium With Tyler Solved 00:20 Carnival Eats 22:50 Dead Or Alive Henry 07:20 America: The Story Of The U.S. 00:45 Carnival Eats 23:40 Moody Beasts 07:55 E! News 08:10 The Universe 01:10 Glamour Puds 08:10 Hollywood Medium With Tyler 09:00 Ancient Discoveries 01:35 One Man & His Campervan Henry 10:00 Missing In Alaska 02:00 Food Lover's Guide To The Planet 09:10 E! News 11:00 Ancient Aliens 02:25 Cesar's Recruit: Asia 10:10 Rob & Chyna 12:00 Pirate Treasure Of The Knights 02:50 The Shelbourne 11:05 Rob & Chyna Templar 03:15 Chocolate Covered 00:00 American Heist 12:00 Rob & Chyna 13:00 The Universe: Ancient Mysteries 03:40 Poh & Co 02:00 Transcendence 13:00 E! News Solved 04:05 Great Escapes 04:00 The Haunting 13:15 Fashion Bloggers 14:00 America: The Story Of The U.S. 04:30 Miguel's Feasts 06:00 The Frozen 13:40 Fashion Bloggers 15:00 Ancient Discoveries 04:55 A Is For Apple 08:00 Oliver's Deal TRACERS ON OSN MOVIES ACTION 14:10 So Cosmo 16:00 Missing In Alaska 05:20 A Is For Apple 10:00 The Darkness 15:05 So Cosmo 17:00 Ancient Aliens 05:45 Ariana's Persian Kitchen 12:00 A Teacher's Obsession 06:10 Sara's Australia Unveiled 14:00 The Haunting 03:35 Ripper Street 12:10 Bondi Vet 07:45 Loopdidoo 16:00 E! News 18:00 Pirate Treasure Of The Knights 06:35 Tripping Out With Alie & Georgia 16:00 The Intruders 04:30 Orphan Black 13:00 Ultimate Survival 08:00 Zou 16:15 WAGs Templar 07:00 Chocolate Covered 18:00 The Harvest 05:15 Casualty 13:50 How It's Made 08:15 Calimero 17:15 WAGs 19:00 The Universe: Ancient Mysteries 07:25 Poh & Co 20:00 A Good Marriage 06:05 New Tricks 14:15 How It's Made 08:30 Loopdidoo 18:10 WAGs Solved 07:50 Food Lover's Guide To The Planet 22:00 The Pack 07:00 Casualty 14:40 Dirty Jobs 08:45 Henry Hugglemonster 19:05 WAGs 20:00 America: The Story Of The U.S. 08:15 Cesar's Recruit: Asia 08:00 Casualty 15:30 Mythbusters 09:00 Minnie's Bow-Toons 20:00 Fashion Police 21:00 Ancient Discoveries 08:40 The Shelbourne 08:55 Death In Paradise 16:20 Science Of The Movies 09:05 Sheriff Callie's Wild West 21:00 Celebrity Style Story 22:00 Missing In Alaska 09:05 Chocolate Covered 09:50 Stella 17:10 Kids vs Film 09:15 Jake And The Neverland Pirates 21:30 Celebrity Style Story 23:00 Ancient Aliens 09:30 Poh & Co 10:35 New Tricks 17:35 Bear Grylls Survival School 09:30 Miles From Tomorrow 22:00 Revenge Body With Khloe 09:55 Great Escapes 11:30 Casualty 18:00 Guinness World Records 09:45 Goldie & Bear Kardashian 10:20 Miguel's Feasts 00:00 Atlantis: The Lost Empire 12:30 Death In Paradise Smashed New Zealand 09:55 The Lion Guard 23:00 Revenge Body With Khloe 10:45 A Is For Apple 02:00 Snow Dogs 13:25 Stella 18:25 Guinness World Records 10:20 PJ Masks Kardashian 11:10 A Is For Apple 04:00 House Arrest 14:20 New Tricks Smashed New Zealand 10:35 Jake And The Neverland Pirates 11:35 Ariana's Persian Kitchen 06:00 Treasure Planet 15:15 Casualty 18:50 Guinness World Records 10:50 Doc McStuffins 12:00 Sara's Australia Unveiled 08:00 Toy Story 2 16:15 Death In Paradise Smashed UK 11:00 Goldie & Bear 00:30 American Pickers 12:25 Tripping Out With Alie & Georgia 10:00 Atlantis: The Lost Empire 17:10 The Coroner 19:40 Destroyed In Seconds 11:15 PJ Masks 01:20 Time Team 12:50 Chocolate Covered 12:00 Treasure Planet 18:05 New Tricks 20:05 Destroyed In Seconds 11:30 Minnie's Bow-Toons 02:10 The Curse Of Oak Island 13:15 Poh & Co 14:00 Toy Story 3 19:00 Doctors 20:30 How It's Made 11:35 The Lion Guard 00:00 Restaurant Stakeout 03:00 Hunting Hitler: Inside The 13:40 Food Lover's Guide To The Planet 16:00 Atlantis: Milo's Return 19:30 Doctors 20:55 How It's Made 12:00 Sofia The First 01:00 Mystery Diners Investigation 14:05 Cesar's Recruit: Asia 18:00 Pooh's Heffalump Halloween 20:05 Death In Paradise 21:20 Mythbusters 12:30 Doc McStuffins 01:30 Mystery Diners 03:50 Storage Wars 14:35 The Shelbourne Movie 21:00 Call The Midwife 22:10 Australia Smashes Guinness 12:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 02:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 04:15 American Pickers 15:00 Glamour Puds 19:30 Hocus Pocus 22:00 Silent Witness World Records 13:20 My Friends Tigger & Pooh 02:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 05:05 Pawn Stars 15:30 Wineroads 21:30 Jem And The Holograms 23:05 Silent Witness 22:35 Australia Smashes Guinness 13:50 Sheriff Callie's Wild West 03:00 Man Fire Food 05:30 Pawn Stars 15:55 Lee Chan's World Food Tour 23:30 Atlantis: Milo's Return World Records 14:15 Gummi Bears 03:30 Man Fire Food 06:00 Mountain Men 16:25 Miguel's Feasts 23:00 Guinness World Records 14:40 Sofia The First 16:50 A Is For Apple Smashed UK 15:10 Little Mermaid 17:20 A Is For Apple 23:50 Destroyed In Seconds 15:35 PJ Masks 16:00 My Friends Tigger & Pooh 17:45 Ariana's Persian Kitchen 00:00 Homicide Hunter 16:30 The Lion Guard 18:15 Sara's Australia Unveiled 00:00 Magic Mike XXL 01:00 Britain's Darkest Taboos 16:55 Unbungalievable 18:40 Tripping Out With Alie & Georgia 02:00 Paranormal Activity: The Ghost 02:00 Killers: Behind The Myth 17:00 Miles From Tomorrow 19:10 Glamour Puds Dimension 03:00 When Life Means Life 17:30 Jake And The Never Land Pirates 19:35 Cruise Ship Diaries 04:00 Everest 04:00 Homicide Hunter 17:55 The Lion Guard 20:05 Lee Chan's World Food Tour 06:00 Miracles From Heaven 20:30 Miguel's Feasts 08:00 Me And Earl And The Dying Girl 05:00 Britain's Darkest Taboos 00:00 Kirby Buckets 18:20 Goldie & Bear 21:00 A Is For Apple 10:00 Everest 06:00 Killers: Behind The Myth 00:25 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 18:50 PJ Masks 21:25 A Is For Apple 12:00 A Royal Night Out 07:00 When Life Means Life Witch 19:15 Sofia The First 21:50 Ariana's Persian Kitchen 14:00 Fathers And Daughters 08:00 Evil Up Close 00:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 19:40 Doc McStuffins 22:15 Sara's Australia Unveiled 16:00 The Peanuts Movie 09:00 Evil Up Close Witch 20:05 Jake And The Never Land Pirates 22:40 Tripping Out With Alie & Georgia 18:00 The Intern 10:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 01:10 Hank Zipzer 20:30 Little Mermaid 23:05 Glamour Puds 20:00 The Jungle Book 11:00 It Takes A Killer 01:35 Binny And The Ghost 21:00 Sofia The First 23:30 Cruise Ship Diaries 22:00 The Boss 11:30 It Takes A Killer 02:00 Violetta 21:30 Sofia The First 23:55 Food Lover's Guide To The Planet 12:00 Diabolical Women 02:45 The Hive 22:00 Unbungalievable 13:00 Diabolical Women 02:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 22:05 Goldie & Bear 14:00 Diabolical Women Witch 22:35 Miles From Tomorrow 15:00 Holloway: Women Behind Bars 03:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 23:00 My Friends Tigger & Pooh 16:00 Evil Up Close Witch 23:25 Gummi Bears 17:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 03:40 Hank Zipzer 23:55 Minnie's Bow-Toons 01:00 Are You Here 18:00 It Takes A Killer 04:05 Binny And The Ghost 00:20 Megacities 03:00 Hector And The Search For 18:30 It Takes A Killer 04:30 Violetta 01:10 The Border Happiness 19:00 Nightmare In Suburbia 05:15 The Hive 02:00 Highway Thru Hell 05:00 The Final Girls 20:00 The First 48 05:20 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 03:00 Mine Kings 07:00 Take Care 21:00 The First 48 Witch 03:55 Mega Factories: Supercars 09:00 My Girl 22:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 05:45 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 04:50 The Border 11:00 The Final Girls 23:00 Evil Up Close Witch 00:30 Fast N' Loud 05:45 World's Toughest Fixes 13:00 Take Care 06:10 Hank Zipzer 01:20 Misfit Garage 06:40 Access 360 World Heritage 15:00 The Beautician And The Beast 06:35 Binny And The Ghost 02:10 Gold Rush 07:35 Live Free Or Die 17:00 Ana Maria In Novela Land 07:00 Violetta 03:00 Everest Rescue 08:30 Highway Thru Hell 19:00 Undercover Brother 07:45 The Hive 03:50 Killing Fields 09:25 Bad Trip 21:00 The Out Of Towners 07:50 The 7D 04:40 Fast N' Loud 10:20 World's Toughest Fixes 23:00 Dance Flick 08:00 Jessie 05:30 Storage Wars Canada 11:15 Monster Fish 00:05 Tosh.0 08:25 Jessie 06:00 How Do They Do It? 12:10 Wicked Tuna 00:30 The Daily Show With Trevor Noah 08:50 Rolling To The Ronks 06:30 How Do They Do It? 13:05 Air Crash Investigation 01:00 The Half Hour 09:15 Tsum Tsum Shorts 07:00 Deadliest Catch 14:00 Bad Trip 01:25 South Park 09:20 Elena Of Avalor 07:50 Misfit Garage 15:00 Highway Thru Hell 01:50 South Park 09:45 Bunk'd 08:40 Fast N' Loud 16:00 Filthy Riches 00:00 Inherent Vice 02:15 Tosh.0 10:10 Stuck In The Middle 09:30 Running Wild With Bear Grylls 17:00 Monster Fish 02:30 The Express 02:40 Inside Amy Schumer 10:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 10:20 Storage Wars Canada 18:00 Wicked Tuna 05:00 2001: A Space Odyssey 03:05 South Park 11:00 Wizards Of Waverly Place 10:45 How Do They Do It? 19:00 Air Crash Investigation 07:30 Manny 03:30 South Park 11:25 A.N.T. Farm 11:10 How Do They Do It? 20:00 Filthy Riches 09:30 The Man Who Wasn't There 04:00 The Daily Show With Trevor Noah 11:50 A.N.T. Farm 11:35 Gold Rush 21:00 Miracle Hospital 12:00 The Help 04:25 Catch A Contractor 12:15 Good Luck Charlie 12:25 Everest Rescue 21:25 Miracle Hospital 14:30 Days Of Heaven 05:15 Lip Sync Battle 12:40 Good Luck Charlie 13:15 The Making Of Mandela 21:50 Wicked Tuna 16:30 The Hurricane 05:40 Ridiculousness 13:05 Shake It Up 14:05 How Do They Do It? 22:40 Air Crash Investigation 19:00 Joy 06:05 Ridiculousness 13:30 Shake It Up 14:30 Storage Wars Canada EVEREST ON OSN MOVIES HD Classifieds

