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Min 09º Max 27º High Tide 09:23 & 19:27 Low Tide THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 JAMADA ALAWWAL 10, 1437 AH www.kuwaittimes.net 02:09 & 13:50 40 PAGES NO: 16790 150 FILS Amir attends Indian student Iran snubs Ronaldo ends Quran contest attacked in Doha proposal, road scoring awards, visits court as sedition won’t freeze drought in 2-0 Azayez 3farm row12 boils over oil23 output win20 at Roma Sisi hails Egypt-Kuwait ties Egyptian president meets Kuwaiti media delegation

CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi meets Kuwait Times Editor-in- Chief Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan yesterday. — KUNA (See Page 5)

CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah and he fully trusted President Sisi’s sincere Al-Sisi yesterday reiterated the strength attitudes and feelings towards Kuwait as and depth of ties linking Egypt and well as the nationalistic role regionally Kuwait at both official and people-to- played by the Egyptian armed forces. people levels. In an interview with a Sisi began the interview by welcom- Kuwaiti press delegation, including ing the Kuwaiti media delegation and Kuwait News Agency Chief Editor Saad extending congratulations on the occa- Al-Ali, Kuwait Times Editor-in-Chief Abd sion of celebrating the 55th National Day Al-Rahman Al-Alyan and other chief edi- and the 25th Liberation Day anniver- tors, Sisi stressed that the Egyptian peo- saries in addition to the tenth anniver- ple greatly appreciate Kuwaiti leaders sary of HH the Amir’s succession. Sisi and people. expressed best wishes to HH Sheikh KUNA’s editor-in-chief Ali hailed the Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah for achieving role played by the Egyptian armed forces stability, welfare and prosperity for the during Kuwait’s liberation war in 1991 and brotherly state of Kuwait and its people the Egyptian blood that was shed on and emphasized the great feelings and Kuwaiti soil. He stressed that the Kuwaiti appreciation the Egyptian people felt people believe that Egypt will forever towards the brotherly Kuwaiti people. remain the main supporter of all Arabs Continued on Page 13 Oil well fire contained KPC inks Asia oil export deal KUWAIT: A fire that erupted at an oil well in northern Kuwait has been extin- guished, KUNA reported yesterday. Government-run Kuwait Oil Co announced the fire earlier in the day, with an official saying that firefighters were working to put it out. Company spokesman Saad Al-Azmi was quoted by KUNA saying the incident began with an oil spill that happened late Tuesday. He did not specify where it took place or any- thing about its size. Prime Minister HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah later KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister visited the site and praised efforts that led Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah to “the speedy extinguishing of the fire”. inspects the site of an oil well blaze Continued on Page 13 yesterday. — KUNA 28 killed in Ankara PAGE attack on military

CAIRO: In this Sept 19, 2015 photo, veteran Egyptian journalist Mohamed Heikal jokes with friends days before his 92nd birthday at his house. — AP Veteran writer Heikal dies CAIRO: Veteran Egyptian journalist sidered the region’s newspaper of Mohamed Hassanein Heikal, one of the record. He had been ill for three weeks, Arab world’s most prominent political and suffered fluid in his lungs and kid- commentators and a former adviser to ney failure, Al-Ahram reported on its president Gamal Abdel Nasser, died yes- website. Heikal, who was born in the terday aged 92, state media reported. Nile Delta province of Qalubiya on Sept Heikal served as editor-in-chief of state- 23, 1923, authored more than 10 books owned daily Al-Ahram from 1957 to on the conflicts and political intrigues of 1974, and under his tenure it was con- the region. — AFP (See Page 7) LOCAL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 Lulu opens 6th Hypermarket in Kuwait Store count reaches 123

KUWAIT: The 123rd Lulu Hypermarket, Egeila in Kuwait was officially inaugurated by Dr Abdullah Al-Owaisi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the presence of Sheikh Malek Al-Humoud Al-Malek Al-Sabah, Sunil Jain, Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Yusuff Ali MA, Chairman of Lulu Group, Saifee Rupawala, CEO, Ashraf Ali MA, Executive Director, Mohamed Haris, Regional Director Lulu Kuwait.

KUWAIT: Middle East retail major Lulu Group duced inaugural offers and deals for a range has further expanded its presence in the of products at attractive prices. State of Kuwait by opening its latest Hypermarket in Egaila in the Ahmadi Preferred destination Governorate. The new Hypermarket, which is Speaking after the inauguration, Yusuff Ali also 6th in Kuwait was officially inaugurated MA, Chairman of Lulu, said “Kuwait has always by Dr Abdullah Al-Owaisi, Undersecretary, been a preferred destination for us because of Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the its stable political environment and promising presence of Sheikh Malek Al-Humoud Al- market. We thank His Highness the Amir Sheikh Malek Al-Sabah, Sunil Jain, Indian Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the Ambassador to Kuwait and other several people of this country for encouraging us in all high-ranking officials from various govern- our expansion strategies and efforts in Kuwait.” ment departments and representatives from The group has also plans to open 4 new hyper- local business communities. markets in various regions of the country in the Located at Sama Mall in South Kuwait, the next two years in a phased manner. new 150,000-sq-ft Lulu hypermarket will Regardless of the challenges arising from serve the residents of Egaila and its surround- the volatile oil prices, Yusuff Ali expressed opti- ing areas with a one-stop shopping destina- mism on the economic outlook of the country. tion for the growing city dwellers, which “We are very optimistic based on the circum- include Nationals and Expatriate community. stances in general. The impact of fluctuating As always Lulu hypermarket provides the oil prices is not going to distract us from the widest range of quality and value-for-money long-term goals of our business in Kuwait.” products all under one roof. Other important attendees at the inaugu- The product mix in Lulu Egaila will also ration: Lulu Group CEO Saifee Rupawala, include a wide selection of premium UK and Executive Director - Ashraf Ali MA, Kuwait US goods, including special products air- Regional Director, Mohamed Haris and other flown for freshness. The outlet has also intro- top officials. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 LOCAL Amir patronizes Quran contest awards ceremony

(From left) His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Amir (From left) Chairman of Kuwait’s Supreme Judicial Council and the Cassation Court, and President of the Constitutional Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem and His Highness Court, Justice Yousef Al-Mutawa’a, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Sheikh Jaber Al- Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah attend the ceremony. Abdullah Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah are seen in attendance.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah awards a contestant. Al-Jaber Al-Sabah awards another contestant. KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and other officials are pictured with the honorees during a ceremony to honor winners of Kuwait’s 19th Grand Quran Memorization and Recitation Competition. — Amiri Diwan photos KUWAIT: The ceremony to honor winners of Council and the Cassation Court and while the ceremony also included a movie Kuwait’s 19th Grand Quran Memorization and President of the Constitutional Court Judge presentation of the competition’s history. In Recitation Competition was held at Bayan Yousef Al-Mutawa’a, First Deputy Prime his speech at the event, Minister of Justice Palace yesterday, under the patronage of His Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Islamic Affairs Yaqoub Al-Sanea said that The ceremony was attended by His Interior Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al- there were 200 winners out of 1,158 partici- Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Amiri pants, representing 33 governmental and Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, National Assembly Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah, charitable bodies in the country. The compe- Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem, His Highness Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of titions aims to spread the peaceful teachings the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Defense Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah and principles of the Quran, said the minister, Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, His Highness Sheikh and senior officials and sheikhs. adding that the General Secretariat of Awqaf His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is seen with children Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Amir presented the will continue its efforts to develop society on awarded during the ceremony. chairman of Kuwait’s Supreme Judicial awards to the winners of the competition, all levels. — KUNA

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah arrives to the Azayez farm in the north- ern Al-Abdali yesterday. — Amiri Diwan photos Sheikh Ali Jaber Al-Ahmad holds luncheon for top leaders

KUWAIT: Sheikh Ali Jaber Al-Ahmad Al- Sabah held a luncheon for the top lead- ers at his ‘Azayez farm’ in the northern Al-Abdali farming region. It was attend- ed by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, senior sheikhs, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al- Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- Sabah, Amiri Diwan Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- Hamad Al-Sabah and other members of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and His Highness the eminent Al-Sabah Family. — KUNA the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah attend the luncheon.

Sheikh Ali Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah welcomes His His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to Al-Sabah (right) and Minister of the Amiri Diwan Sheikh the venue. Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (left) arrive to the venue. LOCAL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 Army’s Chief of Staff visits Municipality denies allocating Kuwaiti troops in Saudi Arabia only one day for expatriates KUWAIT: Kuwaiti Army’s Chief of Staff non-commissioned officers, and per- and positive enthusiasm to perform Lieutenant General Mohammad sonnel are fine and have all their their job to the fullest, wishing them By Meshaal Al-Enezi make it a touristic, economic and without enough studies. Ghareeb Khaled Al-Khoder has visited the needs, Ministry’s Directorate of Moral safety and return home triumphant recreational attraction. gave examples of amendments that Kuwaiti troops in Saudi Arabia, as part Guidance and Public Relations said in after assisting their colleagues and KUWAIT: Kuwait Municipality In this regard, Kamal said that had been hastily made by the of the international coalition, to check a press statement. counterparts in coalition countries. strongly denied any plans to accept the location was so vital and that a penalties imposed on committing on them, meet their needs, and facili- He also listened to a briefing on Lt Gen Khoder was accompanied expatriates’ transactions only on security checkpoint would be construction-related violations, tate all potentials for them to perform the role and duty carried out by the by Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Tuesdays, said informed sources. added to the new amenities to be holding owners legally responsible their military duties to the fullest, Kuwaiti troops taking part in the inter- planning in Kuwaiti Army Major- Some bloggers have published a built there because the area is being for them without referring to offi- Defense Ministry said yesterday. national coalition, expressing his General Ahmad Abdulwahab Al-Amiri, fake copy of an alleged decision visited by all citizens, expats and vis- cial bodies that had allowed them During his visit, Lt Gen Khoder reit- pride of the Kuwait army and its brave Infantry Commander Major General issued by the municipality to itors, as it is a highly significant and in the first place, and increasing the erated Deputy Premier and Defense members for their significant role in Sheikh Khaled Saleh Al-Sabah, Air announce this, the sources noted. historic one. “Street name signs will number of municipal council mem- Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al- performing and implementing their Force Deputy Commander Group Cpt. The municipality also stressed that be used in both Arabic and English bers. Sabah’s keenness on such visits to assigned duties. Abdullah Al-Foudari, and a number of employees responsible for making in the surrounding area,” he added, make sure all Kuwaiti military officers, He also praised their high spirit senior army officers. — KUNA and circulating such fake directives noting that electric golf carts would Too many topics would be held accountable be also provided for elderly people Chairman of the municipal coun- because it would never discrimi- within the market. cil’s legal and financial committee nate between citizens’ and expats’ Moussa stressed that the area Mane Al-Ajmi said that most of the Establishing fourth telecom transactions. was a major tourist attraction topics in a recent meeting agenda because of its unique design and had been postponed because they Mubarakiya market historic significance. He added that were too many to discuss. Ajmi company premature: Authority Chairman of the Capital commit- new parking areas would be added added that a letter from the fatwa tee in the Municipal Council Hassan and that the market’s entries and and legislation department con- By A Saleh ices. Othainah also stressed that talks ing the telecom market once national Kamal yesterday accompanied the exits would be developed. cerning regulations of building about establishing a fourth telecom employees were appointed and the committee’s rapporteur Ali Al- telecom towers was discussed and KUWAIT: Chairman of the newly company was still premature and headquarters at the Liberation Tower Mousa, the council’s secretary gen- Amendments that the council’s secretariat gener- established telecommunications could not be confirmed or denied was prepared and equipped. He eral Yousif Al-Sogobi and the Municipal Council member and al had been asked to rephrase the authority Salem Al-Othainah because the authority had requested added that the authority had already municipality’s deputy director head of Hawally committee Yousif regulations chart before making explained that the authority has been conducting a comprehensive study of started adjusting all telecom and Yousif Al-Menawer on a tour of Al-Ghareeb demanded reconsider- the final decision on the commit- established to regulate and organize the local telecom market before mak- Internet companies’ licenses and that Mubarakiya market, where they ing the amendments the Cabinet tee’s next meeting. “The regulations the local telecom business, set rules ing the final decision. Othianah said an ad was published in local dailies reviewed possible means to devel- recently approved to municipal law include conditioning building those and monitor the services subscribers that by August, the authority would requesting recruitment of Kuwaiti op the Mubarakiya market area and number 5/2005 because some of towers at least 12-20 meters away receive, be they calls or Internet serv- officially and effectively start monitor- technical and administrative staff and add new services to the site to those amendments had been done from private residences,” he said. that there was no intention in the time being to hire expats. Gulf subsidy reforms not State security law enough to plug deficit: Moody’s The constitutional court’s contests DUBAI: Fuel subsidy reforms by Gulf Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United committee yesterday accepted a con- states will help reduce pressure on Arab Emirates. All of them posted a test arguing the unconstitutionality of budgets but are not enough to off- budget deficit last year. article 4 of the state security law and set deficits resulting from low oil Moody’s forecast that the price of decided reviewing it by the court lat- prices, ratings agency Moody’s said. oil will average $33 a barrel in 2016, er. Lawyer Refai Al-Ajmi argued that Savings from increased fuel prices in way below its price of around $110 a the article states: “He who, without the six Gulf nations will average 0.5 barrel before it began to decline in government permission, mobilizes percent of gross domestic product mid-2014. It estimated the price to troops or commits any hostilities (GDP) — around $7 billion-this year be $38 a barrel next year. against a foreign country in a way that against an estimated deficit of 12.4 “While the GCC governments’ might subject Kuwait to war or cut- percent of GDP, it said. balance sheets remain solid on a ting diplomatic relations would be “Recent moves to reform subsi- consolidated basis, we anticipate a punished by temporary imprisonment dies signal political willingness to sharp deterioration in the govern- of not less than three years and in address the damaging effect of low ments’ net asset position as a conse- case such actions do cause war or cut- oil prices on budgets,” said Moody’s quence of the decline in oil prices,” ting diplomatic relations, the penalty analyst Mathias Angonin. “However, Moody’s said. would be life imprisonment”, which is they fall short of the scale of eco- The reforms will however lead to very vague in terms of defining ‘hostil- nomic and fiscal reform required to efficiency gains, reduce distortions ities.’ He argued that accordingly, achieve budget balance,” he said. caused by very low prices and cut bloggers had been prosecuted over All the six Gulf Cooperation domestic energy consumption, it freedom of expression cases though Council (GCC) states, which depend said. Moody’s expects GCC states to ‘hostilities’ should involve substantial heavily on oil income, have reduced take other fiscal measures such as actual actions while bloggers only generous fuel, electricity and other raising corporate taxes and intro- commit verbal slander. “The court will subsidies to cut spending in the face ducing value-added taxes in the of falling revenues. The GCC groups face of a long period of low oil rev- look into the contest and if it is energy-rich Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, enues. — AFP accepted, this article will be cancelled or the term ‘hostilities’ would be more KUWAIT: This handout photo provided by the Interior Ministry shows the five suspects following their arrest elaborately explained,” he added. yesterday. Five arrested for attacking officer

By Hanan Al-Saadoun Abdelmohsen, Egyptian, 23, Sultan outside their homes. Thamer Al-Muqaihet, Kuwaiti, 24 and KUWAIT: The Interior Ministry’s Falah Hassan Ali, bedoon (stateless). All Truck driver arrested Relations and Security Information suspects were under the influence of Border security arrested a sewage Department announced that police drugs during the time of arrest, the water tanker truck driver while empty- arrested a person who attacked a ministry said. They were taken to the ing sewage in the border area south of police officer yesterday along with four proper authorities for further action. the country. The driver was taken to accomplices. Footage of the suspect the environment police department who performed an indecent gesture Foul play for further action. then attacked the officer went viral on Investigations are ongoing to iden- social media yesterday. The officer had tify a suspect believed to have set Embezzlement to be taken to the hospital with what three cars on fire yesterday. Evidence A citizen who owns a company that appeared to be a rib injury. The prime of foul play have been found on the specializes in selling water tanks filed a suspect was identified as Ibrahim scene where the fire was reported. complaint against two Egyptian work- Mohammad Ibrahim, Jordanian, 32. His Firefighters had rushed to the scene ers for breach of trust, saying that they accomplices were identified as after three persons reported that their embezzled almost KD 18,000 and left Mohammad Nasser, Syrian, 20, Ahmad vehicles were set ablaze while parked the country on February 14, 2016. Kuwait arms law reduces deadly, harmful incidents

KUWAIT: The unlicensed arms and with the traffic authority, the special central general directorate, said explosives’ collection law, a year after security and the media security reports and tip-offs about hearing its enforcement, has resulted in sub- departments, have been, after obtain- sound of gunfire shooting dropped stantially reducing rates of incidents ing necessary legal permissions, from 1,042 in 2014 to 405 in 2015, or accidents that lead to fatalities or searching suspected vehicles on main those witnessing shooting fell from critical injuries. Moreover, it has led to roads and alleyways for concealed 947 in 2014 to 482 in 2015. Calls about lower shooting occurrences during unlicensed weapons. The search on shooting during weddings decreased ceremonies. the roads is a prelude to raiding loca- from 415 in 2013 to 291 in 2014 and The law enforcement, coupled with tions with suspected hidden arms or 83 the next year. Enforcing the law has a media campaign, has resulted in col- explosives. also resulted in increasing number of lecting 9,407 guns, pistols (revolvers) Brigadier Suhail added that the calls about arms possession, reaching and ‘Showzen’ rifles, more than 59 MoI personnel have set up check- 37 in 2015, compared to 19 in 2014. tons of ammunition, thus boosting points, data gathering points and the State efforts for maintaining peo- have obtained judicial approval for Maintaining security ples’ safety. raiding hideouts of persons who have Meanwhile, eminent Kuwaiti Brigadier Abdulrahman Al-Suhail, not heeded the warning to surrender lawyer Dokhi Al-Hasban, who doubles the head of the General Directorate their arms or ammunition. He also as Assistant Secretary General of the for Arms Collection of the Ministry of urged informants to call 112 to report Arab Lawyers Union, lauded the law, Interior, said in an interview with about concealment or possession of blessed by the Parliament last year, KUNA that the department would such ordnance. affirming that its effectiveness would continue carrying out surprise raids to help in maintaining security and sta- cleanse the country of unlicensed Deadly incidents bility of the country. arms, ammunition and explosives, Meanwhile, Brigadier Adel Al- The National Assembly approved, emphasizing “the law would be Hashash, the head of the General on January 27th, last year, the law enforced equally on every-one.” Directorate of Relations and Security which in part stipulated that posses- Information, said that the law enforce- sion of unlicensed military ordnance is No pardon ment has contributed to cutting rates punishable with five years in prison, There will be no pardon for those of violent and deadly incidents. He along with a KD 10,000 fine, or one of who have retained their arms beyond called on citizens and residents to the two penalties. the four-month grace period for vol- help in the efforts to stop shooting Those who engage in trades or untary handover, according to instruc- into the air during joyful or sad occa- hold connections with terrorist cells tions of Deputy Prime Minister and sions. The MoI has carried out a media for making arms transactions are pun- Minister of Interior Sheikh campaign, simultaneously with exe- ished with 10 years behind bars and a Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, cuting the arms law, targeting all con- KD 50,000 fine. The law in its sixth arti- Undersecretary Lieutenant General cerned segments of the society, he cle essentially stipulates amnesty for Sulaiman Al-Fahad and Assistant said, expressing gratitude to all those those who hand over their unlicensed Undersecretary for Criminal Security who have interacted with the cam- guns within four months, effective the Major General Abdulhamid Al- paign and have given up their guns. date of publishing law in the official Awadhi. Major Abdullah Al-Dosari, in gazette. —KUNA Tasked personnel, in coordination charge of reports at the operations THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 LOCAL Young entrepreneurs talk on turning small projects into successful businesses

By Nawara Fattahova results were achieved just by five years of hard work. We are not just a project, but an added val- KUWAIT: The Kuwait Economic Society held a ue to the community. We have founded a center symposium on ‘How small Kuwait projects for social responsibility that provides many serv- turned into giant ones’ at its premises on ices to the community including preserving the Tuesday. During this event, two young Kuwaiti environment, supporting students’ projects, entrepreneurs spoke about their success stories courses and symposiums and sports activities and how they turned their small projects into for free,” Fadhala said. He also spoke about an ini- successful businesses. tiative he is working on to make Kuwait a ‘food Rakan Al-Fadhala, founding partner of capital’. Chocolateness, shared his success story of shift- ing from a home kitchen to a successful bakery. Start from starch “I started with selling one kind of chocolate cake Abdulwahab Al-Essa, Manager of OMedia, is made at home in a stall at a university festival for another success story, who set up from scratch a KD 1. I sold 400 cakes in two days, which made business worth hundreds of thousands of dinars. CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi meets members of a Kuwaiti media delegation yesterday. — KUNA me KD 400, and this was a great success for me “I worked as a TV presenter presenting political as I was still a student, although it may be a small programs. At that time, I was using social media, amount for the economy. It was a motivation for particularly Twitter, as most people did in 2009, me to start my project,” he noted. and people were bothering me with demands Conference helps resolve conflicts to post their news. One time, I posted a sentence ‘Just for fun’ about a football match and I received about a Fadhala’s project had three stages. “The first million insults of the other team, so I decided to in int’l economic issues: Minister stage was ‘just for fun’, selling at the stall at the take revenge and exploit Twitter to set up a busi- university in 2008. In my second participation in ness, and I did. I came up with the idea of adver- By Faten Omar tion in the field of investment in terms of trade for ence will resolve disputes by continuous develop- the same university event, I sold 800 cakes, and tising through celebrities on social media. Then I faster economic growth, pointing to the necessity ment, and the KCCI is keen to participate in the the third time I sold 1,000 cakes. After this unex- founded a company to get rid of the calls and I KUWAIT: The Ministry of Justice, in collaboration of activating ways of judicial facilitation in resolving organization of this conference to provide an oppor- pected success and high demand by students started to love Twitter,” he pointed out. with the international Permanent Court Of conflicts related to trade and economic domain dis- tunity for professionals and experts to meet and for my cakes, I started a home-based business Today he participates in most regional and Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague, held the fourth con- putes, especially with their wide range of effects share their experiences with each other, leading to and delivered to customers, which was the sec- local conferences and summits. “Once I noticed ference on arbitration yesterday at the Regency and implications on the global and regional recommendations for the development of continu- ond phase of my project,” he explained. that when I advertised for a restaurant with a Hotel. Minister of Justice, Minister of Awqaf and economies. Sane added that the International Court ous techniques and methods of investment.” In 2009, he hired his first driver and launched fashionista, all comments where about her Islamic Affairs Yaqoub Al-Sane said the conference of Arbitration is keen to open branches in countries The two-day conference will discuss several sug- his first branch. “Before launching my first shop, I makeup and outfits rather than the restaurant will review the opinions and experiences of regional around the world, and soon there will be an agree- gestions during seven workshops about the frame- faced many problems. The first was the condi- and the meals. So I decided to benefit from the and international legal experts. “The importance of ment between Kuwait and the court to open a work of international arbitration in investment and tion of KD 15,000 as capital to establish my proj- agents of these outfits and makeup who gained the conference lies in how we can resolve conflict in branch in Kuwait for the GCC countries and the review the most prominent international conven- ect, so I worked from home till 2011 till I collect- from the ad without paying, and I launched a vir- international economic issues,” he said. “Arbitration region. tions, such as the Washington Agreement which ed the sum for the license. With this capital, we tual online store for fashionistas. I diverted the is considered one of the most important mecha- established the International Centre for Settlement launched our first shop in July 2011. I used the fashion comments to the link of the website and nisms in the field of international investment as it Continuous development of Investment Disputes, the Geneva Convention, services of 37 young Kuwaiti entrepreneurs to people were only sharing restaurant experi- meets the requirements of international trade and Ali Thunayyan Al-Ghanem, Chairman of the and the convention for settlement of investment launch my shop from A to Z. Only the wall paint ences. Furthermore, I provided GCC-wide sales achievement,” he said. Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), disputes within the framework of the Economic was from a company,” Fadhala said. for the followers of these fashionistas, which Sane also highlighted the importance of arbitra- said: “There is no doubt that this arbitration confer- Unity Council. More achievements followed. “Today, made a great turnover for my website. I made $1 Chocolateness has six branches in all Kuwait’s million in the first quarter by selling the items, governorates. We also have warehouses and a while Amazon made just $200,000 in the same small factory. And we are planning to launch period, which I consider a great success,” Minister says committed to following branches in other GCC countries in 2017. These beamed Essa. court order on teachers’ allowances

By Meshaal Al-Enezi of a constitutional court’s ruling which renders teachers in total. Meanwhile, the ministry’s the disparity of allowance pay between male and Assistant Undersecretary for Financial Affairs KUWAIT: The Ministry of Education is committed female teachers unconstitutional. Yousuf Al-Najjar was quoted by the press yester- to following a court order which grants female “We are committed to implementing court day as saying that the ministry cannot pay the expatriate teachers an equal rent allowance com- orders,” said Essa, who is also the state’s Minister allowances unless the Finance Ministry approves pared to their male counterparts, Minister Dr of Higher Education, during a national festival an expansion to the budget allocated for teachers’ Bader Al-Essa said yesterday. organized by Kuwait University and titled ‘Kuwait: allowances. The government has recently issued a decision between the past and present.’ Several lawmakers had criticized the timing of to amend the residence allowance of female Implementing the decision retroactively the decision, coming at a time in which the gov- expatriate teachers to become KD 150 instead of means each female teacher would get around KD ernment has taken austerity measures which MPs’ KUWAIT: (From left) Abdulwahab Al-Essa,Manager of OMedia, Abdulwahab Al-Babtain, KD 60, and pay them retroactively starting from 6,000, while a budget of around KD 40 million say have affected Kuwaitis’ privileges including Kuwait Economic Society board member and Rakan Al-Fadhala, Founding Partner of April 1, 2011. The decision is an implementation would have to be allocated to pay nearly 14,000 allocations of the treatment overseas program. Chocolatness attend the press conference. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 From the Arabic press

Crime Al-Qabas Report An inept Drug smuggling government attempts foiled By Qais Al-Usta KUWAIT: Abdaly custom officers foiled two smuggling attempts of hashish and Captagon to the country. A cus- t is clear to any follower of our wise government that it toms source said the first operation included an attempt to Income explicitly failed to deliver the idea of how important it is to smuggle two kilograms of hashish, while the second includ- Irationalize spending, because the follower of all what is ed an attempt to smuggle 25,944 Captagon tablets, which published in papers and social media will realize that the citi- were caught with a Syrian truck driver coming from Iraq. zen still doubts the numbers and ideas given to him. He also has logical and substantial questions about the rationaliza- Thief caught tion process. A citizen asks why do we need a middleman every time we decide to purchase civil or military aircraft? Salwa police arrested a citizen in his thirties, who Why do we need an intermediary each time it is decided to appeared in footage on social media robbing and run- equip some sectors? ning over a grocery shop worker in Salmiya. He was Another asks about facilitators in oil deals and the astro- also found to be wanted on five similar cases. The Spending nomical figures we hear about. Why are the names of the arrest was made in Salwa and detectives took the sus- mediators not published and the amount of money they pect to the department where he confessed to com- receive? A third citizen asks: Why is a facility established in China (for example) for a certain cost, and established with mitting five thefts using the same method in various the same specifications at three times the cost here? Is the areas of Hawally governorate. Kuwaiti brick made of gold and the bricks of others made of copper? A fourth citizen asks: Why create new authorities? Officers injured Al-Jarida And why are they added to the documentary cycles? If it is to benefit some individuals and give them positions, give them Captain Mubarak Al-Hajraf and policeman Mohammad the incentives and let them stay at home, because this will be Abdelhamid were run over by a reckless driver when they less costly for public funds and less harmful. attempted to stop him in Taima. A security source said Al-Anbaa Why did we increase the number of appointed municipal while Jahra patrolmen trying to control reckless drivers in council members? And are we going to see the innovation of Jahra, a driver in a sports car hit them, and they were taken a municipality minister in the appointments? What about to Jahra Hospital. The driver is being sought. treatment abroad? And why its numbers jumped in a scary Cheap oil and the weapons market fashion in the past four years? What about tenders? And why companies that were convicted in the United States for pay- Policemen questioned By Thaar Al-Rasheedi ing bribes in Kuwait were qualified, and where are the 60,000 supervisory departments? Director general of criminal detectives Maj Gen n an article published on Sept 7, 2013, I wrote that made considerable surpluses when oil prices remained Now, after all these questions, I realized why the govern- Mahmoud Al-Tabbakh ordered the electronic crimes our country is lucky and history has proved this. I over $100 a barrel for over eight years. ment failed along with some parties in the National Assembly team to question officers and policemen who pho- Iwrote that our country was very lucky because when I wrote this in an article over two and a half years in convincing the street with the process of stopping the tographed the body of a Kuwait woman who was Japanese cultured pearls were invented in 1928, the ago, and today, when prices have fallen to less than $30 squandering. By the way: Municipality and Communications Minister Essa Al-Kandari’s arrival at the premises of a National allegedly killed by an Ethiopian maid in Andalus. A pearling industry in Kuwait was negatively affected and a barrel, experts, analysts and others came out to pre- Assembly candidate proves without a shadow of a doubt that security source said those who handled the case are the years following 1932 were known as the ‘diving set- dict how the country would look like in the post-oil era, back’ years. Yet that setback did not last long and within giving lots of pessimistic opinions. Well, the truth is that we are in a country of capriciousness, because logic has it that being summoned for questioning to determine who if there was any accountability, the minister would be forced leaked the citizen’s photo. a few years we found black gold and struck oil, starting our country is full of luck and oil prices will go back to with the first oil well in 1936, then discovering the normal rates of over $100 in less than 24 months. I say to resign because his presence means the government sup- world’s second largest oilfield - Burgan - in 1938. Thus, this out of political analyses, because America will not ports candidates at the expense of others, and it is not enough for some to act smartly by saying this is a personal Walkie-talkie missing Kuwait shifted from a country that almost vanished and simply allow oil countries’ economies to collapse, got crushed by a severe economic crisis into one run- because they are the main buyers of weapons manufac- act, because the minister is a public figure who belongs to a A citizen told police that a walkie-talkie that belonged to ning one of the most important natural resources in the tured in their factories. cohesive government. I advise any candidate who loses in the by-elections to accuse the government of interfering in +his company was stolen from his car. The prosecution is world. The US will work on reviving high oil prices in politi- the election process, because of the presence of the minister investigating. Something else proves that this country is blessed by cal and economic ways. However, to know how and in the premises of a candidate, which is seen as the govern- both oil and luck. In the late 1990s, oil prices dropped to when this will be done, one has to wait for the coming ment’s backing of this candidate. And please appoint legal $7 a barrel, which led to a $5 billion deficit in 1999. months, particularly in view of the accelerating regional advisors instead of this bad situation. Breach of trust However, luck revived again and oil prices jumped to tensions. Translated by Kuwait Times Was the message delivered? I hope so. $24 and kept rising for years, during which the country — —Translated by Kuwait Times A citizen accused two expats of breach of trust. He told police he gave the expats KD 29,700 to give it to a com- pany but they did not do so. Police are investigating. New airport terminal to Minister inquires License plates stolen on cases against Ahmadi detectives are looking for a thief who stole license make KD 500m annually unknown persons plates of a VIP’s car. The car’s owner complained to Nuwaiseeb police about the incident. It is believed the Landing, transit fees to be increased: Fouzan KUWAIT: An informed security source said Interior thief will use the plates on another car to avoid arrest. Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Sabah KUWAIT: Efforts are in progress to devel- expressed disappointment over statistics issued by the Vice acts op Kuwait international airport and research and studies center which revealed that security increase its capacity to meet growing traf- departments recorded 12,000 cases out of 32,000 cases Ahmadi prosecutor ordered the arrest of an expat who fic, as over 11 million passengers used the against unidentified perpetrators in 2014, which is equal threatened and blackmailed a compatriot. This action airport last year, civil aviation director to 48 percent of the total cases. The source said Sheikh came after a complaint by an Arab woman at Fintas Yousef Al-Fouzan said. Fouzan added that Mohammad asked security sectors to determine the rea- police station, saying she was being blackmailed and the new terminal would serve 25 million sons for the rise in crimes registered against unidentified urged to commit vice acts. —Al-Rai and Al-Anbaa passengers annually and that it would perpetrators, and not arresting the suspects. increase the directorate’s annual rev- The source said the minister received an answer on enues fivefold to over KD 500 million. the reason why crimes against unidentified perpetrators Interior warns banks Fouzan said that the civil aviation was are on the rise, saying there are many crimes of lesser also considering increasing the fees col- importance registered against unknowns that do not on potential ATM scams lected for landing at and using Kuwait affect the security situation, and some of them are relat- international airport as a transit stopover ed to private disputes or regarding financial issues, but as KUWAIT: Interior Ministry’s Undersecretary Lt Gen Suleiman Al- in order to increase the revenues to for important cases, stats show that the arrest percent- Fahd sent a letter to the president of Kuwait Banks Union with around KD 140 million. “Planes flying age is on the rise. regards to scams by international gangs withdrawing money through Kuwait’s air space currently pay The source said investigations is some thefts registered from ATMs illegally. He asked that a circular be sent to banks to $20, which is the cheapest fee in all GCC against unidentified perpetrators shows victims’ negli- take caution and be updated about the development of this states as it had been set in the 1980s,” he gence, as they behave in a way that encourages thieves to crime. The letter carried the title “purple circular number P233 noted, explaining that the new fees An artist’s rendition for the new terminal. commit crimes, by leaving things such as wallets or mobile operations” and is considered classified. It reads: “Based on a letter would be equal to those collected in oth- ing because the current terminal is now Aviation number 676. “This requires a phones in the car that are visible, or leaving the car run- from the Interpol secretariat general, which was issued at the er GCC airports. He added that the back- serving twice as much as its capacity. great deal of work to monitor their opera- ning while going into a store. The source said the majority request of the National Central Office in Malaysia, it describes cash up terminal that would serve 5 million Fouzan said that the total aviation and tion and receive complaints and take of those arrested are juveniles, unemployed people, ex- withdrawals from ATMs in a fraudulent way, so be careful and passengers would act as an overflow ter- travel companies operating in Kuwait and proper measures that may go as far as convicts and drugs addicts who usually commit robberies send to banks to be careful and cautious.” —Al-Rai minal in high seasons due to overcrowd- supervised and inspected by Civil closure,” he explained. —Al-Qabas to get money to buy their daily needs. —Al-Qabas

Ahmadi prepares for national celebrations

KUWAIT: Al-Ahmadi Governorate turns into a symbol of beauty during February as it gets ready to celebrate Kuwait’s National Day and the Liberation Day anniversary with colorful lightings and attractive dec- orations all over the streets. —KUNA THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016

Trump attacked from Lawyers and protesters clash over student’s arrest every sides in bitter primary race Page 12 Page 9

CAIRO: This file photo taken on February 6, 1999 shows Egyptian journalist Mohammad Hassenin Heikal (right) CAIRO: In this Sept 23, 2014 photo, Mohamed Heikal poses for a picture on his 91st birthday, at his office. — AP and comedian Adel Imam attending the funeral of Egyptian writer Lotfi Al-Kholi. —AFP Prolific Egyptian political writer Heikal dies Described as ‘the nation’s authentic memory’

CAIRO: Mohamed Heikal, a close confidant of the role of a top authority on Egyptian and try and the region in his eagerly awaited Friday Nasser’s successor, Anwar Sadat, sidelined book - “Mubarak and his age” - published in 2012, Egypt’s nationalist leader Gamal Abdel Nasser regional politics at a time when much of the Arab column entitled “Frankly.” The column, closely fol- Heikal shortly after he took office in 1970, remov- a year after Mubarak was ousted in a popular since the 1950s and later author of insider world was shaking off colonial European rule and lowed across the Arab world, became known for ing him from Al-Ahram in 1974, though he offered uprising. Despite his poor health, Heikal was fre- accounts of his country’s wars and peacemaking embroiled in armed conflict with Israel. Heikal’s “literary journalism,” a writing style emu- him the post of presidential adviser, which Heikal quently on TV in the past few years, sharing his with Israel, has died. He was 92. The leftist Nasserist ideology, which centered lated to this day by some of his proteges. declined. A decade later, in 1981, Sadat jailed him political views in lengthy interviews, first on State television said Heikal, whose health rap- around what Nasser called “Arab-socialism,” com- along with hundreds of government critics just a Qatar’s Al-Jazeera network and more recently on idly deteriorated at the start of the year, died yes- mands little influence in present-day Egyptian ‘Magnificent style’ month before the US-backed president was assas- the privately owned Egyptian network CBC. Heikal terday in Cairo. Better known among Egyptians by politics, but Heikal remained relevant long after Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi eulo- sinated by Islamic militants. His successor, Hosni is survived by three sons: Ali, Ahmed and Hassan. his full name, Mohamed Hassanein Heikal, he Nasser died, respected for his wide network of gized Heikal in a statement, saying the late author Mubarak, released Heikal and the others but kept Later yesterday, Heikal’s body was taken to Cairo’s recently suffered kidney problems that required international contacts and extraordinary analyti- “established a distinctive journalistic school that the author at arm’s length throughout his 29 years landmark Al-Hussein mosque in the city’s historic regular dialysis. The popular author rose to promi- cal skills. Career diplomat Mustafa el-Fiqi combined political analysis with a magnificent in office. medieval district, where a prayer for the dead was nence as a confidant and later a Cabinet minister described Heikal as “the nation’s authentic memo- writing style.” Heikal’s critics, however, often Heikal, who published about 40 books, passed held. He was later buried at the “House of Return”- under Nasser, Egypt’s socialist and Arab national- ry.” During his years as editor-in-chief of Cairo’s Al- accused him of being an “apologist” for Nasser’s a damning judgment on Sadat’s 11 years in power the name his family has given to its private burial ist president who ruled from 1954 until his sud- Ahram daily, Heikal tampered Egyptians’ distrust authoritarian style and restrictions on individual in his 1983 book “Autumn of Fury, The ground on the eastern edge of Cairo. Muslims den death in 1970. of the country’s tightly controlled state media freedoms, as well as for Egypt’s humiliating defeat Assassination of Sadat.” His sharply critical views of swiftly bury their dead in accordance with their His close friendship with Nasser cast Heikal in under Nasser with his insider’s take on the coun- in the 1967 war with Israel. Mubarak were evident in his Arabic-language faith’s teachings. — AP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016

Turk cop on trial for killing woman in ‘anti-terror’ raid

ISTANBUL: An Istanbul policeman went lished harrowing footage of the agency said. At least 22 people were terror squad to put on overshoes so as down on the DHKP-C, which has staged on trial yesterday charged with shoot- moment her family realized she had detained when police used water can- to not dirty the floor. a sporadic series of attacks in Turkey in ing dead a 25-year-old Turkish woman been shot. The case has won huge reso- non to break up a group of supporters The police have said the gun was the last years, as part of a broad anti-ter- suspected of links to far-left activists nance with the police under scrutiny of the family who sought to enter the fired in a scuffle after the family tried to ror operation also aimed at Islamic State during an “anti-terror” raid in the city. over allegedly heavy-handed tactics courthouse without authorization, snatch it away. Media reports have said (IS) and Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) Prosecutors have asked for 26.5 years employed in a massive crackdown reports added. the authorities suspected her of mem- members. Turkish media reports jail for the officer, named only as Y.M., against Islamist, Kurdish and Marxist Dogan’s parents have claimed their bership in the Revolutionary People’s Tuesday also said a separate investiga- over the killing of Dilek Dogan in the militant groups. daughter is an innocent victim and so Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), links to tion had been launched against her raid on her family home in the Sariyer The trial got underway amid a heavy far no concrete evidence has been put a gun attack on the US consulate in father Metin, her mother Aysel and her district on October 18. security presence at the Istanbul court- forward linking her to attacks. They say Istanbul and possible involvement in brother Mehmet on accusations of She died of her wounds in hospital house with Dilek Dogan’s mother, father she was killed after the policeman drew plans for a suicide bombing in the city. impeding the police officers in their on October 25. Turkish media later pub- and brother all present, the DHA news his weapon when she yelled at the anti- The authorities have been cracking work during the raid. —AFP 14 dead in Aden IS suicide bombing

ADEN: A suicide bomber killed at least 14 soldiers. It came a day after Al-Qaeda soldiers in Aden yesterday, in the latest claimed an attack on the convoy of Aden’s attack on Yemen’s second city claimed by governor and police chief in which four jihadists of the Islamic State group. The jihadists were killed. southern port city has been the headquar- Since March last year, when the Saudi- ters of forces loyal to President Abedrabbo led coalition intervened in support of Hadi, Mansour Hadi and his backers in a Saudi- IS has ramped up its operations in Yemen. led military coalition but has seen growing Its rival Al-Qaeda also has a significant pres- violence by IS and its jihadist rival Al- ence in the south and southeast. In Qaeda. October, IS claimed its first attacks in Aden- “A man detonated his explosive vest a series of bombings that targeted the gov- among soldiers,” a military source said. The ernment’s temporary headquarters and troops were attending a training session two military camps run by the coalition in run by Sudanese forces of the Saudi-led which 15 people were killed. coalition, another military source said. The Coalition forces have been training pro- bomber, who was disguised as a soldier, government militiamen whom Hadi attacked the Ras Abbas camp in the west of merged into the army after they drove Iran- Aden. After the attack, panicking soldiers backed rebels out of Aden and other south- grabbed their weapons and fled the camp, ern provinces last year. The United Nations witnesses said. The little-known “Aden and says more than 6,100 people have been Abyan Province” branch of IS said the sui- killed and 29,000 wounded since the coali- cide bombing was carried out by one of its tion began its intervention, about half of militants and alleged it killed 20 “apostate” them civilians. —AFP Chaotic mix of actors, interests in Syria war MADAYA: A Red Crescent convoy prepares to leave Damascus to the besieged areas of Madaya and Zabadani yesterday during an operation in PARIS: Syria’s brutal five-year war has as an opportunity to extend Ankara’s influ- cooperation with the UN to deliver aid to thousands of besieged Syrians. — AFP turned increasingly messy, threatening a ence south. But Turkey is now hosting 2.6 broader regional conflict as a tangle of million Syrian refugees and trying to keep internal and external players push their security in a border region where IS own multi-faceted agendas. Who are the jihadists are active. Syria aid deliveries due in key foreign actors and what are their goals? Turkey has long rejected claims of aid- ing IS, which has now carried out string of Assad’s allies attacks on its soil. But it is also increasingly Russia and Iran are the major backers of concerned by the growing influence of ‘test’ for warring sides Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. Their ulti- Kurdish fighters in Syria, fearing they are mate objectives differ, but both appear seeking to carve out an autonomous determined to annihilate the opposition region on Turkey’s border and embolden and keep the regime in power. Syria is a key the homegrown rebel Kurdistan Workers’ Prospects for ceasefire continues to fade foothold for Russia in the Middle East, an Party (PKK). It has carried out air strikes on important military staging post from which the Syrian Kurdish militias, even though DAMASCUS: Convoys were to deliver aid to of a longstanding push by the NATO member to project influence across the region. they are backed by the West as one of the thousands of besieged Syrians yesterday in what Turkey warns Kurds for a more robust response to the conflict. Analysts say Moscow is not necessarily few forces capable of tackling IS. the United Nations has described as a test for The situation in Syria has also been compli- Yesterday Deputy Prime Minister Yalcin wedded to keeping Assad in power in the the country’s warring sides ahead of a hoped-for cated by Turkey’s launching this week of an Akdogan told A Haber television Ankara wanted long term, but wants to ensure control over Saudi, US and France ceasefire. The UN announced the planned deliv- assault on Kurdish forces who have been to create a 10-kilometre “safe line” inside Syria any future political transition. Officially, Saudi Arabia’s main concern eries late on Tuesday, as its envoy Staffan de advancing in northern Syria. Ankara has shelled that would include the flashpoint town of Azaz Russia launched its own air strikes in has been IS, saying it will increase its air Mistura held talks in Damascus aimed at restor- a Kurdish-led militia which it says is allied with near the border. Turkey has long pressed for a Syria in September to support Assad and strikes against the jihadists. However, ana- ing hope for a “cessation of hostilities” world the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) that safe zone, backed up by a no-fly zone, inside fight “terrorists”, saying it was targeting the lysts say Riyadh is primarily interested in powers want in place by Friday. has waged an insurgency on its soil for decades. Syria and has warned Kurdish forces it will not Islamic State group and other jihadists. But supporting opposition rebels as part of its Prospects for the ceasefire-announced by top President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday allow them to seize Azaz, which is held by rebel the West has accused Moscow of seeking regional competition with Iran, which has diplomats in Munich last week-have been fading vowed Turkey would never accept the creation forces. German Chancellor Angela Merkel yes- to eliminate all opposition rebels, including also seen it battle Iranian proxies in Yemen. as violence continues to shake Syria, including of a Kurdish stronghold in northern Syria, saying terday also reiterated her call for a no-fly zone strikes on hospitals on Monday and repeated more moderate groups. While, US forces have been bombing there was “no question” of Turkey ending its to protect civilians, saying the humanitarian sit- The Russian-backed regime assaults on Islamic State positions in Iraq and Syria Turkish shelling of Kurdish militia. The Syrian Red shelling. “We will not allow a new Qandil on our uation in Syria was “intolerable”. “If we were able rebel bastions in the northern city of since September 2014, carrying out the Crescent said about 100 trucks carrying flour, southern border”, Erdogan said in a televised to reach an agreement between anti- and pro- Aleppo that began on February 1 have vast majority of strikes by the anti-IS coali- other food supplies and medicines were to leave speech, referring to the mountain range in Assad forces on a kind of no-fly zone... then this shifted the momentum decidedly in tion. But despite repeatedly calling for for five besieged areas yesterday. About 20 trucks northern Iraq which for years has been strong- Assad’s-and Moscow’s-favor. Advances by Assad to step down, President Barack had departed for Fuaa and Kafraya, two Shiite would save many lives and aid the political hold of PKK militants. Turkey on Tuesday called process about Syria’s future,” she told the regime forces have seen indiscriminate Obama has been reluctant to directly back towns in northwestern Idlib province besieged for foreign ground forces to deploy in Syria, part bombing of civilian areas, killing hundreds the “moderate” opposition rebels. Having by rebels, the Red Crescent said. About 40 trucks German parliament. —AFP of people and causing some 50,000 to flee been elected in 2008 on a mandate to pull were due to depart later for Moadimayet Al- Aleppo. US forces out of Iraq, he has been unwilling Sham, a rebel-held town near Damascus encir- Tehran has also sent thousands of “mili- to involve the country in another grinding cled by President Bashar Al-Assad’s forces, tary advisors” to Syria, including Shiite mili- war in the Middle East even when Assad Muhannad Al-Asadi of the Red Crescent said. tias and members of its Lebanon-based was shown to have crossed Obama’s sup- Another 35 vehicles were to travel to Madaya and proxy force, Hezbollah. Assad has long posed “red line” of using chemical weapons Zabadani, two other regime-besieged towns been a close ally of Iran as part of its battle in 2013. near Damascus, he said. An AFP journalist in for regional dominance against the leading Washington’s efforts to train and equip a Damascus saw nearly 20 trucks ready to depart Sunni power, Saudi Arabia. “moderate” rebel force to take on IS was a for Madaya and Zabadani from outside UN spectacular failure in 2015. It struggled to offices in the Syrian capital, with about two Rebel supporters find recruits among the opposition, whose dozen Red Crescent volunteers on hand. Almost The countries backing the opposition primary concern was fighting Assad, and its half a million people in Syria are in areas under are fractured, often finding themselves at first fighters were almost immediately siege, according to the UN. Aid workers say sev- odds even with their allies. Russia’s bull- intercepted and disarmed by jihadists, eral dozen people have died of starvation just in dozer approach to the conflict has caught leading to the scrapping of the $500 mil- Madaya, which became a symbol of the plight of the West off guard, undermined its repeat- lion program in October. The United States besieged Syrians after shocking images of starv- ed calls for a political solution and trig- has continued to press for dialogue and a ing residents spread last month. gered a virulent reaction from the leading political transition, but its critics say this supporters of the rebels-Turkey and Saudi has allowed Russia to seize the momentum ‘Duty’ to allow aid Arabia. The war of words has escalated with its more ruthless military aggression. “It is the duty of the government of Syria to between Moscow and Ankara, already at France has been one of the most hostile want to reach every Syrian person wherever daggers-drawn since Turkey shot down a opponents of Assad, and following the they are and allow the UN to bring humanitarian Russian fighter jet on the border in jihadist attacks in Paris in November it has aid,” De Mistura said on Tuesday in Damascus. ANKARA: This handout picture taken and released by the Turkish Presidential Press Office November. The West fears the conse- stepped up air strikes against IS. However, “Tomorrow we test this,” he said. A Syrian foreign on February 16, 2016 shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) getting a briefing quences of further aggression between France lacks the military or diplomatic clout ministry source rejected talk of a test. from Chief of Staff General Hulusi Akar (R) during his visit to the Gendarmerie Commando Russia and Turkey-a NATO member which to direct Western actions. Outgoing foreign “We don’t need anyone to remind us of our Special Forces headquarters. — AFP boasts the alliance’s largest military force minister Laurent Fabius bemoaned duties to our people,” the source told the official after the United States. Washington’s lack of commitment to the SANA news agency. Diplomats have been press- Erdogan vows ‘to’ deny Kurd Turkey-once a friend of Assad-now rebel cause when he resigned last week, ing the ceasefire deal as a step forward in efforts vehemently opposes the Damascus regime, but his government finds itself powerless to end the nearly five-year conflict that has left stronghold in northern Syria and analysts say it initially saw the conflict to alter the dynamics of the conflict. — AFP more than 260,000 dead, devastated the country and forced millions from their homes. ANKARA: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yes- ground against Islamic State (IS) jihadists. A major international push to resolve the terday vowed Turkey would not allow the cre- “The fact that the United States is continuing conflict, including Western and Arab nations that ation of a Kurdish stronghold in northern Syria, to support the YPG is something I find hard to have largely backed Syria’s opposition and saying there was no question of Turkish forces understand,” said Erdogan. “Aren’t we NATO Assad’s key supporters Russia and Iran, was stopping their bombardment of Syrian Kurdish allies?” he said, addressing Washington. “Are you launched last year. But peace talks between the fighters. our friend or the friend of the PYD?” “We know regime and opposition in Geneva quickly col- “We will not allow a new Qandil on our south- that we need friends. But if you don’t see us as lapsed earlier this month and a major regime ern border” with Syria, Erdogan said in a tele- friends then please say it loud and clear.” offensive, backed by Russian air strikes, has con- vised speech in Ankara, referring to the moun- Washington recognizes the PKK as a terror tinued in northern Aleppo province. tain in northern Iraq which for years has been group but not the PYD and YPG. But Erdogan Air strikes on five medical facilities and two stronghold of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) mili- said the links between the PKK and PYD were as schools in northern Syria earlier this week killed tants. “They (the West) tell us to stop shelling” the tight as those between Al-Qaeda and its affiliate at least 50 people, the UN said. One of the strikes Kurdish fighters in Syria, Erdogan said after Al-Nusra Front. Erdogan said that Turkey would hit a hospital supported by charity Doctors Turkey hit their positions for the last four days in “not allow... the provocative” steps taken by the Without Borders (MSF), killing 25 people and a row. Syrian Kurds in the northern Aleppo province prompting widespread condemnation. “Forgive me, but there is no question of us where their advance has greatly alarmed Turkey. MSF did not assign blame for the attack doing such a thing. Whoever fires shells on Turkey fears the Syrian Kurds want to carve though a Britain-based monitoring group, Turkey will get not just a tit-for-tat response but out a continuous autonomous region in north- the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an even greater one,” he added. Erdogan ern Syria stretching from the Iraqi border almost said a suspected Russian strike had hit the renewed his assault on the United States, which to the Mediterranean. Ankara also accuses the hospital. Moscow rejected any responsibility supports the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union PYD of becoming a proxy of its regional foe and Syria’s UN envoy Bashar Al-Jaafari on Party (PYD) and its People’s Protection Units Russia and working specifically to harm Turkish DARAA: Smoke billows following reported air strikes by Syrian government forces in Tuesday said MSF was responsible because it (YPG) militia as the best fighting force on the interests.— AFP a rebel-held area. —AFP was not coordinating with the government. INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 Scalia death phone inquest unusual but precedential MARFA: A county judge’s determination via Tucker, an attorney for the Texas Justice telephone that Supreme Court Justice Courts Training Center who offers instruc- Antonin Scalia died of natural causes and tion to justices of the peace. required no autopsy was unusual, Texas offi- cials said, but sometimes happens in rural No red flags areas of Texas where a county can be bigger “The huge majority of the time, if you than some US states. have a 79-year-old overweight person and Within two hours of Scalia’s body being you have a statement from the physician found Saturday at Cibolo Creek Ranch in and zero indicators of foul play, then it’s not remote West Texas, Presidio county Judge unusual for there to be no autopsy,” said Cinderela Guevara, who was 60 miles away, Tucker. “I didn’t see any red flags and noth- consulted by phone with the county sheriff ing to say that the judge didn’t follow her and a US marshal and concluded there was statutory obligation.” no foul play. After speaking to Scalia’s per- Guevara issued a statement Tuesday sonal doctor later that evening, she decided defending how she handled the inquest. that he had died of natural causes and no She said the attorney for Scalia told her the autopsy was necessary. family did not want an autopsy performed “I have no issue with how she handled because they believe he died of natural his death,” said David Beebe, a justice of the causes and they preferred not to delay his peace in Presidio County, where Scalia died. body’s return to them. Guevara said she con- Beebe is one of two justices of the peace in sulted with Scalia’s physician and the sheriff the county who are routinely called by before deciding against an autopsy. authorities to verify a death. Both Beebe and “I respected the wishes of the Scalia fami- the second justice of the peace were out of ly. ... I did this based on credible reports to town Saturday. Presidio County Sheriff me from law enforcement and from Justice Danny Dominguez, in need of a justice to Scalia’s personal physician,” Guevara said. conduct a death inquest, then called Susana Gonzales, a justice of the peace in ENCINITAS: A man carries a young boy over his shoulder as he walks among beach goers enjoying unusually warm winter temperatures. — AP Guevara, who offered to hear the matter. adjacent Brewster County, said she’s never In rural areas, a justice of the peace typi- done an inquest by phone but understands cally makes the determination of the cause there may be situations where it’s necessary. Heat brings out beachgoers of death in cases when no witnesses were “There’s not a procedural mechanism to present. An inquest by phone is as valid as challenge or appeal the determination by as other regions clean up one in person under state law, said Bronson the justice of the peace,” Tucker said. —AP

