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SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 RABI ALAWWAL 13, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Hundreds of Lebanon Indonesia West Brom senior citizens imposes visas pledges AirAsia stroll on abandoned on Syrians probe as plane Pulis bow, in hospitals2 for first8 time parts12 found Newcastle20 out Govt faces heat after Min 09º Max 23º High Tide raising diesel prices 12:31 & 22:53 Low Tide MPs slam price gouging, want decision reversed 06:01 & 17:33 40 PAGES NO: 16392 150 FILS Saudis to reopen By B Izzak KUWAIT: A large number of MPs yesterday criticized the Baghdad embassy government and specifically the ministry of commerce for failing to take necessary actions on the conse- DUBAI: A Saudi delegation will travel to Baghdad in quences of lifting subsidies on diesel and kerosene, with the coming week to start preparations to reopen an some MPs demanding an immediate reversal of the embassy in the Iraqi capital for the first time in 25 decision. The government began implementing the first years, official Saudi media said yesterday. A thaw in lifting of public subsidies with the start of the New Year, the once chilly relations between Sunni-ruled Saudi raising the price of diesel and kerosene to 170 fils per Arabia and Shiite-led Iraq could help strengthen a litre from just 55 fils. regional alliance against Islamic State militants who A number of local sectors have been affected by the have seized territory in Iraq and Syria. three-fold increase, especially activities related to trans- Saudi Arabia closed its Baghdad embassy in 1990 port and use of the fuels. According to some MPs, some after the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded Iranian bread bakeries have decided to shut down, say- Kuwait. It has long accused Iraq of being too close to ing they cannot cope with the increase in the price of Shiite Iran, its main regional rival, and of encourag- kerosene which they use abundantly in their ovens, espe- ing sectarian discrimination against Sunnis, a charge cially since the price of Iranian flatbread has not been Baghdad denies. The Saudi move would help return increased for many years. But the chairman of the Kuwait Iraq to the Arab nation “after an absence since the Cooperative Societies Union Ali Hassan announced that toppling of the Saddam Hussein regime and the the union has struck an agreement with KNPC and the penetration of the Iranian regime into the joints of ministry of commerce to exclude the kerosene provided the Iraqi state,” said Abdullah Al-Askar, head of the to Iranian bakeries operating in various co-ops from the foreign affairs committee on Saudi Arabia’s Shoura new prices. Council, which advises the government on policy. MP Youssef Al-Zalzalah said the rise in the price of Saudi Arabia began cautious moves towards rap- diesel has become an excuse for companies to raise prochement after the appointment in August of prices, adding that a large number of concrete compa- Haider Al-Abadi as Iraq’s new prime minister. Senior nies have informed their customers that they will raise members of the kingdom’s ruling Al Saud dynasty their charges due to the rise in diesel prices. The lawmak- had branded his predecessor, Nuri Al-Maliki, a pup- er demanded to know the supposed role of the com- pet of Iran, according to US embassy cables released JERUSALEM: A member of the Palestinian scouts raises a baton during a ceremony commemorating the merce ministry’s consumer protection department to Continued on Page 13 birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) outside the Dome of the Rock in the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, intervene to stop such artificial and unjustified price rises. Islam’s third holiest site, yesterday. — AFP Continued on Page 13 Tycoon slams Saudi fiscal policy RIYADH: Billionaire Prince producer in the Organisation of prince said. As a result of failing Alwaleed bin Talal has lashed out the Petroleum Exporting to check rising spending, a total at the Saudi fiscal policy after Countries, also said it estimates of $53 billion will be withdrawn projecting the largest ever budg- 2014 actual budget deficit at from fiscal reserves, estimated at et deficit for 2015 following the $14.4 billion as both spending $750 billion, in just two years, he slump in oil prices. “We have and revenues far exceeded pro- said. reached the danger point... after jections. Alwaleed also criticised the starting to withdraw from the Alwaleed, a member of the way Saudi reserves are invested, reserves,” to meet the budget Saudi ruling family and the saying because most of them are shortfall, Alwaleed said in a letter wealthiest Arab private investor, invested in US and European addressed to the finance minis- said Riyadh should not have let bonds, they have low yields at ter. Last week, the world’s biggest spending rise above projections, around 2.4 percent annually. The crude exporter announced an especially after oil prices began reserves are currently managed expansionary 2015 budget with to decline. Oil income con- by the Saudi Arabian Monetary the largest-ever deficit of $38.6 tributes about 90 percent of pub- Agency, or the central bank. billion. lic revenues in the OPEC kingpin Alwaleed called for the creation It projected spending at which pumps around 9.6 million of an independent sovereign Alwaleed bin Talal $229.3 billion, a slight rise from barrels per day. If the govern- wealth fund to invest the Brent crude, Saudi Arabia is last year’s estimates, and rev- ment had contained last year’s reserves and increase the returns expected to lose half of its oil rev- KARAK, Jordan: Safi Yousef Al-Kaseasbeh, the father of Jordanian pilot 1st Lt enues of $276 billion posted in Muath Al-Kaseasbeh, and Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal greet each enues at $190.7 billion, sharply spending within projections, a to around 7-8 percent. If oil prices down from $228 billion projected surplus of at least $50 billion remain at the current level of 2013. Oil income in 2014 was other as the patriarch and other Christian clergymen visit the Kaseasbeh family estimated at $248 billion. — AFP to show their support and solidarity yesterday. — AP in 2014. Saudi Arabia, the lead would have been posted, the under $60 a barrel for benchmark Father of captured pilot Amal Clooney Qaeda suspect dies asks IS to treat him well threatened with days before US trial AII, Jordan: The father of the Jordanian has been no word on Kaseasbeh or his pilot captured by the Islamic State group fate. arrest in Egypt NEW YORK: A Libyan accused over the 1998 He was questioned by the agents on appealed yesterday to the militants to The Islamic State group follows an Al-Qaeda bombings of US embassies in Africa board the flight, initially waiving his right to a treat his son well and with respect. The extremist version of Islam that considers LONDON: British human rights lawyer Amal Clooney died on Friday, days before he was to stand lawyer, during which he made an incriminat- pilot, 1st Lt Muath Al-Kaseasbeh, was tak- rivals, even some fellow Sunni Muslims, as claimed in an interview published yesterday that she trial in New York, his lawyer and family said. ing statement. But Libi had sought to sup- en captive on Dec 24 after his F-16 fighter apostates, and the group has executed was threatened with arrest in Egypt after identifying Abu Anas Al-Libi, 50, was on the FBI’s most- press the statement in court, saying he was jet crashed near the extremists’ de facto captured Iraqi and Syrian Muslim soldiers flaws in the judicial system that later contributed to wanted list with a $5 million price on his head on hunger strike at the time, raising ques- when he was captured by US troops in the capital of Raqqa in northern Syria. The 26- in the past. Still, the group may want to the convictions of three Al-Jazeera journalists. tions about the extent to which he was cog- year-old Jordanian is the first known for- negotiate a prisoner swap or other con- Libyan capital Tripoli in Oct 2013. He and nizant when he waived his rights. Clooney, a rights lawyer who married Hollywood star Saudi businessman Khalid Al-Fawwaz were Investigators told the court Libi had informed eign military pilot to fall into the militants’ cessions from Jordan. George Clooney in a lavish Venice ceremony last year, due to stand trial on Jan 12 over the attacks them of the hunger strike during the flight, hands since the US-led international coali- Separately, militants linked to the helped compile a report for on the US embassies in Kenya but that he had been hooked up tion began its aerial campaign against the Islamic State group rounded up dozens of the International Bar and Tanzania that killed 224 peo- to an IV and under medical IS in September. men from two villages in northern Iraq Association in Feb 2014 that ple and wounded around 5,000. supervision. He was responsive, Speaking to reporters from his home following a quarrel that led to the burning raised questions about the Libi, a computer expert, died understood his rights, knowingly village of Aii in central Jordan, the pilot’s of the extremist group’s flag, tribal leaders independence of judges at a hospital in the New York waived them and spoke willing- father, Safi Yousef Al-Kaseasbeh, said yes- said yesterday. The latest move by the and prosecutors in Egypt. area on Friday, his lawyer ly, and at no point appeared terday that he is “confident” that his son is extremist militants came as the United “When I went to launch Bernard Kleinman told The confused, investigator George “in safe hands in a place where he is Nations said that last year saw the highest the report, first of all they Washington Post, saying the Corey said. respected”. “I want to tell our brothers in causality figures in Iraq in over five years. stopped us from doing it in health of his client - who had In an indictment, prosecutors the Islamic State that Muath is your son Two sheikhs said the militants entered Cairo,” she told the advanced liver cancer -had dete- accused Libi of discussing in riorated significantly in the last 1993 possible attacks against the same as he is our son,” Kaseasbeh said. a mosque in the village of Shajara on Guardian newspaper. “They “My message to them on this day, the Friday as worshipers gathered for prayers, month. Libi and Fawwaz both US embassy in Nairobi, and of said: ‘Does the report criti- birthday of the Prophet Muhammad removing flags commemorating the birth previously pleaded not guilty to carrying out surveillance of the cise the army, the judiciary, Abu Anas Al-Libi (PBUH), is that they treat him in a good of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and hoist- Amal Clooney conspiracy charges. A third sus- diplomatic mission. In or around or the government?’ We way, and to treat him as a guest.” ing their own black Islamic State group pect, Egyptian Adel Abdel Bary, 1994, the indictment said, he The younger Kaseasbeh was carrying flag. That prompted a verbal quarrel said: ‘Well, yes.’ They said: ‘Well then, you’re risking last year pleaded guilty to playing a role in received files concerning possible attacks out airstrikes against the militants when between the militants and the worship- arrest,’” said Clooney, who is one of the lawyers rep- the 1998 attacks. against the embassy, the US Agency for his warplane went down. In its monthly pers, who later burned the Islamic State resenting one of the trio of Al-Jazeera reporters cur- Libi’s son Abdel Mouin told CNN by tele- International Development, and British, magazine, the Islamic State group pub- group flag. The militants then snatched rently detained in Cairo. The report, based on a fact- phone from Tripoli early yesterday that his French and Israeli targets in Nairobi. However, father had been in a coma before his death defense lawyer Kleinman says Libi was inno- lished what it said was an interview with up around 140 men from their homes in finding mission made in mid-2013, warned about and that the family holds the US government cent and had cut his ties with Al-Qaeda Kaseasbeh in which the pilot says he was Shajara and from the nearby village of the wide powers that ministers had over judges and highlighted a record of selective prosecutions. “fully responsible” for his demise. Libi, who before the 1998 attacks. The United States shot down by a heat-seeking missile. That Ghariba village, both around 70 km out- also suffered from hepatitis C, was detained faced criticism after the raid in which Libi was version contradicts statements from the side the northern city of Kirkuk. Around Supporters of the three Al-Jazeera journalists, who were detained in Dec 2013 and accused of by US commandos on Oct 5, 2013, and inter- captured as he was parking his car in Tripoli, United States, which has denied that the 100 of the men were later released, while rogated on board a US warship before being with Libya denouncing it as a kidnapping and militants downed the Jordanian’s aircraft. the rest remained in captivity, the sheikhs spreading false information and aiding the black handed over to FBI agents on Oct 12 and rights groups accusing Washington of violat- Other than the purported interview, there said. — AP Continued on Page 13 flown to New York. ing his fundamental human rights. — AFP SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 LOCAL

Crime Report Toddler drowns during picnic

KUWAIT: A two-year-old girl drowned during a family picnic, said security sources, noting that a mother rushed the infant to hospital but she had already died. A case was filed and further investi- gations are in progress.

Playground accident A 12-year-old child was seriously injured when he bounced out of a trampoline in an amusement park and fell on the ground, said security sources. An ambulance was dis- patched to the scene and the boy was taken to hospital for treatment.

Motorist assaulted A citizen sustained various injuries including a broken nose, a stab and various cuts and bruises when four people forced him to pull his vehicle over and assaulted him in Reqqa. The man was rushed to Adan Hospital’s ICU.

Divers remove 80 tons Maids arrested Three Filipina maids were arrested on arrival of waste in Sulaibikhat at Kuwait airport with expired cosmetics and creams, said security sources. KUWAIT: The Kuwait Dive Team of the team’s volunteers to clean the marine envi- Environmental Voluntary Foundation (EVF) ronment from harmful waste such as plastic removed yesterday up to 80 tons of waste in materials, tires and discarded fishing nets. east of Sulaibikhat coast in collaboration The environmental team will continue Search for fake cops with Kuwait Municipality and Environment its work tomorrow to clear the entire Two Iranian brothers reported that four people Public Authority. coast, Shatti pointed out. He called on the impersonating as police detectives broke barged The cleaning of east Sulaibikhat coast is beach-goers not to throw their waste in into their Mangaf apartment and stole KD 2,850, one of the major environmental projects of the Gulf waters as it damages marine envi- said security sources. The brothers said that claim- Kuwait Dive Team, said the team’s marine ronment. He also urged tougher sanctions ing to be police detectives, the four assailants held operations’ officer Waleed Al-Shatti. He laud- against violators of environment protec- ed the government’s cooperation with the tion laws. — KUNA them in one of the rooms while they searched the flat and stole the money. The assailants even pre- tended to take one of the brothers to the police station and let him go a few blocks away. A case Hundreds of senior citizens was filed and further investigations are in progress. abandoned in hospitals Bullets for sale On a sudden inspection campaign at the Relatives refuse to take them back home Friday market, detectives found a number of 16 mm bullets inside a basket offered for KUWAIT: A high-ranking health ministry official blew the for not ‘shouldering its responsibilities towards citizens’,” sale, said security sources. whistle on a very tragic issue, declaring that Kuwaiti public explained the official. hospitals were full of hundreds of senior citizens who had fin- Moreover, the official explained that most of the senior citi- ished receiving medical care and needed to go back home zens suffered from chronic diseases that could be dealt with at where family bonds would help cure them and relieve their home, but instead were receiving such care by nurses in pri- DUI pain. “Unfortunately, those senior citizens’ relatives have been vate rooms that are badly needed for more critical cases. “We A drunken man was arrested driving a stolen vehi- refusing to take them home,” he revealed. cannot force a citizen out of a private hospital room, but cle and carrying around a gun and a butcher’s Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said that where will they go as long as their relatives refuse taking cleaver in Firdous, said security sources. Case the scores of patients aged 60 to 90 had already received the them?” the official exclaimed. medical treatment they needed and had to be discharged. In addition, the official stressed that these patients’ rela- papers indicate that a police patrol suspected a “Nonetheless, those patients’ ungrateful children or relatives tives had been repeatedly reminded that senior citizens get vehicle and on stopping it, found the driver was who had not been so visiting them left them in hospital for enough social security pensions, including KD 559 to all heavily drunk and the vehicle turned out to be months,” added the official, noting that many of the patients’ women over fifty, granting widows their late husbands’ pen- reported stolen. Searching the vehicle, policemen children and relatives had been notified of the need to dis- sions, men’s pension, senior citizens’ care, house call doctors found the gun and the knife. A case was field. charge the patients. “Some of them promised to take them and medical care at home. He added that despite being home, while others got angry for being told so and blamed threatened that such incentives might be stopped if their cas- the hospitals for what they described as ‘interfering in person- es were reported, many of the relatives have not responded al affairs’ and immediately started criticizing the medical body and still kept their ageing relatives in hospitals. — Al-Rai Family driver charged A female citizen reported that her driver stole KD 400 and his passport from her purse when she left it inside the vehicle, said secu- New university to be named rity sources, noting that a case was filed and after ‘Humanitarian Leader’ a search is on for the driver. KUWAIT: Well-informed governmental Leader’ His Highness the Amir Sheikh sources said that the government will build Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. ‘Missing’ girl found a third university within the Sabah Al- Academics welcomed the move and A bedoon girl in her twenties, who had been Salem University campus that also includes called to focus on technical majors that will Jaber University in order to meet the grow- help achieve HH the Amir’s view of turning reported missing by her family, was arrested in a ing demand for university education. The Kuwait into a regional financial hub. The vehicle with a young bedoon man in Andalus, said sources added that in appreciation for his sources highlighted that building a new security sources. The girl told the police that she support to science, the new university university would help cut the cost of local had eloped from her family’s house and called her would be named after ‘Humanitarian and overseas scholarships. — Al-Anbaa boyfriend, who picked her up and took her to his house, where she had been living before they were arrested.

Bad luck A kind-hearted Indian man who stopped to offer help to some unidentified people near their broken vehicle in Saad Al-Abdullah was brutally repaid for his benevolence as the people supposedly in distress pointed a knife in his face, forced him out of his car and stole it.

The scene after the fire was put out. Fugitive nabbed An Asian man was arrested on arrival at Kuwait air- Three killed in port for being wanted for a robbery, said security separate collisions sources.

Reckless drivers By Hanan Al-Saadoun Warehouse robbery Following up on a raid on two Wafra farms The manager of a cooking gas ware- on January 1 where many sports cars were KUWAIT: A citizen was instantly house in Nahda reported that unidenti- confiscated, security sources said that 33 killed and three others were serious- fied robbers had broken into the ware- young men were arrested as the owners but ly injured in a collision along Wafra house and stolen KD 77 in cash in addition they denied owning any of the confiscated highway, said security sources, not- to a truck loaded with 85 empty cylinders, cars, especially that none of them had regis- ing that the injured people were said security sources. A case was filed and trations. The young men were accordingly rushed to hospital for treatment. further investigations are in progress. released on bail pending further investiga- Separately, a 22-year-old citizen died tions. when his ATV collided with a vehicle Spa fire along King Fahd Highway, said secu- A fire broke out yesterday morning at rity sources. In another accident, an a hotel’s spa, said security sources. They 18-year-old citizen was killed when noted that firefighters from Salmiya and Fireworks his vehicle rammed into a lamppost Mishref fire stations rushed to the scene Eleven peddlers were arrested along Khairan road in Waha in Jahra, said security and managed to put the blaze under with fireworks and charcoal they sold to campers, sources. control. No injuries were reported. said security sources. SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 LOCAL Iranian bakeries to get kerosene at old prices

By A Saleh material prices in the aftermath of the lift- ing of diesel subsidies a clear example of KUWAIT: Chairman of the Kuwait the government’s weakness and its contra- Cooperative Societies Union Ali Hassan dicting and random decisions. He also announced that the union has struck an stressed that lawmakers will not stand by agreement with KNPC and the Ministry of watching. “We will activate all monitoring Commerce to exclude the kerosene provid- and legislative tools to face and stop any ed to Iranian (tannour) bakeries operating in unjustified price increases,” he stressed, not- various co-ops from the new prices. Hassan ing that lawmakers had warned the govern- added that according to the agreement, all ment of the possible consequences of co-ops would receive the amount needed to unstudied measures such as lifting fuel sub- run the bakeries at the old prices so as not sidies. to affect both shareholders and consumers. “Such a decision should have been accompanied by a package of decisions to Unfit minister help protect consumers against some mer- Addressing His Highness the Prime chants’ greed,” he underlined, noting that Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, such merchants have been always taking MP Abdullah Al-Turaiji charged that the advantage of the government’s weakness Minister of Commerce and Industry to boost their bank accounts at the expense Abdulmohsen Al-Mudej was not fit for his of consumers. position. “If he does not know what is going on, this would be a disaster, which would be Greedy merchants even greater if knew,” he underlined, noting On his part, MP Fares Al-Otaibi slammed that the Kuwaiti people realize day by day the “privatization of citizens for the benefit that the minister is not the right person for of greedy merchants’ and the government’s this position because he had not studied the spontaneous decision without conducting possible consequences of lifting fuel subsi- any study about the possible consequences dies, namely the hike in prices of various or taking any measures to control prices. “It KUWAIT: Chances of heavy rain in Kuwait - such as seen in the picture above taken in 2013 - are unlikely this year according to meteorologists’ goods. is very clear that the presence of some predictions. — KUNA lenient ministers helps greedy merchants Prices control destroy Kuwait’s middle class because these Meanwhile, MP Khalil Al-Abdullah con- merchants think they are above the law,” he El Nino behind this year’s sidered the unjustified hikes of construction said. drought: Meteorologist

By Faten Omar drop to 5 degrees at night. It is not expected face temperature, SST, of the tropical central to rain in the coming week, he added. and eastern Pacific Ocean. KUWAIT: Kuwaiti meteorologist, astronomer El Nino is the warm phase of the El Nino El Nino is accompanied by high air pres- and historian Adel Al-Saadoun yesterday Southern Oscillation , and is associated with a sure in the western Pacific and low air pres- expected unstable weather conditions will band of warm ocean water that develops in sure in the eastern Pacific. The cool phase of continue throughout the week. “The drought the central and east-central equatorial Pacific ENSO is called “La Nina” with SST in the east- these days is due to the El Nino phenomenon, (between approximately the International ern Pacific below average and air pressures which comes every 7 years and affects the Date Line and 120W), including off the Pacific high in the eastern and low in western Pacific. entire world,” he said. He forecast that the coast of South America. El Nino Southern The ENSO cycle, both El Nino and La Nina, Minister of Commerce and Industry MP Abdullah Al-Turaiji next four days will see volatile northwesterly Oscillation refers to the cycle of warm and causes global changes of both temperatures Abdulmohsen Al-Mudej winds, a bit of chill and temperatures will cold temperatures, as measured by sea sur- and rainfall. Harassment leads Ethiopian maids to commit crimes: Envoy

KUWAIT: Ethiopian Ambassador to Kuwait Gudeta stressed that the embassy solves porarily suspended since 2013 and that bilateral Mohammed Gudeta said that the spate of vio- many domestic labor problems through proper talks were in progress to resume hiring lence committed by Ethiopian domestic laborers legal channels. “One cannot blame all Ethiopians. Gudeta also noted that he would and maids was “a reaction to harassment and Ethiopians for individual incidents - this would follow in his predecessor’s steps in holding spe- provocations they face in some houses”. Gudeta be inaccurate and unfair,” he said, noting that 3 cial awareness courses for Ethiopians newly also denied media and social media stories about million Ethiopians work in GCC states and the recruited in Kuwait to enlighten them about MP Khalil Al-Abdullah MP Fares Al-Otaibi the presence of a certain Ethiopian tribe or group fact that a few of them commit crimes does not Kuwaiti laws, tra- that adopts murder and torture as part of their incriminate them all. ditions and regu- traditions. “These are false accusations and have Moreover, the ambassador pointed out that lations. nothing to do with the recent incidents,” he said. bringing new workers to Kuwait has been tem- — Al-Jarida

Ethiopian maids’ crimes in the past six years

Date Crime March 2009 Attempted murder of a girl in Um Al-Haiman September 2010 Attempted murder of a child by suffocation using his father’s shmagh (headscarf) February 2011 Murder of a Kuwaiti bride on her wedding night August 2011 A doctor’s attempted murder in Kuwait City November 2011 A bride’s murder before her wedding day March 2014 Stab-murder of Seham Fulaiteh in Suleibikhat March 2014 Attempted murder of sponsor by a cleaver April 2014 Infant’s torture in Subahia Kuwaiti-Egyptian economic ties poise for new stage of growth Sisi’s visit to spur bilateral investments: Experts

KUWAIT: A visit by Egypt’s President cooperation accord, renewed in experts said yesterday that Sisi’s visit to Abdelfatah Al-Sisi to Kuwait tomorrow is December 2012 to cover all trade and the country is indicative of the recovery expected to give an impetus to bilateral industrial fields, standard specifications, of the Egyptian economy after a tumul- ties, economic, trade and investment in quality monitoring and small and medi- tuous period of three years. particular, as Kuwaiti non-petroleum um sized projects (SMEs), as well Saying that Kuwaiti investments in exports to Cairo more than doubled encouraging the private sector and Egypt are among the most distin- during the third quarter of 2014, com- investments. guished, Hussein Al-Kharafi, head of pared to the corresponding period in Kuwait Industries Union told KUNA that 2013. Kuwaiti businesspeople were keen on Non-petroleum exports to Egypt investing in Egypt as long as the oppor- jumped by 110 percent in Q3 in 2014, tunities existed with no red tape imped- ranking second in terms of growth after iments in their way. a 245.1 percent rise in exports to Brazil, Mohammad Al-Naqi, Chairman of according to data by Kuwait’s Ministry the Board of Kuwait Industries Holding of Commerce and Industry. Company, said on his part that the Statistics on the three months reveal Egyptian President’s visit was a clear noticeable increase in bilateral trade, as message that the door was wide open Egypt ranked 15th biggest importer for Kuwaiti investments in that country. from Kuwait, receiving non-petroleum Stressing that Kuwaiti investments products worth KD 5.2 million. Over the had a sizable presence in such Egyptian same period, Egypt ranked 18 amid the sectors as tourism and real estate, Salah word countries exporting to Kuwait Al-Sultan, consultant to Arzaq Capital with KD 29.5 million. Company, told KUNA that Al-Sisi’s visit Kuwait has always been eager on offered a great opportunity for the supporting the Egyptian economy. The Kuwaiti private sector to invest or aug- Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic ment their current investments in Egypt Development (KFAED) has offered Egypt Egyptian President Abdelfatah Al- as the latter was showing signs of stabil- 38 loans for financing projects in various Sisi ity and recovery. sectors, with a total amount of approxi- Abdulhamid Al-Awadhi, an oil mately KD 661.58 million ($2.309 bil- Last year, Egypt and Kuwait signed expert, said that energy ties between lion). It also provided nine grants and an agreement for enhancing trade and Kuwait and Egypt were strong, noting technical assistance allocations totaling industrial ties, and a MoU for coopera- that KPC provides Egypt with about half KD 1.97 million which financed techni- tion in exhibitions and conferences. In a million barrels of diesel every month cal and economic feasibility studies for November, up to 35 Egyptian firms took in addition to 100,000 barrels of crude several projects and other activities in part in a special wide scale event held oil, stressing the notion that the the country. here on real state at home. Egyptian energy market was huge and In addition, KFAED has administered Kuwait is the third biggest Arab required more investments. two grants of KD 4.8 million for the con- investor in Egypt with up to LE 12 billion Sarah Akbar, CEO of Kuwait Energy struction of schools that were affected (KD 492.4 million). This is about 25 per- Company touted her company’s invest- by the earthquake in 1992, and for the cent of Arab investments in the country. ments in Egypt which go back to 2006, reconstruction of some villages that Kuwaiti investments focus on industry, saying that most of these investments were damaged by floods in 1995. tourism, communications, construction have been created in conjunction with The two Arab countries are bound by and charity. the Egyptian government. She hoped many economic agreements, the first of that the Egyptian president’s visit would which was signed in 1964. In 1998, they Economy’s recovery lead to more cooperation on energy signed an economic and technical Meanwhile, a number of Kuwaiti investments in that country. — KUNA SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 LOCAL

EQUATE completes Turnaround, phase one of polyethylene debottlenecking

KUWAIT: EQUATE Petrochemical projects. In addition, during the TA, First Private Sector Environmental Lab, Company, Kuwait’s first international EQUATE executed the first phase of its as well as being the First Kuwaiti petrochemical joint-venture, polyethylene debottlenecking project. organization to receive Responsible announced the successful completion EQUATE’s current capacity of polyeth- Care (RC) certification and accredita- of its plants’ Turnaround (TA) and the ylene is 825,000 metric tons annually tion relevant to all phases of petro- first phase of the polyethylene plant (MTA), and will reach almost 1 million chemical and chemical products from debottlenecking project. MTA once the debottlenecking project production to final use.” With the participation of over is completed during 2016. Husain concluded, “Our human 10,000 employees and contractors, EQUATE President and CEO resources, especially nationals, played EQUATE has realized the first of its kind Mohammad Husain said, “This excel- a great role in manifesting a unique international achievement by complet- lent achievement by the individual professional culture throughout the ing all operations within a record-time executing the TA deserves utmost company during the TA. The work envi- for petrochemical plants based on appreciation and gratitude. On behalf ronment was characterized by team- global standards. In addition, EQUATE of EQUATE, it gives me great pleasure work based on innovation, focused has affirmed its abidance by all local to extend utmost gratefulness for their responsiveness, precision and holistic laws and regulations relevant to imple- efforts, dedication and patience to integration at all levels. EQUATE will menting the strictest guidelines for realize such a distinguished milestone continue adopting ‘Partners in Success’ environment, health and safety (EH&S). in the company’s history. All the TA’s with employees, shareholders, cus- All units were shutdown from the phases and steps were completed in tomers, other organizations and the 20th of November to the 20th of cooperation with Kuwait’s society as a whole as a key element of December, 2014, and the units Environment Public Authority (EPA) its identity as a global company to resumed their normal operations on and other bodies by considering all ensure sustainability in all fields.” the 23rd of December. regulations and standards. I would like Established in 1995, EQUATE The TA is a major activity that takes to express endless gratitude to EPA, as Petrochemical Company is an interna- place once every eight years for a 30- well as all other public and private tional joint venture between day shutdown. All matters are thor- entities, especially the Ministry of Petrochemical Industries Company oughly planned for technical experts Interior, Ministry of Social Affairs & (PIC), The Dow Chemical Company to conduct comprehensive mainte- Labor, Public Authority for Industry (Dow), Boubyan Petrochemical nance of a number of industrial units, and Ministry of Health for their sup- Company (BPC) and Qurain which include ethylene, polyethylene, port and cooperation with all industri- Petrochemical Industries Company Kuwait’s ambassador ethylene glycol and utilities, while al organizations.” (QPIC). Commencing production in ensuring absolute abidance by inter- Husain added, “Throughout the 1997, EQUATE is the single operator of national best practices. years, EQUATE has launched several a fully integrated world-scale manufac- attends inauguration As a global achievement, this TA is a world-class EH&S initiatives. These ini- turing facility producing over 5 million distinguished milestone for EQUATE tiatives include the Middle East’s First tons annually of high-quality petro- KUWAIT: and its employees, as it also has a sig- Plant Water Recycle Project, Kuwait’s chemical products which are marketed Kuwaiti Ambassador to Brazil Ayada Al-Saidi has ushered in a new-term for Rousseff, the embassy said in a nificant strategic role in determining First CO2 Recovery Project, Kuwait’s throughout the Middle East, Asia, attended the inauguration ceremony of President Dilma statement to KUNA yesterday. It added that Saidi conveyed the direction of EQUATE’s future critical First Seawater Cooling Towers, Kuwait’s Africa and Europe. Rousseff, amid several heads of states and governments. to Rousseff greetings of HH the Amir, who wished her and Commissioned by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Brazil progress and welfare. Rousseff, who won the presi- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Ambassador Saidi on 1 dential elections last October, expressed gratitude to HH January attended the official inauguration ceremony that the Amir.— KUNA

KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Teachers Society hosted a ceremony recently to honor teachers for their performance in the 2013/2014 school year. Ministry of Education officials, led by Minister Dr Bader Al-Essa, attended the ceremony. —Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 LOCAL In Brief Syrian embassy Birth certificates Electronic crimes KUWAIT: The Syrian embassy is expected to resume KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health issued a total of KUWAIT: The Electronic Crimes Department at the receiving transactions from the Syrian community 56,865 birth certificates in 2014. The number include Interior Ministry handled around 12,00 cases in 2014, members in Kuwait in less than two weeks, accord- 31,778 issued for Kuwaitis, 25,087 for expatriates and up by 15 percent compared to 2013. Security sources ing to well-informed diplomatic sources. The sources 23,247 for bedoons (stateless), Dr Mahmoud Al- said on that regard that people are becoming more meanwhile denied rumors on social media speculat- Abdul Hadi, Assistant Undersecretary for Legal confident in the court system’s ability to restore their ing that the embassy has already opened its doors. Affairs, said recently. He added that 6,197 death cer- right, hence the increase in the number of cases Scores of Syrian nationals were reportedly turned tificates were issued last year in total, including 1,105 filed. He added that the department closed 650 back after arriving to the embassy’s building last for bedoons. — Al-Anbaa accounts on Instagram and Twitter last year for vio- Tuesday to renew their passports and avoid paying lating the terms of use. — Al-Qabas fines.— Al-Jarida Photo of the day

KUWAIT: Windows at the Sadu House building reflect artistic shapes from the Kuwaiti heritage. Established in 1978, Sadu House is a museum of Bedouin artistic handicrafts, namely Sadu weaving. It is located at the Arabian Gulf Road in Kuwait City. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Bayt.com survey shows jobs are plentiful in Kuwait 35 percent claim job opportunities will remain steady

KUWAIT: Bayt.com’s Middle East and North In terms of purchases, four in ten Kuwait very good by 39 percent, again with the Africa Consumer Confidence Index survey, respondents are planning to invest in a vehi- expectation for things to get better in the conducted by Bayt.com, the Middle East’s cle in the coming year, with 32 percent plan- year to come (50 percent). In Kuwait, jobs are number one job site, and leading market ning to purchase a new vehicle for personal considered to be plentiful according to 39 Kuwait provides aid to research agency, YouGov, has shown that use. A sizable 29 percent are planning on percent of respondents, and 35 percent despite respondents’ expecting Kuwait’s investing in property, with apartments (49 expect the number of job opportunities in Syrian families in Jordan economy and job opportunities to grow in percent) being the investment of choice. Over Kuwait to remain steady in the next 6 months. the foreseeable future, respondents are still half (58 percent) plan to purchase a new prop- AMMAN: A delegation of 13 Kuwaiti volun- of delegation Anan Al-Subehi. The Kuwaiti concerned about the rising cost of living. erty, while 20 percent plan to buy a pre- Current Job Perspective teers toured refugee camps in Jordan and office in Jordan provided relief aid to Syrian owned property. In terms of smaller purchas- According to 35 percent of respondents, provided direct support to the displaced refuges since the outbreak of the four-year Personal Economic Situation es, Kuwait respondents plan to buy desktop their companies have grown in terms of the Syrian families. The volunteers handed 45 Syrian crisis, Al-Rahma Charity Jordan office 27 percent of respondents in Kuwait con- or laptop computers (19 percent), furniture number of employees in the last 6 months. Syrian families financial aid, $100 each. The supervisor Basil Shahada pointed out. He sider their personal financial situation to have (21 percent), refrigerators (12 percent) and About a quarter state that their companies tour organized by Kuwaiti Team of added that Al-Rahma office in Jordan also improved in the last 6 months, with 47 per- LCD or plasma televisions (12 percent) in the have fewer people now. 43 percent of respon- Humanitarian Initiatives (Insani) in collabo- provide several services to the refugees ration with Kuwait’s Al-Rahma International including the education service in collabo- cent stating that it has remained the same, next 6 months. dents expect the number of employees in Charity. ration with Yazan Educational Center. Over and 43 percent considering it will get better in their company to grow in the next half year. The Kuwaiti delegation is visiting Jordan 400 Syrian families are benefiting from the the next 6 months. Despite this, 82 percent The Country’s Economic Situation For the most part, job satisfaction is high in for a three-days to distribute aid provided education service provided Al-Rahma in believe that the cost of living will rise in The Kuwait economy has improved in the Kuwait. Kuwait professionals are happy with by Kuwait to the Syrian in need, said head Jordan, he said. — KUNA Kuwait within the same time period. Half of last 6 months, according to 21 percent of career growth opportunities (42 percent), Kuwait respondents (50 percent) state that respondents, and 42 percent expect things to non-monetary benefits (36 percent), and job their savings have decreased in comparison to get better in the next 6 months. Present busi- security (45 percent), but they are less happy last year. ness conditions are considered to be good to with their current salary (41 percent are satis- fied). “On the whole, the outlook for the region is a good one. Things are certainly improving with more and more major projects material- izing across the MENA region, such as the upcoming World Cup in Qatar and Expo2020 in Dubai,” said Suhail Al-Masri, VP of Sales, Bayt.com. “These projects are generating more job opportunities, which is a boom for the region. They are, however, also driving up costs which is why savings are dwindling and respondents are expecting a higher cost of living in the future. Employers must take this into consideration when hiring new employ- ees.” Silviu Matei, Director, YouGov, said: “An interesting point to note is that despite the fact that most people in the MENA region consider their personal financial situation to have either improved or stayed the same, a large proportion state that their savings have decreased. Despite high levels of confidence in the market, rising prices seem to negatively impact residents’ savings.” Data for the YouGov and Bayt.com Middle East and North Africa Consumer Confidence Index Survey for August 2014 was collected online from August 5-19, 2014, amongst5,075 respondents aged 18 years and above. Respondents were from the UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 LOCAL

Local Spotlight Syrians in Kuwait

By Muna Al-Fuzai

[email protected]

’m very concerned over the status of the thousands of Syrians living in Kuwait. The Syrian embassy was Iclosed for more than nine months, and therefore Syrian citizens did not have any official here for follow- up and care. We all know why. This is not the subject of this article. Today I want to make the call to reopen the embassy as soon as possible for the sake of all those people. We have approximately 130,000 Syrian residents in Kuwait who need consular services. The Syrians were going through a difficult situation and had to travel to neighboring countries for consular services, especially for renewal of their passports. The number is not small. Some of them are elderly people, the sick and chil- dren. A few days ago, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Khalid Al-Jarallah made a statement that the Syrian diplomats had left the country on their volition and returned willingly, and the ministry has nothing against the return of the diplomats to man- age their citizens’ affairs regardless of Kuwait’s stance towards the ruling regime. I think the statement was clear and conveyed the right message. Al-Jarida Meanwhile, three diplomats arrived a few days ago, but they need time to prepare themselves and the embassy files. This is a start. In the world of politics, there is no permanent enemy because of common interests. When mutual interests become people’s kuwait digest rights and needs, then reality imposes itself. And this is exactly where the Kuwaiti government stands today Random Rules over the thousands of Syrians resident in Kuwait who need to contact their embassy. I believe that diplomatic representation in any country does not symbolize the regime or a president as much as it represents the citizens of the state and their interests. This is why there is a necessity to have diplomats here to follow up on the Syrians’ conditions By Talal Al-Ghannam and facilitate their living and business affairs in Kuwait. Unfortunately, some politicians and people are extremely narrow-minded to consider this call a way to mend severed ties with the Syrian regime, not not- ing that we may agree or disagree with any political system, but should not force its people to pay the price for our fake pride. Their needs as humans and expats are at stake. But people usually pay for the ood morning dear readers and I wish you antee the right of the Indian national as there a bid to protect the rights of their nationals who presidency’s errors! all a happy new year full of joy and happi- were so many cases of expats whose rights have are precious to them. Those workers who have left For example, former Palestinian president Yasser Gness. In this article I would like to speak been neglected or violated. I say to employers everything behind in their own countries and Arafat was a supporter of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait about the random rules issued by the various gov- here who oppose this decision: Why are you afraid decided to come here to make a decent living for in 1990. This attitude sparked a Kuwaiti grudge against ernment’s institutions which are imposed sudden- of paying such fees if you believe what you are their kids, parents and for building the house of all Palestinians living in Kuwait, and to this day social ly without a thorough study. It is known that any their dreams, and end up with broken promises. A relations are not as they used to be before 1990. This is new regulation or law must be preceded by at lot of them thought that the doors of heaven not fair because not all Palestinians agreed with their least 3-6 months of campaigning, surveys and would open up for them once they reach Kuwait president’s policy. Today, we come across a similar sce- most importantly, media awareness to let those This gesture by the embassy and within a two-year-period, their dreams would nario. targeted become acquainted with the new regula- be fulfilled for their kids at schools, university, I hope that the Ministry of Interior will provide max- tions ahead of time. In this case, those targeted might be only the beginning their cancer patients, their elderly fathers and imum security to the embassy and its staff because would spare themselves from paying fines, and mothers. But they come here and end up in a there are a lot of revolutionists who may target the avoid unwanted troubles for themselves or to as more embassies might prison-like house with strict rules such as ‘No cell embassy, and the Kuwaiti government must protect the representatives of the states here. their family members. One of the new rules that phone, no day off, no going out, no salary for 3 has been implemented in Kuwait concerns renew- follow suit in a bid to months, no smiling, no laughing but only work al of visas of expatriates and linked that with the work work). And after that, we expect them to give expiry of the passport. The decision was really a protect the rights of us what we dream of. As we have dreams to fulfill shock to our dear brothers and sisters who are in terms of raising children, caring for the house, kuwait digest here to earn a decent living. My point is that such their nationals who are cooking etc, they as well have dreams to fulfill decision was imposed without a prior notice and such as caring for their babies at home, elderly Part-time jobs deprived the expat from contesting it. At least one precious to them. fathers and mothers whom are left along and anx- month of media awareness should have preceded iously awaiting every dinar to be sent from their the issuance of this decision to make people sons and daughters to eat well, drink well, be aware of its negative impacts. doing is correct? If there is any doubt that the treated well and so on. Another issue concerns domestic workers from worker might be mistreated, in this case, the The government is ought to revise its policy of India, a matter that has created chaos in Kuwait employer would feel angry towards the embassy issuing decisions that contradict with internation- between the Indian Embassy and the government. because he or she wants it ‘easy come easy go.’ I al laws and regulations, and avoid taking quick By Labeed Abdal The embassy wanted to secure interest of its think the decision is very good to protect the right and random decisions pertinent to expatriates. nationals by imposing some sort of insurance or a of those workers who in many cases are deprived Do not blame everything on them, they have deposit in case the employer fails to treat the from their rights of salary, rest and good treat- enough to worry about back home and with their worker inhumanely. This decision in my opinion is ment. sponsors - most of whom enjoy yelling and insult- strictly the right of the Government of India as This gesture by the embassy might be only the ing for no reason. Till the next article Insha Allah they believe that this is the only solution to guar- beginning as more embassies might follow suit in [email protected]

he Manpower Public Authority’s announcement to allow expatriates working in the private sector kuwait digest Tto seek part time jobs with other employers is an important step for those looking to increase their monthly income legally. That is not to mention that Non-Kuwaitis’ residence the private sector’s labor law (number 6/2010) already stipulates allowing workers to work for other employ- ers outside their original working hours, but the step By Dr Shamlan Al-Essa remained on hold pending a decision from the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor to regulate the he National Assembly and government pay house those working in one hospital among non- residential areas. This increased the pressure on all process. unprecedented attention to issues of citizens’ Kuwaitis. types of services, and this led to elevating land prices As for expatriates working in the public sector, they Thousing, and those who follow government plans The next problem is refusal of Kuwaiti youth to live because of the rising income from renting in housing are already covered by the Civil Service Commission’s and projects find that most of them are in favor of citi- in investment areas because of the high rents, and the areas for families. This refutes the claim that citizens law which allows them to work at the private sector zens and this is natural, normal and accepted in any buildings are not suitable for them due to the large reject living in flats if they are available. Citizens outside of their original working hours. Therefore, the country as long as the citizens are the ones who work, demand government homes not only for housing, but recent announcement is another step in the direction produce pay taxes, serve in the military and shoulder also ownership of the land as a way of making wealth. of simplifying labor procedures pertaining with for- the responsibility of developing and modernizing their The realistic solution We go back to the housing of Kuwait’s guests who eign workers in Kuwait. country. work in this country - the problem lies in bad govern- With the new year’s start, we still are waiting for a The situation in this welfare oil country is that citi- requires the government to ment planning which created a problem of supply and decision to reopen recruitment of foreigners from out- zens form 1/3 of the population, and get all state’s demand in residential areas. The realistic solution side Kuwait. The decision will take into account the attention, but the question remains what are the gov- sell investment housing requires the government to sell investment housing labor market’s needs, as well as Kuwait’s demographic ernment plans towards housing of non-Kuwaitis who land to private companies and provide the various serv- imbalance. This of course is necessary to help employ- make up the majority of 70 percent of the population, land to private companies ices to absorb the huge increase in the number of ers recruit their required staff, while at the same time number nearly three million, and are divided into sever- expats and Kuwait youth who wish to rent flats. maintaining control over the process to prevent nega- al social groups; Asians making up the majority among and provide the various There is no government around the world that dis- tive effect on the country’s demographical structure. them. The government left the issue of those people’s tributes housing to all citizens. What is done in all coun- We hope to see a labor market in Kuwait based on residence other than domestic helpers, drivers and services to absorb the huge tries is that the government provides the lands to the achieving balance in the relationship between cooks to citizens to care for them by the family. But as private sector, which has the duty of distributing lands employers and employees, who need to have their increase in the number of rights met and feel secure in order to be able to give for the rest, the private sector cares for them by invest- and provide all required services and build various back and work effectively. In the meantime, it is also ment housing buildings. expats and Kuwait youth models of the houses. The houses are then purchased important to protect employers’ rights from deceitful Today, after the influx of foreign and Arab labor in through real estate banks. employees who run away after they are given an large numbers to carry out development projects, we who wish to rent flats. Is it realistic for the mad rise of land prices in Kuwait, opportunity to work, train and make a living. must plan very well. Let us take Jaber Al-Ahmad while the used lands make only 8 percent of Kuwait’s Finally, it is important to notice that the recurring Hospital which will be completed soon - this hospital area while 92 percent is under government control? decisions to ban, allow, and ban procedures again is needs nearly 5,000 workers including doctors, nurses, x- number of bachelors and disturbance, so most Kuwaitis Release the lands and leave it to the private sector. something that needs to be taken into consideration ray and other technicians, etc. They need more than resort to renting in model residential areas, prompting Encourage competition and transparency, which for when it comes to the state’s responsibility of guaran- 100 housing units, and supposing that each building house and residential landowners to expand and trans- sure will solve most of our problems. teeing the basics of security and stability for citizens has 30 flats, it means that we need 30 buildings to form their buildings to semi-investment buildings in —Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Watan and residents alike. SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015

Boston bombing trial opens as Israel mulls war crimes suits against top Palestinians emotions run high Page 8 Page 9

GAZA: Palestinian friends and family members carry the body of Zaki Al-Houbi, a 17-year-old Palestinian boy, during his funeral procession in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah yesterday after he was shot by Egyptian border guards the previous day. — AFP Hamas slams killing by Egypt Teen killed in buffer zone • Israel fires on Gaza boat GAZA CITY: Militant group Hamas yesterday protecting the frontier fired at six Gazans, of ing to find work on the Egyptian side. an October 24 suicide bombing that killed 30 Palestinian militant group Hamas which con- condemned the fatal shooting by Egyptian whom three succeeded in returning to Gaza His mother, Sarah al-Houbi, 35, said that he Egyptian soldiers. Some 800 homes are being trols the territory. Cairo says it has destroyed border guards of what they said was a while three were arrested. One was probably had “left home to look for work” adding that demolished in the process. After that incident, more than 1,600 tunnels since Morsi’s ouster. Palestinian minor on the Gaza border. “We hit by the fire,” an official said. her husband was unemployed and the family Egypt declared a three-month emergency in Meanwhile, the Israeli navy opened fire condemn the killing (Friday) of the child Zaki Gaza emergency services spokesman stricken by the poverty rampant in Gaza. She parts of North Sinai - a remote but strategic early yesterday on two Palestinian boats off Al-Houbi by Egyptian army gunfire on the bor- Ashraf Al-Qudra said that Houbi was 17 years said that he was not a member of any militant region bordering Israel and Gaza - and closed the southern Gaza coast, wounding a fisher- ders, we consider what happened as a danger- old. He was killed in the Gaza frontier town of group and had tried several times to get into the Rafah border crossing for two months. The man, Gaza medical officials said. An Israeli mili- ous development and excessive use of force,” Rafah by Egyptian soldiers firing from across Egypt but was sent back each time. crossing is Gaza’s only gateway to the outside tary spokeswoman told AFP that the fishing the Islamist organisation said in a statement. the border, Qudra said. The border troops shot world not controlled by Israel. boats were headed for Egyptian waters and “What happened is not appropriate to neigh- the youth “in the back and the bullet settled in Buffer Zone Egypt suspects Palestinian militants of aid- suspected of involvement in smuggling. She bourly relations between brothers.” the heart. He died on the spot,” he told AFP. He Egypt announced on Tuesday that work to ing jihadist attacks against its security forces, said that a naval patrol fired at the boats after An Egyptian security official said that was the first Palestinian “to have been killed in double the width of a buffer zone along the which have increased since the army ousted they ignored warning shots and orders to turn troops opened fire on Gazans who had illegal- a long time” along the border between the Gaza border would begin next week to pre- Islamist president Mohamed Morsi last year. back. Under the terms of an agreement with ly crossed into the Egyptian Sinai, where the Gaza Strip and Egypt, according to Qudra. An vent militants infiltrating from the Palestinian The Egyptian army has also stepped up the Israel, Gaza’s fishermen have the right to trawl army has created a buffer zone to prevent the eyewitness told AFP that Houbi and three oth- enclave. Construction of the 500-m buffer destruction of tunnels from Gaza it says are the waters up to six nautical miles off the movement of militants. “Soldiers charged with ers scaled a concrete wall on the border hop- zone along 10 km of the border comes after used to smuggle arms, food and money by coast. — AFP Commissioner urges respect at NY wake

NEW YORK: As thousands of mourners prepare to attend the Investigators say Brinsley was an emotionally disturbed loner wake and funeral of a second New York City police officer killed in who started off his rampage by shooting and wounding an ex- an ambush shooting, police Commissioner William Bratton is urg- girlfriend in Baltimore. He later killed himself. The police killings ing the rank and file to refrain from making political statements. “A ramped up emotions in the already-tense national debate over hero’s funeral is about grieving, not grievance,” Bratton says in a police conduct. Since Ramos and Liu were killed, police in New memo to be read to all commands at roll calls yesterday, the day York have investigated at least 70 threats made against officers, Officer Wenjian Liu will be remembered during a wake. “I issue no and more than a dozen people have been arrested. mandates, and I make no threats of discipline, but I remind you Cardinal Timothy Dolan and others have urged calm and that when you don the uniform of this department, you are asked all sides to tone down the rhetoric. Earlier this week, the bound by the tradition, honor and decency that go with it.” mayor met with police union leaders. Liu’s wake will be at the Bratton’s comments referred to hundreds of officers who Aievoli Funeral Home in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn. His turned their backs to TV monitors showing Mayor Bill de Blasio a funeral is scheduled for today with a Chinese ceremony led by week ago as he spoke at the funeral for the other slain officer, Buddhist monks to be followed by a traditional police ceremony Rafael Ramos. That gesture mimicked one made by police union with eulogies led by a chaplain. Burial will follow at Cypress Hills officials outside a hospital two weeks ago when the officers were Cemetery. killed. The 32-year-old officer had been on the police force seven Union officials, who are negotiating a contract with the city, years and had gotten married two months before he died. His have said the gestures were made out of frustration with the may- widow, Pei Xia Chen, gave a tearful statement days after the or. They say de Blasio helped foster an anti-police atmosphere by shooting. The funeral for Ramos was held last Saturday. Tens of supporting demonstrations following the chokehold death of an thousands of officers and other mourners went to a church in unarmed black man on Staten Island who resisted arrest. Liu and Queens to pay their respects. Liu’s funeral arrangements were Ramos were ambushed sitting in their patrol car on a Brooklyn delayed so his relatives from China could get travel documents to street by Ismaaiyl Brinsley. Brinsley had made references online to the US and fly to New York. The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers the killings of unarmed black men at the hands of white police Foundation, a charity created after Sept 11, 2001, has said it will NEW YORK: In this Dec 29, 2014 file photo, New York City police commissioner Bill Bratton speaks alongside Mayor officers, vowing to put “wings on pigs”. pay off the home mortgages of the two slain officers. — AP Bill de Blasio (left) during a New York Police Academy graduation ceremony at Madison Square Garden. — AP p8_Layout 1 1/3/15 8:03 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 INTERNATIONAL

