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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 RABI ALAWWAL 9, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Owners of Gambia foils Go for the food: Dhoni quits wild animals coup bid, Gulf Arab tests after and dogs to attackers tradition India lose series be arrested6 killed 7 on14 a platter to18 Australia Bodies, wreckage reveal Min 07º Max 23º missing AirAsia jet’s fate High Tide 07:48 & 19:27 Low Tide Another AirAsia plane overshoots Philippine runway 01:29 & 13:16 40 PAGES NO: 16389 150 FILS

PANGKALAN BUN, Indonesia: The hunt for a missing AirAsia passenger plane appeared at an end yesterday as Kuwaiti jailed wreckage and bodies were spotted at sea off Indonesia, prompting raw scenes of emotion from sobbing relatives for abusing of the 162 people aboard. The Airbus A320-200 disap- peared en route from Indonesia’s second largest city Saudi Arabia Surabaya to Singapore during a storm early Sunday. All indications now are that it crashed in the Java Sea south- By B Izzak west of the island of Borneo, with debris including an exit door, a blue suitcase and bodies retrieved from the area. KUWAIT: The criminal court yesterday sentenced An air force plane saw a “shadow” on the seabed Saleh Al-Saeed to four years in jail for abusing Saudi believed to be that of the missing Flight QZ8501, Arabia and its leaders in a television interview a few National Search and Rescue Agency chief Bambang months ago. Saeed, the brother of former MP Talal Soelistyo told a news conference in Jakarta. Relatives of Al-Saeed and the owner of private Scope satellite the missing hugged each other and burst into tears in channel Fajr Al-Saeed, had reportedly lashed out at Surabaya as they watched footage of one body floating Saudi Arabia and some of its leaders during an inter- in the sea on a television feed of Soelistyo’s press con- view with Syrian television while defending the ference. actions of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. The pub- Later yesterday, the search chief said just three bod- lic prosecution charged Saeed of carrying out acts of ies had been recovered so far, after another official said aggression against Saudi Arabia and a number of 40 had been found. Navy spokesman Manahan Saudi princes as he defended the Syrian regime in his Simorangkir told AFP earlier that according to naval fight against a four-year rebellion believed to be radio a warship had recovered more than 40 bodies backed by Riyadh and other Gulf states. from the sea. But he later said that report was a mis- In another development, Shiite MP Faisal Al- communication by his staff. The search was called off for Duwaisan yesterday praised Kuwait’s policy after the night due to rough weather. allowing the reopening of the Syrian embassy to Initial news of the debris dimmed the faint hopes of Kuwait closed about two years ago in protest relatives. “If that news is true, what can I do? I cannot against the Syrian regime’s atrocities against the SURABAYA: Family members of passengers onboard the missing Malaysian air carrier AirAsia Flight QZ8501 bring him back to life,” said Dwijanto, 60, whose son was Syrian people. react after watching news reports showing an unidentified body floating in the Java Sea at the crisis centre on the plane along with five colleagues. Continued on Page 13 set up at Juanda International Airport yesterday. — AFP Continued on Page 13 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 LOCAL

Arab leaders in a group photo during the Arab League Summit in Kuwait. Major local events in 2014

KUWAIT: There have been many events taking Sept 20: His Highness the Prime Minister Maatouq its highest badge of honor for his place in Kuwait: political, economic, social and arrived in New York and attended the 69th ses- humanitarian endeavors. sport, among many others. sion of the UN General Assembly. Sept 14: First Deputy Prime Minister and Sept 25: His Highness the Prime Minister Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- His Highness the Amir delivered a speech representing His Highness Hamad Al-Sabah arrived in Ramallah on an Jan 5: His Highness the Amir opened the the Amir at the 69 session of the UN General official visit. second international donors conference dur- Assembly. Sept 24: Kuwait and Egypt signed a bilateral ing which he donated $500 million to back the Sept 29: The Cabinet decided to strip 18 agreement in the military field as part of a pre- Syrians. citizens of their nationality. viously hammered out military training deal. Jan 6: His Highness the Amir accepted res- Oct 21: His Highness the Prime Minister Oct 12: A $200 million grant given by ignation of seven ministers as part of the Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah Kuwait to rebuild Gaza was announced by First Cabinet reshuffle. visited Faisal Al-Duweesh at Farwaniya Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Jan 6: His Highness the Amir received new Hospital and wished him speedy recovery. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah at an inter- ministers after swearing in following Cabinet Oct 26: Decree issued appointing Dr Bader national donors’ conference, held in Cairo, on reshuffle. Al-Essa as Minister of Education and Minister of reconstructing Gaza. Jan 29: His Highness the Amir patronized Higher Education and Yaqoub Al-Sanea as Oct 19: First Deputy Prime Minister and opening of Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Heritage Minister of Justice, Minister of Awqaf and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled visit- Village and the Fourth Popular Heritage Islamic Affairs. ed Iraq to show support in the battle against Festival. terrorism. Feb 5: His Highness the Amir donated $5 The National Assembly million to build a village for Syrian refugees at Jan 7: New MPs swore in during the second Internal Security Al-Zaatari camp in Jordan. regular session of the 14th legislative term. Jan 10: Fire broke out at the guests’ hall at Feb 12: His Highness the Amir and His Jan 9: The National Assembly approved a Bayan Palace, leaving some damage. Highness the Crown Prince inspected Sabah bill amending some provisions of the Law No. Jan 23: Fire erupted at the scrap yard at Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve in Al-Sabbiyah. 98 of 2013, with respect of establishing the Mina Abdullah and the blazes covered a space March 25: His Highness the Amir chaired National Fund for Small and Medium of 3,500 square meters. the regular session of the Arab League Council Enterprise, regularizing banking professions Jan 24: The fire department reported that at the Summit level, held in Kuwait for the first and changing the name of the bank, Kuwait an Arab resident and her three children died in time. Savings and Credit Bank, into the Housing a fire at the family’s apartment house in Al- March 26: The 25th Arab Summit conclud- Credit Bank. Jabriya. ed with issuance of Kuwait Declaration, under Jan 9: The Parliament approved a bill, trans- Feb 4: A gas explosion at a fast-food restau- the theme “bolstering Arab solidarity for full- forming Kuwait Airways into a private share- rant at the Avenues mall injured a number of scale Arab renaissance.” holding company. workers. April 7: The UN presented His Highness the Jan 22: The Parliament approved a bill Feb 5: Fire at a paints’ warehouse in Al- Amir with an honorary certificate for his role in granting a citizen who got a housing loan sub- Shuwaikh inflicted heavy damage. Three fire- humanitarian works. sidized construction materials, worth no more men suffered fractures and injuries. April 23: Kuwait Credit Bank (KCB) celebrat- than KD 30,000. Feb 19: A worker died and 11 others were ed the Golden Jubilee for its establishment, Jan 26: MP Adel Al-Kharafi requested inter- wounded in collapse of a minaret of a mosque under the patronage of His Highness the Amir pellation of Minister of Public Works Abdulaziz under construction in Al-Omariya. and the presence of His Highness the Prime Al-Ibrahim. April 3: Ministry of Interior seized 3.5 mil- Minister Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Feb 2: The Parliamentary legal affairs com- lion narcotic pills. June 1: His Highness the Amir visited Iran mittee endorsed a law barring the riba (usury) May 15: Two Syrian children died in an where he met with President Hassan Rohani. interest. apartment fire in Hawally. June 8: His Highness the Amir arrived in Feb 4: The Parliament approved activation July 7: At least 70 public buses were Egypt to attend the inauguration of President of mega projects, assigning the Audit Bureau destroyed in a fire that erupted in one of the Abdelfatah Al-Sisi. to prepare reports on diesel Shell contract. Public Transport company’s garages in Ardhiya. June 25: His Highness the Amir gave his Feb 6: The parliamentary interior and July 12: Fire broke out in three warehouses Ramadan speech, noting the events that had defense committee approved a bill granting at Abdullah Port, south of the country, causing occurred in the country. nationality to 4,000 illegal residents. damage. Sept 9: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon March 11: The Parliament okayed the bill July 25: Criminal detectives confiscated held a ceremonial gathering on occasion of on compulsory teaching and agreed to amend counterfeited KD 1.134 million. naming His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah the laws for family and debts defaulters funds. July 27: Teams from six fire stations put out UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon awards His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as “humanitarian March 30: The parliamentary committee fire that erupted at a building under construc- Al-Sabah the ‘Humanitarian Leader’ certificate. leader” at the UN headquarters in New York. for economic affairs endorsed bill on hiking tion belonging to Kuwait Oil Company in Al- Oct 21: His Highness the Amir Sheikh children’s allotment to KD 65, at a rate of seven Ahmadi. Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah visited children. Aug 1: Four people, including a firefighter, Faisal Al-Duweesh at Farwaniya Hospital and April 24: Three MPs requested to grill His were injured in a fire that broke out at some wished him speedy recovery. Highness the Prime Minister, according to arti- car repair shops in the Industrial Shuwaikh dis- Oct 28: His Highness the Amir Sheikh cle number 100 of the Constitution. trict. Sabah Al-Ahmad opened the third National May 11: The legislative committee Sept 21: Ministry of Interior announced Assembly’s regular session of the 14th legisla- approved various draft laws including turning death of a young man from a GCC country tive term. Kuwait Airways into a shareholding company, after he held his family hostage, stabbed one Dec 7: His Highness the Amir received a ensuring career stability for Kuwaitis in the pri- of them and shot at a police officer. medal of honor from the International vate and oil sectors, prohibition of commercial Oct 19: Customs seized more than three Organization of Migration for his role in the action during Friday prayers and the establish- million drug pills. humanitarian domain. ment of a Kuwaiti shareholding company for Nov 4: Ministry of Interior seized a ring that Dec. 9: His Highness the Amir headed a food security. counterfeited more than 400 business licenses Kuwaiti delegation to the 35th session of the May 15: The National Assembly endorsed and bank checks. Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation resignation requests from MPs Riad Al-Adsani, Nov 25: Customs authority seized and con- Council (GCC) in Doha, Qatar. Abdulkareem Al-Kandari, Hussein Quwaian, Ali fiscated five kilograms of drugs, smuggled Al-Rashid and Safaa Al-Hashem. from Bangladesh. His Highness the Crown Prince June 11: The National Assembly approved Dec 1: Customs seized 650,000 narcotics’ March 17: His Highness the Crown Prince a law for partnership between the private and pills. sponsored the annual joint graduation of the public sectors. 43rd batch of Kuwait University’s students. June 27: MPs Mohammad Nasser, Abdullah Defense His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah inaugurates the new parliamen- Oct 14: His Highness the Crown Prince met Yusuf, Fares Al-Otaibi and Ahmad Lari won the Nov 3: Deputy Prime Minister and Interior tary terms. visiting UN Under Secretary General for National Assembly’s by-elections. Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al- Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Oct 23: MP Abdullah Al-Turaiji officially Sabah obtained an INTERPOL travel document Coordinator Valerie Amos. requested grilling of Deputy Prime Minister at the opening session of the 83rd INTERPOL Oct 21: His Highness the Crown Prince visit- and Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr General Assembly meeting in Monaco. ed Fasial Al-Duweesh, inquiring about his well- Abdulmohsen Al-Mudej. Nov 14: Kuwaiti and French armies held being at Farwaniya Hospital. Dec 3: The National Assembly approved the “Pearls of the West” military exercise. Oct 21: His Highness the Crown Prince 2014-15 development plan. Dec 11: Kuwait and Canada signed a chaired first meeting of national security coun- defense and strategic cooperation agreement. cil. Foreign policy Jan 15: The second international donors Economy His Highness the Prime Minister conference for Syrian got underway in Kuwait. May 25: Kuwait hosted for the first time an June 2: His Highness the Prime Minister Jan 15: Ban Ki-moon designated His industrial security conference with the partici- arrived in China to sign joint agreements and Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad as pation of 85 local, regional, and international memorandums of understanding. “humanitarian leader and Kuwait as “humani- entities. Sept 16: His Highness the Prime Minister tarian center,” in the aftermath of hosting the June 29: Central Bank of Kuwait issued a Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak arrived in Italy on an second international conference for aiding new Kuwaiti currency. official visit and met with President Giorgio Syria, capped with pledges to donate $2.4 bil- Oct 16: Kuwait Stock Exchange ended its Napolitano and Premier Matteo Renzi. lion. session with a sharp decline of 131 points. Sept 19: His Highness the Prime Minister March 4: Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- Nov 5: Price index of the Kuwait Stock Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak arrived in Germany, Khaled Al-Sabah chaired the 130th session of Exchange fell drastically by 102.2 points. attended a ceremony marking 40th anniver- the GCC ministerial council in Riyadh. Nov 30: The price, weighted and KSX 15 sary of Kuwait’s investments in the German April 8: United Nations High Commissioner indices of Kuwait Stock Exchange slipped by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah visiting Fasial Al- company, Daimler, and met German for Refugees granted Amiri Diwan Advisor and 205.8 points, 78.74 points, and 16.01 points Duweesh at Farwaniya hospital. Chancellor Angela Merkel. Humanitarian Envoy for Kuwait Dr Abdullah Al- respectively. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 LOCAL

Dec 14: The KSE price index dropped 202.8 declared that fire erupted at the steam turbines Jan 15: The Municipal Council’s environ- establish an Islamic center in the American contest in the Asian tournament. His fellow points to reach 6,260 points. in Al-Sabbiyah, causing damage but no injuries. mental committee held a workshop on dam- state of Utah. citizen, Abdulaziz Al-Mandeel won a gold in Feb 23: Minister of Public Works Abdulaziz Al- age of asphalt roads due to rain. Dec 10: Kuwait contributed more than $6 the 60 m hurdles. Oil Ibrahim signed a contract for installing seven Feb 10: The Municipal Council named the million to support the UN and its agencies March 9: Kuwaiti shooters won the first Feb 17: Kuwait Petroleum International power relay stations in Jaber Al-Ahmad district, new residential district in Al-Mutlaa after His for the year 2015. three ranks in the double-trap contest as won tender to establish a large fuel station on at a cost of KD 23 million. Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al- part of His Highness the Amir Championship. the highway linking Luxembourg with Aug 18: Minister of Electricity and Water Ahmad Al-Sabah. Tourism July 10: Abdullah Al-Terqi won gold Belgium. Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim signed a KD 31 million con- June 16: The Municipality agreed to move Jan 31: Hala February festival in its 15th medal in Skeet shooting at World shooting Feb 20: Kuwait Petroleum International tract to provide and install utility poles. the location of foreign embassies from cer- edition got underway. cup in China. signed an accord to acquire Shell’s assets. Aug 28: Minister of Electricity and Water tain neighborhoods to prescribed locations Sept 21: Kuwait seized gold and silver March 6: Kuwait Oil Tankers Company took Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim signed a KD 28.515 million as in Daiya for security purposes. The Weather medals at skeet shooting competition at delivery of the immense oil tanker Al-Fintas contract to install secondary power plants. July 11: Kuwait Municipality destroyed March 30: Marine navigation at Shuwaikh South Korea. and the petroleum bi-products tanker Burgan. Oct 22: Minister of Electricity and Water 830 tons of expired meat and gave 20 viola- and Al-Shuaiba ports was halted due to bad Sept 30: Rashed Al-Mutairi won gold April 2: Kuwait Petroleum International Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim signed KD 169 million con- tion tickets during an inspection campaigned weather. medal in karate Incheon Asian games. (Q8) was granted ISO excellence award, the tract to build Sheikh Jaber Bridge. that was carried out at slaughter houses in Sports Oct 16: Qadsia SE won the Asian Cup first such company to have it in the Middle Hawally and Salmiya. Jan 28: Qadsia SC was crowned the cham- after beating Iraq’s Irbil in penalty shoot- East. Transport and communications Sept 23: Kuwait Municipality destroyed pion of His Highness the Crown Prince Cup, out. April 13: Kuwait National Petroleum Co. Jan 9: Air flights coming to Kuwait 1,884 tons of rotten food in an inspection beating Al-Arabi 2-1 in the final game. Dec 15: Al-Arabi SC won His Highness signed three contracts for biofuel projects International Airport were diverted to Bahrain campaign during Eid Al-Adha. Feb 15: The Kuwaiti champion Saleh Al- the Crown Prince Football Cup, beating worth KD 3.4 million. International Airport after visibility dropped to Nov 24: Kuwait Municipality destroyed 18 Haddad won a gold medal in the long jump Kuwait SE 4-2. tons of spoiled food items. Dec 3: Kuwait Municipality destroyed 3.5 tons of spoiled food in Rai area.

Health Services March 6: Minister of Health Dr. Ali Al- Obaidi opened the cardiac intensive care unit and the children’s intensive care ward at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital. March 15: A Kuwaiti medical team at Zain Hospital conducted a delicate surgery on a three-month baby to separate the trachea from the esophagus. April 27: Ministry of Health signed a KD 179 million contract with specialized compa- nies to design, construct and equip the new Al-Sabah Hospital. Sept 4: Health Ministry signed a KD 265 million contract for Farwaniya Hospital.

The Environment Jan 18: Kuwait Environment Protection Society celebrated the International His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah delivers Kuwait’s Migratory Bird Day. Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) receives the first Airbus A-320 plane. speech at the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly. March 1: A perished blue whale found ashore on Failaka Island. April 27: Kuwait Petroleum Corporation 150 meters. (KPC) signed contract with Qatargas Company to Jan 10: Flights en route to Kuwait were Humanitarian aid provide Kuwait with a portion of its liquefied gas diverted to airports in several neighboring coun- April 9: Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross needs. tries. Organization in Riyadh granted head of the May 15: Kuwait Petroleum International (Q8) Feb 19: The aviation authorities drew up a Kuwait Red Crescent Society Barjas Humoud opened the third largest gas station in the world deal with a Canadian firm to install the automat- Al-Barjas the “Abu Baker Al-Siddeeq medal of in Luxemburg. ic landing system at Kuwait International Airport. honor” in recognition of his efforts in the field May 18: Kuwait Oil Tanker Co. received in its Feb 19: Kuwait Airways signed a contract of humanitarian and relief aid. service the new oil tanker Al-Derwaza. with Airbus to buy 25 aircraft of the models A- July 14: Kuwait donated $10 million to the July 24: The Kuwait Oil Company signed con- 350 and New-320 and lease 12 others. Palestinian people. tracts worth KD 662 million ($2.342 billion) to July 16: Emirates Airbus A380 landed, for July 20: Kuwait Red Crescent Society build three gathering centers in the company’s the first time, in Kuwait. launched a donations campaign for the peo- areas of operations north of Kuwait. Dec 18: Kuwait Airways received the first ple of Gaza who are bearing the brunt of Aug 27: Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Airbus A-320 plane at Airbus headquarters in Israeli attacks. signed crude oil supply contract with Philippine Toulouze, France as part of a deal to upgrade Sept 17: Kuwait donated $1 million for Petron Corporation to increase the amount of its fleet. American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA) to purchased crude to 65, 000 barrels a day. Dec 22: Kuwait Airways announced sign- help the Palestinian children. Oct 16: Kuwaiti crude dropped to $80.94 per ing a deal to purchase 10 777-300ER passen- Sept 24: Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society barrel. ger aircraft from manufacturer Boeing to sent aid convoy of 33 trucks for the relief of Nov 14: Kuwaiti crude declined to $73.53 per upgrade its fleet. Palestinian people to the occupied territories. barrel. Nov 14: Kuwait offered five million euro to Municipality Albania to support government reformation Electricity and water Jan 9: Kuwait Municipality destroyed four program. Jan 21: The Ministry of Water and Electricity tons of food unfit for consumption. Nov 25: Kuwait donated $1 million to The new Kuwaiti Dinar banknotes. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 LOCAL

kuwait digest Kuwait not an execution yard

By Mudaffar Abdullah

he Kuwaiti society has had its special identity and characteristics throughout history, which Tincludes tolerance and embracing those oppressed for political or religious reasons. Those traits helped digest all regional and international political, cultural and civilization developments that started at our borders by mid 1950s and reached a peak in the 1960s. I am mentioning this because some people seem to insist on defaming this soci- ety’s identity that later affected the state’s identity as a peaceful state. These concepts were manifested in the modern constitution promulgated in 1962. The problem lies in attempts to yield state estab- lishments to such bizarre undesirable tendencies such as a job vacancy ad requiring recruitment of new staff at the ministry of interior with a condition that the applicants are Muslims, some legislators’

This is nothing related to the Kuwaiti spirit and traditions that melded into one system of ethics and mutual conduct during times of need and poverty and continued after discovering oil. attempts to impose the death penalty on those dis- cussing religious issues, the death penalty for envi- ronmental pollution and the provocative fatwas by some scholars against celebrating a joyous occasion by a large segment of Christians in Kuwait, be them expats or citizens, that is Christmas! This is nothing related to the Kuwaiti spirit and kuwait digest traditions that melded into one system of ethics and mutual conduct during times of need and poverty and continued after discovering oil. Setting up guil- lotines, spreading hatred against non-Muslims and Students’ performance expats and imposing harsher penalties for actions that are already penalized by prison terms by law are not worthy of Kuwait’s reputation. I believe that harsh legislations do much damage in exams is below par to the image of a very tiny country that has a very limited impact on this unstable world and that any official responsible for setting laws must realize that By Dr Shamlan Y Al-Essa we are a member in a world represented by interna- tional organizations seeking the best for all mankind espite the efforts and major spend- spread of cheating during exams? And law strictly and forcefully. At the universi- and cries of students began, although (relief, development, educational and health organi- ing on education by the govern- how can education be rescued from its ty for example, we have instructions to warnings are sent to them each time they zations, for instance). Dment, graduates of all stages are general state of deterioration? There is ban students from sitting for exams if are absent. After negotiations, I allowed I was very pleased, and have always been, to see very weak and below the required stan- not a single reason for the spread of they were absent from lectures for more them to sit for the exams, but it is not pos- many Christians flock to churches in Kuwait City, dards. I personally faced crises in my cheating during exams, because cheating than six hours, but students are allowed sible to give 10 degrees for attending and because this scene truly reflects the good-natured attempt to grade students’ exam papers interacting. The results of the test were this term as test results were very weak very low because of the absence and neg- Kuwaiti spirit we are talking about. I also believe the due to the strict supervision during the Reports in local papers about the spread of ligence of university rules. state must respond to their demands for expansion exams and variation of questions, and the We return to the spread of cheating and securing their congregations. highest grade for a student was 35 out of cheating and its types during exams, say- phenomena in schools and how can it be Finally, going back to conditioning Islam to be 100. I thought maybe I am a bad teacher treated, in a study issued by the minister’s appointed in MoI’s investigations department, I and my teaching is weak, but I found my ing that students resort to modern commu- office in July 1987. The recommendation would like to recall that we had trusted non-Muslims colleagues and professors at the university on page 22 calls to “develop the examina- before the 1980s and that we now have a group of confirming to me that students’ perform- nications, confirmed what we previously tions department so it becomes a special- Christian Kuwaitis. So, how can such a condition be ance in the exams is below par. ized integrated system that participates in set for appointment in a state establishment? I hope Here, we were sure that the reason is knew and feel during our university teach- setting the policy of guiding students, I will not hear the usual superficial answer by those due to the graduates of secondary educa- and investigates the levels of their gains who pretend to love Kuwait of: “You know, the place tion. The question is how students who ing that the standard of education in the and other aspects of their educational is very sensitive!” were admitted with an 80 percent aver- process”. It also coordinates between vari- —Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Jarida. age at the social science college cannot ous corrective processes and building and read and write Arabic language correctly. secondary and intermediate stages is very developing curricula. Reports in local papers about the difficult and below the internationally Finally, the issue of cheating during kuwait digest spread of cheating and its types during exams is a social issue. What do we expect exams, saying that students resort to from members of a society in which cor- modern communications, confirmed required level. International reports ruption, lies, bribes and lack of loyalty is Matrimonial what we previously knew and feel during widespread! His Highness the Amir was our university teaching that the standard proved this fact by publishing math results. right when he said in 2004 that the respon- of education in the secondary and inter- sibility of education is societal, and its problems mediate stages is very difficult and below responsibility is that of the society and the internationally required level. is a natural result of the deteriorating to be absent for three hours of lectures in education ministry. Our curricula were not By Abdul Mohsen Al-Meshari International reports proved this fact by ethics and values in the society. case of illness. We attempted to apply updated since the reign of late Sheikh publishing math results. Corruption that is widespread in the these instructions this term, and discov- Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. So true, Abu The question - who is responsible for country at all levels is a natural result of ered that a large number of students will Nasser. — Translated by Kuwait Times from nce upon a time, a young wife went to her Al-Watan. mother complaining how hard her life had the deterioration of education and the toleration, fluidity and not applying the be banned, and here is where the shouts Obecome and expressed her wish to give up and end her marriage because she was tired of fighting and resisting. “Whenever I solve one problem, a new one emerges,” said the young lady. Without saying a word, kuwait digest the mother escorted her daughter into the kitchen where she filled three pots with water and put them on a stove with a carrot in the first one, an egg in the sec- Sick leave exceeds more ond and some ground coffee in the third. Silently, they both watched the three pots come to a boil, then after ten minutes, the mother turned off the gas. She put the carrot on a plate, the egg on than half a million in 2014 another and poured the coffee in a cup, then turned to her daughter. “Tell me what you see,” she asked, and the daughter spontaneously said, “a carrot, an egg and coffee”. Bringing the plates and the cup clos- By Waleed Al-Ghanim er, the mother asked her daughter to feel the carrot, round 192,000 employees their salaries halal or haram. There are doctors who are taking it easy in granti- problem lie? The Civil Service which she did and found that it had softened. The mother asked her to peel the egg and the applied for sick leaves in 2014 to also some who find it easy to get a sick ng their friends or in exchange of servic- Commission prepared a system to daughter noticed that the egg had solidified. The Atake advantage of nearly three leave even if they are not sick to travel, es from employees at their place of deduct salaries for sick leaves after mother finally asked her to have a sip of coffee. The million workdays at a financial cost that study or to escape the duties of their job work sick leaves, apart from selling sick exceeding 15 days per year, but this did daughter did so smiling to the nice fragrance of the exceeded KD 57 million, while the num- not stop employees. rich coffee. “What are we getting at mom?” asked the ber of sick leaves that are registered at The commission committed govern- daughter. Her mother wisely explained that the three primary care centers, government and An employee needs sick leaves, and there ment departments to the fingerprint items had been put under the same circumstances - in private hospitals, clinics and general is no doubt that some employees only system, but did not succeed in brining boiling water - and that each of them reacted differ- medical council reached one 1,916,000. attendance under control - rather it ently to the same stimulant. Statistics of the Civil Service resort to sick leaves when needed and for caused traffic jams. The commission “The hard carrot softened when boiled and the Commission show that this huge num- issued decisions that organize supervi- fragile egg hiding behind a shell protecting it solidi- ber of sick leaves exceeded the num- actual illness, and this makes their salaries sory jobs, but courts were full with fied, while the coffee was different because despite bers registered in 2013 by more than administrative contestations and cases. being boiled in water, it managed to change the half a million days, which means that halal or haram. There are also some who What does all this administrative chaos water’s quality,” explained the mother, asking her the descending sick leave system put find it easy to get a sick leave even if they in many of the state departments indi- daughter which of them she would like to be. She in place did work to limit this growing cate? asked how she would respond to various variables. phenomenon. I call upon officials of are not sick to travel, study or to escape the I believe that it is very clear that the “Are you a carrot, an egg or coffee?” she asked. the commission to re-discuss the rea- subject is not related to the laws, deci- Accordingly, people around us belong to these sons behind this, and is it true that duties of their job without thinking about sions and rules, as much as it does with three categories. Some of them can be easily defeated some ministries do not implement sick ethics and trust and making a living in and yield to various types of pressure. Others get leave decisions limiting the number of the sanctity of the salary they receive in addition to loyalty to the country and tougher the more they go through hardships as if they say ‘a blow that does not kill me makes me days an employee can take per year, exchange of this flagrant forgery. sincerity in public service. If those prin- stronger’. They just like that egg. A third group is and favor its employees without justifi- ciples and values return, then respect always capable of adapting and making the best of cation? for work and the job return, and bogus everything. They impose their own traits and ‘flavor’ An employee needs sick leaves, and without thinking about the sanctity of leaves that is taking place in some pri- sick leaves and manipulation of finger- just like the coffee did to the water. Which type do you there is no doubt that some employees the salary they receive in exchange of vate clinics and hospitals, where the sick prints and the administrative corruption belong to, dear reader?! only resort to sick leaves when needed this flagrant forgery. The blame is on leave is delivered to your home for a set will drop. — Translated by Kuwait Times — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Jarida. and for actual illness, and this makes these employees only, but also on some price. The question: Where does the from Al-Qabas. LOCAL WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 Top hotels, restaurants not to hold New Year’s events

By Nawara Fattahova ers. Not mentioning Kuwait Towers, which is the not any better. A luxury hotel on the seaside is national symbol and landmark of Kuwait that has only offering an international buffet dinner KUWAIT: Spending New Year’s Eve in Kuwait? been closed for several years. It was expected without music for KD 25, or for the same price, You won’t find much to do, especially after that the Towers will be opened to the public in a BBQ night at their outdoor restaurant with many restaurants and companies decided to the New Year, but this is not happening. sheesha. Another hotel downtown is offering a ignore this occasion, although they usually A popular Lebanese international restaurant buffet dinner with a DJ for KD 25 per person. have some programs for this night. on the seaside was known for many years for While another hotel in Shuwaikh has a bit For instance, the Touristic Enterprises holding special programs on this night, but it wider selection of restaurants with prices Company is not organizing any special activity disappointed its customers this year by decid- between KD 15 to 30 depending on the venue. for New Year’s Eve at any of the sea clubs or other ing not to hold any kind of celebration at any They offer a special buffet or set menu, a places including the Musical Fountain and oth- of its branches. The situation at the hotels is countdown and live music in addition to New Year decorations and a big screen to mark the KUWAIT: MOI’s Undersecretary, Lt General, Sulieman Al-Fahad yesterday received countdown in an open-air terrace. Some were the special forces protection department manager, Colonel Khaled Saleh Abalkhail already fully booked yesterday. who introduced a booklet about his department’s achievements. At public places, what seems a little differ- ent is a two-hour cruise near the bay with a special New Year’s Eve buffet. This is available for KD 25 per person as well. It should include dinner, DJ and a countdown. Those who love dancing have to go to pri- vate events. Desert camps, chalets, and flats are all very popular for holding private parties. As they are private, everything is allowed. But flats in residential areas should not be extra noisy or disturb neighbors, as the police may turn up and spoil the night. Chalets and camps are in far-flung areas so they feel freer, but the Ministry of Interior has announced they are prepared to check these areas to prevent ille- gal acts. Many people have decided to travel so they can enjoy more freedom, and nearby destina- tions are the best choice for this short holiday. Others prefer to spend New Year’s Eve at home watching TV. CBK contributes in equipping two classes at Nour Joint School

KUWAIT: Out of emphasizing CBK’s role in community services, the bank recently contributed in repairing two classes at Al-Nour Joint School for girls; a subsidiary of the special education schools. In this regard, CBK’s PR and media department’s assistant manager, Amani Al-wer’a stressed that CBK was keen on communicating with various society groups, especially those with special needs who come on top of the bank’s social initiatives’ priorities. On her part, the school direc- tor, Fareeda Al-Ajmi expressed gratitude and appreciation of CBK’s efforts and patronage of stu- dents with special needs in gener- al, and those at Al-Nour school in particular. KSC honors Repatriation of farmer birth, death KUWAIT: Kuwait Science registrations to the UK Club (KSC) honored farmer Nasser Al-Azmi, the owner KUWAIT: From 14 January 2015, UK processing time will remain the same. of a 100,000-sidra tree birth registrations and death registra- However, you will now need to allow seedlings project, in recog- tions in Kuwait will transfer from the extra time for the documents to be sent nition of his contribution to British Embassy in Kuwait to the to and from the UK. afforestation in the country. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Please see www.gov.uk/register-a- The honoring ceremony (FCO) in the UK. birth orwww.gov.uk/register-a-death was attended by KSC There are no changes to the entitle- for further information, or check the Secretary-General Ali- ment to register a birth or death. The attached FAQs. Khathem Al-Jomaa, and KSC director for bees researches Waleed Al- Mullah, besides the club members. The honoring of farmer Nasser Al-Azmi came in gratitude to his distin- guished project of distrib- uting 100,000 sidra tree seedlings for free, in order to be planted in various parts of the country, Al- Jomaa said. KSC will cooperate with Al-Azmi in the future on that matter, and will organ- ize training courses in the field of agriculture, besides opening a new department for hydroponics. — KUNA Kuwait to levy overflight fees

KUWAIT: The General Directorate for Civil Aviation Chairman Fawaz Abdulaziz Al-Farah announced that the Directorate will start collect- ing overflight fees from civil- ian planes using Kuwaiti air- space as of Thursday, January 1. Al-Farah told KUNA that most world countries collect these tariffs in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) policies. He noted that the ministerial decree No. 100 of 2014, issued on 18 December, determined the value of fees at KD 40 for a plane that uses the Kuwaiti airspace. The decree has excluded the planes which are making flights starting from and ending at Kuwait International Airport, he said. Al-Farah pointed out that the levying of the new charges goes in harmony with the government approach to diversify and increase nation- al income sources. The charges are collected for benefiting from the air navigation services provided by Kuwait International Airport to planes flying over Kuwait, he stated. —KUNA WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 LOCAL Crime Report Owners of wild animals Girl asks police to arrest her and dogs to be arrested

KUWAIT: In a strange incident, as soon as the judge deliv- ered his verdict, a girl present at the criminal court hearing No wild animals, dogs on beaches or public places walked up to a security officer asking him to take her to prison quickly. “Come take me to jail, the judge sentenced By Faten Omar and scare people. The owners will be taken me to four years,” she said. When the officer asked about to the police station and the animal will be her motives, the girl said that she was the person the judge KUWAIT: Maj Gen Abdul Fattah Al-Ali has confiscated. had just sentenced to four years with labor for trading in issued an order to all policemen to arrest Alinka Lisyk, a bulldog owner, was and using drugs and showed her ID, asking him to check anyone with wild dogs or wild animals, upset. “He deported many humans, now he the cases and match them with her name. The girl was whether they are citizens or expatriates. He wants to deport dogs! This is not fair,” she referred to the verdict execution department. Notably, the said the order is in response to popular exclaimed. “It’s really sad to read such girl had been arrested selling and abusing drugs near the demand after the spread of feral dogs in things. Since they didn’t specify any breeds, interior ministry’s headquarters. crowded areas and jogging tracks beside I bet they will consider my dog ‘King beaches, and instructed security officers to Charles’ a wild dog. I love walking my dogs deal with any complaints in this regard. No in this season by the seaside. It’s frustrating. Female arrested entering Palace of Justice wild animals or wild dogs can now be tak- This was really one of the best getaways. Another girl was arrested on entering the Palace of en to beaches or public places, as some Now even our dogs won’t enjoy Kuwait,” Justice carrying a bag full of drugs, said security people are taking these animals to brag she added. sources. Case papers indicate that a girl who had been “My dog is a small one, but they should arrested with an unlicensed gun was on her way to the find a solution or an investor to build a pet court to attend a hearing while carrying a bag full of park near the seaside,” said dog-owner drugs. A case was filed and the suspect was referred to Raghda Al-Saaed. “For 7 years, I have been the drug control department. walking my husky by the beach and in my neighborhood. And it is kind to those who will not be followed. “Walking is the most much easier to train. A dog that is not are kind to him. This is one law that many important part of a dog’s health. In the walked often could become anxious, Terrified residents see lion will not follow for sure,” believed Amber wild, dogs roam for miles every day and bored, nervous or destructive, or could With the story of the lion that fatally injured a citizen’s Wilkinson. that natural instinct to roam is still present exhibit any number of behavior problems housemaid still fresh in their minds, Rumaithiya residents in all dogs. If they really need to make such in an effort to fulfill its basic instinctual were terrified on seeing a wild animal they believed it was Furious a rule, they should order owners of wild needs. Walking should be the first step in a lion. Accordingly, policemen received several calls Abduallah Fakhri was furious. “Now dogs to muzzle them. But banning wild solving any behavioral problem. requesting protection until the area’s co-op chairman where do I take my dog? I’ve been in animals is a good decision. In addition, our Most experts agree that an appropriate calmed everybody down explaining that the animal was Kuwait for 18 years and I’m thinking of leav- apartments in Kuwait are too small to walk daily walk should be a minimum of 30-45 nothing but a lion-like dog belonging to a citizen. ing because of this. Every head of the min- a dog - we don’t even have a yard,” he said. minutes, preferably all at once, but could istry wants to be famous these days by Experts say a regular walking routine be split into shorter walks throughout the increasing fuel prices, issuing new rules for with dogs can result in a happy, healthy, day. A dog that is left alone for hours dur- S Lankan commits suicide expats, visit visa for KD 100 and now dogs!” confident and calm dog that is much less ing the day, even in a large yard, may not In a suicide incident, an Indian reported finding a Wahab Al-Fahad explained why this rule likely to exhibit behavior problems and be a well-behaved dog at night. Sri Lankan girl dead at her house in Jleeb, said security sources, noting that the initial examination of the body showed that the deceased had committed suicide by consuming pesticide.