SAN DIEGO: John Larson sat on a blanket on a High-pressure system wreckage after a big storm system turned sever- Southern California beach, furiously posting The normal temperature for this time of year al homes to rubble Monday in the northwest videos on Facebook of his sons jumping in the is in the 70s. The previous mark was set on Feb corner of Florida’s Panhandle and in Mississippi. waves and bracing for the expletives from 24, 1986. Phoenix also saw record highs last More than a dozen homes were destroyed in friends in Buffalo, New York. It was 5 below zero week as an unusually strong high-pressure sys- both states, but there were no immediate when Larson and his sons left this weekend for tem lingered. The surge in temperatures has reports of deaths or serious injuries, authorities their trip to San Diego, where a heat wave sent been bringing rattlesnakes out of hibernation. A say. temperatures into the mid-80s on Tuesday. fire agency in southern Arizona started getting In the Pacific Northwest, a President’s Day “Oh yeah, they hate me,” the 51-year-old calls in the last two weeks from panicked resi- storm brought record rainfall and sent rivers overflowing their banks in Washington state. The graphic designer said of the response he got to dents about the poisonous snakes on their yards and patios, something they don’t usually see weather woes nationwide were no problem for his beach posts. “I get quotes like, ‘Jerk!’” Beaches until late March and early April. Larson in sunny Southern California. He has five in Southern California were crowded after the Millions along the East Coast, meanwhile, more days here and is in no hurry to get home to holiday weekend saw record-breaking heat from were still shivering from freezing temperatures. Buffalo, where extra crews removed overnight Los Angeles to San Diego, while the East Coast A treacherous mix of snow, sleet and freezing snowfall and accumulations could reach up to and the South cleaned up from a deep freeze rain caused car crashes from the Mid-Atlantic 18 inches in some parts of the region, the weath- and tornadoes. states through Pennsylvania to northern New er service said. It was even hotter in Phoenix: Tuesday’s high England on Tuesday, a day after twisters tore He’s soaking up the sun with his sons, ages 11 topped out at 87 degrees, which broke the pre- through parts of the South. and 17, since the unseasonable heat is expected vious record of 84 set in 2014. The National At least three deaths were reported on slick to dissipate. California’s warmth was likely to end Weather Service is forecasting a high of 90 roads, all in Virginia, and thousands were left overnight when a low-pressure system brings degrees in what would be the earliest 90-degree without power from weather-caused outages. rain to a large part of the state and snow of up to day on record for the desert city. Down South, people combed through the 2 feet to the mountains. — AP Trump attacked from every sides in bitter primary race Obama says Trump will not be elected

NORTH AUGUSTA: Donald Trump pushed back Tuesday against his rivals for the Republican nomination and criticism from President Barack Obama, as the real estate mogul sought to cement victory in South Carolina. With just four days until the state’s crucial primary, Trump became yet again the focus of attacks by challengers to his frontrunner status, including his nearest adversary Ted Cruz who blasted the businessman turned reality TV star as a liberal. He also traded political punches with Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush and laid out attack lines ahead of the crucial primary, the third in the long party nominations races and the first in the US South. While Trump was busy scrapping with rivals, Democrat Obama joined the fray, offering a scathing assessment of why he thinks the American people will not elect the . “I continue to believe that Mr Trump will not be president. And the reason is because I have a lot of faith in the American people. And I think they recognize that being president is a serious job,” he told reporters in California. “It’s not hosting a talk show or a reality show. It’s not pro- BEAUFORT: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks on stage during motion. It’s not marketing. It’s hard,” he said on the sidelines of a campaign event. — AP a summit with leaders and representatives. Trump, 69, reacted with scorn. “This man has done such a bad job, he has set us back so far,” Trump said in a television interview, adding how- ever that in a way, being singled out-even for reproach-by the Postpaid sitting US president was “a great compliment.” Cruz, a first-term senator from Texas, piled on Trump during a rally in Anderson. Clearly speaking of Trump, Cruz called on Americans not to Celebrate with our great offers nominate and elect a Republican who has “defended abortion or partial birth abortion for the first 60 years of his life.” The controversial billionaire for his part played up his international Get iPhone 6s with KD 19 package business acumen at a rally in North Augusta ahead of Saturday’s primary.

‘Why aren’t they beating me?’ Trump leads handily in South Carolina, with a new CNN poll showing him with 38 percent support over arch-conservative Cruz, who has 22 percent. The 16-point spread is down from the 20-point RealClearPolitics average, suggesting a softening in some support after Saturday’s bruising debate slugfest. “Why aren’t they beating me?” Trump taunted, to loud cheers. Even with his commanding lead, he was calling on support- ers to crowd the polls. “Assume that we’re behind, because you’ve gotta go vote,” Trump said. Cruz highlighted his experi- ence with Constitutional law in dwelling on a Saturday event that hit the political landscape like an earthquake: the death of conservative Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia. Cruz has joined other Republican candidates in insisting that no nominee to replace Scalia be confirmed by the Senate until there is a new president next January. “We are one justice away from losing our fundamental liberties,” he said, under- scoring the stakes of the election as conservatives see the appointment of a liberal judge as potentially ending conserva- tive efforts to overturn landmark cases on abortion, health care and immigration. Bush, riding high a day after his brother and former presi- dent George W Bush hit the campaign trail with Jeb for the first time, caused an earthquake of his own Tuesday. Seeking to present himself as the candidate most capable of rebuilding the military, Bush visited a gun manufacturer in state capital Columbia, where he spoke to company employees and walked away with his own personally engraved hand gun. He tweeted a photograph of the firearm afterwards, with a single word of commentary: “America.” Bush is the consum- mate establishment candidate, the son and brother of two presidents. But Trump’s ascension has upended the race, and forced Bush into underdog status. Trump supporter Jennifer Twilley, reflecting on the anger and frustration coursing through the US electorate, said Trump’s status as a magnate @vivatelecom @vivatelecom VIVA Kuwait and political outsider made him ideal for the job.—AFP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 Merkel urges EU common stance in refugee crisis

BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel, under heavy pressure at They have pledged to help Macedonia 28 members have decided”. She was been increasingly isolated on the EU Merkel yesterday urged an EU “com- home to reduce arrivals, supports a and Bulgaria close their borders with speaking at a Berlin joint press confer- stage, where even a plan from last year mon stance” on the migrant crisis and plan under which transit country Turkey Greece, which would leave Athens with ence with Sri Lanka’s visiting President to resettle 160,000 refugees has so far on protecting the bloc’s frontiers, as would seal its borders and then fly rapidly rising numbers of refugees while Maithripala Sirisena before she was set seen only several hundred asylum seek- eastern members move to shut inter- refugees to Europe where they would effectively excluding it from Europe’s to address the German parliament on ers moved to other EU countries. nal borders. On the eve of an EU be settled under an EU quota system. passport-free Schengen zone. the EU summit’s topics. Merkel conceded that “the issue of summit, Merkel said “the main thing However, most EU countries have Merkel said that “we will speak at the Merkel, a decade in power, has seen quotas is currently not a priority” for now is to have a common stance on shown little enthusiasm for the idea, upcoming EU Council about how we her long-stellar domestic support drop the EU, since the bloc had already how to secure the external borders, and the so-called Visegrad Four-Poland, can work together to protect our exter- over her liberal migration policy since agreed on the 160,000 figure and now and here the EU-Turkey plan offers a the Czech Republic, Slovakia and nal border, and I want us to work more than 1.1 million asylum seekers had to distribute them as agreed, she good solution”. Hungary — have openly defied Merkel. together on the EU-Turkish agenda that came to Germany last year. She has also said. — AFP Demography vs economy as Uganda heads to the polls KAMPALA: Labyrinthine and cacophonous, “We have got bad leadership and that means Kampala’s sprawling Owino Market is private a bad economy.” Uganda has not crashed, but enterprise unchained, a place where nor has it taken off. Foreign companies have Ugandans struggle daily to survive and thrive. found billions of barrels of oil beneath Lake And after three decades of President Yoweri Albert, yet none of the thick crude has been Museveni’s rule, his election promise of jobs extracted. The economy is growing at more and wealth rings hollow to many here. Francis than five percent a year but remains depend- Ssendawula is a trained schoolteacher, but ent on exports of agricultural products such as after failing to find work he moved into the coffee, tobacco, fish and tea. Inflation is below informal sector and is now the proprietor of a eight percent. But demographics are against wardrobe-sized second-hand shoe store on the country, and Uganda is failing to supply one of Owino’s narrow mud alleys. the jobs that its youthful, fast-growing popu- “We need the chance to participate in our lation needs. More than half of Uganda’s 39 national cake,” said the 29-year old who, like million people are under 16, with estimates of many of the capital’s urban youth, will vote for the proportion of jobless as high as four out of opposition candidate Kizza Besigye in five. With population growing at a staggering Thursday’s polls. Ssendawula has little time for pace, Uganda is predicted to reach 100 million Museveni’s election promises. “You should not by mid-century. mind about more jobs with this government,” he said. Instead Ssendawula has made a job Peace is not enough for himself, selling his stock of shoes — Fred Muhumuza, an economist and former designer knockoffs imported from China-in finance ministry advisor, blamed Uganda’s the hope of earning enough to make a living five-year election cycle, patronage politics and and perhaps start a family. mismanagement for the economic stagnation. “On a good day I can make something like “Talk of oil has been on for 10 years now: no 50,000 (Uganda shillings, $15, 13 Euros), but progress. We talk of railways: no progress. All other days no coin,” he said with a shrug. these five-year plans, you might as well just Since seizing power in 1986 Museveni has change the dates. That is a great failure,” he emphasized peace and stability, contrasting said. Muhumuza was impressed with his rule to the preceding decades of strife and Museveni’s first decade but the advent of civil war under Idi Amin and Milton Obote. competitive elections in 1996 meant, “pop- ulism took over and development became ‘Make jobs for ourselves’ secondary.” Patronage politics-the purchase of SEILAND: Arzoo Abdul Hakim holds a freshly caught cod fish as he chases other children round the temporary Altnes camp refugee camp. — AP The dominant political narrative portrays support in parliament and among the people- Museveni as the guarantor of peace and bul- took centre stage and, “You don’t build effec- wark against chaos-and it has been effectively tiveness through patronage,” he said. Middle of nowhere: Migrants drummed home. “Stability is the catalyst for After 30 years in power and a series of elec- everything else,” said Levis Nuwemanzi, a toral victories, Museveni and his National clean-cut 33-year old. Resistance Movement (NRM) party are com- find frozen refuge in Norway “Where Uganda is and where Uganda is placent. “The government is so comfortable, it going, we are not doing bad,” said has relaxed,” said Muhumuza. Far less com- Nuwemanzi, who studied economics at uni- fortable are ordinary folk like Benon versity and now sells jeans and shirts in Muyomba, a 32-year-old self-employed driver Integrating to life 280 miles north of the Arctic Owino. “Progress isn’t a boom thing, it is con- of a motorbike taxi, or boda-boda. Five years tinuous, gradual,” he said echoing the presi- ago Muyomba took a $580 (520 Euros) loan to HAMMERFEST: After hiding below the horizon for keep them active: Fishing, chopping wood, sled- couple traveled all the way to Italy, says Mannsverk. dent’s campaign slogan, ‘Steady Progress’. A buy his first motorbike, starting a business two long months, the sun has finally risen in ding, skiing, and hiking instead of just sitting short way up the same tight, tarp-roofed corri- that can pay much better than formal employ- Hammerfest, casting a pale pink hue over the around waiting for a decision by the Norwegian Integrating asylum-seekers dor a barrel-chested former security guard, ment: as much as $9 (8 Euros) on a good day, Arctic landscape surrounding the world’s northern- Immigration Directorate, which can take more than By the spring, the lodge will go back to its regu- Eddy Mupere, said the lack of economic versus the $26 (18 Euros) a month he used to most refugee shelter. a year. The camp on Seiland is a far cry from the lar tourist business and the asylum-seekers will opportunities meant it was time for a change. earn as a hotel bellboy. From her modest room, Huda Al-Haggar admires crowded and jail-like migrant centers in some parts have to be transferred elsewhere, perhaps to per- “The government has not created jobs for “We are happy with the peace that we the wonderland of snow and ice, a sight so different of Europe. Afghan children laugh and holler as they manent asylum centers like the one in Alta. The city people! We make jobs for ourselves,” said the have - but it’s not enough,” said Muyomba, a from her native Yemen, where a Saudi airstrike sled down the slope from the camp to the rocky of 20,000 has years of experience with integrating 38-year old, who has sold secondhand T-shirts Besigye supporter, who says successive gov- destroyed her home, forcing her to flee with her shoreline, where men speaking Dari rinse fish asylum-seekers into the local community. here for a dozen years. “The government has ernments are failing to provide the basics of young son. “It’s wonderful when I wake up in the caught in the icy fjord. Later, as the sun drops The staff at the Hero asylum center in Alta try to done nothing, completely. That’s why some healthcare, education and employment. “As morning and see this picture, the sea and the moun- behind the mountains, they will cook them over an prepare the newcomers for life in Norway by teach- guys have degrees and yet they are working long as those are there we don’t want any- tains. It’s a wonderful place,” the young woman says open fire with onion, tomatoes, eggs and spices ing them local customs, including how to treat here,” he said, gesturing towards Nuwemanzi. thing else,” he said. — AFP as 5-year-old Omar plays with Lego on her lap. brought in from the mainland. women, a subject given particular attention after The wooden barracks where Al-Haggar and her To some the contrast with the life they left reports of mass sex assaults blamed on migrants in son live used to house oil workers until Europe’s behind is almost surreal. “I was in Afghanistan, a Germany on New Year’s eve. “Norwegian women migrant crisis reached the jagged shores of north- country far away from here and now I’m in the can drink alcohol and be loud just like men. This is ern Norway, where the continent drops dramatical- north of Norway. I could never have imagined this,” completely normal in Norwegian society,” says ly into the Arctic Ocean. Waiting for their asylum says 20-year-old Zakria Sedequi. He says he fled Ingunn Soergaard, a petite woman with waist- claims to be processed, hundreds of people in Afghanistan’s Maidan Wardak province after the length hair and a crystal-white smile. emergency shelters in Hammerfest and neighbor- Taleban tried to recruit him. An ugly scar over his Her audience of 18 asylum-seekers, mostly from ing towns are slowly getting used to the extreme left eyebrow suggests they didn’t ask nicely. Syria, look at her with bewilderment. Not because climate and unfamiliar customs of the High North. Sedequi says they rammed the butt of a they think it’s weird that Norwegian women drink, Kalashnikov rifle into his forehead. He documented but that Soergaard thinks they don’t know that. Adapting to the cold the bloody mess with his cellphone camera. “We’ve seen that on TV. And we know that’s how it They say they have adapted to the cold - the Inside the camp, 62-year-old Shukria Nawabi is here. It’s not an issue,” says Anod Al-Ali, a 31-year- temperature rarely drops below minus 10 degrees tears up as she recalls the hardship her family faced old teacher from Syria. Soergaard’s co-presenter, C (14 F) along the coast, though it gets much cold- in Kabul. She has lived on Seiland since October Goeran Johansen, decides to push the issue fur- er further inland. It’s the darkness that throws them with her husband, daughter and grand-daughter ther. “Let’s say I’m meeting Ingunn for the first time off. Rami Saad, a 23-year-old Syrian from Damascus Helenar, a 7-year-old with pigtails, pink tights and a and she invites me home to have sex,” Johansen with a neatly groomed beard and tight slacks, says sheepish smile. “We escaped from enemies in our says. “And then suddenly at home she says, ‘No, I workers at the Hammerfest center warned him life,” Nawabi says through an interpreter, declining don’t want to have sex.’ What do you do?” Some of about the polar night but he didn’t believe them to delve into the details. Wrapped in a shawl, her the students shift awkwardly in their seats. Walaa until late November, when “suddenly there was no daughter, Sufya, seems almost offended when Aziri, a 23-year-old Palestinian woman with a hijab sun.” The lack of daylight messed up his body clock, asked whether the family struggled to adjust to the turns bright red and hides her face in her hands. like the day when he rolled out of bed at 11 and darkness on this desolate island. “If you were in my Finally, Ahmed Dawwas, a 36-year-old engineer KAMPALA: A woman sits against a wall plastered with campaign posters for opposi- ambled to the cafeteria to have lunch. “But there place,” she says, “where bombs are going off in the who fled the Syrian city of Raqqa, an Islamic State tion leader Kizza Besigye, as well as for local members of Parliament, in a poor mar- was nobody there,” Saad says, giggling. “It was 11 street, where women are treated badly, and you stronghold, breaks the silence by turning the ques- pm” Few of the asylum-seekers expected to end up come to this place, would you worry about the tion around. “What if she invites me and I say no? ket area. — AP here, 280 miles north of the Arctic Circle, when darkness and the isolation?” How should she react?” Dawwas asks. When the they left their homelands in the Middle East, Africa A handful of young men who were transferred laughter dies down, he strikes a more serious tone. and Asia to escape violence, poverty, forced mar- to Seiland didn’t see it that way. They decided this “We have come here to live in peace,” he says. “We Mugabe’s ex-deputy sets riages or armies they didn’t want to join. wasn’t the place for them, packed up their belong- have fled war. We’re not here to go after women. I Some were relocated by Norwegian authorities ings and asked to be taken ashore. Some went don’t understand why this has to be explained to up rival Zimbabwe party after entering the country from Sweden in the back to Russia, where they had been studying. A all Syrians.” — AP south. Others blazed a new trail into Western HARARE: Zimbabwean former vice president ative to mount a serious challenge for power. Europe by first entering Russia and then crossing Million children malnourished Joice Mujuru announced yesterday that she “It must try to be different from not only its Arctic border with Norway. More than 5,000 had founded a new party to challenge ZANU-PF but also from mainstream opposition people, mostly Syrians and Afghans, used that in eastern, southern Africa: UN President Robert Mugabe’s all-powerful ZANU- parties such as the Movement for Democratic route last year before the government tightened PF, in a move that could shake up the country’s Change (MDC). “Fighting within ZANU-PF may the border in November and started deporting JOHANNESBURG: Nearly one million children population) at risk of hunger and “severe acute politics. Mugabe, who turns 92 on Sunday, has help, but it will not be enough.” those who were not deemed to be in need of pro- across eastern and southern Africa are suffer- malnutrition” doubling in only two months. ruled since independence in 1980 during an tection in Norway. ing from “severe acute malnutrition” after two “The statistics are staggering,” said Megan era marked by vote-rigging, mass emigration, Former Mugabe favorite Though that’s just a trickle compared to the 1 years of drought and the strongest El Nino in Gilgan, UNICEF regional emergency advisor. million people who entered Europe last year from accusations of human rights abuses and eco- Mujuru, 60, was a guerrilla fighter during 50 years, UNICEF said yesterday. Children in the “The situation is expected to worsen through- the south across the Mediterranean Sea, it forced nomic decline. Zimbabwe’s 1970s liberation war before rising region face worsening food and water short- out this year and into 2017.” Last month the Norwegian authorities to quickly set up migrant He is expected to stand again for election in to become vice president in 2004. A former ages, with rising prices exacerbating the situa- UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) said 14 mil- shelters in small towns separated by mile upon 2018, but jockeying over his succession has ZANU-PF stalwart, she served in several cabi- tion as families are forced to skip meals and sell lion people across southern Africa faced going mile of untouched wilderness. intensified due to his advanced age and specu- nets under Mugabe and was seen for many belongings. “Severe acute malnutrition” is hungry after a prolonged drought wrecked In Alta, a scenic two-hour drive to the south, the lation about his health. “We are ‘People First’,” years as his favoured choice of successor. defined as extreme hunger, causing a very low harvests. The WFP said the cost of maize, also Northern Lights Hotel was converted into a shelter Mujuru said by telephone, confirming the Her husband, Solomon Mujuru, died in a weight-for-height ratio, visible wasting or fluid called corn, in Malawi was 73 percent higher for unaccompanied minors. On Seiland Island, a name of her new party but giving no further mysterious house fire in 2011. Mujuru signaled retention. “The El Nino weather phenomenon than average. South Africa will import half its nature reserve west of Hammerfest, Stig Erland details. “We don’t lead the people, but people her intention to form a rival party last year by will wane, but the cost to children-many who average maize crop after 2015 was declared Hansen was asked to temporarily house dozens of lead themselves.” Mujuru, the widow of releasing a manifesto that opposed Mugabe’s asylum-seekers in a remote lodge where he hosts were already living hand-to-mouth-will be felt the driest year in more than a century. In key policies including indigenization laws that Zimbabwe’s first post-independence army gen- adventure tourists during the summer. for years to come,” said UNICEF regional direc- Ethiopia, 435,000 children were said to be in eral, was fired from Mugabe’s government and compel foreign firms to cede majority stakes to tor Leila Gharagozloo-Pakkala. need of treatment for severe acute malnutri- the ruling ZANU-PF party in December 2014. locals. ZANU-PF has been riven by factional People in darkness “Governments are responding with avail- tion. “We are dealing with a slow onset crisis Her ousting came after a campaign by the pres- fights over Mugabe’s succession although par- “At first I thought it was crazy,” Hansen says, able resources, but this is an unprecedented affecting countries in different ways,” Gilgan ident’s wife Grace denigrating Mujuru and ty figures have sought to downplay any splits. clasping a cup of black coffee inside the main cab- situation. Children’s survival is dependent on said. “The outlook is disturbing, with little or no accusing her of corruption, fomenting party Mnangagwa is now viewed as the likely next in. “Is it possible to have people in darkness on an action taken today.” The agency is running rain falling in affected areas.” division and plotting to topple Mugabe. president, with Grace Mugabe, 50, also a possi- island?” Not only was it possible, it was a big suc- humanitarian appeals calling for $87 million for UNICEF said conditions were worse than Many of her allies and perceived sympathis- ble candidate. In the 2013 presidential election, cess, according to Hansen and Paal Mannsverk, Ethiopia, $26 million for Angola and $15 mil- the 2011 Horn of Africa food crisis that hit ers met a similar fate in a party purge. Mujuru, Mugabe won 61 percent of the vote against who manages the camp, a cluster of wooden hous- lion for Somalia. Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya and who was replaced as vice president by long- 34.9 percent recorded by Morgan Tsvangirai of es facing a pristine fjord. Reachable only by boat, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and most of South Uganda. Apart from hunger, the spread of time Mugabe ally Emmerson Mnangagwa, the MDC. Tsvangirai described the results as “a the isolated location gives you a sense of being at Africa have declared drought emergencies, diarrhea, cholera and typhoid has also been denied all accusations of disloyalty. She enjoys huge farce” after campaigning and voting were the end of the world - or as Mannsverk put it: while in Ethiopia, the number of people in reported. Sparked by warming in sea surface some public popularity in Zimbabwe, but faces marred by intimidation, violence and fraud. “North of the middle of nowhere.” need of food assistance is expected to increase temperatures in the equatorial Pacific, El Nino a huge task to establish her new party in the Western groups were not allowed to send poll Yet the 36 asylum-seekers staying here, all but from 10 million to 18 million this year. Malawi is periodically wreaks havoc on world weather country’s tense political scene. “It is a Herculean observers, but the United States dismissed the one from Afghanistan, seem surprisingly at ease. facing its worst food crisis in nine years, with patterns, causing drought in some parts and task,” political analyst Takura Zhangazha said. result as “not a credible expression of the will of Hansen and Mannsverk say it’s because they try to 2.8 million people (more than 15 percent of the floods in others. — AFP “The party will have to be phenomenally cre- Zimbabwean people”. —AFP

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 INTERNATIONAL Indian child activists slam Vatican for revoking ban

NEW DELHI: Children’s activists in India one of them, a 16-year-old, and served to root out sexual abuse by the Church, trict court sentenced him to a year in jail The Survivors Network of Those yesterday criticized the Vatican for revok- time in jail. But the Vatican lifted his sus- she said. Jeyapaul was accused of sexu- but he was released and deported to Abused by Priests, a US group, has urged ing the suspension of a Catholic priest pension in January following a recom- ally abusing two girls while serving as a India in June 2015 on account of time the Church to warn the public about who was convicted by a US court of sex- mendation by an Indian bishop. “The lift- priest in Crookston Diocese in Minnesota served while awaiting trial. Jeyapaul’s past and expressed concern ually abusing a minor. Indian priest ing of the suspension amounts to the between 2004 and 2005, but one victim Sebastian Selvanathan, a spokesman over his presence in India. “We worry Joseph Palanivel Jeyapaul, 61, was sus- Church condoning his actions,” Ranjana dropped the charges against him. for Ooty diocese, said that while the now about the safety of girls in India pended by his local diocese in India five Kumari, director of the Centre for Social The Diocese of Ooty in southern India’s Vatican had lifted Jeyapaul’s suspension, near Fr Jeyapaul,” the group said on its years ago after being accused of sexually Research, an NGO working on women’s Tamil Nadu state suspended him in 2010 the priest would not return to service. website. Local police said they would abusing two girls during a posting to and girls’ rights said. before he was arrested by Interpol in 2012 “We have provided him accommodation collect more information on the dis- Minnesota. The decision was “totally unaccept- and extradited to the US to face trial. but he will not have any active role in the graced priest but said he was not under He was later convicted of assaulting able”, coming as the Vatican undertook Following a plea deal, Roseau County dis- Church,” Selvanathan said. watch. —AFP Beijing deploys missiles on disputed South Sea Island China says they have right to ‘self-defense’

BEIJING: China has deployed sur- strategically vital area and has sent has built on the islands,” Wang said, HQ-9 air defense system, with a face-to-air missiles on a disputed warships to sail close to the disput- “are consistent with the right to range of about 200km (125 miles), island in the South China Sea, ed islands to assert that right. self-preservation and self-protec- according to reports. Experts said Taiwan said yesterday, as Beijing Analysts said the latest deploy- tion that China is entitled to under they could be used to target ene- insisted it had a right to build “self- ment could be an attempt to deter international law”. my aircraft, and Kevin Cheng, edi- defense” systems in the strategic such freedom of navigation opera- tor-in-chief of the Taipei-based region. Taiwan’s defense ministry tions (FONOPs). Australian military Raising tensions Asia-Pacific Defense Magazine, confirmed the facility’s existence aircraft also routinely overfly the China established the tiny city told AFP: “The... HQ-9... could exac- after Fox News reported missile area. Fox News said Tuesday that of Sansha on Woody Island in 2012 erbate the nerves of neighboring launchers had arrived on Woody images showed two batteries of to administer a wide swath of countries, particularly Vietnam. Island, part of the Paracels chain, in eight missile launchers and a radar waters and islands, creating an “The military deployment could the past week. system had arrived on Woody oddity that is by far the world’s be seen to violate the US call for The report came as President Island, the Paracels’ main island. largest city by area but has a free navigation in the area and NEW DELHI: An Indian activist carries an Indian national flag next to a police Barack Obama called for “tangible “The defense ministry has minuscule population of around allow it more excuse to interfere in steps” to reduce tensions in the learned of an air defense missile 1,000 people. In 2014, the country affairs there,” he added. Rory barricade at a protest outside Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). —AFP Medcalf, an Asian security expert at the Australian National Lawyers clash with protesters University, said: “If this was meant to be a signal to deter FONOPs, I in India over student’s arrest doubt it will succeed.” The Pentagon declined to confirm the Chinese missile deployment to NEW DELHI: Dozens of lawyers, many with Political activism AFP. links to India’s ruling nationalist party, yes- The violence occurred despite the terday attacked protesters who have been Supreme Court ordering the police to ensure Growing control demanding the release of a university stu- security ahead of yesterday’s hearing. Delhi The report on the missile bat- dent leader arrested under colonial-era Police chief BS Bassi said police were trying to teries came as Obama and the 10 sedition laws. identifying those involved in the violence, leaders of the Association of The clashes began shortly before a but no arrests have been made despite sev- Southeast Asian National (ASEAN), court hearing for Kanhaiya Kumar, the eral newspapers naming the lawyers and including Vietnam, issued a joint president of the students’ union at the publishing their photographs prominently. statement calling for the “peaceful country’s premier Jawaharlal Nehru India’s sedition laws were drafted by its resolution” of the myriad compet- University. The left-leaning campus leader British colonial rulers to suppress the coun- ing claims over islands, atolls and has been in prison since Friday over his try’s freedom struggle, and the Supreme reefs. The call followed a two-day participation in events where anti-India Court has said in recent years the laws should summit in California where leaders slogans were allegedly shouted. be invoked only when there is actual evi- voiced concern over Beijing’s mili- Soon after the clashes began, a gri- dence of incitement to violence. tary build-up in the area. macing and cowering Kumar was escort- The trouble on the campus of the presti- “We discussed the need for tan- ed onto the court premises on foot by a gious university, also known for students’ gible steps in the South China Sea few policemen. Several reports said he political activism, followed a Feb 9 event to lower tensions,” Obama said, was punched and kicked as he was taken marking the anniversary of Afzal Guru’s exe- calling for “a halt to further recla- inside the courtroom. cution. Some human rights activists and mation, new construction and mil- About a dozen lawyers threw rocks at most Kashmiris in the Indian-controlled por- itarization of disputed areas”. In reporters and protesters. One of them tion of the region believe he was not given a BEIJING: (FILES) This file aerial view taken on July 27, 2012 shows part of the city of Sansha on addition to the three Paracels grabbed the camera strap of an Associated fair trial. The campus dispute escalated claimants, the Philippines, Press photographer, bruising his hand and sharply when senior government ministers the island of Yongxing, also known as Woody island in the disputed Paracel chain, which China Malaysia and Brunei have compet- now considers part of Hainan province. —AFP breaking his lens. At least one reporter also got involved. The home minister, Rajnath ing claims in the Spratlys. said that the lawyers beat him and broke Singh, tweeted that anyone shouting anti- Resentment still simmers in his cellphone while the police watched. India slogans “will not be tolerated or spared,” region. Beijing has controlled all of system deployed by the Chinese added a military airstrip to the Vietnam over its territorial clashes The attacks and Kumar’s arrest high- and Human Resource Minister Smriti Irani the Paracels, which are also communists on Yongxing Island,” a island, saying it would “greatly with its giant neighbor, and yester- lighted allegations of increasing of intoler- told reporters that “the nation can never tol- claimed by Hanoi and Taipei, since Taiwan defense ministry improve Chinese defense capabili- day it marked the 37th anniversary erate an insult to Mother India.” Since the seizing several from South Vietnam spokesman said. After meeting his ties”. of a different border clash. During ance in India since Prime Minister Narendra in a brief, bloody battle towards Australian counterpart Julie In the Spratlys, China has set up a visit to Washington last year, Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata arrest of Kumar, the student leader, last week, the end of the Vietnam War. Bishop, Chinese foreign minister runways capable of accommodat- Chinese President Xi Jinping Party came to power in 2014. Kumar was students and faculty have staged sporadic But tensions in the sea-through Wang Yi described the reports as ing military aircraft on its newly- pledged not to militarize the arrested on a police complaint filed by a protests demanding his release and accusing which one-third of the world’s oil “an attempt by certain Western built islands, and is believed to Spratlys, though he made no men- BJP-linked student faction over events the government of crushing all dissenting passes-have mounted in recent media to create news stories”. have installed radar towers. The tion of the Paracels, and Medcalf where the anti-India shouts were alleged voices. Niamkoi, a PhD student who uses just months since China transformed He did not explicitly deny the Fox News report was based on pic- said the latest move violated “the along with criticism of the 2013 secret one name, said the random police question- contested reefs in the Spratly deployment, but urged more tures from ImageSat International, spirit, if not the letter” of that hanging of a Kashmiri separatist convicted ing of students left many feeling intimidated. islands further south into artificial attention on “the lighthouses we which earlier this week released assurance. The move, he said, of an attack on Parliament. Indian newspapers have published islands capable of supporting mili- have built on some of the islands images said to show reclamation “reinforces the view that China The lawyers waved Indian flags and scathing editorials about the government’s tary facilities. Washington says the and reefs in the South China Sea”. work in the Paracels. intends to exert growing control in chanted slogans like “glory to Mother disproportionate response to an event on move threatens free passage in a “Self-defense facilities that China The missiles appeared to be the these international waters.” —AFP India” and “traitors leave India.” Many of the university campus. Political analyst the lawyers seen on television footage Neerja Chowdhury described the govern- yesterday had been involved in similar vio- ment response as, “using an AK-47 to swat a lence Monday when reporters and fly.” “If you don’t question assumptions in uni- Pacquiao faces vote boycott Kumar’s supporters were beaten outside versity how are new ideas going to come the court premises. about?” —AP for bigoted gay comments India media magnate MANILA: Gay and lesbian groups have called denly fell from grace after a 30-second inter- and transgender community for his com- on voters in the Philippines to boycott boxing view on local television about same-sex mar- ments on same-sex marriage. He also apolo- icon Manny Pacquiao as he bids for a Senate riage, which he opposes. gized for his remarks in 2012. charged with murder seat, after he described gays as “worse than “It’s just common sense. Do you see any Same-sex marriage is not allowed in the animals”. An online petition is also underway animals of the same sex mating? Animals are Philippines where more than 80 percent of MUMBAI: One of India’s leading cial dispute over property dealings asking global sportswear company Nike Inc to better off, they can distinguish between male the 100 million population is Roman Catholic. media magnates has been formally and a dislike of Bora’s relationship drop Pacquiao as an endorser. The petition on and female,” Pacquiao told TV5 on Monday. The 37-year old congressman, among those charged with murder over the death with Peter Mukerjea’s son, Rahul. change.org has garnered more than 2,000 sig- “Now if men are mating with men and favored to win a Senate seat at the May elec- of his stepdaughter, an investigating The CBI also arrested Peter natures so far. women with women, then they are worse tions based on independent pollsters’ surveys, officer said yesterday, the latest Mukerjea in November and on Pacquiao, revered in the Philippines for than animals,” he said. This is not the first time apologized on Tuesday. Latest surveys development in a case gripping the Tuesday formally added him to the winning world boxing titles in eight different Pacquiao, a sitting two-term congressman, showed him in 8th place for the race to win 12 country. same chargesheet after several weight classes during his 20-year career, sud- had earned the ire of the lesbian, gay, bisexual vacant seats in the Senate. Peter Mukerjea, an ex-chief execu- months of questioning, according to tive of media behemoth Star India, a statement on its website. Peter ‘Please forgive me’ has also been charged with abduc- Mukerjea was chief executive of Fox- “I’m sorry for hurting people by comparing tion, destruction of evidence and giv- owned Star India from 1997 to 2007 homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for ing false information, an official with before leaving to start his own televi- those I’ve hurt,” Pacquiao said in a video mes- India’s Central Bureau of sion venture and is seen as one of sage on his Twitter account. He said he Investigation (CBI) said. “He has been India’s most successful media mag- remained against same-sex marriage. That charged with the same offences as nates. didn’t stop a torrent of comments on social the others,” the official told AFP on In November, the CBI formally media lambasting Pacquiao and using the condition of anonymity, referring to charged Indrani, who is the prime hashtags #NoToManny2016 #zerovoteforman- an earlier chargesheet filed against accused, her driver Shyam Rai and ny and #WorseThanAnimals. His Twitter fol- Mukerjea’s wife and two others. former partner Sanjeev Khanna with lowers dropped to around 11,000 yesterday Wife Indrani Mukerjea is accused murder, abduction and destruction from over 2 million, according to the online along with her driver and ex-hus- of evidence among other offences. edition of Inquirer Radio. band of strangling Sheena Bora to Peter Mukerjea was believed to be “LGBT groups and individuals are saying he death before dumping her body in a out of the country on the day of the should not be voted into office... we are one forest and setting it alight. Bora, 22, murder but the CBI alleges he was of them,” Danton Remoto, head of Philippine was Indrani’s daughter from a previ- actively involved in the conspiracy. lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group ous relationship. She was murdered “Even when he was abroad he was Ladlad, or Out, told Reuters by phone. While in April 2012 and her burnt body was in constant touch with Indrani,” the the former boxer’s comments offended liberal discovered the following month in unnamed official said. India’s news- Filipinos, they could have struck a chord with woods in the western state of papers and TV news channels have more conservative voters in the staunchly Maharashtra, of which Mumbai is the been abuzz with details of the scan- Catholic country. Local singer Aiza Seguerra, capital. Indrani was arrested in dal since it first broke, with many car- who married her actress-girlfriend partner in August on suspicion of murdering rying complex family trees illustrat- late 2014 in San Francisco, also called on voters the young woman, who was having ing who’s who in the case. Mumbai to boycott Pacquiao. “You might’ve done our an affair with Peter Mukerjea’s son police initially registered the case country proud but with your statement, you from an earlier marriage. Various before the CBI, India’s leading investi- just showed the whole country why we MINDANAO: This photo taken on February 16, 2016 shows schoolchildren watching motives have been put forward for gating agency, took it over in shouldn’t vote for you,” Seguerra said on her as Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao works out during a training session at a the alleged crime, including a finan- September. —AFP sports complex in General Santos. —AFP Instagram. —Reuters NEWS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 Sisi hails Egypt-Kuwait ties MPs slam reductions Continued from Page 1 A: Egypt has suffered from the consequences of two consecutive revolutions over the past few years, which led Sisi also stressed that Kuwait and Egypt have very to sluggish performance in various institutions and deteri- strong relations and that Egypt would never hesitate to oration in basic facilities such as electricity and natural in overseas treatment defend its sisterly GCC states in the event of direct gas. In addition, terrorism has been attacking various pub- threats. He also stressed that history will always say that lic facilities. However, efforts exerted over the past period Abdaly cell members deny charges Egypt moved swiftly whenever sisterly countries were contributed to overcoming power outages and providing under direct threat. “The Egyptian army belongs to all enough natural gas supplies for factories to resume nor- By B Izzak MPs who are opposed to the government’s decision, Arabs,” he stressed, noting that his statement of ‘as long mal rates of productivity. The government also takes all adding that the austerity that the government wants as it takes to cover the distance’ really reflects this con- needed legislative and procedural measures to improve KUWAIT: Lawmakers yesterday intensified their opposi- will not be allowed to come at the expense of citizens. cept. services and public facilities in addition to providing suit- tion to government measures to reduce financial alloca- MP Mohammad Al-Jabri said it is shameful that eco- Sisi also stressed that Egypt does not interfere in other able circumstances to attract Arab investments and tions for sending Kuwaiti patients abroad for medical nomic reforms should come at the expense of citizens’ Arab countries’ affairs and that it respects peoples’ wills, encourage them to make use of the promising opportuni- treatment with some of them threatening to grill the health and medical care, adding it is strange to cut allo- and is capable of stopping any attacks and respond to ties and projects Egypt offers them. health minister. cations for medical treatment abroad when “we don’t any direct assault or threat to it or against any brotherly MP Awdah Al-Awdah said he waited to get an expla- have the required medical care in the country”. He urged the government to seek other solutions for state, and gave an example of Egypt’s attitude towards Q: Are we about to witness a regional war? nation from the government but that never came and it appears that the government no longer wants to coop- reforms away from people’s health. the incidents in Libya where Egypt abstained from inter- A: I hope not. Arab countries have to assess various erate with the assembly or wants confrontation with it. Meanwhile, 23 Kuwaitis accused of joining Lebanese fering in domestic Libyan affairs or taking advantage of situations and possible options. They have to unite and Awdah said that if there needs to be any cuts in spend- militia Hezbollah and spying for Iran yesterday denied the critical situation there to jeopardize Libyan people’s reinforce joint Arab Action. ing, it should start with lawmakers and ministers and the charges at the appeals court which began their trial. interests. spare citizens, especially patients. Three of the 26-member “Abdaly cell” are at large and “The only time Egypt launched a military attack was Q: What about the Syrian crisis? The Cabinet on Monday decided to cut financial allo- were sentenced by the criminal court in absentia. They when terrorist organizations slaughtered 21 Egyptians on A: The Egyptian attitude towards the Syrian crisis has cations for Kuwaiti patients who are sent abroad for include the only Iranian national who was sentenced to Libyan soil,” he underlined, pointing out that Egypt takes been always clear and steady. It is mainly built on not treatment. It said patients will be paid KD 50 per day in death for allegedly recruiting the members for all needed measures to ensure its capability to cope with interfering in Syrian domestic affairs, respecting the the United States and Europe and KD 30 to other coun- Hezbollah and arranging military training. regional changes and challenges despite its critical eco- Syrian people’s will, fighting terrorists and insurgents tries. Those accompanying them will be paid nothing. Of the 23 who attended the first appeals court hear- nomic circumstances. He also referred to the efforts and working out a political solution that would maintain The government will bear the expenses of the treat- ing, one was sentenced to death, another to a life term exerted by the Egyptian armed forces to update and Syria’s safety and solidarity as well as pave the way for ment. while 17 were handed jail terms between two and 15 develop its weaponry and equipment. reconstruction efforts. This attitude reflects the steady MP Faisal Al-Kandari said he and a group of MPs will years. Four were acquitted. The case of the three at large Sisi spoke about developments in the Arab world and Egyptian foreign policy that is keen on not interfering in submit a motion to debate the government’s decision will not be handled by the appeals court. pointed out that the invasion of Kuwait in 1990 was the other countries’ domestic affairs except in case of direct to cut overseas treatment allocations during the next The defendants categorically denied that they joined first blow to Arab unity as well as the first breach of Arab threats to one of its brotherly countries. Assembly session on March 1. He said the debate is Hezbollah or were part of a plot to launch attacks needed to stand against the government’s unilateral against Kuwait. They claimed they were tortured to national security. He said today we were paying the price The best proof that countries must only provide mili- of the Arab world’s divisions. He also stressed the impor- decision to cut medical treatment abroad. extract false confessions. The leading figure who tary assistance in cases of direct threats can be that of the The lawmaker said it is unacceptable for the govern- received death sentence said he collected the arms tance of supporting Arab states to regain security and participation of Kuwaiti troops in the 1973 war on both ment to reduce the expenses to such lows and the new seized from him during the 1990-91 Iraqi invasion. The stability as well as maintain their national bodies and the Egyptian and Syrian fronts as well as Egyptian troops’ amounts are not sufficient to cover expenses in those judge refused demands by defense lawyers to free the institutions in order to revive their roles as effective Arab participation in the second Gulf war. Egypt will never hes- countries in light of the high cost of living. He said the defendants on bail and order a medical examination. League member states. itate to send its troops to the Gulf, including dear Kuwait, motion has been coordinated with a large number of The next hearing was set for March 15. The president also pointed out that the Arab nation’s once more to defend them from direct threats. I will strength lies in its unity and solidarity and urged Arab immediately send Egyptian troops to help Kuwaiti broth- countries to stop offending each other the way Egypt ers defend themselves and their country in case of any was offended and defamed by some Arab and regional direct threat. The same applies to other GCC states. countries and their media after the June 30 revolution. Protecting citizens’’ safety and security is not only a mat- Ankara blast kills 28 He stressed that Egypt acted responsibly then and avoid- ter of nationalism. It is also a religious, patriotic and ethi- ed similar responses in order to avoid exchanging accu- cal duty because our religion rejects terrorizing people. sations over the media that would have only led to more ANKARA: Twenty-eight people were killed and dozens really strong smell even though we were blocks away,” a divisions. “Islam, Arabism and love bonds amongst Arab wounded in Turkey’s capital Ankara yesterday when a car Reuters witness said. “We could immediately hear ambu- Q: Can Egyptians in Kuwait anticipate some good lance and police car sirens rushing to the scene.” A health states should be expressed by deeds and not only words,” laden with explosives detonated next to military buses news... near the armed forces’ headquarters, parliament and oth- ministry official said the authorities were still trying to he underlined. A: Well, I can assure them that their country will er government buildings. The Turkish military con- determine the number of dead and wounded, who had remain safe and tell them that we are doing the best we demned what it described as a terrorist attack on the been taken to several hospitals in the area. Images on Some excerpts from the interview: can to develop it. Egypt looks forward to the contribu- buses as they waited at traffic lights in the administrative social media showed the charred wreckage of at least Q: Are you satisfied with GCC aid and investments in tions of Egyptians abroad to support this process of heart of the city. two buses and a car. The explosion, which came shortly Egypt after the June 30 revolution, and in view of development and construction. A government spokesman said 28 people had been after 6:30 pm (1630 GMT), sent a large plume of smoke favors Egypt has been doing to the Arab world, is killed and 61 wounded in the blast, which took place above central Ankara. there any sort of negligence? Q: The speech you made in the parliament seemed near a busy intersection less than 500 m from parliament Turkey, a NATO member, faces multiple security A: The Egyptian people’s needs are rapidly increasing like a roadmap towards achieving economic devel- during the evening rush hour. Justice Minister Bekir threats. It is part of a U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic now that the population has exceeded 90 million includ- opment. Is there a roadmap to revive tourism, espe- Bozdag described the attack as an act of terrorism and State in neighboring Syria and Iraq, and has been ing 65 million below 40 years of age and 30 million below cially as we visited Sharm el-Sheikh and explored the told parliament, which was in session when the blast shelling Kurdish militia fighters in northern Syria in recent occurred, that the car had exploded on a part of the days. It has also been battling PKK militants in its own 18. There is no such thing as ‘favors’ amongst brothers. huge touristic potentials Egypt has? Why does not There is only love, reverence and appreciation. If Egypt street lined on both sides by military vehicles. southeast where a 2-1/2 year ceasefire collapsed last July, Egypt focus on attracting Arab tourists? Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who had been due plunging the region into its worst violence since the had enough resources, it would have never hesitated to A: We welcome all Arab tourists, especially since com- support all Arab brothers. But over the past years, Egypt to leave for meetings in Brussels later yesterday, can- 1990s. The PKK, which has fought a three-decade insur- pared to other international touristic destinations, Egypt celled the trip, an official in his office said. President gency for Kurdish autonomy, has frequently attacked mil- has been through a difficult experience that resulted in has the advantage of sharing the culture with other Arab several problems. However, after the June 30 revolution, Tayyip Erdogan postponed a planned visit to Azerbaijan. itary targets in the past, although it has largely focused countries, which is more relaxing for Arab tourists and Egyptians realized the importance of reasonable thinking A senior Turkish security source said initial signs indicated its campaign on the mainly Kurdish southeast. makes them feel at home. The significance of the touristic that Kurdish militants from the outlawed Kurdistan Yesterday’s bombing comes after an attack in Ankara and not to get carried away with people after making sector to the Egyptian economy is obvious, as five million Workers Party (PKK) were responsible. Separate security in October blamed on Islamic State, when two suicide limited political and personal gains. The Egyptian people Egyptians work in this sector that used to make an annual sources in the mainly Kurdish southeast, however, said bombers struck a rally of pro-Kurdish and labor activists will manage to save Egypt from attempts of a certain income of $14 billion before 2011. The government is they believed Islamic State militants may have been outside the capital’s main train station, killing more than bloc to kidnap it and change its national identity. already working on activating tourism, be it local, Arab or behind the bombing. There was no immediate claim of 100 people. A suicide bombing in the historic heart of foreign. Egypt is keen on providing all possible means to responsibility. Istanbul in January, also blamed on Islamic State, killed Q: Over 50,000 Kuwaiti students are currently study- make the best use of its outstanding location and endless “I heard a huge explosion. There was smoke and a 10 German tourists. — Reuters ing in Egypt. What can the Egyptian government do monuments in addition to its moderate climate. to solve the problems they might face? Accordingly, all Arab tourists are welcome to spend their A: Egypt welcomes all Arab and foreign students and vacations in their second home country - Egypt. Egypt has will never tolerate any systematic offences or abuse also launched several campaigns to encourage Arab Oil well fire contained against them. As honorable guests, they receive utmost tourists to visit it. love and welcome from the Egyptian people and govern- Continued from Page 1 tos of a large fire were circulating on social media. Separately, Kuwait signed a deal to export 100,000 bar- ment. Some individual incidents may occur, though they Q: What about Egypt’s relations with Russia? Azmi earlier said that thick gas seen being emitted at the rels of oil per day (bpd) with a major refiner, with a potential are very decisively dealt with and fought. Egypt also A: Egypt has deep-rooted historic relations with Russia site was “caused by putting out the blaze”. He said “no read- annual return of $2 billion, KUNA reported yesterday. “The hosts a large number of Arabs who live side by side with ing of any H2S (hydrogen sulfide) gas leak from the incident” contract is one of the important strategic agreements that Egyptians and enjoy the same services. that have been outstanding in many fields including mili- tary cooperation. Generally speaking, Egypt follows a bal- had been recorded at the oilfield. KUNA said that the reinforces Kuwait’s position as a main oil supplier in the Environmental Public Authority confirmed that the gas con- Asian markets,” Nabil Bouresli, managing director of interna- Q: Egyptian economic indicators have been improv- anced foreign policy that is open to all countries worldwide and is based on mutual respect and achieving joint inter- tained no hazardous elements. In a later statement, Azmi tional marketing at Kuwait Petroleum Corp (KPC) was quot- ing. Yet, GCC and foreign investments have not said the spill had not affected KOC’s operations and produc- ed by KUNA as saying. Kuwait plans to raise its crude oil pro- ests. Egypt has stable strategic relations with the US as well increased and this reflects a need to review monetary tion processes in Kuwait, a major oil producer and OPEC duction by 150,000 bpd in the third quarter and aims to sign policies and adopt new ideas. What do you recom- as European and Asian countries including China and member. Kuwaiti media published photos of a fire it said new export deals with European customers soon, Bouresli mend? Japan. — KUNA was burning at the scene. The Al-Rai news service said pho- has said earlier this month. — Agencies THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 ANALYSIS