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (16/02/2017 TO 22/02/2017)

SHARQIA-1 EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 1:30 PM EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 11:30 AM EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 3:30 PM MARINA-3 EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 1:30 PM THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE 5:30 PM RINGS 12:00 PM NO FRI+SAT EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 7:45 PM JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 2:30 PM THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE 1:30 PM EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 9:45 PM RINGS 5:00 PM FRI+SAT EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 11:45 PM JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 7:15 PM THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE 3:45 PM JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 9:45 PM KAABIL- HINDI 6:00 PM FANAR-2 JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 12:15 AM EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 9:00 PM PET 12:30 PM EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 11:00 PM RINGS 2:30 PM AVENUES-1 EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 1:00 AM PET 4:30 PM THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE 11:30 AM THE REMAINS 6:30 PM THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE 1:45 PM SHARQIA-2 RINGS 8:30 PM THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE 4:00 PM GOLD 12:45 PM THE REMAINS 10:30 PM THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE 6:15 PM ARSENAL 3:00 PM PET 12:30 AM AL MOKHAYAM (Kuwaiti Film) 8:30 PM GOLD 5:00 PM AL MOKHAYAM (Kuwaiti Film) 10:30 PM GOLD 7:15 PM FANAR-3 AL MOKHAYAM (Kuwaiti Film) 12:30 AM ARSENAL 9:30 PM KAABIL- HINDI 1:00 PM ARSENAL 11:30 PM AL MOKHAYAM 1:45 PM AVENUES-2 DANGAL -Hindi 3:45 PM JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 -2D -4DX 12:15 PM SHARQIA-3 JOLLY LLB 2 -Hindi 7:00 PM THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE -3D -4DX 2:45 PM JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 12:45 PM KAABIL- HINDI 10:00 PM THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE -3D -4DX 5:00 PM JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 3:15 PM EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 12:45 AM THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE -3D -4DX 7:15 PM RINGS 5:45 PM JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 -2D -4DX 9:30 PM JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 7:45 PM FANAR-4 JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 -2D -4DX 12:05 AM RINGS 10:15 PM JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 11:30 AM JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 12:30 AM GOLD 2:00 PM AVENUES-3 GOLD 4:15 PM RINGS 12:00 PM MATRIMONIAL MUHALAB-1 GOLD 6:45 PM RINGS 2:15 PM PET 12:15 PM JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 9:30 PM RINGS 4:30 PM Jacobite parents invite pro- PET 2:15 PM JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 12:05 AM MUNTHIRIVALLIKAL THALIRKKUMBOL -Malayalam 6:45 PM posals for their son, Post PET 4:15 PM RINGS 9:45 PM Graduate Engineer, 29/173, NO FRI+SAT FANAR-5 SPLIT 12:15 AM THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE 4:15 PM ARSENAL 11:45 AM working in Kuwait. M4mar- FRI+SAT ARSENAL 1:45 PM AVENUES-4 rry profile ID - 4178223. THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE 6:30 PM ARSENAL 3:45 PM KAABIL- HINDI 1:00 PM Email: [email protected] RINGS 8:45 PM RAEES- HINDI 5:45 PM RINGS 1:30 PM (C 5275) 18-2-2017 RINGS 10:45 PM ARSENAL 8:45 PM FRI PET 12:45 AM ARSENAL 10:45 PM ARSENAL 4:00 PM ARSENAL 12:45 AM RAEES- HINDI 6:15 PM CHANGE OF NAME MUHALAB-2 DANGAL -Hindi 9:15 PM EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 12:00 PM MARINA-1 RINGS 12:30 AM KAABIL- HINDI 2:00 PM ARSENAL 1:00 PM I, GANIJI ZAINAB QURESH, JOLLY LLB 2 -Hindi 5:00 PM KUNG-FU YOGA 3:15 PM 360º- 1 wife of Murtuza Mustufa EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 8:00 PM THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE 5:30 PM EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 12:15 PM Jawadwala, holder of EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 10:00 PM GOLD 7:45 PM EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 2:15 PM Passport No. J0366967 & PRAYER TIMINGS EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 12:05 AM ARSENAL 10:00 PM EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 4:15 PM ARSENAL 12:05 AM EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 6:15 PM Civil ID No. 283021503013 MUHALAB-3 EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 8:15 PM has changed my name to Fajr: 05:03 JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 12:45 PM MARINA-2 EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 10:15 PM ZAINAB MURTUZA JAWAD- Shorook: 06:22 ARSENAL 3:15 PM DALIDA 12:45 PM EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 12:15 AM WALA hereinafter in all my JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 5:15 PM EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 1:30 PM dealings and documents, I Duhr: 12:02 ARSENAL 7:45 PM FRI 360º- 2 JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 9:45 PM SPLIT 3:30 PM SPLIT 12:45 PM will be known by my new Asr: 15:16 ARSENAL 12:15 AM EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 6:00 PM SPLIT 3:00 PM name ZAINAB MURTUZA DALIDA 8:00 PM DANGAL -Hindi 5:15 PM JAWADWALA. (C 5274) Maghrib: 17:42 FANAR-1 EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 10:30 PM KAABIL- HINDI 8:30 PM 16-2-2017 EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 11:30 AM EL QERD BEYETKALIM-Arabic 12:30 AM SPLIT 11:30 PM Isha: 18:59