Half a kilo hashish seized A wanted stateless person was arrested with the half a kilo of hashish, a bag of meth and some psychotropic pills, said security sources. Case papers indicate that a police patrol asked the man to pull over in Hawally, but he refused and drove off, starting a chase trough Rumaithiya that ended up in Salwa, where backup forces were dis- patched and helped arrest him.

16-year-old daughter missing A citizen reported that his 16-year-old daughter had been missing for two days, said security sources, noting that the man said that he kept calling her mobile with nobody answering until it went ‘out of the coverage area’. A case was filed.

Thief smashes vehicle’s window A citizen reported that an unidentified robber smashed KUWAIT: Member of Parliament Rakan Al-Nisf, TEC’s Beaches and Sea Clubs Department Director Jassim Al-Shumais, Director of Operations and Patrols in Mubarak Al-Kabeer his vehicle’s side window and stole a briefcase with some Governorate Lt Colonel Nayef Al-Hajraf, Massiela Beach Supervisor Mohammad Al-Ablani saw the first line fighting contest come to a close. The contest was organized by Fahaheel documents and KD 6,000 in cash in it, said security sources. Sea Club members in cooperation with Touristic Enterprises Company. 85 teams participated and Rashid Al-Dousari team finished first and received gifts worth KD 4,200, Ali Karam A case was filed and further investigations are in progress. team took second place and gifts worth KD 2,509 while Ali Shammali team won third place and largest fish and received gifts worth KD 2,000, The closing ceremony included a popu- lar show by a Kuwaiti band, as contests wee conducted for the crowd and gifts were distributed. A boat and sea equipment show was organized also.

Bedoon arrested for planting marijuana A bedoon was arrested for planting marijuana saplings in his home in Mangaf, said security sources, noting that another bedoon roommate managed to escape arrest. The sources added that on searching the flat, detectives found two marijuana saplings and 30 gm of meth.

5,000 military uniforms and stolen diesel seized

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

KUWAIT: Criminal detectives noticed a trailer parked for several days in an open yard in Sharq, so it was placed under surveillance, until a person came to move it. When he was asked why it was parked there, he seemed con- NBK Family celebrating with children. fused. When the truck was searched, 5,000 military uni- forms were found in it. The uniforms were brought in from a Gulf country and were headed to an Arab country. NBK family shares New Year’s happy The uniforms were released from land customs using customs documents, and four Gulf nationals are involved. moments with kids at NBK Hospital A man was sent to Qashaniya police station when he was caught with a truck loaded with 10,000 liters of stolen KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait’s (NBK) and support for those in need, including diesel. The suspect said that he agreed with a bedoon to family paid a visit to NBK Hospital at Sabah children. NBK’s commitment to shoulder its move a portacabin, but when he arrived, he was threat- Medical district to share New Year’s happy corporate social responsibility was the basic ened with a knife and pistol to drive the truck with the moments with children. motive that led NBK to build its children diesel. “NBK staff have always devoted a consid- hospital at Sabah Medical district many erable part of their time to comfort children years ago,” Al Qatami added. and present them with felicitations and gifts The visit to the hospital was emotional as part of NBK’s corporate social responsibili- and overwhelming for both the children and ty program”, said NBK Public Relations NBK family. NBK’s visits to hospitals and care Officer, Maryam Al Qatami. centers reflect the Bank’s high sense of duty “Sharing the happy moments of New and responsibility towards all those in need Year and other similar occasions with chil- from different sectors of society. It is a well dren is our pleasure. We are proud that NBK rooted tradition that has been carried out by devotes such attention to supporting NBK each year in its efforts to continuously Kuwait society and providing compassion have an active role in the Kuwait society.

Diving team warns of boat traffic near Jaber Bridge

KUWAIT: Kuwait Diving Team, of the the high level of seabed underneath, which The team explained that the northern marine traffic. The team also urged the site Environment Voluntary Charity, warned all resulted from land reclamation at the site island area varies between 50-100 square construction company to make sure the sea users of sailing near the northern island and stressed that this might be dangerous meters in addition to the presence of large site was surrounded by barriers to prevent at the Jaber bridge project site because of for various ships and boats. concrete poles that may be hazardous to the seabed burial area to expand. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 Gambia foils coup bid

BANJUL, Gambia: A group of disaffect- went off air for several hours and state ed soldiers launched a foiled coup bid in television was suspended. Jammeh’s pre- The Gambia yesterday while the presi- cise whereabouts remained unclear. dent was abroad, military and diplomatic Gambian officials said the president was sources said. Forces loyal to President on a private visit to Dubai and foreign Yahha Jammeh, who has ruled the small diplomats said he was in France, but an west African nation for 20 years, killed official in Paris said there was no sign he three suspects including the alleged was in the country. Opposition politician ringleader - an army deserter, a military Sheikh Sidya Bayo told a private officer said. The officer, speaking to AFP Senegalese radio station that the unrest from Bissau, said the deserter named as was “the start of a mutiny that changed” Lamin Sanneh led a heavily-armed attack into a bid to topple Jammeh. with another six men on the presidential Three of the suspected coup plotters palace in the capital Banjul. were killed and another captured by The predawn assault triggered panic Jammeh’s forces, but there was no confir- Yahya Jammeh in the tropical city, while national radio mation of an overall death toll from the fighting. “Police and the army are now entirely in control of the situation,” the military offi- cer told AFP on condition of anonymity. A Gambian diplo- mat said the presidential palace in the heart of the small city on the Gambia river was attacked at around 3:00 am (0300 GMT), by armed men including members of the presidential guard. “They wanted to overthrow the regime,” a military source told AFP, while a Western diplomat said a coup attempt has “apparently been foiled”. Army patrols urged people to return home and remain calm.

History of Coup Plots The former head of military police, Jammeh, 49, has ruled the largely rural nation of some 1.8 million people with a firm hand since 1994, when he came to power in a coup that toppled founding leader Sir Dawda Jawara. Jammeh first led an armed forces provision- al ruling council that suspend- ed the constitution of the for- mer British colony. In 1996, he went on to win a presidential election, aged just 31, amid allegations of fraud. Jawara’s ouster on the grounds of endemic corruption and poli- cies that undermined demo- cratic institutions and caused social unrest, but Jammeh’s foes challenge his own demo- cratic record. Since the young soldier took power and donned the flowing robes of a civilian chief, his regime has claimed to have foiled a suc- cession of coup plots in murky circumstances. — AFP p8_Layout 1 12/30/14 9:03 PM Page 1

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Court to hear jailed Jazeera reporters’ appeal

CAIRO: Egypt’s top court hears an lite news broadcaster’s English service Brotherhood and spreading “false infor- The reporters were arrested when port” to Sisi. Two days later, Al-Jazeera appeal today by three jailed Al-Jazeera were arrested in December 2013 in a mation” after the army ousted Islamist Egypt and the Gulf state of Qatar were at announced the surprise closure of its journalists as expectations of their case that triggered global outrage. president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013. loggerheads after Morsi was removed Egyptian channel, which had consistent- release grew amid a thawing of Cairo’s Greste and Fahmy each got seven The Brotherhood, which saw great elec- by then army chief and now President ly criticised Cairo since Morsi’s ouster. ties with Qatar, the channel’s base. years, and Mohamed was jailed for 10. In toral success after the fall of long-time Abdel Fattah al-Sisi following mass “The warming of Cairo-Doha relations Australian Peter Greste, Egyptian- June, the reporters, who authorities say leader Hosni Mubarak in 2011, has since protests against his one-year rule. Ties could be a consideration in influencing Canadian Mohamed Fahmy and lacked proper accreditation, were jailed been declared a “terrorist organisation” worsened when Qatar, a key backer of the judge’s decision on Thursday,” said Egyptian Baher Mohamed of the satel- for aiding the blacklisted Muslim in Egypt. the Muslim Brotherhood, repeatedly Mustapha Kamel Al-Sayyid, professor of “The Court of Cassation could order a denounced Sisi’s overthrow of Morsi, political science at the University of retrial, issue a new verdict or acquit the and Cairo accused Al-Jazeera of biased Cairo. defendants,” said Fahmy’s defence coverage of the Islamist’s ouster and the “No one can be sure, but it is quite lawyer Negad Al-Borai, adding that the government crackdown that followed. likely the final result will be the release appeal could even be dismissed. The At least 1,400 people have died in the of the journalists. How and when that three, who on Monday completed one crackdown, mostly in August last year happens is another issue,” H A Hellyer of year in prison, could also be freed on when police broke up two pro-Morsi the Centre for Middle East Policy at the bail if a retrial is ordered, he said. protest camps in Cairo. Thousands more Brookings Institution in Washington told Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop have been jailed and dozens sentenced AFP. Sisi himself has said he would have on Monday downplayed speculation of to death after often speedy mass trials. preferred the journalists had been a release, saying there had been mixed “Their arrest was a settling of political deported rather than tried. signals from Egyptian authorities. scores between Egypt and Qatar,” Borai Greste and Fahmy were arrested at said of the three journalists. Thursday’s their makeshift office in a Cairo hotel Grounds for Appeal hearing comes as ties between Qatar where the authorities said they were Greste’s parents told ABC in Australia and Egypt improve following mediation working without mandatory accredita- they were hopeful the three would soon by Saudi Arabia, a key Sisi backer. Last tion. The same court today will also be released, saying they had “confidence month, Qatar joined its Gulf neighbours examine appeals of four Egyptian co- in the integrity of the Egyptian appeals in supporting Egypt under Sisi in an defendants in the case, who were jailed system”. Rallies in support of the three attempt to end Doha’s regional isolation for seven years for belonging to a “ter- CAIRO: A file picture taken on June 23, 2014 at the police institute near Cairo’s were held in London and The Hague on over its backing for the Brotherhood. rorist” organisation and for “damaging Tora prison shows Al-Jazeera news channel’s Australian journalist Peter Greste Monday. Al-Jazeera’s appeal cited “flaws Surprise Closure the image of Egypt”. Eleven other defen- (left) and his colleagues, Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Fadel Fahmy (center) in the arrest procedure” and “the fact And on Dec 20 Cairo told a Qatari dants tried in absentia, including one and Egyptian Baher Mohamed, listening to the verdict inside the defendants’ that evidence presented in court did not envoy it was ready for a “new era” with Dutch and two British journalists, were cage during their trial. —AFP marry with the charges”. Doha, as the emirate offered its “full sup- given 10-year sentences. —AFP Top Shabab official killed in US strike

MOGADISHU: A top intelligence official Zakariya had left the movement more than with Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-affliated Shabab a year ago, before Godane’s death and rebels was killed in a US air strike yesterday, before Ahmad Umar Abu Ubaidah was Somalia’s government said. “In a joint oper- appointed as the new leader, and that he ation last night by the Somali national was of little value as a source of up-to-date security and the United States, Al-Shabab intelligence. intelligence chief Abdishakur, also known Despite the claim to have killed the as Tahlil, who replaced the recently arrested head of Shabab’s feared intelligence wing, former chief, was eliminated,” Somalia’s known as Amniyat, who is actually in National Security Agency said in a state- charge of the unit - which is responsible for ment yesterday. “Two other Shabab mem- the group’s internal security and rooting bers also died in the attack,” it said, adding out dissidents and informers - remains the air strike took place near the town of unclear. A militant called Mahad Mohamed Saacow, 320 km west of the capital Ali, also known as Karate, had previously Mogadishu and in the Middle Juba region. been identified by intelligence sources as In Washington, the Pentagon had Amniyat chief and had even been tipped as announced overnight that US war planes a potential successor to Godane. The had carried out a strike against a senior Shabab emerged from the Islamic Courts Shabab leader, but did not give the name Union that controlled Mogadishu in 2006 of the person targeted. US military before being pushed out by Ethiopian spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said, forces. however, that he was confident there were The militants were finally driven from no “civilian or bystander casualties”. Last their fixed positions in Mogadishu in week Somali officials announced that 2011, and have lost several strongholds Zakariya Ismail Ahmed Hersi, identified as a in the south and centre of the country in Shabab intelligence chief and the subject a recent offensive by the AU’s AMISOM of a $3 million bounty as part of the US force. The group, however, still controls State Department “Rewards for Justice” pro- vast rural areas from where they launch gram, had given himself up to government regular attacks against AMISOM troops troops and was under arrest. and the country’s internationally-backed He was also said to have been close to government. The United States has no the Shabab’s previous leader Ahmed Abdi permanently deployed ground force in Godane, who was killed by a US air strike in Somalia but supports the government September. The statement from Somalia’s and sometimes deploys air power or National Security Agency said he was now special forces against targets linked to MANAMA: Bahraini protestors run for cover yesterday from tear gas during clashes with riot police following a protest against the arrest of the in their custody. The Shabab, however, said Al-Qaeda. —AFP head of the banned Shiite opposition movement Al-Wefaq Sheikh Ali Salman in Bilad Al-Qadeem. —AFP Palestinians present tougher UN resolution Bahrain oppn leader

UNITED NATIONS: Palestinian envoys pre- Palestinians and the United States were bleak. sented yesterday a more toughly-worded UN Discussions on the draft resolution come remanded in custody draft resolution on statehood that could amid mounting international alarm over the come up for a vote at the Security Council ongoing violence and the failure to restart this week, despite US opposition. The United negotiations. Israeli troops shot dead a 17- States again rejected the text that would year-old Palestinian boy in the occupied West New clashes erupt pave the way to a Palestinian state by setting Bank during a stone-throwing incident a 12-month deadline to reach a final peace Monday near the northern city of Nablus, DUBAI: Bahrain’s opposition leader was remand- hands of the people,” it said. ing superpowers to intervene in Bahrain to sup- deal and calling for a full Israeli withdrawal by sources on both sides said. ed in custody yesterday for seeking to change the Salman’s arrest Sunday triggered clashes port him in his bid to change the regime.” The the end of 2017. regime by force, prompting cries of “tyrannical between police and protesters in Shiite villages prosecution continued questioning Salman yes- Arab ambassadors endorsed the text, US Opposes Resolution rule” and sparking fresh clashes between his sup- outside the capital Manama, during which securi- terday and presented him with “recordings of his which contains new provisions on declaring US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to porters and police. Sheikh Ali Salman, head of the ty forces fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators, incitements, which justified violence and threats,” East Jerusalem the capital of a Palestinian Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Shiite movement Al-Wefaq, was charged on and which carried on into the next day. Mahmud said. state, settling the issue of Palestinian prisoner Sunday about the latest Palestinian push at Monday by authorities in the tiny Sunni-ruled Meanwhile, the justice and Islamic affairs min- releases and halting Jewish settlements. the United Nations. “We don’t think this reso- nation, where the opposition boycotted a ‘Don’t Mix Religion, Politics’ istry warned Al-Wefaq against using mosques Security Council member Jordan submitted lution is constructive,” said Jeff Rathke, a November parliamentary election that it dis- Police again fired tear gas yesterday during and religion for political purposes. Al-Wefaq’s the text to the other council members, but no State Department spokesman. “We don’t missed as a farce. The prosecution said yesterday clashes with young protesters gathered outside “implication of clerics in politics is a dangerous decision on the timing for a vote was taken. believe this resolution... advances the goal of the cleric would remain in custody for seven days the cleric’s house in a Shiite suburb of the capital, deviation from the principles of political work,” a “Both our leaderships will be discussing, to a two-state solution.” The new resolution pending further investigation. and witnesses said five people were wounded. statement said, while urging the group to find the best way and the best timing to vote seen by AFP contains eight amendments, Bahrain has been gripped by sporadic violence Violence was also reported in other villages. It “respect the law”. Strategically located just across on the Security Council resolution,” Jordanian including a new provision recalling that since the authorities crushed month-long pro- came after Salman was re-elected as party leader the Gulf from Iran, Bahrain is home to the US Ambassador Dina Kawar told reporters. Israel’s West Bank barrier was declared illegal democracy protests led by Al-Wefaq in 2011. At on Friday. The prosecution said Monday that Navy’s Fifth Fleet, and Britain announced plans Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour said the and demanding an end to Israeli settlement least 89 people have been killed since then in Salman, 49, had been charged with “promoting earlier this month to build a naval base of its own vote could “realistically” take place yesterday. construction in the Palestinian territories and clashes with security forces, and hundreds arrest- regime change by force, threats and illegal means there. The draft resolution was formally presented East Jerusalem. ed and put on trial, human rights groups say. Al- and of insulting the interior ministry publicly.” The authorities have rejected Al-Wefaq’s to the council on Dec 17, but the United It remained unclear if the Palestinians Wefaq denounced Salman’s detention, saying it Prosecutor Nayef Mahmud said in a statement demand for an elected prime minister to States quickly rejected the text over would seek a quick vote or hold off until “entrenches the tyrannical rule in Bahrain and that Salman was also accused of inciting people replace the current government dominated by Palestinian insistence that deadlines be set. January 1, when five new members with a closes all doors for a political solution”. “This to break the law and of “hatred towards a seg- the ruling royal family. After Al-Wefaq The Palestinians had said they were open to pro-Palestinian stance join the Security behaviour is dangerous and reflects the magni- ment of the people”, an allusion to Sunni Muslims announced that it would boycott the November negotiations on the text and Jordan began Council. Diplomats said it was unlikely that tude of the political crisis between the regime who are a minority in the Shiite-majority king- election, a court banned the movement from talks on a measure that could garner a con- the resolution would garner nine votes under and the people, and shows that Bahrain needs a dom. The prosecutor said police also suspect activities for three months for violating the law sensus among the 15 council members. the current makeup of the council - a sce- political plan under which power would be in the Salman of calling for foreign interference by “urg- on associations. —AFP But the latest push showed that prospects nario that would allow the United States to for a resolution that would satisfy both the avoid resorting to its veto power.—AFP Turkey graft probe prosecutors suspended

ISTANBUL: Turkey’s top judicial body has sus- his more than decade-long leadership, as a ture of him. Her tweets were no longer public pended four prosecutors who initiated a high- coup attempt orchestrated by his former ally, yesterday and could not be verified. reaching corruption investigation that targeted U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, to undermine But her arrest raised concerns among the inner circle of President Tayyip Erdogan, his rule. In July, the High Council of Judges and Erdogan’s opponents who accuse him of grow- local media reported yesterday. The corruption Prosecutors (HSYK) launched an investigation ing increasingly authoritarian and intolerant of probe, which became public with raids on Dec into the work of the four prosecutors facing dissent. The Turkish leader’s reaction to the 17 last year, led to the resignation of three min- accusations including making political com- graft inquiry - tightening control of the isters and prompted Erdogan to purge the state ments on Twitter and detaining suspects with- Internet, banning Twitter for two weeks and apparatus, reassigning thousands of police and out concrete information. They will remain sus- carrying out a purge in the bureaucracy - has hundreds of judges and prosecutors. pended until the investigation is completed, drawn international criticism. He has also Zekeriya Oz, Istanbul’s former deputy chief local media said yesterday. pushed for new legislation which has brought prosecutor, and three other prosecutors who Separately, a journalist was detained by the HSYK, the body responsible for appointments, worked on the corruption probe were taken off police over comments made on Twitter regard- transfers, expulsions and promotions of the the case weeks after the police raids in which ing the corruption scandal, local media report- country’s top judicial figures, under the control dozens, including the children of former minis- ed. Police carried out a search in her home. “Do of the justice minister. The council had been BAITA: Palestinian mourners carry the body of Omam Dwekat, a 17-year-old ters, were detained. New prosecutors were not forget the name of the prosecutor who dis- seen by Erdogan and his supporters, as a body Palestinian who was shot dead by Israeli troops the day before, during his funeral assigned following their removal, who have missed December 17 case,” Kabas said on where Gulen devotees wielded influence over yesterday in this West Bank village just outside Nablus. The teenager was killed dur- dropped the charges in October. Twitter according to a screen shot of her Twitter the judicial process. In an October election, ing a stone-throwing incident near the Tapuah settlement in the occupied West Bank Erdogan portrayed the corruption scandal, feed on local media. She also included the government-backed candidates won most and a 19-year-old was wounded in the same incident.— AFP which posed one of the biggest challenges to name of the prosecutor in her tweet with a pic- seats in HSYK. — Reuters WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Top Bangladesh Islamist sentenced to hang

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s war crimes court to death for rape, mass murder and of independence from Pakistan. A T M Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina creat- conspiracy to murder the Jamaat lead- yesterday sentenced a leading Islamist genocide during the country’s 1971 war Azharul Islam became the 16th person ed the controversial tribunal, a domes- ership,” acting party chief Maqbul and the 11th Islamist to be convicted of tic court with no international or United Ahmed said in a statement, accusing atrocities by the International Crimes Nations oversight, in 2010. It has mostly the government of “arranging false wit- Tribunal, which found him guilty of focused on the trials of the Jamaat lead- ness statements by its party people”. being a key member of a notorious pro- ers who opposed the break-up of Jamaat also called a nationwide strike Pakistan militia. The 62-year-old is the Pakistan and saw the liberation war by today and tomorrow. Previous death assistant secretary general of the Bengalis as a conspiracy by majority- sentences handed down against nation’s largest Islamist party, the Hindu India. The tribunal has also sen- Jamaat leaders, including its supreme Jamaat-e Islami. tenced to death a former minister of and spiritual leaders, plunged “I am innocent!” he shouted as the the main opposition Bangladesh Bangladesh into its deadliest unrest last presiding judge Enayetur Rahim Nationalist Party. year. ordered him to be “hanged by the neck” Secular protesters staged impromp- Thousands of Islamists clashed with for the genocide of more than 1,200 tu “victory” marches in the capital police in nationwide protests over the people in a flood plain in the northern Dhaka and in Rangpur to hail the latest verdicts and other issues and some district of Rangpur. “No doubt, it was verdict. But defence lawyer Tajul Islam 500 people were killed. The BNP and mass murder,” Judge Rahim told a rejected the charges against Islam and Jamaat have called the trials politically packed court, which was blanketed by said his team planned to appeal the motivated, aimed at eliminating oppo- tight security. Those killed included verdict in the Supreme Court. “Azharul sition leaders rather than rendering hundreds of Hindus - a minority in Islam was a 19-year-old student during justice. Rights groups have said they mainly Muslim Pakistan - in one of the the war and in no way was involved in fall short of international standards. worst episodes of the nine-month war. war crime. The charges against him are The government maintains they are The conflict ended with the former East false and fabricated,” the lawyer said. needed to heal the wounds of the war, Pakistan seceding from the regime in Jamaat condemned the verdict, say- which it says left three million people DHAKA: Bangladesh’s Jamaat-e-Islami leader A T M Azharul Islam is taken into a Islamabad, with the help of Indian ing Islam did not get justice. “Islam is a dead. Independent researchers put the van following his verdict at a special court yesterday.— AFP troops, and becoming Bangladesh. victim of the government’s continued toll much lower. —AFP Secret files shed light on Thatcher-Gorbachev talks

LONDON: Classified documents made public colleague Len Appleyard after receiving the yesterday shed light on the political book. courtship between Britain’s Margaret Thatcher and Mikhail Gorbachev - whom she ‘Values Different From Ours’ famously declared she could “do business” Gordievsky’s defection to Britain - he with. After Gorbachev’s first official visit to shook off KGB agents trailing him in Moscow Britain in 1984, four months before he and boarded a train to Finland before being became Soviet leader, Thatcher praised his taken over the border in the boot of an “charm and humour” as both sides sought to embassy car - threatened to cast a major improve East-West relations. The warmth of shadow over improving East-West relations. their relationship even survived one of the The files contain a string of documents about most notorious defections of the Cold War - Gordievsky under the codename HETMAN - double agent Oleg Gordievsky, who had the title used for Cossack military command- been head of the KGB’s London station, in ers - including a letter from Thatcher to 1985. Reagan informing him of the defection on The documents were released by the Sept 6, 1985. National Archives in London under the 30- Britain was concerned about Gordievsky’s year rule, which allows previously secret gov- welfare without his family and pushed for his ernment files to be made public three wife and two daughters to be quietly allowed decades on. Thatcher, who died in 2013, to leave the Soviet Union and join him. The wrote to then US president Ronald Reagan MI6 foreign intelligence agency even got following Gorbachev’s visit. “He is relatively word to their Soviet counterparts that there open in manner and intelligent. He is affable would be a high-profile mass expulsion of and has some charm and humour,” she wrote. KGB agents from London identified by “I certainly found him a man one could do Gordievsky if they did not agree. business with. I actually rather liked him.” But Moscow did not budge. On Sept 7, Despite that positive impression, amid a wave of tit-for-tat diplomatic expul- Gorbachev was also subjected to the “Iron sions, Thatcher wrote to Gordievsky and told Lady’s” legendary sharp tongue. “He was him that Britain would not be pushing NEW YORK: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio finishes speaking at a New York Police Department graduation ceremony at Madison Square clearly not used to the sort of rigorous ques- Moscow for his family to be returned. “We Garden on Monday. — AFP tioning which he got from me on things like had to face up to the reality of the kind of human rights in the Soviet Union,” she people with whom we are dealing and the added. British officials also were struck by his fact that their values are very different from vivacious wife Raisa, who at one point on the ours,” she wrote. “Please do not say that life New York City mayor heckled, trip dropped in to royal jeweller Mappin and has no meaning. There is always hope. And Webb to buy some gold earrings set with we shall do all we can to help you through diamonds and rubies. these difficult days.” Gordievsky’s family Less glamorously, she also sent a book of eventually joined him in 1991, but the years booed at police graduation 500 Belarusian potato recipes to Britain’s of separation had taken their toll and the agriculture minister after the trip, following a marriage soon broke down. The next record- conversation the pair had on the subject. “If ed correspondence between Thatcher and you have anyone who reads Russian and has Gorbachev after Gordievsky’s defection came Some turn backs on de Blasio a fondness for potatoes, we would be happy when he sent her early birthday wishes on to lend it,” wrote senior agriculture ministry October 12 and suggested that their cooper- NEW YORK: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio partner, Wenjian Liu, were taken. Bratton were due to meet the leaders of the civil servant Ivor Llewellyn to Downing Street ation should continue. —AFP drew heckles and boos along with applause After the ceremony, some of the new officers city’s five police unions yesterday, according to when he addressed graduating police cadets on said they appreciated de Blasio’s support. Before the mayor’s public schedule. Monday, two days after thousands of uniformed the mayor had even finished speaking, his press In Los Angeles on Monday, police detained Autopsy shows US cops officers turned their backs on him at a slain office sent journalists an email, apparently pre- one man and were searching for a second after policeman’s funeral. With the city a focal point in pared in advance. It said this was not the first what they said was an unsuccessful sniper attack a national debate over the killings of unarmed time a New York mayor was booed at a police on two police officers in their patrol car on shot black man in back black men by white police, the mayor has been graduation, and cited old news reports about de Sunday night. No one was injured, and it was not struggling to mend the most toxic rift in Blasio’s three predecessors getting similar treat- clear whether the incident was connected to the LOS ANGELES: An unarmed black man killed officer’s handgun and attempted to remove decades between City Hall and the country’s ment. police protests. Officer Liu’s wake was scheduled by Los Angeles police officers was shot three the gun from its holster,” according to a Los biggest police force. Asked whether police had turned their backs for Saturday in Brooklyn and his funeral for times, including once in the back at close Angeles Police Department statement. “The Some booed as the mayor began his speech on other mayors, Marti Adams, a spokeswoman Sunday. The slaying of Ramos and Liu has range, according to his autopsy report. The officer yelled out to his partner that Mr Ford before 884 graduating cadets at Manhattan’s for de Blasio, said she would have to double- become a rallying point for police forces belea- Aug 11 death of Ezell Ford is among a string had his gun. The officer’s partner then fired Madison Square Garden arena. He warmly check. The rift between de Blasio and many in guered by months of demonstrations against of cases in the United States this year in two rounds striking Mr Ford,” the LAPD said. praised the police department. “You will con- the police department preceded his taking police tactics in New York and other cities. which black men have been killed by police “At about the same time, the officer on the front all the problems that plague our society,” office in January. De Blasio made police reform a The demonstrations began in August after a officers under contentious and contested cir- ground while on his back grabbed his back- de Blasio told the new officers. “Problems that theme of his campaign. The rift deepened when white police officer fatally shot an unarmed cumstances. The highly anticipated autopsy, up weapon, reached around Mr Ford and you didn’t create.” A heckler cried out, “You creat- de Blasio expressed qualified support for black man, Michel Brown, 18, in Ferguson, released Monday by the Los Angeles County fired one shot at close range striking Mr Ford ed them!” Some in the audience applauded and protests sparked by the deaths of unarmed Missouri. The shooting and a grand jury’s deci- coroner’s office, showed that Ford was shot in the back.” cheered the outburst. De Blasio, briefly flustered, black men at the hands of white police officers. sion not to indict the officer, Darren Wilson, once in the back, once in the arm and once in continued his speech. Some officers began openly shunning de triggered months of often-violent protests in the abdomen. The wound to his back left a Call for Review A dozen or so audience members turned Blasio after Ramos and Liu were ambushed and the St. Louis suburb. On July 17, Eric Garner, a “muzzle imprint” on his skin, suggesting Ford At a press conference Monday, Los their backs on the mayor, repeating a ges- shot dead as they sat in their squad car in 43-year-old black man, died after New York was shot at very close range. Angeles police Chief Charlie Beck said “there ture by thousands of officers from around Brooklyn. The shooter wrote online that he was police put him in a banned chokehold while Steven Lerman, the lawyer for Ford’s fami- is nothing in the coroner’s report that is the country at Saturday’s funeral for Police avenging the deaths of two unarmed black men arresting him for illegally selling cigarettes. The ly, decried the “horrifying” autopsy report. inconsistent with the version the officer has Officer Rafael Ramos. Police first turned their who died in confrontations with white officers grand jury in that case decided not to indict “What they did to Mr Ford is nothing short of given”. “The officer drew his backup gun and... backs on the mayor a week earlier when he last summer in Ferguson, Missouri, and New the officer who applied the chokehold, Daniel criminal,” Lerman told AFP. Ford, who was 25 shot Mr Ford in very close proximity, probably arrived at the hospital where Ramos and his York. De Blasio and Police Commissioner Bill Pantaleo. —Reuters and apparently suffered from mental illness, causing the muzzle imprint mentioned in the was killed during a confrontation with two coroner’s report,” Beck said. Beck cautioned patrol officers - Sharlton Wampler and that the investigation would take several Antonio Villegas - in southern Los Angeles. At months to complete. Ford’s family and wit- Female bishop linked to US bicycle fatality the time of the incident, Ford was alone, nesses cited by local media deny that Ford unarmed, and walking on the sidewalk. had been aggressive. The autopsy was pub- BALTIMORE: The first female Episcopal bishop in Maryland has The autopsy report does not provide a lished only after residents complained of a been put on leave after she was involved in the hit-and-run narrative of the shooting, but the Los lack of transparency in police investigations death of a bicyclist, her diocese said Monday. Bishop Suffragan Angeles Police Department says the incident and Mayor Eric Garcetti promised to publish it Heather Cook drove off after she struck 41-year-old Tom Palermo unfolded with Wampler and Villegas by the end of the year. Tyler Izen, who heads on a tree-lined residential street in Baltimore on Saturday, then attempting to talk to Ford. He walked away, the main union for LAPD officers, said the drove off. She returned to the scene about 20 minutes later “to however, and was “attempting to conceal his autopsy provides “only one set of facts among take responsibility for her actions,” Bishop Eugene Sutton said in hands”. The officers followed Ford and as one many hundreds being collected and assessed a statement. of them tried to grab him, “Ford grabbed the in the ongoing investigation”.—AFP “Because the nature of the accident could result in criminal charges, I have placed Bishop Cook on administrative leave, effective immediately.” He urged the faithful to “please pray for Mr Palermo, his family and Bishop Cook during this most difficult time.” Palermo was well-known in the Baltimore area for hand- crafting bicycle frames in his own shop, and his death sparked anger among fellow cyclists. “We urge the justice system to hold the driver who killed Tom accountable for her actions,” the Baltimore bicycle advocacy group Bikemore said, as police con- tinued their investigation. Mourners came on bicycles or on foot to lay flowers at the spot where Palermo was struck, on a street with a marked bicycle lane that otherwise had no divider to separate it from motor traf- fic. “It is clear that dedicated bicycle lanes were not enough to keep even an experienced bicycle rider safe,” Bikemore said on its website. New York state native Cook, 58,became Maryland’s first female Episcopal bishop when she was elected bishop suffragan - the second-highest position in the diocese - in May this year. She was among four candidates for the position, all of them women. In 2012, 726 “pedalcylists” - a category that also includes tricycle riders - were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes, LOS ANGELES: Tritobia Ford lights candles on Monday at a memorial for her son Ezell according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Ford, a 25-year-old mentally ill black man, at the site where he was shot and killed by Another 49,000 sustained injuries, the federal agency reported in BALTIMORE: A man stops to look at a memorial on Roland Ave on Monday, two LAPD officers in August.— AFP April. — AFP where a cyclist was struck and killed on Dec 27. —AFP p10 2_Layout 1 12/30/14 7:03 PM Page 1