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Focus Russia, Turkey run risk of escalation

By Maxim Popov and Olga Rotenberg

urkey and Russia are already waging a proxy war in Syria as Istanbul backs rebels against Syrian Tgovernment troops supported by Moscow. But the recent escalation in rhetoric has sharpened fears of a direct confrontation, analysts warn. The two major players in the Syrian conflict have historic enmities dat- ing back to the 16th century with the first Russo- Turkish wars, and more recently the Crimean War between Russia and the Ottoman Empire backed by Britain and France, in the mid-19th century. Russia’s bombing campaign in Syria that began in September and the Turkish shelling of Kurdish posi- tions in Syria have effectively created a separate sub- crisis within the geopolitical cluster bomb of the five- year-long war. This conflict is also being played out on the ground as rebel groups backed in particular by Encryption debate forced into courts Turkey are attempting to contain the advance of Syrian troops supported by Moscow, which is also backing Turkey’s sworn enemies the Syrian Kurds. By Rob Lever “Apple deserves praise for standing up for its ples of law and privacy”. right to offer secure devices to all of its “If forcing Apple to hack its own devices qualifies ‘Eve of Confrontation’ pple’s challenge of a court order to unlock an customers.” as ‘reasonable technical assistance,’ there is no Currently the conflict between Moscow and Ankara iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino killers practical limit to what law enforcement could is primarily a war of words. But analysts warn it could Aopens up a new front in the long-running battle Debate on 1789 Law force private companies to do to compromise spiral into a real clash. “We are on the eve of such a between technology companies and the government The case is likely to work the security of their systems,” Szoka said in a confrontation. Not because anyone plans to attack any- over encryption. The standoff brings the sensitive issue, its way through the courts, statement. one else. But when there are so many weapons and which has been at a stalemate in Congress, into the which will need to consid- Darren Hayes, a Pace University professor armies and intersecting interests, chance can play a courts, which could ultimately impose a decision with er a number of both tech- of computer forensics, argued that Apple major role,” said Alexander Konovalov of the Strategic wide-ranging consequences. A California magistrate on nical and legal questions. and other tech companies may have gone Analysis Institute in Moscow. Ankara this week railed Tuesday ordered Apple to provide “reasonable technical Interestingly, Magistrate too far by using encryption that, in theory, against Russia’s bombing, threatening an “extremely assistance” to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation to Judge Sheri Pym’s order makes it impossible for the firms to hand decisive response” and calling strikes “vile, cruel and break into an iPhone used by one of the shooters in the is based on the 1789 All over evidence even if served with a legal barbaric”. deadly December rampage. Writs Act, which lays warrant. “I think that the public, once Moscow for its part has condemned Ankara’s Apple quickly said it would fight the judge’s order. out broad authority for they become more educated about what “provocative” shelling of Kurdish positions in the strate- Chief executive Tim Cook called it “an unprecedented the courts to help is happening, might change their stance gic northern Aleppo province, and on Tuesday said step which threatens the security of our customers,” and enforcement of the about Apple,” said Hayes, who has that Turkish security services are training militants from said the order “has implications far beyond the legal case law. Legal scholar worked as a consultant to law enforce- ex-Soviet countries that are then dispatched to Syria. at hand”. Apple, Google and other technology firms in Jonathan Turley of the ment. “This case is sensitive for the US Turkey has openly suggested it could launch a ground recent years have stepped up encryption - allowing only George Washington public and I don’t think it’s particularly operation against the Islamic State group alongside its the customers to have “keys” to unlock their devices - University said Pym good public relations for Apple” to allies, particularly Saudi Arabia, which could lead to a claiming improved security and privacy is needed to “has gone far beyond refuse to help the investigation, Hayes direct confrontation with Russian forces. maintain confidence in the digital world. what I consider the added. That drive for privacy has prompted sharp objections scope of her authority” A key question is whether Apple has Kurdish Zone in Syria from law enforcement and intelligence officials, who and that her actions the ability to provide the assistance Along with the fate of Assad, the question of the claim that criminals and extremists are able to hide their “appear almost legislative sought by the FBI. CDT’s Hall said that Apple Kurds is one of the main obstacles to agreement illicit activities thanks to device encryption. “This is a in nature”. “has never been forthcoming about the deep between Turkey and Russia. Turkey wants to prevent the Kurds, who already control a large part of northern clever move by the FBI to move from the legislative are- “Congress has not ordered details of its system” but noted there is “a lot of Syria, from establishing a permanent presence west of na, where they were not winning, to the courts,” said such back door access to be sup- well-informed speculation” about its encryption. the Euphrates river and creating an autonomous zone Joseph Hall, chief technologist at the Center for plied by companies and such a move “Apple does not have the keys to your device - they are on the Turkish border. The Syrian Kurds have benefited Democracy & Technology, a digital rights group. “They would raise difficult privacy ques- burned onto your chip,” Hall said. But he said it may be from the alliance with Russia and this month opened a appear to be asking for Apple to produce a version of iOS tions,” Turley said in a blog post. The possible to get around that encryption. “They have soft- representative office in Moscow. Asked about the risk that removes the glue to keep security working.” order also “raises chilling constitutional ware that could essentially do things that the keys can of an escalation with Turkey Tuesday, Kremlin The order raised hackles among privacy advocates, questions that should be fully reviewed do,” he said, but noted that it would probably require a spokesman Dmitry Peskov said “he would rather not which see the potential to unleash unbridled surveil- by a federal district court judge and an weakening of the overall operating system’s security. answer,” adding that “our relations are in a deep crisis.” lance in the United States and elsewhere. “If the FBI can appellate court,” Turley said. Berin Hayes said that no one knows for sure if Apple can cir- force Apple to hack into its customers’ devices, then so Szoka, president of the libertarian cumvent the encryption, but noted “the fact that Turkish ‘Stab in Back’ too can every repressive regime in the rest of the world,” think tank TechFreedom, said the they’re arguing this makes me think they may be able The climate of confrontation has intensified since said Alex Abdo of the American Civil Liberties Union. order goes against “bedrock princi- to do it.” —AFP late November when Turkish F-16 fighters downed a Russian bomber plane which Ankara said strayed into its air space. Russia was swift to react to this “stab in the back” with economic sanctions followed by a beefing- Instant gratification: Fast fashion revolution up of its firepower in Syria, notably deploying its latest S-400 air defence systems. Meanwhile Putin accused his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan of By Thomas Urbain model redundant and confusing. “We’re entering a comfortable,” she said. “We like to take risks and we’re not involvement in illegal oil trading with Islamic State society where people to be able to click on what they afraid of taking risks.” The effect on sales remains to be seen jihadists in Syria. ew York Fashion Week this season has put “click and see and buy it,” said Marshal Cohen, a retail industry but Uri Minkoff, CEO of his sister’s label, said sales were up Before the conflict, Erdogan was often likened to buy” on the map, revolutionizing the antiquated analyst at The NPD Group. “It is all about fast fashion, 10 percent from wholesale partners in the last month. Putin with both keeping a grip on power and using global fashion calendar with clothes that now can be speed to market, convenience to the consumer.” “They’re so excited. Right now, the stores can act on all this glories of past empires to boost patriotism while crack- N ordered straight from the catwalk. For more than 100 years, But Cohen said it would be tough to enact change. “It’s big press and excitement,” he said. ing down on rights. An escalation is possible if Turkey the world of high fashion has been divided up into four sea- going to be a difficult challenge... because some of these But American designer Zac Posen expressed reserva- launches the ground operation, said independent mili- sons - spring/summer, autumn/winter. Designers debut their people design these things a year and half, two years in tions about sustainability. “Fast fashion is gonna destroy tary analyst Alexander Golts: “Russia will face the alter- collections at fashion week, fashion magazines write them advance. It takes eight months to make a pattern. They’re the world, it’s going to pollute the oceans,” he told AFP native to evacuate immediately and lose face or launch up and go to print a few months before the clothes are avail- going to have to learn how to speed it up.” So great is the backstage at his fashion show. In last few years, the a ground operation.” able to buy in boutiques-six months after they first grace the lag that high street giants can beat high-end designers to amount of clothing being thrown out had tripled and This showdown has sparked concern in Washington runway. it. For example, Swedish fast fashion giants H&M can spot quadrupled, he said. “It’s great that there’s accessible style and Brussels as Turkey is a NATO member and can rely But gone are the days when only magazine editors, something on the runway, make a copy and have it in items, but just like you saw... in the food industry, where we on support of other members if there is an attack on its stores in two months, Cohen said. went into people understanding sustainability and sourc- soil, making the current situation potentially explosive. socialites and the in-crowd grace a fashion show. The rise of “Even while expressing official support for Turkey, Instagram, Snapchat, live feeds and bloggers now zaps “We think it will only accelerate over time,” Minkoff told ing of where things come, the same will happen in fashion,” NATO will do all it can to restrain the Turks from any images from the catwalk across the Internet in real time. AFP. Until now the timetable has been “easy and safe and he said. —AFP abrupt moves in Syria,” Golts said. There is “a risk of the That means that high-end clients no longer want to burn Syrian crisis transforming into a whole new one, a very thousands of dollars on an outfit that has been plastered all dangerous level: direct military confrontation between over the Internet for six months. She’s bored, she wants the region’s states,” Nikolai Bordyuzha, the head of the something new. Collective Security Treaty Organisation made up of “The younger customer does not want to wait any longer, Russia and former Soviet states told the Interfax news they want to see it and wear it that day or the next day. So we’re agency. “The consequences of such a turn of events are going to change the rules,” American designer Tommy Hilfiger hard to predict.” —AFP told AFP at his Chelsea studios. In September, Hilfiger cus- tomers will be able to buy his collection straight from the cat- walk in what he calls “click and buy.” This season New York designer Rebecca Minkoff led the way, launching #SEEBUY- WEAR that offered 70 percent of the items featured in her run- All articles appearing on these way show for immediate purchase. pages are the personal opinion of While the vast majority of New York runway shows have the writers. Kuwait Times takes no focused on fall/winter 2016, Minkoff’s collection was immediate - spring/summer 2016 - which provided the snow stops falling responsibility for views expressed id just weeks around the corner. Others sticking a toe in the therein. Kuwait Times invites read- water are Tory Burch, Diane von Furstenberg and LaQuan ers to voice their opinions. Please Smith, who offered items from their collections for immediate send submissions via email to: opin- sale. As with Hilfiger, British luxury label Burberry and Tom Ford [email protected] or via snail are scheduled to follow suit in September. mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. Difficult Challenge The editor reserves the right to edit The Council of Fashion Designers of America has any submission as necessary. hired consultants to suggest changes and is to release its findings in March, but already considers the current A model presents creations by Tommy Hilfiger during the New York Fashion Week on Feb 15, 2016 in New York. —AFP THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 SPORTS

McKenzie joins South Unranked Thai player S Africa’s Kruger Africa as batting coach gets 18-month ban signs for Scarlets CAPE TOWN: South Africa have appointed former player Neil McKenzie as LONDON: Unranked Thai player Jatuporn Nalamphun has been sus- LONDON: South Africa prop Werner Kruger has signed a three-year con- batting coach until the end of next month’s World Twenty20 in India. pended for 18 months and fined $5,000 after being found guilty of bet- tract with the Scarlets, the Welsh regional side announced yesterday. The McKenzie, 40, retired as a player last month and has been roped in to help ting on tennis matches and not cooperating with the investigation, the 31-year-old tighthead will leave Super Rugby side the Bulls to join the South African batting line-up that has looked fragile recently. He will work Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) said. “The 22-year-old admitted to three Llanelli-based Scarlets ahead of the 2016/17 European season. Kruger, who with the team in home Twenty20 series against England and breaches of... the (anti corruption) program, which prohibits betting on won four Springbok caps from 2011-12, became the first Bulls player to Australia, as well as the World Twenty20 that starts on March tennis matches, between July and November 2014,” the TIU said in a make 100 appearances in both Super Rugby and the Currie Cup in August 8. “It’s been something that we have been trying to do for a statement yesterday. Jatuporn was suspended for six months and a 2015. “Both me and my family are really looking forward to this next chap- long time,” South Africa head coach Russell Domingo told fined $5,000 for the betting offences but was then handed a concurrent ter at Parc y Scarlets,” Kruger told the club’s region’s website. reporters yesterday. “We have explored a few options and 18-month ban after being “found guilty of a further charge of failing to “I believe the time ahead will be a time for growth and finally one guy has committed to us, we are ecstatic that cooperate with a TIU Investigation”. “The full and timely cooperation by learning.” Kruger added: “We are especially looking Neil will be joining us. “He will work with us until the end of participants in TIU investigations is of paramount importance in the forward to experiencing all that the Welsh have to the World Cup. Things will be assessed from there, it’s the efforts being made by the TIU to eliminate corruption in professional offer, making a difference and playing great rugby.” His end of the cricket season, and we will look at things going for- tennis,” anti-corruption hearing officer Ian Mill said. Tennis is still reeling signing was announced the day after Wales prop Rhodri ward.” McKenzie played 58 tests and 64 one-day interna- from widespread allegations of corruption in the sport and the inde- Jones confirmed he was leaving the Scarlets for nearby tional for South Africa, as well as 155 domestic pendent review panel (IRP), which was launched last month, will take at Welsh rivals Ospreys. Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac Twenty20 games. South Africa take on England in least a year to complete its investigations. The IRP was established by said: “He (Kruger) will further strengthen us at the set- the first Twenty20 of their two-match series in the sport’s governing bodies following media reports criticising the TIU piece and will bring vast experience having played both Cape Town on Friday. —Reuters for not adequately investigating some 16 players repeatedly flagged up sides of the scrum. — AFP over suspicions they had thrown matches in the past decade.—Reuters KOTC shooting tournament begins today

KUWAIT: Kuwait Shooting Sports Club announced that the Kuwait Oil Tankers Company Shooting Tournament will start today at Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex and will last until Saturday, February 20. The tourna- ment will include the 10m air pistol and rifle, 50m prone rifle, 50m three position rifle, 50m free pistol and Olympic archery events, for men, Obaid Munahi Al-Osaimi women and juniors. Secretary General of Kuwait and Arab Shooting Federations Obaid Munahi Al-Osaimi said KOTC is one of the tournaments Kuwait Shooting Sport Club is keen on organizing every year, and it shows the company’s support of shooting and shooters. He thanked KOTC officials for ‘We Are Egypt’ soccer tournament their efforts on behalf of the president and board mem- bers. He said KSSC is looking forward for strong participa- tion by our shooters, and for them to exert their best KUWAIT: The first “We Are Egypt” soccer and the closing ceremony was attended Then a match was held between National and Liberation Days. efforts to win. tournament between the Egyptian com- by Egyptian Embassy Advisor Egypt Stars against The Tournament He said that this is an excellent oppor- munity youth with the participation of Mohammad Adel, deputizing for the Stars, which ended in Egypt Stars win- tunity for Egyptians in Kuwait to meet, as Kuwaitis, as the “Friends” team won the ambassador. ning by the score of 4-3. we consider Kuwait our second home. title as they defeated the “Dreams” team The ceremony saw a friendly match Egyptian Deputy Ambassador Former Egyptian Ahli club player with the score of 3-1. between Ahli Club academy, and the Mohammad Adel lauded the technical Ahmad Nakhla said the tournament was Retiring Pacquiao The tournament was held under the Pharaohs Academy which ended with level of the tournament, and congratu- a success and thanked the organizing opens door to patronage of Public Authority for Sports, the score of 1-1. lated HH the Amir on the occasion of committee members for their efforts. Mayweather rematch

GENERAL SANTOS: Philippine boxing great Manny Pacquiao has opened the door to a lucrative rematch with Floyd Mayweather, telling AFP he still intends to retire after his next fight but that a comeback is possible. The 37-year- old announced in January that his upcoming bout against American Timothy Bradley would be his last so he could concentrate on Filipino politics. However, following a high- energy training session in his hometown of General Santos, Pacquiao said he was loving the sport as much as ever and he could not rule out fighting again. “It’s hard to say right now,” Pacquiao, who has won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions, told AFP in an interview when asked about retirement. “I made my decision already that after this fight I (will) retire. But I am not saying that, you know, boxing is closed to me. You never know.” Pacquiao made the comments when asked if a chance to avenge his crushing loss to American nemesis Mayweather last year would lure him out of retirement. That fight shattered boxing revenue records, generating 4.5 million pay-per-view purchases and $600 million in gross revenue. It capped a phenome- nal rise for Pacquiao, whose journey from street kid to mega-rich athlete is a source of hope and inspiration for tens of millions of poor Filipinos. Until this week, Pacquiao had insisted repeatedly that he was very happy to be giving up the sport to pursue pol- itics and his goal of fighting poverty in the Philippines. Pacquiao, a two-term congressman, is looking to win a Senate seat in May elections, and the official campaign is already underway. Pacquiao spoke at length on Tuesday about his political aspirations-including the prospect of becoming president. And he repeated that, at this point, his intention was to retire from boxing after fighting Bradley for the third time in Las Vegas on April 9. But Pacquiao also indicated he wasn’t sure his retirement would be permanent, twice using the term: “You never know”.

‘PLEASE FORGIVE ME’ He also insisted he remained as physically capable in the ring as a decade ago. “I don’t feel different compared (with) when I was 27, 25,” Pacquiao said. “I am still the same because I discipline myself. Even if I don’t have a fight and I am not in training, I always exercise every day.” Pacquiao aggravated a shoulder injury in the Mayweather bout and underwent surgery five days later. He said Tuesday his shoulder had recovered and he was in “100 percent” condi- tion to take on Bradley. After overseeing training on Monday, long-time American mentor Freddie Roach also said he suspected Pacquiao would be tempted back into the ring if he beats Bradley. “I’ll go along with him right now because he is run- ning for senator,” Roach told AFP, when asked if he believed Pacquiao genuinely intended to retire. “But there’s always that side of me that sees Senator Pacquiao (fight again). Because he likes that, he loves stuff like that,” Roach said. Pacquiao is on track to win one of 12 Senate seats in the elections, according to recent surveys, with his sporting heroics largely responsible for his political popularity. However, success is not guaranteed. Pacquiao has been heavily criticised by some in the Philippines for a dismal attendance record as a congress- man that they argue highlights a lack of political convic- tion. Pacquiao, an evangelical Protestant, also apologised via social media on Tuesday after saying on the campaign trail that homosexuals were “worse than animals”. “It’s common sense. Do you see animals mating with the same sex? Animals are better because they can distinguish male from female,” Pacquiao told television station TV5. After a barrage of criticism, Pacquiao asked for forgive- ness. “I’m sorry for comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I’ve hurt,” Pacquiao said in a video post on Instagram. — AFP THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 SPORTS Sahara’s Force India stake looks a hard sell

LONDON/MUMBAI: India’s embattled control. With Formula One far less popu- did not know the details of Sahara’s somebody comes along with the right three years, according to informed Sahara conglomerate said it wants to sell lar than cricket in India, and Mallya shareholder agreements. cheque, they would sell,” said Ecclestone. sources. its 42.5 percent stake in the Force India under pressure from lenders to meet “Not because they want to, but because Sahara needs to pay back 360 billion Formula One team to help release loan repayment obligations linked to his OWNERSHIP CHANGE commercially they probably think it rupees ($5.3 billion), raised from millions founder Subrata Roy from jail, but some grounded Kingfisher Airlines, the stake Formula One has only 11 teams and would be the right thing to do.” of small investors through the sale of motor racing insiders are sceptical about on its own could be a hard sell. any change of ownership, particularly if bonds ruled by the Supreme Court to be how easy it will be to find a buyer. Lenders who are owed more than $1 it might bring more funding, is of major COLLATERAL PACKAGE illegal, before Roy can be released. Sahara, which paid $100 million for billion by Kingfisher have started put- interest to fans. Mallya’s Force India holding forms It also needs to show it has a plan to the shareholding in 2011, sought the ting up for sale some of the carrier’s Force India, the first and only Indian- part of a package held as collateral by raise the money, giving the group time Indian Supreme Court’s permission this assets. Kingfisher has not flown since registered team, have a loyal following - British-based drinks giant Diageo to to seal deals and avert any court- month to dispose of Force India and oth- 2012 due to a lack of cash. “Unless you particularly in Mexico thanks to Mexican underpin a $135 million loan to Watson imposed seizure and auctions. er assets to raise a combined 53 billion are just doing it for sponsorship, I imag- driver Sergio Perez. Ltd, one of his affiliated companies, The Indian Supreme Court on Feb. 2 Indian rupees ($778.38 million) ine you would want control. And gener- Mallya, who brought Sahara into the Diageo said in an earnings press release asked markets regulator SEBI to state However, former Jordan, Jaguar and ally sponsors don’t want to be share- British-based team after buying it in last month. within two weeks whether it has any Red Bull marketing executive Mark holders,” Finbarr O’Connell, administra- 2007, turned 60 in December and The package also includes shares in opposition to Sahara’s proposal, accord- Gallagher said such a sale would not be tor for the failed Caterham team, told recently told India’s Economic Times it United Breweries Ltd , a unit of Mallya’s ing to court documents seen by Reuters. easy. Reuters. was “time to slow down, semi-retire and UB Group and India’s largest brewer. The case will next be heard in New Delhi “I don’t think anybody will pay 100 A Sahara spokesman said in an enjoy life”. He was not immediately avail- Diageo acquired a stake in Mallya’s on March 29. million pounds, euros or dollars for 42.5 emailed statement that there were “no able for comment on Sahara’s request United Spirits company in 2012 and later Force India’s 2015 budget, according percent of a mid-level F1 franchise,” talks with anybody at the moment” and his own F1 intentions. Bernie gained management control. to figures published by Britain’s Gallagher told Reuters. about selling the Formula One team Ecclestone, the 85-year-old Formula One Dutch entrepreneur Michiel Mol Autosport magazine, was about 110 mil- Others said it would be easier to dis- stake. supremo who has known Mallya for owns the remaining 15 percent of the lion pounds ($159.59 million). pose of the stake if the whole team - run Force India’s Chief Operating Officer decades, told Reuters he was “quite sure Force India team, which finished a best- Cash flow has been a problem in the by beer baron Vijay Mallya who also Otmar Szafnauer, asked whether Mallya’s the last thing Vijay wants to do is to ever fifth last year. The team can expect past and the team were granted an owns 42.5 percent - were up for sale permission was needed for any potential quit”. That said, he added, every team about $75 million in annual prize money advance on this season’s championship because a buyer would want outright sale by his co-owners, told Reuters he has its price. “There’s a lot of teams that if and revenue payments for the next money. —Reuters Four cities open campaign to host 2024 Olympics

LAUSANNE: Candidature files from Paris, ing are due by 7 October 2016. And the Rome, Los Angeles and Budapest to host final dossier on Games delivery, experience the 2024 Olympic Games, sport’s most glit- and venue legacy are not due until 3 tering event, were all delivered on sched- February 2017. ule, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed yesterday. FOLLOW THE SUN The new Candidature Process encour- Los Angeles 2024 Olympic bid chiefs ages the cities to present projects which decided not to hold a launch ceremony match their sports, economic, social and instead kicking off their campaign by environmental long-term regional plan- unveiling an official logo of an angel bask- ning needs. ing in rays of Californian sunshine on This is part of the ‘Olympic 2020 agenda’ Tuesday as the city bids to stage the games which also insists on the use of existing for a third time after 1932 and 1984. facilities and provides flexibility for the ven- The logo is accompanied by an official ues to meet local sustainability and legacy slogan, urging people to “Follow the Sun” needs. by supporting the Los Angeles bid. A delighted IOC President Thomas Bach, Existing installations such as the Staples confirming the four top drawer candidates, Center, the LA Coliseum, the Rose Bowl, was clearly impressed with a first look at and university stadiums will be used with the bids on Wednesday and said he was athletes to be housed on the UCLA cam- looking forward to a fascinating competi- pus. The Hungarian capital Budapest has tion. “Los Angeles, Rome, Budapest and announced a modest budget of 2.4 billion Paris are all submitting projects fully in line euros ($2.7 billion) to build thier entire with Olympic Agenda 2020,” he said. “It is infrastructure. impressive to see how they have incorpo- No launch ceremony will take place in rated the Olympic project into the long- there after opponents, fearing spiralling term development plans of their city, costs and risks of corruption, tried to force region and country. Coming from different a citizens referendum to block the bid, as starting points, for all four there is a clear was the case with Hamburg. Rome bid HIGH POINT: In this Sept 6, 2014, file photo, Coryn Rivera takes first place in the women’s USA Cycling Professional Criterium tionalNa focus on sustainable development, legacy president Luca Di Montezemolo presided Championships in High Point, NC Rivera is easily the most decorated cyclist in American history, the winner of an astounding 71 national cham- and in particular how the facilities are over a ceremony which was broadcast on pionships. Her big goal for 2016 is qualifying for the Rio Olympics, then adding to her impressive collection of hardware.— AP going to be used after the Olympic Games. state-owned television RAI. The candidate files under the new pro- With the Colosseum as their emblem cedure are delivered in three phases and and the city’s major tourist attractions as the IOC will confirm (or not) the cities pass- venues, the Italian capital will build on its American cyclist Coryn ing their criteria at that stage. strengths and existing infrastructure. Wednesday’s first instalment deals with Paris bid committee president Bernard global vision, Games concept and strategy. Lapasset will confirm a budget of 3.2 billion These will now be studied by IOC working euros for infrastructure, with existing stadi- Rivera riding fast to Rio groups who will deliver reports by June ums, arenas and world recognized land- 2016. marks all on the bill. KANSAS CITY: The sprightly girl aboard the said. Her ascent was about as rapid as her finish- pointing result, and it stuck with Rivera when Phase two propositions dealing with The vote for the host city will take place hand-me-down bike had started to cry, tears ing sprint. Rivera quickly won national titles in she took time off over the winter. She finished governance, legal matters and venue fund- on September 13, 2017 in Lima. —AFP trickling down her cheeks 50 miles into the her age group, then branched out into other dis- up her degree at Marian University in longest ride of her life. ciplines and swept those. There were years she Indianapolis, recharged her batteries and began Coryn Rivera’s father had ridden off ahead of won nationals on the road, in the time trial and to refocus for her ride to Rio. her. She wasn’t happy about getting left behind. on the track, as well as titles in criteriums, moun- It started with a second-place finish in the “I still remember that,” Wally Rivera said with a tain biking and cyclocross - a hybrid of off-road San Luis Grand Prix in Argentina, then a victory laugh, recalling the scene nearly 15 years later. and road cycling. in the opening stage of the Tour Femenino de “She was crying and crying because I didn’t wait Rivera captured the attention of USA Cycling, San Luis. After training camp in Florida, she for her.” These days, Coryn is the one everyone is earned invitations to prestigious camps and raced in the Tour of Qatar and is now off to trying to catch. landed a professional contract with her current Europe for a campaign that Rivera hopes earns The dynamic sprinter has become arguably team, UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling. that Olympic bid. the most decorated cyclist in American history, “Right away, she was being successful. She’s There are four spots on the US team, and the winner of an astounding 71 national cham- just one of the talented few,” said Mike Tamayo, Megan Guarnier has already locked up one with pionships. Her closets back home in Tustin, the US-based team’s general manager and sport- her bronze medal at worlds. Two spots will go to California, overflow with medals, trophies and ing director. time trial specialists, which leaves Rivera only other plaudits from triumphs stretching back one opportunity. more than a decade. She’s also only 22 years old. REFOCUS Winning one of the WorldTour events would And just getting started. “The trick with a rider like Coryn is to make virtually assure her of it. “We built a European Rivera’s big goal this year is qualifying for the sure you’re always feeding the beast,” Tamayo campaign with the focus on giving her a chance Rio Olympics, then adding to her extraordinary said. “She needs success. Success breeds success. to win the WorldTour races she can win,” Tamayo collection of hardware on the rolling hills of She keeps hitting those goals, it only makes her said. “We built a team around her. We have the coastal Brazil come August. “The Olympics is want more.” Missing those goals drives her just variables we controlled the best we can.” really an aura,” she told The Associated Press. “To as much, though. But cycling is an unpredictable sport, one PARIS: Officials and athletes pose on stage at the end of the official presentation of even attend the Olympics is one thing. To be an At the world championships last fall in slip-up leading to disaster. So while Rivera is Paris as candidate for the 2024 Olympic summer games yesterday in Paris. The race Olympic champion is one of the pinnacles of Richmond, Virginia, she found herself leading focused on qualifying for Rio, she knows there to host the 2024 Olympic Games gets underway in earnest today with the four bid women’s cycling.” the breakaway with about a mile left, only to get will be plenty of chances to shine on the world cities — Budapest, Los Angeles, Paris and Rome - presenting their initial candidature The Olympics have always been an odd-ball swept up by the rest of the field before the fin- stage. After all, she’s 22 years old. And just get- files to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). — AFP event in cycling. Courses tend to favor sprinters ish. It was an impressive showing but a disap- ting started. — AP or climbers, rarely giving everyone an equal shot, and the one-day nature of the road race Rome counting on historical means a rider having a particularly good day - or exceptionally bad day - can shake up the podi- Boasson Hagen takes backdrop for 2024 Games um. As a result, the Grand Tours - the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana - ROME: With a backdrop including the The race to host the 2024 Olympics along with certain classics and the world cham- lead in Tour of Oman Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica and the began in earnest Wednesday with the four pionships tend to be more revered among the Circus Maximus, Italian officials are hoping bid cities-Budapest, Los Angeles, Paris and world’s best cyclists. QURIYAT: Norwegian all-rounder Edvald the “great beauty” of Rome is enough to Rome-all presenting their initial candida- Boasson Hagen won the second stage of the secure them the 2024 Olympic Games. But ture files to the International Olympic CROWN JEWEL Tour of Oman yesterday, completing the at a glitzy and detailed presentation of Committee (IOC). Rome believes the stun- But there is no Tour de France in women’s 162km ride from Omantel Head Office to their official candidacy in Rome yesterday, ning backdrop of some of its famous histor- cycling. Nor are there other major stage races so Quriyat in 4hrs 12mins. bid candidacy president Luca Di ical sites offers competitors, spectators and steeped in tradition. So the Olympics have He finished clear of GC contenders, Italy’s Montezemolo admitted that keeping a millions of viewers around the the chance become the sport’s crown jewel. Vincenzo Nibali and Greg Van Avermaet of watchful eye on their spending budget to take a unique trip back in time. “As a kid, every Summer and Winter Olympics, Belgium after a tight sprint following an would be among their priorities. “The Athletes would step up to receive their it’s something I tuned into,” Rivera said. “I can feel aggressive ascent of the day’s 2.8km climb. building blocks of our project are total medals in front of the Colosseum, the the passion and pride that people put into their “I managed to attack and get involved in transparency, a ‘low-cost’ approach and cycling road races would be held around work, and how they represent their country, and the final sprint, so it was perfect for me,” said bringing general improvement to the city,” the ancient sites of the Fori Imperiali and it’s a feeling I would love to experience. It’s the 28-year-old former Sky man, who also said Di Montezemolo. With the Colosseum archery events would be held at the Baths historic. It’s legendary.” It’s something even she seized the overall leader’s red jersey. as their emblem and the city’s major tourist of Caracalla. The marathon races would thought was a long shot four years ago. “My team did really well leading on the attractions as venues, Rome intends to pass by St. Peter’s Basilica, a synagogue and Rivera began riding when her father, a climb.” The climb saw overnight leader Bob build on its strengths and existing infra- a mosque and the Circus Maximus-in antiq- motocross racer-turned-laboratory scientist, put Jungels dropped by 59sec while Australia’s structure to avoid, like its rivals, unneces- uity, the venue that hosted brutal chariot her on a tandem bike when she was 8 or 9. She Richie Porte was also distanced and trails by sary and unpopular costs. Di races. A Rome Olympics would be held quickly graduated to her own bike and began over three minutes. After a consolidated 20km Montezemolo, the former Ferrari chief, around three key centres: the Foro Italico, tagging along when Wally and his buddies hit acceleration by the Astana and Dimension claims 70 % of the facilities required to host built in the 1920s and completed, notably the road. But it turned out she had a fierce com- teams which smashed the peloton, Ireland’s events around Rome, which hosted the the Stadio Olimpico, ahead of the 1960 petitive streak, and soon Rivera was blitzing her Dan Martin of Etixx was also left trailing by 1960 Games, are already in place. Games, the Fiera di Roma and Tor Vergata, father and everyone else on those informal 1min 41sec. Boasson Hagen leads overall by In a bid to avoid constructing “white ele- which would host the Olympic Village. group rides. Eventually, Wally took her to the four seconds from Nibali and six seconds from phant” stadiums or venues, the construc- Di Montezemolo said their budget for Redlands Bicycle Classic, the longest-running Van Avermaet. MUSCAT: Novegian Edvald Boasson Hagen tion of temporary venues is in the pipeline. permanent venues (pricipally the Olympic stage race in America. There was a public race Today’s third stage covers 176.5km from Al of Dimension Data team celebrates on the “More than 70 % of the sites are already Village and the press centre), would rise to and “she just crushed everybody,” he recalled. Sawadi Beach to Nasseem Park and looks set finish line as he wins the second stage of available. If we had to organise the open- 2.1 bn (billion) euros. “Starting off, she had to race with older kids - to end in a bunch sprint. Friday’s stage howev- seventh cycling Tour of Oman between the ing ceremony tomorrow, as well as the ath- “It’s our plan to build temporary venues. 16-year-olds sometimes - and she was still just 9 er looks cut out for the pure climbers such as Omantel Head on the outskirts of Muscat letics and swimming events, we could,” said We don’t want to be left with any white ele- or 10, and she kept winning races,” Wally Rivera Nibali or Frenchman Romain Bardet. —AFP and Qurrayat yesterday. — AFP Di Montezemolo. phants,” he said. —AFP THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 SPORTS The predicament of being Ajinkya Rahane

NEW DELHI: With a “no-vacancy” sign An industrious accumulator in a line- Twenty20, he is somebody who has one to seventh position in the batting plastered on India’s top order and his up teeming with swashbuckling power- done really well when he is opening the order. utility in the middle questioned by his hitters, Rahane can only hope for a mid- batting. With India deciding to preserve Kohli own captain, Ajinkya Rahane suddenly dle order slot but Dhoni, forthright as “If you look at the team we have got for bigger things, Rahane batted at num- finds his consistency with the bat means ever, has virtually dismissed the possibil- for the Twenty20 World Cup, you find it ber three in this month’s home T20 very little. ity. Dhoni insists Rahane, as evident from difficult to find a place for him.” An auto- series against Sri Lanka and will almost The 27-year-old Mumbai batsman has his consistent performance in the Indian matic selection in the test team, Rahane invariably make way when the test skip- forced his way into the final 15 for next Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 competi- has a strike rate of 114 in T20 per returns for the upcoming Asia Cup. month’s World Twenty20 on home soil tion, is at his best as an opener and lacks Internationals and is among the rare This is despite Rahane finishing last but is unlikely to play a major role in the the muscle power to excel as a lower- batsmen who can score freely and still year’s IPL as the second highest run- hosts’ bid for a second 20-over World order slogger. not offend the purists with his shot-mak- scorer, behind only Australia opener title under Mahendra Singh Dhoni. “When both the openers perform ing. David Warner. The left-right combination of Shikhar well, it makes life slightly difficult for the Almost an anachronism in an exuber- Dhoni rates Rahane among the top Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have locked skipper,” the India captain told reporters ant group that wears its heart on its three Indian batsmen in IPL but is up the opening slots, followed by bat- on Tuesday. “Rahane, at the end of the sleeve, the soft-spoken Rahane notched against tinkering with a well-settled bat- ting mainstay Virat Kohli and limited day, is a fantastic player but you also up six half-centuries in his last 10 one- ting lineup for the March 8-April tourna- overs specialist Suresh Raina. have to consider the fact that in day international knocks, floating from ment. —Reuters Ajinkya Rahane

Olympian Ten defends title at Four Continents

TAIPEI: Olympic medallist Denis Ten will Continents champions Meagan Duhamel face tough competition as the headline act and Eric Radford of Canada are defending at the Four Continents figure skating cham- their title. pionships in Taipei this week, as he seeks to Among the medal contenders are World defend his crown. silver medallists Sui Wenjing and Han Cong Ten is looking to scoop his second Four of China-their compatriots Yu Xiaoyu and Continents title after winning in Seoul last Jin Yang will also vie for the title, with year. American champions Tarah Kayne and The skater from Kazakhstan, who took Daniel O’Shea also hopeful. an Olympic bronze at Sochi in 2014, will In the ice dance event, defending cham- face three-time World Champion Patrick pions Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Chan of Canada and 2015 Skate America Canada are eyeing their third title and champion Max Aaron of the United States. come in confident after taking the ISU Current ISU Grand Prix Final bronze Grand Prix final earlier this season. medallist Shoma Uno of Japan and defend- Other top competitors include newly ing Four Continents bronze medallist Yan crowned US champions Maia Shibutani and Han of China will also line up for the men’s Alex Shibutani, and 2015 World and Four title. Continents silver medallists Madison Chock The women’s event is also wide open and Evan Bates, also from the United States. after defending champion Polina Edmunds More than 90 skaters representing 15 of the US withdrew due to injury. Last ISU members from around the world are year’s runner-up Satoko Miyahara of Japan- competing at the event, which runs from a reigning world silver medallist-will head- Thursday to Sunday at Taiwan’s Taipei line the field. Arena. “It’s my third time competing at the Four “We hope to promote skating in Taiwan Continents. I have two silver medals so I by hosting the competition. With the want the first place. I practise very hard so I world’s top skaters coming (to Taiwan), want to do my best at this competition,” local audiences can enjoy top quality per- she told AFP. formances without having to fly abroad Miyahara will face fellow Japanese while local skaters can have the opportuni- skater Rika Hongo and 2014 Four ties to learn from them,” said Eddy Wu, sec- Continents champion Kanako Murakami, as retary-general of Chinese Taipei Skating well as ISU Grand Prix finalist Gracie Gold of Union. Tsao Chih-i and Amy Lin will repre- the US. sent Taiwan in the men’s and women’s Juan Martin del Potro In the pairs, reigning World and Four events, respectively. — AFP Del Potro makes winning Willett keen to maintain momentum in Malaysia return at Delray Beach Open

KUALA LUMPUR: England’s Danny Willett nice to have last week off to recover and DELRAY BEACH: Juan Martin del seeks further fuel for his rapid rise in world recharge the batteries,” he said. Potro thrust his arms into the air, golf at this week’s inaugural Maybank The $3 million tournament at the Royal blew a kiss skyward and began toss- Championship Malaysia, where he heads a Selangor Golf Club, co-sanctioned by the ing his sweat-soaked wristbands field including past Major champions Louis European and Asian Tours who are in ongo- into the crowd. This was one sweet Oosthuizen and Martin Kaymer. ing talks over a proposed merger into a victory for the Argentine. Del Potro Willett arrives in Kuala Lumpur on a tide mega-tour, is the successor to the longtime beat American Denis Kudla 6-1, 6-4 of momentum following a win two weeks Malaysian Open, which has been discontin- in the first round of the Delray Beach ago in the Dubai Desert Classic and a hand- ued due to a sponsorship shift. Open on Tuesday in his first ATP ful of other top-10 finishes in recent Both Oosthuizen, now the world num- match in 11 months following a left months. ber 21, and Kaymer, who is ranked 36, will wrist injury. The 28-year-old has soared from 47th a be trying to bounce back after missing the Del Potro’s win was a relief to year ago to world number 13 and is the cut in windy conditions in Dubai. tournament organizers after their highest-ranked player in a Malaysian field “I struggled with my ball flight (in Dubai) top two seeds each had a quick exit. Kevin Anderson, the No. 1 seed and that also features top-50 players Thongchai and when it’s windy that’s the last thing 2012 champion, was forced to retire Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat of you want to happen,” said Oosthuizen, of from his match against Austin Thailand, and Englishmen Chris Wood and South Africa. Krajicek due to a right shoulder Matthew Fitzpatrick. The early-year appearance in Malaysia injury. Hours later, second-seeded Willett showed his championship mettle typically offers a special challenge for Bernard Tomic of Australia lost to by clinching a one-shot victory in Dubai Western golfers due to the humid condi- American Rajeev Ram, 7-6 (3), 6-1. with a tricky 15-foot putt on the final hole. tions and jet lag, and Oosthuizen said The 27-year-old del Potro played It was his fourth career win and lifted Tuesday he was “struggling to stay awake”. just four matches last year and 10 in him from 19th in the world rankings to But he added that it may be “a good 2014. He has faced four surgeries - within striking distance of the top 10. omen”, noting that he ended up winning one on his right wrist and three on Willett admitted he is still acclimating to his the Malaysian Open in 2012 after rushing in his left - since defeating Roger new status and that “expectations are obvi- following a playoff at the US Masters Federer in the 2009 US Open final. ously high after how well I’ve been playing against eventual champion Bubba Watson. Once ranked in the top 10, del recently.” Willett, Germany’s Kaymer, and others Potro is down to No. 1,041. Against “Winning does take a lot out of you, from Europe also are keen to burnish their Kudla, he was surprisingly consis- physically and mentally,” he said. But he Ryder Cup credentials in the presence of tent, losing just 10 points on his added that a week off at home in England European captain Darren Clarke of serve in the match - five of them on had left him refreshed. Northern Ireland, who also will be compet- double faults. Rather than pound his ing in Malaysia. once potent two-handed backhand, ‘RUNNING ON ADRENALINE’ The $3 million Maybank Championship del Potro employed a new-found “When you’re running on adrenalin, you Malaysia has a winner’s purse of $500,000 one-handed slice shot. don’t tend to feel the little niggles and the and is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Del Potro next plays today aches and pains that can build up. So it was European Tour.— AFP against Australian John-Patrick Smith. When asked about his oppo- nent, a former All-American at the University of Tennessee, del Potro shrugged his shoulders and dead- panned, “I don’t know him. For two years I was at home watching ‘The Simpsons.’” Rafael Nadal Anderson had just dropped the first set to the 103rd-ranked American in a 7-3 tiebreaker when he sauntered to the sideline, packed Nadal, Ferrer and Thiem his racket bag, shook his opponent’s hand and walked off the court. Anderson also pulled out of the first advance at Rio Open tournament of the year in Chennai and retired from his opening match RIO DE JANEIRO: After an hour-long delay for rain, for his fourth clay-court title. at the Australian Open last month Rafael Nadal advanced to the second round at the “Both things gave me a lot of confidence, but due to a left-knee injury. Rio Open with 6-1, 6-4 win over fellow Spaniard after the match with Nadal I wanted to give every- Krajicek was one of seven Pablo Carreno. thing to win the tournament,” the 22-year-old Americans to advance to the second Nadal won gold in the Beijing Olympics in 2008 Austrian said. “The win against Rafa would have been round. Donald Young, a finalist last but missed the London Olympics with an injury. worth only half if I had lost the final.” year, moved on when Mikhail Despite being asked about it repeatedly, he’s staying No. 3 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga had his match rained out Kukushkin of Kazakhstan retired away from talking about the Rio’s Olympics that against Thiago Monteiro. They will play today. In first- with a leg injury while trailing 7-6 open in six months. round upsets, Federico Delbonis of Argentina beat (3), 3-0. Sixth-seeded Steve Johnson “The Olympics is a very important event, a very sixth-seeded Jack Sock of the United States 7-5, 6-1 squeaked past Australian John special one, and I’m going to try my best when the and Alexandr Dolgopolov upset No. 8 seed Thomaz Millman 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (10-8), and Sam Olympics arrive,” Nadal said. “But for now I’m playing Bellucci 6-7 (3), 7-5, 6-2. Querrey defeated Thiemo de Bakker the ATP tournament in Rio. That’s the most important On the women’s side, top-seeded Teliana Pereira 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. thing for me.” Also advancing Tuesday were No. 2 of Brazil lost 6-3, 7-5 to Petra Martic of Croatia, and Taylor Fritz, who reached the David Ferrer, who beat Nicolas Jarry of Chile 6-3, 7-6 second-seeded Johanna Larsson of Sweden defeated final in just his third ATP World Tour (3), and No. 5 Dominic Thiem, who had a 6-3, 6-4 win Lourdes Dominguez Lino of Spain 7-5, 6-4. level tournament in Memphis last over Pablo Andujar of Spain. Pereira’s early loss is a blow for the women’s side DUBAI: Ana Ivanovic from Serbia serves to Simona Halep from Romania during the week, was clearly fatigued in a 6-3, Not much will faze Thiem in this week’s Rio Open. of the combined WTA-ATP event on outdoor clay. third day of the Dubai Tennis Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, yester- 6-3 loss to fellow American Tim He beat Nadal - the king of clay - last week in the She is only ranked No. 43 but gave local organizers a day. — AP Smyczek. —AP semifinals in Buenos Aires, and then won the event hometown favorite. — AP THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 SPORTS