Israel mulls war crimes suits against top Palestinians

JERUSALEM: Israel is looking at ways to The Hague-based court looks at cas- filing lawsuits abroad, a second Israeli terrorist organisation. “(Hamas) ... com- at the UN General Assembly in 2012, prosecute senior Palestinians for war es of severe war crimes and crimes official said, explaining how the mecha- mits war crimes, shooting at civilians which made Palestinians eligible to crimes in the United States and else- against humanity such as genocide. The nism might work. Israel sees the heads from civilian populated areas,” the offi- join the ICC. The United States, where in response to Palestinian steps Israeli official said Palestinian leaders of the Palestinian Authority in the occu- cial said, alluding to a war in Gaza last Israel’s main ally, supports an eventu- to join the International Criminal Court, “ought to fear legal steps” after their pied West Bank as collaborators with summer in which more than 2,100 al independent Palestinian state, but an Israeli official said yesterday. The decision to sign onto the Rome Statute. Hamas militant Islamists in Gaza Palestinians and more than 70 Israelis has argued against unilateral moves Palestinians delivered to UN headquar- “Israel is weighing the possibilities for because of a unity deal they forged in died. like Friday’s, saying they could dam- ters in New York on Friday documents large-scale prosecution in the United April, the first official said. Palestinians seek a state in Gaza, the age the peace process. Washington on joining the Rome Statute of the States and elsewhere” of Palestinian Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin West Bank and East Jerusalem - lands sends about $400 million in econom- International Criminal Court and other President Mahmoud Abbas and other Netanyahu has previously warned that Israel captured in the 1967 Middle ic support aid to the Palestinians global treaties, saying they hoped to senior Palestinians, the official said. unilateral moves by the Palestinian East War. Momentum to recognise a every year. Under US law, that aid achieve “justice for all the victims that Israel would probably press these Authority at the United Nations would Palestinian state has built since would be cut off if the Palestinians have been killed by Israel, the occupy- cases via non-governmental groups and expose its leaders to prosecution over Abbas succeeded in a bid for de facto used membership in the ICC to press ing power”. pro-Israel legal organisations capable of support for Hamas, viewed by Israel as a recognition of Palestinian statehood claims against Israel. — Reuters Islamic State seeking bases inside Lebanon

KAWTHARIET ASSIYAD, Lebanon: and security forces are on full alert,” he Islamic State militants holed up in the told Reuters at his village home in south- Qalamoun mountains on the Syrian- ern Lebanon. Lebanese border are seeking to gain con- Islamic State controls land in Syria and trol of nearby Lebanese villages to sup- Iraq and has declared an Islamic port their fighting positions, the head of caliphate. The group is being targeted by Lebanon’s main security apparatus told US-led strikes in both countries. Ibrahim Reuters. Major General Abbas Ibrahim said Islamic State had become the domi- said Lebanese forces were on high alert nant armed group in Qalamoun. “In the to prevent the hardline militants from recent period about 700 new fighters seizing any Lebanese territory near the pledged allegiance, and so they are now Qalamoun mountains, which demarcate more than 1,000 fighters,” he said. Lebanon’s eastern border with Syria. Fighting has escalated in Qalamoun and Such crossborder incursions would other areas along the border since the add to concern that Lebanon, which suf- summer, pitting Islamic State and other fered its own civil war in 1975-90, could insurgents against forces fighting on be drawn further into the conflict in behalf the Syrian government. neighbouring Syria. Fighting from Syria Sunni Islamist militants attacked has regularly spilled into Lebanon since strongholds of Shiite group Hezbollah in the war erupted nearly four years ago. In Lebanon several times in 2014. 2014, Islamic State and Syria’s al Qaeda Hezbollah has sent thousands of its wing attacked the border town of Arsal fighters to battle on the side of Syrian and took Lebanese soldiers captive. President Bashar Al-Assad. Referring to Gunmen including militants linked to Islamic State and other militant groups Islamic State also clashed with the army like Nusra Front, the Lebanese army in the coastal city of Tripoli. chief warned in November that Lebanon Ibrahim, who is the head of Lebanon’s was facing “the most dangerous terrorist General Security office, said Islamic State plot in the whole region”. Lebanese resi- had recently boosted its numbers in the dents near the border have said they are Qalamoun area with the aim of securing ready to take up arms to defend their crossborder territory to support its Syrian homes. Ibrahim, who narrowly escaped operations. “Islamic State does not want a suicide bombing in June, said the to dominate Qalamoun ... but they want security services had arrested many mili- SIDON, Lebanon: A Lebanese Muslim Sufi man has a spike pierced into his cheek during a ritual to commemorate the birth of the Prophet to use it to secure their backs in the tants in broad security sweeps across Muhammad (PBUH), known in Arabic as ‘Al-Mawlid Al-Nabawi’, in this southern Lebanese city yesterday. — AFP region through controlling (Lebanese) the country and dismantled networks of villages in contact with the Qalamoun fighters in operations that it did not area,” he said. “The (Lebanese) military always publicise. —Reuters Lebanon imposes visas Iran, six powers move on Syrians for first time closer to nuclear deal Visas available at the border VIENNA: Iran and the US have tentative- posed that Tehran export much of its ly agreed on a formula that Washington stockpile of enriched uranium - some- BEIRUT: Lebanon is to impose visa restrictions to describe the new requirements as visas, but aid, will have to apply for visas when their cur- hopes will reduce Tehran’s ability to thing the Islamic Republic has long said on Syrians for the first time after being over- acknowledged they were unprecedented. “This rent residencies expire, Derbas said. A UNHCR make nuclear arms by committing it to it would not do. whelmed by an influx of more than 1.1 million is the first time these kinds of instructions have spokesman said the agency was still studying ship to Russia much of the material The diplomats said both sides in the refugees, according to documents published been given,” he said. “The goal is to bring the the new rules and had no immediate comment. needed for such weapons, diplomats say. talks are still arguing about how much of online. The new regulations, posted on the web- security and economic situation under control But aid groups have long warned that Lebanon, site of the General Security agency, come into and to monitor the presence of Syrians on with a population of just four million people, has In another sign of progress, the two an enriched uranium stockpile to leave effect on Jan 5 and lay out various categories, Lebanese soil.” been overwhelmed by the influx of Syrian diplomats told AP that negotiators at the Iran. It now has enough for several including for tourism and medical treatment. Derbas confirmed that the rules were a first. refugees. December round of nuclear talks drew bombs, and Washington wants substan- This is the first time that Lebanon has required “This is the first time in the history of the two The document published online lists cate- up for the first time a catalog outlining tial cuts below that level. But the diplo- Syrians to apply for visas. Citizens of both coun- countries that Syrians have been required to gories including tourist visas, which require areas of potential accord and differing mats said the newly created catalog lists tries have been able to travel freely across their define the purpose of their visit,” he told AFP. applicants to provide evidence of a hotel reserva- approaches to remaining disputes. shipping out much of the material as shared border since Lebanon gained independ- “The goal is to prevent (Syrians) from taking tion and $1,000, as well as a valid passport or ID The diplomats said differences still tentatively agreed upon. ence in 1943. refuge” in Lebanon, and “to more seriously regu- card. Other visas are available for business visits, dominate ahead of the next round of Issues that still need agreement, they The new rule is the latest in a series of meas- late the entry of Syrians”, he added. He said the medical treatment and schooling, as well as tran- Iran-six power talks on Jan 15 in Geneva. said, include the size of Iran’s future ures taken by Lebanon to stem the influx of visas would be available at the border, but that sit visas for onward travel. Visas are also available But they suggested that even agreement enrichment output. The US insists that it Syrians fleeing their country’s brutal civil war. In Syrians already in Lebanon and registered with for those who own property in Lebanon or are to create a to-do list would have been be cut in half, leaving Tehran with about October, Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas the UN refugee agency UNHCR would not be seeking to enter to apply for visas at foreign difficult previously because of wide gaps 4,500 present day centrifuges used to said Lebanon was effectively no longer receiving required to apply. embassies in Beirut. More than 200,000 people between the sides. The diplomats, who enrich uranium, or less if it replaces them Syrian refugees, with limited exceptions for The many thousands of Syrians in the country have been killed in Syria’s conflict, which began are familiar with the talks, spoke to the with advanced models. Tehran is ready “humanitarian reasons”. A security source, speak- who are not registered with the UN, among in March 2011 and has displaced around half the AP recently and demanded anonymity for a reduction of only around 20 per- ing to AFP on condition of anonymity, declined them wealthy individuals who have not sought country’s population. —AFP because they weren’t authorized to com- cent, or approximately 8,000 of the ment on the closed negotiations. machines, according to the diplomats. Yesterday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Two other unresolved issues are spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham denied Iran’s Fordo underground enrichment Egyptian Christians kidnapped in Libya any tentative formula had been reached. site and the nearly built Arak nuclear Iran denies it wants nuclear arms, but it is reactor. The US and its five allies in the CAIRO: Masked gunmen in central Libya kid- killed by gunshots to the head while hand- ing Christians, women, journalists, refugees and negotiating with the US, Russia, China, talks want to repurpose Fordo to a non- napped 13 Coptic Christians yesterday after sev- cuffed. those considered former loyalists of Muammar en were abducted days earlier, said a witness In March 2013, dozens of Coptic Christians Gaddafi, who was toppled and killed in Libya’s Britain, France and Germany on cuts to enrichment function because it is and a priest, in a new wave of assaults against were tortured inside a detention center run by a 2011 civil war. Egyptians became a top target its atomic program in hope of ending believed impervious to a military attack Egypt’s Christians working in the war-torn North powerful militia in Benghazi. The men, who for the militias after the Egyptian government crippling sanctions. The talks have been from the air. The six also seek to re- African nation plagued with Islamic extremists. were suspected of proselytizing, were rounded began supporting the Libyan army battling extended twice due to stubborn dis- engineer Arak from a model that pro- Witness Hanna Aziz told AP that the gunmen in up in a market by gunmen who checked their Islamic militants. “We are witnessing a pattern of agreements. The main conflict is over duces enough plutonium for several the Libyan city of Sirte went room to room in right wrists for tattoos of crosses, a common persecution against Christians in Egypt; I fear for uranium enrichment, which can create nuclear weapons a year to a less prolif- their residence at 2:30 am yesterday and asked mark worn by many Egyptian Christians. the lives of the hostages,” said Magdi Malak, a both reactor fuel and the fissile core of eration-prone model. Negotiators hope for identification papers to separate Muslim Islamist extremist militias have been target- Cairo-based activist involved in the case. —AP nuclear arms. In seeking to reduce Iran’s to reach a rough deal by March and a workers from Christians. Aziz says the gunmen bomb-making ability, the US has pro- final agreement by June 30. —AP handcuffed the Christians and drove away with them. “They were 15 armed and masked men who came in four vehicles. They had a list of full names of Christians in the building. While checking IDs, Muslims were left aside while Christians were grabbed,” Aziz said, adding that he survived simply because he didn’t open his door. “I heard my friends screaming but they were quickly shushed at gunpoint. After that, we heard nothing,” said Aziz who said he has three relatives among the hostages. “I am still in my room waiting for them to take me. I want to die with them,” he added. Abu Makar, a Coptic priest in the workers’ hometown of Samalout in southern Egypt, con- firmed the abduction took place. He said seven other Coptic Christians from Samalout were tak- en while trying to escape Sirte a few days earli- er. Sirte has become a safe haven for extremist Islamist groups like Ansar al-Shariah, blamed for the Sept 2013 attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi that killed US Ambassador Chris Stevens. The abduction came on the heels of the killing of a Coptic couple - who used to work as doctors in Sirte - and their daughter. There was no immediate comment from the Egyptian gov- ernment. On Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry said that it is following up on the case of the VIENNA: In this Nov 23, 2014 file photo, US Secretary of State John Kerry (left) and first group of seven abducted Christians. In GAZA: A Palestinian policeman inspects a burned boat on a beach in the southern Gaza Strip Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif pose for a photograph prior to a March, the bodies of seven Christian Egyptians town of Rafah yesterday. A Palestinian fisherman was critically injured early in the morning bilateral meeting of the closed-door nuclear talks. — AP were found in the eastern city of Benghazi, after Israel’s navy opened fire on fishing boats off the coast of the Gaza Strip. — AFP SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014 INTERNATIONAL

Cuomo’s death marks passing of liberal lion

ALBANY, New York: With former Gov reproached Ronald Reagan and flirted - the “Tale of Two Cities” image. By con- policies respected Cuomo’s passion and Mario Cuomo famously said “you Mario Cuomo’s death, liberals have lost repeatedly - with a run for the White trast, Andrew Cuomo epitomizes the his rise as the son of Italian immigrants campaign in poetry; you govern in one of their last, best champions, a House. In his 1984 address at the mainstream Democratic Party’s recent to the pinnacle of American politics. prose” and if he was the orator, his son proud populist who represented an Democratic National Convention, he tendency toward centrism. While Republican state Senate Leader Dean is the operator, the one who passes older breed of Democrat. During his talked of a nation of haves and have- Cuomo is socially liberal on gun control Skelos called him “one of the great ora- state budgets on time and - as when he three terms as governor, the former nots, of a yawning disconnect between and abortion, he’s seen as more fiscally tors of our time”. In a twist, Cuomo’s resolved a threatened Long Island Rail minor league baseball player from rich and poor largely ignored by conservative, willing to battle teachers decision not to seek the presidency in Road strike last year - makes trains run Queens championed the working class, Reagan. unions and supportive of business 1992 cleared the way for Bill Clinton, on schedule. “Andrew Cuomo is more “A shining city is perhaps all the friendly tax cuts. who steered the Democratic Party the prose guy,” said Baruch College president sees from the portico of the The elder Cuomo came from an old- toward the center. Clinton also tapped political scientist Doug Muzzio, who White House and the veranda of his er, more liberal strand of Democratic Andrew Cuomo - a top adviser to his taught a course several years ago ranch, where everyone seems to be politics that included Franklin father - as his secretary of Housing and alongside Mario Cuomo. “Mario was doing well,” he said. “Mr. President, you Roosevelt and Adlai Stevenson. Like Urban Development. transformational. Andrew doesn’t seek ought to know that this nation is more them, Cuomo combined public elo- While Mario Cuomo represented to be transformational. He’s transac- ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ than it is just a quence with an intellectual rigor. Unlike “what Democrats used to be, what tional.” ‘Shining City on a Hill’.” The 82-year-old those two, however, he never ran for Democrats were before the Clintons In a 1992 interview with AP, Cuomo Cuomo died Thursday at his home in president, despite pleas to do so in came on the scene”, Andrew Cuomo said his greatest accomplishments Manhattan of natural causes from heart 1988 and 1992. The Rev Jesse Jackson, shows the party’s evolution since then, included restructuring the state police failure just hours after his son Andrew who also spoke at the 1984 convention, said Christina Greer, professor of politi- and courts, fixing highways and passing began his second term as New York’s said Cuomo’s supporters “literally cal science at Fordham University. But the nation’s first seatbelt law. He did not chief executive. Services are planned begged him to run”. Jackson said Greer said the elder Cuomo’s liberal include another legacy: An unprece- for Tuesday morning at a Manhattan Cuomo’s brand of outspoken liberalism legacy still resonates through his son. dented expansion of the state prison church. is needed now that “too few have too “The son is always different from the system. “Will I be remembered for all of Mario Cuomo’s progressive legacy is much and too many have nothing”. “He father. We saw that with the Bushes, that? I don’t know,” he said at the time. reflected today by US Sen. Elizabeth had room for everybody. There’s so with the Romneys,” she said. “But you “What I would like them to say, what I Warren of Massachusetts and New York much polarization these days,” Jackson can’t be with a man like Mario Cuomo would like to have written on my tomb- City Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose own said. “He was a big tent visionary.” for 20 years without having the core stone: ‘He tried.’ That, I think, is the maxi- Mario Cuomo 2013 campaign kickoff speech recycled Even those who disagreed with his essence of who he is rub off on you.” mum we can do.” — AP Mom seeks answers at trial over injured sons

BOSTON: When the trial of Boston bomb- for them, but their mom feels differently. “I ing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev begins, Liz am so bitter, so angry and they are not... I Norden plans to stop working altogether. am sad to see how much it has changed for With two sons maimed in the blast, the 52- them” the mother of five said. For a year, Liz year-old American says the marathon has collected all articles in the media about destroyed her life, and she won’t miss the her sons, in an attempt to “try to make proceedings. On the morning of the bomb- sense of it”. As for the trial, she is going to ing, her sons JP, who was 33 at the time, leave her job as a nanny to sit in the section and Paul, 31, were cheering on a friend reserved for families in the third-floor near the marathon’s finish line. Then the courtroom at the Boston federal court. twin bombs exploded, 12 seconds apart, “This is that important to me,” she said. killing three people and wounding 264 Liz doesn’t bring up Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, more - including Paul and JP. but when pressed on the topic, her usually The April 15, 2013 attack was the worst cheery demeanor turned weary. “I want such incident in the US since 9/11. JP him dead. I think that would be justice,” she arrived in the hospital clinically dead. Paul said. Tsarnaev faces the death penalty if was in a coma for several days. They were convicted over the attack. He is accused of burned on more than 50 percent of their carrying out the attacks with his brother, bodies, missing eyelashes and eyebrows Tamerlan, who was killed in a shootout and with burst eardrums, their mother said. with police as the pair went on the run in Worst of all, they each lost their right legs. the days immediately after the attacks. The brothers underwent 50 surgeries Dzhokhar has pleaded not guilty to 30 between them - with more still to come for charges, which include conspiracy to use a JP - before their long and painful rehabilita- weapon of mass destruction resulting in tion. Afterwards, the brothers wrote the death and bombing a public place result- book “Twice as Strong” about their ordeal. ing in death. His main lawyer, Judy Clarke, No longer able to work in their previous is a renowned specialist on the death professions as a roofer and a truck driver, penalty who has saved several convicts the two look to the future with ambitions from execution by encouraging them to to open a roofing company. “It’s difficult for plead guilty to lesser charges than those them, but they don’t complain,” their mom originally put forward. But, Liz said she told AFP from her small home in Stoneham, hopes there is no plea deal, emphasizing, “I near Boston. “They have accepted what think he deserves the death penalty. My happened to them and honestly, they have boys didn’t sign to go to the war... They accepted it better than I do.” were not out drunk driving, or in a reckless car accident. This wasn’t an accident, this ‘I Want Him Dead’ was an act of terror,” she said. The trial, BOSTON: In this courtroom sketch, Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is depicted sitting in federal court on Dec 18, 2014 Neither JP nor Paul plan to attend the expected to last three months, begins for a final hearing before his trial begins in January. — AP trial, claiming that it won’t change anything tomorrow with jury selection.— AFP No new charges for Hinckley Boston trial to open

WASHINGTON: Federal prosecutors will nary outpouring of love and support since not charge John Hinckley Jr in the death of the Bear’s passing. We miss him greatly,” his as emotions run high former White House press secretary James family said in a statement issued by a Brady even though a medical examiner spokeswoman, referring to Brady’s nick- ruled his death a homicide. Brady was shot name. According to the statement from in the head during Hinckley’s 1981 assassi- prosecutors, because a jury in 1982 found Most anticipated trial since McVeigh’s nation attempt on President Ronald Hinckley not guilty by reason of insanity, Reagan. The gunshot left Brady partially prosecutors could not argue that he was NEW YORK: The highly anticipated trial of prosecutors, which so far seems an unlikely police four days after the attack. He and paralyzed and his death last August at age sane when he shot Brady. Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev prospect. Tamerlan are accused of planting two pressure 73 was attributed to wounds from the District of Columbia courts also abided opens tomorrow, promising to inflame emo- cooker bombs hidden in backpacks near the fin- shooting outside a Washington hotel. by the “year and a day rule” before 1987, tions 18 months after the bloody attack, the Tensions Run High ish line of the Boston marathon, attended by Washington’s US Attorney’s Office said which mandated that homicide charges worst on US soil since Sept 11, 2001. Tsarnaev, Tensions have been high at preliminary hear- several thousand people. The two explosives in a statement on Friday that the decision could be brought only if the victim died 21, faces the death penalty for the April 15, ings for the trial, with small protests at last detonated within 12 seconds of one another, not to pursue charges against Hinckley within a year and a day of the injury caus- 2013 bombing at the finish line of the Boston month’s court appearance, Tsarnaev’s second creating a scene of chaos and carnage in down- was made after a review of the law, the his- ing death, the statement said. An autopsy marathon that killed three people and wound- since the attack. Families of victims gathered, town Boston. tory of the case and the circumstances of report completed last month showed that ed 264. Jury selection will commence tomorrow some vowing to attend the full trial in the A frantic manhunt ensued as police scoured Brady’s death. Barry Levine, Hinckley’s the gunshot wound made it difficult for for the trial, which is expected to last several northeastern US city which has a population of the city for the suspects. Dzhokhar was discov- attorney, said he was not surprised by the Brady to control his saliva and to eat, months, after a three-month delay. 645,000. Liz Norden has two sons who each lost ered hiding in a boat in Boston suburb, seriously decision given the length of time since the which led to aspiration pneumonia and Tsarnaev has pleaded not guilty to 30 a leg in the attack, and she said she plans to injured. He allegedly scrawled a rambling expla- shooting and the circumstances of the other illnesses, the statement said. When charges, including conspiracy to use a weapon attend every court session. “I want to try make nation of his motives for the Boston attacks on case. “Mr Hinckley is haunted by the Brady died in Alexandria, Virginia, he had of mass destruction resulting in death and sense of it. I know I won’t, but I just need to see an interior wall of the boat, where he was arrest- tragedy that his conduct, more than 30 aspiration pneumonia. The coroner con- bombing a public place resulting in death. The it through... I have no choice. I want to know ed in a suburban backyard several days after the years ago, created,” Levine said. Hinckley, cluded his death was caused by the gun- federal trial is one of the most anticipated since everything,” she told AFP. She hopes to see attacks. “The US government is killing our inno- 59, has been at St Elizabeths psychiatric shot wound and its consequences. Timothy McVeigh’s for detonating a bomb in Tsarnaev sentenced to death. “I want him dead, I cent civilians,” Tsarnaev wrote. “I can’t stand to hospital for more than 32 years. Hinckley also wounded Reagan, a police Oklahoma City, killing 168 people in 1995. think that would be justice.” see such evil go unpunished... we Muslims are Brady’s family said it respected the deci- officer and a Secret Service agent in the Tsarnaev will be represented by a team of five At Tsarnaev’s appearance last week, one vic- one body, you hurt one you hurt us all. Now, I sion not to move forward with prosecu- attack outside the Washington Hilton lawyers, including Judy Clarke, a defense attor- tim angrily showed his artificial leg to demon- don’t like killing innocent people, it is forbidden tion. “We deeply appreciate the extraordi- Hotel. — Reuters ney known for getting clients off death row. strators who were proclaiming the suspect’s in Islam, but ... stop killing our innocent people She has represented Eric Randolph, the mas- innocence. After the hearing, a woman yelled and we will stop.” termind behind the Atlanta Olympic bombing out support for Tsarnaev in Russian. Defense Tsarnaev arrived in the United States when that killed two people and injured more than lawyers have asked for protesters to be barred he was eight years old and became a natural- 100. She secured consecutive life sentences for from demonstrating outside the court. ized American citizen in 2012. Jury selection is him instead of death sought by prosecutors. expected to take several weeks, as defense She also helped spare Unabomber Ted Chaos and Carnage lawyers have to agree on all 12 jurors and six Kaczynski from death, after he sent several Tsarnaev is being held at Fort Devens prison substitutes among a pool of 1,200 people. The explosives to universities and airlines, killing hospital about 70 km outside of Boston. The potential jurors will be summoned in groups of three and injuring 23 between 1978 and 1995. Muslim of Chechen descent is accused of carry- 200 to 400 in the morning and 200 in the after- But in order to ease the death sentence for ing out the Boston attacks with his brother noon, and will be whittled down by process of Tsarnaev, she would have to strike a deal with Tamerlan, who was killed in a shootout with elimination. —AFP Girl survives US plane crash, 4 killed

WASHINGTON: A seven-year-old girl walked free from called emergency services. The girl was distressed and the crash site in a heavily wooded area near Kentucky the wreckage of a private plane that crashed in a taken to a hospital for treatment to non life-threaten- lake, a popular tourist attraction in the state. They dis- wooded area of Kentucky on Friday killing four others ing injuries, State Police Sergeant Dean Patterson said covered four bodies, including the pilot and the three on board, US police said. Police were alerted to the in a statement. passengers. The FAA said the plane had taken off from crash when they received an emergency call from a Emergency crews raced to the area and later locat- Tallahassee Regional Airport, Florida, and was bound local resident, they said in a statement on Facebook. ed the small plane. “Investigators on scene confirm for Mount Vernon, Illinois. Patterson said the girl indict- The 71-year-old man, Larry Wilkins, said he was watch- four fatalities at the crash site. The fatalities account for ed that the plane had left from Key West, Florida. ing television at about 6:30 pm, when he heard a the pilot and remaining passengers,” a subsequent Patterson said in a statement that the victims were knock. police statement on Facebook said. identified 49-year-old Marty Gutzler; 45-year-old “She was bleeding pretty bad, her legs were bleed- “This girl came out of the wreckage herself and Kimberly Gutzler; their daughter, 9-year-old Piper ing, her face had a bloody nose. She was barefoot, found the closest residence and reported the plane Gutzler; and her cousin, 14-year-old Sierra Wilder. All only had one sock on,” he told NBC News by telephone crash,” Patterson said. “It’s a miracle in a sense that she four were from Nashville, IL. Police say the name of the yesterday. “She told me that her mom and her dad survived it, but it’s tragic that four others didn’t.” 7-year-old passenger is being withheld at the request were dead, and she was in a plane crash, and the Authorities launched a search for the crash site and of family. Patterson said it had been raining in the area WASHINGTON: In this Nov 18, 2003 file photo, John Hinckley Jr arrives at US District plane was upside down,” he added. He said he got a also confirmed with the FAA that they had received a for most of Friday. The cause of the crash was under Court. — AP washcloth to clean her wounds and immediately distress call. About two hours later, authorities found investigation. —Agencies INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 360 migrants leave Italy migrant ‘ghost ship’

CORIGLIANO, Italy: Italian authorities disem- between Greece and Italy. Italian prosecutors barked some 360 cold and hungry migrants from a fear the ferry could contain the bodies of still “ghost ship” yesterday abandoned by its crew off undiscovered illegal immigrants and unregis- the country’s jagged southern coast. tered passengers. Women and children were among hundreds of Bari prosecutor Giuseppe Volpe said almost 500 migrants left stranded aboard the Ezadeen, which people may have been aboard far above the 474 docked in the port of Corigliano Calabro around officially on the manifest, and prompting fears the 11:00 pm (2200 GMT) Friday after a delicate opera- current death toll of 13 may rise once the ferry is tion by the Italian navy to take control of the age- fully searched in Brindisi. Volpe said it had been ing vessel. It had been left to drift in stormy seas “established” that illegal immigrants were aboard, without fuel or electricity, and in the dark rescuers something confirmed by several of the rescued had first thought that it could be holding up to 450 passengers. The search is expected to concentrate people. But after docking the authorities revised on trucks parked in the car deck where the fire the count to 232 men, 54 women and 74 children started. aboard, most of whom are thought to be Syrians fleeing the war in their homeland. New smuggling tactics All were said to be in good health. Six coast- On Wednesday, a ship carrying nearly 770 guard officers were lowered from a helicopter onto migrants was found drifting towards the rocks off the deck of the Sierra Leone-flagged vessel on Italy’s southeastern shore. The Blue Sky M freighter Friday to set up a tow for the 40 kilometres (25 was on autopilot, after having been abandoned by miles) to the Italian coast. the people smugglers who had sailed in from The rescue is the latest in a series of maritime Turkey. The Moldovan-registered vessel got within operations Italy has mounted in recent days as it five miles of running aground before six navy offi- struggles with a record wave of migrants making cers were lowered on to the ship by helicopter, and the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean. succeeded in bringing it under control. On Wednesday, the navy faced more drama after it The vessel’s passengers included some 60 chil- stopped another crewless “ghost” ship left drifting dren and two pregnant women, one of whom gave in its waters with nearly 800 migrants on board. birth on board, according to the Italian Red Cross. The appearance of the two drifting boats full of Italian Border Police (Guardia Di Finanza) check the ship Ezadeen the day after some 500 Syrian would Many of the migrants on the ship were treated for migrants within a matter of days has raised con- be immigrants to disembark yesterday from this ship at Corigliano harbor yesterday. — AFP hypothermia or injuries including broken limbs. cerns that smugglers have started abandoning spotted by a coastguard plane 80 miles offshore Once the Ezadeen had run out of fuel, five Tyr More than 170,000 people have been rescued at large boats full of people off the coast of Europe as shortly after nightfall. After the crew jumped ship, a crew members were winched onto the merchant sea by Italy in the last 14 months, and hundreds, a new tactic to maximize profits from their ruthless woman refugee on board was able to operate the ship by helicopter to care for passengers until possibly thousands, have perished trying to make trade. The Ezadeen, which usually carries cattle, ship’s radio and told the coastguard that the crew Italian coastguard officers arrived to take control. the crossing. had been en route from Famagusta in northern had abandoned the vessel, Italian navy spokesman “The migrants aboard were visibly distressed Increasingly, the traffickers appear to be aban- Turkish-controlled Cyprus to the southern French Captain Filippo Marini said. but overall in good medical condition. They have doning their human cargo at sea, with more now port of Sete, but had first stopped at the Syrian “We are alone, there is no one, help us!” the been provided with food, water and basic medical using bigger vessels than the converted fishing port of Tartus, according to a shipping website. woman cried, he said. The coastguard asked for assistance,” a Frontex statement said Friday. The boats and other craft they previously favored. assistance from Icelandic patrol boat Tyr, which was incident marked the third sea rescue operation The International Organization for Migration ‘We are alone’ in the area on a mission with the European Union’s Italy’s navy has been forced to mount in a week. estimated Friday in Geneva that people smugglers Before it came to a halt, the nearly 50-year-old border agency Frontex, but rough weather condi- The first came with the deadly fire that broke grossed over $1 million (830,000 euros) on just one Ezadeen had been moving at seven knots, and was tions made boarding impossible. out on the Norman Atlantic ferry Sunday of the abandoned ships alone. — AFP

Stressful times for students at Ukraine rebel universities

DONETSK, Ukraine: Third-year economics stu- authorities in Kiev, has carried on giving lessons dent Inna Shmarai is kind of stressing out these and readying for exams. “We call the other uni- days. It’s not just that exams are coming up versity a clone,” says deputy rector Alexander soon at the National University in the Ukrainian Maznev dismissively of the government-backed city of Donetsk and some of the stuff she’s been institute now completing its first term in studying this term has been really complicated. Vinnytsia. “The other one may become a legal What’s adding to the slight 19-year-old’s wor- entity but it will never be a real university.” ries is that ever since her university was taken However, despite the confidence, it is the univer- over by armed separatist fighters in east Ukraine sities in the rebel-held territory that are strug- she isn’t sure exactly what degree she’ll receive gling for legitimacy. when she eventually does graduate and Without the backing of the central govern- whether it will actually be worth anything. ment none of the degrees they plan to eventual- “Mostly we are concerned about our degrees ly give out will be recognized by Ukraine’s edu- because of the political situation and the war,” cation ministry. Shmarai said. “Then you can add to that worries about the ‘Everyone is scared’ fact that exams and grades are on their way too,” The separatist authorities have sought to she added, as she headed towards a lecture with calm the nerves of anxious parents and students a pile of books under her arm. Shmarai, and by saying that it is the name of the university thousands of other students like her in the war- and not the state that stamps the degree that torn region, are caught at the centre of a tug-of- matters. They are also trying to get Russia to rec- war. ognize degrees from universities they control. Sitting in his office in military fatigues, rebel edu- Rebel university cation minister Igor Kostyenuk said that the Since the insurgents seized power in a rebel statelet’s diplomas would be accepted COLOMBO: Sri Lankan Buddhist monks take part in a demonstration outside the official residence of President Mahinda Rajapakse in Colombo bloody conflict that began in April, they have across the “Eurasian space”-meaning, he hopes, yesterday as they protest the governmentís alleged failure to take action against former Tamil rebel guerrillas who have now defected to the cemented their grip over everyday life in the in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. “In Russia, government side. — AFP towns they run. That has now expanded to the they’ll be accepted as documents proving high- education system and universities-with insti- er education,” he said. For some students that is tutes made to switch over to the rebel’s self- all the assurance they need. “I know exactly what declared people’s republic. diploma I will receive, it will be one from the Boko Haram seizes 40 boys, Technically, the university Shmarai is attend- Donetsk People’s Republic and it will be a pleas- ing should not even be open. As the fighting ure for me to get it,” said stocky first-year history raged and separatists took over several months student Igor Makuzin as he came out of a class in back, the state-run Donetsk National University Russian history. men in northern Nigeria officially closed down and shifted its campus “I have no desire to work anywhere else. I some 800 kilometers (500 miles) west to the want to remain here and work for our republic.” town of Vinnytsia, deep in government-held ter- But others are not convinced. “We obviously ritory. But not everyone has moved. While the have specific worries on this matter, everyone is Fleeing residents arrive in Maiduguri rector left another, rebel-approved, head took scared,” said classmate Anastasiya Yermolaeva. over and many professors and students have “We don’t know what will happen in the future KANO, Nigeria: Suspected Boko Haram gunmen in Chibok in Borno state last April. The abduction control large swathes of territory in Borno as well remained. and if we’ll be able to get work with these diplo- have kidnapped 40 boys and young men in a drew worldwide condemnation, after which as several towns and villages in two other north- Now the university, unrecognized by the mas.” — AFP remote village in northeast Nigerian Borno state President Goodluck Jonathan vowed to secure the eastern states, Adamawa and Yobe. Boko Haram’s on New Year’s Eve, residents who fled the isolat- area, including by deploying more troops. But the five-year uprising in Nigeria has claimed more ed settlement said yesterday. Scores of Boko promised troop numbers have failed to material- than 13,000 lives and has seen dozens of people, Haram militants stormed the Malari village ize, often leaving residents to rely entirely on vigi- including women and children, kidnapped by the around 8:00 pm (1900 GMT) and whisked away lantes for protection. The Islamists are believed to Islamists. — AFP the males, aged between 10 and 23, into the nearby Sambisa forest, believed to be one of the Islamists’ major bases. The news of the abductions came out only days later, after residents who fled the village Woman making Prince arrived in the state capital Maiduguri late on Friday. “They came in pick-up trucks armed with Andrew sex claims guns and gathered all the men in the village out- side the home of the village chief where they preached to us before singling out 40 of our boys vows not to be silenced and taking them away,” Bulama Muhammad said. Malari village lies 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) from LONDON: The woman who named Britain’s cence. Alan Dershowitz, one of Epstein’s the Sambisa forest and close to the town of Prince Andrew in a US court filing claiming defence lawyers with whom “Jane Doe #3” Gwoza, which the militants captured last June that she was kept as an underage “sex slave” was allegedly forced to have sex with on sev- declaring it part of their caliphate. “My two sons by a Wall Street financier said yesterday she eral occasions, told AFP the story was “made and three nephews were among those taken would not be silenced. up”. away by the Boko Haram gunmen and we The plaintiff, identified only as “Jane Doe He accused “Jane Doe #3” of “filing a false believe they are going to use them as conscripts,” #3” in court papers, told the Guardian news- and malicious legal proceeding” in an SCHMITTEN: Icicles hang down from a railing on top of the Feldberg mountain near Muhammad said. ‘We could be the next target’. paper that she refuses to be “unjustly vic- attempt to extort money from his former Schmitten, central Germany yesterday. — AP “When we heard of the kidnap of 40 boys in timised again” after robust denials from client. In a statement issued to the Guardian Malari by Boko Haram we decided to leave Buckingham Palace and another man named through her lawyers, the woman said: “These because we could be the next target,” said in the suit. types of aggressive attacks on me are exactly Ugandan dissident general Alaramma Babagoni, who fled from the nearby The story made headline news in Britain’s the reason why sexual abuse victims typically village of Mulgwi. “Boko Haram has been abduct- newspapers yesterday. According to the remain silent and the reason why I did for a placed under house arrest ing young men from villages in the area because motion filed in a Florida court on Monday, long time. we are close to their stronghold in Sambisa for- the woman alleges she was “forced to have “That trend should change. I’m not going KAMPALA: An outspoken Ugandan general retires him from service as per his wish, but he est,” he said. sexual relations” with Andrew, the Duke of to be bullied back into silence.” Andrew is the who recently returned to the country after 18 has reneged on that,” he added. There was no immediate comment on the York, in London, New York and the Caribbean second son of Queen Elizabeth II and fifth in months in self-imposed exile has been General Sejusa was once one of Uganda’s incident from the military in Maiduguri. at the behest of Jeffrey Epstein. line to the British throne. placed under house arrest, officials said yes- top military bosses, serving as intelligence chief Residents of Malari and nearby villages fled, fear- Epstein, a known friend of the 54-year-old He was Britain’s Special Representative for terday. and as a close advisor to President Museveni, ing further attacks and abductions. prince, was convicted in 2008 of soliciting an International Trade and Investment for 10 General David Sejusa, a former intelligence who has been in power since 1986. He left the Boko Haram has recently been seizing young underage girl for prostitution and served a years until 2011. The motion in which he is chief who has emerged as a potential chal- country in 2013, after a confidential memo he men during raids on area villages to use as foot prison term. No dates for the purported sexu- named is to be included in an ongoing civil lenger to veteran President Yoweri Museveni, wrote was leaked to the press, causing a politi- soldiers in its uprising aimed at establishing an al encounters were given, but the woman case that accuses federal prosecutors of cut- has been detained in order to “enforce disci- cal storm. Islamic state in northern Nigeria, residents said. claimed she was Epstein’s sex slave from 1999 ting a plea-bargain deal with Epstein without pline”, a government spokesman said. “His con- The memo claimed Museveni was groom- Suspected Boko Haram gunmen launched a through 2002. consulting his victims, in violation of the US duct since his return from self-imposed exile ing his son, special forces commander Muhoozi deadly raid Tuesday on Kautikari village near In a strongly worded response on Friday, Crime Victims Rights’ Act. In 2008, Epstein has been contrary to what is expected of a Kainerugaba, to succeed him and that those in Chibok, torched several buildings and killed as Buckingham Palace said that “any suggestion was sentenced to 18 months in prison after serving military officer, and the days when the army opposed to the supposed succession of impropriety with underage minors is cate- pleading guilty to a single Florida state army officers acted with impunity are gone,” plan risked being assassinated. While in exile in many as 15 people, according to witnesses. There gorically untrue”. Another man named in the charge of soliciting prostitution. He remains a government spokesman Ofwono Opondo said. Britain, General Sejusa formed the Freedom was no toll available from an official source on the “The terms of his returning from exile were that and Unity Front Party, marking himself as a raid. Boko Haram is still holding in captivity more court papers also robustly protested his inno- registered sex offender. — AFP he become a law abiding citizen until the army direct challenger to Museveni.—AFP than 200 schoolgirls it abducted from their school SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 INTERNATIONAL Sequence of errors led to Shanghai stampede

SHANGHAI: On New Year’s Eve of 2013, Shanghai hosted the spectacular midnight Shanghai authorities sent about 6,000 city show on the Bund, but authorities can- police officers and requested help from celed it this year because of worries about military police to manage a 300,000-strong overcrowding. China’s major cities were crowd that filled the city’s famed riverfront already on edge after a series of knife, for the annual midnight light show. bombing and vehicular attacks blamed on According to state media, police choked terrorists left hundreds of people dead. off access to an elevated viewing platform Instead, authorities opted for a smaller reachable through staircases and closed light show to be held at a nearby 2,000- the nearest subway station to rein in the person venue that required admission tick- crowd. ets. Local media in Shanghai reported on On Wednesday night, just as many rev- the plans for the scaled-down light show elers showed up to ring in 2015, but the several days before the event, but did not venue was guarded by only 700 police offi- give many details, according to the finan- cers with no traffic control, state media cial news magazine Caixin. Meanwhile, the reported. People were free to walk up and media continued to hype a light show, the down the staircases, and the closest sub- magazine said. The new venue also has a way station was left open. The city had similar name to the Bund, which may have already canceled the light show on the added to the public confusion. Bund, as the riverfront area is known, and apparently downgraded police deploy- Investigation ment and crowd control measures. When Starting at around 8 pm Wednesday, the authorities became alarmed by the revelers began showing up on the lightly huge crowd, they called in another 500 patrolled riverfront. Authorities say investi- police officers - but it was too late. gations into the tragedy are ongoing, but Three dozen people ended up trampled patrol officers have confirmed that the city or asphyxiated to death in a stampede at downgraded police deployment on the the bottom of a 17-step, 5-meter-wide (16- Bund on Wednesday night. “Because there foot-wide) concrete staircase, shocking a was no scheduled event, there was no traf- city proud of its professional urban man- fic control,” patrol officer Wang Qiang told agement and a country eager to show off state media, adding that tourists kept ask- its most cosmopolitan city. While investi- ing him if there would be a light show. JAMMU: Indian villagers sit in the back of a vehicle as they flee their homes fearing firing from the Pakistan side of the border at Bainglad vil- gations continue into the New Year’s Eve At around 11:20 p.m., as huge crowds lage in Samba sector, about 52 kilometers from Jammu yesterday. — AP tragedy, eyewitness accounts and state gathered, authorities reminded them that media reports point to a sequence of mis- the annual light show on the riverfront had calculations by city officials that helped been canceled. Ten minutes later, surveil- create the out-of-control conditions lead- lance video showed a massive jam of peo- Pakistan, India trade fire ing to the stampede. ple on the steps at the end of a public “You canceled the light show, but did square featuring a statue of the city’s first you properly notify the public?” asked a Communist mayor, Chen Yi. Those steps father who lost his daughter in the stam- lead to the best vantage point to view the in Kashmir, killing four pede but declined to give his name for fear Huangpu River and the skyscrapers across of offending the authorities. “Once people the water. started to show up in the hundreds of Authorities responded by dispatching thousands, did you have backup measures 500 more police, but at around 11:35 pm, Indian woman, Pakistani child among killed to ensure safety? What were you doing people fell row by row on the steps under during the time the crowds were grow- the crush of the crowd, which was trying to ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and Indian border guards said Pakistani shelling in the Kathua sector killed Pakistani soldiers Wednesday and called for “an ing?” move both up and down the steps, sur- traded artillery fire along the disputed border a woman and wounded seven villagers. immediate investigation into the incident and “The government has been seriously vivors and eyewitnesses said. “It was region of Kashmir, killing four people and India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh accused bringing the perpetrators to account,” according derelict of its duties,” he said sternly. A unstoppable. The force from above fell on wounding eight, officials said yesterday. Pakistan of violating the ceasefire agreement to a Foreign Ministry statement. Pakistan says the landmark and top attraction of this finan- us,” recalled Zhao Weiwei, a survivor whose Both Pakistan and India blamed each other for after yesterday’s incident. “We are stretching our two slain soldiers had been invited for a meeting cial hub, the Bund has been a high priority girlfriend, Pan Haiqin, died in the stam- starting the fire that began Friday night. This lat- hands for friendship with Pakistan but despite with their Indian counterparts. for local authorities, but the lack of police pede. “There might have been two to three est violence comes after Islamabad accused this we don’t understand why the ceasefire is vio- India called off peace talks in August after deployment on Wednesday shows an over- security people. That was virtually none.” Indian forces of killing two of its soldiers lated by Pakistan,” he told reporters. Pakistan first consulted Kashmiri separatists, a sight by Shanghai’s government, said Zhao Yu Ping, another survivor, said: “There Wednesday in a crossfire that also killed an D Parekh, a Border Security Force officer, said move some saw as a sign of a tougher stance by Chu, a local resident and an independent was no security. Not at all.” Family mem- Indian soldier. the firing continued Saturday in at least half a Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new right-wing commentator. “It’s been a tradition to see bers, survivors and witnesses also com- In a statement yesterday, the Pakistani mili- dozen places. “One place goes quiet, the firing government. the lights on the Bund on New Year’s Eve. plained of a lack of emergency response in tary said that Indian forces violated the cease-fire starts at another place,” Parekh said. Indian offi- While minor skirmishes between Indian and Shanghai people know it, and the whole the wake of the disaster. Police vehicles agreement between the two countries with an cials blamed Pakistan for beginning the fire with- Pakistani troops are common along the 200-kilo- country knows it,” Zhao said. “The govern- and private cars were used to transport the unprovoked barrage of artillery Friday night near out provocation. meter (125-mile) border, the worst violation of ment should have foreseen the crowds on victims, with little medical emergency the city of Sialkot, killing a 13-year-old girl and On Friday, Sartaj Aziz, a security and foreign the cease-fire accord took place in October over that night. Such incidents could have been service available, and the victims arrived in wounding another child. It said Pakistani soldiers affairs adviser to Pakistan’s prime minister, wrote Eid Al-Adha and killed nine civilians in Pakistan avoided.” emergency rooms only to see few medical returned fire. In India, police officer Rajesh Kumar a letter to India to protest the killing of the two and nine in India. — Agencies Liu Tiemin, a researcher at the China professionals, they said. Academy of Safety Science and In one case, family members of a 25- Technology, told China’s official Xinhua year-old woman said that she had a stable Two brothers held Political revolt roils Sri News Agency that managing such a huge pulse, opened her eyes twice and in India over rape crowd requires splitting the mass into appeared conscious when she was put into Lanka presidential vote smaller, less chaotic groups, and making a vehicle and taken to a hospital, but that of Japanese tourist sure crowds move in one direction there was no doctor on hand to treat her COLOMBO: Until just a few weeks ago, Sri speeches around the Indian Ocean nation. through the space. Neither strategy was when she arrived. “As one of the first to PATNA: Indian police have arrested two brothers Lanka’s upcoming election seemed a mere for- While there is no reliable polling, cracks have followed in Shanghai, Liu said. The next arrive at a hospital, she should have had accused of repeatedly raping a 22-year-old Japanese mality. Nothing, it seemed, could keep appeared in his core constituency - the day, authorities flooded the Bund and an the best chances of survival, but the delay tourist over three weeks near Bodh Gaya, Buddhism’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa from rolling to a Buddhist Sinhala majority - amid repeated accu- adjacent commercial road with thousands cost her life,” said a statement by her fami- holiest site, an official said yesterday. The tourist had third term in office. He was the president hailed sations of amassing excessive power and cor- of police and military personnel to control ly, which requested anonymity because of been held hostage at gunpoint in a secluded under- as a king after crushing the Tamil Tiger rebels in ruption. Sirisena has accused the Rajapaksas of traffic. “The stampede would not have fears of possible government reprisals. ground room close to a pilgrimage site, according to a 2009 and ending the island nation’s 25-year civil amassing wealth from their pet highway proj- occurred if they had been here last night,” “We are extremely angry,” the war. He is a charismatic campaigner with vast ects and implied they were receiving benefits a street vendor said, gesturing toward the woman’s uncle told The Associated Press. preliminary investigation. “When her health condition campaign funds. He has turned the govern- from tobacco and pharmaceutical companies in uniformed police. “Her life should not have been ended like deteriorated due to repeated rape and poor living con- ment into an extended family business, with return for arranging favorable laws. For three New Year’s Eves in a row, this.” — AP ditions, she was brought to Gaya (district headquar- ters) for medical treatment on December 20,” a police politically powerful brothers, sons and nephews The president’s relatives, meanwhile, are officer who is part of the investigation told AFP on who can all help his candidacy. everywhere. One brother is Cabinet minister for condition of anonymity. But times change. Quickly. An internal revolt economic development, another is the speaker But she managed to escape and reached Varanasi now threatens Rajapaksa’s hold on power. of Parliament and a third is the defense secre- Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, a close tary, with control over the armed forces. His old- where she met some Japanese tourists who helped Rajapaksa aide and No 2 in the president’s er son is a member of Parliament and a nephew her contact the Japanese consulate in the nearby city Freedom Party, defected in a secretly choreo- is a provincial chief minister. of Kolkata, the officer added. Sajid Khan, 32, and his graphed news conference in late November, That left few powerful jobs and fewer 25-year-old brother Jawed Khan, both tourist guides, announcing he would run as an opposition can- resources from the national budget for non- were arrested in the case on Friday, police deputy didate in Thursday’s election. Rajapaksas in the party, alienating many senior superintendent Alok Kumar Singh said. Power, he said, has become too concentrat- politicians who felt shunted aside. “We have arrested the duo for confining and raping ed, and corruption epidemic. “One family has Kolitha Dissanayake, a businessman from the Japanese student,” Singh told AFP by telephone captured the country’s economy, wealth, the western town of Gampaha and a longtime from Bodh Gaya. administration, and the management of the Rajapaksa voter, said the talk of family rule and The Bodh Gaya complex, 110 kilometres (68 miles) political party,” Sirisena told reporters. He says at corruption had changed his mind. south of Bihar state capital Patna, is home to one of campaign rallies that Rajapaksa began to “It is these revelations that have hit the peo- the earliest Buddhist temples still standing in India and believe the public support after the end of the ple,” he said. Until Sirisena’s revolt, Rajapaksa attracts visitors from all over the world. The Japanese war and “perhaps he thought he could become appeared set for a political walkover, with the woman, a university student, had come to Gaya from a real king.” opposition struggling to find an appealing can- Kolkata where she had checked into a hotel in A confident Rajapaksa had called the elec- didate. Rajapaksa even joked that he was shad- November. tion two years ahead of schedule, hoping to win ow boxing without a viable opponent. India has faced intense scrutiny over its efforts to a third six-year term before voters’ memories faded of the defeat of the Tigers. The next day, Popularity stems curb violence against women following the fatal gang though, Sirisena - who had publicly called for Rajapaksa’s popularity stems from his 2009 rape of a medical student in New Delhi in 2012 which SHANGHAI: A family pray for the victims at the site of the New Year’s Eve stampede in Rajapaksa to run again - made his own surprise victory, although bloody, over the Tigers, who Shanghai yesterday. — AFP sparked global outcry. — AFP announcement. had staged guerrilla war for decades for an That set off a wave of political turmoil and independent state for the minority Tamils, and energized a long-dispirited opposition that had for the rebuilding of the country’s infrastructure Pakistan cleric not been looking forward to the election. after the violence was over. His stature skyrock- Jumping between parties and backroom deals eted among the Buddhist Sinhalese after the probed after child are part of the political landscape in Sri Lanka, war’s end. Immense billboards were erected in but this has surpassed the normal with 21 law- the capital equating him with ancient warrior molested, killed makers and ministers fleeing the government kings. The song “Long Live Great King” played so far to back Sirisena. He has won support from regularly on television and radio, and became a LAHORE: Pakistan police yesterday launched an investi- the opposition United National Party, the main popular mobile phone ringtone. Rajapaksa was gation against a prominent cleric after a six-year-old ethnic minority parties, many professional re-elected in 2010 on that wave, defeating his boy was found strangled and dumped in a mosque groups and some powerful Buddhist monks. former army commander, Gen Sarath Fonseka, after being sexually abused. “We have apprehended up Rajapaksa’s government has come under heavy who had also claimed credit for the victory. to seven people including local cleric Qari Saqib, who is criticism for turning a blind eye to recent anti- After his victory, Rajapaksa had Fonseka prime suspect in this case,” Ijaz Shafi Dogar, a senior Muslim violence, and the largest Muslim party jailed on charges of corruption and of planning police official in the eastern city of Lahore, told AFP. has also defected. his political career while still in a military uni- Moeen Yasin’s body was found in the grounds of a But while it is Rajapaksa’s biggest electoral form. He was stripped of his rank and medals. mosque in Lahore after he was reported missing by his challenge since he came to power in 2005, he That sparked unease in the Sinhala community, father on Friday. “According to the post mortem report, still has immense advantages, from popularity where Fonseka was a war hero and hugely pop- the child was strangled to death after molestation,” among the majority Sinhala ethnic group - ular. Rajapaksa then used his overwhelming Dogar said. Another local police official, Abu Bakar which makes up more than 70 percent of Sri parliamentary majority to scrap a constitutional Siddique, confirmed the incident, adding that the inves- Lanka’s 21 million people - to control of state two-term limit for president, and to give the tigation was currently focused on the cleric. media. Plus, the economy has been growing president the power to appoint judges, top A crowd of around 200 people gathered near the since the end of the civil war, although there are bureaucrats, police officials and military chiefs. child’s home, demanding the arrest of the culprits and complaints that it has not reached the grass- He orchestrated the impeachment of the coun- roots. try’s chief justice and replaced her with a trust- justice for the victim’s family. In November last year, a “The president may be down from where he ed adviser. Human rights and opposition six-years-old girl from the minority Hazara ethnic com- was, but he is certainly not out,” said Jehan groups accuse him of using the military to sup- munity was strangled and dumped near a garbage Perera, a political analyst with the National press legitimate public protests, protecting heap after rape attempts in the southwestern city of Peace Council. “He is a two-time winner of presi- drug smugglers and protecting politicians from Quetta in Baluchistan province. dential elections and is a fighter.” Rajapaksa his party accused of rape and child abuse. Sexual violence against children is common in denies all accusations of corruption, and insists Rajapaksa’s use of the military in 2013 to Pakistan though authorities lack data because many AMRITSAR: Indian passengers wait for the train on a chilly morning at the railway he will again win on Jan. 8. quell a public protest demanding clean drink- families don’t report such crimes because of the station in Amritsar yesterday. Seasonal fog and cold weather has taken hold of “I am not worried. I will be the president ing water resulted in the deaths of three people, attached stigma. —AFP northern India. —AFP even after the 9th,” he has repeated in campaign causing much public anger. — AP INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 Homes lost as bushfire rages in South Australia

