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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 RABI ALTHANI 12, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net

Shops, cafes ordered Min 11º Max 23º to close by midnight High Tide 11:31 & 21:53 Municipality, MoI seek to combat rising crime Low Tide 05:01 & 16:18 40 PAGES NO: 16420 150 FILS By Hanan Al-Saadoun

KUWAIT: The municipality will enforce a Cabinet deci- sion mandating all stores, restaurants, cafes, billiard halls and similar facilities to close by midnight. Municipal Director Ahmed Al-Subaih said that the municipality and the interior ministry have agreed to acti- vate this decision in all areas - commercial, investment and residential - while shops in the industrial areas of Shuwaikh, Sharq, Ardiya, Sabhan and Fahaheel will have to close by 10:00 pm. Speaking to the press after Abdul Fattah Al-Ali a meeting with the Interior Ministry’s assistant undersec- retary for public security affairs Maj Gen Abdul Fattah Al-Ali, Subaih said that the closing time on weekends (Thursdays and Fridays) and on official holidays would be 1:00 am. “Exceptions will only be made upon official permis- sion from the interior min- istry,” he added. Ahmed Al-Subaih Subaih noted that Ali was fully convinced of the need for such measures to main- tain security in view of the growing number of crimes such as drug abuse, vehicle theft, shootings and others. Subaih added that the new timings would be circulated to all six governorates’ municipal offices so that they could be put into practice. News in brief

Citizenship of 72 KUWAIT: Gulf University for Science and Technology students collect and pack Bahrainis stripped over 56 tons of clothing for charity yesterday, breaking a world record held by DUBAI: Bahrain said yesterday it had revoked the citi- Qatar. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat (More photos on Page 3) zenship of 72 people convicted of “harming the inter- ests of the kingdom” in unrest by the Shiite majority since 2011. The official BNA news agency said their nationality had been rescinded in a decree as part of GUST students break record for charity measures to “preserve security and stability and fight the dan- By Faten Omar tiatives. Boubyan Bank and ministry of youth staff and light students’ good deeds,” he said. ger of terrorist threats”. BNA students from other schools and universities also partici- “This is what prompted us to exploit our specialty to published a list of the 72 people KUWAIT: Gulf University for Science and Technology stu- pated in the campaign, which was organized under the serve the good, and I’m proud of the donators. It shows affected by the measure adopt- dents yesterday shattered a world record held by Qatar supervision of Guinness World Records to collect donat- that the people of Kuwait are humanitarian people and ed by the interior ministry and by collecting and packing over 56 tons of clothes for ed clothing and break the record currently registered by represent our humanitarian leader. I represent at this approved by the cabinet. “Proper charity. The event took place over 24 hours in GUST’s Qatar of 29 tons. The clothes will be distributed in Syria, moment all the Kuwaiti youth, and I would like to thank legal procedures will be taken by parking lot, starting at 5 pm on Friday and ending at 5 Lebanon, Yemen, Jordan, Palestine and Kuwait. everyone who participated in this campaign,” Saai added. the interior ministry to imple- pm yesterday. GUST’s Public Relations Club broke the Faisal Al-Saai, Head of the Public Relations Club, was in General director of administrative affairs at Boubyan ment this decision,” it added. Turki Al-Binali record in 5 minutes and 20 seconds, and there were still a tears. “I’m so happy that we did it, and to anyone who Bank Walid Khaled Al-Yaqout said the bank’s staff also This is the largest number of lot of clothes and other stuff that wasn’t packed up in says that the goal of this campaign was just to show off, I donated clothes, and the bank will promote its own cam- Bahrainis to be stripped of their nationality since a law time. invite them to see all these caring people who are still paign on social media to support the Kuwaiti youth and passed in 2013 on the punishment of those convicted The event was overseen by students who worked con- donating. The Public Relations Club represents the motivate the bank’s clients and others to donate for the of “terrorist” acts. The list includes Sunni and Shiite tinuously as part of supporting various humanitarian ini- media, and we should attract the media in order to high- benefit of the poor and needy in the Arab world. Bahrainis. Among those affected is Turki Al-Binali, a 30- year-old Sunni preacher who has emerged as one of the Islamic State group’s leading ideologues. Lavish Saudi Egypt bans Hamas armed wing Suicide bomber kills freebies will Aniza tribal leader Sisi says battle will be long, tough BAGHDAD: A suicide bomber killed a prominent buoy economy tribal leader and five other people in an attack CAIRO: An Egyptian court yesterday banned the which the authorities have also declared a terrorist southwest of Baghdad, police said yesterday. The bomber blew up a tanker truck rigged with explo- DUBAI: A lavish payout to public employees ordered by armed wing of Palestinian group Hamas and listed it as group and repressed thoroughly since the army ousted Saudi Arabia’s new King Salman will help to sustain the a terrorist organization, a ruling in keeping with a sys- Morsi in 2013. “We reject the Egyptian court’s decision sives outside the home of Sheikh Lorens Al-Hadhal kingdom’s consumer boom and reassure financial markets tematic crackdown on Islamists by President Abdel against Qassam Brigades. It is a political, dangerous in the Al-Nikhaib area of Anbar province on Friday that the government is not slashing expenditure in the Fattah Al-Sisi. Sisi said yesterday Egypt faces a tough, decision that serves only the Zionist occupation,” night, Major Alaa Al-Dulaimi said. A former member face of low oil prices. On Thursday, Salman ordered the prolonged campaign against militancy. “(It) will be diffi- Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri, referring to Israel’s of parliament, the sheikh was head of the powerful immediate payment of two months of bonus salary to all cult, strong, evil and will take a long time,” he said in control over Palestinian territories. Aniza tribe, which has members in neighboring state employees and pension to retired government work- comments broadcast on state television after meeting The ruling came days after Egypt was hit with some Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as well as in Iraq. The blast ers, in a string of decrees which also reorganized the eco- top military officers. of the bloodiest Islamist militant attacks on security also wounded 14 people, Dulaimi said. There was no nomic policy-making apparatus. Flanked by his top generals and occasionally raising forces in years. “The court ruled to ban the (Hamas) immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but The announcement did not give a monetary figure, but his voice in anger, Sisi said “we will not abandon the Qassam Brigades and to list it as a terrorist group,” said suicide bombings are a tactic almost exclusively Saudi Arabia’s 860 billion riyal ($229 billion) state budget Sinai to anyone”. He also repeated accusations that the Judge Mohamed Al-Sayid of the special Cairo court employed by Sunni extremists in Iraq, including plan for 2015 said salaries, wages and allowances would now-banned Muslim Brotherhood of deposed presi- which deals with urgent cases. The case was based on jihadists of the Islamic State group. IS spearheaded a comprise 50 percent of total spending. That implies the dent Mohamed Morsi is behind the violence, a claim allegations that the Qassam Brigades staged terrorist lighting offensive that overran much of the Sunni new payout, announced a week after Salman succeeded the group denies. Sisi said Egypt was confronting the attacks to support the Brotherhood, and carried out a Arab heartland north and west of Baghdad last his brother Abdullah as king, will be worth up to around 70 “strongest secret organization in the world”, a reference bombing and shooting operation which killed 33 secu- June. The country’s powerful tribes are key to the billion riyals - about 8 percent of the original budget, or 2.5 to the Brotherhood. rity personnel in the Sinai Peninsula in Oct of 2014. government’s efforts to retake and maintain control percent of last year’s gross domestic product. Hamas is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, Continued on Page 13 of areas currently held by the jihadists. Continued on Page 13 Drivers fume Third time no Spain’s radical Dominant over new charm: Romney leftist party Serena beats anti-smoking won’t run for shows strength Sharapova decision3 US president9 in13 massive rally for17 19th Slam SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 LOCAL Kuwait Airways - 60 years of successful services

KUWAIT: The beginning of Kuwait’s an expansion in flight numbers and The airline carried about 500 million economic development came with destinations, providing three flights passengers and 50,000 tons of load the first oil export back in 1946, fol- per week to London. As demands each year. lowed by an era where a number of on aviation services increased, During the war time, 15 aircrafts Kuwait FM embarks on prominent projects were executed, Kuwait Airways decided to buy were either robbed or destroyed. mainly the establishment of a three bigger jet planes of Boeing The government had to reconstruct national aviation company in 1953. 707 in November 1968, later most parts of the company after the Africa and Europe tour The country’s air services field start- increasing the number of its fleet in liberation, buying 17 new jets and ed growing since then, leading to 1978. The company’s fleet and serv- working on expanding the airline’s KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime the higher joint committee between the establishment of Kuwait ices continued growing as it owned routes to cover over 46 destinations. Minister and Minister of Foreign Kuwait and Morocco. National Airways in 1954, with a two Boeing 247-200B in 1978, while Afterwards, the company had faced Affairs Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al- The meeting will include signing capital of about KD150,000. a third one was added in 1979, another period of hardships, pre- Hamad Al-Sabah will start a visit to several agreements and memoran- The local company provided trips enabling the carrier to provide sented in the form of an aging fleet Senegal, Morocco, Spain and dums of understanding, while also to Beirut, Jerusalem and Damascus, flights to New York and the Manila and technical problems. In October Germany today. Sheikh Sabah will discussing the recent regional and before facing financial hardships in in the Philippines. 2007, the executive and legislative head to Senegal first to participate international developments. 1955. However, the government Moreover, the company also authorities announced the privati- in the second session of the higher Meanwhile, the First Deputy Premier decided to take 50 percent of inter- added four Boeing 727-200B to its zation of Kuwait Airways, turning it joint committee for cooperation will then head to Spain to celebrate into a public shareholding compa- between the two countries. The 50 years of Kuwaiti-Spanish ties, ny. meeting will discuss the decisions of before concluding his tour by visit- The step included selling 35 per- the first session of the committee, ing Germany to participate in the held in Kuwait in 2013, regarding 51st edition of the Munich Security cent of the company’s shares to developing bilateral relations in all Conference (MSC). The conference local and foreign investors, while 40 fields. Moreover, the visit will also will kick off from February 6th to percent would be given to Kuwaiti involve signing a number of memo- 8th, in the presence of world lead- citizens, 20 percent for Kuwaiti pri- randums of understanding. ers, Prime Ministers, Foreign vate sector organizations and five Afterwards, the Foreign Minister will Ministers and decision makers to First Deputy Prime Minister and percent for the company’s employ- leave to Rabat, Morocco, heading a discuss current and future interna- Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh ees. Kuwait Airways is now putting delegation to the eighth session of tional security issues.—KUNA Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah huge efforts to develop the compa- ny and get back on track into the modern the aviation business. The airline had signed a number of con- tracts to buy and rent new models of the Airbus and Boeing aircrafts. In December 2014, the company received its long awaited rented Airbus A320. The agreement with the European aircrafts company also included buying 25 airplanes to be delivered in 2019, as the fleet is set to be completed by 2022. On December 22, 2014, the com- pany announced signing an agree- ment with the Boeing company to buy ten airplanes of 777-300ER, as the delivery of four of these planes is set for November 2016. This fleet development will allow the compa- ny to compete with the top aviation companies once again, said Chairman of the Board in Kuwait air- est in the airline to end its economic fleet in 1981. As of the time period ways Rasha Al-Roumi. Director of crisis, as the company’s name was between 1983-1984, the company the sales and marketing depart- changed into “Kuwait Airways”. bought eight Airbus A310s and ment at Kuwait Airways Meanwhile, a new air services com- A300-600s to replace the old Boeing Mohammad Al-Anezi on his part Campaign at Julaia desert camp pany was launched in 1960 (flights 707 due to its high fuel consump- said that this step aims to connect across the Arab World company), tion. Meanwhile, the company intro- Kuwait with different international By Hanan Al-Saadoun activity of an Arab expat selling drugs. Raiding the sus- becoming a strong rival for Kuwait duced three Boeing 767-200ER air- destinations, making the country an pect’s house, he was arrested along with another person. Airways. Shareholders at the Kuwaiti crafts to its expanding fleet in 1986. economic, cultural and commercial KUWAIT: In collaboration with Municipality inspectors, Searching them, they found 250 gm of hashish, 50 gm of company sold their interest as a Kuwait Airways had 21 airplanes up center. The fleet expansion comple- Mina Abdullah security forces conducted a comprehen- marijuana and a scale they used in weighing the drugs. The result, leading the government to until the Iraqi invasion to Kuwait on tion in 2022 will mark a new begin- sive inspection campaign at the Julaia desert camping two suspects confessed to trading in drugs and led the fully buy Kuwait Airways in 1962. August 2 1990, with flights to 42 ning for the local airline, which has a area, which resulted in removing three camps for violat- police to two other accomplices, who were arrested with Later on in 1964, the company destinations in 35 countries in Asia, history of over 60 years in aviation ing camping conditions, seizing 48 unlicensed ATVs and 50 gm of hashish. A case was filed and the suspects were bought its first jet airplane, creating Africa, Europe, and North America. services.—KUNA 540 fireworks. referred to relevant authorities.

Arab gang arrested Fire ravages restaurant A gang of four Arab expats was arrested with 300 gm of A fire broke out in a Hawally restaurant when a gas hashish and 50 gm of marijuana they confessed they were cylinder exploded, said security sources, noting that 5 peo- trading, said security sources. Case papers indicate that ple were injured and were rushed to hospital for treatment narcotics detectives had been tipped off concerning the of burns of various degrees. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 LOCAL

KUWAIT: Gulf University for Science and Technology students yesterday shattered a world record held by Qatar by collecting and packing over 56 tons of clothing for charity. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat Drivers fume over new smoking bill

By Faten Omar were skeptical. “When we talk about the house, are imposed for smoking in cars, but they are not should create a good environment first and care we are taking about a private place - you can impounded. Kuwait must concentrate on repair- about making the country green first, then apply KUWAIT: The Municipality revealed last week dance or drink inside your home and it’s ing roads and focus on the bigger picture,” he these rules. I support the decision, but I do not about a study to fine and impound the cars of nobody’s business, as is the car. They cannot stop added. think it will be applied,” he said. those smoking while driving, in addition to me from smoking inside my car because it is a Khalid Al-Saleh, accountant, was also irked by “The smoker will not harm anyone in his car, penalties for other traffic offences. Director private space. This law is encroaching on people’s the study. “I don’t think this decision will ever but if there are children, the law must be applied. General of the Kuwait Municipality Ahmed Al- privacy. For example, I will ask you to listen to become law, as I do not see any aim behind this But I hope they raise the fine for people who Sabeeh said that the municipality will submit another singer instead of your favorite one, but decision - I’m hurting myself, not others.” Rashid throw out cigarette butts while driving,” said these recommendations to the Interior Ministry, you won’t heed my order because your car it is Alawneh, a chef, laughed heartily when he heard Umm Ali, a housewife. Nizah, also a housewife which will be discussed during a joint workshop. not mine and I do not have the right to tell you the news for the first time. “There are some peo- from the US, had a different opinion. She said the Sabeeh explained that the aim of this move is to what to do in it. So this is an illogical decision, ple, who due to their addiction to smoking, will government is right to take such a decision. maintain the safety of drivers and the environ- and the car is not a public place to take control risk a ticket and impoundment of their cars just “They should curb smoking everywhere and not ment. of,” fumed Ahmed Abu Al-Ez, an administrative to smoke. They will then look for someone just in cars, as this is very bad for health and the But most people interviewed by Kuwait Times assistant. “Even in the United Arab Emirates, fines important for wasta to get their cars back. Kuwait environment,” she said.

Kuwaiti constitution: Guarantor of women’s rights Kuwait showcases its

GENEVA: The Kuwaiti constitution embraces human rights, especially those human rights record for women, said consultant to Women’s Affairs Committee affiliated with the Kuwaiti Cabinet Huda Al-Shaiji yesterday. In remarks to KUNA regarding Kuwait’s human rights record before the UNHRC, Illegal residents ‘enjoy’ basic rights she said Kuwait has a Constitutional Court that ensures preservation of the rights of GENEVA: The periodical review of the human women. In her presentation before the rights situation in Kuwait had been well UNHCR, she emphasized that numerous Kuwaiti laws protect Kuwaiti women from received by the UN Human Rights Council. In domestic violence, and guarantee her his speech to the session on the UNHCR rights for divorce, child custody, alimony, Kuwaiti report, head of the council Joachim and adequate housing. Rucker lauded Kuwait’s presentation of its Moreover, she said the Kuwaiti National human rights file, affirming that the Kuwaiti Assembly passed recently the Family Law, delegation’s briefing was thorough in show- stipulating, among other things, that spe- Huda Al-Shaiji, Consultant to Women’s casing the country’s human rights record. cial centers be equipped to handle domes- Affairs Committee of the Cabinet Kuwait’s Minister of Social Affairs and Labor tic disputes and protect women from possi- Hind Al-Sabeeh also delivered a speech to the Kuwaiti women, she said, have access ble spousal abuse. She added that a gov- session, reflecting her country’s commitment ernment fund has been set up by the min- to all lines of work including in the judici- istry of justice which enforces court rulings ary, military, and diplomatic fields, stress- to human rights. On his part, Permanent for alimony and child support, noting that ing the fact that Kuwait has joined all per- Kuwaiti Delegate to the UN Ambassador the Kuwaiti labor law demands equal pay tinent international agreements uphold- Jamal Al-Ghunaim said that Kuwait’s repre- for men and women working in the public ing human rights in general but especially sentation of its human rights record was sector. Furthermore, she said she told the women’s rights as well. “enriching”, stressing that various countries UNHCR panel reviewing human rights The UNHRC human rights review panel have got to understand the status of human record for Kuwait that the latter pays strict endorsed yesterday Kuwait’s presentation rights in Kuwait. attention to the welfare of divorced or wid- of its human rights file, affirming that the Kuwaiti delegation’s briefing to the panel owed women by extending monetary assis- Basic human rights tance to them as well as health care, hous- was thorough in documenting the coun- ing, work, and education. try’s human rights record. —KUNA Meanwhile Kuwait has reiterated that the illegal residents in the country enjoy all basic human rights and are treated in a much bet- vent them from applying to be naturalized as gives illegal resident priority after citizens in Kuwaiti arrested; unlicensed ter way than many countries around the per the law. The roadmap includes reviewing employment in public and cooperative sector. world do. During the UN Human Rights the files of each illegal resident and present- Till March 2014, 1,419 people were gun and Kalashnikov seized Council’s session on the periodical review of ing lists of naturalization candidates to the appointed at the public sector and 630 per- the situation of the human rights in Kuwait, cabinet to consider it, she said, noting that sons in at the cooperative sector, she said. The Head of the Technical Office at the Central the central agency has presented, since its illegal residents are granted ration cards to KUWAIT: A citizen was arrested with an unli- lover was ambushed outside his house, where he Agency for Remedying of the Illegal Residents’ foundation, lists of 687 candidates to the get subsidized food supplies, she said, stating censed gun and Kalashnikov, said security was arrested and pled guilty as charged. A case Status Eman Al-Nasser made a detailed pres- Cabinet. that 98,384 such persons have benefited from sources. Case papers indicate that a police patrol was filed and further investigations are in entation on the services and facilities offered The roadmap also envisaged encouraging these cards and got supplies at a total value of suspected a vehicle driven unsteadily, and on progress. to the illegal residents in Kuwait. stopping it, the driver was found under the influ- illegal residents to rectify their legal statuses $2.3 million. People with special needs among ‘Ungrateful son’ She pointed out that illegal residents in return for offering them free five-year resi- illegal residents are getting total care as per ence of drugs and the weapons were found in An ungrateful son, who had disputes with his his vehicle. receive services similar to that offered to citi- dency permission, she said, adding that 6,325 law No 8 of 2010, she said. The state offers to father, set ablaze his father’s two vehicles in zens. Al-Nasser said that the government of them have rectified their statuses in the this segment housing welfare and social Sabahiya, said security sources. Case papers indi- Accident kills 1 labels those people as “illegal residents” in past four years. Al-Nasser underscored that insurance services. Al-Nasser said that the cate the father, a citizen, filed a complaint at accordance with the Central Agency’s founda- A female citizen was instantly killed and three Sabahiya police station accusing his 25-year-old the Kuwaiti government gives due attention Kuwaiti authorities are issuing civil and legal other family members were injured when their son of setting fire to two vehicles belonging to tion decree No 467 of 2010. “They were to the human aspects in handling this dossier. documents, such as birth and death certifi- vehicle turned over along Abdaly highway, said him. A case was filed and further investigations labeled so because they violated foreigners’ The cabinet in its resolution No 409 of 2011 cates and marriage contracts and divorce. security sources, noting that the four were are in progress. residency law No 17 of 1959 which necessities completed the services offered by the state to Furthermore, the illegal residents enjoy rushed to Jahra Hospital where the woman was the possession of a valid passport to get a res- illegal residents to help them live a dignified the right of litigation and public freedoms declared dead. Kuwaitis detained for alcohol idency permission. They have concealed their life, she said. and others. They also benefit from some of Five citizens - two men and three women - original passports on a false belief that this the services provided by other state bodies Gold, KD 200 missing were arrested for drinking, said security sources. A citizen living in Rumaithiya reported that would qualify them to get the Kuwaiti citizen- Providing education such as that of Zakat (alms) House and the Case papers indicate that a police patrol suspect- ship,” she said. She pointed out that the government is General Secretariat of Awqaf, the Public her housemaid fled the house taking her pass- ed a vehicle parked with the suspects inside. On port, 3 golden bracelets and KD 200 in cash. A approaching, the five suspects reeked of liquor. keen on providing education services to the Authority for Social Insurance and the Public case was filed and a search is on for the maid. Roadmap children of the illegal residents, noting that Authority for Housing Welfare, she said, not- Robbers break into co-op She noted that the Supreme Council for 15,105 of students of this category are bene- ing that those who rectify their statuses Trespass and rape Wafra agricultural co-op supervisor reported Planning and Development has drawn a fiting from this service. Up to 5,758 people enjoy these services throughout the five- A Kuwaiti was arrested for trespass and rape, that unidentified robbers broke into the co-op and roadmap to remedy the illegal residents’ sta- were also enrolled in the University of Kuwait year residency granted to them. Al-Nasser said security sources. Case papers indicate that a stole cigarettes and sweets worth KD2,200. A case tus and it was approved by the Cabinet as per and 3,347 others were enrolled at the Public stressed that Kuwait is keen on continuing citizen living in Sabah Al-Salem reported that a was filed and further investigations are in progress. decree No 1612 of 2010. The roadmap aims to young man had been visiting his daughter late at Authority for Applied Education and Training, efforts to provide a better services to illegal night in her room where he spent time with her, strike a balance between helping illegal resi- she said. The illegal residents enjoy healthcare residents in the country. She also handed Syrian doctor attacked dents live a dignified life and protecting until he caught them, but the lover managed to A Syrian doctor reported that three people the services offered by the State of Kuwait. the United Nations and its member states a escape. The man added that his daughter admit- attacked him and that after brutally beating him state’s higher interests, Al-Nasser said. She About 56,547 such persons benefited from booklet including statistics about the servic- ted to facilitating her lover’s entry in the house up, they rammed his vehicle several times with stressed that illegal residents move to rectify such services at a total value of $13 million till es and facilities provided to such segment in and that she had lost her virginity to him. The their car along Fahaheel Expressway. their legal statuses in the country do not pre- the end of 2012.Moreover, the government the society. — Agencies LOCAL SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 EQUATE wins GPCA ‘Excellence Award’

KUWAIT: EQUATE Petrochemical Company, viding relevant economic and technical solu- Kuwait’s first international petrochemical tions. The GPCA Plastics Excellence Awards joint-venture, earned the Gulf Petrochemicals ceremony was held for the fifth consecutive & Chemicals Association (GPCA) Plastics year on the sidelines of GPCA 6th Excellence Award 2015 for the category of International Conference for Plastic Excellence in Plastic Products & Processes. Conversion (GPCA PlastiCon 2015) which was EQUATE President & CEO Mohammad Husain sponsored by EQUATE in Dubai, the United said, “As a firm believer in the value of contin- Arab Emirates. GPCA Secretary-General Dr uous development to achieve overall sustain- Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, a number of indus- ability, EQUATE is determined on delivering trial leaders and several experts from around innovation for the benefit and advantage of the world attended the ceremony. all stakeholders, especially industrial entities, Established in 1995, EQUATE Petrochemical customers and all consumers of plastic prod- Company is an international joint venture ucts. This achievement was realized through between Petrochemical Industries Company our distinguished human resources, especial- (PIC), The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), ly nationals, who represent the main element Boubyan Petrochemical Company (BPC) and in the Company’s journey for more growth Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company and progress at a global level in all sectors to (QPIC). Commencing production in 1997, embody our slogan of ‘Partners in Success’.” EQUATE is the single operator of a fully inte- On his part, EQUATE Research & grated world-scale manufacturing facility pro- Development (R&D) Leader Arif Al-Qattan ducing over 5 million tons annually of high- said, “The Company developed the attributes quality petrochemical products which are of a grade of Linear Low Density Polyethylene marketed throughout the Middle East, Asia, (LLDPE). Such an improvement of this grade Africa and Europe. www.equate.com. BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel-Latif Derian pictured with Kuwait officials. — KUNA has enhanced its clarity and reduced the With EQUATE as one of its founding mem- blocking properties of plastics manufactured bers, the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals using this grade. The applications of this Association (GPCA) represents the down- Lebanon Mufti lauds Kuwait modified grade, developed by EQUATE in stream hydrocarbon industry in the Arabian cooperation with a number of plastic manu- Gulf. Established in 2006, the association voic- facturers, include bags for vegetables, fruits es the common interests of more than 240 and bakery, as well as reducing the cost of member companies from the chemical and ‘leading humanitarian role’ manufacturing such bags.” allied industries, accounting for over 95% of EQUATE’s support to customers includes chemical output in the Gulf region. The indus- evaluating new products, promoting innova- try makes up the second largest manufactur- Kuwait distributes aid to South Sudanese refugees tive applications, ensuring regulatory compli- ing sector in the region, producing up to ance, handling inquiries, guaranteeing tech- US$102billion worth of products a year. nical acceptance of products, as well as pro- www.gpca.org.ae. BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel-Latif Abdulaal Al-Qenae yesterday expressed hope Awqaf Public Foundation Mohammed Al- Derian yesterday commended Kuwait leading role that the Kuwaiti aid would alleviate the suffering Jalahma and Director of Media Department at in humanitarian action and supporting needy peo- of displaced Syrians in Lebanon. The Awqaf Ministry Ahmad Al-Qarawi. According to ple. Sheikh Derian made this remark after a meet- Ambassador praised the significant role of offi- recent statistics, the number of Syrian refugees ing with the visiting delegation of “Humanitarian cial institutions and Kuwaiti charities in provid- in Lebanon exceeded one million. Kuwait is con- Leader” campaign headed by Minister of Justice ing assistance to refugees in various areas of sidered a major country that has offered aid to and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Yaqoub Lebanon since the outbreak of the crisis, in a the Syrian refugees in Lebanon since the out- Al-Sanea, to offer relief aid to displaced Syrians liv- statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). break of the crisis. ing nationwide the country. Al-Qenae’s remarks were made after his In a statement to KUNA, Sheikh Derian said meeting with Kuwait’s Minister of Justice and South Sudanese refugees that Kuwait always stands beside needy people Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Yaqoub Al- In another development, volunteers of and does not hesitate offer its hands to Arabs Sanea, who’s leading an aid campaign entitled Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRSC) has distrib- and Muslims. He expressed his gratitude to the “the Humanitarian Leader”, for the Syrian uted humanitarian supplies for hundreds of State of Kuwait and the Kuwaiti people for their refugees in Lebanon. Meanwhile, the official said refugees from South Sudan who fled the conflict continuous support to Lebanon and Arab coun- that all efforts exerted by the State of Kuwait are in their country to Southern Sudan. Relief sup- tries in different domains and during tough cir- directed by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah plies were distributed to tens of families, whose cumstances. The Mufti discussed with the dele- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Al-Qenae under- needs were previously determined in coordina- gation the humanitarian conditions of the Syrian lined the significance of the charity works of dif- tion with the Sudanese Red Crescent, said refugees and hosting camps, as well as the ferent Kuwaiti and Lebanese bodies and authori- Khaled Al-Mutairi, KRSC’s Crises Management urgent needs for the refugees amid the severe ties and Lebanon to support the Syrian refugees. Coordinator. He said that the volunteers distrib- weather conditions in the country. The meeting The delegation, headed by Al-Sanea, includes uted cleaning materials, kitchenware, blankets was attended by Kuwaiti Ambassador to Chairman of the Islamic Charitable Organization and dates. Al-Mutairi said KRSC’s humanitarian Lebanon Abdelaal Al-Qenaei. The campaign had (IICO), UN Secretary General for Humanitarian campaign in Southern Sudan was aimed at dis- paid a visit to Jordan and provided aid for about Affairs and Amiri Diwan Advisor Dr Abdullah Al- tributing 77 tons of aid in 10 areas in Sudan, Group photo of EQUATE employees, GPCA officials and industrial leaders during the 3,000 Syrian families. Matouq, Zakat House Director General Ibrahim most of them affected by floods. He hoped the event. Meanwhile, Kuwait Ambassador to Lebanon Al-Saleh, Deputy Secretary General at Kuwait aid would alleviate suffering of people in need. Awqaf Ministry to inaugurate Strategic Planning conference KUWAIT: The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic also aims to highlight the applied and practical Affairs will tomorrow inaugurate the Fourth approach in this regard and show the impact on Conference on Outstanding Practices in Strategic the institutional performance in the Islamic and Planning, which will mull the role of the Islamic, Arab communities, with monitoring the distinct governmental and developmental institutions. experience of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic “The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in Affairs in Kuwait in encouraging the Arab and Kuwait is one of the first Arab and Islamic institu- Islamic institutions in the field of the outstanding tions which has initiated the application of the practices in strategic planning. strategic planning through practices in all ele- Moreover, the conferees will also discuss the ments of performance in accordance with the mechanisms and applied programs used in build- strategic vision which put it in the ranks of distin- ing strategic leadership capable of leading the guished institutions in this regard,” Head of the strategic performance to encourage these institu- Planning and Information at the Ministry Hazaa tions to change the traditional methods and Al-Fadheli said in a press statement. change for better. He stated that the Ministry of He noted that the three-day conference aims Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has organized three to highlight the applied role of the Islamic, gov- conferences during the past three years on the ernment and developmental institutions in strategic planning, the first of was held under the encouraging the Islamic and Arab institutions to title: Outstanding Practices in Strategic Planning. apply the strategic planning approach in the The second was: Measurement of Strategic institutional performance and creating strategic Performance and Excellence. The third one was: leaders and discovering talent management. It Strategic Leadership. — KUNA Full-blown Kuwaiti opera for national celebrations

KUWAIT: In recognition of the sacrifices of Kuwait’s Citing the fact that the backbone of a full-grown martyrs during the 1990 Iraqi invasion, an unprece- opera is a large symphonic orchestra with highly adept dented full-length opera will be staged on Feb 22-24, and accomplished first-class musicians, the opera com- during the country’s celebration of independence and poser, Dr Rashid Al-Beghaili noted in a similar state- liberation days, it was announced yesterday. The opera ment to KUNA that the musicians of this ambitious is considered the first of its kind in the Gulf, being a work come from a variety of nations such as the Kuwaiti production that brings together talents from Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium, Egypt, in addi- not only Kuwait but from other countries, Arab and for- tion to musicians from Kuwait, of course. He said the eign, said assistant director of Martyrs’ Bureau, Fatima music content is an amalgam of western symphonic Al-Amir, in a statement to KUNA. music pertinent to works of opera worldwide and Called “Al-Deera Opera .. We remain Kuwaitis”, this Arabic or Kuwaiti music. “When we first embarked on gigantic symphonic work comes to the light due to launching the first Kuwaiti opera of international stan- enormous contributions by Kuwaiti musicians, operatic dards, we made sure that it had a visible and readily-felt singers, academicians, and a multitude of technicians Kuwaiti flavor, reflecting the Kuwaiti environment and who constitute the bedrock of a world-class operatic culture, while adhering to the norms and standards of a production of international proportions and quality, world-class opera,” said the work’s stage director Dr said the libretto writer Dr Ali Al-Enizi, in a similar state- Fahad Al-Abdul-Muhsen. The singing in the opera is ment to KUNA. The libretto stems its story-line and based on Kuwaiti poetry sung in an operatic fashion, music from the heroic events that engulfed the martyrs glorifying the stories of Kuwaiti martyrs in an overall of Kuwait during the grueling months of the 1990 inva- tableau employing Kuwaiti traditional clothing and sion, such as what occurred at Beit Al-Qurain where paraphernalia. Overseers of this opera have extended numerous Kuwaitis lost their lives in defense of the their thanks to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- nation, said Dr Al-Enizi, stressing that the opera in its Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his support of this enor- entirety is a vivid tribute to them. mous work. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Under auspices of the Acting National Guard Chief Maj General Hashim Al-Abdul Razzaq Al-Refae, the Public Commission for Fighting Corruption recently lectured National Guards officers on clearance statement. ‘Al-Deera Opera .. We remain Kuwaitis’ team LOCAL SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015

Weekend Family Fun: UNIQUE sponsored by Ooredoo 3-day outdoor event held outside Tilal Complex

KUWAIT: Ooredoo is proud to be a main sponsor and par- ticipant in UNIQUE Carnivalís third edition, a three-day event which lasted throughout the weekend from Thursday to Saturday in Tilal Complex, Shuwaikh. The event, organized by Balloony land, included several activi- ties for kids and families and featured several Kuwaiti youth projects. The main theme of the event is family entertainment, with a big focus on arts. Ooredooís participation in this event stems from its strong belief in enriching the lives of people and commu- nities. Speaking at the inauguration of the event, Corporate Communications director, Mijbil Al Ayoub, said: ìWe saw a great opportunity in this event to support Kuwaiti youth projects. We strongly believe that it is our role to support Kuwaiti youth, who compromise the majority of our population and are the foundation of our society.î Al Ayoub noted that Ooredoo intends to partici- pate in the upcoming UNIQUE carnival, scheduled to be held in March. Through its booth at the carnival, Ooredoo offered complete customer and sales services. Ooredoo also pro- vided free Wifi coverage to the entire area surrounding its booth, and gave out 6 free iPads in competitions and draws. The event witnessed significant attendance by fam- ilies and kids of all ages, as well people looking for trendy eateries and food sellers. Taking advantage of the nice weather, the event takes place in the outdoors area out- side Tilal Complex. Ooredoo in its efforts to empower youth has also recently sponsored a project incubator program organized by Kuwait Industrial Union. The program, which commenced in January, guides entrepreneurs into the right path for starting up their own industrial project through a series of lectures, workshops and on-the-field work experience. The company also spon- sored the Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah Village in Salmi, a place perfect for family day trips featuring an artifi- cial lake with a terrace of coffee shops, football fields, and booths featuring historical and traditional handmade items from the different GCC countries. The company continues to look for more ways to enrich the community. SUNDAY, FABRUARY 1, 2015 LOCAL

Local Spotlight PUBLIC FUND Washington Watch Jordan and IS An early look at US

By Muna Al-Fuzai 2016 contest

Dr James J Zogby

[email protected] he election season has just begun and for those who have a consuming passion for presidential politics, the 2016 cycle promises sympathize very much with Jordan because it is T to be a delight. A few months back, pundits were always obliged to bear the consequences of writing about the likelihood of a Hillary Clinton/Jeb Ilunatics of authoritarian regimes, while carrying Bush contest, but that speculation was clearly pre- many burdens in light of their few resources. I mature. While it appears that Mrs Clinton will have remember the time when former King Hussein had Al-jarida little trouble winning the Democratic nomination, to deal with the Iraqi ruling system during the occu- should she decide to run, the GOP contest is shap- pation of Kuwait in the ‘90s. Jordan was forced to ing up as a free-for-all. Polls are showing Clinton far and away as the host a huge number of Palestinians expelled from kuwait digest strongest Democrat, with some saying that she is Kuwait, as well as a large number of wealthy Iraqis. the only Democrat with a chance for the party to Today, King Abdullah has made a significant hold onto the White House. There are worries change in Jordan’s foreign policy with Gulf coun- Rich man...poor man expressed about her “likability” or her positions on tries, especially Kuwait. Jordan no longer stands various issues, but these concerns fade when she is alone. But today it is facing a major turning point in By Thaaar Al-Rasheedi compared with her possible opponents. Those who security by trying to deal with IS. We all know that have hinted that they may also run in the the fate of a Jordanian pilot and Japanese journalist know that many of us might have wondered, while stars. Imam opted to slow fame, following the principle Democratic primaries are all individuals with solid credentials, but none of them appear to have the held by IS us still unknown, while IS insists on a deal watching the famous comic play Madraset Al- of ‘slow but sure’, while Saleh hastily acted to win more IMoshaghibeen (The Troublemakers’ School), why the fame, and eventually lost! magic of a Barack Obama or a compelling enough to release terrorist prisoner Sajeda Al-Rishawi in iconic Egyptian comedian Adel Imam ended up rich Some readers might wonder why talk about two personality, biography, or political platform that order to let go of the two hostages. The Jordanian while his colleague and counterpart, the late Saeed comedians in a political article. Well, the answer is very would elevate them as national contenders. government confirmed on Thursday that they want Saleh, ended up performing secondary roles in Imam’s simple. Some opposition members are following Saleh’s The only Democrat who might appear as a seri- movies, despite the fact that they both belong to the steps in achieving ‘quick’ fame. They keep making state- ous challenger to Mrs Clinton is Massachusetts same generation and possess the same sense of humor ments about various issues just for the sake of remind- Senator Elizabeth Warren. She has a powerful pro- and capability that make viewers laugh? Some even ing that they are still present in the political equation. gressive and populist message that made her the The pilot’s tribe and family argue that Saleh was funnier than Imam in that play Others, however, are following Imam’s steps by holding go-to star for Democrats running in 2014. Many that marked the breakthrough of their stardom in the tight to their principles. The first party is after quick compare her ability to excite voters to Barack have asked for the release 1970s. fame but will eventually lose supporters and every- Obama, but Warren has insisted that she will Following both stars’ careers, one can easily realize thing despite the fact that they dominate the scene endorse Clinton and will not run against her. of their son and expressed the major difference that led to the result I mentioned nowadays while the wiser party that holds to principles above. Imam strictly refused making any of the low- despite all circumstances will eventually win! Holding Without a strong opponent, Clinton will still face their rejection of the war budget movies known at the time as ‘contract movies’, to principles is the winning horse in any cause while challenges from her party’s liberal wing. Her organ- while Saleh made lots of them. Imam was very selective elasticity and switching attitudes every now and then ization and campaign war-chest should help her against IS and kept his principles, while Saleh was after quick usually leads to considerable political losses. Those emerge victorious. In addition to her experience, fame by making such insignificant and worthless holding to principles will win while fickle changeable she has, of course, the added assets of a husband movies. ones will lose everything. Therefore, I do hope that who remains one of the most beloved figures in Imam used to make one movie a year while Saleh opposition members realize this fact to avoid losing the Democratic Party, and the fact that her very proof that the Jordanian pilot is still alive and ensure made 10 or more, which made him more watched but their supporters if the current majority bloc divisions candidacy will be seen as a breakthrough for the his safety before handing over Iraqi detainee none of them managed to stay in the memories of the continue any further. nation. Rishawi. viewers. This is the main major difference between both —Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Anbaa Democrats want to win, and with a resume that This is a fair request that has not been answered includes being First Lady, US Senator, and Secretary by IS. Rishawi is detained by the Jordanian authori- of State, Clinton is seen as a hands down winner-if ties and sentenced to death after failing to blow her- In my view she runs. And all signs point to the fact that she self up on Nov 9, 2005 during a series of bombings will. Her supporters have already built a national at three hotels in the capital Amman that left dozens HRC periodic review and SIFHAMS network of millions of donors and she has assem- dead and wounded. This attack is known as “Black bled an all-star team of campaign professionals Wednesday” there. who are advising her and planning strategy for a The issue is complicated and not simple, because quick primary win. the release of a terrorist sentenced to death without While the Democratic contest appears to be a By Labeed Abdal lock for Clinton, Republicans suffer from a wealth of any collateral would be a big mistake. The pilot’s riches with more candidates suggesting they may tribe and family have asked for the release of their enter the race daily. Those who have already taken son and expressed their rejection of the war against some steps toward mounting a campaign or are IS. This is an emotional thing and expected, but it hinting that they will so include: former Florida shouldn’t be at the expense of the security of Governor Jeb Bush; former 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Jordan. After all, he was a military pilot and this [email protected] Romney; former Arkansas Governor Mike means his life is always at stake for the sake of his Huckabee; New Jersey Governor Chris Christie; country. he second periodic review of Human Rights in Kuwait lization for future generations. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker; former Texas before UN’s Human Rights Commission is very impor- In this regard, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Qassimi The release of Rishawi will be a major propagan- Governor Rick Perry; and former Pennsylvania tant. Each UN member is subjected to such a review issued a decision on establishing Sharjah International da coup for the Islamic State terror organization, and T Senator Rick Santorum. almost every four and a half years. It is highly significant to Foundation for the History of Arab and Muslim Sciences will confirm its link to Al-Qaeda in Iraq because this show the state’s commitment to international agreements (SIFHAMS) to include scientists, researchers, universities They are joined by Senators Rand Paul lady doesn’t have any intelligence value. IS wants to as well as its attitude towards foreigners and the progress and Arab and Islamic academic institutes connected with (Kentucky), Mario Rubio (Florida), Lindsay Graham use this swap for media purposes and more kidnap- achieved according to the HRC recommendations, which or interested in the history of Arab and Muslim sciences. (South Carolina), and Ted Cruz (Texas). Add to this ping operations will be held against new targets in Kuwait accepted to improve human rights in Kuwait in This is absolutely a great step forward and needs to be sup- list: former New York Governor George Pataki, sur- Jordan. This is an even bigger threat for everyone, compliance with Islamic regulations and Kuwait’s constitu- ported and aided by all regional sectors. SIFHAMS will work geon Dr. Ben Carson and former HP CEO, Carly including foreign interests in Jordan. tion. Kuwait has to set principles that comply with UN reg- to achieve its vision to be a distinguished and pioneering Fiorina. The contest is wide open, with a glut of Although I think IS will not honor the deal, ulations with regard to protecting human rights, which has centre, which promotes the contributions of Arab and candidates representing the various competing been an integral part of Kuwait’s policies ever since its Muslim scientists to the history of sciences and their wings of the GOP. And therein lays the problem; Jordan may hand over the Iraqi prisoner due to independence and promulgating its constitution, that notable influence in modern sciences in the best service of with too many candidates competing for support societal and tribal pressure, but this will only mean reflects our founding fathers’ strong belief in them. We humanity to ensure a promising future. from the same groups of donors and voters, the more power to IS and a new chapter in terror always need to emphasize and highlight Kuwait’s commit- Such an outstanding effort will surely contribute to race could get ugly very quickly. attacks. I hope Jordan will maintain its terms and ment to absolute transparency in handling human rights beautifying the manipulated image made by Western At this point, Romney has an insignificant lead not bend to IS. It’s a big ordeal facing Jordan today issues through actual work and honest international media about Muslims, portraying them as brutal, inhu- largely due to his name recognition from his failed and Gulf countries need to help Jordan in enhanc- reports rather than through slogans. mane terrorists. Moreover, allocating special scholarships 2012 bid. The other serious contenders (Bush, ing internal security through grants and loans to In this regard, Kuwait’s location in a region full of to get master’s or PhD degrees in this major will surely help Christie, Walker, Paul, Cruz, and Rubio) are bunched unprecedented human rights violations poses a great chal- in highlighting Arabs’ and Muslims’ contributions to sci- strengthen its borders. Jordan today is at stake. The together. What’s interesting is that the strengths of crisis in Jordan is possible in any country that lenge in view of the terrorism prevailing in the region. ences that help all mankind, and will consequently retain Sharjah’s establishment of an international organization to Arabs ‘soft power’, inter-civilization dialogues and not many of the leading candidates are also their weak- stands against terrorism and IS. revive Arab and Islamic scientific heritage is an outstanding alienating others, which will eventually help achieve inter- nesses. Romney, for example, has the advantage of effort that is needed to maintain and preserve human civi- national peace and security. having run in 2012. But for this very reason, many Republicans see him as a loser. Bush is the brighter and more capable son the former President, but with the country suffering from “Bush fatigue” kuwait digest some view this “dynasty” connection as a liability. Christie has a strong and compelling personality, ‘Illegal acts cannot create law’ but too often his brashness gets him in trouble. Paul inherits his father’s fervent libertarian follow- ing, but as he has attempted to distance himself By Ali Mahmoud Khajah from his father’s positions some feel that he has lost his clarity. Cruz is known as a brilliant debater oday’s article’s title is actually a exempting themselves subjectively from and a cunning self-promoter who knows how to term that was used with the start of the law, violating all constitutional arti- play to a crowd and get headlines. But he has alien- Te-chatting in the 1990s to express cles, defending thieves or encouraging ated many colleagues who see him as more of an sluggishness and delay in receiving infor- public funds squander. Who would irritant than a leader. This leaves Scott Walker. mation and texts. This is in fact what the believe that those people will achieve or Though not well known nationally, he is a solid so-called daily movement is experienc- even try achieving any reform?! What I conservative who could be the Republican “dark- ing nowadays. It took those guys three repeatedly mentioned was not out of horse” candidate. At the same time, being less well years to realize the fragility of their move- extraordinary intelligence. It is rather known than the other “establishment candidates” ment and its foundations that are not mere deduction based on real facts (Romney, Bush, and Christie) and the other “social strong enough to take part in any real about such a group. It was just natural conservative” candidates (Huckabee, Cruz, and reform operations. that the youth group members climb up Santorum) puts Walker at a disadvantage in the Today, they are fighting with each the movement’s ladder paying lip servic- early race for money and supporters. In addition to other and exchanging accusations. They es to it though they were not less bad struggling to both define themselves in such a are criticizing the very same person they than their leaders. large field and raise the money necessary to com- had considered their icon for years. They Now that they alienated all those with pete, the Republican candidates must also contend are questioning each other’s intentions different opinions, saying the worst things with the problem posed by their hardline conserva- and more without really seeing what has about them, accusing some of not being tive electorate who increasingly demonstrate intol- to be done to correct their paths. We patriotic and describing them as oppor- erance for candidates who don’t have been saying for years that “ex injuria tunists, they stand alone having nothing “toe the line”. A combination of Tea Party jus non oritur”, which is a Latin phrase but to fight each other and they will activists, anti-immigration crusaders, and social which means “illegal acts cannot create remain so until the last bonds between law”. We also argued that the so-called them are broken and some of them take conservatives from the Christian right will play a majority that still insists on this despite part in the coming elections, leaving only dominant role in the early Republican contests. being in fact less than a minority are those who use Twitter as a ‘platform’ for With candidates like Huckabee, Santorum, and Cruz nothing but a group of people with tem- illusionary reform. This is a last chance for in the mix, all of whom will play well with this porary common interests that made loyal ones who had been beguiled by crowd, the more mainstream conservative candi- them all take the same boat when specif- false reform claims to reconsider what dates will have their hands full trying to hold their ic circumstances necessitated lawful happened and logically determine what ground while not alienating these voters. The GOP reform demands. they really want without any more ‘bid- winner is assured a handsome campaign war-chest I am saying ‘necessitated’ because I ding’ or impulsive demands they will never for the November, 2016 election-but he must first know for sure that reform cannot be achieve or remain committed to. run the gamut of the primaries hoping to emerge achieved by oppressing liberties, —Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Jarida unscathed and still electable. IS fighters admit defeat in Kobane

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 Diplomats say no new word on IS hostages ‘We are doing our utmost to gain more information’ AMMAN: The family of a Jordanian fighter pilot held by the Islamic State group said yesterday it has received no word on his fate since the militants threatened to kill him earlier this week. The Islamic State group purportedly threatened to kill Lt Muath Al-Kaseasbeh by Thursday unless Jordan released a female Al-Qaida prisoner, Sajida Al-Rishawi, from death row. Jordan has said it cannot release her without proof the pilot is alive. The fate of the 26-year-old airman has been linked to that of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto, who also is being held by the militants. Japan’s deputy foreign minister, Yasuhide Nakayama, said late Friday that efforts to free Goto are “in a state of deadlock.” “The deadline has passed, and it is a reality that several hours have passed since then, so we are doing our utmost to gain more information,” he said. In their purported ultimatum, the militants did not say what would happen to Goto if Al-Rishawi is not released.