UEFA opens disciplinary proceedings over Putin tribute

MOSCOW: UEFA has opened discipli- plane was shot down by the Turkish Air his plans. What Dmitri did was inappro- “You can only say thank you for such matches in the past. In July 2015, it fined nary proceedings against Lokomotiv Force last November. priate and damages the club’s and his a stupid gesture,” Lebedev told R-Sport. “I Barcelona 30,000 euros ($33,438) after Moscow midfielder Dmitri Tarasov for “This is my president. I respect him own reputation,” the club said. respect him as a footballer but this kind their Champions League final victory wearing a T-shirt praising Russian and decided to show that I am ready to “Tarasov will be fined in accordance of action is unforgivable for a person of over Juventus during which the club’s President Vladimir Putin after a Europa support him wherever I am. I wrote on with his contract with Lokomotiv.” this level. Patriotism is not shown on T- supporters displayed banners with League match in Turkey. this T-shirt everything that I wanted to Russian sports news agency R-Sport shirts or on pictures... calls for Catalonia to gain independ- The 28-year-old Tarasov removed his say,” Tarasov said after his side lost 2-0 in quoted a UEFA source as saying that “A 3-0 victory against Fenerbahce ence from Spain. In 2013, UEFA fined team jersey at the end of the game the first leg of the last-32 tie. Tarasov could be banned for a minimum would have been the highest level of Celtic 50,000 euros following a against Fenerbahce in Europe’s second- Lokomotiv described Tarasov’s of 10 matches and that Lokomotiv may patriotism and Tarasov would have been Champions League game against AC tier club competition in Istanbul on actions a “inexcusable” in a statement on also face sanctions. carried out of the stadium by the fans Milan at which the Glasgow club’s fans Tuesday, revealing a picture of Putin and their website (www.fclm.ru). Igor Lebedev, State Duma Deputy back to Moscow,” he added. unveiled a flag showing the image of the words: “The most polite president”. “Unfortunately, the club’s staff were and member of the Russian Football European soccer’s governing body Scottish national hero William Wallace Diplomatic relations between Russia unable to prevent this incident as the Union’s executive committee, criticized has taken a very serious stance against and Irish Republican hunger striker and Turkey soured after a Russian war footballer had not informed anyone of Tarasov. politically-motivated incidents at soccer Bobby Sands. —Reuters

Spring in the air as MLB pitchers, catchers report

CHICAGO: The thaw from winter’s Washington Nationals follow at 10-1, teeth-chattering cold is underway, per- with the National League’s leading haps most noticeably for eager Chicago teams all priced ahead of the top Cubs fans with this week’s heartwarming American League choices. arrival of pitchers and catchers at Major The Boston Red Sox, AL East cellar League Baseball spring training camps. dwellers in 2015, signed free agent As Arizona Diamondback players starter David Price, who last year helped report on Wednesday to Salt River Fields Toronto reach the postseason for the at Talking Stick, a half-hour drive from first time since 1993, and added closer downtown Phoenix, the long-suffering Craig Kimbrel to rate a 12-1 choice with Cubs are the unaccustomed, heavy 4-1 the Blue Jays. favorites to win the 2016 World Series. To offset the loss of Price, Toronto Hope springs eternal with the begin- expect young starter Marcus Stroman to ning of spring training in Arizona and return from injury to pick up the slack Florida, with all teams gearing up to and strong-armed young Aaron Sanchez start all level when Major League might join him in the rotation. Baseball’s marathon 162-game season Reigning MLB champions the Kansas opens in April. City Royals did not make major addi- For the Cubs and their fans, it seems tions but re-signed free agent outfielder like an eternity since they ruled the Alex Gordon and brought in starter Ian baseball world having not won a World Kennedy to compensate for the loss of Series since 1908. Johnny Cueto, who signed a free agent With a roster full of young talent deal with the Giants. including sluggers Anthony Rizzo, Kris Kansas City were rated 16-1 choice to Bryant and Kyle Schwarber, and a pitch- repeat, followed by the up-and-coming ing staff topped by Cy Young winner Houston Astros at 18-1 while the Jake Arrieta, the Cubs reached the NL Yankees were a joint sixth pick at 22-1. Championship Series last year after post- Among teams making offseason ing the third best record in the majors. splashes were the Diamondbacks, who Determined to snap the longest bolstered their rotation by signing free championship drought in North agent Zack Greinke away from the Los American professional sports, Cubs gen- Angeles Dodgers and trading for Shelby WASHINGTON: Nick Shore #21 of the Los Angeles Kings moves the puck past Jason Chimera #25 of the Washington Capitals at Verizon Center eral manager Theo Epstein kept busy in Miller. yesterday6 in Washington. — AFP the offseason, signing outfielder Jason Two other AL Central clubs made Heyward and starter John Lackey from bold moves in hopes of challenging division-rival St. Louis and adding super- the Royals. The Cubs’ crosstown neigh- Kuznetsov, Burakovsky lead Caps utility player Ben Zobrist. bors the White Sox beefed up their Following the Cubs in preseason odds infield by dealing for second baseman were the 2015 NL champion New York Brett Lawrie and slugging third base- to 3-1 comeback win over Kings Mets and San Francisco Giants, both rat- man Todd Frazier, while Detroit added ed 8-1 choices to win the championship starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann WASHINGTON: Evgeny Kuznetsov’s tiebreak- Palmieri scored for the Devils. period. Ondrej Pavelec made 27 saves for by online betting site Bovada. and outfielder Justin Upton over the ing goal with two minutes remaining off an Special teams were the difference. The Winnipeg. Carolina, 8-1-3 in its past 12 home The Los Angeles Dodgers and winter. — Reuters assist from ex-Kings player Justin Williams, a Flyers killed 6 of 7 power plays and converted games, killed off three first-period penalties score that withstood a coach’s challenge for on 2 of 4 extra-man chances. and four overall to help Lack improve to 5-2 goalie interference, lifted the NHL-leading lifetime against Winnipeg. Washington Capitals to a 3-1 comeback victo- BRUINS 2, BLUE JACKETS 1, OT ry over Los Angeles on Tuesday night. Loui Eriksson scored 33 seconds into over- SENATORS 2, SABRES 1, SO Kuznetsov’s 16th goal, but first in a month, time to lift the Bruins over the Blue Jackets. Bobby Ryan and Kyle Turris scored in the gave him 20 points in his past 14 games. Torey Krug and David Krejci assisted on the shootout and the Senators topped the Sabres, Andre Burakovsky got a secondary assist on goal, which helped the Bruins earned their snapping Ottawa’s three-game losing streak. that score, after tying the game with 48.1 sec- seventh win in their past eight road games. Ryan Dzingel scored in the first period for the onds left in the second period. Jason Chimera Patrice Bergeron also scored for Boston and Senators, and Craig Anderson made 38 saves. added an empty-netter with 8.6 seconds left. Tuukka Rask made 28 saves. Alexander Matt Moulson scored for the Sabres as Robin Anze Kopitar put Los Angeles ahead in the Wennberg scored on a first-period penalty Lehner stopped 25 shots. Anderson made a first period on a short-handed goal. shot for the Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo huge save on Sabres rookie Jack Eichel with 15 Washington goalie Philipp Grubauer, getting a made 28 saves for Columbus. seconds remaining in overtime to force the rare start in place of Braden Holtby, made 39 shootout. saves. HURRICANES 2, JETS 1 Jordan Staal and Riley Nash scored power- DUCKS 5, OILERS 3 SHARKS 4, LIGHTNING 2 play goals, and the Hurricanes earned a victo- Andrew Cogliano scored a short-handed Matt Nieto and Joel Ward both had a goal ry over the Jets. The Hurricanes swept the sea- empty-net goal to help the Ducks earn a victo- and an assist as the Sharks beat the Lightning. son series. Carolina won 5-3 at Winnipeg on ry over the Oilers. David Perron, Jakob Joe Pavelski and Melker Karlsson also scored Feb 5. The win snapped Winnipeg’s four-game Silfverberg, Hampus Lindholm and Corey for the Sharks, who are 7-2-2 over their last 11 road winning streak. The Jets had not lost on Perry also scored for the Ducks, who have won games. Martin Jones improved to 11-2-1 in his the road since Jan. 7 against Dallas. Winnipeg three in a row and 10 of their past 12 games to last 14 decisions after making 28 saves. The had won in its previous five trips to Raleigh. move into second place in the Pacific Division, Lightning, losers in four of their last five Eddie Lack made 20 saves for Carolina, fac- three points behind the rival LA Kings. Leon games, got goals from Ryan Callahan and ing eight shots through the first 441/2 min- Draisaitl, Taylor Hall and Benoit Pouliot scored Cedric Paquette. Steven Stamkos was point- utes. Carolina outshot Winnipeg 29-21, for the Oilers, who have lost five of their past less in the Lightning’s first game since general including 25-8 at one point early in the third six. —AP manager Steve Yzerman announced Monday that the team captain won’t be moved before NHL Results/Standings this month’s trade deadline. Stamkos, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, is in the final Ottawa 2, Buffalo 1 (SO); Tampa Bay 2, San Jose 4; Edmonton 3, Anaheim 5; St. Louis 2, Dallas 1 (OT); New Jersey 3, year of a deal that pays him about $5.5 million Philadelphia 6; Washington 3, Los Angeles 1; Carolina 2, Winnipeg 1; Columbus 1, Boston 2 (OT.) this season. He is eligible to become an unre- Eastern Conference Western Conference stricted free agent in July. Atlantic Division Pacific Division W L OT GF GA PTS Dallas 37 15 6 188 156 80 FLYERS 6, DEVILS 3 Florida 33 18 6 160 134 72 Chicago 37 18 5 170 139 79 Wayne Simmonds and Nick Cousins scored Boston 31 20 6 174 15868 St. Louis 33 17 9 145 139 75 50 seconds apart in a four-goal third period Detroit 29 19 9 146 14767 Nashville 26 21 10 151 152 62 and the Philadelphia Flyers got a big game Tampa Bay 30 22 4 149 139 64 Colorado 29 26 4 158 164 62 from its special teams in posting a victory over MontrÈal 27 26 4 157 158 58 Minnesota 24 22 10 140 142 58 Ottawa 26 26 6 165 18258 New Jersey, snapping the Devils’ three-game Winnipeg 25 28 3 143 162 53 Buffalo 23 28 7 137 162 53 winning streak. Rookie defenseman Shayne Central Division Toronto 20 26 9 134 163 49 Los Angeles 33 20 3 154 134 69 Gostisbehere extended his point scoring Metropolitan Division streak to 13 games with a goal, Brayden Washington 41 10 4 184 126 86 Anaheim 29 19 8 136 137 66 Schenn had a goal and two assists and Claude NY Rangers 32 18 6 163 143 70 San Jose 30 20 5 164 148 65 Giroux added three assists as the Flyers won NY Islanders 30 19 6 161 141 66 Arizona 26 24 6 151 171 58 for the second time in seven games (2-3-2). New Jersey 29 22 7 130 136 65 Vancouver 22 22 12 133 157 56 Jakub Voracek and Ryan White also scored in Pittsburgh 28 19 8 142 141 64 Calgary 25 27 3 150 168 53 JUPITER: St Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter throws during spring training the third period and Michal Neuvirth made 21 Carolina 26 21 10 139 150 62 Edmonton 22 30 6 146 176 50 baseball practice yesterday, in Jupiter, Fla. Cardinals pitchers and catchers hold their saves. Philadelphia 25 21 10 137 151 60 Note: Overtime losses (OT) worth 1 pt and not included first official workout today with position players following next week. — AP Tyler Kennedy, Jordin Tootoo and Kyle Columbus 23 28 7 149 180 53 in loss column (L). Ex-NBA player’s Philippines life ban reduced

MANILA: Ex-NBA player Ivan Johnson Willie Marcial told AFP. “He apologised, team. He was also banned for life by ketball-crazy Philippines where they has had his lifetime ban in the he explained to us... he is really differ- the Korean Basketball League in 2010 can play a dominant role in the highly- Philippines’ professional league for a ent on the court. He wanted to show for making an obscene gesture at a ref- competitive PBA. But foreign players foul-mouthed outburst at an official he is really a good man,” Marcial said of eree. And during an abbreviated 2011- can find themselves under a micro- reduced to one year after he made a the meeting, where he said Johnson 2013 NBA career, he was fined for vari- scope, where they may be penalised personal apology, the league said yes- brought along his wife and two chil- ous altercations with fans and officials. for any offence. terday. dren. “I really love my fans in the Marcial said: “He (Johnson) knows if he Ex-New York Knicks and Denver Ex-Atlanta Hawk Johnson was ban- Philippines,” Marcial quoted Johnson, does something again, he will really be Nuggets player Renaldo Balkman was ished mid-game on Saturday after he 31, as saying. finished in the Philippines.” banned and fined by the PBA after he used “the f-word” in an argument with The PBA also reduced Johnson’s In a post on Twitter, Johnson apolo- choked a teammate in 2013. Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 250,000-peso fine ($5,600) to 150,000 gised to Narvasa, adding that “this life- Last year, former NBA player Daniel commissioner Chito Narvasa. pesos, Marcial added. The 6ft 8in (2.03 time ban is truly unfortunate and dev- Orton was fired by his own team after But after a meeting with the player, metre) power forward, has had a che- astating to me being that I feel at he criticised revered Philippines box- who plays with the Talk ‘N Text Tropang quered career, having been suspended home and most welcomed when play- ing champ Manny Pacquiao for Texters team, Narvasa reduced the ban for one game earlier this month for ing here in the Philippines.” Foreign embarking on a professional basket- to one season, league spokesman fighting with players of an opposing imports are highly-valued in the bas- ball career. —AFP Ivan Johnson THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 SPORTS Bayern’s Guardiola short at the back as Juve loom

BERLIN: Pep Guardiola acknowledges for fun through two giants of the game. Bayern Munich has a height problem ahead Lewandowski has 21 goals in 20 league of their key Champions League clash at games with 31 in all competitions, while Juventus as an injury crisis has left them Thomas Mueller has also hit 15 league short at the back-literally. While striker goals in a total from 22. But Bayern’s boss- Robert Lewandowski is head and shoulders es are concerned about the height of Juve’s above his rivals, scoring twice in Sunday’s key forwards Mario Mandzukic (1.87m), 3-1 win at Augsburg, injuries meant Bayern Alvaro Morata (1.90m) and Paulo Dybala fielded a back four with an average height (1.77m), especially from corners and set of under five foot nine inches (1.75m). piece situations. “Every team in the world is stronger in the “Then we’ll just have to stop them jump- header than we are. It’s not an ideal situa- ing higher,” joked Bayern’s director of sport tion,” complained Guardiola ahead of next Matthias Sammer. “They’ll have to make Tuesday’s Champions League clash in Turin. their presence felt for crosses, but Philipp, Guardiola has been stripped of centre- Joshua or Juan are all incredibly savvy.” backs after Holger Badstuber fractured an Bayern are desperate to celebrate ankle in training last Saturday, while Javi Guardiola’s departure for Manchester City Martinez and Jerome Boateng are sidelined with silverware after exiting the Champions long-term by knee and groin injuries. League at the semi-finals stage for the last Boateng has said he is on target to meet his two seasons under the Spaniard’s steerage. goal of returning to training in April, “but I But their injury situation could be a bless- won’t set a date to put myself under pres- ing in disguise as Guardiola’s current back sure”, while Badstuber is now out of hospi- four are all fleet-footed and have their tal after surgery, but is not expected to play team-mates’ trust. Mueller needs no con- again this season. vincing. “It’s a big shock for me, but I can prom- “They are all strong in the tackle, dedi- ise everyone I will return,” said Badstuber cated, fast and have everything you need, after suffering his fourth serious injury maybe except the size of a classic central since December 2012. Medhi Benatia is defender,” added the Germany forward. returning from injury, while loan signing Bayern host mid-table Darmstadt on Serdar Tasci is lacking conditioning after Saturday, then Juventus on Tuesday, before joining from Spartak Moscow and was con- two key away German league matches as PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain’s Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani (C) celebrates scoring the 2-1 next to (LtoR) Paris Saint-Germain’s Italian mid- cussed in his first training session. they look to protect their eight-point lead fielder Marco Verratti and Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian defender Marquinhos during the Champions League round of 16 first legfootball Without a single fit centre-back, at Wolfsburg, on February 27, and second- match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Chelsea FC. — AFP Guardiola used Juan Bernat (1.72m) and placed Borussia Dortmund on March 5. Philipp Lahm (1.70m) as wing-backs “We need to show plenty of spirit,” said against Augsburg with left-back David Sammer. “We have to be able to prove we Alaba (1.80m) and defensive midfielder can live with playing there (at Wolfsburg Blanc praises match-winner Joshua Kimmich (1.74m) paired up at cen- and Dortmund). “I’m sure the team will tre-back. In attack, Bayern are scoring goals manage it.” — AFP Cavani, Chelsea retain hope

Beckenbauer fined and PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc by the rarest of goals — a poacher’s finish by Guus Hiddink remains upbeat about their heaped praise on Edinson Cavani after the John Obi Mikel right on the stroke of half-time. chances in the return. Uruguayan played the role of super-sub to give Several fine saves by Courtois in the second “Of course a defeat is never a good or nice warned by FIFA judges his side a 2-1 win against Chelsea in their half thwarted PSG for long spells until Cavani’s feeling but you have to consider it’s a two-leg Champions League last 16, first leg. winner, and now Chelsea will need to score at game and scoring away is always important,” GENEVA: FIFA’s ethics committee yester- tance to cooperate with the Garcia probe, Cavani replaced Lucas in the 74th minute of Stamford Bridge in the return on March 9 if they said Hiddink, who came to Paris with a reorgan- day sanctioned German football legend but that suspension was lifted after two Tuesday’s game at the Parc des Princes and four are to stand a chance of going through. ised defence in the absence of injured captain Franz Beckenbauer with a warning and a weeks. minutes later beat Thibaut Courtois with a first- However, away goals have decided the meet- John Terry. “We emphasised the importance of light fine for failing to cooperate with a In October, FIFA judges opened an time finish from an Angel Di Maria assist to ings of these clubs in the last two seasons, with defensive organisation but we were dangerous probe into the bidding for the 2018 and investigation targeting Beckenbauer, a for- ensure the French champions will take a lead to Chelsea advancing in the 2014 quarter-finals too. Losing 2-1, of course we’re still in the race. 2022 World Cups. mer FIFA executive committee member, London for the second leg next month. and Paris going through in the last 16 a year ago “We could have been a little bit more lethal in The investigation into the controversial but did not disclose the nature of the It was just his second goal of 2016 after a dif- despite being held 1-1 at home in the first leg. the four or five counters we made but it is diffi- decisions to award the two tournaments to probe. ficult spell which has seen the player signed for a “The big regret for me is that we lost the goal cult to play them. I am never happy with a loss Russia (2018) and Qatar The German national led French record transfer fee of 64 million euros just before half-time,” said Blanc. “Maybe we but it’s not a dramatic loss.” (2022) culminated in the now his country’s successful bid ($71 million; £50 million) from Napoli lose his need to ask UEFA if it’s fair that away goals count The veteran Dutchman, who admitted Terry famous 2014 report authored for the 2006 World Cup, place as a regular starter. double, but tonight we can be happy because was a doubt for this weekend’s FA Cup fifth- by former US prosecutor which has been engulfed by “Whoever got the second goal I would have we played the way we want to play. round tie against Manchester City, said it was Michael Garcia, which FIFA claims that a $7.2 million pay- been happy and I am happy for Edi. He’s a boy “It is not a very big advantage but in terms of still impossible to name a favourite to go has so far not released, citing ment to FIFA was used to pur- who scores goals-we doubt his goal-scoring tal- the football we played it’s very satisfying.” through to the last eight. procedural reasons. chase the votes of four mem- ents often and then he pops up and shows he “I think it’s 50-50 still. Our opponents are a Beckenbauer “failed to bers of FIFA’s executive com- can put the ball in the net at any time,” said ‘NOT DRAMATIC’ very strong team and that’s why I think our per- cooperate” with the investi- mittee in 2000 — days before Blanc. PSG kept up their impressive record this sea- formance was very good. “Everyone could see gation, “despite repeated Germany’s bid was narrowly “He has gone through a very difficult time son, which now reads just one defeat in 40 this PSG likes to play football. They are very requests for his assistance,” an approved. but I hope the fact he got the goal will be good matches in all competitions, with that loss com- smart and you must be very alert. ethics committee statement The ethics committee, for him and the team.” ing away to Real Madrid. “If you have seen the second goal-this was a said. The information sought however, said its investiga- It looked like Chelsea would head back across In contrast, this was a first defeat for Chelsea typical example of how we prepared them but from Beckenbauer included tion of Beckenbauer “did not the Channel the happier after Zlatan in 13 matches since the sacking of Jose you cannot do everything well. They have a nose Franz Beckenbauer “requests to provide informa- look into the matters related Ibrahimovic’s free-kick opener was cancelled out Mourinho in December, but their interim coach for creating danger.” —AFP tion during an in-person to the awarding of the 2006 interview and in response to written ques- FIFA World Cup to Germany.” tions presented in both English and The statement from the tribunal noted German,” the statement added. that Beckenbauer has “subsequently PSG’s Lavezzi signs FIFA judges issued a warning to demonstrated a willingness to cooperate.” Beckenbauer and fined him 7,000 Swiss Garcia quit FIFA after compiling his report, for Hebei China francs ($7,000, 6,350 euros). Beckenbauer, claiming that world football’s governing 70, served on the panel that chose the body released an erroneous summary of Fortune club tournament hosts. In June 2014, he was his findings that sought to clear Russia and suspended for 90 days for his alleged reluc- Qatar of wrongdoing. —AFP BEIJING: Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentine forward Ezequiel Lavezzi has signed with Hebei China Fortune, his new club said yesterday, making the 30-year-old the Klopp relishing latest European-based footballer drawn east by jaw- dropping sums. Hebei described him as “the next Maradona” on a return to Germany verified social media account. It did not disclose a trans- fer fee, but previous British press reports said Lavezzi BERLIN: Jurgen Klopp returns to Germany I’ve been waiting for it. “(For Augsburg) would earn 23.5 million pounds ($33.6 million) over two for the first time as Liverpool coach today Liverpool would have been an exciting years. “His arrival will make the team’s attack more inci- hunting a Europa League win at Augsburg in enough draw, without a German coach sive, we look forward to him showing off his brave spir- his quest to quench the Reds’ thirst for silver- (being involved). it,” the Chinese club added. Website transfermarkt, ware. “The stadium would have already been which tracks commercial developments in the sport, Klopp returns to the sidelines at a full.” gave the transfer fee as 5.5 million euros ($6.1 million). Bundesliga ground for the first time since the Liverpool arrive in Bavaria buoyed by their Chinese teams have been splashing their cash in 48-year-old quit Borussia Dortmund last sea- 6-0 drubbing of Villa which left them eighth Europe, as wealthy owners embrace President Xi son, then replaced Brendan Rogers as in the Premier League. After a mid-season Jinping’s vision of the sleeping Asian giant becoming a Liverpool coach in October. injury glut, Liverpool are getting back to a ful- Fans have clamoured for tickets for the ly fit squad. new footballing heavyweight. round of 32, first-leg clash at the WWK Arena Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Hebei China Fortune are owned by a Beijing-based in deepest Bavaria to see Liverpool, who are Divock Origi all played in the drubbing of Villa developer of industrial parks, founded by billionaire unbeaten in their six European games under after recent injuries. Sturridge, who scored Wang Wenxue. Klopp and buoyed by Sunday’s thrashing of the opener at Villa Park, made his first start At the club, Lavezzi will join Ivorian striker Gervinho, Aston Villa. since early October, while it was Coutinho’s who signed for 18 million euros in January, along with Augsburg received 5,000 applications for first start since January 5. Cameroon captain and former Marseille centre-back just 2,000 away tickets for the Liverpool Klopp is expected to name a strong side, Stephane Mbia. game, which will be a 26,160 sell-out, with as Liverpool do not have any games between Lavezzi joined PSG in 2012 for 30 million euros from the return leg at Anfield on February 25, just the two legs after being knocked out of the Napoli, but has been used mainly as a substitute this three days before the Reds play Manchester FA Cup by West Ham earlier this month. season, with just three league starts. The current trans- City in the League Cup final. In the Bundesliga, Augsburg are 14th, just fer window shuts on February 26 in China, and has While he is looking forward to returning a point from the relegation places after already seen big-money moves by Brazilians Alex home, Klopp is focused on the job in hand. Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at home to runaway Teixeira and Ramires, along with Colombia’s Jackson “During the draw, I wasn’t thinking ‘please let league leaders Bayern Munich. Martinez, to join the cash-flush China Super League. it be a German club’. At that point, I’d only After the League Cup, the Europa League The Chinese transfer fee record has been smashed four been away for four months,” he admitted. presents Klopp with a second chance at sil- times in the current transfer window, culminating in “I’m looking forward to coming to verware in his first season to bring some Jiangsu Suning paying Shakhtar Donetsk 50 million Germany, but it’s work and it’s not as though European glory back to Merseyside.—AFP euros for Teixeira. This week, China-based Australian footballer Tim Cahill-who later had his contract terminated by Shanghai Greenland Shenhua-said that many of the new arrivals were motivated by greed. “You’re turning down Liverpool, you’re leaving Chelsea,” Cahill told an Australian television station, referring to Teixeira and Ramires. “The choices that players are making are not about football like it was in my day, they’re purely about personal gains and it depends what you want as an individual,” he said. “Is it going to help players? No. Is it going to be big for the country? Yes.” China is pumping money into the beautiful game, hoping to build a national football culture to match its rising economic and military might. Chinese businesses have invested huge sums in foot- ball since Xi declared that hosting, qualifying for, and winning a World Cup AUGSBURG: FC Liverpool’s coach Juergen Klopp and Emre Can attend a press confer- ence on the eve of the Europa League round of 32 football match against FC were national goals-even though the country is current- Augsburg, yesterday at WWK-Arena in Augsburg. — AFP ly ranked a lowly 93rd in the world by FIFA. — AFP Ezequiel Lavezzi American cyclist Beckenbauer Coryn Rivera riding fined,warned fast road to Rio by FIFA judges

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 201616 19

Nadal, Ferrer and Thiem advance at Rio Open Page 17

ROME: Real Madrid’s French forward Karim Benzema vies with Roma’s midfielder from Bosnia-Herzegovina Miralem Pjanic and Roma’s defender from Greece Konstas Manolas (R) during the UEFA Champions League foot- ball match AS Roma vs Real Madrid yesterday at the Olympic stadium in Rome. — AFP Ronaldo, Jese on target as Real beat Roma

ROME: Cristiano Ronaldo hit his 89th Champions throughout a dominant late spell inspired by Egyptian back Marcelo when he volleyed Ronaldo’s clever lob Radja Nainggolan set up Salah, but the Egyptian could League goal while second-half substitute Jese added a winger Mohamed Salah, only to come up short. just wide of Szczesny’s far post. only toe-poke a weak shot at Navas while under pres- late second as Real Madrid took a massive step towards It was inspiring stuff, but dozens of the 55,612 home It took only seconds for Roma to threaten after the sure. the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win at Roma yesterday. crowd began leaving their seats five minutes from the restart, Salah’s pace taking him into the box but Real Salah then dispossessed Marcelo in midfield and his Real travelled to the Stadio Olimpico looking to exor- finish when Jese flashed a shot across several defenders were able to clear. El Shaarawy did well to run on to a pace took him past Sergio Ramos to fire low across the cise painful memories of losing 2-1 twice in succession to to beat Szczesny low at his far post. long ball but came off worse when goalkeeper Keylor area, but Raphael Varane produced a timely block. the Giallorossi at this stage of the competition in 2008. The victory gives Real a huge advantage ahead of Navas rushed out to clear. Ronaldo recovered quickly Roma were keeping the pressure on and when After weathering a frustrating first half in which Roma the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu in three weeks from a sore mouth suffered in a fair shoulder charge to Nainggolan set up Dzeko on the edge of the area, the failed to finish off a series of promising attacks, Ronaldo time. Roma coach Luciano Spalletti had deployed a 4-3- stun the stadium into silence just before the hour. Bosnian held off his markers to set up William Vainqueur broke the deadlock on 57 minutes when he ran on to 1-2 formation which left no space for Bosnian striker Lucky to escape the offside call, the Portuguese ran for a 30-yard drive that sailed just wide. Marcelo’s chip to beat Wojciech Szczesny with a shot that Edin Dzeko, although he came on to replace Stephan El on to Marcelo’s lob, turned inside and unleashed a shot Sighs of relief were heard around the stadium deflected off Alessandro Florenzi. It was the Portuguese Shaarawy after he limped off in the second half. that came off Florenzi to leave Szczesny clutching at moments later when Ronaldo’s header from a long cross forward’s 12th goal in seven games this term. Diego Perotti, signed in January from Genoa, was the thin air. Ronaldo looked inspired and he sneaked on the right beat Szczesny only to sail past the far post. To their credit, Roma dug deep to claim a share of driving force throughout, stealing possession, leading behind Roma’s defence and ran onto Karim Benzema’s But Roma were finally subdued four minutes from the spoils and were unlucky not to earn a penalty when attacks and setting up Salah and El Shaarawy. chip, but his delivery sailed across the goalmouth with time when Jese used several players as a screen before Florenzi came down under the studs-up challenge of Real were restricted to a series of half-chances before no takers. Dzeko replaced El Shaarawy just after the sending an angled drive past Szczesny and into the far Dani Carvajal. Even after that decision, the hosts battled the interval, the best of which came from Brazilian left- hour and soon after fans were up out their seats when corner — AFP

Draxler leads Wolfsburg Messi passes 300 Liga goals to 3-2 win over Gent as Barcelona extend lead GENT: Julian Draxler netted twice But persistent pressure from as Wolfsburg sealed a 3-2 win at the away side had paid off just MADRID: Lionel Messi moved past 300 La Uruguayan fired straight at Ivan Cuellar. Gent yesterday to leave the before that when Draxler created Liga goals as Barcelona moved six points Messi broke the deadlock with a dead- clear at the top of the table with a 3-1 win ly accurate drive into the bottom corner Germans on course for the a superb opening goal. at Sporting Gijon yesterday. The five-time from 25 yards to become the first player Champions League quarter-finals. He showed why Wolfsburg World Player of the Year struck either side ever to bring up a triple century of La Liga The 22-year-old scored either paid 35 million euros ($39.4m) to of Carlos Castro’s well-worked equaliser in goals. side of the break in the last 16, first- sign him from Schalke last August a three-goal burst in five first-half min- leg clash, with Max Kruse also on by brilliantly turning Thomas utes. COUNTER-ATTACK target, but two late goals from Foket near the left touchline. Luis Suarez missed a second-half Yet, the lead only lasted two minutes Gent gave the Belgian champions Draxler then sprinted away penalty days after famously converting as a brilliant counter-attack saw Pablo some hope for the return leg on from the defence and played a Messi’s pass from a spot-kick against Celta Perez pick out Menendez on the left and March 8 in Wolfsburg. Draxler was neat one-two with Vieirinha Vigo, but made amends with a brilliant his low cross was swept home at the back superb at the Ghelamco Arena, before slotting the return pass finish for Barca’s third midway through post by Castro. having also tormented Manchester into the bottom right-hand cor- the second half. Atletico Madrid are Barca promptly responded, though, as United in Wolfsburg’s 3-2 win in ner on 44 minutes. Barca’s closest challengers with Real Suarez showed great strength to hold the December in the final round of Draxler doubled Wolfsburg’s Madrid a further point adrift in third. ball up and then lay it off for Messi to fire group matches which condemned lead just after the break when he The match had been postponed due into the roof of the net with the outside of Louis van Gaal’s Red Devils to the pounced on a mistake in the Gent to Barcelona’s commitments in the Club his left foot. Luis Enrique’s men should Europa League. defence. The 22-year-old snapped World Cup in December and, with a huge have put the game out of sight before Draxler’s Germany team-mate up a loose pass, played the ball clash against fellow strugglers Real Betis half-time as Cuellar flew to his right to Kruse added Wolfsburg’s third on between Stefan Mitrovic’s legs to come on Saturday, Sporting boss and prevent Messi from scoring a first-half hat- 60 minutes as the Gent defence and chipped Gent’s onrushing former Barca defender Abelardo trick before Neymar curled the rebound Fernandez made nine changes to his side against the post. capitulated and he nearly added goalkeeper Matz Sels on 54 min- from the team that started Friday’s 2-2 Barca’s demolition of Celta in the final a fourth just moments later by utes. His classy finish took the draw with Rayo Vallecano. half an hour on Sunday was lit up by hitting the woodwork. wind out of the hosts’ sails, and However, in a match dominated by the Messi’s decision to pass a penalty into But Wolfsburg, last season’s Wolfsburg’s third followed six European champions, it was the hosts Suarez’s path to complete his hat-trick. German Cup winners, lost their minutes later when Christian GENT: Wolfsburg's midfielder Maximilian Arnold (C) vies with who had the first clear opening as Alex And the former Liverpool striker may shape badly after Gent captain Traesch’s pin-point cross was met Gent's Nigerian forward Moses Simon during the UEFA Champions Menendez shot just wide from Barca loa- have regretted not returning the favour as Sven Kums scored with 10 min- in the middle by Kruse, who fired League football match between Gent and Wolfsburg at Ghelamco nee Alen Halilovic’s through ball. Barca Cuellar dived to his right to save Suarez’s utes to go before Kalifa Coulibaly home from close range. Arena in Gent yesterday. — AFP coach Luis Enrique also made five spot-kick after the ‘keeper had brought added a second just before the The Wolfsburg striker hit the changes, but the star front three of Messi, down Neymar. final whistle. woodwork two minutes later as finally showed some fighting spir- Wolfsburg’s defence van- Suarez and Neymar started after their Barca have now missed eight of their The Germans were forced into the Gent defence again left him in it in the closing stages. Kums gave ished and Coulibaly headed incredible display in the 6-1 thrashing of 16 penalties this season. However, Suarez a first-half change when right- acres of space, but he mistimed his side hope by beating two their second on 89 minutes Celta at the weekend. made amends with a much harder oppor- back Sebastian Jung succumbed his shot. Gent were surprise quali- defenders and curling his shot when he got in front of centre- Suarez had the first chance to extend tunity 23 minutes from time when his left- to a leg knock to make way for fiers from their group behind win- around Wolfsburg’s Belgian goal- back Dante at a corner to give his lead as the league’s top scorer from footed effort curled in off the far post for ex-Chelsea winger Andre ners Zenit St Petersburg, knocking keeper Koen Casteels 10 minutes his side some reason to believe Neymar’s inch-perfect pass, but the his 40th goal of the season. — AFP Schuerrle. out Valencia and Lyon, and they from time. for the return. — AFP Beijing promises economic stability amid uncertainty Page 22

Nissan to build cars in Business Myanmar for first time Page 25 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 Gabon seeks riches in Asia shares run out of steam artisanal gold mining Page 24 Pages 25

SINGAPORE: USAF Boeing C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft on static display at the Singapore Airshow at the Changi exhibition centre in Singapore yesterday. Asia’s largest aerospace and defense event is taking place from February 16 to 21. (Inset) MANILA: A Philippine Airlines airplane takes off from Manila’s international airport. European plane-maker Airbus said yesterday it had won a $1.85 billion deal for the purchase of six A350-900s by Philippine Airlines (PAL). — AFP Airbus, PAL seal $1.85 billion deal Philippine Airlines to purchase of six A350-900s

SINGAPORE: European plane-maker Airbus Aquino, who steps down in June, averaged 6.2 “This aircraft will allow us to improve our nition equipment business, the Frankfurter comment. Airbus, Europe’s largest aerospace said yesterday it had won a $1.85 billion deal percent, one of the strongest performances in operations to Europe, (it) will be used to fly Alllgemeine Zeitung reported yesterday. Citing a group, is currently selling several businesses to for the purchase of six A350-900s by Asia, boosting travel demand. from Manila to London.” He added that the air- letter from management to the employees of focus its defense division on warplanes, missiles, Philippine Airlines (PAL), flag-carrier of one of The Philippines also relies on a diaspora of craft “will really support our mission of becom- Airbus Defense & Space (ADS), the paper said the launchers and satellites. Asia’s fastest growing economies. PAL also has around 10 million Filipinos, or 10 percent of ing a full service five-star airline in five years”. Border Security business would be retained and The group had originally planned to pick a the option to purchase an additional six of the the population, many of them residing in the Delivery of the aircraft will start in 2018. “The operated by Airbus, while the remaining parts of buyer for the defense electronics unit by the end aircraft, the two companies announced at the cities targeted by PAL. The airline plays a key A350s range capability has been an important the unit would be sold to an external bidder as of last year as part of its plan to dispose of assets Singapore Airshow. transportation link for millions of Filipinos who factor in our decision, enabling us to offer non- planned. Management is citing various delays with combined annual revenues of around 2 bil- Separately, PAL also signed a $600-million work abroad, with a route network tracing the stop service on all our premium long-haul with its long-standing project partner in Saudi lion euros ($2.2 billion). Airbus Group short-listed order with Rolls-Royce for Trent XWB engines key destinations of the labor diaspora. “We are routes,” Bautista said. The order is worth $1.85 Arabia as a reason for backing out of the sale of Carlyle and KKR for the defense electronics unit, to power the six A350s, the airline said in happy to announce that today we will commit billion at list prices, although airlines usually get the Border Security business, the paper added. after they put up significantly higher offers than another statement. PAL president Jaime to acquire six A350-900 series which will allow discounts on their purchases. Airbus also hopes to take advantage of new rivals, three people familiar with the matter told Bautista said the planes will be used for PAL’s us... to fly non-stop from Manila to New York, opportunities for border security presented by Reuters in December. non-stop, long-haul flights from the allow us to increase our presence in the US, in Border Security business Europe’s refugee crisis, the paper said. However The paper said the sale of the defense elec- Philippines to the United States, Canada and San Francisco and Los Angeles, and also to Meanwhile, Airbus Group no longer plans to this had not explicitly been mentioned in the let- tronics unit had been accelerated by the separa- Europe. The Philippines’ economic growth in Vancouver and Toronto,” Bautista told a news sell off its entire defense electronics unit and will ter to employees, the paper added, citing a man- tion of the Border Security business and should the past six years under President Benigno conference. instead dispose of just its radar and target recog- ager. Airbus was not immediately available for be sealed in coming weeks. — Agencies Nigeria struggles as Buhari AUB profits rise 12.9% wrangles with budget, naira to KD 77.7m in 2015 LAGOS: When Nigerian President investment to stimulate growth. Yet his helm. Now there are serious revisions to Muhammadu Buhari finally swore in his budget proposal was pockmarked with be made before Buhari can sign off on KUWAIT: Ahli United Bank (Kuwait) percent p.a. and the return on Kuwaiti cabinet in November, nearly six months mistakes, repetitions and, given the cir- the budget and inject Nigeria’s sputter- announced operating profits from core Dinar saving investment accounts reached after taking office, he hoped to shake off cumstances, extravagant demands. The ing economy with much-needed cash. businesses of the bank rose to KD 77.7 mil- 1.55 percent p.a. his nickname “Baba Go Slow”. But trou- errors include the same purchases for It’s a process likely to take months. “We lion in 2015, up from KD 68.8 million in Ahli United Bank (Kuwait) provides an 2014, an increase of 12.9 percent over the bling errors in the budget of Africa’s vehicles, computers and furniture that need more speed on this thing,” advantage to depositors as profits are dis- same period. The bank reported net prof- tributed on a quarterly basis in accordance largest economy and the continuing free are duplicated 24 times, totaling 46.5 Onigbinde said, “he (Buhari) should have its of KD 42.8 million compared with KD 47 with the Bank’s interim results announced. fall of the naira on the black market have billion naira. This opens the door for moved faster when he got into power.” million in 2014 following a onetime extra The profits distributed are made available both Nigerians and investors worried graft, according to Oluseun Onigbinde, precautionary provision impact of KD 8 to all depositors to withdraw or reinvest. that Buhari still isn’t moving fast enough co-founder of BudgIT, a Nigerian trans- Policy paralysis million and other necessary provisions to The Bank re-affirmed its prominent to address a deepening economic crisis. parency group. “It clearly showed there The budget confusion is yet another mitigate the impacts of market volatility position in the Islamic banking business Since its peak in 2014, the global price of was foul play,” said Onigbinde said. deterrent for investors already reluctant witnessed subsequent to the sharp by winning the award for the Best Islamic oil-which accounted for two-thirds of “Nigerians are in a crisis period with the to invest in the country as a result of decline in global Oil prices during 2015. Bank in Kuwait in 2015 for the third con- the Nigerian government’s revenue-has price of oil dipping below 30 dollars, so Buhari’s monetary policies, which have The bank’s return on average equity secutive year from a global specialized plunged by 70 percent, decimating eco- there should be a budget in line with the caused a severe dollar shortage and the (ROAE) recorded 12.70 percent at the end magazine “The Banker”, confirming the Dr Anwar Al-Mudhaf nomic growth and the naira. mood of the time,” he added. Buhari on naira to hit unprecedented lows of 340 of 2015 which is the highest rate in the Bank’s ability to render distinctive banking Chairman of Ahli United Bank In response, Buhari announced a Monday sacked the director-general of against the dollar on the black market. Kuwaiti market while recording a return services and products. record 6 trillion-naira ($30-billion, 27 bil- the budget office and appointed former Nigeria has frozen the naira at 197-199 on average assets (ROAA) of 1.2 percent, balanced approach and prudent risk man- Ahli United Bank has been selected lion-euro) budget promising to triple banker Tijjani Abdullahi to take the to the dollar for almost a year in a bid to also one of the highest ratios recorded by agement policies. among the most secure and safest Islamic protect the poor, while the government Kuwaiti banks. The earnings per share Based on the bank’s results, the board banks in Kuwait and among the top 50 has banned a wide range of imports- (EPS) recorded 30.2 Kuwaiti fils per share of directors has proposed to the annual safest banks worldwide by “Global including toothpicks and shovels-to con- as of Dec 31, 2015. This reflects the general assembly a distribution of cash Finance” based on evaluating its long-term dividend of 5 percent (5 fils per share ) serve foreign exchange reserves. strengths of the financial position of the foreign currency ratings granted by the Bank and its capability to generate sus- and bonus shares of 10 percent (10 international rating agencies. The policy has been criticized by shares for every 100 shares) subject to the international investors, who say pegging tainable revenues from its core businesses The Bank achieved the following rat- while maintaining solid funding resources. regulatory authorities’ and annual gener- ing by international credit rating agencies. the currency and restricting imports is Dr Anwar Al-Mudhaf, Chairman of Ahli al meeting approvals. “Fitch” affirmed the Bank’s credit strength futile and only serves to suffocate United Bank (Kuwait), commented that, on the Long-Term and Short-Term to ‘A+’ growth. Recent pressure from the “With the grace of Allah, the bank and ‘F1’ respectively with a stable Outlook. International Monetary Fund to devalue achieved solid results in its Key “Moody’s” affirmed ‘A2’ global local cur- the currency appears to have been Performance Indicators during the year. rency (GLC) deposit rating with a stable rebuffed by Buhari, who declared last The total assets of the bank increased from Outlook. “Capital Intelligence” has month “I won’t kill the naira” and prom- KD 3,597 million to KD 3,904 million as of affirmed the Bank’s Long-Term Foreign ised the country’s economy will “stabilize 31 December, 2015 driven primarily by the Currency (FC) and Short-Term FC Rating soon”. “Investors aren’t confident because increase in the financing receivables by KD to ‘A+’ and ‘A2’ respectively with a stable there isn’t a clear path forward,” Rand 200 million to reach KD 2,680 million.” The chairman added that the returns Outlook. These ratings underscore Ahli Merchant Bank Africa analyst Nema The chairman also indicated that cus- realized by Ahli United Bank (Kuwait) in United Bank Kuwait’s sound financial posi- Ramkhelawan-Bhana said. “As long as tomers’ confidence has supported the investment deposits during 2015 sur- tion and the strength in its ability to main- those budget delays are happening it growth in deposits which increased by 8.4 passed their peers in the market and rep- tain a rising profitabilitytrend. In conclud- means that the central bank is going to percent, from KD 2,454 million to reach KD resented one of the highest returns in ing his statement, Mudhaf extended his 2,661 million at the end of 2015. Under Kuwait, whereby the bank’s business thanks and appreciation to the Central IBADAN: The by-products of cassava and Nigeria’s staple foods fufu and have to do the heavy lifting for the econ- omy,” she said, speaking from Basel-III Accord, the capital adequacy ratio results for 2015 showed that profit distri- Bank of Kuwait for providing valuable guid- eba are displayed during the launch of African Cassava Agronomy Initiative bution rates on Kuwaiti Dinar annual Johannesburg. “The worst case scenario reached 15.51 percent at the end of 2015 ance to the bank, to the bank’s board of at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in Ibadan in which is higher than the regulatory investment deposits reached 2.11 percent directors, customers, shareholders, man- southwest Nigeria. Cassava, a basic food in Nigeria, is a good example of is policy paralysis, particularly what we’ve p.a., return on Kuwaiti dinar investment been seeing with the central bank and requirement of 12.5 percent. He stressed agement and all staff members for their the problems faced by the first oil producer in Africa when falling prices of that these results are the outcome of the deposits for the six-month reached 1.60 confidence and support. black gold dries the state coffers in foreign currency. — AFP foreign exchange policy.” —AFP THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 BUSINESS Beijing promises economic stability amid uncertainty Commerce Ministry downplays risk of capital flight

BEIJING: Chinese policymakers “The risk of a hard landing is not flight, and said there is no basis for and sharp devaluation, most econ- emerged from the Lunar New Year big. The risk of a hard landing may continued depreciation of the omists and currency strategists hiatus with one collective message come from improper government yuan, a scenario that has been one expect the yuan will remain under for nervous investors at home and policies. If policies are right, the factor behind a massive sell-off in pressure and capital outflows will abroad - Beijing will put a floor risk of a hard landing is very small.” global markets early this year. Still, continue until the economy shows under the slowing economy, keep The NDRC plans to allocate 400 global markets and China’s major some signs of leveling out. its currency steady and ensure billion yuan ($61.3 billion) to fund trading partners remain nervous employment remains stable even local governments’ infrastructure about its foreign exchange policy. Stable jobs? as bloated industries undergo projects, a local branch of the eco- The central bank has stunned “After the Lunar New Year, the restructuring. The string of assur- nomic planner said in a statement investors twice in six months - in cabinet and government ministries ances comes ahead of two high- before the long Lunar New Year August and early this year - by have all sent out positive signals,” profile political events for China: a break. The economic planner said allowing sudden, sharp drops in said Xu at China Everbright meeting of G20 finance chiefs in yesterday that it had okayed 54.1 the value of the yuan against the Securities. “For the economy, there Shanghai later this month and billion yuan of investments in U.S. dollar, only to intervene quick- is still lots of room for the govern- next month’s annual gathering of ment to step up investment. 2016 China’s legislature - where the next is the first year of the 13th five-year five-year economic development plan (2016-2020) and the govern- plan will be finalized. ment will ensure growth of at least A rout in Chinese stocks last 6.5 percent this year.” NDRC’s Zhao summer and its unexpected deval- also said China has the ability and uation of the yuan in August have confidence to maintain stable rattled global markets, raising con- employment levels, even as the cerns about the health of the government moves to curb overca- world’s second-largest economy pacity in the coal and steel sectors and Beijing’s ability to steer it to squeeze out so-called “zombie simultaneously through both a firms”. The government will take protracted slowdown and radical steps to resolve factory overcapaci- restructuring. “China’s economic ty but will try to reduce the num- fundamentals have not changed,” ber of layoffs, he said. Zhao Chenxin, a spokesman for the China’s plan to cut its steel pro- National Development and Reform duction capacity by 100-150 mil- Commission (NDRC), the country’s lion tons will lead to the loss of up top economic planner, told to 400,000 jobs, the official Xinhua reporters in Beijing on Wednesday. news agency reported last month. “The economy will maintain a BEIJING: An investor checks stock prices on a smartphone in a And while most private economists medium- to high-rate growth.” securities company in Beijing yesterday. —AFP agree the economy does not “China’s status as the world’s appear to be in danger of sharp largest holder of foreign exchange January - following approval of ly and forcefully afterwards to deterioration at present, most are reserves has not changed, the 2.52 trillion yuan worth of projects steady it. sticking to forecasts of a gradual large-scale trade surplus has not in 2015 - to help support growth. It burned through a record and bumpy slowdown. “We expect changed and the steady progress The announcement followed amount of foreign reserves in 2015 the economy to continue to slow in the yuan internationalization measures announced by the cen- as it sold dollars and bought yuan and corporate balance sheets to has not changed,” Zhao said. Still, tral bank on Tuesday to support to support the currency and deter worsen,” Tao Wang, Hong Kong- gross domestic product expanded China’s industries. Data also speculators betting on further based China economist at UBS, 6.9 percent in 2015, the slowest in showed banks doled out a record declines. The yuan is expected to wrote in a report on Monday. a quarter of a century, and econo- 2.51 trillion yuan of new loans in be among the key topics of discus- “However, we see the risk of an mists see a further cooling this January, far more than markets sion at the meeting of finance immediate systematic financial cri- year even if the government had expected and suggesting ministers and central bank gover- sis as very small, due to high expands its year-long stimulus Beijing is keeping monetary policy nors from the Group of 20 domestic saving and ample bank- campaign. “We think growth could loose. economies in Shanghai at the end ing liquidity, extensive govern- be 6.7-6.8 percent this year,” said Separately, a spokesman for the of this month. While Beijing’s latest ment ownership of banks and Xu Gao, chief economist of China commerce ministry on Wednesday assurances of stability may have many debtors, and capital con- Everbright Securities in Beijing. downplayed the risk of capital tempered fears of an imminent trols.” —Reuters