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

Arrival Flights on Tuesday 21/2/2017 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 Departure Flights on Tuesday 21/2/2017 AXB 394 Kozhikode 14:10 Airlines Flt Route Time AXB 393 Kozhikode 13:10 Airlines Flt Route Time UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 MSC 405 Sohag 00:05 KAC 564 Amman 13:40 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 JZR 324 Al Najaf 14:25 KAC 776 Riyadh 00:20 KAC 788 Jeddah 13:45 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:30 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 KLM 411 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:20 KAC 792 Madinah 13:50 FDB 072 Dubai 00:40 KAC 561 Amman 15:00 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 QTR 1078 Doha 14:10 ETD 920 Abu Dhabi 00:45 FDB 060 Dubai 15:10 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 FDB 059 Dubai 14:20 MSC 406 Sohag 01:00 KAC 785 Jeddah 15:15 THY 772 Istanbul 00:55 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 BBC 144 Dhaka 01:30 PAL 669 Dubai/Manila 15:20 MSC 411 Asyut 01:00 KAC 692 Muscat 14:30 KLM 411 Amsterdam 01:35 KAC 513 Tehran 15:25 QTR 1086 Doha 01:15 CLX 784 Luxembourg 14:30 MSC 412 Asyut 01:55 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:25 KAC 102 London 01:25 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:40 KAC 417 Manila 02:00 QTR 1079 Doha 15:40 THY 764 Istanbul 01:50 KAC 542 Cairo 14:45 THY 773 Istanbul 02:25 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 DLH 635 Doha 01:55 KAC 672 Dubai 14:50 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:55 KNE 530 Jeddah 15:55 PGT 858 Istanbul 02:00 KNE 529 Jeddah 14:55 AXB 396 Kozhikode 02:55 CLX 784 Dubai 16:00 AXB 395 Kozhikode 02:00 KAC 618 Doha 15:00 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 03:05 KAC 777 Riyadh 16:00 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 02:05 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:15 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:35 KAC 745 Dammam 16:00 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 OMA 645 Muscat 15:35 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 KAC 357 Kochi 16:20 UAE 853 Dubai 02:30 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 KKK 6505 Istanbul 03:55 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:20 KAC 412 Bangkok 02:50 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:50 OMA 644 Muscat 03:55 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:30 OMA 643 Muscat 02:55 KAC 154 Istanbul 15:55 THY 765 Istanbul 04:00 OMA 646 Muscat 16:35 KKK 6506 Istanbul 02:55 QTR 1072 Doha 16:10 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 FDB 069 Dubai 03:05 FDB 051 Dubai 16:25 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:10 JZR 240 Amman 17:15 RJA 644 Amman 03:05 KAC 662 Abu Dhabi 16:35 KAC 167 Paris 04:25 FDB 052 Dubai 17:25 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 QTR 1077 Doha 04:40 KAC 615 Bahrain 17:35 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 KAC 118 New York 17:00 LMU 5511 Cairo 05:00 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 QTR 1076 Doha 03:30 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 QTR 1087 Doha 05:50 KAC 343 Chennai 17:40 KAC 358 Kochi 03:30 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 JZR 560 Sohag 06:05 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 LMU 5510 Cairo 04:00 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:45 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 KAC 1544 Cairo 04:10 JZR 325 Al Najaf 17:50 THY 6376 Dubai/Istanbul 06:35 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 KAC 418 Manila 04:25 NIA 251 Alexandria 17:55 KAC 153 Istanbul 06:50 KAC 331 Trivandrum 18:00 THY 6376 Istanbul 05:05 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 JZR 529 Asyut 05:15 FDB 063 Dubai 18:10 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 KAC 354 BLR 05:20 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 RJA 645 Amman 07:05 KAC 283 Dhaka 18:30 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:20 MSR 620 Cairo 18:30 KAC 541 Cairo 07:15 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 KAC 344 Chennai 05:35 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 NIA 252 Alexandria 18:55 KAC 332 Trivandrum 05:45 KAC 746 Dammam 19:10 KAC 787 Jeddah 07:45 FDB 064 Dubai 19:05 THY 770 Istanbul 05:55 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:25 KAC 171 Frankfurt 07:55 JZR 124 Bahrain 19:15 KAC 364 Colombo 06:05 KAC 502 Beirut 19:30 FDB 5062 Dubai 07:55 UAE 876 Dubai 19:30 KAC 384 Delhi 06:05 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 KAC 563 Amman 08:00 MSR 621 Cairo 19:30 KAC 206 Islamabad 06:20 KAC 778 Riyadh 19:35 KAC 679 Dubai 08:10 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 KAC 346 Ahmedabad 06:25 KAC 674 Dubai 19:45 BAW 156 London 08:40 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:05 BAW 157 London 06:40 KAC 514 Tehran 19:50 FDB 054 Dubai 08:55 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 PAL 668 Manila/Dubai 07:00 FDB 057 Dubai 19:50 KAC 691 Muscat 09:00 FDB 058 Dubai 20:35 KAC 168 Paris 19:55 FDB 5061 Dubai 07:15 KAC 791 Madinah 09:00 KAC 361 Colombo 20:35 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05 KAC 284 Dhaka 07:35 KAC 117 SNN/New York 09:00 KAC 1543 Cairo 21:00 OMA 647 Muscat 20:10 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 KAC 101 London 09:35 MSR 607 Luxor 21:05 QTR 1088 Doha 20:35 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 OMA 648 Muscat 21:10 KAC 562 Amman 20:40 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 KAC 205 Islamabad 21:25 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:45 KAC 382 Delhi 08:45 KAC 671 Dubai 10:05 KAC 345 Ahmedabad 21:30 KAC 616 Bahrain 20:50 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:10 QTR 1089 Doha 21:35 FDB 5053 Dubai 20:50 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:05 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 DLH 634 Doha 21:35 KAC 786 Jeddah 21:15 QTR 1070 Doha 09:30 QTR 1071 Doha 10:40 FDB 5054 Dubai 21:50 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:20 TXC 1620 FJR 09:30 SVA 513 Riyadh 11:00 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 ALK 229 Colombo 21:25 AVV 652 Sohag 11:10 KAC 351 Kochi 22:00 SVA 512 Riyadh 10:00 KAC 172 Frankfurt 21:35 KAC 617 Doha 11:10 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 AVV 651 Asyut 10:10 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 KAC 203 Lahore 22:15 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 IRA 674 Lar 11:40 KAC 413 Bangkok 22:15 IRA 675 Lar 10:40 QTR 1082 Doha 22:00 KAC 501 Beirut 11:55 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 MSC 403 Asyut 11:15 JZR 125 Bahrain 22:05 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:05 ALK 230 Colombo 22:25 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 KLM 415 Amsterdam 22:10 KAC 661 Abu Dhabi 12:05 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 NIA 151 Cairo 22:10 MSC 404 Asyut 12:15 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:45 QTR 8511 Doha 12:00 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 KAC 381 Delhi 22:45 KAC 286 Dhaka 12:25 AIC 987 Chennai/Hyderabad 22:25 QTR 8512 Doha 13:30 UAE 860 Dubai 22:55 MSC 401 Alexandria 12:30 PIA 239 Sialkot 22:35 MSC 402 Alexandria 13:30 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:05 JZR 561 Sohag 12:40 JZR 241 Amman 22:45 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 NIA 152 Cairo 23:10 FDB 075 Dubai 12:50 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:00 TXC 1621 IQA 14:00 QTR 1083 Doha 23:20 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 KLM 415 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:20 KAC 680 Dubai 12:55 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 FDB 076 Dubai 14:05 PIA 240 Sialkot 23:35 stars34 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017

CROSSWORD 1528 STAR TRACK

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

Coordinating events for a company's executive conference or the like may Today is a natural for self-expression and lends itself to your particular take up much of your day. Research, ask questions and gather information ideas and thoughts. When some service-type person treats you poorly, you may wish about several prospects. Figuring out how to organize projects and people is apt to you could find ways to show disapproval. There is someone who waits on you or become a topic of special interest-and a challenge at this time. As you make your pres- serves you that deserves your praise and you will reward this person by writing a letter entation, prepare several ideas for approval-eliminating more research. Respect, status to the appropriate supervisor. A great many problems for that person will be lifted. and achievement are central goals for you as a new phase begins in your life. A financial Smart as a fox, you solve problems and sail through the day. There is an opportunity to venture comes to your attention this afternoon. Obtain advice before obligating your- encourage others in the benefits of seeing two sides of a problem. The example you self. Your whole world may seem hypnotic or dreamy this afternoon. Poetry and art may show gives others a guide in thinking outside the box, so to speak. This evening, listen- be possible. Movies, books and all forms of escape prove enjoyable. ing to family members tell about their day is fun. A few chuckles are likely to occur.