Radio silence The family of the pilot also said there has been no word. “We are waiting,” Jawad Al-Kaseasbeh, a brother of the pilot, said yesterday. “We received nothing new, neither from the government nor from informal sources.” Al- Kaseasbeh’s plane went down over an Islamic State-con- trolled area of northeastern Syria in December. He is the first foreign pilot to be captured by the group since a US- led military coalition began carrying out airstrikes against the extremists in September. Jordan is part of the coalition. Goto was captured in October, after he traveled to Syria to try to win the release of Haruna Yukawa. The hostage drama began last week after militants threatened to kill Goto and Yukawa in 72 hours unless Japan paid $200 mil- lion. The militants later demanded the release of Al- Rishawi, 44, who faces death by hanging for her role in a 2005 Al-Qaeda attack on hotels in Amman that killed 60 people. A purported militant message also claimed Yukawa had been killed. Jordan and Japan are reportedly conduct- ing indirect negotiations with the militants through Iraqi tribal leaders. — AP TOKYO: People walk by a screen showing TV news reports of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto, held by the Islamic State group. — AP EX-German prez Weizsaecker dies

BERLIN: Former German President an entire generation and has shaped Richard von Weizsaecker, who declared Germany’s image as an integrating force Germany’s World War II surrender a “day in the middle of our continent,” said of liberation” for his country as he urged Jean-Claude Juncker, the head of the it to confront the Nazi past, and promot- European Commission. It gave ed reconciliation during a tenure span- Weizsaecker “political authority far ning the reunification of west and east, beyond Germany’s borders,” he added. has died. He was 94. Weizsaecker’s comment on the “day of Weizsaecker died in Berlin overnight, liberation” was “a necessary, clear state- President Joachim Gauck’s office said ment that was significant for our German yesterday. Weizsaecker, a patrician and self-image,” Chancellor Angela Merkel eloquent figure who was president from said. 1984 to 1994, raised the profile of the largely ceremonial presidency and estab- A great loss lished himself as a moral conscience for “The death of Richard von the nation. Weizsaecker’s May 1985 Weizsaecker is a great loss for Germany,” speech marking the 40th anniversary of she said. Weizsaecker served as deputy Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II defense counsel to his father, career cemented his reputation. It won wide- diplomat Ernst von Weizsaecker, who spread praise as an effort to bring fellow was sentenced to prison in Nuremberg Germans to terms with the Holocaust. after the war for his role as a deputy for- eign minister during the Nazi era. Changing Germany’s image Weizsaecker said in 1987 that he did not “All of us, whether guilty or not, regret defending his father, arguing that whether young or old, must accept the “it was his goal to prevent the outbreak past. We are all affected by its conse- of the war” and he took the Foreign quences and liable for it,” said Ministry assignment with that aim in Weizsaecker, who served as a regular sol- mind. Weizsaecker had managerial stints dier in Adolf Hitler’s army. “Anyone who in banking and pharmaceuticals and also headed Germany’s Protestant church congress for several years. He joined the center-right Christian Democratic Union in 1954. He served in the federal parliament from 1969 until his election in 1981 as mayor of West Berlin, a high-profile job that helped pro- pel him into the presidency three years later. Weizsaecker said the head of state should “ask questions, encourage answers, but never offer a prescription.” As an ambassador for a modern, sophisti- cated Germany, he made 56 state visits. Warning Germans against hatred for oth- ers and appealing for friendship with the Soviet Union, Weizsaecker also said in his 1985 speech that Germans “retain the feeling that they are one people.” Former German President Richard von As communist East Germany crum- Weizsaecker bled in late 1989, Weizsaecker cautioned closes his eyes to the past is blind to the that Germans in both states must be present.” “The 8th of May was a day of lib- patient in bridging their divisions. The eration,” he told the West German parlia- following year, he admonished affluent ment. “It freed us all from the system of West Germans that “to unite means National Socialist tyranny.” learning to share.” He acknowledged that Later that month, the Netherlands’ some of his country’s neighbors were German-born Prince Claus presented the worried about a “new German power and president with a Dutch translation of the Germany going solo,” but said Germany speech, telling him that it enabled him was committed to helping integrate finally to acknowledge his roots in a Europe, not dominate it. Visiting Poland country where resentment of the Nazi as reunification neared in 1990, he reas- occupation remained widespread. In sured Warsaw that Poland’s border with October 1985, Weizsaecker made the Germany, which was moved westward first visit to Israel by a West German after World War II, was “inviolable.” After head of state. Israeli counterpart Chaim reunification, he denounced emerging Herzog in 1987 reciprocated with the far-right, anti-foreigner violence. “On this, first visit by an Israeli president to West we shouldn’t only be thinking about how Germany and praised Weizsaecker for his we look abroad,” he said in a farewell “positive stand” toward Israel and the address as he handed over to his succes- Jewish people. sor, Roman Herzog. “More important is The 1985 speech “had an impact on what we see in our own mirrors.” — AP SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 INTERNATIONAL Air strike kills IS chemical weapons expert: Report

WASHINGTON: A US-led coalition air strike major chemical weapons arsenal. But there killed a chemical weapons specialist with have been allegations the jihadists have the Islamic State group in Iraq who once employed chlorine gas, which is classified as worked for Saddam Hussein, US military offi- a “choking agent,” though not as lethal as cers said Friday. The air raid carried out last nerve agents. Abu Malik, also known as Salih Saturday near Mosul took out Abu Malik, Jasim Mohammed Falah Al-Sabawi, had whose training “provided the terrorist group been “involved in operations to produce with expertise to pursue a chemical chemical weapons in 2005, and planned weapons capability,” the military said in a attacks in Mosul with AQI (Al-Qaeda in Iraq),” statement. said a defense official. “Based on his training Malik had worked at a chemical weapons and experience, he was judged to be capa- production plant under Saddam’s regime ble of creating harmful and deadly chemical and later forged an affiliation with Al-Qaeda agents,” said the official, who spoke on con- in Iraq in 2005, before joining the extremist dition of anonymity. IS group, according to Central Command. “We know ISIL is attempting to pursue a “His death is expected to temporarily chemical weapons capability, but we have degrade and disrupt the terrorist network no definitive confirmation that ISIL currently and diminish ISIL’s ability to potentially pro- possess chemical weapons,” the official said. duce and use chemical weapons against The US-led coalition has carried out more innocent people,” it said. than 2,000 air raids against the IS group in US officials had not publicly referred to Syria and Iraq since August 8, including Malik previously as a key figure. There has some bombing runs that targeted senior been no sign that the IS group possesses a militants. — AFP Muslim women find empowerment in LA

LOS ANGELES: After the traditional call to ture at Rutgers University. KOBANE: In this picture, a Syrian Kurdish sniper sits among the rubble.—AP prayer, Edina Lekovic stood in front of some 150 women seated on the floor at an inter- A different experience faith center in Los Angeles, and delivered a Hussam Ayloush, of the Council on sermon, a role traditionally reserved for American-Islamic Relations, said some Muslim men. “We have the right and Muslims may prefer integration - not segre- IS fighters admit responsibility to our faith,” Lekovic told the gation - as a way to draw women into women as she stood in front of banners Islam. “A mosque is a place of worship emblazoned in gold with verses from the where all segments of the Muslim commu- Koran, Islam’s holy book. Lekovic, an activist nity, men and women should feel at home,” with California’s Muslim Public Affairs he said. After the initial call to prayer and defeat in Kobane Council, and then joined the women in Lekovic’s sermon, the women sat in a circle kneeling in prayer in the direction of under the tall arched ceiling, some with Mecca, the holiest city in Islam. tears in their eyes, and reflected on the Friday’s gathering at the interfaith cen- experience. ter - a former Jewish synagogue near “I want every woman to experience Airstrikes forced militants to withdraw downtown Los Angeles with Stars of David what it feels like to learn from a female reli- etched into the stained glass windows - gious authority in the mosque,” said M BEIRUT: The Islamic State group has acknowl- Kurdish villages and parts of the town. As a more fighters wounded when an explosives- aims to encourage women to participate Hasna Maznavi, 29, who founded the edged for the first time that its fighters have result of the airstrikes and stiff Kurdish resist- rigged house blew up. Mansur was the second fully in Muslim prayer and education. Women’s Mosque of America organization been defeated in the Syrian town of Kobane ance, IS began retreating few weeks ago, losing senior Kurdish officer to die in two days, after Significantly, women are at the helm. with Sana Muttalib, 31, after feeling exclud- and vowed to attack the town again. In a video more than 1,000 fighters, according to activists. Brigadier General Shirko Rauf was killed Friday In traditional mosques, women pray ed from traditional mosques. They say it is released by the pro-IS Aamaq News Agency More than 200,000 Kurds were forced from during a major IS attack in Kirkuk province. The separately from men, which can distance the nation’s first female-only mosque. late Friday, two fighters said the airstrikes by their homes. Many fled to neighboring Turkey. US-led anti-IS coalition carried out 10 air strikes them from the lecturer. Women may also Lubna Muttalib, Sana’s mother, said she has the US-led coalition were the main reason why Another fighter, also speaking in Arabic, said in Kirkuk province from Friday to yesterday, hit- feel excluded for other reasons, such as sat so far behind men at other mosques IS fighters were forced to withdraw from while standing on a road with a green sign with ting IS units and vehicles and buildings used by male-only Koran studies. Muslim women she has had to watch the sermon projected Kobane. On Monday, activists and Kurdish offi- “Ayn Al-Islam” sprayed on it: “The warplanes did the jihadists. The bulk of Iraq’s oil output comes often meet for casual gatherings and onto a screen. cials said the town was almost cleared of IS not leave any construction. They destroyed from fields in the south, but the government is prayer, but rarely do they unite in a for- “It’s so good to see my khatiba in per- fighters, who once held nearly half of the town. everything, so we had to withdraw and the rats counting on production of 300,000 barrels per mal setting, such as the Friday worship, son, instead of looking at a TV screen,” she One IS fighter vowed to defeat the main advanced.” “The warplanes were bombarding day from fields in Kirkuk in its 2015 budget, so under the banner of a mosque. “The fact said, referring to the person who gives Kurdish militia in Syria, the People’s Protection us night and day. They bombarded everything, any major loss of output would be damaging. that this is the Friday prayer, the jum- sermons. Maznavi hopes to unite Muslim Units known as the YPG, calling them “rats.” even motorcycles,” the fighter said. Last June, IS overran southwestern areas of ma’a, and that there’s a woman officially women from diverse backgrounds and The failure to capture Kobane was a major Kirkuk during a lightning offensive that saw it giving the sermon, the khutbah, that’s said the mosque is neither Sunni nor blow to the extremists. Their hopes for an easy Kurds retake oil field capture much of Iraq’s Sunni Arab heartland new,” said Donna Auston, a doctoral can- Shi’ite and occupies the “middle ground” victory dissolved into a costly siege under with- In other news, Iraqi Kurdish forces and police north and west of Baghdad. That offensive pre- didate studying American Muslim cul- of politics. —Reuters ering airstrikes by coalition forces and an retook an oil field in Kirkuk province yesterday sented both an opportunity for territorial assault by Kurdish militiamen. “A while ago we that was seized by the Islamic State group expansion and an existential threat to the retreated a bit from Ayn Al-Islam because of the overnight, and freed 24 workers who had been three-province autonomous Kurdish region. bombardment and the killing of some broth- taken captive, officers said.”Peshmerga forces Several Iraqi divisions collapsed in the early Dems peeved about Israeli ers,” said one masked fighter, using the group’s and police cleared the Khubbaz (oil) field a little days of the offensive, clearing the way for the preferred name for Kobane. He spoke Arabic while ago and were able to enter it after sur- Kurds to take control of a swathe of disputed leader’s congress address with a North African accent. The United States rounding it for hours,” police Brigadier General territory they have long wanted to incorporate and several Arab allies have been striking Sarhad Qader said of the fighting, adding that into their region over Baghdad’s objections. PHILADELPHIA: House Democratic Leader address Congress. Islamic State positions in Syria since Sept 23. they also retook eight villages. IS had moved But after driving south towards Baghdad, Nancy Pelosi is still upset over Republicans’ Congressional aides say the calls so far The campaign aims to push back the jihadi into the oil field Friday night and seized 24 IS turned its attention to the Kurds, pushing decision to ask the leader of Israel - an arch- have not changed the minds of the senior organization after it took over about a third of workers, who were freed after they withdrew, them back towards their regional capital Arbil enemy of Iran - to address Congress in Democrats, who think the invitation turns Iraq and Syria and declared the captured terri- peshmerga Major General Westa Rasul said. A in a move that helped spark US strikes against March right in the middle of delicate nego- sensitive international negotiations to tory a new caliphate. police colonel said their liberation was delayed the jihadists. Bolstered by the air strikes as tiations with Tehran over its nuclear pro- reach an agreement that would prevent “The Islamic State will stay. Say that to because of fears that the bunker where they well as international advisers and trainers, gram. Asked Friday if Israeli Prime Minister Iran from having the capability to develop (President Barack) Obama,” said the fighter, were held had been rigged with explosives. Kurdish forces have clawed back significant Benjamin Netanyahu would be well- a nuclear weapon into a partisan ploy. They pointing his finger toward destruction on the During the fighting yesterday, a sniper killed ground from IS. The conflict is redrawing advised to speak out in favor of heavier say none of the Democratic leaders who edge of Kobane. The Islamic State group peshmerga Major General Hussein Mansur, some of the de facto internal boundaries of sanctions on Iran somewhere other than a spoke with Netanyahu on the phone asked launched an offensive on the Kobane region in Colonel Kawa Gharib said. Iraq in favor of broader Kurdish control in the joint meeting of Congress, Pelosi said “the the Israeli leader not to speak to Congress mid-September capturing more than 300 A peshmerga major was also killed and four north. — Agencies opportunities are great,” and noted that the on March 3. Israeli leader often appears on Sunday talk shows in the US. Controversial timing She also was asked if most House The timing of the speech is at issue too. Libraries ransacked by Democrats would attend a Netanyahu March 3 is just 21 days ahead of when the speech to Congress. “I don’t know,” Pelosi US and its international partners are sup- replied. “With all the respect in the world posed to have reached a framework agree- for the prime minister, and all the love in ment with Iran - one that would provide an the world for the state of Israel, I don’t outline for a more comprehensive deal set Islamic State in Mosul know that even everyone in Israel is sup- to be finalized by the end of June. Senate portive of the invitation,” she told journal- Democrats this week offered to withhold BAGHDAD: When Islamic State group militants militants broke into University of Mosul’s library. State group militants appeared determined to ists at a Democratic retreat in Philadelphia. their support for legislation that would levy invaded the Central Library of Mosul earlier this They made a bonfire out of hundreds of books “change the face of this city by erasing its iconic Netanyahu has been an outspoken critic more sanctions on Iran until after March 24, month, they were on a mission to destroy a on science and culture, destroying them in front buildings and history.” Since routing government of the international efforts to negotiate a and only then if it doesn’t look like a final familiar enemy: other people’s ideas. Residents of students. A University of Mosul history profes- forces and seizing Mosul last summer, the deal with Iran, which does not recognize deal is going to materialize. Netanyahu’s say the extremists smashed the locks that had sor, who spoke on condition he not be named Islamic State group has destroyed dozens of his- the Jewish state, and supports anti-Israeli speech, in which he likely would reiterate protected the biggest repository of learning in because of his fear of the Islamic State group, toric sites, including the centuries-old Islamic militants like Lebanon’s Hezbollah and his opposition to Iran, would be broadcast the northern Iraq town, and loaded around said the extremists started wrecking the collec- mosque shrines of the prophets Seth, Jirjis and Palestinian Hamas. He’s sensitive, though, from Capitol Hill just as negotiators were 2,000 books - including children’s stories, poetry, tions of other public libraries last month. He Jonah. to Israel’s important relationship with the trying to wrap up the framework. philosophy and tomes on sports, health, culture reported particularly heavy damage to the An Iraqi lawmaker, Hakim Al-Zamili, said the United States. This week, Netanyahu called Boehner has defended his decision, say- and science - into six pickup trucks. They left archives of a Sunni Muslim library, the library of Islamic State group “considers culture, civiliza- Pelosi, Nevada Sen Harry Reid, the Senate ing the House is an equal branch of gov- only Islamic texts. The rest? the 265-year-old Latin Church and Monastery of tion and science as their fierce enemies.” Al- Democratic leader, and New York Sen ernment and has the right to invite the “These books promote infidelity and call for the Dominican Fathers and the Mosul Museum Zamili, who leads the parliament’s Security and Chuck Schumer, the third-ranking Israeli leader to “talk to the members of disobeying Allah. So they will be burned,” a Library with works dating back to 5000 BC. Defense Committee, compared the Islamic State Democrat in the Senate, in hopes of blunt- Congress about the serious threat that Iran bearded militant in traditional Afghani two- Citing reports by the locals who live near group to raiding medieval Mongols, who in 1258 ing their opposition to the invitation he got poses and the serious threat of radical piece clothing told residents, according to one these libraries, the professor added that the mili- ransacked Baghdad. Libraries’ ancient collections from House Speaker John Boehner to Islam.” — AP man living nearby who spoke to The Associated tants used to come during the night and carry of works on history, medicine and astronomy Press. The man, who spoke on condition of the materials in refrigerated trucks with Syria- were dumped into the Tigris River, purportedly anonymity because he feared retaliation, said registered license plates. The fate of these old turning the waters black from running ink. “The the Islamic State group official made his materials is still unknown, though the professor only difference is that the Mongols threw the impromptu address as others stuffed books into suggested some could be sold on the black mar- books in the Tigris River, while now Daesh is empty flour bags. Since the Islamic State group ket. In September, Iraqi and Syrian officials told burning them,” he said, using an Arabic acronym seized a third of Iraq and neighboring Syria, they the AP that the militants profited from the sale for the Islamic State group. “Different method, of ancient artifacts. The professor said Islamic but same mentality.” — AP have sought to purge society of everything that doesn’t conform to their violent interpretation of Islam. They already have destroyed many archaeological relics, deeming them pagan, and even Islamic sites considered idolatrous. Increasingly books are in the firing line. Mosul, the biggest city in the Islamic State group’s self-declared caliphate, boasts a relative- ly educated, diverse population that seeks to preserve its heritage sites and libraries. In the chaos that followed the US-led invasion of 2003 that toppled Saddam Hussein, residents near the Central Library hid some of its centuries-old manuscripts in their own homes to prevent their theft or destruction by looters. But this time, the Islamic State group has made the penalty for such actions death. Presumed destroyed are the Central Library’s collection of Iraqi newspapers dating to the early 20th century, maps and books from the Ottoman Empire and book col- MANAMA: Bahraini protesters take part in a demonstration against the arrest of lections contributed by around 100 of Mosul’s Sheikh Ali Salman (shown on the placards), head of the Shiite opposition movement establishment families. Al-Wefaq in Salman’s home village of Bilad Al-Qadeem, on the outskirts of the capital Manama. Salman rejected charges that he tried to overthrow the country’s Sunni Culture war regime, as his trial opened on January 28, 2015 a judicial source said. — AFP Days after the Central Library’s ransacking, BAGHDAD: Iraqis look at books on Al-Mutanabi Street, home to the city’s book market. — AP SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 INTERNATIONAL White House struggles with terrorism language

WASHINGTON: Twice this month, the for this violence, this act of terrorism.” White House has publicly grappled with Obama’s conservative opponents quick- the politically fraught language of terror- ly seized on the president’s rhetorical ism. In the days after a deadly terror spree choice and cast it as an example of the in Paris, President Barack Obama was criti- White House downplaying the root cause cized for purposely avoiding calling the of the terror threat. At least one Democrat - attacks an example of “Islamic extremism,” Hawaii Rep Tulsi Gabbard, an Iraq war vet- settling for the more generic “violent eran - agreed, saying the president’s terror extremism.” This week, the White House terminology matters, particularly as struggled to explain why the administra- Congress weighs a new authorization for tion sometimes classifies the Afghan military action in Iraq and Syria. Taleban as a terrorist organization - and “By his not using this term ‘Islamic sometimes does not. extremism’ and clearly identifying our ene- The rhetorical wrangling underscores mies, it raised a whole host of questions in the extent to which a president who exactly what Congress will be authorizing,” pledged to end his predecessor’s war on Gabbard said on Fox News. “Unless you terror is still navigating how to explain the understand who your enemy is, unless you threats that persist to the American public, clearly identify your enemy, then you can- while also being mindful of the impact his not come up with a very effective strategy words can have abroad. “They do believe to defeat that enemy.” Similarly, retired Lt that the part of the roots of terrorism Gen. Michael Flynn, who until last year was comes from the way the United States acts director of the Defense Intelligence and talks and is perceived globally,” said Agency, told a conference in Washington last week that “you cannot defeat an ene- my you do not admit exists.” The president has long tried to shift his administration’s terror rhetoric away from what he saw as the hyperbolic terminology used by his predecessor, George W. Bush, particularly his declaration in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that the US was engaged in a “war on terror.” BOSTON: United States Secretary of State John Kerry and the US delegation (center), prepare for a meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird and the Canadian delegation (left), and Mexican Foreign Secretary Jose Antonio Meade and the Mexican delegation (right), in War with terror groups Faneuil Hall. — AP In a high-profile national security address in 2013, Obama declared, “We must define our effort not as a boundless ‘global war on terror,’ but rather as a series of persistent, targeted efforts to dismantle Mitt Romney bows specific networks of violent extremists that threaten America.” Under Obama’s narrow- er definition, his advisers say the US is at war with terror groups like Al-Qaeda and its WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama affiliates, as well as the Islamic State group. out of 2016 race speaks in the East Room of the White Given the US policy of not making con- House. Twice this month, the White cessions to terrorists, the White House has House has publicly grappled with the refused to negotiate with Islamic State mili- politically fraught language of terror- tants to free American hostages and ‘A deeply personal and painful decision’ ism. — AP opposes Jordan’s ongoing efforts to orchestrate a prisoner swap with the group. WASHINGTON: He insists he could win, but Mitt Trevor McCrisken, a professor at Britain’s However, the US did negotiate with the Romney has stepped out of the 2016 presiden- University of Warwick who has studied Taleban through an intermediary last year tial contest in favor of the “next generation of Obama’s foreign policy rhetoric. to free American Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in Republican leaders” following a three-week fact- exchange for five Afghan detainees at the finding effort that revealed significant resistance Overly cautious Guantanamo Bay prison. to a third campaign. The early January attacks on a French The White House insisted anew this The 2012 Republican presidential nominee satirical newspaper and kosher deli put a week that those negotiations did not vio- on Friday formally ended his flirtation with fresh spotlight on what Obama’s support- late US policy because the administration another White House bid and encouraged his ers see as his appropriately careful lan- does not classify that Taleban as a terrorist supporters to seek another candidate from the guage and his critics see as overly cautious. organization - though officials said there crowded field of prospective GOP contenders. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the are overlapping characteristics. “They do Aides said it was a deeply personal and even attacks that left 17 people dead suggested carry out tactics that are akin to terrorism. painful decision for Romney. “I believe that one the world was “waging a war against They do pursue terror attacks in an effort to of our next generation of Republican leaders, Islamist extremists.” And British Prime try to advance their agenda,” Earnest, the one who may not be as well-known as I am Minister David Cameron, on a visit to White House spokesman, said. The differ- today, one who has not yet taken their message Washington two weeks ago, said Europe ence, he said, is that the Taleban threat to across the country, one who is just getting start- and the US face a “very serious Islamist the US is mainly confined to interests in ed, may well emerge as being better able to extremist terrorist threat.” Afghanistan, while a group like Al-Qaeda defeat the Democrat nominee,” Romney told Obama, however, assiduously avoided has broader ambitions. Yet even the admin- supporters on a conference call. “In fact, I expect associating the attacks with Islam, a deci- istration’s classifications of the Taleban and hope that to be the case.” sion White House spokesman Josh have some contradictions. The Afghan Earnest said was made for the sake of Taleban is not on the State Department’s Crowded field takes shape “accuracy.” “These are individuals who car- list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations, The remark was both a recognition of his own ried out an act of terrorism, and they later thereby allowing the White House to limitations and an indirect swipe at the man tried to justify that act of terrorism by engage in the negotiations for Bergdahl. who created the urgency behind Romney’s brief invoking the religion of Islam and their Yet the Treasury Department does list the flirtation with a third presidential campaign: for- own deviant view of it,” Earnest said. “We Afghan Taleban on the list of specially des- mer Florida Gov Jeb Bush, the son and brother also don’t want to be in a situation where ignated terrorists, giving the US the ability of former presidents who is speeding toward a we are legitimizing what we consider to to freeze the assets of the group and its STARKVILLE: Former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks at Mississippi State campaign of his own. Bush and New Jersey Gov University. — AP be a completely illegitimate justification members. —AP Chris Christie would have served as Romney’s most likely rivals for the support of the GOP ey and energy for GOP colleagues, according to his 2016 prospects, suggesting there was a path establishment, and both men felt an immediate aides. “No one asked McCain to run again,” said to victory but also signs of eroding support Daunting challenges ahead impact from Romney’s announcement. It longtime Romney aide Ron Kaufman, a refer- among donors and in former strongholds such sparked a rush of activity by Romney loyalists - ence to 2008 nominee John McCain. “Thousands as New Hampshire. They made clear that a new for new defense secretary operatives and donors alike - suddenly freed to of people asked Mitt to run again.” Romney, 67, a bid for the GOP nomination would be more support another White House hopeful as the longtime business executive, has typically fol- challenging than the last, when Romney domi- crowded field begins to take shape. lowed a scientific approach to challenges - polit- nated a field that never featured another strong WASHINGTON: As defense secretary, members of the moderate Syrian opposi- Devoted Romney supporter Bill Kunkler, part ical and otherwise - and demanded data before establishment alternative such as Bush or Ashton Carter would face a daunting pile tion. of Chicago’s wealthy Crown family, said he was making a decision. In recent weeks he and his Christie. of problems at home and abroad. And disappointed by Friday’s news but now was all- most trusted advisers plunged into making In the subsequent days, several major then there are the unforeseen crises, the The budget in for Bush. “I’ll work for Jeb. Period. And no one phone calls and personal visits with key GOP Romney donors and one of his most trusted vet- ones that explode onto a Pentagon chief’s The looming automatic budget cuts, else,” Kunkler said, noting that he planned to officials and activists across the country. eran staffers - someone who had participated in agenda without warning. Chuck Hagel, the known as sequestration, will be one of attend a Feb 18 Chicago fundraiser for Bush At the same time, Romney tested a political the Boston meeting - defected to Bush’s team. man Carter would replace if confirmed, as Carter’s priorities because everything the hosted by former Romney backers. Bobbie speech that focused on the poor and middle The trend was unmistakable, despite Romney’s expected, by the Senate, has noted that military does is based on having enough Kilberg, a top GOP fundraiser based in Virginia, class. Critics jabbed the new focus as an insin- optimism. The Friday conference call ended when he took the job in February 2013, he money to pay for troops, equipment, quickly settled on Christie. cere shift designed to shed his image as an out- what was always intended to be a brief trial peri- had no idea that US troops would be back weapons and training. Unless Congress “We had long and deep ties and friendship of-touch millionaire. Those closer to Romney od. “I am convinced that we could win the nomi- in a fractured Iraq or that the deadly Ebola takes action, the steep cuts initially with Mitt,” Kilberg said Friday. “That has changed, suggested it was a truer reflection of a man of nation, but I fully realize it would have been a virus in West Africa would require an approved in 2011 would be reinstated. obviously, at 11 o’clock this morning.” Romney’s deep faith than most voters saw during his presi- difficult test and a hard fight,” Romney said. urgent deployment of the 101st Airborne Defense and military leaders have insisted aides insist there was no specific incident that dential campaigns in 2008 and 2012. The evalua- He planned to have dinner Friday night with Division. that deep cuts will require more reductions led to his abrupt announcement Friday. The for- tion phase peaked during a gathering of senior Christie, who was among his staunchest backers in the size of the force, particularly the Even predictable challenges, such as mer Massachusetts governor had shocked the aides one week ago at the Boston offices of during the 2012 race. Romney is not, however, Army, and make it more difficult to keep pursuing and killing terrorists in the political world three weeks earlier when he sig- Solamere Capital, an investment firm led by expected to endorse another Republican candi- troops prepared to respond to threats or Middle East and Afghanistan, can be hard- naled interest in a third presidential run during a Romney’s eldest son, Tagg Romney, and top date in the near future. And he left the door upheaval around the world. Carter’s main er than they seemed on the outside, even private meeting with former donors in New York. fundraiser, Spencer Zwick. open, if only a crack, to another comeback. He job will be as the top salesman leading the for an experienced national security practi- For several months last year some said he had been asked if there were any circum- charge on Capitol Hill and persuading law- tioner like the 60-year-old Carter. He Republicans strongly encouraged Romney to Eroding support stance under which he would again reconsider. makers not only to reverse the cuts but also served in the Pentagon under President run again as he toured the country raising mon- Aides offered Romney a blunt assessment of That, he said, “seems unlikely.” —AP bolster Pentagon spending. Bill Clinton and was deputy defense secre- tary in 2011-2013. Carter’s confirmation Afghanistan hearings before the Senate Armed Services Obama decreed that America’s combat Canada to criminalize public terror threats Committee are scheduled to begin mission in Afghanistan is over, but there Wednesday. A sampling of the top issues are more than 10,500 US troops on the facing the next defense secretary: ground and many are still conducing coun- TORONTO: Canada announced a new anti-ter- ports,” Harper said. “Anyone engaging in that Canadians suspected of being involved in ter- terterrorism operations against the ror law that will allow anyone suspected of kind of activity is going to face the full force of rorism. The new activities by CSIS will require Islamic State Taleban and other insurgents. American being involved in a terror plot to be detained the law in the future.” approval by a judge. Police already have many Even though President Barack Obama and coalition forces continue to train and without charge for up to seven days. The law of these powers that CSIS will acquire but the expected the nation to be off a war footing advise the Afghan military. — AP announced Friday will also make it a crime for War on Canada government wanted the spy agency to be able people to call for a terrorist attack, even if they The penalty will be a maximum of five years to act quickly if they see a threat. Kent Roach, a by 2015, among the most vexing problems don’t make a specific threat, and empower in prison. Authorities will also be able to law professor at the University of Toronto, said Carter would inherit is the war against the Canada’s spy agency to thwart attacks directly remove terror-related material from any the law that makes it a crime to encourage ter- Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. The in a significant expansion of their powers. Canadian website. Harper said jihadists have rorism will likely not hold up in court. He called bombing of IS targets in Syria, which Work on the law began in October after a declared war on Canada and it would be a it too vague. “There is a potential that it will began in September, probably will contin- gunman killed a soldier at Canada’s national grave mistake to ignore their threats. “Over the chill expression,” Roach said. “It could be seen ue well into Carter’s tenure and maybe war memorial and then stormed Parliament. last few years a great evil has been descending as disproportionately targeting the Muslim beyond. But he may face a more rapidly The attack in Ottawa came two days after a upon our world, an evil that has been growing community and expressions of general support changing situation on the ground in Iraq, man, said to be inspired by the Islamic State more and more powerful, violent jihadism,” for terrorism in some parts of the world.” where the US now has about 2,500 troops. group, ran over two soldiers in a parking lot in Harper said. Justice Minister Peter MacKay said it targets The Iraqi government wants to launch a Quebec, killing one and injuring the other Under the current law those suspected of those who advocate terrorism with intent and major counteroffensive to regain lost terri- before being shot to death. The new law still being involved in a terror plot can be detained doesn’t deal with glorification. MacKay said his tory, particularly the northern city of has to be passed in Parliament but Harper’s for up to three days. The new law extends that government wants to work with other coun- Mosul, but it is unclear whether Iraqi Conservative government has a majority of the to seven days provided police get a judge’s per- tries to remove terrorist material that’s coming troops can succeed without US soldiers by seats so passage is all but ensured. mission. The new law will also allow the from websites outside Canada. “We need to their side to call in airstrikes. Carter may Under current law it is a crime to make a Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the work toward a system that will allow for the have to decide in coming months whether specific threat. The new law will make it a crime country’s spy service, to directly approach ter- removal or at least the blocking of information to recommend to Obama that he authorize for a person to call for terror attacks on Canada ror suspects in order to disrupt their plans. CSIS that is provocative and that is aimed at pro- US troops to perform that riskier, close-in generally or to promote or advocate others to is currently permitted only to collect intelli- moting terrorism,” MacKay said. “That will combat role in support of the Iraqis. Carter carry out terrorism elsewhere. “We cannot tol- gence and pass the information on to police. require international protocols and a greater also would manage - and assess the effec- Deputy Secretary of erate this any more than we tolerate people The spy agency will now be able to cancel level of cooperation with our international tiveness of - a program designed to train Defense Ashton Carter that make jokes about bomb threats at air- plane or other travel reservations made by partners.” —AP p10 2_Layout 1 1/31/15 8:55 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 INTERNATIONAL Africans open new front to fight war on Boko Haram

MAIDUGURI: Schoolgirls torn from their be no taller than his weapon. families in a mass kidnapping and forced In what Amnesty International called into sexual slavery. Bombs that ripped the most deadly massacre of the 5-year-old through bus stations. The slaughter of hun- Islamic uprising, Boko Haram killed hun- dreds of villagers, many with their throats dreds of civilians - some say as many as cut. Nigeria has suffered through years of 2,000 - in a Jan 3 attack on Baga, a border violence from the Muslim extremist group town with a key military base on the north- known as Boko Haram, and now its neigh- eastern border with Cameroon. Nigeria’s bors are starting to take on the militants, military said only 150 people were killed. too. African nations are opening up a new Boko Haram attracted international out- international front in the war on terror, dis- rage in April when it kidnapped 276 cussing Friday the formation of a five- schoolgirls at a boarding school in the nation force of 7,500 troops to confront the remote town of Chibok. Dozens escaped looming regional threat from Boko Haram. on their own, but 219 remain missing. The United States promised more tech- The US, Britain, France and China nical support, training and equipment. On offered help to find the girls, and Jonathan Thursday, neighboring Chad sent a war- has repeatedly pledged to return them to plane and troops that drove the extremists their parents, but not one has been res- out of a northeastern Nigeria border town cued. He refused to swap the girls for ille- in the first such act by foreign troops on gally detained Boko Haram suspects. Nigerian soil. “We saw the fighter jet when Suicide bombings in recent months by it started shelling and bombarding the young girls - one looked no more than 10 - insurgents,” said Abari Modu, who watched has raised fears that Boko Haram is using the attack from a nearby village in Chad, the kidnap victims in its conflict, which has where he had sought refuge. He praised displaced more than 1 million people and the prowess of the Chadian forces. killed about 10,000 in the last year, accord- Chad’s victory, and the need for foreign ing to the Council on Foreign Relations. The troops, is an embarrassment to Nigeria’s new multinational force proposed Friday once-mighty military, brought low by cor- would also be mandated with searching for ruption and politics. The foreign interven- and freeing all abductees, including the tion comes just two weeks before hotly Chibok girls, according to a statement from ROME: Newly elected President of Italy, Sicilian judge Sergio Mattarella (left) stands by Lower chamber president Laura Boldrini at the contested national elections in which the African Union. “We will never forget the Constitutional Council.—AFP President Goodluck Jonathan is seeking girls kidnapped from Chibok last April, and another term. The offensive by Chad came I will never stop calling for their immediate days after Boko Haram leader Abubakar and unconditional release,” said UN Italy’s lawmakers elect Sergio Shekau warned Nigeria’s neighbors not to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a guest at intervene. the African summit. “African kings, I challenge you to attack Mattarella as new president me now. I am ready,” he taunted in an ‘Danger to international security’ Arabic video message translated by SITE “The Boko Haram insurgency poses a intelligence monitoring service. Shekau clear danger to national, regional and inter- Considered to be above the political fray regularly praises the Islamic State group national security,” he said. For years, Nigeria and Al-Qaeda. Boko Haram has declared an has looked down on its smaller, francopho- ROME: Italian lawmakers elected Sergio coalition’s main party. “Thanks for being serious,” widower with three grown children, lives in the Islamic caliphate that now encompasses ne neighbors, and Nigerian troops have Mattarella, a Constitutional Court justice widely Renzi and some loyalists wrote in a text message modest quarters of Constitutional Court justices in about 130 towns and villages in a large clashed with soldiers from Chad and considered to be above the political fray, as the to Democrats during the balloting, the Italian Rome. He was expected to start the seven-year term swath of northeastern Nigeria, according to Cameroon in the past over border disputes. nation’s new president on the third day of voting news agency ANSA reported. next week. A year ago, Berlusconi pledged his Amnesty International. The country’s 170 Analysts say the neighboring countries yesterday. Mattarella’s election as head of state Former Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s center- support for the electoral reform agenda of Renzi, million people are split almost equally worry how much Boko Haram has infiltrat- was clinched when he amassed 505 votes - a right opposition vowed to cast blank ballots. who had just assumed the Democratic Party between a mainly Muslim north and pre- ed Nigeria’s military. Even Jonathan has simple majority. The 73-year-old former minister While acknowledging Mattarella’s credentials to leadership. Buoyed by the deal, Renzi quickly dominantly Christian south. said that he fears his Cabinet is infiltrated with center-left political roots went on to garner be guarantor of the Constitution and arbiter in pushed fellow Democrat Enrico Letta out of the by sponsors of the extremists. A year ago, 665 votes from the 1,009 eligible electors. political crises, they complained Renzi didn’t premiership. Berlusconi lost his Senate seat Increasing ferocity he fired his entire military command and Known as a man of few words, Mattarella decide to reach agreement first with Berlusconi because of a tax fraud conviction but is keen on Global concern has grown in recent the defense minister. Even as Nigeria’s mili- cemented that reputation with his first remarks on the candidate. Mattarella raised conflict-of- keeping political influence. Reforms include months as the terrorist group known for tary is humiliated by the foreign aid, wit- to the nation. “My thoughts go, above all, to the interest concerns when media mogul Berlusconi changing Italy’s electoral law to make govern- recruiting across borders launched a series nesses say it has been ill-equipped to difficulties and hopes of our fellow citizens. jumped into politics two decades ago. He also ments more stable. Whether Berlusconi, irked of brazen attacks in northern Cameroon defend civilians from a series of vicious That’s enough,” he said, referring to the grim resigned as education minister in 1990 to over Renzi’s picking the presidential candidate, even as it increased the tempo and ferocity attacks. In Baga, Nigerian soldiers fought economic situation, in comments made at his protest legislation that helped Berlusconi trans- will renege on the reforms deal is unclear. A pro- of attacks on Nigerian soil. One video this valiantly for hours, then fled when they ran court office just down the street from the presi- form several local TV channels into a business Berlusconi lawmaker, Maurizio Gasparri, predict- week showed boys learning to shoot out of ammunition, witnesses told The dential palace. Italy is mired in recession and empire including Italy’s three main private TV ed the media mogul’s center-right lawmakers assault rifles, with one child appearing to Associated Press. —AP unemployment has hovered about 13 percent networks. might be “less generous” with support. nationally. Former Berlusconi allies now in Renzi’s coali- Young Italians are increasingly seeking work History with the Mafia tion chafed at the unilateral choice of the abroad. Renzi pushed hard for Mattarella’s elec- Mattarella, a Sicilian, was first elected to Mattarella candidacy. But the government’s tion, and some of Renzi’s rebellious Democrats Parliament in 1983. His Christian Democrat party short-term survival seemed little threatened. resented the premier’s imposing his choice on collapsed in corruption probes of the 1990s, but Politicians are generally uneager to provoke a them. So Mattarella’s victory signals that Renzi Mattarella was unscathed. His older brother, crisis that could bring early elections, with voters for now succeeded in closing fractious ranks, Piersanti Mattarella, governor of Sicily, was killed in exasperated over their leaders’ failure so revive including former Communists, in the governing 1980 by the Mafia. The silver-haired Mattarella, a the economy. — AP Vatican hits sour note with women

VATICAN CITY: A new Vatican outreach initiative and invite women around the globe to send in a were sent in. A good number came from to women hit a sour note before it even got off 60-second video of their lives for possible inclu- activists advocating for women’s ordination. the ground: The attractive blonde on its Internet sion in a montage to be screened at the “big Consuela Corradi, a sociologist at Rome’s promo video came under such ridicule that it meeting of cardinals and bishops” next week. In Catholic Lumsa university, was one of 15 women was quickly taken down. But the program is the video, Italian actress Nancy Brilli - blonde, who advised Ravasi on the initiative. She com- going ahead, and an inaugural meeting this buxom albeit in a modest blue top - earnestly plained that criticism of the video was unfair. week will study women’s issues in ways that are asked her viewers how often they ask them- “If we had chosen an ugly woman, would that utterly new for the Holy See. No, there is no talk selves “Who are you? What do you do? What do have changed the message? I don’t think so,” she of ordaining women priests. But the working you think about yourself as a woman?” said. She said the women consultants were YOLA, Nigeria: In this file photo taken on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2014, vigilantes and paper for the Pontifical Council of Culture’s ple- entirely responsible for penning the working local hunters armed with locally made guns gather before they go on patrol. —AP nary assembly on “Women’s Cultures: Equality Harsh criticism document, with no interference from the min- and Difference” speaks about opening the The criticism was swift and harsh. “What were istry, though she said their document was church’s doors to women so they can offer their they thinking at the Vatican?” wrote Phyllis trimmed for length. It remains unclear, however, skills “in full collaboration and integration” with Zagano of Hofstra University in the liberal what will come of it. Often such working drafts Hungary under pressure men. National Catholic Reporter. “Aside from the obvi- become the basis for a final document that is It denounces plastic surgery as a form of ous - sexy sell has long gone by the boards in adopted by the full membership of a Vatican to pick sides in standoff “aggression” against the female body. And it developed nations and is totally unacceptable in office at the end of a plenary meeting. Ravasi, acknowledges that the church has for centuries predominantly Muslim countries - the fact of the though, hasn’t said what he’ll do with it. BUDAPEST: Hungary’s maverick Prime national tax office, from entering the US, for offered women “ideological and ancestral left- matter is that highlighting a stereotypical Helen Alvare, a law professor at George Mason Minister Viktor Orban has spent the past year alleged corruption. A furious Orban ordered overs.” This is dangerous territory for the all-male spokeswoman is not the way to ask for women’s University and a consultant at the Vatican’s laity straddling the divide between Russia and his the US to stop “meddling” in central Europe. Catholic Church hierarchy, as even Pope Francis input.” Critics noted that the women the Vatican office, said the language in the draft paper was European Union counterparts on the crisis in has faced criticism as being a bit tone deaf as far might most want to hear from - those suffering remarkable given that it calls for “collaboration Ukraine. But he may soon be forced to pick Eastern Opening as women are concerned. The pontiff, a master from poverty, violence or war - might not have a and integration” with men within the church. She sides. “How to deal with EU member Hungary is of communication, has sincerely praised the smart phone at hand to send in a clip. Others said that mirrors findings from leading business Tomorrow, German Chancellor Angela a difficult test case for both Brussels and “feminine genius.” But he has also elicited noted that the two-week deadline - at the consultancies that companies do better when Merkel is set to visit Budapest for the first Berlin,” Peter Balazs, left-wing foreign minis- cringes, such as when he recently welcomed height of the Christmas holidays - worked men and women collaborate at every level. “That time since Orban came to power five years ter between 2009 and 2010, said. Balazs female members of the church’s most presti- against any widespread response. statement is the strongest endorsement I have ago. Ukraine is expected to feature promi- labels as “dubious” some of the deals gious theological commission as “strawberries The English version of Brilli’s promo was sum- seen in a church document for what we some- nently in talks between the two leaders. Two Hungary has struck with Putin as part of on the cake.” And when asked if a woman might marily yanked, though the Italian remains on the times call complementarily within the church,” weeks later it will be Russian President Orban’s “Eastern Opening” policy. Last year, someday head a Vatican office, he joked that ministry’s website. In the end, some 250 videos she said in a phone interview. —AP Vladimir Putin’s turn to have a word in he signed a 10-billion-euro loan deal with “pastors often wind up under the authority of Orban’s ear-one that is unlikely to chime with the Kremlin to expand Hungary’s sole their housekeeper!” that of Merkel. nuclear plant. Few people doubt the seriousness of Francis’ Orban also changed laws to smooth the pledge to appoint women to key Vatican deci- Closer to Moscow way for Moscow’s South Stream gas pipeline sion-making jobs once his bureaucratic reform is Hungary joined the EU in 2004 but under project - which was later cancelled by Putin complete. Nor do they question his sincerity Orban the former communist country has — to bypass Ukraine en route to Hungary, when he says: “Women can ask questions that begun pulling away from Brussels and mov- which relies heavily on Russian gas. Then, just we men just don’t get.” But, as Vatican commen- ing closer to Moscow. A quarter of a century before winter, Orban switched off reverse gas tator David Gibson recently pointed out, Francis after he shot to prominence in protests dur- flows to Ukraine for three months, claiming can also sound an awful lot like the 78-year-old ing the final days of communism, Orban is he needed to top up domestic reserves. Argentine churchman that he is - “using analo- now considered as one of Putin’s closest As the fighting between government gies that sound alternately condescending and European allies. “Orban has manoeuvred forces and pro-Russian rebels in eastern impolitic, even if well-intentioned.” Hungary into international isolation, a diplo- Ukraine intensifies, triggering around round matic no-man’s land,” said Andras Biro-Nagy, of EU sanctions on Russia this week, analysts Progress being made co-director of the Policy Solutions Institute. expects Merkel to press Orban to toe the EU The Vatican has made progress in recent “The consensus on strategic commitment line. “She’s trying to keep EU unanimity vis-a- years. After having a woman head the Vatican towards the West no longer exists in vis Russia, but it is more difficult with pre- delegation to the UN population conferences in Hungary,” Biro-Nagy said. miers like Orban seemingly on Putin’s side,” the 1990s, there is now a laywoman in the No. 3 Merkel will be one of the few Western Csaba Toth, analyst at the Republikon position at the Vatican’s justice and peace office. leaders to have visited the nationalist pre- Institute, a Budapest think tank, said. Another heads up the women’s department in mier, who cited Russia last year as an exam- If any European country can keep Orban the Vatican office for laity. Women’s issues as a ple of the kind of “illiberal” democracy he looking westward it is Germany. Europe’s whole have gotten more ink thanks to the envisaged in Hungary, fuelling allegations of biggest economy is Hungary’s biggest trad- monthly women’s insert of the Vatican newspa- his creeping authoritarianism. Slow to con- ing partner by a long shot. Furthermore, per, L’Osservatore Romano. The latest initiative demn Russia’s annexation of the Crimea Merkel’s Christian Democrats are in the same comes courtesy of Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, peninsula from Ukraine, Orban nonetheless centre-right grouping in the European an academic who quotes Nietzsche and Amy supported EU sanctions against Russia — but Parliament as Orban’s Fidesz. And if Winehouse with equal ease and has no fear of he has also voiced unease about them. Hungary’s economy is doing well, it is partly courting controversy as he raises the Vatican Last year, he said that the bloc had “shot thanks to the approximately 6,000 German profile in sport, art and even atheist circles at the itself in the foot” by damaging commercial firms that provide jobs for around 300,000 helm of the Vatican’s culture ministry. relations with Moscow. In a sign of growing people, including carmakers Audi and Ravasi’s first major foray into women’s issues, alarm over Orban in Washington, President Daimler. Merkel is not expected to publicly however, was a flop - at least in the English- Obama last year included Hungary on a rebuke her host in Budapest, although Berlin VATICAN CITY: Italian Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi waves to reporters as he arrives for a meet- speaking world. Just before Christmas, his office blacklist of countries harassing foreign-fund- sources have hinted she may openly criticize ing, at the Vatican. A new Vatican initiative to actually listen to women hit a sour note before it launched the #lifeofwomen crowd-sourcing ini- ed civil groups. The US also banned six his recent remarks urging strict curbs on even got off the ground when an Internet promotional video featuring an attractive blonde tiative to promote the Feb 4-7 plenary meeting Hungarian officials, including the head of the immigration.—AFP was so ridiculed that it was quickly taken down. — AP INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 India testfires missile from mobile launcher