Taiwan signals gloom Japan’s automaker unions’ pay with lowered forecast demands challenge Abenomics

TAIPEI: Taiwan’s economy is looking at another gloomy year TOKYO: Japan’s automaker labor unions are and uncertainty over the economic outlook, ahead as the government yesterday cut growth forecasts in reducing their demands for pay rises for the we can’t demand bigger rises in base salary the face of subdued international demand for exports. The next fiscal year from amounts sought the just because our company logs record prof- growth prediction for 2016 has been slashed from 2.32 per- previous year, a move that could hamper its,” Toyota union’s spokesman Yasuyuki cent to 1.47 percent after a worse-than-expected 2015 saw the Abe government’s efforts to stoke Takaki said. “We should seek higher bonus- the island sink into recession at the end of the year. “This demand and defeat deflation. The annual es when short-term profits rise, rather than year’s global economic growth rate will be slightly higher “shunto” wage talks are seen as crucial for base salary, which cannot be unwound in than last year’s, but growth momentum will remain slow as in the ultimate success of Prime Minister times of a business downturn.” The sticky recent years,” the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting Shinzo Abe’s aim to generate virtuous deflationary mindset of labor unions are and Statistics said in a statement. growth led by higher incomes and business what the Bank of Japan is trying to eradi- The pessimistic forecast comes the day after Taiwan’s investment. The unions’ modest demand cate with its aggressive money printing and finance ministry said shipments for January had slumped 13 underscores Abe’s struggle in pulling Japan last month’s decision to adopt negative percent year-on-year in the longest consecutive period of out of two decades of deflation and stagna- interest rates to spur growth. decline since 2009. Among the hardest-hit areas is electron- tion, with the global stock market rout and Leading blue-chip companies had con- ics-the biggest category of exports for Taiwan, traditionally a yen gains since the start of this year giving sented to Abe’s calls to raise wages since he technology manufacturing hub. A number of leading firms a perfect excuse to forgo wage hikes. returned to power in late 2012, agreeing to Taiwanese firms such as Foxconn and TSMC are among The labor union of auto giant Toyota an average wage hike of 2.19 percent in Apple’s suppliers. Last year saw Taiwan’s shipments fall by a Motor Corp, which sets the tone for annual 2014 and a 2.38 percent raise last year - a tenth compared to the previous year. Exports in 2016 are wage talks across Japan, is seeking a 3,000 17-year high. In a sign that momentum is expected to contract another 2.78 percent, the statistics yen ($26.31) increase in monthly base pay, fading, Japan’s biggest business lobby, bureau said yesterday, as rising homegrown tech brands and half of what was sought last year. Labor Keidanren, has said wage hikes don’t neces- hardware manufacturers in China put pressure on Taiwan’s unions of other car makers followed suit - sarily have to take the form of a hike in base industries. The island’s steel, petrochemical, and mechanical despite record profits Toyota and some oth- salary - toning down from the more explicit exports also face stiff competition from China. Official figures ers expect in this business year to March. requests it had made until last year. “Labor released yesterday revised down 2015 full-year economic This is the straight third year in which unions have not shaken off their deflation- growth from 0.85 percent to 0.75 percent. The government automaker unions have demanded wage ary mindset,” said Hisashi Yamada, chief late last year sought to boost consumer spending-the other rises, having secured increases in the previ- economist at Japan Research Institute. “If key economic indicator-through a stimulus package that ous two years. The wage talks wrap up at labor unions of top firms lower base pay lasts until the end of this month. But the consumer subsidies other major firms in leading industries in demand, that may make it harder for small appear to have had limited impact as the 2016 domestic con- mid-March, when companies’ management firms to raise wages. If base pay stops rising, sumption growth forecast was also lowered for the year to will make their formal responses. that could pave the way for return of defla- 1.36 percent. —AFP “Taking into account slowing inflation tion.” —Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. GOLD Saudi Riyals 80.665 US Dollars Mint 0.296100 0.300100 20 Gram 243.060 Jordanian Dinar 422.535 10 Gram 124.450 Asia CURRENCY BUY SELL Egyptian Pound 38.195 5 Gram 63.070 Bangladesh Taka 0.003432 0.004032 ASIAN COUNTRIES Sri Lankan Rupees 2.086 Japanese Yen 2.635 Indian Rupees 4.390 Chinese Yuan 0.044500 0.048000 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036568 0.039318 Indian Rupees 4.394 UAE Exchange Centre WLL Pakistani Rupees 2.859 Pakistani Rupees 2.862 Bangladesh Taka 3.810 Indian Rupee 0.004170 0.004560 Srilankan Rupees 2.084 Philippines Pesso 6.3608 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024 Nepali Rupees 2.732 CURRENCIES TELEX TRANSFER PER 1000 Cyprus pound 571.300 Japanese Yen 0.002553 0.002733 Singapore Dollar 213.920 Australian Dollar 201.91 Japanese Yen 3.605 Kenyan Shilling 0.003115 0.003115 Hongkong Dollar 38.477 Canadian Dollar 219.82 Syrian Pound 2.360 Korean Won 0.000235 0.000250 Bangladesh Taka 3.818 Swiss Franc 306.95 Nepalese Rupees 3.740 Malaysian Ringgit 0.067703 0.073703 Philippine Peso 6.296 Euro 336.85 Malaysian Ringgit 72.865 Nepalese Rupee 0.002840 0.003010 Thai Baht 8.424 US Dollar 299.90 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 46.425 Pakistan Rupee 0.002708 0.002988 Sterling Pound 431.04 Thai Bhat 9.380 Philippine Peso 0.006258 0.006538 Japanese Yen 2.67 GCC COUNTRIES Turkish Lira 101.840 Sierra Leone 0.000066 0.000072 Saudi Riyal 79.963 Bangladesh Taka 3.817 Singapore Dollar 0.209948 0.215948 Qatari Riyal 82.369 Indian Rupee 4.375 South African Rand 0.012993 0.021493 Omani Riyal 778.846 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.083 Bahrain Exchange Company Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001731 0.002311 Bahraini Dinar 796.330 Nepali Rupee 2.732 Taiwan 0.008941 0.009121 UAE Dirham 81.640 Pakistani Rupee 2.860 Thai Baht 0.008092 0.008642 UAE Dirhams 0.08161 CURRENCY BUY SELL Europe ARAB COUNTRIES Bahraini Dinar 0.7970 British Pound 0.421540 0.430540 Arab Egyptian Pound - Cash 36.050 Egyptian Pound 0.03819 Czech Korune 0.004371 0.016371 Bahraini Dinar 0.788078 0.796078 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 38.340 Jordanian Dinar 0.4265 Danish Krone 0.040754 0.045754 Egyptian Pound 0.033683 0.038019 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.399 Omani Riyal 0.7788 Euro 0.328953 0.336653 Iranian Riyal 0.000083 0.000084 Tunisian Dinar 149.480 Qatari Riyal 0.08269 Norwegian Krone 0.030726 0.035926 Iraqi Dinar 0.000197 0.000257 Jordanian Dinar 422.620 Saudi Riyal 0.07994 Romanian Leu 0.085969 0.085969 Jordanian Dinar 0.418683 0.426183 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.998 Slovakia 0.008881 0.018881 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Syrian Lira 2.137 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Swedish Krona 0.031243 0.036243 Lebanese Pound 0.000149 0.000249 Morocco Dirham 31.219 Swiss Franc 0.296815 0.307015 Moroccan Dirhams 0.020324 0.044324 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Turkish Lira 0.095214 0.105514 Nigerian Naira 0.001230 0.001865 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar 299.950 Omani Riyal 0.772023 0.777703 US Dollar Transfer 299.700 Canadian Dollar 219.785 Australasia Euro 336.260 Qatar Riyal 0.081609 0.082822 Sterling Pound 433.535 Australian Dollar 0.203961 0.215461 Sterling Pound 430.070 Saudi Riyal 0.079033 0.079983 Euro 335.480 New Zealand Dollar 0.190503 0.200003 Canadian dollar 217.020 Syrian Pound 0.001269 0.001489 Swiss Frank 297.260 Turkish lira 100.570 Tunisian Dinar 0.146010 0.154010 Bahrain Dinar 793.510 America Swiss Franc 305.500 Turkish Lira 0.095214 0.105514 UAE Dirhams 81.905 Canadian Dollar 0.210511 0.219011 Australian Dollar 213.990 UAE Dirhams 0.080616 0.081765 Qatari Riyals 83.115 US Dollars 0.295600 0.300100 US Dollar Buying 298.500 Yemeni Riyal 0.001354 0.001434 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 BUSINESS Iran resists curbs on oil output

ANKARA: Iran said yesterday it would increase its crude output until reaching January from as high as $115 in mid- Olivier Jakob from Petromatrix con- way for Saudi Arabia to make some resist any plan to restrain its oil output as the pre-sanctions production level.” The 2014, hammering the finances of Russia, sultancy said that if Saudi Arabia were to room for the restart of the Iranian fellow OPEC ministers tried to persuade freeze plan has so far failed to push up Saudi Arabia and other producers. freeze output at January levels, the king- exports,” he said. The last global deal in the country to join the first global oil oil prices, due to concerns Iran would Brent oil futures rose 3 percent yester- dom would need to cut exports by 0.5 2001 saw Saudi Arabia persuade Mexico, pact in 15 years. Talks in Tehran between not participate and that a deal would do day after losing as much as 4 percent the million bpd in the summer months, Norway and Russia to contribute to pro- Iranian oil minister Bijan Zanganeh and little to ease the global glut as it would day before. “A freeze is not the same as a when it burns more oil for power gener- duction cuts, although Moscow did not his counterparts from Iraq, Qatar and still allow Russia and Saudi Arabia to cut, and somewhat disingenuously, ation at home. “The production freeze follow through and raised exports Venezuela began yesterday. Iran is the keep pumping at near record levels. keeping crude production at January can therefore be seen as an un-official instead. —Reuters major obstacle to the first joint OPEC and Venezuelan Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino, levels actually implies higher-than- non-OPEC deal since 2001, having Iraqi Oil Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi and expected annual output ... and so can pledged to increase output sharply to Qatari Energy Minister Mohammad bin hardly tackle the current market over- regain market share lost during years of Saleh Al-Sada sat down with Zanganeh supply,” JBC Energy said in a note. Two sanctions. at 3 pm. non-Iranian sources close to the OPEC The meeting in the Iranian capital fol- The sanctions, imposed over Iran’s discussions told Reuters on Tuesday that lowed a deal reached on Tuesday by nuclear program, were lifted last month Iran might be offered special terms as OPEC power Saudi Arabia and non-OPEC after an agreement with world powers, part of an output freeze deal. “Iran is Russia, the world’s top two producers allowing Tehran to resume selling oil freely returning to the market and needs to be and exporters, to freeze production at in international markets. Iran exported given a special chance, but it also needs January levels if other big oil nations around 2.5 million barrels per day (bpd) of to make some calculations,” said one agree to join. OPEC Gulf producers - crude before 2012, but sanctions cut that source. Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE - as well as to around 1.1 million bpd. Tehran has The sources did not elaborate on the Venezuela said they would join the pact, pledged to raise supply by around 1 mil- special terms, which could be anything aimed at tackling a growing oversupply lion bpd in the next 6-12 months. from setting limited production increas- and helping prices recover from their es to linking future output rises to a lowest in over a decade. “Asking Iran to Special terms recovery in oil prices. But Tehran-based freeze its oil production level is illogical ... This would only add to the global oil analyst Reza Zandi said it would be when Iran was under sanctions, some glut, which has been fuelled by US shale difficult to persuade Tehran to agree to countries raised their output and they output and a decision by Saudi Arabia to any restraints as there was a broad con- caused the drop in oil prices.” Iran’s OPEC pump at full capacity to drive higher- sensus among senior Iranian officials to envoy, Mehdi Asali, was quoted as saying cost producers out of the market. The increase production to pre-sanctions lev- by the Shargh daily newspaper yesterday. world is already producing more than 1 els. “Freezing the output is against Iran’s “How can they expect Iran to cooper- million bpd than it consumes, with oil national and economic interests, TOKYO: People look at an electronic stock board showing Japan’s Nikkei ate now and pay the price?” he said. “We stockpiles at record levels. As a result, Zanganeh cannot accept it,” he said. “The 225 at a securities firm in Tokyo. —AP have repeatedly said that Iran will prices fell below $30 per barrel in establishment has decided so.” Slumbering Pakistani steel giant shows why sell-offs are stalled Mills’ plight highlights Pakistan privatization struggles

KARACHI: Once the producer of on,” he said. PSM is one of several duce a basic building block for the group of Sindh officials visited the almost half the country’s steel firms Pakistan wants to sell to revive future. Across the site, signs site this year, the CEO said. They left needs, state-owned Pakistan Steel loss-making entities that cost the implore workers to believe steel with financial feasibility documents Mills’ (PSM) cavernous factory build- government $5 billion a year. will make Pakistan stronger. The but never called back. Zubair, the ings on the outskirts of Karachi But it has struggled to restructure firm’s motto is “Yes, I can.” The facili- privatization chairman, said if the stand eerily still. A 4.5 km-long con- bleeding companies, including PSM ty has the capacity to expand to Sindh government refused to take veyor belt that once carried coal and Pakistan International Airlines produce 3 million tons of cold and over, he would re-start the privatiza- from the nearby port is idle and (PIA), and get them in shape for hot-rolled steel annually, against tion process. blast furnaces rest silent. Birds build potential buyers. This month, today’s 1.1 million tons, CEO Khan nests in Soviet-era equipment and Pakistan shelved plans to privatize said. At 3 million tons, PSM would Unpaid, still working stray dogs nap outside abandoned power supply companies, and offi- become “very profitable”. But man- Privatization would be con- plants. cials said Islamabad told the IMF it agers failed to upgrade machinery, tentious: this month, protests The company is for sale, but the would not meet deadlines to sell PIA losses spiraled and production against the sale of PIA turned vio- ALMERIA: Farm workers gather to take part in a demonstration against low government cannot find a buyer as it or PSM. While the loss-making firms tumbled 92 percent in the past lent. PSM employees, half of whom struggles to get privatizations back are a drain on Pakistan’s resources - decade as demand for steel tanked live on the site in a residential com- prices of their fruits and vegetables in Almeria. —AFP on track after a series of setbacks. A around an eighth of the govern- during the 2008 recession and cus- plex complete with hospital and glance at PSM’s finances may explain Discontent brews why. The company has $3.5 billion in debt and accumulated losses, loses $5 million a week and has not pro- in greenhouses of the duced steel at its 19,000-acre facility since June last year. That was when ‘Europe’s vegetable garden’ the national gas company cut power supplies, demanding payment of ALMERIA: In a vast sea of plastic green- mainly legal and illegal immigrants bills of over $340 million. Like many Pakistani industrial firms, political houses in southeastern Spain, dubbed from Africa and Eastern Europe who toil meddling and competition from “Europe’s vegetable garden”, discontent as day workers, said University of cheaper Chinese imports left PSM is growing among farmers who com- Almeria anthropologist Francisco vulnerable. plain large supermarket chains do not Checa. At night, they stream out of the They also undermine Prime pay enough and farm workers who live greenhouses on their bikes, back to the Minister Nawaz Sharif’s promise to in poverty. Since the 1980s, one of the packed, basic homes they share with the International Monetary Fund to largest concentrations of greenhouses other workers. “I work 25 days a month privatize PSM by March, in return in the world has developed on a coastal but on my pay slip only 10 days are for a $6.7 billion national bailout plain near the city of Almeria, spanning recorded,” said Adama, a 34-year-old loan agreed in 2013. More than over 30,000 hectares in a “sea of plastic” from Mali who has worked in the green- 14,000 jobs are at risk, while the seen from space. houses since 2008. He said he was Pakistani economy needs industrial The region is so dry and barren that owed two months wages but was reluc- growth to provide employment for it was used to film dozens of “spaghetti tant to complain-even though he has a growing population. “Nine billion western” films in the 1960s but with the legal status in Spain-out of fear that his rupees ($86 million) are immediate- ly needed to see the company ISLAMABAD: A vendor helps a customer at a fruit and vegetable market on the outskirts of advent of hydroponic systems that bosses would fire his colleagues who through to June,” company CEO Islamabad, Pakistan yesterday. —AP drip-feed fertilisers into grow-bags it are in the country illegally. Most bosses Zaheer Ahmed Khan told Reuters at now produces several tonnes of fruits do not pay farm workers overtime and its sprawling premises. “It’s really ment’s fiscal revenues last year - few tomers turned to cheaper Chinese cricket stadium, haven’t been paid and vegetables annually.After decades they ignore a collective labour agree- sad, it’s a national asset. We are a fear Pakistan will slide into economic products. for five months. But pride and few of rapid development, though, export ment that sets wages for day workers at nuclear power but what does it say crisis. The IMF has continued to International buyers show little alternatives mean most spend their growth has stalled and growing num- 46 euros ($51) for eight hours of work, that we can’t operate a small steel release installments of its 2013 interest. Officials close to the gov- days at the plant, repairing and bers of people question the viability of Checa said. The provincial branch of the mill?” bailout package despite missed tar- ernment’s privatization agenda said chatting. At sunset, the remaining this agricultural model. “We produce SAT workers’ union receives daily com- gets, and Pakistan is exploring other suitors offered barely $100 million 7,000 workers pile into buses for over 65 percent of the tomatoes, 80 plaints from farm laborers, many of Privatization pains sources of support, like ally China for PSM against an expected $900 homes in Karachi, a teeming port percent of the cucumbers and 94 per- whom live in two shanty towns located The government has injected $2 which plans to invest $46 billion in a million. “You have the land and ... city over an hour away. Mohammad cent of the eggplants sold in Europe,” near the greenhouses. billion into PSM since a failed selloff new economic corridor. infrastructure but it doesn’t have Taqi, who has worked at the plant said Francisco Vargas, the head of the in 2006, but cannot invest more the machinery,” said Arif Habib, a for 38 years, still turns up every day. ASAJA young farmers’ association. ‘One-off cases’ capital, Privatization Commission Back in the USSR businessman whose conglomerate “I’ve spent so many years here that I “But look at the prices we are paid. Tensions between Spanish residents Chairman Mohammad Zubair said. Designed and funded by the bid for the company a decade ago just pray that it will start working They are below production costs.” He and immigrant workers boiled over in “The best option is to privatize so Soviet Union in the 1970s, PSM was but would not touch it now. With no again,” Taqi said, next to silent, tow- that private sector buyers inject once the pride of the nation, show- takers, the federal government ering blast furnaces. “This place blames a war between large retailers the region in 2000 after a Spanish capital to upgrade the plant and casing a rapidly industrializing wants the cash-strapped provincial used to be alive. I just want things who try to hold on to clients by offering woman was stabbed to death, sparking machinery, buy raw material and so Pakistan with the means to pro- government in Sindh to take over. A to be the same again.” —Reuters the lowest possible prices. clashes in the farming town of El Ejido. “Multinationals are strangling us,” said “Conditions of pure exploitation of Miguel Rubio, 60, who struggles to immigrants have since worsened,” said make ends meet with the produce he Spitou Mendy, the spokesman for SAT grows on four hectares of land in the in the province of Almeria. Mohamed, a German power giant RWE suspends “sea of plastic”. He said farmers were 32-year-old Moroccan who studied eco- forced to boost output because of the nomics before crossing illegally into dividend payouts after annual loss low prices paid by chains to try to make Spain, lives in a shack made of wood more money, which in turn creates big- and plastic with other farm workers in FRANKFURT: RWE, Germany’s second-biggest The loss was due to a writedown of 2.1 bil- easily to us. We know that we might disap- ger surpluses and pushes prices down one of the shanty towns near the power supplier, said yesterday it will partially lion euros on its power plants in Germany and point many shareholders. However, it is neces- even further. “The system makes no greenhouses. “I earn 35 euros for eight suspend dividend payouts after running up a Britain, RWE explained. “The continued col- sary in order to strengthen our company,” said sense,” said Rubio. hours of work, but others only get 30 loss in 2015 as a result of collapsing wholesale lapse of wholesale electricity prices came to chief executive Peter Terium. euros,” he said. prices and weak profitability in the conven- bear, leading to an erosion of power plant ‘Last link in chain’ Farmers and officials, however, say tional power generation. The announcement margins,” RWE said in a statement. “The Profits down this year Antonio Fernandez, meanwhile, cases of abuse are not the norm. “These sent RWE shares into a nosedive on the prospects in the conventional power genera- Looking ahead to the current year, RWE talked with pride of the “sweet taste” of are one-off cases, not at all the general Frankfurt stock exchange, where they were the tion business have worsened further.” Adjusted said it is penciling in adjusted net profit of the red peppers he produces that are situation of the 60,000 greenhouse biggest losers, plunging 10.6 percent to an for one-off effects, net profit amounted to 1.1 500-700 million euros. “This represents a con- exported to northern Europe, and the workers,” said Jose Antonio Aliaga, chief intraday low of 10.55 euros in a generally billion euros, at the lower end of forecasts, and siderable decline compared to 2015,” the progress made in recent years to of agricultural services in Almeria for firmer market. underlying or operating profit totaled 3.89 bil- group said. “Besides the erosion of margins in reduce the use of pesticides. “But the the regional government. Fernandez, Germany’s power suppliers have been hit in lion euros, RWE said. In the wake of the conventional power generation, the absence price of everything increases-plastic the farmer who exports red peppers, recent years by government plans to eliminate “unusually weak” bottom-line earnings, the of the positive special items recorded last year sheets, seeds, power- except the price said “it is not fair to say that all farmers nuclear power by the next decade and cham- management board “has decided to propose ... also comes to bear,” it said. RWE vowed to paid by supermarkets for produce,” he here are seen as slave drivers.” The pion a so-called “energy transition” away from a suspension of the dividend payment to hold- “tackle the operating and technical problems said as water drip-dropped in the back- Romanian couple he employees fossil fuels such as coal towards renewable ers of common shares for fiscal 2015,” RWE in the UK supply business with resolve, but ground from his automatic irrigation describe him as a model boss who pays energy sources such as the wind and the sun. said. anticipates burdens in this area again in 2016.” system. Over 1,000 farmers protested in them a monthly salary of 800 euros for Power utilities have complained that the cost Holders of preferred shares would still Net debt and headcount at group level were Almeria on February 4 to demand a five days a week of work and provides of having to close down their nuclear power receive a payout of 0.13 euros per share. “The “unlikely to change significantly compared to “fair” price for their fruits and vegeta- them with free accommodation in a plants and the heavy subsidies afforded to backdrop is the recent dramatic deterioration 2015,” it said. In December, RWE announced bles and allow them to work “with dig- house with a garden. But for the renewable energy have pushed them deeply of the earnings prospects of conventional plans to spin off its renewables, grids and retail nity”. anthropologist Checa, it is all due to the into the red. RWE said in a statement it booked power generation,” RWE said. “In light of the operations and take the unit public. Bigger But with profit margins squeezed, slim margins earned by farmers. a net loss of 200 million euros ($223 million) in current economic prospects of conventional rival E.ON is similarly splitting its conventional some farms have started exploiting “Growers can only put pressure on the 2015 compared with net profit of 1.7 billion power generation, we reached a decision con- and renewable energies operations into sepa- staff that work in the greenhouses, last link in the chain,” he said. —AFP euros a year earlier. cerning the dividend today that did not come rate entities. —AFP BUSINESS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 Asia shares run out of steam Nikkei slips after jumping almost 8% SYDNEY: Asian shares slipped yesterday after expected to extend their rally, however, with cent. Japan’s Nikkei fell 1.7 percent, but is still up off the bottom of those extreme sessions ingness to be more proactive later in the two sessions of solid gains, while oil prices spread betters calling for a rise of 0.6 percent in more than 5 percent on the week. “The rally itself we saw last week.” E-Mini futures for the year. It puts the ball back in the court of swung higher as the market reconsidered the Britain’s FTSE and gains of 0.5 percent each in has been extraordinary but very thin and the S&P 500 also slipped 0.1 percent in Asia those who would not or could not comply.” chances of a meaningful deal to restrict supply Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40. failure of the yen to continue on the fairly steady after Wall Street appeared to have broken Markets now await minutes of the Federal later in the year. The mood was still skittish - MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares path of weakening we’ve seen in the past couple its negative feedback loop with oil. The Reserve’s last meeting to judge the balance when China set a slightly lower guidance rate for outside Japan lost 0.6 percent, reversing early of days has been reflected as nervousness in the Dow ended Tuesday with gains of 1.39 per- of opinion among policymakers on the its yuan, the yen and safe-haven bonds got an gains of 0.4 percent, as its bear market rally Nikkei,” said Stefan Worrall, director of Japan cent, while the S&P 500 added 1.65 percent prospect of further rate hikes. Boston Fed instant boost. As investors realized this was not petering out after a 3 percent rise over the previ- equity sales at Credit Suisse. and the Nasdaq 2.27 percent. A survey of President Eric Rosengren certainly sounded some message from Beijing on devaluation, the ous two sessions. The Shanghai Composite “It’s been a very volatile two weeks and global fund managers found they had in no hurry to tighten. Speaking late on moves quickly reversed. European shares are Index slid 0.3 percent and South Korea 0.1 per- nerves are still frayed despite the fact that we’re become so cautious they were holding Tuesday, Rosengren said the Fed would more cash than at any time since late 2001, need to ratchet down economic forecasts it an “unambiguous buy” signal according to made in December because of the uncer- Bank of America Merrill Lynch. tain global outlook. Doubts about the pace of any further Mood swings hikes kept the US dollar restrained at In commodity markets, oil was whip- 96.720 against a basket of currencies. It sawed after top exporters, Russia and Saudi slipped against the yen to 113.73 yen, Arabia, agreed to freeze output levels but though it has support around 113.60. The said the deal was contingent on other pro- euro also gained 0.2 percent to $1.1165. ducers joining in. After falling sharply at The big loser was sterling, which has first, prices recouped some ground early struggled so far in 2016 because of wor- yesterday. Brent added 37 cents to $32.55, ries the UK might leave the euro-zone. while US crude was up 20 cents at $29.24 a Traders said UK markets face a pivotal barrel. “Albeit mostly symbolic, it is one of week ahead of a two-day summit starting the first clear acknowledgements by the oil on Thursday at which Prime Minister heavyweights that all is not entirely well in David Cameron will try to persuade other the current price environment,” wrote leaders to support a deal to keep Britain Helima Croft, global head of commodity in the European Union. Sterling was stuck strategy at RBC Capital Markets. at $1.4290, having shed 1 percent against “Additionally it signals a potential will- the dollar on Tuesday. — Reuters

TOKYO: People look at the electronic board of a securities firm in Tokyo yesterday. — AP Gold steadies near $1,200 as equity jitters subside LONDON: Gold steadied near $1,200 Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting an ounce yesterday, rolling back earlier for clues on the expected pace of US gains, as a rise in European stocks rate hikes this year. Speculation has pointed to a retreat in the risk aversion increased in recent days that the US that drove prices to one-year highs last central bank might resort to negative week. Uncertainty over the outlook for interest rates to stimulate the economy global equities and for US monetary after Fed Chair Janet Yellen said last policy kept the metal underpinned, week it was an option that would not however. Spot gold was at $1,201.69 be taken “off the table”. an ounce at 1020 GMT, up 0.1 percent Gold is sensitive to higher US rates, but off an earlier high of $1,212.20. US which boost the opportunity cost of gold futures for April delivery were holding non-yielding gold. down 0.5 percent at $1,202.40. Expectations for rising rates helped Spot prices peaked at $1,260.60 an push gold down 10 percent last year. ounce last week after rallying $200 in “(Recent) expectations surrounding less than a month. “It was unusual to interest rate hikes in the United States see that intensity of that run-up high- and interest rate reductions in Japan er,” Mitsubishi precious metals analyst and Europe have on net been positive Jonathan Butler said. “Gold was pretty for gold,” Societe Generale said in a overbought on a short-term relative note. “The number of rate hikes expect- strength index basis.” “Once we saw the ed in the United States this year has slight uptick in the dollar over the last been tempered over the past several couple of days, and equity markets weeks.” John Paulson, one of the world’s started to get a bit of a bid again, the most influential gold investors, slashed natural thing was for this safe-haven his bets on bullion at the end of last trade to start to unwind.” year by cutting his stake in the top Oil and stocks steadied yesterday as gold-backed exchange-traded fund by investors looked forward to less 37 percent, a federal filing showed on volatile trading, a day after world equi- Tuesday. Silver was down 0.1 percent ties recorded one of their biggest ral- at $15.19 an ounce, while platinum lies in years and oil prices swung in a was up 0.8 percent at $934.10 an 10 percent range. Investors will be ounce and palladium was up 1.1 per- closely watching the minutes of the cent at $510.50 an ounce. — Reuters Oil rises as output talks turn to Iran LONDON: Oil prices rose yesterday as the cooperation of other big producers. efforts led by Russia and Saudi Arabia to Iran, the Organization of the Petroleum broker a deal to freeze production levels Exporting Countries’ fourth-largest pro- and ease a global glut turned to Iran, ducer, might be offered an exception as it which signaled a tough line. Iranian Oil seeks to ramp up production following Minister Bijan Zanganeh was due to the removal of sanctions over its nuclear meet his counterparts from Venezuela, program last month, said Ildar Davletshin, Iraq and Qatar at 1030 GMT in Tehran. An analyst at Renaissance Capital. Moves to Iranian official earlier said Iran would freeze output at January levels will make continue increasing its crude output little difference to the overall supply- until it reached levels seen before the demand balance this year and not be imposition of international sanctions. enough to clear the 600,000 barrels per “Asking Iran to freeze its oil produc- day surplus projected for the year, ana- tion level is illogical,” Iran’s OPEC envoy, lysts at FGE said in a note. Mehdi Asali, was quoted as saying by the “It could pave the way for further Shargh newspaper. A freeze in produc- action to be taken should the likes of tion from the near-record levels in Saudi Arabia, other OPEC members and January would do little to relieve the Russia deem it necessary,” FGE said. Still, glut, analysts said. “The market needs a a deal would signal a change in Saudi cut, not a production freeze,” said PVM Arabia’s stand. “The deal doesn’t add analyst David Hufton. Brent crude was up much to rebalance the market, but it is 92 cents at $33.10 a barrel by 1105 GMT, still important that the parties talk. The after settling down $1.21 in the previous Saudis are no longer saying they are session. US crude rose 68 cents to $29.72 fighting for market share but that they a barrel. are ready to discuss a deal,” Davletshin Under a proposal that could lead to said. Investors are also eyeing US oil the first global oil production deal in 15 inventory data today for further direction years, major producers would freeze their on prices, with a poll of analysts suggest- output at January levels. But Saudi Arabia ing a gain of 3.9 million barrels in crude said on Tuesday the deal depended on oil stocks last week. — Reuters BUSINESS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 Lost in translation: Wal-Mart stumbles hard in Brazil News In brief CAMPO GRANDE: When Wal-Mart Stores my shows how tactics that helped Wal-Mart years. Jo Newbould, a spokeswoman for the At the height of the expansion, former Inc first expanded into Brazil’s midwestern build success in the US sometimes get bad- retailer, said the store closures were part of Wal-Mart executives said, a land rush men- farm-belt city of Campo Grande seven years ly lost in translation overseas. its efforts to “actively manage” its global tality took hold. Brazil’s thriving economy in British unemployment ago, the economy was booming and execu- International results have been anemic, assets and that it has been working to lower those years convinced executives the holds at ten-year low tives were eager to open stores even in sub- despite $22 billion in capital investment costs in Brazil. David Cheesewright, head of biggest risk lay in moving too slowly. In LONDON: Britain’s unemployment rate remains at its low- prime locations on one-way streets heading over the past five years. Wal-Mart last year Wal-Mart’s international operations, said in response, they approved new store sites est level in a decade, official data showed yesterday. out of town. It didn’t last. At the end of generated a 4.5 percent operating profit an interview that it has no plans to quit based on increasingly rosy forecasts of Unemployment stood at 5.1 percent in the three months to December, the US retailer closed both of its margin from international markets, well Brazil. He pointed to the company’s deci- future sales. “Most executives didn’t have December, unchanged from the three months to Maxxi brand cash-and-carry stores in below the 7.4 percent return posted from sion to invest in completing an integration the voice to say, ‘Don’t open this store; let’s November, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a Campo Grande as part of a restructuring the US. Seeking higher returns, Wal-Mart of legacy computer systems into the wider not approve more stores,’” a former finance statement. That was the lowest rate, or proportion of the that shuttered 60 locations across Brazil, CEO Doug McMillon in October announced Wal-Mart platform as evidence of a commit- executive recalled. “Why not? Because Brazil workforce that are unemployed, since October 2005. The including some Supercenters. a strategic review of the company’s global ment to the market. “That’s not the act of was the new country. We needed to put jobless total meanwhile sank 172,000 to 1.69 million peo- Shoppers said the stores could not com- assets. Some securities analysts have specu- someone who is packing up the firm for investment in before others do.” In a six-year ple in the final quarter of last year compared with a year pete on assortment, price or location. “It lated Wal-Mart could exit Brazil, as well as other purposes,” he said. Cheesewright stretch through the fiscal year ending earlier. The ONS added that more than 31.4 million people was never clear who Maxxi was for. It wasn’t other markets in Latin America where it is expressed optimism about a turnaround. January 2013, Wal-Mart doubled its loca- are in work, which is the highest level since records began cheap enough for the poor. But there was already closing an additional 55 stores. The “It’s a market that has always been high on tions, reaching nearly 560 at its peak. The in 1971. Average weekly wages, including bonuses, rose by no appeal for the middle class,” said Ordecy pullback in Brazil also has some worrying potential, but has been a roller-coaster ride rapid expansion strained Wal-Mart’s logis- 1.9 percent in the year to December, down 0.2 percentage Gossler, 40, a public accountant filling his echoes of previous Wal-Mart debacles over- in terms of its performance,” he said. “It hap- tics-traditionally one of its strong points in points from the previous month. “December’s UK labor cart with cleaning supplies and toilet paper seas, including South Korea and Germany, pens to be on a downturn at the moment, the US but a drag on performance in Brazil. data continued to paint a mixed picture,” said ING econo- at Atacad„o, a rival chain run by France’s two markets it abandoned in 2006. and I’m sure it will do what it always has In some cases, delivery trucks drove days mist James Smith. “On the one hand, the unemployment Carrefour. “When they announced in done, which is improve.” to reach distant stores from centrally locat- rate remained at 5.1 percent, which ... continues to signal December that both Maxxis were closing, Labor problems ed warehouses. Executives from headquar- that the labor market remains tight. “More importantly no one in my office knew where they were.” Brazil in particular has been dogged by Runaway growth ters bickered with those running some though, wages pressures continue to remain subdued.” Today, Wal-Mart has just one poor locations, inefficient operations, labor Wal-Mart first entered Brazil in 1995 and kinds of stores about who should bear the Supercenter left in this city of 850,000 peo- troubles and uncompetitive prices — with grew in measured steps for nearly a decade. distribution costs, the former finance execu- ‘Bad bank’ deal could be ple, whose demographic of thrifty shoppers some of the problems baked in during an That changed in 2004-2005, when it spent tive said. Amid the focus on growth, execu- option for some nations about $1 billion to buy two retailers, tives never fully integrated the legacy infor- had once seemed suited to the world’s aggressive, decade-long growth surge, FRANKFURT: A state-backed “bad bank” that would largest retailer. It shuttered the city’s other according to interviews with a dozen for- Bompreco SA Supermercados do Nordeste mation systems from BompreÁo and Sonae. take over non-performing loans from a country’s one at the end of the year, as traffic dwin- mer and current Wal-Mart executives, as and Sonae Distribuicao Brasil S. The deals Disruptions in communication between dled in the shopping mall it was meant to well as analysts, shoppers and store expanded Wal-Mart’s operations into the headquarters and the many different store banks, as has been agreed for Italy, could also be an anchor. The retreat from Campo Grande is employees. Wal-Mart would not comment northeast and south of Brazil, and marked types allowed inefficiencies to take root. option for other countries, the head of Europe’s new emblematic of Wal-Mart’s broader issues in on financial results from Brazil ahead of the the beginning of a spending spree aimed at Buyers, for instance, found themselves banking resolution authority said yesterday. “Italy Brazil, a once-red-hot destination for for- company’s quarterly earnings on Feb. 18. building a national footprint. With the using three laptops, one each for the two has come up with a construction for a bad bank eign retailers and other companies that has People familiar with the numbers told takeovers came an array of brands: Wal- legacy systems and another for the Wal- that uses a market solution without state aid,” the turned stone cold. And the lackluster per- Reuters that Wal-Mart has posted operating Mart currently operates under nine differ- Mart platform, people familiar with the mat- head of the Single Resolution Board, Elke Koenig, formance in Latin America’s largest econo- losses in Brazil for each of the past seven ent store banners in Brazil. ter said.—Reuters told the business daily Handelsblatt in an interview. “But Italy isn’t alone with this problem. In other countries, too, a large amount of non-performing loans has also amassed,” Koenig said. The solution Nissan to assemble reached in Italy “could also be suitable for many other countries,” she added, pointing out that cars in Myanmar “Germany has also had good experience” with such a solution. Last month, the European Union and YANGON: Japanese auto giant Nissan will start assembling Italy reached agreement on creating a guarantee cars in Myanmar for the first time this year, the company said vehicle to help Italian banks sell bad loans. Rome yesterday, as it expands its presence in one of Asia’s final eco- had spent more than a year thrashing out a solution nomic frontiers. Foreign companies have piled into the with Brussels, having to ensure that any deal would Southeast Asian nation since reforms began in 2011, eager to not contravene EU rules on state aid. tap into a 51.5 million-strong pool of potential customers. Nissan said production will start in a factory run with a Malaysian partner, Tan Chong Motor Group, before eventually BAE chooses Mahindra for moving to a new facility in Bago, 80 kilometers northeast of Indian gun assembly plant the commercial hub Yangon. NEW DELHI: BAE Systems said yesterday it had chosen The Japanese company announced its plan to build the largest automobile manufacturing site in Myanmar three Indian conglomerate Mahindra Group to build a plant years ago. Two hundred employees will receive training in for the assembly of its M777 Ultra Lightweight Howitzer Malaysia for a Myanmar assembly line that aims to turn out artillery guns that it wants to sell to India. India and the 10,000 units, according to a Nissan statement. It was not United States, where BAE manufactures the weapons, immediately clear if all the vehicles would be destined for the are in advanced-stage talks for the sale of 145 M777s in domestic market or whether some were intended for export. a deal expected to be worth more than $700 million. MAYIBOUT: Gold leaves obtained from panning are shown in the middle of the equatorial forest in Mayibouth, “Nissan is pleased to have the opportunity to be part of new New Delhi is trying to replenish its range of artillery north east Gabon. — AFP motoring growth in Myanmar,” said company vice-president weapons after years of delays in ordering new equip- Toru Hasegawa. ment for depleted supplies. Prime Minister Narendra Huge import taxes and international sanctions aimed at Modi has vowed to upgrade the country’s military hard- the previous regime meant vehicles were too expensive for Gabon seeks riches in ware, but wants deals with foreign companies to most people, but recent changes have seen a sharp increase include the setting up of factories and plants in India to in demand for four wheels. Evidence of the former pariah boost local industry, and the transfer of technology. state’s exploding car market lies on its once-sleepy streets, artisanal gold mining Under the proposal, Mahindra will run an assembly, which are now choked with cars. Nissan began selling cars in integration and testing facility for the 145 Howitzers, Myanmar in 2013, two years after a stream of political and BAE said in a statement. economic reforms saw Western sanctions lifted, opening the Gabon - home to wealth of mineral riches impoverished country up to trade and foreign investment fol- lowing nearly five decades of military rule. MAYIBOUTH: In the remote wilderness “there are no companies which can government’s demand for their pro- Bahrain lifts bond Investors are hoping that Myanmar’s economy keeps grow- of the Belinga mountains in northeast train or hire young people. If you don’t duction say they are the losers in this re-tap to $750 m ing under a new government set to be formed by Aung San Gabon, men with shovels in hand dig want to stay with nothing to do, you deal. “Before we got around 20,000 CFA DUBAI: Bahrain has upsized and launched a $750 Suu Kyi’s pro-democracy party next month. The carmaker’s from morning to night, filling wheel- have to find things to do like gold pan- francs per gram but now since they (the million, two-part bond re-opening, at the tighter Myanmar expansion comes after the company reported weak- barrows with soil laced with what they ning,” he says, as youth unemployment government officials) came, it’s fallen to end of its previous guidance, a document from lead ening demand last week in Thailand and Indonesia-its two are looking for: gold. The clearing in the stands at more than 30 percent. But in 17,000,” says Simon Pierre Matamaya, arrangers showed. The kingdom increased its bor- major Southeast Asian manufacturing hubs. But the compa- equatorial forest is covered with dozens 2014 the government decided to chief of the camp 6 village. He says offi- rowing size by $250 million on the back of strong ny’s profits still surged last year following strong North of holes, some four meters deep. “We address the “anarchy” of the situation of cials blame the price on market condi- demand with the order book topping $1.35 billion, American sales and signs of a pick up in China. Japan’s Suzuki arrive around seven in the morning, the artisanal gold diggers and tions, “but we don’t know”. An ounce of it said in a document released late on Tuesday. The already produces in Myanmar while US giant Ford Motor has and finish at 6:00 pm... the production launched a system for buying and col- gold on the commodities market cur- finances of the small energy exporter, with less gen- opened a showroom in Yangon.—AFP isn’t that good,” says Aboubakar lecting their small-size production. rently sells for around $1,200 per Coulibably, a Malian with muscular The stated objective was to have ounce. erous oil and financial reserves than its neighbors, arms who moves around 200 wheelbar- “better visibility and control of the “This isn’t a business, it’s a question have been hard hit by the drop in oil prices. A re-tap rows full of the gold-bearing soil per activity,” explains Wesbert Moussounda, of survival,” Matamaya adds, pointing to at start of the year is seen as a positive for Bahrain, day. director of the Gabonese branch for the makeshift shelters in the camp, as it will potentially save the kingdom from paying On good days, his team finds gold collection, a subsidiary of the with no water, no electricity, and fami- much higher interest rates. Increased debt issuance around nine or 10 grams of gold. The Societe Equatoriale des Mines (SEM) lies sleeping on the ground. Gold min- this year by other Gulf governments and companies production may be small but now charged with developing Gabon’s min- ing began in Gabon in the 1940s dur- may squeeze liquidity, in addition to the risk of Gabon’s government requires that eral resources. Last year, the CGCO col- ing the French colonial era and gold another US interest rate rise. Bahrain launched its these men panning for gold must sell lected 55 kilograms of gold, a modest panning today takes place at the old re-tap on Tuesday, split between five-and 10-year what they find to the west African amount considering that around sites. But a few months ago, excavators portions, at 5.70 percent and 7.40 percent respec- state-a situation the artisanal gold min- 10,000 people work in gold panning cleared out a new large section of the tively. Previous guidance was 5.70-5.80 percent and ers don’t like especially in the face of nationwide, according to the World forest. The Gabon mining firm SEM, 7.40-7.50 percent. Initial price thoughts were set on growing competition from Chinese Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Gabon. which hopes to discover new reserves Tuesday at the 5.875 percent area for the five-year mining companies. William M’bouma The state’s management of this gold of gold, has signed a partnership with tranche and the 7.5 percent area for the 10-year employs five or six workers for around production “will improve living condi- the Chinese company Myanning to tranche. 10,000 CFA francs (15 euros) per day. tions for our people” with the develop- explore the area. Gabon is home to a “We don’t have a choice, it’s hard but ment of “small mines better organized wealth of mineral riches including man- we make do,” says the 31-year-old and semi-automated,” says ganese, iron, uranium and diamonds YANGON: Shipping containers stacked up at the port Gabonese, who came back to his native Moussounda. that have yet to be exploited and are area along Yangon river. Recent World Bank’s projec- village after taking his chances-in vain- attracting more and more Chinese tions placed Myanmar as the world’s fourth fastest in the capital Libreville. ‘Question of survival’ companies, already involved in oil, growing economy. — AFP In the city like in the countryside, But the gold panners faced with the wood and public works.—AFP Nissan staff honored for their ‘excellence’

DUBAI: As part of its ongoing strategy to reaffirmed Nissan’s commitment to customer 19 year, honors those members of staff that technical expertise. Samir Cherfan paid trib- offer the best customer care services, Nissan service: “At Nissan, we believe customer have shown exemplary performance over ute to the winners: “We acknowledge each has awarded its top sales force and service experience excellence is top priority. the course of the year. The Regional Skills entrant’s efforts in the skills contest and con- technicians from across the region at its Globally, Nissan’s objective in this area is to Contest comprises four competitions for gratulate those who won in their respective Regional Skills Contest event held at the be the best and in this region we have also Technicians, Service Advisors, Sales and Parts categories. The contest is part of our major Armani hotel in Dubai. The Japanese auto aligned ourselves with this goal. It is not sim- with the objective of realizing their capabili- investment in customer care. By investing in maker invests heavily in customer care and ply about satisfying a customer with a partic- ties and then advancing their skills. our employees and the company, our cus- Boeing, Okay Airways focuses on providing the highest standards ular service or purchase, it is about delivering The awards span every aspect of the busi- tomers are constantly rewarded by the con- sign $1.3 billion deal of sales and after-sales service. an overall outstanding customer experience.” ness - from knowledge of Nissan genuine sistent professionalism of our staff.” The old- SINGAPORE: Boeing said yesterday it has won a com- Speaking at the ceremony, Samir Cherfan The Nissan Regional Skills Contest, now in its parts to service advice to sales acumen to est and most coveted category is Nissan mitment from China’s Okay Airways to buy 12 aircraft Service Technical Excellence Competency from the 737 family in a deal worth $1.3 billion. The deal Award (NISTEC), now in its 19th year. This is subject to the approval of the Chinese government year, the accolade was awarded to Uchita and will be posted on Boeing’s list of orders once the Bandara. green light is given, the US aircraft maker said at the “I am so grateful to have received such a Singapore Airshow. Okay Airways, a privately owned air- coveted award, especially when it’s judged by my colleagues and peers within the com- line with headquarters in Beijing, committed to buy pany,” says Uchita Bandara. At the end of the eight 737 MAX 8s, three 737 MAX 9s and one next gen- day, the best reward for me is doing my job eration 737-900 extended range version. The Chinese to the best of my ability and to the satisfac- carrier also has the option to order another eight 737 tion of the customer.” The first place under MAX 8s, Boeing said. “We greatly value the ties we have the Nissan Service Advisor Excellency built over the years with Boeing,” said Okay Airways Competency Award (NISAC) category was chairman Wang Shusheng. He said the additional orders won by Sajeev Thomas and the winner of the “will modernize our fleet and ensure we operate the Nissan Sales Executive Excellence most efficient fleet well into the future”. The order is a Competency Award (NISEC) category went boost to the 737 MAX 9, which has been outsold by the to Mohamed Dayane. In addition, A321 neo, its rival narrow body aircraft made by Mohammed Ansari was presented with the Europe’s Airbus. According to an analysis by industry first place for the Nissan Parts Executive publication Flightglobal before yesterday’s announce- Excellence Competency Award (NIPAC). The ment, airlines have ordered 224 737 MAX 9s compared Best Performing NSC award was given to with 1,111 A321neos. Arabian Automobiles Co. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 press releases