ADELAIDE, Australia: An intense bushfire ‘Extremely dangerous’ razed at least five homes in South Australia Residents of 19 towns in the Adelaide yesterday, with more devastation feared as Hills, an area with a population of about firefighters struggle to contain the worst 40,000 dotted with pretty villages and known blaze in decades that is raging out of control. for its farming produce and wineries, have “Your life is at risk,” South Australian Premier been urged to leave rather than face the Jay Weatherill told residents of the Mount worst blaze the area has seen in decades. So Lofty Ranges east of Adelaide, urging them to far five homes have been destroyed in the leave as the “incredibly dangerous fire” raged blaze and reports have suggested that in rugged scrub. dozens more could be lost but authorities “If you’ve decided to stay, you need to be said this could not be confirmed until they aware that the fire will become incredibly were able to visit the fireground. Eight fire- scary and could lead you to change your fighters have also been hurt fighting the mind at some point. It could be a catastrophic flames but are thought to have only minor decision for you to leave late,” he said. The injuries. blaze at Sampson Flat was spreading in all “At the moment, we have a fire which is directions, sweeping rapidly from a 154 extremely dangerous and it is burning under hectare area on Friday afternoon to one cov- extremely adverse conditions,” South ering 4,741 hectares with a perimeter of 38 Australia’s Country Fire Service chief Greg kilometers. Nettleton said. “It’s a bit frightening,” said Graeme Zucker “Right at this moment, residents in the who left his home in Kersbrook near the blaze Adelaide Hills are being confronted by a fire and was waiting anxiously to find out which hasn’t been seen in the hills since the whether it had survived.“You might be lucky, 1983 bushfires of Ash Wednesday.” you might not be,” he told Australian The 1983 disaster killed more than 70 peo- Associated Press. “We won’t know until the ple in South Australia and Victoria and roads are opened and we can drive back and destroyed thousands of homes and buildings. come around the corner. If you see the house In Victoria, where temperatures also soared, PANGKALAN BUN: Dead bodies of victims of AirAsia Flight 8501 are lifted to Indonesian navy vessel KRI Banda Aceh at sea off the coast of Pangkalan there, you jump for joy. If you don’t, well you one fire is still burning near Maroona in the Bun, Indonesia, yesterday. — AP don’t jump for joy.” state’s west after firefighters battled more The fire is spreading unpredictably due to than 320 blazes overnight. wind gusts, forcing firefighters to abandon Bushfires are common in Australia in the hopes of stopping the blaze until the weather summer months. In February 2009 the devas- Indonesia pledges AirAsia abates. “There’s not a fire service anywhere in tating “Black Saturday” bushfires in Victoria this world that could put this fire out at the left 173 people dead and razed more than moment,” Ian Tanner from the Country Fire 2,000 homes in the nation’s worst natural dis- probe as jet parts found Service told residents who fled their homes. aster of modern times. — AFP US embassy issues security alert for Surabaya

PANGKALAN BUN, Indonesia: Indonesia pledged Toos Sanitioso, an investigator from the KNKT Frenchman-co-pilot Remi Plesel. yesterday to investigate flight violations by (National Transportation Safety Committee), said Ongko Gunawan, who lost his sister and broth- AirAsia, as search teams found two big parts of the he was hopeful they would find the black boxes in er-in-law and their child, expressed impatience as airline’s plane that crashed into the sea last week- a few days. “It seems that they have found the he waited for news. end with 162 people on board. The country’s major (plane) parts,” he told reporters in Surabaya, “We are exhausted and sick of it. Hopefully we transport ministry said the ill-fated aircraft had Indonesia’s second-largest city. can find the bodies quickly, now that there’s also been flying on an unauthorized schedule when it help from the foreign countries,” he said. Before crashed, and the airline has now been suspended Funerals take-off, the pilot of Flight 8501 had asked for per- from flying the route from the city of Surabaya to The families of victims have been preparing mission to fly at a higher altitude to avoid a storm, Singapore. funerals as the bodies recovered are identified in but the request was not approved due to other Meanwhile, the US embassy in Indonesia issued Surabaya, where a crisis centre has been set up at planes above him on the popular route, according a security alert yesterday for its citizens in the a police hospital with facilities to store 150 bodies. to AirNav, Indonesia’s air traffic control. In his last country’s second biggest city Surabaya. “The US Of the 162 passengers and crew on board, 155 communication shortly before all contact was lost, Embassy has been made aware of a potential were Indonesian, with three South Koreans, one he said he wanted to change course to avoid the threat against US-associated hotels and banks in Singaporean, one Malaysian, one Briton and a menacing storm system. — Agencies Surabaya, Indonesia,” the embassy said in a state- ment on its website. “The US Embassy recom- mends heightened vigilance and awareness of one’s surroundings when visiting such facilities,” it said. The statement gave no further details. ADELAIDE: A general view of a shed destroyed during bushfires in Upper Hermitage in Indonesia is considered to have been largely the Adelaide Hills yesterday. — AFP successful in cracking down on homegrown mili- tant groups following multiple attacks in the 2000s targeting foreigners and state institutions. But authorities have raised concerns in recent Warehouse collapse kills months over hundreds of Indonesian citizens attempting to travel to Syria and Iraq to fight 5 firefighters in China alongside militants of the Islamic State organiza- tion. BEIJING: A warehouse collapse in the microblog account that a security guard northeastern city of Harbin killed five fire- also was injured in the blaze. Violation fighters and injured 13 others, Chinese The official Xinhua News Agency said “It violated the route permit given, the sched- state media reported. The state broadcaster the firefighters were on the second floor ule given, that’s the problem,” director general of Central China Television reported yesterday of a ceramics market warehouse Friday air transport, Djoko Murjatmodjo, said. He said that rescuers had found the bodies of two night trying to put out a blaze above AirAsia’s permit for the route would be suspended firefighters who had been out of contact, them when the floor collapsed on them. until investigations were completed, while other raising the death toll to five. The Harbin Three of the injured remain in critical con- airlines in the country would also be examined. Communist Party said on its Sina Weibo dition. — AP “We will carry out an audit or an evaluation on all airlines in Indonesia over whether there are any violations related to route, time and schedule,” he said. Major parts of the Airbus A320-200 were found in the Java Sea off the island of Borneo late Friday night, raising hopes that the remaining CEO of AirAsia Tony Fernandes (right) attending a funeral ceremony for Khairunisa, a flight atten- bodies and the black box recorders, crucial to dant onboard AirAsia flight QZ8501, in Palembang. Indonesian searchers promised an “all-out determining the cause of the crash, would soon be effort” to locate bodies from AirAsia Flight QZ8501 as international investigators joined the hunt located. for the ill-fated plane. — AFP So far recovery teams have found 30 bodies of those killed when Flight 8501 went down early Sunday during a storm, and search leaders were sending divers to the spot where plane parts had been found to try to recover the remaining bodies. AirAsia flight has parallels “With the discovery of an oil spill and two big parts of the aircraft, I can assure you these are the with 2009 ocean crash parts of the AirAsia plane we have been looking for,” search and rescue agency chief Bambang Soelistyo told reporters. PARIS: The jet dropped from the sky swiftly, waters are far shallower than they were for the “The main focus today is to find and evacuate without a mayday call. It was quickly swallowed Air France crash, no more than about 100 feet victims.” A statement from transport ministry up by the waves. It took nearly two years to find (30 meters). However, the search has been spokesman J A Barata said AirAsia Indonesia had the black boxes from Air France Flight 447, but complicated by strong currents moving the not been permitted to fly the Surabaya-Singapore the Rio de Janeiro to Paris flight that fell into the debris. route on Sundays and had not asked to change its Atlantic Ocean in the early hours of June 1, The 2009 crash ended up being, at least in schedule. 2009, could offer insight into what may have part, a lesson in the hazards of automation. HARBIN: Chinese firefighters battling a blaze at the Beifangnanxun ceramics market in It was unclear how the airline, a unit of gone wrong on AirAsia’s Flight 8501. Both During that time, deprived of autopilot, the Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang province. Five firefighters were killed and 11 others Malaysia-based AirAsia, had been able to fly with- flights killed everyone on board, both were fly- panicking men flying the Air France flight took were injured with three in critical condition when the warehouse collapsed on them. — AFP out the necessary authorization. ing into storms when they disappeared, and - in actions that made matters worse, including AirAsia Indonesia chief Sunu Widyatmoko told both cases - it seemed to the pilots of the trying to carry out different maneuvers simul- reporters that the company would not comment Airbus that a climb was the way out of their taneously from both sets of controls. Since Gambian troops hunt until the results of the investigation were known, predicament. then, many have cautioned that pilots are adding that the airline would “fully cooperate with In the Air France flight, several factors con- often ill-equipped to take over when things go the government in that evaluation process”. verged to bring the plane down: The three wrong. for failed coup plotters pilots of the Airbus A330 were confused by “We see more-sophisticated automation in BANJUL, Gambia: Gambian security forces had been arrested in connection with the pre- Hampered by strong current faulty air-speed data after key sensors iced over. the cockpit really serves us well, and by and went door-to-door in the capital Banjul on dawn attack, which was carried out by heavily Recovery teams, which have been hampered Then, about 25 minutes into turbulence, the large it creates a safer environment for airline Friday in search of participants in a failed coup armed men travelling by boat. by rough weather in recent days, had on Friday autopilot and autothrust cut out, and the pilot passengers. But there are times when that against the west African country’s strongman Gambian military sources said the coup narrowed their search to an area of 45 by 35 nauti- at the controls began a steep climb, despite automation can become confusing, or there can President Yahya Jammeh, residents said. was led by a captain who deserted the army cal miles centred about 75 nautical miles south- requests from the co-pilot in the cockpit to be a disconnect between the pilots and the Witnesses said the troops, who also set up and who was killed along with two other west of Pangkalan Bun, a town in Central descend. automation in the aircraft,” said Deborah checkpoints on roads leading out of the assailants. Four officers suspected of partici- Kalimantan on Borneo. Search official S B Supriyadi The captain, who had been away from the Hersman, former chairman of the US National coastal city, were searching for suspects from pating in the attempt have taken refuge in the in Pangkalan Bun said their yesterday operation cockpit, returned about 90 seconds after the Transportation Safety Board and now president Tuesday’s assault on the presidential palace. neighboring west African nation of Guinea- would also comb coastal areas to see if bodies had first stall warnings sounded. Four minutes and of the National Safety Council, a private advoca- The attack, which was repelled by the secu- Bissau, a military source said. Jammeh, 49, who drifted to shore, while their ability to send divers 23 seconds after the first alarms sowed panic cy group in the US. rity forces, took place while Jammeh was on a himself took power in a coup, has ruled the down would depend on sea currents and waves. and confusion over how to regain control of the David Greenberg, a former Delta Air Lines private visit to Dubai, diplomatic and military tiny country which runs along the Gambia riv- Russia has sent in dozens of search and rescue aircraft, the plane slammed into the ocean, executive who was hired at Korean Air to over- sources said. “Gambian soldiers carrying guns er for 20 years. His presidency has been workers to help with the operations, as well as two plummeting belly first at nearly 11,000 feet see pilot training and safety, said aircraft manu- are conducting a house-to-house,” a woman dogged by accusations of human rights viola- planes, one amphibious, while French and (3,350 meters) per minute. The wreckage was facturers, airlines and the FAA embraced the living in Banjul told AFP, asking not to be iden- tions and analysts have warned Tuesday’s Singaporean investigators are helping to locate found 12,800 feet (3,900 meters) beneath the idea that automation could make flying safer, tified. “They believe the attackers are still hid- attack could be used as justification for a clam- the black boxes. The United States, Australia, surface, its black boxes intact. but more recently began to worry about the ing in the capital.” pdown. On Thursday he accused unidentified South Korea and Malaysia are among other coun- Above the Java Sea, the pilot of the AirAsia times when automation can’t carry the day. Residents in other neighborhoods also foreign forces of attempting to unseat him and tries helping in the search effort. Airbus A320 told air traffic control he was “The focus started to shift back to being capa- reported houses being searched. A fisherman, insisted that his army was “very loyal”. “This was Soelistyo said the larger of the two objects approaching threatening clouds, but he was ble of using the automation as an assist to who also requested anonymity because of the not a coup. This was an attack by a terrorist found on Friday night was about 10 metres by five denied permission to climb to a higher altitude. reduce workload in the right circumstance, but climate of fear in the city, said he had been group backed by some powers that I would metres (32 feet by 16 feet). A presentation shown The plane lost contact minutes later. Search being capable also of taking over and flying the warned by relatives not to head back with his not name,” he said. to reporters described one of the pieces a “sus- teams have not yet found the black boxes con- old way,” Greenberg said. “In Asia, it’s very nor- catch to the usual dock outside Banjul because The UN’s west Africa envoy, Mohammed Ibn pected tail” of the plane. taining the same crucial information that pin- mal to rely, in my view, excessively on automa- “members of the armed forces and the para- Chambas, condemned the “attempt to seize “As I speak we are lowering an ROV (remotely pointed the causes of the Air France flight. tion,” he said, “party because the manufacturers military are lying in ambush in the creeks at power through unconstitutional means”. Ibn operated underwater vehicle) underwater to get Investigators from the French agency BEA, stress that the airplanes are easy to learn and Denton bridge and Old Jeshwang”. Chambas, who is due to visit Gambia soon, an actual picture of the objects detected on the which investigated that 2009 crash, are in easy to train on and very safe because the Military and government officials were not called on the security forces “to ensure that the sea floor. All are at the depth of 30 metres,” Indonesia. Sonar images have identified what automation narrows the gap between skill and available for comment. An intelligence services investigations are conducted in full respect of Soelistyo said. He added however that the strong appeared to be large parts of the plane, and the required skill.” — AP source said Thursday that dozens of people human rights and regular legal process”. — AFP current was making it difficult to operate the ROV. NEWS SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015

Members of a brass band have a snowball fight beside the Tour de Ski track in Oberstdorf, southern Germany, during winter weather with temperatures near freezing point yesterday.— AFP Obama aims to start 2015 on his own terms

HONOLULU: US President Barack on Wednesday just as the new Congress said Obama would announces propos- ple attend college or job-training. ping away on health care, immigration work with us, we’ll have a real chance Obama plans new steps to help more was settling in. He plans stops in als this coming week that focus on With Obama’s prime-time address and the environment, flashing their to address our nation’s most pressing Americans buy a home and attend col- Michigan, Arizona and Tennessee helping the middle class benefit from to the nation less than three weeks power as Obama enters the last years challenges,” he said in the weekly lege, part of a 2015 agenda he hopes aimed at highlighting how his own eco- the economic recovery. “There are a away, the White House has reached out of his presidency and the 2016 race Republican address. During his vaca- can build on the postelection momen- nomic policies were contributing to the number of issues we could make to Democratic groups such as the starts to unfold. tion with his wife and daughters, tum from high-profile moves on immi- country’s recovery. Obama, expected progress on, but the president is clear Center for American Progress to solicit Rep Rodney Davis said the House Obama spent long afternoons on the gration and Cuba. His approach for the back in Washington today, has that he will not let this Congress undo input, without making commitments. would start right away with jobs bills beach with his girls and golfed nearly new year appears to look straight past appeared energized by the end-of-the- important protections gained - particu- Lacking a Democratic majority in the that have won the support of both par- every day with friends. The visit to his newly emboldened Republicans who year action on immigration policy and larly in areas of healthcare, Wall Street Senate to stop them, GOP lawmakers ties before but never advanced in the birthplace is a yearly tradition for the take full control of Congress on Cuban relations, suggesting continued reform and the environment,” Schultz convening Tuesday intend to start chip- Senate. “If the president is willing to Obamas. — AP Tuesday. presidential relevance despite a political said. Fresh from a two-week Hawaiian landscape dramatically altered by deep Obama has threatened to use his vacation, the president was readying Democratic losses on Election Day. veto power to block GOP attacks this Amal Clooney threatened with arrest... executive actions and legislative pro- Since the November midterms, the year. In Detroit on Wednesday, Obama posals to start promoting right away key question has been whether Obama plans to cite the return of manufactur- Continued from Page 1 journalists in custody pending a new hearing. Fahmy - while advisers and speechwriters flesh will lean in or away from compromise ing jobs and his decision to bail out the whom Clooney represents - and Greste are seeking out the broad themes that Obama with Republicans in his final two years. auto industry. In Phoenix the next day, listed Muslim Brotherhood, say the charges were deportation, while Mohamed’s wife said she was look- wants to emphasis in his State of the Of the issues the White House said Obama intends to showcase gains in politically motivated. One of the recommendations in ing at ways to get her husband out of Egypt. Union address on Jan 20. It will be his Obama will emphasize in the coming the housing sector since the real estate Clooney’s report was to end the practice that allows Clooney said she hoped that Fahmy’s deportation seventh since taking office, but his first weeks, none was among the few areas crash and come out with new steps to Egyptian officials to handpick judges in certain politi- would go ahead “in fairly quick terms”, expressing little before a Congress entirely in GOP that both Democrats and Republicans help Americans buy a home, the White cised cases. “That recommendation wasn’t followed, confidence in a retrial. “I don’t see how the prosecution hands. have cited as ripe for dealmaking - House said. On Friday, Vice President and we’ve seen the results of that in this particular case can proceed again in a trial process even if the judges In a sign of their divergent paths, trade, taxes, public works. Joe Biden will join Obama in Tennessee where you had a handpicked panel led by a judge who were to be constituted properly this time around. I don’t Obama was heading out of Washington An Obama spokesman, Eric Schultz, to discuss new ways to help more peo- is known for dispensing brutal verdicts. And this one see how they could fix the lack of evidence,” she said. was no different,” she said. “We have to continue and double our efforts to achieve Egypt’s top court on Thursday ordered a retrial of his release in other ways. Unfortunately we have to con- Australian Peter Greste, Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed clude that we can’t rely on these Egyptian court process- Govt faces heat after raising diesel prices Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohamed, but kept the es to achieve a fair or swift result,” she said. — AFP Continued from Page 1 for failing to prevent the illegal price rises. But MP Mohammad Tana quoted the minister as saying the min- Zalzalah said that the agreement with the commerce istry has already started taking legal measures against Saudis to reopen Baghdad embassy minister was that the government will not allow any harm local companies that raised prices although the price of Continued from Page 1 of warming relations after years of strain between the to people from raising the price of diesel and that the min- diesel was not raised for them. The ministry insisted that two countries. ister pledged that the consumer protection department the price of diesel and kerosene will not be raised for a by WikiLeaks, and accused him of ruling Iraq only on Mustafa Alani, an Iraqi security analyst with close ties will prevent any increases. The lawmaker said the govern- number of local activities, especially building material behalf of the Shiites. Citing an official foreign ministry to the Saudi government, said the move was prompted ment is behaving as if it is living outside the country and companies. source, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said that besides by both the change in Iraqi leadership and the threat ignoring the price rises, adding that it was illogical to see MP Tana said he spoke with the minister who informed reopening its embassy, the kingdom also planned to set from Islamic State, which staged a lightning advance bakeries closing down. He said that the government has him that the consumer protection department began up a general consulate in Arbil, capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan across Iraq in June and is the target of US-led air strikes decided to lift subsidies without studying the full impact of immediately collecting the names of companies that region. A team from the ministry would head to in both Iraq and Syria. “The Saudis think there is a gap its measure, and as a result the only step needed to resolve raised the charges of their services although the price of Baghdad this week to liaise with Iraq on choosing and now. If they leave Mr Abadi without help, he will be the problem is a government’s reversal of its decision. diesel was not raised for them. The lifting of subsidies on preparing buildings for both missions, so they could forced to go to the Iranians,” he said. “With the change of MP Abdulhameed Dashti described the closure of diesel, kerosene and fuel aviation was the first step to start work “at the earliest opportunity”, SPA said. In leadership, change of circumstances, they think that it’s Iranian bakeries as a catastrophe, and lashed out at reduce public subsidies estimated to cost the government November, Iraqi President Fuad Masum visited Saudi time to bring back Iraq ... to the Arab fold and to reduce Commerce and Industry Minister Abdulmohsen Al-Mudej more than KD 5 billion. Arabia for the first such high-level trip in years in a sign the Iranian influence.” — Agencies SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 ANALYSIS

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Washington Watch Slew of challenges for Republican-led Congress in 2015

By Michael Mathes

he 113th Congress, which wrapped up Dec 16, was one of the least productive in modern history. TOnward to 2015. US lawmakers return to Washington on Tuesday under a new, fully Republican banner after the party swept to victory in November elections. Republican leaders will have plenty on their plate in the first quarter, as the party seeks to roll back President Barack Obama’s legislative gains and press its own agenda ahead of the 2016 presidential race. Conservatives are furious at Obama’s recent use of executive orders, notably to halt deportations of undoc- umented immigrants and to begin normalizing US-Cuba relations. Republican legislation, including several pro- jobs bills, should pass relatively easily through the House of Representatives, where Republicans expanded their Liverpool face up to life without Gerrard majority to 247 of 435 seats. It will be tougher in the 100- member Senate, where 60 votes are often needed to By Toby Davis of forwards Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in one of Giggs, however, was ushered into a coaching role from advance legislation. Republicans will hold 54 seats in the the most attacking Liverpool sides in recent years, few a recent title winning side, without the micro-analysis of chamber. Expect a series of heated clashes between Congress and Obama in months to come. hile the emotional bond formed of 17 years ster- questioned his place in the side. Yet with Suarez gone his situation every time he started a match on the bench. ling service to his boyhood club ensures Steven and Sturridge injured for most of the current cam- Gerrard was never going to be afforded that luxury in a Economy WGerrard’s exit will be an emotional occasion, his paign, Gerrard has looked a shadow of last season’s struggling Liverpool outfit. If he started on the bench, he Obama gives his State of the Union speech Jan 20 lay- ageing legs and dwindling reserves of energy mean the playmaker, with his passing range counting for little was always going to be the centre of attention, win lose or ing out his policy priorities, but several issues will already hero of yesteryear had already departed. Gerrard, who with the more sedentary Mario Balotelli leading the draw, which was part of the reason for the timing of be churning on Capitol Hill. Approving the controversial announced on Friday that he was quitting Liverpool at the Liverpool line. Friday’s statement on his future. “I am making the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada to the US Gulf end of the season for a new challenge abroad, can rightful- Without a moving target to aim for, teams came armed announcement now so that the manager and the team are Coast will be the Senate’s first major order of business, ly lay claim to be one of the club’s true greats. with spoiler tactics to restrict Gerrard’s creative influence not distracted by stories or speculation about my future,” according to incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch But the days when he would drag Liverpool over the and Liverpool’s title challenge was over before it had bare- he said. McConnell. The long-delayed project is expected to clear line by willpower alone, when his mere presence on the ly begun. This is not the first Liverpool side that Gerrard If there is some solace to be had for Liverpool manager Congress, but Obama, concerned about how Keystone pitch meant no situation was so dire that he could not con- has played in who look a long way off challenging for the Brendan Rodgers as he begins to make plans for a life with- might hasten climate change, signalled his opposition in a year-end press conference. That sets up a potential jure an improbable escape, are now gone. The reality, Premier League. It is the first, however, where the cracks of out Gerrard, it perhaps lies in the fact that arguably their presidential Keystone veto in early 2015, one that would therefore, was that had Gerrard stayed at Liverpool, his mediocrity cannot be papered over by the majestic talents best performance of the season came with his captain on be difficult to override. appearances were going to become more sporadic. At 34 of the captain. the bench. The midfielder was a mere observer as Republican leaders expect to reach common ground years old, he had entered the period in most careers when Liverpool recreated last season’s attacking verve in a 4-1 with Obama on international trade agreements like the talk turns to protecting tired legs from the exertions of the Gargantuan Presence victory over Swansea City a few days after Christmas. There Trans-Pacific Partnership, which has Republican support modern game. It is fair to say, therefore, that the biggest impact of his remains, however, a sense that Liverpool have a squad but faces Democratic opposition. Other issues could face Questions had started to be asked about whether he departure is likely to be the lack of his gargantuan pres- with few natural leaders. A transfer policy that has focused even more hostility. Congress will need to raise the fed- could still be an effective part of manager Brendan ence behind the scenes. Especially at a club where there is primarily on recruiting young talent with potential rather eral debt limit, which was suspended early last year until Rodgers’s side, where a high-intensity pressing game now arguably not a single player who can claim to hold the than finished products means there are few stand-out can- March 15, 2015. McConnell said there would be “no seemed to be the preferred method of attack and defence. highest stature in the world game. Former defender Jamie didates to replace Gerrard as captain. default on the national debt”. Incoming House Budget He was able to make a big impact on Liverpool’s title chal- Carragher, who shared many of Gerrard’s finest moments, For many years, Gerrard was the difference between Committee chairman Tom Price hinted that Republicans could demand dramatic spending cuts in exchange for lenge last season largely because the manager had created was among those calling for the club to make more effort Liverpool competing near the top of the table rather than extending borrowing authority. With a battle brewing, a role in the team, the deep-lying quarter-back, tailor- to retain Gerrard for precisely that reason. “I look at what is scrapping it out with the also-rans. Although his impact on the government can use so-called extraordinary meas- made to enhance his assets and hide his growing weak- happening with Ryan Giggs at Manchester United now the pitch is no longer what it was, Liverpool could still pay ures to stave off default for a few months. nesses. and I am dismayed that Liverpool are letting that experi- a hard price for failing to replace his know-how and experi- As Gerrard arrowed long-range passes into the feet ence leave,” he said. ence off it. — Reuters Foreign Policy The Senate will swiftly address Iran’s nuclear program, according to Republican Senator Mark Kirk, who co- authored new sanctions on Iran. The White House has ‘Interview’ no laughing matter for defectors warned Congress that tightening sanctions could destroy international negotiations aimed at preventing By Kim Dong-Hyun funny,” said Park. “The most important takeaway for gets that,” said Sokeel Park, director of research and Iran from developing an atomic bomb. But with biparti- them would be that their great leader can be a laughing strategy at Liberty in North Korea, a US-based charity san support for a firm stance, Obama could potentially face a tough call on whether to veto legislation that ollywood comedy “The Interview” has won a few stock overseas and the United States could assassinate that helps defectors. would impose sanctions and require Congress to sign off fans in between sparking apocalyptic warnings him... This would deal a blow to North Korea’s efforts to But that subversive message will have to battle with on any final deal. Lawmakers will also debate a prospec- Hfrom North Korea - but for defectors who escaped idolise the young leader.” the fact that much of the film is incomprehensible to an tive new authorization for use of military force against the communist state, there’s nothing funny about it. Park’s group is planning to launch the first of the audience raised on a diet of propaganda distinctly lack- Islamic State extremists. The administration conducts its That’s not to say they’re not watching it. Defectors based giant balloons carrying copies of the film, along with ing in any kind of humour - let alone the frat-boy jokes current operations - including more than 1,100 airstrikes in the South have flocked to see the film at the centre of bundles of anti-regime leaflets, later this month. Some that have won “The Interview” a widespread panning in Syria and Iraq since September targeting IS - under an escalating international row thanks to its lurid depic- defectors have already managed to pass online links to from critics. “It didn’t give me much to laugh about as authority passed in 2001 and 2002 after Al-Qaeda’s 9/11 tion of the assassination of North Korean dictator Kim the movie to informants living in the North near the we North Koreans are not accustomed to comedy,” said attacks on the United States. Many Democrats have Jong-Un. The United States claims that the film’s presen- border with China, where they have access to secret Lee Han-Byul, a defector who was amongst around 100 bucked Obama and demanded a limited, three-year tation of Kim - whose family has ruled the reclusive, smartphones paid for by South Koreans, according to people who crowded the bar to watch the film. “There authority that prohibits the use of US ground troops. impoverished state for more than six decades - prompt- Kim Sung-Min of Free North Korea Radio. are no comedy films in North Korea, and we have (a) dif- Obamacare ed Pyongyang to launch a massive cyber-attack on Sony At a recent screening of “The Interview” at a bar in ferent sense of humour.” Since the Affordable Care Act became law in 2010, Pictures, the studio that made it. Seoul, viewers said the puerile comedy - which relies One thing that left her particularly unimpressed was House Republicans have voted more than 50 times to “Every defector I know has seen the movie,” said Kim heavily on butt jokes - could prove an unlikely tool the lack of resemblance between Randall Park, the repeal or defund it, mostly to no avail, as the Sung-Min, who fled the North in 1996 and now runs the against the Pyongyang propaganda machine if any Korean-American actor who plays Kim, and the dictator Democratically-run Senate refused to take up the meas- anti-Pyongyang Free North Korea Radio station. “We’ve North Koreans manage to secretly view it in their himself. “The actor did not look like Kim Jong-Un at all,” ures. That changes with Republicans in charge, and in an talked a lot about this flick over the past week, and we homes. “The biggest threat to the regime is undermin- she complained. “In North Korea, actors in films are almost op-ed after November’s elections McConnell and House simply did not understand why it gives foreigners ing the narrative they tell their people. This film actually exact lookalikes of the heroes they are playing.” — AFP Speaker John Boehner said they were “renewing our laughs,” he added. Internet links to the film quickly cir- commitment to repeal Obamacare”. McConnell has culated amongst the South’s 20,000-strong defector acknowledged a full repeal is not possible, and is seeking community after Sony reversed its decision to axe it late to limit the law’s scope. He signaled Republicans will seek to redefine the work week to 40 hours, up from last month following threats to cinema-goers from the Obamacare’s current 30-hour threshold. Critics have shadowy Sony hackers. warned that Obamacare creates incentives for companies But defectors have reacted to the movie with a mix- to reduce workers’ hours to avoid purchasing insurance. ture of shock and bafflement. It’s not just that its crass humour is largely lost on a North Korean audience - it’s Immigration that growing up immersed in a personality cult, which Congress last month authorized spending for all fed- gives god-like status to the ruling Kim dynasty, is not an eral agencies until September - except for the experience that can easily be forgotten. Even for defec- Department of Homeland Security, which was budgeted tors who have been in the South for years, it is jarring to through February. That sets up a fight over Obama’s uni- see Kim ridiculed as a Katy Perry fan who has a complex lateral immigration action. In a December interview with about his dad. “For me, it wasn’t a comedy - more of a McClatchy newspapers, McConnell promised a “signifi- cant debate” on the immigration issue. — AFP bombshell, because of the way it made fun of Kim Jong- Un,” Park Sang-Hak, who defected to the South in 1999, told AFP. But that is precisely the reason that Park, who leads a All articles appearing on these pages group of activists that regularly attempt to airdrop anti- are the personal opinion of the writ- Kim leaflets into North Korea, is planning to launch gas- ers. Kuwait Times takes no responsibil- filled balloons over the border carrying some 100,000 copies of the film on DVDs and USB memory sticks. To ity for views expressed therein. Kuwait see Kim portrayed as an object of ridicule - rather than Times invites readers to voice their the infallible, all-powerful leader depicted in state prop- opinions. Please send submissions via aganda - would be nothing short of a revelation for email to: [email protected] or most North Koreans, Park said. via snail mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kim Lookalike Disappoints North Koreans Kuwait. The editor reserves the right Some of them might initially react with anger. “For to edit any submission as necessary. North Koreans, it’s the equivalent of portraying Jesus as a debauched, crooked scoundrel. It would not be at all p15_Layout 1 1/3/15 9:55 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 SPORTS

Ajax sign teenage keeper Trott aims to revive career Gerrard to move to MLS AMSTERDAM: Dutch champions Ajax Amsterdam have signed teenage CAPE TOWN: Former England batsman Jonathan Trott will continue to try LONDON: Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will join a Major League Soccer goalkeeper Andre Onana from Barcelona on a three-year contract, Ajax to revive his test career on his first overseas tour since leaving the Ashes in team in the United States when he leaves Anfield at the end of the season, said yesterday. Australia with stress issues just over a year ago. the former England captain told the English club’s TV channel yesterday. The 18-year-old, originally from Cameroon, has been the subject of The 33-year-old is captain of a 15-man England Lions squad, which Gerrard announced on Friday that he was leaving the Premier League interest from several European clubs but has done a deal until begins a month-long tour of South Africa tomorrow. Trott will lead the club he has played for throughout his career and moving to a foreign team. mid-2018 with Ajax. His contract with the Spanish club runs team in a three-day warm-up match against an invitation side in Soweto The 34-year-old has made 695 appearance and scored 180 goals for out in June. and two four-day games against South Africa A this month. He is not in the Liverpool after joining the club as an eight-year-old schoolboy. Onana has been in Barcelona’s youth system since squad for five one-day ‘internationals’ that follow. His former England team mate Frank Lampard left Chelsea 2010 and this season was promoted to their Under-19 The South African-born batsman has said his selection for the Lions last year to join New York City FC but he was loaned back to side. Onana played for Barcelona against Ajax in squad would help his bid to return to England’s test team. their Premier League rivals Manchester City and this week November in the UEFA Youth League, the continental “I am like everyone else playing county cricket in that I have aspirations confirmed he would stay at the Etihad Stadium until the youth competition for clubs competing in the to play for England,” he said. “I remember going on previous Lions trips in end of the season. Gerrard’s greatest moment in a Champions League, but he has not played a senior 2007 and 2008 and having to do my time on those and prove myself. That Liverpool shirt was when he helped to inspire their dramat- is something that I need to do again.” ic comeback win over AC Milan in the Champions League game. Barcelona have another Cameroonian Trott returned to cricket last year after months of therapy following his final in 2005. However, he suffered disappointment teenaged goalkeeper on their books. Fabrice decision to leave the 2013-2104 England tour to Australia, saying he was last May when Liverpool missed out on the Ondoa, 19, is expected to be first choice for “emotionally and mentally spent”. Premier League title. They faltered late in the his country at this month’s African Nations He departed the tour after the first test in Brisbane in November 2013, campaign when they appeared poised to Cup finals even though he has never returning briefly to the game with Warwickshire at the start of the last become English champions for the first time played for his club’s first team.—Reuters county season, only take another break.—Reuters since 1990.—Reuters

SUNRISE: Goaltender Roberto Luongo No. 1 of the Florida Panthers defends the net in this file photo. —AFP Panthers maul Sabres, Penguins roll

BUFFALO: Roberto Luongo made 30 saves Pittsburgh won its ninth straight home game Mike Cammalleri also scored for the Devils. win his seventh straight game and improve Pouliot scored for Edmonton, and Scrivens for his 68th career shutout to lead the Florida against Tampa Bay. Sidney Crosby added four to 21-6-0. New York (26-11-1) improved to 7- finished with 27 saves. Panthers past the Buffalo Sabres 2-0 on assists for the Penguins, who bolstered their HURRICANES 2, FLYERS 1 1-1 in its last nine games and kept pace with Friday night. depth at forward earlier in the day by acquir- Brad Malone scored his first goal of the Pittsburgh atop the Metropolitan Division. DUCKS 4, BLUES 3 Brad Boyes and Nick Bjugstad scored for ing left wing David Perron from the season and Eric Staal got his 10th and the Matt Beleskey scored the tiebreaking goal Florida, which won for the first time in three Edmonton Oilers. Carolina Hurricanes held on for a victory over AVALANCHE 2, OILERS 1 midway through the third period, and Sami games. Luongo has shutouts in his last three Andrew Ebbett added a goal and an assist, the Philadelphia Flyers. Alex Tanguay and Matt Duchene scored Vatanen had two assists in the Anaheim starts in Buffalo, and this one moved him into and Christian Ehrhoff also scored. Brian Boyle, Cam Ward made 20 saves for the shootout goals, Semyon Varlamov stopped Ducks’ victory over the St. Louis Blues. sole possession of 13th on the NHL’s career Victor Hedman and Alex Killorn had goals for Hurricanes, who won for only the third time both of Edmonton’s shooters and the After St. Louis rallied three times to erase a list. Michal Neuvirth made 31 saves for the Lightning, whose four-game win streak in a month and scored as many as two goals Colorado Avalanche beat the Oilers 2-1 on one-goal Ducks lead in the first two periods, Buffalo, which has lost three in a row. ended. for just the fourth time in the past 14 games. Friday night. Beleskey beat Martin Brodeur with a vicious Florida started the scoring at the 3:29 Philadelphia, which got 24 saves from Varlamov had 27 saves in regulation and wrist shot for his 16th goal with 9:05 to play. mark when Sabres defenseman Tyson CANADIENS 4, DEVILS 2 Steve Mason, fell to 6-12-4 on the road and 4- overtime, and Daniel Briere scored in regula- The NHL-leading Ducks hung on for their Strachan missed the puck on a clearing Michael Bournival scored his first two 15-4 when allowing the first goal. tion for Colorado. It was the fifth straight ninth consecutive home victory over St. Louis attempt and the Panthers worked the puck to goals of the season and Carey Price made 22 Philadelphia didn’t reach the 10-shot mark shootout win for the Avalanche, who are 6-2- since October 2009. Ryan Getzlaf, Kyle Boyes, who scored alone in front of the net. saves on a personal milestone night and the until the final five minutes of the second peri- 2 in their last 10. Palmieri and Andrew Cogliano also scored for With Mike Weber in the box for an interfer- Montreal Canadiens extended their winning od and was outshot 26-21 overall. After both teams failed to convert on their the Ducks, who are 2-1 on their eight-game ence penalty, Bjugstad made it 2-0 with a streak to five with a victory over the New Philadelphia captain Claude Giroux left first shootout opportunities, Duchene got homestand. Kevin Shattenkirk and Alexander power-play goal at 11:51. Jersey Devils. with 15:15 remaining after suffering a cut to one past Ben Scrivens. Varlamov made a save Steen each had a goal and an assist for the Price got his 200th victory in his 400th his left leg by the skate blade of the on Jordan Eberle, and Tanguay finished it Blues, who have lost six of seven. TJ Oshie PENGUINS 6, LIGHTNING 3 game as Montreal won for the eighth time in Hurricanes’ Justin Faulk. with a roof shot over a sprawled Scrivens. Ben scored St. Louis’ first goal.—AP Steve Downie scored twice after missing the past nine games. Max Pacioretty and five games with the mumps, and the Tomas Plekanec also scored for the WILD 3, MAPLE LEAFS 1 Pittsburgh Penguins used a three-goal, first- Canadiens while P.K. Subban had three Kyle Brodziak, Jared Spurgeon and Mikko period lead to defeat the Tampa Bay assists. The Devils are headed in the opposite Koivu scored, Darcy Kuemper made 34 saves, Lightning. direction. They have only two wins in the past and the Minnesota Wild beat the short hand- Depleted Volvo fleet Chris Kunitz scored a power-play goal, his 12 games. Rookie Keith Kinkaid also made 22 ed Toronto Maple Leafs. 12th of the year and Evgeni Malkin netted his stops. Michael Ryder got a goal in his return After Cody Franson’s 5-on-3 goal tied it at sets sail for China 17th - and just his second in 11 games - as after missing three games with the mumps. 1 early in the third period, Spurgeon unloaded a slap shot from the right circle to ABU DHABI: The Volvo Ocean Race’s expected to take three weeks to complete beat Jonathan Bernier with 12:17 to play. Less depleted fleet set sail for China from Abu and the weather forecast suggests very NHL results/standings than 2 minutes later, Koivu scored on the Dhabi yesterday for arguably the toughest light winds will initially be the fleet’s power play to make it 3-1 and give Minnesota stage of the marathon nine-month event. biggest problem. Florida 2, Buffalo 0; Montreal 4, New Jersey 2; Pittsburgh 6, Tampa Bay 3; Carolina 2, Philadelphia 1; Minnesota 3, its first home win in its past five games. The fleet has been reduced to six after The sailing will get very tricky as the Toronto 1; Colorado 2, Edmonton 1 (SO); NY Islanders 2, Calgary 1; Anaheim 4, St. Louis 3. Toronto, the NHL’s highest-scoring team at one boat, Team Vestas Wind (Denmark), fleet goes through the hazardous Malacca Western Conference Tampa Bay 24 12 4 130 106 52 3.29 goals per game, played without forwards grounded on a reef in the Indian Ocean in Straits dividing the Indonesian island of Pacific Division Detroit 20 9 9 108 95 49 Joffrey Lupul, Peter Holland and Nazem Kadri. the previous leg from Cape Town to the Sumatra and Malaysia. WLOTLGFGAPTS Toronto 21 15 3 129 117 45 The three veterans have totaled 57 points this United Arab Emirates. “I’m pretty happy dealing with big Anaheim 25 9 6 111 107 56 Florida 17 10 9 84 93 43 season and were hurt in Toronto’s shootout Los Angeles 19 12 8 106 96 46 Although substantial damage was down waves and strong winds, but the complexi- Boston 19 15 4 101 103 42 win over Boston on Wednesday. Vancouver 21 12 3 105 97 45 to the vessel, the team’s backers on Friday ty of dealing with a narrow channel, and a Ottawa 15 14 7 97 99 37 San Jose 20 13 5 104 96 45 announced that they plan to re-enter the very large amount of shipping is what caus- Buffalo 14 22 3 76 130 31 ISLANDERS 2, FLAMES 1 Calgary 21 16 3 115 105 45 race for the last two legs from June with a es the problems,” Team Alvimedica’s experi- Metropolitan Division John Tavares scored twice to lead the New Arizona 14 19 4 86 121 32 rebuilt boat. enced Australian navigator Will Oxley told Edmonton 8 22 9 83 133 25 Pittsburgh 24 9 5 117 90 53 York Islanders to their third straight victory. The 12th edition of the 41-year-old race, reporters yesterday. CENTRAL DIVISION NY Islanders 26 11 1 119 104 53 After Tavares opened the scoring eight min- generally acknowledged as offshore sail- Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing led the six- Chicago 25 11 2 119 81 52 Washington 19 11 7 108 96 45 utes into the game, the score remained 1-0 ing’s toughest challenge, is intriguingly strong fleet out on Saturday under a thick Nashville 24 9 3 106 78 51 NY Rangers 20 11 4 107 89 44 until 12:16 of the third period when Tavares poised with three boats sharing the lead. blanket of fog after several laps of an in- St. Louis 22 13 3 111 97 47 Columbus 16 16 3 89 110 35 got the puck in the slot, fended off Deryk Winnipeg 19 12 7 96 92 45 Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Team port course. They were pursued by Philadelphia 14 17 7 104 115 35 Engelland and fired his team-leading 17th Minnesota 18 14 4 103 99 40 Brunel (Netherlands) took the first and sec- Dongfeng Race Team (China) and Team SCA New Jersey 13 20 7 85 115 33 goal through the pads of Jonas Hiller. Dallas 17 14 5 108 118 39 ond legs and China’s Dongfeng Race Team (Sweden), the all-female crew who won the Carolina 11 23 4 75 101 26 The Flames got a goal from Johnny Colorado 15 15 8 98 113 38 joined them at the top courtesy of two run- Abu Dhabi in-port race on Friday. The race Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in Gaudreau with 3:25 left in the third period to Eastern Conference ners-up spots. is scheduled to finish in Gothenburg, Atlantic Division the standings and are not included in the loss col- get back within one, but could not tie it The 4,670-nautical mile leg to China is Sweden on June 27. —Reuters Montreal 25 11 2 104 88 52 umn (L). against Jaroslav Halak, who had 22 saves to p16_Layout 1 1/3/15 9:54 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 SPORTS

SCOREBOARD

WELLINGTON: Scoreboard at stumps on the first day of the second Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at the Basin Reserve in Wellington yesterday:

New Zealand 1st innings Bowling: Lakmal 17-2-71-3 (3nb), Pradeep 16-0- T. Latham c Jayawardene b Lakmal 6 63-4 (2w, 1nb), Prasad 11.1-1-50-2, Mathews 9-3- H. Rutherford c Jayawardene b Pradeep 37 29-1, Herath 2-0-7-0 K. Williamson b Prasad 69 R. Taylor b Pradeep 35 Sri Lanka 1st innings B. McCullum b Lakmal 0 D. Karunaratne c Neesham b Boult 16 J. Neesham c Jayawardene b Pradeep 15 K. Silva b Bracewell 5 B. Watling c Chandimal b Mathews 11 K. Sangakkara not out 33 M. Craig c Mathews b Lakmal 7 L. Thirimanne c McCullum b Bracewell 0 D. Bracewell b Prasad 16 A. Mathews c Watling b Southee 15 T. Southee c Sangakkara b Pradeep 0 P. Jayawardene c Neesham b Bracewell 6 T. Boult not out 16 Extras (lb1, nb2) 3 Extras (lb1, w3, nb5) 9 Total (five wickets, 25.4 overs) 78 Total: (10 wickets, 55.1 overs) 221 Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Karunaratne), 2-25 (Silva), 3- Fall of wickets: 1-31 (Latham), 2-62 (Rutherford), 29 (Thirimanne), 4-58 (Mathews), 5-78 3-141 (Taylor), 4-142 (McCullum), 5-162 (Jayawardene) (Neesham), 6-181 (Watling), 7-182 (Williamson), Bowling: Boult 7-1-18-1, Southee 9-2-30-1, 8-194 (Craig), 9-195 (Southee), 10-221 (Bracewell) Bracewell 7.4-1-23-3 (2nb), Neesham 2-0-6-0. 15 fall in wicket fest