NEW DELHI: India yesterday succeeded for the first time in using a mobile launcher to test-fire a long-range missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead deep inside rival China. Although yesterday’s launch was the third test of the Agni V missile, it was the first time the weapon had been fired from a so-called canister mounted on a truck rather than from a concrete launchpad used in previous trials. The new delivery mechanism gives the armed forces increased operational flexibility. “Successful test-firing of Agni V from a canister makes the missile a prized asset for our forces,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter KABUL: As smoke rises, Afghan policemen run towards demonstrators during a after the test on an island off the eastern state of protest against caricatures in the French magazine Charlie Hebdo. — AP Orissa. The Agni V-developed by India’s Defense Research and Development Organization-was first tested in April 2012. Muslim protesters clash Analysts say the Agni V has the range to strike any target on the Chinese mainland, including with police in Afghan military installations in the far northeast. India sees the rocket, which has a range of 5,000 kilo- KABUL: Two people were killed when vio- pastor in Florida broadcast a video of himself meters as a key boost to its regional power aspi- lence broke out at an anti-Charlie Hebdo on YouTube burning a copy of the Koran. The rations and one that narrows-albeit slightly-the protest in the Afghan capital yesterday, following year, around two dozen were killed huge gap with China’s missile systems. Agni, according to witnesses, but Kabul’s police protests over the burning of Korans at a US meaning “fire” in Sanskrit, is the name given to a chief said there were no deaths and only two military base near the capital. series of rockets India developed as part of a injuries. Around 500 protesters streamed into guided missile development project launched in an eastern part of the city, chanting “Death to Three Americans killed 1983. While the shorter-range Agni I and II were France” and “Death to Infidels”, putting resi- Meanwhile, Three American contractors mainly developed with traditional rival Pakistan dents of nearby international compounds on were killed in an apparent “insider attack” at in mind, analysts say later versions with a longer a state of alert. Police sources said the protest Kabul airport were helping on maintenance range reflect the shift in India’s focus towards turned violent when protesters attacked of a small turboprop plane used by the China. India and China, each with a population policemen with burning tyres, stones and Afghan air force, US defense officials said of more than one billion, have prickly relations then gunfire. Friday. The fatal shootings on Thursday at the and a legacy of mistrust that stems from a brief A man who gave his name only as heavily guarded airport were carried out by but bloody border war in 1962. India, the world’s Moshtaq, pointing at a pool of blood in the an Afghan wearing military uniform who fired biggest arms importer, is in the midst of a $100- road, said one protester “was shot in the head a few bursts from an automatic weapon billion defense upgrade program. The new right- and his dead body was there. And I saw one before he was killed in return fire, officials wing government has cleared long-delayed more dead body in a car.” Kabul police chief said. A fourth US contractor was wounded. projects worth over $16 billion since storming to Abdul Rahman Rahimi told reporters “there The contractors were overseeing mainte- power at elections in May. Modi has pushed for were some irresponsible armed men among nance work on a Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, a sin- greater indigenization of its defense industry, them who opened fire on police. Primary gle-engine plane that is also used by the US saying India must build up its military might to reports show that two protesters were Air Force for special operations forces. An the point that no other country “dare cast an evil ORISSA: In this handout photograph received from the Defense Research and Development wounded.” American firm, Sierra Nevada Corp, received a eye” on the South Asian nation. — AFP Organization (DRDO) the Agni V blasts off from a canister mounted atop a mobile truck. — AFP Protests against the French newspaper contract in 2012 to provide 18 modified ver- Charlie Hebdo’s cartoons of the Prophet sions of the plane for the Afghan army’s spe- Mohammad (PBUH) have erupted around the cial forces. world and taken place weekly in the Afghan The attack is “a tragic and grim reminder China rebuffed over UN capital. Local residents and shopkeepers that Afghanistan still remains a dangerous complained the protesters had used the out- place in many ways,” Pentagon spokesman break of violence as an excuse to loot. “They Rear Admiral John Kirby told reporters, were opportunists, not real lovers of the adding the incident was under investigation. move targeting NGOs Prophet and Islam,” Mohammad Qasim, a The Americans killed were employed by a pri- shopkeeper caught in the middle of the vate firm, Praetorian Standard, which handles protest. “A protest doesn’t require destroying security and logistics contracts for the US UNITED NATIONS: China was forced on Friday United Nations. “China has long been pushing to restrict cars, shops or streets, but they did. They were Defense Department. The Taleban on Friday to drop a measure at the United Nations that But UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said NGO and press access to the committee pro- looking for a chance to rob all these shops claimed responsibility for the attack. Western targeted non-governmental organizations that after talks between US and Chinese offi- ceedings, however they have never made a and people,” he said. troops and civilians training Afghan forces seeking to be heard at the world body. China cials, the committee would continue to report motion like they did this morning,” said a diplo- Episodes of violence have previously have faced lethal assaults from Afghans in had proposed that the United Nations refrain on the stance of countries. “The UN will contin- mat, who asked not to be identified. “In an era erupted in reaction to perceived insults uniform who turn their guns on their counter- from naming countries that criticize NGOs dur- ue its standard practice in terms of how press of global crackdown on civil society, the UN’s towards Islam in deeply conservative parts. NATO troops have adopted special ing meetings of a committee that decides releases are written for committee works, NGO Committee must set an example for Afghanistan. In 2011, seven United Nations security measures in recent years to try to which groups are accredited to the UN. which summarizes the position of different openness and transparency,” US Ambassador staff were killed in protests after an American counter the threat. — Agencies The information blackout would have countries,” Dujarric told reporters. Hundreds of Samantha Power tweeted on Thursday. The allowed China and other countries distrustful NGOs accredited to the United Nations are Chinese mission at the United Nations declined of non-governmental organizations to air their allowed to present recommendations on the to comment. The move to restrict openness at Bangladesh cuts power opposition without being singled out in any many issues tackled by the world body, from the UN committee came as China prepared to UN public report. The United States had development to peacekeeping in all 193 coun- take the monthly presidency of the Security sharply criticized the Chinese proposal at the tries. A UN diplomat said China had “shocked” Council for February. The agenda-setting posi- to oppn leader’s office UN’s NGO committee, saying it would be a set- delegations when it proposed to restrict infor- tion will allow Beijing to highlight some of its back for transparency and openness at the mation on the committee’s decisions. concerns at the 15-member council. — AFP DHAKA: Bangladesh authorities yesterday January 5, the first anniversary of a disput- cut the power to opposition leader Khaleda ed general election. Zia’s office in an apparent bid to force her to call off a crippling anti-government Nationwide blockade transport blockade. Local television Her confinement coincided with the showed footage of a technician from a death of her son, who died in Malaysia earli- state-run power utility climbing a ladder er this month. His death prompted tens of and cutting the line outside Zia’s office, thousands of mourners to turn out Tuesday where she has been holed up since the in a massive show of support for the embat- protests began early in January. tled former premier. While holed up, Zia has “We got permission from police to cut called a nationwide blockade of roads, rail- the power line,” the technician told ways and waterways, triggering deadly reporters as he cut the line. Private Channel unrest that has left at least 40 people dead 24 television said that Internet and satellite and nearly 800 vehicles firebombed or dam- television connections to her office were aged. She also called a 72-hour strike from also severed. There was no official com- Sunday, despite nationwide high-school ment from police or the power company. examinations in which about 1.5 million stu- Shamsuddin Dider, a spokesman for Zia’s dents are taking part. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), said Zia wants Hasina, her rival of nearly three that the 69-year-old leader was “shocked decades, to call fresh polls after last year’s and surprised” by the move. He said the controversial polls, which opposition parties mobile phone network around the office boycotted on the grounds they would be had also been jammed. The power line was rigged. The boycott meant most members of cut just hours after a government minister the 300-seat parliament were returned reportedly threatened to sever the office’s unopposed, handing Hasina another five electrical supply and force Zia her to starve years in power. Zia denies the BNP and its to death if she did not call off the nation- Islamist allies were responsible for firebomb- wide transport blockade. ings and has demanded the release of oppo- “Even the food provided to you by your sition officials and leaders detained over the party officials will not reach your room. violence. Hasina has accused Zia of trying to You’ll have to die there without food,” ship- trigger “anarchy” and ordered the security ping minister Shahjahan Khan told a rally agencies to hunt down the protesters. late Friday, according to the local Daily Star Yesterday an elite security force arrested newspaper. Rizvi Ahmed, a top BNP leader, in Dhaka after SHIKARPUR: Pakistani Shiite Muslims hold a sit-in protest to condemn the Friday bombing yesterday. — AP Zia has been confined in her office in he was accused of ordering firebombing of Dhaka’s upmarket Gulshan district for vehicles from a hideout. The EU, the nation’s weeks after threatening to rally her sup- biggest export destination, has urged Pakistan’s Shiites mourn porters against the government of bitter Hasina’s government and the opposition to rival Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on hold talks to resolve the crisis. — AFP dead in mosque bombing ‘Bomb blew up in the middle of the mosque’

SHIKARPUR: Thousands of Shiite Muslims rallied prayers for the dead. Local television broadcast sectarian attack in Pakistan since March 2013, when yesterday to protest against the killing of 61 people footage of huge crowds of mostly Shiite Muslims, a car bomb in a Shiite neighborhood of Karachi in a suicide bombing at a mosque, as southern carrying black flags and beating their chests as killed 45. A spokesman for the shadowy Jandullah mil- Pakistan shut down to mourn the nation’s worst they offered their prayers, one after another. itant group, a splinter faction of the Pakistani Taleban, sectarian attack in nearly two years. The blast hit Karachi, Pakistan’s economic heart and Sindh’s said they were behind the latest blast. Anti-Shiite the mosque in the Shikarpur district of southern provincial capital, also shut down for the day, with attacks have been increasing in recent years in Karachi Sindh province, around 470 kilometers north of hundreds of Shiites staging protest rallies. Police and also in the southwestern city of Quetta, the north- Pakistan’s biggest city Karachi, as hundreds of wor- said unidentified “miscreants” had set fire to a pas- western area of Parachinar and the far northeastern shippers attended Friday prayers. Police yesterday senger bus and a truck in the city early in the day, town of Gilgit. Around 1,000 Shiites have been killed in said the devastating explosion was a suicide attack but no one was hurt. ‘ the past two years in Pakistan, with many of the attacks and the bomber detonated the explosives Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the whole claimed by the hardline Sunni group Lashkar-e- strapped to his body “in the middle of the mosque”. nation was in mourning after the bombing, but Jhangvi (LeJ). “The bomber selected a place in the mosque vowed that it would strengthen the government’s Pakistan has stepped up its fight against mili- that would cause huge destruction,” Raja Umar resolve to stop terrorism. Pakistan “will win the war tants in the past month, following a Taleban mas- Khitab, a police official in Sindh’s counter-terror against terrorism at any cost,” he told a crowd of sacre at a school in the northwestern city of department, said yesterday. Khitab said the bomb almost 1,000 counter-terrorism officers in eastern Peshawar. Heavily armed gunmen went from room was loaded with steel pellets, ball bearings and Lahore city yesterday. to room at the army-run school gunning down 150 other shrapnel to cause maximum damage. The Pakistan has suffered a rising tide of sectarian people, most of them children, in an attack that hor- provincial government announced a day of mourn- violence in recent years, most of it perpetrated by rified the world. Since then, the government has HYDERABAD: An Indian child, wearing a mask as preventive measures against swine ing yesterday, closing schools, shops and offices, hardline Sunni Muslim groups against minority ended a six-year moratorium on executions in ter- flu, is carried by an adult inside Gandhi Hospital. Swine flu has claimed more than 20 with no public transport available on the roads. In Shiites, who make up around 20 percent of the pop- ror-related cases and pledged to crack down on all lives in the Hyderabad region in the month of January. — AP Shikarpur, thousands gathered to attend funeral ulation. Friday’s bombing was the bloodiest single militant groups. — AFP INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 Kim calls US ‘rabid dogs’ after Obama comments SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un said believed to have taken place on Friday. of the North Korean regime, calling it “the most isolat- regime would only strengthen unity among its people. Pyongyang would not sit idly by “with rabid dogs bark- “He solemnly declared that we have no willingness ed, the most sanctioned and the most cut-off nation The North has often used bombastic and some- ing” about toppling its socialist system, in apparent to sit any longer with the rabid dogs openly barking on Earth”. “We will keep on ratcheting the pressure, but times racist rhetoric to slam Obama and other US lead- reaction to comments by US President Barack Obama that they will bring down by the method of bringing part of what’s happening is the Internet over time is ers. In December its top military body chaired by Kim that the regime was doomed, state media reported about ‘changes’ the socialist system, the cradle which going to be penetrating this country,” Obama said. compared Obama to a “monkey” over his support for yesterday. our people consider dearer than their own lives”, KCNA “Over time you will see a regime like this collapse,” the screening of a Hollywood comedy hated by Kim made the remarks while overseeing a joint said. Kim said North Korea was ready to counter “any he said, adding the US was looking for ways to acceler- Pyongyang. “The Interview”-about a fictional plot to naval and air force drill simulating an attack on a US war including a war by conventional armed forces and ate the flow of information into the country”. A North assassinate Kim-was released online and in theatres carrier strike group off South Korea, the Korean Central a nuclear war”. Korean foreign ministry spokesman lashed out at his despite devastating cyber attacks on its producer Sony News Agency (KCNA) said. It did not give details of the In an interview on YouTube from the White House remarks, portraying them as “nothing but a poor Pictures. Washington blames Pyongyang for the venue and date of the war games, which were on January 22, Obama spoke of the eventual collapse grumble of a loser”, adding that attempts to topple the attacks, a charge the North has angrily denied. — AFP Aviation leaders seek new safety mandate

MONTREAL: Aviation leaders will try to ICAO, one of the international institutions secure a mandate to implement new safety which sprang out of World War II, is credited standards when they meet next week after a with making it safer to fly by ensuring coordi- string of high-profile accidents around the nation in standards across the globe. But get- world made 2014 the deadliest year for com- ting collaboration when it comes to disputed mercial airlines in almost a decade. territory can be tough. Some major intelli- Efforts to adopt new standards for global gence agencies were invited to take part in plane tracking and co-operation on the risks preparatory ICAO talks on conflict zones but of flying over conflict zones will dominate the didn’t show up, two people familiar with the meeting on safety in Montreal from Feb 2-5, discussions said. Faced with the reluctance of weeks ahead of the anniversary of the disap- most countries to share highly sensitive infor- pearance of flight MH370, the Malaysian mation, ICAO has proposed overhauling a Airlines jet with 239 people on board. system of notices to pilots to ensure that Regulators and officials at the meeting will what data already exists is more widely avail- have to juggle political sensitivities and argu- able and able to be cross-checked. ments over the budgets of cash-squeezed air- “No system for identifying, verifying, and lines. “Issues such as flight restrictions over sharing threat information is fail-safe, but a conflict zones can only be tackled at a global centralized database at ICAO at least ensures or regional level,” Patrick Ky, executive direc- that identified threat information gets shared tor of the European Aviation Safety Agency, on a more widespread and timely basis,” said. Quinn said. That is likely to disappoint airlines “The global aviation regulatory system that have said it is the responsibility of states should also act more quickly to address the to tell them what they know. recommendations for safety improvement made by accident investigators,” he told New systems Reuters ahead of the talks at the International On tracking, however, airlines have dis- Civil Aviation Organization. While statistics played divisions over the costs of installing suggest flying is safer than ever in proportion new systems, while several competing busi- to the amount of traffic, 924 people were ness groups will be lobbying on the sidelines killed in passenger accidents last year, the of ICAO. Senior officials involved in the dis- worst for loss of life since 2005, shaking per- cussions said the recent AirAsia crash was not MANILA: A member of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force scribbles a message for the 44 commandos killed in a clash with ceptions of air travel worldwide. part of the UN debate because the jet was Muslim rebels during its final wake yesterday. — AP Last year’s disappearance of a Malaysia within controlled airspace and its flight Airlines jet, and the downing of a sister plane recorders were found relatively quickly after on flight MH17 over Ukraine with a combined delays mainly due to bad weather. Next loss of 539 lives, pose one of the biggest chal- week’s conference is likely to call for planes to Civilians killed in lenges to the 70-year-old UN organization send tracking signals at regular intervals in since security threats in the 1970s and 1980s. normal flight and to speed them up when “Like hijackings in the 1970s, the Korean they get into trouble. It is also looking at Airlines 007 fighter jet shootdown, and the ejectable black boxes as one way to aid Pan Am 103 bombing, the downing of MH17 searches and solve mysteries like that of the anti-terror raid represents an abhorrent, watershed moment missing MH370. But in December, the in civil aviation history,” said Pillsbury Law International Air Transport Association, which partner Kenneth Quinn, a former US official represents over 200 carriers, refused to back a COTABATOL: An eight-year-old girl and three the corn-farming region were also wounded. The yet to be independently confirmed. A second tar- who took part in a task force on the issue. call by an industry-wide committee that had men-one with his hands bound-were among Philippines on Friday held a national day of get, Filipino militant Abdul Basit Usman, escaped. Airlines have called for controls on met under its own leadership to install exist- those killed in a botched anti-terror police oper- mourning for the dead police officers, who were The government has faced calls for retribution weapons such as the high-altitude ground- ing systems on its planes within 12 months. A ation in the Philippines last weekend, a local offi- killed as they hunted the man blamed for the after at least one police survivor alleged some of to-air missile suspected of shooting down strong ICAO mandate to impose flight track- cial said yesterday. Mamasapano town mayor 2002 Bali bombings in Indonesia, in which 202 the policemen were killed after they surrendered MH17 over eastern Ukraine last July, and ing would also need national measures to Benzar Ampatuan said residents had told him people died. Nearly 400 members of the elite and their corpses were desecrated. Despite the greater sharing of intelligence information on take effect. The European Union is expected police tied up the man to stop him tipping off police unit were sent to a village near the town bloodbath, both the Philippine government and threats. MH17 was hit during fighting to move quickly to make them law, an EU offi- their targets ahead of the pre-dawn raid, in of Mamasapano on January 25 to arrest Zulkifli the MILF pledged at the end of the Kuala Lumpur between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatist cial said. But some delegates have expressed which 44 commandos died in one of the force’s Bin Hir alias Marwan. talks yesterday to pursue their 2014 agreement. rebels in eastern Ukraine. The United States concerns that the global response to last bloodiest days in recent years. A local farmer’s The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said The process calls on parliament to pass a law giv- said the plane was hit with a ground-to-air year’s shock events could be weakened if daughter and two other men were also found 11 of its fighters were killed and 15 wounded in ing minority Muslims self-rule over several missile by rebels. Russia says a Ukrainian mili- there is only patchy compliance with the new dead in their homes after the fighting, the gunfight that ensued. A second rebel force, provinces and for the 10,000-member MILF to dis- tary aircraft downed it. recommendations. — Reuters Ampatuan said, the first report of civilian casual- the MILF splinter group Bangsamoro Islamic arm gradually. The accord aims to end decades of ties in the bloodbath. Freedom Fighters, has not disclosed whether it armed conflict that had claimed 120,000 lives and “Their wives said they were hit in the cross- suffered any casualties. Filipino officials said kept the Catholic nation’s Muslim south in abject fire,” he said, adding that five other residents of Zulkifli was killed by the raiders, a claim that has poverty and lawlessness. — AFP Hostage negotiations ‘deadlocked’: Report No progress made in hostage release

TOKYO: Japan’s deputy foreign minister has said Japan, which plays no military part in the fight ported deadline for a possible prisoner swap negotiations with the Islamic State group threaten- against IS, was thrust onto the front line last week lapsed with no further messages from the Islamic ing to execute a Jordanian pilot and a Japanese when a video appeared in which Goto and Haruna State group holding them captive. Another journalist have become “deadlocked”, local media Yukawa, a self-described contractor, were seen Japanese hostage has purportedly been killed. reported yesterday. Yasuhide Nakayama, who is kneeling in the desert. A masked, knife-wielding mil- The restraint by broadcasters and other media leading Tokyo’s emergency response team in itant said Tokyo had 72 hours to pay a $200 million has spilled over into politics as opposition lawmak- Amman, told reporters in the Jordanian capital late ransom if it wanted to spare their lives. When that ers, mindful of the crisis, toned down their criticism Friday that there had been no progress in trying to deadline expired, new pictures appeared to show of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his team. When secure the release of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto Yukawa had been beheaded, and a voice identifying dozens of lawmakers appeared in their traditional and airman Maaz Al-Kassasbeh. “It has become itself as Goto demanded the release of Rishawi. kimonos this week to mark the opening of the deadlocked,” he said, according to Japan’s public annual session, they were attacked on blogs and broadcaster NHK. “Staying vigilant, we will contin- Images linked to crisis censored social networks for looking too festive and insensi- ue analyzing and examining information as the Meanwhile, images or mentions of knives, ran- tive. The hostage crisis broke out on Jan 20, with government is making concerted efforts together.” som or blood - or anything else that can be seen the release of an online video showing the two In Tokyo, deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary alluding to the hostage crisis involving two hostages with a black masked man wielding a Hiroshige Seko, a key aide to Prime Minister Shinzo Japanese in Syria - have been omitted. Some anime knife, demanding $200 million ransom in exchange CHICAGO: The Dalai Lama speaks while participating in a multi-faith panel discus- Abe, said yesterday morning that the government and other entertainment programs are altering, for their lives. Not wanting to be seen as insensitive sion with Jewish, Islamic and Christian leaders. —AP was still waiting for new information on the canceling or postponing episodes violating those - a huge faux pas in a society that holds considera- hostage crisis. Later in the day, Abe met with sensitivities - typical of the kind of self-restraint tion for others in high esteem - Japanese broad- Obama, Dalai Lama to attend Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Chief Cabinet shown here to avoid controversy. The fates of a casters quickly screened out any buzzwords and Secretary Yoshihide Suga at the prime minister’s Japanese journalist and Jordanian military pilot related images, all in the name of “jishuku,” or self- National Prayer Breakfast residence. He renewed orders for officials to main- were still unknown yesterday after the latest pur- imposed control. —AP tain close cooperation with Jordan in a bid to WASHINGTON: US President Barack tural and linguistic traditions.” Obama held secure the immediate release of the Japanese Obama and the Dalai Lama are scheduled low-key talks with the Dalai Lama in national. “Our prime minister told us to handle it to attend the US National Prayer Breakfast Washington last February and the meeting with a sense of tension by closely coordinating in Washington next week, but it was greatly angered Beijing, which had warned with Jordan and other countries concerned, as the unclear if they will have a private meeting that it would damage ties. Asked to com- situation remains extremely severe,” Suga told like one last year that angered Beijing. The ment on next week’s plans, a spokesman reporters after the meeting. White House said Obama would deliver for the Chinese Embassy in Washington remarks at the Feb 5 event about the said Tibet-related issues were “domestic Heavy pressure importance of upholding religious free- affairs of China.” “The 14th Dalai Lama is a IS had vowed to kill Kassasbeh by sunset on dom, and that the organizers had also invit- political exile, and China is opposed to Thursday unless Amman hands over an Iraqi ed the Dalai Lama. A congressional aide leaders of any countries meeting him in female jihadist in return for Goto. Jordan has said the Tibetan spiritual leader had con- any form,” he said. demanded evidence that the pilot, who crashed in firmed his attendance. Beijing calls the Dalai Lama, who fled to Syria on December 24, is still alive before freeing Asked if there was any plan for a private India after a failed uprising in 1959, a “wolf would-be suicide bomber Sajida Al-Rishawi, who is meeting with the Dalai Lama, White House in sheep’s clothing” who seeks to use vio- on death row. Jordan has offered to free Rishawi, spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said: “As lent methods to establish an independent who was convicted for her part in triple-hotel he has done in the past, the President will Tibet. The Dalai Lama says he only wants bombings in Amman in 2005 that killed 60 people, see many religious leaders at the event, but genuine autonomy for Tibet and denies if IS releases the pilot. Amman has been under we don’t have any specific meeting with advocating independence or violence. heavy pressure from Tokyo-a major aid donor-to the Dalai Lama to announce.” White House Human rights activists say China tramples save Goto, as well as calls from Jordanians to bring deputy spokesman Patrick Ventrell said the on religious freedom and culture in Tibet, Kassasbeh home. While IS threatened Kassasbeh’s president had “a great relationship with the which it has ruled strictly since People’s life, it was not clear from its latest message if the Dalai Lama.” Liberation Army troops “peacefully liberat- jihadist group was ready to free him as part of an “They have met three times, including ed” the region in 1950. China rejects such exchange. just last February. The President is a strong criticism, saying its rule ended serfdom in IS had set the Thursday sunset deadline for TOKYO: A woman walks past a poster of animation “Assassination Classroom”. Images or men- supporter of the Dalai Lama’s teachings Tibet and brought development to a back- Rishawi to be released at the Turkish border in tions of knives, ransom or blood - or anything else that can be seen alluding to the hostage cri- and preserving Tibet’s unique religious, cul- ward, poverty-stricken region. — Reuters return for Goto but there was no news of a swap. sis involving two Japanese in Syria - have been cut out. — AP NEWS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015

MADRID: Demonstrators gather at Puerta del Sol during the “March for Change” organized by leftwing party Podemos yesterday. — AFP Jihadists wary of Internet Massive march to support

PARIS: After having used the Internet profusely for propa- are interested in are increasingly specialised in computing. ganda and recruitment, jihadist organizations have real- They master encryption software and methods to better Spain anti-austerity party ized that investigators are gleaning crucial information erase data.” Chadrys also said that jihadists were increas- online and are increasingly concealing their web presence, ingly using the “Dark Web”. “That makes our probes much experts say. Apart from recent orders given to fighters to more complicated. The terrorists are adapting, they under- MADRID: Tens of thousands of people took to the said Dori Sanchez, 23, an unemployed teacher who limit their exposure, erase the footprint of their online stand that the telephone and Internet are handy, but dan- streets in Madrid yesterday in support of new anti-aus- came from Monover in southeastern Spain for the rally. activity and avoid revealing too many place names or gerous. He pointed to Mehdi Nemmouche, saying last terity party Podemos, a week after Greece elected its Podemos said 260 buses brought supporters to the faces, the Islamic State and Al-Nusra Front groups are year’s alleged Brussels Jewish museum killer had no mobile hard-left ally Syriza. With the party topping opinion capital from across Spain for the “March for Change”, increasingly using the “Dark Web” - the hidden part of the phone and no Facebook account. Faced with this problem, polls in the run up to elections later this year, protesters while hundreds of locals signed on to host travellers. “I Internet protected by powerful encryption softwares. police are resorting to calling in cryptography and comput- chanted “Yes we can!” as they made their way from want real change, that they stop fooling us,” said Blanca “Sometimes we get the geographical location of some ing experts, but there are never enough, which slows down Madrid city hall to the central Puerta del Sol square. Salazar, 53, a geriatric aide who came by car from the fighters thanks to Facebook,” Philippe Chadrys, in charge of investigations. Many waved blue and white Greek flags and red and northern city of Bilbao with her husband and nephews. the fight against terrorism at France’s judicial police, said Last autumn, the Islamic State group (IS) published white Syriza flags or held signs reading “The change is Spain has now officially exited recession - the country’s earlier this week. “Some even publish it on the public part guidelines for its members, asking fighters not to tweet now” and “Together we can”. economy grew by 1.4 percent last year, according to of their account. That gives us elements to build a case. precise location names, to blur faces or stop giving too Podemos, which means “We Can”, was formed just a provisional data released Friday - but nearly one in four Because of course we don’t go to Syria, we have no one on many details about on-going operations. “Security breach- year ago, but produced a major shock by winning five workers is still unemployed. Salaries for many people the ground, and we lack proof.” es have appeared, which the enemy has taken advantage seats in elections for the European Parliament in May. have dropped and the number of workers on low-paid In November, Flavien Moreau, a 28-year-old jihadist of,” read the text, written in Arabic. “The identity of some “The wind of change is starting to blow in Europe,” short-term contracts has soared. who travelled to Syria and then returned to France, was brothers has been compromised, as have some sites used Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias said in both Greek and Podemos has overtaken the mainstream opposition jailed for seven years exclusively on the basis of what he by mujahedeen. We know that this problem does not only Spanish at the start of his address to the crowd at the Socialist Party in several opinion polls, and in some has posted online. And those who just months ago had happily involve photos, but also PDF, Word and video files.” end of the march. “We dream but we take our dream topped the list ahead of the conservative ruling People’s posted videos, photos of themselves holding Kalashnikovs In a recent report, Helle Dale of the US-based Heritage seriously. More has been done in Greece in six days than Party (PP). The Socialists and the PP have ruled Spain or of beheadings on Facebook have now realised that they Foundation think-tank wrote that cyber-surveillance was many governments did in years.” alternately since the country returned to democracy were single-handedly building a case against themselves, if key to the fight against IS “as human intelligence is hardly Syriza beat mainstream Greek parties by pledging to after the death of the dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. they ever decided to come home. available on the ground, especially in Syria, and the num- “We are starting to notice the beginnings of disaffection ber of unmanned drones is limited”. But, she added, the end austerity and corruption, as Podemos aims to do in Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has warned Spaniards with Facebook - they have understood that’s how we get group “is changing is communications strategy. It is Spain’s general election due in November. Iglesias, a 36- not to “play Russian roulette” by supporting Podemos, incriminating evidence,” said Chadrys. “They are resorting encrypting its electronic communications, limiting its pres- year-old pony-tailed former university professor, which he said “promises the moon and the sun” but will more and more to Skype or WhatsApp, software that is ence online and using services that delete messages as appeared alongside Syriza’s Alexis Tsipras, now Greece’s not deliver. Speaking in Barcelona as the rally was tak- much harder to intercept. “We realise that the people we soon as they are sent”. — AFP prime minister, to publicly support him during his cam- ing place, Rajoy said radicalism was “unfortunately very paign. Podemos wants to prevent profitable companies much in fashion in our country” without mentioning from firing people, promote a fully state-controlled Podemos directly. “I don’t accept the gloomy Spain health care system and enact a “significant” minimum- which some want to portray because they think that by wage hike. doing so they will replace those who are governing The party has struck a chord with Spaniards enraged and have had to face the most difficult crisis in by a string of corruption scandals, as well as public decades. They will not succeed,” he added. Critics of spending cuts imposed by the conservative ruling party Podemos have accused it of having links to Venezuela’s and previously by the Socialists after the economic crisis leftwing leaders and alleged fiscal irregularities by erupted in 2008. “There are many people that agree with some of its top members. The party’s leaders have the need for change. Enough already with stealing - that promised to publish their tax returns to dispel the alle- the corrupt take everything and we can’t do anything,” gations. — AFP

Lavish Saudi freebies will buoy economy Continued from Page 1 policy, to “rationalize” spending on public salaries. But it is in a long Saudi tradition of welfare handouts at times of Other benefits announced by Salman will increase political transition or tension. The 2015 budget plan pro- spending further. He ordered payments to students, grants jected a deficit of 145 billion riyals; the actual deficit now to professional associations and sports and literary clubs looks likely to be much larger, but with government around the country, and 20 billion riyals in spending to reserves at the central bank totalling some 900 billion improve electricity and water services, though it was not riyals, Riyadh can easily cover such shortfalls for now. clear if the utility spending was part of a previously Salman may intend to recoup some of the costs of his announced plan. handout through economic and bureaucratic reforms. As the sun breaks through the fog, a woman holds a child as she walks on a path in front of the Silverdale A Reuters poll of economists earlier in January found Thursday’s decrees kept the identity of key economic minis- Beach Hotel near Old Mill Park, in Silverdale, Washington early Thursday. — AP them predicting GDP growth of 3.2 percent this year, ters unchanged, suggesting to many observers that major, down from 3.6 percent in 2014, on the grounds that the politically sensitive reforms - such as cutting energy subsi- plunge in oil prices would cause the kingdom to slow dies, or large tax shifts -are not on the cards for now. “With Egypt bans Hamas armed wing some energy and petrochemical investments and make the oil, economic and finance portfolios remaining steady, I Continued from Page 1 ders on Gaza, have killed hundreds of police and soldiers since the government more cautious about spending in general. do not expect to see wider change in policy,” said Malik. Morsi’s political demise. The insurgency has spread to other Salman’s announcement on Thursday suggested the But Salman replaced many other ministers including A source close to Hamas’ armed wing signalled the group parts of Egypt, the most populous Arab country. On Thursday government remained willing to spend heavily despite the telecommunications, agriculture and the civil service, sug- would no longer accept Egypt as a broker between it and night there were four separate attacks on security forces in hit to its oil revenues from low prices, and that GDP growth gesting he may seek changes in the way those ministries Israel. “After the court’s decision Egypt is no longer a mediator North Sinai and Islamic State’s Egyptian wing, Sinai Province, this year might therefore be higher than originally expect- operate. Economy minister Muhammad Al-Jasser said last in Palestinian-Israeli matters,” the source told Reuters. Cairo claimed the killing of at least 30 soldiers and police officers. ed. “I believe it will be growth-supportive - especially on week that the next reform drive should focus on efficient has for many years played a central role in engineering cease- Egyptian officials say the Brotherhood, Islamic State, Al- the consumption side,” said Monica Malik, chief economist administration. Salman appeared to be seeking bureau- fires between Israel and Hamas, which dominates the Gaza Qaeda and Sinai Province, previously called Ansar Bayt Al- at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. Saudi retail industry cratic efficiency on Thursday when he abolished 12 com- Strip, including a truce reached between the sides in August Maqdis, share the same ideology. The Brotherhood says it is shares such as Jarir Marketing, United Electronics and mittees and councils, creating a new Council of Economic that ended a 50-day Gaza war. Egyptian officials say that committed to peaceful activism and denies any tie to vio- Fawaz Alhokair, plays on the kingdom’s fast-growing pri- and Development Affairs to substitute for some of them. weapons are smuggled from Gaza into Egypt where they end lence. Yesterday, a sniper wounded a soldier in a village in cen- vate consumption, may benefit. The new council, chaired by Salman’s son Prince up with militant groups fighting to topple the Western- tral Sinai, security sources said. In northern Sinai, Islamist mili- Salman’s announcement appeared to take a step back Mohammed bin Salman, who is only 34, may give the king backed Cairo government. tant gunmen killed a Christian man suspected of cooperating from a pledge in the 2015 budget, which was announced a platform to push controversial economic reforms in the Islamist militants based in Egypt’s Sinai region, which bor- with Egyptian authorities. — Agencies in December when he was already overseeing economic future if he wishes. — Reuters SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 ANALYSIS

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Focus New-style Greek government breaks with past

By Helene Colliopoulou

ith its tie-less ministers, blunt talk and relaxed security, Greece’s radical new gov- Wernment has adopted a style that is a delib- erate break with the country’s ousted political class. A sartorial shift in gear is among the most obvious changes, as seen at Friday’s meeting between Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis and the head of the Eurogroup, Jeroen Dijsselbloem. While the Greek wore his blue shirt untucked, the Dutchman appeared sharply dressed in a suit and tie. The open-necked shirt is also embraced by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, whose hard-left Syriza party took office this week with a promise to Romney departure resets 2016 GOP field end the old way of doing things and take aim at a wealthy elite who until now have called the shots. By Steven R Hurst in 2008. Obama rolled up big victories gally to “self-deport”. That posi- from 2012, when he was caught on video The first break with the past was when a tie-less both times. tion opened a rift with Bush, telling a room full of wealthy donors that Tsipras was sworn in on Monday in a civil rather itt Romney stepped away from a For now, polls show whose wife is Mexican 47 percent of Americans - middle- and than a religious ceremony - a first in a country third presidential run and reset Bush as the frontrunner. born. After his 2012 low-income Americans - would vote for where the Christian Orthodox church and the state Mthe field in the battle for the 2016 The mainstream loss, Romney had Obama no matter what he did. Americans are closely intertwined. Republican nomination. The former Republican candidates repeatedly said he was “who are dependent upon government, “The significance and the symbolism of the civil Massachusetts governor’s decision freed will be hard-pressed to done with presidential who believe that they are victims, who service was taboo-breaking in a society that is up vast quantities of political oxygen for avoid being pushed too politics. But three weeks believe the government has a responsibili- essentially conservative, although it changes little the potential runs by other mainstream far to the right of the ago Romney appeared to ty to care for them, who believe that they on the actual separation of church and state,” Republicans, especially former Florida political spectrum in do an about-face, saying are entitled to health care, to food, to Manolis Alexakis, political sociologist at the Gov. Jeb Bush - son of one Republican their bid to win the nomi- he was considering housing, to you-name-it.” University of Crete, told AFP. president and brother of another. The nation. The series of state another run. He made In the end, Romney’s exit on Friday In other symbolic moves, the government has broad but still unannounced field of possi- primary and caucus votes calls to former fundraisers, reflected the defection to Bush of several withdrawn the barriers around the monument to ble candidates is jockeying to be the are dominated by the con- staff members and sup- of his former major donors and a veteran the unknown soldier in Syntagma square, the loca- Republican who faces off against likely servative activists and vot- porters, and gave three staffer. While likely boosting the chances tion of major anti-austerity protests during the Democrat nominee Hillary Rodham ers. Romney’s drift to the public speeches in which of Bush, Christie, Walker and Rubio, height of the crisis in 2012. Meanwhile near Clinton - the former first lady, New York right during the primaries he outlined his potential Romney’s departure leaves unchanged Maximos House, the seat of government in the senator and secretary of state. was seen as one reason for vision for another campaign the more conservative side of the field, centre of Athens, the police presence has been The election to pick a successor to his loss to Obama in 2012. - focusing this time on the with a group of candidates that will likely scaled back and the surrounding roads were left President Barack Obama still is 21 months Bush and Romney are plight of the middle class. include Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Texas open during visits by senior European Union offi- away and none of the potential candi- deeply at odds over the Critics jabbed the new focus Sen. Ted Cruz, former neurosurgeon Ben cials this week. dates has said for certain they will make a future direction of the as an insincere shift designed to Carson and former Arkansas Gov Mike run for the Republican nomination. Bush Republican party, which has shed his image as an out-of-touch Huckabee. Rubio, a former Romney ally, ‘Call me Nadia’ has taken initial steps toward a run, and so been unable to appeal to millionaire. took to Twitter minutes after Romney’s The dark suits and shirts worn by Tsipras, at 40 have New Jersey Gov Chris Christie, black and Hispanic voters. In Those closer to Romney suggest- announcement to promote his own politi- the youngest prime minister of Greece for 150 Wisconsin Gov Scott Walker and Florida the 2012 campaign Romney ed it was a truer reflection of a man cal action committee. “He certainly earned years, and his ministers are a “style which marks Sen. Marco Rubio. Romney had run for alienated Hispanics in particu- of deep faith than most voters the right to consider running,” Rubio said the change in politics”, said Thomas Gerakis, the president twice before. Before claiming lar by saying US immigration saw during his first two presi- in a statement, “so I deeply respect his head of polling company Marc. the nomination to oppose Obama in 2012, policy should encourage dential campaigns. It was an decision to give the next generation a He recalled a similar presentational shift when he lost a primary bid to Sen John McCain people in the country ille- attempt to distance himself chance to lead.” — AP the socialist Pasok took power in 1981 after years of rightwing politics, and prime minister Andreas Papandreou became known for his roll-neck jumpers. Turkey airport police hunt extremists “People were used to seeing Syriza politicians without ties because they were in opposition, and By Fulya Ozerkan it doesn’t seem shocking now - they’re more con- cerned about the outcome of negotiations with verything seems normal as the passengers stream out Europe,” Gerakis said. of a routine flight from a Middle Eastern country after But the change is not just about image. The Elanding at a major Turkish international airport. But as prime minister’s entourage, including long-stand- they cross the air bridge from the plane into the airport, ing advisor Nikos Papas and government two plainclothes Turkish police - on the lookout for spokesman Gabriel Sakellaridis, who is often in jihadists on their way to Syria - scrutinise their appearance jeans, travel around Athens by foot, not car. Their and behaviour. They check the passengers’ passports and language has none of the classical oratory of the detain two men who arouse suspicions after saying they previous government although the lack of diplo- are travelling on to the city of Adana, in southern Turkey. matic niceties has not so far endeared them to The country has long been under pressure to do more Greece’s international creditors. to thwart the transit of jihadists across its territory to war- One of the first and most symbolic acts of the torn Syria. Thousands are believed to have taken commer- new government was the reinstatement of the cial flights to Turkish airports before heading overland to cleaning ladies who had been laid off from Syria to fight alongside Islamic State (IS) militants. But Greece’s finance ministry as part of the austerity Ankara insists it is now doing all it can to tighten border forms. On meeting them, deputy finance minister security and said Western states should do more to pre- Nadia Valavani said: “Call me Nadia.” vent the jihadists from leaving for Turkey in the first place. The government has nethertheless been criti- Turkey has clearly been stung by the criticism, and last cised for failing to name a single woman to a sen- year it established “risk analysis centres” at international ior ministry post - although it expected to name airports and bus terminals across the country in order to Zoe Konstantopoulou for the post of parliament spot extremists and deport them. Eager to show the extent speaker. of the measures now in place round the clock at Turkish “We are living in historic times... but for the transport hubs, the Turkish authorities gave AFP unusual moment, there is no equality,” said academic access to its security teams at the airport. Antzela Dimitrakaki. “I want to know why there are only men in the government.” — AFP ‘Weak Intelligence Sharing’ The teams have detected some 1,500 suspects and around one third of them were sent back to their countries of origin, a Turkish security official told AFP in an interview. All articles appearing on these “The suspect is spotted at the air bridge and then taken to the passenger documents check desk and later to the risk Plainclothes Turkish police officers detain passengers after a plane landed at the international airport in Istanbul pages are the personal opinion of analysis centre for a further interview with the police,” the on Jan 29, 2015. — AFP the writers. Kuwait Times takes no official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. During the top 10 source countries,” according to the official. appear normal when entering Turkey, down to shaving off responsibility for views expressed the process the authorities can communicate with the A 33-year-old terror suspect, identified only by his ini- the long beards traditionally worn by conservative countries of origin if necessary. tials SL, was held at Istanbul’s international airport by Muslims. therein. Kuwait Times invites Eyes turned to Turkey when Hayat Boumeddiene, the Turkish police in June last year after arriving on a flight “Shaving the beard or changing appearance does not readers to voice their opinions. partner of an Islamist militant who took part in the January from Paris exhibiting “suspicious behaviour”. mean that suspects will not be spotted,” the official said. 7 Paris attacks, flew to Istanbul, passed through immigra- During the interview it emerged that he had converted Psychological testing in interview rooms helps determine Please send submissions via email tion - and then the entire country -without being stopped. to Islam very recently and planned to join IS, authorities whether suspects are to be sent back. For those deemed Ankara says it cannot assure 100 percent border security told AFP. In another incident, police confiscated military suspicious, authorities draw up a confidential document to: [email protected] or unless Western states provide real time intelligence and equipment, binoculars and first aid material from a outlining their justification for deportation, place it in an via snail mail to PO Box 1301 full lists of suspects - which was not the case with Norwegian suspect last year. “How can an individual with envelope and give it to the airline to be delivered to the Boumeddiene. “In the past intelligence sharing was weak,” military equipment in his bag (on his way) to join DAISH be country of origin. “Airline companies are responsible for Safat, Kuwait. The editor reserves said the official, adding that it was enhanced after the Paris completely unnoticed in the country of departure?” the the passengers they carry,” the official said. The two sus- the right to edit any submission attacks but “it is not considered sufficient”. He said: “35 per- official said, using an Arabic acronym for the IS group. pects who said they were headed for Adana are taken to cent of (IS) members come from European countries and the risk analysis centre in a small room nearby for further as necessary. hold European passports.” Up to 600 Turkish nationals have ‘Beard Shaving no Disguise’ questioning. Officials declined to give any hint about their joined Islamist militants but this does “not place Turkey in Meanwhile, jihadists are now going out of their way to ultimate fate. — AFP p15_Layout 1 1/31/15 9:50 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 SPORTS

Mancini: Inter forced to buy Russians sweep podium Returning Clarke denies rifts STOCKHOLM: Elizaveta Tuktamysheva crowned her return to form this MILAN: A defensive crisis will force Inter Milan to make a late move in the SYDNEY: Australia captain Michael Clarke shrugged off speculation of rifts season by leading a Russian women’s podium sweep at the European fig- with Cricket Australia and his international team mates after making a suc- transfer market before Tuesday’s deadline, coach Roberto Mancini said yes- ure skating championships yesterday. terday. Hugo Campagnaro and Marco Andreolli will miss today’s Serie A cessful comeback from injury in a club game yesterday. Tuktamysheva, 18, the winner of the Grand Prix final in December, has The 33-year-old batsman, who underwent surgery on a troublesome match at 12th placed Sassuolo through injury while Andrea Ranocchia is a had a remarkable comeback this season after missing out on the Winter fitness doubt. Juan Jesus is also suspended after elbowing Giorgio Chiellini hamstring in December, made 51 on his return for side Western Suburbs Olympics at home in Sochi. against Gordon. in a recent game against Juventus. “Most of our centre backs are She grabbed her first continental title in the free skating final to out so we need to go out and buy someone,” Mancini told Reports in the Sydney Morning Herald said Clarke had “Batwannis Beek” and “Sandstorm” after trailing compatriot Elena clashed with his country’s selectors over the deadline they reporters. “The problem with this market is there aren’t many Radionova, 16, by just one point after Thursday’s short programme. available players. “One possibility is to get a younger player had given him to prove his fitness for the World Cup, which Tuktamysheva scored 210.40 points overall, to take the title ahead of Australia are co-hosting with New Zealand from Feb. 14. and work with him so that you will have a starter when next Radionova (209.54) with 16-year-old Anna Pogorilaya (191.81) taking season begins. Or you have 30 million euros ($33.86 million) Even if he did return to health, the newspaper reported bronze. It has been stunning return for Tuktamysheva who first appeared that his team mates had turned their back on the captain in ready to spend.” Inter thrashed Sassuolo 7-0 in the second on the international scene four years ago, and had been tipped among the game of the season, the same margin of victory they defeated favor of stand-in Steve Smith but Clarke said there were no Olympic favorites. problems. “I’m not going to get into it. It seems like some Sunday’s opposition last year. Aged just 12 years she had been Russian vice-champion, going on to After making a promising start to the New Year with an away people in particular are going to write what they’re win gold in the first Youth Olympics in 2012, and the following year going to write,” Clarke told reporters. —Reuters draw at Juve and a home win against Genoa, Inter have achieved bronze in the European championships.—AFP claimed one point from their last two games.—Reuters

NHL results/standings

Pittsburgh 2, New Jersey 1 (OT); St. Louis 3, Carolina 2 (So); Colorado 3, Nashville 0; Vancouver 5, Buffalo 2; Chicago 4, Anaheim

Western Conference Pacific Division WLOTLGFGAPTS Anaheim 32 12 6 147 134 70 San Jose 26 17 6 137 135 58 Vancouver 27 17 3 129 120 57 Calgary 26 20 3 140 127 55 Los Angeles 21 15 12 133 129 54 Arizona 17 25 6 111 161 40 Edmonton 13 27 9 113 162 35

Central Division Nashville 31 11 6 145 115 68 St. Louis 31 13 4 156 117 66 Chicago 31 16 2 155 113 64 Winnipeg 26 16 8 140 127 60 Colorado 21 18 11 131 141 53 Dallas 22 19 7 152 157 51 Minnesota 22 20 6 131 138 50

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Tampa Bay 31 15 4 163 132 66 Montreal 31 13 3 127 108 65 Detroit 28 12 9 145 128 65 Boston 26 16 7 131 123 59 Florida 21 15 10 114 129 52 Toronto 22 24 4 144 155 48 Ottawa 19 19 9 129 134 47 Buffalo 14 33 3 94 179 31

Metropolitan Division NY Islanders 32 15 1 157 135 65 Pittsburgh 28 13 8 145 125 64 Washington 25 14 9 144 124 59 NY Rangers 27 15 4 135 111 58 Philadelphia 21 22 7 139 151 49 Columbus 21 23 3 119 148 45 New Jersey 18 22 9 110 137 45 Carolina 17 25 6 104 125 40 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings NEWARK: David Perron No. 39 of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks to pass defended by Dainius Zubrus No. 8 of the New Jersey Devils during the third period at the Prudential and are not included in the loss column (L). Center. —AFP Penguins rally to down Devils

NEWARK: Defenseman Simon Despres scored 2:21 into overtime, and the Pittsburgh Penguins rallied late and beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Friday night. Afridi blitz in vain as Chris Kunitz tied the game with a power-play goal with 3:11 left in regula- tion, spoiling a magnificent performance by New Jersey’s Cory Schneider, who made 41 saves. NZ spank Pakistan The winning goal came after Schneider made a close-in stop on Brandon Sutton. The Penguins kept the puck in the zone, and Despres’ shot from inside WELLINGTON: Grant Elliot’s all-round performance eclipsed Shahid Afridi’s the blue line beat a screened Schneider. 29-ball blitz to secure New Zealand a comfortable seven-wicket victory Marc-Andre Fleury made 13 saves for the Penguins, who fell behind 1-0 over Pakistan in the first One Day International in Wellington yesterday. when Devils forward Steve Bernier scored on a wraparound 6:08 into the third Elliot took three wickets for 26 runs to help the hosts bowl out Pakistan for period. New Jersey failed to tie its season-best, three-game winning streak. 210 in 45.3 overs at the Westpac Stadium. Pittsburgh won for the second time in seven games (2-3-2). He then returned to hit an unbeaten 64, adding 112-runs with Ross Taylor (59 not out) as New Zealand romped home with 10.3 overs to spare. BLUES 3, HURRICANES 2 Earlier, Afridi blasted a 29-ball 67 and captain Misbah-ul-Haq stroked a Kevin Shattenkirk scored in the shootout, and St. Louis topped Carolina for patient 58 to help Pakistan overcome a terrible start and post 210. its fourth straight win. Ryan Reaves and David Backes scored in regulation for Put in to bat, Pakistan lost their opener Mohammad Hafeez for a duck to the Blues, and Jake Allen made 26 saves before stopping all three Carolina the fifth delivery of the day and kept losing wickets to slump to 127 for six shooters in the tiebreaker. Defensemen Justin Faulk and Ryan Murphy scored in the 36th over. Kiwi pacemen Kyle Mills (2-29) and Trent Boult (2-25) sti- for Carolina, which had its three-game winning streak snapped, but the fled the visiting batsmen and struck at regular intervals to put Pakistan on Hurricanes have earned points in nine of 11 January games. the mat before Afridi went on the attack. Anton Khudobin made one save but allowed two goals before he was pulled Dropped on 14 by rival captain Brendon McCullum, the flamboyant 2:35 in and replaced by Cam Ward, who stopped all 29 shots he faced. Pakistan all-rounder added 71 runs with Misbah in 6.2 overs to lend some Shattenkirk beat Ward with a wrist shot in the second round of the shootout, respectability to the total. Afridi blasted nine boundaries in his blistering and Allen stopped Eric Staal with his pads to end it. The Blues, 9-0-1 in their knock to go with three sixes, the third bringing up his fifty before Adam past 10 games, beat Carolina in a shootout for the second time this season. Milne dismissed him in the 44th over. Misbah, who was content playing second fiddle to Afridi, perished in the 42nd over trying to accelerate. The AVALANCHE 3, PREDATORS 0 Kiwis were off to a flying start with the first three overs yielding 31 runs Semyon Varlamov made 23 saves for his fourth shutout of the season, and before McCullum fell. Tom Latham (23) could not convert the start he got Colorado beat Nashville. Jarome Iginla, Maxime Talbot, and Gabriel Landeskog either but Martin Guptill contributed 39 runs before the unseparated Elliot- Taylor partnership took the game away from Pakistan. Elliot hit eight had goals for the Avalanche, who earned an important win in their pursuit of a boundaries in his 68-ball knock, the last sealing the team’s victory. Napier playoff berth. Colorado is trying to stay in the thick of the race after a slow start hosts the second and final ODI on Tuesday.—Reuters to the season. The Avalanche are two points behind Calgary for the second wild-card position in the Western Conference but they have played one more game than the Flames. SCOREBOARD Colorado improved to 8-3-3 in its last 14 games and has moved into fifth place in the Central Division. The Avalanche earned three of a possible four WELLINGTON: Completed scoreboard in the first one-day international points against the division-leading Predators. Nashville’s Marek Mazanec made between New Zealand and Pakistan at Wellington Stadium yesterday. 25 saves in his first start of the season. Pakistan Mohammad Hafeez b Mills 0 CANUCKS 5, SABRES 2 Ahmed Shehzad c Ronchi b Boult 15 Ryan Miller made 22 saves in his first game against his former team, and Younis Khan lbw Mills 9 Vancouver sent Buffalo to its 14th straight regulation loss. Misbah ul-Haq c Latham b Elliott 58 Chris Higgins had a goal and assist, and Bo Horvat, Yannick Weber, Nick Haris Sohail c Guptill b Anderson 23 Umar Akmal b Elliott 13 Bonino and Radim Vrbata also scored for the Canucks, who snapped a two- Sarfraz Ahmed c Latham b Anderson 5 game skid. Christopher Tanev added two assists. Shahid Afridi c Guptill b Milne 67 Chris Stewart had both goals for the Sabres (14-33-3). Matt Hackett stopped Bilawal Bhatti c Guptill b Boult 0 33 shots in his first start of the season for the NHL-worst Sabres, who haven’t Ehsan Adil c B. McCullum b Elliott 6 won on the road since late November. Miller spent 12 seasons with the Sabres Mohammad Irfan not out 1 organization, leading the club to Eastern Conference finals appearances in 2006 Extras (lb 3, wd 9, nb 1) 13 Total (for 10 wickets, 45.3 overs) 210 and 2007. Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Hafeez), 2-29 (Shehzad), 3-32 (Younis), 4-81 (Sohail), 5-113 (Akmal), 6-127 (Ahmed), 7-198 (Misbah ul-Haq), 8-203 (Bhatti), 9-203 (Afridi), 10-210 (Adil) BLACKHAWKS 4, DUCKS 1 Bowling: Mills 10-2-29-2 (1w, 1nb), Boult 9-0-25-2 (2w), Milne 10-0-43-1 (3w), N. Patrick Kane had two goals and an assist, and Patrick Sharp assisted on every McCullum 6-0-37-0, Anderson 6-0-47-2 (2w), Elliott 4.3-0-26-3 (1w) Chicago goal in a victory over Anaheim. Captain Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith also scored for the Blackhawks, who beat the NHL-leading Ducks for the New Zealand M. Guptill c Bhatti b Irfan 39 third straight time at Honda Center. Corey Crawford made 21 saves as Chicago B. McCullum c Shehzad b Bhatti 17 controlled the meeting of Western Conference powers, taking a three-goal lead T. Latham c Ahmed b Afridi 23 in the second period. Rickard Rakell scored with 9:54 to play and Frederik R. Taylor not out 59 Andersen stopped 29 shots for the Ducks, who have back-to-back losses in two G. Elliott not out 64 days after a six-game winning streak. Extras (lb 3, wd 8) 11 Shortly before Kane scored his first goal, Keith scored on what appeared to Total (for 3 wickets, 39.3 overs) 213 be goaltender interference by Toews during a dominant middle period by Fall of wickets: 1-31 (B. McCullum), 2-75 (Latham), 3-101 (Guptill) WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s Ross Taylor gets hit by a bouncer during the first Bowling: Irfan 10-2-60-1 (5w), Bhatti 8-0-51-1 (1w), Adil 7.3-0-44-0, Afridi 10-0-39-1 Chicago. After getting blown out in San Jose on Thursday night, the Ducks have one-day international cricket match between New Zealand and Pakistan at (2w), Sohail 4-0-16-0 lost consecutive games for the second time all season, and the first since Nov. Westpac Stadium. —AFP Result: New Zealand won by seven wickets. 28-29.—AP p16_Layout 1 1/31/15 9:52 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 SPORTS

Amir shooting tourney a huge success

By Abedllatif Sharaa Violetta Starostina won the gold committee in which he lauded the medal 613.8, followed by Qatar’s Grand Prix success which was held KUWAIT: Saad Al-Mutairi gave Kuwait Noora Almuhanadi and her compatri- over the past six days. its fourth medal in HH the Amir 4th ot Aisha Al-Suwaidi. Al-Otaibi thankd HH the Amir, HH Annual Shooting, Grand Prix as he Kazakhstan finished the competi- the Crown Prince for their support of won the bronze medal in the double tions in first place with six gold the shooting sport, as well as shoot- trap events which concluded the medals, six silver and two bronze. ers. He also praised the support of events of the Grand Prix which Serbia three gold, two silver and three state ministries as well as the Public enjoyed an unprecedented success at bronze, UAE three gold, one silver. Authority for Youth and Sports to Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Olympic Malaysia two gold, one silver, three organize the fourth Grand Prix. Al- Shooting Complex with the participa- bronze. Hungary two gold, one Otaibi also lauded the support of tion of 59 countries. bronze. Uzbekistan and Croatia two Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al- The fifth and final day of the com- gold. Italy one gold, two silver and Humoud Al-Sabah Information petition saw five Arab medals and the one bronze. Kuwait one gold, one sil- Minister, State Minister for Youth UAE’s dominance over the gold ver, two bronze. Latvia one gold, one Affairs, President of the Asian medals in the trap, skeet and double silver, one bronze. Bulgaria one gold. Shooting Federation. trap, while Kazakhstan claimed top Qatar four silver, two bronze. UAE’s shooter Sheikh Jumaa Al spot in medals tally, ahead of Serbia Mongolia, Bosnia, Malta and Lithuania Maktoum commended the activities and UAE. and Iraq one silver. Slovenia and of HH the Amir Grand Prix, adding The double trap event saw Khalid Singapore two bronze. Albania, that the organization was distin- Al-Kaabi from UAE win the gold medal Armenia, Morocco, Poland and Tunis guished. He said the Grand Prix while his compatriot Saif Al-Shamsi one bronze. President of Kuwait and receives special attention from UAE, won the silver after a shot off. Kuwait’s Arab Shooting Federations Eng Duaij because it bears the name of HH the Saad Al-Mutairi won the bronze beat- Al-Otaibi spoke on behalf of federa- Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad. ing Hungary’s Gerebics Roland who tion members and the organizing Al-Maktoum praised the perform- won second place in the world cham- ance of shooters in the Grand Prix, pionship three times and Europe two adding that it provided strong con- times. tacts between all participating shoot- Kuwait’s Afrah Adel had earlier won ers. Al Maktoum said this Grand Prix the gold medal in skeet, while Saud shows that there will better future for Habib and Zaid Al-Mutairi won the sil- UAE shooting. ver and bronze in skeet. He appreciated the role of the UAE’s shooters performance shooting sport club board of directors clinched them third place in the who worked hard to make all success medals list as Walid Al-Eryani, Saif bin factors available, and remove all Futais and Khalid Al-Kaabi won the obstacles in the way of shooters and gold medals in the trap, skeet and this is what happened. double trap in this Grand Prix. Meanwhile, winner of the double Croatia’s Pejcic Snjezana, who won trap gold medal UAE’s Saeed Al-Kaabi the Olympic bronze in Beijing 2008, said he was keen to participate in and World Cup champion in (2011, Kuwait’s local tournaments during 2014), and second place in the world 2014, and competed in Kuwait championships (2014), won the gold Shooting Ranges and studied them medal of the 50m prone with a score well, and felt at home at the Grand of 624.4, followed by Norway’s Anita Prix. Siw Dramstand, Europe’s champion in He said that it was interesting for 2012 scoring (622.8), and Serbia’s him to see how keen are the world Andrea Arsovic, Europe’s champion in champions to participate for their 2010 with a score of 621.0. countries and boost the level of In the juniors event Kazakhstan’s shooting.