Mercedes-AMG GLE 63: Efficiency meets performance

KUWAIT: Following the successful launch of the GLE the 8-cylinder engine, which is assembled according and downshifts. After the driver has shifted up or control unit uses these signals for lightning-fast and terms of looks and driving dynamics with tyres in 400 last October, AR Albisher & Z Alkazemi, the to the philosophy of “one man, one engine”, can be down manually using a shift paddle, the transmission infinitely variable adjustment of the current damping size 295/35 R 21. The 10 x 21 cross-spoke light-alloy authorized General Distributor of Mercedes-Benz in visually upgraded if desired with a carbon-fibre independently reverts to automatic shift mode after a force for each individual wheel. wheels are available in two variants: painted in titani- Kuwait are pleased to announce the arrival of the lat- engine cover. The engine badge bearing the engine set period of time. um grey with a high-sheen finish or painted in matt est GLE family member in Kuwait, the all-new technician’s signature is a typical AMG hallmark of AMG-specific axles black with a high-sheen rim flange. A typical AMG Mercedes-AMG GLE 63. Updated name, extended utmost precision and production quality. Comfort mode The axles, too, have undergone AMG-specific distinguishing feature is the “V8 BITURBO” lettering model range and even more power, the new With DYNAMIC SELECT, the COMFORT mode has optimization in the interests of high precision and on the front wing. As an alternative to the side sill Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 4MATIC is more attractive than One hallmark AMG feature an integrated sailing function. It helps to further lower agile handling. The newly developed elastokinemat- panels, side running boards in an aluminum look ever. As is customary for an AMG model, the GLE 63 also fuel consumption: when the driver releases the accel- ics on the double-wishbone front suspension and with anti-slip rubber studs are optionally available. Following the introduction of the new nomencla- has a unique sound. The V8 engine sounds different erator in a speed range from 60 to 160 km/h, the the larger stabilizer on the multi-link rear axle pro- The GLE 63 also impresses from the rear with its ture, the evolution of the successful Mercedes-Benz depending on the DYNAMIC SELECT transmission engine is disengaged from the drive system. The elec- duce the typical AMG direct driving experience with muscular and athletic look: The black diffuser insert ML 63 AMG is now called the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63. mode that has been selected: restrained in COMFORT tronics reduce the engine speed to idle level, and the spontaneous reactions and distinct response charac- in the rear apron with black trim strip in the shape of The AMG 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 engine is even more mode or roaring and distinctive with SPORT+. Here driving resistance is reduced by the compression and teristics. The Sports Direct-Steer system too has been the front A-wing represents typical motor racing powerful than before: in addition to the basic variant the driver experiences every gearshift in a more emo- frictional forces of the engine in overrun mode. The fundamentally revised and adapted to the driving design. The special exhaust system with two developing 410 kW (557 hp), there is also the highly tional way as the momentary retardation of ignition “sailing” function is indicated in the AMG instrument dynamics of the performance SUV. The moderate chrome-plated twin tailpipes and “AMG” lettering sporty S-Model to choose from, which is rated at 430 and injection under full throttle speeds up gear shift- cluster by an icon depicting a stylised sailing yacht. variable steering ratio makes for significantly underscores the sportiness and exclusivity. Above kW (585 hp). The chassis was completely revised to ing and is also audible behind the wheel. The double- The ECO start/stop function is also available in the improved agility, while high-speed driving safety is the new LED tail lights are the model badges “AMG” deliver even better driving dynamics and agility. declutching function when downshifting and the COMFORT transmission mode, switching off the maintained. Dependent on the vehicle speed and (on the left) and “GLE 63” (on the right). The new DYNAMIC SELECT transmission modes “exhaust rumbling” in overrun mode make the hairs engine at traffic lights and helping to save fuel. To con- DYNAMIC SELECT mode, the variable power assis- promise maximum individuality. For the hallmark on the back of the neck stand up when in the cockpit - sistently guarantee a high level of comfort and mini- tance adapts perfectly to the driving situation. Interior design AMG Driving Performance, the throttle response of and evoke the sound of a DTM touring car. mal vibration, the seven-speed automatic transmis- Extremely short stopping distances and high sta- In the interior too, the new GLE 63 demonstrates the engine and the shift times of the transmission are sion is equipped with a dual-turbine torsional damper bility also when the driver adopts a highly dynamic what makes a true AMG Performance vehicle: exqui- now on a new, even sportier level. The power SUV also Dynamic Select with speed-sensitive centrifugal pendulum. driving style - these are the strengths of the AMG site materials, first-class workmanship and maximum has a more dynamic look than before, which is under- Superior high everyday practicality and perfect For AMG Performance 4MATIC permanent all- high-performance braking system. The standard precision. Design and equipment underscore the scored by the characteristic AMG family face featuring traction, sports-car agility and spontaneous throttle wheel drive, Mercedes-AMG uses a specially designed equipment includes all-round ventilated and perfo- sportily exclusive high-end positioning. Aluminum A-wing and twin-blade radiator grille. response - the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 guarantees transfer case. This exclusive solution splits the torque rated brake discs measuring 390 x 36 millimetres trim with longitudinal grain in the black ARTICO man- “The new GLE 63 is a true AMG performance car its driver an exclusive driving experience without par- in a ratio of 40:60 between the front and rear axles to (front) and 345 x 26 millimetres (rear) as well as silver- made leather instrument panel set shiny attractive and its arrival in Kuwait has been much anticipated. allel. The new DYNAMIC SELECT transmission modes provide higher agility about the vertical axis of the painted brake callipers with white AMG lettering. The highlights. Animated graphics on the semi-integrated From its luxurious interior furnishings to its sports car are a major factor in this as well by enabling tremen- vehicle. The pay-off for the driver is to make cornering more powerful GLE 63 S can be identified by its red central display visualise the individual DYNAMIC agility and versatile off-road capability, this model dous variance in driving dynamics. The five transmis- even more dynamic. The AMG RIDE CONTROL sports brake callipers with black AMG lettering. SELECT transmission modes. The centre console demonstrates undisputed on-road dominance,” said sion modes of Slippery, Individual, Comfort, Sport and suspension with AIRMATIC package comprises more houses the COMAND controller, to the right of which Michael Ruehle, Chief Executive Officer, AR Albisher & Sport+, which the driver selects using a rotary control than just air suspension with automatic level control. Powerful sportiness is the DYNAMIC SELECT rotary control for the various Z Alkazemi. Whether it be technology, design or on the centre console, deliver tailor-made driving The new GLE 63 also comes with special spring struts, Performance and perfection revealed: the design transmission modes. Located above is the M button equipment - the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 fasci- dynamics. Throttle response, gear-change strategy, which have been refined with ADS Plus continuously of the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 fascinates with its for the manual transmission mode, with the button nates in many facets while offering maximum driving ESP(r) thresholds, steering power assist or the charac- variable damping characteristics, a solution exclusive exclusivity, powerful sportiness and dominance. for manual damper adjustment found on its left. performance. The unique driving experience and teristic of the continuous damper adjustment exclu- to AMG. From now on, the GLE 63 also sports the distinctive Perforated nappa leather sports seats with spe- superior product quality are tangible in every detail. sive to AMG: the system networks all the control sys- ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM roll stabilization is part of “A-wing” in the front apron, which is characteristic for cial upholstery layout and topstitching as well as The successful balance between high comfort, sporti- tems to generate a wide variety of distinct driving the standard equipment for this model. This system the AMG design philosophy. The design of the radia- AMG badges make for an exclusive look and feel. ness and breathtaking performance produces pure experiences. “Individual” mode allows the driver to employs active anti-roll bars on the front and rear tor grille with the silver chrome twin-blade louvre, Thanks to their specific upholstery with greater con- emotion. Authentic driving dynamics are character- configure their own personal set-up, consisting of axles to reduce the body’s roll angle during corner- the integral AMG lettering and the central Mercedes touring and higher side bolsters at the front, the ized by the agile throttle response, short shift times engine characteristics, gear-change strategy and ing. The reduced roll angle and outstanding corner- star are distinguishing features of current AMG sports seats offer excellent lateral support. This is fur- and - a trademark typical of AMG - the distinctive damper tuning. ing properties make for enhanced transverse dynam- Performance vehicles. ther complemented by the 3-spoke Performance engine sound. ics and driving pleasure. At the same time, the sys- The new design goes hand in hand with fascinat- steering wheel: the steering-wheel rim, with flat- The strong heart of the new GLE 63, the AMG 5.5- AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC tem provides increased driving stability and there- ing technology: the A-wing in the form of a stylised tened bottom section, in black nappa leather with litre V8 biturbo engine, is now even more powerful. The AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC adapts fore safety, especially at higher speeds. Roll stabiliza- “A” is three-dimensional, painted in the colour of the perforated grip area assists a sporty driving style. The increase by 24 kW (32 hp) to 410 kW (557 hp) with lightning speed to the respective DYNAMIC tion, infinitely variable damping and suspension vehicle and features a trim strip in silver chrome. It Silver aluminum shift paddles with “UP” and “DOWN” delivers significantly improved performance, with the SELECT transmission mode. Relaxed cruising in adapt automatically to the prevailing driving situa- serves as an air guide for the three diamond lattice air lettering and precise pressure point act as an invita- GLE 63 accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds “Comfort” mode is accompanied by extremely smooth tion to offer both optimum ride comfort and maxi- openings. The external black flics ensure an optimal tion to manual gear changing. (ML 63 AMG: 4.8 seconds). The power output of the S- gear shifting, while a sportier driving style in the AMG- mum stability. The damping system changes its pri- flow of air onto the cooling modules. At the lower Model has increased by a further 20 kW (28 hp) to 430 exclusive Sport+ mode is characterized by fast shift orities depending on the preselected DYNAMIC end of the front apron, the front splitter in the colour Informative, sporty design kW (585 hp) to allow acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h speeds and emotive gear changes to deliver the kind SELECT mode. of the vehicle helps to reduce lift. Three-dimensional Two tube-shaped round dials with silver chrome in 4.2 seconds. of driving performance typical of the brand. The con- “Comfort” mode offers maximum ride and sus- LED High Performance headlamps are fitted as stan- surrounds and the central 11.4 cm (4.4-inch) multi- Despite the increased power output and improved vincing result is that Sport+ allows even greater longi- pension comfort. “Sport” mode firms up the shock dard. Two dynamic powerdomes on the bonnet function display provide the driver with comprehen- acceleration, fuel consumption remains at the level of tudinal and transverse dynamics for more intense absorbers and reduces the vehicle height by 15 mil- emphasize the sculptural design idiom of the GLE 63. sive information. The typical AMG equipment scope the previous model. The AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo driving pleasure behind the wheel. By pressing the M limeters. In “Sport+” mode, the GLE 63 gives an even includes sporty dials in carbon-fibre look with 320- engine thus demonstrates its high efficiency. The dif- button in the centre console, the driver can shift firmer ride - with the emphasis on maximum possi- Dominant, muscular km/h speedometer scale, AMG lettering and red ferent output and torque of the two engine variants between the seven gears using just the steering wheel ble transverse dynamics. In addition, the air suspen- The performance SUV also impresses with its pointers, as well as the main menu including RACE are the result of a higher maximum boost pressure. gearshift paddles and can fully savor the tremendous sion lowers the body by a further 10 millimeters. The dominance when viewed from the side. AMG-specif- TIMER, manual gear indicator and AMG start-up The S-Model features an additional integral charge-air tractive power from the high-torque V8 biturbo fully load-bearing air suspension system is speed- ic, flared wheel arches in the vehicle color provide screen. Optimal infotainment and a brilliant sound cooler in the left-hand wheel housing. Both models engine. sensitive. The current operating conditions are space for the large wheels. As standard, tyres of size are guaranteed by the Audio 20 CD system with benefit from the favorable aerodynamic positioning of Dynamically minded drivers also benefit from the detected via the steering angle sensor, four level sen- 265/45 R 20 are fitted on 9 x 20 AMG multi-spoke eight loudspeakers. The Mercedes-AMG GLE 63& GLE the engine oil cooler in the front section. temporary M mode, which combines the perform- sors, three body sensors, the driving speed as well as alloy wheels painted titanium grey with a high-sheen 63 S are available at AR Albisher and Z Alkazemi’s Regardless of which output the customer chooses, ance of manual gear changes with automatic upshifts the positions of the brake pedal and accelerator. The finish. Optionally, the GLE 63 can be upgraded in AMG performance center in Kuwait. Turkish Airlines celebrates Isys Group rebrands as One Global KUWAIT: For more than 10 years, the a name that “embodied the company’s desire Kuwaiti-based company responsible for for expansion, while also preserving the delivery of its 300th aircraft launching electronic payment services in the company’s previous 10-year commitment as Middle East, Africa, Europe and America a leading provider in digital financial solu- operated by the name of Isys. Today, the tions,” explained Al-Rashidi. “These criteria DUBAI: Taking its place as one of the world’s major air- Indicating that Turkish Airlines has also acted as a ing together. The 300th airplane is one symbol of our international company is rebranding under led to an ambitious strategy, which we titled lines, Turkish Airlines continues to grow its fleet in order “diplomatic” pioneer due to the far-reaching flight net- determination to reach the vision and objectives that the name One Global and preparing to ‘One’, and on this basis we opted to associate to meet the needs of its ever-growing network and work, Ayci said, “As Turkish Airlines, we are at the top we’ve set.” launch several new product lines. this new brand name with our operational expanding customer base. Turkish Airlines also wishes to among the fastest growing airlines worldwide. Established Douglas Anderson, Senior Sales Director of Airbus “Recent political events, as well as the vision as well as our plans for expansion,” he serve its customers with Europe’s youngest and most in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Turkish Airlines today is a commented: “We would like to congratulate Turkish continuous revolution that creates constant explained. modern fleet. That process continues as the airline adds 4-star airline with a fleet of 300 (passenger and cargo) air- Airlines on the milestone of increasing its fleet to 300 air- change in the telecommunications, informa- Senior management expects One Global its 300th aircraft. The addition of the 300th plane was cel- craft flying to 284 destinations worldwide -235 internation- craft and we would like to express our gratitude for their tion technology, and mobile financial indus- to continue to be “the window for the cash ebrated with a ceremony that was held at Ataturk al and 49 domestic-. Turkish Airlines received its 100th air- confidence in Airbus aircraft. Ten years ago Turkish tries, motivated our senior management to payments revolution in Kuwait and world- International Airport in the new hangar of Turkish Technic craft in August 2006, 73 years after its establishment. Airlines was operating with only 7 wide-body aircraft and rebrand the business,” explained wide,” and the company promises to expand Inc. Nearly seven years later, in March 2013, its fleet reached today they have more than 70. We are honored to be a Mohammed Al-Rashidi, founder and CEO. that window to include new niche markets. The ceremony included the participation of Turkish 200 aircraft. partner in their growth and look forward to be a part of “We want to be recognized as Global, society Al-Rashidi revealed that One Global will offer Airlines’ Board Chairman, M IIker Ayci, Turkish Airlines’ With 300 aircraft in our fleet today, we are the world’s their growing fleet in the coming years.” The aircraft was driven instead of local technology company, an impressive array of services and products CEO, Dr Temel Kotil, Airbus’ Regional Sales 13th largest airline in terms of fleet size*, and with 39 new then handed over to Turkish Airlines. Powered by CF6- while at the same time operate our business to businesses and consumers. He said, “We Director/Middle East and Europe, Douglas Anderson, and aircraft to be added by the end of this year, Turkish 80E1 engines, the A330-300 is the first aircraft to be under a name that meets our customers’ believe our new name will resonate positive- Airbus’ Contracts Director, David Bonnel as well as a large Airlines will be even more prominent at the international equipped with galleys from TCI -Turkish Cabin Interiors- expectations and allows us to focus on align- ly with our customers, who will benefit from number of business partners and media representatives. level with its young fleet.” He also added that, “We are and economy class seats from TSI -Turkish Seat Industries- ing the company with a strategy for market- the products and services that the company In his address, Turkish Airlines Board Chairman M IIker determined that Turkish Airlines will have the strongest all manufactured in Turkey. The new aircraft will be ing vertical products.” will provide in the next stage.” Ayci noted that Turkish Airlines has set great targets to base in international aviation with its highly-qualified deployed on existing medium and long-haul routes from Currently, One Global’s showcase prod- One Global will continue to provide state- take measured steps towards becoming the world’s lead- workforce and its young, modern fleet. We have made the Turkish Airlines Istanbul hub, adding more capacity to uct, Payit, has become a very popular appli- of-the-art communication technology. “On ing airline. huge efforts to reach that objective as a big family work- enhance the airline’s growth strategy. Airbus has a long- cation for electronic payments. The company the one hand,” Al-Rashidi elaborated, “the standing relationship with Turkish Airlines dating back to provides sales and support services from15 company will focus on observing market 1984 when it added the first A310. Today the carrier oper- offices located across the Middle East, Africa, needs, and on the other hand keep pace ates 159 Airbus aircraft including 53 A330 variants. Europe and America. “We will soon introduce with the rapidly developing technical appli- Airbus is well positioned to meet the demand for a new line of technologically-advanced cations that will serve our clients.” The new Turkish Airlines’ ambitious growth strategy with its eco- products under the One Global brand, thus vertical products are being developed in efficient, modern family of aircraft. Turkish aerospace impacting several new markets including conjunction with in-depth analytical studies companies benefit from this growth through long-term travel, health, entertainment, and other sec- to best determine the nature of the evolu- industrial partnerships with Airbus. The A330 family tors,” said Al-Rashidi. One Global also intends tion of the electronic payments market. includes freighters, VIP, and military transport/tanker vari- to open offices in 10new markets in the next ants, and has now attracted more than 1,600 orders. Over three years. About One Global 1,200 A330 aircraft are flying with more than 100 opera- “In a short period of time,” continued Al- With headquarters in Kuwait, the compa- tors worldwide. Having an operational reliability of 99.4 Rashidi, a graduate of Computer Engineering ny exists under the umbrella of the percent, the A330 is one of the world’s most efficient air- College, University of Kuwait “we’re about to International Authority of Financial craft with best-in-class operating economics. The A330 see unprecedented demand for digital trans- Electronic Systems. It is also licensed by a belongs to the successful group of Airbus Widebody air- actions, and One Global is now positioned to number of central banks in the region, craft, which consists of the A330, A350 XWB and A380, take advantage of the boom in several nich- including the Central Bank of Sudan, and the uniquely spanning the 250 to over 500 seat market seg- es.” Developing a new brand name required Central Bank of Bahrain, to provide Electronic ment. the company’s senior management to select payment services. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 TECHNOLOGY

‘World’s cheapest smartphone’ to be launched in India NEW DELHI: A little-known Indian com- and assembles them in India but plans to pany will launch a smartphone believed make its phones domestically within a to be the cheapest in the world, target- year, the spokeswoman said. ing a market already dominated by low- Cheap smartphone handsets, many of cost handsets. them Chinese-made, are readily available Set to be priced at under 500 rupees in the Indian market but domestic com- ($7.30), domestic handset maker Ringing petitors are making inroads, with models Bells’ Freedom 251 smartphone is about selling for less than $20. India is the one percent of the price of the latest world’s second-largest mobile market Apple iPhone. Ringing Bells was set up in and notched up its billionth mobile September 2015 and began selling phone subscriber in October, according mobile phones via its website a few to the country’s telecoms regulator. weeks ago under its Bell brand, a spokes- But in poorer Indian states such as woman said. “This is our flagship model Bihar, “teledensity”-the penetration of and we think it will bring a revolution in telephone connections for every hun- the industry,” she told AFP. Ringing Bells dred people-is as low as 54 percent, with currently imports parts from overseas a stark urban-rural divide. — AFP Covertly, Israel prepares to fight boycott activists online

TEL AVIV: Israel is using its world-leading ously disappeared from the Internet. “We expertise in cyber security to take on the assume Israel’s cyber sabotage is ongoing, growing threat of the global pro- but we are quite pleased that its detrimen- SAN FRANCISCO: Leap Motion co-founder David Holz at the San Francisco startup’s headquarters demonstrates finger tracking technology Palestinian movement to boycott Israel. tal impact on the global BDS movement February 9 that lets people use natural hand movements to interact with virtual worlds. — AFP The Israeli government recently allotted has been dismal so far,” he said. nearly $26 million in this year’s budget to Israel says the movement is rooted in combat what it sees as worldwide efforts to anti-Semitism and seeks not to change “delegitimize” the Jewish state’s right to Israeli policies, but ultimately to put an end DICE Summit a chance for game exist. Some of the funds are earmarked for to the Jewish state. Many online activists Israeli tech companies, many of them head- driving anti-Israeli campaigns on social ed by former military intelligence officers, media are tech-savvy, second- and third- creators to recharge, reflect for digital initiatives aimed at gathering generation Muslims in Europe and the US intelligence on activist groups and counter- who have grievances against the West and LAS VEGAS: For elite members of the video Unlike other gaming industry gatherings, interactivity. The talk will conclude with the pair ing their efforts. also lead online campaigns against game industry, the D.I.C.E. Summit isn’t merely a such as the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the performing a magic trick that moves from the “I want to create a community of fight- European and US governments, said Elad chance to schmooze at the poker table or on the D.I.C.E. Summit - which stands for design, inno- real world into virtual reality. ers,” said Sima Vaknin-Gil, the director gen- Ratson, who tracks the issue for Israel’s golf course in Las Vegas. It’s also an opportunity vate, communicate and entertain - is more busi- “Metal Gear Solid” creator Hideo Kojima and eral of Israel’s Ministry for Strategic Affairs Foreign Ministry and spoke at last month’s to address issues and innovations, ranging from ness-minded and features a guest list that’s “Pacific Rim” filmmaker Guillermo del Toro will and Public Diplomacy, to Israeli tech devel- cybersecurity forum. gender diversity to virtual reality. intentionally kept small. For this year’s summit, appear on stage together Thursday for the first opers at a forum last month dedicated to He said they often create code that “It’s really about people in the industry taking organizers expect about 700 attendees at the time since their top-secret collaboration “Silent the topic. allows activists to blast thousands of mes- a break from what they’re working on and re- Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Hills” was canceled by publisher Konami. Initiatives are largely being kept covert. sages from social media accounts - creating engaging in this medium they’re so passionate “I’m really looking forward to what conversa- “Kojima-san is being inducted into our hall of Participants at the invite-only forum, held the illusion that many protesters are shar- about,” said Martin Rae, president of the tions we’ll be having because last year, everyone fame this year, and it was his idea to have del on the sidelines of a cyber technology con- ing the same anti-Israel or anti-West mes- Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, which was talking about mobile and user-acquisition Toro on stage with him,” said Rae. “We don’t know ference, repeatedly stood up to remind sage online. organizes the D.I.C.E. Summit. spending,” said Min Kim, co-founder of Nexon where the conversation will go, but we thought it people that journalists were in the room. Israeli officials lobby Facebook to While the 15th annual gathering officially America and the interactive academy’s chairman. would be fascinating, and the audience would Among the government officials involved remove pages it says incite violence against started on Tuesday with poker, golf and “Magic: “I’m done with that. I’m looking forward to peo- love it.” For the first time, much of the summit’s in the efforts are some of Israel’s top secret- Israelis, and there has been talk of advanc- The Gathering” tournaments, the serious busi- ple talking about games like ‘Hearthstone’ and mingling will take place behind closed doors in keepers, including Sima Shine, a former top ing legislation to restrict Facebook in Israel. ness begins Wednesday morning, when the how that became so successful. It’s not just mar- afternoon roundtable sessions where attendees official in the Mossad spy agency, and A Facebook representative met with Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences keting.” will have an opportunity to freely discuss issues Vaknin-Gil, who recently retired as the chief Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan in Foundation will unveil a new initiative to pro- affecting the gaming industry, such as online military censor responsible for gag orders Israel last week about the matter. mote gender diversity in the gaming industry. MAGIC TRICK betting. The new format was adapted from the on state secrets. According to the Electronic Software The conference invited such gaming industry European version of the D.I.C.E. Summit. Israel has established itself as a world PROMOTING TERRORIST ACTS Association trade group, about 44 percent of veterans as “Civilization” creator Sid Meier, “I think most of us are interested in looking leader in cyber technology innovation, Ratson said social media giants are gamers are woman, but only about 18 percent of “Fallout” creative director Todd Howard, ahead,” said Ted Price, president and CEO of fueled by graduates of prestigious and beginning to close inciting users’ accounts. game developers surveyed at last year’s Game Electronic Arts chief creative officer Richard “Ratchet & Clank” developer Insomniac Games secretive military and security intelligence Twitter said in a statement this month that Developers Conference were female. Hilleman and “Rise of the Tomb Raider” writer and the interactive academy’s vice chairman. “I units. These units are widely thought to be since mid-2015, it has closed more than “We want to focus on helping women receive Rhianna Pratchett to present talks. think that’s why we want to participate in the behind some of the world’s most advanced 125,000 accounts that were “threatening or an education in games and get them integrated Randy Pitchford, the president and CEO of roundtables. When you’re face to face with cyber-attacks, including the Stuxnet virus promoting terrorist acts, primarily related into the industry,” said Rae. “Once they’re “Borderlands” publisher Gearbox Software, will experts from all corners of the industry, it’s that attacked Iran’s nuclear energy equip- to ISIS,” the Islamic State group. But he said engrained in the culture, game design will natu- be joined by magician Penn Jillette for a session incredibly valuable to gain insight into what ment last decade. Islamist activists are simply moving to rally move in new directions.” Wednesday on the intersection of illusion and might be coming.” — AP Each year, these units churn out a talent “Darknet” sites not visible on the open pool of Israelis who translate their skills to internet. the corporate world. Now Israel is looking Some Israeli tech companies are starting Apple rejects ‘dangerous’ order to harness their technological prowess for to build sly algorithms to restrict these the fight to protect Israel’s international online activists’ circle of influence on the image. “Darknet,” so activists think their message is to hack US shooter’s iPhone Vaknin-Gil said her ministry is encourag- reaching others when in fact it is being ing initiatives to expose the funding and contained, Ratson said. curb the activities of anti-Israel activists, as Other Israeli companies work on foren- SAN FRANCISCO: Apple has rejected a judge’s order But Apple said it was impossible to create such a well as campaigns to “flood the Internet” sic intelligence gathering, such as detect- to help the FBI break into an iPhone used by one of tool that could only be used once, on one phone. with content that puts a positive face on ing digital or semantic signatures buried in the San Bernardino shooters, warning it was “too dan- “Once created, the technique could be used over and Israel. She said some of these actions will activists’ coding so they are able to track gerous” to create such a backdoor to the smart- over again, on any number of devices,” Apple said. “In not be publicly identified with the govern- and restrict their online activity. phones. the physical world, it would be the equivalent of a ment, but that the ministry will not fund Firewall Israel, a non-profit initiative US magistrate Judge Sheri Pym ordered Apple on master key, capable of opening hundreds of millions unethical or illegal digital initiatives. sponsored by the Reut Institute, an Israeli Tuesday to provide “reasonable technical assistance” of locks-from restaurants and banks to stores and to the FBI, including disabling an auto-erase feature think tank, is building an online platform to homes. No reasonable person would find that accept- after too many unsuccessful attempts are made to able.” GLOBAL NETWORK help pro-Israel activists around the world unlock the iPhone 5C. The US government is concerned that commercial- Established about 10 years ago, the pro- communicate about anti-Israel activism in Federal prosecutors had filed a motion requesting ly-available encryption benefits criminals. Palestinian “BDS” campaign is a coalition of their communities. At a recent event the Apple’s help after the FBI failed to crack the phone’s Tech companies, intent on securing the trust of organizations that advocate boycotts, initiative held at Campus Tel Aviv, a Google- code two months into the investigation into the consumers after government spying revelations made divestment and sanctions against Israel. sponsored event space for entrepreneurs, December rampage. Syed Farook, a US citizen, and his by Edward Snowden, have been reluctant to be seen Inspired by the anti-apartheid movement, an Israeli web expert taught young activists Pakistani wife Tashfeen Malik gunned down 14 people as helping authorities spy on users. BDS organizers say they are using nonvio- how to mine the internet for BDS activities. at an office party in San Bernardino, California, before “We can find no precedent for an American com- lent means to promote the Palestinian “Delegitimizers are engaged in a they were killed in a shootout with police. SAN BERNARDINO: In this April 30, 2015, file pany being forced to expose its customers to a greater struggle for independence. Disneyland of hate,” Igal Ram of Firewall Israel But Apple said it would fight the judge’s order, fir- photo, Apple CEO Tim Cook responds to a risk of attack,” Apple said. The movement has grown into a global told seminar participants. “We want to act ing the latest shot in a growing debate over encryp- question during a news conference at IBM “The implications of the government’s demands network of thousands of volunteers, from against the people who run the Disneyland tion pitting the government against tech companies. Watson headquarters, in New York. Cook said are chilling.” “If the government can use the All Writs campus activists to church groups to liberal ... and the useful idiots who help.” “The United States government has demanded that his company will resist a federal magistrate’s Act to make it easier to unlock your iPhone, it would Jews disillusioned by Israeli policies. They Inspiration, an Israeli intelligence analy- Apple take an unprecedented step which threatens order to hack its own users in connection have the power to reach into anyone’s device to cap- lobby corporations, artists and academic sis company founded by Ronen Cohen and the security of our customers,” Apple chief executive with the investigation of the San Bernardino, ture their data.” institutions to sever ties with Israel. Haim Pinto, former military intelligence Tim Cook said in a statement on the company’s web- California, shootings. — AP Cook warned that if Apple complied with the The movement has made inroads. US officers, launched a technological initiative site. “We oppose this order, which has implications far order, the government could demand surveillance and British academic unions have endorsed some months ago to collect intelligence on beyond the legal case at hand.” Cook said it was too he said, adding that Apple has cooperated with the software to intercept, access health and financial data, FBI thus far. By disabling the security features, the FBI boycotts, student governments at universi- BDS organizations in Europe, particularly risky to provide the requested software because it track users’ location or access a phone’s microphone could allow ill-intentioned individuals to unlock any would be able to attempt as many different password ties have made divestment proposals, and Scandinavian countries, the US, and South or camera without the user’s knowledge. “We are chal- iPhone and raises major privacy concerns. “The US combinations as needed before gaining access to the lenging the FBI’s demands with the deepest respect some famous musicians have refused to America, Cohen said. He said the initiative government has asked us for something we simply do phone. It was the property of the San Bernardino for American democracy and a love of our country,” perform in Israel. The BDS movement also aims to dismantle the infrastructure of not have, and something we consider too dangerous County Department of Public Health, which employed Cook added. US Attorney Eileen Decker had earlier claims responsibility for pressuring some groups he said were responsible for incite- to create. They have asked us to build a backdoor to Farook, and the authority had agreed to the search of called the order “another step-a potentially important large companies to stop or modify opera- ment and anti-Semitism against Israel. He the iPhone,” Apple said. the phone. step-in the process of learning everything we possibly tions in Israel. In its latest push, it has urged declined to give specifics. “In the wrong hands, this software-which does not can about the attack in San Bernardino.” top Hollywood actors to reject a govern- “It’s no different than an operation, exist today-would have the potential to unlock any ‘CHILLING’ FBI Director James Comey revealed last week that ment-paid trip to Israel being offered to which you sometimes read about in the iPhone in someone’s physical possession. “While the Pym ordered Apple to provide software that would investigators had not been able to crack open the leading Oscar nominees. newspaper, in Syria or Lebanon,” Cohen government may argue that its use would be limited only run on the device in question, or any other tech- phone two months into the investigation. “It affects Omar Barghouti, co-founder of the BDS said. “It’s the kind of thing that, if you want to this case, there is no way to guarantee such control,” nological means to access its data. our counterterrorism work,” he said. — AFP movement, said “quite a few web pages” to do it in the future ... you can’t work in the that BDS websites linked to have mysteri- open.” — AP Patient wears 3-D glasses during brain surgery

PARIS: In a world first, a patient in France undergo- due to an illness. During the operation, the medical appear in the patient’s peripheral vision,” Menei ing brain surgery while conscious wore virtual reali- team created a neutral virtual environment with no said. Three weeks after the operation, the patient’s ty glasses as doctors removed a cancerous tumour, single point of focus. “In this empty void, we could vision was intact despite the removal of an aggres- the chief surgeon told AFP Tuesday. “In creating a control the space and make luminous objects sive tumour in a region controlling sight. — AFP completely artificial world for the patient, we could map certain zones and connections of his brain related to functions that we could not, up to now, easily test on the operating table,” Philippe Menei, a neurosurgeon at Angers hospital in western France, told AFP. The operation was performed on January 27, and the patient was recovering well, he said. Taking a scalpel to the brain while a patient is conscious has been a common practice for more than a decade. Doing so allows doctors to deter- mine, during an operation, whether and how vital functions such as speech, vision and movement are affected. Patients cannot feel the probing of their brain tissue, and do not experience pain. But using three-dimensional, virtual reality opens up a whole new range of possibilities, Menei said. “By totally controlling what the patient sees and hears, we can put him in situations that allow us to do tests on certain (neural) connections that ROUBAIX: Henri Klaba, CEO of French Internet Service Provider OVH delivers a were not possible before,” he said. ANGERS, MAINE-ET-LOIRE: A handout picture released by the Angers university hospital shows speech after the inauguration of the group’s new campus, on February 15 in In this case, it was crucial to protect the patient’s a patient wearing virtual reality glasses on Tuesday during his brain operation at a university Roubaix. — AFP vision because he had already lost sight in one eye hospital in Angers, western France. —AFP THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 HEALTH & SCIENCE Big-brained mammals more likely to face extinction PARIS: Mammals with large brains tend to tend to live longer, say scientists. A profes- The so-called Red List classification is explained in the study. “Species in North dinosaurs. The current die-off is a result of be smarter but they also face a greater sor at Stanford University, Eric Abelson, sus- broken down into half-a-dozen levels of America have gone through a period changes set in motion by human activity chance today of going extinct, according to pected there might be a link between larg- extinction threat. Abelson also examined a where large-bodied species had suffered and climate change, with life in the a study published yesterday. Scientists er brains and the risk of extinction. To test second data set of more than 600 species large population losses.” oceans particularly affected. have long known that having oodles of his hypothesis, he examined museum sam- of animals across the globe. To his surprise, These animals are now either extinct According to the IUCN, coral reefs- grey matter comes at a certain cost. ples from more than 1,650 animals from he found a clear pattern: animals with larg- or protected with rebounding popula- home to over a quarter of all marine Supplying a big brain with blood, for exam- 160 different species in the Americas. er brains were more at risk of going the tions, and thus not-in either case-consid- species-could disappear by 2050. About ple, requires a lot of energy. But even if Abelson measured the skulls and body way of the dodo and the dino. ered endangered, he added. 41 percent of amphibians and 26 of mam- there isn’t a direct correlation between size sizes of creatures as small as rodents and as The findings come at a time when sci- mal species are currently facing the pros- and intelligence humans don’t have the big as buffalos, but did not include aquatic Body size entists believe Earth is entering a “mass ect of disappearing entirely. Abelson said biggest brains in the animal kingdom, even animals. The next step was to check their In the Americas, the link was especially extinction event,” only the sixth in the last further research into the correlation in proportion to their body size-a bigger status on the global endangered species strong for mammals with a big brain rela- half-billion years. between brain and body size could give bundle of neurons is usually seen as a plus. list maintained by the International Union tive to body size. “This likely represents a The most recent occurred 65 million scientists new tools to predict extinction Mammals with a capacious cranium also for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). case of ‘endangerment filtering’,” he years ago, and wiped out non-avian rates. — AFP Doctors: Upsurge in paralysis condition accompanies Zika

CUCUTA, Colombia: The doctor taps Zulay up nearly threefold in the past month and a half. Balza’s knees with a hammer and she doesn’t El Salvador has reported 118 cases since feel a thing. She can’t squeeze his outstretched November, nearly as many as previously seen in fingers or shut her eyelids. Her face is partially a year. “The only explanation is the Zika virus,” paralyzed. “The weakness started in my legs and said Deputy Health Minister Eduardo Espinoza. climbed upward. The face was last. After three Dr Osvaldo Nascimento, a leading Rio neurol- days, I couldn’t walk,” said Balza, 49. “My legs felt ogist, estimates Brazilian cases of Guillain-Barre like rags.” are up fivefold. Reporting is not compulsory, so Balza is a patient at the public University the government’s partial figure of 1,868 cases Hospital in Cucuta, at the epicenter of the requiring hospitalization last year is a sketchy Colombian outbreak of the mosquito-borne parameter. Zika virus. Only Brazil has more cases. Two weeks An upsurge in Guillain-Barre was document- ago, she came under assault by Guillain-Barre ed in 2013 during a major Zika outbreak in (gee-YOHN-bah-RAY), a rare and sometimes fatal French Polynesia, with a study finding cases up affliction that is the Western world’s most com- twentyfold. WHO said all 42 cases recorded in mon cause of general paralysis. Alarm over the the Pacific archipelago tested positive for Zika as Zika epidemic spreading across the Americas well as dengue fever, which is also currently has been chiefly over birth defects, but frontline present in Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and other physicians believe a surge in Guillain-Barre cases Zika-affected countries. may also be related. Antibodies for the dengue and chikungunya The World Health Organization says Guillain- viruses, which are far more debilitating than Barre cases are on the rise in Brazil, Colombia, El Zika, are often being found in infected patients. Salvador, Suriname and Venezuela, all hit hard That is making establishing a direct Zika- by Zika, though a link remains unproven. The Guillain-Barre link more complicated. Like Zika, auto-immune disorder historically strikes only both viruses are transmitted by the Aedes one or two people in 100,000. About one in 20 aegypti mosquito and could also trigger of those cases ends in death in the developed Guillian-Barre, experts say. world, and it is frightful. Under normal circumstances, eight in 10 “I thought my body was going to explode,” patients nearly fully recover from Guillian-Barre, said Balza, sitting on her hospital bed and though it sometimes takes months. Data on apparently over the worst. Guillain-Barre attacks Guillain-Barre is scant in most of the developing skeletal muscular nerves as if they were a for- world. Of 18 countries participating in a clinical eign enemy. Fine motor skills rapidly erode, study launched by Dutch physicians in 2012, CUCUTA: A photo of aedes aegypti mosquitoes in a mosquito cage at a laboratory. — AP arms and legs tingle and weaken to numbness. only two are in Latin America: Mexico and Patients lose their balance, their speech. In rare Argentina. Brazil just joined. UN: Stopping Zika may require cases, they require ventilators to stay alive. Lack of funding ‘Epidemiological association’ Across the region, investigators were simply The syndrome typically strikes after a bacteri- unable to get government funding to partici- genetically modified insects al or viral infection, such as influenza, HIV or pate, said Dr Ken Gorson, a Tufts University neu- dengue, though its cause can’t always be deter- rologist and president-elect of an international mined. Dr Jairo Lizarazo, the neurologist treating foundation that combats Guillain-Barre. Poorer Balza, has seen cases increase more than tenfold countries were ill-prepared to manage the crisis. Controversial methods may be a necessary since December - 30 cases in all - in this muggy Colombia’s National Health Institute is over- city bordering Venezuela. Like Balza, many whelmed with a weeks-long backlog in com- GENEVA: The World Health Organization says it and other officials, agency spokeswoman Fadela imported species that were accidentally brought to patients never showed the characteristic symp- pleting tests for Zika. may be necessary to use controversial methods Chaib said on Tuesday. the Americas hundreds of years ago, and was opti- toms of Zika - fever, rashes, joint pain and con- The three Guillain-Barre deaths that the like genetically modified mosquitoes to wipe mistic their eradication wouldn’t damage the envi- junctivitis. Four in five don’t. country’s Health Ministry attributed to Zika on out the insects that are spreading the Zika virus ‘Ability to adapt’ ronment. He’s convinced the virus boosts susceptibility Feb. 5 have not yet been confirmed by laborato- to Guillain-Barre. “It’s an epidemiological associ- ry tests, said spokesman Ricardo Amortegui. Nor across the Americas. WHO said previous experiments that released However, he said such a move would be ation,” said Lizarazo. “We don’t know exactly how have the three deaths in the Venezuelan state of The virus has been linked to a spike in babies sterile insects have been used by other UN agencies unprecedented and it would be impossible to know it works. But it’s there, for sure. Associated cases Lara announced last week. born with abnormally small heads, or micro- to control agricultural pests. The agency described what the impact might be before releasing the confirmed or suspected based on clinical evi- One Guillian-Barre fatality in Colombia sus- cephaly, in Brazil and French Polynesia. The UN the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that spread Zika - as insects into the wild. “You would hope that the ecol- dence number in the hundreds. Guillain-Barre pected of being linked to Zika was a 51-year-old health agency has declared Zika a global emer- well as other diseases including dengue and yellow ogy would just return to how it was before this cases believed to be linked to the virus have man from the Caribbean island of San Andres gency, even though there is no definitive proof it fever - as an “aggressive” mosquito that uses “sneak mosquito arrived,” he said. “But there’s no way of killed three people in recent weeks in Colombia who died in November, said Rita Almanza, epi- is causing the birth defects. WHO said its adviso- attacks” to bite people, noting that the mosquito knowing that for sure.” and health officials have attributed another demiology chief in Medellin. The others were a ry group has recommended further field trials of has shown “a remarkable ability to adapt.” Last week, a group of doctors in Argentina, three Guillian-Barre deaths in Venezuela to sus- 45-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman genetically modified mosquitoes, which have Last month, British biotech firm Oxitec said tests Physicians in the Crop-Sprayed Towns, suggested pected Zika infections. flown from Turbo on the Caribbean coast who previously been tested in small trials in countries in Brazil in 2015 showed that genetically altered the jump in microcephaly cases may not be caused WHO said Zika has been confirmed present died in Medellin in February. including the Cayman Islands and Malaysia. sterile male mosquitoes succeeded in reducing a by Zika, but by Pyriproxyfen, a larvicide used in in apparently just one Guillain-Barre death, in Guillain-Barre grabbed hold of Nancy Pino in “Given the magnitude of the Zika crisis, WHO type of disease-spreading mosquito larvae by 82 drinking water that aims to prevent mosquito lar- the northwestern Venezuela state of Zulia in neighboring Venezuela with devastating effect. encourages affected countries ... to boost the percent in one neighborhood in the city of vae from developing into adulthood. The group January. Dr Maria Lucia Brito Ferreira, chief neu- The 68-year retired school administrator devel- use of both old and new approaches to mosqui- Piracicaba. The genetically modified males don’t said the larvicide has been used since 2014 in Brazil rologist at Hospital da Restauracao in Recife, oped fever, rashes and muscle pain while cele- to control as the most immediate line of spread disease because only female mosquitoes in several areas with a reported rise in babies with Brazil, said she hopes to get laboratory confir- brating Christmas with her family in the hot low- defense,” WHO said in a statement. WHO says at bite. Environmentalists have previously criticized birth defects. Spokeswoman Chaib said scientists at mation this month that nine Guillain-Barre land state of Anzoategui. She recovered quickly. least 34 countries have been hit by the virus in the genetically modified approach, saying wiping WHO and elsewhere had rejected any such link. deaths recorded there in the past year were Days later, her hands and feet started to go the current crisis, mostly in Latin America. out an entire population of insects could have “They have reviewed all the scientific literature Zika-related. Cases of Guillain-Barre in Colombia numb. Her tongue felt like it was asleep. She Meanwhile, the European Union on Tuesday unforeseen knock-on effects on the ecosystem. linked to this pesticide in particular and found the - about 450 annually before Zika struck - were stopped eating. —AP pledged 10 million Euros ($11.2 million) to fund Some experts agreed it might be worth using same conclusion: That there is no scientific evi- research on the mosquito and the Zika virus in genetically tweaked mosquitoes given the speed of dence that can link this pesticide in particular to the Brazil - the epicenter of the outbreak. The pledge Zika but were unsure of the eventual conse- cases of microcephaly,” she said. Brazil’s government came as Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Castro quences. “The way this is done wouldn’t leave lots has repeatedly said pesticides were not connected met with representatives of 24 European nations of mutant mosquitoes in the countryside,” said to microcephaly, and has noted many cases of in the Brazilian capital, Brasilia. Next week, WHO Jimmy Whitworth, an infectious diseases expert at microcephaly in areas where Pyriproxyfen was not chief Dr. Margaret Chan will also travel to Brazil the London School of Hygiene and Tropical used. The government also noted that WHO had to discuss Zika and microcephaly with Castro Medicine. He said the Zika mosquitoes are an approved use of the chemical. — AP Menopause remains an Urbanization leads evolutionary puzzle to change in type of bacteria at home PARIS: Menopause in women and Evolutionary tinkering females from a few other “higher” Another theory says that species is probably a fluke of nature menopause does not, in fact, confer WASHINGTON: Whether it’s a jungle hut or a high-rise apartment, rather than evolution at work, accord- any advantage in the Darwinian strug- your home is covered in bacteria, and new research from the ing to a study published yesterday. gle to pass on genes from one genera- Amazon suggests city dwellers might want to open a window. Biologists have long puzzled over tion to the next, but is just an accident Scientists traveled from remote villages in Peru to a large Brazilian why women lose the capacity to resulting in a “mismatch” in the ageing city to begin tracking the effects of urbanization on the diversity of reproduce during roughly the last process. “Different parts of the body bacteria in people’s homes. It’s a small first step in a larger quest - CUCUTA: Zulay Balza fails to close her eyes as neurologist Jairo Lizarazo tests her third of their lives. are likely to age at different rates, in the understanding how different environmental bugs help shape facial muscles at the Erasmo Meoz Hospital. — AP Another, less polite, way scientists same way that some part of a car wear what’s called our microbiome, the trillions of bacteria that share our frame the question is this: why do out before others,” Nichols said. bodies and play a critical role in our health. females from a handful of species- In this argument, modern medicine “Very little is known about the microbes of the built environ- Transgender bathroom bill including killer whales-continue to live and nutrition has helped outpace the ment,” microbiologist Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello of New York well beyond the age when they can evolutionary process, extending University, who led the pilot study, said at a meeting of the sent to Dakota governor bear offspring? “Menopause is an evo- human life beyond its “natural” limits. American Association for the Advancement of Science. Her team lutionary paradox,” said Hazel Nichols, a To find out who might be right, found that as people living in the Amazon rainforest become more PIERRE: South Dakota would be the first have been vocal in their opposition to the biologist at Liverpool John Moores Nichols and colleagues examined data urbanized, the kinds of bacteria in their homes change from the state in the US to approve a law requiring measure and have called on Daugaard to University and lead author of the study. from 26 different mammal species, bugs mostly found in nature to those that typically live on people, transgender students to use bathrooms veto the legislation. “History has never “An early end to reproduction including three tribal or historial she reported Friday. and locker rooms that correspond to their looked kindly upon those who attack the seems contrary to the laws of natural human populations. In fact, in city dwellings, the researchers could tell just by the sex at birth if the governor signs a bill basic civil rights of their fellow Americans, selection, where passing on genes to In each case, they tested for the microbial fingerprints of the walls that “this is a kitchen or this is a passed Tuesday by the state Senate. and history will not treat kindly those who the next generation is the main pur- effects of lifespan, group size, and the bathroom or this is a living room. That’s amazing,” Dominguez-Bello The Senate voted 20-15 to send the bill support this discriminatory measure,” Chad pose of life.” In most mammals, she tendency of post-menopause females said. As she puts it, “the walls talk.” Everyone carries a customized set to Republican Gov. Dennis Daugaard, who Griffin, the president of the LGBT-rights pointed out, females reproduce until a to stay within either a male- or female- of microbes on the skin, in the nose and in the gut, a microbial zoo initially responded positively to the meas- organization Human Rights Campaign, said ripe old age. Evolutionary biologists dominated group. What they found is that starts forming at birth and help with such things as digestion ure but said last week he’d need to study it in a statement Tuesday. Transgender advo- have put forward competing explana- that neither school of thought could and immune development. What influences the balance of good more before making a decision. Advocates cates have also criticized comments made tions for this extended “post-reproduc- adequately explain the menopause bugs and bad varies depending on such things as your diet, if you say the bill is meant to protect the privacy by some lawmakers, including Omdahl, tive lifespan,” or PRLS. puzzle, but that when combined, a were born vaginally or by C-section, and antibiotics. of students, but opponents say it discrimi- about transgender people. The “grandmother hypothesis” sug- coherent picture began to emerge. Environmental exposures play a role, too. The hygiene nates against vulnerable adolescents. “I’m sorry if you’re so twisted you don’t gests women outlive their fertility in “Post-reproductive lifespan appears hypothesis, for example, suggests asthma and allergies are on Under the plan, schools would have to know who you are,” Omdahl said at a recent order to help raise grandchildren, to arise by chance,” Nichols said by the rise in Western populations because of a lack of early contact provide a “reasonable accommodation” for event when asked about the bill. “I’m telling thereby strengthening the likelihood email. “But then evolutionary ‘tinkering’ with once-common bugs, one reason why tots who grow up on transgender students, such as a single- you right now, it’s about protecting the kids, that their own genes will survive. In comes into play to extend PRLS in farms or around animals tend to have fewer of those immune- occupancy bathroom or the “controlled and I don’t even understand where our soci- this scenario, “grandmothers... encour- species that benefit from females car- related ailments. use” of a staff-designated restroom, locker ety is these days.” Several states have looked aging their sons to have more children” ing for their sons and grandchildren.” Increasingly, scientists also are investigating where we spend a room or shower room. Republican Sen at addressing gender and public facilities in are driven by a biological imperative, Among orcas the bond is so strong lot of time - indoor spaces, especially our homes. To track the effects David Omdahl urged other legislators the past several years. But South Dakota Nichols told AFP. Even among orcas, that “many killer whale sons die in the of urbanization, Dominguez-Bello’s team analyzed the microbial Tuesday to support the bill to “preserve the would be the first state in the nation to put scientists have shown that females year after their mother’s death,” she communities of 10 houses and their inhabitants from each of three innocence of our young people.” such a measure into law, said Joellen Kralik, remain with their male offspring, and said. The findings were published in Peruvian locations - a village of hunter-gatherers, a slightly more The American Civil Liberties Union of a research analyst at the National probably teach them hunting tech- Biology Letters, a journal of Britain’s modern rural village and Iquitos, a medium-sized city not accessible South Dakota and Human Rights Campaign Conference of State Legislatures. —AP niques and where to apply them. Royal Society. — AFP by roads - and the contemporary Brazilian city of Manaus. — AP THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 HEALTH & SCIENCE Three gravitational wave projects unveiled in China