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

Much can be accomplished in the workplace today. Your instinctive ori- Creating a structure to empower and maintain your ideals and principles entation at this time is toward getting down to the basics. This is a time when you can becomes a high priority, an article of faith. By taking on greater responsibilities of this expect a little boost, some sort of extra support or recognition from those around you. kind, you become an inspiration to others. Remember to compromise your differences Learning how and why people do and think what they do is a fun pastime for you at with customers, co-workers or higher-ups and you will see fast, positive results to what this time. You may feel that you are in touch and in harmony with others; the lines of you are trying to achieve. Progressive people and idealistic groups or concepts play a communication are open. You can demonstrate great understanding and sensitivity to more important role in your life now, as a new trend begins. This is a concern for some- the needs of others. Sex, power and money are compelling aphrodisiacs. Secrets, thing bigger than any one person-the good of the many outweigh the needs of the few. taboos and mysteries appeal to a deep instinctive yearning. You may be taking on an Dare yourself to smile at someone once an hour today, and see what happens-invite oth- extra job today in order to earn that hide-away money for your emergency fund. ers to join you. Do not keep someone waiting this evening-good surprises are nearby.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You may feel left out or passed over just now. Your own requirements If you are unhappy with one line of work you may want to consider may appear to stop you from going where the rest of the gang is head- another line of work. Many of you find that temporary job agencies fill your needs ed. This is of short duration, however. Some quiet time can be enjoyed just now if you quite well. There are few bonuses, but if you are in demand, you could call your own just go with the flow. Careful study will yield dividends today. The aspect between one shots. Wise investing, or just consistently saving on each payday, will do away with the astrological planet and another creates the right condition for some really good finan- ACROSS 77. An official language of the Republic of need for bonuses and vacation pay. Family matters could come to your attention at cial growth. Keep the pace steady and don't jump ahead too soon. You can wade right 1. A French abbot. South Africa. this time and listening without commenting is important just now. If necessary, ask through any problems you might encounter this afternoon. You demonstrate great 5. A member of a North American people for- 78. Of or relating to Dante Alighieri or his writ- for time to think through a subject. This matter will work out before it is brought to understanding of the needs of others and are now in a good position to communicate your attention again. Financial opportunities may be tempting. This may be some- with difficult customers as well as higher-ups. If the weather permits, enjoy the out-of- merly living in the Colorado river valley in ings. thing you will want to mention to family members when appropriate. doors this afternoon. Arizona. 79. Large brownish-green New Zealand parrot. 12. The waging of armed conflict against an enemy. DOWN Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 15. A sudden short attack. 1. The biblical name for ancient Syria. Cancer (June 21-July 22) 16. Vacuously or complacently and uncon- 2. A small cake leavened with yeast. Ambition and achievement are qualities you hold in special regard now. Be prepared; it is now time to sign up for a lecture, class or group that sciously foolish. 3. A coffin along with its stand. This is a time for getting ahead and for combining business and pleasure, a time to can give you some wonderful insights and stimulation toward mental growth. 17. American prizefighter who won the world 4. A doctor's degree in education. enjoy your career and savor its rewards. The social graces pave your path to success. Intelligent conversations and the mental stimulation that is found in the atmosphere heavyweight championship three times 5. Having or prompted by wisdom or discern- Ideas to increase your income may come to you from your family and friends. You are of a classroom, group conversation or a university create a boost to your energy. You full of ideas and ready to listen to other people's ideas as well. You are capable of han- (born in 1942). are also coming to a time that you could comfortably take a vacation and set aside ment. dling a business yourself-you could consider this for one of your future goals. A work some time for healing through fun activities. Anytime between now and the end of 18. In bed. 6. A positively charged electrode by which partnership should be thought through carefully. A temporary accountant could be this month is a good time to set aside for a short three- or four-day rest by the ocean 19. Some unspecified time in the future. electrons leave an electrical device. your answer in the paperwork department. You will be shopping for items pertaining or lakeside cabin, somewhere near water. To save a little extra money toward this trip, to your job today, perhaps a new suit or some luggage. 20. The smallest multiple that is exactly divisi- 7. A rapid escape (as by criminals). begin practicing a little price comparison. You may be very proud of your efforts. ble by every member of a set of numbers. 8. Lacking vigor or energy. 21. The month following February and preced- 9. A tricycle (usually propelled by pedalling). Aquarius (January 20- February 18) ing April. 10. An automatic signal (usually a sound) Leo (July 23-August 22) 23. French revolutionary who was prominent warning of danger. in the early days of the French Revolution There are some positive changes headed your way this morning. For You will find you have lots of energy and drive, perfect for starting some- 11. The eighth month of the civil year. thing out or taking care of business. You may have been noticing the misuse of some (1749-1791). whatever reason, you will have time to work with young people this morning. You may 12. Polish labor leader and statesman (born in be a guest speaker or a new teacher; whatever the case you are helpful. You may have funds that needs to be brought to a supervisor's atte ntion-wait a while longer before 26. Greek philosopher who believed that the 1943). some ideas running around in your head that could be helpful in guiding these young making your report; there could be more to this than you know. A little detective work world is a random combination of atoms 13. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising sole- people toward their personal choice of a future profession. Learning where they might and some time may gi ve you further information; easy does it. When an agreement is and that pleasure is the highest good want to use their talents and realizing they are very talented are very positive insights made today, make sure you do not leave someone out that would like to be included in ly the razorbill. some afte r-work plans. Meetings, conferences or business travel can be lucrative now. (341-270 BC). for them. Taking some of your ideas to the industry world, there may be future opportu- 14. Tall New Zealand timber tree. nities for young adults to work or observe the work within the professional field where At tend to any turmoil on the job at this time and try to stay out of issues that do not 28. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a 22. A coffee cake flavored with orange rind they may have an interest. This is some action that progresses nicely. affect yo u. Make a little extra effort to return a favor to a neighbor this evening. skewer usually with vegetables. and raisins and almonds. 31. A fraudulent business scheme. 24. (pathology) An elevation of the skin filled 32. A Tibetan or Mongolian priest of Lamaism. with serous fluid. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 35. In a murderous frenzy as if possessed by a 25. A scented lozenge used to sweeten the demon. breath (e.g. to conceal the odor of tobac- Real insight into your own inner workings or psychology could sur- You may be reminded of how tedious it is to feel like you are doing all face today, and in a manageable form. You may be in the mood for deep and pene- the work and getting no recognition from your professional state of 38. The blood group whose red cells carry co). both the A and B antigens. trating conversations. There could be an opportunity for a round-table discussion to being; patience, recognition is coming your way. Others will see the fine results of 27. A unit of pressure. answer office questions. Your viewpoint will be heard-patience. Expect a sense of your hard work. Your leadership skills are excellent and this is a day when others 39. Shape anew or differently. 29. Come out into view, as from concealment. support from those around you. You may want to create a beautiful space for a guest would be more attentive to you than usual. You may find yourself a leader in matters 42. The size of a book whose pages are made 30. In a busy manner. that will be visiting soon. This could be a family member or a very good friend. For of importance. If you are a teacher, your leadership skills will certainly help to teach more space, you might take the things you don't play with anymore and sell them on the student teachers exactly how to get the best results. If you are working on a proj- by folding a sheet of paper twice to form 33. Tangled in a dense mass. four leaves. the internet. If you just can't seem to get rid of the excess you might store the items in ect, your determination to excel will take your group to the finish line with an excel- 34. On a ship, train, plane or other vehicle. a rental storage place. This way you can create a place for them over time. lent outcome. Rewards are scheduled. Tonight, there are plenty of hugs. 44. The cardinal number that is the sum of one 36. A person with an unusual or odd personali- and one and one. ty. 45. Yellow-fever mosquitos. 37. A Scottish word. Word Search Yesterday’s Solution 48. The 7th letter of the Greek alphabet. 40. A civil or military authority in Turkey or 49. An Eskimo hut. Egypt. 50. Cloth covering that forms the part of a gar- 41. A morel whose fertile portion resembles a ment below the waist. bell and is attached to the stipe only at the 51. A person eating a meal (especially in a top. restaurant). 43. A city in western Nevada at the foot of the 53. Serving as an essential component. Sierra Nevada Mountains. 55. An organization of countries formed in 46. Belonging to or governing a diocese n. 1961 to agree on a common policy for the 47. Arranged like rays or radii. sale of petroleum. 52. Unable to relax or be still. 57. Scottish chemist noted for his research into 54. A workplace for the conduct of scientific the structure of nucleic acids (born in research. 1907). 56. An accountant certified by the state. 59. A high-crowned black cap (usually made of 58. A confusion of voices and other sounds. felt or sheepskin) worn by men in Turkey 60. An association of nations dedicated to eco- and Iran and the Caucasus. nomic and political cooperation in south- 61. The seventh month of the Moslem calen- eastern Asia. dar. 62. An elaborate song for solo voice. 65. Violently urging on by whipping or flog- 63. An island in Indonesia south of Borneo. ging. 64. Large American feline resembling a lion. 69. An Arabic speaking person who lives in 66. A republic in the Middle East in western Arabia or North Africa. Asia. 72. The lofty nest of a bird of prey (such as a 67. Pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature hawk or eagle). 73. Being one more than four. or appearance. 74. Absence of the mammary glands (either 68. Footwear usually with wooden soles. through surgery or developmental 70. (informal) Roused to anger. defect). 71. Standard time in the 6th time zone west of 76. A legal document codifying the result of Greenwich, reckoned at the 90th meridi- deliberations of a committee or society or an. legislative body. 75. A state in midwestern United States.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 lifestyle