Hawks soar over Blazers NBA results/standings Philadelphia 103, Minnesota 94; Atlanta 105, Portland 99; Houston 93, Boston 87; Toronto 127, Brooklyn 122 (OT); Cleveland 101, Sacramento 90; New Orleans 108, LA Clippers 103; Dallas 93, Miami 72; Utah 110, Golden ATLANTA: The Atlanta Hawks overcame 37 points against Portland on Wednesday. Chris Paul had 24 points for Los Angeles, while State 100; Phoenix 99, Chicago 93. by Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge to extend their James returned after the win against the Blazers Blake Griffin added 19 and DeAndre Jordan had 12 franchise-record winning streak to 18 games with a with a sprained right wrist. He was 7 for 16 from the points and 15 rebounds. Eastern Conference Western Conference 105-99 victory over the Trail Blazers on Friday night. field in 33 minutes, but made five straight shots as Atlantic Division Northwest Division The balanced Hawks had six players score in dou- Cleveland put the game away early in the fourth JAZZ 110, WARRIORS 100 W L PCT GB Portland 32 15 .681 - ble figures. Paul Millsap had 21 points, Al Horford quarter. A team trainer placed a brace on James’ Gordon Hayward had 26 points, 15 rebounds Toronto 32 15 .681 - Oklahoma City 23 23 .500 8.5 Brooklyn 18 28 .391 13.5 finished with 17 and Kyle Korver scored 16. Mike wrist in the third, which he wore the remainder of and six assists, helping the Jazz beat the Warriors Denver 19 28 .404 13 Boston 16 29 .356 15 Utah 17 30 .362 15 Scott went 3 for 3 from 3-point range and finished the game. DeMarcus Cousins, who was added to for the first time this season. Philadelphia 10 37 .213 22 with 11 points in 14 minutes. the Western Conference All-Star team Friday, had Hayward was 9 for 20 from the field and 7 for 8 Minnesota 8 38 .174 23.5 NY Knicks 9 38 .191 23 Pacific Division Portland led after each of the first three quarters 21 points and 13 rebounds in Sacramento’s eight at the line, showing no lingering effects from sinus Central Division Golden State 36 8 .818 - Chicago 30 19 .612 - but couldn’t stretch the advantage to more than six consecutive loss. congestion that held him out of practice Thursday. LA Clippers 32 15 .681 5.5 Cleveland 28 20 .583 1.5 points. The Blazers have lost four of five. Trevor Booker had 17 points, and fellow reserve Phoenix 28 20 .583 10 Aldridge also had 11 rebounds. Wesley PELICANS 108, CLIPPERS 103 Trey Burke finished with 15. Utah dropped its first Milwaukee 24 22 .522 4.5 Detroit 17 30 .362 12 Sacramento 16 29 .356 20.5 Matthews scored 16 points, and Damian Lillard Eric Gordon scored a season-high 28 points, and two games against Golden State, losing 101-88 on LA Lakers 13 34 .277 24.5 added 13 points and 11 assists. Atlanta outscored the Pelicans snapped the Clippers’ six-game win- Nov. 21 and 116-105 on Jan. 13. Indiana 17 31 .354 12.5 Southeast Division Southwest Division Portland 36-25 in the final period. ning streak. With power forward Anthony Davis sit- Stephen Curry scored 32 points for the Western Atlanta 39 8 .830 - Memphis 34 12 .739 - ting out because of his sore left groin, the Pelicans Conference-leading Warriors, who were coming off Washington 31 16 .660 8 Houston 33 14 .702 1.5 CAVALIERS 101, KINGS 90 benefited from exceptional shooting from behind a 113-111 overtime loss to Chicago on Tuesday. Miami 20 26 .435 18.5 Dallas 31 17 .646 4 Kevin Love had 23 points in Cleveland’s ninth the 3-point line, hitting 13 of 25, and at the foul line, Klay Thompson had 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting Charlotte 19 27 .413 19.5 San Antonio 30 17 .638 4.5 consecutive victory, and LeBron James scored 19 in where they made 23 of 26 free throws, including after averaging 31.6 points over his previous seven Orlando 15 34 .306 25 New Orleans 25 22 .532 9.5 his return from a one-game absence. their last 17. games. Kyrie Irving finished with 21 points for the Ryan Anderson, starting for Davis, scored 24 as Charlie Villanueva scored 20 points, and the came after a 7-0 Chicago run that cut the lead to Cavaliers in his first game since he scored 55 New Orleans won for the fifth time in six games. MAVERICKS 93, HEAT 72 Mavericks went on an incredible 37-2 run in the 95-93 on Aaron Brooks’ layup with 31.9 seconds to second half. The win was the 600th for Dallas coach go. Markieff Morris had 12 points and 14 rebounds Rick Carlisle, and snapped a four-game losing for the Suns. His twin brother, Marcus, also scored streak. Dallas was down by 16 in the third quarter, 12. Derrick Rose scored 23 for the Bulls, who were down nine with about 3 minutes to go in the third coming off a double-overtime loss to the Lakers in and then turned the game completely around. Los Angeles on Thursday night and didn’t arrive in Dirk Nowitzki and Monta Ellis each scored 12 Phoenix until 3:30 a.m. on Friday. The Suns finished points for the Mavericks, and Tyson Chandler had 6-2 in a franchise-record eight-game homestand. 11 points and 13 rebounds. Hassan Whiteside had 16 points and 24 ROCKETS 93, CELTICS 87 rebounds for Miami. James Ennis scored 15, Chris Donatas Motiejunas scored 10 of his 26 points Bosh had 12 and Mario Chalmers scored 10 for the in the fourth quarter, leading Houston to its fourth Heat. straight win. Motiejunas also had 12 rebounds as the Rockets improved to 17-7 on the road. Houston RAPTORS 127, NETS 122 led by 18 at halftime. DeMar DeRozan scored 26 points for Toronto, Rockets star James Harden, the NBA’s leading and Amir Johnson made the tiebreaking basket scorer, had 14 points on 4-for-21 shooting. Terrance with 41 seconds left in overtime. Smith had 15 points and 10 rebounds for Houston, Lou Williams finished with 25 points and and Corey Brewer scored 10. Marcus Thornton and Johnson had 24 for the Raptors, who led by 17 in Brandon Bass each scored 17 for the Celtics. the second half before their fifth consecutive victo- Tayshaun Prince had 13 points. ry turned into a difficult one. Johnson made the tying dunk with 12 seconds left in regulation, and 76ERS 103, TIMBERWOLVES 94 scored inside after DeRozan’s shot was blocked to Michael Carter-Williams had a triple-double make it 124-122, making him 10 for 11 from the with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, and field. Philadelphia got the win in a matchup of two of the Jarrett Jack scored a career-high 35 points for league’s worst teams. the Nets, and had 13 assists and eight rebounds. Luc Mbah a Moute had a team-high 18 points, Brook Lopez came off the bench for 35 points and and Nerlens Noel and Robert Covington chipped in 12 boards. Brooklyn lost its fourth straight and fin- 14 apiece for the 76ers, who won consecutive ished a miserable 3-12 January with its seventh games for the third time this season while snap- straight home loss. ping a streak of 23 straight games without reaching 100 points. Minnesota’s Kevin Martin had 19 points SUNS 99, BULLS 93 in his second game back after missing 34 due to a Eric Bledsoe scored 23 points and Goran Dragic fractured right wrist. The Timberwolves were trying LANTA: Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) and Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard struggle for the ball during the second half had 21, leading Phoenix to the win. Bledsoe’s six- to win consecutive games for the first time this sea- of an NBA basketball game. —AP footer high off the glass put the Suns up 97-93. It son.—AP p17 2_Layout 1 1/31/15 9:51 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 SPORTS

Murray and Djokovic both bidding for firsts in Australia

MELBOURNE: For two men who have be the first British man since Fred Perry in accomplished so much in their closely 1934 to clinch the Australian title. intertwined careers, the Australian Open Ending long losing streaks back to the final between friends Novak Djokovic and days of Perry is something the 27-year-old Andy Murray today could achieve a num- Scot is becoming accustomed to. He ber of firsts. Should Djokovic beat Murray became the first British man since Perry to he will become the first man in the Open win a grand slam title in 76 years when he era to win five titles in Melbourne and be clinched the US Open in 2012 and the first one away from Roy Emerson’s record of six, to win Wimbledon in 77 years in 2013. won before the game went professional in Both times he beat Djokovic in the final. 1968. It would also be his first under new coach Victory will also allow him to reclaim his Amelie Mauresmo, with the Scot coming mantle as the king of Melbourne Park, hav- out after his tempestuous semi-final victory ing reached the final in four of the past five over Thomas Berdych to defend their work- years. ing together. “Getting to the finals is already a great Murray’s form last year was criticised, achievement ... but now this is the match with some pundits putting it down to for which you have worked for now two Mauresmo’s influence, but the sixth seed months,” Djokovic said after he beat last said the pair had barely worked together at year’s champion Stan Wawrinka in the all before the end of 2014. semi-final. “This is where you want to be. “I feel like I’m playing well again,” Murray “This is why you put all these hours on said on Saturday. “I think this tournament’s and off the court, trying to get yourself in a been obviously important for me just position to win grand slam trophy, because because of some of the results I had at the that’s what matters the most.” end of last year. Djokovic is bidding for his eighth grand “It shows as well that last year, although slam title and has a superior 15-8 career it was a tough year, it wasn’t that bad. “I feel record over Murray. He has also won seven like things have been going the right direc- of the last eight matches, while in his run of tion the last couple months.” His improve- three successive Melbourne Park titles, he ments at Melbourne Park have been beat Murray twice, in 2011 and 2013. noticed by Djokovic. “His game at the end “There’s no clear favourite. But ... the of 2014 season, maybe people were not record I have in finals against him here in giving him such a great chances to get to Australia, we played couple times, can the finals,” Djokovic said. AUSTRALIA: Serena Williams of the US holds the trophy as she celebrates after victory in her womenís singles final match against Russia’s Maria serve maybe as a slight mental edge,” “(But) he feels that he’s more relaxed on Sharapova on day thirteen of the 2015 Australian Open tennis tournament. —AFP Djokovic said. “But not much.” the court and he can swing through his shots from the baseline. “I think forehand REWRITING HISTORY has improved, judging by the matches he While the history is against Murray, the has played ... compared to a few months Serena continues mastery Scot is used to rewriting it. It would be his ago. “He’s also got a big serve. I think if he first title at Melbourne Park, from his fourth serves well, that’s a huge confidence boost final appearance, the most required in the and advantage for him. “I think the way he’s of Sharapova for magical 19th Open era to win the Norman Brookes been playing, he already knows what it Challenge Cup. takes to win a grand slam title ... so I’m sure It would also end another long barren that we both are going to go out and give Oldest woman in pro era to win Melbourne title streak for British men’s tennis, as he would our best.” —Reuters MELBOURNE: A sickly Serena Williams gave possessed, squealing in delight as Sharapova sat under pressure, double-faulted to concede Maria Sharapova another serving of grand slam quietly in her chair, nursing the pain of a 16th serve. Rain fell midway through the set, forcing a Brady’s legacy secure regardless heartbreak yesterday to win the Australian Open straight defeat by Williams and a third loss in break and the American bashed a ball away in and bolster her claims to be the all-time greatest grand slam finals to the American champion. disgust before marching to the exit and pacing a of Super Bowl outcome player with her 19th major title. Steamrolled in the opening set, the five-times tunnel under Rod Laver Arena. Though wheezing, coughing and forced off grand slam champion was magnificent in the She returned, coughing into a towel but dou- PHOENIX: Tom Brady will be remembered first pick in the draft or the highest quarter- court to be sick during a rain-break, Williams’s second as she dragged herself off the canvas bled back immediately, ducking off court again as one of the National Football League’s back that was rated out of college, but he serve stayed in the rudest of health and her ath- and staved off defeat twice on match points to vomit. “I guess there’s a first time for anything,” greatest quarterbacks to ever play the worked extremely hard and he’s very leticism astonished in a nerve-shredding 6-3 7- with crunching winners that teased the lines. Williams said. game regardless of whether he captures a smart,” said Patriots head coach Bill 6(5) victory under the lights of Rod Laver Arena. A 2008 winner at Melbourne Park, but run- “I think in a way that just helped me-I felt bet- fourth Super Bowl title with the New Belichick. “He has been able to improve on In sealing her sixth title at Melbourne Park, ner-up to Williams in the 2007 tournament and ter after that. My chest was really stuck at that England Patriots today. his strengths, he has a great understanding Williams surpassed Martina Navratilova, the again at Roland Garros in 2013, Sharapova’s last point.” She came back to smash an ace and blast A win over the Seattle Seahawks would of the game of football and he can accu- woman who handed her the trophy, and Chris win over the American came in 2004, when she a forehand winner to close out the game and put Brady alongside Hall of Famers Terry rately throw the ball. Those are his Evert in grand slam title wins, while drawing lev- was a 17-year-old sensation still finding her feet. though dropping serve once, she broke back Bradshaw and boyhood idol Joe Montana strengths.” el with fellow American Helen Wills Moody, third and roared a blood-curdling “come on!” after tak- as the only quarterbacks with four Super Brady is fifth all-time in career passing in the all-time list. SERENA WALL ing the set. Bowl rings. A loss would be his third con- touchdowns with 392 and fifth all-time At 33, the oldest Australian Open winner in Now 27, Sharapova said she felt she was get- Sharapova rallied, clinching a break point at secutive defeat in the NFL’s championship with 53,258 passing yards. The players he the professional era and still the boss, Williams ting closer to crashing through the Serena wall. 3-3 in the second, but an unreturnable serve game. trails in each category-Marino, Brett Favre, left few in doubt that the pursuit of Steffi Graf’s “I feel like I gave myself a second life in this tour- down the middle slammed the door on the But no matter the outcome, the 37-year- Peyton Manning and Drew Brees-cannot 22 titles and Margaret Court’s 24 would contin- nament and I gave myself an opportunity,” chance before Williams rocketed her 13th ace old Brady has already accomplished more boast anywhere near the postseason suc- ue. “I would love to get to 22,” the top seed told Sharapova, nearly dumped out in the second and third of the game to hold firm. The Russian than enough in 15 NFL seasons to ensure cess Brady has enjoyed. reporters, her voice still raspy from a week-long round by compatriot Alexandra Panova, said at nervelessly slapped away a match point when he is a sure-fire first-ballot Hall of Fame Brady has thrown an NFL-best 49 post- cold. “Nineteen was very difficult to get to. Took the trophy ceremony. serving to stay in the match at 5-4 and repeated player when he becomes eligible for induc- season touchdowns and 7,017 passing me 33 years to get here. So I would love to get “It wasn’t quite enough today, but I’m proud the trick at 6-4 in the tiebreak, but as ever, tion. “Even if he doesn’t win (on Sunday), yards, both records he took ownership of there. But I have to get to 20 first, and then I of the effort. “I’ve had some of the best memo- Williams’s serve had the final say, the booming he’s already one of the best players at that during the Patriots’ current playoff drive. have to get to 21. ries of my career on this court but also some of ace announcing the champion like the first vol- position,” Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Today, Brady and Belichick will make “There’s so many wonderful young players the biggest losses of my life on this court, but ley of a 21-gun salute. Marino told Reuters. their sixth Super Bowl appearance, the coming up, so it will be a very big task. that’s the life of a tennis player.” The Italian pairing of Simone Bolelli and Fabio Few could have predicted the success most by any head coach-quarterback tan- “(Nineteen) was my goal. So I didn’t think it Though sharing raw power and mental Fognini closed proceedings at Melbourne Park, Brady would go on to achieve when the dem in NFL history. would happen this fast, to be honest, but it feels toughness in common, Sharapova and Williams beating French duo Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Patriots selected him in the sixth round, “He’s such a great leader and has really good.” have never been close and there was little Nicolas Mahut 6-4 6-4 to win the men’s doubles 199th overall, of the 2000 NFL Draft. The demonstrated that so clearly,” said In her 19th match against Sharapova, and warmth on a chilly night as the pair posed on title. quarterbacks picked ahead of him became Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll. “As a after defeating 19-year-old American Madison court for the pre-game pictures. On her first Top seed Novak Djokovic will bid for an the subject of a documentary called “The sixth-rounder, he has shown that it isn’t Keys in the semi-finals, it was Williams’ 18th ace shot, Williams made her intentions clear, with a eighth grand slam title today when he faces Brady 6.” where you start, it’s how you finish and he’s that sealed the match on the third match point. thumping backhand return too hot to handle. A sixth seed Andy Murray in the men’s singles “Tom didn’t come into the league as the finishing in famous fashion.”—Reuters She bounded around the court like a woman break point followed and Sharapova, already final.—Reuters Laird two ahead at Phoenix Open

PHOENIX: A bogey at the final hole left Scotland’s Martin Laird with a two-stroke lead after the second round at a wet Phoenix Open on Friday. On a day that will be best remem- bered for the worst single round by Tiger Woods in his storied career, an error-riddled 82, Laird used a series of precise approach shots to card a second straight five-under-par 66 at TPC Scottsdale. Playing in unusually wet conditions more reminiscent of his native Scotland than the Arizona desert, Laird reeled off four birdies in five holes from the 13th before missing a six-foot par-saving putt in semi-darkness at the last. “The big thing was I drove it well,” the three- times winner on the PGA Tour told reporters after posting a 10-under 132 halfway total. American Daniel Berger (69) was alone in sec- ond place on eight-under, while another tour rookie Justin Thomas (68) was next on seven- under. Woods was in last place on 13-over 155, although 15 players did not complete the round before darkness, so he may yet avoid propping up the field. Phil Mickelson also missed the cut PHOENIX: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks at a press conference before as the event lost its two biggest names. Super Bowl XLIX at the Phoenix Convention Center. —AFP Laird, 32, said it was a misconception that he was used to playing in rain because he grew up in the homeland of golf. He pointed out that he has lived in the U.S. for 14 years. McIlroy leads in Dubai “It’s always a joke how many times when it rains I get the little phrase ‘just like home’,” said DUBAI: Rory McIlroy was in a class of his date to settle a long-running dispute with the man who now lives only a five-minute drive own yesterday, seizing a four-shot lead his former management company but from this week’s venue. with a six-under-par 66 after the third that seemed the furthest thing from his “It was a very Scottish day today with the round of the Dubai Desert Classic. mind. misty drizzle all day. I remember playing in these The world number one reeled off five “I felt like today, for the first time this conditions, but I really haven’t played in them birdies in the opening eight holes before week, I struggled a little bit but felt like I much (during) my professional career, so I picking up his sixth shot of a faultless kept it together nicely and didn’t drop wouldn’t say it’s a huge advantage for me any- round at the 17th to finish with a 20- any shots on the way in,” said the 2009 more. under tally of 196. Dubai Desert Classic winner. “It’s no coincidence that four birdies in five Denmark’s Morten Orum Madsen (66), “We know in this game you can take holes came on the back (nine) when the rain chasing his second European Tour win, nothing for granted. I’ve been in this posi- stopped and got a little easier out there was in second place on 200, two ahead of tion many times before so I know the pit- (because) that front nine was brutal.” Britain’s Lee Westwood (69). falls that are waiting out there. “It’s just a While Laird shined, Woods was poor in every “The front nine was very good as I did- matter of sticking to the same game plan, facet of his game, and his chipping was particu- n’t put a foot wrong and when I missed a being aggressive, making committed larly woeful. “I have to continue with the short putt on 10 it seemed like that swings and giving myself as many chances process,” said the 39-year-old, who switched momentum I had just sort of went away for birdies as I can,” said the four-times instructors late last year from Sean Foley to Chris and I had to scramble a little bit for pars major champion.” Scotland’s Stephen Como. coming in,” McIlroy told reporters. Gallacher, chasing his third straight Desert “I have been here before. It wasn’t that long “It was nice then to make a birdie on Classic victory, was back on 203 after a 70. ago that I changed my swing with Sean, and I 17 ... and to go out there today with no Also on 13-under were English pair Andy was Player of the Year only a year ago. You’ve got bogeys for a second day in a row.” McIlroy Sullivan and Danny Willett and Bernd to keep things in perspective, and sometimes it’s SCOTTSDALE: Martin Laird of Scotland acknowledges the crowd on the 9th green during the heads to Dublin tomorow for a High Court Wiesberger of Austria.—Reuters difficult to do that.” —Reuters second round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open. —AFP SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 SPORTS Schalke win over Hanover

BERLIN: Schalke 04’s star striker Klaas-Jan Borussia Moenchengladbach went third Huntelaar will miss next week’s Bundesliga in the league on Saturday after Patrick clash at leaders Bayern Munich after being Herrmann netted their second-half goal in sent off in yesterday’s 1-0 league win over a 1-0 win over VfB Stuttgart, who dropped Hanover 96. to second from bottom. ‘The Hunter’, who has claimed seven Herrmann drilled home Branimir league goals this season, was shown a Hrgota’s swirling cross 20 minutes from straight red for hacking down Hanover’s time to move Lucien Favre’s side up behind Manuel Schmiedebach five minutes from leaders Bayern and VfL Wolfsburg. time. With Borussia Dortmund at Bayer The Dutch international has netted 66 Leverkusen later on Saturday, Freiburg sent goals in 117 league games at Schalke, but Jurgen Klopp’s Dortmund to the bottom of is now suspended for what already looked the table with a 4-1 comeback win at home a difficult league clash at Bayern’s Allianz to Eintracht Frankfurt. Arena on Tuesday. Ex-Bayern Munich striker Nils Petersen “The red card against Klaas-Jan came off the bench to claim a second-half Huntelaar has hurt us,” admitted Schalke hat-trick on his debut, having joined from coach Roberto Di Matteo. “It was a foul and Werder Bremen at the end of December. the referee was in a good position. “Klaas- Freiburg picked up their first win since Jan was trying to win the ball, but didn’t November, which catapulted them up from succeed and, of course, it’s a pity he will be last place to 13th in the table. Cologne missing now.” pulled away from the relegation zone and The Royal Blues went ahead at the up to tenth with a 2-0 win at strugglers Veltins Arena when midfielder Marco Hamburg, who drop to 15th and just above Hoeger slotted his shot past Hanover’s the bottom three. Germany goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler Cologne picked up their fifth away win, with 32 minutes gone. to match Bayern’s tally on the road as mid- The win lifted Di Matteo’s Schalke, who fielder Marcel Risse scored both second- face holders Real Madrid in the last 16 of half goals. the Champions League next month, up to He fired his first through the legs of fourth in the table. Hamburg goalkeeper Jaroslav Drobny SYDNEY: Australia’s Mile Jedinak (center) receives trophy from FIFA president Sepp Blatter (left) and AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Pep Guardiola’s Bayern had their lead before burying a final pass from Nigeria’s Al Khalifa (right) after beating South Korea in the AFC Asian Cup football final.—AFP cut to eight points on Friday when they suf- Anthony Ujah 12 minutes from time. fered a shock 4-1 hammering at second- Mid-table Mainz romped to a 5-0 win placed VfL Wolfsburg as the Bundesliga over Paderborn as midfielder Yunus Malli resumed after the winter break. scored twice and set up their third. —AFP Aussies crush Koreans DR Congo come from to clinch Asian Cup behind to win classic SYDNEY: Substitute James Troisi smashed home The Socceroos, runners-up to Japan in 2011, But then Luongo, who has been a revelation BATA: DR Congo ended the fairytale run of passed just over the bar. a dramatic extra-time winner as Australia beat had been on the brink of victory thanks to a for the Australians and was deservedly voted neighbours Congo Brazzaville yesterday But, in contrast, the second half was a South Korea 2-1 to win their first Asian Cup title fierce strike from Massimo Luongo on the stroke player of the tournament, wriggled free to blast when they came from behind to win 4-2 remarkable affair. In the 52nd minute, in an electrifying final yesterday. of half-time, which triggered wild celebrations a long-range drive past Kim’s despairing dive. and qualify for the semi-finals of the 2015 Mbokani headed down for Bokila, who Troisi broke Korean hearts with the very last from the waves of fans in green and gold in a It was the first goal South Korea had conced- Africa Cup of Nations. crashed a volley against the underside of kick in the first extra period after Son Heung-Min crowd of 76,000. ed in the tournament on their way to a first final Congo, who were only reinstated in the the bar, before Congo opened the scoring had snatched a magical injury-time equaliser at But South Korea’s superstar Son produced a in 27 years. Korean pin-up Son pounced in show- qualifying tournament of this competition at the other end moments later. the end of normal time. moment of sheer brilliance in injury time, burst- stopping fashion, drilling a left-foot shot past after Rwanda were disqualified for fielding Delvin Ndinga swung a free-kick into Australia’s triumph gave them a first title ing through to fire past goalkeeper Mathew Ryan before celebrating with the massed ranks an ineligible player, led this battle of the the box and Dore got in behind his marker since defecting from Oceania nine years ago, Ryan after a clever flick from captain Ki Sung- of “Red Devils” fans behind the Australian goal. Congos 2-0 before DRC fought back to win to volley past veteran goalkeeper Robert while South Korea’s anguish continued after Yueng. But in extra time, Tomi Juric picked Kim Jin- with four goals in the last 25 minutes. Kidiaba. they failed to break a hoodoo in the tournament Australia, the Asian Cup’s top scorers with 14 Su’s pocket and when his cross was pushed out Following a flat first 45 minutes in a Bifouma then doubled the Red Devils’ stretching back to 1960. “It was a super effort goals, were forced to dig deep in a reversal of by Kim Jin-Hyeon, fellow substitute Troisi belted largely deserted Estadio de Bata, this derby lead in the 62nd minute when he latched from everyone,” said Australia coach Ange the group meeting between the two sides earli- the ball into the roof of the net. clash came to life after the break, with on to a loose ball inside the area after Postecoglou. “It was a final, it never goes to er in the tournament, which was dominated by The Korean players, who had surpassed Ferebory Dore volleying Congo in front 10 Kidiaba had saved from Dore to grab his script. It was tough, you’ve got to grind it out Australia but won 1-0 by the Koreans. expectations after the squad was ravaged by minutes into the second half. third goal of the tournament. and the courage the players showed tonight was injuries and sickness during the tournament, Thievy Bifouma then doubled their lead However, DR Congo pulled a goal back enormous.” BRUISING FINAL slumped to the turf in tears at the final whistle. just after the hour mark, but the Leopards on 65 minutes when Mbokani was left with “I knew we’d finish stronger,” he added, before Australian captain Mile Jedinak set the tone “I don’t agree we are not champions,” said were back in the game on 65 minutes a simple finish following superb work by shaking the hands of the devastated Korean for a bruising final when he clattered Son during South Korea coach Uli Stielike. “We don’t have when Dieumerci Mbokani found the net. Yannick Bolasie on the left. players. “We pride ourselves on being very fit the early skirmishes, and right-back Ivan Franjic the cup but the way our players played today we Loteteka Bokila equalised with 15 min- The Leopards now had the momentum and it was just a matter of taking our chance. I’m was then booked for a crude foul on Park Joo- are the champions of a lot of hearts. utes remaining before substitute Joel on their side and Bokila made up for his super-proud of them. Hopefully from now on, us Ho. Defender Kwak Tae-Hwi headed a Ki free kick “I will tell you something in Korean Kimwaki Mpela put Florent Ibenge’s side earlier miss when he turned inside the box Aussies can take on the world because I have a wastefully wide after 24 minutes before Tim because it comes deep from the heart I wrote ahead and Mbokani then clinched the win. and fired home the equaliser. real belief in these guys.” Australia’s historical tri- Cahill, making possibly his last appearance in a it down,” added the German, unfolding a The result sees DR Congo advance to For a short while extra time loomed, but umph vindicated Postecoglou’s decision to over- Socceroos shirt, forced a smart save from goal- piece of paper. “Korea you can be proud of the last four for the first time since 1998, then Kimwaki put DR Congo ahead for the haul the team after its “golden generation” keeper Kim Jin-Hyeon as both teams came out your boys!” Loud booing directed at FIFA pres- while the adventure ends here for Claude first time when he rose unmarked to head passed their prime. of their shell. ident Sepp Blatter and Asian football chiefs as Le Roy’s team. The first half never really got home a free-kick past the stranded It could also further antagonise countries said Son, Australia’s tormentor-in-chief, almost Australia’s players collected their prize mat- going, with both sides playing with caution Christoffer Mafoumbi in goal. to be behind a movement to oust Australia from broke the deadlock when he lashed a left-foot tered little to the winners, who did a lap of and at a slow pace. And Mbokani got his brace to complete the Asian confederation after shock revelations volley just over the bar as South Korea pushed honor wearing shirts emblazoned with Congo almost went in front just before the turnaround in stoppage time as he fin- in the build-up to the final. hard for the opening goal. “Champions 15” on the back. —AFP the interval, though, when a free-kick from ished after Mafoumbi had stopped his ini- outside the box by the towering Dore tial effort.—AFP Ronaldo-less Real too strong for Sociedad

MADRID: Real Madrid recovered from an when top scorer Carlos Vela limped off after Benzema’s pass off the toes of Rodriguez, awful start to move four points clear at the just 17 minutes and the Mexican’s absence but somehow managed to fire wide of an top of La Liga with a 4-1 win over Real sapped Sociedad of any attacking threat open goal. Sociedad yesterday. thereafter as the European champions pilled The Welshman didn’t take long to make With World Player of the Year Cristiano on the pressure. amends, though, when he teed up Benzema Ronaldo missing through suspension, Benzema and Rodriguez fired straight at for a simple tap in to put the game beyond Madrid were stunned in the first minute Geronimo Rulli when well-placed inside the Sociedad six minutes into the second peri- when Aritz Elustondo headed the visitors area, while Gareth Bale saw a header flash od. Bale was then denied by a goal-line into a shock lead, but they were level almost just wide. clearance from Inigo Martinez with Rulli out instantly when James Rodriguez nodded Rulli denied Benzema again from a nar- of position. home. row angle eight minutes before the break, However, there was no stopping Benzema Sergio Ramos handed the hosts a but the ball fell kindly for Ramos to rifle 14 minutes from time as he exchanged pass- deserved 2-1 lead at half-time before Karim home his sixth goal of the season. es with Isco before thrashing the ball high Benzema scored twice after the break. Bale missed a huge opportunity to make into the far corner for his 17th goal of the Second-placed Barcelona aren’t in action it three before the break as he took season. —AFP until today when they host Villarreal, while champions Atletico Madrid take on Eibar lat- er yestrday. “It was a very quick goal but we knew how to react and turn the scoreline around. We need to keep improving but it was a deserved result,” said Ramos. “After the start of the year we haven’t had a good run, but I would prefer it to happen now than at the end of the season. There is still a long way to go and we remain at the top.” Sociedad boss David Moyes, meanwhile, admitted he was powerless in his attempts to narrow the gulf between the two sides. “I think we came and tried to be brave on the ball,” said the Scotsman. “We had a great start to the game, but you have to look at the difference in the quality in the two teams and squads.” Moyes hadn’t lost to Real coach Carlo Ancelotti in six previous meetings when they were in charge of Everton and Chelsea respectively, and Sociedad had already shown their ability to upset the odds with victory over Madrid and Barcelona at home this season. Moyes’s men couldn’t have hoped for a better start when youngster Elustondo bul- leted Ruben Pardo’s corner past Iker Casillas with barely a minute gone. However, the Basques have yet to win away from home this season and their fragility was exposed just two minutes later BATA: Democratic Republic of the Congo’s goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba Muteba (left) when Rodriguez sneaked ahead of his mark- vies with Congo’s forward Dominique Malonga during the 2015 African Cup of er to head Marcelo’s cross into the top cor- SPAIN: Real Madrid’s defender Dani Carvajal (left) vies with Real Sociedad’s midfielder Sergio Nations quarter final football match. —AFP ner. The visitors then suffered a huge blow Canales during the Spanish League football match. —AFP SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 SPORTS Kane double inspires Spurs

tesy of Kane’s 19th goal of the campaign. Receiving Erik Lamela’s pass, Kane was West Brom 0 allowed to cut inside far too easily by Andre Wisdom before driving a shot beyond Foster. Once again, there were question marks over the former Birmingham star’s goalkeeping. Tottenham 3 To their credit, West Brom rallied and, but for the brilliance of Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, they could easily have been level by the interval. WEST BROMWICH: Harry Kane reached 20 The France international has firmly estab- goals for the season as his double helped lished himself in the world-class category this Tottenham ease to a 3-0 win at West season and this was another exhibition of Bromwich Albion as they kept the pressure excellence. First, in the 28th minute, he pulled on the Premier League’s top four yesterday. off a stunning save to tip over James Another sublime Christian Eriksen free-kick Morrison’s curling effort after a Victor and Kane’s brace lifted Mauricio Pochettino’s Anichebe-led breakaway. fifth placed team to within two points of Two minutes later he produced yet more fourth placed Southampton, who play heroics to deny Yacob from close range fol- Swansea today, in the race to qualify for the lowing an Albion free-kick. And Tottenham’s Champions League. luck was in again, with the crossbar coming Inflicting a first defeat on Albion manager to their rescue in the 38th minute when Craig Tony Pulis since his arrival at the Hawthorns Dawson headed against it from a Morrison capped a perfect week for Spurs after they free-kick. Eriksen’s goals have already won had sealed a League Cup final date with Spurs 13 points this season and the in-form Chelsea in midweek. winger demonstrated his sky-high confidence Pulis will now hope he can strengthen his again in the 50th minute by fooling Chris squad before the transfer window shuts Brunt with a shimmy before unleashing a tomorrow after a lacklustre display from his driven shot which swerved wide. team which left them hovering above the rel- Victory was then rubber-stamped in the egation zone. Eriksen’s 88th-minute strike 64th minute when Joleon Lescott, playing out secured Spurs’ place at Wembley at Sheffield of position at left-back, was somewhat harsh- United’s expense on Wednesday and he ly penalised for handling a Kyle Walker cross. picked up where he left off with a stunning In such confident form, Kane made no sixth-minute free-kick. mistake with the penalty, sending Foster the Claudio Yacob’s foul on Mousa Dembele wrong way with a low strike into the left cor- handed him an opportunity on the left side of ner. Pulis’ warning before the game that Saido the penalty box and there was no doubting Berahino was “not yet in the same bracket” as the quality of the Denmark international’s Kane appeared by now somewhat prophetic. arcing set-piece up and over a five-man wall Yet the 14-goal West Brom forward showed a LONDON: West Ham United’s French midfielder Morgan Amalfitano (center) is tackled by Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva (left) and and beyond Ben Foster. couple of flashes of his potential, first drilling Liverpool’s Spanish defender Alberto Moreno (right) during the English Premier League football match. —AFP However, having got fingertips onto the inches wide from the right of the penalty area ball, a goalkeeper of the England internation- before forcing another excellent Lloris save al’s quality would have been disappointed from close range, with Danny Rose hooking Sturridge sinks Hammers not to keep it out. to safety with substitute Brown Ideye ready to And, without barely having to break pounce. Craig Gardner hit a post late on, yet a sweat, the contest was swung firmly in Baggies fightback never looked likely after squad. Rodgers also decided against risking compatriot at the near post. Tottenham’s favour nine minutes later cour- Kane’s second.—AFP Reds captain Steven Gerrard, struggling with a It is a sign of how West Ham have improved Liverpool 2 tight hamstring. West Ham manager Sam this season that they did not simply come to Allardyce included former Liverpool players Anfield and pack men behind the ball, and Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing, both of Carroll went close with a header from a free-kick whom were sold by Rodgers, in his starting line- shortly after the half-hour mark. West Ham 0 up. Carroll was back at Anfield for the first time Liverpool felt they should have had a penalty since he moved to the London club in August on the stroke of half-time when Joey O’Brien 2012, having criticised his treatment by Rodgers grappled with Sterling inside the box, and sec- in the build up to this match, saying the onds later Lazar Markovic was presented with LIVERPOOL: Liverpool substitute Daniel Northern Irishman had “messed with his head”. the chance of the half. The Serbian winger seized Sturridge capped his comeback from injury with The powerful forward certainly seemed fired on Downing’s sloppy pass and with just Adrian a goal as the Reds beat West Ham United 2-0 at up and was fortunate to escape a booking early to beat, fired past the post. However, six minutes Anfield yesterday following an inspired display on when he caught Emre Can with an elbow after the break Sterling got the goal his display by Raheem Sterling. Sturridge had been avail- which left the Liverpool defender needing treat- deserved as he finished off a slick Liverpool able for the first time in a Premier League match ment. move. since Liverpool’s win over Tottenham Hotspur at Alberto Moreno picked out Sterling on the the end of August. GRAPPLED edge of the box from the left flank and, with his The England international had been on the As has often been the case this season, back to goal chested the ball to Coutinho, spun sidelines for five months with a combination of Sterling was at the heart of Liverpool’s attacking Winston Reid, and when he received the return calf and thigh injuries. But Sturridge’s long battle play. He stole the ball off Carroll and, with the pass fired a low shot past Adrian. to regain full fitness was rewarded with a typical Hammers defence on their heels, laid the ball off Sturridge, having been greeted with a huge goal after Sterling had put Liverpool ahead. to Jordan Henderson, who struck his effort from cheer from the Anfield faithful when he came on Sturridge had to settle for a place among the the edge of the area straight at goalkeeper to replace Markovic in the 67th minute, then substitutes, although that was more than Mario Adrian. delighted the home crowd when he received a WEST BROMWICH: West Bromwich Albion’s Northern Irish midfielder Chris Brunt Balotelli could manage, having once again failed Philippe Coutinho was the next to test Adrian clever ball from Coutinho and emphatically fired (left) heads the ball during the English Premier League football match against to make manager Brendan Rodgers matchday when his low effort was blocked by his Brazilian past Adrian at his near post. —AFP Tottenham Hotspur. —AFP

Everton ruin Pardew’s Matches on TV perfect start at Palace (Local Timings) English Premier League good work down the flank by Steven Arsenal v Aston Villa 16:30 Naismith who caused chaos in the area beIN SPORTS 1 HD Palace 0 with a low cross. beIN SPORTS 11 HD Midweek signing Jordan Mutch, who Southampton v Swansea 19:00 arrived from QPR, was forced into an imme- beIN SPORTS 1 HD diate debut when Moroccan striker beIN SPORTS 11 HD Everton 1 Marouane Chamakh was carried off on 26 minutes covered in blood after a nasty African Nations Cup clash of heads with Seamus Coleman. Ghana v Guinea 19:00 Former Bordeaux and Arsenal striker beIN SPORTS 6 HD LONDON: Everton ended Alan Pardew’s Chamakh was making his first appearance Ivory Coast v Algeria 22:30 unbeaten start as Crystal Palace manager in six weeks but appeared to have broken beIN SPORTS 6 HD as a second minute goal from Romelu his nose. Palace pushed hard throughout Lukaku set up a 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park the remainder of the first half and created Spanish League yesterday. several chances including a goal-line clear- Levante v Bilbao 14:00 Palace, who had won four straight ance from Phil Jagielka who just kept beIN SPORTS 2 HD matches under the former Newcastle han- Dwight Gayle’s header from crossing the Almeria v Getafe 19:00 dler, saw their streak snapped as the line with Spanish ‘keeper Joel Robles beat- beIN SPORTS 2 HD LONDON: Stoke City’s Marko Arnautovic (left) holds off Queens Park Rangers’ Leroy Toffees won their first league match in sev- en. The game balanced out after the break beIN SPORTS 14 HD Fer during their English Premier League soccer match at The Britannia Stadium. —AP en outings. as Roberto Martinez’s men battled hard to Sevilla v Espanyol 21:00 The two teams came into the match lev- keep Palace at bay and it took a couple of beIN SPORTS 10 HD el on points after Pardew won his first pair fine saves from home ‘keeper Julian beIN SPORTS 14 HD QPR’s away-day of league games and two in the FA Cup Speroni late on to prevent Everton from beIN SPORTS 2 HD while Everton were without a win in eight putting the match to bed earlier on. Barcelona v Villarreal 23:00 matches in all competitions. However, The win lifts Everton up to 12th and sev- beIN SPORTS 2 HD Everton got off to a dream start just two en points above the relegation zone while beIN SPORTS 11 HD woes continues minutes into the match when Belgian strik- Palace remain one place below them and beIN SPORTS 13 HD er Lukaku bundled home the ball after four points above the drop zone. —AFP beIN SPORTS 1 HD twice set up goals for Walters. Italian Calcio League In the 21st minute some ponderous Stoke 3 Sassuolo v Inter 14:30 play saw former Stoke midfielder Karl Burnley’s poor run continues beIN SPORTS 3 HD Henry let a Mauricio Isla pass run across beIN SPORTS 14 HD him, and Ireland reacted sharply, nipping Anthony Reveillere’s cross from the right. in with a tidy back-heel to tee up Walters, It took a good save from Costel beIN SPORTS 2 HD QPR 1 AC Cesena v SS Lazio 17:00 whose shot beat Robert Green. Sunderland 2 Pantilimon to deny George Boyd’s shot just There was then a sense of deja vu as before the half-hour but that only spurred beIN SPORTS 10 HD Chievo Verona v Napoli 17:00 Ireland and Walters again capitalised on the home side into action. QPR losing possession to double Stoke’s Sunderland continued to have the lion’s beIN SPORTS 9 HD beIN SPORTS 14 HD STOKE-ON-TRENT: Jonathan Walters lead in the 34th minute. Burnley 0 share of the play and increased their beIN SPORTS 2 HD added to QPR’s away-day woes as the This time it was Eduardo Vargas giving advantage in the 34th minute through Udinese v Juventus 17:00 Stoke forward’s hat-trick clinched a 3-1 win it away in the Stoke half and once more Defoe. beIN SPORTS 3 HD over the Premier League strugglers yester- Ireland intervened, launching a counter- Defoe rounded off a sweeping crossfield Torino v Sampdoria 17:00 day. Harry Redknapp’s side had lost a attack that saw him eventually square to SUNDERLAND: Burnley’s long wait for an move which saw Patrick van Aanholt beat beIN SPORTS 2 HD Premier League record 10 successive away the offside trap to get behind the Burnley Walters to slot past Green. away win in the Premier League continues games before their trip to the Britannia Another away defeat looked firmly on after they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Sunderland defence down the left and slid the ball German Bundesliga Stadium and they departed the freezing inside for Defoe, who had the easiest of the cards for the visitors, but within two at the Stadium of Light yesterday. Bremen v Hertha 17:30 Potteries still pointless on their travels minutes they had pulled a goal back as the The Lancashire side have now not tasted jobs to touch it home from close range. beIN SPORTS 4 HD thanks to Walters’ heroics. The Republic of Potters had a defensive lapse of their own. victory on the road in their last 13 matches, Remarkably, for a man who had hit a Augsburg v Hoffenheim 19:30 Ireland international struck twice in the Leroy Fer was able to prod the ball to dating back to April 2010 and on their total of 124 Premier League goals against beIN SPORTS 4 HD first half and, although Niko Kranjcar got Joey Barton, his cut-back found Charlie showing in the north-east they look unlike- 32 different opponents, it was the first time one back before the break, Walters sealed Austin and the striker’s shot ricocheted off ly to break that dismal run any time soon. he had found the net against Burnley. French League the points with his third goal in second Phil Bardsley into the path of Kranjcar, who Burnley pressed hard but had little to offer He nearly doubled his tally for the day Caen v Etienne 16:00 half stoppage-time. QPR remain second had an easy task to tap-in as Stoke in front of goal and in the end were well- shortly after the interval but his clean left- beIN SPORTS 5 HD bottom of the table, while Stoke climbed appealed in vain for offside. beaten by first-half goals from Connor footed strike from van Aaholt’s pass was beIN SPORTS 13 HD to ninth place after their second successive Wickham and former England striker smartly saved by Tom Heaton. beIN SPORTS 1 HD In a tight second half, Barton sent his league win. Jermain Defoe, his first for the club. At the other end, the hapless Barnes Bordeaux v Guingamp 19:00 free-kick against the woodwork and Stoke Despite the loss this week of the influ- After a flurry of pressure from the visi- again failed to get on the scoresheet, first beIN SPORTS 5 HD goalkeeper Asmir Begovic then smartly tors, which saw Ashley Barnes heading nar- when his header from Boyd’s cross was beIN SPORTS 13 HD ential Bojan Krkic to a season-ending knee tipped Fer’s set-piece behind for a corner. rowly wide from close range, Sunderland saved by Pantilimon at close range and beIN SPORTS 1 HD injury, Stoke did not appear to be suffering But in stoppage-time Barton’s attempt- took the lead in the 20th minute when moments later when his shot from Danny Monaco v Lyonnais 23:00 as Stephen Ireland - the man who had ed headed clearance only found Walters, Wickham rose unmarked to head home Ings’ pass was blocked. —AFP beIN SPORTS 5 HD come into the team for the Spaniard, mak- who nodded in to take his tally for the sea- ing his first start since early December - son to 10 goals in all competitions.—AFP Afridi blitz in vain as Aussies crush NZ spank Pakistan Koreans to clinch Asian Cup