BEIJING: Chinese scientists have unveiled of High Energy Physics at CAS suggested a three separate projects to investigate gravita- land-based scheme in Tibet. tional waves, state media said yesterday, days All three projects have yet to obtain gov- after earthshaking US discoveries that con- ernment approval, state media said. But firmed Einstein’s century-old predictions. Chinese physicist Hu Wenrui told the People’s Space officials said such research would Daily newspaper, the official mouthpiece of give China-which has an ambitious, military- the Communist party: “If we launch our own run, multi-billion-dollar space program that satellites, we will have a chance to be a world Beijing sees as symbolizing the country’s leader” in gravitational wave research. Success progress-an opportunity to become a “world “depends on the decision-makers’ resolution leader” in the field. and the country’s investment”, he added. Gravitational waves are direct evidence of On a verified social media account the ripples in the fabric of space-time, and their Chinese Academy of Science said: “If we can first-ever observation was announced by US participate in these sorts of extremely precise scientists last week. The Chinese Academy of technological projects then in a short time it Sciences (CAS) rolled out a proposal for a will give a huge boost to our country’s manu- space-based gravitational wave detection facturing industries.” project, the official Xinhua news agency Last week, scientists with the US-based reported. The proposed Taiji program, named Large Interferometer Gravitational-Wave after the “supreme ultimate” of Chinese phi- Observatory (LIGO) said they had detected losophy symbolized by the yin-yang sign, waves resulting from the collision of two would send satellites of its own into orbit or black holes 1.3 billion years ago. The execu- share equipment with the European Space tive director of the laboratory hailed the dis- Agency’s eLISA initiative. Separately, Sun Yat- covery as being comparable to Galileo’s use of sen University in Guangzhou also proposed to the telescope four centuries ago to open the launch satellites into space, while the Institute era of modern astronomy. — AFP

LONDON: Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (3rd R) is pictured as she guest-edits the British edition of news website The Huffington Post at Kensington Palace. — AFP Kate Middleton tackles children’s mental health as HuffPo editor LONDON: Prince William’s wife Kate guest- that they hoped “to encourage George and and destructive decision making seemed to edited the British edition of news website The Charlotte to speak about their feelings”. The almost always stem from unresolved child- Huffington Post yesterday to help raise aware- Duchess of Cambridge became involved with hood challenges,” she added. ness of the “devastating” issue of children’s children’s charities shortly after her 2011 wed- The Huffington Post published data show- mental health. The mother-of-two launched a ding, work that has touched on issues such as ing that one in three parents worry that they PAPUA NEW GUINEA: An undated handout photo released on February 16, 2016, new global initiative, “Young Minds Matter”, as addiction and family breakdown. will look like a bad mother or father if their shows a new species of freshwater turtle discovered in Papua New Guinea, she took over the site, writing: “For too long “I often heard some heart-breaking stories child has a mental health problem. She called researchers from the University of Canberra said. — AFP we have been embarrassed to admit when our about lives that had been torn apart, with it “a privilege” to guest-edit the site, vowing to children need emotional or psychiatric help.” devastating impacts for all involved, particu- tackle the “taboo” of mental health problems New turtle species found Kate said that she and William, the second larly children,” the 34-year-old wrote. “What I and “to celebrate the amazing work being in line to the British throne, “would not hesi- did not expect was to see that time and time done to improve and understand the mental in Papua New Guinea tate to seek help” for their children, adding again, the issues that led people to addiction health of young children”. — AFP SYDNEY: A new species of freshwater turtle has Canberra said Tuesday. been discovered in Papua New Guinea, one of a “These ages are quite remarkable and came WebTeb gets 5 million visitors group which would have been present for the as a surprise, because it means these turtles have full geological formation of its main Pacific together seen the full geological development of island, researchers said. the island of New Guinea. “The other species of Mountainous and tropical Papua New Guinea freshwater turtle appear to have arrived after monthly, 800k app downloads is known for its rich biological diversity, but New Guinea had formed much as we see it much of its remote areas are relatively unex- today,” he added. The newly-discovered turtle plored. The new turtle is one of three distantly- species is part of the Chelidae family of side-neck DUBAI: It is no secret that the Internet has than 800,000 downloads have been regis- and CEO of WebTeb, said: “To keep up with the related species-Elseya novaeguineae, Elseya turtles which are restricted to South America and become the main source of information for tered on the website’s mobile apps. The inter- current technological trends and the increas- schultzei and the new Elseya rhodini-found Australia, along with PNG, Timor and Rote in users from across the world. With an increas- ests of the site’s visitors mainly lie in medical ing reliance on the Internet as a main source across New Guinea Island, according to a recent Indonesia. It was identified as a new species dis- ing number of Arab Internet users, and an articles that give health tips for leading a of information, we at WebTeb have created an study published in international journal Zootaxa. tinct from its distant relatives from genetic and ever-growing reliance on the Webto retrieve healthy lifestyle. integrated platform for communication The eastern part of New Guinea island is PNG other data and found to be distributed across vital information about different medical, cul- The WebTeb application on the smart- between regular users and healthcare while the western side is Indonesia. “The three much of the island, south of the central ranges. tural and social topics, the need for a compre- phone was intended to complement the suc- providers that may serve the healthcare species evolved from a common ancestor Georges said it was “a very pretty turtle” and that between 17 and 19 million years ago,” lead one of its distinguishing features was its reddish hensive and integrated platform dedicated to cess of the website and to provide further needs of Arab citizens.” author Arthur Georges from the University of coloration. —AFP addressing medical and lifestyle concerns has information for users. The smartphone appli- He added: “We are looking forward to become imperative. cation allows users to reach content and infor- boosting the status of the website and the WebTeb was thus established to be the mation instantly, interact with medical infor- smartphone application to serve as the main Japan launches satellite leading comprehensive online Arabic ency- mation, and receive tips about various dis- online references of information and health- clopedia that focuses on health and medical eases. The application has an interactive care tips for Arabic-speaking Internet and to study black holes issues, providing legally licensed content symptom diagnosis service developed by smartphone users, in order to help raise including licenses from some of the world’s Harvard University to help patients under- health awareness in the Arab community.” TOKYO: Japan successfully launched a jointly under mostly clear late afternoon skies. The leading health ministries and medical institu- stand the symptoms they are experiencing In 2014, WebTeb won the HH Sheikh Salem developed space observation satellite yesterday broadcast was nationally televised and the Japan tasked with studying mysterious black holes, the Aerospace Exploration Agency said the satellite tions, reputable US and European universities and to diagnose and treat common diseases. Al-Ali Al-Sabah Informatics Award for the best country’s space agency said. The ASTRO-H satel- separated from the rocket with no difficulty. and hospitals, and the World Health Additionally, theTebBabySectionis designed mobile app and 3rdbest website in Arabic, lite, developed in collaboration between the Black holes have never been directly Organization (WHO). Over time, it has become to deal with pregnancy and parenthood and having competed with 20,000 apps from all agency, NASA and other groups, is set to orbit at observed, but the announcement on the first a trusted provider of health information for help mothers-to-be follow up on their cases at over the world. Last year (2015), it was recog- an altitude of about 580 kilometers and observe detection of gravitational waves earlier this Arabic speakers across the globe. the touch of a button, under the supervision nized as the most influential social media X-rays emanating mainly from black holes and month indirectly added to the evidence that Founded by Dr Mahmoud Kaiyal, a physi- of specialists and consultants. WebTeb also channel for health issues by HH Sheikh galaxy clusters. The satellite was carried out by black holes do actually exist. The Japanese rocket, cian who practiced family medicine for more provides information about Arab doctors and Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice the country’s mainstay H-IIA rocket, which which was initially scheduled for liftoff last Friday than 9 years, the website currently attracts medical centres, their specialties, and how to President and Prime Minister of the UAE and soared towards the heavens from the but was postponed due to bad weather, was about 5 million users per month, while more contact them. Dr Mahmoud Kaiyal, Founder Ruler of Dubai. Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan launched at 5:45 pm (0845 GMT). — AFP WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016

The Ambassador of the Democratic People Republic of Korea So Chang Sik hosted a reception on the occasion of the 74th birthday of the great leader Kim Jong Il at the embassy. Higher officials and media per- sons attend the event. —Photos by Joseph Shagra

The International Women’s Group (IWG) hosted a meeting to discuss preparations for the ‘Textiles of the Islamic World Show’ which is organized next month in cooperation with the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL). Top ten finalists for $1 Million Global Teacher Prize 2016 announced

ow in its second year, and Aqeela Asifi, who teaches children South Elementary School, Talented teachers starting out, I was inspired by an old- oping methods that transform their widely referred to as the Nobel at the Kot Chandana refugee camp, Newfoundland, Pennsylvania, USA Sunny Varkey, founder of the er, more experienced actor, who told lives and give them perspective on NPrize for teaching, the $1 mil- Punjab, Pakistan Ayub Mohamud, a Richard Johnson, a science Varkey Foundation, said: “I want to me that he thought I ought to go into the lives of others. I am grateful to the lion award is the largest prize of its business studies teacher at Eastleigh teacher at Rostrata Primary School, congratulate all the top ten finalists acting professionally. That’s the kind Varkey Foundation for shining a light kind. High School in Nairobi, Kenya Colin Perth, Western Australia Robin for being selected from such a huge of mentoring and personal support on teaching as a powerful profession, The Global Teacher Prize was set Hegarty, from Preston Manor School, Chaurasiya, from Kranti School, number of talented and dedicated that every young person needs to one of fulfilment, creativity, and last- up to recognize one exceptional a comprehensive in Wembley, North Mumbai, India The top ten have teachers. I hope their stories will realise their potential. ing worth.” teacher who has made an outstand- West London, UK Hanan Al Hroub, been narrowed down from 8,000 inspire those looking to enter the “It is the kind of encouragement and The winner will then be chosen ing contribution to the profession as from Samiha Khalil High School, Al- nominations and applications from teaching profession and also shine a guidance that good teachers give to from ten finalists by a Global Teacher well as to shine a spotlight on the Bireh, Palestine Joe Fatheree from 148 countries from around the powerful spotlight on the incredible their pupils every day. And that is why I Prize Academy. All ten finalists will be important role teachers play in socie- Effingham High School, Effingham, world. By highlighting their stories work teachers do throughout the support the Varkey GEMS Foundation’s invited to Dubai for the Award cere- ty. By unearthing thousands of stories Illinois, USA the Varkey Foundation hopes that world every day. Global Teacher Prize. However much mony at the Global Education and of heroes that have transformed Kazuya Takahashi, a teacher at the the public will be able to join in pas- “The thousands of nominations we achieve in life, we all began learning Skills Forum (GESF) in March this year young people’s lives, the prize hopes Kogakuin University Junior and Senior sionate debates about the impor- and applications we received from the basics from a teacher in a class- where the winner will be announced to bring to life the exceptional work of High School, Tokyo, Japan Maarit tance of teachers. The winner will be every corner of the planet is testimo- room. Those that teach - devoting their live. Middlesbrough Teacher Richard millions of teachers all over the world. Rossi, a maths teacher at announced at the Global Education ny to the achievements of teachers talents and time to nurturing the tal- Spencer, who became a top ten final- The top ten finalists for the Global Kartanonranta School, Finland and Skills Forum in Dubai on Sunday and the enormous impact they have ents of others - deserve to be respected ist for the Global Teacher Prize 2015, Teacher Prize 2016 are: Michael Soskil from Wallenpaupack 13 March 2016. on all of our lives.” and celebrated.” said: Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of “The experience of reaching the the United Nations, said: “I count my Developing methods Top Ten was incredible. Highlights teachers as among the most influen- After winning the Global Teacher included meeting world leaders; TV, tial people in my life. Teachers are Prize 2015, Nancie Atwell, a teacher radio, magazine and newspaper inter- entrusted with nurturing the potential from Maine, USA, said: “I am honored views; meeting the other finalists, and of the young and helping them blos- and proud to receive the Global finding out more about their contri- som as productive and responsible Teacher Prize. I love my teaching life - butions to the teaching profession; members of society. It is hard to the intellectual, social, and personal and receiving numerous requests to underestimate their value. challenges of working with young speak at conferences and run work- “I applaud the launch of the Global people and the satisfaction of devel- shops.” Teacher Prize, which recognises their worth. The award is in line with my Global Education First Initiative, TIES Center hosts launched in 2012, which aims to give momentum to the worldwide move- stress relief lecture ment to put every child in school, improve the quality of learning and he TIES Center cordially invites all those interested to the sequel of a foster global citizenship.” Tlecture about Stress Relief on Tuesday, February 23 at 7 pm. Great partner In this lecture, we will focus on the significance of building a positive Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill and attitude, reasons behind overreacting, the power of the subconscious mind, Melinda Gates Foundation, said: “We and how to feed it with positive messages. We will also examine the nega- were so excited by the plans to launch tive effects of victimization and judging yourself and others. the Global Teacher Prize. I also want to You will be introduced to some techniques that - if employed properly recognize the leadership of Sunny and efficiently - will help you identify and dismiss stress triggers and evade, Varkey, Founder of GEMS Education, or at least mitigate, stress. You will learn how and when to have fun. On the occasion of celebrating the first anniversary of granting His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah who had the idea for this prize and is Although the lecture is based on academic research, it will also be given an Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah the title of ‘Humanitarian Leader’ and naming Kuwait as a ‘Humanity a great partner for our Foundation.” Islamic flavor. The attendees will be asked to perform some exercises that Center,’ writer Abdullah Abbas Bowair recently presented a copy of his latest books titled ‘HH Sheikh Academy Award winning actor will prove the possibility of driving stress from their lives. A short video will Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Humanity Leader’ in both English and Arabic to the UN Resident Kevin Spacey, who sits on the Global be played at the end of the lecture. Teacher Prize Academy that chooses For more information, please call 25231015/6 or log onto: www.tiescen- Coordinator and UNDG’s resident representative Zaneb Ben Jelloun. Bowair also presented Ben ter.net or e-mail: [email protected] Jelloun a copy of the book dedicated to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. the final winner, said: “When I was W H AT ’ S O N THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016

‘Khaneen’ hosts luncheon in honor of journalists

n an upscale atmosphere filled with Kuwaiti tradition and media professionals in the Kuwaiti Restaurant standards of hospitality. The audience was greeted by National Day. Mohammed Nasser Al-Hajiri and sons and originality, the Mohammed Nasser Al-Hajiri and ‘Khaneen’ in Levels Complex, Al-Mahboula.’Khaneen’ is a some officials of the group, in addition to the marketing Company is a leading company in food and management ISons Company hosted a lunch in honor of journalists Traditional and delicious Kuwaiti cuisine with the highest team who celebrated with the guests the occasion of the of restaurants and cafÈs in the State of Kuwait.

Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa

Friday Spice up the month with the Indian Nights at Garden Café / The Amazing Friday Garden Café Restaurant every Tuesday Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa: through-out the month of February from 7:00 Fridays just got better with The Amazing pm to 11:30 pm. Friday Brunch at the Garden Café! International cuisine all in one day and one Wednesday place. For more information please Mint / Chill N Grill Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa: Try Every day the entire Jumeirah restaurants’ offerings Salt / Lobster Nights under open sky, including Italian, Mexican Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa: Pick and Oriental cuisines. In addition, renowned your lobster and have it cooked your way. steaks from Pepper Steakhouse, seafood from Join us every day throughout the month of Salt international restaurant and Oriental spe- February for a special seafood treat from 7:00 cials from Arabesque are also available to sat- A special premier for ‘Habib Al-Ardh’ (Lover of the Land) took place at the Layla Gallery Theater in Salmiya recently on the occa- pm to 12:00 pm. isfy your appetite. Join us every Wednesday sion of National Holidays. Sheikha Intisar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Chairperson of the Lulua Productions, the company that pro- from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Live music enter- duced the movie, as well as the cast and prominent media figures were among those in attendance. The movie, which discusses Tuesday tainment. the life of martyr Fayeq Abduljalil, will be played at Cinemascape theaters around Kuwait starting from today until February 24, Garden Café /Indian Nights 2016. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa: p32.qxp_Layout 1 2/17/16 7:07 PM Page 1

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 TV PROGRAMS

12:10 Stella 03:00 Crime Stories 00:35 Street Food Around The 19:00 Complications 13:00 Call The Midwife 04:00 Nightmare In Suburbia World 20:00 The Night Shift 13:45 Doctor Who 05:00 The Ghost Inside My Child 01:00 Bangkok Airport 21:00 The Night Shift 14:35 Doctors 06:00 The Haunting Of... 01:50 Valentine Warner Eats 22:00 Supergirl 15:05 Eastenders 07:00 The FBI Files Scandinavia 23:00 The X-Files 01:05 The Birdcage 15:35 Stella 08:00 The FBI Files 02:15 Eat Street 03:10 Lords Of Dogtown 16:25 Dickensian 09:00 Frenemies 02:40 Eat Street 04:50 Music Of The Heart 17:10 Doctor Who 09:30 Private Crimes 03:05 Charlie Luxton’s Homes By 06:55 Robinson Crusoe 18:00 Doctors 10:00 Crimes That Shook Britain The Sea 08:25 Death Rides A Horse 18:30 Eastenders 11:00 Nightmare In Suburbia 03:55 Food Lover’s Guide To The 10:20 Adventures Of Hercules 19:05 Death In Paradise 12:00 Beyond Scared Straight Planet 00:00 John Wick 11:50 Duplex 20:00 Holby City 13:00 Fatal Vows 04:20 Miguel’s Feasts 02:00 Predator 13:20 The Beautiful Country 21:00 Stella 14:00 Crime Stories 04:45 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 04:00 The River Wild 15:20 Eight Men Out 21:45 Ripper Street 15:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 05:10 Street Food Around The 06:00 Big Ass Spider! 17:20 Jakob The Liar 22:45 Death In Paradise 16:00 Frenemies World 08:00 Hours 19:15 Groundhog Day 23:40 Doctors 16:30 Private Crimes 05:35 Dream Cruises 10:00 Transit 21:00 Breaking Bad 00:20 Eastenders 17:00 The FBI Files 06:25 A Marriage Of Flavours 12:00 Jurassic Attack 22:00 The Birdcage 00:50 Call The Midwife 18:00 Beyond Scared Straight 06:50 Bangkok Airport 14:00 Toxin 01:45 Call The Midwife 19:00 Crime Stories 07:40 Valentine Warner Eats 16:00 Hours 02:40 Ripper Street 20:00 Nightmare In Suburbia Scandinavia 18:00 Born To Race: Fast Track 03:30 Doctors 21:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 08:05 Eat Street 20:00 Transit 04:00 Eastenders 22:00 Frenemies 08:30 Eat Street 22:00 The Italian Job (2003) 04:30 Starlings 22:30 Private Crimes 08:55 Charlie Luxton’s Homes By 05:15 Starlings 23:00 50 Ways To Kill Your Lover The Sea 00:50 River Monsters 06:00 The Cafe 09:45 Food Lover’s Guide To The 01:45 Swamp Brothers 06:25 The Cafe Planet 02:15 Swamp Brothers 06:50 Doctors 10:10 Miguel’s Feasts 02:40 Dog Rescuers 07:20 Eastenders 10:35 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 00:00 Dumb And Dumber To 03:35 Tanked 07:50 Stella 11:00 Street Food Around The 02:00 Renaissance Man 04:25 Africa’s Outsiders 08:40 Call The Midwife World 04:15 UHF 05:15 Gator Boys 09:25 Doctor Who 00:20 Fast N’ Loud 11:25 Dream Cruises 06:00 You Again 06:02 Treehouse Masters 10:15 Doctors 01:10 Mythbusters 12:15 A Marriage Of Flavours 08:00 50 First Dates 06:49 Dog Rescuers 10:45 Eastenders 02:00 The Weapon Hunter 12:40 Cradle Of Mandopop 10:00 UHF 07:36 Swamp Brothers 11:15 Death In Paradise 02:50 Big Giant Swords 13:35 Valentine Warner Eats 11:45 Renaissance Man 08:00 Swamp Brothers 12:10 Stella 03:40 Storage Hunters Scandinavia 14:00 The Love Guide 08:25 Bad Dog 13:00 Call The Midwife 04:05 The Liquidator 14:00 Eat Street 16:00 50 First Dates 09:15 Dog Rescuers 13:45 Doctor Who 04:30 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop 14:30 Eat Street 18:00 Dunston Checks In 10:10 Treehouse Masters 14:35 Doctors Edition 14:55 Charlie Luxton’s Homes By 20:00 Malavita 11:05 Tanked 15:05 Eastenders 05:00 How It’s Made: Dream Cars The Sea 22:00 Let’s Be Cops 12:00 Bad Dog 15:35 Stella 05:30 How Do They Do It? 15:50 Food Lover’s Guide To The 12:55 Bondi Vet 16:25 Dickensian 06:00 Flying Wild Alaska Planet 13:50 Dog Rescuers 17:10 Doctor Who 06:50 Highway To Sell 16:20 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 14:45 Gator Boys 18:00 Doctors 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 16:45 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 15:40 Treehouse Masters 18:30 Eastenders 08:30 Storage Hunters 17:15 Street Food Around The 16:35 Tanked 19:05 Death In Paradise 08:55 The Liquidator World 17:30 Africa’s Outsiders 20:00 Holby City 09:20 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop 17:40 Dream Cruises 01:00 Inch’allah 18:25 River Monsters 21:00 Stella Edition 18:35 A Marriage Of Flavours 02:45 Jack Strong 19:20 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet 21:45 Ripper Street 09:45 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 19:05 Charlie Luxton’s Homes By 05:00 Lost Christmas 20:15 Tanked 22:45 Death In Paradise 10:10 How Do They Do It? The Sea 07:00 The Alamo 21:10 Cheetah: Race To Rule 10:35 Mythbusters 20:00 Food Lover’s Guide To The 09:30 Secret Window 22:05 Treehouse Masters 11:25 The Weapon Hunter Planet 11:30 Lost Christmas 23:00 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet 12:15 Big Giant Swords 20:25 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 13:30 Jack Strong 23:55 Gator Boys 13:05 Storage Hunters 20:50 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 15:45 The Mirror Has Two Faces 13:30 The Liquidator 21:15 Street Food Around The 17:45 Secret Window 00:00 What’d You Miss? 19:30 True Colors 01:00 Charlie Rose 13:55 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop World Edition 21:40 Dream Cruises 21:30 Calvary 02:00 First Up With Angie Lau 23:30 Bessie 03:00 First Up With Angie Lau 14:20 Flying Wild Alaska 04:00 Trending Business 15:10 Kings Of Crash 00:20 Eastenders 05:00 Trending Business 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 00:50 Call The Midwife 06:00 Asia Edge 16:50 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 01:45 Call The Midwife 17:15 How Do They Do It? 07:00 Bloomberg West 01:00 13 Eerie 02:40 Ripper Street 08:00 Charlie Rose 17:40 What On Earth? 03:30 Doctors 18:30 Unearthed 03:00 Trigger Point 09:00 Countdown 05:00 Sophia Grace And Rosie’s 04:00 Eastenders 10:00 Countdown 19:20 Deception With Keith Barry 00:30 Weird Loners 04:30 Starlings 20:10 The Liquidator 01:00 The Nightly Show With Larry Royal Adventure 10:30 On The Move 06:45 Transcendence 05:15 Starlings 11:00 On The Move 20:35 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop Wilmore 06:00 The Cafe Edition YOU AGAIN ON OSN MOVIES HD COMEDY 01:30 Brickleberry 09:00 The Second Best Exotic 12:00 The Pulse Marigold Hotel 06:25 The Cafe 13:00 Bloomberg Surveillance 21:00 What On Earth? 02:00 Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll 17:31 Unchained Reaction 13:00 Guy’s Big Bite 11:15 The Mark 06:50 Doctors 15:00 Bloomberg Go 21:50 Unearthed 21:35 H2O: Just Add Water 02:30 Big Time In Hollywood Fl 18:18 Mythbusters 13:30 Guy’s Big Bite 13:00 JLA Adventures: Trapped In 07:20 Eastenders 18:00 Bloomberg Markets 22:40 Kings Of The Wild 22:00 Binny And The Ghost 03:00 New Girl 19:05 Weird Or What? 14:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives Time 07:50 Stella 19:00 Bloomberg Markets: 23:30 Kings Of Crash 22:25 Sabrina Secrets Of A 03:30 Playing House 19:50 Mega Builders 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 14:15 Salinger 08:40 Call The Midwife European Close Teenage Witch 04:00 I Hate My Teenage 20:40 Space Pioneer 15:00 Man Fire Food 16:30 The Fault In Our Stars 09:25 Doctor Who 20:00 Bloomberg Markets 22:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A Daughter 21:25 How It’s Made 15:30 Man Fire Food 18:45 The Hunger Games: 10:15 Doctors 23:00 Bloomberg Markets Teenage Witch 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 10:45 Eastenders 21:50 How It’s Made 23:10 Hank Zipzer 16:00 Chopped Jimmy Fallon Mockingjay Part I 11:15 Death In Paradise 22:15 Mythbusters 23:35 Binny And The Ghost 17:00 The Kitchen 05:30 Modern Family 21:00 Out Of The Dark 23:00 Mega Builders 18:00 The Pioneer Woman 23:00 The Necessary Death Of 12:10 Stella 00:40 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 06:00 $#*! My Dad Says 23:45 Space Pioneer 18:30 The Pioneer Woman Charlie Countryman 13:00 Call The Midwife 01:05 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 06:30 Community 19:00 Chopped 13:45 Doctor Who 01:30 The Haunted 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 20:00 Iron Chef America 14:35 Doctors 00:00 News Update 02:20 Ghost Lab 08:00 I Hate My Teenage 21:00 Rev Run’s Sunday Suppers 15:05 Eastenders 00:30 Dialogue 03:10 Scorned: Crimes Of Passion Daughter 21:30 Rev Run’s Sunday Suppers 15:35 Stella 01:00 News Update 04:00 Deadline: Crime With 00:05 Henry Hugglemonster 08:30 Cristela 00:20 Calimero 22:00 Dinner At Tiffani’s 09:00 New Girl 16:25 Dickensian 01:15 China 24 Tamron Hall 01:00 Asian Tour Highlights 00:35 Zou 22:30 Dinner At Tiffani’s 09:30 The Last Man On Earth 17:10 Doctor Who 02:00 The Heat 04:45 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 02:00 PGA Tour Highlights 00:50 Loopdidoo 23:00 Siba’s Table 10:00 Hot In Cleveland 18:00 Doctors 02:30 News Update 05:10 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 00:40 Solved 03:00 PGA European Tour 01:05 Art Attack 23:30 Siba’s Table 10:30 Community 18:30 Eastenders 03:00 Global Business 05:30 The Haunted 01:30 Codes And Conspiracies Highlights 01:30 Henry Hugglemonster 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 19:05 Death In Paradise 04:00 News Update 06:20 Fatal Encounters 02:20 America: Facts vs. Fiction 04:00 Trans World Sport 01:45 Calimero Jimmy Fallon 20:00 Holby City 05:00 News Update 07:10 True Crime With Aphrodite 02:45 America: Facts vs. Fiction 05:00 Golfing World 02:00 Zou 12:00 $#*! My Dad Says 21:00 Stella 06:30 Dialogue Jones 03:05 Dinosaurs: Return To Life 06:00 Live PGA European Tour 02:15 Loopdidoo 12:30 I Hate My Teenage 21:45 Ripper Street 07:00 News Hour 08:00 Dr G: Medical Examiner 03:50 Solved 08:00 Inside The PGA Tour 02:30 Art Attack Daughter 22:45 Death In Paradise 08:00 Global Business 08:50 On The Case With Paula 04:35 Extreme Engineering 08:30 European Tour Weekly 02:55 Henry Hugglemonster 13:00 Cristela 23:40 Doctors 09:00 News Update Zahn 05:20 Deadliest Catch 09:00 Golfing World 03:05 Calimero 00:00 Keeping Up With The 13:30 Community 00:20 Eastenders 10:30 Sports Scene 09:40 Fatal Encounters 06:05 Bizarre Foods 10:00 Live PGA European Tour 03:20 Zou Kardashians 14:00 Playing House 00:50 Call The Midwife 11:00 Global Business 10:30 Murder Shift 06:50 Alps From Above 13:00 Inside The PGA Tour 03:30 Loopdidoo 00:55 The Grace Helbig Show 14:30 The Last Man On Earth 01:45 Call The Midwife 12:00 News Update 11:20 Deadly Affairs 07:35 Origins 13:30 Live Welsh Open Snooker 03:45 Art Attack 01:25 Kourtney And Khloe Take 15:00 Hot In Cleveland 02:40 Ripper Street 12:30 Culture Express 12:10 True Crime With Aphrodite 08:00 Deadliest Catch 20:00 Golfing World 04:10 Henry Hugglemonster The Hamptons 15:30 Weird Loners 03:30 Doctors 13:00 Africa Live Jones 08:50 Commander In Chief 21:00 LPGA Tour Highlights 04:20 Calimero 02:20 Fashion Police 16:00 The Nightly Show With Larry 04:00 Eastenders 14:00 News Update 13:00 The Will 09:40 Alps From Above 22:00 Live Welsh Open Snooker 04:30 Starlings 14:30 Dialogue 13:50 I Almost Got Away With It 10:30 Bizarre Foods 04:35 Zou 03:15 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills Wilmore 05:15 Starlings 15:00 News Update 14:40 California Investigator 11:20 Extreme Engineering 04:45 Loopdidoo 04:10 E! Entertainment Special 16:30 $#*! My Dad Says 06:00 The Cafe 15:15 China 24 15:05 Dr G: Medical Examiner 12:10 Deadliest Catch 05:00 Art Attack 05:05 Pop Innovators 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 06:25 The Cafe 16:00 News Update 15:55 Fatal Encounters 13:00 Treasures Of The Royal 05:25 Henry Hugglemonster 06:00 Keeping Up With The 18:00 New Girl 06:50 Doctors 16:15 Global Business 16:45 On The Case With Paula Captain 05:35 Calimero Kardashians 18:30 Playing House 00:00 Super League 07:20 Eastenders 17:00 News Update Zahn 13:50 Bizarre Foods 05:50 Zou 06:55 Keeping Up With The 19:00 Kevin From Work 02:00 Welsh Open Snooker 07:50 Stella 17:15 World InSight 17:35 Murder Shift 14:40 Extreme Engineering 06:00 Loopdidoo Kardashians 19:35 Hot In Cleveland 05:00 NRL All-Star Match 08:40 Call The Midwife 18:00 Asia Today 18:25 I Almost Got Away With It 15:30 Codes And Conspiracies 06:15 Art Attack 07:50 Style Star 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 07:00 Golfing World 09:25 Doctor Who 18:30 Culture Express 19:15 The Will 16:20 100 Miles From Nowhere 06:35 Henry Hugglemonster 08:20 Beyond Candid With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 WWE Afterburn 17:10 Deadliest Catch 06:50 Calimero Giuliana 21:00 Weird Loners 09:00 This Week In WWE 18:00 Dinosaurs: Return To Life 07:00 Zou 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 21:30 The Nightly Show With Larry 09:30 Gillette World Sport 18:50 Bizarre Foods 07:20 Loopdidoo 10:15 Giuliana & Bill Wilmore 10:00 AFL Premiership Highlights 19:40 Codes And Conspiracies 07:35 Art Attack 11:10 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 22:00 Web Therapy 11:00 Live AFL NAB Challenge 20:30 American Guns 08:00 Calimero 11:35 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 22:30 Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll 14:00 Porsche GT3 Cup Middle 21:20 Prehistoric Elephant 08:10 Zou 12:05 WAGs East 22:10 Extreme Engineering 08:25 Loopdidoo 13:05 WAGs 14:30 HSBC World Rugby Sevens 23:00 American Guns 08:40 Miles From Tomorrow 14:05 Botched Highlights 23:50 Prehistoric Elephant 09:05 Sofia The First 15:00 Keeping Up With The 15:00 HSBC World Rugby Sevens 09:30 Goldie & Bear Kardashians Highlights 09:45 Jake And The Never Land 16:00 Keeping Up With The 15:30 V8 Supercars Bathurst Pirates Kardashians 00:00 Chicago Fire 01:00 Quantico 18:30 Mobil 1 The Grid 10:10 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 17:00 Fashion Bloggers 19:00 WWE NXT 10:35 Doc McStuffins 17:30 Fashion Bloggers 02:00 Rosewood 03:00 Allegiance 20:00 WWE Smackdown 11:00 Sofia The First 18:00 E! News 22:00 Europro Tour 11:30 Goldie & Bear 19:00 Fashion Police 04:00 Good Morning America 00:00 Violetta 12:00 Miles From Tomorrow 20:00 Keeping Up With The 06:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 00:45 The Hive 12:25 Special Agent Oso Kardashians 07:00 Backstrom 00:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A 12:40 The Hive 21:00 Dash Dolls 08:00 The Player Teenage Witch 09:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 02:30 Trans World Sport 12:50 Handy Manny 22:00 E! News 03:30 HSBC World Rugby Sevens 01:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A 13:15 Jungle Junction 23:00 WAGs 10:00 Quantico Teenage Witch 11:00 Backstrom Highlights 13:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 04:00 Asian Tour Highlights 01:40 Hank Zipzer 14:00 Sofia The First 12:00 Coronation Street 02:05 Binny And The Ghost 12:30 Coronation Street 05:00 The World Sailing Show 14:25 Goldie & Bear 05:30 Inside Sailing 02:30 Violetta 14:50 Doc McStuffins 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 03:15 The Hive 14:00 The Player 06:00 World Pool Masters 15:15 Zou 07:00 Welsh Open Snooker 03:20 Sabrina Secrets Of A 15:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 15:00 Live Good Morning America Teenage Witch 00:10 Street Food Around The 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 10:00 Europro Tour 15:55 Loopdidoo World 12:00 The Weber Cup 03:45 Sabrina Secrets Of A 16:10 Miles From Tomorrow 18:00 The Player Teenage Witch 13:00 LPGA Tour Highlights 16:35 Jake And The Never Land 14:00 The World Sailing Show 04:10 Hank Zipzer Pirates PREDATOR ON OSN MOVIES ACTION 04:35 Binny And The Ghost 14:30 Inside Sailing 17:00 Sofia The First 15:00 Asian Tour Highlights 05:00 Violetta 17:25 Jungle Cubs 05:45 The Hive 16:00 HSBC World Rugby Sevens 10:15 Doctors 20:05 Deadly Affairs 17:50 Aladdin 19:00 News Update 05:50 Mouk Highlights 10:45 Eastenders 20:55 True Crime With Aphrodite 18:15 Gummi Bears 19:30 The Heat 06:00 Lolirock 16:30 World Rugby 11:15 Death In Paradise Jones 18:40 Goldie & Bear 20:00 Africa Live 06:25 Sofia The First 17:00 LPGA Tour Highlights 12:10 Stella 21:45 California Investigator 19:05 Miles From Tomorrow 21:00 Global Business 06:50 Gravity Falls 18:00 The Weber Cup 13:00 Call The Midwife 22:10 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 19:30 Sofia The First 21:30 Dialogue 07:15 Miraculous Tales Of 19:00 Europro Tour 13:45 Doctor Who 22:35 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 19:55 Doc McStuffins 22:00 News Update Ladybug & Cat Noir 21:00 Trans World Sport 14:35 Doctors 23:00 Deadly Affairs 20:10 Jake And The Never Land 22:15 China 24 07:40 Jessie 22:00 Live Premier League Darts 15:05 Eastenders 23:50 Swamp Murders Pirates 23:00 News Update 08:05 Shake It Up 15:35 Stella 20:35 Miles From Tomorrow 23:15 World InSight 08:30 Shake It Up 16:25 Dickensian 21:00 Goldie & Bear 08:55 That’s So Raven 17:10 Doctor Who 21:30 Sofia The First 09:20 That’s So Raven 18:00 Doctors 22:00 Jungle Cubs 01:00 FIA Asia Cup Championship 09:45 Austin & Ally 18:30 Eastenders 22:25 Aladdin 01:30 Aquabike World 10:10 Austin & Ally 19:05 Death In Paradise 22:50 Gummi Bears Championship 10:35 A.N.T. Farm 20:00 Holby City 00:35 Weird Or What? 23:20 Lilo And Stitch 02:00 Mobil 1 The Grid 11:00 A.N.T. Farm 21:00 Stella 01:00 The Edge 01:20 How It’s Made 23:45 Cars Toons 02:30 Extreme Sailing Highlights 11:25 Jessie 21:45 Ripper Street 01:30 Tech Transformers: Davos 01:44 How It’s Made 23:50 Zou 03:00 Mass Participation U.K 11:50 Jessie 22:45 Death In Paradise Compilation 02:08 Invent It Rich 03:30 F1 H2O World 12:20 Miraculous Tales Of 23:40 Doctors 02:00 U.S. Squawk Alley 02:55 Space Pioneer Championship Highlights Ladybug & Cat Noir 03:00 Asia Squawk Box 03:42 Mythbusters 04:00 Triathlon UK 12:45 Fish Hooks 05:00 Asia Street Signs 04:29 Weird Or What? 04:30 UIM XCATS Power Boat 12:55 Fish Hooks 07:00 Fast Money: Half Time 05:16 Invent It Rich World Series 06:03 Space Pioneer 13:10 Good Luck Charlie Report 00:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 05:00 TCR International Series 06:50 Prototype This 13:35 I Didn’t Do It 08:00 Capital Connection 00:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 05:30 TCR International Series 00:20 Eastenders 07:37 How Do They Do It? 14:00 Dog With A Blog 09:00 Squawk Box Europe 01:00 Chopped 06:00 Aquabike World 00:50 Call The Midwife 08:00 How Do They Do It? 14:30 H2O 12:00 Europe Street Signs 02:00 All Star Academy Championship 01:45 Call The Midwife 08:23 Weird Or What? 14:55 Girl Meets World 13:00 Worldwide Exchange 03:00 Man Fire Food 06:30 Mobil 1 The Grid 02:40 Ripper Street 09:08 Mythbusters 15:20 Jessie 14:00 U.S. Squawk Box 03:30 Man Fire Food 07:00 Pro Kabaddi 03:30 Doctors 09:53 Prototype This 15:45 Miraculous Tales Of 17:00 Squawk On The Street 04:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 08:00 Mobil 1 The Grid 04:00 Eastenders 10:38 How It’s Made Ladybug & Cat Noir 19:00 U.S. Squawk Alley 04:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 08:30 World Match Racing Tour 04:30 Starlings 11:00 How It’s Made 16:10 Violetta 20:00 Fast Money: Half Time 05:00 Iron Chef America Highlights 05:15 Starlings 11:23 Food Factory 17:00 The Next Step Report 06:00 Chopped 09:00 The World’s Strongest Man 06:00 The Cafe 11:45 Food Factory 17:25 Liv And Maddie 21:00 U.S. Power Lunch 07:00 Man Fire Food 10:00 FIA Asia Cup Championship 06:25 The Cafe 12:08 Space Pioneer 17:50 Jessie 07:30 Man Fire Food 10:30 FIH Hockey World 06:50 Doctors 12:53 Prototype This 18:15 Austin & Ally 08:00 Chopped 11:00 WWE Vintage 07:20 Eastenders 13:38 Weird Or What? 18:40 I Didn’t Do It 09:00 Barefoot Contessa 12:00 NHL 07:50 Stella 14:23 How It’s Made 19:05 Miraculous Tales Of 09:30 Barefoot Contessa 14:00 This Week In WWE 08:40 Call The Midwife 14:46 How It’s Made Ladybug & Cat Noir 10:00 The Kitchen 14:30 WWE Raw 09:25 Doctor Who 15:10 Mythbusters 19:30 Violetta 11:00 The Pioneer Woman 17:20 Live Pro Kabaddi 10:15 Doctors 00:00 The Haunting Of... 15:57 Food Factory 20:20 The Next Step 11:30 The Pioneer Woman 18:30 Live Pro Kabaddi 10:45 Eastenders 01:00 The Ghost Inside My Child 16:20 Food Factory 20:45 Good Luck Charlie 02:00 My Haunted House 12:00 Chopped 20:00 NHL 11:15 Death In Paradise 16:44 Space Pioneer 21:10 Good Luck Charlie OUT OF THE DARK ON OSN MOVIES HD 22:00 WWE NXT Classifieds

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (18/02/2016 TO 24/02/2016)

SHARQIA-1 SYNCHRONICITY 1:30 PM AVENUES-2 CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 11:45 AM SYNCHRONICITY 3:30 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: HE ROAD CHIP 1:00 PM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 1:45 PM SYNCHRONICITY 5:45 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: HE ROAD CHIP 3:15 PM THE FINEST HOURS 3:45 PM THE FINEST HOURS 7:45 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: HE ROAD CHIP 5:30 PM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 6:15 PM SYNCHRONICITY 10:15 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: HE ROAD CHIP 7:45 PM THE FINEST HOURS 8:15 PM SYNCHRONICITY 12:15 AM VERY BIG SHOT 10:00 PM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 10:45 PM THE REVENANT 12:15 AM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 12:45 AM FANAR-3 THE FINEST HOURS 11:30 AM AVENUES-3 SHARQIA-2 FITOOR - Hindi 2:00 PM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 11:45 AM HAIL, CAESAR! 12:45 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: HE ROAD CHIP 4:45 PM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 2:00 PM HAIL, CAESAR! 2:45 PM FITOOR - Hindi 6:45 PM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 4:30 PM ACCOMMODATION HAIL, CAESAR! 4:45 PM THE FINEST HOURS 9:30 PM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 7:00 PM SHAKET DABOUS 6:45 PM THE FINEST HOURS 12:05 AM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 9:30 PM HAIL, CAESAR! 8:30 PM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 12:05 AM Accommodation available for SHAKET DABOUS 10:30 PM FANAR-4 decent lady, couple, bachelor HAIL, CAESAR! 12:15 AM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 1:00 PM AVENUES-4 in Salmiya, Amman street, C-AC CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 3:00 PM HAIL, CAESAR! 12:45 PM flat, new building. Contact: SHARQIA-3 CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 5:00 PM FITOOR - Hindi 3:00 PM 55230154. (C 5133) THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 1:00 PM SHAKET DABOUS 7:00 PM HAIL, CAESAR! 6:00 PM 16-2-2016 THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 3:15 PM SHAKET DABOUS 9:00 PM Special Show “ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP” 6:00 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 5:30 PM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 10:45 PM HAIL, CAESAR! 8:15 PM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 7:30 PM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 12:45 AM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 10:30 PM CHANGE OF NAME THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 9:45 PM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 1:00 AM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 12:05 AM FANAR-5 THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 12:30 PM 360º 1 I, Ghallester Valera De MUHALAB-1 THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 2:45 PM THE FINEST HOURS 12:00 PM HAIL, CAESAR! 11:45 AM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 5:00 PM THE FINEST HOURS 2:30 PM Jesus, Passport No. HAIL, CAESAR! 1:45 PM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 7:15 PM THE FINEST HOURS 5:00 PM EC2905146. Petition for cor- HAIL, CAESAR! 3:45 PM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 9:30 PM THE FINEST HOURS 7:30 PM rection. Automated SYNCHRONICITY 5:45 PM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 11:45 PM THE FINEST HOURS 10:00 PM Place of birth Adan HAIL, CAESAR! 7:45 PM THE FINEST HOURS 12:30 AM enquiry SYNCHRONICITY 9:45 PM MARINA-1 Hospital, Kuwait GHAL about the HAIL, CAESAR! 11:45 PM HAIL, CAESAR! 11:45 AM 360º- 2 LESTER to GHALLESTER. HAIL, CAESAR! 1:45 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 11:45 AM (C 5132) Civil ID card is MUHALAB-2 HAIL, CAESAR! 3:45 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 2:00 PM 14-2-2016 THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 12:15 PM HAIL, CAESAR! 5:45 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 4:15 PM 1889988 THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 2:45 PM SYNCHRONICITY 7:45 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 6:30 PM FITOOR - Hindi 5:00 PM HAIL, CAESAR! 9:45 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 8:45 PM KRISHNASHTAMI - Telugu 5:00 PM SYNCHRONICITY 11:45 PM THE REVENANT 11:00 PM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 8:00 PM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 10:30 PM MARINA-2 360º- 3 THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 12:45 AM THE FINEST HOURS 12:45 PM SHAKET DABOUS 11:30 AM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 3:15 PM SHAKET DABOUS 1:45 PM MUHALAB-3 THE FINEST HOURS 5:30 PM SHAKET DABOUS 3:45 PM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 12:30 PM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 8:00 PM SHAKET DABOUS 5:45 PM 112 CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 2:30 PM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 10:15 PM SHAKET DABOUS 7:45 PM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 4:30 PM THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 12:30 AM SHAKET DABOUS 9:45 PM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 6:30 PM SHAKET DABOUS 11:45 PM SHAKET DABOUS 8:30 PM MARINA-3 Prayer timings CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 10:15 PM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 12:15 PM AL-KOUT.1 CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 12:15 AM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 2:15 PM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 12:15 PM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 4:15 PM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 2:30 PM Fajr: 05:05 FANAR-1 CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 6:15 PM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 4:30 PM HAIL, CAESAR! 12:30 PM SHAKET DABOUS 8:15 PM SHAKET DABOUS 6:30 PM Shorook 06:25 HAIL, CAESAR! 2:30 PM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 10:00 PM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 8:30 PM HAIL, CAESAR! 4:30 PM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 12:05 AM SHAKET DABOUS 10:30 PM Duhr: 12:02 HAIL, CAESAR! 6:30 PM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES 12:15 AM HAIL, CAESAR! 8:30 PM AVENUES-1 HAIL, CAESAR! 10:30 PM JANE GOT A GUN 1:15 PM AL-KOUT.2 Asr: 15:14 THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET 12:30 AM FITOOR - Hindi 3:30 PM HAIL, CAESAR! 12:00 PM BROOKLYN 6:15 PM HAIL, CAESAR! 2:00 PM Maghrib: 17:39 FANAR-2 FITOOR - Hindi 8:30 PM HAIL, CAESAR! 4:00 PM SYNCHRONICITY 11:30 AM JANE GOT A GUN 11:30 PM HAIL, CAESAR! 6:00 PM Isha: 18:57

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

Arrival Flights on Thursday 18/2/2016 KAC 672 Dubai 14:45 Departure Flights on Thursday 18/2/2016 THY 767 Istanbul 14:45 Airlines Flt Route Time KAC 788 Jeddah 14:50 Airlines Flt Route Time KNE 481 Taif 14:50 MSC 415 Sohag 00:05 KAC 538 Sohag 14:50 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 PAL 669 Dubai/Manila 14:55 KLM 411 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:20 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 JZR 528 Asyut 00:05 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 KNE 472 Jeddah 15:05 BBC 044 Dhaka 00:10 QTR 1079 Doha 15:10 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 NIA 251 Alexandria 15:30 FDB 072 Dubai 00:40 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 OMA 645 Muscat 15:30 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:55 AXB 394 Kozhikode 15:20 RJA 642 Amman 01:05 KAC 562 Amman 15:40 MSC 416 Sohag 01:00 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 THY 772 Istanbul 01:05 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 KLM 411 Amsterdam 01:35 KAC 617 Doha 15:45 SAI 441 Lahore 01:30 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 THY 773 Istanbul 02:30 KAC 613 Bahrain 15:50 DLH 635 Doha 01:35 JAD 301 Amman 15:55 SAI 442 Lahore 02:30 KAC 741 Dammam 15:50 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 QTR 1072 Doha 16:10 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:35 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 PGT 858 Istanbul 02:00 JZR 779 Jeddah 16:10 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 SVA 505 Jeddah 16:00 UAE 853 Dubai 02:30 JZR 535 Cairo 16:10 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 KNE 473 Jeddah 16:05 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 FDB 051 Dubai 16:30 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:55 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 JZR 555 Alexandria 02:45 KNE 474 Jeddah 16:35 OMA 644 Muscat 03:55 OMA 646 Muscat 16:30 OMA 643 Muscat 02:55 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:40 FDB 068 Dubai 04:00 NIA 252 Alexandria 16:30 FDB 067 Dubai 03:05 KAC 542 Cairo 16:55 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 JAD 302 Amman 16:40 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:15 KAC 563 Amman 16:45 QTR 1076 Doha 03:15 JZR 787 Riyadh 17:00 KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:20 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 KKK 6507 Istanbul 03:20 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 QTR 1077 Doha 05:00 KNE 475 Jeddah 17:25 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:25 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 LMU 511 Cairo 05:05 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:30 KAC 678 Muscat/Abu Dhabi 17:50 LMU 510 Cairo 04:05 THY 765 Istanbul 05:15 FDB 052 Dubai 17:35 QTR 8511 Doha 04:40 MSR 614 Cairo 17:50 QTR 8512 Doha 06:10 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 JZR 503 Luxor 05:15 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 JZR 560 Sohag 06:10 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 KAC 118 New York 17:55 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 THY 770 Istanbul 05:55 KAC 502 Beirut 18:00 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 FDB 5061 Dubai 06:30 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 RJA 643 Amman 07:05 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 BAW 157 London 06:40 FDB 063 Dubai 18:05 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 JZR 529 Asyut 06:50 SYR 341 Damascus 18:15 THY 771 Istanbul 07:05 PAL 668 Manila/Dubai 06:55 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 FDB 5062 Dubai 07:10 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:20 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:30 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 JZR 238 Amman 18:50 KAC 204 Lahore 07:40 ABY 123 Sharjah 18:45 JZR 240 Amman 07:15 MSR 615 Cairo 18:50 QTR 1086 Doha 07:40 KAC 742 Dammam 18:55 KAC 537 Sohag 08:20 JZR 124 Bahrain 19:10 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 QTR 1080 Doha 18:55 FDB 054 Dubai 08:30 JZR 554 Alexandria 19:10 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:50 KAC 614 Bahrain 19:10 QTR 1087 Doha 08:40 SYR 342 Damascus 19:15 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:50 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:25 BAW 156 London 08:45 FDB 064 Dubai 19:20 KAC 382 Delhi 08:00 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:50 ABY 124 Sharjah 19:25 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 KAC 618 Doha 19:35 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 UAE 876 Dubai 19:30 KAC 346 Ahmedabad 08:30 KAC 104 London 19:40 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:25 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 KAC 344 Chennai 08:30 KAC 154 Istanbul 19:45 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 KAC 283 Dhaka 20:35 KAC 352 Kochi 08:30 KAC 674 Dubai 19:45 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 KAC 353 BLR 20:40 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 KAC 176 Geneva/Frankfurt 19:55 KAC 101 London/New York 09:55 KAC 351 Kochi 20:50 KAC 362 Colombo 08:50 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05 KAC 541 Cairo 09:55 QTR 1081 Doha 20:50 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:50 KNE 480 Taif 20:10 IRA 668 Mashhad 10:00 KAC 543 Cairo 20:55 IRA 667 Esfahan 09:00 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 KAC 561 Amman 10:00 KAC 343 Chennai 21:00 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 KAC 671 Dubai 10:05 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:05 KAC 284 Dhaka 09:10 ABY 121 Sharjah 20:35 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:25 KNE 461 Riyadh 21:10 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 FDB 5053 Dubai 20:50 KAC 501 Beirut 10:30 ABY 122 Sharjah 21:15 QTR 1070 Doha 09:25 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:55 JZR 778 Jeddah 10:30 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:55 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 OMA 641 Muscat 10:05 QTR 1088 Doha 21:00 KAC 153 Istanbul 10:40 DLH 634 Doha 21:45 IRA 673 Ahwaz 10:10 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 KAC 677 Abu Dhabi/Muscat 10:50 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:20 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 FDB 5054 Dubai 21:50 UAE 873 Dubai 11:05 ALK 229 Colombo 21:25 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:00 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:55 RBG 553 Alexandria 11:15 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 OMA 642 Muscat 11:05 QTR 1089 Doha 22:00 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 IRA 672 Ahwaz 11:10 KAC 381 Delhi 22:00 NIA 151 Cairo 11:55 JZR 125 Bahrain 21:55 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:10 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 QTR 1082 Doha 22:00 RBG 554 Alexandria 12:00 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:10 FDB 075 Dubai 12:25 KLM 417 Amsterdam 22:05 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 MSC 401 Alexandria 12:30 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 ALK 230 Colombo 22:25 JZR 561 Sohag 12:45 AIC 981 Chennai/Ahmedabad 22:25 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:25 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 NIA 152 Cairo 12:55 UAE 860 Dubai 22:55 JZR 241 Amman 12:50 KAC 564 Amman 22:25 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 QTR 1083 Doha 23:05 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 FDB 076 Dubai 13:10 KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:05 THY 766 Istanbul 13:45 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 PIA 205 Lahore 23:40 MSC 402 Alexandria 13:30 KAC 205 Islamabad 23:10 KNE 460 Riyadh 13:50 JZR 786 Riyadh 13:45 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:15 FDB 057 Dubai 14:10 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 THY 764 Istanbul 23:50 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 FDB 060 Dubai 23:35 QTR 1078 Doha 14:10 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:35 AXB 393 Kozhikode 14:20 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:55 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 KAC 415 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 23:40 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 MSC 403 Asyut 23:55 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION p34_p34 stars 2/17/16 7:08 PM Page 1

stars34 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016

CROSSWORD 1172 STAR TRACK

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

Your mind is wide open and insisting to be fed! This is a great day to study You have good energies today-most anything you set out to do can be suc- and learn new things, as well as to assess your own position. Others’ points cessful. Be aware of working too long without a break. You may be trying to work faster of view will be clear, as will be yours to them. This is a good day to begin a business project and it may be better to just work effectively. Make a point to take your regular breaks and or trip. Your ability to communicate your true feelings to friends and family is also accent- do some brisk walking up and down the stairs for stress relief. This is a time when many ed. This period marks an excellent time to be with loved ones, whether at work or at play. projects will end-especially large ones. You should resist selling short, however, just to fin- This is likewise a most favorable time to go on a family outing or engage in some type of ish work quickly. Away from work this afternoon, you will find yourself motivated to help a social activity with friends. Being outdoors is most stimulating now. It is not a wildly young person. This may take the form of teaching or perhaps discovering a child’s talent. romantic time, but one where small-scale endeavors will meet with success. Incredibly You will find that this experience can be quite pleasant and fun. Doing just about any- romantic feelings are fostered in you, intensifying love relationships. thing with friends or family later this evening is fun.