GOSSIP Angelina Jolie's son was big brother on set

ngelina Jolie's son was a "big brother" to the young actors in 'First have this beautiful mother doing a film about family, I had complete trust They Killed My Father'. The actress-turned-director enlisted her old- that our story was in good hands. And my siblings felt exactly the same Aest child, 15-year-old Maddox - who was adopted from Cambodia way. We are so honored and proud that this wonderful mother made this when he was a baby - to help with production on her latest movie and film about family. "We all knew on set that this wasn't just a movie Loung Ung, whose book about the Cambodian genocide inspired the film, Angelina was making, but this is also in some respect her story-her son's says he and his younger sibling, 11-year-old Pax, who was there shooting story. "And she takes that seriously ... and so to make a film with somebody stills, were a great presence on set. Loung told People: "I have watched the who truly loves this place, made the cast and crew, I think, allowed them young people grow into really kind, empathetic, curious human beings. to trust the experience." Speaking at the premiere of the movie in "Pax is a talented photographer and Mad is so kind and generous. The cast Cambodia at the weekend, Angelina - who was joined by her six kids, kids, they all looked up to him as a big brother." And the activist was "so Maddox, Pax, Zahara, 12, Shiloh, 10, and eight-year-old twins Vivienne and proud" of her famous friend's sons because they were happy to make time Knox- admitted the film is her thank you to the country. She said: "I cannot to play with the young children on the set and "make them laugh." She find words to express what it means to me that I was entrusted with telling added: "There were sad days on the set and there were difficult long hours. part of the story of this country. "This film was not made to focus on the And to do it in an environment where people love and respect each other horrors of the past, but to celebrate the resilience, kindness and talent of was exactly what we needed to get it done." 'First They Killed My Father' the Cambodian people. Most of all, this film is my way of saying thank you tells of how Khmer Rouge soldiers seized Loung's home town of Phnom to Cambodia. Without Cambodia I may never have become a mother. Part Penh during the 1970s in a bid to purge the country of western influence, of my heart is and will always be in this country. And part of this country is with those not killed sent to grueling labor camps, and how her parents always with me: Maddox." and two sisters died during the horrors And the author and her surviving siblings "love and respected Angelina so much" that they knew she'd do justice to their story. She said: "To have this beautiful film about family, to Martin Scorsese Metallica wants to no Hollywood perform on the moon obert Trujillo wants Metallica to per- pretty exciting. "We're gonna go to some form on the moon. The 'Nothing Else really great places on this trip. Last tour, we RMatters' group's bassist - who is went to Antarctica. And hopefully we'll get film maker joined by James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett to the Moon this time. [Laughs] I don't and Lars Ulrich in the heavy metal band - know." Trujillo's aspiration to rock the moon wants to play live in some different loca- comes after Metallica's plagued perform- tions this year and after performing in the ance with Lady Gaga at the Grammy Antarctic his next dream is to play live in Awards. Frontman Hetfield, 53, was left space, which he's hoping they'll do on their "livid" after his vocals were completely forthcoming world tour. Speaking about inaudible on stage at Los Angeles' Staples the legendary metallers shows in support Center last Sunday because his micro- of their latest LP, 'Hardwired ... To Self phone was switched off, and although he Destruct', Trujillo told US radio station WRIF: overcome the difficulty by sharing the "We're doing what we've been doing. We're 'Poker Face' hitmaker's mic for the second celebrating the energy of the new music part of the performance of 'Moth Into and working up the new songs, seeing Flame', his bandmates had never seen him what works. "It's an exciting time. We feel so angry. Drummer Ulrich said: "I haven't McCartney and Starr there's great momentum. This album has seen him like that in 20 years. "I mean he artin Scorsese doesn't think he could make it as a been embraced by the world. We didn't was livid. I mean, he's aged really well and "Hollywood filmmaker" . The legendary director expect... I mean, we love that to happen; I he's a pretty chill guy, but the first five or 10 Mfeels like a "thief" with his success because he has reunite in studio don't know that we expected all this. And minutes in that dressing room was not a lot "got away with" making movies "in the margins" that it's something that is always exciting for us. of fun." struck a chord with his own upbringing in New York's ir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr 2015's 'All Day' with Kanye West and "We enjoy playing small shows, big shows, Lower East Side. He admitted to SBS Movies: "I kind of look have reunited in the studio. The 'FourFiveSeconds' with Kanye and whatever. There's the energy of the visual back now and I say after all these years, 'I couldn't make it SBeatles legends sent fans into a Rihanna - was dubbed a "really talented production, and all that stuff starts to hap- as a Hollywood movie maker'. "I was almost a thief who got frenzy about a reunion of the iconic magician". The 74-year-old musician was pen, so when you see it come to life, it's away with making these movies in the margins of the group yesterday, as the only two surviv- recently spotted showing off his trickery book. Some were more in a marketable range.... Others are ing members, but it appears McCartney at a party in Los Angeles, and onlookers not. I found I could only really get excited about stories was just laying down some bass guitar have described his act as "really good". that I wanted to tell and they seem to be more internal and on Starr's forthcoming solo album. One fellow party-goer said: "Sir Paul is a personal." Scorsese's latest movie, 'Silence', stars Andrew Alongside a photo of the pair, Starr, 76, really talented magician. He often per- Garfield and Adam Driver as two missionaries in 17th cen- wrote: "Thanks for coming over man and forms tricks during any showbiz bash he tury Japan who are sent to find an older Jesuit (Liam playing Great Bass. I love you man peace attends. He's actually really good, peo- Neeson) who is rumored to have renounced his faith - and and love. (sic)" Starr also shared a picture ple are always so shocked." It has been is a project he has been wanting to work on since he was with musician Joe Walsh, with the cap- claimed that The Beatles legend is think- introduced to the story by New York Archbishop Paul tion: "And look out Joe W came out to ing about expanding his career Moore when his 1988 movie 'The Last Temptation of Christ' play. What a day I'm having. Peace and prospects and making his magic tricks was released. However, he admitted that for many years he love. (sic)" The pair are working on the available for hire. The source added to "didn't know how to express what [he] was feeling" and 'All You Need Is Love' drummer's follow- the Daily Star newspaper: "He even men- the film could have not happened. He said: "All of it came up to 2015's 'Postcard From Paradise' tioned that he would have to start hiring together but it took many, many years. There are many rea- and it's the first time McCartney has himself out for parties." sons why the film could not have been made, would not recorded with his band mate since 2010, have been made but I decided to keep going and it put when he provided bass for 'Peace people around me through a lot of hardship and difficul- Dream' and 'Walk With You' on Starr's ties, and so if that 'means' anything it means that i really 2010 record 'Y Not'. It comes after wanted to make it!" McCartney - whose last releases were Michelle Williams dances with Gary Barlow in talks Hugh Jackman on set for Disney album ary Barlow is in talks to release an album with ichelle Williams and Hugh Jackman love dancing said: "Nothing like a challenge. It's gonna get me going. "It's together on set. The pair are playing husband and going to be a lot of work, but I'm thrilled. I do like to fight. Not Disney. The 46-year-old Take That frontman is Mwife PT and Charity Barnum in new movie 'The with people, but for things that I want. I really enjoy the expe- Greportedly holding discussions to release a record Greatest Showman' and Michelle has embraced dancing and rience of wanting something and crossing the distance to get consisting of tracks from his West End show 'The Girls', a singing with her co-star on set. She told the Sunday Times it. I don't want a lot of things, but the things I do want burn collaboration with the legendary entertainment conglom- Magazine: "I fell in love with singing and now I just want to me up inside and I get very excited about trying to reach erate. An insider told The Sun newspaper: "It's a massively sing. I find it terrifying, too, but once you do it, it's not like the them. I don't mean I want objects-I want experiences and exciting opportunity for Gary to take the music even fur- dentist-it's kind of fun. And dancing There are just certain people. I wanted to play Janis badly and I reached for it. It's ther. "Working with Disney would be huge, and it is eager things that make me feel I'm a kid, that make me feel I'm a lit- nice to want something and think about what you could do to to develop future projects with him." It comes after Gary tle bit free and a little bit unbound and I love it. I dance with pull that thing closer to you." and his bandmates - Mark Owen and Howard Donald - Hugh Jackman." Michelle will also put her singing skills to the unveiled lead single 'Giants' from their forthcoming album test when she plays the late Janis Joplin in a new biopic and 'Wonderland' on Friday. The tune comes from the band's although she is nervous, she can't wait to take on the role. She first album in over two years. With 'Wonderland', the group have teamed up with a host of well known producers including Tony Hoffer (Beck, Supergrass, Goldfrapp), Stuart Price (Madonna, The Killers, Gwen Stefani) and Mark Crossy Hilton receives Fragrance of the (Arctic Monkeys, The Gaslight Anthem) and the group Joe Manganiello worked on 'Giants' with Mark Ralph (Clean Bandit, Years & Years). The LP will also mark the first album to be released Year award for Gold Rush scent on vinyl since their hit LP 'Everything Changes' in 1993. It acts for the cash comes after the band - who have no less than seven UK oe Manganiello wouldn't be an actor if the beginning and I've been tested in aris Hilton's Gold Rush fragrance was "So proud & honored to have won the number one albums and 12 number one singles to their it didn't "pay the bills". The 'Magic Mike ways you can't imagine when it comes to recognized as the Fragrance of the Year #FragranceOfTheYearAward for my name - announced they would be heading out on tour JXXL' star - who is married to Sofia my career but I stayed the course because Pat The 3rd Annual Hollywood Beauty @GoldRushFragrance tonight at the across the UK, with the majority of the 32 dates already Vergara - insists his main priority is to be a I made a better living at this than any- Awards. The 36-year-old businesswoman won #HollywoodBeautyAwards. Thank you to all my sold out. 'Wonderland' is slated for release on March 24. "provider" for his family and he wouldn't thing else I could think of doing." And the prestigious accolade at the star studded fans for your love & support (sic)." Whilst have pursued his career if he didn't think Sofia - who has 25-year-old son Manolo event, which took place at the Avalon another post read: "#GoldRushFragrance# he'd be a success. He said: "If acting didn't from a past relationship - understands Hollywood in Los Angeles, California, on FragranceOfTheYearAward #YAS! (sic)." pay the bills, I would do something else. Joe's struggles as she's been through Sunday and the star is "so proud and honored" NuMe, owned by Sabrina Maren Schueppl, Bottom line is that being a man and them herself but she believes a positive to have received the gong. The former 'The was credited as the Brand of the Year, whilst provider always came first to me. "I wasn't attitude is essential to survive in their Simple Life' star publicly shared how grateful mogul Sarah Potempa's Beachwaver hair someone who was going to waste their life industry. She said: "This career is hard. I've she was to be recognized for her entrepreneur- care and styling brand was announced as chasing an unrequited dream because I been working towards my dream for more ial skill on social media. Alongside a picture of Product of the Year. And 76-year-old fashion needed to be seen and heard by other than 20 years. "I think you can't be a vic- her adorning a silver embellished floor length designer Bob Mackie was awarded the 2017 people. "I've always believed in myself from tim in life. That attracts negative things - gown as she clasped at her award, which was Honouree for his Outstanding Achievement with men, with family, with work. A thou- shared on her Instagram account, she wrote: in Costume Design and Styling, after dressing sand things can happen, but that's life." musicians Cher, Diana Ross, Tina Turner and When the couple aren't working, they love BeyoncÈ. Meanwhile, stars including former relaxing at home and each have their 'Glee' star and 'Step Up 3D' actress Alyson favorite parts of the house. Sofia told Stoner were among guests who attended the HOLA USA! magazine: "Joe seeps on the fashion extravaganza. And the 23-year-old sofa, eats there, watches all his football blonde beauty has revealed she undertook a games there on weekends. It's his favorite simplistic "three minute" make-over in place. He loves it. "My favorite room is the preparation for her appearance at the event. bathroom - well, that and my closet. It's Speaking about her routine on Twitter, she not as big as I wanted it to be, but I made said: "Beauty Hack: slept in 3 braids, took em some adjustments - I took over the man's out, dry shampoo at root, hairspray for tex- side. I said, 'Joe, you don't need a big clos- ture, 1 elastic, 1 bobby pin. 3 min. #wom- et.' And he said, 'Yes love, just take it.'" anonthego (sic)." — Bang Showbiz TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 lifestyle