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Putin foe Alexei Navalny found guilty of fraud

MOSCOW: Alexei Navalny, the anti-cor- sion was abruptly moved forward to the official in the Moscow mayor’s office, vile of all possible verdicts,” Alexei Loopholes ruption campaigner who is a leading foe day before New Year’s Eve, the main holi- said any attempt at a rally would be shut Navalny said outside the court. “The The trial seemed to be full of incon- of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was day in Russia, leading to speculation that down because it has not been sanc- government isn’t just trying to jail its sistencies and loopholes. The company found guilty of fraud and given a sus- authorities wanted to head off protests. tioned, the Interfax news agency report- political opponents - we’re used to it; involved, Yves Rocher, wrote a complaint pended sentence of three and a half Nonetheless, more than 18,000 peo- ed. we’re aware that they’re doing it - but to investigators about the Navalny years yesterday, while his brother was ple have said on Facebook they will take Navalny and his younger brother this time they’re destroying and tortur- brothers’ firm, but its representatives sent to prison. The verdict was sched- part in a protest yesterday evening near Oleg were convicted of defrauding a ing the families of the people who have insisted throughout the trial that uled for next month, but the court ses- the Kremlin. Alexei Mayorov, a security French cosmetics company and given oppose them,” he said, and called for there never were any damages. The the same sentence as each other, but people to attend the protest on Tuesday French executive who wrote the com- Oleg’s was not suspended. The court evening. plaint also left Russia shortly afterward also fined each of them 500,000 rubles The suspended sentence means that and never attended the hearings. (about $8,800) and ordered them to pay it could be converted into a prison term The prosecutors insisted that the some 4 million rubles ($77,000) in dam- at any time, by court order, in the event brothers forced the company “into dis- ages. that Navalny offends again. advantageous contracts” and defrauded Oleg Navalny, the father of two small Navalny has been under house arrest it of 26 million rubles (about $440,000). children and a former executive of the since February and his lawyer Vadim The brothers had both arrived at the state-owned postal service, has never Kobzev told The Associated Press that he courtroom with luggage, indicating they played a role in the Russian opposition will remain there until all appeals by expected to be immediately imprisoned. movement and his imprisonment could either side are exhausted, which could Navalny, a lawyer and popular blogger, echo the Soviet-era practice of punish- take months. rose to prominence with his investiga- ing the relatives of inconvenient people. Independent Moscow-based political tions of official corruption and played a “Aren’t you ashamed of what you’re analyst Masha Lipman said the verdict is leading role in organizing massive anti- doing? You want to punish me even a message to the entire Russian opposi- Putin demonstrations in Moscow in harder?” Alexei Navalny shouted out as tion: “All of you guys are at our mercy.” 2011 and 2012. Judge Yelena Korobchenko handed Lipman said it was clear the Kremlin In a 2013 trial in a different criminal down the sentence for his brother. had decided not to make a martyr out of case, he was found guilty of embezzle- Alexei briefly entered the metal cage Navalny, with the aim “not to consoli- ment and sentenced to prison, but he that his brother was put into after the date the opposition, but to demoralize was released the next day after thou- MOSCOW: Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny’s wife Yulia (right) and his verdict and appeared to be holding back and intimidate it.” sands of people protested in the streets brother Oleg Navalny (center) comfort Alexei at a court in Moscow yesterday. —AFP tears. “This is the most disgusting and of Moscow.—AP

Security beefed up at London royal guard posts

LONDON: Security has been stepped up at Contacted by AFP, the police and the royal guard posts in London including the defense ministry declined to comment on sentry points on Whitehall where tourists security matters. from around the world take pictures of Royal guards, who are soldiers in British stern-faced guardsmen on horseback. cavalry and infantry units, are a popular An armed police officer was seen next to tourist attraction due to their brightly-col- the famous horse guards this week in what ored uniforms, bearskin hats and gleaming British media said was a response to recent helmets. concerns over Islamist militants. The Mail A soldier at Buckingham Palace earlier on Sunday newspaper quoted an officer on this year pointed his bayonet-fixed rifle at a duty at the Horse Guards Parade on member of the public after an argument Whitehall saying: “We are a recent addition erupted at the gates. The soldier left his here. It’s us guarding the Guards.” post to intervene when a man refused to Royal guards were also seen patrolling stop shouting at a police officer manning behind the gates of nearby Clarence House, the gates of the monarch’s London resi- the official residence of heir to the throne dence. Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, instead In January, a man was jailed for 16 of in front of them on a public road as months for trying to storm the palace before. At St James’s Palace, where Queen armed with a knife to complain to the Elizabeth II’s daughter Princess Anne and queen about his welfare payments. granddaughters Princesses Beatrice and The most serious breach at Buckingham Eugenie live, the guards had apparently Palace came in 1982 when unemployed been moved from the main gates to an man Michael Fagan got inside the queen’s inner courtyard. private chambers while she was in bed. British media reported that armed offi- Fagan, who had climbed over the palace cers had also been deployed next to the walls and scaled a drainpipe, spent 10 min- royal guard outside Windsor Castle, anoth- utes talking to the sovereign before she er residence used by the royal family. was able to raise the alarm. —AFP PATRAS: An elderly woman rescued from the fire-struck ferry Norman Atlantic holds her dog as she arrives with other passengers from Italy to port city of Patras yesterday.—AP Polls to ‘determine whether Greece stays in Europe’: PM Greek ferry tragedy turns ATHENS: Greek Prime Minister Antonis but, within hours of the election call on Samaras said yesterday that a snap elec- Monday, the International Monetary Fund tion planned for next month would deter- said it was suspending further bailout pay- to a murder mystery mine whether the country remains part of ments to Greece until a new government the euro-zone. “This struggle will deter- was formed. “Discussions... will resume mine whether Greece stays in Europe,” once a new government is in place, in con- Ship fire claims two more lives Samaras said, as he asked the president to sultation with the European Commission dissolve parliament ahead of an election and the European Central Bank,” said IMF BRINDISI, Italy: Ten passengers dead, dozens the stricken ferry, which caught fire after it left dition,” she said. set for January 25. The looming ballot has spokesman Gerry Rice. unaccounted for and no-one able to say with the Greek port of Patras bound for Italy. In the absence of leadership from the crew, already rattled markets and could revive Greece recently secured a two-month any certainty how many people were on board the intensity of the fire, which made metal sur- fears of the country’s future in the euro- extension to February from its EU-IMF the Norman Atlantic when it burst into flames. A Stowaways faces so hot that shoes were melting, led to a zone. creditors to conclude a fiscal audit that will Greek ferry tragedy in the Adriatic turned into a Officially, 437 people who were on board panic which exposed the worst side of human It was called Monday after lawmakers determine the release of some 7.0 billion murder mystery yesterday as a fiasco over the have been accounted for, 38 short of a revised instinct, according to survivors. Ute Kilger, a pas- failed in a third attempt to elect a succes- euros ($8.6 billion) in loans. accuracy of the passenger list added to ques- total of passengers and crew released by the senger from Munich, Germany, described how sor to 85-year-old President Karolos Syriza, which declined to vote in the tions over safety systems aboard. ship’s operator ANEK Ferries. But government she had witnessed a portly middle-aged man Papoulias, whose five-year term ends in presidential ballot in order to force snap The ill-fated Italian-owned ship claimed two ministers in both Greece and Italy have con- shove past women, children and the elderly to March. legislative polls, wants to raise salaries and more lives when two Albanian seamen died firmed that there are significant discrepancies ensure he was winched to safety before them. The last election plunged Greece into pensions, halt layoffs and freeze the privati- from injuries sustained when a cable linking between the list released by ANEK and the peo- “He just went and sat in the basket, which weeks of political uncertainty and there zation of state assets-key elements of their tugboat to the ferry snapped. The Italian ple saved. was clearly designed for children. I didn’t know are fears of a repeat next month given the reforms demanded by Greece’s EU-IMF prosecutor investigating Sunday’s disaster said Greece’s Merchant Marine Minister Miltiadis whether to laugh or cry,” the 45-year-old lawyer close race between Samaras’ New creditors. “This is the beginning of the end he assumed more bodies would be found on the Varvitsiotis has admitted that one person told Italian media. Democracy conservatives and Syriza, the of a regime that plunged Greece into pover- ship. Giuseppe Volpe said the fact that a number appeared twice on the ANEK list and com- anti-austerity radical leftists. “In an ty, unemployment, misery and despair,” of stowaways had been among those rescued plained about poor communication with Italy. “I Safety inspection unprecedented twist, the new parliament Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras told supporters from the ferry meant “it is likely that we will find strongly doubt that all the names on the list are Two key questions for investigators will be could elect a president and be dissolved on Monday, promising a “real negotiation” other victims in the wreckage.” real,” he said. The ship’s Italian owner, ANEK and why the fire gained such force so quickly and again for new elections (immediately after- with the country’s EU creditors. Nearly 40 passengers listed as having been its Italian captain all face possible manslaughter why it was not contained in the area where it wards) if a government cannot be formed,” The European Union has called on on the ferry are still unaccounted for but it is charges arising from Volpe’s investigation. The started. The ship’s owner, Italian company wrote liberal Kathimerini daily yesterday. Greeks to stick by the often painful reforms unclear whether this is due to them having died accounts of passengers evacuated from the ferry Visemar di Navigazione, has acknowledged that “The elections nobody wanted, held in adopted as part of a massive international as a result of the fire or by drowning, or the after a terrifying 24-hour ordeal have depicted a December 19 safety inspection highlighted a a climate of uncertainty,” said centre-left Ta bailout for the euro-zone member state. “A result of errors in the ship’s manifest. the Norman Atlantic’s crew as being completely problem with at least one fire door but insists it Nea daily. strong commitment to Europe and broad Greek survivor Urania Thireou offered a possi- unprepared to deal with an emergency. was fixed before the vessel set sail. Avgi, the Syriza party daily, said a leftist support among the Greek voters and polit- ble explanation. “At the start, there were people Many have told how it was either thick smoke According to Paris MoU, a multinational body government would give “hope to the peo- ical leaders for the necessary growth- who got into the biggest lifeboat,” she told AFP or other passengers who woke those who were which oversees maritime safety standards, the ples of Europe and nightmares to the elites friendly reform process will be essential for at a hotel in the Italian port city of Brindisi. sleeping in cabins, rather than crew or alarms. Greek inspectors highlighted problems with oppressing them.” Greek stocks closed Greece to thrive again within the euro “They got it into the water but we were told Almost every survivor who has spoken about more than one fire door as well as the function- down almost four percent on Monday-hav- area,” EU economic affairs commissioner afterwards that they were not rescued.” With what happened has said they received no ing of some water-tight doors, emergency light- ing lost a massive 11 percent earlier-amid Pierre Moscovici said. German Finance conditions in the eastern Adriatic still extremely instructions from the crew about what to do. ing and the availability of life-saving equipment. fears that front-running Syriza could roll Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has warned rough, Italian authorities decided to try to tow Teodora Doulis, a Greek woman whose hus- The deficiencies were all registered as having back austerity measures if it wins the elec- the cash-strapped country not to abandon the ferry to port in Albania rather than risk the band Giorgios died in the disaster, was among a been addressed by the end of the day on which tion. The bourse opened with a fresh 0.51- the agreed economic reforms, saying: longer crossing back to Italy. number of passengers who described the car the inspection took place. But Richard Schiferli, percent drop yesterday. “they have no alternative”. Amid the uncertainty over the passenger deck-thought to have been where the fire start- Paris MoU’s secretary-general, told AFP it was Ratings agency Fitch warned yesterday numbers, Italian coastguards and navy helicop- ed-as being slicked by fuel. “It stank of petrol. unclear whether all the problems had actually Bailout suspended that political uncertainty would likely ters were continuing to scour the waters around The ship should never have left port in that con- been fixed satisfactorily. —AFP Syriza had dismissed warnings that its remain for some months after the elec- electoral program could shake the markets tions. —AFP At least 4 killed in Germany bus crash

BERLIN: A bus crash on a high- way in central Germany killed at least four people and injured another 38 yesterday, police said. The crash occurred near the town of Bad Hersfeld, about 100 kilo- meters (60 miles) northeast of Frankfurt, after a car collided with the bus, causing it to veer off the road and down a slope, a police spokesman said. Of the injured, 18 were in a serious condition and 20 suffered minor injuries, spokesman Thomas Rodemer said. “We can’t say at this stage whether anyone is trapped under the bus,” he added. The vehicle was carrying a group of senior cit- ATHENS: Greece’s Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, center, leaves his office for a izens from southern Germany, Rescue workers are busy at the site were a bus crashed on a highway near Bad Hersfeld, central Germany, meeting with Greek President Karolos Papoulias in Athens, yesterday. — AP Rodemer said. —AP yesterday. — AP

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 INTERNATIONAL ‘My heart is filled with sadness:’ AirAsia boss Disaster taints Indonesia’s air safety progress

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia chief executive Tony Fernandes yesterday expressed his grief to the relatives of the 162 passengers and crew who were on board Flight QZ8501 after wreckage and bodies were spotted at sea. “My heart is filled with sadness for all the families involved in QZ8501. On behalf of AirAsia my condolences to all. Words cannot express how sorry I am,” he wrote on Twitter. Fernandes said he was rushing to Surabaya in Indonesia, where the plane took off on Sunday bound for Singapore and where relatives have ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security personnel escort Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi (center), gathered. “Our thoughts and prayers remain alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, as he leaves the court in Islamabad with the families and friends of our passengers yesterday. —AFP and colleagues on board QZ8501,” his Malaysia- based airline said in a statement. Pakistan court remands It said employees of affiliate AirAsia Indonesia, which operated the crashed plane, Mumbai attacks mastermind had been sent to the site in the Karimata Strait where debris was found and would fully cooper- ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani court yesterday deployed outside the building and on its ate in the investigation. AirAsia Indonesia remanded the alleged mastermind of the rooftop. announced it would invite family members to 2008 Mumbai attacks in police custody for Abbasi accused the authorities of Surabaya, “where a dedicated team of care providers will be assigned to each family to SURABAYA: Relatives of passengers of the missing AirAsia flight QZ 8501 react upon seeing two days in a kidnapping case, a day after trumping up the kidnapping charge to the news on television about the findings of bodies on the waters near the site where the jet- another court approved his release. keep Lakhvi in jail and avoid a major diplo- ensure that all of their needs are met”. Out of the 162 passengers and crew on liner disappeared, at the crisis center at Juanda International Airport in Surabaya yester- It is the latest round in a two-week tus- matic incident with India. day.—AP sle over the detention of Zaki-ur-Rehman “My client was granted bail by an anti- board, 155 were Indonesian. The accident was Lakhvi, accused over the terror siege in terrorism court on December 18, but the the third disaster this year involving a Malaysian- five-fold over the past decade and airlines scor- province of Central Java, killing 21 people. In India’s commercial capital. The affair has same day the government arrested him owned carrier. ing billion-dollar deals with foreign plane mak- more recent incidents, a Lion Air plane missed worsened already tense ties with India. The under public order law,” he told reporters. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappeared ers. “Now we can count accidents with our the runway as it came in to land in Bali in April attacks which left 166 people dead were “Yesterday the high court suspended in March while flying from Kuala Lumpur to hands, a stark contrast to the accidents we had last year, slamming into the sea and splitting in blamed on banned Pakistani militant group that detention order and the moment that Beijing with 239 passengers and crew. In July in 2007 and the years prior to that,” said Dudi two. Dozens of the 108 people on board were Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). India has long order was suspended, before the release of another Malaysia Airlines flight-MH17 — was Sudibyo, a senior editor of aviation magazine injured, but there were no fatalities. seethed at Pakistan’s failure either to hand my client, he was arrested in a fake kidnap- shot down over unrest-hit Ukraine, killing all 298 Angkasa. The AirAsia flight, which was travelling Later in 2013, a Lion Air jet crashed into a cow over or prosecute those accused of plan- ping case.” Pakistan, long accused of quietly on board. from the Indonesian city Surabaya to Singapore and skidded off the runway as it came into land ning and organizing the violence. tolerating militant groups that target arch- Malaysia’s Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai when it lost contact during stormy weather, on Sulawesi island. Chappy Hakim, a former air Lakhvi and six other suspects have been rival India, has promised to crack down on said his country “stands in solidarity with the looks set to be country’s only deadly one in force chief, said the room for improvement in charged in Pakistan but their cases have all terror groups after a Taliban school mas- families and loved ones of those onboard (the 2014, Sudibyo told AFP. safety standards was still huge. made virtually no progress in more than sacre killed 150 — mainly children. But AirAsia flight)and offers our deepest condo- Gerry Soejatman, an independent aviation “In 2007 we were audited and we did not five years. A court granted Lakhvi bail on Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), a charitable organi- lences”. analyst, said Indonesia had 0.18 fatal accidents comply on a hundred things... and I (still) don’t December 18, drawing an angry response zation seen as a front for LeT, operates “This is indeed a trying time for those affect- per one million passengers in 2007, which had think we have complied to the international from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. openly in the country and its leaders fre- ed and Malaysia is deeply saddened by this dropped to less than half that in 2011. standards,” he said, adding that the country was After that ruling, authorities detained quently appear on TV delivering fiery tragedy,” Liow said in a statement, offering “The EU ban slapped Indonesia on the face, still short of inspectors. him under a public order law. But on speeches against India. Indonesia all possible help. but because of that Indonesia then improved Since the EU ban, only a handful of Monday a judge suspended his detention JuD spokesman Nazir Ahmed accused The crash of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 has raised the safety standards,” he said. Accidents in 2007 Indonesian airlines have been reallowed in and set bail terms. At yesterday’s hearing the Pakistan government of caving in to concerns over Indonesia’s safety record, but avia- included an Adam Air plane plunging into the Europe, including Garuda and AirAsia Indonesia, police Inspector Mohammad Arshad told pressure from the United States and India tion analysts say the country has made huge sea off Sulawesi island on New Year’s Day, killing which operated Flight QZ8501. the court Lakhvi was accused of kidnap- in trying to keep Lakhvi in jail. The advances since the days when all of its airlines all 102 people on board. That airline was later AirAsia Indonesia is a unit of Malaysian-based ping a man six and a half years ago. Islamabad High Court’s order on Monday were banned from flying to Europe. The air travel banned from flying. AirAsia, which dominates Southeast Asia’s The court remanded Lakhvi in police suspending Lakhvi’s detention drew a industry in the sprawling archipelago is boom- In March 2007, a jet with flag carrier Garuda booming low-cost airline market and had previ- custody for two days for further investiga- sharp response from India, which sum- ing, with domestic passengers growing nearly Indonesia burst into flames on landing in the ously earned a solid safety record. —AFP tion, court officials and defense lawyer moned the Pakistani envoy in New Delhi to Rizwan Abbasi told reporters. Lakhvi was protest. India has long accused Pakistani brought to court surrounded by police intelligence agencies of having had a hand Religion bubbles over into politics in India commandos and paramilitary Rangers. in the Mumbai attacks, a charge denied by Dozens of police and Rangers were Islamabad.— AFP NEW DELHI: In small-town northern India, Muslims and work as long as anyone can remember. develop India’s economy and root out the corrup- are offered food and money to convert to Hinduism. So when a top Modi official suggested that stu- tion and incompetence that had crippled the previ- If that doesn’t suffice, they say they’re threatened. dents come in on Christmas for lessons on “Good ous government. But he had launched his political Across the country, the Christmas holiday is can- Governance” - a key Modi platform - anger welled up career in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a mili- celed for hundreds of government servants who quickly. While that plan was quietly shelved, hun- tant Hindu group that combines religious education spend the day publicly extolling the policies of dreds of civil servants held high-profile activities with self-defense exercises, and the parent organiza- Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Powerful Hindu across the country on Dec. 25 to herald Modi’s gov- tion of the ruling party. The RSS has long been nationalist leaders - some with close ties to Modi’s ernance policies. accused of stoking religious hatred against Muslims. government - say they intend to ensure India While Modi played down religious issues during becomes a completely Hindu nation. The subtext the campaign, wary of alienating voters with his and But Modi himself? He has remained silent as If there was no outright anti-Christian message in his party’s reputations for Hindu nationalism, nation- nationalist demands have bubbled over into day-to- these gatherings, Emmanuel says the subtext was alist voters turned out for him in droves. day politics, and amid growing fears among minori- loud and clear. “It’s not merely undermining the fes- So when Modi was elected, nationalist leaders ty religious groups of creeping efforts to shunt them tival of Christmas, but it is trying to segregate a com- who had spent years in India’s political wilderness aside. “We told him we feel insecure and fearful,” said munity and its festival,” he said. began pressing the government to adopt its agen- the Rev. Dominic Emmanuel, a Roman Catholic Nonsense, said Tarun Vijay, a writer, longtime da. Just how much Modi actually supports that priest who was in a delegation of religious leaders supporter of Hindu causes and member of the rul- sprawling agenda - which includes everything from who met a few days ago with Modi. “We told him, ‘If ing Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP. The government demands to rewrite school textbooks to, at the most there were just two words from your side, prime activities on Christmas, he insisted, were to honor extreme end, the expulsion of non-Hindus from minister, we would feel so much better.’” the birthday of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the last BJP India - remains unclear. But according to Emmanuel, Modi dismissed the prime minister. fears as media exaggeration and told the group it “Was it his mistake being born on 25th Ancient culture wasn’t his role to weigh in on every issue. December?” he asked. “Is it sacrilegious for us to cel- Certainly, he is sympathetic to parts of it. In an A largely Hindu country that has long proclaimed ebrate his birthday on 25th December?” Instead, October speech to medical professionals, for exam- its multicultural character, India has a sizable Muslim Vijay accuses some of Modi’s opponents of politiciz- ple, Modi traced parts of modern medicine back to minority, a small Christian community and even ing Christmas, calling them “hate groups.” ancient India, noting that Ganesh - the Hindu god smaller pockets of other religions from Judaism to “These are the people who are doing harm to with the head of an elephant but the body of a per- Zoroastrianism. Christianity,” he said. The rancor is rarely just about son - is proof that plastic surgery began in India. “We It’s a country where barely 2 percent of people God. Instead, it’s a complex interplay of religion and can feel proud of what our country achieved in med- celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, but where politics, as the dreams of Hindu nationalist voters ical science at one point in time,” he said. India, with the day has long been set aside by families and combine with the after-effects of Modi’s sweeping its population of some 1.3 billion, is about 81 per- friends - no matter their religion - for eating, drink- electoral victory earlier this year. cent Hindu, 13 percent Muslim and a little over 2 ing and gift-giving. It has been a day off from school Modi was catapulted to power on promises to percent Christian. —AP

A serviceman of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) on board a C-130 aircraft takes part in the search and locate (SAL) operation for missing AirAsia flight QZ8501 over the Java sea yesterday.—AFP Philippine storm death toll jumps to 30 MANILA: At least 30 people were killed in land- shanty homes in the coastal town of Ronda in told AFP. Ten flights to and from the affected Java Sea plane search: slides and flash floods as tropical storm Jangmi Cebu province, regional civil defence officer areas on Tuesday were cancelled. Jangmi will be slowly crossed the southern and central Lemuel Tabada told AFP. out of the central region after midnight Monsoons, murkiness, trash Philippines, dumping heavy rain for a second Two teenage boys, meanwhile, died from Wednesday before day yesterday, officials said. Rivers burst their electrocution while wading through floodwaters brushing the southern tip of Palawan island banks and submerged villages in floods up to at Loon in Bohol province, said Allen Cabaron on its way out of the country on Thursday, JAKARTA: Searchers combing the Java Sea region will make it harder for spotter “neck-deep” while hillsides crashed onto homes from the same civil defense office. according to the state weather bureau. The to find and recover debris and bodies from planes to distinguish trash from any plane and highways, officials said. On Monday at least three people were killed Philippines is battered by about 20 storms every the AirAsia jet that crashed there have the debris. “It’s a pretty filthy ocean and there’s Some residents in vulnerable areas ignored after Jangmi, known locally as Seniang, year, many of them deadly. advantage of working in much shallower a lot of garbage floating out there,” he said. evacuation warnings, Stephany Uy-Tan, mayor of slammed into southeastern provinces, triggering Last year Super Typhoon Haiyan, the waters than those found in the open ocean, “Everything from small water bottles to big, the town of Catbalogan in Samar province, told floods and landslides. Up to 14,000 people were strongest ever to hit the country, left 7,350 peo- but also face challenges that include mon- abandoned fishing nets.” He said the cur- DZMM radio. “The rains were really strong and evacuated in Surigao del Sur on Mindanao, ple dead or missing in central regions as it soons, murkiness and trash. Flight 8501 rents in shallow seas don’t typically have people thought the storm won’t be too strong where Jangmi first hit. They will be sent home as stirred up tsunami-like waves, wiping out entire crashed Sunday morning with 162 people the same strength as those in the open based on the news,” she said. Twelve people floodwaters recede, Governor Johnny Pimentel towns.— AFP on board while flying from Indonesia to ocean, meaning debris shouldn’t move as were killed after a landslide buried two vans on a Singapore. Searchers yesterday found bod- much, although he said winds can quickly mountainside highway in Catbalogan, she said. ies and debris floating off Borneo island create choppy waves which can make the “Rescuers report hearing voices from the rub- believed to be from the plane. search more difficult. ble,” she said.Jangmi, which was forecast to bring Erik van Sebille, an oceanographer at David Gallo, the director of special proj- up to 15 millimetres (0.6 inches) of rain per hour, the University of New South Wales in ects at the Woods Hole Oceanographic barrelled through fishing and tourist areas on Sydney, said the remote stretch of the Institution in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, Tuesday, a day after it smashed into the moun- Indian Ocean where searchers are still look- said the challenge of locating the wreckage tainous southeastern region on Mindanao ing for another missing plane, Malaysia or black boxes remains huge. island. Airlines Flight 370, is 100 times deeper than Gallo said the area where searchers are Thousands were evacuated ahead of the the Java Sea. “It makes the search much looking for the AirAsia jet might appear storm’s arrival, with most expected to be sent simpler,” he said. much narrower and more contained than home later yesterday as floodwaters start to Mostly enclosed by islands from the the area for Flight 370, but is still enor- recede, officials said. Jangmi’s 65-kilometre (40- Indonesia archipelago, the Java Sea has mous: “bigger than West Virginia and South mile) per hour wind gusts were weak compared average depths of about 40 to 50 meters Carolina combined,” he said. That is about to the last storm to traverse the central region (131 to 164 feet). Van Sebille said it’s shal- the same size as Indonesia’s Java province. earlier this month, Hagupit, which had winds of low enough that if conditions were perfect, But unlike in the search for Flight 370, up to 210 kilometers per hour. searchers could probably spot any large he said, ships searching the Java Sea can be “We are focused on floods and landslides pieces of debris on the ocean floor using smaller and reach the area more quickly because, while the storm’s winds are weak, it will only their eyesight. “In the last ice age, it because they will be much closer to a port. bring heavy rain,” national civil defense chief was actually land. It was above sea level However, he said, searchers may need to Alexander Pama told DZMM radio. with forest,” he said. “It’s a much different get a better grasp on the last known posi- Five people were killed after a landslide environment than the open ocean.” tion of the plane before they are ready to buried a house in the town of Tanauan in Leyte But because the monsoon season is try to detect any underwater locator sig- province, the region’s civil defense spokes- JASAAN: Residents gather drift wood near a cargo vessel which ran aground when Tropical underway, he said, there’s likely to be lots nals, or pings, which the plane’s black box- woman Blanche Gobenciong said. Eight people Storm Jangmi passed through Jasaan town, Misamis Oriental, the southern island of of rain that will wash sediment into rivers es are designed to emit. “There is nothing including three eight-year-old children drowned Mindanao yesterday. At least 30 people were killed in landslides and flash floods as tropical that feed into the sea and make it murky. easy about this,” Gallo said. Perry reported after raging floodwaters washed away their storm Jangmi slowly crossed the southern and central Philippines, dumping heavy rain for a And he said the abundance of fishing in the from Wellington, New Zealand. — AP second day yesterday.—AFP NEWS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

A couple pushes a pram around the marine lake at West Kirby in northwest England yesterday as the sun sets over the River Dee and the hills of north Wales. — AFP

Bodies, wreckage reveal missing AirAsia... Kuwaiti jailed for abusing Saudi Arabia Continued from Page 1 ately approved,” AirNav safety director Wisnu Darjono Continued from Page 1 passports of over 140,000 Syrians living and working in told AFP. “After a few seconds the pilot requested to the country. “My heart will be totally crushed if it’s true. I will lose a ascend from 32,000 to 38,000 feet but could not be Duwaisan said that the Kuwaiti foreign policy, overseen MP Ahmad Lari meanwhile called on the government son,” he said. Search chief Soelistyo said all efforts were immediately approved as some planes were flying above by HH the Amir, has lived up to its reputation of mediating to complete the amendments of laws related to the five- now being concentrated on the location where the it at that time,” he said. “Two to three minutes later when to bridge the gaps between Gulf and Arab countries. year development plan (2015-16/2019-20), expected to “shadow” and debris had been found, around 160 km the controller was going to give a clearance to a level of The lawmaker, a staunch supporter of the Syrian be sent to the National Assembly soon. Lari specifically southwest of the town of Pangkalan Bun in Central 34,000, the plane did not give any response,” Darjono regime, said that Kuwait’s move could open the door for mentioned the public tenders law and the privatization Kalimantan on Borneo island. The town has the nearest said. other Arab countries to follow suit “after it had been law, saying that the government should send the pro- airstrip and is not far from the plane’s last known posi- China, which had 152 citizens on board Malaysia proved that what happened in Syria was not a popular posed amendments to the concerned Assembly panels. tion. Airlines MH370 which vanished in March, offered to send revolution but a terrorist plot to divide the Arab world”. A He said that regarding the tenders law, there have been Late yesterday, Airbus confirmed it was “informed by a frigate and military aircraft to help with the internation- number of Syrian diplomats arrived in Kuwait yesterday to differences in views between a number of government the Indonesian authorities that the accident site of flight al search. The missing plane was operated by AirAsia reopen the consular section to renew passports of Syrians sides on the amendments, but recently these differences QZ 8501 has been located”. President Joko Widodo Indonesia, a unit of Malaysian-based AirAsia. Of the 162 residing in Kuwait. The embassy is expected to start oper- have been sorted out. Lari said that the Cabinet has praised the search teams and said three warships were passengers and crew, 155 were Indonesian. The crash ating within the next two weeks. Kuwait had announced already reviewed a number of amendments to the privati- heading to the location. “Tomorrow there will be a mas- comes at the end of a disastrous year for Malaysian avia- that the diplomats’ return did not mean the reopening of zation law and it is expected to refer them to the sive search by the ships and helicopters,” he said after fly- tion. Flight MH370 disappeared while flying from Kuala the embassy but to allow the Syrian government to renew Assembly soon. ing over the area and visiting Pangkalan Bun. “I would Lumpur to Beijing with 239 passengers and crew, and in like to thank our close friends, the countries who have July another Malaysia Airlines flight - MH17 - was shot helped the search from Singapore, Malaysia and down over unrest-hit Ukraine, killing all 298 on board. Australia,” he said. “And for the families of the passengers Separately, an AirAsia Zest plane carrying 159 people and crew, I also feel the loss from this tragedy and we all overshot the runway and got stuck in a muddy field yes- pray for the families to be given fortitude and strength to terday at an international airport in the central face this tragedy,” he said at a brief appearance in Philippines after landing from Manila in windy weather, Surabaya between meeting relatives. officials said. There were no reports of injuries. AirAsia’s flamboyant chief executive Tony Fernandes Crewmembers launched emergency slides to help pas- also rushed to Surabaya after news of the debris. “It’s an sengers disembark from the Airbus A320-200 after it experience I never dreamt of happening and it’s probably skidded off the runway in the resort town of Kalibo in an airline CEO’s worst nightmare,” he said. Expressing Aklan province before nightfall, Giovanni Hontomin, who grief over the first fatal incident to hit the region’s biggest is in charge of AirAsia Zest’s operations, said by phone. budget airline, he said at least there was some closure for Initial reports indicated that three of the plane’s tyres the relatives. “Words can’t express what they are going got stuck in the mud, said Civil Aviation Authority of the through,” he said. Philippines spokesman Eric Apolonio. He said the busy Indonesian officials had already been preparing rela- airport would be closed to air traffic until the stalled air- tives for the worst, with Soelistyo saying Monday it was craft, which likely sustained some damage, is towed away likely the plane was at “the bottom of the sea”, based on from near the runway’s end. A tropical storm has set off its estimated position. The aircraft lost contact early on landslides and flash floods in the southern and central Sunday about 40 minutes after takeoff, after the crew Philippines, leaving at least 31 people dead and seven requested a change of flight plan due to stormy weather, missing, officials said yesterday. in the third crisis for a Malaysian carrier this year. Kalibo town, 350 km south of Manila, is a busy gate- In his last communication, the pilot said he wanted to way to the Boracay beach resort, a popular tourist desti- avoid a menacing storm system. Then all contact was nation. The accident came two days after another inci- lost. Before take-off the pilot had asked for permission to dent involving an AirAsia Zest plane. On Sunday, a jet fly at a higher level to avoid the storm but his request operated by the carrier developed a tyre problem in the was not approved due to heavy traffic on the popular central Philippine city of Tagbilaran while its 184 passen- route, according to AirNav, Indonesia’s flight navigation gers and crew were boarding, prompting the airline to service. In his final communication, the pilot asked to cancel the flight to Manila, officials said. The Airbus A320 alter his course and repeated his original request to aircraft’s tire was later fixed, allowing it to resume its ascend to avoid the bad weather. flight to the Philippine capital Monday morning. No rea- A man pulls children on a sled through the snow-covered Orangerie park yesterday in Strasbourg, eastern “The pilot requested to air traffic controllers to deviate son was given for the problem. Budget carrier AirAsia France. Heavy snowfall brought both chaos and joy across Europe, created idyllic conditions for skiers in France, to the left side due to bad weather, which was immedi- Zest is partly owned by AirAsia Philippines. — Agencies but also havoc for holidaymakers rushing to and from ski resorts for their end-of-year vacations. — AFP WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 ANALYSIS