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

Your drive to accomplish is high and your ideas are catchy and ready to This is a good day for making plans-your mind is clear. You may find yourself apply to the necessary work of this day. You give your best effort and you know that much presented with several different options to get where you need to go, whether this means can be accomplished. Your communicative abilities are emphasized. This is an excellent a project or a trip. Before obligating yourself, take the time to process the difference. This is time to sway others to your cause through speeches or clever arguments. Be careful, a great time to be with others and to work together. You are able to maintain control with- though, of taking it to the extreme in trying to find a logical reason for every event that in your group. It seems you may be in a contest or at least, tempted to be in a contest. Your occurs, especially the actions of co-workers. Companionship with others is most reward- group will progress the most. Those around you are watching your successful rise to fame ing. Everything is coming up roses and optimism rules the day. Life is for living and you and they encourage you. Before today, you may have wondered if you would ever get the cannot wait to partake of all those new and rewarding experiences that are waiting to credit for your work. You are successful and you feel generous toward your loved ones. This charm you. Do not go overboard, but have fun. will reflect back on you.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

You are supersensitive today and that can be rewarding or damaging. If you Your heart is as big as all outdoors-not only for those close to you emotion- focus on others, your understanding will enable you to fit into any group. This ability is ally, but for the public as well. Your nerves are calm and your sense of helpful in any job. Save the decisions that require clear logic for another day. It is, however, humor is intact-ready to help customers or others. Your happy-go-lucky mood continues a favorable aspect for financial dealings. Your social life should blossom now-perhaps this afternoon and generally marks a great day in which all relationships are exalted. ACROSS 4. Belonging to or on or near the back or including a new love interest. Avoid the extravagance and self-indulgence that accompa- Projects you have worked on for many months could reach an end at this time. Be sure to 1. Nonresinous wood of a fir tree. upper surface of an animal or organ or nies this time. Discoveries, investigative work and financial investments show good results. check if these activities produced the results you expected. Besides being creative and 4. Type genus of the Desmodontidae. part. If you have a mate, it could be bells and whistles in the romantic area of your life this affectionate, you are very sociable and magnetic to the opposite sex. There is a desire for 12. An anxiety disorder characterized by 5. (Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo- evening. If you are unattached, you may find someone new and fascinating to spend your outdoor, physical activity this afternoon-depending on the weather, you will probably find a partner to play squash or some other similar activity at the gym. chronic free-floating anxiety and such Christian mythology. leisure time with this winter. symptoms as tension or sweating or trem- 6. A wave on the surface of a lake or land- bling of light-headedness or irritability etc locked bay. that has lasted for more than six months. 7. The template for protein synthesis. Cancer (June 21-July 22) 15. Fiddler crabs. 8. A person with an unusual or odd personali- Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 16. Dose too heavily. ty. Today you may be slowed enough to be realistic about your abilities and 17. Relating to or containing the azo radical. 9. Mature female of mammals of which the expectations for success. Balancing your time and commitments may be difficult, but nec- What would life be without a few challenges now and then hopefully, you essary if you wish to keep everything running smoothly. Your nature will most likely be have done your homework and can reassure others of the validity of your position. If your 18. British dominion over India (1757-1947). male is called `buck'. ideas are a little shaky then it may be time to reassess what you want for the results. You focused for now, as you take a serious attitude to just about all aspects of your life. In the 19. Arctic deer with large antlers in both sexes. 10. Employed in accomplishing something. can achieve the best results as you write out the desired outcome. You are determined to workplace, much can be accomplished. You have what it takes to tackle any problem 20. (Sumerian) Sun god. 11. Similar things placed in order or happen- succeed. This day is certainly a beneficial and enlightening one-making you aware of new involved with your profession. This afternoon is for people gatherings! You crave to social- concepts and ideals. Someone may offer you a new position within your job or a new job 21. A large number or amount. ing one after another. ize and you make new friends easily. Others in turn are attracted to you and this can bring 23. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle 12. Spanish architect who was a leading expo- in a new location. This is worth the time to consider. If wildlife or photography is your hob- all sorts of good things into your life, including, perhaps, a new love interest. Objects of art by, consider including this hobby into your upcoming weekend. Perhaps a short trip to the where driver sits. nent of art nouveau in Europe (1852- and beauty are especially admired. 24. Move with or as if with a tremor. 1926). country can be planned. 26. An area of sand sloping down to the water 13. A member of the Nahuatl people who of a sea or lake. established an empire in Mexico that was 28. A radioactive element of the actinide overthrown by Cortes in 1519. Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) series. 14. Sorghums of dry regions of Asia and North Modernization, reform and principle are your paths to growth and gain 30. Any plant of the genus Erica. Africa. now. New, futuristic ideas are part of this, but it’s much more than that: putting them into Many surprises are just around the corner. You may be pleased to find oth- ers pitch in to help or cooperate with your work efforts. Much of your secret in being 31. A long-playing phonograph record. 22. A young woman making her debut into practice is essential. A break from the way things were accomplished in the past is not organized is to make lists. There could be a window in time that opens this day, making 33. (Scottish) Bluish-black or gray-blue. society. good enough just now-you are willing to try new methods or new ideas. Emotional begin- 34. The sacred city of Lamaism. 25. A unit of apothecary weight equal to an insights possible. Your inventive ways find new technical paths to follow and uncover and nings, a fresh start, perhaps the establishment of new habit patterns will set the tone for put to good use. There are plenty of experiments or projects to keep you busy all day long. 36. A river in north central Switzerland that eighth of an ounce or to 60 grains. quite some time to come! Being appreciated and admired for your gifts and talents are This afternoon you may set these projects aside since you are not in the mood for unravel- runs northeast into the Rhine. 27. A high-crowned black cap (usually made powerful needs. Taking chances can bring big rewards. Your birth sign is taking a turn ing difficult professional puzzles. You appreciate all who are in your life and your thoughts 38. Divulge information or secrets. of felt or sheepskin) worn by men in toward high energy. Creative endeavors are where you are headed during your time away turn to friends, family and celebration! You reserve some time for celebrating! You and oth- 39. The men who man a ship or aircraft. Turkey and Iran and the Caucasus. from work. No obstacle slows your progress. ers have cameras all focused. 43. A member of an Indian people formerly 29. French neurologist who tried to use hyp- living along the Gulf coast of Louisiana notism to cure hysteria (1825-1893). and Texas. 32. The basic unit of money in Macao. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 47. Untanned hide especially of cattle. 35. A loose sleeveless outer garment made Almost any subject or activity is possible in the workplace today. There 49. A canvas or leather bag for carrying game from aba cloth. Tremendous mental inspiration is available to you, which may lead to (especially birds) killed by a hunter. 37. The most common computer memory could be some confusion or misunderstandings if you are not carefully listening. For now . some deep breaths and lots of note taking. If you channel this mental drive, 51. An iconic mental representation. which can be used by programs to per- . . Take notes and be as positive as you can. This is a fast moving time that will not stay for you can be very influential. Change your thinking, listen to your words. The tendency to long. If there is any project that seems to be difficult, a good plan of action will emerge 52. An international organization of European form necessary tasks while the computer over think can make you miss an important clue to finding the best results. You have a soon. Later today you may find yourself walking away from people that seem to have no constant influence over others and fortunately, these others respect your opinion. Careful countries formed after World War II to is on. guidance or focus. Cultural or academic pursuits provide excellent stress relief for you this reduce trade barriers and increase coop- 40. A long noosed rope used to catch animals. however, opinions can be ignored if others do not ask for it first. While shopping this after- evening. You enjoy challenges and can become quite involved when the challenges noon or evening, major purchases that could increase in value would be a good bet today: eration among its members. 41. At or constituting a border or edge. broaden your knowledge. Music is likely to play a more important role for you just now- antiques. Spend time with good friends this evening-this is not the best time to spend 53. Large burrowing rodent of South and 42. Any plant that crowds out cultivated you may decide to join a choir. time alone. Friends and loved ones give you good feedback tonight. Central America. plants. 54. Scottish writer of rustic verse (1770-1835). 44. German astronomer who first stated laws 56. (Brit) A tough youth of 1950's and 1960's of planetary motion (1571-1630). Word Search Yesterday Solution wearing Edwardian style clothes. 45. Lower in esteem. 57. A bar or bars of rolled steel making a track 46. Title for a civil or military leader (especially along which vehicles can roll. in Turkey). 61. The sediment from fermentation of an 48. Send a signal by waving a flag or a light alcoholic beverage. according to a certain code. 63. A public promotion of some product or 50. Weedy Eurasian plant often a pest in grain service. fields. 64. The cry made by sheep. 55. Light informal conversation for social occa- 67. (Norse mythology) One of the Aesir known sions. for his beauty and skill with bow and skis. 58. Make lighter or brighter. 69. A score in baseball made by a runner 59. Derived from or containing calcium or touching all four bases safely. lime. 72. Industrial city of Belarus southeast of 60. African tree having an exceedingly thick Minsk. trunk and fruit that resembles a gourd 74. God of war and sky. and has an edible pulp called monkey 77. A very young child (birth to 1 year) who bread. has not yet begun to walk or talk. 62. Rock star and drummer for the Beatles 78. An anticipated outcome that is intended (born in 1940). or that guides your planned actions. 65. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a 79. Nonfictional prose forming an independ- skewer usually with vegetables. ent part of a publication. 66. Fleshy spore-bearing inner mass of e.g. a 80. According to the Old Testament he was a puffball or stinkhorn. pagan king of Israel and husband of 68. Being three more than fifty. Jezebel (9th century BC). 70. (prefix) In front of or before in space. 81. Step on it. 71. Period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6. 82. Destroyed in an accident. 73. A member of the Siouan people formerly 83. A small cake leavened with yeast. living in the Missouri river valley in NE Nebraska. DOWN 75. (used especially of commodities) In the 1. Form into a cylinder by rolling. natural unprocessed condition. 2. The United Nations agency concerned with 76. Having any of numerous bright or strong civil aviation. colors reminiscent of the color of blood or 3. The seventh month of the Moslem calendar. cherries or tomatoes or rubies. Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 information

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Features Modern ‘Indiana Jones’ on mission to save antiquities

technology-wielding archeologist billed tion data such as what country is involved. “The She has since turned to mapping looting. Her as a real-world “Indiana Jones” called last thing we want is for looters to log-in and work has caused some to refer to Parcak as a real- ATuesday for an online platform that help find sites to loot,” Parcak said. “The most world version of the Indiana Jones character entices just about anyone to help find undiscov- exciting part is, it will be a game.” Parcak con- made famous in films starring Harrison Ford. ered treasures and defend archeological won- demned destruction of antiquities by the likes of Parcak is a professor at the University of Alabama ders. Sarah Parcak envisions a 21st century army violent extremists from the Islamic State group at Birmingham, where she founded the of citizen scientists to battle the looting and and saw looting done by the desperately poor as Laboratory for Global Observation. She has won destruction of the world’s antiquities. And now, “heartbreaking.” attention for her work satellite mapping Egypt thanks to winning this year’s coveted TED Prize, and uncovering hidden pyramids, tombs and her wish may just come true. “We are at a tipping Digital digs settlements. point with our cultural heritage,” Parcak told Archeologists will follow up on sites pinpoint- The annual TED Prize has grown from reporters. “We are losing the battle against loot- ed by the “crowd,” paving the way for protection $100,000 to a million dollars since it was first ers. If we don’t do something in the next couple from governments or law enforcement agencies. awarded in the year 2005, to U2 band leader of years, it will be gone.” Virtual explorers will visit digs using social media Bono and his vision of fighting poverty and dis- The TED Prize provides a million dollars to tools such as Periscope, Instagram and Google+. ease. The TED community includes scientists, kickstart a big vision and opens a door to call on “The world is going to get to engage with arche- celebrities, politicians, artists, and entrepreneurs. the nonprofit organization’s innovative, influen- ology in a way that has not been done before at Since its inception in 1984, the gathering has tial and ingenious community of “tedsters” for this scale,” Parcak said. Her team is consulting grown into a global forum for “ideas worth help. Parcak wants people around the world to with citizen scientists and game experts on the spreading.” TED has won a worldwide following become explorers, detecting antiquities looting project. “We don’t know what getting people for trademark “talks” during which accomplished faster than currently possible and pointing excited about discovery will do,” Parcak said. speakers deliver thought-sparking presentations. archeologists to promising spots on the planet. “We know this will allow the world to become TED Prize director Anna Verghese (left) joins ‘real-world Indiana Jones’ (right) to unveil a wish Videos of talks are available for free online at “The only way we are going to be able to get archeological activists as well as discoverers.” that is part of the award won by Parcak, February 16, 2016 during the TED Conference in ted.com. — AFP ahead of the looters and protect sites is to Enlisting people in countries around the world is Vancouver, Canada. — AFP engage the world and make them part of what vital in the fight against intentional destruction tor Anna Verghese. “We find ourselves at a critical work. She was studying Egyptology at Yale when we do as archeologists,” Parcak said. of antiquities and looting that is “spiraling out of moment in time when we can empower and she began exploring the potential for using more Her exploration includes a game with digital control,” she maintained. “We can’t stop the loot- ignite an army of citizen scientists to find, share modern tools to apply her grandfather’s “cards” that people can quickly flip through to ing, and we can’t change the mindset of people and protect our heritage.” approach to archeology. Parcak was pursuing an scrutinize satellite imagery for tombs, pyramids, like ISIL, but we can become advocates to stem advanced degree at Cambridge University when looting “pits” and other points of potential inter- the antiquities trade,” Parcak said. She hopes to Spying the past from space she created a technique for processing infrared est to archeologists. Only tiny sections of roll the platform out this year. “Sarah is the ulti- Parcak was introduced to aerial photography imagery from satellites that helped her detect imagery will be shown, along with broad loca- mate 21st century explorer,” said TED Prize direc- through her grandfather’s use of it in forestry undiscovered archeological sites in Egypt.

Models walk the runway wearing Oscar De La Renta Fall 2016 during New York Fashion Week at Prince George Ballroom in New York City. — AP/AFP photos NY Fashion Week: De la Renta, Rodarte, Vera Wang

he Associated Press is all over New York Fashion Week, the late fashion icon’s hand-picked successor, was trying need to move forward. But it’s very important to do it gradual- Speaking of modern, Copping said he was also influenced from the runway designs to the celebrity-filled front something different. “It was something new to put into an ly, step by step.” Copping was also going for a juxtaposition of by the contemporary artist Jeff Koons, who displayed his Trows. Here are some recent highlights: Oscar de la Renta show,” Copping said in a backstage inter- old and new. And when we say old, we mean 18th-century famous balloon animals at the Chateau de Versailles in 2008. view. “I think the silhouettes felt very Oscar in some ways, fit- old. He went searching through a historical archive of fabrics That’s the sort of contrast Copping was looking for with a A little leather, at Oscar De La Renta ted through the waist and then going into a bell skirt. But the in upstate New York. “I was really looking at old 18th-century shiny silver sequined bodice paired with a traditional timeless Longtime devotees of Oscar de la Renta were in for a little sur- material took it somewhere else.” fabrics like tapestries,” he said. “Then we brought them back skirt, for example. And that leather dress? It was paired with a prise at the label’s runway show Tuesday evening: a leather Change is important - but in small steps, the designer said. and scanned them into the computer, played with the scale, brocade “Antoinette” pump. How’s that for mixing old and dress, in a cool shade of raspberry. What? Leather dresses at “I’m very respectful of the legacy of the house but you have to changed the colors ... and then found some interesting fabric new? de la Renta? Peter Copping, only about a year into his job as challenge it as well, it can’t just stand still,” Copping said. “You bases, to add some modern touches.”

Models walk the runway at the Coach fashion show held at Pier 76 during Fall 2016 New York Fashion Week.

Coach goes for a makeover sized varsity jackets paired with floral dresses or ruffled blous- easy to reinvent a label. “Changing someone’s perception of a Coach is scrapping its Middle American image. The leather es. The collection also highlighted lots of shearling coats or brand is a feat,” he said, but he added: “People have a fun nos- goods brand, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, vests shown with leather or floral skirts. There were all types of talgic place for Coach. “ Among the front-row guests was Riley grabbed the fashion crowd’s attention Tuesday with its luxury handbags from shoulder strap versions to satchels. Keough, actress and granddaughter of Elvis Presley. “I love collection called Coach 1941. It marked the second runway “What really appealed to me was the idea of this juxtaposi- what he’s doing with Coach. It’s very much my vibe,” said show for the high-end line, which made its debut in stores this tion between something quite tough and then a softness,” Keough, wearing a floral- printed dress from Coach 1941’s month. This time, its executive creative director Stuart Vevers said Vevers, interviewed backstage. “There is a certain nostal- spring collection. ‘It’s a lot cooler now, and younger.”7 reimagined Americana looks, for example mixing team sport gia about a varsity jacket and these very nostalgic dresses uniforms with feminine touches like ruffles. There were over- with the frills, very feminine.” Vevers acknowledged it’s not lifestyle THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016

Fashion

Rodarte channels ‘The Godfather’ she said. “So we kind of just played with that.” A number of the When Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte dream up an embroideries were based on birds and butterflies, as well, and idea for a collection, they don’t, as some designers do, make jewelry focused heavily on flowers. Among the front-row picture boards and map out exactly how they’re going to ref- guests was actress Kirsten Dunst, who is working with the erence the idea in each garment. “It’s not specific references, Mulleavys on an upcoming dramatic film written and directed really just a feeling,” says Kate Mulleavy. “We tend to be fairly by the sisters, called “Woodshock.” abstract.” For their new collection, which they showed Tuesday in a Chelsea gallery space, the designing sisters said they were inspired while visiting San Francisco to do a season based loosely on “The Godfather” movies. “We were in this cafe that we used to go to and we remem- bered hearing that (Francis Ford) Coppola had written some of ‘The Godfather’ in the cafe. And we just had this idea that it would be interesting to do a collection inspired by that film, and at the same time about my experience of San Francisco, references like art nouveau, old posters from film noir, things like that.” As is often with the Mulleavys, the garments were heavy on lace, hugely intricate embroidery, and lots of mixing of fabrics. Colors were mostly black, white, and red (perhaps for blood?) There was a bride in all white with a delicate veil, too. That, Kate Mulleavy acknowledged, was indeed a specific “Godfather” reference. Rodarte collections often touch heavily on themes of nature, and that was present here also. Long fur jackets, with horizontal stripes of bold color - one of them combined white, brown, red and yellow - were meant to echo moth wings, Mulleavy said. “You know when you look at moths you’re like, ‘How can they come in so many amazing different colors?’”

Fashion from the Rodarte Fall-Winter 2016 collection is modeled.

Vera Wang offers strength and dreamy beauty Wang was after such proportions in looks like a nude In color and long, lithe structure, Vera Wang went tulle column gown with a bib neck and panels of metal- for equal parts all-business armor and a 1920s dream, lic sequins and crystals. And she was hoping to evoke a though armor might be too strong a word. While dream state looking back to the ‘20s and ‘30s in a back- looking to encourage a woman’s strength, she said in less camisole in a plum floral print and maxi robes of a backstage interview it was the chest protection of olive floral silk. She carried the olives, soft gray and char- fencers that she had on her mind in creating some of treuse into fur jackets with a patchwork effect. “I really her tough new coats, jackets and long skirts. The want to convey sort of otherworldly feeling, but the very soothing colors of Modigliani paintings moved her as gutsy, very strong woman,” she said. “They are striding. The Vera Wang Fall well, in mustard, olive and plum, among other They’re cool. They’re young. They’re hip. They’re not hid- 2016 collection is shades, as did the elongated shapes in the sculpture ing themselves.” Hiding in plain sight on Wang’s front modeled. of Alberto Giacometti. “It sort of started actually with row was a pink-haired Kylie Jenner, huge sunglasses in fencing,” she said. “I always loved the discipline and I place. — AP loved the precision and the elegance and the line and the silhouette of fencers.” lifestyle THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016

Awards Cole’s family outraged over ‘Disrespectful’ Grammys tribute

atalie Cole’s family is not happy with the 58th “Words cannot express the outrage and utter disap- for Your Love” and “Unforgettable.” She also dabbled in act- Grammy Awards’ tribute to the late singer-song- pointment at the disrespectful tribute, or lack thereof, to a ing in her later years, landing guest appearances on TV Nwriter. The awards show paid homage to Cole, who legendary artist such as our sister,” Cole’s sisters, Timolin series including “Touched by an Angel,” “I’ll Fly Away,” died of congestive heart failure on Dec 31, 2015, with a and Casey, told ET. Added Cole’s son Robert Adam Yancy: “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Law & Order: SVU.” Fans as well video clip of the R&B singer performing a virtual duet “Here is a woman who has been in the business for four as other artists and entertainment figures including Toni of “Unforgettable” with her father, renowned jazz pianist decades, had 21 Grammy nominations and won nine Braxton, Holly Robinson Peete and Lee Daniels also took Nat King Cole. As David Bowie, BB King, Lemmy Kilmister Grammys. She deserves more than (to be a part of) a note of Cole’s brief Grammys tribute, resorting to social and Glenn Frey, who all died in 2015, were celebrated with minute-and-a-half tribute. It was shameless the way they media to voice their disappointment. — Reuters In a Wednesday, June 26, 2013 file photo, Grammy win- honorary musical performances during the awards cere- minimized her legacy. We will find solace in her legacy as ning singer-songwriter Natalie Cole poses for a portrait in mony, Cole’s family members considered the brief video well as her endless fans around the world.” promotion of her new album ‘Natalie Cole en Espanol,’ in tribute insufficient. Cole was known for hits including “This Will Be,” “I Live New York. — AP Winslet says playing a Brit ‘would be ultimate challenge’ aving put on an array of foreign accents in her award- winning career, British actress Kate Winslet says she Hreally wants to play an English character, adding it would be “the ultimate challenge”. The “Titanic” star has pre- tended to be American, Australian, Polish-Armenian and in her latest film, crime thriller “Triple 9”, a Russian-Israeli mafia boss. “My M.O. (modus operandi) is just keep doing the unex- pected. Although I do also keep trying to play an English per- son but that just doesn’t keep happening for me at the moment,” Winslet told Reuters in an interview. “That would be the ultimate challenge and then I’d have no dialect coach at all. No one to have my back and I would be (From left) German actress Martina Gedeck, German actress Lea van Acken and German all by myself and probably more terrified than ever before. Polish director Andrzej Zulawski and his then wife French actress Sophie Marceau actor Ulrich Noethen pose upon arrival for the Premiere screening of the film ‘Diary of Wouldn’t that be novel?” Winslet plays the bejewelled and (left) arrive on May 11, 1988 at the Festival de Cannes, southern France. — AFP Anne Frank’ presented during the 66th Berlinale Film Festival in Berlin on February 16, designer-clad Irina Vlaslov in action-packed “Triple 9” about 2016. — AFP corrupt police and the criminal underworld-a role she said “felt very out of my comfort zone”. “I don’t know anyone like Polish film director Andrzej this woman. I didn’t like her. I didn’t empathize with her. I Anne Frank filmmakers hope wanted that challenge of playing a character who really felt like a character,” she said. Zulawski dies at 75 Winslet is in the running for an Academy Award for her movie warms mood on refugees portrayal in “Steve Jobs” of the late Apple co-founder’s col- olish art-house film director Andrzej 2015) is starting its own life.” Born in occu- league Joanna Hoffman. She won an Oscar for “The Reader”, Zulawski died yesterday aged 75 pied Poland in 1940, Zulawski left for Paris ermany’s first feature-length biopic of the Anne Frank Fonds, which hold the rights an Emmy Award for “Mildred Pierce”, a Best Spoken Word Pafter a long battle with cancer, at the age of five with his parents and later Anne Frank premiered this week in to the written work, said it was time for Album For Children Grammy for “Listen to the Storyteller”, according to the Polish Filmmakers studied at the Sorbonne. He is survived by GBerlin, with the film about persecution another major film production. “We thought meaning she is just missing a Tony Award to complete the Association. I can confirm his death,” a three children, including a son with French against the teenage Jewish diarist carrying it would be really important to have a movie “EGOT” acronym of all four major entertainment honors. source at the association told AFP of the actress and ex-partner Sophie Marceau. added meaning as Europe grapples with its in a contemporary language, and in the Asked if going to Broadway was next, Winslet said: “Well I actor, writer and director of several French They separated in 2001. biggest post-war refugee crisis. “Persecution, German language as well because the family suppose it probably is now. And that’s more because of my films. He was “a very original artist, some- “It’s a huge loss for Polish and world expulsion, displacement and destruction are lived 400 years in Germany,” said Yves 12-year-old son Joe, who ... is just obsessed with records.” “So times controversial but always true to him- cinema,” film critic Janusz Wroblewski told issues that we just can’t shake off,” said Fred Kugelmann, member of the foundation’s since he has learnt about this ‘EGOT’ thing, he’s like, ‘Mum self,” association president Jacek Bromski AFP. “His films are considered cinema clas- Breinersdorfer, who wrote the script for “Das board, adding that it gave the crew access to you’ve gotta do it.’” Winslet has backed her “Titanic” co-star told Polish broadcaster Polsat. sics, but at the time they were avant- Tagebuch der Anne Frank” (The Diary of Anne archives containing 100,000 documents, Leonardo DiCaprio to win the best actor Oscar this year for Zulawski’s son Xawery, also a director, garde,” he said of the director of “The Third Frank). “If our film about the fate of a perse- objects and photographs. “The Revenant”. Both have been honored this awards season, wrote on Facebook on Tuesday that Part of the Night” (1971) and “The Devil” cuted and destroyed Jewish family can con- Using the material, the film team was able reuniting on the red carpet, much to the delight of “Titanic” Zulawski was “terminally ill with cancer (1972). “He was provocative, breaking tribute to a more positive attitude towards to piece together a picture of the Frank’s fam- fans, something that surprised Winslet. “It’s crazy but it’s won- and undergoing intensive therapy in hos- many Polish stereotypes and introducing refugees, then we can all be proud,” he said ily life, and director Hans Steinbichler said derful how people still get such a kick out of the (“Titanic” pital” in Poland. “It’s really hard for me to eroticism in his films.” — AFP about the family, most of whose members each scene in the film “had a source”. What characters) Jack and Rose combo.” — Reuters write these words, but it’s especially died in Nazi concentration camps. was crucial to him was to portray Anne Frank important now that his last film (“Cosmos”, Attitudes are split in Europe over a record as the girl next door. “For me it was important refugee influx, with mostly eastern EU nations to remove Anne Frank from this so-called wanting asylum seekers kept out while others throne, this sacrosanct status... because that are adopting a more welcoming attitude, was the only way to carry the message that including Germany which took in over one what was stolen from her was a very normal Amazon natives turn film million asylum seekers last year. The film tells life,” said Steinbichler. In the adaptation, the story of the diarist, played by 16-year-old Anne Frank, cooped up in a secret annex, is in Lea van Acken, and her family, as they are the throes of adolescence. She has fights with stars in Colombia Oscar hope forced to leave Germany to seek refuge in the her mother and falls in love with Peter van Netherlands after Hitler’s rise in power. But Daan, whose family had joined the Franks as ilbio Torres had never been to the cine- plays the part of the German explorer’s assis- the Nazis swept into the Netherlands in 1940, hideaways. ma before and had never heard of the tant. and the Franks were finally forced to go into Van Acken told Bild daily she sought to NOscars, until he acted in a film that got He is glad that the filmmakers chose to use hiding in 1942, when Anne’s sister Margot reread Anne Frank’s diary closely in a bid to nominated for one. The 30-year-old father of actors speaking the indigenous Tikuna, Uitoto received official notice to report to a work get into the role, and even “started to write four from the Amazon jungle is one of the and Cubeo languages. “A lot of people tell me: camp. letters to Anne, in which I told her some indigenous Colombian stars of “Embrace of the ‘Thank you for representing us. We feel proud In her diary, Anne chronicled her life in things about me”. The young actress was Serpent,” up for the Best Foreign Language of you,” he said. But the film also prompted hiding until August 1944, when her family sporting short hair at the premiere after her Film award at the Oscars on February 28.The painful reflections for indigenous people. Their was betrayed. Speaking after the premiere long locks were shorn in one of the closing third film by Colombian director Ciro Guerra, it ancestors were massacred by colonial traders during the youth showcase of the Berlin film scenes of the film depicting Anne’s arrival at is based on the true story of an expedition into who plundered their land for rubber. festival, co-producer Walid Nakschbandi said the Auschwitz death camp. The diarist died the Amazon in the early 20th century by a “Sometimes I would talk with Grandpa he hoped the movie would spark a discussion of typhus in Bergen-Belsen in 1945. The German ethnologist and a US biologist. But Antonio and we would fall silent because we in the current context of Europe’s refugee biopic was not without controversy, after it unlike previous tales about European adven- felt sad to be reliving that history in the film,” influx. “If you start today to talk about her emerged that the Anne Frank Fonds had tures in the South American jungle, this one is he said.”But then you start to reflect that this fate, about sincerity and ... to speak about the written to Steinbichler to complain about his told from the viewpoint of the indigenous can allow us to make our lives and communi- sentence ‘He who saves one life, saves the concurrent plan to make a film about Nazi peoples, who speak in their native languages. ties stronger. This film lets us keep breathing.” whole world’, then, as makers of the film, we propaganda filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl. “We “It was hard to get into character,” Torres told would have achieved a lot,” he told the mostly just don’t think Leni Riefenstahl and Anne AFP, struggling to express himself in Spanish. “I Colombia’s ‘unknown universe’ teenage audience. Frank should be mentioned on the same had to show it like it was real.” Torres, of the The rubber trade transformed the Amazon, page,” Kugelmann told AFP, adding however Cubeo ethnic group, plays the part of the says Ignacio Prieto, an anthropologist who ‘Normal life stolen’ that Steinbichler had said he would drop the shaman Karamakate, last survivor of his village, advised the film director.”There was a massacre Anne’s diary was first published in Dutch Riefenstahl project. — AFP as a young man. Antonio Bolivar, himself one of 60,000 Uitotos. Indigenous communities in 1947 by her father Otto, the only one in her of the last surviving members of the Uitoto fled to Brazil and Peru,” he said. Many trees family who survived. More than 30 million ethnic group, plays the character when he is were cut down and natives have turned to copies have been sold, and numerous adap- older. The locals call him Grandpa Antonio. mining or growing coca leaves for which drug tations of the book have been made, includ- Kate Winslet, left, and Michael Fassbender pose for pho- dealers pay well. Many of them try to shut ing in theatre, television series and film. But tographers upon arrival at the BAFTA 2016 film awards at Acting lessons themselves off from the outside, said Prieto. the Royal Opera House in London, Sunday. — AP Nilbio works in the jungle growing yucca Ramos is an exception. He has moved to and bananas at a plantation he gets to each Bogota and is studying to be a sports teacher. day by canoe. The hard physical work has giv- At the university, people ask him whether en him the kind of body Hollywood actors indigenous people still wear loincloths. “That work on in the gym. When the film crew came makes me think that a lot of people do not In ‘The Witch,’ a haunting prequel to Salem to his part of the jungle, he thought of trying know the Amazon,” he said with a smile. to get a job as an assistant on the shoot to “Embrace of the Serpent” could change that. earn some extra cash. Instead, the filmmakers “The Amazon is an unknown universe for et under gray Puritan skies in a deathly autumn, est, the child vanishes. That night, after frantic search- Live deliciously offered him a role. They sent him to acting Colombians,” said Prieto. “Now the country has “The Witch” is a slow-burning 1600s horror ing, an image flickers of a witch-like figure floating The spell is cast over the viewer, too, as the authen- classes in the capital Bogota-the first time he realized that this place is here and it belongs to thriller so bone-dry it would only take a match toward a full moon. A spell of mysterious source tically resurrected world of “The Witch” transports to a S had ever traveled by plane. He did not know them too.” — AFP for the whole movie to go up in flames. “A New seems to have settled over the family that spookily time of suffocating fear, born out of a harsh new land much about films, but the filmmakers discov- England folktale” is how the opening titles describe manifests in various farm animals: a rabbit in the and hardened religious fervor. Taking place decades ered he had a knack for memorizing his lines writer-director Robert Eggers’ impressively rigorous woods, a bloody chick in an egg. Eventually, a goat before the Salem witch trials, “The Witch” is a kind of and a strong presence in front of the camera. feature debut. The film doesn’t just take place in early and a crow get in on the act. A suitably creepy set of horror chamber piece, a stripped-bare prequel to the Another indigenous actor, Miguel Ramos, 27, 17th century America, but it has effectively sum- toddler twins is here, too. As things get steadily worse forces that propel Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” and moned the nightmares and superstitions of the era, and demons seem literally at the door, the faith of the Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter.” The charac- much of which Eggers faithfully reproduced from vari- family is tested. Suspicions begin falling on Thomasin, ters speak in the formal diction of the period - lots of ous historical sources. a fair, pale-white girl whose growth into womanhood “thees” and such. It’s a kind of time travel, for those The subject here is less witches as some supernatu- is drawing the curious gaze of her younger brother, looking for a far grimmer trip to colonial America than ral fright than the Puritan psychology that dreamed Caleb (Harvey Scrimshaw). Could she be a witch? New England tourist attractions afford. It is, to say the them. Do not expect broomsticks. A family, led by a least, not a barrel of laughs. prideful patriarch, William (Ralph Ineson, terrific), is But what makes “The Witch” more than a mere banished from the plantation after his stubborn museum reclamation project is Taylor-Joy. The movie refusal to accept common law as above his own, supe- is in many ways seen through Thomasin, who stands rior piety. “I would be glad of it,” he seethes when apart from her devote family. Wide-eyed and rebel- threatened with expulsion. lious, she more resembles a girl of today. Whether she is, in fact, a witch remains in suspense. But we witness Child vanishes how Puritan paranoia and misogyny turns a pretty Our images of the settlement are fleeting. The eld- young woman like Thomasin into a fearsome seduc- est of the five children, Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy, in a tress in the eyes of her family. When the combustible breakout performance) peers backward as the wood- “The Witch” finally lets itself ablaze, the brutal and sur- en gates close behind them as they ride out. The pic- prisingly sober finale is also - and more thrillingly - ture is drained of color and the score (by Mark Korven) Thomasin’s awakening. Drawn by the lure to break This photo provided by courtesy of A24 shows is eerie and discordant: trouble waits outside the free of her upbringing, to “live deliciously,” she turns Anya Taylor-Joy, left, as Thomasin, and Harvey gates. After setting up a scrappy existence in the out to be something scarier than the Puritans could Scrimshaw as Caleb in a scene from the film, Nilbio Torres (left) and Miguel Ramos (right), part of the cast of Oscars-nominated wilderness, misfortunes mount. The crops die and fathom: a teenager.—AP ‘The Witch.’ — AP Colombian movie ‘El Abrazo de la Serpiente’ (Embrace of the Serpent), gesture as they when Thomasin takes the newborn out near the for- speak during an interview with AFP in Bogota. — AFP lifestyle THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016

Features

Handler Valerie Nunes-Atkinson sdits beside German shorthaired pointer named CJ after he won ‘Best in Show’ of the A German Short Haired Pointer performs on the second day of the 140th annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show. 140th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York. — AFP photos Regal German Shorthaired Pointer wins Westminster show

he Westminster Dog show went elegant for its 140th installment late Tuesday, picking a German TShorthaired Pointer as its best in show over shaggier options. California Journey, nicknamed CJ, won out over six other finalists to nab one of the most prestigious crowns in dogdom. Among the runners-up were fan favorites Magic, a bright-eyed German Shepherd, and the lumbering Annabelle, a Bulldog that drew especially emphatic cheers from the crowd. The fuzziest finalist was Mr Charlie, a horizontal mass of grey and black wagging fur, while the toy entry, Panda, a Shih Tzu, drew the broadest laughs with an ill-timed shake of the hips that required a speedy coif-adjustment. In the end, Best in Show judge Richard Meen, a Toronto psychia- trist with more than 50 years in the purebred dog world, picked the stately CJ over the motley crew of elite canines. “Just a beautiful dog,” Meen said afterwards at a news conference with CJ and his breeder, who described the dog’s coat as “white-ticked and liver” colored. The breed is also known for its redwood-colored visage and a colt-like physique, traits clearly in evidence as CJ sat calmly. Meen saw in CJ the embodiment of the pointer’s core mission of hunting. “This dog never stopped looking,” Meen said. “He floated around the ring beautifully.” CJ’s expression was “alert, bright, not easily distracted.” CJ is the third German Shorthaired Pointer to win Westminster and a descendant of the other two champs, including his grandmother them as dogs. “In the ring, he’s very serious,” she said of CJ. A man carries his “Carlee,” who won in 2005, said his co-breeder, co-owner “At home, he’s silly. He rips around our property with his dog through the and handler, Valerie Nunes-Atkinson. best-friend, Ramona,” a whippet. “He gets into messes.” grooming area. The three-year-old CJ only began showing six months Winning Westminster “is something I’ve dreamed of since I ago, but Nunes-Atkinson sensed immediately he was a nat- was 10 years old,” she said, adding that she was in a state of ural. “When he was born, he was an old soul,” she said. “Six “disbelief.” — AFP weeks old, we knew there was something special.” Nunes- Atkinson is a second-generation breeder and grew up with champion dogs, describing her evolution as initially trepi- A Komondor is seen in the judging ring. datious around the champions before coming to accept

A Lowchen pose during an event. A Maltese is seen in the competition area. An Italian Waterdog, a new breed this year, waits in the Two Bichons pose during an event. grooming area.

The Samoyed wins the working group on the second day A Dogue de Bordeaux rests in the competition area. A Cocker Spaniel gets groomed in the benching area. An owner gives his Malamute a kiss in the grooming area. of the 140th annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show.

A Pembroke Welsh Corgi runs the agility course. A Parson Russell Terrier runs the agility course. A Papillon runs the agility course. A Bergamasco Sheepdog Regal German Shorthaired Pointer wins Westminster show

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 39

Artists dressed in red and holding fans parade on February 13, 2016 in coastal city of Nice, southeastern France during the 132nd Nice Carnival. The carnival strats February 13 until 28 February 2016, and this year’s theme celebrates the ‘King of Medias’. — AFP Love, rage, silence: Secret lives of Afghanistan’s female poets ith her kohl-rimmed eyes cast down, ‘Killed for celebrating love’ love,” said Pakeza Arzo, a Kabul-based coordinator Nadia lilts through a folk couplet before a The underground gathering offers a glimpse at Mirman Baheer, who transcribes landays from Wsecret assembly of women poets on a for- into the hidden world of Afghan women flouting anonymous callers. bidden subject that often gets people killed in patriarchal mores in the country’s conflict-torn Afghanistan-love. “Like a candle I burn all night, Pashtun heartland. “Landays, with the power of ‘Antidote to heartbreak’ separated from my lover,” the 20-year-old intones their grief, love, rage, defy any facile notion of a The club’s weekly gatherings in Kabul are held in Pashto. “I melt and fade like hot wax.” The young Pashtun woman as a mute ghost beneath a blue openly and attract elite university professors, law- university student is part of Mirman Baheer, a burqa,” said Eliza Griswold, author of “I am the makers and journalists, but its meetings in conser- women’s literary society that holds secret gather- Beggar of the World: Landays from Contemporary vative areas such as Kandahar and Helmand are ings in Kandahar city, the spiritual birthplace of the Afghanistan”. “Thousands of years old, these held under a tight veil of secrecy. Mobile phones A photo shows the recently discovered sheets of music notes by Austrian composer famously misogynistic Taliban. Her ode to love is a remarkable folk poems provide outsiders a means can provide a lifeline. Arzo said some rural women Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Italian composer Antonio Salieri ‘Per la Ricuperata landay, two-line Pashtun folk poems that have to explore the inner world of a culture that can be who have no freedom to step out of their homes Salute di Offelia’ for the libretto by Italian poet Lorenzo Da Ponte. —AFP become a symbol of cultural rebellion for women hard to access.” Nearly 15 years since the Taliban break down over the phone, their poems giving and an outlet for incendiary issues, from child Islamist regime was ousted from power in a US- vent to a torrent of anguish. brides to honor killings. led invasion, Afghanistan has witnessed a sea “Landays reflect their struggles and work like They are more commonly about romantic love- change in women’s rights, with female lawmakers an antidote to heartbreak,” Arzo said. One caller, Newfound Mozart-Salieri cantata sometimes overlapping with sex, marriage and and even pilots now commonplace. who calls in regularly, left this landay: “When my heartache-in a tightly gender-segregated society But gender parity remains a distant dream husband took a second wife, I burned / I no longer where any public display of it is seen as a shocking amid pervasive conservative attitudes that still care about the flames of hell.” Another bemoaned premieres after 200-year silence breach of tradition. deride women as “Naqis-ul-aqal” (having a weaker the stoning of a young woman accused of adul- “Who will marry a woman who indulges in love intellect than men) and deem that a female voice tery. “For whose sin am I sacrificed to tradition / ost for over 200 years, a cantata co-writ- by a Viennese merchant, Artaria and Comp. poetry?” said Nadia, quoting her mother who for- should be forbidden in public spaces. “Morality My biggest crime is that I am a woman.” And one ten by classical maestros Wolfgang The Prague copy is the only one to have sur- bade her from joining the poetry club. “People protectors in Afghan society believe that male caller from Khost province bordering Pakistan was LAmadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri vived. instantly judge: ‘She writes about love, she must be honor can be protected only by locking away unabashedly bold, her landay laced with con- rang out in public for the first time Tuesday, a woman of loose morals.’” News of the meetings women where nobody can see or hear them,” said tempt for the prevalent machismo culture. “You shedding new light on their reputed intense False portrayal has spread by word of mouth, but mobile phones poet and writer Waheed Warasta. demand a kiss by force /Night will give way to rivalry. The Italian composer was allegedly so The discovery is especially interesting in are increasingly used to organize the clandestine “Women who dare to step out to recite poetry dawn, but you shall not have my lips.” For many, jealous of the Austrian prodigy that he once light of a legend discounted by historians: gatherings. do so at the risk of being labeled as prostitutes.” In going out of their homes to buy mobile phone tried to poison him-a claim rejected by Salieri was said to have fatally poisoned Single women and housewives swaddled in 2010, a teenage poet known by her nickname credit is akin to traversing a minefield. They are experts as the collaboration was performed Mozart out of jealousy over the Austrian brightly coloured headscarves come together in a Zarmina set herself on fire after a violent alterca- fearful of getting caught and some call from a dif- in Prague. “The part composed by Mozart is, wunderkind’s talent First appearing in basement room for the poetry reading, some of tion with her brothers who caught her reading a ferent number every time. And it usually ends shall we say, more ingenious and dramatic, Alexander Pushkin’s 19th-century poetic dra- them risking punishment or even death if discov- love poem over the phone and presumed there with a familiar pattern: after a while, the calls while the other two verses are more lyrical,” ma “Mozart and Salieri,” the rumour was later ered. A few were accompanied by their little sis- was a boy on the other end of the line. A resident abruptly stop, Arzo said. “This sudden silence can musician Lukas Vendl told reporters after featured in the play and 1984 film “Amadeus”, ters to help fabricate convincing alibis when they of Gereshk district in the Taliban insurgency- only mean two things: either the poet has been playing the four-minute composition on a which historians say grossly exaggerated return home. And for those too afraid to defy their wracked province of Helmand, Zarmina was a reg- killed or married off.”— AFP harpsichord. Salieri’s rivalry with Mozart. “We all know the families, Mirman Baheer offers a hotline service ular caller to Mirman Baheer’s poetry helpline and “But it’s impossible to deduce from it who film ‘Amadeus.’ Salieri is mischaracterized in for women to call clandestinely and leave their later died of her burns in hospital. She is glorified was a better composer.” The cantata from it,” said Ulrich Leisinger from the International landays, which are read out during weekly ses- within the club as a “poet martyr”. “We live in a 1785 is “key to a new understanding of the Mozarteum Foundation in Salzburg. sions. country where people get killed for celebrating relationship between Mozart and Salieri,” “He didn’t poison Mozart. The two com- according to Timo Jouko Herrmann, the posers regularly met up and collaborated in German musicologist and composer who Vienna.” The film was shot in the Czech capi- found the work. Herrmann said it suggests tal, where Mozart spent considerable time in the men were “colleagues who worked the 18th century as it was then part of the together” rather than rivals and undermines Austrian Empire. Prague played host to the a legend suggesting Salieri may have played premiere of his celebrated opera Don a role in Mozart’s untimely death at 36 in Giovanni in October 1787, which later had a 1791. Titled “Per la ricuperata salute di Offelia” lukewarm reception in the empire’s capital (To Ophelia’s health) the cantata was jointly Vienna. Mozart debuted another opera, The composed by Mozart, Salieri and an Clemency of Titus, in Prague in 1791. This unknown musician named Cornetti. year marks the 260th anniversary of Mozart’s It accompanies a libretto by Italian poet birth and the 225th anniversary of his death. Lorenzo Da Ponte and is dedicated to popu- “As far as I know, it’s the only piece jointly lar English soprano Nancy Storace (1765- written by Mozart and Salieri,” said Herrmann. 1817), who returned to the stage after losing “But who knows: in a treasure house like this, her voice for a spell. The score lay unidenti- anything can happen,” he said of Prague’s fied in the Czech Museum of Music since the music museum. — AFP 1950s but Herrmann was finally able to attribute it to the two composers thanks to access to new information on the Internet, according to a museum statement. Scores of Afghan women reading love poems at a poetry club in Kandahar. — AFP photos Afghan woman Nadia, 20, reading love poems at a poetry the cantata had been distributed at the time club in Kandahar.