FASHION

Models present creations from Preen by Thornton Bregazzi during their catwalk show on the third day of the Autumn/Winter 2017 London Fashion Week in London. — AP/AFP photos Fashion takes London by storm with Preen, Topshop, Mulberry

ondon Fashion Week neared its climax Sunday with Topshop unique does breezy bohemian shows by Preen, Topshop, Mulberry and others taking She's a bohemian soul, living in the moment - Topshop place at many sites in the more-chic-than-usual British Unique's latest offering is all about clothes that give off that capital. A fleet of Mercedes-Benz sedans is ferrying carefree, freewheeling vibe. The outfits may look thrown on VIPs from venue to venue as buyers, bloggers and and eclectic, but the look is anything but effortless. Getting wannabesL gauge each show for that elusive dash of some- the dressed down cool girl look just right requires careful lay- thing special and off the wall. Not to be outdone, some have ering and thought. Staged in a basement hall in London's Tate arrived at shows in a polished silver Rolls-Royce. The pace of Modern art gallery, the label's show featured models in figure- shows is a challenge for anyone trying not to miss a thing. The hugging, bias-cut slip dresses - some with high slits - that Monday slate is full as well, topped by the long-anticipated were layered under graphic sweatshirts, oversized sweaters Burberry show. and outdoorsy fleeces. Elsewhere, super-short mini-skirts in high-shine primary Aristocratic chic at Mulberry colors and satiny, striped wide trousers were paired with Amid all the political debate on Brexit, British identity was sporty striped tops. As always with Topshop, there was plenty the topic of the day - even on the catwalk. Designer Johnny of fun and attention-grabbing party wear, too. A huge, fluffy Coca, who heads heritage brand Mulberry, on Sunday dished orange coat stood out, as well as some silver sequined dresses up his vision of British style - one that is aristocratic and tradi- adorned with bright floral embroidery. tional, though with some funky twists. Think horse riding and hunting while staying at an English country mansion: Tweeds, checks, nostalgic florals on faded wallpapers, pearls and heir- loom jewelry. "It's all the things I like about the UK: the coun- tryside, the hunting, the wallpaper, the checks and embroi- dery," Coca, who is Spanish, said backstage. The show opened with models sporting head-to-toe brown and green checks, featured on box pleat skirts and mannish tweed blazers that look like they were borrowed from the models' fathers. Then came a series of large quilted capes, which Coca said were inspired by horse blankets and the equestrian styles of English country dress. There were vin- tage rose prints that came from sofa fabrics found in the brand's archive, and pearl chains and oversized cameo locket pendants adorned the outfits. The handbags - which are coveted by fans worldwide and the brand's bestselling items - had a vintage feel, too, with structured shapes that recalled hatboxes and antique luggage. Much of the collection brought to mind the 1970s, with its earthy tones, crochet dresses, rich brocade and loose flowing skirts. That's because the clothes drew heavily from Mulberry's 1970s archive, Coca said. In case things got too retro or stuffy, the designer inserted some modern and quirky touches. Models wore furry knee socks in bright green and mustard, and outfits featured bold clashing colors, such as an orange blouse paired with a purple skirt and turquoise boots.

Models present creations by TOPSHOP UNIQUE during a catwalk show on the third day of the Autumn/Winter 2017 London Fashion Week in London. Models present creations by Mulberry during their catwalk show. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 lifestyle

FASHION

Models wear creations during the Erdem Autumn/Winter 2017 London Fashion Week show.

Preen makes it mark in springtime setting might have been in style a century ago, but set off with an ultra-feminine dresses. Instead of exposing wide swaths of It's time for fall and winter collections, but the space set oversize, bright green color, and a lingerie-style dress. his models' flesh, as other designers are doing, he chose to up by Preen by Thornton Bregazzi had a springtime feel Designers Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi displayed emphasize the female form in its entirety, only rarely more in tune with the British countryside with painted photos of books they said had helped inspire the collec- choosing to unveil a hint of cleavage. Most of the outfits splashes of color suggesting flowers bursting into bloom. tion, including works by poet Carol Ann Duffy, the photog- featured high necks and long sleeves with elaborate detail- This cheerful feeling pervaded the collection, with many rapher Christina Boom and the artist Tracey Emin. "It's just ing, intricate beadwork and delicate embroidery. Oversize black outfits set off by floral themes relying on fine embroi- a celebration of women throughout history and the impor- coats or high boots seemed to explode with color. The dery and other outfits featuring reds and blues. tance of women who have something to say," Thornton beauty was in the detailing, which gave each piece an indi- The models wore smeared red lipstick (evocative of a said of the collection. vidual feel. Some were sparkly, some were subtle and sub- kiss, the designers said) and the choices were unusual, dued. Despite their differences, the pieces complemented including a black and white shearling coat worn over a Full-length dresses take the honors at Erdem each other, making the entire collection come alive. — AP black floral bra. Gowns were styled off the shoulder, and The Erdem show at the Old Selfridges Hotel showed a flat shoes and boots featured pale pink, a color seen in a remarkable unity of vision despite a wide range of colors, number of outfits in the first few days of fashion week. fabrics and mood. Canada-born designer Erdem There was also a traditionally tailored tweed suit, as Moralioglu focused almost entirely on long, tightly fitting,

Models wear creations by Pringle of Scotland during their Autumn/Winter 2017 show. lifestyle TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017

FEATURES

Revelers attend the ceremony to purify the Sambadome (known as Sapucai).