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Issues The changing face of North Korea refugees

By Jung Ha-Won

very year, hundreds of North Koreans risk their lives escaping the reclusive nation, but the profile of those Ebraving the dangerous border crossing has changed markedly from the famine-driven refugees of the past. Where escape was once a desperate bid for survival by peo- ple on the brink of starvation, it is now often the calculated path taken by relatively affluent North Koreans who also know far more about an outside world that was a total mys- tery to earlier escapees. The shift has come quickly - a reflection of changes that followed the great famine that killed hundreds of thou- sands of North Koreans in the late 1990s, known as the “Arduous March”. “The typical profile of a North Korean Car collectors seek one-off models refugee today is very different from, say, 10 years ago,” said Kim Seung-Eun, a prominent South Korean missionary involved in the underground network that brings escapees By Edward Taylor new software simulation techniques have cut back the Expanding Segment to the South. need for costly prototype crash testing procedures. Technological and regulatory changes have revived the One 40-year-old refugee, who gave her name only as artin Kapp gestures towards the sleek red Italian sector. “In the last few years, we have produced more than Choi, told AFP she fled with her mother in 2010 with the sports car standing in his barn in the heart of Official Acceptance 50 contemporary collectables, and in our opinion the seg- help of a sister who had already made it to Seoul. She MGermany, secure in the knowledge there is not “Without a doubt, the real revolution that has occurred ment is expanding,” Zagato said, adding that low volume explained: “I wasn’t exactly starving but saw no hope for another exactly like it in the world. By commissioning the in recent years has been the official acceptance of mathe- or one-off modern cars now make up 50 percent of improvement in my life in the North. We went through a lot 300 km per hour Alfa Romeo TZ 3 Corsa the 63 year old matical modelling and virtual simulation,” said Andrea Zagato’s revenue. Kapp said part of the joy of owning his during the Arduous March and the experience opened my engineering company executive joined a band of custom Zagato, the third generation member of Milan-based TZ 3 Corsa had been understanding the manufacturing eyes. “I wanted to have a better life and some hope for my car aficionados ranging from financiers to rock stars keen coachbuilding business Zagato noted, saying regulators process, which included using the carbon underpinnings future. We lived in relative comfort in the North thanks to to acquire an exclusive exotic vehicle. Anecdotal evidence now accept software programmes to do some of the work from a Belgian Gillet racecar and a modern engine which the money my sister sent (via brokers in China) but the suggests they are a growing breed. Advances in computer previously done through crash testing. As a result, custom is otherwise used in the Alfa Romeo 8C. more you hear about South Korea through your family design and safety testing have helped improve the feasibil- coachbuilding has experienced a renaissance in the past Other examples of tailor-made cars include a modern there, the more you’d want to get out and live just like ity of the cottage industry specialised in creating one-off five years, experts and manufacturers say, radically mod- version of the Lancia Stratos which Pininfarina made for them.” cars for wealthy buyers, helping collectors like Kapp ernising an industry which traces its roots to an era when Michael Stoschek, chairman of German auto supplier achieve what had been a distant dream. owners of horse-drawn coaches commissioned a body to Brose Group, using components found in a Ferrari F430. A ‘Well-Off and Well-Informed’ “Knowing there would only ever be one built, that really go on top of an undercarriage. Ferrari Enzo was used to make the P4/5 delivered to U.S. Precise statistics on the number of escapees are hard to appealed to me,” said Kapp, whose home is on the outskirts Boutique design houses have responded by making investor James Glickenhaus. Rock legend Eric Clapton come by, though South Korea records the annual tally that of Coburg, Bavaria, where he is a managing director and unique cars including the Ferrari P4/5, the Ferrari SP12 EC, wanted a modern version of the 1970s Ferrari Berlinetta make it there. “Now many are members of what you could partner at Kapp Group, a manufacturer of grinding a new version of the Lancia Stratos, and Kapp’s Alfa Romeo Boxer, so Pininfarina and Ferrari made a one-off modern call the North’s middle-class - relatively well off and relative- machines for the auto industry. Kapp is just one of a crowd TZ 3 Corsa. To keep costs down, most of these modern version for him, known as the Ferrari SP12 EC. For Kapp, ly well informed,” Kim told AFP. This was not the case in the of clients looking beyond the standard offerings from vehicles use engines and crash structures already devel- commissioning his TZ3 Corsa was a way to ensure it was 2000s, when the number of annual arrivals peaked at 3,000 upmarket showroom marques such as Ferrari (part of Fiat) oped for established high-end sportscars. But this new authentic. The classic car sector has become problematic - most of them motivated by hunger and grinding poverty. and Porsche (part of Volkswagen) and have commissioned breed of exotic vehicle incorporate such deep-seated mod- since it was flooded with money and a wave of fakes, Kapp North Korea is still an extremely poor country by any stan- boutique design houses such as Castriota Design, Zagato, ifications to their original shape and structure, that out- said. dards and malnutrition remains widespread, but a thriving Pininfarina and Carrozeria Touring to create tailor-made siders often cannot tell which vehicle was the base model. The soaring value of rare cars and the popularity of black economy - tolerated as a necessary evil by the regime models. Although Kapp won’t say how much he paid for Custom coachbuilding for the auto industry last flour- classic car rallies has led enthusiasts, car companies, and - has brought significant changes. his car, industry insiders say the cost of a one-off vehicle ished in the 1960s and 1970s, when mainstream manufac- forgers to create an industry for making perfect replica Unauthorised private markets have lessened depend- can range from several hundred thousand to several mil- turers outsourced limited-edition coupe, convertible or spare parts. This, combined with a trend for restoring old ence on a dysfunctional state ration system and provided a lion euros, depending on the design sought by the client. light-weight versions of standard models to specialised cars to mint condition, has made it almost impossible for crucial income source for those on near-worthless state Kapp worked with Italian coachbuilder Zagato because he builders, leading to the creation of rarities like the Aston experts to distinguish new cars from perfectly restored salaries. The subsequent rise in living standards has coincid- wanted a new version of his classic Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ, Martin DB4 GT Zagato. In the 1980s and 1990s, the coach- originals. “I went to a classic car event in Italy and there ed with a breach in the sanitised information cordon that retaining the low-slung curves and flourishes of the 1960s building market suffered as mainstream carmakers started were three identical Alfa Giulia TZ’s with the same chassis effectively isolated North Korea from the outside world for original but adding modern performance and safety fea- to make niche models in-house, and after new safety regu- number,” Kapp said, explaining that two of those cars must decades. Mobile phones, MP3 players and smuggled USB sticks with South Korean television dramas have provided tures. Recent advances in computing power and software lations all but ruled out extensive modifications without have been fakes. “With this new one I know exactly who more than just a glimpse of realities beyond the border. have simplified car design, reducing production costs, and requiring new crash testing. made it and when.” — Reuters

‘A Better Life’ “The sort of people we see defecting now actually have relatively stable lives in the North,” said one Seoul official working directly with refugees. “One of the most common reasons they cite for leaving is for the sake of their children. They want them to have a better education and a better start in life,” the official said. A significant number come from border towns. Internal travel in North Korea remains very restricted, so those who already live near the border have a real advantage. They also tend to have contacts with people who move or trade across the border. And more than 70 percent are women - partly a reflec- tion of tighter monitoring of North Korean men at their offi- cial work units. Since North Korea’s current leader Kim Jong- Un took power following the death of his father Kim Jong-Il in late 2011, border security has been stepped up -another factor behind the rise in the number of better-off refugees. “Getting out of North Korea now costs a lot more, in bribes or payments to brokers,” the Seoul official said. The increased security and a crackdown by China on its side of the border saw the number of new arrivals almost In this Tuesday, Dec 23, 2014 photo, a Filipino waitress carries a dish to serve to Fahd Mohammed and Abdullah Ibrahim, both 20, as the two men eat their traditional Emirati lunch at halve to around 1,500 in 2012 and 2013. Video footage tak- the Emirates Guest Cook restaurant in Shahama, about 90 km southwest of Dubai. (Right) Chicken majboos, also known as kabsa, with a piece of grilled chicken, is served at the en with cameras supplied by Kim Seung-Eun’s missionary Emirates Guest Cook restaurant. — AP photos group show the river border with China lined with surveil- lance cameras. Other footage showed a house on a remote hill with a satellite dish, which Kim claimed belonged to a Gulf Arab tradition on a platter security unit tasked with tapping mobile phone conversa- tions in the border area. No matter how much money a refugee may have, By Aya Batrawy single portions to 40 dirhams ($10.50) for full-sized meals for Authentic Fusion escaping North Korea remains an extremely dangerous two or more people. All meals at the Emirates Guest Cook The menu at Emirates Guest Cook Restaurants is an challenge. Even if they manage to cross the border without he main road connecting Abu Dhabi with Dubai is a long Restaurants include a side of tomato and onion salsa and a authentic fusion of South Asian and Iranian spices, flavors that being caught - or shot - capture later on will likely result in stretch of highway that runs through the desert - a stark few cucumber, carrot and lemon wedges. The platters are for centuries have landed on the shores of this ancient trade repatriation and severe punishment. Experience helps, and Treminder of how this country on the eastern tip of the served two ways: either on dining tables downstairs or in tra- route linking India with the British Empire. Just take the owner one more thing the current batches of refugees have in Arabian Peninsula once looked just 40 years ago before an oil ditional Arabian-style upstairs. Upstairs is where guests sit on Nasser Ibrahim Hossein, who goes by the name Abu Mansoor. common is that many have relatives who have already got boom. In both metropolises, foreigners far outnumber the a carpeted floor in private nooks lined with pillows. Waiters An entrepreneurial 40-year-old man with a wide smile, two out.—AFP locals. The two emirates are home to countless Western food bring each party a large platter to share and eat by hand. young children and a third on the way, Abu Mansoor is origi- chains and ultrachic, reservations-only celebrity-chef restau- I went for the chicken majboos, also known as kabsa across nally from Shiraz in southwest Iran. He moved to the Emirates rants imported from London, New York and Los Angeles. They the Gulf. Unlike some Indian cuisines, Emirati dishes are not in the early 1990s, married an Emirati woman and acquired both boast ultramodern skylines with architecturally stunning particularly spicy. The majboos was steamed and boiled with Emirati citizenship. He opened three restaurants next to one All articles appearing on these pages skyscrapers, opulent hotels and huge shopping malls, a testa- black pepper, cumin, coriander seeds, ginger, bay leaves, cin- another in the same roadside strip of sleepy storefront shops. ment to the Gulf’s penchant for swagger, luxury and Western namon and cloves. The rice was topped with copious amounts One offers Iranian food, the second Emirati food and the third are the personal opinion of the writ- imports. of tangy dried red currants. For my husband, I ordered a take- grilled meats. ers. Kuwait Times takes no responsibil- However, the road linking Abu Dhabi to Dubai is surpris- out portion of the chicken madfoon, cooked underground in a So how hard was it to find a locally-owned restaurant that ity for views expressed therein. Kuwait ingly unadorned, functional and subdued. It seems only natu- clay oven. The rice was infused with pieces of fried onion. My serves only local food? Well, very hard. Most website search- ral that the austere chain of Emirates Guest Cook Restaurants colleague, who hails from Iran, had the fish, which is cooked in es for Emirati restaurants direct you to malls or hotels that Times invites readers to voice their found a home along this highway. Emirati dishes of lamb, a similar way across both sides of the Persian Gulf. offer a loose mix of Mediterranean cuisine and a few local opinions. Please send submissions via chicken and fish are served on heaping beds of spiced rice in a Other popular Emirati dishes on the menu include mandi, dishes. Emirates Guest Cook Restaurants has no website or email to: [email protected] or down-to-earth environment at bargain prices. It’s where an originally Yemeni meat and rice dish slow-cooked in a tan- Facebook group, and the few references to it online list the via snail mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Emiratis and Gulf Arab visitors come for the region’s most door clay oven, and biryani, a uniquely South Asian import. wrong number. I heard about it through word of mouth from important meal of the day - lunch. The place is busiest And just to be clear, here is what you won’t find on the menu: a colleague whose Emirati mother orders from there. Not Kuwait. The editor reserves the right between noon and 3 p.m. kitsch dishes like camel burgers and Lebanese mezze like without irony, it’s easy to spot across the highway from a to edit any submission as necessary. The simple formula here is heavy portions that are light on hummus and baba ghanoush. That’s because neither is true in giant European hypermarket and mall named Deerfields the wallet. Dishes range from around 20 dirhams ($5.50) for form to the local cuisine. Townsquare. — AP WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 SPORTS

Murphy quip backfires South Africa recall Parker Inter’s interest ‘a joke’ LONDON: Jacob Murphy, a winger with struggling English Championship JOHANNESBURG: South Africa have recalled experienced striker Bernard Parker for the African Nations Cup as coach Ephraim Mashaba named his 23- LONDON: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger yesterday described Inter Milan’s (second tier) club Blackpool, has apologised to the club after making a joke man selection yesterday. Parker, who plays for Kaizer Chiefs but previously had reported interest in Lukas Podolski as “a joke” and said he wants the out-of-favour on social media mocking his own team. spells with Red Star Belgrade and FC Twente, has not featured for the national Germany international to stay at the club. Podolski has expressed unhappiness at Murphy, on loan from Norwich City, posted a picture of himself and team side since a 5-0 loss to Brazil in March. His 23 goals in 68 internationals put him his lack of playing time this season and Inter coach Roberto Mancini recently told mate Donervon Daniels on the photo messaging site, accompanied by the third on the countryís all-time scoring list behind Benni McCarthy and Shaun the Italian media that he is monitoring the 29-year-old’s situation. But Wenger dis- caption “We are going to lose...Again.” Bartlett. Mashaba named five overseas-based players in his squad, including missed the reports and said he had no intention of allowing his squad to be weak- With Blackpool adrift at the bottom of the table and the joke posted Bournemouth striker Tokelo Rantie and Doncaster Rovers midfielder Dean ened during the January transfer window. before Murphy played in their 1-0 defeat on Boxing Day at Sheffield Furman. South Africa have been drawn in a difficult Group C along with “That is a joke. Inter Milan is not serious,” the Frenchman told his weekly press Wednesday, the quip may not have been appreciated by fans. Algeria, Ghana and Senegal for the Jan. 17-Feb. 8 tournament in Equatorial conference. “It is nothing serious. They talk, there is only talk.” Yet it evidently tickled many more people beyond Blackpool as it went Guinea. With Olivier Giroud serving a three-game ban and Danny Welbeck having viral on social media. The furore prompted the 19-year-old to release a state- Squad: Goalkeeper: Darren Keet (KV Kortrijk), Brilliant Khuzwayo (Kaizer Chiefs), injured his thigh during Sunday’s 2-1 win at West Ham United, Podolski ment on Blackpool’s website. “I’d like to offer my sincerest apologies could have more opportunities to play in the weeks ahead. to the manager, my team mates, the fans and everybody at Jackson Mabokgwane (Mpumalanga Black Aces) Defenders: Siyabonga Nhlapo (BidVest Wits), Patrick Phungwayo (Orlando Pirates), Anele Ngcongca (KRC “Podolski is a player of Arsenal Football Club and I want him to Blackpool Football Club for the hurt and embarrassment that a Genk), Thulani Hlatshwayo (BidVest Wits), Erick Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), stay,” added Wenger, whose side visit Southampton in the Premier recent photo message I sent has caused,” he said. Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates) League on Thursday. “It was totally unprofessional of me and a foolish thing to do,” Midfielders: Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Andile Jali (KV Oostende), “Apart from that, what it is to be professional is that as long as added Murphy, before making it clear that Daniels had no part in Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Bongani Zungu (Mamelodi you are somewhere, you give your best to justify your wages and the joke. “I apologise for implicating him.” Blackpool boss Lee Sundowns), Thami Sangweni (Chippa United), Dean Furman (Doncaster your love for the club.” Clark noted his disappointment and said the club would be inves- Rovers), Thuso Phala (SuperSport United), Mandla Masango (Kaizer Chiefs), Asked if Podolski, who won the World Cup with Germany earli- tigating the matter. — Reuters Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates) Forwards: Bernard Parker (Kaizer Chiefs), er this year, would still be at the club at the end of January, Tokelo Rantie (AFC Bournemouth), Bongani Ndulula (AmaZulu), Sibusiso Wenger replied: “I hope so, yes.” —AFP Vilakazi (BidVest Wits). — Reuters Davis wins AP Female Athlete of the Year

PHILADELPHIA: No one in the sports world had heard of the 2014 Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year until August. That’s when 13-year-old Mo’ne Davis became an instant celebrity as she took the pitching mound in baseball’s Little League World Series and mowed down batter after batter, giving “throw like a girl” a whole new meaning. She was the first girl to win a Little League World Series game, and her performance dazzled fans young and old. Her steely gaze and demeanor on the mound were intimidating, while off- the-field, she shined in interviews. She told admirers that if they thought she was good at baseball, they should see her play bas- ketball. Only in eighth grade, Davis already plays for her school’s high school varsity basketball team. Davis appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, has her jer- sey displayed in baseball’s Hall of Fame and was named Sports Kid of the Year by Sports Illustrated Kids. She met the Obamas at the White House, starred in a Spike Lee-directed car commercial (the NCAA said it wouldn’t hurt her eligibility), marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade along with her Taney Dragons teammates and presented Pharrell Williams with Soul Train’s “Song of the Year” award. The talented three-sport star - she also plays soccer - and hon- or student from South Philadelphia handled all the attention with poise, modesty and maturity. “A lot of adults around me help out, taught me to be respect- ful, to be calm during everything and not let anything get to you,” Davis said after learning of her latest honor. A vote by US editors and news directors selected Davis as The Associated Press 2014 Female Athlete of the Year. The youngest winner in history, Davis beat out Mt. St. Joseph freshman Lauren Hill - who played her first college basketball game while battling terminal brain cancer - and three-time winner Serena Williams. The selection was announced Monday. Davis tossed a two-hitter to help Philadelphia beat Nashville 4-0 in the Little League World Series opener for both teams. Davis, the first girl to appear for a U.S. team in South Williamsport since 2004, had eight strikeouts and didn’t walk a batter. Her team was eventually eliminated after losing to teams from Las DALLAS: Kari Lehtonen No. 32 of the Dallas Stars covers the puck against Martin St. Louis No. 26 of the New York Rangers in the second period at American Airlines Vegas and Chicago. Davis gave up three runs in the Las Vegas Center. — AFP game, and could not take the mound against Chicago because of pitch limits. After the tournament, Davis was everywhere. She threw whif- Stars shine as Blues advance fle balls to Jimmy Fallon on NBC’s Tonight Show, threw out the first pitch at Game 4 of the World Series and signed a book deal. “It’s been really fun, got to do a lot of things, meet a lot of cool DALLAS: Antoine Roussel scored the go-ahead goal 54 scored for the Devils, who won for only the second time Jimmy Howard kept the Red Wings in it, finishing people,” Davis said. “My favorite thing to do was playing in seconds into the second period, and the Dallas Stars in 10 games (2-5-3). with 40 saves. Justin Abdelkader and Tomas Tatar scored Williamsport or going to the White House. (The Obamas) just broke the New York Rangers’ eight-game winning streak It was also New Jersey’s first win in two games since for Detroit, which had won two straight. seemed like a regular couple, no different from anyone else.” with a 3-2 victory on Monday night. general manager Lou Lamoriello fired coach Pete While others are still talking about her Little League perform- John Klingberg and Ales Hemsky also scored for the DeBoer on Friday and joined new coaches Scott Stevens BLACKHAWKS 5, PREDATORS 4 ance, Davis, a point guard, is concentrating on basketball. “It’s Stars, who have won six of seven. The Rangers’ streak and Adam Oates behind the bench as part of a three- Jonathan Toews scored the only goal in the shootout, making me a lot better, helping me make decisions,” Davis said of tied the NHL’s longest this season but fell two games man committee. Sidney Crosby scored for the Penguins, after Chicago’s Bryan Bickell netted the tying goal with playing varsity. “In middle school, I can get away with small short of matching the team record set during the 1939- who have lost four straight. Marc-Andre Fleury made 24 1:13 left in regulation, and the Blackhawks topped the things. The girls now are a lot taller so I’m working on my jump 40 season and equaled in 1972-73. . saves. Predators. Toews provided the winning margin when he shot and ball handling a lot.” J.T. Miller and Kevin Hayes scored for the Rangers. beat Pekka Rinne on the Blackhawks’ first shootout Davis aspires to play for the University of Connecticut and Kari Lehtonen stopped 28 shots and earned his 15th vic- WILD 3, JETS 2 attempt. Brad Richards, Andrew Shaw and Marian Hossa reach the WNBA. She plays midfielder on her soccer team and tory of the season. New York’s Henrik Lundqvist lost for Marco Scandella scored the tiebreaking goal with 12 scored in a 7:10 span late in the second period to tie it. hopes to play three sports in high school, though she’s not sure the first time since Dec. 1. seconds left in the second period as the Wild rallied from James Neal’s second goal of the game put Nashville about baseball. two down to beat the Jets. Scandella’s ninth of the sea- ahead 4-3. Roman Josi and Craig Smith also scored, and “I know the boys will be much stronger so that depends,” she BLUES 3, AVALANCHE 0 son was Minnesota’s third goal in the second period and Colin Wilson added two assists.Rinne made 38 saves, and said. “Hopefully, I can continue playing as long as I can.” Davis isn’t Martin Brodeur stopped 16 shots and recorded his helped the Wild snap a five-game winless skid. Ryan Crawford stopped 36 shots before his perfect shootout. just a jock. She excels academically despite such a great demand NHL-record 125th shutout and 691st victory as St. Louis Carter and Justin Fontaine had the other goals for for her time. “It’s all about time management, how you plan your beat the Avalanche. Dmitrij Jaskin, Chris Butler and Minnesota (17-13-4). Sutter and Kyle Brodziak each had COYOTES 4, FLYERS 2 projects and not waiting until the last minute,” she said. Vladimir Tarasenko scored, and Paul Stastny had two assists on the goals. Minnesota goalie Darcy Kuemper Antoine Vermette scored three goals for his fourth Steve Bandura, a recreation leader for the Philadelphia Parks assists for the Blues (22-11-3), who snapped a four-game returned after missing one game with food poisoning career hat trick, and the Coyotes held off the Flyers for and Recreation Department and director of the Anderson losing streak (0-3-1) and avenged a 5-0 loss at Colorado and made 28 saves. Michael Frolik and Mathieu Perreault their third straight victory. Monarchs sports programs, has helped coach Davis since she on Dec. 23. The Avalanche (13-14-8) have dropped two both scored on the power play for the Jets. Vermette became the first player to reach 11 goals for started playing sports. His son, Scott, was the catcher for Taney. straight after going 4-0-2 in their previous six games. the Coyotes, including an empty-netter with 28 seconds Bandura said Davis has maintained her “natural personality” no LIGHTNING 3, MAPLE LEAFS 2 left. Devan Dubnyk stopped 30 shots in his third straight matter how many cameras or microphones are in her face. ISLANDERS 4, CAPITALS 3 Steven Stamkos scored his 20th goal to break a third- solid game. “She’s still the same person, still a kid who wants to do kid Johnny Boychuk’s power-play goal 2:53 into in over- period tie, and the Tampa Bay Lightning rallied from an Oliver Ekman-Larsson added a power-play goal as the things,” Bandura said. “She has fun meeting celebrities and all time lifted the Islanders over the Capitals after New York early two-goal deficit to beat the Maple Leafs. Stamkos Coyotes matched their longest winning streak of the that but the bottom line is she loves to play sports, go to school blew another three-goal lead. gave the Lightning a 3-2 lead with his knee-high deflec- season. RJ Umberger and Sean Couturier scored third- and have fun. The adults make a bigger deal out of it. Her team- For the second straight game, and fourth in recent tion of Matt Carle’s shot with 8:55 to play. Tampa Bay also period goals for the Flyers after they fell behind 3-0. mates understand she’s breaking down barriers and they’re weeks, the Islanders led a three-goal lead get away. New got goals from Ryan Callahan and Valtteri Filppula. Mike Steve Mason made 21 saves in his return after missing proud of her. They’ve been together so long, it’s like she’s their York lost at Buffalo 4-3 on Saturday. Santorelli and Joffrey Lupul scored for the Maple Leafs. four games with back spasms. sister.” Davis knows she has become a role model. Her message to This time, the Capitals stormed back in the third peri- James Reimer started on consecutive days with everyone, especially girls: “Always follow your dreams. If there’s od on goals by Eric Fehr, Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Jonathan Bernier sidelined by flu-like symptoms and FLAMES 2, KINGS 1 something people tell you that you can’t do it, go for it.” — AP Ovechkin. Braden Holtby stopped 35 shots. Boychuk’s made 38 saves. Toronto has lost five of six. Jiri Hudler had a pair of beautiful setups as the Flames third goal gave the Islanders (24-11-1) their 14th home scored twice in the first period and then hung on for a win, topping their total from last season. BRUINS 5, RED WINGS 2 victory over the Kings. Anders Lee, Lubomir Visnovsky and Calvin de Haan Carl Soderberg had a goal and two assists, and the Curtis Glencross and Markus Granlund had the goals also scored for the Islanders. Jaroslav Halak made 23 Bruins took a season-high 45 shots in a win over the Red for Calgary. The Flames have won three in a row since a saves in his return from injury. Wings. Reilly Smith, Gregory Campbell and Seth Griffin seven-game losing streak. also scored for the Bruins. Chris Kelly added an empty- Tyler Toffoli scored for Los Angeles, which began a CANADIENS 3, HURRICANES 1 net goal with 2:26 left in the third period and Tuukka three-game road trip through Western Canada that con- Jiri Sekac and Lars Eller scored second-period Rask made 28 saves for the Bruins. tinues late yesterday in Edmonton. — AP goals, and the Canadiens beat the Hurricanes for their third straight win. Eric Staal, playing in his 800th NHL game, scored a power-play goal for Carolina (10-22-4) NHL results/standings off an assist from his brother Jordan, who played in his first game since breaking his right leg during a pre- season contest on Sept. 23. Jiri Tlusty, who returned Boston 5, Detroit 2; New Jersey 3, Pittsburgh 1; NY Islanders 4, Washington 3 (OT); Montreal 3, Carolina 1; Ottawa after he missing seven games due to an upper-body 5, Buffalo 2; Tampa Bay 3, Toronto 2; St. Louis 3, Colorado 0; Minnesota 3, Winnipeg 2; Chicago 5, Nashville 4 (SO); injury, also had an assist for Carolina. Cam Ward Dallas 3, NY Rangers 2; Calgary 2, Los Angeles 1; Arizona 4, Philadelphia 2. stopped 16 shots. Max Pacioretty added an empty-net Western Conference Montreal 23 11 2 98 85 48 goal in the final minute, and Carey Price had 28 saves Pacific Division Detroit 19 9 9 105 94 47 for Montreal (23-11-2). WL OTLGFGAPTS Toronto 20 14 3 124 111 43 Anaheim 24 8 6 107 101 54 Vancouver 20 11 3 100 93 43 Boston 19 15 3 98 99 41 SENATORS 5, SABRES 2 San Jose 19 12 5 100 93 43 Florida 16 9 8 79 86 40 Bobby Ryan scored three goals to carry the Ottawa Los Angeles 18 12 7 101 91 43 Ottawa 15 14 7 97 99 37 Senators to a victory over the Sabres. Colin Greening was Calgary 20 15 3 110 100 43 Buffalo 14 20 3 75 123 31 awarded Ottawa’s final goal with 2 seconds left after he Arizona 14 18 4 86 115 32 Metropolitan Division was hauled down on a breakaway by defenseman Nikita Edmonton 7 22 7 76 125 21 Pittsburgh 22 9 5 109 86 49 Zadorov with the Sabres net empty for an extra attacker. Central Division Ottawa snapped a three-game losing skid behind a 19- Chicago 25 10 2 117 78 52 NY Islanders 24 11 1 112 101 49 save effort by Craig Anderson. Nashville 23 9 3 103 76 49 Washington 18 11 7 105 94 43 Clarke MacArthur also scored. Jhonas Enroth made 31 St. Louis 22 11 3 106 90 47 NY Rangers 19 11 4 102 87 42 saves for the Sabres, who got goals from Mark Pysyk and Winnipeg 19 11 7 94 87 45 Philadelphia 14 16 6 100 109 34 Zemgus Girgensons. Minnesota 17 13 4 99 95 38 Columbus 15 16 3 86 109 33 Dallas 16 14 5 102 118 37 New Jersey 13 18 7 82 108 33 DEVILS 3, PENGUINS 1 Colorado 13 15 8 92 109 34 SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT: In this Aug. 15, 2014, file photo, Carolina 10 22 4 72 98 24 Travis Zajac had a goal and an assist, and Cory Eastern Conference Pennsylvania’s Mo’ne Davis delivers in the first inning against Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the Schneider made 26 saves as the struggling Devils beat Atlantic Division Tennessee during a baseball game in United States pool play standings and are not included in the loss column (L). the Penguins. Jaromir Jagr and Adam Henrique also Tampa Bay 23 11 4 122 99 50 at the Little League World Series tournament. — AP WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 SPORTS Grand View welcomes competitive challenges EVANSTON: Eight years ago, Grand View Mitchell was a three-time All-American wins, including a 5-3 victory over almost 60 wrestlers that train in renovated tached for South Dakota State, went 0-2 at wasn’t even taking the mat nevertheless and NCAA Division III national finalist for Wisconsin’s No. 11-seed Ryan Lubeck at facilities. They have groomed wrestlers of 165. Former Davenport Assumption prep stepping on the mat with some of the best Wartburg, where he started his coaching 149. He fell to University of Iowa’s Brandon all backgrounds. Some are Division-I trans- Kyle Springer lost two close matches by a in college wrestling. career under Hall of Fame coach Jim Miller. Sorensen, 5-1. fers, some are elite wrestlers with junior combined three points, including one in The emergence of the NAIA program in Mitchell has been the Vikings only leader. Teammates Brandon Wright (141) and national titles on their resume and some overtime. its seventh season has been impressive, His goal was to erect a champion when he Nate Stadeker (165) went 1-1 with their are hard-workers like Schuessler and Iowa Central 197-pounder Pat Downey including three straight NAIA national took the position. losses coming to Hawkeyes. “We’re starting Martinez, who never won state prep titles. won two straight consolation matches team titles. “It was the vision,” Mitchell said. “We to make our schedule tougher and Mitchell said they have been vital to build- after injury defaulting in his opener. Four Vikings are testing their ability wanted to put ourselves in a position to tougher,” Martinez said. “When they started ing the current culture. The future looks Luther’s Jayden DeVilbiss lost by fall to against NCAA opponents and showed they compete for a national title every year. the program, I think they were more just as bright with competition in the room Iowa’s Sammy Brooks. deserved to be included in the field for the Regardless of division, build the best team focused on winning an NAIA national title. fueling the fire. “The younger guys are a lot 52nd Ken Kraft Midlands Championship on that we can.” Now that we’ve done that the last three tougher than us when we were freshmen,” BURAK’S BACK Monday at Northwestern’s Welsh-Ryan All four wrestlers notched wins over years, we’re working hard toward bigger Martinez said. “It’s rubbing off on them.” Iowa’s Nathan Burak wrestled his first Arena. Grand View went 7-3 during the first Division I competitors. Schuessler topped goals and raising the bar.” matches since opening the season with a session of the tournament with senior Missouri’s Matt Lemanowicz, 3-2. He beat Morale victories weren’t sufficient. They IOWANS IN THE FIELD Luther Open title. He has been limited by Jimmie Schuessler winning his first three former Waverly-Shell Rock prep and South did not enter the tournament for participa- The Midlands Championships field an unspecified injury. bouts and reaching the 165-pound semifi- Dakota State’s Spencer Derifield, 10-2, tion prizes. They want more wrestlers to included a few former Iowa preps and oth- Burak earned the top seed, wrestling nals. before a 6-4 overtime win over Franklin make the podium like Chad Lowman did er small Iowa college wrestlers. Former unattached, which means he is not official- “Our guys wrestle tough and that is and Marshall’s Nestor Taffur, who was an last year for the Vikings. West Liberty state medalist Elliot ly competing with the Hawkeyes. He why we come here,” Grand View Coach NCAA qualifier last year for Boston “We didn’t come here to just get experi- Henderson dropped a pair of matches at reached the quarterfinals, posting a pin in Nick Mitchell said. “We know that these University. ence,” Mitchell said. “We came to win the 133 pounds. Former Waverly-Shell Rock his first match and a 6-4 win over Eastern guys can compete with anybody.” Grand View’s Gustavo Martinez had two tournament.” The roster has grown to prep Spencer Derifield, wrestling unat- Michigan’s Anthony Abro. — AP

HOUSTON: Arkansas’sClemson Demetrius Wilson catches a touchdown pass in front of Texas’s Dukerout Thomas (21) during the first half of theTexas Oklahoma Bowl NCAA college football game. — AP