WELLINGTON: Fifteen wickets fell in a Wagner, followed with the dismissal of bowlers’ blitz yesterday as Sri Lanka Lahiru Thirimanne who lobbed a simple ended the first day of the second Test in catch to Brendon McCullum at mid off Wellington at 78-5 in reply to New without scoring. Zealand’s first innings 221. Mathews, Sri Lanka’s rock with two Sri Lanka’s response in their attempt half centuries in Christchurch, could to level the series after an eight wicket only manage 15 before he was squared drubbing in the first Test has been high- up by Tim Southee and edged the ball lighted by Kumar Sangakkara becoming to wicketkeeper BJ Watling. just the fifth player in cricket history to Prasanna Jayawardene gave post 12,000 career runs. New Zealand’s Bracewell his third wicket when he was innings was rocked by batting hero caught off the last ball of the day for six. Brendon McCullum’s second-ball duck. As the wickets fell at one end At stumps Sangakkara was 33 not out Sangakkara proved an unshakeable while recalled New Zealand paceman force at the other as he easily knocked Doug Bracewell had three for 23. off the five runs he required to reach Bracewell, who was only added to 12,000 and cruised through another 28 the side after New Zealand viewed the runs before stumps. The prolific 37-year- pitch and weather in the morning, old left-hander has an impressive aver- believed the home side have the upper age of more than 58.00, including 37 hand. “Looking at where we’ve got centuries in 130 Tests. His highest score them, 220 looks alright. We’re definitely was 319 against Bangladesh. satisfied with how we finished the day,” Although fifth on the all-time scoring he said, adding he expected the wicket list, the players ahead of him have all CAPE TOWN: South Africa’s Faf du Plessis makes a run during the third Test against the West Indies in Cape Town. —AP to speed up. retired including Indian great Sachin “Usually when there’s a bit of grass Tendulkar who tops the ranking with on it, day two and day three it begins to 15,921. harden up and get a bit quicker.” With New Zealand made a bright start to South Africa aim for big lead conditions ripe for bowlers, Sri Lankan the day, reaching 141-2 before the Sri captain Angelo Mathews had no hesita- Lankan bowlers found how best to CAPE TOWN: South African captain Hashim of strokes. Jerome Blackwood reached his The tall Holder conceded 12 runs in his first tion in making New Zealand bat first on utilise the conditions and the last eight Amla made a patient half-century as he and third Test half-century with a cover drive for over after replacing Gabriel but followed up a green strip with overcast skies and a wickets fell for 80. McCullum’s return to AB de Villiers steered their team towards a four off Steyn but was then trapped in front of with a maiden before Dean Elgar played blustery wind. the scene of his greatest triumph, a New sound position on the second day of the third his stumps with a full, swinging delivery after across a full delivery and was out for eight. New ball bowlers Nuwan Pradeep Zealand record 302 knock against India and final Test against the West Indies at making top score of 56. With the West Indies having as many as three and Suranga Lakmal wasted the advan- last February, only lasted two deliveries. Newlands yesterday. Jason Holder and Jerome Taylor both went fielders on the boundary for much of the rest tage in the first session, bowling short He had been feted on his return to South Africa were 227 for three when rain for their shots before perishing to mistimed of the day, and wide, but still managed to remove Wellington and was presented with the ended play half an hour early - 102 runs blows. Holder top-edged a pull and was Du Plessis and Alviro Petersen put on 56 for New Zealand openers Tom Latham for keys to the city during a lunch-break behind the West Indian first innings total of caught at mid-on and Taylor was caught at the second wicket before opening batsman six and Hamish Rutherford for 37. ceremony. But this time there was to be 329. “We’re in a really good position,” said fine leg when he hooked a ball from Morkel. Petersen was run out by a direct hit from But the game changed as they no marathon session in the middle, nor South African batsman Faf du Plessis, who Benn was last man out, driving Morkel to mid- Jermaine Blackwood at point for 42. It was a pitched the ball up more in the middle a replay of the rollicking 195 he blasted made 68 - the highest score in the match. off. Steyn finished with four for 78 and Morkel cruel blow for Petersen, whose place is under session when five New Zealand wickets in a shade over two hours in the first “The base has been created for us to score two for 83. threat after a string of modest scores. fell, while the last three New Zealand Test against Sri Lanka in Christchurch. some really big runs.” Du Plessis said one of Taylor and Gabriel both built up plenty of Du Plessis went on to make 68 off 123 balls wickets and five top Sri Lankans were He received a heroes welcome as he the strengths of South Africa’s batsmen was pace at the start of the South African innings, with eight fours before he became the only removed after tea. strode to the middle eight overs after their ability to convert fifties into hundreds. with Gabriel recorded at over 150kmh. victim of Benn, who bowled an economical First Test centurion Dimuth lunch, played at two deliveries and “Hashim and AB will do it more consistently But they bowled some loose deliveries as unbroken spell of 24 overs, taking one for 62. Karunaratne (16) was first to go for Sri returned to the shed after chopping a than most batters,” he said. they tried to unsettle the batsmen with short- Holder admitted that the West Indies had Lanka when he was lured into chasing a fuller ball from Suranga Lakmal onto “It’s a good batting wicket and a case of us pitched deliveries. Both fast bowlers conced- not taken full advantage of winning the toss. ball that moved off the seam and edged the stumps. Kane Williamson, with 69 getting as many runs as possible to get a ed wides with balls that climbed over wicket- and batting. “We were probably 70 runs short,” a comfortable catch to Jimmy Neesham and Ross Taylor who made 35 propped good lead.” On a day of largely attritional keeper Denesh Ramdin’s head for four extra he said. “It is important for us to start well (on in the slips. up the New Zealand innings with a 79 cricket, the West Indies opted for defensive runs. Sunday) and get some early wickets.”—AFP Kaushal Silva, in a cautious start, run stand for the third wicket. Pradeep fields after an initial burst of aggression with faced 30 deliveries before he played on was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers the new ball, while the South African batsmen SCOREBOARD Doug Bracewell for five. Bracewell, with four for 63 while Lakmal took were content to keep the scoreboard ticking recalled to the side in place of Neil three for 71.—AFP over. It was a game of patience, with only one CAPE TOWN: Close of play scores on the second day of the third and final Test between South Africa and the West South African batsman falling victim to frus- Indies at Newlands yesterday. tration - when Du Plessis leapt out of his crease and was stumped off left-arm spinner West Indies, first innings (overnight 276-6) (1nb), Morkel 19.5-1-83-2 (1nb, 1w), Harmer 26-5-71 -3, K. Brathwaite c Elgar b Steyn 7 Van Zyl 8-2-13-1, Elgar 2-0-6-0. Suleiman Benn. “I should have got a hundred D. Smith b Harmer 47 South Africa, first innings or at least have been 80 or 90 not out tonight. L. Johnson lbw b Harmer 54 A. Petersen run out (Blackwood) 42 It was a lapse of concentration,” he admitted. M. Samuels c Du Plessis b Van Zyl 43 D. Elgar lbw b Holder 8 A near-capacity crowd then saw Amla and S. Chanderpaul st De Villiers b Harmer 9 F. du Plessis st Ramdin b Benn 68 De Villiers forge a careful unbeaten fourth J. Blackwood lbw b Steyn 56 H. Amla not out 55 wicket partnership of 70. Amla made 55 not D. Ramdin c and b Steyn 53 A. de Villiers not out 32 J. Holder c Van Zyl b Steyn 23 Extras (lb2, nb8, w12) 22 out off 130 balls with seven fours, while De J. Taylor c Steyn b Morkel 13 Total (3 wkts, 68.3 overs) 227 Villiers was on 32 off 52 deliveries, hitting four S. Benn c Bavuma b Morkel 5 Fall of wickets: 1-48 (Elgar), 2-112 (Petersen), 3-157 (Du boundaries. S. Gabriel not out 4 Plessis) Fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel Extras (lb5, nb2, w8) 15 Bowling: Taylor 13-1-59-0 (1w), Gabriel 12-2-41-0 (5nb, took two wickets each as South Africa Total (99.5 overs) 329 3w), Holder 14-3-46-1 (2nb), Samuels 5.3-0-17-0, Benn wrapped up the West Indian first innings Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Brathwaite), 2-80 (Smith), 3-131 24-5-62-0 (Johnson), 4-162 (Samuels), 5-172 (Chanderpaul), 6-266 To bat: S. van Zyl, T. Bavuma, V. Philander, S. Harmer, D. inside the first hour. (Ramdin), 7-299 (Blackwood), 8-316 (Holder), 9-319 Steyn, M. Morkel Resuming at 276 for six, the West Indies (Taylor) Match situation: South Africa trail by 102 runs with sev- lost their remaining four wickets amid a flurry Bowling: Steyn 25-6-78-4 (3w), Philander 19-2-73-0 en wickets remaining in the first innings. Johnson in doubt for India Test

SYDNEY: Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson missed training yesterday citing hamstring soreness, throwing into question whether he will be fit for the fourth and final Test against India, reports said. Sangakkara joins elite Johnson, 33, has bowled long spells during the first three Tests against India, and has said he is hoping for a 12,000-runs club more responsive pitch in the fourth which begins in Sydney on Tuesday. WELLINGTON: Sri Lankan batsman has made an impressive average of “Definitely, all us bowlers feel like we need to have a Kumar Sangakkara joined an elite over 58.00, including 37 centuries in bit of a freshen up,” he said on Friday. “So we’ll just see group of cricketers yesterday when he 130 Tests. His highest score was 319 what happens after this match here. “And then we’ve became only the fifth to make 12,000 against Bangladesh. got some tri-series one-dayers, so hopefully I can get a runs in his career. He sits behind four retired cricketers bit of a break at some stage there.” The prolific 37-year-old left-hander but has a superior average on the all- Johnson missed a training session with the rest of reached the milestone when he time scoring list which is headed by the team on Saturday, Australian Associated Press knocked Trent Boult square for two in India’s Sachin Tendulkar who compiled reported, adding that he had stayed instead at their Sri Lanka’s first innings of the second 15,921 from 200 Tests at an average hotel for treatment. Test against New Zealand in 53.78. Australia’s squad includes fellow left-armer Mitchell Wellington. At stumps he was not out Australian Ricky Ponting (13,378 at Starc and Peter Siddle as potential back-up pace on 33. Sangakkara started the two-Test 51.85), Jacques Kallis from South Africa bowlers-along with Ryan Harris and Josh Hazlewood. New Zealand series on 11,988 runs and (13,289 at 55.37) and India’s Rahul Harris has said he is planning on playing in Sydney, after scoring six and one in the first Dravid (13,288 at 52.31) round out the and if Johnson is rested he could be replaced by Starc. Test in Christchurch, he was deter- top five. “We haven’t trained for a couple of days, so I am raring mined to get the final five in Last month, Sangakkara became to get out there today and in the next couple of days, in Wellington. only the fourth batsman to surpass the order to get myself best prepared for this Test,” Starc “When he fails, it’s a coach’s night- 13,000-run mark in one-day interna- said yesterday. mare. You have to throw (balls to tionals, achieving the feat in his 386th “I guess it (selection) depends on the fitness of other Sangakkara) for hours and hours,” cap- match. blokes and how they have pulled up from last week.” tain Angelo Mathews said ahead of the The ODI list is also headed by “The decision isn’t up to me, but If I am called up this Test. Tendulkar, who made 18,426 runs in week I will be ready.” “He’s been working really hard in 463 matches, ahead of Ponting with Australia regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the nets and he’s desperate to go out 13,704 runs from 375 ODIs and Sanath WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s Tim Southee (left) celebrates Sri Lanka’s Angelo Tuesday after India hung on for a tense draw in the third there and get some runs.” Since launch- Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka, who has 13,430 Mathews (right) being caught out on day one of the second international Test cricket Test in Melbourne. Australia won the first two Tests in ing his Test career in 2000, Sangakkara runs in 445 games. —AFP match. —AFP Adelaide and Brisbane. —AFP p17 2_Layout 1 1/3/15 10:41 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 SPORTS

OAKLAND: Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry strips the ball from Toronto Raptors’ Kyle Lowry (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game. —AP Warriors thrash Raptors, Mavs win

OAKLAND: Stephen Curry had 32 points Tyreke Evans added 21, leading New and 12 assists, Draymond Green got his first THUNDER 109, WIZARDS 102 Orleans to the runaway win. Dante NBA results/standings career triple-double and the Golden State Kevin Durant scored 34 points to help Cunningham added 13 points for New Warriors rolled past the Toronto Raptors Oklahoma City get the win. Durant was 12 Orleans, which opened a double-digit lead Cleveland 91, Charlotte 87; Brooklyn 100, Orlando 98; Dallas 119, Boston 101; Detroit 97, NY 126-105 on Friday night in a matchup of for 18 from the field in just 32 minutes, in the second quarter and led by as much as Knicks 81; New Orleans 111, Houston 83; Oklahoma City 109, Washington 102; Indiana 94, conference leaders. including a 4-for-7 performance from 3- 32 in the second half. Milwaukee 91; Phoenix 112, Philadelphia 96; Atlanta 98, Utah 92; Golden State 126, Toronto Green finished with 16 points, 13 assists point range. Omer Asik grabbed 11 rebounds, and 105; Memphis 109, LA Lakers 106. and 11 rebounds, and three others scored in Russell Westbrook had 22 points and six Anthony Davis accounted for three of the double digits to help the NBA-best Warriors assists for the Thunder (17-17), who reached Pelicans’ eight blocked shots. Dwight Eastern Conference Western Conference (26-5) wear down the Raptors (24-9) in the .500 for the first time this season. Oklahoma Howard scored 12 points and James Harden Atlantic Division Northwest Division second half. Golden State started the third City shot 53 percent from the field to win for had 11 for Houston, all in the first half. With W L PCT GB Portland 26 7 .788 - quarter on a 23-5 run. the fourth time in five games. his starters ineffective early in the third Toronto 24 9 .727 - Oklahoma City 17 17 .500 9.5 Toronto’s loss allowed Atlanta to move Bradley Beal had 21 points, 10 rebounds quarter, coach Kevin McHale opted to play Brooklyn 16 16 .500 7.5 Denver 13 20 .394 13 into first in the East. Greivis Vasquez scored and six assists for Washington, which has reserves during most of the second half, a Boston 11 19 .367 11.5 Utah 11 22 .333 15 25 points, and Kyle Lowry had 22 points and lost two in a row. Andre Miller added a sea- move apparently designed to send a mes- NY Knicks 5 30 .143 20 Minnesota 5 26 .161 20 eight assists for the Raptors, who lost con- son-high 15 points, and John Wall had 14 sage while resting prominent players in Philadelphia 4 27 .129 19 secutive road games for the first time this points and 12 assists, but he made just 5 of advance of Houston’s game on Saturday Pacific Division Central Division season. Toronto fell to 2-3 on its six-game 13 shots. night against Miami. Golden State 26 5 .839 - Chicago 23 10 .697 - trip, which ends at Phoenix on Sunday. LA Clippers 22 11 .667 5 Cleveland 19 14 .576 4 HAWKS 98, JAZZ 92 GRIZZLIES 109, LAKERS 106 Milwaukee 17 17 .500 6.5 Phoenix 19 16 .543 9 MAVERICKS 119, CELTICS 101 Jeff Teague scored 25 points, and surging Mike Conley had 19 points and nine Indiana 13 21 .382 10.5 Sacramento 14 19 .424 13 Rajon Rondo scored the Mavericks’ first Atlanta picked up another victory. The assists, Marc Gasol scored 18 points and the Detroit 9 23 .281 13.5 LA Lakers 10 23 .303 17 10 points in his return to Boston and fin- Hawks (24-8) have won three straight and Grizzlies edged the Lakers. Five players ished with a season-high 29. Rondo had a 19 of 22. Paul Millsap had 15 points and 11 scored in double digits for the Southwest Southeast Division Southwest Division career-high five 3-pointers and also finished rebounds, and Al Horford scored 13 points Division-leading Grizzlies, who maintained Atlanta 24 8 .750 - Memphis 24 8 .750 - with six rebounds and five assists in his first in Atlanta’s sixth consecutive win over a their one-game lead over Dallas while beat- Washington 22 10 .688 2 Dallas 24 10 .706 1 game at TD Garden in an opponent’s uni- Western Conference opponent. ing the Lakers for the ninth time in the last Miami 14 19 .424 10.5 Houston 22 10 .688 2 form. The rebuilding Celtics traded the four- Gordon Hayward scored 18 points and 11 meetings and fifth time in a row. Beno Orlando 13 23 .361 13 San Antonio 20 14 .588 5 time All-Star to Dallas last month. reserve Dante Exum added 13 points for the Udrih, the sixth and last player off the Charlotte 10 24 .294 15 New Orleans 17 16 .515 7.5 Monta Ellis scored 22 points, Dirk Jazz. Utah (11-22) was swept in the season Memphis bench, had 16 points in 19 min- Nowitzki had 17 and Tyson Chandler col- series against Atlanta for a second consecu- utes. lected 16 rebounds to help the Mavericks to tive year. Ed Davis and reserve Jeremy Lin each pointer at the buzzer. fourth and Phoenix grabbed control to snap their fourth consecutive victory. Avery had 20 points for Los Angeles. Kobe Bryant a two game losing streak. Bradley scored 22 points for the Celtics, and PELICANS 111, ROCKETS 83 finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and CAVALIERS 91, HORNETS 87 Tony Wroten scored 28 points for the Tyler Zeller had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Ryan Anderson scored 22 points and eight assists, but missed a potential tying 3- Kevin Love scored 27 points, Kyrie Irving Sixers, who trailed 80-79 with a minute left had 23 and Cleveland ended a three-game in the third quarter. But a poor final period losing streak. Tristan Thompson added 14 sent them to their 27th loss in 31 games. points and 14 rebounds as the Cavaliers There was an NBA first late in the game won their first game since announcing when Markieff and Marcus Morris played LeBron James would miss two weeks with with teammates Goran and Zoran Dragic for knee and back strains. Dion Waiters finished the Suns. It was the first time two sets of with 17 points. Love returned to the lineup brothers played for a team at the same time. after missing one start with back spasms and played 38 minutes. He was 9 of 15 from PISTONS 97, KNICKS 81 the field and helped the Cavaliers (19-14) Brandon Jennings scored 29 points, and take control of the game with three straight Detroit stretched its win streak to four 3-pointers in the third quarter. Gerald games. Jodie Meeks had 15 points for the Henderson led Charlotte (10-24) with 14 Pistons (9-23), and Andre Drummond fin- points. The Hornets have lost five in a row. ished with seven points and 17 rebounds. J.R. Smith led the Knicks with 22 points. Cole NETS 100, MAGIC 98 Aldrich added 11 points and 14 rebounds. Mason Plumlee had 18 points and nine New York (5-30) has lost 10 in a row. The rebounds, and Brooklyn earned its third Knicks played without Carmelo Anthony, straight victory. Brook Lopez and Deron who was sidelined by a sore left knee. Williams added 16 points apiece. The win Anthony is averaging a team-best 23.9 gets the Nets back to .500 for the first time points per game. The Pistons led 82-52 after since November. three. The Nets (16-16) shot well most of the night and led by as many as 26 points in the PACERS 94, BUCKS 91 second half. The Magic (13-23) rallied in CJ Miles scored 22 points and Roy fourth quarter, and got within two points Hibbert had 18, leading balanced Indiana to with 3.8 seconds to play on a 3-pointer by the victory. The Pacers had five players score Elfrid Payton. But they weren’t able to foul in double figures in their fifth win in seven again as Brooklyn successfully ran out the games. Luis Scola had 14 points, and clock. Rodney Stuckey finished with 11. Victor Oladipo led seven Orlando players Indiana trailed by seven at the break, but in double figures with 17 points. Payton had held Milwaukee to 15 points in the third and 16 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. went ahead to stay in the final period. The Bucks pulled within three with 5.2 SUNS 112, 76ERS 96 seconds remaining, but Solomon Hill made Gerald Green and Markieff Morris each two foul shots to help the Pacers hold on. scored 21 points, and Phoenix pulled away Brandon Knight had 20 points for in the fourth quarter. With the Suns strug- Milwaukee, and John Henson finished with LOS ANGELES: Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (left) and Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant battle for a rebound during the first gling against the NBA-worst Sixers, Green 14. Zaza Pachulia had 12 points and 14 half of an NBA basketball game. —AP hit a 3-pointer in an 11-2 run to start the rebounds. —AP SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 SPORTS Pardew leaves Gallic legacy at St James’ Park

LONDON: By overseeing a ‘French run of goals scored by foreign players There have been French players at for £4.8 million ($7.5 million, 6.2 million strong for players from across the Revolution’ at Newcastle United, outgo- from one country in the English top Newcastle before, such as the flamboy- euros) in July 2011 and was sold to Paris Channel. ing manager Alan Pardew has had a flight. ant wingers David Ginola and Laurent Saint-Germain for £19 million in January Given a tour of the stadium shortly more far-reaching impact on the club’s Earlier that year, the club had hosted Robert, but for a club where the walls 2014. before signing from Montpellier last July, heritage than almost any of his immedi- a ‘French Day’, which saw fans turn up for used to ring with the Geordie tones of Newcastle also made a £7 million Remy Cabella-whose former club’s aver- ate predecessors. a match against Southampton brandish- home-grown heroes like Paul Gascoigne profit on Mathieu Debuchy, who left for age crowd was 14,679 during his last While he failed to win over large sec- ing Tricolore flags and wearing berets, or Alan Shearer, it represents a cultural Arsenal, while winger Yoan Gouffran, season in France-told L’Equipe: “My tions of Newcastle’s support during his while the Marseillaise was played before sea-change that has not been to every- now a first-team regular, cost only £1.4 mouth was watering!” four-year tenure, the stockpiling of kick-off. Pardew was rechristened ‘Alain one’s liking. million from Bordeaux. Newcastle’s standing in France is now French players under Pardew radically Pardieu’ on social media and joked: “I “I don’t think it’s a healthy thing to In fact, Newcastle’s main problem comparable to Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal changed the make-up of the success- think there’s a good chance I could win have too many French players in one with their French contingent has been and several French coaches have been starved club’s playing staff. French manager of the year.” dressing room,” Shearer confided in keeping them at the club. Loic Remy was identified as potential candidates to suc- Of the 27 players signed by The heavy French presence in the 2013. snatched from Newcastle’s grasp by ceed Pardew by British bookmakers. Newcastle during Pardew’s time at the changing room has had the added ‘Newcastle’s form oscillated continu- Chelsea after spending last season on Allied to owner Mike Ashley’s prefer- helm, 13 were French-a testament to the bonus of making it easier for Newcastle ally under Pardew, with the club finish- loan at St James’ Park, while Moussa ence for a ‘continental’ management influence of chief scout Graham Carr, for to attract Francophone players to the ing 12th, fifth, 16th and 10th in the four Sissoko has become one of the most structure-where Carr and managing whom Ligue 1 has proved richly fertile club. Including Papiss Cisse (Senegal), Premier League seasons he completed sought-after players in the country. director Lee Charnley preside over play- territory. Cheick Tiote (Ivory Coast), Mehdi Abeid and lying 10th in the table on the day he But despite Newcastle consistently er recruitment-the post-Pardew In October 2013, a sequence of 13 (Algeria) and Kevin Mbabu (Switzerland), left. But from a financial perspective, the failing to challenge for major honours, Newcastle is a much-changed club. But consecutive Gallic goals saw Newcastle there are currently 13 French-speaking French invasion has been a resounding the allure of playing in front of 52,000 as they say on the Gallowgate End: ‘Vive establish a new record for the longest players on Newcastle’s books. success. Yohan Cabaye arrived from Lille boisterous fans at St James’ Park remains la difference!’—AFP Real streak threatened by buoyant Valencia

MADRID: La Liga leaders Real in the Club World Cup final, has dis- Madrid face one of their toughest missed suggestions that he could tests since embarking on a 22- leave the Spanish capital after a game winning streak back in remarkably successful 18 months September when they start 2015 since joining from Tottenham with a trip to Valencia today. Hotspur. Los Che have reason to be opti- “It has been a fantastic year for mistic in the new year with a return me. I wanted to come to Real to Champions League football for Madrid to win titles and work next season top of their agenda. alongside the best players and that Valencia sit fourth, a solitary point is exactly what I have done in a sin- above Sevilla, Villarreal and Malaga, gle year,” he told the club’s website. but demonstrated their financial “Hopefully we can keep improving, advantage over the other keep winning titles and I can keep Champions League hopefuls fol- showing my best.” lowing Singaporean businessman Barcelona start the year just a Peter Lim’s recent acquisition of the point adrift of Real at the top, but club by splashing out 25 million having played a game more. The LONDON: Chelsea’s Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa celebrates in this file euros (£19.4 million, $30 million) on Catalans also face a potentially photo. —AFP Argentine international midfielder tricky trip away to David Moyes’s Enzo Perez this week. Real Sociedad today and have had Terry backs Chelsea to “I have the greatest expectations little time to prepare for the game of making a good start here,” Perez as a group following the Christmas said as he was presented to the break. recover from Spurs mauling Valencia fans on Friday. “I hope that Lionel Messi, Neymar and Dani LONDON: John Terry expects Chelsea to Mourinho’s team could complete a clean this new project at Valencia grows, Alves only returned to training on recover from their New Year’s day mauling at sweep of honours this season. and that 2015 will be a happy year Friday, while the latter remains a Tottenham when Watford visit Stamford Chelsea captain Terry is confident of a for us all.” Perez is expected to make doubt due to a hamstring injury. Bridge in the FA Cup third round today. morale-boosting win on Sunday and he said: his Mestalla debut against a Real “Every game now is a chance to The 5-3 loss at White Hart Lane was as “We’re very disappointed to start the New side still shorn of Luka Modric cut the gap,” said Barca goalkeeper painful as it was unexpected and the visit of a Year with a defeat but we’ll move on from through injury. Claudio Bravo, who will be facing side battling to get out of the Championship this. Sergio Ramos is also a serious the club he played with for eight should provide an opportunity for Jose “It’s hard to see them (City) claw us back. doubt having played with a calf years before joining Barca in June. Mourinho’s shell-shocked players to recover We were eight points in front and now we’re injury as the European champions “It depends on us playing well their confidence. level on points. “It’s disappointing to have lost ended 2014 by collecting their and, sooner or later, our rivals will It will be a major surprise if the Premier that lead but we said in the dressing room fourth trophy of the year in the drop points.” Moyes, meanwhile, League leaders stumble against a team led by we’ll come together, put a run together and Club World Cup against San has urged his players to summon former Chelsea midfielder Slavisa Jokanovic, hopefully get a lead again.” Lorenzo a fortnight ago. Unusually the spirit and performance levels the fourth manager to take charge of the The Spurs defeat suggested some of the opening of the transfer window which saw them defeat Real and Hornets this season. Mourinho’s players are starting to feel the has sparked rumours of possible Atletico Madrid at home this sea- Chelsea haven’t needed to rely too much strain of the busy festive period and the man- departures from the Santiago son before his appointment. “We on luck in the FA Cup in recent seasons, but if ager is likely to be tempted to make changes Bernabeu rather than big money respect Barcelona because they are Mourinho’s side are looking for omens, the for the visit of Watford. signings with Gareth Bale linked a very good team, but they are pairing with Watford should provide a lift. Keeper Thibaut Courtois has a finger injury with a move to Manchester United. coming to San Sebastian and we The club have paraded the trophy four so he could be replaced by Petr Cech and However, the Welshman, who have to show them this is not an times in the last eight years, the first of those Mourinho may use the opportunity to rest scored in his third final for Los easy place to come and win,” said victories-in 2007 — marked the first final Diego Costa and Eden Hazard. Blancos with his 11th of the season the Scot.—AFP DUBAI: Real Madrid’s Christiano Ronaldo reacts in this file photo. —AFP played at the new Wembley and Mourinho’s Watford have largely maintained steady one and only success in the competition. progress this season despite the upheavals in Following that win, the west London club vir- the dug-out and currently lie fifth in the tually took up residency at Wembley, tri- Championship. Wenger battles to vanquish Arsenal ghosts umphing in 2009, 2010 and 2012, twice fac- Promotion to the Premier League is the ing Watford on the road to success during the priority but an impressive display at Stamford LONDON: Arsene Wenger admits will be some soul searching as the first two of those campaigns. More memo- Bridge will boost confidence and carry added Arsenal must deal with the Gunners look to rediscover the rably for some Blues supporters, Dave significance for Jokanovic who spent two specter of their defensive “ghosts” form which had seen them head Sexton’s side crushed Watford 5-1 in the semi- years as a player at Chelsea over a decade if they are to get their spluttering to Southampton on the back of final in 1970 en route to winning the trophy ago. Watford midfielder Daniel Tozser said: season back on track. Wenger’s just one defeat out of nine games in a famously brutal final and subsequent “Chelsea at the moment are in the top five side are desperate for a morale- in all competitions. “The last two replay against Leeds. teams in Europe. But it will be a pleasure for boosting victory as they open matches we were in good spirits Eyes will be fixed firmly forward, though the guys to play against a team like this. “We their defence of the FA Cup in a and those games were close after the Spurs loss that allowed Manchester have nothing to be afraid of, nothing to lose. repeat of last season’s final against together (over Christmas) and we City to move level on points at the top of the This is a game we have to enjoy, to show and Hull at the Emirates Stadium fought really hard for the two Premier League table and quietened claims to see where we are at the moment. —AFP today. wins, but at Southampton, it was Having started 2015 in dispirit- slightly different, we didn’t show ing style with an error-strewn 2-0 up with a good performance,” defeat at Southampton, which left Mertesacker said. United aim to avoid them languishing in sixth place in “We have to come back to our the Premier League, Gunners boss main strength and we have to more Cup woe Wenger knows Arsenal have some remind ourselves every day that psychological issues to overcome we need to have a big perform- YEOVIL: Louis van Gaal has warned his stadium. “For the players, it’s more difficult before they can hope for a more ance.” Manchester United stars not to underesti- to prepare for a match like this, especially positive second half of the season. Wenger will rotate his squad mate minnows Yeovil as they bid to avoid after playing so much over Christmas.” Even Plagued by defensive frailties against Steve Bruce’s team, with another humiliation at the hands of lower though United have not given up hope of for several years, Arsenal were Colombia goalkeeper David league opposition in today’s FA Cup third winning the Premier League title, left-back once again architects of their own Ospina set to replace Szczesny. round tie. United head to the unglam- Luke Shaw believes the FA Cup represents downfall at St Mary’s when a pair Danny Welbeck missed the ourous surroundings of tiny Huish Park to arguably their best chance of silverware of costly blunders from goalkeep- Southampton game because of a launch their challenge to win the competi- this season. er Wojciech Szczesny were com- thigh problem and the Gunners tion for the first time since 2004 when they “We are not going to say the Premier pounded by poor play from cen- striker is expected to be sidelined eased to a 3-0 final victory over Millwall. League is over yet, because that is still our tre-backs Laurent Koscielny and again, while Olivier Giroud serves That is the longest time without an FA Cup number one priority,” Shaw added. “We Per Mertesacker. the last part of his three-match “I cannot fault the attitude of win for the club since the 14 years between want to win that, but we are going to focus suspension. England winger Theo the team, but we were again the 1963 win over Leicester City and the on this game today. Walcott could come back into the haunted by the ghost of what we 1977 defeat of Liverpool. “The reason I came to Manchester side following his return to fitness, United have reached two finals, two United is because I want to be winning tro- have seen since the start of the season,” Wenger said. along with French midfielder semi-finals and two quarter-finals since phies and I think I have got the best chance Mathieu Flamini 2004 but winning the trophy for a 12th here.” Van Gaal will check on the availability “This is not the first time it has “I will make a few changes time has proved elusive. of Marcos Rojo (thigh), Daley Blind (knee) happened. We did not defend well (against Hull), that is for sure,” But in addition to their desire to end and Marouane Fellaini (illness) who are all enough in the final third, and we Wenger added. Hull would dearly that barren spell, United manager van Gaal major doubts. paid a heavy price. It is a self- is driven by a desire to prove his team have United are also without Ashley Young inflicted defeat.” love to avenge the Cup final loss, learned the lesson of their embarrassing (hamstring) and Antonio Valenica (groin), The dramatic 3-2 victory over but Bruce is more concerned with League Cup exit earlier this season. The while Angel Di Maria has returned to train- Hull at Wembley in May, when the ensuring the injury-hit Tigers Dutchman picked a team of fringe and ing after a thigh injury but may not be Gunners recovered from two goals don’t get dragged into a fight to youth team players as United were humili- risked. The tie offers Yeovil respite from a down to lift the FA Cup and end avoid relegation. ated 4-0 by third tier side Milton Keynes testing League One campaign that has left their nine-year trophy drought, “The disappointing thing was Dons in August and it seems apparent he Gary Johnson’s side rooted at the foot of was supposed to herald the start we’ve lost three or four players realised from that chastening day not to table at the mid-point of the season. of a new successful era for through the ridiculous pro- underestimate lower league opposition And while the mouthwatering prospect Wenger’s side. gramme over Christmas,” Bruce again. “I had the experience against MK of facing United’s superstars provides a But they remain troubled by said. “The travelling and every- Dons, who are also in League One,” Van welcome distraction, it also provides a the same inconsistences that have thing involved with it is total non- Gaal said. “You never know in a cup match, reminder of the time the two clubs last met vexed Wenger for so long. Arsenal sense. We’ve lost three more you have to win because you’re out if you in the competition in 1949. fans are growing increasingly frus- arguably to fatigue. (Liam) lose. “We have to beat Yeovil but every Yeovil, then of the Southern League, trated by their team’s problems, Rosenior has a hamstring, (Andy) team in England wants to beat Manchester sprang to prominence by beating with one man arrested after invad- Robertson needs an ankle X-ray United so it will be difficult. Sunderland in the fourth round before los- ing the St Mary’s pitch to berate and Gaston Ramirez hurt his groin. SOUTHAMPTON: Arsenal’s Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez is pictured “Everything about playing a lower ing heavily to United, the cup holders, 8-0 Wenger on Thursday. “As well as that, Abel Hernandez is in this file photo. —AFP league team will be different-the pitch, the in the following round.—AFP And Mertesacker accepts there physically exhausted.” —AFP SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 SPORTS

Randy Johnson looks to be shoo-in for Hall of Fame

PHOENIX: At 6-foot-10, Randy Johnson Since his retirement in 2009, Johnson cally when it comes to a major league Randy ran down to the bullpen, then “Doesn’t mean it was the right way - it stood on the mound and looked down has mostly detached himself from base- pitcher,” Brenly said. “For him to go from when the door opened and he came out just worked for me. Whether it was on batters, an intimidating presence ball, concentrating on his love of pho- where he was at the beginning of his of it, that was the seminal moment in working out the way I worked out, my before he even threw the ball. tography, traveling the world, shooting career in Montreal when he was just a that World Series.” regimen, my offseason training, my And when he let it fly, his talent pictures of his many rock musician wild, hard thrower to where he finished Johnson retired all four batters he demeanor on game day, my demeanor matched his imposing stature. With a friends, meeting with soldiers on USO his career - this guy would regularly faced, then Arizona scored twice off working up to game day, it worked for menacing fastball and devastating slider, tours to Kuwait, Iraq and Guantanamo strike out 300 more guys than he walked Mariano Rivera in the bottom of the me.” The Big Unit had a career that rivaled Bay. in a season.” ninth to win it all in just the franchise’s In 2001, he became the third pitcher any other left-handed pitcher who Johnson pitched 22 seasons with That’s a slight exaggeration, although fourth season. Johnson was 3-0 in the to strike out 20 in nine innings in a 43, played the game. There is a long list of Montreal, Seattle, Houston, Arizona, the Johnson did accomplish it once. In 2001, series and earned co-MVP with Curt 11-inning victory over Cincinnati. In statistics to back that up, and he seems a New York Yankees and San Francisco, he fanned a career-high 372 and walked Schilling. 2002 he won the pitching version of the shoo-in as a first-ballot selection when compiling a 303-166 career record. 71. It was the greatest season in A lot of left-handed hitters on oppos- triple crown, leading the National the new Hall of Fame class is announced He led his league in strikeouts nine Johnson’s career, largely because of the ing teams took the day off when League in wins, strikeouts and ERA. Tuesday. times, third-most in baseball history way it ended. Johnson pitched. The rest of the lineup And in 2004, at the age of 40, he His best seasons came with the behind Walter Johnson and Nolan Ryan. In the seventh game of a World Series knew they were in for a challenge. became the oldest person to throw a Arizona Diamondbacks, where he won His average of 10.6 strikeouts per nine considered by many to be the best ever “It’s almost like you’re going into a perfect game, a performance against four consecutive Cy Young awards - he innings ranks first among all pitchers. played, with the New York Yankees lead- game with a 1-0 lead because of the psy- Atlanta that still can be viewed on had a total of five - and his only World Johnson had six seasons of at least ing 2-1, Johnson jogged down to the chological advantage he gave to the YouTube. Johnson has said he’s not the Series championship. Every start was a 300 strikeouts, tied with Ryan for the bullpen to thunderous cheers from the team,” teammate Luis Gonzalez said. “... same intense person he was back then. display of searing intensity. “We knew most ever. A hard-throwing but home crowd. When he emerged from He thrived on intimidating other teams.” He stepped away from baseball for a that every fifth day we were going to get extremely wild pitcher as a youngster at the bullpen to pitch with two outs in the Johnson talked about his approach to long time, enjoying the easing of the one of the most competitive efforts in USC and in his early professional years, eighth inning, the reaction was even baseball in an interview with reporters internal pressure he always put on him- the history of the game,” said Bob Brenly, Johnson worked with Ryan and pitching louder. when he appeared at Chase Field last self. “I didn’t have any problems retiring his manager for most of his time in coach Tom House in 1992 to fix his “For all the great moments there May for the commemoration of the 10th because I felt like I did what I wanted to Arizona. “He pitched every game like it mechanics. And he developed remark- were in that World Series,” Brenly said, anniversary of his perfect game. do,” he said in May. “I deserved to walk was the most important of his life.” able control. “He’s out of the mold physi- “people continuously tell me that when “I did what worked for me,” he said. away.” —AP Sainz, Peterhansel eye golden Dakar return

BUENOS AIRES: Peugeot return to the a Volkswagen, completed a Mini lockout of Dakar Rally after a 25-year absence with the podium 12 months ago, but 2010 winner Carlos Sainz and 11-time Peterhansel was angry over the issuing of champion Stephane Peterhansel handed team orders in the closing stages of the the job of shattering Mini’s hopes of a suc- race. cessive cleansweep. “The biggest problem we have is the Sainz, also a two-time world rally cham- fact we know we are quick-we just don’t pion, will be racing for his third team in the know how quick compared to everyone gruelling 9,000km event which starts today else,” said Peterhansel of his new Peugeot. and crosses into Chile and Bolivia before “So the first phase of the rally will be just ending in the Argentine capital on January to test our pace: to know what we can 17. “The team has come up with a unique, achieve comfortably or not. This is actually innovative car which promises to be the most important part of the strategy, as extremely versatile for the different types we will base everything on this knowledge.” of terrain we are likely to come across,” said Peugeot’s three-man line-up is completed Sainz, whose 2010 Dakar title came behind by France’s five-time motorcycle winner the wheel of a Volkswagen. Cyril Despres, who is tackling the race on “The concept works well. The test pro- four wheels for the first time. gramme has shown that it is a very fast Roma became just the third man to win machine, although it is obviously difficult the Dakar title on two and four wheels after to be 100 percent sure of its reliability at Peterhansel and Hubert Auriol when he this early stage.” won in 2014, 10 years after his maiden Peugeot won the Dakar for four succes- motorcycle triumph. He will again lead the sive years from 1987-1990 when it was still Mini challenge along with Al-Attiyah. “The staged in Africa. This year’s event, the sev- first few years were tough,” said 42-year-old enth in South America since its enforced Roma, who made his Dakar debut in 1996. transfer for security reasons from Africa, is “2014 was far from easy. However, I had the 37th of all time and Sainz insists that absolute faith in the Mini and the team did Peugeot will be amongst the favourites. a super job.” The 2014 race takes the Dakar “I have often competed against Peugeot caravan from the Atacama, the driest spot Sport in the past and I have known for on the planet, to the Iquique dunes and years just how passionate it is about motor- crossing the Andes at the highest point on sport,” said the 52-year-old Spaniard. Argentina’s Route 40, the 4,970m mountain “I also know that when they decide on a pass of Abra del Acay. programme, they put everything into it. I’m “It’s going to be a marathon for every- the same. Given how much I love the Dakar, body,” said Dakar race director Etienne it was too good a proposal to resist when Lavigne. In all, there will be 4,600km of spe- Peugeot asked me to be part of its line-up cial stages including a 781km time trial for its comeback to this unique adventure.” from the Bolivian city of Uyuni to Chile’s Peterhansel, six times a champion in the Pacific Coast. motorcycle competition, and five times on At today’s Buenos Aires start, more four wheels, was second overall in the 2014 than 400 machines-cars, motorcycles, event, finishing just behind Spain’s Nani quads and trucks-will set off for what Roma. Lavigne describes as “the Everest of FRANCE: RC Toulon’s Drew Mitchell (center) vies with Montpellier’s winger Anthony Tuitavake (left) during the Rugby Championship Top14 Nasser Al-Attiyah, the 2011 champion in motorsport”. —AFP match. —AP Shiffrin, Maze to compete Montpellier stun Toulon in women’s slalom race PARIS: South African World Cup winning coach Stade Francais who fell 12-9 at Lyon on Friday Maxime Machenaud scoring all their points Jake White got off to a winning start at in a game which saw South African fly-half through penalties. Castres, meanwhile, suf- ZAGREB: US teen Mikaela Shiffrin and one win in slalom this season, but has nev- Montpellier as the Top 14 strugglers beat Morne Steyn red-carded. fered a second straight loss for the first time Slovenia’s overall leader Tina Maze will be er won at Sljeme. European and French champions Toulon 16-12 Steyn, the 30-year-old top-scorer at the this season-falling 30-15 to relegation rivals La the focus in today’s World Cup women’s Today, the hosts will be represented by yesterday. White was brought in as a consult- 2011 World Cup, had confidently kicked Stade Rochelle. In a bottom-of-the-table clash Brive slalom race in the Croatian capital. four skiers, but expectations are far ant to replace the suspended Fabien Galthie in into a 6-0 lead courtesy of a 40-metre penalty were carried by Gaetan Germain who scored all The event is being staged at Sljeme, the removed from the days of glory when an aim to stem the tide of eight losses in their and a quick-thinking drop goal. their points in a 25-9 win over Bayonne. mountain peak overlooking Zagreb, where Janica Kostelic, the first woman to win four last nine matches in European and domestic But after Mosese Ratuvou had cut the deficit It was a lift for Brive a week after their ham- Croatia’s skiing stars-the Kostelic siblings- golds in Olympic skiing history, was com- action. with the night’s opening try, Steyn saw red in mering by Bordeaux and allows Nicolas made their debuts. peting. And powered by a second-half Alex Tulou the 31st minute for kicking the Fijian winger as Godignon’s side to move up to ninth, three Reigning Olympic and world champion Croatians are emotional when it comes try converted by Ben Lucas, Montpellier the two tussled on the ground. points above the relegation zone. Shiffrin from Vail, Colorado, seems to be to the race due to Janica and her brother grabbed a determined victory in front of their It left Stade to play 50 minutes with 14 men “It’s not a relief because the season is still getting into excellent shape for Zagreb Ivica, both born in Zagreb, who made their home crowd to move up to seventh with 35 and Lyon took full advantage when Ratuvou long but it was an important match, in the after winning at Kuhtai, Austria on Monday. first skiing steps at the venue with their points, a point behind Bordeaux (36), who fell added a second try early in the second period, heart of winter, and I’m proud of the boys for It was her first slalom podium this season. “I father and coach Ante. 12-9 at Racing-Metro, and ahead of Toulouse muscling his way over after a sharp pass from doing what they needed,” said Godignon. like this slope a lot, it is long. You have to Janica retired from competitive skiing in (33) who play in Clermont today. Ricky Januarie. Racing-Metro came from “It’s satisfying to see them leave with zero invest a lot of effort and give the maximum. 2007 at the age of 25 due to long-standing I’m excited and hope for a great race and health and injury problems. Today’s women Benoit Paillaugue had put Montpellier behind to beat visiting Bordeaux-Begles 12-9 points because they’re a team we’re neck and excellent atmosphere,” Shiffrin told slalom is dubbed the Snow Queen Trophy ahead with two early penalties as the score was and are now fourth equal on 41 points with neck with in the battle against relegation.” Croatian state-run HRT television. The 19- in honor of Janica who was known as the balanced 6-6 at half-time while all of Toulon’s Clermont. Bordeaux have been overtaken by Grenoble year-old American won the Sljeme race in “Snow Queen.” The winner also receives a points came off the boot of Welsh full-back Racing had trailed 6-9 at the break following who are now fifth after bouncing back from 2013 while last year’s event was cancelled crystal crown. Leigh Halfpenny. three Lionel Beauxis penalty kicks for Bordeaux consecutive defeats with a bonus point in a 33- due to unfavourable weather conditions. Ivica Kostelic, a former World Cup cham- Toulon remain second two points behind but powered back in the second half with 19 win over Oyonnax. —AFP In the World Cup slalom standings, after pion and serial Olympic silver-medallist, four races, Shiffrin is currently fourth with has stayed in competitive skiing. 219 points. In the overall standings, after 13 However, the 35-year-old’s results this races, she is third with 445 points.Her main season have been modest. The 2011 World rival and Olympic champion Maze is lead- Cup winner has also endured a series of Saracens cruise past London ing the overall standings with 732 points. health problems notably with his right Like Shiffrin, the 31-year-old Slovenian has knee. —AFP LONDON: Saracens director of rugby Mark over in the right corner for his second try of McCall saluted Billy Vunipola after the the match, it looked like third placed Saracens England international inspired a 22-6 victory would go on to claim the last two tries they over London Irish at Allianz Park yesterday. needed for a bonus point as they chase lead- Matches on TV Vunipola’s England career hit a slump dur- ers Northampton. (Local Timings) ing the November Tests when the 22-year-old But London Irish held firm as McCall’s men was dropped by Stuart Lancaster after start- failed to score another try in the final quarter. Spanish League ing in the defeats to New Zealand and South In yesterday’s other match, Gloucester Africa. secured a tense 26-25 win at Exeter. The Saracens number eight was left out of Greg Laidlaw kicked two penalties to put Getafe v Vallecano 14:00 the match squads for the victories over Samoa Gloucester 6-0 ahead at half-time. When Billy and Australia, with his replacement Ben Twelvetrees added to the visitors’ lead with a beIN SPORTS 2 HD Morgan subsequently named England’s play- drop-goal, it seemed Gloucester were on Valencia v Real Madrid 19:00 er of the series. course for an easy victory. But tries from Jack “He was great today,” said McCall. “What’s Nowell and Matt Jess put Exeter in front for beIN SPORTS 16 HD impressive is how he recovered from the huge the first time. beIN SPORTS 2 HD setback he got. From being the starting num- Gloucester responded well and Tom beIN SPORTS 12 HD ber eight in the Six Nations to not even going Savage and Ben Morgan scored tries to regain into the England camp for the last couple of the lead, before Gareth Steenson’s missed Espanyol v Eibar 21:00 weeks. It’s a hell of a blow for a young fella. conversion for Exeter after Thomas Waldrom’s beIN SPORTS 7 HD “You can only judge him by how he’s react- try proved costly. ed and how he’s responded. That’s five games The lead swapped four times after Savage beIN SPORTS 13 HD in a row when he’s been there or thereabouts went over, with Steenson kicking two penal- Sociedad v Barcelona 23:00 in terms of getting close to man of the match. ties and Laidlaw adding a third of his own. “He was really good out there today. It’s Gloucester’s victory was only their second beIN SPORTS 11 HD AUSTRIA: Tina Maze of Slovenia competes during the Women’s Slalom during the FIS good for us and it’s good for him that he’s in their last seven Premiership matches, while beIN SPORTS 2 HD Ski World Cup. —AFP back in top form.” After David Strettle surged Exeter have now lost three in a row.—AFP Warriors thrash Montpellier Raptors, Mavs win stun Toulon

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 17 19 Pardew leaves Gallic legacy at St James’ Park Page 18

LONDON: West Bromwich Albion’s Saido Berahino (left) scores against Gateshead during their English FA Cup third round soccer match at The Hawthorns yesterday. — AP West Brom stroll, Newcastle out