Revelers take part in the ceremony to purify the Sambadome (known as Sapucai) in preparation for the world-famous samba carnival. Brazil's economy puts damper on Rio carnival

he Rio carnival is a celebration of joyful excess val," said Jorge Silveira, artistic director at the but deep recession in Brazil means that samba Viradouro, which won the whole contest back in 1997. Tschools are thinking about their budgets as "By chance I've discovered real treasures in our props much as their dance moves. "Here the key word is aus- department and I've got around the crisis by recycling Revelers take part in the ceremony to purify the Sambadome (known as terity," says Luiz Carlos Magalhaes, president of the all sorts of things," he said, seated on a float made in Sapucai) in preparation for the world-famous samba carnival in Rio de Portela samba school, which has won the prestigious the shape of a huge cake. Janeiro, Brazil. annual parade contest in the Sambodromo more than Even if Viradouro's hangar is smaller and less mod- any other school. Like football teams, the samba ern than the facilities used by Special Group schools, schools are organized in divisions and their contests Silveira knows the conditions he is working in are a are judged on strict criteria where the slightest slip great deal better than those encountered by lower costs points. divisions. For the third to fifth levels, the contests are That need to pay attention to detail is giving not held in the specially built Sambodromo stadium organizers at top-ranked schools a headache as they but along Intendente Magalhaes Road in the working prepare for battle on February 25-26 at a time of class north of Rio. They do not benefit from television increasingly thin budgets. "We're living day to day. We rights. "It's my fifth carnival and it's definitely the The Christ is lit with special Led lights by French artist raise money with dinner dances at our headquarters worst of the lot. It's a lot harder this year," said Tatiana Gaspare Di Caro on the Corcovado hill. and see how much we made before we go out to buy Santos, president of the Arranco do Engenho school the feathers and sequins," Magalhaes said. Every in the fourth division. school in the first division, known as the Special "Our subsidy comes in installments and we've not Group, gets six million reais (about $2 million) from a got more than 70 percent so far. The rest will only be mixture of city subsidies and proceeds from television paid after carnival-we'll use it to pay our debts," said coverage. They also raise money through sponsorship Santos, 37, in the dusty hangar where her school and-although none openly admit this-funding from puts together its show. One way of surviving this illegal gambling rackets. Portela is in trouble, year was to make the parade a homage to first-divi- Magalhaes said, because "our main sponsor dropped sion school Salgueiro, which was flattered and us at the last minute. We've really had to bend over loaned the samba minnows costumes and a float. backwards to make it work." At another top-division Fabio Augusto, president of fifth division Tupy de school, organizers ended up giving free meals instead Vraz de Pina, has also had to go scrounging. "We're of pay to the small army employed to sew costumes. living from donations. We've gone from hangar to hangar at the big schools and got all sorts of things," Scrounging he said. And things are not as bad as they were. Down in the second division, things are more com- "When I took over the school two years ago, we did- plicated. They get only a third of the subsidies given n't even have drum sticks," he said. — AFP to the top flight and sponsors have little interest in chipping in. "Not only do we have less funds but the Revelers attend the ceremony to purify the Sambadome (known as materials are more expensive too. That's why we've A man wearing the Brazilian colors poses in front of the Sapucai). had to innovate, trying to create an alternative carni- statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Hill in Rio de Janeiro. — AP/AFP photos In the wake of Viking explorers, a North Atlantic cruise

ooking out over the sea, you can almost see the Viking tourists - at least not yet. In Scotland's remote Shetland Islands, rougher en route to Iceland, with 80-90 mph gusts and 45-foot rant, plus specialty settings where reservations are requested. longboat at sail, far off in the distance. Or that may just be hearty cheers of men clad in Viking outfits greeted passengers waves. The motion took a toll on glasses, dishes, liquor bottles Entrees included European, Russian and Asian dishes. Reindeer Lyour imagination, teased by the whitecaps and swells, as walking off the gangway in Lerwick. Those outfits are also worn and some passengers' stomachs, but the nimble-footed servers consomme and poached Norwegian salmon were part of our you trace the route taken a millennium ago by so many intrepid when they torch a replica Viking galley as the highlight of the Up (representing a diverse array of nationalities) performed five-course meal, each course served with a different wine, in seafarers. The image played out as we made our way across the Helly A' winter festival, a local tradition. In Nanortalik ("Place of admirably as they balanced loaded trays. The Chef's Table. North Atlantic on the Viking Star. Launched in 2015, the 930-pas- the Polar Bears"), a town of roughly 1,300 at the mouth of a fjord The storm gave way to sunny weather in Reykjavik, where we In addition to the shops, salon, theatre, bars, library, laundry senger ship was the first ocean-going vessel to set sail for Viking in southwestern Greenland, villagers delighted visitors with a luxuriated in the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal pool of 102-degree and other amenities including verandas off all staterooms, the Cruises, known for its fleet of longships plying rivers of Europe, church concert where they sang in Inuit. The cruise to the village mineral-rich, milky-blue water surrounded by walls of black lava. Viking Star offers space - enough room in public areas so that Russia, China, Southeast Asia and Egypt. featured breathtaking scene after scene of towering mountains Then it was on to Greenland and our Canadian ports. In you don't constantly feel wedged in a crowd. There's no casino Responding to a demand for more destination-oriented trips, and glaciers edging toward the fjord. The sun-splashed view was Newfoundland, persistent ocean swells delayed trips on smaller on board (for us, a plus). The Wake of the Vikings cruise featured Viking looked to the sea, offering itineraries to the Baltic, so awe-inspiring that the captain at one point stopped the ship boats from the Star to shore. Trips to L'Anse aux Meadows ran so excellent speakers on voyage-related topics. Among them: What Mediterranean, Caribbean and North America. Just as the and spun it 360 degrees so nothing was missed. Some passen- late that some passengers could not even board a launch. causes the northern lights we saw last night? Why the geother- Norsemen ventured off into the unknown, Viking Cruises was gers were invited into homes of locals who wanted to display Disappointment, yes, but no mutiny. Viking acknowledged the mal springs in Iceland? What about Norse women? And the ulti- sailing into somewhat uncharted territory with its "In the Wake their crafts and culture. In Qaqortoq, a young woman eager to weather-related curtailments and offered $250-per-person cred- mate myth-buster: Did you know that Vikings didn't have horns of the Vikings" voyage, a 15-day trip first offered in the fall of practice English joined us as we walked in town and spoke of its for a future cruise. on their helmets? 2016. The sailing will be repeated in September 2017. her dream to travel beyond her island home. Full-service restaurant New and intriguing Milky-blue water Although the northern route may elicit shivers from some, Last fall's itinerary began in Bergen, Norway (flights from the At L'Anse aux Meadows, the northern tip of Newfoundland the weather for most of the voyage was pleasant and warm If you go US were booked through the cruise line) and continued on to where Leif Erikson arrived in the late 900s, we marveled at the enough to sit on the open deck for meals or drinks. Even in less- Lerwick, Scotland; Torshavn, Faroe Islands; Reykjavik, Iceland; remains of the Norse village unearthed in the 1960s, revising balmy weather, some passengers took to whirlpools on deck VIKING CRUISES: "In the Wake of the Vikings" 15-day Nanortalik and Qaqortoq, Greenland; L'Anse aux Meadows, longstanding notions of who "discovered" Vinland. Just as the (although we opted for opulent indoor spa, which also featured itineraries depart Sept 9 and Sept 23 from Bergen, Newfoundland; Saguenay, Quebec City, and Montreal, Quebec. Vikings faced the Atlantic's mercurial moods, the Viking Star got saunas and a snow grotto, where snowflakes descend through Norway. Prices listed in January began at $5,749 with The stops appealed to me and my wife as out-of-the-ordinary a taste of what the ocean can dish out. After warm and sunny the chilled air). The ship's two swimming pools include one pro- airfare $1,095. — AP ports. No palm trees and sandy beaches here. This was some- late-September weather in Bergen and Lerwick, rough seas pre- tected from the weather by a retractable glass roof. Dining thing new and intriguing, taking us to places not inundated by vented us from stopping at the Faroe Islands. It got even options range from a cafeteria-style cafe to a full-service restau-

This fall 2016 photo shows the historic waterfront, a Shows locals costumed as Vikings awaiting passengers Iceland's famous Blue Lagoon, one of a dozen geothermal A view of Qaqortoq, Greenland, overlooking the bay. UNESCO World Heritage site, in Bergen, Norway, where from the Viking Star cruise ship in Lerwick, Shetland pools in the country. the Viking Star cruise ship began its two-week "In the Islands, Scotland, where the ship called during its "In the Wake of the Vikings" cruise. — AP photos Wake of the Vikings" cruise. lifestyle TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017

FAETURES

Members of the Pakistani transgender community dance at a party in Peshawar.

Shakeela (third right), a member of the Pakistani transgender community, cuts cake with guests during a party in Peshawar. — AFP photos Paro, a member of the Pakistani transgender community, designing embroidery on dresses for their community members at her residence in Peshawar. Pakistan's third sex seeks a reformation