ORLANDO: Clemson quarterback Cole Stoudt yards for the game. The Sooners had five lopsided bowl loss for the Longhorns after a threw for three touchdowns and ran for turnovers, including three interceptions by 30-7 defeat by Oregon last season. Texas A&M Star linemen lead another to lead the Tigers to a 40-6 rout of Trevor Knight. They entered the game averag- recovered from an early 10-point deficit to Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl on ing nearly 40 points but didn’t score until late beat West Virginia 45-37 in the Liberty Bowl, Ducks, FSU to playoff Monday. in the fourth quarter. Arkansas won in its first with Kyle Allen throwing four touchdown In the day’s other bowl games, Arkansas bowl appearance for three years, beating passes and running for a fifth. LOS ANGELES: When offensive linemen are He is expected to be good to go for tomor- also had a comfortable victory, defeating Texas 31-7 in the Texas Bowl, with Brandon Allen went 22 of 35 for 294 yards, and getting a lot of attention, it is usually bad row. “We’ve had some trials and tribulations,” Texas in the Texas Bowl, while Texas A&M Allen throwing for 160 yards and two scores. Malcome Kennedy caught two of the scores. news. That was the case at points this season Greatwood said. Without Grasu, who Fisher for both Oregon and Florida State. The Rose calls the “brains of our operation,” Hamani came back from an early deficit to narrowly In the first game between these former Allen’s 14-yard rushing TD in the final minute Bowl participants each had to deal with issues Stevens moved over from guard to center. win the Liberty Bowl against West Virginia. Southwest Conference rivals for six years, of the first half put the Aggies ahead for good. up front that made them look vulnerable - Former walk-on Matt Pierson slid inside from Clemson’s win was its 10th of the season, Arkansas built a 24-7 lead by halftime and Tra Carson rushed for a career-high 133 yards and each had a lineman step up to save the tackle. Crosby, who struggled early in the sea- reaching double-digit victories for the fourth Jonathan Williams, who finished with 105 on 25 carries, and Trey Williams scored two day. For Oregon it was Jake Fisher, who son at left tackle, was much better prepared consecutive season. yards rushing, added a 1-yard touchdown run touchdowns. West Virginia quarterbacks returned from an early season injury to pro- to handle right tackle. Stoudt was 26 for 36 for a season-high 319 early in the fourth quarter. Skyler Howard went 20 of 45 for 346 yards vide stability at left tackle. “I can’t say enough about the way he’s yards. He was sacked four times, but the Texas was smothered by Arkansas’ defense and three touchdowns in only his second For Florida State, Cameron Erving made a handled himself as a true freshman,” Tigers never turned the ball over. The defense almost all night and finished with a season- career start, replacing Clint Trickett, who quit late-season move from tackle to center that Greatwood said. “I really think he’s going to be also did its job, holding Oklahoma to just 275 low 59 total yards. It is the second straight the sport due to multiple concussions. — AP solidified the heart of the Seminoles’ offense. one of the dominant tackles in the conference Behind those reworked offensive lines, if not in the country.” Greatwood said he Marcus Mariota and the second-seeded Ducks cross-trains all his linemen at center when will face Jameis Winston and the third-seeded they come into the program, just in case. Seminoles tomorrow in Pasadena in what is Florida State offensive line coach Rick Trickett expected to be a high-scoring College does the same and had been working Erving Football Playoff semifinal. Fisher missed both at center since last fall. “All my years of coach- the Washington State and Arizona games with ing I’ve never had a guy bend over the foot- a leg injury and without him Mariota took a ball and be more natural than he is,” Trickett beating. The Ducks barely escaped Pullman, said. The coach almost moved Erving to cen- Washington, with a victory before getting ter in September, but wasn’t sure the senior beat at home by the Wildcats. Oregon allowed was ready. As the season progressed Florida 12 sacks in those two games. In the eight State’s veteran offensive line was underper- games since - all double-digit victories for the forming. Heading into the Miami game, Ducks - Oregon has allowed 14 sacks. Fisher Trickett made the move with Erving and said Monday during Rose Bowl media day inserted freshman Roderick Johnson at left that the loss brought out the best in the tackle. “I was more concerned in the Miami Ducks. “There was a lot of emotions after that game about Cam than I was with Rod,” Trickett loss. A lot of people realized things can go said. “Rod’s pretty mature for his age.” Erving south really quickly if we didn’t put it back was happy to do anything necessary to help together,” the senior third-team All-American the team. “Center is definitely different said. “Everyone got more prepared mentally because you have a little help on every play,” and physically.” he said. “Sometimes you don’t even have a Fisher’s return fortified Mariota’s blindside man, specifically. You’re helping other people. protection and allowed freshman Tyrell With tackle you either have this guy or this Crosby a chance to get comfortable in a lesser guy. There’s always somebody out there.” And role. “Just having Jake back, the leader that he at tackle you never need to glance back is, the work ethic that he possesses, I think has before the play. “You look down once and you been huge,” offensive line coach Steve come back up and see something totally dif- Greatwood said. “It’s just been kind of a calm- ferent (from the defense),” he said. ing influence for us. Now we’ve been able to In the four games since Erving switched, somewhat settle guys into some positions Florida State has allowed two sacks as com- that they can get comfortable with.” pared to 19 in the nine previous games. The Greatwood wasn’t done juggling. Against Seminoles ran for 181 yards in the season Utah, second-team All-America center Hroniss finale against Florida and 179 yards against Grasu was injured and the Ducks played the Georgia Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference final two regular-season games and the Pac- title game, their best totals this season against 12 title rematch against Arizona without him. FBS competition. —AP LONDON: Peter Wright celebrates defeating Andy Hamilton during the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace. — AP WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 SPORTS

PORT ELIZABETH: West Indies’ Shivnarine Chanderpaul at the wicket during the fourth day of the second Test against South Africa on Monday. — AP Second Test drawn as wet outfield wins final day

PORT ELIZABETH: South Africa’s hopes of victo- post-match presentation. “The wicket was better yards. In this game he bowled exceptionally well ry on day five of the second test against West to bat on and with the time we lost in the match, again.” The touring side also have reasons to SCOREBOARD Indies were thwarted yesterday by heavy when we were batting we tried to make a game smile after gutsy, battling centuries from man of overnight rain and a wet outfield which prevent- of it.” the match Kraigg Brathwaite and Marlon Scoreboard at close of play on the fifth day in the second Test between South Africa ed any play. Both sides will take positives into Friday’s Samuels, who were superb against a barrage of and West Indies yesterday in Port Elizabeth, South Africa The top-ranked Proteas had hoped to wrap final test in Cape Town. There were welcome hostile fast bowling. “Marlon got a brilliant hun- South Africa 1st innings 417 for 8 decl (D. K. Peters run out (Steyn, de Villiers) 0 up the West Indian first innings with the tourists centuries for struggling Proteas opener Dean dred and young Kraigg as well, but we weren’t Elgar 121, F. du Plessis 103, D. Steyn 58). Extras (lb-4) 4 on 275 for nine before scoring quickly to set up Elgar and Faf du Plessis, and the manner in able to carry on from that start and our batting West Indies 1st innings (Overnight: 275-9) Total (for 9 wickets, 79 overs) 275 a testing afternoon for the visitors to survive. which their bowling attack ran through the West faltered,” captain Denesh Ramdin said, before K. Brathwaite c Petersen b M. Morkel 106 Fall of wickets: 1-55 De. Smith, 2-55 L. But the weather, which allowed for just 201 Indies middle and lower order to take seven adding that the dropped catches and missed De. Smith c Amla b M. Morkel 22 Johnson, 3-231 M. Samuels, 4-233 K. overs out of a scheduled 450 in the test, caused wickets for 44 runs was also a plus point. Morne stumping on day one were also a worry. L. Johnson c du Plessis b M. Morkel 0 Brathwaite, 5-260 D. Ramdin, 6-261 S. a disappointing end with West Indies still 142 Morkel was especially threatening and took four “We bowled in the right areas and created M. Samuels lbw b Philander 101 Chanderpaul, 7-265 J. Holder, 8-270 S. S. Chanderpaul b Tahir 7 Benn, 9-275 K. Peters. runs behind the hosts’ first-innings score of 417 for 69 to earn special praise from his captain. some chances, but in the fielding department Did not bat: S. Gabriel D. Ramdin lbw b Tahir 20 for eight declared. “To get 400 on the board was “Morne has been doing exceptionally well for us we need to do some work, we didn’t execute Bowling: D. Steyn 14-3-48-0, V. Philander a good effort. Losing as much time in the game for quite a while,” Amla said. well enough there.” South Africa lead the three- J. Holder c de Villiers b M. Morkel 1 18-4-41-1, M. Morkel 20-2-69-4, I. Tahir is disappointing, but that’s the way it goes,” “He doesn’t always get the accolades he match series after victory by an innings and 220 J. Taylor not out 10 26-2-108-3, D. Elgar 1-0-5-0. South Africa captain Hashim Amla said at the deserves, but he is the guy that puts in the hard runs in the first test in Pretoria. — Reuters S. Benn c Petersen b Tahir 4 Result: Draw Inoue KEA back to winning ways grabs KUWAIT: The 17th Prof. Ramachandran memo- charge of the middle overs. Ajin (44) was partic- provided KEA the breakthrough getting Sunil tory after a gap of 7 years was an indication of WBO belt rial cricket tournament (sponsored by GTE ularly impressive making room and dispatching (20) smartly stumped by Tibish in the 10th over the changing equations in the KEF cricketing Olayan Co and organized by College of the short balls in the arc between cover and with the score reading 48. Next man Shajeer circles. While KEA, TEC and AECK proved that Engineering Trivandrum Alumini Association) third man while Nithin (16) never missed an tried to increase the run rate with bold hits but they are the leading sides, TKM and NSS TOKYO: Japanese boxing wonder- came to a close on 26th Dec 2014 with the final opportunity to give the strike back to Ajin. when he and Ramesh (18) were out at the same showed they are not far behind. It was evident boy Naoya Inoue dethroned Omar between KEA and TEC, two of the best and When the 5th wicket pair added 57 runs in 7 score of 59 in the 12th over, the match took a that CET and NIT has a long way to go before Narvaez of Argentina with a sec- evenly matched teams in the competition. overs, the tide turned firmly in KEA’s favor. definite turn. The remaining batsmen could not they could be rated as serious challengers. All in ond-round knockout and grabbed The weather was cold but perfect for a hard With the help of the lower order KEA finished cope up with the increasing run rate and suc- all, with the improving standards and cama- the World Boxing Organization jun- fought game of cricket. KEA got the initial on an imposing 99 for the loss of 7 wickets off cumbed to catches in the deep. In the end TEC radarie, this was a tournament that all cricket ior bantamweight title. advantage by winning the toss and choosing to their 15 overs. Shajeer was the most economical could reach only 75 for 7 wickets off their 15 lovers enjoyed as seen by their increasing pres- The unbeaten 21-year-old previ- bat first. But they were in for a rude shock as of the TEC bowlers giving away only 11 runs off overs leaving KEA convincing winners by 24 ence at the ground. ously captured the World Boxing their skipper Tibish was LBW to the first ball of his 3 overs. Sreekumar (2 for 15), Ramesh (2 for runs. The winner’s trophy and medals were given Council light flyweight title in April the match from Sreekumar. This brought in 17) and Sunil (2 for 22) tried to contain KEA but TEC badly missed the services of Dinto and away by Tapan Ramesh, Regional Manager, GTE and defended it in September. KEA’s new star and main hope Ajin Skaria to join Suresh (1 for 31) was expensive. Sandeep which depleted their normally incisive Olayan (main sponsor) and the runners trophy For this match, Inoue jumped up the dependable Govind. Sreekumar again With the wicket favouring the bowlers, TEC bowling attack. For KEA Nithin (3 for 20) and and medals by Cetaa President Sunil Kumar. two categories in what was touted raised the hopes of TEC getting rid of Govind faced an uphill task chasing the target of 100 Ajin (2 for 7) were again the stars showing their Individual prizes were awarded to Ajin Skaria as an ambitious shot to fight cheaply in the 3rd over. runs. Ajin again proved his worth removing the all round capabilities in full measure well sup- (KEA - Man of the Match and Player of the Narvaez, 39, who had defended the And when Ramesh got Binu caught at point dangerous Suresh for 7 with a smart return ported by Sreejith (1 for 10), Presoon and Tournament), Nithin Varughese (KEA - best WBO belt for 12 years. off a full toss, the score was only 23 (for 3) in the catch in the 3rd over. Sunil and Ramesh tried to Naseef. bowler) and Mahesh (AECK - best batsmen) by 5th over and TEC was firmly in control. However, repair the damage, using their experience in In summary, this year’s tournament was Messrs Shyam Mohan (Co Sponsor - Nouri Est), But the Japanese fighter, nick- Ajin found an able partner in Nithin Varughese the face of adversity, but the quality of the dominated by the bowlers in bowler friendly Suresh Krishnan (GC ex officio), Anilkumar (GC named “Monster”, was in control and mixing caution with aggression both of attack tied them down. Boundaries were hard conditions with the teams having better bowl- designate), Varkey Monsey (ex GC) and Jose from the start of the bout, putting them took the attack to the opposition taking to come by. The introduction of spinner Nithin ing strength reaching the later stages. KEA’s vic- Kurishinkal (Cetaa). his experienced opponent to the floor three times, before finishing with a killer left body punch that kept Narvaez on his knees. “I have practiced the body punch, and I thought I can bring him down if I could find opportuni- ties to use it,” Inoue said after the match. “I appreciate this opportunity to fight the super champion (Narvaez) in Japan,” he added. Inoue is unde- feated-his professional record now stands at eight wins, seven by knockout. The bout was part of a triple header that also featured Mexican Pedro Guevara lifting the WBC light flyweight title by flooring Japanese fighter Akira Yaegashi. Guevara’s seventh-round knock- down with a stunning body punch denied Yaegashi’s attempt to win his third world title. Meanwhile, Jorge Linares of Venezuela won a WBC lightweight title by beating Mexico’s Javier Prieto. Linares collected his third world title with his fourth-round knock- out, after winning the WBC feather- weight and the WBA super feather- weight titles. — AFP WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 SPORTS

Reaction MELBOURNE: India captain Mahendra inning! Good luck!” Singh Dhoni announced his test retire- Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar ment with immediate effect yesterday. to Star Sports: “He was a top class Following is reaction to the news. leader...the biggest thing about Indian cricket great Sachin Tendulkar Mahendra Singh Dhoni is he’s been a on Twitter: “well done on a wonderful supremely content person with whatever career in test cricket @msdhoni. Always has come his way in life. No better state enjoyed playing together. Next target to be in than being supremely content.” 2015 WC my friend!!” Former England captain Nasser Former England captain Michael Hussain on Sky Sports: “His 45 per cent Vaughan on Twitter: “Love the way win-rate, the highest of any Indian cap- @msdhoni plays the game ... But it’s now tain to skipper the side at least five times, the right time for @imVkohli to take the is phenomenal but just as impressive is Indian Test team in a new direction.” the way he has led the side with such Former India captain Anil Kumble on dignity and calmness during his 60 Tests Twitter: “Chennai 2 G, Great career MSD in charge.” India cricketer Suresh Raina on @msdhoni retired as captain. Way 2 go! Twitter: “Valiant while you led. Valiant in Well done buddy on a fantastic test your departure. #respect” ‘Spoilt brat’ Kohli assumes Test helm

NEW DELHI: Firebrand batsman Virat SAGGING MORALE Kohli is likely to instill a new aggression Kohli’s immediate task will be to lift the in the Indian team as he assumes the sagging morale of the team who have just captaincy of a Test side which badly one more game to salvage a modicum of needs to start packing a punch on its pride before starting their defence of the travels. ODI World Cup under Dhoni’s steward- Dubbed by some opponents as a ship. For the moment his appointment is ‘spoilt brat’, the 26-year-old has been as interim skipper but he has long been tasked with leading a team that last won widely seen as the natural successor of a Test series away from home back in Dhoni who was the most successful Test 2011 against the West Indies. match skipper in India’s history. The tim- Kohli, who is taking over from ing of Dhoni’s announcement took many Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the fourth by surprise although the 33-year-old had and final Test in Sydney, has been one of been tipped by many to stand down once the few batsman to emerge with credit the series was over. The right-hander Kohli MELBOURNE: India’s Ajinkya Rahane bends back to avoid a bouncer from Australia’s Mitchell Johnson on the final day of their cricket Test from the tour in Australia which again has emerged as India’s leading batsman match. — AP saw India suffer a resounding series following the recent retirements of a defeat. string of greats including Sachin The loss of the Border-Gavaskar tro- Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. Dhoni quits tests after India phy follows series defeats in England and From 32 Tests so far, Kohli has aggre- New Zealand earlier this year for a team gated 2,354 runs at an average of 44.41 that was ranked the best in the world lit- with nine hundreds and 10 half-centuries. tle more than three years ago. He has been the vice-captain and led lose series 2-0 to Australia The team’s shortcomings were first India in the first Test against Australia with exposed in England in the summer of Dhoni nursing an injury. Kohli, who has MELBOURNE: The third Test between Australia and 2011 when they suffered the first of two been romantically linked with raven- India in Melbourne failed to deliver a nail-biting SCOREBOARD back-to-back whitewashes. Australia haired Bollywood actress Anushka finish yesterday but ended with a draw tinged with dished out the second hiding. Sharma, is popular with many fans controversy and the shock retirement of long-serv- But while other batsman such as despite his somewhat brash reputation. ing India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni from test Scoreboard at close of play on the fifth day in the third Test between Australia and India yester- swashbuckling opener Shikhar Dhawan Even Indian batting great Sunil cricket. The result secured Australia a 2-0 series vic- day in Melbourne, Australia. and the usually solid Cheteshwar Pujara Gavaskar has been moved to voice his dis- tory with a match in reserve, but their triumph was Australia 1st innings 530 (S. Smith 192, R. Harris, 9-317 S. Marsh. have struggled Down Under in recent approval of Kohli’s aggressive approach in quickly overtaken by the bombshell that Dhoni Harris 74, C. Rogers 57, B. Haddin 55, S. Watson Bowling: U. Yadav 22-3-89-2(w-1), M. Shami weeks, Kohli has scored three centuries- Australia, saying he was “not sure it was had pulled the pin on his 90-test career to concen- 52; M. Shami 4-138). 28-4-92-2(w-1), I. Sharma 20-5-49-2(nb-5), R. and got under the Australians’ skin in the the wisest thing to do”. trate on the shorter formats of the game. India 1st innings 465 (V. Kohli 169, A. Rahane Ashwin 28-4-75-2. process. But Sourav Ganguly, another former Displaying his usual serenity, the 33-year-old 147, M. Vijay 68; R. Harris 4-70) India 2nd innings (Target: 384 runs) “They were calling me a spoilt brat, skipper who managed to famously rile the Dhoni said nothing of his retirement plans and the M. Vijay lbw b Hazlewood 11 and I said maybe that’s the way I am,” Aussies, is a fan of Kohli’s no-holds barred news was broken on the Board of Control for Australia 2nd innings (Overnight: 261-7) S. Dhawan lbw b Harris 0 Kohli told reporters in Melbourne on approach. Cricket in India’s Twitter feed only minutes after the D. Warner lbw b Ashwin 40 L. Rahul c Watson b Johnson 1 Sunday after a spat with express bowler “I like his (Kohli’s) passion. You’ve got to final question was asked at the post-match media C. Rogers b Ashwin 69 V. Kohli c Burns b Harris 54 Mitchell Johnson. “You guys hate me and have passion,” said Ganguly. “It should conference. Batsman Virat Kohli, long Dhoni’s heir S. Watson c Dhoni b I. Sharma 17 A. Rahane c S. Marsh b Hazlewood 48 I like that. I don’t mind having a chat on mean something to you, any job you do. I apparent and stand-in skipper during the first test S. Smith c Rahane b U. Yadav 14 C. Pujara b Johnson 21 loss in Adelaide, will lead the team for the fourth the field.” like him, I like what I see.” — AFP S. Marsh run out (Kohli) 99 M. Dhoni not out 24 and final match in Sydney, the BCCI added, capping J. Burns c Dhoni b I. Sharma 9 R. Ashwin not out 8 a surreal day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. B. Haddin c Dhoni b U. Yadav 13 Extras (lb-6 nb-1) 7 Dhoni, fittingly, played an important part in his M. Johnson c Rahane b Shami 15 Total (for 6 wickets, 66 overs) 174 team’s gritty effort to stave off a third straight test R. Harris c Dhoni b Shami 21 Fall of wickets: 1-2 S. Dhawan, 2-5 L. Rahul, 3- defeat on the fifth and final day. N. Lyon not out 1 19 M. Vijay, 4-104 V. Kohli, 5-141 C. Pujara, 6- He came in to bat with the team in trouble at J. Hazlewood not out 0 142 A. Rahane. 141-5 and grafted an unbeaten 24 after tea. Along Extras (lb-13 nb-5 w-2) 20 Did not bat: M. Shami, I. Sharma, U. Yadav with number seven batsman Ravichandran Ashwin, Total (for 9 wickets declared, 98 overs) 318 Bowling: M. Johnson 15-3-38-2, R. Harris 16-8- who scored eight, he helped guide the tourists to Fall of wickets: 1-57 D. Warner, 2-98 S. Watson, 30-2, J. Hazlewood 15-3-40-2, N. Lyon 12-0-36- safety. Though Dhoni’s effort was praiseworthy, his 3-131 S. Smith, 4-164 C. Rogers, 5-176 J. Burns, 0, S. Watson 6-1-14-0 (nb-1), S. Smith 2-0-10-0. counterpart Steven Smith’s decision to concede 6-202 B. Haddin, 7-234 M. Johnson, 8-303 R. Result: Draw the draw four overs early, rather than push to the end to get the final four wickets for victory, drew jeers from spectators at the ground. PRESSURE ON and Ajinkya Rahane (48) dug in to tea, before Harris Smith justified the decision, saying his bowlers Australia declared on 318-9, setting India a had Kohli out with the first ball after the break and were “cooked” and his team mates happy enough mammoth 384 to win on a ground where the high- Mitchell Johnson struck to bowl Cheteshwar Pujara with the series win. est successful run-chase was 332 by England back for 21. A jumpy Rahane was out a few overs later, That came after a late declaration at lunch that in 1928/29. For a time, that appeared more than throwing away his wicket for 48 with a horrible pull also raised eyebrows, with Australia’s bowlers given adequate for the hosts, whose pacemen scythed shot, but Dhoni and Ashwin would survive, though only 70 overs to find a way to bowl India out on a through India’s top order with three wickets in the riding their luck at times. flat wicket offering little help. “I don’t think there first nine overs. Opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan Dhoni never gave a hint of his plans post-match was still a win there,” Smith told reporters. “I don’t was out lbw for a duck and Lokesh Rahul, surpris- but praised his players for fighting it out. “We lost think we had four wickets in us at the end-there ingly sent in at number three, was caught the next early wickets, we put pressure on ourselves and we wasn’t much breaking up in the wicket, there over for one after a miscued pull shot. Opener had to fight it out and overall it’s a good perform- wasn’t much going on, so I think that was it.” Murali Vijay was dismissed lbw for 11. Kohli (54) ance by the team.” —Reuters Bike-loving Dhoni ends long test ride

NEW DELHI: The words “honor” and since 2011. The burden of captaining “virtue” are written across Mahendra and keeping wicket in all three for- Singh Dhoni’s chest in his Twitter pro- mats of the game also took its toll on file picture, fitting words for the Dhoni’s body. Runs began to dry up Indian who displayed both qualities in tests and his movement behind in abundance during his 90-test the stumps slowed down, resulting in career. spilt catches and fluffed stumpings. The honorary Indian Army lieu- Dhoni’s usual limited-over pro- tenant colonel dropped a bombshell activeness often deserted him in the by announcing his retirement from test arena and the clamour was grow- tests at the age of 33 moments after ing to hand the job over to Virat helping India secure a draw in the Kohli, an animated antithesis to third match against Australia. The Dhoni’s phlegmatic brand of captain- series was lost but it was an abrupt cy. “He must have been very end to a career in which Dhoni impressed with how Virat captained emerged from the cricketing backwa- and handled the pressure in the first ters of Jharkhand to take arguably test,” former India captain Sunil the most difficult job in the sport- Gavaskar told Star Sports, referring to leading the national team of 1.2 bil- the Adelaide test which Dhoni lion cricket-crazy Indians. missed due to injury. He rose from being a ticket inspec- “He would have thought ‘Virat is tor with Indian Railways to a charis- ready, so it’s better to make way now’ matic bike-loving cricketer with flow- and that’s what he has done,” ing locks who often changed hair- Gavaskar added. While Kohli’s superi- styles and befriended Bollywood ority as a test batsman is beyond actors. doubt, the 26-year-old’s ability to Dhoni developed his own batting control his emotions, which often and keeping techniques, tinkered threaten to get the better of him, will with conventional field settings and be tested. displayed a natural tendency to take Dhoni leaves test cricket with a calculated risks while maintaining a 45 percent winning record as cap- Zen-like calm. tain to focus on his favoured limited- Under his leadership, India won overs game, starting with leading the Twenty20 World Cup in 2007 and India’s title defence in the 50-over the 50-over World Cup four years lat- World Cup. Dhoni will once again er and were the top-ranked test team marshal his team mates in the tour- for a year and half in between. nament in Australia and New But India’s most successful test Zealand starting in February, and his captain also presided over a dismal fans will go into raptures every time AUSTRALIA: Indian batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni plays a shot BANGALORE: In this photograph taken on September 2, 2012, Indian batsman Virat away record with the team winning he unfurls his trademark “helicopter during the final day of the third cricket Test match against Kohli raises his bat after scoring a century. — AFP only two of 22 tests on foreign soil shot”. — Reuters Australia. — AFP WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 SPORTS Before transfer window, scramble for new managers

LONDON: Before the scramble to sign players in the West Ham manager Sam Allardyce, whose team among some Arsenal fans over the durability of keeper Hugo Lloris said. “We are improving. January transfer window, there’s a rush to fill manage- hosts West Brom on New Year’s Day. “When it comes Arsene Wenger, the league’s longest-serving current Defensively, we are stronger.” rial vacancies. Three clubs are making changes in the up to a transfer window as well, it looks like it has a manager at 16 years-plus, over his failure to deliver midst of the Premier League season’s busiest period, major affect on owners. the title since 2004. Wenger, though, will restore MANCHESTER RIVALS with all 20 teams in action on Thursday for the third “The manager may have proposed some players Arsenal to its accustomed place in the top four at Manchester City’s players must be more ruthless time in a week. It had been a rare period of stability - to bring in during the window and they may have Southampton’s expense by beating the surprisingly against Sunderland after squandering a 2-0 lead the Premier League reached Christmas without a taken the opinion that they would rather give that high-flying south-coast club tomorrow. against Burnley to draw 2-2, a collapse which raised managerial casualty for the first time since 1995 - until opportunity to a new manager. It seems that might Here are some other things to watch: doubts about their ability to defend the title. Neil Warnock was fired by Crystal Palace on Saturday. be the case.” Like Pardew at St. James’ Park, Allardyce “We just have to be more clinical up front,” City With Palace in the relegation zone, that dismissal faced calls from his own fans in the last year to quit. PACESETTERS midfielder Samir Nasri said. “We have to score. We seemed to be only a matter of time. Perhaps more Not only could Newcastle fans see the back of Chelsea has Manchester City’s implosion against have to kill the game sometimes.” surprising is Alan Pardew swapping mid-table medi- Pardew, but the club could also receive more than $3 Burnley to thank for maintaining its three-point lead. Another slip-up would give Manchester United an ocrity at Newcastle for a relegation scrap at Palace, million in compensation from Palace if a deal can be City’s surprise draw came after Chelsea was held by opportunity to make up some of the seven-point with the manager in negotiations yesterday to rejoin done. Although owner Mike Ashley seems unlikely to Southampton on Sunday, providing a reminder that gap on its neighbors by winning at Stoke. the club he played for in the 1980s. spend on reinforcements in January for the 10th- the destination of the trophy is far from certain. It is likely to create an unexpected vacancy at place team. Allardyce would succeed Pardew as the Chelsea is reunited with Tottenham at White Hart IN THE DROP ZONE Newcastle. And the northeast club is searching for a Premier League’s second longest-serving current Lane less than month after sweeping to a 3-0 victory The three bottom teams all avoided losing on candidate in the same managerial talent pool as manager. The determination by West Ham’s owners at home. Since then, Tottenham has gone five games Sunday. For Leicester, there was a first win since West Bromwich Albion, which fired Alan Irvine on to stick by the manger they appointed in 2011 has unbeaten domestically, including Sunday’s 0-0 draw September against Hull, but the last-place team next Monday after only six months in charge. been rewarded by Allardyce taking the team into the against Manchester United. faces a resurgent Liverpool. Burnley follows up its “If you don’t get results, then clubs change man- second half of the season in sixth place. Stability “We had some bad games last season and we had unexpected draw at City with a trip to Newcastle, agers now more regularly than they did before,” said doesn’t necessarily equal success. There is weariness the feeling that we gave up a bit,” Tottenham goal- while Palace play Aston Villa. — AP Chelsea’s lead is not enough, Drogba warns

LONDON: Chelsea will begin 2015 protect- a particularly special achievement for the ing a three-point lead in the Premier ‘Special One’ to maintain that extraordinary League title race but will heed the words of sequence. “I think it’s going to be tough,” their grand old striker Didier Drogba who Drogba said, reflecting on how Chelsea’s warns that it is simply not enough. one-time eight-point lead has been whit- “We start again a new championship,” tled down. Indeed, if City had not blown a boomed the Ivorian, as Chelsea prepared 2-0 lead on Boxing Day to draw with to visit their fierce London rivals Tottenham Burnley, there would have now been only on New Year’s Day, with champions one point separating the leaders. Manchester City, at home against “We knew it was not over. A few years Sunderland, still snapping at their heels. ago, I think we were 11 or 12 points in front of Man United and then they won the league,” Drogba said. “So eight points or nine points-I don’t know how many points we had on top of Man City-I think it is not enough. “I think now we start again a new championship. I think the game is on.” Mourinho, happy to play up any con- spiracy theory if it helps strengthen his players’ indignation, claimed after the draw at Southampton that a campaign to por- tray his team as divers was costing them crucial points. Still, he could hardly be start- ing the year at a happier hunting ground, Chelsea’s domination over Spurs having been so pronounced in the Premier League era that their fans like to think of Tottenham’s White Hart Lane home as ‘Three Point Lane’. Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho Against Sunderland, City manager Manuel Pellegrini will be looking to avoid a Everything bodes well for Jose repeat of what he felt was complacency in Mourinho’s soaring side, not least the fact the Burnley slip-up. Manchester United, that on the seven previous occasions his seven points behind their city neighbours teams have been leading their respective in third place, visit Stoke City while the SPAIN: In this Jan. 8, 2011 file photo, Barcelona youth players from ‘La Masia’ football academy warm up at the Barcelona FC’s Joan Gamper leagues at Christmas, they have always New Year match of the day could be at St training camp. The Court of Arbitration for Sport yesterday dismissed Barcelona’s appeal and upheld the transfer ban FIFA imposed on the club gone on to take the title. Mary’s where Southampton and Arsenal, for infringing regulations on registering minors as youth players. — AP Mourinho’s faithful old lieutenant fourth and fifth respectively on 33 points, Drogba, though, believes it will have to be lock horns.— Reuters Court deals transfer Milan defeat Real Madrid DUBAI: Serie A giants AC Milan ‘ended’ matches in all competitions coming into ban blow to Barcelona Real Madrid’s 22 match winning streak the clash although Tuesday’s match was yesterday as striker Stephan El Shaarawy classified as a friendly and not an official scored twice in a 4-2 friendly win in fixture. LAUSANNE: The main international sport called for a change in the FIFA rules as the of Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta. But it has Dubai. Real, won the World Club Cup on appeal court yesterday backed a one year club confirmed they would study the full CAS since admitted errors in the cases of the 10 Real coach Carlo Ancelotti left star Sunday with a 2-0 win over Argentine transfer ban against Barcelona in a major ruling and could make an appeal to a Swiss young players. players Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and club San Lorenzo, but El Shaarawy did blow to the Spanish football giants. federal court. The ban is a new blow to the club’s image. James Rodriguez out of his starting line- the damage for the Italians with goals The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) “FIFA and its president should represent an Barcelona already face criminal proceedings up but Cristiano Ronaldo began the either side of half-time while Frenchman “dismissed” a Barcelona appeal against the organisation that protects the world of foot- in Spain over alleged tax avoidance in the match and scored a first half goal in vain. Jeremy Menez and Giampaolo Pazzini FIFA ban imposed in April for breaching rules ball and with these decisions they are moving signing of Brazilian star Neymar in 2013. The European champions had won 22 were also on target. — AFP on signing players aged under 18. away from their goal,” Bartomeu told Barca TV. Argentine striker Lionel Messi also faces a pos- Barcelona cannot buy players during the “The priority has been given to a poorly sible trial over tax avoidance. transfer window that opens on January 1 and written rule, going beyond the spirit that And the sanction will not help coach Luis for the summer transfer period before the inspired this rule,” he complained. “I hope FIFA Enrique in his campaign to get Barcelona back 2015-16 season. They can only open the will have the good sense to rewrite this rule.” to the winning ways expected by fans. cheque book again in January 2016. “FIFA FIFA ordered the ban in April after an inves- Barcelona had been linked with a January considers that CAS has shown clear and tigation into several under-18 players who move for Germany’s World Cup forward Marco strong support for FIFA’s efforts to protect were registered and played for Barcelona Reus. underage players,” the world ruling body said between 2009 and 2013. It found that The team won the Spanish title in 2013 but in a statement. Barcelona and the Spanish federation were have since been eclipsed by Real Madrid and Barcelona however said they would consid- guilty of a “serious” infringement of rules for Atletico Madrid in Spain and Europe. er a new appeal to a Swiss federal court. CAS 10 players. Barcelona last won the Champions League in and FIFA are both based in Switzerland. Barcelona made a first appeal to FIFA and 2011. Barcelona were also fined 450,000 Swiss the sanction was suspended enabling them They are currently one point behind Real francs ($455,000, 375,000 euros). The Spanish to make major signings such as Luis Suarez but have played one game more. Reigning federation was also reprimanded by FIFA and from Liverpool for 95 million euros. champions Atletico in third place are just fined. “The panel found in particular that FC They also bought defenders Thomas three points behind.Vermaelen is injured and Barcelona had breached the rules regarding Vermaelen from Arsenal and Jeremy Mathieu not expected to play again until at least the protection of minors and the registration from Valenica, midfielder Ivan Rakitic from March and other new signings have not of minors attending football academies,” said Sevilla and goalkeepers Claudio Bravo from shone. Suarez has scored only one league the statement. Real Sociedad and Marc-AndrÈ ter Stegen goal since making his debut in October. Barcelona said they “totally disagree” with from Borussia Monchengladbach in a summer Enrique insisted this month however that the sanction which they called “disproportion- spree of more than 150 million euros. Barcelona can compete even without new ate” and “excessive”. The club acknowledged FIFA’s appeal committee upheld the ban in players. The FIFA ban will put pressure on making “errors” but said these were caused by August and Barcelona then went to the CAS. Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, “conflict between FIFA regulations and Barcelona aggressively fought the ban at the already struggling with the Neymar case, and Spanish legislation.” start, calling it a “grave injustice” and a threat who may have to put his job up for reelection Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu to its ‘Masia’ academy which nurtured the likes before his term ends in 2016.— AFP Pardew set for Palace job