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Brady’s legacy secure regardless of Super Bowl outcome Page 17

LONDON: Chelsea’s English defender John Terry (second right) tries to cut out a ball played by Manchester City’s English midfielder Frank Lampard (second left) during the English Premier League football match. — AFP Silva keeps City on Chelsea’s heels

at least prevented Chelsea from streaking away rolling a shot a foot wide after John Terry failed to into the distance. Chelsea great Frank Lampard, cut out a long ball. In response, Oscar could only EPL results/standings Chelsea 1 sent on by City as a late substitute, was afforded a shoot tamely at Joe Hart after Remy had dispos- warm reception on what was likely to prove his sessed Vincent Kompany and galloped down the Chelsea 1 (Remy 41) Manchester City 1 (Silva 45); Crystal Palace 0 Everton 1 (Lukaku 2); Hull 0 final appearance at Stamford Bridge, and it was a left flank, but four minutes before half-time, the Newcastle 3 (Cabella 40, Ameobi 50, Gouffran 78); Liverpool 2 (Sterling 51, Sturridge 80) West Ham 0; Manchester United 3 (Van Persie 27, Falcao 32, Morgan 44-og) Leicester 1 (Wasilewski 80); broadly positive afternoon for the hosts. hosts went in front. Stoke 3 (Walters 21, 34, 90) QPR 1 (Kranjcar 36); Sunderland 2 (Wickham 20, Defoe 34) Burnley 0; While the sight of Willian limping off late on Branislav Ivanovic’s cross from the right was Man City 1 West Brom 0 Tottenham 3 (Eriksen 6, Kane 15, 64-pen). was a concern, they coped well without the sus- volleyed back across goal at the far post by Eden pended Diego Costa and the injured Cesc Hazard and Remy tucked away his fifth goal of the Playing today Fabregas, and remain very much on track for a season from inside the six-yard box. Arsenal v Aston Villa, Southampton v Swansea. first league title since 2010. With Costa beginning It seemed an ideal time to take the lead, but in LONDON: Spanish midfielder David Silva a three-game ban for treading on Liverpool’s the final minute of the half, City levelled following English Premier League table after yesterday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals equalised as Manchester City prevented Chelsea Emre Can, Mourinho plumped for the pace of an uncharacteristic error of judgement by against, points): pulling eight points clear at the Premier League Remy over the battering-ram qualities of Didier Courtois. Chelsea 23 16 5 2 52 20 53 Newcastle 23 8 6 9 29 35 30 summit in a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Stamford Drogba up front, but it was City’s attackers who The Belgium international has been one of Man City 23 14 6 3 46 23 48 Everton 23 6 8 9 31 34 26 Bridge yesterday. showed their opponents a clean pair of heels in Chelsea’s stand-out performers this season, but Man Utd 231274392243 Crystal Palace 23 5 8 10 25 34 23 Loic Remy put Chelsea in front in the 41st the early stages. he flapped at Navas’s cross from the right and Southampton 22 13 3 6 37 16 42 Sunderland 23 4 11 8 21 33 23 minute, but Silva touched in a shot from Sergio Inside the first minute, Jesus Navas drifted past when Aguero drilled the ball back towards goal, Tottenham 23 12 4 7 35 30 40 West Brom 23 5 7 11 20 32 22 Aguero four minutes later to keep the defending Cesar Azpilicueta and worked Chelsea goalkeeper Silva slid in to score. Navas continued to prove Arsenal 22 11 6 5 39 25 39 Aston Villa 22 5 7 10 11 25 22 champions five points behind Jose Mourinho’s Thibaut Courtois with a rising shot, while City’s best outlet in the second half, teeing up Liverpool 23 11 5 7 33 27 38 Burnley 23 4 8 11 21 38 20 side with 15 matches remaining. Fernandinho had a shot deflected wide. Fernandinho for a downward header that West Ham 23 10 6 7 35 27 36 Hull 23 4 7 12 20 33 19 Manuel Pellegrini’s City have won only one of Aguero gave Chelsea three scares, obliging bounced up and had to be touched over by Stoke 23 9 5 9 26 28 32 QPR 23 5 4 14 24 42 19 their last five league games, but following succes- Kurt Zouma to make a perfectly timed last-ditch Courtois and setting up James Milner to loop a Swansea 22 8 6 8 26 30 30 Leicester 23 4 5 14 21 37 17 sive defeats by Arsenal and Middlesbrough, they tackle, drawing a parry from Courtois and then header over the bar. — AFP Man United enjoy Newcastle sink Hull grabbed the lead in the eighth minute Leicester revenge when Michael Dawson headed just over. Hull 0 Somehow the visitors stayed on level terms 10 minutes later after a mighty goal- hardly inspiring. mouth scramble sparked by an Ahmed Indeed, Leicester had defended Elmohamady cross. with great organisation, and little to Man United 3 Tigers’ captain Curtis Davies headed the concern them, for the opening 27 min- Newcastle 3 ball goalwards but a combination of Tim utes until Andy King allowed Daley Blind to dispossess him in midfield. Krul’s hand and the chest of Fabricio United’s Dutch midfielder played Coloccini managed to bundle the ball off Leicester 1 through a perfectly-weighted pass for LONDON: John Carver finally enjoyed his the line. his countryman van Persie, who first win as Newcastle manager as the But Newcastle made the most of their advanced and met the ball with a clini- Magpies cruised to a 3-0 success at strug- escapes and took the lead in the 40th cal strike across the body of Australia gling Hull yesterday. minute when Hull’s Andrew Robertson gift- MANCHESTER: Robin van Persie and Carver had gone four matches without a ed Cabella possession 20 yards out and the Radamel Falcao, two Manchester goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and into victory since taking over from Alan Pardew French midfielder fired low past Allan United forwards whose form has been the far corner of the goal. at St James’ Park on a caretaker basis, but in McGregor for his first Newcastle goal. under an intense recent spotlight, both Replays suggested the United for- OLD TRAFFORD: Manchester United’s Radamel Falcao (center) fights the week the Newcastle-born 50-year-old Hull thought they had equalised in stop- scored as their side beat bottom-of- ward was a step offside as he sprinted to meet the through ball but that did for the ball against Leicester’s Ritchie De Laet (left) and Danny was confirmed as head coach until the end page-time at the end of the first half when the-table Leicester 3-1 at Old Trafford Simpson during the English Premier League soccer match. — AP yesterday. not detract from the impressive style of of the season, he was able to celebrate Elmohamady bundled a Gaston Ramirez Victory saw United continue their his finish. Just five minutes later, United ing a very different proposition, espe- last outing, the toothless goalless draw three points at last. free kick into the net and wheeled away in quest for a place in next season’s doubled their lead when van Persie cially after United made it 3-0 a minute in the FA Cup against fourth-tier After three successive defeats, triumph, only to be booked after the assis- Champions League on a day when the sprinted through on the counter-attack before half-time. The goal came from Cambridge United eight days earlier. Newcastle were lifted by Remy Cabella’s tant referee noticed the Egyptian had club commemorated the 57th anniver- before slipping in a pass for Angel di Wayne Rooney’s left-wing corner Apart from a mis-hit van Persie strike just before half-time and second half punched the ball into the net. sary of the Munich air disaster with a Maria whose powerful shot was parried which was flicked on at the near-post volley and Di Maria and Falcao squan- goals from Sammy Ameobi and Yoan Carver’s team doubled their lead in the pre-match ceremony. Louis van Gaal’s by Schwarzer, allowing Falcao to react by Blind and Leicester captain Morgan dering a promising break, United Gouffran ensured Newcastle would clinch 50th minute when Ramirez gave the ball side took complete command of the swiftly to force in the rebound. could do nothing apart from guide the scored from their only three chances their first win since December 28. away to Jack Colback. Colback fed Ameobi match by going 3-0 up before half-time The more optimistic among the vis- ball into his own net as he tried to head of the opening half while denying Carver has set Newcastle the challenge and the striker advanced unchecked before thanks to Leicester defender Wes iting supporters would doubtless have clear. their opponents a solitary opportuni- of finishing in the top half of the Premier lashing a 25-yard effort past McGregor and Morgan’s own-goal. been thinking back to September, and Earlier, United had made a commit- ty. After the restart, young winger League and his team are now 10th, while into the bottom corner. United, under instructions to be the corresponding home fixture, when ted start from kick-off, with Schwarzer Adnan Januzaj, starting for the first Steve Bruce’s Hull remain in the relegation Newcastle were in total control and the more clinical in their attacking play Leicester became the first team in forced to race off his line and clear from time since November, sought to make zone after a fourth consecutive defeat, third goal arrived in the 78th minute when after a sequence of four league games Premier League history to recover from Falcao inside the opening 10 seconds. his mark and his low cross just missed which prompted thousands of disillusioned Gouffran ran unchallenged at the home that had brought just three goals, cer- a two-goal deficit against United, even- But it was cautious stuff thereafter as being turned in by the lunge of Falcao fans to stream away from the KC Stadium defence and fired in a shot which was tainly heeded their Dutch manager’s tually winning 5-3. United looked to respond to the wide- and forced Schwarzer into a diving well before full time. Hull had looked more deflected into his own net by wishes even if their overall play was But this contest was rapidly becom- spread criticism they earned on their stop. — AFP vibrant in the early stages and almost Elmohamady. — AFP Austrians rue starting fashion for Swiss franc mortgages

Page 22 Business American consumers are in a mood to spend SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 Page 23 Kuwait Yacht Show 2015 Kuwait bourse ends Jan on positive note opens on February 3 Page 24 Page 26

ATHENS: Greece’s largest port in Piraeus, near Athens. New Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ “national salvation” government said it was putting on hold the previous administration’s plans to sell a majority stake in the ports of Piraeus and Thessaloniki, and would also halt the privatization of the top electricity and petroleum companies. — AFP Germany, ECB play hard ball with Greece Merkel rejects a further debt haircut for Greece

BERLIN/HELSINKI: German Chancellor Angela Merkel already been exempt from billions by the banks. I don’t see program or to cooperate with the international inspectors Greece does not remain in a program. ruled out a debt writedown for Greece yesterday, and a a further debt haircut,” she told German daily Die Welt in an overseeing it. “Greece’s program extension will expire in the end of European Central Bank policymaker threatened to cut off interview published in its Saturday edition. Separately, the French finance ministry said yesterday February so some kind of solution must be found, other- funding to Greek banks if Athens does not agree to renew “Europe will continue to show solidarity for Greece, as that Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis will meet with wise we can’t continue lending,” Liikanen, also the gover- its bailout package. The euro-zone’s paymaster and the ECB for other countries hit particularly hard by the crisis, if his French counterpart Michel Sapin in Paris today and nor of Finland’s central bank, told public broadcaster YLE. are both taking a tough line with Greece’s new leftist gov- these countries undertake their own reforms and savings issue a statement afterwards. Europe’s bailout program for Merkel said the ECB’s Jan. 22 decision to pump billions ernment, whose leader swept to victory last Sunday prom- efforts,” Merkel added in a thinly veiled threat to Athens. Greece, part of a 240 billion euro rescue package also of euros into the euro-zone with a bond-buying program ising that five years of austerity, “humiliation and suffering” Without the support of international lenders, Greece would involving the International Monetary Fund, expires on Feb. did not mean countries would end efforts to shape up their were over. soon find itself back in an acute financial crisis. 28. A failure to renew it could leave Athens unable to meet economies with structural reforms. She put the onus on Alexis Tsipras has also promised to renegotiate agree- Unable to tap the markets because of sky-high borrow- its financing needs and cut its banks off from central bank the new Greek government to present a credible economic ments with the European Commission, ECB and ing costs, Athens has enough cash to meet its funding liquidity support. policy. International Monetary Fund “troika” and write off much of needs for the next couple of months. But it faces around 10 The ECB does not accept Greek sovereign bonds as col- “The goal of our policy was and is that Greece Greece’s 320 billion euro ($360 billion) debt, which at more billion euros of debt repayments over the summer. lateral in its refinancing operations as they are below remains a permanent part of the euro-community,” than 175 percent of gross domestic product is the world’s investment grade. However, it allows central bank financ- Merkel said. “To that end, Greece and the European part- second-highest after Japan. I’m waiting: Merkel ing to Greek banks as the country is in a bailout program. ners make their contribution. Apart from that, I am now Merkel flatly rejected such a possibility. “There was Greece’s new government opened talks on its bailout Erkki Liikanen, a member of the ECB’s policymaking waiting to see what concepts the Greek government will already a voluntary waiver by private creditors; Greece has with European partners on Friday by refusing to extend the Governing Council, said that funding, too, could dry up if present.” — Reuters Russia economy seen shrinking 3% in 2015 India raises over $4bn

MOSCOW: Russia’s economy minister Alexei Ulyukayev yesterday forecast in Coal India stake sale GDP to fall by three percent in 2015 MUMBAI: India’s government raised the labor unions at the state controlled on the back of a collapse in oil prices over $4 billion Friday by selling 10 per- miner, who have already threatened to and a massive capital flight. “We have cent of its stake in mining giant Coal go on strike again, the Press Trust of issued a forecast for 2015 which uses India as it looks to raise funds through India agency said Thursday. the current prices, that is $50 dollars a barrel for the entire year,” Ulyukayev asset sales to keep its fiscal deficit in Just a few weeks back, all Coal India was quoted by Russian news agencies check, an official said. Investors bid for workers went on strike on the same as saying. 675.24 million Coal India shares against issue and relented only after govern- Ulyukayev emphasized that his more than 631 million shares on offer ment assured them there were no plans prediction of a three-percent contrac- that were priced at a minimum of 358 to privatize the firm that employs 3.4 tion was “conservative” given that rupees each, preliminary data from the million people. most analysts forecast oil prices to Bombay Stock Exchange showed. Analysts say fears of privatization are recover later this year. The economy “Strong interest was expected. exaggerated as the government’s stake ministry had previously forecast a 0.8- Sentiment about India has changed, in Coal India is still nearly 80 percent. percent fall in output, but some econ- and this government is market savvy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the omists had said that the contraction They also priced the share quite well right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party came could be as big as five percent, and left little time for speculation,” said to power last May, promising reforms to depending on the price of Russia’s Alok Churiwala of Churiwala Securities. boost economic growth and improve main export commodity. New Delhi aims to raise nearly $10 bil- business conditions. Russia’s central bank has forecast a lion from disinvestment during the cur- In October, the government 4.8-percent shrinkage. Russia has rent financial year which ends in March approved an ordinance to allow coal been hit by a double whammy of tum- 31 to meet its fiscal deficit of 4.1 per- mines to be sold to private companies bling oil prices and Western sanctions cent. for their own use, as well as permitting that have closed off the economy “We have approximately raised commercial mining at some point in from foreign borrowing. The Russian 254.00 billion rupees ($4.1 billion). And the future. The executive order on coal ruble has fallen by half against the dollar and the euro since the begin- this amount speaks volumes about the came after India’s top court threw the ning of last year, leading prices to rap- MOSCOW: People walk past an exchange office sign showing currency exchange rates in downtown investment climate in India,” Aradhana sector into turmoil in September by idly rise. Moscow Friday. Russia’s economy minister Alexei Ulyukayev yesterday forecast GDP to fall by three per- Johri, disinvestment secretary told busi- cancelled more than 200 permits for As a result of the economy’s cent in 2015 on the back of a collapse in oil prices and a massive capital flight. — AP ness channel CNBC-TV18. “So we are coal mines, after declaring the process demise, capital flight last year shot up Inflation predictions have also been over nine percent over the year, he grams. On Friday, the central bank building a pipeline (of likely stake sales) of awarding them illegal. to $150 billion-a record since the fall revised upwards for the current year, added. The government has unveiled a announced a surprise reduction of its so that we can move fast when market Shares of Coal India settled 3.81 per- of the Soviet Union. Ulyukayev said from 7.5 percent to 12 percent, news series of measures to shore up the key interest rate from 17 percent to 15 conditions are right,” Johri added. The cent lower at 360.85 rupees after touch- the figure this year was expected to agencies cited the minister as saying. economy, including increasing financ- percent, which it said aimed at “avert- government went ahead with the stake ing a high of 364.00 rupees during the reach $115 billion, and that invest- January inflation will be 13.1 per- ing to banks and boosting spending ing the sizeable decline in economic sale despite opposition from some of session. — AFP ment would fall by 13 percent. cent, he said. Real wages will fall by on pensions and unemployment pro- activity”. — AFP BUSINESS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015

Austrians rue starting fashion Bayt.com report for Swiss franc mortgages You’ve been Repayment vehicles often lack returns to repay loans promoted! VIENNA: The surging Swiss franc has dealt a double blow to loss on her loan package, 20,000 of it since the Swiss central monthly interest, with the full amount of capital due at maturi- Now what? homeowners in Austria, home of the trend for borrowing in bank suddenly abandoned its cap on the franc on Jan. 15, said ty. Christian Prantner, an expert on the mortgages at Austria’s the Swiss currency that has devastated mortgage holders it was easy to be taken in. Chamber of Labour, spoke of one colleague who in 2005 took across eastern Europe. In the early 1990s, people living in the “It looks so great when the financial advisers show you how out a 20-year Swiss franc mortgage for 145,000 euros. She also ou’ve been promoted; congratulations! You’re west of the country who crossed into Switzerland to work were much cheaper it is,” she said, asking not to be named. “I wasn’t bought a life insurance policy linked to two investment funds excited about starting your new job, vowing lured by the ultra low interest rates offered in the safe-haven aware (of the risk), but admit to a certain amount of naivetÈ.” that was supposed to pay off the mortgage when it came due Yto be the best manager you could possibly be, currency. Accompanying investment schemes were supposed to easi- in 2025. and never doing what your past “terrible” managers The idea then spread, crossing a fundamental red line that ly pay off the interest-only mortgage at maturity but were After paying in 70,000 worth of premiums, her account is have done to you. You’re on the road to future suc- was barely perceptible at the time: the new borrowers were unrealistic, Kolba said. “It would add up only if a market - worth only 50,000 after markets tanked in the financial crisis. cess at your company and you’ve got great hopes for not earning Swiss francs but euros. Foreign-currency loans counter to all expectations - only went up. The model was driv- “She is half way through and has 10 years to go. The fund- tomorrow. Although graduating to management is a now account for nearly a fifth of household debt in Austria, en by the provisions paid for the products that were being linked insurance policy will never cover even the original loan huge accomplishment, it’s also the beginning of a even though regulators effectively banned them in 2008 for sold,” he said, noting brokers could make 10,000 euros in fees amount, let alone what you get by converting the currency at a pretty huge challenge. Not quite sure where to start? fear of a looming crisis. Around 150,000 families still owe from the package of mortgage and investment funds sold to rate of 1.01” francs per euro, he said. Get off on the right foot with these steps for a around 29 billion euros of Swiss franc debt, with 4 percent of one client. Nearly three quarters of foreign-currency mortgages due at smooth transition from the career experts at loans due within a year. Banks have consistently offered to help customers switch maturity are backed by such repayment vehicles. Only a fifth Bayt.com, the Middle East’s leading job site: Banks’ loan books could take a hit if defaults rise. Austrians out of Swiss franc loans into less-risky euro mortgages. But get both interest and principal paid in regular monthly instal- are relatively wealthy and have benefited from rises in proper- many clients failed to follow through in hope they could erase ments. 1. Set your goals ty prices, but poorly performing insurance policies sold along- initial currency losses, only to get nailed again in January. The One bright note is that residential property prices increased Try to take some time off in between roles to side many mortgages present an added twist. From loans to rating agencies say the big local component of Austrian banks’ by 45 percent from early 2007 to mid-2014, or by 24 percent review thoroughly your new tasks and set your Austrians, it was a short step for Austrian banks to start selling loan portfolios means the risks to them are low, citing rising adjusted for inflation, central bank data show. goals ahead of time. Do your research and make Swiss franc-denominated mortgages through the large net- property prices and relatively wealthy clients. “With two-thirds That is good for borrowers and banks, Prantner said. “But it sure your goals are in-line with those of your works they set up in Poland, Hungary and Romania after com- of Swiss franc mortgages held domestically, we expect asset can also mean customers who stick with the loan and wait manager and the company’s overall objectives. munism fell in 1989. quality deterioration to be moderate, despite the significant until the end can have a giant gap of 30,000, 40,000, 50,000 The more you can learn about the industry, your Ratings agency Fitch said four big banks - Erste, Raiffeisen exposure,” Fitch said. (euros), that they then may have to sell the house” to pay the role, and your team at this stage, the more you Bank International (RBI), Bank Austria and Volksbanken - held In December, however, the Austrian central bank called the mortgage. can anticipate and plan ahead. 30 billion euros of Swiss franc loans on their books in central high share of foreign-currency loans “a major risk factor with The latest blow is for investors who took out “stop-loss” and eastern Europe. Back home, it was not relative inexperi- respect to the financial position of Austrian households”. orders to convert Swiss francs to euros should the 1.20 peg fail, 2. Focus on your team ence of the financial services industry but proximity to it that Kolba said. This backfired when the franc rose so much so fast A good and successful manager is one who puts caused the biggest trouble; mortgages were often linked to UNDERWATER that banks could close out positions only much lower. his or her team as his or her number one priority. investment schemes designed to repay the loans at maturity. Erste and Bank Austria say they won’t take big hits from the The woman with the franc loan said her bank executed her Get to know the members who are already on “You often had a wealth adviser in your circle of acquain- franc’s rise. RBI has no Swiss franc retail loans in Austria and has stop-loss order only when the euro and franc were at 1:1, not your team: know each person’s role; what their tances or family, and then you fell into their hands,” said Peter played down the impact in eastern Europe. The Association of the level just under 1.20 she wanted. “That was a shock,” she personal goals, ambitions, and skills are; how Kolba of consumer advocate agency VKI. These fee-hungry Volksbanks says its share of foreign-currency loans is the said, adding she had hired a lawyer to review her options. challenged they currently are; what problems consultants often advised people to borrow twice as much as Austrian sector’s lowest. Kolba said the best bet for many borrowers would be using they have had in the past; what they would like they actually needed to buy a home, and to invest the rest to The typical floating-rate FX loan was worth 100,000 euros a new consumer arbitration process financed by the govern- to see done differently; and what they expect finance the loan repayment. One woman facing a 50,000 euro and ran from 15 to 25 years. Customers usually pay only ment to reach a compromise with their lender. — Reuters from their manager. Make sure you define the team’s mission by setting common goals and val- ues to work by. Bayt.com’s poll findings in ‘Management Challenges in the MENA’ poll Turkish trade might come in handy when assessing your potential team: 24.3 percent of managers in the deficit in line region look for ‘professional success’ above all else in candidates. Team-playing skills were with forecasts found to be second most important when hiring. In fact, 22.1 percent of managers will choose a ISTANBUL: Turkey’s trade deficit, the chief candidate who knows how to work in a team contributor to a large current account deficit over character (14.7 percent), general success seen as the economy’s main weakness, shrank (11.4 percent), technical skills (10.7 percent), 14.6 percent to $8.51 billion in December, in communication skills (6.6 percent), leadership line with expectations. In 2014 as a whole, the (5.5 percent), and academic success (4.7 per- deficit narrowed 15.4 percent to $84.51 bil- cent). lion, data from the Turkish Statistics Institute showed on Friday. 3. Be a leader Turkish markets largely shrugged off the The best leaders lead by example. Have a clear data but the lira hovered close to a record low vision, solid managerial skills, maintain open hit on Thursday on expectations the central communication channels with your team, be bank will cut interest rates at an extraordinary understanding and show flexibility. Make sure policy meeting next week. The central bank your team members are always challenged and cut interest rates earlier this month by 50 working towards a common goal; keep them basis points, facing renewed criticism from motivated, inspire them and give them the key government figures for not cutting it opportunity to grow. The ‘Management more sharply ahead of a general election in Challenges in the MENA’ poll reveals that the June. conduct employees seek most from their man- TOKYO: People cross a street in Tokyo on Friday morning. Japan’s jobless rate dipped to 3.4 percent from 3.5 percent the month before. ager is ‘open, respectful communication’. 20 per- On Tuesday, Governor Erdem Basci said Data released Friday showed manufacturing output increased 0.3 percent in December from the same month a year earlier. — AP that if the January inflation figures due to be cent place stock in a good work environment; released on Feb. 3 showed a sharp fall, then 16.6 percent want rewards and career progres- the bank could convene a monetary policy sion; 13.4 percent want training and learning; 9.9 meeting (MPC) as early as the following day. Chevron to stop its shale percent want a good work-life balance and 5 Analysts say the lira was also under pres- percent value long-term security. sure from the US Federal Reserve’s potential Good luck, and congratulations again! rate hikes for later this year and a politiciza- tion of monetary policy could further add gas exploration in Poland downward pressure on the Turkish currency. “The central bank governor’s warnings that WARSAW: US energy major Chevron Corp said it will stop exploring forced energy majors to make cuts in spending and pull the plug on Kuwaiti crude up 79 they may cut interest rates in an unscheduled for shale gas in Poland, a sector that has failed to live up to its early faltering investment projects. meeting within next week hit the Turkish Lira promise of transforming eastern Europe’s energy supplies. Chevron’s Shale gas is under a cloud too in Romania, where Chevron is also cents to $42.54pb to a record low against USD,” Oyak Securities Polish unit “has decided to discontinue shale gas operations in Poland active. Prime Minister Victor Ponta said in November last year it said in a research note. as the opportunities here no longer compete favorably with other seemed likely Romania has no shale gas, despite the efforts to find it. The lira traded at 2.4150 against the dollar opportunities in Chevron’s global portfolio”, the company said in a Governments in eastern Europe, especially Poland, Romania and KUWAIT: The price of Kuwaiti crude oil went up by 79 at 0927 GMT, versus 2.4036 late on Thursday statement. Exxon Mobil, Total and Marathon Oil have also stopped Lithuania, embraced shale gas enthusiastically because they saw it as cents on Friday reaching $42.54 per barrel compared to and a record low of 2.4240. The main equities shale gas exploration in Poland over the past three years. They, and a way of reducing their reliance on imported energy from Russia. $41.75 per barrel the earlier day, said Kuwait Petroleum index gained 0.28 percent to trade at other energy firms, were originally attracted by estimates of massive They view those imports as a source of vulnerability because they Corporation (KPC) here yesterday. Due to the recent release 88,808.17 points by 0921 GMT, while the shale gas reserves in Poland. But since they launched exploration, the have tense relations with the Kremlin, and their supplies have been of data showing that US oil exploration companies are emerging markets index was down by 0.62 estimates have been downgraded, geological conditions for drilling disrupted in the past. However, eastern Europe is already diversifying decreasing shale oil exploration activities, crude oil prices percent. The benchmark 10-year government have proved difficult, and industry executives complain of uncertainty supplies by other means, mainly through importing liquefied natural exceeded 8 percent yesterday. Brent crude went down by bond yield was at 7.09 percent versus 7.06 about government regulation. gas from supplies such as Qatar, and by building better connections $3.86pb to stand at $52.99pb, while US light crude hiked percent on Thursday. - Reuters In the past few months, the sharp fall in world energy prices has with western Europe’s gas pipeline network. — Reuters by $3.71pb to settle at $48.24pb.

EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Syrian Pound 2.565 Philippine Peso 0.006565 0.006845 Nepalese Rupees 4.005 Sierra Leone 0.000065 0.000071 Malaysian Ringgit 82.705 Singapore Dollar 0.215787 0.221787 ASIAN COUNTRIES COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH South African Rand 0.019614 0.028114 Japanese Yen 2.501 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 47.740 Australian Dollar 221.23 218.23 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001880 0.002460 Indian Rupees 4.790 Thai Bhat 10.045 Canadian Dollar 239.80 240.80 Taiwan 0.009283 0.009463 Pakistani Rupees 2.927 Turkish Lira 125.220 Swiss Franc 329.40 327.40 Thai Baht 0.008719 0.009269 Srilankan Rupees 2.225 Euro 336.44 337.44 Nepali Rupees 2.989 US Dollar 296.00 299.00 Arab Singapore Dollar 221.650 Sterling Pound 450.65 453.65 Bahrain Exchange Company Hongkong Dollar 38.024 Bahraini Dinar 0.778155 0.786155 Japanese Yen 2.55 2.57 Bangladesh Taka 3.782 Egyptian Pound 0.036603 0.039703 Bangladesh Taka 3.797 4.067 CURRENCY BUY SELL Philippine Peso 6.598 Iranian Riyal 0.000082 0.000083 Indian Rupee 4.796 5.096 Thai Baht 9.029 Europe Iraqi Dinar 0.000196 0.000256 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.221 2.656 Irani Riyal transfer 61.555 Belgian Franc 0.007707 0.008707 Jordanian Dinar 0.413157 0.420657 Irani Riyal cash 121.740 Nepali Rupee 3.002 3.537 British Pound 0.440486 0.449486 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Pakistani Rupee 2.928 2.790 Czech Korune 0.004078 0.016078 Lebanese Pound 0.000147 0.000247 GCC COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 80.43 80.90 Danish Krone 0.041049 0.046049 Moroccan Dirhams 0.022718 0.046718 Saudi Riyal 78.331 Bahraini Dinar 785.62 787.69 Euro 0.329643 0.337643 Nigerian Naira 0.001206 0.001841 Qatari Riyal 81.022 Egyptian Pound 38.93 39.53 Norwegian Krone 0.034240 0.039440 Omani Riyal 0.762292 0.767972 Omani Riyal 766.310 Jordanian Dinar 420.58 426.23 Romanian Leu 0.084848 0.084848 Qatar Riyal 0.080538 0.081751 Bahraini Dinar 766.310 Omani Riyal 767.63 774.93 Slovakia 0.008700 0.018700 Saudi Riyal 0.078243 0.078943 UAE Dirham 81.022 Qatari Riyal 81.51 82.06 Swedish Krona 0.031865 0.036865 Syrian Pound 0.001754 0.001974 Saudi Riyal 78.85 79.25 Swiss Franc 0.316867 0.327067 Tunisian Dinar 0.149705 0.157705 ARAB COUNTRIES Turkish Lira 0.124152 0.131152 Turkish Lira 0.124152 0.131152 Egyptian Pound - Cash 40.874 UAE Dirhams 0.079554 0.080703 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 40.572 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Australasia Yemeni Riyal 0.001336 0.001416 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.376 Australian Dollar 0.221853 0.233353 Tunisian Dinar 154.550 New Zealand Dollar 0.209571 0.219071 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Jordanian Dinar 415.970 Al Mulla Exchange US Dollar 295.750 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.979 America Canadian Dollar 240.200 Syrian Lira 2.102 Canadian Dollar 0.228188 0.236688 Sterling Pound 341.785 Morocco Dirham 31.733 US Dollars 0.291700 0.296400 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Euro 336.530 US Dollars Mint 0.292200 0.296400 US Dollar 294.250 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Swiss Frank 267.980 Euro 348.000 Bahrain Dinar 786.690 US Dollar Transfer 294.800 Asia Pound Sterlng 448.650 UAE Dirhams 80.895 Euro 342.850 Bangladesh Taka 0.003499 0.004099 Canadian Dollar 247.700 Qatari Riyals 82.060 Sterling Pound 448.540 Chinese Yuan 0.046174 0.049674 Indian Rupee 4.738 Saudi Riyals 79.060 Canadian dollar 245.260 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036053 0.038803 Egyptian Pound 41.135 Jordanian Dinar 417.445 Turkish lira 125.770 Indian Rupee 0.004466 0.004867 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.222 Egyptian Pound 39.672 Swiss Franc 340.420 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Bangladesh Taka 3.770 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.222 Australian Dollar 244.090 Japanese Yen 0.002436 0.002616 Philippines Peso 6.590 Indian Rupees 4.811 US Dollar Buying 293.600 Kenyan Shilling 0.003280 0.003280 Pakistan Rupee 2.928 Pakistani Rupees 2.934 Korean Won 0.000260 0.000275 Bahraini Dinar 783.450 Bangladesh Taka 3.795 GOLD Malaysian Ringgit 0.078661 0.084661 UAE Dirham 80.150 Philippines Pesso 6.692 20 gram 238.100 Nepalese Rupee 0.003024 0.003194 Saudi Riyal 78.600 Cyprus pound 725.940 10 gram 121.740 Pakistan Rupee 0.002691 0.002971 *Rates are subject to change 5 gram 61.560 Japanese Yen 3.500 BUSINESS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 Gulf Bank American consumers announces winners of are in a mood to spend daily draws Economy expanded at 2.6% rate in 2014 KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its Al-Danah daily draws on January 26, 2015, announcing the names of its winners for WASHINGTON: There’s a good reason the US economy is are worth, according to the real estate data firm CoreLogic. ment rate to 5.6 percent from 6.7 percent 12 months earlier. the week of January 18 to January 22. The Al-Danah daily impressing the world right now despite a slowdown in the Because the US economy is rebuilding its core without Given that applications for unemployment benefits have draws include draws each working day for two prizes of final three months of 2014: In a word, steadiness. relying heavily on mortgages, credit cards and other debt, it stayed consistently below a weekly average of 300,000, KD1000 per winner. Companies have been hiring at healthy rates for the past has avoided the sharp swings and shocks that can tip an most economists think hiring should grow at a pace similar year. Layoffs hover near historic lows. Auto sales are strong. economy into recession. to the 2014 levels. Wages have yet to grow significantly. But The winners are: Gas prices have sunk. Congressional budget fights have fad- “You’re getting solid consistent growth,” said John all those new jobs mean that the US economy entered 2015 (Sunday 18/1): Emad Ghalib Ballan, Bothaina Zouan ed. Americans are increasingly confident. Canally, chief economic strategist at LPL Financial. “If you with an extra $126 billion in combined annual paychecks. Al-Hussain All that fed a surge of consumer spending last quarter, have a slow recovery, you don’t build up the excesses that That money has trickled into restaurant dinners, new cars (Monday 19/1): Abdullah Ayed Abdulmohsen offsetting weaker business spending caused in part by a ultimately cause a recession.” and other goods and services. Humoud, Abbas Ghloub Malek Hussain pullback by oil drillers and a frail global economy. The gourmet hamburger chain BurgerFi plans to nearly Sales of new vehicles climbed 6 percent to 16.5 million (Tuesday 20/1): Issa Mohammed Al-Mazidi, Yousef The US economy as a whole expanded at a 2.6 percent double in size from its more than 60 restaurants this year. last year, according to Autodata Corp. Car buying is poised Sameer Musaed Al-Rowaieh annual rate, the government said Friday, down from a siz- More consumers are upgrading from fast food, and the to eclipse 17 million for the first time in a decade. Spending (Wednesday 21/1): Ali Mohammed Ali Hashem, zling 5 percent gain the previous quarter. Yet consumers chain can choose from towns and cities “where the eco- at restaurants and bars improved 5.8 percent last year, the Fares Mohammad Ali Al Eidan signaled their optimism by spending at the fastest rate in nomic train has been rolling along at a pretty rapid pace,” government says. (Thursday 22/1): Somaia Mohammed Fathi Hamdi nearly nine years. “This hasn’t changed my picture on the Al-Baroudi, Najlaa Mahdi Asad Ashkanani strength and resilience of the US economy,” said Scott Anderson, chief economist at the Bank of the West. “Almost Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah 2015 draw lineup includes daily all the drivers of consumer spending are pointing in the draws (2 winners per working day each receive KD1000). Al- right direction.” Danah’s 1st Quarterly draw will be held on 26 March Nearly six years into the recovery from the Great (KD200,000, KD125,000, and KD25,000), 2nd Quarter - 25 Recession, the economy has finally gone from straining just June (KD250,000, KD125,000, and KD25,000), 3rd Quarter - to grow to posting consistently solid gains. The gains have 17 September (KD500,000, KD125,000, and KD25,000). The come even though many households continue to struggle final Al-Danah draw for the Million Dinars will be held on 7 without much of a financial cushion. Nearly half say they January, 2016 whereby the Al-Danah millionaire will be spend all their income, go into debt or use savings to meet announced alongside winners of KD250,000 and KD50,000. their expenses, a new analysis by the Pew Charitable Trusts Al-Danah allows customers to win cash prizes and has found. simultaneously encourages them to save. Each KD100 gives the customer 1 chance daily which accumulates day by day. Dollar strengthens The more money saved and the longer it is in the account, In addition, a surging dollar is denting the earnings of US the more chances individuals stand to win. Every companies that operate overseas. And energy firms have Al-Danah prize draws will automatically be deposited been hurt by plummeting oil prices, and as a result compa- into the winner’s account within two working days. Open nies in the Standard & Poor’s 500 index are expected to an account and Deposit now to Win Big, Live big, with Al- report weak profit growth. But collectively, consumers and Danah 2015. Al-Danah also offers a number of unique serv- investors are showing renewed faith in the economy. On ices including the Al-Danah Deposit Only ATM card which Friday, the University of Michigan said its sentiment index helps account holders deposit their money at their conven- found that US consumers are more confident than they’ve ience; as well as the Al-Danah calculator to help customers been since 2004. Also Friday, the government said wages calculate their chances of becoming an Al-Danah winner. and benefits are ticking up, a sign that steady job gains may Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah account is open to Kuwaitis and all be compelling employers to pay a bit more. Most indicators residents of Kuwait. Customers who open an account and/ suggest that the economy has surpassed a psychological or deposit more will enter the draw within two days. To take threshold that has made businesses more comfortable with part in the Al-Danah 2015 upcoming yearly draw, cus- hiring and infused consumers with more enthusiasm. tomers must have an Al-Danah account containing at least “Psychology has been a big contributor to the improved KD 200. To be part of the Al-Danah draws, customers can level of performance in the United States,” said Carl visit one of Gulf Bank’s 59 branches, transfer on line, or call Tannenbaum, chief economist at the bank Northern Trust. AVENTURA: BurgerFi restaurant supervisor Alexis Charles (right) takes an order from Ellisa Horvath of Aventura, the Customer Contact Center on 1805805 for assistance At a time when Europe, Asia and South America face Flordia at the restaurant in Aventura. Companies such as the gourmet hamburger chain BurgerFi plan to nearly and guidance. Customers can also log on to www.e-gulf- deep anxieties, the US economy’s greatest strength might double in size from their existing 65 restaurants this year. — AP bank.com/aldanahwinners, to find out more about Al- be its remarkable sturdiness. The consensus expectation is Danah and who the winners are. that the US economy will expand a solid 3 percent this year, said Corey Winograd, CEO of the Florida-based chain. Cheaper energy has been a gift for consumers, who well above the recovery’s 2.2 percent annual average. This If all goes as planned, BurgerFi will account for 2,000 account for nearly 70 percent of all US economic activity. has made US stocks and Treasurys comparably attractive - new jobs this year. Investors are still trying to adjust for this The Energy Information Administration projects that an havens from the risks from Europe’s prolonged slump, col- newfound steadiness. The rush of foreign money into US average US household will save about $750 this year on China home prices lapsing oil prices, China’s slowdown and Japan’s struggles Treasurys has cut the yield on 10-year note to about 1.67 gasoline. At the same time, Tannenbaum of Northern Trust to stave off recession. percent from 2.9 percent a year ago. A result is that it’s now cautions against becoming too complacent if consumers break falling streak Yet the US economy still has additional room to continue cheaper for companies and homebuyers to borrow in ways begin to fear that the economic woes abroad threaten the expanding. In current dollars, the median household that nurture growth. US job market or financial markets. “Psychology could also in January: Survey income of $54,417 remains about $1,800 below its late 2007 During 2014, employers added an average of 246,000 be the avenue through which some of the world’s uncer- levels, according to Sentier Research. More than 5 million jobs a month. That figure has remained above 200,000 for tainties drag us back to growth that’s a bit less desirable,” he households owe more on their mortgages than their homes the past 11 months and has helped whittle the unemploy- said. — AP BEIJING: China’s housing prices rose in January for the first time in nine months, a survey showed yesterday, breaking a decline that has weighed on growth in the world’s second- largest economy. The average price of a new home in China’s 100 major cities rose 0.21 percent from December to 10,564 yuan ($1,690) per square metre, according to the independent China Index Academy, the first rise since April 2014. The figure represents a turnaround from December’s 0.44 percent decline, according to academy data. On a year-on-year basis, however, prices were down 3.09 percent in January, greater than the 2.69 percent recorded last month, the statement said. “Overall, with the real estate market expected to contin- ue its turn for the better, prices in the 100 cities stabilised in the first month of the new year,” said the statement. “This month, prises have clearly risen in an increasing num- ber of cities, including all of the first-tier cities,” it added. The average price in the top 10 cities grew to 18,990 yuan per square metre, down 1.23 percent from a year ago, the state- ment said. As in December, Beijing, Shanghai and the south- ern boom town of Shenzhen were the only three top 10 cities to see annual price rises, it said, with Shanghai the best per- former with a 1.92 percent increase to 32,278 yuan per square metre. Prices in the eastern city of Hangzhou, meanwhile, declined 10.95 percent from last year to 16,215 yuan per square metre. China has previously sought to rein in runaway property prices, a source of discontent among ordinary citi- zens, by introducing market control measures including limits on buying second and third homes.—AFP

US must target currency Manipulation: Senator

WASHINGTON: The Obama administration must insist that US trading partners pledge not to manipulate currencies when negotiating trade deals, the Senate Committee on Finance chairman said on Friday. In a speech laying out his conditions for supporting trade deals, Republican Orrin Hatch said addressing currency concerns was key to winning lawmakers’ support for a bill to fast-track trade agreements through Congress, and deals such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. “Pretending these concerns don’t exist will not suffice,” he told the American Enterprise Institute. “The administration must engage much more effectively with Congress on this issue if they want to receive strong support for TPA (trade pro- motion authority) and any subsequent trade agreements.” Lawmakers from both parties are pushing the US adminis- tration to take a stronger stand against trading partners which seek to gain an edge with a weaker currency, which makes their exports cheaper. But President Barack Obama told House Democrats on Thursday that including provisions against cur- rency manipulation in deals currently under negotiation was unworkable, one member of Congress who was in the room said. The administration is close to sealing a trade pact with 11 Asia-Pacific trading partners, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and is also negotiating a deal with the European Union. US Trade Representative Michael Froman said on Tuesday Treasury had the lead on currency issues. Hatch said he expected that the fundamentals of a TPA bill to be introduced soon would be “substantially the same” as legislation drafted last year, which never progressed to a vote. The bill allows law- makers to set negotiating objectives for trade deals in exchange for a yes-or-no vote on the final deal, without amendments. Hatch said he would not support any trade deals which did not include strong intellectual property protections. Other conditions included investor-state dispute settlement provi- sions; no barriers to digital trade, and the elimination of tariffs on US exports of goods, services and agricultural products. Japan and Canada, partners in the TPP talks, had to accept more US farm exports, he said.—Reuters SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 BUSINESS Kuwait bourse ends Jan on positive note

BAYAN WEEKLY MARKET REPORT

KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) ended January declines, headed by the large-cap and blue-chip stocks, volume, with a total of 1.32 billion shares. Banking sector took the second place as the sectors in the green zone. The Price Index closed at 6,572.26 which received a large portion of the traded cash liquid- On the other hand, the Financial Services sector’s last month turnover of KD 110.62 million represented points, up by 0.56 percent compared to the closings of ity in the market. On the other hand, the stock market is stocks where the highest traded in terms of value; 22.06 percent of the total market trading value. — the month before, the Weighted Index increased by witnessing a general state of watch and cautious in with a turnover of KD 112.94 million or 22.52 percent Prepared by the Studies & Research Department, 0.67 percent after closing at 441.84 points, whereas the trading, due to the investors’ wait for the listed compa- of last month’s total market trading value. The Bayan Investment Co. KSX-15 Index closed at 1,072.70 points increasing by nies’ disclosure of its 2014 financial results, which is 1.20 percent. Furthermore, last month’s average expected to be announced during the coming weeks. turnover decreased by 10.23 percent, compared to the preceding month, reaching KD 26.40 million, whereas Sectors’ Indices trading volume average was 286.85 million shares, Six of KSE’s sectors ended last month in the green recording increase of 14.58 percent. zone, while the other six recorded declines. Last The stock market indicators were able to increase, month’s highest gainer was the Industrial sector, achiev- supported by the purchasing power that included many ing 3.58 percent growth rate as its index closed at stocks of large-cap and small-cap, especially of declined 1,108.71 points. Whereas, in the second place, the prices during the previous months, among traders’ opti- Telecommunications sector’s index closed at 583.80 mism for the listed companies annual results, after the points recording 2.34 percent increase. The Banks sector positive data disclosed by some companies and banks came in third as its index achieved 1.50 percent growth, during the current month. On the contrary, the stock ending the month at 1,020.20 points. market was affected by the profit collection operations, On the other hand, the Basic Materials sector headed as such were able to lighten the market gains and limit the losers list as its index declined by 4.03 percent to its increases in some sessions, however did not succeed end the month’s activity at 1,085.76 points. The Health in pushing it to close in the red zone on a monthly level. Care sector was second on the losers’ list, which index Also, the stock market witnessed during the first few declined by 1.92 percent, closing at 922.22 points, fol- sessions of the month some random selling operations lowed by the Consumer Services sector, as its index on many of the listed stocks, as a result to the worry closed at 1,069.65 points at a loss of 1.10 percent. state of many traders due to the oil prices drop crisis, which caused the three indices to decline rapidly, Sectors’ Activity before it were able to compensate its losses thereafter, The Financial Services sector dominated total trade affected by the relative stability of the oil prices, in addi- volume during last month with 2.36 billion shares tion to the companies’ results which disclosed positive changing hands, representing 43.28 percent of the total financial data for the year end 2014, to positively affect market trading volume. The Real Estate sector was sec- the traders’ morale, and caused a purchasing trend to ond in terms of trading volume as the sector’s traded appear on many stocks, especially on stocks of previous shares were 24.19 percent of last month’s total trading

Mexico cuts spending on oil shock, shelves tender MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s government abduction and massacre of 43 trainee cut its 2015 budget by nearly 3 per- teachers in restive southwest Mexico cent on Friday after a drop in global last year as drug gang violence goes prices hurt public finances, and it is unchecked. Analysts worry that shelving a tainted $3.75 billion high- Mexico’s political crisis could further speed train tender as part of its aus- undermine implementation of a raft terity measures. Finance Minister Luis of major economic reforms seen as Videgaray said the cuts were intended key to helping stem a slide in domes- to reassure global investors that tic oil output and bolster growth. Mexico will keep its finance in order The finance ministry still expects and he promised they would not the economy to grow between 3.2 derail an economic recovery this year. percent and 4.2 percent this year, Latin America’s No 2 economy, a Videgaray said, although economists major crude exporter, has posted forecast growth at just above 2 per- weak growth in recent years and the cent last year. drop in oil prices has dampened confi- Videgaray said Mexico would cut dence in the impact of a landmark spending by 124.3 billion pesos ($8.29 opening of the state-run energy sec- billion) this year, equal to 2.6 percent tor this year to private companies. of the 2015 spending plan. The gov- The slump has also battered ernment uses oil revenues to fund Mexico’s peso currency, which blew about a third of its budget. past the 15-per dollar level on Friday Earlier this month, Videgaray said for the first time since 2009 before it that budget cuts this year would not recovered slightly. Mexico’s central be needed after the government bank warned on Thursday the peso bought derivatives to hedge its oil could see steeper losses and its gover- revenues. Strategists said Mexico’s nor, Agustin Carstens, advised the cuts were a bid to insulate its financial government to act to prevent a fur- markets from the current bout of NEW YORK: Danny Meyer (left), Founder & CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group, and Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti, lead cheers ther run on the currency. global volatility. Foreign investors from the podium during opening bell ceremonies at the New York Stock Exchange on Friday. — AP “We have to take decisions because now hold more than 2 trillion pesos our budgetary reality has changed,” ($133 billion) of debt, nearly 40 per- US stocks sag; January finishes on weak note Videgaray told a news conference. He cent of the stock. said the government was shelving, for “They are thinking about the huge NEW YORK: The US stock market capped a in the last quarter of 2014, as weaker govern- or 1.3 percent, to 1,994.99. The Nasdaq com- now, a project to build the rail link amount of money that has entered rough month Friday, delivering its third loss in ment and business spending held growth posite fell 48.17 points, or 1 percent, to between Mexico City and the central Mexico and they well know that if five days and extending its declines for the back. The decline was unexpected and down 4,635.24. city of Queretaro. they don’t manage public finances year. All told, the Standard & Poor’s 500 index from a gain of 4.6 percent in the second quar- Nine of the 10 sectors in the S&P 500 fell, The tender sparked accusations of properly, foreigners could get wor- fell 3 percent in January, its worse monthly ter and 5 percent in the third quarter. But oth- with utilities declining the most. The one sec- shady dealings favoring a contractor ried,” said Salvador Orozco, a strategist performance in a year. While the US economy ers news signaled the steady health of the U.S. tor that rose was energy. Benchmark U.S. close to President Enrique Pena Nieto. at Santander in Mexico City. continued to show signs of strength, energy economy. Consumer spending surged in the crude rose $3.71 to close at $48.24 a barrel in China Railway Construction Corp A hike in US interest rates, seen lat- companies suffered from a sharp drop in oil final three months of 2014. The Labor New York. The price rose on expectations of (CRCC) had looked poised to clinch er this year, could spur a reversal in a prices and some big multinational companies Department reported that wages and benefits lower supplies as the number of working the contract even after its original tide of investment that has flooded saw their earnings dinged by a stronger dollar. rose last year by 2.2 percent, the biggest cal- drilling rigs continued to fall, according to a winning bid was revoked when it into emerging markets in recent years. On Friday, investors also weighed the con- endar-year increase since 2008 closely-watched industry count. Concerns over became engulfed in the scandal. Videgaray said the government would sequences of a slowdown in US economic Investors also sifted through the latest an attack on oil-rich Kirkuk, Iraq by Islamic Pena Nieto’s family and Videgaray rely on austerity measures, but not tax growth and how further strength in the dollar batch of corporate earnings news, and the insurgents also spurred oil buying and higher bought homes from a government hikes or more debt. A brand new mul- could dent corporate profits. “The real issue results were mixed. Amazon.com and Visa prices. While oil had a strong day, it remains in contractor that was part of the con- ti-billion dollar airport project for still is the confusion, the uncertainty around reported strong results late Thursday. Amazon a deep slump. The price of benchmark US sortium that won the original train Mexico city will not be affected, he the speed of decline in oil prices and what that jumped 13.7 percent, while Visa rose 2.8 per- crude has fallen to $48 a barrel from over $107 tender, raising concerns about corrup- said. means, and the rise in the dollar and what that cent. last June. Demand for ultra-safe bonds rose. tion and conflicts of interest. “For a government that has empha- means for earnings,” said Bob Doll, chief equity Several companies didn’t fare as well, The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to Videgaray declined to comment on sized the need for greater public strategist at Nuveen Asset Management. including Ugg footwear maker Deckers 1.66 percent Friday, the lowest since May 2013. Friday when asked what interest rate investment, this is a step backward. The concerns about a surging dollar intensi- Outdoor and the parent of Hawaiian Airlines, Yields fall as bond prices rise. he had paid on a loan from the gov- There is a lot of wastage on the cur- fied after Russia’s central bank unexpectedly which offered discouraging outlooks. Deckers “I think that the bond market is starting to ernment contractor who sold him his rent spending side and it would have cut interest rates to 15 percent from 17 per- slumped 19.7 percent, while Hawaiian scare equity investors: ‘What do they know house. been ideal to see the bulk of the cuts cent to help the weakening economy. That Holdings slid 27 percent. that I don’t?’” said Jim Paulsen, chief invest- The scandal has compounded the fall there,” said Rodrigo Aguilera, sent the ruble down against the dollar. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped ment strategist at Wells Capital Management. president’s woes. He was already Mexico analyst for The Economist Before the US market opened, the govern- 251.90 points, or 1.5 percent, to close at “The bond market is telling us that things are grappling with the fallout of the Intelligence Unit. — Reuters ment said that the economy grew 2.6 percent 17,164.95. The S&P 500 index lost 26.26 points, getting worse.” —AP