LONDON: Tony Pulis’s West Bromwich Albion tenure “But when I came in here the chairman had not double from captain Robbie Dale. Martin to see off fifth-tier Southport 1-0. began with a 7-0 demolition of non-league Gateshead received any offer for him and we will try our The scoreline even attracted the attention of former Holders Arsenal host Hull City today in a repeat of in the FA Cup third round yesterday, while Leicester City damnedest to try and improve him.” Portugal and Real Madrid great Luis Figo, who began to last season’s final, which the north London club won 3-2 eliminated managerless Newcastle United. Pulis was While West Brom began their new era in confident follow Blyth’s official Twitter account via his @LuisFigo to end a nine-year trophy drought, and there are three appointed as West Brom’s new head coach on New fashion, Newcastle made a forgettable start to life with- page. other repeats of former finals in the third round. Year’s Day following Alan Irvine’s sacking and he out Alan Pardew, who had been confirmed as Crystal But three goals in six minutes turned the tie on its Sunderland host Leeds United (1973) on Sunday, with watched his new charges cruise into round four, with Palace’s new manager earlier in the day. head, with Lee Novak reducing the arrears in the 52nd Tottenham Hotspur visiting Burnley (1962) the follow- Saido Berahino scoring four times. With Newcastle coaches John Carver and Steve minute before Wes Thomas claimed a quick-fire brace to ing day. The England Under-21 striker, who has been linked Stone deputising in the dug-out, Leicester prevailed in give Birmingham a 3-2 win. Meanwhile, Liverpool visit fourth-tier AFC with Liverpool, opened the scoring in the 42nd minute the day’s only all-Premier League tie courtesy of a 39th- “I am exceptionally proud of the lads. We played Wimbledon tomorrow in a match that recalls the origi- at The Hawthorns before Victor Anichebe added a sec- minute header by Argentine striker Leonardo Ulloa. some good stuff on a boggy pitch and we were very nal Wimbledon’s shock success in the 1988 final. ond with a solo goal in first-half injury time. Berahino Swansea City joined Leicester in the fourth round close to winning the game,” said Blyth manager Tom Premier League co-leaders Chelsea and Manchester produced two classy finishes early in the second period after a 6-2 romp at fourth-tier Tranmere Rovers. Wade. City both enter the competition against second-tier to complete his hat-trick, with Chris Brunt and James Bafetimbi Gomis claimed a brace for Garry Monk’s visi- “We just hope that we can get more fans through the opposition on Sunday, with Chelsea hosting Watford Morrison adding two more goals before Berahino struck tors, while Nathan gates now.” The day’s biggest upset came at third-divi- and City entertaining Sheffield Wednesday. Palace travel again to take his tally for the season to 13. Dyer, Tom Carroll, full debutant Mo Barrow and sion Rochdale, who beat two-time cup-winners to fifth-tier Dover Athletic for their first game since “Saido Berahino is a very talented boy,” Pulis said. Wayne Routledge also found the net. Blyth Spartans of Nottingham Forest of the Championship 1-0 thanks to a Pardew was appointed manager. “There is always going to be transfer speculation and the seventh-tier Northern Premier League looked 12th-minute spot-kick by Peter Vincenti. Manchester United visit third-tier Yeovil Town, while you can see why. He has great pace, great balance and poised to record the day’s biggest upset after going 2-0 Meanwhile, Derby County, currently third in the the fourth and final all-Premier League fixture sees scores goals. up at home to second-tier Birmingham City thanks to a Championship, needed an injury-time penalty by Chris Everton host West Ham United on Tuesday. — AFP Griezmann’s double keeps Marseille look to avoid Atletico on Real shoulders surprises in French Cup MADRID: La Liga champions Atletico Madrid times when all the forwards play.” PARIS: After a short winter break, Ligue 1 Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain go to remained in the race to retain their title with a Griezmann put Simeone’s men in front on clubs are back in action this weekend in Montpellier in an all top-flight encounter comfortable 3-1 win over Levante yesterday 18 minutes when Guilherme Siqueira’s cross the round of 64 of the French Cup, with tomorrow. Montpellier beat the capital thanks to two goals from Antoine Griezmann. from the left looped into the Frenchman’s Marseille hoping to avoid any surprise giants at the Parc des Princes in the round With Fernando Torres watching on from path and he nodded past the helpless Diego against lower-league opponents. of 32 a year ago and Rolland Courbis’s the stands before his move back to his boy- Marino. Marcelo Bielsa’s side, who topped the side may fancy their chances of a repeat hood club is concluded tomorrow, Griezmann Atletico should have extended their lead Ligue 1 table at the halfway stage of the performance this time, just two weeks was under pressure to continue his fine form before half-time as Arda Turan fired just over, season to take the symbolic title of after holding PSG in the league. after scoring a hat-trick as Atletico closed Mario Mandzukic saw a goal ruled out for Autumn Champions, travel to the freezing With Montpellier’s own Stade de la 2014 with a 4-1 win away to Athletic Bilbao handball and Marino then made a fine save to Alps for an awkward tie against fourth-tier Mosson still out of action after being seri- two weeks ago. deny the Croatian from point-blank range. Grenoble today. ously damaged during autumn floods, the And he duly obliged with two headed fin- Yet, they looked to have made the game A tie that should be straightforward game will be played at the home of the ishes from close range early in each half safe just 60 seconds into the second period as, could be a tricky affair due to the state of city’s Top 14 rugby club, who play at the before Diego Godin nodded in Atletico’s third despite more heroics from Marino to claw a the playing surface at the Stade des Alpes, Altrad Stadium themselves yesterday. after Nabil El Zhar’s deflected effort had given Mandzukic header off the line, he couldn’t which has been covered to protect it from That could be a levelling factor, but Levante hope. react in time to prevent Griezmann’s follow- the bitter cold but will be used for a Top PSG-whose preparations have been over- Atletico are now level with Barcelona in up effort crossing the line. 14 rugby match yesterday. shadowed by the late return from “It is a reality that we need to live with. Christmas holidays of Ezequiel Lavezzi second place and one point behind leaders The unlucky Mandzukic saw another head- The pitch will suffer but I don’t think it is and Edinson Cavani-need a positive Real Madrid, with the latter two sides in action er drift wide and Tiago’s deflected shot flew something worth pointing out because it result. against Real Sociedad and Valencia respec- into the side-netting as Atletico continued to will be the same for the two teams,” said “Paris attract the limelight because, for tively today. dominate. Bielsa. certain people, they are the best team in Torres was the star attraction before kick- However, they were stunned just after the The Argentine added that he intends France,” said Montpellier defender Bryan off as he took his seat in the directors’ box to hour mark when Levante halved the deficit. to play his strongest possible team as Dabo. “Matches against Paris are always much acclaim. However, on the field, Mandzukic was again heavily involved as he Marseille try to win the Cup for the first special. We are not afraid, we are looking Griezmann ensured Los Rojiblancos’ former did brilliantly to turn Victor Casadesus’s head- time since 1989. forward to it.” captain will find it hard to get into the side for er off his own line, but the ball fell to Ivan “I am going to try to play my best Elsewhere, Lyon, who sit second in the visit of Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Lopez and his drive clipped El Zhar on its way team, taking into account the future Ligue 1 ahead of third-placed PSG, travel Wednesday. into the far corner. absences of Nicolas Nkoulou and Andre to Lens today looking for revenge after Simeone, though, suggested Griezmann Simeone then withdrew Turan and Ayew,” said Bielsa, who will see the duo losing to the same opponents in last sea- MADRID: Atletico’s Mario Mandzukic (cen- could eventually move out wide, where he Mandzukic with one eye to Wednesday’s depart for the Africa Cup of Nations with son’s competition. tre) and Atletico’s Diego Godin (right) in has played for the majority of his career, to repeat of last seasons’ Champions League Cameroon and Ghana respectively. Monaco, who finished 2014 with six make way for Torres. final against Real.And, not for the first time action with Levante’s Vyntra (left) during a Winger Florian Thauvin will come up straight wins, begin the new year with a “More than just the goals, which are impor- this season, the Argentine’s side needed to Spanish La Liga soccer match. — AP against the club where he started his trip to Ligue 2 strugglers Nimes, whose tant for him and the team, I like when he rely on their threat from set-pieces to seal the were forced to play 70 minutes with a man career, although much has changed at campaign has been overshadowed by tracks back, works and when he wins the ball three points eight minutes from time when less after Carles Planas was shown a straight Grenoble in recent times. allegations of match-fixing. back to be able to attack from better posi- Godin headed home Tiago’s in-swinging red card for chopping down Denis Suarez. They spent two seasons in Ligue 1 Lille go to Bastia and Bordeaux face tions,” Simeone said of Griezmann. cross. Nico Pareja then scored the only goal of before being relegated in 2010 and then Toulouse in all Ligue 1 ties while Nantes “He can play in different positions, as well Elsewhere, Sevilla moved above Valencia the game from a free-kick 12 minutes later to sliding down the leagues due to financial play host to Club Franciscain, a sixth-tier as on the wing where he has played before. into fourth, but were far from convincing in a continue Sevilla’s unbeaten record at home problems, and are currently enjoying a side from the French Caribbean island of Not all games are equal and there could be 1-0 win over 10-man Celta Vigo. The visitors this season. — AFP fine campaign in the fourth tier. Martinique.—AFP Iraq oil exports soar but low prices hit revenue

Page 22 Kuwait likely to Business post KD 5-6bn budget surplus SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 Page 25 Lithuania smoothly Burgan Bank introduces instant debit, credit card service transitions to euro Page 26 Page 23

SHANGHAI: A group of Chinese paramilitary police officers stand guard at the site of the New Year’s Eve stampede in Shanghai yesterday. Dozens of deaths from a crush in Shanghai highlight China’s enduring vulnerabilities even as the country races ahead economically, commentators say, with authorities’ management outpaced by new buildings and advanced transport. — AFP Cameron puts economy centre-stage Conservatives plan to cap public-sector redundancy payments

LONDON: British Prime Minister David cle in the Daily Telegraph newspaper, said the mid-ranking police officer, would probably be calls “a cost of living crisis” and challenges his Borrowing an attack strategy from U.S. Cameron stepped up his drive to be re-elected Conservatives would make an election mani- hit by the new limit. claims to have brought national debt under President Barack Obama, the Conservatives in four months, opening billboard campaign- festo pledge to cap the pay-offs to public-sec- Patel said long-serving public-sector work- control, accusing the government of borrow- portray Labour, who were in power during the ing with assertions that his Conservative party tor workers and would introduce legislation in ers who earned less than 27,000 pounds a year ing much more than planned. 2007/8 financial crisis, as the party that has nurtured Britain’s economic recovery. the new parliament. would be exempt from the cap. Britain’s budg- In riposte, the Conservative poster shows crashed “the car” and shouldn’t be given the Narrowly trailing the opposition Labor party in “Excessive public-sector redundancy pay- et deficit currently stands at just over five per- Britain’s red, white and blue Union flag power- keys back. most opinion polls ahead of a May 7 national outs-courtesy of the British taxpayer-are all cent of gross domestic product, half its level ing down a long road surrounded by green Acknowledging the recovery is a task only election, Cameron hopes to convert strong too commonplace,” Patel said, citing payments when the Conservative-Liberal Democrat fields with a couple of bumps and the slogan: half-done, the Conservatives say only they can economic competence ratings into victory in of more than 450,000 pounds for senior civil coalition came to power. “Let’s Stay on the Road to a Stronger “finish the job.” Labor, rated as less competent what looks set to be one of most closely- servants and staff in the state-funded National The Conservatives want to run a budget Economy.” A sub-heading boasts: “1.75 million to manage the economy by most voters, say fought contests in modern British history. Health Service. surplus by 2018-19. more people in work. 760,000 more business- the Conservatives have borrowed more than The Conservatives said yesterday they Labor said yesterday the government had Most opinion polls show a narrow lead for es. The deficit halved.” planned and now aim to cut the budget would cap redundancy payments for public- already wasted money on redundancy pay- Labor ahead of the May election, but many Under Cameron, whose right-leaning party deficit too fast and too deep for purely ideo- sector workers at 95,000 pounds ($145,588) if ments when it reorganized National Health analysts think no one party is likely to win an has ruled in coalition with the centre-left logical reasons. Labor says it would reduce the they win a national election set for May 7, as Service management at a total cost of 1.6 bil- outright majority in parliament, possibly Liberal Democrats since 2010, Britain’s $2.5 tril- deficit in a fairer way while reversing tax cuts part of their drive to rein in state spending. lion pounds. Redundancy payments are nor- resulting in another coalition government of lion (1.62 trillion pound) economy has for high earners. “Osborne and David Cameron Official forecasts suggest 1 million govern- mally based on length of service and final two or more parties. emerged from its deepest downturn since say the election will be about economic com- ment jobs will go over the course of the next salary. The BBC reported Dave Penman, gener- With the rise of the anti-EU UK World War Two to enjoy the fastest growth petence,” Ed Balls, Labor’s economics five-year parliament. The Conservatives and al secretary of the First Division Association Independence Party, the Scottish National rate of any major advanced economy. While spokesman, wrote in the Guardian newspaper. their Liberal Democrat coalition partners have civil service trade union, as saying that the Party and others, one or even two smaller par- inflation has outpaced wages for much of “But there is nothing competent about bor- already cut about 400,000 public sector jobs 95,000 pound cap could hit up to half of ties could find themselves wielding outsized Cameron’s five-year term in office and many rowing over 200 billion pounds more than since taking power in 2010 in order to reduce Britain’s public-sector workers. A public-sector influence if the Conservatives or Labor have to voters have struggled with rising food and planned because of your failure to deliver a Britain’s large budget deficit. worker with 20 years’ service who was earning scramble build a minority government. Labor heating bills, the falling cost of oil has now recovery that is felt by all working people and Junior finance minister Priti Patel, in an arti- 50,000 pounds a year, such as a senior nurse or accuses Cameron of presiding over what it helped take inflation to a 12-year low. not just a few at the top.” — Reuters China factory slowdown a force for more stimulus across Asia

SYDNEY: China’s growth engine looks to have end- domestic demand.” in the face of erratic global demand, which could ed last year on a flat note as its massive factory sec- Disinflation was a feature across much of the continue to weigh on Asia’s trade-reliant tor sputtered in December, though ebbing price region. India’s PMI showed input prices slumped to economies well into the new year. pressures also offered scope for more policy stimu- a near six-year low, even as overall manufacturing The city-state’s gross domestic product expand- lus from Beijing and across much of Asia. The tale activity picked up to its fastest in two years. ed by an annualised 1.6 percent, well short of the was similar from Singapore to South Korea to The HSBC PMI, compiled by Markit, rose to 54.5 3.0 percent analysts expected and mainly due to a Indonesia as manufacturers struggled with weak in December from 53.3, the 14th straight month reversal in manufacturing. demand, both at home and abroad. China’s official above the 50-mark that separates growth from “The external demand story remains very lack- Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) slipped to 50.1 in contraction. Yet India’s annual inflation rate has lustre at this juncture,” said Selena Ling, an econo- December from November’s 50.3, its lowest level of slowed to only 4.38 percent, the lowest since the mist at Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp, adding that the year and just above the 50-point level that is government started releasing the data in 2012 and Japan, China and Europe were all slowing down. supposed to separate growth from contraction. potentially a green light for easing by the Reserve “Unlike 2014, when we started on a strong note for There was better news from China’s services Bank of India (RBI). the first half and after that the momentum tapered sector, which accounts for close to half of the econ- “With the disinflationary trend gaining ground, off, we could be starting 2015 on a relatively soft omy, where the PMI edged up to 54.1 in December the RBI is expected to find space for some rate cuts note, especially as people are looking forward to from November’s 53.9. in 2015,” said Pranjul Bhandari, chief India econo- the Fed to normalise policy,” she added. Yet many analysts suspect economic growth for mist at HSBC. In South Korea, consumer prices all of 2014 will undershoot the government’s 7.5 grew at the slowest clip in more than 15 years in Fed, ECB on diverging paths percent target, marking the weakest expansion in December, opening the door for further rate cuts Asian exporters will get some relief as the US 24 years. With factories able to make more than there. economy shifts into higher gear, though they did consumers wanted to buy, the pressure was Its version of the PMI contracted slightly but did not benefit as much from the American recovery in intense to cut prices. show some improvement in December to stand at 2014 as they had in the past. The US Federal 49.9, from 49.0 in November. Indonesia was not Reserve has indicated it will start raising rates from Inflation deflates even that fortunate as its PMI slipped to 47.6 in zero later this year as long as the economy contin- “The price measures show very strong disinfla- December, the lowest since the survey began in ues to improve and unemployment falls further. tionary forces,” said analysts at Nomura. “With no April 2011 and a third consecutive month of con- The US Institute for Supply Management’s meas- PARIS: French Economy and Industry Minister Emmanuel Macron gesturing as he inflation pressure, we expect more policy easing in traction. Singapore also disappointed as economic ure of manufacturing is due later on Friday and is answers members of parliament during a session of questions to the government at the first quarter, including a 50 basis-point cut in growth slowed more than expected in the fourth expected to show a still strong reading around the National Assembly yesterday. — AFP the bank reserve requirement ratio, to shore up quarter and the manufacturing sector contracted 57.6 for December. — Reuters SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 BUSINESS

bayt.com weekly report Five ways to improve your work-life balance in New Year

he New Year is a time for reflection and new resolutions as we carefully peruse the past Tand plan for a better future. For many profes- sionals, creating a better work-life balance will be top on their list of next year’s priorities. Here are some tips from the career experts at Bayt.com, the Middle East’s leading job site, on how to achieve it:

1. Be clear about your priorities Take some time to revisit your values and priori- ties and understand what really matters to you most. Is it money and if so how much do you really want or need? Is it time with family and friends? Is it freedom to pursue hobbies and interests? Is it accelerated professional growth and leadership in your role? Once you have come to grips with what you truly value most you can seek to focus on that area. The Bayt.com ‘Work-life Balance in the MENA’ poll, September 2012, reveals that 65 percent of professionals in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region would agree to a pay cut if it would allow them more free time.

2. Set SMART goals Without SMART goals you are invariably setting yourself up to an unhappy scenario. Unless you understand where the goalposts are in life, you are almost sure to miss them every time. Ask yourself in your professional and in your personal life, at very regular intervals, where you are planning to go and how soon you need to get there to have a very clear vision of success and plan a clear path to get there. Without careful planning and a sound vision and measure of success, you may exert more effort than needed in some areas of your life at the expense of others you value equally or more.

3. Set clear expectations with your manage- ment As per the Bayt.com ‘Work Satisfaction in the MENA’ poll 12.5 percent of professionals say that their management sets unrealistic expectations for A brick mason helper prepares another load of cement for the construction crew to cover a new home in bricks in Ashburn, Virginia on Friday. — AFP them. Achieving better work-life balance means mutually agreeing on goals and targets with your manager and keeping communication channels very open. Be clear with your management about Iraq oil exports soar but what matters most to you. 41 percent of polled professionals state that working the same number of hours with a higher salary would resolve their work-life balance issues, whereas 22.8 percent would opt for a flexitime arrangement with similar low prices hit revenue hours, and 10.4 percent would prefer a work-from- home arrangement as per Bayt.com’s Work Life Balance in the MENA poll. Dec export highest in 2014 4. Optimize your productivity Think of all the time you can free up to do other BAGHDAD: Iraq’s oil exports reached their highest level in much lower than the early months of 2014 because of this was his personal opinion rather than that of the min- things if you improve your productivity levels decades in December, the oil ministry’s spokesman said sharply declining oil prices. istry. The dramatic decline in oil prices poses a major prob- through that extra effort, focus, efficiency, educa- yesterday, but vital revenues were being hit by the plum- Jihad said prices averaged $57 a barrel in December, lem for Iraq, which depends on oil revenues for the vast tion, or vocational training. The most ambitious meting prices of crude. Iraq exported 91.141 million barrels down from $100 or more during the first half of the year. majority of government funds. and successful professionals are lifelong learners of oil in December for an average of 2.94 million barrels per The average December price was even lower than the $60 The oil ministry said in November that Baghdad lost committed to always being ahead of the curve in day, the highest daily average since 1980, Assem Jihad told per barrel used to calculate Iraq’s 2015 budget, which more than 27 percent of its projected revenues for 2014 the learning it requires to do their jobs optimally AFP, citing initial figures. already includes a more than $19 billion deficit. because of the fall in prices. It comes at a time when and achieve leadership in their domain. December exports were far and away the highest in Oil producing cartel “OPEC must move to address this expenditures are higher than usual, with the country bat- 2014, eclipsing the previous best month by more than 11 issue,” Jihad said.”Prices are falling now to abnormal levels, tling to regain ground from the Islamic State jihadist group, 5. Choose a healthy lifestyle million barrels, according to ministry figures. But revenues and it is up to the organization to move instead of watch- which spearheaded a sweeping offensive that overran were $5.247 billion, only up slightly on November and ing prices collapse to illogical levels,” he said, adding that swathes of territory in June. — AFP The Bayt.com ‘Work Satisfaction in the MENA’ poll shows that 39 percent of professionals are occasion- ally affected by job related stress, and as many as 35 percent indicate job-stress affects them most of the Shale excavation to shape Kuwait crude time. This may be correlated to the fact that 46.7 percent of professionals admit that they don’t price up spend enough time with their family and friends Jordan’s future energy policy and 57 percent say they don’t spend enough time to $51.35pb exercising. Work-related stress can eat away into, AMMAN: Shale potential as a source for that through certain processes will pro- Mostly, shale will be used as fuel for KUWAIT: The price of Kuwait crude oil not only your productivity at work, but also your oil and natural gas has prompted the duce oil, gas, and energy. He indicated power stations in the country, said Al- personal/family time. Often, managing work-related per barrel rose $0.86 to stand at Jordanian government to sign various that there an enormous amount of shale Ramini, adding that the government had $51.35pb in Friday’s trading compared stress is largely about managing expectations. Ask agreements with international compa- throughout Jordan with the current dis- been studying the economic benefits of yourself is there an easier and faster way to com- to $50.49pb on Wednesday, Kuwait nies to search for the valuable rock covered locations able to produce around using shale for quite some time and now Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said yester- plete your more stressful tasks? Work-life balance throughout the kingdom. The agree- 28 million barrels of oil equivalent. is taking some stern steps to realize the day. The price of Brent crude oil for begins with managing stress by committing to a ments will enable Jordan to produce The official said that there are various potential of such resource. In three years February delivery went down by 1.59 healthier lifestyle that includes better time manage- energy from shale by 2018. means to extract minerals from shale, the government is planning to reach a percent, to stand at $56.42pb. In New ment, better eating habits, regular exercise and a Speaking to KUNA on the subject, exec- stressing that the government should production capacity of 38 barrels per day, York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), generous time allocation to activities that make one utive at the Jordanian ministry of energy focus on methods that were less costly, said Al-Ramini, noting that what would be American light crude settled at $52.69pb feel truly satisfied, fulfilled and happy. and mineral resources Hazem Al-Ramini more energy efficient, and environment produce by then would be used to gener- for February delivery. — KUNA said that shale contains many minerals friendly. ate electricity. — KUNA

EXCHANGE RATES

Malaysian Ringgit 87.645 South African Rand 0.019355 0.027855 Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Chinese Yuan Renminbi 48.035 Thai Bhat 9.885 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001882 0.002462 Turkish Lira 131.225 Taiwan 0.009156 0.009336 Japanese Yen 2.442 COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Thai Baht 0.008608 0.009158 Indian Rupees 4.622 Australian Dollar 231.71 228.71 Canadian Dollar 256.71 257.71 Pakistani Rupees 2.923 Arab Srilankan Rupees 2.222 Swiss Franc 302.93 300.93 Bahrain Exchange Company Euro 362.08 363.08 Bahraini Dinar 0.772453 0.780453 Nepali Rupees 2.888 Egyptian Pound 0.039542 0.042642 Singapore Dollar 222.800 US Dollar 293.55 296.55 COUNTRY SELL CASH SELLDRAFT Sterling Pound 461.65 464.65 Iranian Riyal 0.000081 0.000083 Hongkong Dollar 37.842 Europe Japanese Yen 2.49 2.51 Iraqi Dinar 0.000195 0.000255 Bangladesh Taka 3.755 Belgian Franc 0.007648 0.008648 Jordanian Dinar 0.410110 0.417610 Philippine Peso 6.570 Bangladesh Taka 3.761 4.031 Indian Rupee 4.636 4.936 British Pound 0.451441 0.460441 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Thai Baht 8.927 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.220 2.655 Czech Korune 0.004893 0.016893 Lebanese Pound 0.000145 0.000245 Irani Riyal transfer 61.555 Nepali Rupee 2.893 3.428 Danish Krone 0.043874 0.048874 Moroccan Dirhams 0.023945 0.047945 Irani Riyal cash 121.740 Pakistani Rupee 2.918 2.790 Euro 0.351227 0.359227 Nigerian Naira 0.001193 0.001826 UAE Dirhams 79.77 80.23 Norwegian Krone 0.035509 0.040709 GCC COUNTRIES Omani Riyal 0.756706 0.762386 Bahraini Dinar 779.11 781.18 Romanian Leu 0.084229 0.084229 Qatar Riyal 0.079948 0.081161 Saudi Riyal 78.338 Egyptian Pound 40.93 41.53 Slovakia 0.008600 0.018600 Qatari Riyal 80.706 Saudi Riyal 0.077670 0.078370 Jordanian Dinar 417.10 422.75 Swedish Krona 0.033898 0.038898 Syrian Pound 0.001741 0.001961 Omani Riyal 763.320 Omani Riyal 761.26 768.56 Swiss Franc 0.290089 0.300289 Bahraini Dinar 780.260 Tunisian Dinar 0.154429 0.162429 Qatari Riyal 80.83 81.38 Turkish Lira 0.124870 0.131870 Turkish Lira 0.124870 0.131870 UAE Dirham 80.003 Saudi Riyal 78.19 78.59 UAE Dirhams 0.078969 0.080118 ARAB COUNTRIES Australasia Yemeni Riyal 0.001326 0.001406 Australian Dollar 0.232307 0.243807 Egyptian Pound - Cash 44.000 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Egyptian Pound - Transfer 40.985 New Zealand Dollar 0.223702 0.233202 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.371 Tunisian Dinar 158.730 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate America Al Mulla Exchange Jordanian Dinar 414.580 US Dollar 291.750 Canadian Dollar 0.247936 0.256436 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.971 Canadian Dollar 260.085 US Dollars 0.289550 0.294250 Syrian Lira 2.094 Sterling Pound 456.630 US Dollars Mint 0.290050 0.294250 CurrencyTransfer Rate (Per 1000) Morocco Dirham 33.143 Euro 366.500 US Dollar 293.000 Swiss Frank 303.035 Asia Euro 360.650 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Bahrain Dinar 775.760 Bangladesh Taka 0.003440 0.004040 Pound Sterlng 459.800 UAE Dirhams 79.330 US Dollar Transfer 293.650 Chinese Yuan 0.046134 0.049634 Canadian Dollar 254.850 Euro 359.430 Qatari Riyals 80.935 Hong Kong Dollar 0.035776 0.038526 Saudi Riyals 77.975 Indian Rupee 4.615 Sterling Pound 458.830 Indian Rupee 0.004387 0.004788 Egyptian Pound 40.965 Canadian dollar 253.580 Jordanian Dinar 411.660 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Egyptian Pound 40.707 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.220 Turkish lira 126.580 Japanese Yen 0.002377 0.002557 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.225 Bangladesh Taka 3.740 Swiss Franc 298.730 Kenyan Shilling 0.003277 0.003277 Australian Dollar 240.210 Indian Rupees 4.716 Philippines Peso 6.555 Pakistani Rupees 2.867 Korean Won 0.000260 0.000275 US Dollar Buying 292.450 Malaysian Ringgit 0.080545 0.086545 Pakistan Rupee 2.914 Bangladesh Taka 3.759 Bahraini Dinar 780.250 Philippines Pesso 6.481 Nepalese Rupee 0.003001 0.003171 GOLD UAE Dirham 79.850 Cyprus pound 715.865 Pakistan Rupee 0.002765 0.003045 20 gram 238.100 Japanese Yen 3.480 Philippine Peso 0.006487 0.006767 Saudi Riyal 78.300 10 gram 121.740 Syrian Pound 2.710 Sierra Leone 0.000065 0.000071 *Rates are subject to change 5 gram 61.560 Nepalese Rupees 3.945 Singapore Dollar 0.219033 0.225033 BUSINESS SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 India’s Jaitley sees exciting days for economy

MUMBAI: Promising exciting days ahead, Indian goes into banking sector, probably days are not excite anyone. I think this challenging and troubled Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said India would very far when we could probably match the time we are passing through are capable of becom- match Chinese growth rate once the unbanked Chinese growth,” he said at an ICICI Bank function. ing important turning point in Indian history,” population comes under structured financial sys- The minister said with more and more people Jaitley said. tem. The minister also said that the real challenge using RuPay debit cards, a large part of the eco- Recounting the initiatives taken by the NDA gov- today is to bring a further spurt in investment, con- nomic activity, which is out of the banking net, ernment in past seven months, he said the Prime centrate on infrastructure and improve manufactur- would get reflected in the GDP. Minister Jan Dhan Yojana to bring unbanked popu- ing in a big way. China has been the world’s fastest growing econ- lation under the banking net has already achieved “I think time has come to enter into the next omy in the recent times, recording double digit the target. phase where we give spurt to these goals which are growth rate for almost two decades. Over 10 crore bank accounts have already been essential for reviving Indian economy,” he said. On the other hand, India touched a peak of 9.6 under the scheme a month ahead of the schedule. “The days ahead are going to be extremely excit- percent in 2006-07 and has since tapered to below Besides, the government has begun the direct ben- ing... when even these sections (unbanked popula- five per cent in last two years. efit transfer of subsidies to the accounts of benefici- tion) have RuPay cards, and lots of Indian spending “We have reached a situation which does not aries, he added. Energy-rich Turkmenistan devalues currency

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan: The energy- lars that could be purchased with manats. rich former Soviet republic of Turkmenistan The official exchange rate set by the central devalued its currency against the US dollar bank for the manat had been set at 2.85 to by 18 percent, in the latest sign of conta- the US dollar since 2009. Earlier in 2009, gion among Russia’s neighbors from the Turkmenistan had knocked zeroes off the plunging ruble. The secretive Central Asian manat in a re-denomination after the offi- country has vast oil and gas reserves and cial exchange rate reached 14,250 to the has erected grandiose marble-clad palatial dollar. government buildings and sports complex- es, but failed to raise living standards for Fallout from ruble plunge most of its five million people. On Thursday, Turkmenistan’s former Soviet neighbors the website of Turkmenistan’s central bank in Central Asia have already suffered seri- published the rate of 3.50 manats to the US ous economic fallout from the plunge in dollar, up from 2.85 manats, a depreciation value of the Russian ruble, which fell 41 of 18.6 percent. It gave no explanation. percent against the dollar in 2014. The devaluation came as the plunge in Kyrgyzstan saw its local currency, the value of the Russian ruble, linked to som, fall more than 17 percent in value Western sanctions over Ukraine and falling against the dollar in 2014, while Tajikistan’s oil prices, sent shockwaves through former currency, the somon, lost nearly 14 percent Soviet republics. against the dollar. Both countries are highly All currency exchange offices and banks dependent on remittances from people in the capital Ashgabat were closed working in Russia. Kazakhstan’s central Thursday, even at the airport, officially due bank back in February devalued its curren- to the public holiday. At one exchange cy, the tenge, by about 19 percent. The cri- point in the city centre that is usually open sis forced the central bank of another of 24 hours, people regularly drove up to Russia’s ex-Soviet neighbours, Belarus, to check whether it was operating. With offi- introduce emergency measures and its cial state media shut down for the holiday authoritarian President Alexander and television channels broadcasting only Lukashenko sacked the prime minister on festive concerts, there was no official com- Saturday. ment on Thursday. Earlier Thursday, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Russia have VILNIUS: Lithuanian 10-Litas banknotes are seen in Vilnius on Friday. Lithuania abandoned the litas when it became the 19th country to adopt Turkmenistan’s oil and gas ministry created an economic bloc that comes into the euro at the start of 2015 but at least one of the old bills is still in vogue, a gay activist said. — AFP announced petrol prices had risen by 60 force Thursday. Another ex-Soviet state, percent. The rising price did not immedi- Armenia, has also joined. Jitters over ately lead to long queues at petrol pumps. Turkmenistan’s currency came despite the A litre of one type of petrol on Thursday country’s enormous energy wealth. It Lithuania smoothly cost one manat, while previously it cost 62 claims to hold the world’s fourth-biggest tenge (22 US cents under the previous reserves of natural gas and also has vast oil exchange rate). No immediate explanation deposits. The country’s energy wealth has was given for the sudden price rise. attracted interest from international energy transitions to euro President Gurbanguly Berdy mukhame- giants. In November, Italian energy giant dov was bullish on the economy in his live Eni signed a preliminary deal to move into televised address to the nation just before offshore oil and gas exploration in midnight Wednesday saying Turkmenistan Turkmenistan’s Caspian sector, Turkme- had “achieved high levels in all areas of the nistan has been led by Berdymukhamedov, Baltic nation seeks to boost economic stability economy” and strengthened its “economic a former dentist, since 2006, following the might.” Rumors of an approaching devalua- death of the eccentric dictator Saparmurat VILNIUS: Lithuania welcomed a New Year and a tion had been circulating for several Niyazov, who erected a golden statue of new currency, becoming the last Baltic nation to months since the autumn, prompting himself that revolved to face the sun. adopt the euro in a bid to boost stability despite many to change their savings into dollars. The country was ranked 169 out of 174 fears of inflation and euro-zone debt woes. Prime Exchange points had responded by intro- in Transparency International’s corruption Minister Algirdas Butkevicius withdrew his first 10- ducing a $1,000 limit on the amount of dol- perceptions index last month. — AFP euro bill ($12) from a Vilnius cash machine after midnight, as fireworks signed off a year marked by alarm over Russia’s role in the Ukraine conflict and its economic crisis. “The euro will serve as a guarantee for our eco- nomic and political security,” Butkevicius said at a ceremony alongside officials from Estonia and Latvia. “The transition to the new currency was smooth and successful,” Lithuanian central bank governor Vitas Vasiliauskas told reporters, as the country became the 19th member of the euro- zone. As shops opened on New Year’s Day, cus- tomers said they needed to think twice to assess the value of items in euros, instead of litas. “Everything seems cheap,” said 32-year-old Kastytis Backis, as he left a supermarket in the capital Vilnius. The two currencies will circulate together as legal tender for two weeks. Dual pricing will remain until June. VILNIUS: Minister Rimantas Sadzus, Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius, and Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania Vitas Vasiliauskas withdraw euros from a bank Political uncertainty machine during a ceremony in Vilnius on Jan 1.— AFP “In joining the euro, the Lithuanian people are choosing to be part of an area of stability, security dreds of millions of euros to the euro-zone’s rescue spending also encouraged record emigration to and prosperity,” EU economic affairs commissioner fund for struggling members. “Financial commit- richer European nations such as Britain. Pierre Moscovici said. ments are a huge burden and increase the coun- Most analysts say euro-zone entry will foster But in the run-up to membership, public sup- try’s debt. I think we should have delayed entry,” export growth and encourage investment. KABUL: An Afghan tea vendor (left) prepares tea for his customers on the Wazir port wavered. Fifty-three percent of the population financial analyst Valdemaras Katkus told AFP. Lithuania brought in 132 million individual ban- Akbar Khan hilltop in Kabul yesterday. Afghanistan’s economy has improved signifi- of three million backed the euro and 39 percent The litas has actually been pegged to the euro knotes-which are standard across the euro-zone- cantly since the fall of the Taleban regime in 2001 largely because of the infusion of were against, according to a November survey since 2002, making it dependent on the European from the German Bundesbank but minted its own international assistance. — AFP released by the central bank. Vida Zurziene, in her Central Bank. Vilnius had hoped to adopt the euro euro coins. They include the national coat of arms, fifties, said she would keep some litas coins to in 2007 but failed to meet the inflation criteria. The a knight on horseback with sword and shield, show her grandchildren. “I think prices for services, global financial crisis put the goal on hold in 2009, which has appeared on the national currency since Japanese PM Abe pledges like going to the hairdresser, will go up. But it will when Lithuania suffered a deep recession. Biting the 14th century. be easier to travel,” she said. Lithuania’s member- austerity measures far exceeding any applied in The three Baltic states broke free from the reforms to boost economy ship comes as political uncertainty in Greece is Western Europe turned the economy around, Soviet Union in 1990-1991 before joining the EU again stoking fears that the euro-zone’s debt crisis resulting in recent growth of around three percent. and NATO in 2004. Estonia and Latvia became TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo which has helped exporters by sending the could flare up. Vilnius has already committed hun- But social security cuts and other slashed public euro-zone members in 2011 and 2014. — AFP Abe pledged to carry out crucial structural yen sharply lower and boosted stocks. But reforms this year as part his drive to kick- his failure to implement some of the tough start the economy, while stressing the coun- changes economists say are needed-freeing try remained pacifist as he pursues his up the labor market and tackling an ineffi- Melco Crown to delist in HK nationalist agenda. “This year we will once cient agricultural sector-has left Abe open again make the economy the foremost pri- to the charge that he is pursuing style over ority, delivering the warm winds of econom- substance. His speech also noted that this after Macau revenue slump ic recovery to every corner of the nation,” he year marks the 70th anniversary of the end said in his new year statement, weeks after of World War II and that Japan-with “deep winning a landslide election. remorse” over its wartime atrocities-”has HONG KONG: Casino operator Melco Crown the only part of China where casino gambling is legal, Jinping vow to crack down on graft across all levels of “We will decisively execute our growth walked the path of a free and democratic Entertainment, a joint venture involving Australian bil- and the industry is dependent on big spenders from the officialdom as part of a campaign to curb lavish spend- strategy, carrying out economic (stimulus) nation and of a consistently peace-loving lionaire James Packer, plans to delist its shares in Hong mainland. But high-rollers have been reined in by the ing. A slowdown in the mainland economy has also measures at an early time,” he said, referring nation”. His comments come as he seeks Kong after gambling hub Macau reported its first ever anti-graft drive, which has seen Chinese President Xi been taking its toll on casino earnings. — AFP to reforms such as deregulation in the ener- warmer ties with old foe China, with which fall in casino revenues. Official figures published by the gy and farm sectors. Since he first took Japan has been engaged in bitter territorial former Portuguese colony on Friday showed gaming office in December 2012 Abe said he has disputes in recent years. “A we reflect on the revenues fell 2.6 percent year-on-year to 351.52 billion S Sudan oil revenue at $3.38bn, tackled various issues including revamping past... I wish to make this (year) a year in patacas ($44 billion) in 2014 — the only drop since the country’s education and social security which we send out to the world a message annual figures were first released in 2002. Hours later, hit by conflict, price falls systems, and diplomatic and security poli- about the kind of country we aim to be and Melco Crown-which owns Macau’s vast City of Dreams cies. “All of the reforms I am pursuing are the get off to a dynamic start towards building a resort complex-said it would delist from the Hong Kong JUBA: South Sudan’s oil revenue last year was hit at others was hit by a lack of spare parts. most drastic reforms since the end of World ‘new Japan’,” he said. He did not detail what stock exchange “for reasons of cost and utility”. by reduced output because of conflict in the Production fell by about a third to an average War II, with very challenging roads ahead,” a “new Japan” would look like. “Maintaining the listing... requires additional ongo- African republic and the rapid decline in oil 160,000 barrels per day (bpd) since fighting he said. With a fresh voter mandate given by Abe last month pledged to pursue his ing regulatory compliance obligations and such require- prices, petroleum minister Stephen Dhieu Dau broke out, from 245,000 bpd just before the vio- a general election victory last month, “this nationalist agenda, including revising the ments involve significant additional costs,” the company said in a statement seen by Reuters yesterday. Oil lence erupted. year I will push ahead with reforms even post-war US imposed pacifist constitution said in a statement late Friday, adding that it did not see is the main source of cash for South Sudan, but Petroleum and mining minister Dau’s state- more boldly and with an even greater sense and expanding the role of the country’s Self- opportunities to raise additional equity. The company total oil income was $3.38 billion last year from ment, dated Dec. 30, said that after deducting of speed”, he said. Abe has embarked on a Defense Forces. Also Thursday, Japanese will retain its listing on the NASDAQ in the US, where its the sale of 36.6 million barrels as output was hit $884 million in payments due to Sudan and loan policy blitz-dubbed “Abenomics” to reinvig- Emperor Akihito, 81, in his New Year state- shares closed Friday down 4.88 percent at $24.16. Melco by the fighting that began in December 2013 in repayments of $781 million, the government was orate the economy, with a vast government ment stressed the importance of learning Crown Entertainment is a joint venture between Hong the wake of a power struggle between President left with $1.71 billion from its oil revenue. “It will spending and monetary easing program. about World War II. “I think it is now extreme- Kong businessman Lawrence Ho and James Packer, son Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar. come as no surprise that one effect of the The third “arrow” in his armory are much- ly important that at this opportunity we fully of the late Australian media and gambling magnate, Thousands of people have been killed and decrease in global oil prices is the fairly substan- needed structural reforms. learn from the history of this war... in think- Kerry. The firm, with a market capitalisation of close to more than a million have fled their homes during tial reduction of revenues our nation is receiving Abe, 60, had billed the December 14 ing about the way Japan should be in the $14 billion, owns Macau’s City of Dreams resort com- the conflict, which also resulted in damage to in its sales of crude oil,” Dau said, though he gave election as a referendum on “Abenomics”, future,” Akihito said. — AFP plex, which has 1,400 rooms across three hotels located some of the country’s oil fields while production no comparative figures for 2013. —Reuters next to major resorts including The Venetian. Macau is BUSINESS SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 Kuwait bourse ends year on bearish note

BAYAN WEEKLY MARKET REPORT

KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) ended last week in the red zone. The Price Index closed at 6,535.72 points, down by 0.64 per- cent from the week before closing, the Weighted Index decreased by 0.61 percent after closing at 438.88 points, whereas the KSX- 15 Index closed at 1,059.95 points, down by 0.94 percent. Furthermore, last week’s average daily turnover increased by 14.46 percent, compared to the preceding week, reaching KD 41.37 million, whereas trading volume average was 366.27 million shares, recording an increase of 2.72 percent. Kuwait Stock Market could not maintain its gains that was realized in the preceding week, however this week was limited to four sessions; to end this week with limited losses, among a fluctuated performance, as the market was affected by the return of the random selling operations in controlling the trading activity as a result to the continued negative effect of the oil priced decline on the traders, whom pushed to execute selling operations included many traded stocks during last week, which caused its prices to decrease slightly, and negatively affected the market capital, to record a weekly decline by 0.74 percent, after it reached KD 27.98 billion by the end of last week, compared to KD 28.19 billion by the end of a week earlier. were able to increase, to compensate a part of the losers’ list, which index declined by 1.75 In addition, the stock market initiated its first its weekly losses, whilst the KSX-15 Index percent, closing at 832.14 points, followed by sessions of the week with good gains to the couldn’t, as a result to the strong profit collec- the Banks sector, as its index closed at 1,005.09 three indices, as the market increase during the tion operations executed on some large. points at a loss of 1.48 percent. The Real Estate session came as a result to the purchasing oper- For the annual performance, the price index sector was the least declining as its index ations support that included many large-cap ended last week recording 13.43 percent annu- closed at 1,129.97 points with a 0.27 percent and small-cap stocks in an attempt to raise its al loss compared to its closing in 2013, while decrease. prices before the end of year 2014, which posi- the weighted index decreased by 3.09 percent, tively affected all the market indices, especially and the KSX-15 recorded 0.79 percent loss. Sectors’ Activity the Price Index which increased the most by the The Real Estate sector dominated a total end of the session. Moreover, the stock market Sectors’ Indices trade volume of 440.47 million shares chang- declined on the second session of the week Four of KSE’s sectors ended last week in the ing hands during last week, representing 30.06 affected by the profit collection operations per- green zone, while seven recorded losses, and percent of the total market trading volume. formed on many stocks of previous gains, espe- the Health Care sector’s index closed with no The Financial Services sector was second in cially the large-cap and operational stocks. change from the week before. last week’s high- terms of trading volume as the sector’s traded Also, the stock market continued its losses est gainer was the Telecommunications sector, shares were 29.36 percent of last week’s total in Tuesday’s session, to lose all its gains that it achieving 4.19 percent growth rate as its index trading volume, with a total of 430.17 million realized since the beginning of the week, as closed at 570.43 points. Whereas, in the second shares. On the other hand, the Banks sector’s the market was negatively affected by the oil place, the Basic materials sector’s index closed stocks were the highest traded in terms of val- prices decline again, among a control of pes- at 1,131.32 points recording 1.59 percent ue; with a turnover of KD 71.76 million or 43.36 simism on most of the investors, as they increase. The Consumer Goods sector came in percent of last week’s total market trading val- pushed once again for the unreasonable sell- third as its index achieved 0.72 percent growth, ue. The Telecommunications sector took the ing operations, that were concentrated on the ending the week at 1,225.89 points. On the second place as the sector’s last week turnover small and mid-cap stocks. On the end of week other hand, the Oil & Gas sector headed the was KD 29.80 million represented 18.80 per- session however, the stock market witnessed a losers list as its index declined by 2.23 percent cent of the total market trading value. mixed performance for the closings of the to end the week’s activity at 1,062.97 points. —Prepared by the Studies & Research three indices, as the Price and Weighted indices The Financial Services sector was second on Department Bayan Investment Co.