LONDON: Alan Pardew is set to quit “Crystal Palace have offered compensation Newcastle’s transfer policy in recent seasons Newcastle United and take over as the new at a level whereby Alan has now been permit- and continuous criticism from a large section manager of Crystal Palace after being granted ted to speak to them. “As a result of this devel- of fans to get him out of the job. Pardew is permission to speak to his former club about opment today (Monday), Alan will not be at one of the lowest paid managers in the the move on Monday. training on Tuesday. Training will be the league and Palace are said to be willing to The Eagles are looking for a new boss after responsibility of assistant manager John improve his salary. sacking Neil Warnock on Saturday and Pardew Carver. The Club will make a further And the 53-year-old stoked the speculation is on the verge of a surprise return to Selhurst announcement in due course.” over his future by failing to attend the post- Park now Newcastle have given Palace the Pardew made 128 appearances for Palace match press conference following his side’s 3- green light to discuss a contract. It has been between 1988 and 1991 and scored the win- 2 win over Everton on Sunday. reported that Palace will pay a £2 million (2.55 ning goal in his side’s famous 4-3 win over Palace chairman Steve Parish wants to act million euros, $3.1 million) compensation fee Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-finals at Villa swiftly following the departure of Warnock to to land Pardew, who still has five years left on Park in 1990. allow his new boss time to spend in the his St James’ Park contract. “Newcastle United Despite a mounting campaign for his dis- January transfer window. can confirm that Crystal Palace have made a missal from a large section of Newcastle sup- The south Londoners are in the relegation formal approach requesting permission to porters, Pardew retained the faith of Magpies zone after Sunday’s 0-0 draw at fellow strug- speak to Alan Pardew in relation to their owner Mike Ashley. glers QPR, with Keith Millen in charge of DUBAI: Real Madrid’s Jese (left) fights for the ball with AC Milan’s Michelangelo vacant managerial position,” a statement on But although the Magpies are a bigger club Palace in a caretaker capacity for the third Albertazzi during the Dubai Football Challenge match. — AP the club’s website announced. than Palace, Pardew has been frustrated by time. — AFP Stars shine as Milan defeat Blues advance Real Madrid

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 201415 19 Before transfer window, scramble for new managers Page 19

NEW YORK: Brooklyn Nets’ Mason Plumlee (1) guards Sacramento Kings’ DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the second half of an NBA basketball game. The Nets won the game 107-99. — AP Nets snare Kings

NEW YORK: Mason Plumlee continued his impressive play with a BUCKS 104, HORNETS 94 team-high 22 points, Joe Johnson and Jarret Jack each scored 16, Brandon Knight scored 18 points, including a layup to force and the Brooklyn Nets held on to beat the Sacramento Kings 107- overtime, and Milwaukee pulled away to beat Charlotte. Jared 99 on Monday night. Rudy Gay had 25 points and DeMarcus Dudley scored 17 points, Giannis Antetokounm had 16, Zaza Cousins added 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Kings, who’ve Pachulia had 15, O.J. Mayo had 13 and John Henson added 11 for lost 13 of their last 17 games. the Bucks (16-16), who snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Brook Lopez came off the bench and chipped in 11 points for Hornets dating back to the 2011-2012 season. the Nets, who bounced back from a 25-point loss to Indiana on Kemba Walker scored 28 points, Gerald Henderson added 19 Saturday night at Barclays Center and won for the fourth time in and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist scored 10 for the Hornets (10-22), who their last five games. The Nets led 93-83 with 5:53 left in the fourth fought back from a 21-point deficit in the first half. quarter after a layup by Deron Williams, but Gay then scored five Walker’s layup with 54.5 seconds remaining gave Charlotte an straight points in a 26-second span, including a 3-pointer, that cut 83-81 lead, but Knight followed up his own blocked shot for a the lead to 93-88 with 5:12 to play. layup with 16 seconds left to tie the score and force overtime. Milwaukee then pulled ahead for good on Henson’s three- CLIPPERS 101, JAZZ 97 point play with 3:51 left in overtime. The Bucks led by 13 points in Blake Griffin scored 24 points and Los Angeles beat Utah for its the extra period. 12th straight victory over the Jazz, breaking the franchise record for consecutive losses against one club. BULLS 92, PACERS 90 Chris Paul finished with 20 points and eight assists. DeAndre Jimmy Butler had 27 points and nine rebounds to lead Jordan had 19 rebounds for the two-time defending Pacific Chicago to a victory over Indiana. Pau Gasol had 20 points and Division champions. The Clippers blocked 12 shots and never Derrick Rose added 17 for the Bulls (22-9), who have won seven trailed in the fourth quarter despite leading by no more than five straight. Chris Copeland scored 13 of his 17 points in the fourth points at any point.The previous franchise record for wins by the quarter, and George Hill and C.J. Miles each added 11 points for Clippers against one team was set against the Dallas Mavericks. the Pacers (11-21), who trailed by as much as 21 points in the sec- The Clippers are 10-6 in December with one game left. ond half. Butler scored a 3-pointer with 1:07 remaining to put the Gordon Hayward scored 22 points for the Jazz and Rudy Bulls ahead for good 92-90. That was after the Pacers went on a Gobert added 13 rebounds and 11 points off the bench. Shooting 23-2 run and regained the lead on Lavoy Allen’s basket to make it guard Alec Burks missed his second straight game because of 84-83 with 6:15 left in the fourth quarter. Chicago tied the four- chronic soreness in his left shoulder. He also sat out two games game season series with the Pacers at 1-1 and won for the first early this month for the same reason. time at Indiana after losing the previous four games.

MAGIC 102, HEAT 101 WIZARDS 104, ROCKETS 103 Nikola Vucevic scored 26 points, Victor Oladipo scored seven of Bradley Beal scored 33 points and Paul Pierce added 21, and his 22 in the final minutes and Orlando beat Miami. Oladipo had a Washington survived a furious fourth-quarter charge by Houston layup to tie it, then a free throw to put the Magic ahead to stay to beat the Rockets. and give them their first win against Miami in 11 tries. Nene added 12 points to go with five rebounds, and John Wall Tobias Harris scored 18 for the Magic, who got 13 from racked up 12 assists to go with 13 points for Washington, which Channing Frye. Dwyane Wade scored 25 points for Miami, which won its third straight to open a five-game road trip. has lost 12 of 18 at home. Danny Granger had 21 points and Chris James Harden scored 33 points __ including a 3-pointer with Bosh scored 20 in his return after missing eight games with a under a second to go in regulation to get Houston within a point strained left calf. __ and Corey Brewer added 15 from the bench for the Rockets. Granger was 6 for 7 from 3-point range, including one that put Houston outscored the Wizards on second-chance points Miami up 101-97 with 1:38 left. The Heat didn’t score again. (18-9) and points in the paint (50-34) but was plagued by poor There were nine lead changes and four ties in the fourth quar- shooting. Washington had no such issues, shooting nearly 93 ter, with the Magic knotting the game at 101-all when Oladipo percent from the free-throw line and 44.4 percent from beyond drove by Wade and scored with 45 seconds left. the arc. — AP NBA results/standings Milwaukee 104, Charlotte 94 (OT); Chicago 92, Indiana 90; Brooklyn 107, Sacramento 99; Orlando 102, Miami 101; Washington 104, Houston 103; LA Clippers 101, Utah 97. Eastern Conference Southeast Division Pacific Division Atlantic Division Atlanta 22 8 .733 - Golden State 24 5 .828 - W L PCT GB Washington 22 8 .733 - LA Clippers 21 11 .656 4.5 Toronto 24 7 .774 - Miami 14 18 .438 9 Brooklyn 14 16 .467 9.5 Phoenix 18 14 .563 7.5 Orlando 13 21 .382 11 Sacramento 13 18 .419 12 Boston 10 18 .35712.5 Charlotte 10 22 .313 13 NY Knicks 5 28 .152 20 LA Lakers 9 22 .290 16 Western Conference Philadelphia 4 25 .138 19 Southwest Division Northwest Division Central Division Memphis 22 8 .733 - Chicago 22 9 .710 - Portland 25 7 .781 - Houston 21 9 .700 1 Cleveland 18 12 .600 3.5 Oklahoma City 15 17 .469 10 Milwaukee 16 16 .500 6.5 Denver 13 18 .41911.5 Dallas 22 10 .688 1 Indiana 11 21 .34411.5 Utah 10 21 .32314.5 San Antonio 19 13 .594 4 Detroit 7 23 .23314.5 Minnesota 5 24 .17218.5 New Orleans 15 15 .500 7 Missing AirAsia plane caps disastrous 2014 for aviation

Page 22 Business Kuwait banking sector grew 10.9% in 2014 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 Page 25 Al-Sayer Group holds ‘Best in the Business’ Mercedes-Benz: Innovation as a tradition convention 2014 Page 26 Page 23

MOSCOW: People walk in front of an exchange office in Moscow yesterday. The Russian currency extended its losses yesterday aftera report showed the economy has started shrinking in annual terms for the first time since 2009 as the country is buffeted by falling oil prices and Western sanctions. — AP OPEC output hits 6-month low in Dec Kuwaiti expert sees no end in sight to price volatility in 2015

LONDON: OPEC’s oil supply fell by 270,000 barrels per day global glut. output this month has been flat, industry sources who track Abdul-Samea Behbehani said the technical factors do not (bpd) in December to a six-month low as fighting cut Still, actual OPEC supply has fallen for a third month to Saudi supply said. Saudi Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi, who con- uphold oil producer expectations that prices would bounce Libyan output, offsetting record Iraqi southern exports and the lowest since June when the group pumped 29.92 mil- vinced his fellow ministers of the need to defend market back soon. The market is oversupplied and the demand is stable Saudi Arabian production, a Reuters survey found. lion bpd, according to Reuters surveys. September output share, said on Dec 21 Saudi Arabia would not cut its output. stable, he said, adding that oil producers particularly OPEC The survey indicates Libyan turmoil is effectively lowering of 30.84 million bpd was the highest since November 2012. The largest increase came from Iraq, which boosted states are unable to address the situation amid fears that output by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting The largest reduction has come from Libya, where out- exports this month from its southern terminals to at least any output cut would harm their market shares. Countries, even after oil ministers decided at a meeting in put averaged 400,000 bpd in December and dropped to 2.65 million bpd, the highest since at least 2003. A restart of He also highlighted the growing impact of the shale oil Vienna last month against a formal reduction to defend around 350,000 bpd by the end of the month from 800,000 Kirkuk shipments from northern Iraq, halted since early production, which has jumped to over four million barrels a market share. bpd at the start, according to industry sources and Libyan March, also increased Iraqi supplies. day, on the supplies and prices. Behbehani ruled out the “OPEC in Vienna did not decide a supply cut but supplies oil officials. Fighting has closed Libya’s two largest ports, Es The drop in OPEC output since September reduces the success of OPEC’s attempts to decrease prices to press shale from Libya have been coming down since then and the sit- Sider and Ras Lanuf, while the western ports of Zawiya and size of the projected market surplus in 2015, but if supply oil industry hard and turn it into loss making. uation in that country is going worse by the day,” said Mellitah have also halted oil exports. remains at December’s rate the group will be pumping This scenario is doomed to failure as shale oil industry is Olivier Jakob, analyst at Petromatrix. “But there’s quite an Nigerian output fell in December as crude streams close to 2 million bpd more than the demand for its crude getting more adaptive to low prices particularly with the overhang still, if you look at the balances for next year.” including Bonny, Qua Iboe and Agbami exported fewer car- in the first half. OPEC forecasts demand for its crude will non-stop development in the cracking technology and con- Supply from OPEC averaged 29.98 million bpd in goes. Shipping schedules point to an increase in January average 28.22 million bpd in the first six months of 2015. sequently the decline in production cost. He added that December, down from a revised 30.25 million bpd in and imply production above 2 million bpd. studies projected an increase in the production of non- November, according to the survey based on shipping data Maintenance at oilfields and other facilities had smaller Price volatility OPEC states by 1.35 million barrels a day in 2015, against an and information from sources at oil companies, OPEC and impacts in some OPEC members. Kuwaiti output edged The developments in the oil market do not augur well expected growth in demand estimated at 900,000. consultants. OPEC at its Nov 27 meeting retained its output lower due to the shutdown of the Khafji oilfield, run by for oil producers and exporters as there are no looming Behbehani suggested that the geopolitical factors and target of 30 million bpd, sending oil prices to a four-year Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, while production in Qatar, where signs for a near end to deterioration of prices in 2015, a the reactions of some countries which hardly hit by the low close to $71 a barrel. Crude has since fallen further, hit- maintenance has been taking place, also declined slightly. Kuwaiti oil expert said. price slump such as Russia, Venezuela and Iran may be the ting a 5 1/2-year low of $56.74 on Tuesday, pressured by a Saudi Arabia pumped 9.60 million bpd in November and Head of Al-Sharq for Petroleum Consulting Company game-changer in 2015. — Agencies Gulf markets tumble as oil hits fresh low Ukraine eyes IMF credit lifeline in early 2015 MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS KIEV: Ukraine expects the International promised reforms. DUBAI: Gulf stock markets suffered broad sell-offs yesterday as Brent UAE, KUWAIT Monetary Fund to disburse new and overdue Gontareva told a news conference that fol- crude oil slumped to a fresh 5-1/2-year low and political uncertainty in Dubai’s index tumbled 5.4 percent. Builder Arabtec Holding and devel- loans after a visit next month and still hopes a lowing next month’s visit, Kiev expected the Greece pressured global equities. Brent fell as low as $56.74 per barrel, its oper Emaar Properties, the most heavily traded stocks, lost 9.1 and 6.5 $17 billion bailout program can be expanded, IMF to release two slices of credit which had lowest since May 2009, as persistent worries about a global supply glut percent respectively. Some stocks, such as property firm Deyaar and its central bank governor said yesterday. been expected by year-end, plus a third offset concerns about output disruptions in Libya. builder Drake and Scull, fell by their daily 10 percent limits. Valeria Gontareva declined to give a value tranche. European stock markets, to which Gulf investors often turn for cues, Although Dubai is much less dependent on oil revenues than other for the payment, even when pressed by jour- “I expect three tranches to be combined were down after Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras failed to get Gulf states, its stock market has been hit hardest in the region in recent nalists, but it is likely to total more than $4 bil- and I hope that the program will be increased enough support for his presidential nominee; he will call a national elec- months because of its higher liquidity, exposure to foreign investors and lion. With its economy pushed close to bank- even further,” she said, saying the credit tion that could threaten Greece’s euro-zone bailout. the unwinding of leveraged positions. According to bourse data, retail ruptcy by a separatist war in the east and would go to paying off external debt, which Saudi Arabia’s main stock index tumbled 4.2 percent in active trade. investors accounted for 86 percent of selling activity yesterday and for- costly energy imports from Russia, Ukraine will stand at more than $7 billion next year, hustled through an austerity budget on and the foreign trade deficit. With a com- Petrochemicals giant Saudi Basic Industries , down 4.6 percent, was the eigners were also net sellers. Monday which it hopes will impress the Fund bined value of $2.7 billion for the outstanding main drag. Overall, the Saudi petrochemicals sector lost 5.0 percent. On other Gulf markets, Abu Dhabi’s index dropped 2.2 percent, Oman when a mission visits Kiev from Jan 8. tranches, a further disbursement of $1.4-1.5 Prices of petrochemicals are often linked to crude prices and some Gulf lost 2.7 percent and Qatar’s bourse was down 1.9 percent. Kuwait’s index The former Soviet republic has so far billion as outlined under the program would producers have enjoyed access to subsidized feedstock which gave them fell 1.8 percent, but most of the day’s trading was in the shares of received two tranches of aid worth a com- take the overall to over $4 billion. At a news better margins. With cheap oil, that comparative advantage has been Boubyan Bank, which added 1.3 percent to 0.405 dinar. A total of 94.2 mil- bined $4.6 billion under the IMF-led bailout conference in Kiev yesterday, Prime Minister slashed. lion shares representing a 4.8 percent stake in the bank changed hands package that was agreed in April to support Arseny Yatseniuk said he was certain the IMF Another reason for markets’ sharp drop was that many institutions yesterday. the economy and shore up depleted foreign program would restore people’s confidence such as fund management firms are almost inactive during the Elham Yousry Mahfouz, chief executive of Commercial Bank of Kuwait currency reserves. The government, which is in the banking system and in the hryvnia cur- Christmas and New Year holidays, leaving stocks at the mercy of volatile (CBK) which is one of Boubyan’s main shareholders, told Reuters that CBK struggling to control an economic slide and a rency, allowing economic growth to take off. retail investors. However, Tuesday’s declines were not as huge as those had reduced its stake by selling shares on the market in order to boost its crisis in relations with Russia following the Ukraine’s economy, which is forecast to seen in mid-December, when Saudi Arabia’s benchmark lost 7.3 percent capital adequacy. CBK had a 17.7 percent stake in Boubyan as of Dec. 29, overthrow of a Moscow-backed president in shrink 4.3 percent next year, is additionally in a single day in response to oil’s weakness. according to bourse data. CBK shares climbed 1.6 percent yesterday. February, has since said the aid program will hobbled by dependence on imports of nat- The kingdom’s government last week published a 2015 budget that Outside the Gulf, Egypt’s bourse edged up 0.5 percent. The Cairo govern- need to be expanded. ural gas, mostly from Russia. These have will maintain spending at a high level, easing some investors’ fears ment signed a deal on Monday to import liquefied natural gas from But the IMF and the government’s only just resumed under an interim winter about expenditure cuts which could hurt economic growth and corpo- Algeria between April and September, a move aimed at easing a chronic Western backers including the European agreement while a Stockholm arbitration rate profits. energy shortage. — Reuters Union say any further financial assistance will court decides on an appeal by Ukraine over hinge on Ukraine’s ability to implement long- pricing. — Reuters BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 Russia crisis slows traffic growth at Dubai airport

DUBAI: Growth in passenger traffic through ger traffic through Dubai International, which Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s rose 4.3 percent to 5.57 million people in busiest, slowed in November because of the November, slowing from 5.7 percent growth geopolitical and economic instability hitting in October. Russia, the airport’s operator said yesterday. In the first 11 months of this year, passen- Dubai is a popular tourist destination for ger traffic climbed 5.9 percent to 63.98 mil- Russians and a convenient place for them to lion people. Growth was interrupted earlier park some of their savings abroad. Western this year by an 80-day runway refurbishment economic sanctions against Moscow since project that temporarily cut the airport’s the pro-Russian uprising in Ukraine, and the capacity. Cargo volume through Dubai slide of the Russian ruble, appear to have International dropped 8 percent from a year reduced Russian visitors in recent months. earlier in November to 205,375 tons, while Passenger traffic related to Russia and oth- cargo handled in the first 11 months shrank er countries in the Commonwealth of 2.7 percent to 2.16 million tons because of Independent States plunged 18.2 percent the shift of dedicated freighter services to from a year earlier in November, Dubai Dubai’s other main airport, Al Maktoum Airports said. This cut growth in total passen- International, in May. — Reuters

SURABAYA: AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes, center, talks to media during a press conference at the crisis center at Juanda International Egypt current account Airport in Surabaya yesterday. — AP hits deficit of $1.4bn Missing AirAsia plane caps CAIRO: Egypt’s current account recorded was revised down dramatically from the a $1.4 billion deficit in the three months $1.246 billion initially reported. to September, in contrast to a $610 mil- The central bank also revised down lion surplus in the same period last year the current account surplus figure for the disastrous 2014 for aviation when Gulf states provided billions of dol- first quarter of 2013-14 from an initial lars in aid. The deficit was driven by a $757 million. It gave no reasons but its wider trade gap and a contraction in net balance of payments data is preliminary IATA forecasts another solid year despite challenges transfers, according to a statement post- and amendments are common. Tourism ed on the central bank’s website. also recovered in the first quarter from a KUALA LUMPUR: If you weren’t already nervous were 15 such accidents last year, while the annual fic to improve the response in similar cases, in That was partly offset by a rise in for- particularly poor period last year, when about flying, that may have changed in 2014, a average since 1946 is 32. particular for organizing search and rescue in eign direct investment (FDI), driven by a Morsi’s ouster was followed by weeks of year that stirred our deepest fears about modern “It’s so safe now that incidents tend to be case of an accident,” he said in comments before rise in net inflows to the oil sector to violence. Tourism has suffered since jet travel despite shaping up as one of the safest more mysterious and striking because crashes the apparent AirAsia crash. $948.1 million from $377.6 million, the Egypt’s 2011 uprising toppled Hosni in aviation history. The tragic dramas surrounding only happen in extremely rare circumstances,” bank said. Official transfers, including Mubarak and was slowly beginning to Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia played out before Gerry Soejatman, a Jakarta-based aviation con- ‘Worst nightmare’ cash and commodities, fell to $1.48 bil- recover before Morsi’s ouster. unprecedented global television and Internet sultant, said in comments made prior to the The ICAO is also reviewing whether flight risks lion in the first quarter, which started on Tourism receipts more than doubled audiences, confronting the travelling public with AirAsia incident. “That’s why this year had such an over conflict zones are assessed and communi- July 1, down sharply from $4.33 billion a to $2.09 billion from $931.1 million a year the startling truth that planes can be shot down impact. Accidents are so rare that we magnify cated adequately in an age of highly-armed non- year earlier, it said. Soon after the army earlier, but oil exports fell by $138.3 mil- or simply disappear. those that occur.” state entities. Proposals on both fronts will be ousted Islamist President Mohamed lion to $2.91 billion. Portfolio investment The events triggered the first major worldwide However, fatalities were up sharply to 762 — outlined at an annual ICAO gathering in February, Morsi in July 2013, Saudi Arabia, the in Egypt shrunk to $316 million in the first reviews of aviation precautions in years, and gave the highest in four years-and could rise to 924 if Benjamin said. United Arab Emirates and Kuwait quarter from $1.27 billion in the same aerophobes a new reason to tense up on take-off. all the AirAsia passengers are declared dead. But little change is expected on limiting the pledged over $12 billion in loans, grants period last year, mainly due to the decline “I always disliked flying but now it’s a real ordeal,” There was a record low of 224 deaths last year. chances of a rogue pilot or hijacker disabling and oil products. in foreigners’ net investments in bonds said Marie Lefebvre, a Bangkok-based Canadian Despite the headlines, air traffic has been unaf- communications, which also occurred in the In November, the finance minister said and the bourse. Net liabilities of the cen- businesswoman who has curtailed her frequent fected. Total passenger miles travelled grew a sol- September 11, 2001 attacks. Pilots jealously Egypt had received $10.6 billion from the tral bank fell to $1.3 million from $3 bil- business travel. She now occasionally takes seda- id 5.8 percent from January-October, the guard that power as a safeguard in case, for Gulf in the 2013-14 fiscal year, suggesting lion in the first quarter of the last fiscal tives before take-off. International Air Transport Association (IATA) said example, malfunctioning systems trigger a fire. most of the aid had arrived. FDI rose to year. Egypt repaid $2.5 billion in “It’s that feeling of helplessness. Some of the this month, forecasting another solid year ahead. Video monitoring in cockpits is similarly con- $1.8 billion in the quarter, the first of the November that Qatar had deposited dur- 2014-15 fiscal year, compared with $745.4 ing Morsi’s presidency to prop up Egypt’s things this year were terrifying.” Exhibit A was Nevertheless, the abrupt and total disappearance sidered infeasible for technical reasons. David million a year earlier. Last year’s FDI figure hard currency reserves. — Reuters MH370, which took its place alongside Amelia of MH370 challenged modern notions of an inter- Learmount, safety editor of Flightglobal maga- Earhart’s vanishing as one of aviation’s great mys- connected, highly monitored world. zine, called proposed changes “peripheral” and teries, a buzzword for the terror of vanishing Aiming to reduce chances of a recurrence, avi- sees no lasting industry impact from 2014. “The without a trace. The Boeing 777 disappeared on ation authorities are expected to announce new rest of the world has already mentally consigned UK house price inflation March 8 with 239 people aboard after its commu- global flight-tracking standards soon. These (2014’s) events to the dustbin of history, and atti- nications systems were apparently deliberately could include reporting an aircraft’s position tudes toward flying for business or leisure have slows to 13-month low shut off. No trace of it has been found. every minute after an unexpected route change, not changed because statistically it is still safer It remains unknown whether an onboard and possibly every 15 minutes during normal than it has ever been,” he said, speaking before LONDON: British house prices rose at their Insight. “There is also the possibility that the emergency, hijack, rogue pilots, fire among lithi- flight. Positions are now typically reported every the AirAsia incident. slowest annual rate in more than a year this markedly increased likelihood that the Bank of um batteries in its hold, or other less-plausible half-hour. But Tom Bunn, who runs SOAR-a US-based month but the market looks set to recover in England will not lift interest rates before late theories were responsible. Four months later, The revelation after MH370’s disappearance firm that offers fear-of-flying counselling-dis- 2015 if the economy improves as expected, a 2015 will provide some limited near-term MH17 was blown out of the sky over Ukraine, that flights are not continuously tracked “was a agrees, saying dark thoughts will lurk in travellers’ survey from mortgage lender Nationwide impetus to housing market activity.” killing all 298 aboard and stoking superpower surprise for many”, said Raymond Benjamin, head minds. “The distrust (of aviation) is so profound showed yesterday. Nationwide said house price growth in London rivalries when the West accused Russia-backed of the International Civil Aviation Organization that I think it will have some lasting impact. Nationwide said house prices rose 7.2 per- cooled in December but still outpaced other rebels of downing it with a missile. (ICAO). “But we now have a consensus with the Anxious fliers describe (MH-style disasters) as cent in the year to December, the smallest regions by some distance. The following week, the crashes of a TransAsia industry to develop global monitoring of all traf- their worst nightmare,” he said. — AFP annual increase since November 2013 and Prices in the capital rose 17.8 percent over Airways flight amid rough weather in the Taiwan slowing for a fourth consecutive month. the last 12 months, with all regions outside of Strait and Air Algerie flight 5017 in Mali for rea- Economists polled by Reuters had expected south-east England recording single-digit rates sons still unknown killed a combined 164 people, growth of 7.5 percent. British housing market of growth. Saudi Electricity signs deal for giving the impression planes were literally falling activity and price rises have been slowing “If the economic backdrop continues to since the middle of the year, in part because of improve as we and most forecasters expect, from the skies. Capping off the disastrous year, an integrated gas/solar plant steps by regulators to require lenders to make activity in the housing market is likely to regain AirAsia jet carrying 162 people apparently tougher checks on borrowers’ ability to repay momentum in the months ahead,” said Robert crashed on Sunday en route from Surabaya in KHOBAR: State-owned utility Saudi ISCC plants reduce emissions of climate- mortgages. Gardner, Nationwide’s chief economist. Indonesia’s east Java to Singapore. Electricity Co signed yesterday a contract warming carbon by increasing the amount of House price growth in the three months to “There are encouraging signs that con- The flight lost contact during stormy weather worth 1 billion riyals ($267 million) to buy steam available for driving power generation December-which many analysts view as the struction is starting to pick up. Hopefully, this and Indonesian authorities have since spotted generators for the kingdom’s first fossil fuel- turbines, without having to burn more gas or best guide to the short-term trend in house will set the stage for house price growth grad- debris believed to be from the plane, as well as fired power plant that will also produce solar oil. prices-nevertheless ticked up to 1.0 percent, ually converging with income growth in the what they believe to be the bodies of passengers. energy. SEC said the project, expected to cost a from 0.9 percent in the preceding three quarters ahead.” The 550-megawatt integrated solar com- total of 2.5 billion riyals, would be fully opera- months. And although annual house price Gardner added that recent changes to the Accidents at record low bined cycle (ISCC) plant will primarily burn tional before the end of 2017. The company’s inflation fell in 12 out of 13 British regions-with stamp duty land tax could also help to stimu- Ironically, however, 2014 continued a long- natural gas, but will generate 50 MW of solar chief executive Ziyad Al-Shiha was also quot- only the north of England seeing faster late the housing market. While Britain looks set term trend of improving air safety. A record low of energy to increase fuel efficiency at the ed as saying in the statement that a new high growth-Nationwide said it expected the mar- to be one of the fastest growing major indus- seven fatal commercial passenger incidents-not planned facility near Tabuk on the Red Sea voltage direct current facility in Tabuk, ket to recover next year. “The weakening of trialised economies this year, wage growth is including AirAsia-occurred this year, according to coast. SEC did not name the company which expected to cost 4.5 billion riyals, would be buyer interest in houses may be close to bot- still very weak, making houses hard to afford the Netherlands-based Aviation Safety Network, will supply generating units to the plant, but commissioned in 2018 to boost electricity toming out and we see it picking up to a limit- for many British workers. The Bank of England an infinitesimal figure amid the several million an industry source familiar with the matter transmission in the country’s western region ed extent in 2015 from current levels,” said is also expected to raise interest rates late next flights and billions of passengers each year. There said the company was General Electric. and later to Egypt. — Reuters Howard Archer, economist at IHS Global year for the first time since 2007. — Reuters EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Syrian Pound 2.710 Philippine Peso 0.006487 0.006767 Nepalese Rupees 3.945 Sierra Leone 0.000065 0.000071 Singapore Dollar 0.218764 0.224764 ASIAN COUNTRIES Malaysian Ringgit 87.645 COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Chinese Yuan Renminbi 48.035 South African Rand 0.019304 0.027804 Japanese Yen 2.442 Australian Dollar 231.71 228.71 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001882 0.002462 Indian Rupees 4.622 Thai Bhat 9.885 Canadian Dollar 256.71 257.71 Turkish Lira 131.225 Taiwan 0.009150 0.009330 Pakistani Rupees 2.923 Swiss Franc 302.93 300.93 Thai Baht 0.008608 0.009158 Srilankan Rupees 2.222 Euro 362.08 363.08 Nepali Rupees 2.888 US Dollar 293.55 296.55 Bahrain Exchange Company Arab Singapore Dollar 222.800 Sterling Pound 461.65 464.65 Bahraini Dinar 0.772453 0.780453 Hongkong Dollar 37.842 Japanese Yen 2.49 2.51 Egyptian Pound 0.039542 0.042642 Bangladesh Taka 3.755 Bangladesh Taka 3.761 4.031 CURRENCY BUY SELL Iranian Riyal 0.000081 0.000082 Philippine Peso 6.570 Indian Rupee 4.636 4.936 Europe Iraqi Dinar 0.000194 0.000254 Thai Baht 8.927 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.220 2.655 Belgian Franc 0.007648 0.008648 Jordanian Dinar 0.409898 0.417398 Irani Riyal transfer 61.555 Nepali Rupee 2.893 3.428 British Pound 0.451793 0.460793 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Irani Riyal cash 121.740 Pakistani Rupee 2.918 2.790 Czech Korune 0.004880 0.016880 Lebanese Pound 0.000145 0.000245 UAE Dirhams 79.77 80.23 Danish Krone 0.044056 0.049056 Moroccan Dirhams 0.023945 0.047945 GCC COUNTRIES Bahraini Dinar 779.11 781.18 Euro 0.352458 0.360458 Nigerian Naira 0.001193 0.001826 Saudi Riyal 78.338 Egyptian Pound 40.93 41.53 Norwegian Krone 0.035227 0.040427 Omani Riyal 0.756706 0.762386 Qatari Riyal 80.706 Jordanian Dinar 417.10 422.75 Romanian Leu 0.084229 0.084229 Qatar Riyal 0.079948 0.081161 Omani Riyal 763.320 Omani Riyal 761.26 768.56 Slovakia 0.008600 0.018600 Saudi Riyal 0.077670 0.078370 Bahraini Dinar 780.260 Qatari Riyal 80.83 81.38 Swedish Krona 0.033525 0.038525 Syrian Pound 0.001741 0.001961 UAE Dirham 80.003 Saudi Riyal 78.19 78.59 Swiss Franc 0.291079 0.301279 Tunisian Dinar 0.154212 0.162212 Turkish Lira 0.124870 0.131870 Turkish Lira 0.124870 0.131870 ARAB COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 0.078969 0.080118 Egyptian Pound - Cash 44.000 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Australasia Yemeni Riyal 0.001326 0.001406 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 40.985 Australian Dollar 0.230520 0.242020 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.371 New Zealand Dollar 0.221944 0.231444 Tunisian Dinar 158.730 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Al Mulla Exchange US Dollar 291.750 Jordanian Dinar 414.580 America Canadian Dollar 260.085 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.971 Canadian Dollar 0.247282 0.255782 Sterling Pound 456.630 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Syrian Lira 2.094 US Dollars 0.289550 0.294250 Euro 366.500 US Dollar 291.800 Morocco Dirham 33.143 US Dollars Mint 0.290050 0.294250 Swiss Frank 303.035 Euro 366.550 Bahrain Dinar 775.760 Pound Sterlng 461.000 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Asia UAE Dirhams 79.330 Canadian Dollar 252.550 US Dollar Transfer 293.650 Bangladesh Taka 0.003440 0.004040 Qatari Riyals 80.935 Indian Rupee 4.597 Euro 359.430 Chinese Yuan 0.046134 0.049634 Saudi Riyals 77.975 Egyptian Pound 40.785 Sterling Pound 458.830 Hong Kong Dollar 0.035776 0.038526 Jordanian Dinar 411.660 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.212 Canadian dollar 253.580 Indian Rupee 0.004387 0.004788 Egyptian Pound 40.707 Bangladesh Taka 3.738 Turkish lira 126.580 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.225 Philippines Peso 6.522 Swiss Franc 298.730 Japanese Yen 0.002358 0.002538 Indian Rupees 4.716 Pakistan Rupee 2.905 Australian Dollar 240.210 Kenyan Shilling 0.003286 0.003286 Pakistani Rupees 2.867 Bahraini Dinar 776.900 US Dollar Buying 292.450 Korean Won 0.000258 0.000273 Bangladesh Taka 3.759 UAE Dirham 79.500 Malaysian Ringgit 0.080668 0.086668 Philippines Pesso 6.481 Saudi Riyal 78.000 GOLD Nepalese Rupee 0.003001 0.003171 Cyprus pound 715.865 *Rates are subject to change 20 gram 238.100 Pakistan Rupee 0.002765 0.003045 10 gram 121.740 Japanese Yen 3.480 BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 Al-Sayer Group Holding holds ‘Best in the Business’ annual staff convention 2014 Group celebrates performances and events of 60th anniversary year

KUWAIT: Mubarak Naser Al-Sayer CEO, Sayer Bader Al-Sayer, Board Member and Paul Reynolds, COO with recipients of Chairman’s Award for “Most Trusted.”