BUSINESS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 Kuwait Yacht Show 2015 opens on February 3

KUWAIT: The Third edition of the Kuwait Yacht Show yacht market is recovering after suffering from the target group of KYS is significantly the Kuwaiti Elites, (KYS) will open on February 3 at the Marina Crescent effects of the global financial crisis. Around the world and this falls in line with our strategy to accommo- under the patronage of His Highness the Prime new investments are being made to develop and date to the different aspects of our customer base”. Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. expand product lines, and Kuwait is ready for this He went ahead to add, “The diversified services we The show is open from Tuesday (February 3) until growth with the new marinas opening in 2015. We offer our platinum and private banking clientele are a Saturday (February 7) inclusive, from 4 pm to 9.30 pm. are proud to have been accepted in to the IFBSO, and proof of our commitment to this target group, includ- Crowned by the unveiling of a global premiere see this as an accolade for the KYS and an honor for ing credit card benefits, and the highest returns on and a number of regional premieres, together with the nation of Kuwait. We are now working our way to deposits in Kuwait, as well as customized financing the introduction of new international and local be ranked alongside major global marine shows”. facilities”. exhibitors, this edition is indeed a turning point for Al-Hajeri then stressed the importance of the Commenting on VIVA’s participation, Abdulrazzaq Kuwait Yacht Show. Becoming a candidate member sponsors, media supporters and the Marina World Bader Al-Essa, Director of Corporate Communications, of the International Federation of Boat Show management and clients “I would like to take this said: “Our participation in this year’s Kuwait Yacht Organizers (IFBSO), this year’s KYS will also be audited opportunity to thank our Platinum Sponsors Show stems from our belief in the value this event has by BPA. Boubyan Bank and Viva; Gold Sponsors Powerboat in raising the name of our beloved country interna- Now, and for the first time, Kuwait is officially on Center and Sirbb Circuit; our venue partner URC, our tionally, especially as it is now an Official Candidate the global boat show calendar. “We are glad to partic- official timekeeper UlysseNardin; our official automo- Member in the IFBSO. In addition, this event attracts ipate again in the Kuwait Yacht Show and are proud tive partner Ali Alghanim& Sons; our insurance part- thousands of visitors every year, and we look forward to be announcing the global launch of our latest ner GIG and our contracting partner 4 FEST.” She con- to welcoming visitors and VIVA customers to our stand, Majesty Superyacht at the event,” said Erwin Bamps, tinued, “Each person, organization or entity collabo- and showcasing the latest products and services we Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Craft. rating with KYS knows how vital a role they are play- have to offer them.” Nouf Al-Hajery, PH7 Events Managing Director, ing in the success and continuation of the show. With a new dedicated area subsidized by the stressed: “This year, the Kuwait Yacht Show is being Every yacht owner who has agreed to free his space Amiri Diwan to support small companies in the backed by a great governmental support, without for KYS, every sponsor who has contributed in build- marine sector, together with enhanced participation which it would have been impossible to invite region- ing KYS and every media partner who has helped in Eugene Beukes, CEO of Boom Marine from new regional and international brands, topped al and international exhibitors. With that support, we promoting the show locally, regionally or internation- up by solid governmental alliances, KYS will offer a felt it was our duty to work even harder to give ally has truly become a great ally and it is with honor commented, “Boubyan Bank associates and special- wide range of maritime products, equipment, boats Kuwait a much larger and more fully encompassing that we thank each and every one of you.” izes in catering to a niche group of society. We are and luxury yachts, all tailored to every budget and show than its first two editions.” She continued, “The Abdulaziz Al-Marzouq, AGM at Boubyan Bank, gladly sponsoring the Kuwait Yacht Show (KYS) as the every sea-farers choice. NBK introduces innovative ‘Miles World MasterCard’ credit card With more than 800 airlines and 150,000 hotels

KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) introduced its new Miles World MasterCard Credit Card, the first of its kind in Kuwait to allow customers to use their miles with any airline through NBK miles program. This unique Credit Card gives customers the freedom and flexibility to fly with any airline, on any route originat- ing from any destination and to any destination at any time of the year, with no travel restrictions or expiry of NBK Miles points. The new NBK Miles World MasterCard is the only travel Credit Card in Kuwait that offers customers the option of using NBK Miles points to book their travel with more than 800 airlines including Fly Dubai and Al-Jazeera airways, in addition to 150,000 luxury hotels and resorts worldwide and renowned car rental com- panies. The cardholders also enjoy the ease and con- venience of booking their travel through a dedicated website or a call center. “NBK Miles World MasterCard is unmatched in Kuwait today. The card gives its holders the flexibility to fly to any destination, on any airline, from any point of origin and at any time of the year,” said Mohammed Khaled Al-Othman, NBK’s Assistant General Manager, Mohammed Al-Othman Consumer Banking Group. “NBK Miles World MasterCard is the gate to enjoy a The new NBK Miles World MasterCard Credit Card world of unlimited rewards. Cardholders are offered provides NBK customers with a variety of additional unlimited choices to book their travel with more than benefits, that include complimentary access to over 800 airlines including Fly Dubai and Al Jazeera airways. 500 of the most prominent lounges at more than 300 The cardholders also earn miles with the airlines’ miles airports worldwide, local and global concierge servic- program when they redeem their NBK Miles points to es, free travel insurance coverage up to $2 million fly,” added Al-Othman annually, free valet parking, luxury lifestyle offers and Jazeera Airways The new Credit Card rewards cardholders with instant discounts locally and globally that cover travel, 10,000 free NBK Miles points when using the card for dining, shopping, entertainment, and much more. launches the first time regardless of the transaction amount. NBK Credit Cards are accepted worldwide and are Cardholders also get NBK Miles points every time they the safest, most convenient and rewarding way to pay. use the card in Kuwait, and they get even more points For more information log onto nbk.com or contact flights to when using the card overseas including online shop- NBK Call Center on 1801 801, or follow NBK on Twitter ping at international websites. @NBKPage, and on Instagram @NBKPage. Sharm El Sheikh

KUWAIT: Jazeera Airways yesterday announced Lulu among top 250 global retailers the launch of four return flights between Kuwait and Sharm El Sheikh during the week of the KUWAIT: The UAE-based LULU Group, which in 2013 were put at more than $476 billion. growth was 4.1 percent for the top 250, follow- National and Liberation day holidays in February runs the Lulu chain of supermarkets, has been The group is set to open 15 new hypermarkets ing a 4.9 percent gain in fiscal year 2012. 2015. risen in the latest edition of a list of the biggest in UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, KSA, Egypt in HerveBallantyne, partner and consumer The scheduled flights include four departure retailers in the world. The company, headed by the next few months. Lulu has earlier business leader at Deloitte Middle East, said: flights from Kuwait to Sharm El Sheikh on Indian Yusuffali MA, was ranked 183rd in the announced its plan to open hypermarkets in “The sluggish global economy in 2014 left February 19, 21, 25 and 28, and returning flights to 2013 list of the 250 biggest retail businesses Malaysia and Indonesia, thus setting its many consumers financially constrained and Kuwait on those same days. published by Deloitte, up 14 places compared foothold in the far East Asia. retail sales under pressure. Thus, the prosperity Jazeera Airways Vice President of Sales, to the previous year. Deloitte said the top 250 global retailers of the global retail sector in 2015 will very RafikBoghdady, said, “We’re introducing flights for Deloitte said the retailer averaged com- generated revenue of $4.4 trillion in 2013, each much depend on the economic stability of the holidays following strong demand from cus- pound annual growth rate of more than 18 with an average size of more than $17.4 billion. several of the largest economies. tomers to travel the coastal city of Sharm El Sheikh percent between 2008-13.It added that the Its 2015 Global Powers of Retailing, “Despite the recent fall in oil prices, there is as the weather gets warmer.” group’s revenues in 2013 was estimated at $5 Embracing Innovation report added that rev- little evidence at this stage that it will nega- Jazeera Airways serves from Kuwait 19 popular billion, up from $4.5 billion in the previous enue growth for the top 250 retailers, which tively impact consumer spending in the destinations in the Middle East, including high- year. LULU Group is the only entry from the began declining in 2011, continued to slow in Middle East. Although European grocers might Middle East in the global 250 list, which was fiscal year 2013. According to the report, sales- be slowing expansion, no such problems are demand business, leisure, family, and weekend Yusuffali MA destinations such as Dubai, Bahrain, Beirut, headed by US giant Wal-Mart whose revenues weighted, currency-adjusted retail revenue affecting those in the Middle East,” he said. Alexandria, Amman, Istanbul, Sharm El Sheikh, Luxor, Sohag, Mashhad, Jeddah, Riyadh, and Cairo. Jazeera Airways operates Airbus A320 aircraft with two class cabins comprising a Business Class and an Economy Class. Business Class travelers get both an upgraded experience and exclusivity, starting with exclusive check-in lines, business lounge access, up to 60 kilograms in free baggage allowance, and an exclusive on-board cabin. The airline’s Economy Class offers travelers free bag- gage allowance of 40 kilograms and free on-board meals with a changing menu every month. Jazeera Airways is an IATA-member airline.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds unveils dazzling diamond collection to celebrate the season of love

KUWAIT: Malabar Gold & Diamonds launched a spe- enamel is used to maintain its natural look. This pen- Apart from this, Malabar Gold & Diamonds show- cial edition of diamond-studded jewellery to celebrate dant available in two different shades at a special pro- case an incredible collection of rarest designs in gold the season of love. Diamonds are a symbol of eternity motional price of KD 140 is a perfect gift to express and diamond jewellery from Italy, Turkey, Bahrain and and a timeless interpretation of love. As the demand true emotions to your loved ones. India to suit the tastes and budget of its different cus- for heart shaped jewellery boosts during this season, They have also unveiled a limited edition of twin- tomers. Customers can also choose gifts to their loved the jewellery chain launched an exclusive collection of heart, triple- heart and quartet-heart pendants ones from their branded jewellery segment that heart shaped jewellery to cater to the customer sparkling with diamonds ranging from KD105to KD includes Era - Uncut Diamond Jewellery, Ethnix - demand. 195. Gifting these unique pendants can actually Handcrafted Designer Jewellery, Mine - Diamonds This stunningly romantic collection of diamond brighten up your loved one’s life. They also offer two Unlimited, Precia- Precious Gem Jewelleryand Divine - jewellery is a unique way to express your feelings, amazing sets of diamond jewellery to celebrate this Indian Heritage Jewellery. affection and togetherness. Each piece in this collec- season and each set comprises of beautifully crafted Malabar Gold & Diamonds gives you the chance to tion is specially designed with an aura of love and is pendant, pair of earrings and finger ring. These sets give that special someone a token of your love that easily affordable. are available at an affordable price of KD 180. she will cherish for the rest of her life. These promo- Their spectacular piece of heart shaped diamond To add more delight to this occasion, the cus- tional sets will be available at their outlets in UAE, pendant in raw wood with natural texture, grains and tomers can also avail a branded Esprit watch absolute- Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and color stand out from the rest. Clear and transparent ly free with this limited edition of jewellery. Singapore until 14 February 2015. technology SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 Scientists abandon claim about cosmic find

NEW YORK: Scientists who made headlines last had hoped to bolster it by finding a particular trait results. “It’s like finding out there’s no Santa Claus. evidence BICEP2 had claimed. March by announcing that they’d found long- in light left over from the very early universe. But it’s important to know the truth.” That possibility had been raised by other scien- sought evidence about the early universe are now That signal is what the researchers claimed they The new analysis was conducted by BICEP2 tists soon after the announcement last March. abandoning that claim. had found in observations of the sky taken from researchers plus scientists who worked with the When the BICEP2 team published its results in New data show that their cosmic observations the South Pole, in a project called BICEP2. European Planck satellite, which provided new June it acknowledged it might have been fooled no longer back up that conclusion, they say. The But now, in a new paper submitted for publica- data to help interpret the original observations by the dust, but it still stood by its initial conclu- original announcement caused a sensation tion, “we are effectively retracting the claim,” said In essence, Keating said, the analysis shows that sions. because it appeared to show evidence that the Brian Keating of the University of California, San the source of the signal observed by BICEP2 isn’t Keating said the search for the signal from the universe ballooned rapidly a split-second after its Diego, a member of the BICEP2 team. “It’s disap- necessarily the very early universe. Instead, it’s early universe would continue. And the new analy- birth, in what scientist call cosmic inflation. That pointing,” he said in a telephone interview Friday equally likely to have come from dust in our sis has helped, he said, by showing how to avoid idea had been widely believed, but researchers after the European Space Agency publicized the galaxy, which would mean it does not provide the being misled by the galactic dust. — AP NASA satellite to map soil moisture poised for launch

CALIFORNIA: An unmanned Delta 2 rocket is being prepared for launch late yesterday to put a NASA satel- lite into orbit that is expected to improve drought mon- itoring and flooding forecasts. The 127-foot-tall (39-metre) rocket, built and flown by United Launch Alliance, is scheduled to lift off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 6:20 am PST (1420 GMT). Launch originally was planned for Thursday but was WASHINGTON: Tom Wheeler, chairman of the Federal delayed 24 hours due to high winds, the National Communications Commission. —AP Aeronautics and Space Administration said. United Launch Alliance, a partnership of Lockheed Martin and Just whose Internet Boeing, postponed the flight for one more day so that technicians could repair insulation on the rocket that is it? New federal had become detached during Thursday’s launch rules may answer that attempt. Perched on top of the rocket is NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive observatory, or SMAP, which is to spend WASHINGTON: Whose Internet is it anyway? Tom Wheeler, chair- at least three years making precise measurements of man of the Federal Communications Commission, says he’s keep- the amount of water in Earth’s topsoil. ing that question in mind as he pitches the biggest regulatory shake-up to the telecommunications industry since 1996, when Soil moisture accounts for less than 1 percent of the people still used noisy modems and referred to the “information planet’s total water reservoir, with 97 percent in the superhighway” as a fun way to buy books or check the weather. Earth’s oceans and nearly all of the rest locked in ice, Wheeler has not publicly released his plan yet, and might not said SMAP lead scientist Dara Entekhabi of the for a few weeks. But he has suggested that Internet service has Massachusetts Institute of Technology. become as critical to people in the United States as water, electric- But the tiny amount of soil moisture links the planet’s ity or phone service and should be regulated like any other public overall environmental systems, its water, energy and utility. Wheeler told reporters this past week that he wants “yard- carbon cycles, as well as determines whether particular sticks in place to determine what is in the best interest of con- regions are hit by drought or flooding. “It’s the metabo- sumers as opposed to what is in the best interest of the gatekeep- lism of the system,” Entekhabi said during a prelaunch ers.” That has the industry sounding the alarms, warning con- news conference. sumers of an inevitable $72 annual tax increase on each US wire- Currently, scientists rely largely on computer mod- less account. But advocates of the approach say that is not likely to els to account for soil moisture. SMAP is designed to happen and that your Internet experience probably will carry on provide hard numbers of the amount of water in the as usual. A look at what “net neutrality” means and what is likely to soil and to do so worldwide, every two to three days. happen: The launch, 2,100-pound (950-kg) spacecraft and CALIFORNIA: In this photo provided by NASA the mobile service tower is rolled back to reveal the United Launch three years of operations is costing NASA $916 mil- Alliance Delta II rocket with the Soil Moisture Active Passive observatory onboard, at the Space Launch Complex 2, THE ISSUE lion. — Reuters Friday. — AP Net neutrality is the idea that Internet providers should not move some content faster than others or enter into paid agree- ments with companies such as Netflix to prioritize their data. Broadband providers have questioned the fairness of this approach. They have invested heavily in a sophisticated infrastruc- Battle of the big phones: Politics, mobile ture and question whether the government should be telling them how to run their networks and package services. overshadow Alibaba’s But what if the major cable companies that provide much of Samsung down in China the nation’s broadband had free rein to load some files faster than fairy-tale run others? It is easy to imagine scenarios where these providers SEOUL: Samsung lost the battle of the big phones Apple came just short of a tie with Samsung. It’s not might favor content produced by their affiliates or start charging last quarter as Apple’s copycat large iPhone lured buy- unusual for research firms to produce slightly differ- SAN FRANCISCO: Alibaba Group Holding Ltd’s underwhelming holiday “tolls” to move data. Consumers naturally would gravitate toward ers in the crucial Chinese market. The South Korean ent estimates. But IDC said Apple’s sales were espe- quarter performance and an escalating war of words with a powerful faster sites and services that pay those fees, while smaller startups company said its October-December profit sank, with cially “impressive” because the new iPhone models are Chinese industry regulator highlight two major risks to its seemingly or nonprofits get shut out. an improvement in its semiconductor business insuf- selling at a higher average price than older models, at fairy-tale ascent: politics and the shift to mobile commerce. ficient to mask its mobile problems. a time when Samsung and other rivals are competing The Chinese e-commerce giant has acquired a rosy aura since its THE OPTIONS It was in China, the world’s largest market for to offer phones at significantly lower prices. Apple record-breaking IPO last spring, revealing growth rates and volumes that The FCC had used the 1996 Telecommunications Act, which smartphones, where Samsung’s dramatic decline was shares gained 1.5 percent Thursday and are up more dwarfed industry stalwarts Amazon.com Inc and eBay Inc. was intended to encourage competition in the telephone and most evident. Its weakness there is a key reason why than 7 percent since it announced iPhone sales fig- Now, Wall Street is cutting back on expectations in part because of cable industry, to enforce “open Internet” rules, until recently, Samsung’s share of global smartphone sales dropped ures for the December quarter. fears that Chinese regulators are sharpening their scrutiny of counterfeit when a federal appeals court knocked down that approach. to about one quarter last year from a one-third share Samsung, in contrast, reported its fourth straight products on e-commerce sites, an endemic problem that Alibaba and President Barack Obama and consumer advocates say a better in 2013. Apple Inc. contributed to Samsung’s latest drop in quarterly earnings. Profit sank 27 percent to others have fought for years. “As the China-factor gets tempered, then tack would be to apply Title II of the 1934 Communications Act. reversal in fortune, launching iPhones with bigger 5.3 trillion won ($4.9 billion). Strategy Analytics esti- excitement (around Alibaba) is going to get tempered as well,” Cantor That law, written with radio, telegraph and phone service in mind, screens that robbed Samsung’s Galaxy phones of a mated that Samsung shipped 74.5 million smart- Fitzgerald’s Youssef Squali said, after cutting estimates for 2015 revenue prohibits companies from charging unreasonable rates or threat- key selling point. Samsung was already battling com- phones in the quarter, down from nearly 90 million in and earnings. “At some point, you’re not going to dominate the market ening access to services that are critical to society. Industry likens petition in low-end phones from upstart manufactur- the previous year’s quarter. Samsung has not given a and you’re just going to grow in line with the market. But we’re not that approach to cracking a nut with a sledgehammer. ers such as China’s Xiaomi. precise figure but estimated it sold between 72.2 mil- there yet,” he added. Samsung is struggling in countries such as China lion and 75.1 million smartphones. The gradual migration of users to mobile platforms threatens to THE FCC because “they’re sort of being eaten from the bottom Until September, Apple lacked one thing that weigh on the top line. On Thursday, Alibaba disappointed with 40 per- Wheeler says he will circulate his proposal among the other up by regional players” including Huawei and Xiaomi, Samsung and other phone-makers had: a supersized cent revenue growth and a monetization rate, the percentage of ecom- FCC commissioners before Thursday. He has suggested it proba- said Ben Bajaran, an analyst at Silicon Valley research smartphone screen. Apple’s older iPhone 5 had a merce transactions it earns, below Wall Street expectations. That was bly will apply Title II regulation to all Internet service, including firm Creative Strategies. “And now with Apple being screen that measured 4 inches diagonally, while due to the rising proportion of purchases on mobile devices, from which wireless, but with some caveats. Industry experts expect that competitive in larger phones, you’re seeing Samsung screens of 5 inches or larger have been the standard Alibaba earns less. Its stock fell 9 percent. Alibaba-watchers were also Wheeler will say many rules should not apply to broadband, losing any edge they had at the high end,” he said. in Asia for more than a year. The new iPhone 6 meas- treated to the unusual sight of a company, regarded as a standard-bear- invoking what’s called “forbearance.” In the second quarter last year, Xiaomi overtook ures 4.7 inches and the 6 Plus is 5.5 inches. And that’s er for a burgeoning technology industry, trading barbs with a govern- The commissioners will vote Feb. 26. Wheeler expected to Samsung to become the biggest selling smartphone made a huge difference. Meanwhile, Samsung’s flag- ment body. China’s State Administration for Industry and Commerce have the support of the other two Democratic commissioners. maker in China. Samsung now ranks third in that mar- ship Galaxy S5 smartphone was criticized for a cheap (SAIC) surprised investors by publishing a scathing report - since pulled The two Republican commissioners have made clear that they do ket, after Apple raced to the top in the fourth quarter, looking design. Samsung replaced parts of the design from its website - lambasting the company for not doing enough to sup- not support applying Title II. according to research company Canalys. with metallic features in subsequent models after the press counterfeits. Next stop will be the courts. Industry lobbyists and FCC offi- Thanks to its bigger iPhones, Apple sold a record criticism. Strategy Analytics, a market research firm, Throw in questions around how much the world’s largest economy cials say there’s no doubt one of the big providers will sue and 74.5 million iPhones last quarter, which along with said Samsung and Apple were tied each shipped 74.5 will decelerate, and the Alibaba picture begins to look less than certain probably ask the court to suspend enforcement of the new regu- high prices helped make it the world’s most profitable million smartphones in the final quarter, making it the for 2015. “Alibaba does outline anti-counterfeit measures in its filings, lation pending appeal. It’s possible the issue won’t be resolved for company. According to Strategy Analytics, Apple tied first quarter since 2011. Samsung’s fourth quarter but the SAIC report puts the effectiveness of these measures into ques- several more years, even well into the next president’s first term. Samsung in global smartphone sales, the first time profit was a moderate improvement from the previ- tion,” Stifel analysts Scott Devitt and George Askew wrote on Thursday as Samsung has not had a big lead since late 2011. The ous quarter’s 4.2 trillion won and higher than analysts’ the brokerage downgraded Alibaba to a hold from a buy. “The percep- CONGRESS research firm said Apple’s new iPhones were “wildly forecasts of 4.4 trillion won, according to financial tion issue may persist.” It is unclear whether the SAIC intends any specific Lawmakers could try to resolve the uncertainty, but Congress popular” in China as well as the United States and data provider FactSet. Sales fell 11 percent from a year action. But the Chinese company is sensitive to accusations about its rarely is that pragmatic. Lawmakers tend to take on issues that fire Europe. Counterpoint, another market research firm, earlier to 52.7 trillion won while operating profit efforts to suppress counterfeit products. Meanwhile Beijing, facing per- up their base or bring their states money, and an in-the-weeds put Apple narrowly ahead of Samsung. slumped 36 percent to 5.3 trillion won, in line with sistent US pressure, has declared protecting intellectual property a gov- compromise on telecommunications law would be a lot of work A third firm, International Data Corp., estimated Samsung’s preview earlier this month.—AP with little immediate payoff. ernment priority. Alibaba’s Vice Chairman Joseph Tsai fired back on So far, Republicans have pitched an idea that would enforce Thursday, accusing the influential body of “flawed” methodology and basic open Internet rules but could strip the FCC of its ability to preparing to file a formal complaint. help local municipalities build their own broadband. It’s a non- starter for Obama and congressional Democrats who say poor HOLD ON THERE and rural areas have been left behind in the deployment of high- To be sure, Alibaba’s 40-plus percent growth in revenue and gross speed Internet. merchandise value remains the envy of its rivals. It has been able to sus- Assuming Wheeler’s proposal satisfies consumer advocacy tain that pace thanks to its 80 percent share of a Chinese online market groups, Democrats would have little incentive to revisit the issue. that industry executives agree still has enormous room to grow. While Republicans have the votes to ram though their own anti- But the world’s largest economy is poised to decelerate after years of regulation legislation without Democratic support, Obama would eye-popping growth. Economists also warn of a property market defla- veto it. tion and pressure on wage growth. Last week, Alibaba Chairman Jack Ma brushed aside fears that a slow- CONSUMERS down may squeeze his company. Yet while e-commerce should continue Most Internet providers, except Sprint, have warned the legal to grow in the Middle Kingdom, the increasing shift to mobile com- uncertainty will chill future investments. FCC officials point to a merce means that the amount Alibaba actually earns will come under recent wireless spectrum auction that has attracted some $44 bil- downward pressure. Two-thirds of the company’s sales still come from its lion as proof that the telecommunications industry is thriving consumer-to-consumer marketplace Taobao, where it primarily earns even amid the current uncertainty. revenue from advertising and marketing services. As with Google Inc As for taxes, the Progressive Policy Institute estimated that and Facebook Inc, Alibaba charges less for marketing on mobile devices treating the Internet like phone service would trigger taxes and than on computers. fees up to $15 billion a year, including $67 for each wired service It reported a monetization rate of just below 2 percent from mobile, and $72 for wireless in state and local taxes. which now comprises 42 percent of overall gross merchandise value ver- But that report, widely quoted by industry lobbyists, did not sus 36 percent in the previous quarter. take into account the Internet Tax Freedom Act, which prohibits “Near-term predictability of growth and margins has deteriorated state and local governments from imposing new taxes on given the company’s continued transition to mobile and changes to its Internet access, or the FCC’s ability to shield consumers against SEOUL: A man uses an Apple iPhone near the advertisement of Samsung Electronics’ micro SD cards at a user experience,” Cantor Fitzgerald’s Squali wrote in a research note. some state and local taxes by claiming the Internet is an “inter- Samsung shop in Seoul, South Korea. Samsung lost the battle of the big phones last quarter as Apple’s “This is amplified by recent tensions with SAIC.” — Reuters state” service. — AP copycat large iPhone lured buyers in the crucial Chinese market. — AP SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Ebola reveals shortcomings of African solidarity

ADDIS ABABA: As Africa’s leaders meet in Ethiopia bloc’s chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma admit- to discuss the Ebola crisis, expectations of firm ted at a meeting with the heads of the United action will be tempered by criticism over the conti- Nations and World Bank on October 28. Politicians nent’s poor record in the early stages of the epi- and aid agencies have noted a better response demic. The outbreak is a priority on the agenda of since, however, with 800 of 1,000 volunteers the 54-nation African Union (AU) summit in Addis pledged in October now in place. Ababa yesterday, yet the bloc is still smarting from Danger of complacency criticism that it reacted too slowly to the outbreak. In November, the AU set up a crisis fund along- Health workers and cash have flooded in from the side the African Development Bank and regional United States, Britain and even Cuba as part of a business leaders, with some $28 million pledged. UN-led surge to battle an epidemic which has seen AU leaders in Ethiopia are discussing the economic nearly 9,000 deaths in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra recovery of countries affected by Ebola, setting up a Leone. Yet it was only in September - 10 months “solidarity fund” and planning a proposed African after the virus emerged and a month after it was Centre for Disease Control. The World Health declared a “health emergency of international con- Organization (WHO) said on Thursday laboratory- cern”-that the AU held an emergency summit. confirmed Ebola infections had dropped below 100 The three hardest-hit nations have expressed dis- new cases a week for the first time in more than six appointment that their continental neighbors months. The WHO said it had shifted its efforts from seemed initially to be much quicker to shut borders slowing the spread to stamping it out completely. and ban flights than to deploy resources. Sierra Meanwhile Guinea’s President Alpha Conde has Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma hinted at his dis- warned that the retreat of the virus has brought illusionment in August when he greeted a $500,000 with it the danger of complacency. “We have to see donation from Gambia with an ill-disguised dig at how to compensate for the damage that Ebola has his other African neighbors. “In moments like this, inflicted on our economy and our finances,” he told we will remember our friends including those that FREETOWN: Photo shows an empty area outside a Ebola virus recovery ward, at the Hastings treat- AFP last week on the sidelines of the World are rallying round us and those that show true spirit ment clinic, in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The World Health Organization says officials are now focused Economic Forum in Davos, which brings together of African solidarity,” he said. He added that “we on ending the biggest-ever Ebola outbreak rather than just slowing the virus’ spread. — AP 2,500 of the world’s most influential business and expect African countries and organizations includ- while banning Sierra Leoneans on the other. The regard for human life. political leaders. He called on the International ing ECOWAS and the African Union to rally round hurt was shared in Liberia where Musa Bility, head The AU itself has recognized its shortcomings. At Monetary Fund, which is owed $480 million ($557 and show solidarity which the Gambian president of the national football association, told AFP in the height of the epidemic, members had deployed million) by the Ebola-hit nations, to forgive the debt, has demonstrated”. August that travel bans imposed by several neigh- just 100 volunteers to west Africa, a quarter of the a request which has been backed in part by the ‘Un-African travel bans’ bors were “un-African”. Nelson Mandela’s widow number provided by Cuba alone. “With the wisdom United States, IMF’s largest shareholder. “The conse- A week earlier Ibrahim Ben Kargbo, a senior offi- Graca Machel was more explicit when she blasted of hindsight, our responses at all levels-continental, quences are extremely serious for our economy. cial, had expressed “shock” that South Africa had African leaders in November for an “inadequate” global and national-were slow, and often knee-jerk Business executives no longer come to our country,” donated a mobile testing laboratory on one hand response to Ebola which demonstrated a lack of reactions that did not always help the situation,” the he said. — AFP GMO mosquito plan sparks debate in US Florida residents raise alarm

MIAMI: A British company’s plan to unleash on those results, the Florida Keys Mosquito Pest control hordes of genetically modified mosquitoes in Control District agreed to work with Oxitec, As a means of pest control, the concept of Florida to reduce the threat of dengue fever and which has built a breeding lab in the Florida Keys. releasing sterile males into the environment is other diseases has sparked an outcry from fearful But the project still needs approval from the not new, according to Joe Conlon, a technical residents. As of Friday, more than 145,000 people Food and Drug Administration to move forward. advisor for the American Mosquito Control had signed a petition at change.org urging regu- If it does get the green light, the mosquito releas- Association, which has not taken an official lators to “say no” to allowing the tourist-friendly es could begin in a few months. position on whether or not to support the fishing and diving haven to become “a testing Oxitec project. In the 1950s, flesh-eating para- ground for these mutant bugs.” Opposition sites known as screw worm flies were sexually CALIFORNIA: Rhiannon Griffith-Bowman smokes an E-Cigarette at Digital Ciggz in The company, Oxitec, said it wants to try the Opponents cite concern for the environment, sterilized via radiation, and the male flies were San Rafael, California. — AFP technique there in order to reduce the non- and worry whether other creatures-including released in Florida to cut down the population. native Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in south Florida bats and people-might be affected by the intro- “It worked. It worked wonders,” Conlon said. US states declare electronic and beyond. “They are more than just a nuisance duction of the mosquitoes. “Where is the third- Irradiation doesn’t work as well in fragile as they can spread serious diseases such as party, peer-reviewed research on effectiveness mosquitoes, but genetic modification can help cigarettes a ‘health threat’ dengue fever and chikungunya,” Oxitec said on and safety of GM mosquitoes other than curb breeding of a mosquito that reproduces its website. The process involves inserting a gene Oxitec’s own claims of success?” asks the peti- mainly near people-in standing water and even into lab-grown, male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. tion. “Dengue fever has been absent from the inside houses. ‘Vaping’ growing in popularity The added DNA makes it impossible for their off- Florida Keys for years, which indicates the cur- It is not a means for total eradication of spring to survive. Since the males do not bite- rent methods of control and public education mosquitoes, nor is it meant to substitute for SACRAMENTO: California health officials have Food and Drug Administration is also proposing only the females do-the lab-grown males would are working. What’s the rush for this radical pesticides, though some hope it could lead to declared electronic cigarettes a health threat regulations that include warning labels and be released to mate with wild females. These approach?” However, health experts say that less use of chemicals in the environment. that should be strictly regulated like tobacco ingredient lists on e-cigarettes, although enact- releases would take place a few times per week. dengue is still a concern, as is chikungunya Conlon attributed the opposition to the Oxitec products, joining other states and health advo- ment could take years. California health officials “Both the released mosquitoes and their off- virus, which causes debilitating pain, fever and plan to a lack of understanding on the part of cates across the US in seeking tighter controls as are calling for restrictions on the marketing and spring will die-they do not stay in the environ- joint aches. In July 2014, a Florida man who had the US public. “It’s going to be a hard sell to the “vaping” grows in popularity. The California sale of e-cigarettes and protections against acci- ment,” Oxitec said, describing the approach as “a not recently traveled outside the country American public, who get their ideas about Department of Public Health released a report dental ingestion of liquid nicotine. new tool in the fight against mosquitoes.” Trials became the first person in the United States to genetic issues by watching ‘Jurassic Park,’” he saying e-cigarettes emit cancer-causing chemi- A state senator introduced legislation this conducted in the Cayman Islands and Brazil get the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus said. “When they are presented with some- cals and get users hooked on nicotine but week that would regulate e-cigarettes as tobac- showed a more than 90 percent drop in mosqui- locally, and authorities say such cases are likely thing they don’t understand, they immediately acknowledging that more research needs to be co products and ban their use in public places to populations, according to the company. Based to become more common. fear it.”— AFP done to determine the immediate and long-term such as hospitals, bars and schools. A similar bill health effects. “E-cigarettes are not as harmful as was defeated last year over opposition from conventional cigarettes, but e-cigarettes are not tobacco companies. Chapman, the health offi- harmless” said California Health Officer Ron cial, would not take a position on specific legisla- Legal marijuana takes Chapman. “They are not safe.” tion, but said his department would be rolling New generations of young people will out an e-cigarette awareness campaign with become nicotine addicts if the products remain possible television and radio advertisements. E- largely unregulated, Chapman said. Last year, 17 cigarettes have become more visible as they root in Latin America percent of high school seniors reported using e- grow in popularity and commercials for the cigarettes, known as vaping, according to the products air in places where traditional cigarette report. “Without action, it is likely that California’s ads have been banned. Businesses related to e- MONTEVIDEO: After Uruguay first moved to more than two decades of progress to prevent cigarettes, including vaping lounges, are rapidly legalize marijuana in 2013, the approach has tak- and reduce traditional tobacco use will erode as popping up in cities across California. Geoff en root in Latin America with several other coun- e-cigarettes re-normalize smoking behavior,” the Braithwaite, co-owner of an Oakland store that tries now considering a revamp of their own report says. E-cigarettes heat liquid nicotine into sells liquid nicotine for e-cigarettes, said he drug laws. “Someone has to start in South inhalable vapor without the tar and other chemi- understands the need to restrict vaping in public America,” Uruguayan President Jose Mujica said cals found in traditional cigarettes. A cartridge of and prevent sales to minors. He says his cus- in late 2013 as he unveiled plans to make nicotine can cost anywhere from $5 to $20 dol- tomers are longtime smokers who should be cannabis legal in his country. Under Mujica, lars and can be reused. able to get a nicotine buzz without the harsh- Uruguay became the first country in the world California banned the sale of e-cigarettes to ness of a regular cigarette. “Nicotine has all this to fully legalize marijuana all the way from the minors in 2010, but the report raises concerns stigma attached solely to the medium we used cannabis field to the joint, setting up a regulated about children consuming liquid nicotine with to use,” Braithwaite said. “When you try to out- flavors such as cotton candy and gummy bear. right ban e-cigarettes, you’re lumping in the market for cultivation, sales and use. Though Reports of children under 5 with e-cigarette poi- solution with the problem.” Other states, includ- marijuana is not yet being sold in pharmacies, soning jumped from seven in 2012 to 154 last ing Oklahoma, Tennessee and Arkansas, already the National Drug Council, or JND, already year. The California report says e-cigarettes emit have issued advisories cautioning the use of e- counts 1,300 of the country’s 3.3 million inhabi- as many as 10 toxic chemicals, but advocates say cigarettes. Legislatures have been exploring tants registered as self-producers. There are also there is no evidence those substances are restrictions on e-cigarette marketing, adding six clubs of up to 45 consumers. Uruguay’s released at dangerous levels. childproof packaging requirements and impos- neighbors are intrigued. “Despite the health officer’s false claims, there ing taxes to discourage use. “Health officials want “Because Uruguay did it and has not yet suf- is ample evidence that vaping helps smokers to be proactive on this important public health fered any massive negative consequence, either quit and is far less hazardous than smoking,” issue,” said Lisa Waddell, who leads community in terms of international relations, foreign policy, Gregory Conley, president of the e-cigarette health and prevention at the Association of State sanctions or domestic political repudiation, it’s advocacy group American Vaping Association, and Territorial Health Officials. “The issue of real become an option for other countries to consid- said in an email. “Smokers deserve truthful and concern here is we really don’t know everything er,” John Walsh of the Washington Office on Latin accurate information about the relative risks of that’s in these products, and you are seeing the America said. Pien Metaal of the Transnational different nicotine products, not hype and conjec- rise of the use of these products in our children Institute in Amsterdam agreed that “Uruguay ture based on cherry-picked reports.” The US as well as our adults.”— AP has inspired many countries to at least take a few steps in that direction.” “It is not possible to go back. The genie came out of the bottle and MONTEVIDEO: People take part in a demo for the legalization of marijuana in front of the FDA approves ADHD drug there is no way to get him back inside,” she Legislative Palace in Montevideo. — AFP added. In late October, Chile became the first in and military intervention in Latin America and defending legalization, including from ex-presi- for binge-eating disorder the region to grow cannabis for therapeutic beyond, reforms are now underway in the coun- dents Fernando Henrique Cardoso of Brazil and WASHINGTON: Federal health regulators The drug’s prescribing label warns that uses, though the drug is still officially considered try itself. Four states have already regulated Vicente Fox of Mexico. And calls for a new have approved an attention deficit disorder Vyvanse has a “high potential for abuse and a narcotic. cannabis for recreational use-Alaska, Colorado, approach are rising in the region, the world’s drug for a new use: A first-of-its kind treat- dependence,” and doctors should monitor A bill under consideration seeks to decrimi- Oregon and Washington-and 23 have legalized biggest producer of cocaine and long in the ment for binge-eating disorder. About 2 patients for signs of dependence. nalize growing cannabis for personal uses. In its medical use. “This makes the United States grips of violence linked to drug trafficking. The percent of US adults, or about 5 million peo- Serious adverse events associated with Colombia, parliament is debating a bill allowing lose a bit of credibility when it dictates its drug repressive approach has “failed,” according to ple, have binge eating disorder, according Vyvanse can include psychiatric problems medical use of the drug, with support from cen- policies to Latin America, as it has done for the Colombian leader Santos, while his Ecuadoran to the Department of Health and Human like hallucinations and mania as well as ter-right President Juan Manuel Santos. A bill past several decades,” Metaal said. counterpart Rafael Correa labels it a “complete Services. Standard treatment for binge eat- heart complications. More common side backed by Argentine Secretary General to the After having long advocated for prohibition, failure.” ing and other eating disorders usually effects include sleeplessness, increased Presidency Anibal Fernandez seeks to decrimi- “it is time for the United States to show coher- And with the support of Colombia, involves counseling and psychotherapy. heart rate, constipation and anxiety. nalize marijuana cultivation for personal use, but ence in the way it deals with countries in the Guatemala and Mexico-all facing a bloody drug- Some doctors also prescribe antidepres- Regulators approved the new use for binge the government overall is still opposed. Another region, and to stop preaching something they related wave of violence-the United Nations will sants to try and curb eating disorders, eating based on two studies in which adults bill seeks to decriminalize therapeutic consump- cannot apply at home,” said Eduardo Vergara, hold a special session on drug policy next year. though they are not approved for that use. with a history of the disorder eating had tion and uses of the drug. In several countries in who heads Chile’s Asuntos del Sur think-tank. But while marijuana legalization is taking place The Food and Drug Administration origi- fewer instances per week while taking the region, marijuana possession for personal But he noted that “the region remains divided,” in the United States through public pressure, nally approved Vyvanse in 2007 as a once-a- Vyvanse, when compared with those get- use is no longer subject to penalties. and some Latin-American countries are still hesi- change is more gradual in its southern neigh- day pill for attention deficit hyperactivity ting a placebo. The drug is not approved for tant, Vergara added. bors. “There is public skepticism in Latin disorder. On Friday the agency cleared the weight loss. Manufacturer Shire PLC report- US example “Legalizing drugs is not on the agenda right America, where the public may not be pleased drug for adults who compulsively overeat. ed sales of $1.07 billion for the drug in the Beyond the region, Latin America is also look- now,” Brazilian Justice Minister Jose Eduardo with their drug war, but also tend to associate Vyvanse, known chemically as lisdexamfeta- first nine months of 2014. Shire is an Irish- ing to its huge northern neighbor, the United Cardozo said recently, despite a raft of bills seek- the idea of legalization as permissive or surren- mine dimesylate, is part of a family of drugs headquartered company based on the States. Despite its troubled history with the war ing to do just that. Costa Rica, Mexico, dering,” Walsh said. Even Uruguay’s marijuana that stimulate the central nervous system. island of Jersey. —AP on drugs, which saw Washington engage in a Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Venezuela also law faces an uncertain future, as it is opposed by long campaign of drug prohibition, military aid share similar positions. But there is also a chorus president-elect Tabare Vazquez. — AFP SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE More than 100 cases of measles confirmed in US Outbreak renews debate over anti-vaccination

LOS ANGELES: More than 100 people in the United States have been confirmed as infected with measles including 91 in California, most of them linked to an outbreak that began at Disneyland in December, public health officials said on Friday. The California Department of Public Health said at least 58 of the cases of the highly infectious disease in the state have been epidemiologically linked to the Disneyland clus- ter. More than a dozen other cases have been confirmed in 13 other US states and in Mexico. FRANKFURT: Photo shows glasses of milk in Frankfurt. In January 2015, embattled US No deaths have been reported in connection milk producers launched a social media campaign to rebuild public confidence in the with the outbreak, which public health officials health benefits of their product. While the government urges milk consumption, some suspect began when an infected person from studies have begun to suggest potential ill effects from drinking too much. — AP outside the United States visited Disneyland in Anaheim between Dec 15 and Dec 20. The White House on Friday urged parents to heed the advice Milk does a body good? of public health officials and scientists in getting their children vaccinated. “People should evaluate A look at science this for themselves with a bias toward good sci- ence and toward the advice of our public health professionals,” President Barack Obama’s NEW YORK: Embattled milk producers in the to risk of ovarian and prostate cancers though spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters. Asked US launched a social media campaign this many scientists believe more research is whether people should be getting vaccinated, week to rebuild public confidence in the needed before drawing conclusions about FLORIDA: In this photo illustration, a bottle containing a measles vaccine is seen at the Miami Earnest said: “That’s what the science indicates.” health benefits of their product. But how milk as a cause. Children’s Hospital in Miami, Florida. A recent outbreak of measles has some doctors encour- The measles outbreak has renewed a debate healthy is it? While the US government urges aging vaccination as the best way to prevent measles and its spread. — AFP milk consumption, some studies have begun The Swedish study over the so-called anti-vaccination movement in to suggest potential ill effects from drinking Last year, a Swedish study published in a which fears about potential side effects of vac- body should be listening to our public health nation had its highest number of measles cases too much of the white stuff. It gives a body British medical journal found women who cines, fueled by now-debunked research sug- professionals.” Earnest said the White House will in two decades. In addition to California, since pause, so to speak. Here then is a quick drank three or more glasses a day died at a gesting a link to autism, have led a small minority continue to closely monitor the outbreak. December cases of measles have been con- review of what science currently says about nearly twice the rate of those who drank less of parents to refuse to allow their children to be Earnest’s comments came one day after the firmed in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, milk’s health benefits: than one glass a day. Broken bones were inoculated. Some parents also opt not to have US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Michigan, Nebraska, New York, Oregon, more common in women who were heavy their children vaccinated for religious or other urged Americans to get vaccinated for measles. Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and The old hurrah milk drinkers, too. Other dairy products were reasons. Earnest said Obama believes decisions Measles was officially declared eliminated in the Washington state, as well as Mexico. Most peo- A diet rich in milk has long been promoted not linked to such problems. The study’s lead about vaccinating children should rest with par- United States in 2000 after decades of intensive ple recover within a few weeks, although it can as a way for children to build strong bones author - Dr Karl Michaelsson of Uppsala ents but that “the president believes that every- childhood vaccine efforts. But last year the be fatal in some cases. — Reuters and muscles, and stave off the harms of osteo- University - called the results too preliminary porosis in seniors. Proponents have especially to merit a change in dietary recommenda- noted its calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D tions, and said differences in the American Americans eager to sup up content. The US Department of Agriculture diet might diminish the kind of potential recommends daily consumption of fat-free or harms seen in the Swedes in his study. low-fat milk or dairy products, at 2 to 2 1/2 cups for younger children and 3 cups a day for The milk industry says Cuba’s ‘forbidden fruits’ older children and adults. The Swedish study prompted media head- lines such as “Milk may not be very good for HAVANA: Call it rum and cigar diplomacy: The few from the few Americans who can visit Cuba under we learned that the new limit was $100. I thought, Raw milk concerns bones or the body.” Calling it a breaking point, Americans allowed to visit Cuba are eager to finally specific tours because regular tourism remains for- it’s about time,” he said as he visited Arms Square, Some consumers say the healthiest type milk producers decided to do something more legally bring home the communist island’s once bidden until the US Congress lifts the embargo. where book sellers offer tomes about icons of the of milk is raw milk, straight from the cow. But to address declining milk consumption and health officials say milk must be pasteurized anti-milk messages from vegan groups, non- forbidden fruits. While Washington and Havana Meryl Cohen, a 29-year-old Washington resident, Cuban revolution. to kill off disease-causing germs like campy- dairy competitors and others. The new social seek to normalize ties, US President Barack Obama was planning to buy some cigars and rum as she lobacter and salmonella. Studies indicate pas- media campaign highlights, for example, how added rum and cigars to the diplomatic mix in took part in a religious tour of Havana with a Havana Club vs Bacardi teurization can affect a few of the vitamins much more protein a consumer can get from January by allowing Americans to fly back with Jewish group. “It’s more symbolic than anything, While Havana Club is ready to sell to American found in milk, like thiamine, vitamin B12, and cow milk compared to almond milk. Milk pro- $100 worth of Cuban tobacco and alcohol. “This but I think it’s showing that Americans can be visitors, it is also prepared for the day it can export vitamin C - but milk is only a minor source of ducers also are arguing the importance of milk was huge news. To have this opening after so many tourists like all the other tourists that come here, to the United States. “We have the available prod- these vitamins. Overall, pasteurization does in a culture where soda consumption is high years is a giant step for both nations,” said Alexis and that we can partake in what is a huge symbol uct, good internal production capacity and all the not significantly change the nutritional value and many kids don’t eat recommended Batista, a bartender in Havana’s Rum Museum. of the Cuban nation, the rum and the cigars,” conditions ready to enter the US market as soon as of milk - and it may save lives, according to amounts of fruits and vegetables. “It’s very positive for the economy to have com- Cohen said as she hopped back on a bus near possible,” Sergio Valdes Dorta, the company’s direc- the Centers for Disease Control and merce flowing between the two countries. It’s Havana’s seaside fort. tor of exports said. “The potential is very high. The Prevention. Less than perfect something that must benefit the people,” he said Cohen’s group came to Cuba under a religious brand is already well known and has a good repu- “The idea that milk is ‘a perfect food’ has after squeezing sugarcane through a grinder to license, one of the 12 categories of people allowed tation.” With 50 million bottles sold each year, Recent questions been discredited,” said David Levitsky, a nutri- make “guarapo” juice for a group of European by the US government to visit Cuba, though under Havana Club is third behind rivals Bacardi-the Some scientists have begun to question tion and psychology expert at Cornell tourists. The rum company Havana Club-co-owned Obama’s new rules they no longer have to apply for Cuban company that fled to Bermuda after the previous statements about milk’s benefits. For University. But it remains a rich source of calci- by the Cuban government and French spirits giant a permit before traveling. Robert Raisler, a 78-year- 1959 revolution-and Jamaica’s Captain Morgan in example, some researchers have noted low um and is still viewed as a valuable part of a Pernod Ricard-says it it is ready to sell to American old retired computer programmer on an educa- global sales. fracture rates in Asian countries where little well-balanced diet - especially for kids, visitors but also has a strategy to enter the US mar- tional tour, said he would shop for rum and cigars, The battle with Bacardi for the US market start- milk is consumed, and questioned whether Levitsky said, adding that the bone-building ket-if the decades-old embargo is lifted one day. but had to check prices first. “When we first ed years ago. Havana Club created the name there is enough evidence to support the fed- benefits of milks fall off for people during their Cuban cigar sellers also want to see Americans planned this trip we were told that we could buy Havanisa for the day it can sell in the United States eral milk consumption recommendations. 20s. “It’s a good food,” Levitsky said. “But you put Cohibas and Montecristos in their suitcases. none of either,” he said. “And then when President after Bacardi won a legal battle blocking it from What’s more, some studies have linked milk shouldn’t look at it as a magic food.”— AP But for now they will have to settle for purchases Obama gave his talk about opening things up a bit, using its famous brand. —AFP Flu hospitalizations of elderly hit record high

NEW YORK: Some new evidence this is a particularly bad the statistic in the 2005-2006 flu season. started routinely tracking how well vaccines work. In the nia. That’s not a record, but it’s higher than what’s been flu season: Flu-related hospitalizations of the elderly are The previous record was 183 per 100,000, during the flu best flu seasons, the vaccines were 50 to 60 percent effec- seen in the thick of most recent flu seasons. It reached 10 the highest since the government started tracking that sta- season two years ago. That flu season and this one were tive. percent two winters ago. The good news is flu season tistic nine years ago. About 198 out of every 100,000 peo- dominated by a virus known as H3N2. This year, the flu vac- Among infectious diseases, flu is considered one of the seems to have peaked, at least for much of the country, ple 65 and older have been hospitalized with flu-related ill- cine is not built for the H3N2 strain, which is the one that’s nation’s leading killers. On average, about 24,000 officials say. “Nationally, we’re on the decline. But we’re still ness this flu season. That’s roughly 86,000, according to the spreading most widely. Americans die each flu season, according to the CDC. The going up in some areas,” said Lyn Finelli, the CDC’s flu sur- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC officials Overall, the flu vaccine is only 23 percent effective this CDC doesn’t do a national count of adult flu deaths. But a veillance chief. Flu seems is receding in the Southeast and released the new flu season numbers on Friday. It’s the winter, CDC officials said recently. That’s one of the worst tally of deaths from 122 US cities indicated that 9 percent Southwest, for example. But it’s surging in New England highest level seen since the government started tracking performances in the last decade, since US health officials of all deaths last week were attributed to flu and pneumo- and the West Coast. — AP WHAT’S ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015

Amal Voluntary holds 5th annual camp to integrate people with special needs

nder the auspices of the honorary chairperson of Kuwait Club for the Handicapped Sheikha Al-Khalifa Al-Abdullah Al- Sabah and with the attendance of Farwaniya governor Sheikh Faisal Al-Malek, the voluntary work pioneer Sheikha Intisar UAl-Mohammed Al-Sabah, Al-Amal Electronic Voluntary Paper recently held its fifth annual camp under the title of ‘Share Joy With Them’. The camp included many activities and competitions.