Wall Street flat in quiet start to 2015 US stocks end mixed as

NEW YORK: Wall Street stocks finished the first trad- ing day of the new year Friday little-changed fol- lowing lackluster US economic data and with many manufacturing slows market participants still on holiday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 9.92 points (0.06 per- cent) to 17,832.99. The broad-based S&P 500 slipped 0.70 (0.03 per- WALL STREET WEEKLY REPORT cent) to 2,058.20, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index fell 9.24 (0.20 percent) to 4,726.81. NEW YORK: Stocks got off to a sluggish start on the first All three indices spent much of 2015’s first session day of trading in the New Year, ending the day mixed as in the red following reports that showed lower US a report showed that manufacturing growth slowed in construction spending in November and weaker December. US factory activity grew at the slowest pace manufacturing activity in December. But stocks in six months last month, weakened by declines in strengthened somewhat in the last 30 minutes, orders and production, according to the Institute for enabling the Dow to notch a small gain and cutting Supply Management. While the sector is still in good losses in the other two indices. Analysts said vol- health, growth was slower than economists had forecast. The stock market climbed to record levels at the end ume was light after markets closed Thursday for of 2014 and investors may now be reassessing the out- New Year’s Day. look for the market at the start of the year, said Brad “The year really starts on Monday,” said Dan McMillan, chief investment officer for Commonwealth Greenhaus, chief global strategist at BTIG. The S&P Financial, an independent broker-dealer firm. While 500 rose 11.4 percent in 2014, marking the third growth prospects in the US look decent, in Europe and straight year with a double-digit gain. Asia they are less encouraging. Investors are “stepping Key challenges to more gains in 2015 include back and saying, ‘now we’re in the New Year, let’s take a weak growth in Europe and emerging economies, fresh look,’ “ said McMillan. “There’s certainly some the hit from sharply lower oil prices to Russia and degree of, I wouldn’t say pessimism, but readjustment, other petroleum exporters, and the blow from any going on.” shift in the US Federal Reserve’s policy of ultra-low The Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 0.70 points, or interest rates. less than 0.1 percent, to 2,058.20. The Dow Jones indus- Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at trial average rose 9.92 points, or less than 0.1 percent, to Rockwell Global Capital, predicted 2015 would be 17,832.99. The Nasdaq composite dropped 9.24 points, another good year for US stocks, but one that is also or 0.2 percent, to 4,726.81. more volatile. “We’re going to see another bull run,” Stocks had another good year in 2014, but the rally faded in the final days of the year. The S&P 500 climbed he said. “However, we will see more corrections and declined 91 cents to $56.42. Investors have a number of concerns about Europe as the corrections will be steeper than they were in 11.4 percent, after rising 29.6 percent in 2013. To justify those gains, company earnings will have to keep grow- Declining in oil prices are a boon to consumers, who 2015 begins. Growth is anemic in the region and an elec- 2014.” Drugstore chain Rite Aid rose 1.5 percent are paying less for gas, but they hurts energy companies tion in Greece on Jan. 25 could re-ignite the country’s Friday after reporting that same-store sales ing. “We don’t think the US equity market is going to do anywhere near as well this year” as it has in recent years, by lowering their revenues. The energy industry debt crisis if an anti-austerity party wins. In government increased 5.3 percent in December compared with said Dan Morris, global investment strategist at TIAA- accounts for about 10 percent of earnings of companies bond trading, prices rose. The yield on the 10-year the year-ago period. CREF, an investment manager. “There’s a lot more that in the S&P 500 index. The fall in prices will also mean that Treasury note fell to 2.11 percent from 2.17 percent on Linn Energy rose 12.30 percent as it announced could go wrong than could go right in the US.” oil companies will rein in spending on plants and equip- Wednesday. Markets were closed Thursday for the New that Blackstone Group will finance drilling programs Morris says stock investors should expect returns in ment, said Anastasia Amoroso, global market strategist Year’s Day holiday. The dollar also rose against the for Linn in exchange for a payout on successful the single digits this year, and should also brace them- for JP Morgan Funds. “The benefit of lower oil prices is Japanese yen, climbing 0.6 percent to 120.51. wells. Linn also cut its 2015 capital spending budget selves for higher levels of volatility as the Federal incremental to the damage that they inflict on other In metals trading, gold edged up $2.10 to $1,186.20 by 53 percent and said it would trim its dividend to Reserve moves toward its first rate increase since 2006. parts of the economy,” Amoroso said. an ounce, silver rose 17 cents to $15.77 an ounce and $1.25 per share from $2.90 due to the drop in oil On Friday, stocks started out with solid gains, then fell In currency trading, the euro retreated against the copper slipped less than a penny to $2.82 a pound. prices. Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year US back after the ISM published its manufacturing report. dollar. The decline came after European Central Bank In other energy futures trading: Treasury fell to 2.12 percent from 2.17 percent After drifting lower for much of the afternoon, the mar- President Mario Draghi indicated that the bank could * Wholesale gasoline dropped 3.9 cents to $1.433 per Wednesday, while the 30-year dropped to 2.69 per- ket recovered slightly and ended the day little changed. support a government bond-buying program to combat gallon. cent from 2.75 percent. Bond prices and yields US crude fell after moving between losses and small alarmingly low inflation in the eurozone. The currency * Heating oil fell 3.8 cents to $1.796 a gallon. move inversely. — AFP gains. The price dropped 58 cents to $52.69 a barrel in fell to $1.2003, its lowest level against the dollar in 4-1/2 * Natural gas rose 11.4 cents to $3.003 per 1,000 cubic New York. Brent crude, the international standard, years. feet. — AP BUSINESS SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 Kuwait likely to post KD 5-6bn budget surplus for 2014/2015

AL-SHALL WEEKLY ECONOMIC REPORT

KUWAIT: By the end of December 2014, about KD 23.2 billion and if we assume 10 $104.8 per barrel in 2013, a noticeable ed to be about KD7.5 billion, but for the of its erroneous approach and we hope 2013, was about 49 companies out of 192 the 9th month of the current fiscal year percent saving similar to past FY drop by about -9.3 percent. entire current fiscal year. its members will realize that their inter- common companies. While 139 compa- 2014/2015 ended, and oil prices contin- 2013/2014, total actual expenditures Expenditures allocations in the cur- Public -government- debt as of the ests and keeping away from dangers will nies recorded varying declines and 4 ued to drop for the fourth consecutive would be about KD20.9 billion. Therefore, rent fiscal year 2014/2015 amounted to end of October 2014 was about KD 1.587 not be attained without essential change companies values did not change. month, at a sharper pace than the general budget for the current fiscal about KD23.212 billion. Revenues were billion, up by 3.9 percent over the end of in that approach so as to consolidate If we accept the profitability of the September, October and November, year 2014/2015 would likely achieve a estimated at about KD20.069 billion, 2013. Public debt instruments include what they have in common and strength- first nine months of 2014 as index for the breaching downwards the $60 per barrel surplus of about KD 5-6 billion, which including about KD 1.263 billion from treasury bonds, the longer in term, with a en their relations with their people. The profits of the entire year, we notice a rise threshold. The lowest average price for could rise to about KD 7.5 billion, if the non-oil revenues. Oil revenues were esti- balance of about KD 1.587 billion (about future seems more difficult than the past in profits by 5.7 percent which scored KD Kuwaiti oil reached $52.70 per barrel on projected savings in the expenditures, mated at about KD18.806 billion, about KD 1.527 billion in the end of 2013) and and disagreement and disunity are no 1.372 billion vis-a-vis KD 1.299 billion, 30/12/2014 and the highest was at estimated by the Minister of Finance to 93.7 percent of total revenues. Oil rev- treasury bills with zero balance (same as longer an option. after excluding the non-recurring profits $66.84 per barrel on 02/12/2014. The be around KD 19 billion, are realized, enues were estimated based on the fol- the end of 2013). Average interest rates of Ahli United Bank-Bahrain Branch for average price for Kuwaiti oil in December making it the 16th fiscal year in a row in lowing criteria: crude oil production of on treasury bonds for one year were 1 KSE performance 2014 the first nine months of 2013, which is was $58.5 per barrel, a decrease by which a surplus is achieved. about 2.7 million per barrel, estimated percent. Local banks capture about 98.3 The year of 2014, the sixth complete good. The number of profitable compa- about $ -15.3 per barrel for November’s In reality, the actual surplus will be sig- price of about $75 per barrel. After percent of total public debt instruments. year since the global financial crisis in nies -common to the two year- was 155 average of about $73.8 per barrel. nificantly reduced by the deteriorating oil deducting production and marketing Public debt equals about 3.2 percent of September 2008 will end, and the begin- companies out of 187 which announced Therefore, the average Kuwaiti oil price prices in the remaining three months of costs, the hypothetical deficit of the nominal GDP in 2013, which was about ning of the oil crisis which stormed KSE their financial statements, a partial indica- for the first 9 months of the current fiscal the fiscal year. If the price and production budget would be about KD3.143 billion. KD 49.863 billion. and other GCC markets during the fourth tor denoting recovery. Profitable compa- year is around $92.3 per barrel, lower by $ levels of oil continue to decline, the Oil market conditions, for both price Monetary and fiscal policies are still quarter of 2014. The year’s harvest at KSE nies achieved KD 1.446 billion and about -11.3 per barrel, or -10.9 percent, than upcoming fiscal year will prove to be very and production, during the first half of expansionist. The Central Bank of Kuwait was in general negative and less active KD 73.305 million were deducted as the the average price for the first 9 months of challenging. the current fiscal year, outperformed con- (CBK) kept the discount rate on the vis-a-vis its performance during 2013. All share of 32 losers. The banking sector last fiscal year 2013/2014 which was ditions estimated in the budget; the aver- Kuwaiti dinar during 2014 at 2 percent of its indexes of traded value and volume, contributed about 43.6 percent of the $103.6 per barrel. It is also an increase of The most important events in 2014 age price for a barrel of Kuwaiti oil for the (since 03/10/2012). Total credit facilities the number of transaction as well as val- market profits, the telecommunications $17.3 per barrel, or 23.1 percent, than the After positive but weak real growth for three quarters of the current fiscal year, offered by local banks to residents in the ue of the general index decreased. Al sector about 17.1 percent of profits, while new hypothetical price estimated for the the local economy of about 1.5 percent in from April to December 2014, was about end of October 2014 were about KD current budget of $75 per barrel. The 2013, The EIU of the Economist Magazine $92.3 per barrel, an increase by about 30.377 billion, about 56.4 percent of total average price for the last fiscal year projects that GDP in 2014 will achieve $17.3 per barrel, or about 23.1 percent local banks’ assets, up by about KD 1.416 2013/2014, ending in March 2014, was similar positive, but weak growth of higher than the hypothetical price esti- billion and a growth rate of about 4.9 per- $103.5 per barrel. about 2.1 percent as a result of a mixture mated for the current budget of about cent, compared with the end of 2013. Kuwait is supposed to have achieved of weak oil prices and production. It also $75 per barrel. The monthly follow-up Total deposits at local banks at the end of oil revenues in the first 9 months of the projects that nominal GDP will be about report for the State’s financial administra- October 2014 were about KD 36.705 bil- current fiscal year of about KD 19.5 bil- KD 49 billion ($172.2 billion). It is expect- tion accounts indicates that total received lion, about 68.1 percent of total local lion. Assuming production and prices ed that positive real growth will continue revenues (oil and non-oil) until banks’ liabilities, versus about KD 36.442 would continue at their present levels - for the local economy at about 1.9 per- 30/11/2014 were about KD 19.029 billion, billion in the end of 2013, a rise by about an assumption which may be unrealistic cent in 2015. while actual expenditures was about KD KD 262.9 million or a growth rate of on both the price and the production lev- The average oil production level was 8.491 billion for the same period. This about 0.7 percent. The private sector cap- els- it is expected that value of potential about 2.8 million barrels per day during leaves about KD 10.537 billion in surplus. tured about KD 31.417 billion, about 85.6 oil revenues for the entire current fiscal 2014, according to EIU bulletin, while But this figure does not reflect reality, as percent of total deposits. Private sector year would score about KD24 billion, Kuwait’s official quota in OPEC is about the actual surplus will be less. Oil rev- deposits in KD represented about KD higher by about KD 5.2 billion than the oil 2.247 million barrels per day. Kuwaiti oil enues for the entire current fiscal year will 28.937 billion, or about 92.1 percent. revenues estimated for the budget. average price was at its highest at about be about KD 24 billion, with the addition Private sector deposits in foreign curren- Adding some KD2.5 billion in non-oil $106.3 per barrel on June 2014 and at its of about KD 2.5 billion in non-oil rev- cies were about KD 2.480 billion. In an Shall index reading on Wednesday four sectors out of 12 active sectors con- revenues, the budget total revenues for lowest at about $58.5 per barrel on enues, total revenues will reach about KD unjustified expansion of fiscal policy, allo- 31/12/2014 scored about 222 points, tributed to supporting market profits, the current fiscal year would amount to December 2014, i.e. a drop by -45 percent 26.5 billion. With total expenditures at cations for general expenditures down by 2.4 percent, compared with its eight sectors achieved absolute losses. KD 26.5 billion. Comparing this figure in 6 months. The average price for 2014 about KD 19 billion, according to the increased by about 10.5 percent. closing in the end of last year at 454.7 On the companies level, the largest with the expenditures allocations of was about $95 per barrel, compared to Minister of Finance, the surplus is expect- However, weak oil prices during last fall points. The highest reading of the index contributor to the market profits-Burgan could impose a different reality where during the year was at 510.8 points on Bank— it contributed by about KD 31.1 actual expenditures is contracted, and 07/04/2014 and the lowest was at 406.1 million, then Ahli United Bank-Bahrain not increased. points on 17/12/2014. Branch by about KD 24.7 million. On the The price index closed with 13.4 per- other hand, IFA Hotels and Resorts Gulf Cooperation Council cent losses but this does not reflect the achieved the highest losses by about KD After lengthy pain preceded by two real market loss. Kuwait 15 Index closed 17.8 million and then Sokouk Holding Co consultation meetings in both Jeddah losing by 0.8 percent and so did the by about KD 14 million losses. and Riyadh, GCC leaders decided to go weighted index of the market which When we analyzing the financial per- ahead with holding the periodic summit closed at a 3.1 percent loss, closer to reali- formance for listed companies, according meeting conference in Doha last ty, because the drop in the market capi- to their profits until the third quarter, cal- December and the alternative was its talization scored 5.8 percent, which is the culated on annual basis, and comparing cancellation. During that painful period, right comparison measure. When we them to the end of 2013, according to the congestion (among GCC members) compare the level of price and weighted table below, we note the P/E decline to peaked by the threat of probable depri- indexes with their levels in the end of 15.8 times versus 19.9 times after exclud- vation of Qatar of its membership in the 2007, one year prior to the crisis, we ing the non-recurring of Ahli United Council. Oman had a decisive and conclu- notice that the price index is still losing in Bank-Bahrain Branch. P/B decreased to sive position that such a decision would the end of 2014 about 0.5 percent and 1.1 times compared to 1.2 times. But mean that Oman will not be in the the weighted index is losing 0.4 percent. Return on Equities (ROE) increased slight- Council too. Then it was agreed to freeze, In terms of market performance regional- ly to 7.1 percent versus 6 percent. Return but not to solve, the conflict. In the last ly it ranked over seven years ahead of on total assets (ROA) increased to 1.6 per- Doha meeting, which was diminished only Bahrain’s market. cent versus 1.4 percent. down to a one day meeting without stay- The market achieved a decrease in its It is difficult to predict the market situ- ing a night and limiting its resolutions to liquidity. Trading value for the year (244 ation in 2015. Kuwait is perhaps the only a final statement without achievements, working days) was about KD 6.117 billion, country that did not reform its market the test was in the post-conference meet- a daily average trading value of about KD after the global financial crisis in 2008. ing, ie to mitigate congestion severity 25 million versus KD 45.5 million in 2013, Therefore, the market performance both among its members and to urge Qatar to a drop by 45 percent. And poor liquidity, in liquidity and rise was not compatible reduce tension with Egypt. which can be seen as a vote of confi- with the macroeconomic indexes which Though the GCC has been established dence in the market, led to a score devia- received great support from a prosperous for 34 years now, the meetings did not tion in the distributions as well, with oil market. The sixth post-crisis year address the outcome of its agreements about 50 percent of the listed companies, (2014) ended and the uncertainty situa- such as the Customs Union, the Common or 96 companies out of 192 common tion is prevalent and the trust in the mar- Market, the Unified Currency, or the polit- companies between 2013 and 2014 won ket components is at the lowest level and ical confederation. They rather dealt with its continuity with its entire members or without some of them. This happening when the organization is surrounded by fires from all directions. In the north, both Iraq and Syria are on fire; in the south, Yemen is burning as well; and the West ally changed the balance of its alliances contrary to their GCC interests, and each member state has more than enough problems at home. The space between its states is very wide that the Russian Ambassador in Bahrain stated that his country would supply Bahrain with Gas within 2017, and for Kuwait to announce that it would import Gas from Iran through marine pipelines. On the other hand, Qatar has the third largest Gas reserve in the world and the largest exporter of liquefied Gas. Even among the compatible group, its members seem only 3.8 percent of market liquidity, its the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) I unable to cooperate. KSA and Kuwait are indicator most of the futility of continued subject to continuous political pressures unable to reach an agreement to resume inclusion category. Weak liquidity was the last of which is the disagreement on the offshore oil production from the par- accompanied by deviation towards small its law amendments. The last third of titioned zone. It has been a disappointing speculative companies as we find that 17 2014 came with unpleasant events from year, started with severed ties after companies whose market capitalization the oil market whose prices lost more endorsing to work on political union, does not exceed value 3.4 percent of the than 40 percent since the end of June. continued with many fires nearby, and markets was 23.1 percent of that liquidity. Conditions exploded in Iraq, disagree- ends with an oil market crisis with a New Its liquidity is still weak in comparison ments involved GCC states and the inter- Year hope that responsibility feeling with other markets with its share did not nal political situation deteriorated. could compensate the past frustrations. exceed 12.3 percent of the estimated Therefore, indications imply sustained At least theoretically, conflicts should GDP of 2014 scored about KD 49.6 billion weak performance of the local market in not occur among its member states. and 21 percent of the market capitaliza- 2014. As it originally starts at low levels, Public opinion pressures that form and tion. Total trading volume scored about the situation may reflect exerting real down governments in other cooperation 53.289 billion shares, down by 58 percent effort in filtering its companies and keep- organizations and cause conflict between compared with 127.016 billion shares in ing the politicians’ hands off playing with north and south Europe, for instance, do the end of 2013. The daily average was its institutions. not exist. Therefore, the easy decision about 218.4 million shares, down by making should unite them; the surround- 297.9 million share, or by 57.7 percent. The Weekly performance of KSE ing dangers are supposed to unite them Total number of transaction scored 1.198 The performance of Kuwait Stock ie the interest of survival and stability. But million deals, a daily average was about Exchange (KSE) for the last week was it seems neither interests nor danger can 4,908 deals (8,911 deals in the end of mixed, as the traded value index and the do. Lately, they were all afflicted by a 2013), a drop by 44.9 percent. traded volume index showed an common disease through a major drop in Market capitalization value of all listed increase, while the transactions index their revenues after oil lost more than 40 companies in the end of 2014 scored KD and the general index showed a percent of its prices and later by likely 29.1 billion, a decrease by KD 1.791 billion decrease. AlShall Index (value index) pressures on its production. Abundant if compared with their value in the end of closed at 444 points at the closing of last reserves saved surplus states from the December 2013 for 192 companies Wednesday, (four trading days because Arab Spring problems. Nevertheless, they (excluding the value of the Specialties of the New Year holiday), showing a are addict to their non-cooperative Group Holding Co and Kuwait decrease of about 3.5 points or about 0.8 approach. Telecommunications Co). percent comparing to last week and Finally, we have to realize that the It is worth pointing that the number decrease of 10.7 points or about 2.4 per- organization’s weakness is the outcome of gainers, compared with the end of cent compared with the end of 2013. BUSINESS SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 Macau casinos suffer worst year amid anti-graft push

HONG KONG: The world’s gambling capital Macau saw its falling over 3.5 percent during afternoon trade. A slow- first annual decline in casino revenues in 2014, figures down in the mainland economy has also been taking its showed Friday, with a corruption crackdown by the toll on casino earnings. Chinese government ending a decade of booming growth for the industry. Official figures published by the ‘Period of consolidation’ former Portuguese colony showed that gaming revenues Experts had predicted that growth in the VIP segment, fell 2.6 percent year-on-year to 351.52 billion patacas ($44 accounting for two thirds of the total revenues of Macau’s billion) in 2014 — the only decline since annual figures gaming industry, would be limited by the continued focus were first released in 2002. on corruption. Beijing is also reported to be clamping Last month’s takings were especially dire, plunging a down on illicit funds channelled from the mainland record 30.5 percent year-on-year to 23.285 billion patacas- through its casinos. Revenues hit a record $45 billion in marking a seventh consecutive month of decline and the 2013, official figures showed. Xi, on a visit to Macau earlier biggest drop since the gambling hub began recording this month, said the territory should diversify away from monthly revenues in 2005. Barclays analyst Phoebe Tse casinos. “Macau is now entering into a period of consoli- said a high-profile corruption crackdown spearheaded by dation,” gaming expert Ben Lee of iGamiX told AFP. Chinese President Xi Jinping was one of the main factors “Casinos will now have to turn to real marketing and that had pushed down the territory’s casino earnings in operational efficiencies to drive profitability ,” Macau- 2014. “It has had a significant negative impact on VIP play- based Lee said, adding that Beijing is determined to rein ing sentiment,” she told AFP. in the sector’s “uncontrolled growth”. Macau is the only part of China where casino gam- Lee predicted that the slowing trend will continue into bling is legal, and the industry is dependent on big the second quarter of next year until casinos open pro- spenders from the mainland. But high-rollers have been posed expansions, which would stimulate the industry. reined in by the anti-graft drive, which has seen Xi vow to Casino operators have plans to expand their operations crack down on high-ranking officials-described as “tigers”- on the Cotai Strip, a former swamp which is being along with low-level “flies”, in a campaign which includes reclaimed and transformed into mass market resorts. curbing lavish spending. Shares of casino operators listed Macau overtook Las Vegas as the world’s casino capital on the Hong Kong stock exchange tumbled Friday after HONG KONG: Official figures published by the Macau officials showed that gaming revenues fell 2.6 in terms of revenue after the sector was opened up to for- the announcement with share prices in SJM Holdings percent year-on-year to 351.52 billion patacas ($44 billion) in 2014 — the only decline since annual eign competition in 2002, and now enjoys gambling rev- falling over 2.5 percent and prices in Wynn Macau shares figures were first released in 2002. enues multiple times that of the American city. — AFP Burgan Bank introduces instant debit, credit card issuance service Bank provides world class service to customers

KUWAIT: With an aim of providing porate and financial institutions sec- world-class banking services, tors, as well as having a growing Burgan Bank announced that cus- retail, and private bank customer tomers applying for any of the base. Burgan Bank has five majority bank’s debit or credit cards will be owned subsidiaries, which include able to receive them on the spot Jordan Kuwait Bank, Gulf Bank and enjoy the freedom to choose Algeria, Burgan Bank - Turkey, Bank their own PIN in a secure way. This of Baghdad, Tunis International step is in line with the bank’s cus- Bank, in which Burgan Bank owns a tomer-centric strategy of facilitating majority stake. Burgan Bank Group their banking transactions as swiftly has one of the largest regional and efficiently as possible. branch networks with more than After careful research of today’s 233 branches across Kuwait, Turkey, customers’ needs, Burgan Bank has Jordan, Algeria, Iraq, Tunis, Lebanon Al-Tijari launches developed a dynamic card issuance and Palestine. system to allow customers to The Bank has continuously receive their personalized debit and improved its performance over the ‘Your prize... Your credit cards instantly at select years through an expanded revenue branches without any delay, thereby structure, diversified funding choice’ promotion offering more convenience and per- sources, and a strong capital base. sonalization to its customers. Instant The adoption of state-of-the-art card issuance is now available at the services and technology has posi- KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait Dubai. Daoud stated that all new customers bank’s main branch, as well as the tioned it as a trendsetter in the announced the launch of “Your Prize .... Your who transfer their salaries to “Base” Account branches in Adaliya, Shuwaikh domestic market and within the Choice” promotion under “Base Account will get a chance to enter all draws and the Industrial Area, Jahraa 2, Airport, MENA region. Burgan Bank’s brand Package” designated especially for employees existing customers who change their Salmiya, Farwaniya and Rigga. The has been created on a foundation of and which offers exclusive privileges to the accounts segmentation and join the new seg- facility to select and change the card real values - of trust, commitment, recently employed youth when starting their ment will also get a chance. PIN has been rolled out in all the excellence and progression, to career to help them achieve their dreams and Daoud urged the existing customers aged branches of the bank. remind us of the high standards to realize their ambitions. from 21 to 30 years old who meet the new Burgan Bank strives to align its which we aspire. ‘People come first’ Explaining the privileges of the promo- Account terms & conditions and transfer their services to meet every customer’s is the foundation on which its prod- tion, Paul Daoud General Manager - Retail salaries to the Bank which start from KD 750 lifestyle needs and to add conven- ucts and services are developed. Banking Division said that this promotion to KD 1999 to visit any of the Bank’s branches ience to their experience with the Earlier this year, ‘Brand Finance’ - the coincides with the launch of “Base” Account to replace their ATM cards with the new dis- bank. As a leading financial institu- international brand valuation com- that offers several attractive privileges & ben- tinct card especially designated for “Base” tion, the bank will spare no effort in pany- re-affirmed Burgan Bank’s efits to customers where the promotion com- Account so that they can enter the draw and introducing the most-recent bank- brand rating as AA with a positive prises monthly draw throughout a period of 6 win in the monthly draws. ing features to its products and serv- outlook making it the highest rated months and the Bank will announce a winner In addition to the draws, customers of the ices that surpass customers’ banking banking brand in Kuwait. Excellence every month commencing from January till new package will enjoy numerous privileges experience. To find out more about is one of the Bank’s four key values June 2015. Daoud pointed out that the win- and features including but not limited to the the bank’s Call Center at 1804080 Established in 1977, Burgan Bank the bank’s products and services, and Burgan Bank continually strives ner will have the chance, for the first time in option to choose between two unique ATM where customer service representa- is the youngest commercial Bank customers are advised to visit their to maintain the highest standards in Kuwait, to select the prize that appeals to him card designs, free Titanium MasterCard, local tives will be delighted to assist with and third largest by assets in Kuwait, nearest Burgan Bank branch, or call the industry. between three prizes dedicated to the pro- concierge service and access to selected air- any questions. with a significant focus on the cor- motion, namely 2015 Lexus car or salary of KD port business class lounges across the Middle 1000 for one year or a marvelous family trip East in addition to free prepaid Visa card and to Dubai on a private jet and splendid accom- special discounts in several restaurants, stores France, Spain, Italy bond modation in a luxurious suite at Atlantis Hotel and retailers. Gulf Bank announces winners yields hit historic lows of Al-Danah daily draws PARIS: Borrowing rates in France, Spain and Italy fell to fresh historic lows in the euro-zone was “not excluded” although was likely to be “limited”. KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its Al-Danah daily side winners of KD50,000 and KD250,000. on Friday in thin holiday trading, as investors eyed possible new anti-defla- Analysts took this to mean that the ECB could announce as soon as January draws on December 28, 2014, announcing Al-Danah allows customers to win cash tion measures from the European Central Bank. 22 new measures to buy sovereign bonds-a form of quantitative easing the names of its winners for the week of prizes and simultaneously encourages them The yield on France’s 10-year debt hit 0.812 percent, while the Spanish already tried by central banks in the United States, Britain and Japan. Such a December 21 to December 25. The Al- to save. Each KD100 gives the customer 1 10-year bond traded at 1.541 percent and the Italian at 1.819 percent-beat- move would likely further push down the yields of the main sovereign Danah daily draws include draws each chance daily which accumulates day by day. ing previous records set on Tuesday. The yield on the German 10-year bonds in the euro-zone. Also helping drive down yields was a general risk working day for two prizes of KD1000 per The more money saved and the longer it is bond-seen as the benchmark for European debt-also came within a whisker aversion on the part of investors amid a fresh political crisis in Greece. At winner. in the account, the more chances individu- of its previous record of 0.535 percent, as yields fell to 0.536 percent. times of uncertainty, traders prefer to park money in the relatively safe als stand to win. Every Al-Danah prize Trading volumes were thin as many investors took an extended break haven of sovereign bonds rather than play the riskier stock market. The winners are: draws will automatically be deposited into after the New Year holiday, possibly distorting the moves. However, those The difficult political situation in Greece-which has been forced into an (Sunday 21/12): Hussam Edddin Ahmed the winner’s account within two working that were trading were looking towards possible new ECB moves to ward early election later this month after parliament failed to choose a new presi- Al-Khayat, Fozeyah Ahmed Eisaa Al-Qamlas days. Al-Danah also offers a number of off deflation after comments by the central bank’s chief Mario Draghi. dent — saw its yields soar to over 9.0 percent on Monday when the poll (Monday 22/12): Thekrayat Mohammad unique services including the Al-Danah Draghi told German business daily Handelsblatt that the risk of deflation was announced. — AFP Murad Akbar, George Michiel Yazigi Deposit Only ATM card which helps account (Tuesday 23/12): Shahad Hasan holders deposit their money at their con- Mohammad Al-Mulla, Mustafa Ibrahim venience; as well as the Al-Danah calculator Howaiji to help customers calculate their chances of (Wednesday 24/12): Amirah Jumah becoming an Al-Danah winner. Abdullah Hashem, Nabeel Mohammed Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah account is open to Roudhan Al-Roudhan Kuwaitis and all residents of Kuwait. (Thursday 25/12): Sheikh/ Khalid Naser Customers who open an account and/ or Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Saleh deposit more will enter the draw within two Mohammed Abdulla Shehab days. To take part in the Al-Danah 2014 upcoming yearly draw, customers must Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah 2014 draw lineup have an Al Danah account containing at includes daily draws (2 winners per working least KD 200. To be part of the Al-Danah day each receive KD1000). The final Al- draws, customers can visit one of Gulf Danah draw for the Million Dinars will be Bank’s 58 branches, transfer on line, or call held on 8 January, 2015 whereby the Al the Customer Contact Center on 1805805 Danah Millionaire will be announced along- for assistance and guidance. Operational disruption at Abu Dhabi airport

ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways will restructure its Abu Dhabi, up to and including Tuesday 6 flight schedule for tonight to enable the airline January, to rebook flights through its global to recover from operational disruption caused contact centres(details of which can be found at by this morning’s severe fog at Abu Dhabi etihad.com/contacts). Airport. These plans include the deferral of some The airline is waiving normal cancellation flights into Abu Dhabi this evening, (Saturday 3 and refund fees during this period. Etihad January, and tomorrow morning, Sunday 4 Airways continues to deploy support staff to January. A comprehensive list of revised flight Abu Dhabi Airport to assist passengers and the times will be published by 5pm today, local airline is working to relieve the situation. Etihad time. Flight EY11, an Airbus A380 service from Airways apologizes to passengers for the incon- Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow, has already venience caused during this period. been rescheduled to depart at 1am on Sunday 4 Passengers are advised to contact the Etihad January, rather than its usual time of 2.35am. Airways Contact Centre on +971 (0) 2 599 0000 Etihad Airways is also urging any passengers or visit etihad.com/flightstatus for more infor- ASHBURN: A sign shows a new home is sold in Ashburn, Virginia on Friday. US spending on construction fell slightly in November from the pre- who can defer their travel to, from, or through mation on the status of flights. vious month driven by a decline in non-residential building, but was higher from a year ago, the Commerce Department reported Friday. — AFP technology SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 Philippe Jarre, CEO of GBM Seek muscular male with quality shares international expertise rump? 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What in your opinion is the biggest threat to where the website trouverlebontaureau.com (“find successes throughout his career, including the suc- qualified skills and resources remain a key challenge cyber security and data protection? the right bull” in English) has hundreds of profiles cessful acquisition of Schlumberger Business and a non-stop exercise. As mentioned earlier, cyber-crime itself is the biggest of potential mates. Farmers like Frobert can log Continuity in 2004; creating the European CRM As IT becomes part of the fabric of business, new challenge because hackers are extremely knowledge- onto what looks very much like a traditional online Consultancy Practise; the acquisition of Arsenal Digital challenges arise every day in the areas of system inte- able and determined. There are no borders for hackers - Solutions; leading the first cloud service provider for gration, data quality, system availability, continuity of from any location, they can infiltrate any region by dating website, to admire the muscular curves of back up services; and the set up of a major new cloud services, and disruptive events, all of which need to be exploiting a found vulnerability, which lends further to hundred of bulls, as well as an extensive family datacentre. addressed while improving ROI. It is crucial to ensure the globalization we are all experiencing. tree to determine their all-important breeding. He is a graduate from Supelec (Paris) - Ecole the steps we are taking today do not create additional “Matches for demanding cows!” proclaims the SupÈrieure d’ElectricitÈ with a specialization in problems in the future. 7. How has the rise in popularity of mobile tech- site, in a play on a catchphrase used by several Telecommunication and Information Technology. From nology affected IT and how does GBM address this? popular local dating sites which advertise them- Grenoble in the French Alps, Philippe was a competi- The rise in popularity of mobile technology has had selves as being for “demanding singles”. tive skier until the age of 17, when he decided to pur- an incredible impact on the IT industry and business in The website was launched in France in October sue his degree in engineering. general. Take for example the recent proliferation of by a group of breeding associations during the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs in companies - country’s Farming Summit. 1. What direction do you see GBM taking under this principle relies on the widespread ownership of Breeders can input details about their cow such your leadership? What are your plans for the mobile devices to afford employees with new levels of as her age and race, as well as what characteristics region? portability and increased flexibility. they are looking to improve in their herd: milk, I am fortunate to have taken over the leadership of Our clients are benefiting from our offerings because growth, muscular development or calving a company that was already doing very well but of we enable them with the tools to deliver reliable and prowess. course it is always important to look to improve. I have improved services, growing their market shares and three top priorities. increasing their profitability. Solutions like big data Once this is done, dozens of profile pictures The first is to ensure we continue to be the number mobility provide added insights about customers, such appear on the screen, and the hardest part is one provider of IT solutions in the region. as how they transact and what their preferences are. deciding from among the beefy bevy of French- The second is to cement our partnerships with the They also allow organizations to be in constant commu- bred bulls. world’s leading technology companies and invest in a nication with their customers, helping companies to What about Cyrano, a Charolais bull who boasts talented, skilled workforce who implements solutions better understand customer requirements and transact a “breathtaking body”? But there is also Arlequin, a that cater to our customer’s specific, complex and with them in an easy, fashionable, yet cost-effective Blonde d’Aquitaine-a breed from southwestern Philippe Jarre, GBM CEO diverse business needs. way. France-who despite his rural upbringing has a And the third is to be viewed by our customers as “Parisian elegance”. The cream-coloured bull the partner with the most critical role for their future 4. What would you say are the most popular 8. Do you think it is important for business to Euskadi is targeting “females who live for blondes”, success and to become as fundamental to the future trends in IT over the last few years? invest in educating and training their staff in terms while Braise boasts an “exceptional rump”. success of our customers as they are to ours. There has been a lot of regional emphasis on the of IT usage? But unfortunately for Bariton the bull and importance of the cloud as a scalable and elastic IT- Absolutely. Training and education in IT is extremely Desiree (or Henrietta or Anita) their love will 2. How does the Middle East IT market differ enabled service, and this interest is set to expand as important because technology is always changing. remain virtual, with no long walks or passionate from those in Europe or North America? more SMEs adopt cloud services in the Middle East and There are always new vulnerabilities to catch and new moments in a French field. There is no doubt that IT is a major driver and in Kuwait particularly. solutions to learn and assess. At GBM, we invest in our enabler of the advancement of society in the region, We expect to see new financing models like ‘pay as highly trained staff because they truly are the backbone Once Frobert makes his choice it all gets rather and is becoming the foundation upon which business you use’, ‘software as a service’, and ‘business process as of our business and instrumental to our success. clinical, and a specimen of the bull’s semen is dis- is built. This increasing influence of technology is a service’ gaining prominence in the country. The chan- patched to him for artificial insemination. changing the way people live, work, collaborate and nel will be expected to reinvent itself to cater to the 9. Do you think that IT companies are able to keep With the falling price of meat, genetic progress make decisions and that requires smarter IT solutions. changing technology trends and customer buying up and adapt to the always changing trends and has allowed farmers to breed animals that are The Middle East IT market is definitely distinct from trends. ever-increasing demands of the market? “profitable, super efficient and adapted to the mar- the IT markets in Europe and North America. We can also expect to see products, applications and With the right combination of dedication, training ket,” said Pascal Soulas of Charolais Univers, which Understanding just how distinct our region is has services that cater to growing areas like cloud, security, and leveraging of partnerships, it is possible to keep up carries out artificial inseminations and uses always been a top priority for us as a company - it big data, analytics and mobility gain momentum in the with and adapt to the changing trends and demands of biotechnology to tweak the genetic profile of the helps ensure we understand the challenges that need next year, as this was a key trend in the last few years. the market. breed. solving, and more accurately predict for the future. There seems to be a clear economic trajectory for Part of keeping up with changing trends is business- “Today the size of farms has doubled and there This helps us to deliver essential and relevant offerings most Gulf countries looking to expand the non-oil sec- es taking the initiative to invest in IT itself. Through our is often only one son looking after the farm after to our customers. tors of their GDP, as they funnel more resources into research this year, we found that in Kuwait, 59 percent his parents grow too old to help him,” said Soulas. In 2012, we launched a research initiative that we building up their ICT infrastructure. of companies invest 15 percent or less of their IT budg- “He needs docile cows who can give birth without have since held annually. This research, heavily ets in security. The fact that the majority of companies his intervention or that of a veterinarian.” focused on IT security, found that 61 percent of 5. How important a role does IT play in business, invest such a small portion of overall budgets in security respondents in the region believe the Middle East both on a day-to-day basis and in terms of long-term is rather alarming, considering IT is a powerful tool busi- Bulls who have been bred not to have horns, specifically is a prime target for cybercrime. The region strategy? nesses can use to gather and protect all data. making it easier to transport and handle them, are is also quickly adopting mobile technologies both on a There has been a shift in the way IT is viewed in the also an option for farmers. The site also allows personal and professional level. Businesses are becom- region in the past few years, and in 2014, the change 10. How important is research for IT companies? farmers to choose sexed semen which lets them ing more familiar with and embracing newer solutions has been palpable. From being seen as a commodity to Does GBM undertake a lot of research? choose male or female calves, depending on their like cloud technologies, and are realizing the benefits an essential business service, IT has redefined its pur- The research we conduct at GBM will remain a priori- needs. of big data. This shows that the Middle East IT market, pose in the business environment in most mature mar- ty for the foreseeable future. We anticipate even Soon versions of the site are expected in both the IT professionals and those with more mali- kets, and this trend is sure to strengthen in the region in expanding on our current efforts because it is so impor- English, Spanish, Italian and Chinese to “export cious intentions, is maturing to the level it is currently the coming year. tant to stay abreast of industry happenings and opin- French genetic know-how” to lucky cows world- at in Europe and North America. The driving force in adopting new technologies ions in real-time. wide. — AFP Snappy apps for 2015

NEW YORK: Instagram, which is owned by Facebook measured ingredients and detailed recipes for even the Inc., now has 300 million users — more than Twitter. clumsiest of cooks. Scrolling through its snapshot feeds gives users a quick Sites such as HelloFresh, Plated and Blue Apron deliv- glimpse into the lives of friends and strangers. er weekly boxes of raw ingredients — even including (At least the parts that include empty beaches, cap- spices and, at least in the case of HelloFresh, water. The puccinos with perfect foam hearts and smiling babies in only things you’re assumed to have in your pantry are clean clothes.) Its simplicity is part of its appeal. But salt, pepper, oil and possibly butter. An upcoming “fami- what if you want to tell a longer story? ly plan” box for Blue Apron, for example, features chick- Enter Storehouse, a mobile app that promises to let en under a “brick” with rosemary, roast potatoes and you share “your stories, as they happen.” Instead of shar- broccolini; New England-style shrimp rolls with warm ing one-off photos, Storehouse lets users combine pho- potato and kale salad; fresh pappardelle Bolognese with tos, videos and words to share anything from a detailed romaine, celery and apple salad and two-cheese pizza recipe, to travel memories or a first-person documen- with iceberg chopped salad. The meals are quick to pre- tary on the Yakuza. Storehouse was founded by Mark pare, so if you’re tired of takeout and live in their deliv- Kawano, who previously worked at Apple as a User ery location, these services could spice up your diet. Or Experience Evangelist, helping developers design iOS maybe help with that “eat-healthy” New Year’s resolu- and Mac apps. tion? “Writers always had a great platform for blogging,” You’ve heard of WhatsApp, the nearly-free messag- Kawano said recently. “But that hasn’t happened with ing app that Facebook paid $22 billion for this year. And photographers yet.” Other photo apps, he said, are basi- there’s Facebook’s own messaging tool, which was the SAN FRANCISCO: A woman holds a sign against the use of Pacific Gas & Electric Co.’s SmartMeters next to California cally just status updates in a visual form. Storehouse year’s most-downloaded app (likely because you had to Highway Patrol officers at a California Public Utilities Commission meeting. — AP hopes to change that. download it if you wanted to message people using If you haven’t heard of Uber, you must never leave Facebook). your house or watch the news. Many people also are That’s all so 2014. Why message people you know FCC to vote next month familiar with Uber’s smaller rival Lyft, which burnishes when you could instead check out Ethan, a messaging its kinder, gentler image by slapping huge pink mus- app that lets you do just one thing — message a guy taches on the front of its cars. But more companies are named Ethan. He “may message you time to time” but on net neutrality rules queuing up to squire you around town. In 10 cities in cautions that he “can’t respond when he’s asleep.” the US, including San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago and Nothing if not honest, Ethan doesn’t want you to mes- WASHINGTON: Federal regulators are expected to vote access to entertainment, news and other online content. Los Angeles, you can order up a Sidecar. The service dif- sage him in an emergency, and will advise you not to next month on rules to govern how Internet service The idea was a fundamental tenet of the Internet from its ferentiates itself by letting passengers input their desti- fall in love with him. But want to plan a dinner-and- providers deal with the flow of content on their high-speed origin. But its fate has been in limbo since January 2014, networks. when a federal appeals court struck down the FCC’s guide- nations when they book rides and sort drivers based on movie night? No problem. “Should I get Italian or The five-member Federal Communications Commission lines and forced the agency to come up with new rules. price, shortest ETA and favorites. Chinese for dinner?” (Answer: Italian) and “Gonna watch will consider then a proposal from Chairman Tom Wheeler The court ruling said the FCC has the authority to regulate In Los Angeles, there’s also Opoli, which lets drivers a movie on Netflix, what should I go for?” (Answer: “The on so-called net neutrality rules, agency spokeswoman service providers’ treatment of Internet traffic but that the bid for your ride so you can decide which one to go Room.”) Kim Hart said Friday. She was confirming reports in The agency failed to establish that its regulations don’t over- with. You can pick your vehicle too, and make a reserva- If your New Year’s resolution is to stop being so rude Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal on the reach. tion. Unlike many other app-based car services, Opoli with your phone and talk to your friends face-to-face planned timing of the vote. Details of the draft proposal Advocates of regulating the service providers like utili- also allows its drivers to work for competitors. Opoli every once in a while, there’s an app for you, too. It’s weren’t disclosed. ties contend that the companies, if left unchecked, will cre- doesn’t take a commission on a fare; its drivers pay a called Moment, and it tracks how much you use your President Barack Obama has asked the FCC to put ate a two-tier system that funnels Internet traffic into fast subscription fee to use the service. iPhone and iPad each day (sorry, no Android version Internet service providers under the same rules as those and slow lanes. In that scenario, only the richest content Food-ordering apps such as Seamless have made it yet). imposed on telephone companies 80 years ago. The aim is providers will be able to pay the extra tolls to ensure that to protect net neutrality, the concept that everyone with their online content is accessible through the fast lanes. easy to order in. And if you want to venture outside, If you are trying to cut back on your screen habit, you an Internet connection should have equal access to all Internet service providers reject such regulation. They OpenTable and smaller competitors such as Reserve can set daily limits and the app will notify you when you legal content online, including video, music, email, photos, assert they would be prevented from recovering some of help you quickly book a table with their smartphone exceed them. Moment Family, meanwhile, lets you social networks and maps. the costs for connecting to content providers that use apps. But if you’d rather give your loved ones the per- monitor your whole family’s phone use — by looking at The outcome could affect the prices consumers pay for large quantities of broadband. — AP sonal touch, new DIY services will provide carefully your phone.—AP SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Bid in New York to extend legal rights to chimps fails, again NEW YORK: Less than a month after a New York cage in Niagara Falls. He asked for Kiko to be to review the decision. “For 200 years, New York not been victorious, a judge in Argentina on Dec. state appeals court ruled that chimpanzees do released to a sanctuary in Florida, saying that pri- courts have used (habeas corpus) to move an 21 ruled that an orangutan living at a zoo was a not have legal rights and cannot be released from vate captivity is unsuitable for chimps because individual from a place of less freedom to more “non-human person” unlawfully deprived of its captivity, a case involving a second chimp has they are autonomous creatures. freedom,” the group said. Presti, Kiko’s owner, did freedom and ordered it released to a sanctuary. been dismissed. The court in Rochester said Friday that habeas not make an appearance in the case and could Wise has not claimed that Kiko and Tommy were Attorney and animal rights activist Steven Wise corpus may only be used when a person seeks not be reached for comment. mistreated by their owners but said the cases in 2013 filed a habeas corpus petition - tradition- immediate release from unlawful imprisonment, In an earlier case brought by Wise, over a challenge the very idea that chimps can be held ally employed by prison inmates who claim they and not where a petitioner wants only to change chimp named Tommy, an Albany appeals court in captivity. He has said he will bring similar cases have been illegally detained - on behalf of a the conditions of confinement rather than the ruled on Dec. 4 that primates cannot be afforded on behalf of elephants, dolphins, orcas and other chimp named Kiko. Wise has said that Kiko, who is confinement itself. legal rights because they do not understand the intelligent animals. The case is Nonhuman Rights owned by primate expert Carmen Presti, is deaf The Nonhuman Rights Project, the group responsibilities that follow. Project v. Presti, New York State Supreme Court, from abuse suffered during the making of a founded by Wise that brought the lawsuit, said in The cases are among the first in the world to Appellate Division, Fourth Department, No. 14- Tarzan film and lives tied to a chain in a cement a statement that it would ask New York’s top court seek legal personhood for animals. While Wise has 357. — Reuters Not all obese people prone to poor health

MIAMI: US scientists encouraged 20 obese peo- betes and stroke. But those whose did suffer ple to eat extra fast food for several months, and from metabolic problems before the study grew found that about a quarter stayed in good health even worse when they put on extra weight. despite the additional pounds they gained. All the research subjects were helped by The study in the January 2 edition of the dieticians to lose the weight they gained for the Journal of Clinical Investigation was led by a study, which was featured on HBO’s documen- team of scientists at Washington University tary “Weight of the Nation” while the research School of Medicine in St Louis, Missouri. was under way. Study authors said they now Subjects were encouraged to eat 1,000 extra understand better how to distinguish obese calories per day, mainly by frequenting fast food people who will be more prone to ill health from restaurants with the goal of adding six percent of those who may be more protected. their body weight. For instance, those with abnormal metabo- “This was not easy to do. It is just as difficult lisms accumulated fat in their livers, while the to get people to gain weight as it is to get them healthier people did not, even when they gained to lose weight,” said chief author Elisa Fabbrini, more weight. “Another difference involved gene assistant professor of medicine. function in fat tissue,” the university said in a Those not suffering from ailments typically statement. The study found that overweight associated with obesity at the outset of the people with normal metabolisms had more fat- study-such as insulin resistance, high cholesterol, regulating genes. high blood pressure and excess liver fat-did not “The activity of those genes increased even have these problems even after adding about 15 more when the metabolically normal people pounds (seven kilograms) to their already over- gained weight. That wasn’t true for people with weight frames, said the findings. The results mir- abnormal metabolism,” the study found. Since ror what scientists have seen in the general pop- obesity is known to contribute to dozens of ulation, which is that about a quarter of obese health problems, more research is needed to fig- people do not appear to suffer from metabolic ure out why some are particularly prone to prob- complications that can lead to heart attack, dia- lems from obesity. —AFP

LONDON: An ambulance pulls away from The Royal Free hospital in north London yesterday, where it was announced that British nurse Pauline Cafferkey, who contracted Ebola while working in Sierra Leone, is in ‘critical condition’. — AFP Ebola-hit UK nurse in critical condition Other passengers on Cafferkey’s flight traced

LONDON: A British nurse who contracted Ebola consultant at the Royal Free, had warned at the British health authorities said Friday they had in Sierra Leone and was hospitalised in London time that “Ebola runs a very variable course and traced all the British-based passengers who trav- this week is now in a “critical” condition, the hos- the next few days are going to be very critical”. elled on the last two legs of Cafferkey’s journey pital treating her said yesterday. Cafferkey, who works for the state-run to Scotland. “The condition of Pauline Cafferkey has grad- National Health Service in Scotland, had been She flew from Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown ually deteriorated over the past two days and is volunteering at a British-built treatment centre to Casablanca in Morocco, and then on to now critical,” the Royal Free Hospital in London in Kerry Town when she contracted the deadly London Heathrow Airport and finally Glasgow. said in a statement. virus. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon Her temperature was taken at Heathrow but On Wednesday, doctors had said the 39-year- said: “Our thoughts continue to be with Pauline did not raise alarms, and she was cleared to fly old Scot was sitting up in bed, reading and talk- Cafferkey and her family during this extremely on to Glasgow. Ebola has killed 7,890 people in ing to staff from inside her isolation tent in the distressing time. the past year, out of 20,171 cases, according to hospital. They said Cafferkey, who was working “I would like to thank all of the health profes- the latest tally by the World Health Organization with the charity Save the Children in Sierra sionals involved in treating Pauline, as they con- (WHO). Leone, had agreed to have blood plasma treat- tinue to show tremendous dedication and Almost all the deaths and cases have been This undated photo courtesy of chef Melissa d’Arabian shows Healthy Plate colum- ment and take an experimental anti-viral drug. expertise.” recorded in the three west African countries nist d’Arabian. The Healthy Plate helps home cooks discover the healthier side of However, they were not able to give her worst hit by the outbreak: Sierra Leone, Liberia everyday ingredients. — AP ZMapp, the drug successfully used to treat fel- 382 health workers killed and Guinea. It is spread only through direct con- low British volunteer nurse William Pooley, Cafferkey is the second person to be treated tact with the bodily fluids of an infected person because global supplies had run out. for Ebola in Britain after Pooley, who recovered showing symptoms such as fever or vomiting, The plasma was taken from the blood of a and has since returned to Sierra Leone. and as such people caring for the sick are partic- Arctic air to put patient successfully treated in Europe, in the She was diagnosed in Glasgow on December ularly exposed. As of December 28 — not count- hope that the antibodies it contained would 29 after flying home, and was transferred to the ing Cafferkey-a total of 678 healthcare workers help her fight the virus. Royal Free, which has the only isolation ward in were known to have contracted the virus, and America on ice Doctor Michael Jacobs, infectious diseases Britain equipped for Ebola patients. 382 of them had died, the WHO said. — AFP

WASHINGTON: Much of America is about and cold could mean wind-chill factors to get the Arctic shivers. Meteorologists are that will make the temperature feel like 30 Guide for healthy eating confidently forecasting frigid polar air will degrees below zero - 50 degrees below plunge south into the northern plains, zero in Minneapolis and Chicago, said Midwest and then the East Coast from next meteorologist Ryan Maue of the private Tuesday through Thursday. The Midwest Weather Bell Analytics. He called it “old- may consider environment should see temperatures well below zero, timer’s type of cold.” with single digit lows in much of the East Kocin predicts a small Midwestern band and freezing temperatures as far south as of intense snow along with the cold, with WASHINGTON: The government issues dietary ing nitrogen, takes more water for irrigation and eating lean meats instead of reducing meat alto- Atlanta, New Orleans and parts of Florida. some also in parts of the Northeast. Even guidelines every five years to encourage Americans uses more land. As the advisory committee has dis- gether, advice that the current advisory committee National Weather Service meteorologist though it is several days in advance, mete- to eat healthier. This year’s version may look at what cussed the idea, doctors and academics on the pan- has debated. A draft discussed at the panel’s Dec. Paul Kocin, an expert on winter storms, orologists are pretty sure about this fore- is healthy for the environment, too. el have framed sustainability in terms of conserving 15 meeting says a healthy dietary pattern includes said it is a classic pattern of massive blasts cast. Kocin said many of the best computer A new focus on the environment would mean food resources and also what are the healthiest fewer “red and processed meats” than are currently of Arctic air hitting just about everyone models are saying the same thing. asking people to choose more fruits, vegetables, foods. There is “compatibility and overlap” between consumed. After that meeting, the National east of the Rockies. He said it will rival last This is all coming from cold air escap- nuts, whole grains and other plant-based foods - what’s good for health and good for the environ- Cattlemen’s Beef Association sent out a statement year’s January Arctic outbreak that intro- ing from the Arctic. The center of the cold possibly at the expense of meat. ment, the panel has said. by doctor and cattle producer Richard Thorpe call- duced the phrase “polar vortex” to America. air will be around Quebec, Canada, where The beef and agriculture industries are crying The meat industry has fought for years to ing the committee biased and the draft meat rec- “This is going to be a big cold outbreak, temperatures - not wind chill - may foul, saying an environmental agenda has no place ensure that the dietary guidelines do not call for ommendations absurd. He said lean beef has a role pretty windy as well,” Kocin said. “It’s going plunge as low as 40 degrees below zero, in what has always been a practical blueprint for a eating less meat. The guidelines now recommend in healthy diets. —AP to drive all the way down south.” The wind Maue said. — AP healthy lifestyle. An advisory panel to the Agriculture and Health and Human Services Departments has been discussing the idea of sus- tainability in public meetings, indicating that its rec- ommendations, expected this month, may address the environment. The two departments will take those recommendations into account as they craft the final dietary guidelines, expected by the end of the year. The guidelines are the basis for USDA’s “My Plate” icon that replaced the well-known food pyra- mid in 2010 and is designed to help Americans with healthy eating. The guidelines will also be integrat- ed into school lunch meal patterns and other feder- al eating programs. A draft recommendation circulated by the advi- sory committee in December said a sustainable diet helps ensure food access for both the current popu- lation and future generations. A dietary pattern higher in plant-based foods and lower in animal- based foods is “more health promoting and is asso- ciated with lesser environmental impact than is the current average U.S. diet,” the draft said. That appears to take at least partial aim at the beef industry. A study by the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences last year said rais- CHICAGO: In this Jan. 28, 2014, file photo, morning commuters bundle up in ing beef for the American dinner table is more Chicago. Meteorologists are confidently forecasting frigid polar air will plunge O’BRIEN: A cow eats in a feedlot at Suwannee Farms in O’Brien, Fla. Dietary guidelines harmful to the environment than other meat indus- south into the northern plains, Midwest and then the East Coast from next released by the government every five years lay out recommendations for healthy eating. tries such as pork and chicken. Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, through Thursday. US National Weather Service meteorol- Next year’s version may look at what is healthy for the environment, too. The idea of looking The study said that compared with other popu- ogist Paul Kocin, an expert on winter storms, said it will rival last year’s January at how food is grown — not just how it is eaten — has already provoked outrage from the lar animal proteins, beef produces more heat-trap- Arctic outbreak that introduced the phrase “polar vortex” to America. — AP agriculture and food industries and even Congress. They say an environmental agenda ping gases per calorie, puts out more water-pollut- doesn’t belong in what has always been practical guidelines for a healthful lifestyle. — AP SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Medical marijuana a challenge for legal pot states