KUWAIT: Al-Sayer Group Holding, held the annual staff convention to reinforce its commitment towards strategic initiative and long-term commitment of “Best in the Business” approach and award its top performing distin- guished divisions rated high in terms of customer satisfac- tion and trust. Naser Al-Sayer - Chairman, Faisal Bader Al- Sayer - Vice Chairman and Board Members of Al-Sayer Group Holding had the honor and privilege of welcoming Yasumori Ihara, Executive Vice-President and a team of sen- ior delegates from Toyota Motor Corporation to grace this occasion. In the grand event conducted at Regency Hotel, along with the Senior Management, all employees across all grades attended the event to mark a remarkable closure to the 60th Anniversary Celebrations of the Group. Briefing the spectacular journey of success and long list of milestone achievements of the Group, Faisal Bader Al-Sayer - Vice-Chairman, Al-Sayer Group Holding, in his key-note speech said “I am happy to be able to report that we have achieved some remarkable results, taking our Company to new record heights in many areas, and also achieving several major goals. We are here to celebrate these great successes and to find ways to work together as a team to build on this success during 2015 and into the future”.

Appreciation Later, Mubarak Naser Al-Sayer - CEO, Al Sayer Group KUWAIT: Vice Chairman Faisal Bader Al-Sayer, Board Member Musaed Bader Al-Sayer, CEO Mubarak Naser Al-Sayer, COO Paul John Tudor Reynolds after awarding Johan Heislitz, Holding expressed his appreciation towards all the busi- Senior Business Director, Group Sales Division and his team. ness units of the Group for delivering exceptional perform- ance. Emphasizing on the core message of the convention Group’s locations have retained their high CSI ratings com- he said, “This our Best in the Business meeting to say thank pared to the previous year besides few which recorded sig- you to all of you for your contributions, big or small, to this nificant improvement. 12 locations of the Group were pre- outstanding year where we achieved so much success.” sented the Chairman’s award for receiving highest ratings Crediting the strong partnership between Toyota and for trusted level of service. The honored “Chairman’s award” Al-Sayer, Yasumori Ihara - Executive Vice President of was presented to divisions voted best by customers in Toyota Motor Corporation said “However, good though it terms of trustworthiness. This award reflects customer’s was, it is but one more step on the never ending road to trust and acknowledges improvements made through continued success, so we cannot sit back and relax, rather effectively managing customer complaints as well as effi- use it as a launch pad for even better results going into the ciently tackling issues related to customer service. future. This award is for excellence in sales and service: The Management expressed their gratitude to all cus- once again, MNSS and you have proven how well it can tomers who continue to favor our products and our servic- realize the philosophy of putting the customer first. This is es and encouraged all employees to continue that great a relationship that we will continue to nurture and progress by building on the success of this60th strengthen, as we strive to contribute to economic and Anniversary year into 2015 and beyond, taking pride in social development in Kuwait.” Ihara during the day also being the Best in the Business. visited some of the establishments of Al-Sayer Group Al-Sayer Group mission Statement calls for us to be the including Toyota Al-Rai Showroom, Shuwaikh Lexus Center, “Best in the Business” across several dimensions. This takes Toyota Ghazali Service center and expressed his apprecia- account of the view of the Company by our customers, or tion for the adhering to high quality standards of the facili- employees, our suppliers and the local community, as well ties and services to deliver a top class customer experience. of course the financial performance to give a long term, Departments with CSI scores of 90 percent and above sustainable business model. The Group’s biggest achieve- were awarded for their dedication and efforts for achieving ment is to have successfully built a true culture for excel- such top performance levels. Among 59 operating loca- lent customer service. Al-Sayer Group is committed to tions, remarkably 42 locations scored CSI of 95 percent+ delivering delightful customer experience as well as KUWAIT: Paul John Tudor Reynolds, COO, Mubarak Naser Al-Sayer, CEO Yasumori Ihara, Executive Vice President, and 17 scored CSI between 90 percent-95 percent reflect- achieving customer service perfection in everything that Toyota Motor Corporation, Bader Al-Sayer, Deputy Business Director, Lexus Koji Nagata, General Manager, Toyota ing the impeccable levels of commitment to customer we do. The Group’s mission is to “Only sell the best prod- Motor Corporation, Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative, Toyota MENARO Khalid Al-Enezi, Senior Manager - service. It is worth mentioning the fact that most of the ucts, with outstanding aftersales service”. Corporate Events and Quality Assurance.

KUWAIT: Vice Chairman Faisal Bader Al-Sayer, Board Member Musaed Bader Al-Sayer, CEO Mubarak KUWAIT: Chairman Naser Al-Sayer greeting the Chief Guest KUWAIT: Mubarak Naser Al Sayer, CEO, Faisal Bader Al Sayer, Naser Al-Sayer, COO Paul John Tudor Reynolds after awarding Ibrahim Mohamad H Al-Fouzan, Yasumori Ihara, Executive Vice President, Toyota Motor Vice Chairman, Naser Al-Sayer, Chairman Yasumori Ihara, Business Director, Group Service Division and his team. Corporation. Executive Vice President, Toyota Motor Corporation Musaed Bader Al Sayer, Board Member.

KUWAIT: Al-Sayer Group Holding Employees attending the Annual Staff Convention 2014 BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 Year-end caution subdues shares, lifts yen

LONDON: A wave of risk aversion swept wilted Asia. But Greece’s bond yields, a proxy than in 2012, but it would be dangerous,” he OIL SLUMP of the world’s main currencies. through global markets yesterday as general of the government’s borrowing costs, steadied said. But if market reaction is anything to go Oil prices, the other big focus for world Europe’s benchmark safe haven, the 10- end-of-year caution and worries about as investors took a relatively sanguine view of by, investors see the threat posed by Greece to markets at present, extended their sharp year German Bund , was slightly softer on day Greece’s future in the euro zone subdued snap elections that are likely to empower a the euro zone as far better contained than the recent falls in early European trading as they but was heading for its biggest annual fall in shares and lifted the safe-haven yen and gold. party seeking to flout international bailout first time around. The region has set up a new dropped below $57 per barrel for the first time yields since 2008. It was last at 0.546 percent, There was also a new 5-1/2 year low for oil terms. banking watchdog this year and the European since May 2009. roughly a quarter of the 2.19 percent of US prices as persistent worries about a global The left-wing Syriza party, which opposes Central Bank is scoping out government bond Having officially halved in price in the last Treasuries. Gold also nudged higher but the supply glut amplified the downward pressure the European Union/International Monetary buying. six months, Brent crude fell 98 cents to $56.90 dollar’s broad-based strength meant more of its pricing currency, the dollar, as it hovered Fund bailout, has said it wants to abandon the Italy, the bloc’s third biggest economy with after hitting $56.74 earlier in the session, while pain for other commodities. Copper edged near an 8-1/2 year high. many of the drastic spending cuts that are some of the biggest difficulties, saw its 10-year US crude fell 77 cents to $52.84 a barrel. down to $6,280.25 a ton, after falling to its Wall Street, where the S&P 500 notched its central to Greece’s rehabilitation program. borrowing costs fall to a record low of under An industry group, the American lowest level in four-and-a-half years this week. latest record high on Monday, was expected “The developments in Greece have prompted 1.9 percent at auction yesterday as Spanish Petroleum Institute, is scheduled to release its Worries about China’s economy added down- to start on the back foot after Europe’s stock some concerns among global investors, at market yields also hit new lows. inventory report later in the day ahead of US ward pressure. Growth in China’s manufactur- markets spent their day firmly in red. Britain’s least in the near term, which is boosting safe- The euro, held just above a 2-1/2 year low Department of Energy data today. ing sector likely slowed to a 18-month low in FTSE 100, Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 haven demand for the yen,” said Lee Hardman at $1.2160 as more lacklustre bank lending In a cautious currency market, the yen December, a Reuters poll showed. were down 1, 1.2 and 1.1 percent respectively a FX strategist at Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi. data and fresh evidence of deflation taking made sharp gains against both the dollar and The yo-yoing on Russia’s markets also con- before US trading after a 1.6 percent drop for “It’s probably fair to say Greece could leave hold in Spain and Italy further bolstered the euro as investors sought the traditional safety tinued as signs of fresh intervention from the Tokyo’s Nikkei in its final session of 2014 had the euro and it would have less of an impact case for ECB action. of the Japanese currency. As US trading gath- central bank lifted the ruble 3 percent and ered momentum it was up almost one percent Ukraine, some of whose bonds Russia owns, at 119.45 yen to the dollar as the dollar itself said it expected to get overdue IMF loans by held just below an 8-1/2 year high against six the end of next month. — Reuters

TOKYO: A man reads a book in front of an electronic stock board of a securities firm in Tokyo yesterday. Asian stocks were mostly lower as concern about Greek politics and the shaky Russian ruble dented confidence in the global economy. — AP Oil hits new low below $57 on supply glut LONDON: Brent crude oil fell to a 5-1/2- this month, reducing exports from the year low of less than $57 a barrel yester- OPEC producer, which used to sell over 1 day as a global supply glut outweighed million barrels per day of crude to world concerns of lost supply from Libya where markets, to almost nothing. OPEC, which battling militias have closed ports. pumps a third of the world’s oil, had The North Sea oil benchmark recov- been expected to trim output to try to ered some ground later but was on track stabilize prices, but it decided in for its weakest month since the global November to keep production financial crisis of 2008, and traders said unchanged and let the market find its the sell-off that has halved crude prices own level. in six months showed no sign of coming PVM Oil Associates analyst Tamas to an end. Brent fell $1.14 a barrel to Varga saw no let-up in the sell-off, saying $56.74, its lowest since May 2009, before “the bears” were in firm control of the recovering to trade around $57.70 by market. “The trend is still down and sup- 1215 GMT. US crude fell 20 cents to ports are expected to be under pressure. $53.41 after hitting $52.70 - also its low- It is not recommended to go against this est since May 2009. trend.” Reuters technical analyst Wang Oil markets have been heavily over- Tao said Brent may fall to $54.98 while US supplied this year due to increasing out- oil is expected to drop to $52.10. put of high quality, light oil from US shale Investors awaited US inventory data. The and lower-than-expected consumption American Petroleum Institute was sched- as a result of faltering global economic uled to release data yesterday while the growth and competition from alternative US Department of Energy’s Energy fuels. Several members of the Information Administration will issue Organization of the Petroleum Exporting data on Wednesday. Countries have suffered supply disrup- A Reuters poll forecast US crude tions in recent months, but this has had inventories would show a drop of little impact on prices. 900,000 barrels, after a rise to their high- In Libya, clashes between rival fac- est recorded level for December in the tions have closed oil ports and terminals week ended on Dec. 19. — Reuters Gold rises as year-end jitters rattle stocks LONDON: Gold rose yesterday as sliding oil energy companies as Brent crude oil futures prices and worries about Greece’s future in fell to a 5-1/2 year low on persistent worries the euro zone sparked selling of European about a global supply glut. Among curren- stocks while the dollar slipped against a cies, the dollar index fell 0.2 percent, hurt by basket of currencies. strength in the yen as investors sought the That helped gold to recover lost ground traditional safety of the Japanese currency after prices fell 1 percent on Monday, giving amid end-of-year nerves over economic up the bulk of the previous session’s sharp risks ahead. For the year, gold is down about gains. New concerns over the euro-zone 1.5 percent, hurt by a stronger dollar and economy as Greece prepares for an election expectations of an interest rate rise in the next month also supported the metal. Spot United States. gold was up 0.2 percent at $1,185.30 an Gold slumped 28 percent in 2013 as ounce by 1208 GMT, while U.S. gold futures investor demand waned on the back of a for February delivery rose $3.50 an ounce to robust US economy and better-yielding $1,185.40. stocks. Many analysts have forecast more “The first couple of weeks of next year declines in gold prices. Some physical buy- will be interesting,” Simon Weeks, head of ing in China helped to support gold prices. precious metals at the Bank of Nova Scotia, Premiums in Shanghai were steady at about said. “The year-end pressure on the down- $4 an ounce yesterday. side from producer selling will be out of the “Interest in Asian trade today came once way and it will be interesting to see whether again out of China, helping the metal to a gold starts to rally above $1,200 on the back session high of $1,189.75 as $1,190 looks to of disenchantment with the economic form a short term resistance,” precious met- recovery. “The oil price continues to come als house MKS said in a note. down and gold prices have come down, Among other precious metals, silver was too, but they haven’t collapsed. I think that’s up 0.4 percent at $15.81 an ounce while spot partly because people are mistrustful of the platinum gained 0.5 percent to $1,1198.25 economic and geopolitical situation.” an ounce and spot palladium rose 0.7 per- European shares fell 0.5 percent, led by cent to $811 an ounce. — Reuters BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 Kuwait banking sector grew 10.9% in 2014 Total assets stood at KD 64.7bn as of September 2014

KUWAIT: Banking system in Kuwait is one of the most devel- Kuwait International Bank with a ratio of 59 percent and 53 oped amongst its GCC peers with a credit penetration rate of percent, respectively, well below the sector average. As for 72 percent by 2013, compared to around 59 percent for its KMACO ECONOMIC REPORT Gulf Bank, the loan-loss coverage is almost close to the 100 GCC benchmark. This in turn implies promising growth percent level, yet it worth mentioning that the bank was potentials for the sector as credit and default risk normalizes. ed with the top 4 banks controlling around 79 percent of the tions and ensuing pressures on fee income generation as able to improve the ratio from a low of 36 percent in 2010 Kuwaiti banks have fared well amid the hostile operating aggregate deposit base. NBK and KFH are by far the biggest well as interest margins and spreads ultimately lead to stag- to 95 percent in 2013. conditions, maintaining their adequate financial standing banks in Kuwait, where NBK holds the biggest portion of nation in bottom line results for most of the banks, and and continuing to grow at satisfactory levels. Kuwaiti banks deposits of around 32 percent, followed by KFH by around therefore lower return levels. Balance sheet size had a robust capital adequacy with a CAR of 18.9 percent in 25.7 percent; whereas, Burgan bank and Gulf bank together A rebound in return measures was not seen so far in Kuwait banking sector total assets stood at KD 64.7bn as 2013 compared to GCC average of around 18 percent. have around 21.4 percent of the aggregate sector deposits Kuwait and the sector performance is still viewed to be far of Sep-2014, recording a growth of 10.9 percent as com- The largest risk factor to sector earnings remains to be as of Dec-2013. away from the soaring performance witnessed before the pared to year-end 2013 asset size. The growth is mainly the high level of provisioning & impairments. System-wide financial crisis. In this context, the overall core profitability coming from NBK and KFH with together added KD 4.9bil- asset quality indicators have seen gradual improvement Funding structure ratios as measured by the Return on Average Equity (ROAE) lion or around three-quarter of the growth in the sector’s over the period 2010-2013 as Kuwait banks’ NPLs to gross Deposits from customers make up the major portion of and Return on Average Asset (ROAA) are still at the low end growth. Similarly, total liabilities grew 11.7 percent to stand loans considerably improved to 4.7 percent at end-2013, the funding base for Kuwaiti Banks, representing around standing at 0.9 percent and 7.7 percent, respectively, for FY at KD 58.9 billion, whereas total equity added 4.1 percent to down from its peak in 2009 of 10.3 percent, yet still some- 72.2 percent by the end of 2013. In terms of deposit base by 2013. Moreover, the comparative regional analysis shows reach around KD7.2 billion as of Sep-2014. how below its GCC benchmark NPL ratio of around 3.8 per- category, Kuwaiti banks have a relatively high-cost deposit that the sector’s ROAA and ROAE are underperforming rela- In terms of the sector profitability, overall operating cent at the end of 2013. As well, Kuwaiti banks managed to base as Interest bearing time & saving deposits account for tive to its GCC benchmarks and are far below the respective income before loan-loss provisions grew by a marginal 0.7 improve their coverage of NPLs over the last 3 years to reach around 70 percent of total customer deposits. On the other overall average of 1.8 percent and 12.8 percent for the year percent for the 9M-2014 period to record KD 1.67billion, 111 percent by the end of 2013. hand, government and government-related entities’ 2013. Such a contracted level of profitability ratios mainly while net profit showed an increase of 18.9 percent for the Kuwait Banking system overall NIM has been on the deposits account for 14 percent by the end of 2013, which owes to the high level of general and specific provisions that same period to record KD 491 million compared to KD 413 decline over the last 5 years to reach 3.3 percent in 2013 grant additional strength to Banks’ funding base. banks have been taking since the onset of the financial crisis million for the last comparable period. This improved prof- down from 3.6 percent in 2008. Nevertheless, total Net as the bad debt burden remains a concern for banks despite itability mainly owes to lower amount of provision expens- Interest Income (NII) saw a gradual yet slight improvement Sector’s loans to deposits ratio the significant write-offs of NPLs and the substantial restruc- es by banks for the nine-month period of 2014. over the same period, to grow by a CAGR of 4.1 percent, Banks’ risk averseness on the lending front along with a turing of problematic assets. driven by the higher lending volumes. low risk-adjusted return opportunities in the market and a As well, on the operational level, it is to be noted that the Lagging behind GCC benchmark Macro-economic drivers pickup in economy activities have resulted in higher growth pressurized interest margins, spreads and net operating As compared to GCC banking sector overall perform- Kuwait has the 4th largest economy in the GCC region magnitude in deposit base vis-a-vis loans volume, hence margins contributed to the overall contraction in return ance over the last five years, Kuwait had the lowest growth with a GDP of KD 49.8 billion as of 2013. In real terms, GDP ultimately leading into lower loans to deposit ratio across ratios for Kuwaiti banks as it is the case in the regional and rates by all standards except that profitability growth level growth is still subdued owing to the sluggish economic con- the sector. global markets. during that period showed above sector growth, owing to ditions across the globe. On the other hand, the Banking the huge recovery in Net Profit during 2009-2010, when the system in Kuwait is one of the most developed amongst its A standstill in key margins performance of its GCC peers was still in the negative terri- GCC peers with a credit penetration rate of 72 percent by Within the framework of an obstinately low interest rate tory. However, over the last 3-year period, Kuwait banking 2013, compared to around 59 percent for its GCC bench- environment putting pressure on spreads and interest mar- sector’s Net Profit dropped by an average of 2.6 percent, mark. This in turn implies promising growth potentials for gins, Kuwait Banking System overall NIM has been on the while the growth in overall GCC banking sector was around the sector as credit and default risk normalizes and banks decline over the last 5 years to reach 3.3 percent in 2013 13.7 percent. Similarly, with reference to the sector size and relax their lending policies. down from 3.6 percent in 2008. Nevertheless, total Net funding base, the growth in overall Kuwaiti banks’ loan Kuwait Interbank rates followed the same downward Interest Income (NII) saw a gradual yet slight improvement portfolio and deposit base lagged behind that of the GCC trend as global benchmarks since the onset of the financial over the same period, to grow by a CAGR of 4.1 percent, benchmark over the same period to grow by a 5-year aver- crisis back in 2008, when central banks across the globe cut driven by the higher lending volumes. age rate of 4.8 percent & 7.4 percent, respectively, com- the benchmark rates to the lowest levels ever, in response to In the same context, interest spread followed the same pared to a growth of 8 percent and 10.8 percent for the GCC tight liquidity environment. As well, KIBOR-LIBOR spread has trend to reach 3.4 percent in 2013 down from a high of 3.8 banks. somehow widened over the same period, reflecting the percent in 2008, as the drop in interest rates had a greater higher perceived risk in the local economy. impact on the yield on earnings assets than on the funding Size of the GCC banking sector cost, with the latter currently standing at a near to the Growth in aggregate total assets of the GCC banking Macroeconomic background ground level of 1.1 percent, down from 3.8 percent in 2008, sector has been on the upside since 2009, to register a Surrounded by an unusual global, regional and domestic or around 270 bps; whereas yield on earnings assets CAGR of 9 percent over the period 200-2013 and stand at environment, Kuwaiti banks have fared well amid the hostile dropped by around 310 bps over the same period. $1.56 trillion by the end of Dec-2013. Assets growth is still operating conditions that have been prevailing across all far below the historical average of around 28 percent over markets, maintaining their adequate financial standing and Challenging operational activities the 2004-2008 period, owing to the sluggish growth in the continuing to grow at relatively lower but still satisfactory On the back of subdued economic conditions, low bro- loans portfolio as well as the high level of reserve for NPLs levels. kerage activities and low income growth from core business, and the mark-market of the trading portfolio. The high liquidity level of the Kuwaiti Banks along with total operating income of the sector recorded KWD 2.28 GCC banks’ has low level of credit penetration rate with a the effective and prudent measures set by the central bank Billion in FY 2013, growing at a CAGR of 3.9 percent over the loan to GDP ratio of 59 percent as of Dec-2013, which gives represents a crucial point for the banks in mitigating the period 2008-2013, compared to a historical average growth an indication of a high long-term growth potential as credit effects of the tight market conditions and low operating of around 26 percent between 2004-2008. While on the oth- and default risk revert back to normal levels. On a country activities. However, the pre-emptive measures taken by er hand, amid an increasingly inflationary cost environment level, Saudi and Oman banking sectors have the lowest banks to increase their reserve level has been weighing and in line with banks’ expansionary strategies, sector over- credit penetration rates as compared to other GCC peers down on bottom line results. Moreover, the main concern all operating expenses increased by a compounded annual and to overall GCC banking sector, whereas Bahrain has the for the sector lies in the amount and timing of additional rate of 9.1 percent over the last 5-year period to record highest rate of 152 percent as of 2013. provisions that banks are expected to take as they aim to around KWD 1 Billion in 2013. Accordingly, sector’s cost to increase their general/specific provision. income ratio has gradually increased to reach 43.1 percent in 2013 as compared to a ratio of 37.8 percent in 2009 and an Asset structure The ratio of loans to deposits stood at 74.1 percent as of average ratio of around 30 percent over the period 2004- System-wide assets base has grown at a compounded Dec-2013, down from around 80 percent back in 2008-2009 2008. annual rate of 6.3 percent over the last 6 years, to stand at and fairly below historical average ratio. However, this pro- Net Interest Income (NII) represents the largest contribu- KWD 58.3 billion as of Dec-2013. Despite that the annual vides Banks with a room for future expansion as market and tor to operating income for Kuwaiti banks, generating growth seen over that period is still far below the remark- economic conditions bounce back to normal levels; this is around two-third of the system operating revenues. Over able historical averages, owing to the slow progress in the particularly true for large banks as they have the lowest L/D the last 5 years, NII as a proportion of total operating income credit side, it is noticeable that the rate of growth has been ratio among the industry and relative to historical levels. dropped to around 63 percent in 2013, down from 66.4 per- rising steadily since 2009; this implies that a healthy recov- By all standards, the Banking Sector in Kuwait is highly cent in 2009, mainly owing to the tight interest margins and ery is gradually taking place in Banking system in Kuwait. concentration with the top few Banks controlling the majori- spreads. As well, the share of fees & commission income to ty of loans and deposits. The biggest two banks, NBK and total income has followed the same declining trend, to now KFH controls more than half the portion of the sector’s represent around 14.5 percent down from 16.2 percent in aggregate size, whereas the relatively mid-sized banks, 2009. Having said that, the contribution of Other Income namely Burgan Bank, Gulf Bank, and Commercial Bank of jumped from 17.3 percent in 2009 to reach 22.6 percent in Kuwait together correspond to around 28 percent of the 2013, on the back of improved return from investment activ- Sector’s loans & deposits base. ities and higher FX gains. GCC Banks’ deposit base has grown by a compounded Kuwaiti banks are characterized by a robust capital ade- In general, the change in the contribution by key income annual growth of 10.8 percent over the period 2008-2013 to quacy with Tier 1 capital and total capital ratios showing generating activities for Kuwaiti banks is mainly attributable currently stand at $1.1 trillion. However, given the overall steady improvement over the last 5 years. After reaching a to the sluggish domestic as well as regional macro-econom- economic conditions prevailing during that period accom- low of 15.6 percent in 2008, down from 19.3 percent, total ic environment confining the growth in interest income and panied by a rising risk of default and a high level of non- capital ratio for local banks gradually increased to reach 18.9 fees & commission’s income mainly during 2011-2012. This is performing loans, banks have adopted a more stringent percent at the end of FY-2013. More importantly, Kuwait in addition to the strict policies by banks in extending high lending measures in order to avoid further deterioration in banks maintained a solid equity base and their equity-to- quality loans in order to avoid further increase in NPLs and the Banks’ asset quality; as a result, aggregate size of GCC assets ratio is considered relatively high at around 12.3 per- hence more provisioning. Such a situation, along with the Banks’ loan portfolio grew by a lower rate compared to cent by the end of 2013. Having said that, Kuwait possesses pickup in equity market performance during that period, deposits, or by a compounded annual growth of 8 percent a well maintained and stable banking system that, with the have led to a considerable increase non-interest income over the same period. Therefore, implying a decline in loans proactive role of the CBK, makes it the prime and most (mainly from investments) which grew by 19.2 percent and to deposit ratio and hence improved liquidity. secure sector. 17.6 percent in FY 2011-2012. However, it’s worth noting In terms of market share of loans and deposits by coun- Loans Portfolio & Market Share The historical analysis of individual local banks’ capital that the growth rates in fees & commission income and NII try, the concentration remains with Saudi and UAE Banks On the lending front, Kuwaiti Banks’ loans portfolio stood base shows that all of the banks are amply capitalized with have progressively increased over the last 2 years, indicating which represent the major players in the industry and at KWD 36.3 billion, growing by a compound annual rate of the top tier banks having a CAR ranging between 17 percent a restoration is taking place in core activities of the sector. together corresponds to around 63 percent of the sector’s 4.8 percent over the last five years. On the other hand, a to 19 percent, which is far above the 12 percent minimum aggregate loan portfolio and 64 percent of the customer recovery in the quality of the loans is apparent, where NPLs regulatory ratio set by the CBK. Furthermore, banks have a Soundness of the banking System deposit base. On the other hand, the size of the banking is on the decline since 2009 to represent around 4.7 percent very high Tier 1 capital ratio ranging between 15 percent System-wide asset quality indicators have seen gradual sector in Qatar and Kuwait comes in the 3rd and 4th place, of gross loans as of 2013. and 17 percent for top banks, except for Burgan bank at 10 improvement over the period 2010-2013, after nearing the respectively, having a combined market share of 29 percent The Banking sector in Kuwait has a concentration in the percent. Given this high level of capital adequacy, the imple- worst point of the cycle when non-performing loans & 28 percent in term of loans & deposits. loan portfolio with the top four banks controlling around mentation of Basel III will not have a material impact on reached a high of KD 3 billion on an aggregate level for 77.3 percent of the loan market as of Dec-2013. NBK retains banks. Kuwaiti Banks. Over the last four-year period, the size of Capital adequacy the largest loan portfolio or around 30.7 percent of the sys- GCC Banks’ capitalization metrics remained healthy and tem aggregate, followed by Kuwait Finance House, Burgan steady across all countries owing to the effective and pru- bank and Gulf Bank, with a respective loan market share of dent regulations by the central banks in the GCC as well as around 24.6 percent, 11.8 percent and 10.2 percent as of to the sustainable growth rate in Banks’ equity capital over Dec-2013. the last few years. With this ample level of capitalization, Concerns over the previous years were centered into the GCC banks are well equipped to further expand their core exposure to Real Estate and Investment Sectors being the operating activities and at the same time to absorb any prime reason for the high level of Banks’ NPLs, provisioning potential shocks that might arise in the future given the expenses and impairments. The sectoral analysis of Banks’ current macroeconomic conditions. credit shows that Kuwaiti Banks remain to be highly In general, the GCC banking sector has been operating exposed to these two troubled sectors, however, the com- in a challenging environment, with a high level of provi- bined exposure to RE and Investment Companies dropped sions and impairments. Net profit for the sector reached a to 38.5 percent by 2013 from a high of 44.3 percent as of low of $15.3 billion in 2009, to then start its recovery by Dec-09, as banks refrained from granting additional credit posting healthy growth rates . It was only in 2011 when the facilities to these sectors and at the same offered debt sector total profit exceeded the highest level recorded in restructuring to some of the companies. Moreover, the 2007. Over the last four years, Net Profit grew by an average exposure to the RE and Investment Sectors have further rate of 14.5 percent to currently stand at $26.1 billion. dropped as of Sep-2014 to reach around 37.1 percent of the Nevertheless, the average growth rate is still below the out- total loan book. standing historical levels owing to the weak economic con- Moreover, it is to be noted that this ongoing process of ditions prevailing in the global as well as regional markets. reducing the exposure and credit concentration to specific non-performing loans dropped significantly by around 43 On the other hand, GCC overall banks’ core profitability sectors was predominately obvious for the Investment Profitability & Efficiency percent to reach around KD1.70 billion by the end of 2013. ratios, return on average assets and return on average equi- Sector in which the Banks’ exposure dropped from 11.5 per- In broad term, the banking sector reported a compound- Accordingly, the ratio of banks’ NPLs to gross loans consid- ty have stabilized at around 1.8 percent and 12.8 percent, cent in 2009 to 4.9 percent as of Sep-2014; whereas the ed annual growth of 11.4 percent in net profit over the last erably improved to 4.7 percent at end-2013, down from its respectively, over the last three-year period after showing a exposure to RE and Construction Sector remains at a high 5-year period, despite the marginal annual drops seen in peak in 2009 of 10.3 percent, yet still somehow below its marginal recovery from their lowest levels of 1.5 percent level of around 32.2 percent as of Sep-2014 which entails a profitability during FY 2011 & FY 2013, owing to the GCC benchmark NPL ratio of around 3.8 percent at the end and 11.5 percent in FY-2009. ROAA and ROAE are still way high level of prudence and precautionary measures. increased level of provisions & impairments taken by the of 2013. below the pre-crisis outstanding historical average seen of majority of the banks and the low interest rate context pre- In terms of loan-loss coverage, and as banks strived to around 2.9 percent and 22.5 percent for the 2004-2008 peri- Evolution in sector’s customer base vailing in the market. The last three years were characterized maintain a high level of precautionary reserve against the od. Total customer deposits showed a compounded annual by a high cost of risk for banks in which the level of provi- bounce in NPLs and the high risk of default, the Kuwaiti Return on asset and return on equity for the banking growth of 7.4 percent over the last 5-year period, to stand at sions has followed an upward trajectory. This was particular- banks managed to improve their coverage of NPLs over the system in the GCC region have shown some volatility in KD 36.6 billion by the end of 2013, up from KD 25.7 billion as ly true for large banks where the total amount of provisions last 3 years to reach 111 percent by the end of 2013. some countries as banks increased their capital to maintain of Dec-08. Despite the fact that growth in deposits is still and impairments taken by the top 4 banks (NBK, KFH, Moreover, it worth highlighting that Kuwait has currently a certain adequacy level, while net income was still pres- unmatched compared to historical levels, the magnitude of Burgan, and Gulf Bank) amounted to 618 Million or around the second highest NPL ratio after Saudi Arabia of 156 per- sured by the high amount of provisioning. On a country the growth in deposits has gradually picked up over the last 88 percent of the total sector provisions for loan losses and cent, and above the Aggregate GCC banks’ NPL coverage of basis, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have the highest levels of three years as the rise in oil prices has triggered the growth impairments during FY 2013 which amounted to KD 706 around 99 percent at end-2013. On an individual level, the return on asset and return on equity and well above the in the local economy. million. On top of that, the overall tough operating atmos- majority of the Kuwaiti banks have currently a high level of GCC overall average; whereas, Kuwait and Bahrain both Total deposits of the Banking Sector remain concentrat- phere characterized by the slow-moving economic condi- NPL coverage ratio, apart from Kuwait Finance House and have below GCC benchmark average. BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Innovation as a tradition Many decades of protection for occupants from Mercedes-Benz

KUWAIT: Mercedes-Benz is the pioneer of automotive Safety”. In 2013, Mercedes-Benz systematically pursued traffic, and reduce the risk of the vehicle leaving its lane cle-specific rescue card in case of an accident. In addition safety. No other car manufacturer carries out such inten- this strategy with numerous new assistance systems and unintentionally by applying the brakes on one side, to this, Mercedes-Benz introduced the enhanced assis- sive research in this field and has introduced many crucial greatly enhanced functions. Comfort and safety are Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus which allows the high- tance system COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS in the innovations into the market, many of which have enhanced at the same time. Mercedes-Benz calls this beam headlamps to be kept on permanently without compact class model family. This extends the functionali- become a standard in automobiles over the years. Ever “Intelligent Drive”. The new functions all rely on the same dazzling traffic, Night View Assist Plus which can alert the ty of COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST by the addition of since the invention of the motor car in 1886, Mercedes- sensor system, comprising a new stereo camera together driver to the potential danger posed by pedestrians or autonomous braking to reduce the risk of rear-end colli- Benz, together with its precursor brands, has been instru- with multistage radar sensors. animals in unlit areas in front of the vehicle, ATTENTION sions. mental in the development of active and passive safety, setting one new benchmark after another in the process. The very first vehicle with exemplary road safety was developed back in the 1900’s by Wilhelm Maybach, and was known as the Mercedes 35 HP. Contributing factors were the long wheelbase, low centre of gravity, the engine bolted to the frame and the wide track. Between 1921 and 1931, Mercedes-Benz passenger car models were equipped with front wheel brakes, hydraulic brak- ing systems and independent front and rear suspension with swing axles. By 1958, Mercedes-Benz had created several patents on safety features, such as conical-pin safety door lock, wedge-pin door lock and safety body with rigid passen- ger cell and crumple zones. One year later, Mercedes-Benz strengthened its com- mitment to safety measures with the start of systematic crash testing and the use of dummies. Since then, a num- ber of safety features have been introduced in all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. These include: disc brakes and dual-circuit braking systems, safety steering systems with telescopic steering columns and impact absorbers, ABS anti-lock braking systems, the world’s first driver airbag, rain sensors and xenon lights, the world’s first BAS Brake Assist System, the ABC (Active Body Control) active suspension, head/thorax side airbags, New assistance systems and those with notably ASSIST which can warn of inattentiveness and drowsi- “There is no doubt Mercedes-Benz has played a sig- Electronic Stability Program ESP, DISTRONIC PLUS, Brake enhanced functionality are: DISTRONIC PLUS with ness, and the new PRE-SAFE functions (PRE-SAFE Brake, nificant role in the development of automotive safety Assist BAS PLUS, Night View Assist, Blind Spot Assist and Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot which takes the bur- PRE-SAFE PLUS, PRE-SAFE Impulse) which help to pre- systems and it continues to make our driving experi- many more. den off the driver when it comes to lane guidance and is vent collisions with pedestrians and vehicles in front in ence safer and more comfortable every day. Mercedes- also able to follow vehicles in traffic jams automatically, city traffic, defuse dangerous situations caused by traffic Benz offers the best or nothing in the automotive Intelligent Drive Brake Assist system BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist behind and enhance the protection offered by the seat industry and we are proud to be the authorised Avoid accidents and mitigate their consequences - which is able to detect crossing traffic and pedestrians belts. General Distributer of this brand in Kuwait,” said this is the integrated approach adopted by Mercedes- too, Active Lane Keeping Assist which can detect when In 2014, Mercedes-Benz created the QR code sticker, Michael Ruehle, CEO Abdul Rahman Albisher & Zaid Benz Accident Research under the heading “Real Life the adjacent lane is occupied, especially by oncoming which gives emergency services direct access to a vehi- Alkazemi Company.