Joice George: For the forest, by the people Indian MP in Kuwait for Idukki Association program

By Sunil Cherian History The case of Idukki migration There were government sponsored migrations, agro based, The migration to Idukki is not similar to other migrations, e fasted for the cause of demolished culverts in the after the famine post-World War II. The ship-to-mouth exis- like Malabar. The land in Malabar, northern Kerala, was mostly tribal areas of his constituency, Idukki, in the high tence - depending on the food from Myanmar, then Burma owned by landlords whereas Idukki land was government Hranges of Kerala. His rage against the present forest brought by ship - forced people to look for green pastures. owned. Landlords in Malabar could buy land from the kings minister over a forest road dispute landed him in court. Yet The administrative governments in India, then in the British and even the tenants or leasers eventually made business Joice George, 44, as a member of Indian parliament (MP), a Raj, instigated an agro-based migration. deals with landlords; transfering it to make it under their title. rank holder in Master of Social Works and a law graduate, still The second phase of migration to Idukki in the mid-1950s This is not the case in Idukki. People there cannot have titles continues his battle for the rights of the people, the descen- was independent India government sponsored when states stating the land belongs to them despite their possession of it. dants of those who had migrated to forest areas back in 1940s were formed based on the language people spoke. Idukki, and who cannot own land due to government restrictions. His already famous for electricity generating projects, was inhab- New threats candidacy brought forth by the High Range Protection ited mostly by Tamil speaking people. Sensing the area includ- “New nature conservation commissions have agendas Council, supported by the Leftist Democratic Front and the ing the dam area of Pallivasal would go to Tamil Nadu, the which we don’t realize now,” George said pointing to the latest subsequent victory in the Indian general election April-May Travancore administration formed the High Range restrictions by the government on land ownership. “My goal 2014, was regarded as a standout event in the Indian politics Colonization Scheme. Under that scheme people were given as an MP is to make people aware of the long term dangers last year. The MP was in Kuwait this past weekend to inaugu- land and money (Rs 2,000 in 1956) to occupy the area so that and act against them now”. rate the Idukki Association annual celebrations. He spoke to those high ranges remain part of Kerala. Now Kerala sells Kuwait Times. Excerpts: electricity to Tamil Nadu. WHAT’S ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015

Landmark Group expands its presence in the region Opens ICONIC, NEW LOOK and launches FUN CITY in Kuwait

andmark Group, the region’s leading retail and hos- itself. ICONIC constantly develops new collections and product range is also supplemented by a wide selection Fun City centres at Al Salam Mall and Gate Mall are pitality conglomerate, officially opened the doors adapts the product portfolio to new or changing trends of on-trend accessories. From trendy fashion looks to equipped with signature facilities like Play Zone, Lof three of its stores: ICONIC, NEW LOOK & FUN CITY ensuring there is always something for everyone. Taking inspiring accessories, the showroom is designed for easy Redemption and Novelty Games, Video Games and rides at Al Salam Mall Salmiya. Expanding its presence across inspiration from the brand’s on-going Fashion Different browsing and colourful display areas. Apart from the dis- that engage children in active and constructive play. This the region, the lavish new stores opening was celebrated campaign, the store layout and design is a visual treat to play, the store is staffed with qualified, courteous and develops their physical, social, mental and emotional at an official ribbon cutting ceremony attended by sen- visiting customers and establishes ICONIC’s brand mes- warm employees who tend to the requirements of all cus- skills. Fun City’s facilities are designed to give children the ior officials of Landmark Group and members of the sage that represents a unique spirit where fashion, inno- tomers. freedom to use their imagination in exploratory play. press. Speaking at the launch of the three new stores Saibal Basu, Chief Operating Officer, Landmark Group Kuwait said: “Expansion has always played an important role in Landmark Group’s growth strategy. We’re really proud to bring ICONIC and New Look to Al Salam Mall and launch the first two Fun City locations at Al Salam Mall and Gate Mall. We are confident that shoppers will love our wide range of products in ICONIC and New Look and we look forward to welcoming families to experiencing a number of rides and attractions in a safe environment at Fun City.” “ICONIC, New Look and Fun City are among the fastest growing brands in our growing portfolio of brands in the region. We are very happy to have secured such a good location for all three outlets and launch in Al Salam mall. The aim is to provide our consumers complete unmatched solutions with an experience that entices them to come back to our stores.” “New Look is present in three key shopping areas of vation and lifestyle collide . A one-stop wardrobe solu- Fun City, the region’s foremost entertainment center, Brimming with fashion different merchandise and an Kuwait - The Avenues, Al Bairaq Mall and now Al Salam tion, ICONIC’s collection caters to men, women and kids also opened doors at Al Salam Mall - for its little visitors, exciting shopping experience for everyone, ICONIC and Mall, ICONIC in two key shopping areas of Kuwait - The and has a vast selection of trendy merchandise. To com- making it the 2nd Fun City centre in Kuwait. Fun City cen- New Look is located on the ground floor of Al Salam Mall Avenues and now Al Salam Mall, and Fun City in two loca- plement the fashion selection, a wide array of footwear is tres are judiciously designed and equipped to cater to while Fun City is located on Level 1. tions - The Gate Mall and now Al Salam Mall. This makes available for both men and women while the accessories children between 0-12 years, keeping in mind the rela- A leader in the Middle East retail industry, the us more accessible to our customers and we’ll continue to section is a haven for any woman. tionship with the community around. All the centres are Landmark Group has successfully established itself as a expand in Kuwait over the coming years.” New Look store consists of the season’s most cov- tailored with select activities, games and attractions that forerunner in providing high value for money to cus- Shopping at ICONIC and New Look is an experience in etable key pieces and trends for men and women. The are loved by children. tomers.

— Photos by Joseph Shagra SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 TV PROGRAMS

Professionals 08:00 Raising Hope 14:55 Masterchef: The 08:30 My Boys Professionals 09:00 Back In The Game 15:20 Come Dine With Me 09:30 2 Broke Girls James Franco tries to move 15:45 Come Dine With Me 03:15 Eric And Jessie: Game On 10:00 Young & Hungry 03:05 Shamwari: A Wild Life 16:10 Come Dine With Me 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 03:35 The Wild Life Of Tim 03:40 Eric And Jessie: Game On 16:35 Come Dine With Me 04:10 E!ES Jimmy Fallon beyond ‘The Interview’ Faulkner 17:00 Come Dine With Me 12:00 Last Man Standing 04:00 The Wild Life Of Tim 05:05 E!ES 17:25 Baking Mad With Eric 06:00 Keeping Up With The 12:30 Raising Hope Faulkner Lanlard 13:00 My Boys lmost two months after the hack heard ‘round the ship with his director, co-star and longtime collaborator 04:25 Tanked Kardashians 17:45 Bargain Hunt 06:55 Keeping Up With The 13:30 Better Off Ted 05:15 Treehouse Masters world, James Franco is trying and ready to move Seth Rogen. The two are currently working on an adapta- 18:30 Bargain Hunt Kardashians 14:00 How I Met Your Mother 06:02 Shamwari: A Wild Life past “The Interview.” The restless, multi-hyphenate tion of the making-of “The Room” book “The Disaster 19:15 Antiques Roadshow 07:50 Style Star 14:30 2 Broke Girls A 06:25 Shamwari: A Wild Life 20:10 Come Dine With Me 08:20 E! News 15:00 Young & Hungry artist has made a noble attempt to refocus his attentions. Artist,” which will put Franco in the director’s seat with 06:49 The Wild Life Of Tim 20:55 Food Glorious Food 09:15 House Of DVF 15:30 The Daily Show Global Franco has three movies playing in Park City this week — Rogen producing. Edition Faulkner 21:45 The Roux Legacy 10:15 House Of DVF two at the Sundance Film Festival and one at Slamdance, “At one point he texted me and said ‘I’m glad it’s you 07:12 The Wild Life Of Tim 22:15 Homes Under The Hammer 11:10 Fashion Bloggers 16:00 Modern Family Faulkner 23:10 Homes Under The Hammer 11:35 Fashion Bloggers 16:30 Last Man Standing the even indie-er festival just up the street — but the dra- I’m going through this with,’” Franco said, with a big smile. 07:36 Swamp Brothers 12:05 E! News 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers matic circumstances surrounding “The Interview” But at Sundance, the actor focused on the surroundings 08:00 Swamp Brothers 13:05 E!ES 18:00 Back In The Game remained the only thing that people wanted to talk and his three projects. It isn’t even a record for the prolific 18:30 The Michael J. Fox Show 08:25 Treehouse Masters 14:05 Kourtney And Khloe Take about even if he insists that “it’s kind of over.” Franco, a regular at the fest. At a Q&A Thursday he said 09:15 Treehouse Masters The Hamptons 19:00 Community 10:10 Treehouse Masters 15:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 19:30 Young & Hungry Sundance might seem worlds away from the Sony that it could have been more_he was in 7 or 8 projects 11:05 Treehouse Masters The Hamptons 20:00 The Mindy Project hack and Hollywood intrigue, but “The Interview” loomed angling for a Sundance slot. 12:00 Treehouse Masters 03:15 How It’s Made 16:00 Giuliana & Bill 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart large throughout the week and Franco’s team was keenly The ones that made the cut are as diverse as Franco’s 12:55 Reign Of The Dinosaurs 03:40 How It’s Made 17:00 Giuliana & Bill aware. On the red carpet for the “True Story” premiere on career, with two fact-based, but wildly different dramas 13:50 The Wild Life Of Tim 04:05 How It’s Made 18:00 E! News 21:30 Modern Family Faulkner 04:30 How It’s Made 19:00 Eric And Jessie: Game On 22:00 Girls Saturday, reporters were even told that the actor would about slippery identities, “True Story” and “I am Michael,” 14:15 The Wild Life Of Tim 05:00 How It’s Made 19:30 Eric And Jessie: Game On 22:30 Girls be pulled away if questions went “off topic.” and one, “Yosemite,” that’s based on his short stories and 23:00 Sean Saves The World Faulkner 05:30 How It’s Made 20:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 23:30 The Mindy Project “There was a lot of attention put on it,” Franco said of at least partially informed by his own Palo Alto childhood. 14:45 Deadly Islands 06:00 Overhaulin’ The Hamptons the hack-addled film following the first showing of All three projects are from first time feature directors, too. 15:40 China’s Deadliest Snakes 06:50 Kindig Customs 21:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 16:35 Wildest Middle East 07:40 Fantomworks The Hamptons “Yosemite” at Slamdance, Thursday. “It was really out of In “I Am Michael,” which premiered Thursday night at 17:30 Call Of The Wildman 08:30 Gold Rush 22:00 Christina Milian Turned Up my hands. There was nothing for me to do. I wasn’t mak- Sundance, Franco portrays former gay activist Michael 17:55 Call Of The Wildman 09:20 Gold Rush 23:00 Fashion Bloggers ing any decisions. Sony was making the decisions so I was Glatze who renounced his homosexuality and turned to 18:25 The Wild Life Of Tim 10:10 Alaska: The Last Frontier 23:30 Fashion Bloggers 03:00 Grimm just kind of sitting around and hoping the movie got out God. Faulkner 11:00 Airplane Repo 04:00 The Blacklist 18:50 The Wild Life Of Tim 11:50 Street Outlaws 05:00 Graceland in some way or another,” he said, when asked what the Franco said he likes that the story explores questions Faulkner 12:40 How It’s Made 06:00 Perception experience was like. of identity and sexuality. “Is it nurture or nature and do 19:20 Deadly Islands 13:05 How It’s Made 07:00 The Fosters The FBI in early January revealed further clues tying we allow someone to make these decisions?” he said. “I 20:15 China’s Deadliest Snakes 13:30 How It’s Made 08:00 Parenthood 09:00 Graceland the devastating cyberattack on Sony to North Korea. think this movie touches on those issues in a really inter- 21:10 Shark Attack File 3 13:55 How It’s Made 03:20 Emmerdale 10:00 The Blacklist Thousands of sensitive emails and employee social secu- esting way where it allows people to talk about it and it 22:05 Tanked 14:20 How It’s Made 03:45 Emmerdale 11:00 The Fosters 23:00 Treehouse Masters 14:45 The Liquidator 04:10 Emmerdale rity numbers were released in the hack. fosters discussion in a very healthy way.” 12:00 Emmerdale 23:55 Reign Of The Dinosaurs 15:10 The Liquidator 04:35 Emmerdale “The Interview,” which depicts an assassination “True Story,” meanwhile, finds Franco playing Christian 12:30 Coronation Street 15:35 The Liquidator 05:00 The Great Fire 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show attempt against North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was Longo, a convicted murderer and one of the FBI’s most- 16:00 The Liquidator 05:55 Big Star’s Little Star 14:00 Parenthood caught in the crossfires when hackers threatened vio- wanted, who develops a strange friendship with dis- 16:25 The Liquidator 06:45 Who’s Doing The Dishes 15:00 Perception 16:50 What’s In The Barn? 07:35 Keep It In The Family lence against moviegoers on the eve of its Christmas graced journalist Michael Finkel, played by Franco’s “This 16:00 Emmerdale 17:15 What’s In The Barn? 08:25 Murdoch Mysteries release. is the End” co-star Jonah Hill. 16:30 Coronation Street 17:40 What’s In The Barn? 09:10 Murdoch Mysteries 03:20 Moone Boy 18:00 Parenthood Although Franco admits that he was disappointed “In this dark, dark tale where the world has cast off 09:55 Murdoch Mysteries 03:45 The Omid Djalili Show 18:05 What’s In The Barn? 19:00 Castle when the major theater chains decided to drop the film both of these guys and they find themselves in this weird 10:40 Murdoch Mysteries 04:15 The Weakest Link 18:30 What’s In The Barn? 20:00 How To Get Away With 11:35 Murdoch Mysteries following the threats, ultimately he was at peace with confessional bubble...you need a little bit of energy com- 05:00 The Green Balloon Club 18:55 The Carbonaro Effect Murder 12:30 Midsomer Murders 05:25 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 19:20 The Carbonaro Effect 21:00 Top Gear (US) how it was handled. Sony, after canceling the release, ing in to overcome some of the barriers of engaging with 14:05 The Great Fire 05:45 Charlie And Lola 19:45 The Big Brain Theory 22:00 The Americans managed to still debut the film on various video-on- these characters because of the circumstances...I think 15:00 Big Star’s Little Star 05:55 Little Human Planet 20:35 You Have Been Warned 23:00 Grimm 15:55 The Chase: Celebrity demand platforms and in over 300 independent theaters Jonah and my relationship helps people engage just 06:00 Jollywobbles 21:25 Gold Rush on its originally scheduled date. because they knew us from funnier movies and there was 06:10 The Green Balloon Club 22:15 Gold Rush Specials 06:35 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 23:05 Alaska: The Last Frontier 16:50 The Jonathan Ross Show “So many things happened that were new and unex- a little residue of that,” he said. 06:55 Charlie And Lola 23:55 Gold Rush 17:45 Keep It In The Family pected and that had never happened before that, you Finally, “Yosemitie,” the Slamdance film, has Franco’s 07:10 The Weakest Link 18:30 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs know? For people from Sony to the press to theater hands all over it_he wrote the stories that inspired the 07:55 Sinbad chains to the government, it was all new. I think every- film and produced the final feature (for which he hand 08:40 Doctor Who: The Time Of 19:00 Big Star’s Little Star 19:55 The Chase: Celebrity 06:00 Good Morning America The Doctor body responded as well as they could,” he said. There’s selected Gabrielle Demeestere to direct)_while also hav- Specials 07:00 Emmerdale even a silver lining. ing the distinction of being his smallest role of all the 09:40 As Time Goes By 20:50 The Jonathan Ross Show 07:30 Coronation Street 10:15 Hustle 21:45 Keep It In The Family 08:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show “The Interview” debacle only strengthened his friend- films playing in Park City. — AP 11:05 The Weakest Link 03:10 The Hive 22:40 The Great Fire 10:00 Emmerdale 11:50 My Family 03:20 Art Attack 23:35 Celebrity Exposed: The 10:30 Coronation Street 12:20 Sinbad 03:45 Art Attack Photography 16:00 Live Good Morning America 13:05 Doctor Who: The Time Of 21:00 HairBrained-PG15 04:10 Jungle Junction 19:00 Drop Dead Diva 23:00 Carrie-18 The Doctor 04:20 Jungle Junction 20:00 Chicago Fire 14:10 Doctors 04:35 Jungle Junction 21:00 Resurrection 03:00 World Cup Of Pool 14:40 Doctors 04:45 Jungle Junction 23:00 Justified 03:30 August: Osage County-PG15 04:00 World Pool Masters 03:00 Mid-ODI Tri Series H/L 15:10 Doctors 05:00 Art Attack 05:30 The Magic Of Belle Isle- 05:00 NFL Road To The Super 06:20 Live Carlton Mid-ODI Tri- 15:35 Doctors 05:25 Art Attack PG15 Bowl Series 16:05 Doctors 05:50 Mouk 03:00 Street Monkeys 07:30 Struck By Lightning-PG15 07:00 Darts Masters 14:30 Big Bash League T20 H/L 16:35 As Time Goes By 06:00 Kim Possible 04:00 How Hard Can It Be? 09:00 Inescapable-PG15 11:30 Live PGA European Tour 17:30 Mid-ODI Tri-Series H/L 17:05 Being Eileen 06:25 Liv And Maddie 11:00 The Trouble With Bliss-PG15 16:00 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 18:30 Ranji Trophy 05:00 Going Deep With David 04:00 G.I. Joe: Retaliation 17:35 The Omid Djalili Show 06:50 Girl Meets World Rees 13:00 There Be Dragons-PG15 04:30 Tony Hawk: Boom Boom 16:30 Top 14 TLC HD 18:05 Rev. 07:15 Gravity Falls 06:00 Alex Cross 15:00 Maladies-PG15 Sabotage 23:30 ICC Cricket 360 03:15 Hoarding: Buried Alive 05:30 Going Deep With David 08:00 The Last Stand 18:35 The Vicar Of Dibley 07:40 Jessie Rees 17:00 Inescapable-PG15 06:00 Krazzy Planet 04:05 What Not To Wear 19:05 Call The Midwife 08:05 Girl vs Monster 10:00 Badges Of Fury 19:00 Collaborator-PG15 08:00 Barbie Magic Of The 05:00 What Not To Wear 06:00 Car SOS 12:00 40 Days And Nights 20:00 Frankie 09:45 Girl Meets World 07:00 Street Genius 21:00 McCanick-PG15 Rainbow 06:00 Something Borrowed, 20:50 Whitechapel 10:10 Wizards Of Waverly Place 14:00 Code Of Silence 23:00 Generation Um...-18 10:00 Blue Elephant Something New 07:30 Street Genius 16:00 The Last Stand 21:40 Scott & Bailey 10:35 Jessie 08:00 Diggers 11:30 Hammer Boy 06:25 Super Soul Sunday 18:00 Darkman 03:00 Darts Masters 22:25 Zen 11:00 Austin & Ally 08:30 Diggers 13:00 Cinderella 07:15 Say Yes To The Dress 20:00 Badges Of Fury 07:00 PGA Tour 23:55 The Omid Djalili Show 11:25 Kim Possible 10:00 Chasing UFOs 14:30 A Turtle’s Tale 2: Sammy’s 07:40 Little People, Big World 22:00 Pitch Black 12:30 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 11:50 Liv And Maddie 11:00 Crime Lab Escape From Paradise 08:05 Bakery Boss 15:30 ICC Cricket 360 12:15 Dog With A Blog 12:00 Sea Patrol 16:15 Tiny Heroes 08:55 Cake Boss 16:00 Live Darts Masters 12:40 Wizards Of Waverly Place 13:00 Dangerous Encounters 18:00 Blue Elephant 09:20 Cake Boss 03:30 The Next Three Days-PG15 20:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 13:05 Wizards Of Waverly Place 14:00 Live Free Or Die 20:00 Barbie And The Magic Of 09:45 Cake Boss 06:00 Girl In Progress-PG15 Highlights 13:30 The Wizards Return: Alex vs. 15:00 Air Crash Investigation Pegasus 10:10 Toddlers & Tiaras 08:00 Beastly-PG15 20:30 Extreme Sailing Highlights Alex. 16:00 Secret Brazil 21:45 A Turtle’s Tale 2: Sammy’s 11:00 What Not To Wear 04:00 Alex Cross-PG15 10:00 The Chateau Meroux-PG15 21:00 Fleet Racing Tour 14:25 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 17:00 Swamp Men Escape From Paradise 11:50 Oprah’s Next Chapter 03:20 Antiques Roadshow 06:00 The Last Stand-PG15 12:00 Before And After-PG15 21:30 Sea Master Sailing Teenage Witch 18:00 Ultimate Airport Dubai 23:30 Tiny Heroes 12:40 Super Soul Sunday 08:00 Badges Of Fury-PG15 14:00 The Words-PG15 22:00 Live Darts Masters 04:15 Antiques Roadshow 14:55 Gravity Falls 19:00 Air Crash Investigation 13:30 Brides Of Beverly Hills 10:00 40 Days And Nights-PG15 16:00 Beastly-PG15 05:10 Bargain Hunt 15:20 Dog With A Blog 20:00 Secret Brazil 13:55 Brides Of Beverly Hills 12:00 Code Of Silence-PG15 18:00 Heart Of The Country-PG15 05:55 Bargain Hunt 15:45 Jessie 21:00 Swamp Men 14:20 Sister Wives 14:00 The Last Stand-PG15 20:00 Buried-PG15 06:40 Bargain Hunt 16:10 Austin & Ally 22:00 Ultimate Airport Dubai 15:10 Cake Boss 16:00 Darkman-PG15 22:00 Jennifer Eight-18 07:25 The Roux Legacy 16:35 Girl Meets World 23:00 Crime Lab 15:35 Little People, Big World 08:00 Come Dine With Me 17:00 Liv And Maddie 18:00 Badges Of Fury-PG15 16:00 Hoarding: Buried Alive 08:25 Come Dine With Me 17:25 Liv And Maddie 20:00 Pitch Black-PG15 04:00 Parental Guidance-PG 03:30 Bellator MMA 16:50 Say Yes To The Dress 08:45 Come Dine With Me 17:50 Liv And Maddie 22:00 Ninja: Shadow Of A Tear 06:00 Return To Nim’s Island-PG 05:30 V8 Supercars Highlights 17:15 17 Kids And Counting 09:10 Come Dine With Me 18:15 Liv And Maddie 08:00 Dangerous Attraction-PG15 07:00 Monster Jam 17:40 Sister Wives 09:45 Magic Journey To Africa- 09:00 The World’s Strongest Man 09:35 Come Dine With Me 18:40 Liv And Maddie 03:00 Jobs-PG15 18:30 What Not To Wear PG15 10:30 Porsche GT3 Series 10:00 Antiques Roadshow 19:05 I Didn’t Do It 05:15 Turbo-PG 19:20 Cake Boss 11:30 Man Of Steel-PG15 11:00 WWE NXT 10:55 Antiques Roadshow 19:30 Binny And The Ghost 07:15 The Pretty One-PG15 19:45 Cake Boss 19:55 Gravity Falls 03:00 Back In The Game 14:00 Cloudy With A Chance Of 12:00 NHL 20:10 Super Soul Sunday 11:45 Masterchef: The 03:30 Dumb And Dumberer: When 09:00 The Numbers Station-PG15 20:20 Mako Mermaids 03:30 How I Met Your Mother Meatballs 2-PG 14:00 WWE Vintage 21:00 Cake Boss Professionals Harry Met Lloyd-PG15 10:45 Saving Mr. Banks-PG15 20:45 Spooksville 04:00 Raising Hope 16:00 Dangerous Attraction-PG15 15:00 WWE Main Event 21:25 Cake Boss 12:15 Masterchef: The 05:30 Stand Off-PG15 13:00 Free Birds-PG 21:10 Wolfblood 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 18:00 Someday This Pain Will Be 17:00 The World’s Strongest Man 21:50 Bakery Boss Professionals 08:00 Maid In Manhattan-PG15 15:00 High Moon-PG15 21:35 Gravity Falls Jimmy Fallon Useful To You-PG15 18:30 NHL 22:40 Extreme Couponing 13:10 Masterchef: The 10:00 Three Men And A Baby- 17:00 The Numbers Station-PG15 22:00 Suite Life On Deck 05:30 My Boys 20:00 Last Passenger-PG15 20:30 WWE Superstars 23:05 Breaking Amish: Brave New Professionals PG15 19:00 Anchorman 2: The Legend 22:25 A.N.T. Farm 06:00 Last Man Standing 22:00 Jackass Presents: Bad 21:30 WWE Smackdown World 14:00 Masterchef: The 12:00 Dumb And Dumberer: When Continues-PG15 22:50 Shake It Up 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers Grandpa-18 23:30 Live NHL 23:55 Cake Boss

CARRIE ON OSN MOVIES HD Classifieds

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (29/01/2015 TO 04/02/2015)

SHARQIA-1 TAKEN 3 11:30 AM AL-KOUT.1 BLACKHAT 11:30 AM NO SAT AVENUES-5 TAKEN 3 12:30 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 2:00 PM SONG OF THE SEA 12:00 PM BLACKHAT 1:00 PM TAKEN 3 2:45 PM BLACKHAT 4:30 PM SAT BLACKHAT 3:45 PM TAKEN 3 5:00 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 7:00 PM SONG OF THE SEA 2:00 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 6:30 PM TAKEN 3 7:15 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 9:30 PM TAKEN 3 4:00 PM BLACKHAT 9:00 PM TAKEN 3 9:45 PM BLACKHAT 12:05 AM SONG OF THE SEA 6:15 PM NO MON TAKEN 3 12:05 AM TAKEN 3 8:15 PM Special Show “UNBROKEN “ 9:00 PM SHARQIA-2 TAKEN 3 10:30 PM MON AL-KOUT.2 SONG OF THE SEA 11:30 AM TAKEN 3 12:45 AM AMERICAN SNIPER 11:45 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 12:15 PM SAT ROBOT OVERLORDS 2:15 PM TAKEN 3 1:00 PM FANAR-5 AVENUES-6 CAIRO TIME - ARABIC 4:15 PM NO FRI + SAT SELMA 12:30 PM BLACKHAT 12:00 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 6:30 PM SONG OF THE SEA 1:30 PM SELMA 3:00 PM BLACKHAT 2:45 PM CAIRO TIME - ARABIC 8:30 PM FRI + SAT CAIRO TIME - ARABIC 5:30 PM BLACKHAT 5:30 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 10:45 PM SONG OF THE SEA 3:30 PM CAIRO TIME - ARABIC 7:45 PM BLACKHAT 8:15 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 12:45 AM SONG OF THE SEA 5:30 PM SELMA 10:00 PM BLACKHAT 11:00 PM TAKEN 3 7:30 PM SELMA 12:30 AM AL-KOUT.3 TAKEN 3 9:45 PM AVENUES-7 AMERICAN SNIPER 12:00 PM TAKEN 3 12:15 AM MARINA-1 THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 1:00 PM SONG OF THE SEA BLACKHAT 12:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 3:15 PM SHARQIA-3 BLACKHAT 3:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 5:15 PM 2:45 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 11:30 AM ROBOT OVERLORDS 5:45 PM STILL ALICE 7:45 PM SONG OF THE SEA 4:45 PM BLACKHAT 1:30 PM BLACKHAT 7:45 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 10:00 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 6:45 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 4:00 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 10:15 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 12:15 AM AMERICAN SNIPER 9:15 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 6:00 PM BLACKHAT 12:15 AM AMERICAN SNIPER 11:45 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 8:00 PM AVENUES-8 BLACKHAT 10:00 PM MARINA-2 MORTDECAI 12:00 PM AL-KOUT.4 ROBOT OVERLORDS 12:30 AM TAKEN 3 12:45 PM MORTDECAI 2:15 PM BLACKHAT 11:45 AM ROBOT OVERLORDS 3:00 PM THE BOOK OF LIFE 4:30 PM BLACKHAT 2:30 PM MUHALAB-1 TAKEN 3 5:00 PM HAWAIZAADA - HINDI 6:45 PM SELMA 5:00 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 12:45 PM TAKEN 3 7:15 PM MORTDECAI 9:45 PM BLACKHAT 7:30 PM CHANGE OF NAME BLACKHAT 3:00 PM TAKEN 3 9:45 PM MORTDECAI 12:05 AM SELMA 10:00 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 5:30 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 12:15 AM BLACKHAT 12:30 AM I, Melitta Anthony Almeida, BLACKHAT 7:30 PM AVENUES-9 holder of Indian Passport ROBOT OVERLORDS 10:00 PM MARINA-3 SELMA 12:30 PM BAIRAQ-1 BLACKHAT 12:15 AM SONG OF THE SEA 11:30 AM SONG OF THE SEA 3:00 PM TAKEN 3 1:00 PM No. F5531147 have hereby SAT SONG OF THE SEA 5:15 PM TAKEN 3 3:30 PM changed my name from MUHALAB-2 SELMA 1:00 PM SONG OF THE SEA 7:30 PM TAKEN 3 5:45 PM Melitta Anthony Almeida to AMERICAN SNIPER 11:30 AM NO FRI + SAT BLACKHAT 9:45 PM TAKEN 3 8:00 PM Melitta Almeida. SELMA 2:00 PM SONG OF THE SEA 1:30 PM BLACKHAT 12:30 AM TAKEN 3 10:15 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 4:30 PM FRI + SAT TAKEN 3 12:30 AM Henceforth, in all dealings SELMA 7:00 PM SONG OF THE SEA 3:30 PM AVENUES-10 and documents I will be AMERICAN SNIPER 9:30 PM SONG OF THE SEA 5:30 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 12:15 PM BAIRAQ-2 known as Melitta Almeida. AMERICAN SNIPER 12:05 AM AMERICAN SNIPER 7:30 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 2:30 PM SONG OF THE SEA 12:45 PM (C 4913) AMERICAN SNIPER 10:00 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 4:45 PM SONG OF THE SEA 3:00 PM MUHALAB-3 AMERICAN SNIPER 12:30 AM ROBOT OVERLORDS 7:00 PM SONG OF THE SEA 5:00 PM 29-1-2014 TAKEN 3 11:30 AM ROBOT OVERLORDS 9:15 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 7:00 PM SONG OF THE SEA 1:45 PM AVENUES-1 ROBOT OVERLORDS 11:30 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 9:30 PM Salina Fernandes, r/o SONG OF THE SEA 3:45 PM CAIRO TIME - ARABIC 11:45 AM AMERICAN SNIPER 12:05 AM TAKEN 3 5:45 PM CAIRO TIME - ARABIC 2:15 PM AVENUES-11 Mashem, Loliem Polem - TAKEN 3 8:00 PM CAIRO TIME - ARABIC 4:45 PM TAKEN 3 - DOLBY ATMOS 12:30 PM BAIRAQ-3 Goa, holder of Passport No. TAKEN 3 10:15 PM CAIRO TIME - ARABIC 7:15 PM TAKEN 3 - DOLBY ATMOS 3:00 PM BLACKHAT 11:45 AM H0192790, have changed TAKEN 3 12:30 AM CAIRO TIME - ARABIC 9:45 PM TAKEN 3 - DOLBY ATMOS 5:30 PM BLACKHAT 2:15 PM CAIRO TIME - ARABIC 12:15 AM TAKEN 3 - DOLBY ATMOS 8:00 PM BLACKHAT 4:45 PM my name from Salina FANAR-1 TAKEN 3 - DOLBY ATMOS 10:30 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 7:15 PM Sanjay Divakar to Salina ROBOT OVERLORDS 1:00 PM AVENUES-2 TAKEN 3 - DOLBY ATMOS 1:00 AM BLACKHAT 9:15 PM MORTDECAI 3:00 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 11:30 AM ROBOT OVERLORDS 11:45 PM Fernandes. Hereinafter, in ROBOT OVERLORDS 5:00 PM DAVID OYELOWO, CARMEN EJOGO 1:45 PM 360º- 1 all my dealings and docu- MORTDECAI 7:00 PM SELMA 4:30 PM BLACKHAT 1:00 PM PLAZA ments, I will be known by ROBOT OVERLORDS 9:00 PM SELMA 7:15 PM BLACKHAT 3:45 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 4:30 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 11:00 PM SELMA 10:00 PM BLACKHAT 6:30 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 6:30 PM the name Salina Fernandes. ROBOT OVERLORDS 1:00 AM SELMA 12:45 AM BLACKHAT 9:15 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 9:00 PM (C 1912) BLACKHAT 12:05 AM TAKEN 3 11:00 PM FANAR-2 AVENUES-3 AMERICAN SNIPER 11:30 AM AMERICAN SNIPER 1:15 PM 360º- 2 LAILA AMERICAN SNIPER 2:00 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 3:45 PM CAIRO TIME - ARABIC 12:45 PM ROBOT OVERLORDS 4:00 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 4:30 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 6:15 PM CAIRO TIME - ARABIC 3:15 PM BLACKHAT 6:00 PM Prayer timings AMERICAN SNIPER 7:00 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 8:45 PM CAIRO TIME - ARABIC 5:45 PM TAKEN 3 8:30 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 9:45 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 11:15 PM CAIRO TIME - ARABIC 8:15 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 10:45 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 12:15 AM CAIRO TIME - ARABIC 10:45 PM Fajr: 05:16 AVENUES-4 ROBOT OVERLORDS 1:15 AM AJIAL.1 FANAR-3 TAKEN 3 11:30 AM DOLLY KI DOLI - HINDI 3:15 PM Shorook 06:38 ROBOT OVERLORDS 11:45 AM TAKEN 3 2:00 PM 360º- 3 DOLLY KI DOLI - HINDI 5:15 PM BLACKHAT 1:45 PM TAKEN 3 4:30 PM SONG OF THE SEA 11:45 AM DOLLY KI DOLI - HINDI 7:15 PM Duhr: 12:02 BLACKHAT 4:15 PM TAKEN 3 7:00 PM SONG OF THE SEA 2:00 PM DOLLY KI DOLI - HINDI 9:15 PM BLACKHAT 6:45 PM NO THU SONG OF THE SEA 4:15 PM Asr: 15:05 BLACKHAT 9:15 PM Special Show “THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 “ 7:00 PM SONG OF THE SEA 6:30 PM AJIAL.2 BLACKHAT 11:45 PM THU SONG OF THE SEA 8:45 PM I -Tamil 3:30 PM Maghrib: 17:26 TAKEN 3 9:30 PM BLACKHAT 11:00 PM I -Tamil 6:45 PM FANAR-4 TAKEN 3 12:05 AM I -Tamil 10:00 PM Isha: 18:45

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

Arrival Flights on Sunday 1/2/2015 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 Departure Flights on Sunday 1/2/2015 JZR 786 Riyadh 13:10 Airlines Flt Route Time FDB 057 Dubai 14:30 Airlines Flt Route Time JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 KAC 504 Beirut 00:05 IRC 6507 Shiraz 14:50 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 KAC 502 Beirut 00:05 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 JZR 562 Sohag 00:05 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:10 AGY 681 Alexandria 00:15 IRC 529 Ahwaz 14:15 JZR 239 Amman 00:25 KAC 284 Dhaka 15:15 FDB 072 Dubai 00:45 KAC 741 Dammam 14:45 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 OMA 645 Muscat 15:25 UAL 981 IAD 00:55 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 KAC 617 Doha 15:00 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:15 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 FDB 051 Dubai 16:00 KAC 283 Dhaka 02:25 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 QTR 1084 Doha 01:00 JZR 535 Cairo 16:10 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:20 RJA 642 Amman 01:05 KAC 562 Amman 16:20 THY 773 Istanbul 02:55 SVA 503 Jeddah/Madinah 15:45 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:35 JZR 787 Riyadh 16:25 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 KAC 381 Delhi 03:40 IRC 6508 Shiraz 15:50 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:55 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 KAC 773 Riyadh 16:20 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 FDB 068 Dubai 03:55 OMA 646 Muscat 16:25 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 02:50 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 FDB 067 Dubai 02:55 KAC 742 Dammam 17:45 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 FDB 052 Dubai 17:00 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 GFA 944 LCA 17:50 KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:10 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 UAL 982 IAD 17:55 OMA 644 Muscat 04:25 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 CEB 7694 Manila 03:10 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 QTR 1085 Doha 04:30 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 KKK 6507 Istanbul 03:20 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 CEB 7695 Manila 04:40 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:50 OMA 643 Muscat 03:25 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 MSC 406 Sohag 05:05 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 KAC 542 Cairo 18:25 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:05 FDB 063 Dubai 18:40 THY 765 Istanbul 05:40 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 JZR 555 Alexandria 04:25 ABY 121 Sharjah 18:40 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 GFA 944 Bahrain 18:35 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:45 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 06:35 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 JZR 238 Amman 18:50 QTR 8632 Doha 06:25 KAC 618 Doha 19:15 RJA 643 Amman 07:05 JZR 134 Bahrain 19:10 KAC 544 Cairo 06:40 AXB 393 Kozhikode 19:15 JZR 560 Sohag 07:10 UAL 982 Bahrain 19:15 BAW 157 London 06:40 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 ABY 122 Sharjah 19:20 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:10 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 UAE 876 Dubai 19:40 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 JZR 483 Istanbul 19:35 QTR 8632 Doha 07:55 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 19:40 FDB 054 Dubai 08:25 FDB 064 Dubai 19:55 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:55 KAC 502 Beirut 19:50 BAW 156 London 08:45 AXB 393 Kozhikode 20:15 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 KAC 102 New York/London 19:55 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 KAC 774 Riyadh 20:00 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:55 KAC 361 Colombo 20:50 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 MIX 307 Sharjah 20:00 KAC 513 Tehran 08:55 KAC 281 Dhaka 20:55 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:30 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:00 KAC 171 Frankfurt 09:05 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:00 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:25 KAC 351 Kochi 21:15 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 MSR 606 Luxor 20:45 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 DLH 636 Frankfurt 20:50 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 DLH 636 Dammam 21:35 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 KAC 117 New York 10:05 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:45 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 GFA 943 Bahrain 10:15 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:20 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 FDB 073 Dubai 21:35 IRA 665 Shiraz 10:50 KAC 561 Amman 10:25 MIX 308 Sharjah 22:00 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 UAE 873 Dubai 11:00 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 SYR 341 Latakia 11:10 JZR 482 Istanbul 10:35 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 QTR 1074 Doha 21:55 MSC 405 Sohag 11:25 JZR 135 Bahrain 22:05 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:15 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 KLM 417 Amsterdam 22:15 GFA 943 LCA 11:00 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 KAC 541 Cairo 11:05 FDB 074 Dubai 22:30 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 KAC 172 Frankfurt 22:20 IRA 664 Shiraz 11:50 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 KAC 501 Beirut 12:00 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 KAC 514 Tehran 13:10 AIC 981 Chennai/Hyderabad/Ahmedabad 22:30 SYR 342 Latakia 12:10 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:55 IRC 528 Ahwaz 13:15 UAL 981 Bahrain 23:10 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 JZR 561 Sohag 13:45 BBC 043 Dhaka 23:10 KAC 103 London 12:20 JZR 502 Luxor 23:05 KAC 382 Delhi 13:45 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:25 QTR 1075 Doha 23:05 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 THY 764 Istanbul 23:35 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:15 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 PIA 205 Lahore 23:40 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 KAC 415 Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur 23:25 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:25 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:30 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 CROSSWORD 802 STAR TRACK

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

Your energy and optimism go hand in hand to help you grasp the big, This should be a busy day, your energy is high, probably higher than that of grandiose picture for this whole year. The whole, however, is made up of many parts. The those around you-it may be better if you tend to chores in separate ways. If opinions are to decisions and actions of today will have long-lasting effects. It is important that you think be exchanged, your confidence should prevail. You have a keen interest in the way things before you speak. There is a tendency for you to be extremely hard-working in your profes- work and who, or what, pulls the strings in your city. You may soon be able to design a proj- sion. You may tend to ignore others. It is important then to develop a team attitude so as ect and have recognition for your own ideas soon. Your curiosity is aroused about such not to alienate fellow workers. Additional responsibilities may be placed on you in the con- things and you find yourself asking questions about ways in which you could make a presen- text of the home setting. You will find yourself gradually letting go of any self-doubts and tation, perhaps in a library. If you find a close relationship is strained, do for the other person gaining confidence for whatever task is at hand. Be cautious while snacking this evening as exactly what it is you want the other person to do for you. Perhaps a little space between the two of you is the answer for now. you could eat more than you intend to eat.

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

You may be supersensitive today for a short duration. This can be rewarding You appear, perhaps, more charming and refined than usual. Now is a good or damaging, depending on how you handle it. If you focus on others, your understanding time to make appointments, plan ahead, apply for a job-or otherwise make yourself known. will enable you to fit into any group. This ability is also helpful when you work but you must Your mind may feel as if it is on a racetrack just now. It is moving in fast motion and insights know that there is continued progress for you on the job. Be alert for new opportunities to are flashing in and out of the blue. You could find yourself digging through paper stacks for have a monetary gain at this time. Your passions may manifest themselves in art or love. You answers to problems today. You are successful in problem-solving adventures. Technical or have a desire to succeed, not only financially, but personally as well. Try listening to other scientific work or any kind of task that requires cleverness or imagination will be successful, people’s needs before deciding for yourself how best to help them. You may be a bit restless; perhaps an invention. If it seems that things are moving too fast, slow down . . . You will consider giving your creative energies free rein. Keep friends and family close-they are a accomplish your work regardless of how fast you go. Neighbors or siblings will likely bring all kinds of good experiences to you. great source of strength.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) There may be a great deal of financial panic with your monetary situation A serious attitude may prevail today. This is an excellent time to sit down alone now-it may be as difficult to gauge as an elevator. A short-time budget may be and get many things accomplished. This is a good time to exercise caution and care in busi- in order. If you are part of a family, you might help the members of your family to maintain a ACROSS mosque. ness dealings, both in the physical and financial realm. You will find all sorts of new ways to budget through your own example. In a few months all of you will be excited about the 1. The compass point that is one point 5. Shrub bearing oval-fruited kumquats. build the cash flow today. Artistic activities are favored this afternoon, as well as just going results. One member of your family may end up learning quite a bit about financing from the out to have fun. Your personal magnetism is high, making you attractive to the opposite sex procedure. You show a great deal of interest in all family matters, particularly concerning the north of due west. 6. A complete metric system of units of and popular in general. You may feel the urge to break out of monotonous patterns and general living environment in the home. You strive for open communication and encourage 4. To such an extent or degree. measurement for scientists. engage in a spontaneous relationship with someone new. It’s important this evening, howev- creativity. Domestic happiness is important. This is a good time to use the home as a vehicle 12. An accountant certified by the state. 7. A lyric poem with complex stanza forms. er, for you to be with your friends. This may mean a celebration of some sort and you have for entertaining. 15. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike 8. A baked loaf of ground meat. been invited! part of an organism. 9. Remove from political office. 16. Befitting or characteristic of a maiden. 10. Clear to the mind. 17. Thigh of a hog (usually smoked). 11. Submersed plant with whorled lanceo- Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 18. A motley assortment of things. late leaves and solitary axillary flowers. Perhaps this is not a time to be very outward or to try to present you to the You help others often and sometimes you deplete your own energy. You 20. (of pain or sorrow) Made easier to bear. 12. A wad of something chewable as tobac- world. You are feeling reflective rather than expressive just now. You will be should be careful in this area as you may acquire what is known as burnout. Then, you will be 21. A dark-skinned member of a race of co. happiest if you allow the frustrations and confusions this day to fade into the background. of no help to anyone, including yourself. Be aware of balance in your life and see to it that you are creating a good balance. This is a good day to get many things accomplished. It is not a people living in Australia when Europeans 13. A metabolic acid found in yeast and liv- Today is a good time to tend to business. You will find yourself getting many things accom- plished. There could be a temptation to play devil’s advocate or analyze things to death. Just wildly romantic time, but one where small-scale endeavors are successful. Be sure to keep an arrived. er cells. enjoy the exchanges of co-workers, customers, etc., and give the other guy a chance. You will open mind about all ideas or proposals that are made to you today-paying attention to all the 22. Basic principles of the cosmos. 14. Any of the forms of Chinese spoken in probably receive calls from past friends, but tonight you may feel more like just sharing some details. You encourage positive interaction with family members this afternoon as you ask about everybody’s day. You may spend a great deal of time enjoying good relations with fam- 23. Characterized by undue haste and lack Fukien province. time with a loved one. Romance is good and the possibility of deepening a relationship is present at this time. ily members. of thought or deliberation. 19. Food made from dough of flour or meal 25. A tranquilizer (trade name Mellaril) used and usually raised with yeast or baking to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic powder and then baked. Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) disorders. 24. Not contained in or deriving from the 28. The largest continent with 60% of the essential nature of something. Staying up late and pushing the limits with your energy these past few days Relax this morning by gardening, cooking and being with your loved ones. may have you moving rather slowly at this time. With regard to business . . . This is a good This can be a fun time to begin preparations for a spring flower show at your place next earth's population. 26. A town in north central Oklahoma. time to work out of your home or stick to a routine. Mental interests are highlighted. Guard spring. You could begin a building project in the garage, perhaps a set of window boxes for 31. A block of metal that is cast in a particu- 27. Infectious disease caused by a species against distractions. To refresh your energies this afternoon, step outside for a while. Being some herbs this spring. Someone may give you more attention than you would prefer later. A lar shape for convenient handling. of chlamydia bacterium. outside is most stimulating at this time of year. A desire for physical intimacy is great today as neighbor or acquaintance may have arranged some sort of get-together to celebrate your well, though you should be careful not to view others merely as a means to your own person- special day. There are many people around you who wish the best for you and who may offer 32. The state of being disregarded or for- 29. Food mixtures either arranged on a al end. Someone you may have met during some recent social event comes to your attention guidance as well. You seem to appreciate everything and everybody. People value your gotten. plate or tossed and served with a moist this evening. Your optimism is an appealing quality. There can be a most harmonious rela- response to their efforts. This may involve thank you notes or return phone calls. Tonight is romantic. 36. Any of numerous showy orchids of the dressing. tionship deepening or beginning now. genus Vanda having many large flowers in 30. Formally making a person known to loose racemes. another or to the public. 38. Any of various coarse shrubby plants of 33. Scottish physiologist who directed the Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) the genus Iva with small greenish flowers. research by F. G. Banting and C. H. Best that You may find old business resurfacing when you least expect it. You will do Today is a day to stay the course, so to speak. Steady, ongoing routine work 39. Acquire or gain knowledge or skills. led to the discovery of insulin (1876-1935). well in problem-solving situations-paperwork, however, may resurface as not mailed-no sig- will get you where you want to go this day. You are apt to obtain success through the power 40. Angular distance above the horizon 34. A document entitling a commissioned nature. Being in the spotlight is common to you during this time-it is a good time to be hum- of attraction. Now is when you must be judicious in personal decisions about investing. You (especially of a celestial object). officer to hold a higher rank temporarily ble and see where your energies can be most helpful. You create pleasant surroundings in are cheerful and friendly to all, making you popular with everyone. However, you should not the workplace and co-workers feel comfortable when they are in your presence. You should let gossip or intrigue interfere with the normal flow of business. Take time to be with close 41. Assets in the form of money. (but without higher pay). not let office gossip interfere with the normal flow of business. This is an excellent time to friends or relatives this afternoon-this could prove beneficial. Perhaps if the weather is nice, an 44. A genus of Accipitridae. 35. (sports) Not offside. emphasize practicality in any endeavor in which you are engaged. Activities with close early evening meal in the park may be a great treat. Fresh air and a little exercise, with no threat of mosquitoes, do a lot for the mood. This is an excellent time for building or deepening 48. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of 37. To modify microorganisms by repeated friends and relatives are favored this evening. Happy news comes from a distance. Your love life is enhanced tonight. special relationships. the alkali metal group. culture in the developing chick embryo. 49. Being six more than fifty. 42. Complacently or inanely foolish. 50. Religious zeal. 43. A language unit by which a person or WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Yesterday’s Solution 52. Before noon. thing is known. 54. (prefix) Opposite or opposing or neu- 45. Make a plat of. tralizing. 46. A language spoken by the Atakapa peo- 57. Famous chief of the Ottawa who led an ple of the Gulf coast of Louisiana and Texas. unsuccessful rebellion against the British 47. Minor or subordinate. (1715-1769). 51. Possessing material wealth. 60. A Mid-Atlantic state. 53. A federally sponsored corporation that 61. A resource. insures accounts in national banks and oth- 62. Title for a civil or military leader (espe- er qualified institutions. cially in Turkey). 55. A port city in southwestern Turkey on 63. A neutral middle vowel. the Gulf of Antalya. 68. Type genus of the Clupeidae. 56. West Indian tree having racemes of fra- 70. First in order of importance. grant white flowers and yielding a durable 73. Being here now. timber and resinous juice. 74. A tricycle (usually propelled by ped- 58. A viewer who gives a flirtatious or lewd alling). look at another person. 76. A loose sleeveless outer garment made 59. An island republic on Nauru Island. from aba cloth. 64. A large number or amount. 77. Wild sheep of northern Africa. 65. Of or relating to or characteristic of 78. A region of northeastern France famous Thailand of its people. for its wines. 66. A small cake leavened with yeast. 79. A light touch or stroke. 67. According to the Old Testament he was a pagan king of Israel and husband of DOWN Jezebel (9th century BC). 1. A person who is under the protection or 69. United States architect (born in China in in the custody of another. 1917). 2. Pompous or pretentious talk or writing. 71. A proportion multiplied by 100. 3. Kamarupan languages spoken in north- 72. An informal term for a father. eastern India and western Burma. 75. Angular distance above the horizon 4. (Islam) The man who leads prayers in a (especially of a celestial object).