SEATTLE: A year into the nation’s experiment about $15 million in taxes this year. with legal, taxed marijuana sales, Washington The latest states to legalize marijuana - and Colorado find themselves wrestling not Oregon and Alaska - have different concerns, with the federal interference many feared, but but officials there are nevertheless paying with competition from medical marijuana or attention to Colorado and Washington as they even outright black market sales. work on rules for their own industry. In Washington, the black market has Alaska doesn’t have commercial medical exploded since voters legalized marijuana in dispensaries, so licensed stores there won’t 2012, with scores of legally dubious medical face direct competition. And in Oregon, taxes dispensaries opening and some pot delivery on recreational pot are set at just $35 an services brazenly advertising that they sell ounce, which officials outside the legal system. hope will minimize competition from the Licensed shops say taxes are so onerous medical side. In Seattle, however, six licensed that they can’t compete. Colorado, which recreational stores face competition from launched legal pot sales last New Year’s Day, is medical pot shops that are believed to num- facing a lawsuit from Nebraska and Oklahoma ber in the hundreds. alleging that they’re being overrun with pot “Am I afraid about medical marijuana dis- from the state. And the number of patients on pensaries taking my business? They have all In this Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014 photo provided by NASA, The Orion spacecraft, in a protective covering, is returned to the agency’s Kennedy Colorado’s medical marijuana registry went the business. They are the industry,” said Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. It rocketed into orbit Dec. 5, traveling 3,600 miles into space on an unmanned test flightthat proved to be up, not down, since 2012, meaning more mar- James Lathrop, the owner of Seattle’s first a great success. NASA plans to use future models to help get astronauts to Mars in coming decades. — AP ijuana users there can avoid paying the higher licensed pot shop, Cannabis City. taxes that recreational pot carries. He said the dominance of medical marijua- Officials in both states say they must do na and the black market is obvious in his clien- NASA explores inflatable more to drive customers into the recreational tele: It’s mostly tourists and professionals who stores. They’re looking at reining in their med- use pot occasionally and don’t mind spending ical systems and fixing the big tax differential a little extra at a legal store. between medical and recreational weed with- Regular pot users have stuck with their old out harming patients. dealers or continue masquerading as patients, spacecraft technology And in some cases, they are considering he said. Reining in medical marijuana will be a cracking down on the proliferating black mar- top priority when the legislative session NORFOLK: Devising a way to one day land ket. “How can you have two parallel systems, begins in Olympia next month. astronauts on Mars is a complex problem and one that’s regulated, paying taxes, playing by The question, lawmakers say, is how to NASA scientists think something as simple as a the rules, and the other that’s not doing any of direct people into the regulated system - max- child’s toy design may help solve the problem. those things?” said Rick Garza of the imizing state revenues - without hurting legit- Safely landing a large spacecraft on the Red Washington Liquor Control Board, which over- imately sick people who use marijuana. planet is just one of many engineering chal- sees recreational pot. lenges the agency faces as it eyes an ambitious The difficulty of reconciling medical mari- Dispensaries goal of sending humans into deep space later juana with taxed recreational pot offers a cau- Ideas under discussion include reducing this century. tionary tale for states that might join pot taxes to make recreational stores more At NASA’s Langley Research Center in Washington and Colorado in regulating the competitive and eliminating medical dispen- Hampton, engineers have been working to adult use of the drug. While legalization cam- saries, which have been largely tolerated by develop an inflatable heat shield that looks a lot paigns have focused on the myriad ills of pro- law enforcement even though they aren’t like a super-sized version of a stacking ring of hibition, including racial discrepancies in who allowed under state law. doughnuts that infants play with. The engineers gets busted for weed, the promise of addition- The state could lift its cap on the number believe a lightweight, inflatable heat shield al tax revenues in tight budget times was in of recreational stores and license dispensaries could be deployed to slow the craft to enter a no small part of the appeal. to sell pot for any purpose. Seattle officials Martian atmosphere much thinner than Earth’s. have signaled that they intend to start busting Such an inflatable heat shield could help a Slow licensing delivery services that flout the law and recent- spacecraft reach the high-altitude southern Weed sales have so far brought in some ly sent letters to 330 marijuana businesses plains of Mars and other areas that would other- revenue, though less than officials might have warning them that they’ll eventually need to wise be inaccessible under existing technology. hoped. Colorado brought in more than $60 obtain state licenses or be shut down. The experts note that rockets alone can’t be This image provided by NASA, following splashdown of the Orion module, US Navy crews million in taxes, licenses and fees for recre- Tacoma has also announced plans to close used to land a large craft on Mars as can be done from the USS Anchorage begin recovering the parachutes while other teams begin safing the ational and medical marijuana combined dozens of unregulated pot shops. Officials on the atmosphereless moon. Parachutes also spacecraft as it floats in the Pacific Ocean, December 5, 2014. Earlier in the day, Orion made a through October of this year, and more than have less leeway to alter the medical marijua- won’t work for a large spacecraft needed to send dramatic test flight that took it to a zenith height of 3,600 miles and ushered in a new era of half of pot sold was of the lesser-taxed med- na system in Colorado, where it was enshrined humans to Mars, they add. human exploration aiming for Mars. — AP ical variety. in the state constitution in 2000. But lawmak- Hence the inflatable rings. The rings would be In Washington, where supply problems ers are nevertheless set to review how it is filled with nitrogen and covered with a thermal forms upon re-entry in Earth’s atmosphere. The room is left aboard a spacecraft for science and slow licensing hampered the industry regulated next year because the state’s 2010 blanket. Once deployed for landing, the rings test is important because NASA officials believe experiments and other things astronauts will after sales began in July, the state collected scheme is expiring. —AP would sit atop the spacecraft, somewhat resem- an inflatable heat shield could be what helps need. The inflatable is covered by a thermal bling a giant mushroom. them land astronauts on Mars and return larger blanket of layers of heat-resistant materials. “We try to not use propulsion if we don’t have loads of supplies from the International Space “The idea is that you would have something to,” said Neil Cheatwood, the senior engineer at Station. The experiment is now scheduled to go that could be packed up, put in a very small vol- Langley for advanced entry, descent and landing up on the next Antares rocket in 2016. ume and then deployed into a very large size,” systems. “We make use of that atmosphere as New technology is needed to get astronauts Anthony Calomino, principal investigator for much as we can, because it means we don’t have to Mars because the type of spacecraft that materials and structures for hypersonic re-entry to carry all that fuel with us.” would land humans would be much larger than at Langley. He said in a statement in April: “Think NASA’s leaders acknowledge that getting anything that’s landed on the planet previously. airbag, something we could pack into com- humans safely to and from Mars as early as the Current heat shield technology weighs too pressed volume that will fit the size limits of a 2030s will poses extreme challenges. The much to be on larger spacecraft, which means launch shroud, but allow for a much larger agency’s scientists acknowledge they also must scientists can’t land anything much larger than aeroshell.” Smaller scale, inflatable experiments design new in-space propulsion systems, the rovers that have been sent there previously. have been launched on rockets before, but nev- advanced spacesuits, long-term living habitats NASA has relied on parachute-based decelera- er into orbit. That work was recently part of a aboard spacecraft - even communication sys- tion on Mars since the Viking program in the NASA review in October. The information gath- tems for deep space. Work is proceeding, some- 1970s. Engineers at Langley have been working ered from those earlier projects will be applied times fitfully. on the inflatable technology for about a decade, to the upcoming, larger-scale experiment in When an unmanned private rocket destined and believe it is close to being ready for opera- 2016. It still won’t be large enough to protect a for the International Space Station exploded in tional use. “If I had the budget and we had the spacecraft carrying astronauts, but NASA scien- October soon after liftoff from Wallops Island, funding to do it, I think we could get as large a tists believe the technology is sound. Virginia, numerous scientific experiments went scale as needed for humans in five to ten years,” “When you first tell people you’re going to do up in flames with it. But one NASA experiment Cheatwood said. an ... inflatable spacecraft, they have in their that Orbital Sciences Corp. originally invited He said the same inflatable technology could minds something really floppy like a jellyfish and aboard - for a second-generation inflatable also be used for spacecraft to explore other it’s really not that way,” Cheatwood said. “They’re COLORADO SPRINGS: In this Jan. 1, 2015, photo, Nicole Gross plays with her son spacecraft - never made it for lack of time to get planets or objects with atmospheres, such as very durable ... This is a technology that I think is Chase, who is autistic and epileptic, at their home in Colorado Springs, Colo. Chase it together, NASA officials say. Venus, Titan and Jupiter. ready to use, whether it’s for humans in 20 years was moved from Chicago to Colorado so he could legally access a medical marijuana That experiment calls for testing how second- Because the inflatables are made of light- on Mars or whether it’s a large robotic mission oil known as Charlotte’s Web. — AP generation inflatable spacecraft technology per- weight material and filled with Nitrogen, more sooner than that.” — AP WHAT’S ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015

Reading Frenzy at India International School

ndia International School has always been an epicenter for Oz itself. A Graffiti wall was placed where students were asked literary addiction. In the words of Francis Bacon “Reading to scrabble their views, draw or paste anything related to IMaketh a full man; Conference a Ready Man; Writing an reading and what they liked to read. Each class maintained an Exact Man.” In an innovative Endeavour to make the children attractive, creative, and colorful library. Students wrote stories “exact men”, the Kindergarten teachers adopted a sincere goal with the help of their teachers which were beautifully illustrat- this year to spread the reading addiction among their stu- ed in form of storybooks and these storybooks were inaugu- dents under the banner “One School, Reading Together”. The rated by the school Director Malayil Moosa Koya in the pres- main aim was to build a literary rich environment in the ence of Principal F M Basheer Ahmed and Senior Vice Principal school and the students. For a teacher, it was the apt time in Narendar Kaur. They congratulated Yogeetha Thomas KG Head getting a skeptical student to explore the classroom library. It and Nilofar Qazi Creative Head and their entire team of adroit was a vital time to encourage a decent reader to read those teachers for their dedicated efforts in creating awareness more challenging books. Teaching the love of reading is differ- among the students by creating multiple projects which ent from teaching reading and this was achieved by busting helped to bring out the literary environment in an otherwise upon the door to reading and walking through it with them. dull landscape. For, as Shakespeare says “Like bright metal on Students were shown that a world without reading was dark - a sullen ground, shall shine more goodly and attract more but the one in black and white with reading is brighter than eyes than that which have no foil to set it off.”

Family Rendezvous at IIS

ndia International School organized Family Rendezvous The ‘Beau Monde’-the world of fashion presented by the on 18th December, 2014, bringing all the IIS family students of I-III under the supervision of Dhanya and Imembers in one common platform. The programme Tuflunnisa was applauded by the audience as each child kicks started with the welcome address by the school took pride in showcasing the best of his\her ‘look.’ Director, Malayil Moosa Koya. The honouring ceremony of The next item was an amazing dance performance with three talented students added additional beauty to the the theme ‘Proud to be an Indian’ by Sruthi, Raksha, Zainab programme. The school Principal F M Basheer Ahmed and Dakshina. It was followed by a rocking music treat by introduced Master Rohith Shyam of class 1, Candice the school choir under the supervision of Manoj and Jennifer Vas and Srayas Radhakrishnan of class X who Mudassar. The heart moving dance performance with the excelled in various non-academic fields. The school took theme ‘Mother’, by the students of VI-VIII, choreographed the privilege of releasing a novella written by Candice by Salomi was the highlight of the event. The solo song Jennifer Vas. The book “Vengeance” was released by the rendering with the accompaniment of keyboard by Master Director and it was followed by a brief review given by the Joshua of class I stole everybody’s heart. The orchestra by Principal. Message sent by the school Chairman, Dr. P.A. students, teachers and other family members was also Ibrahim was read out by the Senior Vice Principal, Narinder appreciated by one and all. There were events like ‘Spot Kaur. Questions’ and games in order to refresh the audience. It is a tradition of India International School to observe Through a ballot poll, monitored bySalim, Vice Pincipal, C K Family get together every year, as a token of love and con- Muhammed and Isha were honoured as the Mister and cern for the members. The management takes special Miss IIS respectively. and Kapil were selected as ‘The Ideal effort in this regard as it strengthens the bond between Couple ‘through the game ‘Ek dhuje keliye’. Vote of thanks the Management and the staff as well as among the mem- was expressed by Vice Principal, Indulekha Vice Principals bers. It gives opportunity to all the IIS family members to Sapna Raoof and Sophy John also graced the occasion. It get to know each other besides giving them a chance to was indeed a fun filled weekend for the whole IIS family exhibit their talents. members. WHAT’S ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015

Premier Sport Academy organized ‘Winter Festival of Football’ Over 600 players participated in Kuwait’s premier youth football

he Premier Sport Academy in association sportsmanship and an abundance of effort and ticipants . with Everton FC, under the sponsorship of commitment. The event also included a football match TPorsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors There were also lots of attractions enjoyed by between teams representing the British and Company, held their 2014 Winter Festival of all, including the Porsche Kids Driving School, German Embassies of Kuwait to commemorate Football event at Bayan Park under the patron- bouncy castles, the Baroue Kids Magic Show and the 100th year anniversary of the World War 1 age of the British Ambassador, Matthew Lodge. a craft fair. Matthew Lodge and several other Christmas truce football matches which ended In total, over 600 players aged 3 to 18 partici- VIP guests presented medals to all participants, with a thrilling penalty shoot-out. pated in the Porsche Centre Kuwait sponsored as well as certificates of appreciation to event The PSA Spring Course will commence 9th event, including teams from the PSA/Everton sponsors and supporters. Janauary 2015 at Bayan and everyone is wel- Coaching Courses and Everton Centre of Lodge expressed his appreciation and recog- come to participate in this program. There will Excellence, as well as numerous private schools nition for the collective effort behind such an be courses in Football and Basketball available and football academies from across Kuwait. A important community event, and congratulated for children aged 3 to 16 years. huge turnout of enthusiastic parents and spec- all the players and coaches who took part, in For details of all Premier Sport Academy tators cheered on and encouraged the players, addition to the event organisers and sponsors events and activities, check out the website, who were superbly organized and guided by Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors www.PSA-kuwait.com or contact Academy their coaches throughout a series of exciting Company, Sports Direct, H & M, Baroue and Director Mike Finn on 99981327, or Executive matches. The players demonstrated great skills, Sultan Centre and all the contributors and par- Director Baker Al-Nazer on 66918666.

Kozhikode District Prathibha Kuwait Association, releases story Kuwait Balavedi new office bearers collection book riters shall reflect positive Babu Kuzhimattam- Prathibha ozhikode District Association Balavedi- the social concept in their writ- Kuwait story felicitations were pre- children’s wing committee formation meet- Wings and acquire energy sented to Abdul Latheef King was held at Kabad Resort. Shahana through self protest, said Babu Neeleswaram, Habeeb rahman, Sameer (President), Sneha Rathidas (Secretary), Kuzhimattam, renowned story writer Swapna Jacob, Sunil.K.Cheriyan, Lisy Namitha Shivakumar (Treasurer) were selected of Malayalam literature. He released Kuriakose, Rajappan Chunakkara and unanimously by the balavedhi members. Office story collection book, “Roobaarile Jawahar K Engineer. Bergman bearers of various areas were also elected on the Nahlakal” (Palm Trees in Dust Storm), Thomas, Sunil K Cheriyan, Sathar occasion as detailed below: Abbasiya: Keerthana written by 14 expatriate story writers Kunnil, Sam Painumood and Bessy Pramod (President), Jaslin (Secretary). Fahaheel: working in Kuwait. The program was Kadavil delivered felicitation speech- Sooryakanth Santhosh (President), Kripadas organised by Prathibha Kuwait, an es. Poetry recitation by Santhan association of Malayalam writers in Chettikad, Peethan Wayanad and (Secretary). Farwaniya: Hessa Fathima (President), Kuwait. This story collection is the Sujith Muthukulam were presented Jumana (Secretary). Salmiya: Vyshnav (President), third book by Prathibha Kuwait. in the function. Girimandiram Muhammad Vaswan (Secretary). Jahra- Muhammad Preman Illath presided the function. Sasikumar gave the welcome speech. Shammil (President), Muhammad Shammas Dr Nandakumar Moorkath inaugurat- Anchoring was done by Sony (Secretary). ed the program. John Mathew deliv- Jawahar and prayer song by Pranav ered the key note address. Bodhi Sarang. SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 TV PROGRAMS

17:15 Dukes Of Haggle 21:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 19:00 Big Star’s Little Star 18:00 C.S.I. 17:40 Dukes Of Haggle The Hamptons 19:55 Tricked 19:00 Castle 18:05 Dukes Of Haggle 22:00 House Of DVF 20:50 Keep It In The Family 20:00 How To Get Away With 18:30 Dukes Of Haggle 23:00 Fashion Bloggers 21:45 Murdoch Mysteries Murder 18:55 Troy 23:30 Fashion Bloggers 22:35 Murdoch Mysteries 22:00 The Americans 00:05 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 19:45 Close-Up Kings 23:15 Derren Brown: The Great Art 23:00 Supernatural 00:50 Sally Lockhart Mysteries 20:35 Magic Of Science Robbery 02:25 Doctor Who: A Christmas 21:00 Magic Of Science Carol 21:25 Gold Rush 03:30 Sinbad 22:15 Gold Rush 04:15 The Weakest Link 23:05 Alaskan Bush People 05:00 Woolly & Tig 23:55 Fast N’ Loud 00:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 05:05 Show Me Show Me Basics 05:30 Gigglebiz 00:30 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 00:00 Unforgettable 05:45 Charlie And Lola Basics 02:00 Good Morning America 00:00 Diggers 06:00 Nina And The Neurons: In 00:55 Siba’s Table 03:00 Grimm 00:30 Diggers The Lab 01:20 Siba’s Table 04:00 The Leftovers 01:00 Hard Time 06:15 Woolly & Tig 01:45 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 06:00 Good Morning America 02:00 Chasing UFOs 06:20 Show Me Show Me 02:10 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 07:00 Emmerdale 03:00 Predator CSI 06:45 Gigglebiz 00:00 Violetta 02:35 Fast Food Gone Global 07:30 Coronation Street 04:00 Ancient Megastructures 07:00 Charlie And Lola 00:45 The Hive 03:25 Charly’s Cake Angels 08:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 05:00 Naked Science 07:15 The Weakest Link 00:50 Art Attack 03:50 Siba’s Table 09:00 24 06:00 Inside 08:00 Sinbad 01:15 Art Attack 04:15 Siba’s Table 10:00 Emmerdale 07:00 Beyond Magic with DMC 08:45 Sally Lockhart Mysteries 01:40 Jungle Junction 04:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 10:30 Coronation Street 08:00 Diggers 10:20 My Family 01:50 Jungle Junction Basics 12:00 Burn Notice 08:30 Diggers 10:50 The Weakest Link 02:05 Jungle Junction 05:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 13:00 Unforgettable 09:00 Hard Time 11:35 Doctor Who: A Christmas 02:15 Jungle Junction Basics 14:00 24 10:00 Chasing UFOs Carol 02:30 Violetta 05:30 Reza’s African Kitchen 16:00 Live Good Morning America 11:00 Britain’s Underworld 12:35 The Mimic 03:10 The Hive 05:50 Siba’s Table 17:00 Burn Notice 12:00 Salvage Code Red 13:00 The Royle Family: Christmas 03:20 Art Attack 06:10 Have Cake, Will Travel 18:00 Unforgettable 13:00 The Truth Behind 2012 03:45 Art Attack 06:35 Have Cake, Will Travel 19:00 24 14:00 Live Free Or Die 14:00 Doctors 04:10 Jungle Junction 07:00 Tastiest Places To 20:00 Burn Notice 15:00 Family Guns 14:30 Doctors 04:20 Jungle Junction Chowdown 21:00 Unforgettable 16:00 Wild Spain 15:00 Sinbad 04:35 Jungle Junction 07:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 22:00 Grimm 17:00 Wild Untamed Brazil 15:45 The Weakest Link 04:45 Jungle Junction 07:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 23:00 The Leftovers 18:00 Ultimate Airport Dubai 16:30 Sally Lockhart Mysteries 05:00 Art Attack 08:15 Food Network Challenge 19:00 Family Guns 18:05 The Lady Vanishes 05:25 Art Attack 09:05 Siba’s Table 20:00 Wild Spain 19:35 The Turn Of The Screw 05:50 Mouk 09:30 Have Cake, Will Travel 21:00 Wild Untamed Brazil 21:05 The Room At The Top 06:00 Dog With A Blog 09:55 Have Cake, Will Travel 22:00 Ultimate Airport Dubai 22:05 The Room At The Top 06:25 Liv And Maddie 10:20 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 23:00 Britain’s Underworld 00:00 Shooter 23:05 Sherlock 06:50 So Random Basics 02:15 Deja Vu 07:15 Gravity Falls 10:45 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 04:30 The Philly Kid 07:40 Jessie Basics 06:15 Appleseed: Alpha 08:05 Go Figure 11:10 Siba’s Table 08:00 The Scorpion King 09:45 Girl Meets World 11:35 Siba’s Table 10:00 Europa Report 10:10 Wizards Of Waverly Place 12:00 Guy’s Big Bite 12:00 Marvel’s Hulk vs. Thor & 10:35 Jessie 12:25 Unique Eats 00:30 The Daily Show Global Wolverine 11:00 Austin & Ally 12:50 Unique Eats 00:00 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent - Edition 14:00 40 Days And Nights 11:25 Gravity Falls 13:15 Hungry Girl Specials 01:00 Community 16:00 The Scorpion King 11:50 Liv And Maddie 13:40 Hungry Girl 00:50 Bill’s Kitchen: Notting Hill 01:30 Saturday Night Live 18:00 Escape From L.A. 12:15 Dog With A Blog 14:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 01:15 Rick Stein’s India 02:30 The Big C 20:00 Europa Report 12:40 Mako Mermaids 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 02:05 Holmes On Homes 03:00 Men At Work 22:00 2 Fast 2 Furious 13:05 Binny And The Ghost 14:55 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 02:55 Holmes On Homes 03:30 How I Met Your Mother 13:30 Girl Meets World 15:20 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 03:40 Antiques Roadshow 04:00 New Girl 13:55 I Didn’t Do It 15:45 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 04:35 Antiques Roadshow 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 14:20 Sabrina: Secrets Of A Basics 05:25 Antiques Roadshow Jimmy Fallon Teenage Witch 16:10 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 06:20 Holmes On Homes 05:30 My Boys 14:55 Gravity Falls Basics 07:10 Holmes On Homes 06:00 Til Death 15:20 Dog With A Blog 16:35 Siba’s Table 00:15 Deja Vu-PG15 08:00 Bargain Hunt 06:30 Welcome To The Family 15:45 Jessie 17:00 Siba’s Table 02:30 The Philly Kid-PG15 08:45 Bargain Hunt 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 16:10 Austin & Ally 17:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:15 Appleseed: Alpha-PG15 09:30 Bargain Hunt 08:00 New Girl 16:35 Girl Meets World 17:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 06:00 The Scorpion King-PG15 10:15 Antiques Roadshow 08:30 My Boys 17:00 Liv And Maddie 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 08:00 Europa Report-PG15 11:10 Antiques Roadshow 09:00 Men At Work 17:25 Disney Sing-Along 18:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 10:00 Marvel’s Hulk vs. Thor & 12:00 Antiques Roadshow 09:30 2 Broke Girls 17:50 Disney Sing-Along Basics Wolverine-PG 12:55 Antiques Roadshow 10:00 Young & Hungry 18:15 Disney Sing-Along 19:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 12:00 40 Days And Nights-PG15 13:45 Antiques Roadshow 10:30 Welcome To The Family 18:40 Disney Sing-Along Basics 14:00 The Scorpion King-PG15 14:35 Holmes On Homes 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 19:05 Disney Sing-Along 19:30 Siba’s Table 16:00 Escape From L.A.-PG15 15:20 Holmes On Homes Jimmy Fallon 19:30 Binny And The Ghost 19:55 Siba’s Table 18:00 Europa Report-PG15 16:10 DIY SOS: The Big Build 12:00 Til Death 19:55 Gravity Falls 20:20 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 20:00 2 Fast 2 Furious-PG15 17:05 How To Cook Like Heston 12:30 New Girl 20:20 Wizards Of Waverly Place 20:45 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 22:00 Recoil-PG15 17:30 Come Dine With Me: South 13:00 My Boys 20:45 Suite Life On Deck 21:10 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Africa 13:30 Welcome To The Family 21:10 Hannah Montana Basics 18:20 Antiques Roadshow 14:00 How I Met Your Mother 21:35 That’s So Raven 21:35 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 19:15 Antiques Roadshow 14:30 2 Broke Girls 22:00 Suite Life On Deck Basics 20:05 Come Dine With Me 15:00 Young & Hungry 22:25 A.N.T. Farm 22:00 Chopped 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS ON OSN ACTION HD 20:55 Food Glorious Food 15:30 The Daily Show Global 22:50 Shake It Up 22:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 21:45 The Roux Legacy Edition 00:00 21 & Over-18 War-PG15 04:30 The Great Bear 23:10 Wolfblood 23:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 22:20 Homes Under The Hammer 16:00 Community 02:00 What To Expect When You’re 05:00 Bully-PG15 06:00 Back To The Sea 23:35 Wolfblood 23:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 23:10 Homes Under The Hammer 16:30 Til Death Expecting-PG15 07:00 Escape From Polygamy- 08:00 Tony Hawk: Boom Boom 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 04:00 Old Stock-PG15 PG15 Sabotage 18:00 Men At Work 06:00 Home Alone-PG 09:00 Hitchcock-PG15 10:00 A Cat In Paris 00:00 MSNBC Caught On Camera 18:30 The Michael J. Fox Show 08:00 Ghost Dad-PG 11:00 For Greater Glory-PG15 11:30 Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears A 01:00 MSNBC Caught On Camera 19:00 Dads 10:00 Parental Guidance-PG 13:30 Not Without My Daughter- Who 02:00 Live ABC World News 12:00 What To Expect When You’re PG15 13:00 Eleanor’s Secret 02:30 Live NBC Nightly News (Sat- 00:30 Fashion Bloggers 00:00 Coronation Street 19:30 Baby Daddy Expecting-PG15 15:30 Timer-PG15 14:30 The Little Rascals Save The Sun) 00:55 Fashion Bloggers 00:25 Coronation Street 20:00 Friends With Better Lives 00:45 The Fighters 14:00 Good Morning, Vietnam- 17:30 Hitchcock-PG15 Day 03:00 ABC World News 01:25 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 00:50 Coronation Street 20:30 Mystery Girls 01:35 How It’s Made PG15 19:30 My Piece Of The Pie-PG15 16:15 Dragon Hunters 03:30 NBC Nightly News (Sat-Sun) 01:50 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 01:15 Murdoch Mysteries 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 02:00 How It’s Made 16:15 Ghost Dad-PG 21:30 Tar-PG15 18:00 A Cat In Paris 04:00 NBC Saturday Today Show 02:20 E!ES 02:05 Murdoch Mysteries Stewart 02:25 How It’s Made 18:00 The Incredible Burt 23:00 Charlie Wilson’s War-18 20:00 The Little Rascals Save The 06:00 ABC 20/20 03:15 Eric And Jessie: Game On 02:55 Emmerdale 21:30 Community 02:50 How It’s Made Wonderstone-PG15 Day 07:00 ABC World News 03:40 Eric And Jessie: Game On 03:20 Emmerdale 22:00 Saturday Night Live 03:15 How It’s Made 20:00 Ingenious-PG15 22:00 Marvel’s Hulk vs. Thor & 07:30 NBC Nightly News (Sat-Sun) 04:10 E! Investigates 03:45 Emmerdale 23:00 The Big C 03:40 How It’s Made 22:00 The Details-18 Wolverine 08:00 ABC World News 05:05 E!ES 04:05 Emmerdale 23:30 Friends With Better Lives 04:05 How It’s Made 06:00 Keeping Up With The 23:30 Dragon Hunters 08:30 NBC Nightly News (Sat-Sun) 04:30 Emmerdale 01:00 The Courier-PG15 04:30 How It’s Made Kardashians 09:00 MSNBC Investigates 05:00 Breathless 03:00 Closed Circuit-PG15 05:00 How It’s Made 06:55 Kourtney And Kim Take 10:00 ABC World News 05:55 The Jonathan Ross Show 05:00 The Immigrant-PG15 05:30 How It’s Made Miami 10:30 NBC Nightly News (Sat-Sun) 06:00 Fast N’ Loud 06:45 Who’s Doing The Dishes 07:00 Oggy & The Cockroaches: 11:00 MSNBC All In With Chris 07:50 Style Star 01:00 Collaborator-PG15 06:50 Kindig Customs 07:35 Keep It In The Family 00:00 Rake The Movie-PG Hayes 08:20 House Of DVF 02:45 The Butler-PG15 07:40 Highway To Sell 08:25 Derren Brown: The Great Art 01:00 The Strain 09:00 The Company You Keep- 12:00 MSNBC The Rachel 09:15 House Of DVF 05:00 Straight A’s-PG15 08:30 Gold Rush Robbery 02:00 Sons Of Anarchy PG15 00:00 Epic-PG Maddow Show 10:15 House Of DVF 07:00 Collaborator-PG15 09:20 Gold Rush 09:45 Tricked 03:00 Supernatural 11:00 Deep Sea-PG 02:00 Someday This Pain Will Be 13:00 MSNBC Hardball W/ Chris 11:10 Fashion Bloggers 09:00 There Be Dragons-PG15 10:10 Alaskan Bush People 10:40 Big Star’s Little Star 04:00 The Blacklist Special 12:00 Temptation: Confessions Of Useful To You-PG15 Matthews 11:35 Fashion Bloggers 11:00 Straight A’s-PG15 11:00 Airplane Repo 11:35 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 05:00 Switched At Birth A Marriage Counselor-PG15 04:00 Skyline-PG15 14:00 ABC 20/20 12:05 E!ES 13:00 The Good Witch’s Wedding- 11:50 Street Outlaws Of Dogs 06:00 Rake 14:00 The Great Gatsby-PG15 15:00 MSNBC Caught On Camera 13:05 E!ES PG15 06:00 Despicable Me 2-PG 12:40 How It’s Made 12:05 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 07:00 Helix 16:45 The Company You Keep- 16:00 Live NBC Sunday Today 14:05 Kourtney And Khloe Take 15:00 Special Forces-PG15 08:00 42-PG15 13:05 How It’s Made Of Dogs 08:00 C.S.I. PG15 Show The Hamptons 17:00 There Be Dragons-PG15 10:15 Cloudy With A Chance Of 13:30 How It’s Made 12:30 Murdoch Mysteries 09:00 Switched At Birth 19:00 Homefront-PG15 17:00 Live NBC Meet The Press 15:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 19:00 The Pact-PG15 Meatballs 2-PG 13:55 How It’s Made 13:20 Murdoch Mysteries 10:00 The Blacklist Special 21:00 High Moon-PG15 18:00 ABC This Week With G The Hamptons 21:00 The Letter-PG15 14:20 How It’s Made 14:05 Cilla 11:00 Helix 23:00 Oldboy-18 12:00 Skyline-PG15 Stephanopoulos 16:00 Giuliana & Bill 15:00 Big Star’s Little Star 12:00 Emmerdale 23:00 4:44 Last Day On Earth-18 14:00 Death Clique-PG15 14:45 Container Wars 17:00 Giuliana & Bill 19:00 Live MSNBC Melissa Harris- 15:10 Container Wars 15:55 Tricked 12:30 Coronation Street 15:45 42-PG15 Perry 18:00 E! News 16:50 Keep It In The Family 14:00 C.S.I. 15:35 Container Wars 19:00 Eric And Jessie: Game On 18:00 Ender’s Game-PG15 20:00 NBC Meet The Press 16:00 The Liquidator 17:45 Who’s Doing The Dishes 15:00 White Collar 01:00 Unstable Fables: Tortoise vs. 20:00 A Case Of You-PG15 21:00 ABC This Week With G 19:30 Eric And Jessie: Game On 18:30 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 16:00 Emmerdale 16:25 The Liquidator 20:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take Hare 22:00 The Internship-PG15 Stephanopoulos 16:50 Dukes Of Haggle Of Dogs 16:30 Coronation Street 01:30 Once Fallen-18 02:45 Eleanor’s Secret 23:00 Live MSNBC News The Hamptons 03:00 Kandahar Break: Fortress Of

DEJA VU ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD Classifieds

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (01/01/2015 TO 07/01/2015)

SHARQIA-1 THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 5:00 PM UNBROKEN 6:45 PM INTO THE WOODS 12:30 AM VICE 12:45 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 7:30 PM PERSONAL DVD 7:00 PM VICE 2:45 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 9:30 PM Special Show “UNBROKEN “ 6:45 PM AL-KOUT.1 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 4:45 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:05 AM VICE 9:30 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST-3D 11:45 AM INTO THE WOODS 6:30 PM Special Show “VICE “ 9:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 1:45 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 9:00 PM FANAR-5 UNBROKEN 11:30 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST-3D 4:00 PM VICE 10:45 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 12:00 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 5:45 PM VICE 12:45 AM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 1:45 PM AVENUES-6 THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 8:00 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 3:30 PM VICE 1:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 10:15 PM SHARQIA-2 LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 5:15 PM VICE 3:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:30 AM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 11:30 AM P.K -HINDI 7:00 PM VICE 5:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 1:30 PM P.K -HINDI 9:45 PM VICE 7:15 PM AL-KOUT.2 THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 3:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:30 AM VICE 9:15 PM VICE 11:30 AM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 5:45 PM VICE 11:15 PM VICE 1:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 7:45 PM MARINA-1 VICE 1:15 AM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 3:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 10:00 PM VICE 12:30 PM VICE 5:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:15 AM INTO THE WOODS 2:45 PM AVENUES-7 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 7:15 PM VICE 5:30 PM PADDINGTON 1:00 PM Digital (2D) 9:00 PM SHARQIA-3 INTO THE WOODS 7:45 PM LAGGIES 3:00 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 11:00 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 11:30 AM VICE 10:15 PM PADDINGTON 5:00 PM VICE 12:45 AM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 1:15 PM VICE 12:15 AM LAGGIES 7:00 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 3:00 PM LAGGIES 9:00 PM AL-KOUT.3 UNBROKEN 4:45 PM MARINA-2 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 11:00 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 12:00 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 7:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 11:30 AM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 1:00 AM UNBROKEN 2:00 PM UNBROKEN 9:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 1:45 PM UNBROKEN 4:45 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 12:05 AM AVENUES-8 NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ERET OF THE TOMB 7:30 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 4:00 PM P.K -HINDI 1:30 PM UNBROKEN 9:30 PM MUHALAB-1 THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 6:15 PM ANNIE 4:15 PM UNBROKEN 2:15 AM UNBROKEN 12:15 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 8:30 PM ANNIE 6:45 PM ACCOMMODATION ANNIE 3:00 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 10:30 PM P.K -HINDI 9:15 PM AL-KOUT.4 INTO THE WOODS 5:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:45 AM THE WATER DIVINER 12:15 AM LAGGIES 11:30 AM UNBROKEN 8:00 PM LAGGIES 1:15 PM Sharing accommodation 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 10:45 PM MARINA-3 AVENUES-9 ANNIE 3:15 PM available in Abbassiya with UNBROKEN 12:30 AM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST-3D 11:45 AM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST-3D 11:30 AM LAGGIES 6:00 PM a Keralite family near UNBROKEN 1:30 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST-3D 1:30 PM THE WATER DIVINER 7:45 PM Highway center, fully fur- MUHALAB-2 LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST-3D 4:15 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 3:30 PM LAGGIES 10:00 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 12:45 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST-3D 6:00 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST-3D 5:30 PM THE WATER DIVINER 11:45 PM nished, separate bathroom, LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 2:30 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 8:00 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 7:30 PM couples or working ladies. LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 4:15 PM UNBROKEN 9:45 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 9:30 PM BAIRAQ-1 Contact: 66130689. VICE 6:00 PM UNBROKEN 12:30 AM THE WATER DIVINER 11:30 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST-3D 11:45 AM (C 4896) 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 8:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 1:30 PM VICE 10:00 PM AVENUES-1 AVENUES-10 1-1-2015 VICE 12:05 AM INTO THE WOODS 1:00 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 12:00 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST-3D 3:45 PM INTO THE WOODS 3:30 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 2:15 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST-3D 5:45 PM MUHALAB-3 INTO THE WOODS 6:00 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 4:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 7:30 PM CHANGE OF NAME THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 11:30 AM INTO THE WOODS 8:30 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 6:45 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 9:45 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 12:05 AM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 1:45 PM INTO THE WOODS 11:00 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 9:00 PM SITUATION WANTED THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 4:00 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 11:15 PM Periyasamy Kamu, son of BAIRAQ-2 THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 6:15 PM AVENUES-2 Kamu bearing an Indian NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 8:30 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 12:15 PM AVENUES-11 UNBROKEN 12:45 PM Passport No. F3327466 An MBA, LLB job aspirant THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 10:30 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 2:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:30 PM INTO THE WOODS 3:30 PM with 13 years of experience THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:45 AM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 4:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 2:45 PM P.K -HINDI 6:15 PM having an address 8.3.14, 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 6:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 5:00 PM UNBROKEN 6:15 PM Bhagyavathi Amman Kovil in banking, insurance, con- FANAR-1 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 8:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 7:15 PM UNBROKEN 9:00 PM St, Sithayankottai, Dindigul struction, construction UNBROKEN 11:45 AM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 10:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 9:30 PM UNBROKEN 11:45 PM materials sales and pur- UNBROKEN 2:30 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 12:15 AM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 11:45 PM Dt, Tamilnadu 624708 had embraced Islam and chase management as sen- UNBROKEN 5:30 PM BAIRAQ-3 ior manager is looking for a 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 8:15 PM AVENUES-3 360º- 1 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 11:30 AM changed the name as 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 10:00 PM UNBROKEN 11:45 AM VICE 12:15 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 1:15 PM Mohammed Ali Jinna. senior managerial posi- UNBROKEN 11:45 PM UNBROKEN 2:45 PM VICE 2:15 PM VICE 3:00 PM (C 4895) tions. Contact: 97341053. UNBROKEN 5:45 PM VICE 4:15 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 5:00 PM 1-1-2015 (C 4897) FANAR-2 UNBROKEN 8:45 PM VICE 6:15 PM PADDINGTON 6:45 PM 1-1-2015 VICE 12:45 PM UNBROKEN 11:45 PM VICE 8:15 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 8:45 PM VICE 2:45 PM VICE 10:15 PM VICE 10:30 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 4:45 PM AVENUES-4 VICE 12:15 AM VICE 12:30 AM VICE 6:45 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 11:30 AM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 8:45 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 1:30 PM 360º- 2 PLAZA Prayer timings VICE 10:45 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 3:45 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 1:15 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 4:00 PM VICE 1:00 AM Special Show “NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 3:15 PM TOMB” 4:00 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 5:15 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 4:00 PM Fajr: 05:19 FANAR-3 THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 6:00 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 7:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 5:45 PM INTO THE WOODS 1:00 PM Special Show “LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST” 6:00 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 9:15 PM COUSINS- MALAYALAM 8:00 PM Shorook 06:43 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 3:45 PM Special Show “VICE “ 6:00 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 11:15 PM THU+FRI+SAT+MON INTO THE WOODS 5:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 8:15 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 1:15 AM VICE 8:00 PM Duhr: 11:52 THE WATER DIVINER 8:00 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 10:30 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 10:45 PM THE WATER DIVINER 10:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:45 AM 360º- 3 Asr: 14:43 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 12:45 AM INTO THE WOODS 11:45 AM LAILA AVENUES-5 INTO THE WOODS 2:15 PM INTO THE WOODS 3:30 PM Maghrib: 17:02 FANAR-4 VICE 12:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 5:00 PM UNBROKEN 6:00 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:30 PM UNBROKEN 2:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 7:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 8:45 PM Isha: 18:24 THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 3:00 PM VICE 4:45 PM INTO THE WOODS 10:00 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 11:00 PM

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

Arrival Flights on Sunday 4/1/2015 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 Departure Flights on Sunday 4/1/2015 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 Airlines Flt Route Time QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 Airlines Flt Route Time MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 KAC 502 Beirut 00:05 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:25 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 AGY 681 Alexandria 00:15 JZR 786 Riyadh 13:10 JZR 239 Amman 00:25 FDB 057 Dubai 14:30 FDB 072 Dubai 00:45 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 IRC 6507 Shiraz 14:50 UAL 981 IAD 00:55 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 OMA 645 Muscat 15:00 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 IAW 158A Al Najaf 02:00 IRC 529 Ahwaz 14:15 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:10 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:15 KAC 741 Dammam 14:45 IAW 157A Al Najaf 01:00 KAC 284 Dhaka 15:15 KAC 283 Dhaka 02:25 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 QTR 1084 Doha 01:00 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 MEA 407 Beirut 02:40 KAC 617 Doha 15:00 RJA 642 Amman 01:05 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:35 FDB 051 Dubai 16:00 THY 773 Istanbul 02:55 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 MEA 406 Beirut 01:40 JZR 535 Cairo 16:10 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:20 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 KAC 562 Amman 16:20 KAC 381 Delhi 03:40 SVA 503 Jeddah/Madinah 15:45 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 JZR 787 Riyadh 16:25 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 FDB 068 Dubai 03:55 IRC 6508 Shiraz 15:50 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 02:50 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 OMA 646 Muscat 16:00 FDB 067 Dubai 02:55 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:55 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 KAC 773 Riyadh 16:20 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:10 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 OMA 644 Muscat 04:25 FDB 052 Dubai 17:00 CEB 7694 Manila 03:10 KAC 742 Dammam 17:45 GFA 944 LCA 17:50 QTR 1085 Doha 04:30 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 KKK 6507 Istanbul 03:20 CEB 7695 Manila 04:40 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 OMA 643 Muscat 03:25 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 UAL 982 IAD 17:55 MEA 409 Beirut 05:00 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 MSC 406 Sohag 05:05 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 MEA 408 Beirut 04:00 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 MEA 401 Beirut 05:15 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:50 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:05 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 MEA 400 Beirut 04:15 KAC 542 Cairo 18:25 FDB 063 Dubai 18:40 THY 765 Istanbul 05:40 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 JZR 555 Alexandria 04:25 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 ABY 121 Sharjah 18:40 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:45 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 06:35 GFA 944 Bahrain 18:35 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 BAW 157 London 06:40 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 KAC 618 Doha 19:15 RJA 643 Amman 07:05 JZR 238 Amman 18:50 KAC 544 Cairo 06:40 JZR 560 Sohag 07:10 JZR 134 Bahrain 19:10 JZR 563 Sohag 06:45 AXB 393 Kozhikode 19:15 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 UAL 982 Bahrain 19:15 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:10 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 ABY 122 Sharjah 19:20 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 JZR 483 Istanbul 19:35 FDB 054 Dubai 08:25 UAE 876 Dubai 19:40 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 BAW 156 London 08:45 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:55 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 19:40 KAC 502 Beirut 19:50 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 FDB 064 Dubai 19:55 QTR 8632 Doha 08:10 KAC 102 New York/London 19:55 KAC 513 Tehran 08:55 AXB 393 Kozhikode 20:15 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 KAC 774 Riyadh 20:00 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:55 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:00 KAC 171 Frankfurt 09:05 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:00 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:30 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 KAC 351 Kochi 21:15 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 MSR 606 Luxor 20:45 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:25 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 DLH 636 Frankfurt 20:50 QTR 8632 Lahore/Doha 09:40 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 DLH 636 Dammam 21:35 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:45 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 KAC 117 New York 10:05 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 FDB 073 Dubai 21:35 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:20 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 GFA 943 Bahrain 10:15 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 KAC 561 Amman 10:25 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 JZR 482 Istanbul 10:35 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:15 IRA 665 Shiraz 10:50 QTR 1074 Doha 21:55 UAE 873 Dubai 11:00 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 JZR 135 Bahrain 22:05 GFA 943 LCA 11:00 FDB 074 Dubai 22:30 SYR 341 Latakia 11:10 KLM 417 Amsterdam 22:15 MSC 405 Sohag 11:25 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 KAC 541 Cairo 11:05 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 KAC 172 Frankfurt 22:20 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 AIC 981 Chennai/Hyderabad/Ahmedabad 22:30 IRA 664 Shiraz 11:50 QTR 1075 Doha 23:05 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 KAC 501 Beirut 12:00 JZR 502 Luxor 23:05 UAL 981 Bahrain 23:10 SYR 342 Latakia 12:10 KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:15 KAC 514 Tehran 13:10 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 KAC 103 London 12:20 KAC 415 Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur 23:25 IRC 528 Ahwaz 13:15 THY 764 Istanbul 23:35 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:30 JZR 561 Sohag 13:45 PIA 205 Lahore 23:40 KAC 382 Delhi 13:45 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:25 FDB 060 Dubai 23:55 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 CROSSWORD 774 STAR TRACK

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

This is not a good time to make any concrete decisions about a relation- You are filled with self-assertiveness. Working on a project today could ship or business deal. There could be a collision of powerful energies that spill into your prove helpful especially if you elicit the aid of friends or associates to help you. Also, there life in irregular ways. The decisions and actions of today will have long-lasting effects. are opportunities to open up to loved ones and to communicate loving messages. There This could also be a time when you may expend great effort to plan and secure invest- should be a great deal of contact now, which could prove positive with the opposite sex. ments. This may come about through associations you have with people in important You are tuned in to the thoughts and emotions of others. Good times, pleasant feelings positions. Also, you could be tempted to purchase a large item at this time. Judicious and leisure activities with friends should be engaged in whenever possible. Romance is thought must be given to the practical use of money. Additional responsibilities may be highlighted now and there may be a great desire to try something new or go somewhere placed on you in the context of the home setting-your leadership abilities may come into previously unexplored. Your thirst for excitement should not completely dominate your play. You should be open with relatives: emotional support. decision making. One day at a time you will be able to accomplish anything.

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

This morning the chores are hard to ignore. The decorations are destined Communication comes easily today-you make all details clear. No person for the attic and regular matters are screaming for attention. This is a good time, however, should misunderstand anything you have to say. This is a great day to pay bills, write let- to lead the way on a project-your imagination is heightened. If possible, initiate a crew ters and make phone calls. Your phone will probably be ringing often. You will be glad and reward the most agreeable and the fastest and most efficient worker. Incentives are you stayed away from large purchases just now. Reckless purchases just keep you from also important-be creative. Perhaps a movie or a pizza party is in order. A fascination with your financial goals. Maternal instincts may become active now; a new little animal the mysterious may be reawakened within you. Going beyond just finding a good movie, comes into your life and you make every effort to find the owners. Of course, considering or novel, you may be drawn toward the serious study of some occult subject. Relax this this animal is temporary, a relative may need you to care for it a few days. This is a time evening-you have a forward-looking disposition and will find ways where you can best when your powers of creativity are great-you may remember a soothing sound and an improve family interactions. Friends and family give you strength. old blanket is just perfect to calm this little guy.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Not only is there a desire for outdoor or physical activity, but also there will There are a few delays today and this may have you feeling a bit frustrated. most likely be ample opportunities to partake in it. However, you should be You could be feeling as if you were a ship without sails. The afternoon careful about taking any undo risks or thrill-seeking stunts at this time. You could enjoy ACROSS chants and bankers who ruled Florence in the brings a spirit of cooperation from those around you. If you are alert to the needs of oth- using your home as a medium for entertaining family members and friends in the social 1. A federally chartered savings bank. 15th century. ers-they may return the favor to you. Your ability to truly appreciate friends and family has setting. You are motivated to improve and work on any part of your life that you feel increased. You should experience all the benefits of your platonic relationships today. 4. A region of southwestern Italy on the 7. A fold of skin covering the tip of the clitoris. needs your attention. There are opportunities to enjoy romantic activity, particularly Loved ones, children and other people or things dear to your heart are emphasized this when taking an interest in social activities and volunteer work. There is also a great love of Tyrrhenian Sea including the islands of Capri 8. A white linen liturgical vestment with sleeves. evening. Being appreciated and admired for your gifts and talents is a powerful need. children during this time. Neighbors or brothers and sisters have a big impact on your and Ischia. 9. Marked by or showing unaffected simplicity Taking chances can bring big rewards. You may have some psychic and spiritual aware- goals and make a big impression. This is a mentally and socially active time. 12. Narrow wood or metal or plastic runners and lack of guile or worldly experience. ness just now. Your dreams may be very insightful-keep a dream diary. used for gliding over snow. 10. The process of taking food into the body 15. The United Nations agency concerned with through the mouth (as by eating). the interests of labor. 11. A public promotion of some product or serv- Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 16. Traveling or passing over land. ice. If you are not an entrepreneur, you may be helping those that are entrepre- 17. Belonging to or on behalf of a specified per- 12. A system of solmization using the solfa sylla- Domestic affairs are the order of this morning. This is a good day to back son (especially yourself). bles. neurs. So in a way, you are an entrepreneur. You could be a counselor or con- away from the rat race and put your personal life in order. A good, solid understanding of sultant for other entrepreneurs. If some entrepreneurs had entertainment, you could help 18. The highest part (usually the melody) in a 13. Trailing grass native to Europe now cosmo- you and your own needs is very helpful at this time. Although you have had a few days to them book their show. If other entrepreneurs were designers or interior decorators, you piece of choral music. politan in warm regions. recover from the holidays, this weekend is a valuable pick-me-up for you. This is an excel- could help them get jobs as staging professionals for real-estate people so citizens can sell 20. An accounting entry acknowledging sums 14. Any plant of the genus Inula. lent time to create your to-do list and then check it off during the day. Take stock of what their homes quickly. You are the conductor of your life and there is a lot of living ahead of that are owing. 19. Type genus of the Tetraonidae. you have accomplished and then take a break with a dear friend or relative. Interactions you. Many of the stations in life where you will want to pause will be filled with glorious with the opposite sex on the professional level may occur next week. You might think life experiences. Begin now to think about one of the multitude of creative, in-demand 21. The basic unit of money in Romania. 23. Any of several plants of or developed from about new business clothing. inventions you could begin. Celebrate life! 22. American novelist (1909-1955). the species Dahlia pinnata having tuberous 24. (Middle Eastern) Small croquette of mashed roots and showy rayed variously colored flower chick peas or fava beans seasoned with sesame heads. Aquarius (January 20- February 18) seeds. 25. A white soft metallic element that tarnishes Leo (July 23-August 22) 27. As much as a teacup will hold. readily. You may have taken up an exercise routine lately, and if this is so, it is time The day promises to bring surprises to you. You may learn something about 29. New Zealand timber tree resembling the 26. Absent without permission. to step it up to make it a little tougher. Perhaps a variety of exercises will create the results an old friend you did not know previously. Also, you may suddenly make a new friend dur- cypress. 28. An international organization of European you want. If you are not in an exercise routine, now is the time to begin one; a friend or ing this time. You face many responsibilities in relationships with loved ones and you may 30. Without law or control. countries formed after World War II to reduce loved one might join you. You enjoy good relations with family members and your finan- have difficulty expressing your own wants and desires to your companions. You should try during this phase to loosen up and enjoy your companions without being afraid to voice 33. Large burrowing rodent of South and trade barriers and increase cooperation among cial position may improve because of your association with a relative. The time is ripe for sudden and unexpected change in the normal routine of family life. You may experience a true feelings. A surge of intellectual energy can help you accomplish a lot today, especially Central America. its members. change of scenery in living arrangements. Perhaps a long trip is planned. This is also a when it comes to sports or board games. Do not let competition draw you into any 34. Liquid containing proteins and electrolytes 31. Submerged aquatic plant having narrow good time to work out of your home or take in a boarder. This is also a most favorable debates unless the outcome is very important in protecting your integrity. Use restraint. A including the liquid in blood plasma and inter- leaves and small flowers. time to go on a family outing or enjoy a social gathering. child who is bright plays a big role in your life. stitial fluid. 32. The capital and largest city of Ghana with a 41. The capital and largest city of Cyprus. deep-water port. 44. Fallow deer. 35. Being one hundred more than three hun- Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 45. A human limb. dred. 46. The sense organ for hearing and equilibrium. 36. King of Saudi Arabia since 1982 (born in Your eager mind learns things very quickly. Your communication skills are Financial security and enjoying the finer things in life assume a high priority 47. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle 1922). sharp and it is an excellent day to talk on the phone, or attend or give a lecture. Your intel- at this time. Your personality and mode of living will be adjusted in the next few days. You where driver sits. 37. A plant hormone promoting elongation of lect is sharp, making it a good day for study or planning projects. You have a renewed may experience some restlessness, which may manifest itself as a need to strike out on interest in art, literature and nature as there is an opportunity to enjoy a museum or art your own, giving your creative energies free rein. Be careful not to forsake old friends at 48. (informal British usage) Aggravation or stems and roots. show. Your eloquence enhances your influence over others. Being in the spotlight is com- this time in order to meet someone new and exciting. You have an interest in religion and aggression. 38. Primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly mon to you now and you should realize that it is a good time to be humble and be open philosophy, with many questions being raised about mysterious topics like your purpose 50. (Babylonian) A demigod or first man. aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true stems to help others. You have a pleasant disposition towards all you come in contact with and in life. Talk among friends is usually frank and brings about new understandings. This 55. Water falling in drops from vapor condensed and roots and leaves. make a good mentor. Just about anything you do should be both rewarding and enjoy- evening you may experience a time of inner peace and smooth sailing in relationships. If you are romantically involved, it is a time to experience growth. in the atmosphere. 39. Any admirable quality or attribute. able. Take the time to show your appreciation of a friend or loved ones. 56. A port city in southwestern Iran. 40. Intense feelings of suffering. 58. The state of existing and being localized in 42. Someone who works (or provides workers) space. during a strike. WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Yesterday’s Solution 60. An Arabic speaking person who lives in 43. The blood group whose red cells carry both Arabia or North Africa. the A and B antigens. 63. A water-soluble brownish-yellow pigment 49. Norwegian composer whose work was often made by boiling wood soot. inspired by Norwegian folk music (1843-1907). 65. A tricycle (usually propelled by pedalling). 51. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake 67. Erect European annual often grown as a sal- Chad. ad crop to be harvested when young and ten- 52. A light touch or stroke. der. 53. Black tropical American cuckoo. 71. Very small free-living arachnid that is para- 54. Roar louder than. sitic on animals or plants. 57. The French-speaking part of the Canadian 74. United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or Maritime Provinces. 3.785 liters. 59. A sultanate in northwestern Borneo. 75. Airtight sealed metal container for food or 61. A summary that repeats the substance of a drink or paint etc.. longer discussion. 76. An arthropod family including. 62. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan 78. A statement that deviates from or perverts River. the truth. 64. The main city of ancient Phoenicia. 79. A federal agency established to coordinate 66. (computer science) A kind of computer programs aimed at reducing pollution and pro- architecture that has a large number of instruc- tecting the environment. tions hard coded into the cpu chip. 80. (Italian cookery) Squid prepared as food. 68. Large sweet juicy hybrid between tangerine 81. Water frozen in the solid state. and grapefruit having a thick wrinkled skin. 69. Concerning those not members of the cler- DOWN gy. 1. A tax on employees and employers that is 70. On or toward the lee. used to fund the Social Security system. 72. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part 2. The scum formed by oxidation at the surface of an organism. of molten metals. 73. Game in which matchsticks are arranged in 3. Consisting of or made up of bone. rows and players alternately remove one or 4. The sound made by a pigeon v 1. more of them. 5. The eleventh month of the civil year. 77. A silvery ductile metallic element found pri- 6. Aristocratic Italian family of powerful mer- marily in bauxite.