arzana draws all eyes when she dances, with the twist of with Afghanistan. Sohana, 24, fled in 2008 from Kurram tribal her hips and hair — but today she is above all the voice district, where the Taleban had banished dancing and music, Fof a Pakistani community with an ambiguous status: the and forced men to grow beards. "If I had stayed, I would be khawajasiras. The 30-year-old is a guru, a matriarch at the dead by now," she says. But in Peshawar, the UN helped only Marriage, sex, and head of a "family" of several hundred khawajasiras, an displaced families. "We had no help from anyone... We started umbrella term in Pakistan denoting a third sex that includes protesting," says the young woman, concealing beneath her transsexuals, transvestites and eunuchs. She is co-founder shawl the curves she has created with silicone implants. "Many being LGBT in Pakistan and president of TransAction, a rights organization launched people spoke out, saying that people like us also need to have in 2015 in Peshawar, capital of deeply conservative Khyber our rights respected," says Sohana, who nevertheless despairs Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. Faced with brutal aggression and of ever being tolerated by her family. akistan's transgender community, known as daily humiliation, this solid Pashtun, whose hoarse voice TransAction now has 40,000 followers on its Facebook page, "khawajasiras" or "hijras", are now fighting for betrays her birth sex, "filed complaints in almost every KP and local newspapers have become sympathetic in their cover- Pchange. Usually shunned by their families, the police station"-but in vain. age of hijras, reviving the debate on their status in Pakistan. "A victims of beatings and rapes, they are often con- "More than 50 khawajasiras were killed in 2015 and 2016 in lot of NGOs have worked with the transgender community, but demned to a life of begging or prostitution. The situa- KP alone," she says, recounting with fatalistic calm how she was mostly focused on HIV, whereas (TransAction's) priority was tion is complicated by the deeply conservative, tradi- repeatedly raped and blackmailed by police. The status of protection from violence, harassment, attacks and extortion," tional Muslim country's views of sex and sexuality. khawajasiras-also known as hijras-is opaque in Pakistan to say said Qamar Naseem, a women's rights activist who helped the least. Modern-day Pakistani transgender people claim to be TransAction to be heard. Perhaps the most famous case to be Members of the Pakistani transgender community attend Sex in Pakistan cultural heirs of the eunuchs who thrived at the courts of the highlighted was that of Alisha, who died after an assault in May a party in Peshawar. The law only permits heterosexual relationships Mughal emperors that ruled the Indian subcontinent for two last year because, her supporters said, she did not receive treat- within marriage. Sexual relations outside marriage are centuries until the British arrived in the 19th century and ment at the gender-segregated hospital in Peshawar in time punishable by imprisonment. For women, virginity is banned them. Later, Pakistan became one of the first countries due to her identity. an important condition for marriage, the vast majority in the world to legally recognize a third sex. They number at of which are still agreed and arranged by parents and least half a million people in the country, according to several Creations of Allah family members. The suspicion of an unlawful love studies-up to two million, say TransAction. Against all odds, conservative and Islamist lawmakers are relationship, or even regular communication with a sensitive to their cause. "They are a creature of God. Allah's cre- man, could see a woman killed by her relatives in the ation. They should have their rights, as we have," said conserva- name of "honor". tive MP Amina Sardar, who spearheaded legislation supporting political franchise for khawajasiras. "This is what I preach. Hijras What if you're gay? are Muslim, same human beings (as us), with the same rights," Homosexuality, prohibited by Islam, is punishable said Mullah Tayyab Qureshi, imam of the main Peshawar by 10 years imprisonment or even 100 lashes. While mosque. Several support measures have already been voted in, homosexuals are viewed with derision, in the case of and KP is working on a transgender protection program which, men, few would identify themselves as gay so long as if passed, will become the second adopted by a province in they are the "active" partner. Homosexuals identified South Asia, Nasim said. as "passive" are ostracized in patriarchal Pakistan. But access to education and employment is a major chal- Known as zenana, they wear men's clothes but display lenge for these women. Most khawajasiras say they have been A member of the Pakistani transgender community effeminate behavior. Some from this group form a abandoned or bullied to the point of fleeing their families, often dances next to Shakeela (right) at her party in Peshawar. community who are traditionally both close to and as they approach adolescence, when their effeminate behavior rivals of the hijras, the third sex. Lesbians, meanwhile, becomes intolerable in a patriarchal society where homosexual- are all but invisible. ity is illegal. The community is also weakened by the practices Members of the Pakistani transgender community attend of some so-called "gurus" who act as merciless pimps, exploit- What is the third sex? a party in Peshawar. ing disoriented young people instead of behaving as the pro- Hijras, or khawajasiras, are those born male but tective adoptive mothers most pride themselves on being. who identify as women. They are perceived as a third Since 2009, they have been able to obtain an identity card as Paro, who left her parents and school aged 11, was prostitut- sex and have been able to hold Pakistani identity cards "khawajasiras", and several have run in elections. A Lahore court ed, raped, and shot before joining TransAction. "I've liked danc- since 2009. There is no term for women who identify has ruled they should be counted in the next census, set to be ing since I was a child, but nobody respects that," she sighs. She as men. In Islam, a Surah popular among the hijras says held this year. Like Farzana, many earn their living by being cut down on her dance performances and launched a small Allah "creates what He wants"-"girls", "boys", or "both called upon for rituals such as blessing newborns or to bring life embroidery business after the killing of her friend Alisha. In her boys and girls". Sexual intercourse between a man and to weddings and parties as dancers-and, sometimes, in more sweet pink room, she creates flamboyant outfits for other hijras. a hijra is not considered homosexuality, even if it clandestine ways. But despite these signs of integration they On the wall, two screens: one broadcasts music clips, but the amounts to the same action. live daily as pariahs, often reduced to begging and prostitution, other is the video surveillance she installed in front of her door- subjected to extortion and discrimination. six TransAction leaders have been assaulted because of their How do hijras see themselves? activism. — AFP Almost all hijras claim they have been born in a Media empathy man's body with "a woman's mind". They say they are The catalyst for TransAction's mobilization in Peshawar was Shakeela (center), a member of the Pakistani transgender cultural heirs to a glorious past as eunuchs during the the exclusion of transgenders from aid to populations fleeing community, sits with community member guests at her Mughal dynasty, when they were part of the elite-as Talebanisation and fighting in the tribal areas on the border party in Peshawar. harem guardians, artists, but also generals, like Malik Kafur in the fourteenth century. Some Hijras use hor- mones and silicone to enhance their feminine features, often injected without proper medical supervision, to shape their bodies-but full, expensive sex-reassign- ment operations cannot be done in Pakistan. Their effeminate behavior can cause families to reject them, and they often end up in the power of a so-called "guru", with the risk of commercial sexual exploitation that implies. — AFP

Members of the Pakistani transgender community dance at a party in Peshawar. Members of the Pakistani transgender community dance at a party in Peshawar.

Shakeela (second right), a member of the Pakistani trans- A member of the Pakistani transgender community A member of the Pakistani transgender community gender community, shares cake with guests at her party in dances at a party in Peshawar. dances at Shakeela's party in Peshawar. A member of the Pakistani transgender community Peshawar. attends a party in Peshawar. Pakistan's third sex seeks a reformation

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 39

China's Inner Mongolia Art Troupe

Dancers from China's Inner Mongolia Art Troupe perform at the Abdulhusain Abdulredha Theatre in Kuwait City on February 19, 2017. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Co-defendant in French art heist says, he destroyed paintings

co-defendant in one of the world's biggest art heists testi- "I threw them into the trash," Birn repeated three times at the Corvez said he initially gave Tomic a plastic bag containing fied in court yesterday that he destroyed and threw away court bar, in tears. "I made the worst mistake of my existence." 40,000 euros ($43,000) in small denominations just for the Leger Afive art masterpieces worth more than $100 million that Neither the investigating judge nor other defendants at the trial because he was unsure he would get buyers for the other paint- were stolen by a thief nicknamed "the spider-man." Yonathan believe Birn's claims. The investigators are convinced the five ings. Corvez became worried about keeping the artworks in his Birn was among three people who went on trial in the case yes- paintings have been taken out of France, but they have not been shop after several months and showed them to his friend Birn, a terday. The five paintings stolen in 2010 from the French capital's able to prove that, court documents show. Birn's co-defendants 40-year-old expert and dealer in luxury watches. Birn said he city Museum of Modern Art - a Picasso, a Matisse, a Modigliani, a testified he was "too smart" to destroy the masterpieces. agreed to buy the Modigliani for 80,000 euros ($86,000) and to Braque and a Fernand Leger - have never been found. Lead suspect Vjeran Tomic, dubbed "the spider-man" by store the others in his studio. The Modigliani was hidden in a French news media, has been convicted 14 times in the past, bank safe, he said. notably for thefts. Authorities found climbing gear at his home: Birn said he panicked when police began investigating and gloves, ropes, harness, climbing shoes and suction cups. Tomic finally one day in May 2011 he retrieved the Modigliani from the testified that around 3 am on May 20, 2010, he broke into the safe, returned to his workshop to break the stretcher bars on all museum near the Eiffel Tower with apparent ease, taking advan- the canvasses with fierce kicks and then threw them all into the tage of supposed failures in the security, alarm and video-sur- building's trash. Tomic is charged with stealing public cultural veillance systems. "Spider-man" removed the glass from a bay property, while Corvez and Birn are accused of receiving stolen window without breaking it, cut the padlock of the metal grid goods. The three men are also accused of taking part in a crimi- behind it, allowing him to then move from one room to another nal conspiracy to commit the thefts. without arousing the guards' suspicions. Both Corvez and Birn can be sentenced up to 10 years in Tomic was there to steal a painting by Fernand Leger and prison if convicted. Tomic faces up to 20 years in prison as a possibly a Modigliani ordered by a third defendant, 61-year-old repeat offender. The trial is expected to resume later this week. antiques dealer Jean-Michel Corvez, who confessed to being a After he was questioned, Tomic said he was sure Birn didn't receiver of stolen goods. Tomic said that when he came across destroy the paintings and wants him to say where they are locat- the Picasso, the Matisse and the Braque paintings, he decided to ed. "These are my artworks," he said. — AP This file photo taken on May 21, 2004 shows a visitor look- Chief suspect Vjeran Tomic faces the media at court for his take them as well. Several hours after the headline-making bur- ing at the painting "La Femme ‡ l'Èventail" (Woman with a trial in Paris, yesterday, accused of involvement in one of glary, Tomic said, he offered the five paintings to Corvez, who Fan) by Amedeo Modigliani during an exhibition at The the world's biggest art heists. — AP said he was "totally stunned" by them. Jewish Museum in New York. — AFP