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 information

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Afghanistan 0093 Luxembourg 00352 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Albania 00355 Macau 00853 Algeria 00213 Macedonia 00389 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Andorra 00376 Madagascar 00261 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Angola 00244 Majorca 0034 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Anguilla 001264 Malawi 00265 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Antiga 001268 Malaysia 0060 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Argentina 0054 Maldives 00960 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Armenia 00374 Mali 00223 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Australia 0061 Malta 00356 Austria 0043 Marshall Islands 00692 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Bahrain 00973 Mauritania 00222 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Rawda 22517733 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Adaliya 22517144 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Kaifan 24849807 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Burundi 00257 New Caledonia 00687 Shuwaikh 24814507 Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 Nuzha 22526804 Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 Qadsiya 22515088 Chad 00235 N. Ireland (UK) 0044 Dasmah 22532265 Chile 0056 North Korea 00850 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 China 0086 Norway 0047 Colombia 0057 Oman 00968 Shaab 22518752 Comoros 00269 Pakistan 0092 Qibla 22459381 Congo 00242 Palau 00680 Cook Islands 00682 Panama 00507 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Costa Rica 00506 Papua New Guinea 00675 Mirqab 22456536 Croatia 00385 Paraguay 00595 Cuba 0053 Peru 0051 Sharq 22465401 Cyprus 00357 Philippines 0063 Salmiya 25746401 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Poland 0048 Czech Republic 00420 Portugal 00351 Jabriya 25316254 Denmark 0045 Puerto Rico 001787 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Diego Garcia 00246 Qatar 00974 Djibouti 00253 Romania 0040 Bayan 25388462 Dominica 001767 Russian Federation 007 Mishref 25381200 Dominican Republic 001809 Rwanda 00250 W Hawally 22630786 Ecuador 00593 Saint Helena 00290 Egypt 0020 Saint Kitts 001869 Sabah 24810221 El Salvador 00503 Saint Lucia 001758 Jahra 24770319 England (UK) 0044 Saint Pierre 00508 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Saint Vincent 001784 New Jahra 24575755 Eritrea 00291 Samoa US 00684 West Jahra 24772608 Estonia 00372 Samoa West 00685 Ethiopia 00251 San Marino 00378 South Jahra 24775066 Falkland Islands 00500 Sao Tone 00239 North Jahra 24775992 Faroe Islands 00298 Saudi Arabia 00966 Fiji 00679 Scotland (UK) 0044 North Jleeb 24311795 Finland 00358 Senegal 00221 Ardhiya 24884079 France 0033 Seychelles 00284 Firdous 24892674 French Guiana 00594 Sierra Leone 00232 French Polynesia 00689 Singapore 0065 Omariya 24719048 Gabon 00241 Slovakia 00421 N Khaitan 24710044 Gambia 00220 Slovenia 00386 Georgia 00995 Solomon Islands 00677 Fintas 23900322 Germany 0049 Somalia 00252 Ghana 00233 South Africa 0027 Gibraltar 00350 South Korea 0082 Greece 0030 Spain 0034 Greenland 00299 Sri Lanka 0094 PRIVATE CLINICS Grenada 001473 Sudan 00249 Guadeloupe 00590 Suriname 00597 Guam 001671 Swaziland 00268 Guatemala 00502 Sweden 0046 Ophthalmologists Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Endocrinologist Guinea 00224 Switzerland 0041 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Guyana 00592 Syria 00963 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Haiti 00509 Serbia 00381 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Taiwan 00886 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Honduras 00504 Tanzania 00255 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Hong Kong 00852 Thailand 0066 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Hungary 0036 Toga 00228 Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Tonga 00676 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Iceland 00354 Tokelau 00690 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 Dermatology Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288 India 0091 Trinidad 001868 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians Dr. Mohammed Salam Rheumatologists: Indian Ocean 00873 Tunisia 00216 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581 Bern University 23845955 Indonesia 0062 Turkey 0090 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dentists Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Iran 0098 Tuvalu 00688 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Iraq 00964 Uganda 00256 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 Ireland 00353 Ukraine 00380 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226 Internist, Chest & Heart General Practitioners Italy 0039 United Arab Emirates 00976 Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444 Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Ivory Coast 00225 United Kingdom 0044 Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557 General Surgeons Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid Jamaica 001876 Uruguay 00598 Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Japan 0081 USA 001 Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148 Assistant Professor Of Medicine Jordan 00962 Uzbekistan 00998 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 Internists, Chest & Heart Head, Division of Cardiology Kazakhstan 007 Vanuatu 00678 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Neurologists Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital 25339667 Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Kenya 00254 Venezuela 00582 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Consultant Cardiologist Kiribati 00686 Vietnam 0084 Urologists Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 Kuwait 00965 Virgin Islands UK 001284 Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Gastrologists MD, PH.D, FACC Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Virgin Islands US 001340 Dr. Sami Aman 22636464 Inaya German Medical Center Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Laos 00856 Wales (UK) 0044 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Te: 2575077 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3 Latvia 00371 Yemen 00967 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135 Fax: 25723123 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Lebanon 00961 Yugoslavia 00381 Soor Center Liberia 00231 Zambia 00260 Psychologists [email protected] Tel: 2290-1677 Kaizen center Noor Clinic William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Libya 00218 Zimbabwe 00263 /Psychotherapists www.soorcenter.com Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 25716707 23845955 Lithuania 00370 lifestyle SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015

Gossip Justin Bieber going sober with the help of his pastor

he ‘Boyfriend’ hitmaker - who recently released a video in which we all genuinely believe he is clean. “His manager Scooter Braun was he apologised to his fans for being “arrogant and conceited” - is very clear that, until Justin sorted himself out, his music comeback Tbelieved to have turned to Christian minister Carl Lentz, with was on hold.” Justin also reached out to Carl last year following his whom he is close friends, to help him clean up his bad habits and give split from on-off girlfriend Selena Gomez. A source said at the time: up drugs and alcohol. A source said: “There’s no one Justin looks up to “Those close to Justin were concerned and reached out to the one more than Carl. He’s had a huge influence on him. “They spoke at person he always listens to and really looks up to, his pastor, Carl length about how he can get his life and career back on track and Lentz. “Justin was all for it. There was no resistance on his part to go both agreed that getting rid of alcohol and drugs was the natural first away for a couple of weeks for alone time, God time and some spiritu- step.” It is thought the 20-year-old singer has been warned by his al growth.” manager Scooter Braun that he won’t be producing any more records until he has cleaned up his act for good. The source told The Sun newspaper: “Justin has made promises like this before but this time

Noel Gallagher Bruce ‘transitioning gets music questions into a woman’ he ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ star is said to be “happy” and wrong at parent quiz nights “in a great space” after a source close to the family confirmed Trumours he has decided to live as a female. The insider said: “Bruce he former Oasis star - who has sons, Donovan, seven, and is transitioning into a woman. “He is finally happy and his family is accept- four-year-old Sonny with wife Sara MacDonald and 15-year- ing of what he’s doing. He’s in such a great space. That’s why it’s the per- Told daughter Anais with first wife Meg Matthews - enjoys fect time to do something like this.” The former Olympian, 65 - who attending the events but thinks there should be more questions sparked speculation he had started the transition after appearing with about Britpop to give him a chance. He said: “I’ve been to a couple longer hair and wearing makeup over the past few months - is said to but the trouble is, I usually get the music questions wrong. “It’s have recorded his own reality show documenting his progress, which will always, ‘What was Number 1 for 19 weeks in 1974?’ I dunno ... oh, air when he is ready to share his journey. The source said: “It will air when Mungo Jerry. Which is when everyone on the table looks at me, as if to say, ‘I thought you were a musician? ‘Yeah, I am, but ask me some questions about Britpop.’ “But the singer/songwriter is not expecting his children to follow in his footsteps into the music industry because he insists they “don’t care” what he does as a career. He added: “My lads are more into ‘Star Wars’ than Jimi Hendrix. None of my kdis care about what I do for a living. “They’ve Mark Ronson attacked never know any different. It’s not like I was working at Kwik-Fit one day and the next I won ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. “Maybe if One Direction had released [Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds single] by a swarm of killer bees ‘In The Heat of the Moment’ it would have been my daughter’s favourite song of all time ... but I’m her dad.” he ‘Uptown Funk’ hitmaker was left terrified during an interview with BBC Radio 1’s Jameela Jamil at a mansion in Hollywood after the pair were Tforced to flee the cloud of deadly flying insects, which were attracted to a nearby buffet. Jameela said: “We were doing an interview in this mansion in Hollywood Hills. It was open air and there was a massive feast that we’d laid out for Mark. “This huge cloud started coming towards us and we couldn’t work out he is ready to be open about his transition. “But he’s acting more and what it was. “It turned out to be the biggest swarm of killer bees that I’ve ever more confident and seems very happy.” Bruce is taking his time with the seen. They descended on the buffet. “We had literally seconds to run into the transition in order to give his family - which includes ex-wife Kris Jenner, house and get behind the glass. “It was the most scared I’ve ever been. I didn’t daughters Kylie and Kendall Jenner and sons Brody and Brandon Jenner - know what it was and then suddenly I was like, ‘Oh my God, it’s killer bees! time to adjust to the change. The insider told PEOPLE: “He’s being very Those are killer bees!’ “I just ran, food flew everywhere and I destroyed the smart about and also respectful about his transition. Instead of com- whole set. It was terrifying. We were both there and we just ran for it.” Jameela, pletely shocking everyone, his changes have been subtle, and his family 28, added she didn’t have time to concern herself with the 39-year-old produc- has had the chance to slowly get used to his new looks and life.” The er’s safety and joked the speed of their swift exit would have been on par with source added that “not everyone is 100 percent on board” with his deci- Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt’s. She told The Sun newspaper: “Neither of us tried sion to live as a woman, but it is clear, “everybody loves him.” Meanwhile, to save each other. It was every man for himself. It was like 500 bees. It was hor- Bruce’s stepdaughter Kim Kardashian West recently confessed that the rible. “I would never have left a man down, but we both turned into Usain Bolt reality TV star was the “ the happiest [she’s] ever seen him”. The daughter then.” However, the encounter didn’t turn out to be a total disaster after Mark of Kris Jenner - who has sisters Khloe and Kourtney - said: “I think Bruce is agreed to perform at Why Not People? - a music and events club set up by very happy, the happiest I’ve ever seen him...He’s our dad so we support Jameela for people with disabilities. She explained: “Mark came back within him no matter what, and I think when the time is right, he’ll talk about about a minute saying, ‘Of course’. “I wouldn’t be friends with the kind of people whatever he wants to talk about. I guess I’ll kind of let everyone be curi- that would say no to this. You’d have to be the Devil.” ous and I feel like that’s his journey to talk about.” The 34-year-old beauty added she is sure Bruce will speak out about his “journey” when the “time is right”. She said: “I think everyone goes through things in life, and I think that story and what Bruce is going through, I think he’ll share whenever the time is right. I feel like that’s his journey to talk about.” Val Kilmer underwent emergency surgery on a throat tumour he 55-year-old actor, who has 23-year-old daughter Mercedes and 19-year-old son Jack with ex-wife Joanne Whalley, is said to be recovering from the proce- Tdure in Los Angeles after being rushed to hospital on Monday night (26.01.15) when he began bleeding from his throat. A law enforcement source claims para- medics received a 911 call from someone at the ‘Top Gun’ star’s home in Malibu and brought him straight to UCLA Medical Centre in Santa Monica, where doctors per- formed the surgery. The insider told gossip website TMZ.com that the actor’s family members have been upset because they think Val ignored the problem for some time and allowed his condition to become more serious. The star previously told a judge he was unable to speak because his tongue was swollen when he appeared in a small claims court in relation to a dispute with his former landlord in October. The ‘Heat’ star appeared to be in good health when he attended an LA Lakers basketball game with Jack on January 16, but was photographed with a scarf around his neck.

Kasabian think they would Jamie Dornan be dead if they didn’t have wants ‘more babies’ stable home lives with Amelia Warner he ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ star, who welcomed his first child he ‘Eez-Eh’ rockers believe being settled with partners and children have with his musician wife, 32, in 2013, admits they are eager to kept them going off the rails completely. Asked where they would be with- Tgive their 14-month-old daughter, Dulcie, a sibling soon. Tout partners and children, guitarist Serge Pizzorno - who has two sons Asked about his plans for the future, the 32-year-old actor said: with girlfriend Amy - said: “Half of Kasabian would be in jail, the rest dead. I don’t “I’m filming ‘The 9th Life of Louis Drax’. And, you know, my wife mean to be morbid, but I’m not joking.” And his bandmate, father-of-one Tom and I want more babies.” Meanwhile, the heartthrob, who got Meighan, thinks the group would have had big problems if they had been married in Somerset, England in April 2013, claims he is very around during the excesses of the 1980s as they would have had no reason to attracted to Amelia’s hands. He told the US edition of Glamour curb their partying. He said: “I’d be dead if it were the ‘80s, no question about it. magazine: “I’ve got a thing for great hands. My wife has my What with Mˆtley Cr¸e and Guns N’ Roses? Yeah I’d be dead. I’d crash and burn. I favourite hands in the world. Being from Northern Ireland, I’m mean it’s hard enough now when everyone gives a s**t about health and programmed to enjoy stories, so I find it sexy if a woman can tell a appearance.” Though they lead quieter lives these days, Serge insists he still has funny story. And I’ve always found talking to someone who’s a “part of Lucifer” in him but ays his wilder streak is essential for his songwriting. achieved something that I couldn’t attractive.” Jamie also has a He told Loaded magazine: “I do have a part of Lucifer in me. But I wouldn’t be very close relationship with his older sisters, Jessica & Liesa, and able to write these tunes if sometimes I didn’t want to go to bed - ever. “Lucifer says they gave him kissing tips when he was younger. The ‘Fall’ comes out as soon as I’m a few beers in, and has influenced many decisions on a star said: “In my first phase of kissing girls, my two sisters told me, night out. But I’m lucky. I think I had my path laid out for me and that’s to write ‘If you want to kiss a girl, you should ask rather than dive in as if and produce tunes.” The 250th celebratory issue of Loaded - which features it’s your last meal.’ Which had probably been my approach until Kasabian on the cover - is available to buy in both print and digital formats now. that chat.” lifestyle SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015

Gossip

Jay Z and Beyonce are still looking for their dream home

he couple, who have three-year-old daughter failed to secure a house in Beverly Hills after losing Blue Ivy, live in New York City but are eager to a $70 million bidding war to Markus ‘Notch’ Tfind a new base in California before they Persson, the creator of ‘Minecraft.’ The couple flew expand their family further. A source told Us in love with LA again after they rented a Holmby Weekly magazine: “They spend a lot of time on the Hills mansion, which is on the market for $45 mil- West Coast. They want to have a baby soon and lion, for a month over the summer. A source previ- hope to get this done fast.” The 45-year-old rapper ously said they splashed out around $200,000-a- was spotted scouting for properties in Bel Air near month on rent for the house during their joint ‘On Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux’s home recent- the Run’ tour. ly, and took a tour of a nearby school the next day. The ‘99 Problems’ star and the ‘Pretty Hurts’ hitmak- er, 33, was left disappointed recently when they

AnnaLynne Katy Perry admits she got McCord is dating puppy to get over John Mayer Eliza Dushku’s he ‘Dark Horse’ hitmaker, who recently rekindled her “In all my relationships, I’ve learned how I have to be more Meghan Trainor relationship with the singer-songwriter after splitting careful and that it’s not up for public consumption.” ex-boyfriend Tfrom him in February 2014 after two years of dating, Meanwhile, Katy admits she is very nervous about performing he 27-year-old ‘Dallas’ actress, who split from ‘shaken up adopted Butters when she was “going through a breakup,” but at the Super Bowl today and doesn’t think she’ll be able to Dominic Purcell, 44, in December after three years recently gave custody of the dog to her longtime assistant, compete with BeyoncÈ’s half-time show in 2013. She said: “She Tof dating, has reportedly moved on with 45-year- Tamara, because she is too busy. The 30-year-old star said: “I brought so much strength, so much sassiness and just the old actor Rick Fox. The couple were spotted canoodling for months’ was going through a breakup and I was like, ‘I’m going to get a right amount of sex. She’s an icon. Elvis, The Beatles, Michael at a pre-Super Bowl event at the W Hotel in Scottsdale, dog!’ But honestly, I have to run an empire, and as much as I Jackson - she’s in that category. I’m not. She’s like five notches Arizona on Thursday night after arriving separately. An he 21-year-old singer admits she was love animals I don’t know if I have the mind capacity to do it.” above me, and those levels are compounded in difficulty. eyewitness said: “As soon as she arrived they were shocked to find out she had inadvertently Despite being spotted on a dinner date with John, 37, earlier “Everyone has been asking me if I’m going to be nervous together for the rest of the evening. They were really Thelped to change a young girl’s whole life this month, the brunette beauty isn’t ready to define their before the half-time show. cute, holding hands, and even while fans asked Rick to for the better just by having a hit with her song romance. She told Billboard.com: “What I will say is that to take pics he held her hand while he took pics with them.” ‘All About That Bass’ and she is particularly sur- have any relationship at this level you have to just be protec- The source also told PEOPLE.com that the blonde beauty prised because she insists he is “not that cool”. tive and figure out how to navigate it. There is no handbook. was overheard calling the former professional baseball She said: “I did a show and this father came out player, who split from Eliza last June after five years of and yelled at me, ‘Meghan Trainor, you’re the best!’ dating, her “boyfriend.” The ‘Dollhouse’ actress, 34, previ- My management told me he’d said afterwards, ously admitted she and Rick, who was also married to ‘Meghan, you saved my daughter’s life.’ “It shook actress Vanessa Williams for five years until 2004, decided me up so much for months. I kept calling my to go their separate ways after she moved back to her mum saying, ‘I saved a life? It’s just a three-minute native Boston. She said: “Rick’s an LA guy and I’m a song!’ “At first when you see all these crazy fans Boston girl. I’d rather be a little physically cold here than you think, I’m not a god, I’m not a doctor, I can’t emotionally cold in LA I missed my town and my family.” do heart surgery, I’m not that cool - but then there’s moments when you see how much you affect their lives and you get it.” The blonde star also admitted such positive reactions to her music also help to inspire her to get up in the morning. She added to Britain’s OK! magazine: “It’s my favourite part of the job, because it motivates me when I’m too tired and to get up and beat my face with make-up.”

Kerry Washington Shakira names her sends her parents newborn son Sasha gifts for her birthday Pique Merbarak he ‘Scandal’ star, who is celebrating her 38th birthday he 37-year-old singer, who also has two-year-old son Friday, admits she usually likes to spoil her mother, Milan with boyfriend Gerard PiquÈ, welcomed their sec- TValerie, and her father, Earl, for the occasion because Tond child into the world in a hospital in Barcelona, Spain “they did all the work.” Asked if she still receives birthday pres- on Thursday night via a scheduled Caesarean section. The ents from her family, the actress said: “I do. I actually tend to ‘Beautiful Liar’ hitmaker and the baby “are in excellent health,” send something to my parents. Usually I do, because I feel like and the couple also explained the meaning of their tot’s they did all the work. I just came out, but they did all the work. name in a statement via Shakira’s website Friday, writing: “We And I like to put something inappropriate in the card, like are happy to announce the birth of Sasha PiquÈ Mebarak, son ‘Thanks for getting it on!’ “Kerry, who is married to retired NFL of Shakira Mebarak and Gerard PiquÈ, born January 29 at player Nnamdi Asomugha, 33, is excited that her birthday falls 9:54pm, in Barcelona. The name Sasha is of Greek and Russian during Super Bowl weekend. She told ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’: descent and means ‘defender of mankind’ and ‘warrior.’ “The “There have been a couple years where it has been perfect hospital confirmed that both mother and child are in excellent alignment and I feel like the whole nation is partying for me. health.” Gerard’s proud father Amador BernabÈu also revealed You can’t tell I’m an only child, can you?” The actress also Sasha looks more like the professional soccer player. He told opened up about her nine-month-old daughter, Isabelle, and Hello! Magazine: “They’ve told me he looks like Gerard. Milan hopes to set up a play-date for her and Jimmy’s six-month-old looked like Shakira when he was born, but this one looks baby girl, Jane. She said: “Life is really great. You know, little more like his father.” The musician began dating the sports- girl at home, it’s great. We gotta get them together.” When the man in 2010 and previously spoke about the joy she gets from chat show host said: “Mine really just eats things and grabs being a mother, saying, “motherhood is everything to me”, as hair and stuff,” Kerry replied: “They have that in common. The well as praising her partner’s hands-on parenting style. She hair’s up a lot these days.” said: “He is very involved with his son. He is always there for him, and that’s a big advantage for me as I cannot imagine it any other way.”

Demi Lovato threw Wilmer a star-studded 35th birthday

he ‘Heart Attack’ hitmaker, who has friend and after Wilmer blew out his candle, been dating the actor for four years, the group sang ‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow’. Tgathered a large group of his closest Demi, 22, has been much more open about friends, including his former ‘That 70s Show’ her relationship with Wilmer in recent months co-stars Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and and recently admitted she feels like “the lucki- Danny Masterson, together one day ahead of est girl in the world” to be dating him. The the occasion at Palm Thai restaurant in singer, who sought treatment in rehab for Hollywood on Thursday night. Wilmer shared drug use, an eating disorder and self-harming a picture of his birthday cake on Instagram on disorder in 2010, also credited him for Friday, with the caption: “IT’S MY BIRTHDAY!!!! encouraging her to seek help again last year Haha!! I was surprised last night by all the after he noticed she was showing signs of a people I love!!! I felt so blessed to have looked partial relapse. She said: “I almost went back around & truly know that everyone by my to rehab for my eating disorder last summer. I side has & will always have my back. I love was obsessing over food and terrified of it at you! 35, does that mean is cheaper when I go the same time. Wilmer noticed and called me to Disneyland!?” Ashton, who was enjoying a out on it, which was a relief.” rare night out with fiancÈe Mila since wel- coming their daughter, Wyatt, into the world late September, was also captured on video loudly singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to his close lifestyle SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 Iraqi artist aims kick at IS jihadists

‘Rubbish is not harmful, and can be used for useful things’

he Islamic State group militant glares at Baghdad resi- dents with bulging eyes and bared teeth, but neither kid- Tnapping nor death are imminent, because this jihadist is made from a shoe. A black, treaded sole with the toe broken off serves as his face and nose, while old shoelaces evoke both black headscarf and long hair. For teeth, zippers dangle into a mouth formed by the space between the heel and toe, and round metal pieces stand in for bulging eyes. The jihadist is the creation of Iraqi artist Akeel Khreef, who takes worn-out shoes and transforms them into faces repre- senting the “ugliness” of the Islamic State (IS) group, which has committed a slew of atrocities in his country. “I wanted to portray the extent of the criminality and ugli- ness and ugly acts of the organisation’s members,” says Khreef, a 35-year-old architectural engineering professor who is work- ing on a mural of two dozen shoe faces.

“I work in the street,” he says. “I want the people to know this art.” Khreef says the project is especially for people displaced by IS. “I am trying to show (IS) in the ugliest form to comfort the people who left their homes and to tell them: ‘It is not just the soldier who is with you.’”

IS has done much to provoke the anger of Iraqis, leading a June offensive that swept down from the city of Mosul and overran large parts of the country’s Sunni Arab heartland, sowing fear and displacing hundreds of thousands of people. It has killed thousands of people in areas it controls in Iraq and neighbouring Syria, targeted religious and ethnic minori- ties, sold women and children as sex slaves and destroyed his- torical sites. With the faces, Khreef says he wants to portray “the ugly condition” that has prevailed in Iraq since June, and fashioning them from old shoes does so with a calculated insult of an especially Iraqi persuasion. In Iraq it is considered extremely rude to call someone “waja al-kundara” literally “face of the shoe”. “This is what I want to say,” Khreef explains. In Iraq and else- Iraqi artist Akeel Khreef stands in front of his art pieces depicting jihadists made on worn-out shoes at his workshop in Baghdad. — AFP where in the Middle East, it is deemed offensive to even have the bottom of one’s shoes facing another person. Iraq also has but they appear sick in their mentalities, and bloodthirsty,” American officials frequently refer to breaking the “image” a history of protest by footwear, with a journalist famously Khreef says. or “myth” of IS invincibility, but this can come to pass hurling his shoes at then US president George W. Bush during Embarrass the jihadists through art and humour in addition to military force. a press conference in 2008. When “you look at the works, you “I will not get them out of my country with this work, To obtain supplies for this and other projects, Khreef col- see they are made from remains of waste and worn-out shoes, but... I am certain they would be embarrassed by it,” he says. lects bits and pieces from rubbish bins and buys old shoes from small shops. “The most important person in my life is the cobbler-he provides me the remains of the worn-out shoes,” he says. Khreef is sometimes mocked for searching through trash, but wants to convey the idea that “rubbish is not harmful, and can be used for useful things”. “I work in the street,” he says. “I want the people to know this art.” Khreef says the project is especially for people dis- placed by IS. “I am trying to show (IS) in the ugliest form to comfort the people who left their homes and to tell them: ‘It is not just the soldier who is with you.’” The mural Khreef is making is inspired by the organisa- tion IS-which he refers to as “Daesh,” an Arabic acronym the group rejects-but he wants it to reflect other meanings as well. “The mural represents the Dawaesh (IS members) who live among us, and not just the terrorists,” he says. For Khreef, a “Daeshi” is “every man who does not love his country and does not love goodness, and believes in death, and rejects the other, and is ready to kill you when you dis- agree with him.” IS has a history of greeting even symbolic opposition with kidnapping or brutal violence, and has exe- cuted hundreds of people who opposed it in Iraq and Syria. Artists have fled areas under IS control or have been lying low. Khreef says he is nonetheless determined to go forward with his project. “Death is everywhere, and I am not more important than someone who defends his country and carries a weapon and goes to confront the enemy face to face,” he says. And if the worst happens, “at least I would die believing in a true cause”. — AFP Akeel Khreef stands in front of his art pieces depicting Akeel Khreef shows some of his art pieces depicting jihadists on the soles of worn-out shoes. jihadists created on worn-out shoes. — AFP After historic balloon journey, crew plans landing wo pilots from the US and Russia have traveled The journey has been tough on the pilots, who have forced them to make a sharp right turn toward Mexico. farther and longer in a gas balloon than anyone been on oxygen for days; high altitude can take a physi- The pilots plan to come in low and drop thick trail- Tin history, aiming to eliminate any remaining cal toll. But they’ve been cracking jokes when checking ing ropes into the ocean to slow the balloon before set- debate over a century of records in long-distance bal- in with mission control and their families. ting down on some dunes in Baja California. Once they looning. The Two Eagles pilots surpassed the distance The flight’s mission control director, Steve Shope, reach the sand, they will have traveled more than 6,800 and duration records that have held since the 1970s said their priority now is getting the balloon to a safe miles. “We’re very excited. The pilots are excited. I think and 1980s, and were aiming Saturday for a safe landing landing after bad weather along the US West Coast they’re ready to land,” Shope said. — AP somewhere on a beach in Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. Troy Bradley of Albuquerque and Leonid Tiukhtyaev (too-kh-TY’-yev) of Russia lifted off from Japan Sunday morning, and by Friday, they beat what’s considered the “holy grail” of ballooning achievements, the 137- hour duration record set in 1978 by the Double Eagle crew of Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman in the first balloon flight across the Atlantic. By early yesterday morning, the Two Eagles team had been in the air nearly 155 hours and was smashing the distance record, having traveled more than 6,500 miles (10,460 kilometers), including the crossing of the Pacific Ocean. “The technology has improved so much in the last couple of years. I don’t think there’s going to be any question about the records,” said Katie Griggs, a region- al director with the nonprofit Balloon Federation of America. Still, the official distance and time of the Two Eagles flight must be confirmed by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, which requires staying aloft 1 percent longer and farther than the previous record. The balloon is outfitted with an array of moni- tors and other instruments that are tracking its course Two Eagles balloon mission control director Steve Shope, at and compiling the data, using technology that didn’t podium, discusses their balloon record breaking attempt during exist in decades past, leaving some claims unproven. a briefing in Albuquerque, N.M., on Thursday. The Two Eagles Their first target was the official distance record of balloon pilots, Troy Bradley and Leonid Tiukhtyaev were crossing 5,209 miles set by the Double Eagle V team during the first trans-Pacific flight in 1981. They surpassed that on Members of the Two Eagles balloon mission control team watch a giant screen in Albuquerque, N.M., as over the Pacific Ocean on Thursday as part of their record break- pilots Troy Bradley and Leonid Tiukhtyaev surpass a gas ballooning distance record. — AP ing challenge. — AP Thursday. lifestyle SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 OSN brings the best content for customers with latest technology By Nawara Fattahova called ‘Live More’ last year. It’s our corporate social responsibility campaign and we will KUWAIT: OSN, the leading pay TV network in continue to focus on that to create an emo- the Middle East and North Africa that offers tional bond with potential customers. international television entertainment content Reducing churn (people who leave the such as movies, sporting events and much service) is also a big focus for us. To reduce more, participated in the annual InfoConnect this, we will focus on our OSN privileges pro- exhibition held from Jan 26 to Feb 1, 2015 at gram. We established this program two and the Misref Fairground. During this event, they half years back, and it’s an amazing program had many special offers and promotions. with a strong link with our product. Many Kuwait Times met Hamad Malik, Chief organizations have loyalty programs, but they Marketing Officer of OSN, to learn more. usually give points that you can never redeem, but our focus is to give our customers experi- Kuwait Times: What is your marketing strat- ences which they can’t buy or nobody else will egy for 2015? give them. An example is if you are a WWE fan, Hamad Malik: We want to position our we give the opportunity for people to go and brand as a premium brand, and also as an watch the fights, meet the wrestlers and affordable luxury that understands clients’ spend time with them. All our subscribers can needs and provides entertainment to them. go to our website and participate in the com- This is our objective for this year. OSN has petitions that we organize, and they may win. been growing significantly in the region for the past two years. We want to continue to KT: What is the impact of marketing on the deploy initiatives of our marketing strategy. company’s activities? Malik: One of the challenges we face is that people are not aware of what the PPV industry is and why do they need to pay for TV pro- grams. In this region, there are more than 700 or 800 free-to-air channels. Here comes our objective to make people aware that OSN is different as they get more superior program compared to free-to-air. In today’s world, everyone is busy and people don’t have time, so when you come home, you want specifical- ly watch something you like for an hour or an hour and a half. If you have 400 or 500 free-to- air channels, you will just be just flipping chan- nels and you are at the mercy of the TV, while Hamad Malik, Chief Marketing Officer of OSN. —Photos by Joseph Shagra if you are a subscriber of OSN, if you like some- wanted to adopt a mechanism where in an we have a huge infrastructure here. Also we sports channels, movie channels and also a lot thing you can record it and watch it anytime entertaining way we give some information to have our sales and marketing operations and of Arabic content. We also have the largest you like. We get movies just after 2 to 3 get the point and make the change. These customer care services here. Kuwait is one of number of channels in HD - 58. So we bring months after their theatrical release. So they should be easy changes so they are sustain- the markets with appetite for good entertain- the best content for customers with the best are brand new movies. We are two years able. For instance, we say walking 30 minutes ment products like OSN. We have a great mar- technology. ahead of free-to-air channels. a day is great thing to fight obesity and other ket share here. The purchasing power of cus- OSN also has exclusive cricket rights, as we We want to communicate these kinds of diseases. Maybe they don’t go to the gym, but tomers in Kuwait is decent and they want a are ICC’s broadcast partner. We also hold one unique products to potential customers in rel- we give them a way to understand and imple- brand which understands them and gives or two activities in Kuwait for cricket, and will evant way. We also try to get consumer ment the changes. So we tell them they can them products they are looking for. We try to organize a cricket tournament where 52 teams We have various areas of focus - this year insight. Customers differ in each country. What walk for 10 minutes three times a day, they do things Kuwaiti customers are looking for, will be participating from Feb 6. We want to our main focus is on making sure that people they want to watch has to be customized for should take the stairs, park their car far from even in our content. For instance we have vari- engage cricket fans in Kuwait. Also, the cricket will experience our product, which is very them. We expose them to the features of our the office and so on. These are small changes ous Kuwaiti talent programs to appeal to the World Cup will be held from Feb 14, and our strong. Those who haven’t experienced it will company that are most relevant for them. We they can easily do. Our second campaign was local market. subscribers will be able to watch it live. find it very difficult to understand what the also try to build an emotional connection with about the importance of a good sleep, and We also need the help of the media to pro- unique selling points of this product are. We customers - we don’t want to be a brand they then on the importance of drinking 10 glasses KT: What is the roadmap of OSN’s growth? mote the fact that piracy is a very big crime, also want to make sure that people under- pay for; we want to go beyond that. of water in Kuwait’s hot summer. So people Malik: OSN has grown significantly during and creates many issues for companies like us stand why OSN is different and a premium We understand that in this region a lot of will see us a partner for life than just a brand the last 3-4 years. We have doubled the size of who are legitimately buying content, provid- product. Here I don’t mean that it will always people are suffering from obesity and dia- they pay money to get entertainment from. our company. It was an amazing period of ing jobs, building infrastructure and investing be expensive - it’s an affordable product. We betes - even young people - because of growth for OSN. There is huge potential for us in local production of content. Some people want to give a premium experience to our cus- lifestyle and eating habits. So last year we KT: What is the importance of Kuwait as a to continue to grow, as we have a very large illegally distribute the signal of various pieces tomers. We are also working to enhance our started a program to educate people on the market? bouquet of content - almost 150 channels. We of content. So we need the support from the health activities, so we started a campaign benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We Malik: Kuwait is very important for us as have the best content for family and children, authorities to fight the challenge of piracy.

Sundance Film Review A picture taken on January 23, 2015 shows a bildboard featuring an ad for the 65th edition of the Berlinale Film Festival on the The Chinese Mayor’ Potsdamer Platz in Berlin. This year’s edition takes place from 05 ranted remarkable access to the daily business of a high- to 15 February, 2015. — AFP ranking mainland Chinese official, Zhou Hao’s “The GChinese Mayor” offers a fascinating verite portrait of the collision between progress, politics, corruption and citizens’ rights in a rapidly changing People’s Republic. This rare peek behind the usual scrim of government image management is a natural for niche broadcasters and anyone else interested in qual- ity current-events documentary features. Fifty-four-year-old Geng Yanbo is the mayor of Datong, a metropolis of 3.4 million in Shanxi province that was long a coal- industry capital. But now that business is in decline, leaving as its major legacy the status of China’s most polluted city. Geng has made it his mission to transform Datong into a tourist-magnetiz- ing cultural center, highlighting its important role throughout central dynasties of Imperial Chinese history. But restoring and/or constructing the attractions key to that goal demands considerable sacrifice from residents, large num- bers of whom are being forced to leave their longtime (yet illegal by hitherto unenforced law) family homes so entire neighbor- hoods can be razed. Worse, the “affordable housing” these mostly poor citizens are supposed to move into isn’t actually affordable to many; “low-rent” housing that they can afford has a wait list of three years. As they’re being rendered homeless, their material losses are compensated either insufficiently or not at all. Thus, residents are raising vigorous objections, mounting public protests, even confronting riot police. (While Geng’s situa- tion may be unique, it is noted that most Chinese mayors reside in military compounds for their own safety.) Understandably, they wonder just whose interests the government represents, All-star actress roster to when their own most basic needs are considered so insignificant. Our first impression of Geng supports the substantial (if by no means universal) public antipathy toward him. He seems a sort of human bulldozer: tirelessly touring sites, taking calls while paying light up 65th Berlin film fest attending meetings and ceremonies, deferring to none. But the longer we witness him in action, the more admirable his efforts appear. Painful though the sacrifices required may be, he has a ew movies starring Juliette Binoche, Nicole Jacquot in “Diary of a Chambermaid”, based on a novel Honorary Golden Bear for his life’s work during the festi- noble vision for this city that (if pulled off) will have long-term Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Helen Mirren and Lea already adapted by cinema greats Jean Renoir and Luis val, will screen his new 3-D drama “Everything Will Be benefits for all. Seydoux will put women in the spotlight when Bunuel. British actress Mirren stars in “Woman in Gold”, Fine” featuring James Franco, Charlotte Gainsbourg and N Constantly besieged by individual citizens who are petitioning they premiere at the 65th Berlin film festival starting the true story of Holocaust survivor Maria Altmann who Rachel McAdams. for justice (and who complain they’ve been beaten for defending Thursday. The 11-day event in the frosty German capital, fought the Austrian government for nearly a decade for Andrew Haigh, director of the HBO television series their homes), Geng also deals incessantly with the corrupt the first major cinema showcase in Europe each year, restitution of valuable Klimt paintings that the Nazis “Looking” about gay friends in San Francisco, will enter bureaucracy and contractors under his purported command, who will begin with Oscar winner Binoche playing Josephine stole from her family. the competition with “45 Years” starring Charlotte cut construction-cost corners at the citizens’ expense; many proj- Peary, who accompanied her explorer husband Robert Rampling in a surreal drama about a long-married cou- ects are inexplicably far behind schedule. on treacherous Arctic expeditions, in “Nobody Wants ‘Changes in Iran’ ple. Japanese filmmaker Sabu will join the competition Geng’s public humiliations of the guilty parties result in grov- the Night”. The Berlinale, launched during the Cold War as a win- with “Chasuke’s Journey” about an angel who comes eling apologies that one doubts will lead to any real systemic The film is directed by Spain’s Isabel Coixet, only the dow on the world for embattled West Berlin, prides back to earth to rescue a woman. improvements. While we never see him at home, there is a sort of second woman in the history of the Berlinale, as the itself on ripped-from-the-headlines political relevance Vietnamese director Phan Dang Di, a European festi- running gag in the form of frequent calls from the wife who event is known, to hold the coveted opening-night slot. along with high-wattage glamour from major val favourite, will premiere his latest picture, “Big Father, berates Geng (“Are you tired of living?!?”) as she’s driven to exas- Dieter Kosslick, who has run the festival since 2001, Hollywood productions and stars. Small Father and Other Stories”. perated tears by his insomniac, health-imperiling work pace. told reporters that many of the more than 400 films that This year’s event will feature the first screening of dis- And Peter Greenaway will present “Eisenstein in What makes this frank picture of Chinese government at work will screen focused on “strong women in extreme situa- sident Iranian director Jafar Panahi’s “Taxi”, in which the Guanajuato” about the legendary Russian director of even more surprising is the story’s conclusion, in which party tions”. Kidman plays British adventurer and spy filmmaker himself presents his impressions of contem- “Battleship Potemkin” and his Mexican exile. higher-ups make an abrupt, baffling decision about Geng’s imme- Gertrude Bell opposite former “Twilight” heartthrob porary Tehran from behind the wheel of a cab. US director and screenwriter Darren Aronofsky diate future. It leaves all his work in limbo, the city in huge debt, Robert Pattinson as T.E. Lawrence, better known as Panahi was detained for a documentary he tried to (“Black Swan”) will serve as president of the jury judging and the citizens’ sacrifices possibly all for naught. Despite their pri- Lawrence of Arabia, in German veteran Werner Herzog’s make on the unrest following Iran’s disputed 2009 presi- the 19 main contenders and handing out the Golden or protestations, the latter now grieve an inexplicable catastrophe “Queen of the Desert”. dential election and officially banned from making and Silver Bear prizes on February 14. that can only further erode trust in the nation’s leadership. Blanchett joins Natalie Portman and Christian Bale in more films for 20 years. “We invited him but the Iranian He will be joined by “Mad Men” creator Matthew The film’s breathlessly on-the-run progress suggests Zhou had “Knight of Cups”, a new feature about the perils of fame state must give its permission for him to attend,” Weiner, French actress Audrey Tautou (“Amelie”), South almost unlimited access-an intimacy underlined near the close by reclusive US director Terrence Malick. Kosslick said. “We are hopeful-we have the feeling that Korean director Bong Joon-Ho (“Snowpiercer”), US pro- when Geng asks just what the director has been filming, as he’d Kosslick said he hoped Malick, who won Berlin’s pres- changes are underway in Iran.” ducer Martha De Laurentiis (“Hannibal”), Spanish- become so accustomed to the one-man crew he’d long since for- tigious Golden Bear top prize for “The Thin Red Line” in The only documentary in the race, “The Pearl Button” German actor Daniel Bruehl (“Rush”) and previous gotten he was there. 1999 and the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2011 for “The Tree by Patricio Guzman, traces an arc from the story of Golden Bear winner Claudia Llosa, the Peruvian director Compelling as both nonfiction narrative and character cap- of Life”, would attend the red-carpet premiere. Chile’s indigenous people to the more recent bloody of “The Milk of Sorrow”. Last year, Chinese director Diao ture, the pic has a laserlike focus strengthened by the lack of Seydoux, the latest Bond girl in the British spy fran- history under Augusto Pinochet. Yinan’s gritty cop thriller “Black Coal, Thin Ice” took soundtracked music or other packaging filigree. — Reuters chise, returns to Berlin with French director Benoit Germany’s Wim Wenders, who will accept an home the Golden Bear. — AFP OSN brings the best content for customers with latest technology

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 39

In this Dec. 9, 2009, file photo, Elvis items cover the first floor of the Holly Springs, Miss., home of the late Paul MacLeod, an Elvis fanatic who called his house “Graceland Too,” and was dedicated to the “King.” Walls covered with the albums, singles and their covers were among the items auctioned yesterday. MacLeod died last summer. — AP

Sundance Ignites 2016 Oscar race with ‘Brooklyn,’ ‘Grandma’ and more

rooklyn,” a drama about an Irish immigrant’s jour- “Brooklyn,” which plays like a cross between 2009’s “An hasn’t sold yet, the right distributor for an awards season play real people, and Segel manages to disappear onscreen ney to America, premiered at the Sundance Film Education” and 2002’s “In America” (both Oscar contenders), is push. and inhabit the celebrated author who was ambivalent about “BFestival on Monday night without much advance anchored by a career-best performance from Saoirse Ronan as Given how weak the best actress races have in recent years, his own fame. If distributor A24 positions Eisenberg as best buzz. But when the lights at the Eccles Theatre in Park City a young Irish woman who in 1952 makes the journey to New 2015 could mark a change, because Sundance featured anoth- supporting actor (even though he shares screentime with came up two hours later, to a rapturous standing ovation, it York. Ronan, who was previously nominated for 2007’s er strong prospect for the category. That would be Lily Tomlin Segel), he could also potentially eke out his second Oscar nod was clear that Sundance had just screened one of the best “Atonement,” will almost certainly be back at the ceremony for “Grandma,” a roadtrip comedy starring the veteran actress. after 2010’s “The Social Network.” films of the year. Within 24 hours, Fox Searchlight defeated its next year. The Academy loves a good cry, and “Brooklyn” hits The film doesn’t premiere until Friday night, but it sparked Finally, the Sundance crowd favorite was “Me & Earl rival studios (including the Weinstein Co. and Focus Features) the sweet spot since it checks three important boxes: it’s a enough fireworks at a press-and-industry screening to prompt & The Dying Girl,” dubbed as this year’s “The Fault in Our in a heated bidding war, and landed “Brooklyn” for $9 million. tearjerker, a period piece and features lots of accents. It’s likely Sony Pictures Classics to scoop it up. Tomlin, playing a 70- Stars,” because of a storyline about a high school senior That deal, the biggest at this year’s festival, also kicked off the that the film will compete in top categories like best picture, something celebrity lesbian poet in mourning after she losing (Thomas Mann) who befriends a classmate with leukemia Oscars 2016 race. best director (John Crowley), best screenplay (Nick Hornby for her partner, embarks on a journey with her pregnant grand- (Olivia Cook). The Academy isn’t particularly good at recogniz- It might seem ridiculously early to be handicapping an adapting Colm Toibin’s novel) and best costume. daughter. Those who have already seen the film say Tomlin ing movies about young people, but “Me & Earl”-which awards show that’s still 13 months away. But the snow-cov- In addition to Ronan, Sundance gave an enthusiastic wel- carries the dialogue-heavy picture, especially during a long was acquired by Fox Searchlight-is reminiscent in of best-pic- ered theaters in Park City can be the first stop on the long come to Blythe Danner in “I’ll See You in My Dreams.” This dra- and emotional scene with Sam Elliot. ture nominee “Juno’s” irreverent tone. If the movie and per- road to awards season. In 2014, matic comedy from director Brett Haley earned its 71-year-old Sundance buyers were quick to note how this year’s films formances don’t make the cut, the Academy could still reward Sundance launched the campaigns for best picture-nomi- star-carrying a film for the first time in her career-unanimous were unusually strong. As a result, don’t be surprised if “The Jesse Andrews’ thoughtful and witty script (which he adapted nees “Whiplash” (which opened the festival) and “Boyhood,” cheers. “I’ll See You in My Dreams,” which centers on a widow End of the Tour” manages to mount an awards season run from his own novel). Check back in 12 months to see how where Richard Linklater and the cast of his top-secret project grappling with her own mortality in a L.A. retirement home, is with a fall release. The drama, directed by James Ponsoldt, these predictions hold up. — Reuters met with reporters for the first time. Sundance isn’t a bad a movie with themes that would speak to the Academy’s focuses on a five-day interview between David Foster Wallace Rorschach test for the Oscars, because the audience here- mature voters (a la “Still Alice”). And Danner, who comes from (Jason Segel) and Rolling Stone journalist David Lipsky (Jesse mostly older film aficionados-can mirror the taste of Oscar a Hollywood family, is a familiar face-long overdue for her first Eisenberg) that took place in 1996, shortly after the publica- voters. Oscar nomination. It’s just a matter of finding the film, which tion of “Infinite Jest.” The Academy loves to honor actors who

Montecito Award recipient Jennifer Aniston attends the Actor Chris Pratt and producer Frank Marshall attend the Luciana Barroso and Matt Damon attend the 65th Annual Actress Amanda Fuller attends the 65th Annual ACE Eddie Hennessy VIP post-party at the Santa Barbara 65th Annual ACE Eddie Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel ACE Eddie Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel. International Film Festival at the Arlington Theatre in on Friday in Beverly Hills, California. Hills, California. Santa Barbara, California. — AP/ AFP photos