Yesterday’s Solution

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Gossip

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s relationship is in ‘good place’

he couple, who got engaged in January 2014, have recently tives on live TV, sparking speculation he was drunk. A source said fallen victim to rumours their relationship is on the rocks, but previously: “There’s no rush to marry at the moment. Johnny is Tthe pair couldn’t have been more loved up as they rang in 2015 crazy in love with Amber, but there is turmoil in the relationship. She and celebrated Johnny’s mother’s 80th birthday at Ago restaurant in is not really ready to settle down. Amber flirts and has many different West Hollywood. An eye witness told E! News: “Amber and Johnny kinds of relationships.” Meanwhile, the ‘Lone Ranger’ star, 51, was are really happy and their relationship is in a really good place.” The previously in a long-term relationship with Vanessa Paradis, with duo, who first started dating in 2012 after meeting on the set of the whom he has two children, daughter Lily-Rose, 15, and son Jack, 12. film ‘The Rum Diary’, reportedly put their wedding plans on hold last month following speculation the 28-year-old actress was “unhappy” with her fiancÈ’s strange presentation at the Hollywood Film Awards in November, where he appeared to slur his words and used exple-

Nicole Scherzinger tucks into comfort food when she’s cold he former Pussycat Dolls singer, 36, admits her healthy eating routine has been hard to follow since she relocated to the UK Tbecause the miserable weather encourages her to eat curries. Speaking to Cosmopolitan Body magazine, she said: “I’m working with Sir Trevor Nunn, who used to be artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, so I want to give it my all. But when I finish work it can be really hard to eat healthily. When it’s cold you just want to eat a melted-cheese panini and soup. I’m going to turn into a cup Usher engaged to of tea and a curry by the time I leave London!” Despite missing the warmer temperatures the US has to offer, the brunette beauty - who is dating Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton, 29 - prefers liv- ing in London because it “inspires” her. She explained: “I eat different- manager Grace Miguel ly in the UK from when I’m in LA. Over there, I’m happy eating a kale salad and sushi rolls but with this weather I’ve been eating a lot of curry. “I do miss the sun in LA, but London inspires me in a different he 36-year-old singer has sparked spec- one who’s been able to support and under- way. It’s like being in a movie.” ulation he’s popped the question to his stand all of who I am. Not just as a dancer or Tgirlfriend-turned-manager Grace as a performer or as a singer, but as a humani- Miguel after the brunette beauty was spotted tarian and a business man and as a person.” wearing an engagement band on her ring fin- Meanwhile, this won’t be the first time Usher ger during a date with the hunk in Miami, has walked down the aisle as he tied the knot Florida, over the Christmas period last month, with Tameka Foster - his former personal styl- according to LoveBScott.com. The news ist - in a civil ceremony in Atlanta in August comes as no surprise to fans as the star, who 2007. However, the former couple - who have has been dating Grace since 2009, gushed sons Usher ‘Cinco’, seven, and Naviyd, six - about his beau during a recent interview and separated just two years later when Usher praised her for helping him get through filed for divorce in 2009. tough times. He told Billboard magazine: “I Kathy Griffin vows to have an incredible partner and manager. She has helped me through some of the hardest bring Joan Rivers’ times in my life and my career. “She’s some- ‘spirit’ to Fashion Police he 54-year-old comedienne - who is replacing Joan as a host on the E! series after she passed away from Tcomplications while undergoing a minor operation on Kris Jenner has her own her vocal cords in September - insists she won’t hold back when it comes to critiquing the latest fashions with her co- hosts Giuliana Rancic, Kelly Osbourne and Brad Goreski. bedroom at Kim’s and Kathy said: “Joan took Fashion Police and morphed it into a show that was able to take the p**s out of all aspects of celebrity. I think that is something I’m gonna have fun with, West’s new mansion too. “Joan would, of course, show the pictures and make hilarious comments, and my style is a little more improvisa- he 57-year-old matriarch has already tional, a little more conversational. But I hope to at least claimed possession of one of the rooms at continue in her fearless spirit because that’s really what I Tthe couple’s refurbished Calabasas home think the show demands and I think it’s what the viewers so that she can stay over when she likes and has Britney Spears wants kids want.” Kathy says she will approach the show in a manner even joked about moving in with them and similar to straight talking US star Judge Judy, who, on her their 19-month-old daughter, North. A source eponymous TV series, settles small claims inside a televised told the HollywoodLife.com: “Jokingly, Kris men- with Charlie Ebersol courtroom. She explained: “You need somebody to bring tioned moving in with Kim and Kanye. She has the hammer down. I’m gonna be like the Judge Judy of seen the property with them on several occa- he couple - who only started dating off of each other.” Meanwhile, rumours Fashion Police. I’m gonna not hold back, no holds barred, sions and already claimed one of the bedrooms! four months ago - are reportedly recently circulated that the 32-year-old because at the end of the day with everything that’s hap- She even peed in one of the bathrooms to mark T“already discussing having children TV producer was planning to propose to pening in the real world, it’s a place to truly have some fun.” her territory. But she’d never flat out ask to together”. An insider shared: “Britney has the 33-year-old singer, having already The flame-haired beauty will make her debut on the show move in. “She doesn’t want to appear needy, said that Charlie wants to have children received the blessing of her father, Jamie when the series returns on January 12 in a brand new for- but if she had it her way, she’d sell her estate of his own and thinks that she would be Spears. A source said previously: “Charlie mat which will see the formerly weekly programme air over and move right in with them.” The ‘Keeping Up the perfect mother for them.” The ‘Toxic’ pitched Jamie about casting Britney in a 17 episodes, focussing on A-list events including the With the Kardashians’ star - who split from her hitmaker - who already has Sean, nine, new reality show, and Jamie thought he Emmys, Grammys and Oscars. Kathy added that before tak- husband Bruce Jenner in October 2013 - is and Jayden, eight, from her previous was a really good guy. “They’ve been ing on the role she made sure she had the blessing of Joan’s reportedly “dreading” the day Kim, Kanye and marriage to Kevin Federline - returned to moving closer at light speed, and when daughter Melissa Rivers, who is the Executive Producer of North move out of her home, which they have Las Vegas to continue her residency at Charlie suggested to Jamie that he ask the series. She told PEOPLE magazine: “That was obviously been sharing with her while they wait for build- Planet Hollywood, with the new couple for Britney’s hand in marriage, Jamie a very important part of this whole project moving forward. ing works on their mansion to be finished off, appearing to stay “tied at the hip”. The quickly said yes.” Joan was a good friend of mine and we had a real connec- and is worried she’ll be lonely. The source source added to RadarOnline.com: “[She] tion as genuine human beings, but also as girl comics. “Of added: “You would think Kris would be jumping brought Charlie along with her this past course it was important to get Melissa’s blessing, and for joy to have her house back to herself, but it’s weekend and they were tied at the hip. Melissa in fact called me after I repeatedly said I wouldn’t do the opposite. Everyone will soon be out and Kris “They literally cannot keep their hands it because I know that it’s a sensitive area. She called me at is dreading that day.” Kris also has grown-up home and gave me her blessing.” children Kourtney, 35, Khloe, 30, and Rob, 28, from her first marriage with the late Robert Kardashian, and Kendall, 18, and Kylie, 17, with Bruce.

Angelina Jolie’s basic cooking skills aren’t up to scratch he 39-year-old actress-turned-director - who is good at the timing and organisation.” Angelina also married to Brad Pitt - has admitted that her joked that Brad, 51, told her “not to bother” learning Tcooking talents are varied, depending on what to cook after he tasted the dishes she had made and the dish is. She explained to TODAY.com: “I’m one of insisted 11-year-old son, Pax, is a better cook than those people, I can learn this random exotic meal ... a her. She shared: “Now that I’m officially a wife, I said really interesting Afghan dish with eggplant but I to Brad that I was going to try to learn to cook prop- don’t know how to make basic spaghetti.” It’s not just erly. He said, ‘Don’t bother’... he’s tasted my cooking! her lack of cookery skills that stops her from cooking “I’m not the best cook. Pax is a better cook than me. as often, with the ‘Maleficent’ actress admitting that Pax likes to cook. But I try to when I can. Any house she doesn’t have the patience. She said previously: that we’re in, we all chip in. “But the kids are very “Nobody in my house wants me to do any cooking on sweet ... so enthusiastic anytime I cook. Especially Christmas Day. I have no patience! I start things and Maddox, he’s just this little man that’s very support- then I get distracted and l go and I’ll start reading ive of me - it’s like he’s raised me a bit. So I over there, or start playing outside with the kids. “I cooked them all breakfast before school this think you have to be very patient to cook, I’d be desig- morning, and he has that kind of ‘Thanks, nated to the chopping board! Brad would be really Mom! Good job!’” lifestyle SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015

Gossip

Kim Kardashian was 2014’s Queen of the Tabloids

he ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ star topped Vanity slightly behind Justin Bieber in a survey conducted by Zillow, an Fair magazine’s Tournament of Covers list, after being fea- online real estate database. The company’s chief marketing offi- Ttured on 34 covers of the United States’ tabloid magazines. cer, Amy Bohutinsky said: “From his frequent run-ins with the Britain’s Duchess of Cambridge and ‘Cake’ actress, Jennifer law to his over-the-top house parties, Justin Bieber has earned Aniston, tied for second place after receiving 23 covers each. himself quite a bad-boy reputation that only continued to build The Kardashian family - including Kim, Kourtney Kardashian, in 2014. “No one wants to live on the same street as someone Khloe Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner - accused of reckless driving or egging neighbouring homes, graced nearly 20% of all covers, appearing on 54 separate which is likely why Bieber received the highest percentage of issues. The 34-year-old television personality also appeared ‘worst’ votes in survey history.” high up in a poll which listed the worst celebrity neighbours. Kim and her husband, Kanye West, received 22% of the vote,

Alec Baldwin’s wife expecting a baby boy ilaria Baldwin took to her Instagram account today (02.01.15) to hint (01.01.15) by posting a picture of Alec, 56, holding Carmen who is seen at the sex of the couple’s unborn child and to promise that she’ll docu- touching her mother’s baby bump on a beach in front of a sunset. The Hment every part of her pregnancy. Alongside a photograph of four brunette beauty added the caption: “The sun has set on 2014 and on my year pairs of shoes - belonging to herself, Alec, their 16-month-old daughter of daily#hilariaypd ....2015 is going to be very exciting as we are thrilled to Carmen and their upcoming new arrival - she wrote: “So we have an announce we are expecting another little addition to our family! announcement to make to make... can you guess?? Now, with this little baby (tadasana)#yogapostureoftheday (sic)” Meanwhile, the news will come as lit- growing inside of me, I will document for you how I am going to take care of tle surprise to fans of the couple - who married in June 2012 - as Alec recently myself while pregnant and beyond. There will be great tips if you are expect- admitted his 30-year-old wife is keen to have another baby in the near future. ing of if you just want to learn really good exercises and nutrition tips... here we go again!!! (sic).” The yoga fanatic announced her pregnancy yesterday

Ray J feared his suicidal he ‘Iron Man 3’ actress - who “con- sciously uncoupled” from the Coldplay ex-girlfriend would kill him Tfrontman in March 2014 after ten years of marriage - admitted she “hit a he 33-year-old rapper reportedly called to kill herself because I wanted to end the wall” in her personal life before the pair the police after he convinced himself relationship... I went back to try and find the parted. Asked what led to the pair separat- TPrincess Love - who allegedly threat- gun, but she won’t show it to me. “I don’t ing, she shared: “There was nothing dra- ened to shoot herself after seeing photo- want to be in the house because Earl just matic. “I had built my life on trying to be graphs of the hunk with Karrueche Tran fol- killed his girlfriend, I’m thinking she might kill all things to all people, and I just could- lowing their messy split in October last year - me.” Meanwhile, Ray J - whose real name is n’t do it anymore, and I really had the would murder him before taking her own life. William Ray Norwood Jr. - initially angered the sense that I wasn’t allowed to have In an audio recording, obtained by TMZ.com, brunette beauty when he got custody over needs, and I had to prove my special- Ray J can be heard expressing his concerns to their Maltese puppy, Boogotti following their ness or self-worth by doing all this stuff the police after Princess Love’s alleged threats split. A source explained: “The two went at it and taking care of everybody else, and I came just two days after his friend Earl Hayes over the three-pound Maltese puppy, to the just sort of hit a wall.” The 42-year-old reportedly shot his wife before killing himself point where Ray’s security had to step in.” actress - who has Apple, 10 and Moses, last month. Speaking to police on his way to eight, with the ‘A Sky Full Of Stars’ hit- work, the ‘One Wish’ hitmaker told the emer- maker - revealed that the pair have gency department he needed urgent assis- worked “really hard” on their friendship tance at his home, saying: “She’s threatening and hopes the way they handled the split made things “more whole and

INSISTS THERE WAS INSISTS THERE WAS happier” for their two children. She said: “We’ve worked really romancing hard to get to [this] point. But we’re Pixie Lott wants to very, very close, and it’s so nice. “I feel like it’s, in a way, the relation- ship we were meant to have.” Meanwhile, Gwyneth revealed that have two weddings she can be “misunderstood” but went on to admit that she has said some “stupid things” in the past. She he 23-year-old singer has been room show ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ - told the February issue of Marie Claire in a relationship with model also loves the fact her man works in a magazine: “Look, one of the disad- TOliver Cheshire, 26, for over four similar industry to herself. She said: vantages of having been famous for years and she has revealed the couple “There are clothes everywhere. It’s so long is I’ve said some stupid have tentatively begun talking about definitely one of our shared interests - things. “But when words are put into marriage. Pixie admits her dream we talk about new trends and stuff! my mouth, those are the situations I would be to have two ceremonies, an He went into the industry aged 15, so feel aren’t quite fair.” intimate service abroad and then a really young like me. He hasn’t taught huge celebration back in her native me to pose ... although we recently England. Discussing her potential did a shoot for Select and it was so wedding in the February issue of funny watching him. He doesn’t take Marie Claire magazine, she said: “It any warming up he just smashes it probably will be massive. I love small right away.” weddings in a different country, but I love massive ones in England, so maybe I’ll have two. Hopefully two weddings, not two different mar- riages! But I’m not thinking of getting

married yet because I’m still so ABOUT HER SPLIT NOTHING ‘DRAMATIC’

young.” Pixie also revealed she and GWYNETH PALTROW Oliver share a passion for clothes and their home is always littered with gar- ments. The ‘All About Tonight’ hitmak- er - who recently impressed on ball-

Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Martin spotted on a dinner date

he ‘Hunger Games’ star and the Coldplay frontman, who nine. A source said at the time: “It is hard for her [Jennifer] to split up in October, have sparked rumours they’ve rekin- understand the feelings between Chris and Gwyneth.” Tdled their romance after they were pictured tucking into Meanwhile, Gwyneth, 42, recently opened up about her food at the Kiwami Sushi in Studio City, California, on Tuesday friendship with Chris, 37 - who she “consciously uncoupled” (30.12.14). An onlooker told PEOPLE.com: “They were from in March 2014 following ten years of marriage - and engulfed in their little world of conversation.They were into admitted they had to work “really hard” for their children’s each other and not noticing anyone else around them.” The sake. She said: “We’ve worked really f***ing hard to get to insider added: “[They] seemed to be just content with each [this] point. But we’re very, very close, and it’s so nice. “I feel other. He was really listening to what she was saying.” The 24- like it’s, in a way, the relationship we were meant to have.” year-old actress reportedly ended their short-lived relation- ship three months ago because she was struggling to deal with Chris’ close bond with his estranged wife Gwyneth Paltrow, with whom he has children Apple, ten, and Moses, lifestyle SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 MUSIC & MOVIES Box Office drops 5% in 2014: What’s behind the fall

ithout Iron Man, Batman or James Bond to bol- “Movies are not the only game in town,” said Jeff Bock, a trailer was seen by more than 40 million users in less is very product driven and it requires compelling ster ticket sales, the overall box office plunged box office analyst with Exhibitor Relations. “It’s cell than 72 hours and dominated Twitter, Facebook and movies to get people out of their houses,” said Rob W5.2% in 2014, topping out at $10.3 billion phones. It’s streaming. It’s instant entertainment, and other social media platforms despite containing little Moore, vice chairman of Paramount Pictures. domestically. Audiences cooled to Hollywood offerings, the movies aren’t that. They’re playing catch-up here.” more than a nifty new light saber and a fleeting Given that the summer box office was at a 17-year voting with their feet as attendance dropped by an esti- glimpse of the Millennium Falcon. John Williams’ tri- low when taking inflation into account, the picture mated 6% to 1.26 billion, the lowest figure in nearly two Digital devices umphal theme music did the rest. could have been much more gloomy. Films such as decades. “This was the most flabbergasting year ever,” It’s not just getting harder to pull audiences away “Doesn’t that tell you everything you need to know “Gone Girl” and “Big Hero 6” helped reinvigorate ticket said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst with from digital devices, there’s also the rise in quality tele- about the ways people are interacting with content is sales in the fall, and a strong slate of Christmas releases Rentrak. “The good news is that the movie business had vision programming. Shows such as “True Detective” changing?” said Greg Foster, Imax Entertainment CEO. pushed receipts up nearly 7% from 2013. a great year in 2013. A record breaker. The bad news and “The Walking Dead” are equal to bigscreen enter- “When it comes to selling a movie or positioning a The coming year should be a different story. Not was that in 2014, it was measured against that success.” tainment and may be taking a bite out of the box office. movie, the success or failure of that first image and that only will the big-budget sequels appeal to children of Although there were some blockbusters such as The answer, studios say, remains fewer films, but bigger first teaser is more important than almost anything all ages, but pictures such as “Fifty Shades of Grey” are “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “The LEGO Movie” and bets. else.” Television remains the most surefire way to reach positioned to draw specific demographics such as “Maleficent,” many of the big films and sequels didn’t “Technology creates new alternatives and distrac- the broadest audience, while radio and print promo- women that are too often ignored by major studios. give off as loud of a bang. Franchises such as “The tions, and that’s something that we as people who tions are being jettisoned. Instead, some studios have “There are enough films that should boost the box Amazing Spider-Man” and “The Hunger Games” put up make content and show content have to be aware of,” been delving more heavily into digital promotion, par- office and should send people to theaters throughout impressive global numbers, but showed some signs of said Dave Hollis, Disney’s distribution chief. “There has ticularly with films geared at teenage crowds such as the year so that moviegoing stays part of their ritual age when they couldn’t match the domestic grosses of to be a clutter buster strategy of making events inside last summer’s “If I Stay.” and part of their routine,” said Moore. previous installments. cinema where missing these events come at the Now the movie business has to hope that in 2015, “The old standards didn’t live up to what was expense of social currency and where people aren’t Different story audiences will get back in the habit of hitting up the expected,” said Dan Fellman, domestic distribution chief able to participate in water cooler conversation.” “You have to be where people are and make sure multiplex. “I remain very optimistic about our business at Warner Bros. “Maybe it was franchise fatigue, but It may also require altering the release and market- your materials are compelling and provocative,” said and the future of our business, but everybody has to be when you look at hits like ‘Gone Girl’ and ‘LEGO Movie,’ ing plans for a film. Instead of simply running ads on Sue Kroll, president of worldwide marketing and inter- smart and nimble and open to change,” said Kroll. “It’s they offered something new.” Maybe it was too much of major broadcast networks or trying to get in 4,000 loca- national distribution at Warner Bros. “We’re being much definitely a different climate out there, but the movies the same, but there are troubling signs that moviego- tions, studios need to be more strategic. Data that stu- smarter about how we spend. You can’t be everywhere.” are the movies, and there will always be a place for ers, particularly younger ones, are more reticent about dios now collect on the types of audiences they want to Studios and exhibitors are quick to blame the films moviegoing.” The success of recent films such as “The making the trek to multiplexes. Americans aged 12 to reach should inform decisions and keep a ceiling on themselves for the recent downturn, not the art form Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” and “Unbroken” 24 saw 15% fewer films in theaters during the first three costs. “It’s not a shot in the dark,” said Nikki Rocco, presi- itself. They also point out that 2015, which boasts new show that people still love going to the movies and quarters of the year, according to Nielsen. And in 2013, dent of domestic distribution at Universal Pictures. “You chapters in the Avengers, Jurassic Park and 007 sagas, helped close 2014 on an incongruous high note. according to a Motion Picture Association of have to take time and study things.” Just look at the to say nothing of “The Hunger Games” finale, should hit Yet the fact remains that if the numbers don’t look America report, the number of frequent moviegoers year’s biggest film event-an 88-second trailer for “Star $11 billion for the first time in history. very different by this time next year it may be time to between the ages of 18 to 24 fell by a record 17%. Wars: The Force Awakens.” The YouTube debut of the “One thing we continue to see is that the box office panic. — Reuters Awards season’s female troubles

hen she accepted her Oscar in tures not one but two singular female February for “Blue Jasmine,” Cate leads, Agata Trzebuchowska and Agata WBlanchett delivered a painfully nec- Kulesza, and “We Are the Best!” has three: essary message to those in the industry Mira Barkhammar, Mira Grosin and Liv “who are still foolishly clinging to the idea LeMoyne. And if you can look past that female films, with women at the center, Christoph Waltz’s showboating in “Big Eyes,” are niche experiences. They are not. the movie really does belong to Amy Audiences want to see them and, in fact, Adams in a radiant turn as a wife, mother they earn money. The world is round, peo- and artist overcoming the oppressions of ple!” her era. Alas, the world looks flatter than ever if The cause of advancing diversity in art the movies in the running for best picture is, of course, more than a matter of filling are any indication. We actually seem to quotas and counting chromosomes, and have regressed this season: Blanchett’s it’s possible to find the system wanting competition for lead actress notably includ- without discounting the value of what it’s ed Amy Adams, Sandra Bullock and Judi given us. Refreshing as it would be for Dench, whose respective movies, Bennett Miller, Alejandro G. Inarritu and “American Hustle,” “Gravity” and Christopher Nolan to delve into a woman’s “Philomena,” were all nominated for best psyche now and then, their work this year picture. The year before, we had “Amour,” merits praise and recognition. “Foxcatcher” “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” “Silver Linings is a veritable tempest of testosterone, and Playbook” and “Zero Dark Thirty,” all of no less remarkable for it. Richard Linklater’s which boasted strongly developed female “Girlhood” may well have been as extraor- leads and scored nominations for actress as dinary as “Boyhood,” but I’m not sure that it well as picture. would have felt quite so personal or rung What’s striking about this year’s Oscar quite so true. A movie called “Birdwoman,” race, by contrast, is just how many movies alas, could exist only in a world where This photo provided by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows Luke Evans, center, as Bard in the fantasy adventure “The Hobbit: The Battle of the in the conversation “American Sniper,” comicbook heroines have the same cultural Five Armies,” a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), releases by Warner Bros. Pictures and MGM. — AP “Birdman,” “Boyhood,” “Foxcatcher,” “The and commercial currency as their male Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The Imitation counterparts. Game,” “Interstellar,” “Nightcrawler,” It’s always easier to identify a worrisome “Unbroken” and “Whiplash”-are primarily trend than to figure out its cause, much less ‘Hobbit’ leads New Year’s driven, if not outright dominated, by male to suggest a workable solution. We can protagonists. point to the limitations of genre in the case There are a few arguable exceptions. of “American Sniper,” “The Imitation Game” Ava DuVernay’s Martin Luther King Jr. dra- and “Unbroken,” given that most biographi- ma “Selma,” one of two probable picture cal war movies are about the exploits, weekend box office nominees directed by a woman (the other adventures and sufferings of men. Still, being Angelina Jolie’s “Unbroken”), focuses whatever these films’ particular shortcom- on King, but pointedly highlights the often ings or virtues, I suspect that awards voters he Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” is est domestic grosser among titles released in 2014. ing its domestic B.O. at about $87 million at the end of overlooked contributions of the women of are too often inclined to accept them on heading for a three-peat, projected to win International grosses for “Five Armies” have hit $457.8 its second weekend. the civil-rights movement. their own grand, self-important terms, “Tits third consecutive weekend at the US box million, led by $62.6 million in Germany and $52.3 mil- “Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death,” the first 2015 “The Theory of Everything” may be a which not so subtly conflate significance office with an estimated $23 million. lion in the UK, both after three weeks. China will open title, looked respectable with about $5 million to $6.7 simplified gloss on the life of Stephen with masculinity: Watch Chris Kyle and Disney’s “Into the Woods” and Universal’s on Jan. 23. As with the Christmas weekend, Rob million in early estimates on Friday, including $1.5 mil- Hawking, but in lending equal dramatic Louis Zamperini march off to war! See Alan “Unbroken” look likely to finish in the high teens and Marshall’s “Into the Woods” and Angelina Jolie’s lion in latenight showings. That projects out to a range Relativity’s “Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death” should “Unbroken” will fight for second place, with the early of $12 million to $15 million for the weekend. weight to his wife, Jane, it also attempts to Turing change the face of history!Contrast open to as much as $15 million. edge favoring Disney’s musical with $7 million to $8 Paramount’s “Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones” correct, or at least complicate, the support- this with the relatively solitary, interior (and Should the estimates hold, the box office leaders million Friday for a finish in the $18 million to $20 mil- opened with an $18.3 million weekend in the first ive-wife biopic cliche. Similarly divided mostly non-biographical) journeys under- will finish ahead of the first weekend of 2014, which lion range. frame of 2014. between its married protagonists is “Gone taken by some of this year’s female protag- was led by the sixth weekend of “Frozen” with $19.6 “Into the Woods,” with a $50 million budget, is Relativity had originally scheduled the “Woman in Girl” (David Fincher’s second “Girl” movie in onists: a woman quietly losing her mind in million. Early Friday estimates showed New Line- heading toward profitability for Disney with domestic Black” sequel for Super Bowl weekend on Jan. 30 but a row, incidentally), whose gender politics “Still Alice,” or searching for her life’s mean- MGM’s “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” at grosses topping $90 million by the end of the week- moved it forward four weeks in October. No other hor- have stirred no end of debate: Is Rosamund ing in “Wild,” or simply trying to hold on to about $9 million, projecting to around $23 million for end. Key international launches will begin Jan. 8 with ror films will open until the end of February. Fox’s third Pike playing a righteous anti-heroine or a her job in “Two Days, One Night.” (The critic the first weekend of 2015. That’s down about 45% from Australia and Jan. 9 in the U.K. weekend of “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” freakish misogynist construct? Whichever Carrie Rickey nailed it, sadly, in an interview the Christmas weekend. War drama “Unbroken,” with a $65 million budget, appeared headed for fifth place with around $4.7 mil- one it is, I’m genuinely grateful that several years ago: “What men do is univer- Peter Jackson’s conclusion to his Middle-earth epic has performed far above forecasts and also looks to be lion on Friday, projecting to a weekend take of about Amazing Amy exists. sal; what women do is particular.”) crossed the $200 million mark in US grosses Friday and a money-maker for the studio and Legendary. Friday’s $12 million. The comedy sequel’s showing respectable Their masculine titles notwithstanding, Given Hollywood’s bent toward weighty should wind up the weekend with about $222 million. early estimates were at about $7 million, portending a holding power and should wind up the weekend “Birdman” and “Boyhood” are not without themes and real-life subjects, one might After 16 days, “Five Armies” is already the eighth-high- weekend in the $17 million to $18 million range-leav- above $85 million. — Reuters their richly developed female characters- cynically suggest that the industry should played by Emma Stone in the former, foster more historical dramas about female Patricia Arquette in the latter. geniuses, eccentrics and political leaders The same goes for “Nightcrawler,” where for a change. But if the result is simply a Alabama town readies for Rene Russo provides a much-needed coun- movie as banal and reductive as “The Iron terweight to Jake Gyllenhaal, or Lady,” why bother? “Interstellar,” in which Anne Hathaway and Some of this is simple auteurism at Jessica Chastain balance keen intelligence work: If there’s a reason why this year’s best screenings of film ‘Selma’ and scientific acumen with fierce, unruly picture race feels a bit lopsided, it’s proba- emotions. But surveying the race in its bly because Clint Eastwood, Wes Anderson, esidents of Selma, Alabama, will civil rights struggle. “It’s important for us totality, we seem to find ourselves, once Inarritu, Linklater, Miller and Nolan were next week be offered free screen- to tell this story,” she said. Alston Keith more, in a man’s world, where women tend always more likely to generate frontrunner Rings of “Selma,” a Golden Globe- Jr., a lifelong Selma resident who was to hover reluctantly around their men like attention than emerging, marginalized nominated film some locals welcome as preparing for law school at the time of moons stuck in orbit. and/or foreign-born filmmakers like the telling of an important civil rights- the protests, says he worries the film will What makes the situation even more Jennifer Kent, Gina Prince-Bythewood, era story while others fear it could harm overstate the violence, which he says perplexing is that it was by no means a year James Gray, Jonathan Glazer, Jean-Pierre the downtrodden city’s image. was more sporadic than how it was lacking in first-rate, female-driven movies. and Luc Dardenne, Pawel Pawlikowski and The film, which portrays events sur- reported at the time. “I don’t know if the Julianne Moore is a worthy best actress Lukas Moodysson. And this, year after year, rounding civil rights protests in the movie is going to help Selma’s image frontrunner for the quietly devastating “Still is the chief frustration of awards season: an town in 1965 led by Martin Luther King the way it will be portrayed,” said Keith, Alice.” “Wild” gave Reese Witherspoon her excess of lockstep thinking, and an unwill- Jr., will be shown courtesy of Paramount who is white. The Selma Walton Theater most substantial dramatic showcase in ingness to look away from establishment Pictures starting Jan. 9 and run through is itself an emblem of the city’s more the month at the Selma Walton Theater. recent struggles and its quest to rein- years. Marion Cotillard had a magnificent favorites. Starring David Oyelowo as King, the vent itself. The city-owned venue, which run, radiating fragile authenticity in “Two It would take a less complacent, more film has generated Oscar buzz but also was refurbished and opened in 2012 Days, One Night” and the purity of a silent adventurous voting body to recognize that accusations of historical inaccuracy after years of disuse, was shuttered in screen heroine in “The Immigrant.” the subtitled likes of “Ida” and “Two Days, around the role of then-President late 2013 when no investors could be Gugu Mbatha-Raw deserved to be more One Night” deserve more of a place in the Lyndon Johnson, a civil rights propo- found to take it over. It will be reopened of a breakout star for “Belle” and especially conversation than glossy prestige pictures nent who is depicted opposing the for the screenings. David Jackson, a con- “Beyond the Lights.” Essie Davis is a revela- like “The Imitation Game” or “Unbroken.” It marches. sultant who moved to Selma from tion in “The Babadook,” which goes deeper would take an even more discerning sensi- It has also stirred passions in Selma. California with his wife four years ago, into the heart of embattled motherhood bility to look past the misleading Lifetime- The town has about 20,000 people, said he was moved by the film when he than any psychological horror movie since movie veneer that has relegated a drama as roughly 80 percent of whom are black saw an early screening. It captures the “We Need to Talk About Kevin.” piercing as “Still Alice” to some sort of spe- and more than 40 percent of whom live essence of the town he has grown to (Unfortunately, “Babadook” is ineligible for cialty-division ghetto. That Moore will in poverty, according to census figures. love, said Jackson, who was behind the Oscar consideration due to rules disqualify- almost certainly win best actress is, I sup- US Representative Terri Sewell, a push to reopen the theater in 2012. ing films with pre-theatrical VOD windows.) pose, some consolation, but when she black Democrat and Selma native, said “I don’t see it as opening up new Ava DuVernay poses at the Palm Virginia Madsen poses at the Palm Scarlett Johansson, though playing a takes the stage come February, I hope she the film is both an opportunity for the wounds. I see it as a part of history,” he Springs International Film Festival Springs International Film Festival presumably gender-neutral alien, owns tells us something we sadly still need to town to attract attention and business said. “It was painful, but we all got better opening night screening of SELMA opening night screening of SELMA at every minute of “Under the Skin.” “Ida” fea- hear. —Reuters and to memorialize its key role in the as a result of it.” — Reuters at Palm Springs High School. — AP Palm Springs High School. —AP photos lifestyle SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015

Mountains,Bhutanese film goers gather ahead of a screening outside a cinema in makeshiftThimphu. — AFP photos cinemas as Bhutan’s battle to make movies

hen Bhutan’s top director Tshering “The sad part is we say we are so proud of our Wangyel finishes a film, he and his staff culture but then you look at our films, it’s like we Wtake to the Himalayan countryside for have picked up a broken piece of mirror from months at a time armed with a projector, tent, Bollywood’s vanity case,” said independent film- screen and tickets. maker Tashi Gyeltshen. Movie making in the isolated kingdom is But with movies based on Buddhist legends strenuous business. Not only do you have to and actors usually dressed in traditional cloth- teach yourself the filmmaking basics, but you ing-the wrap-around “gho” for men and fitted must lug a makeshift cinema from village to vil- ankle-length “kira” for women-Bhutanese cultural lage to reach Bhutan’s movie-loving population. identity lies at their heart. Despite the lack of infrastructure, Bhutan’s 25- Plotlines often portray a clash between tradi- year-old industry is thriving, with audiences in tion and modernity, with conservatism getting one of the most remote countries on earth flock- the last word as characters hold forth on the ing to homegrown movies that blend Bollywood importance of prayer and background chants with traditional Buddhist teachings. urge viewers to be good Buddhists. “Currently, it takes us a year to cover the Gyeltshen, whose short film “The Red Door” country for screenings. I used to do it myself all screened at the Rotterdam film festival this year, the time, now I send my staff,” Wangyel told AFP told AFP the relentless push to promote tradition in the capital Thimphu. while imitating Bollywood formula risked creat- “Last year, my boys took a car, a screen, a tent, ing “a cultural desert” for future generations. “We a projector, tickets - they went from district to are wallowing in past glory...we are not creating district, setting up a makeshift cinema in each anything in terms of leaving a legacy,” Gyeltshen venue or using school auditoriums.” Many of the said. “Everyone in Bhutan talks about the preser- industry’s directors and actors also have to jug- vation of culture - but if you don’t create, what gle their passion for cinema with day jobs as sol- will you preserve?” — AFP diers, monks, even politicians. Wangyel began his career in government, but the avid Bollywood fan, who grew up in a country where Indian In this photograph taken on October musicals were a staple, always had movies on his 24, 2014, a Bhutanese make up artist mind. (L) brushes an actresses face ahead of “I was living this mundane 9-to-5 life when I shooting a film scene on a set in decided to make my first film: a love triangle Thimphu. Movie making in the isolated about two college kids falling for the same girl,” kingdom is strenuous business. Not Wangyel said. only do you have to teach yourself the Three of his friends acted in the 1999 produc- filmmaking basics, but you must lug tion and contributed $5,000 each towards the a makeshift cinema from village to shoestring budget. Wangyel, then an official in village to reach Bhutan’s movie-loving the ministry of agriculture, wrote the screenplay population. and handled the camera, sound and lighting. He Bhutanese film goers gather ahead of a screening outside a cinema in Thimphu. also made Bhutan’s first musical number, lifting Despite these challenges, however, the indus- these days in Bhutan’s handful of cinemas after the melody from a popular Indian film and con- try has expanded substantially, with annual out- dominating screens for decades. However, the vincing his cousins to serve as backup dancers. put jumping from three films a decade ago to 15 influence of the Mumbai-based industry on its He released the flick, “Rawa” (Hope), in films this year. Bhutanese counterpart is unmistakable. Thimphu’s only cinema, the crumbling, rat-infest- Although a small number of Bhutanese films, ed Lugar, currently under renovation. By the time Bollywood influence including 1999’s “The Cup”, directed by a Tibetan he made his second, he realised that while pro- Each year, it attracts new entrants like aspir- Buddhist lama, have found critical and commer- duction was a challenge, distribution was an ing director Killey Tshering, who turned a friend’s cial success overseas, viewers at home prefer ordeal, requiring filmmakers to carry generators, bungalow into a film set and secured funds from movies with a dose of song and dance. fuel and screening equipment from village to vil- a cousin, all to make his debut venture, “Nga Dha “If a film is too artistic or realistic, it won’t lage. Choe” (You and Me). work. Our audiences like a formula - it must Forty movies later, he says distribution contin- “Filmmaking in Bhutan is a community enter- include songs, dances, humour and tears,” ues to be a slog, handicapping the industry’s prise-friends lend their houses, relatives give you Wangyel said. Critics blame Bhutan’s isolation, growth. The long wait for screenings has also money, everyone helps out on set,” Tshering, 27, which only allowed access to television in 1999, fuelled a thriving piracy industry, with impatient told AFP on the sidelines of his shoot. The popu- and its limited exposure to world cinema for the audiences eager to watch illegal copies of the larity of local films has seen fans give the boot to formulaic but commercially successful produc- Dzongkha-language films. Bollywood productions, which are rarely shown tions.

Bhutanese independent filmmaker, Tashi Gyeltshen Wangyel gestures as Bhutanese film crew converses during the shooting of a film scene. Bhutanese actress takes part in the shooting of a film scene. he speaks during an interview with AFP in Thimphu. Mountains, makeshift cinemas as Bhutan’s battle to make movies

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 39

Indian conducter Zubin Mehta performs with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra during the New Year’s Concert at the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna. — AFP ‘Cheek to Cheek’ tour rings in New Year Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett make perfect dance partners

n one of the more unusual examples of a match-up of Bothered & Bewildered” and “Lush Life,” came close. needed to launch in Las Vegas-and from inside the New old and new media that pays off, Tony Bennett has Yet it was their duets of songs like “I Won’t Dance,” “It York-themed Chelsea. The album was recorded in Gotham Ifound the perfect dance partner in Lady Gaga as their Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain’t Got That Swing)” and “Let’s and has been a top-seller worldwide since its release in Promoters say Bill Cosby’s “Cheek to Cheek” tour rung in 2015 in Las Vegas. Face the Music and Dance” that audiences clearly came to September. The tour’s first ticketed performance was held The fanbases for both singers filled the Cosmopolitan see, and showed off the chemistry between the two. Gaga Dec. 30, also inside the Chelsea. resort’s Chelsea theater for a two-hour show that proved never tried to upstage Bennett, often showing restraint The show also is a win for the Cosmopolitan, which Canadian shows will happen charmingly effective in showing off the talents of both and making sure to pay respect to the iconic crooner. built the Chelsea in order to regularly attract bigger music artists on a stage simply decorated with crystal-studded That, and her confident performance, surely went over acts to a large theater that isn’t devoted to a single artists curtains. Bennett, 88, can still belt out the lyrics as he well with the older crowd in the audience, and could pay like Britney Spears, across the street at Planet Hollywood, In this Nov. 21, 2014 file always has, especially his performance of “Steppin’ Out off in the future as she releases new albums. or Celine Dion in Caesars. photo, comedian Bill Cosby With My Baby,” and a sweet, memorable version of Charlie Suddenly, she’s no longer the risque pop singer who With a sold-out crowd, the Cosmopolitan easily com- performs during a show at Chaplin’s “Smile.” pushes the boundaries for headline-grabbing sake, but peted with the hotter nightclubs in the area (even inside the Maxwell C. King Center But it’s Gaga who stood out perhaps the most, gamely the approachable talented young artist (she’s 28) who can its own property), with Drake performing New Years Eve at for the Performing Arts in taking on jazz classics as she shimmied across the stage or stand alongside the best of them-and actually sound as Marquee, Iggy Azaliea at Drai’s, Robin Thicke at Foxtail and Melbourne, Fla. The promot- around Bennett in a variety of sequined flapper dresses, they do in their songs when they perform live, something Macklemore + Ryan Lewis at 1 OAK. Gaga is hardly a new- ers of Bill Cosby’s three feathered boas and headdresses during her many cos- many pop artists struggle to do. comer. But if collaborations like “Cheek to Cheek” are the shows in Canada next week tume and wig changes, some of which invoked Liza In their setlist Bennett and Gaga smartly held off on future and will give Hollywood an idea of how established said Friday, the comedian’s Minnelli. Backed by the Brian Newman Quartet, her explo- featuring too many duets during “Cheek to Cheek,” giving artists can work with younger artists-especially those representatives informed sive rendition of “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down),” as each of them equal time to shine with solo numbers. But emerging on YouTube and other digital platforms-as a them he has “every intent” she wore a shiny silver jumpsuit, was the highlight of the the energy in the room always lit up once Gaga took the way to speak to a broad audience, it looks like 2015 could to do them and they are evening, although her sassy approach to “Bewitched, stage. Given the stature of its two stars, “Cheek to Cheek” be a very good year. — Reuters legally obligated to put Little Jimmy Dickens, oldest them on. —AP he promoters of Bill Cosby’s three shows in Canada next week said Friday the comedian’s representatives informed Opry member, dies at 94 Tthem he has “every intent” to do them and they are legally obligated to put them on. Chicago-based Innovation Arts & Entertainment said in a ittle Jimmy Dickens, a diminutive singer- said in a 2009 Associated Press interview that tained troops in Vietnam three times. His oth- er Nudie.”He said that when the lights hit statement they understand the decision is unpopular but that songwriter known for his sense of his first impression of the song was “it was a er hits included “A-Sleepin’ at the Foot of the them, the audience would go ‘Wow,’ “ Dickens both they and the venues are obligated to proceed and that “we Lhumor and as the oldest cast member of nice piece of material to inject in my show. Bed,” “Out Behind the Barn,” “Country Boy” and recalled in the 2009 interview. “He was 100 would face crippling legal obstacles for violation.” the Grand Ole Opry, has died. He was 94. Then I went to Vietnam (to perform) for two “I’m Little But I’m Loud.” percent right.” More than 15 women have come forward since November Dickens died Friday at a Nashville-area months and when I got home it was my pay: He is credited with introducing rhinestone Dickens was born in Bolt, West Virginia, claiming to have been drugged, sexually assaulted or both by hospital of cardiac arrest after suffering a a No. 1 song.” The guitarist made more than a suits to country music around 1950, taking a the 13th and youngest child in a coal-mining Cosby, who has never been charged in connection with any of stroke on Christmas Day, Opry spokeswoman dozen trips to perform in Europe and enter- suggestion from Los Angeles clothing design- family. Coal mining was the main industry in the allegations. As controversy has grown, Cosby’s scheduled Jessie Schmidt said. Dickens, who stood 4- his area, but it wasn’t for him. “I wouldn’t have foot-11, had performed on the Opry almost worked the mines. I wasn’t large enough,” he Netflix concert special was canceled and NBC scrapped a new continuously since 1948. His last perform- once said. One of his first jobs was crowing Cosby sitcom in development. ance was Dec. 20 as part of his birthday cele- like a rooster on a radio station in Beckley, The 77-year-old Cosby is scheduled to appear at the Centre in bration. He sang “Out Behind The Barn” and West Virginia, to begin the station’s broad- the Square in Kitchener, Ontario, on Jan. 7; at the Budweiser delivered his trademark comedy. He had casting for the day. Gardens in London, Ontario, on Jan. 8; and at Hamilton Place turned 94 a day earlier. “I was not paid for it. I was just hanging Theatre in Hamilton, Ontario, on Jan. 9. “As recently as this morn- “The Grand Ole Opry did not have a better around and they let me do that. I did it for a ing, IAE has been informed by Mr. Cosby’s representatives that he friend than Little Jimmy Dickens,” said Pete year or so, then eventually I worked my way has every intent to perform these events,” the statement said. Fisher, Opry vice president and general man- to doing a song,” he said. Before becoming a Jason MacDonald, a spokesman for Canadian Prime Minister ager. “He loved the audience and his Opry nationally known country singer, he worked Stephen Harper, called the allegations against Cosby “very seri- family, and all of us loved him back. He was a at radio stations in Indianapolis; Cincinnati; ous and deeply troubling” but declined to comment further. one-of-kind entertainer and a great soul Topeka, Kansas; and Saginaw, Michigan. Protests are planned for the Canadian shows. “While it is dis- whose spirit will live on for years to come.” Dickens said in 2009 that he’d never been appointing for the need to worry about the theater being a place Country legend Hank Williams Sr. nicknamed self-conscious about his height. “It’s been for planned protests, we are fully prepared to protect our audi- him “Tater” based on Dickens’ song “Take an very good for me. I’ve made fun of it, and get ence,” the statement by Innovation Arts & Entertainment said. Old Cold Tater (And Wait).” a laugh here and there,” he said. In October Megan Walker, executive director of the London Abused His novelty songs, including his biggest 2008, Dickens energetically got on a step lad- Women’s Centre, who is planning a protest outside the London hit “May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose” der on the Opry stage to get eye level with 6- venue, took issue with the promoter’s statement. “There’s an about good and bad luck, earned him a spot foot-6 country singer Trace Adkins. implication that somehow a peaceful protest is going to become in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1983. It “You’re so tall, if you fell down, you’d be crossed over from a country hit to become a halfway home when you got up,” Dickens told violent when the violence we’re concerned about is the violence hit on the pop charts - a rarity in those days - him.He is survived by his wife, Mona, and two that the women have alleged against Mr. Cosby,” Walker said. with its rollicking chorus: “May the bird of par- In this Sept 28, 2010 file photo, country music stars Brad Paisley, right, and daughters. Dickens had surgery Jan. 13, 2009, Scott Warren, the general manager of Hamilton Place Theatre adise fly up your nose; May an elephant Little Jimmy Dickens perform “Will the Circle be Unbroken?” as the opening to repair a subdural hematoma, a form of in Hamilton, Ontario, has said the theater is bound by a contract caress you with its toes; May your wife be song as the curtain goes up in the Grand Ole Opry House, in Nashville, Tenn. brain injury. He spent a week in a hospital, with the promoter and would risk being sued if the show were plagued with runners in her hose; May the Dickens, a diminutive singer-songwriter who was the oldest cast member of then went to a rehab center, but resumed canceled. — AP bird of paradise fly up your nose.” Dickens the Grand Ole Opry, has died. — AP performing in late February 2009. —AP