Al Muzaini Exchange Co opens 64th UIC voluntarily delists from KSE branch in Sabah Al-Nasser Co-op KUWAIT: United Industries Company KSC (Public)- Sheikh Khalifa A. Al Sabah expressed his grati- UIC - announced that it has officially delisted from tude to KAMCO’s team for their professional role as KUWAIT: With the objective to meet the expanding needs Al Muzaini Exchange Company, a pioneer and leader in the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE), following approval the financial advisor in UIC’s delisting from the KSE. of its customers, Al Muzaini Exchange Co, Kuwait’s leading the foreign exchange business in Kuwait for over 70 years from the concerned authorities. KAMCO Investment He also thanked the Capital Markets Authority, Exchange and Remittance Company, recently announced now with network branches that spans currently through Company KSC (Public)-KAMCO- disclosed the suc- Kuwait Stock Exchange, Kuwait Clearing Company the launch of its 64th branch, located in Sabah Al Nasser 64 branches located across Kuwait. To ensure customer sat- cess of its advisory role with respect to UIC voluntar- and the shareholders for their support in making Co-op. The branch was officially inaugurated by Al isfaction, arrival and departure sections of the Kuwait ily delisting. this a successful and smooth process. Muzaini’s Deputy General Manager, Ali Al-Fajhan. International airport and the Sheikh Saad airport guaran- Sheikh Khalifa Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, UIC UIC was established in 1979 and listed on the KSE Al Muzaini Exchange has increased its footprint across tee 24 hours 7 days a week full service. Chairman, said, “This decision was taken in line with in 1997. The company’s core activities lie within the the country by being critically placed at convenient loca- Al Muzaini Exchange Company provides customers a our cautious approach and the safety measures we investment and establishment of industrial compa- tions such as one stop shop Co-op’s and in other commer- broad range of banking services and offers which include take to protect our UIC shareholders, and based on nies and others that complete its operational activi- cial areas to support its customer’s efficient and quick issuing checks and collection of checks drawn on foreign the study conducted by our financial advisor, KAM- ties. The company invests in the local and regional transfers. In addition to the newly inaugurated branch in banks and the sale and purchase of foreign currencies and CO. industrial sector and holds a diverse investment Sabah Al Nasser Co-op, and in effort to provide further remittances (to all parts of the world through a network of He added that this decision will not impact the portfolio that focuses on the energy, food, and basic convenience on all levels, Al Muzaini also guarantees a international banks), as well as benefitting from DHL relat- transparency approach with UIC’s shareholders. material industries sectors. UIC’s capital is KD 49.5 mobile van express that is equipped to undertake transac- ed services and Western Union’s varied services that are on Moreover, UIC will continue to hold its annual million as at 30 September 2014. tions in areas where there is little or no accessibility. offer. “Shafafiyah” Investors’ Forum which is held by KIP- CO Group companies in the interest of transparen- cy. The chairman pointed that UIC’s stock turnover rate was around 9.9 percent in 2013 (stock turnover rate from the beginning of this year till 25 December 2014 was around 13.4 percent). Further to that, stock value in the KSE declined in 2012 and 2013. This, he said, was not in the interest of the company or its shareholders, considering that the book value per share is greater than its market value. KAMCO’s advisory was strongly backed by the various reports and studies conducted by KAMCO’s skilled research team which reflected the continu- ous fluctuations in the local and regional markets in the past years as well as the hesitant economic envi- Sheikh Khalifa Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, UIC ronment worldwide. Chairman WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 31, 2014 technology

US suspects North Korea had help attacking Sony Pictures

WASHINGTON/BOSTON: US investiga- work for more than a week. of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. maturely in announcing unequivocally traffic from the infected machines back tors believe that North Korea likely hired While U.S. officials investigate Because of the hackers’ threats, major that it was North Korea before the inves- to the hackers’ machines. Only the gov- hackers from outside the country to whether North Korea enlisted help from U.S. cinema chains refused to show the tigation was complete,” said Mark Rasch, ernment and Internet service providers help with last month’s massive cyberat- outside contractors, the FBI stood by its film. Last week, Sony struck deals with a former federal cybercrimes prosecutor. have that kind of visibility, he added. “I tack against Sony Pictures, an official previous statement that Pyongyang was some 320 independent theaters to dis- “There are many theories about who did don’t have the data that they have to close to the investigation said on the prime author of the attack against tribute “The Interview” and also made it and how they did it. The government come up with that conclusion,” Mandia, Monday. the Sony Corp unit. “The FBI has con- the film available online. has to be pursuing all of them.” The FBI chief operating officer of FireEye Inc , As North Korea lacks the capability to cluded the Government of North Korea said its determination that North Korea said in a video interview with Reuters. conduct some elements of the sophisti- is responsible for the theft and destruc- BLAMING NORTH KOREA was behind the hack was based on infor- “Every attack loops through numer- cated campaign by itself, the official tion of data on the network of Sony Some private security experts have mation from a variety of sources, includ- ous machines,” he said. “You have to said, US investigators are looking at the Pictures Entertainment,” the Federal begun to question whether Pyongyang ing intelligence sources, the U.S. peel that onion all the way back. It isn’t possibility that Pyongyang “contracted Bureau of Investigation said in a state- was behind the Sony cyberattack at all. Department of Homeland Security, for- an easy thing to do.” out” some of the cyber work. The official ment to Reuters. For instance, consulting firm Taia Global eign partners and the private sector. Mandia, who has supervised investi- was not authorized to speak on the North Korea has denied that it was said the results of a linguistic analysis of “There is no credible information to gations into some of the world’s biggest record about the investigation. behind the Sony attack and has vowed communications from the suspected indicate that any other individual is cyberattacks, said the Sony case was The attack on Sony Pictures is regard- to hit back against any US retaliation. hackers suggest they were more likely responsible for this cyber incident,” the unprecedented. ed to be the most destructive against a The people who claimed responsibility from Russia than North Korea. agency said. “Nobody expected when somebody company on U.S. soil because the hack- for the hack have said on Internet post- Cybersecurity firm Norse said it suspects Kevin Mandia, whose security firm breaks in to absolutely destroy all your ers not only stole huge quantities of ings that they were incensed by the a Sony insider might have helped launch was hired by Sony to investigate the data, or try to anyway, and that’s just data, but also wiped hard drives and Sony Pictures film “The Interview,” a the attack. attack, said the only way to know who something that no one else has seen,” he brought down much of the studio’s net- comedy about a fictional assassination “I think the government acted pre- the culprits are is to trace the network said.—Reuters iPhone user tries to go back to BlackBerry

By Scott Mayerowitz don’t think the Classic is for me. I also don’t believe it’s going to sway back anybody NEW YORK: The BlackBerry’s blinking red who has abandoned the BlackBerry. To be light used to haunt me. Just when I honest, I’ve become very good at typing thought I could relax, enjoy a nice dinner or emails on my touch screen. And I’m no go for a run, my BlackBerry would start casual user. blinking again, signaling a new message. I I send and receive a whopping 500 was an addict. Typing with one hand, hid- emails a day. Many are public relations ing the BlackBerry under the dinner table? pitches that only require a word or two in No problem. Walking down the street while reply. But for many others, I will easily composing messages? Easy. That was four respond with a few paragraphs on my years ago. iPhone. In fact, I will often write large sec- Today, I’m a loyal iPhone user, having tions of my stories on my iPhone while rid- just bought my second phone from Apple. I ing the subway or sitting on planes prior to get my personal and work email on it. I also takeoff. The only big downside for me is use it to tweet - maybe too much - and copying and pasting. share photos of my travels on Instagram. Going back to a physical keyboard this My airline boarding passes and hotel reser- past week turned out to be cumbersome. vations live on my phone. As a travel Yes, I liked that while in another program, reporter, it’s an indispensable tool for my the BlackBerry gave me a little banner up work - not so much for the email but for all top announcing the sender of a new email. the apps that help me manage my trips. It And, to be honest, that blinking red light feels like a mobile office for me. This past was, in a strange way, comforting. But I week, I went back to my BlackBerry ways to wasn’t typing any faster with the physical test the company’s latest model, the keyboard. Classic. Beyond that, photos aren’t as good as For BlackBerry, this device is a return to what I can take with the iPhone. Both its roots: It’s made for those heavy corpo- phones produce 8 megapixel pictures, but rate users who love the physical keyboard images taken with the Classic weren’t as and have resisted the touch screens adopt- sharp. ed by millions of iPhone and Android users. More importantly, BlackBerry lacks sev- The Classic has strong security features, eral apps I’ve come to depend on. The restores the beloved navigation row and Classic will run some Android apps through BEIJING: In this March 23, 2010 file photo, a security guard walks past while foreign visitors are seen inside the Google China headquarters in sports a battery that won’t be drained by Amazon’s app store, but it’s a subset of Beijing. Connections to Google Inc.’s popular email service have been blocked in China amid efforts by the government to limit access to the lunch. I can see how the Classic is a great what’s available for Android. It doesn’t even company’s services. —AP device for loyal BlackBerry fans. My friend run everything that would run on Amazon’s Heather Montminy practically jumped out Fire phone. Apps need to be tweaked for of her chair to try the Classic when she saw the phone’s 3.5-inch screen (The display is me testing it during dinner last week with smaller than most phones because the Google’s Gmail blocked in China our respective spouses. Montminy is a physical keyboard takes up much of the lawyer who has been using a BlackBerry for bottom). BEIJING: Google Inc’s Gmail was blocked in dealings with international companies and to strators around Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on 12 years and carries two phones: an iPhone There’s no Instagram, no Uber car serv- China after months of disruptions to the world’s consider the market signal it sends with such June 4, 1989. for her personal use and a BlackBerry for ice and no ability to easily pull up my air- biggest email service, with an anti-censorship acts,” State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke Gmail’s setback could make email communi- work. line boarding pass. With my iPhone, I can advocate suggesting the Great Firewall was to said. cation difficult for companies operating in China, “I’m excited for any new BlackBerry. I get my boarding pass and add it to blame. Almost all of Google’s services have been said GreatFire. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokes- was really concerned that they were going Passbook. It’s there as I get to the security Large numbers of Gmail Web addresses were heavily disrupted in China since June this year, woman Hua Chunying said she did not know to phase out the keyboard,” Montminy says. checkpoint - no fumbling around email cut off in China on Friday, said GreatFire.org, a but until last week Gmail users could still access anything about Gmail being blocked, adding “I feel like I can get a business email done folders or hoping there is a strong enough China-based freedom of speech advocacy emails downloaded via protocols like IMAP, that the government was committed to provid- much faster and more efficiently.” She says cell signal to download the image fresh. group. Users said the service was still down on SMTP and POP3. These had let people communi- ing a good business environment for foreign she’s not great at typing on a touch screen Maybe if I never got a taste of the Monday. cate using Gmail on apps like the Apple iPhone’s investors. and often finds herself making mistakes iPhones and all the apps available for it, I’d “I think the government is just trying to fur- Mail and Microsoft Outlook. China maintains “China has consistently had a welcoming and and having to go back and fix them. That be first in line for a Classic. But BlackBerry ther eliminate Google’s presence in China and tight control over the Internet, nipping in the supportive attitude towards foreign investors might be fine in a message to friends but took too long to modernize its system, and even weaken its market overseas,” said a mem- bud any signs of dissent or challenges to the rul- doing legitimate business here,” she said. “We not on an important work email. in that time, I’ve gotten used to the touch ber of GreatFire.org, who uses a pseudonym. ing Communist Party’s leadership. will, as always, provide an open, transparent and But after four years on the iPhone, I screen.—AP Google’s own Transparency Report, which The country is host to the world’s most good environment for foreign companies in shows real-time traffic to Google services, dis- sophisticated internet censorship mechanism, China.” played a sharp drop-off in traffic to Gmail from known as the Great Firewall of China. Critics say One popular way to get around China’s inter- China on Friday. China has stepped up its disruption of foreign net censorship is to use a Virtual Private Network “We’ve checked and there’s nothing wrong online services like Google over the past year to (VPN), which allows unhindered access to on our end,” a Singapore-based spokesman for create an Internet cut off from the rest of the blocked sites and services. Google said in an email. In Washington, the US world. “Using a VPN seems to be the only answer to State Department expressed concern over The Google disruption began in the run-up to doing anything these days online in China,” said China’s actions. the 25th anniversary of the government’s Zach Smith, a Beijing-based digital products “We encourage China to be transparent in its bloody crackdown on pro-democracy demon- manager at City Weekend magazine. —Reuters Increased social media interaction urged with local government entities

DUBAI: ICDL Arabia, the govern- off as a channel for two-way information. They need to foster more advanced training pro- ing body and certification communication. public trust that their feedback grams in the UAE which can edu- authority for the ICDL certificate Jamil Ezzo, Director General, will be treated with utmost confi- cate people on the safe and program in Egypt, GCC States ICDL Arabia, said: “The UAE tops dentiality so that people feel secure use of online collaborative and Iraq, has called on the public the region in the use of social comfortable to share their views tools for a more engaging and to increase their online engage- media platforms such as with the government. People interactive experience on social ment with various departments Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. should also be educated about media platform. ICDL Arabia has of the UAE, specifically by further There were 5 million Facebook the importance of feedback, as it addressed this challenge by incor- utilizing social media as a strate- users in the country in October will enable the government to porating Online Collaboration gic platform to discuss and 2014, up from 4.4 million at the improve their services and offer- module which helps people resolve issues of public impor- beginning of 2014 and 2.1 mil- ings. Moreover, lack of appropri- understand the key concepts of tance in a timely manner, lion LinkedIn users, up from 1.77 ate online skills in general public social media, mobile technology, increase awareness of govern- million. The statistics reveal a hinders in their engagement in and cloud computing and at the ment initiatives, and collate feed- penetration rate of 60 per cent social media activities.” same time develop online eti- back. This comes following a for Facebook and 25 per cent for “There is a growing need for quettes,” concluded Ezzo. recent survey titled ‘2014 UAE LinkedIn for the same period. The Social Media Outlook: Increasing emergence of social media chan- Connectivity Between nels has offered a quick and easy Government and Citizen,’ con- platform to nationals and resi- ducted by the Governance and dents to reinforce their ties with Innovation Programme at the various government offices and Mohammad Bin Rashid School of present an individual’s perspec- Government (MBRSG). tive to concerned authorities. Although the UAE leads the Looking to add pace to these fig- Arab region in the utilization of ures, ICDL has added Online social media channels for the Collaboration to its list of mod- provision of public services, the ules, which helps people develop user interaction with govern- their social skill sets. With a grow- ment remains to be optimized. ing engagement on social media The government survey revealed platforms, it effectively teaches that while more than 78 per cent how to properly integrate social of users visit government social media into our everyday lives.” media pages to access informa- Ezzo further added: “The UAE’s tion, only 8 per cent provide their government entities have yet to opinions or suggestions. The harness the full potential of important finding indicates that online social media as a platform NEW YORK: In this Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, file photo, BlackBerry’s new BlackBerry government’s social media pages for healthy debates, engaging Classic phone appears on display during a news conference. BlackBerry’s new Classic have emerged as a source of competitions, and valuable sug- aims to please its core users who love a physical keyboard.—AP information, but have yet to take gestions and not just a source of WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 HEALTH & SCIENCE Hollow tree was Ebola’s Ground Zero

PARIS: Insect-eating bats that inhabited a Cousin species hollow tree in a remote village in Guinea Highly contagious, the virus is then may have been the source of the world’s passed among humans through contact biggest Ebola epidemic, scientists said yes- with body fluids. A known reservoir is the terday. More than 20,000 cases of Ebola, fruit bat (Epomophorus wahlbergi), a wide- with at least 7,800 deaths, have been spread tropical African species that in some recorded by the World Health Organization countries is killed for food, offering a infec- (WHO) since a two-year-old boy died in the tion pathway to hunters and butchers of village of Meliandou in December 2013. the mammal. Reporting in the journal EMBO Molecular But the role of fruit bats in the current Medicine, scientists led by Fabian outbreak has never been confirmed, the Leendertz at Berlin’s Robert Koch Institute scientists said. In contrast, free-tailed bats, delved into the circumstances surrounding a cousin species, have been found in lab this first fatality. tests to be able to carry the virus but not The finger of suspicion points at insec- fall sick with it. That, too, would make them tivorous free-tailed bats-Mops condylurus a “reservoir,” but no evidence of this has in Latin-that lived in a hollow tree 50 ever been found in the wild. The German meters (yards) from the boy’s home, they team said evidence that this species helped said. “The close proximity of a large colony unleash the present epidemic was strong of free-tailed bats... provided opportunity but not 100 percent. for infection. Children regularly caught and Local children not only played with the LONDON: Medical staff in protective clothing transport a healthcare worker diagnosed with the Ebola virus disease in a quarantine tent prior to played with bats in this tree,” the team said bats at the tree, they also hunted bats that her being transferred to the Royal Free Hospital in north London at Glasgow airport, Scotland, yesterday.—AP photos after an exhaustive four-week probe car- roosted at village homes and grilled them ried out in April. for food, they found. In addition, they saw The Ebola virus holes up in a natural no evidence of any local die-off among Ebola nurse treated in London haven, also called a reservoir, among wild larger mammals, which would have been a animals which are not affected by it. The secondary route of infection for humans. virus can infect humans who come into On the other hand, no trace of Ebola virus as Sierra Leone rate rises contact with this source directly or indirect- was found in any of the bats the scientists ly through contact with animals that have captured and whose blood was ana- fallen sick from it. lyzed.—AFP LONDON: A British nurse who contracted Ebola in west Africa was being treated in a specialist London hospital yesterday as infection rates grew again in eastern parts of Sierra Leone where the outbreak had subsided. The volun- teer, who returned Sunday from a treatment facility in Kerry Town in Sierra Leone run by the Save the Children charity, was transferred overnight from a Glasgow hospital in a Royal Air Force plane. British media named her as Pauline Cafferkey, a nurse who was part of a 30-strong team of medical volunteers sent to Sierra Leone last month.In an emotional diary written for The Scotsman newspaper, Cafferkey talked about her work at the facility, including meeting an orphan boy. “The sad thing is that this is a regular occur- rence and we see and hear of whole families being wiped out by this awful disease,” Cafferkey wrote. It is the first time someone has tested positive for Ebola in Britain and she is the second to be treated for the virus in the country after fellow nurse William Pooley, who made a full recovery earlier this year and has since returned to Sierra Leone. The world’s deadliest-ever out- break, which has killed 7,842 people out of LONDON: A picture shows a general view of The Royal Free hospital in north London yesterday, CHINA: A farmer feed ducks at a farm in Suichuan, east China’s Jiangxi province yes- 20,081 cases, has been centered on Sierra Leone, where the first Ebola patient to be diagnosed in the UK will be treated after being airlifted terday.—AFP Liberia and Guinea in west Africa. In October, a Spanish nurse who treated two from Glasgow. Ebola-infected Spanish missionaries became the Japan orders slaughter of 37,000 first person to be diagnosed with the disease in Europe and the first to contract it outside of chickens in bird flu outbreak Africa. Around 100 people have been tested for TOKYO: Japan yesterday ordered the that led to the cull of 4,000 chickens-the Ebola in hospitals across England alone so far slaughter of some 37,000 chickens as offi- first outbreak of bird flu at a Japanese farm this year, with all of them testing negative so far. cials announced the third bird flu outbreak since April. A second person returning from the affected in less than a month and pledged “all nec- “We will continue to take all necessary region was being tested for the virus in Cornwall essary measures” to contain the spread. measures if any further outbreaks are con- in southwest England and a third, also a health- Tests confirmed the H5 strain of the virus at firmed,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide care worker, was to be tested in Aberdeen, a farm in Yamaguchi prefecture on the Suga, the government’s top spokesman, Scotland. Officials said that as far as they knew southwestern tip of Japan’s main Honshu said at a ministerial meeting concerning neither of the two had contact with the con- island after its owner reported late Monday the government’s outbreak response. firmed case and the test results were expected that several chickens had died suddenly, Japan’s agriculture ministry regularly warns yesterday. The new case is being treated at the the farm ministry said. farmers about the risk of infection, citing Royal Free Hospital in London, which has a high- Officials began the slaughter yesterday the continued spread of the disease in Asia, level isolation unit ready to handle Ebola cases and asked farms within a 10 kilometer (six including in South Korea. Some strains of and equipped with its own ventilation system to mile) radius not to transport their poultry avian influenza are fatal for chickens, and avoid contagion. outside of the area. pose a health threat to humans, who can The patient had travelled to Glasgow from The latest confirmed case comes a day fall sick after handling infected poultry. The Sierra Leone on Sunday, via Casablanca in after the government ordered the slaugh- H5N1 strain of bird flu has killed more than Morocco. Health authorities said they had con- ter of about 42,000 chickens at a poultry 400 people, mainly in southeast Asia, since tacted 63 of the 70 people who were on the farm in Miyazaki prefecture in southern first appearing in 2003. Another strain of plane with her on the last leg of her journey Kyushu. Earlier this month, bird flu reports bird flu, H7N9, has claimed more than 170 from London Heathrow Airport to Glasgow. The came from another Miyazaki poultry farm lives since emerging in 2013.—AFP National Health Service worker was admitted to hospital on Monday after feeling feverish. “She LONDON: A healthcare worker who was diagnosed with Ebola after returning from Sierra did not have the symptoms that make us wor- Leone is walked from an ambulance and put into a quarantine tent trolley before being ried about transmission before she was in the wheeled into a Hercules Transport plane at Glasgow International Airport yesterday, bound for isolation facility in Glasgow,” said Professor Paul The Royal Free hospital. Injured hippo dies in Taiwan, Cosford from the Public Health England agency. Ebola is transmitted through contact with bodily with Cafferkey from Sierra Leone, criticized Kono had recorded 21 new Ebola cases on owner faces jail term fluids and officials emphasised that the risk of what he called the “shambolic” testing process Friday and Saturday. the virus spreading was “negligible”. at Heathrow. “They ran out of testing kits and Meanwhile scientists said insect-eating bats TAIPEI: A hippopotamus owned by a pri- formed in Taipei Zoo in the north linked the didn’t seem to know what they were doing,” he that inhabited a hollow tree in a remote village vate ranch died in Taiwan yesterday after tragedy to the first fall, which crushed the New cases in Sierra Leone told The Daily Telegraph newspaper. in Guinea may have been the source of the epi- suffering two accidents-once when it beast’s diaphragm. That accident hap- Sierra Leone’s deputy government In Sierra Leone, a five-day Christmas lock- demic. The first death was that of a two-year- jumped from a moving truck and again pened last Friday when the panicked hippo spokesman Abdulai Bayratay defended screen- down in the north aimed at preventing new old boy died in the village of Meliandou in when its container was dropped. The ani- jumped from the truck in which it was ing measures in place. “The screening process Ebola infections ended on Monday. However, December 2013. Reporting in the journal mal, named “A Ho” after the Chinese word being transported, breaking a leg. she went through at the Lungi International Ebola infections have increased in the dia- EMBO Molecular Medicine, scientists led by for hippo Ho Ma, was found dead in its Television footage showed the enormous Airport was of quality standard and as far as mond-rich Kono district in the country’s east, Fabian Leendertz at Berlin’s Robert Koch pond at a farm in the central city of animal lying on the road-where it remained was detected, she left the country without any where the infection rates had been decreasing. Institute said the contamination may have Taichung. Agriculture Minister Chen Bao-ji for several hours-with white fluid oozing symptoms of Ebola,” he told AFP. But British Quoting updates from the National Ebola come from a tree 50 metres (yards) from the has slammed the ranch owner for what he from its eyes. medic Martin Deahl, who said he had travelled Response Centre, the national broadcaster said boy’s home.—AFP described as carelessness in transporting Then, when the hippo was being taken the animal. back to the farm for treatment of its The government is considering prose- injuries, the cable on a hoist broke and its cuting the owner after a post-mortem to container crashed to the ground from a determine the exact cause of death. He height of two meters (6.5 feet). “The animal Food and medication insecurity could face a jail term of up to a year under was not properly protected during the an animal protection law. “The city govern- transportation process, leading to its ment has asked prosecutors to look into injuries. What’s worse, it had not received tied to poor diabetes control the case,” Chen Ming-hui, a local official, due medical treatment the last two days,” told AFP, adding that the ranch has been said Chu Tseng-hung, the head of the non- NEW YORK: People without reliable sources of People with low incomes may not benefit as researchers found. For example, about 64 per- ordered to make a plan to improve the profit Environment and Animal Society of food and medicine are more likely to have poor much from that increased access, they add, cent of those who reported an unstable food management of the rest of the animals Taiwan. A Ho was a star attraction at its control over their diabetes, compared to those because getting more healthcare services does supply had uncontrolled diabetes, compared to there. ranch and even appeared in a popular tele- without such concerns, according to a new not mean also having access to food, medica- about 42 percent of those with food security. The initial result of the autopsy per- vision soap opera several years ago.—AFP study. Researchers found the likelihood of a per- tions and other items needed to control dia- son having poorly controlled diabetes increased betes. For the study, the researchers used data Healthcare system by about 39 percent for each of the so-called collected from June 2012 through October 2013 While housing and energy insecurities were economic insecurities they reported. “What we from 411 people with diabetes at clinics and not tied to worse diabetes control, the study found is that food and medication are a big deal health centers in Massachusetts. found that people with an overall greater num- and probably account for the bulk of it, but it ber of insecurities had greater odds of being less doesn’t look like there is any one thing,” said Dr Uncontrolled diabetes in control of their diabetes. “I think it lets us Seth Berkowitz, the study’s lead author from Massachusetts expanded healthcare access know that even if we - nationwide - achieve the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. years before the rest of the country. “I think what rate of insurance coverage in Massachusetts, Approximately 29 million Americans - about 9 we’re looking at in Massachusetts is where the these problems will still likely exist,” Berkowitz percent of the US population - have diabetes, rest of the country will be in a few years,” said. He added that the problem is likely beyond according to the Centers for Disease Control and Berkowitz said. Most of the participants had the healthcare system to solve, because the new Prevention. Type 2 is the most common form of insurance, about 46 percent of the participants research showed people with these insecurities diabetes and is often linked to obesity. In type 2 had uncontrolled diabetes and about 40 percent were visiting their doctors. diabetes, the body’s cells may be resistant to the reported some sort of inability to get food, med- “You have people who are seeking care and hormone insulin, or the body may not make icine or other necessities. seeing what they have, but . . . you’re just not get- enough of the hormone. Insulin gives blood sug- Specifically, about 28 percent reported not ting people what they need to stay healthy,” ar access to the body’s cells to be used as fuel. taking their medicines because they couldn’t Berkowitz said. “This is sort of a policy or system- There’s been speculation that the 2010 afford the drugs. About 14 percent said they level issue,” he said. “I don’t think there’s anything Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - bet- couldn’t pay their utility bills, about 20 percent in the course of an individual visit that patients or ter known as Obamacare - would increase access said they didn’t have reliable access to food and physicians are going to be able to do.” Berkowitz to healthcare for people with diabetes, about 11 percent said their housing situation added, though, that people should let their doc- TAIWAN: In this photo taken on December 26, 2014, an injured hippo lies on the Berkowitz and his colleagues write in JAMA wasn’t stable. Food and medication insecurities tors and healthcare providers know if they are ground after it jumped from a truck in Miaoli county.—AFP Internal Medicine. were tied to poor control over diabetes, the experiencing any of these difficulties.—Reuters WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 HEALTH & SCIENCE

TEHRAN: An Iranian vendor wearing a mask to protect himself from pollu- TEHRAN: An Iranian man wearing a mask to protect himself from pollution TEHRAN: An Iranian man wearing a mask to protect himself from pollution tion sits next to his fruit stand in Tehran yesterday.—AFP photos rides his motorcycle. walks past a graffiti of trees. Tehran air pollution puts nearly 400 in hospital

TEHRAN: Almost 400 people have been hospi- est casualties were treated Monday, according has not yet been officially confirmed. Tehran, with its population of 12 million Pollution peaks in winter are regularly talized with heart and respiratory problems to Hassan Abbas, an emergency services man- However, the sick and elderly have been people, is one of the most polluted cities in caused by the climate inversion phenomenon, caused by heavy air pollution in Tehran, with ager quoted by the official IRNA news agency. asked to avoid city traffic due to the effects of the world, partly because of an altitude rang- where cold air near the ground is trapped by nearly 1,500 others requiring treatment, an “Some 392 people were admitted to hospi- breathing in a noxious mix of carbon monox- ing from 1,100-1,700 meters (3,600-5,600 feet) warmer air above preventing pollution being official said yesterday. Year round, more than tal due to respiratory and heart problems,” he ide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and dirty above sea level in a basin surrounded by dispersed over a bigger area. In 2012, pollu- four million cars spew exhaust fumes into the said. “We treated another 1,434 externally.” rubber particles. The capital and other cities, mountains. In addition, Iranian cars consume tion contributed to the premature deaths of atmosphere of the Iranian capital. The situa- Authorities are said to be considering school including top tourist attraction Isfahan and on average more than other countries, a situa- 4,500 people in Tehran and about 80,000 in tion worsens in winter, when cold air leads to a closures and the introduction of traffic restric- the religious destination of Mashhad, have tion made worse by some fuel being of low the country, according to the health min- carcinogenic fog that blankets the city. The lat- tions for the whole capital today, although this experienced pollution peaks in recent weeks. quality. istry.—AFP Alleged Kenya poaching ringleader a ‘flight risk’

MOMBASA: A court in Kenya was urged yesterday not cheating justice is ready to cross any international to grant bail to a suspected ivory trafficking ringleader, border without fear of being apprehended,” he said. with the prosecution arguing his release would be a “If the court allows a person like the accused to major blow to the fight against rampant poaching. operate with impunity, there is no doubt that there Kenyan national Feisal Mohammed Ali, who figured on will not be a single elephant left in the country to be an Interpol list of nine most wanted suspects linked to seen by future generations. Courts have a duty in this crimes against the environment, was arrested by inter- country to protect our environment and heritage for national police agents in Tanzania last week and extra- the sake our tourism industry,” he added. “He is a flight dited to face charges in Kenya’s port city of Mombasa. risk. If released, he will definitely abscond,” Muteti told Ali faces trial for possession of and dealing in ele- the court, dismissing the assertion from Ali’s lawyer phant tusks weighing more than two tonnes — that his client had a right to bail and would comply equivalent to at least 114 slaughtered elephants. The with its conditions. haul was discovered by police in June when they raid- ed a car dealership, and after which Ali fled to Key Test for Kenya Tanzania. State counsel Alexander Muteti described Mombasa’s top judge, Justus Kituku, said a ruling Ali, 47, as an “international fugitive who cannot be on the bail application will be made on Jan 9. trusted” and whose application for bail must be Detectives close to the case have described Ali as the UNITED STATES: (FILES) This April 2, 2003 file photo shows a Red Cross worker as she prepares to take blood from rejected. “He is a man of many means and a power- leader of a multi-million dollar international poaching an unidentified male donor in Escondido, California.—AFP house who can survive in any country. We urge you network. They also say he has enjoyed protection not to allow him a second opportunity to escape,” he from top officials in various east African security agen- told the court. “A fellow who has perfected the art of cies and governments - backing up allegations from ‘AIDS demolition team’ wildlife campaigners that poaching ringleaders have for years been able to operate with almost total report roils China netizens impunity. The forthcoming trial of Ali, they say, will be a key BEIJING: A property developer in China hired six people with HIV in an effort to earn enormous revenue by evicting reportedly hired a group of people with force local residents from a housing people to clear land and then reselling test of Kenya’s capacity and resolve to tackle poaching HIV to harass residents into leaving compound set for demolition. it to developers. The incident took place and safeguard its famed national parks and reserves. their homes, sparking anger from the Li Gejun, deputy head of the propa- in Henan province, which in the 1990s Defence lawyer Cliff Ombeta, however, insisted that country’s Internet users yesterday. The ganda office in Wolong, a district of was hit by a debilitating AIDS epidemic Ali was an innocent man who only evaded Kenyan case is the latest to highlight wide- Nanyang, told CCTV that the Yi’an Real that stemmed from a tainted govern- police because he feared he would not get a fair trial. spread discrimination in China against Estate Company hired the patients “in ment-backed blood donation program “He was already in Tanzania when his name was pub- people living with HIV and AIDS. It also order to achieve its goal of speedy and infected tens of thousands of peo- lished worldwide as a wanted person. He feared com- underscores the unscrupulous lengths demolition”. Footage by the broadcast- ple. to which some real estate firms and offi- er showed the words “AIDS demolition It comes on the heels of reports ear- ing back after seeing on television that armed police cials will go to evict residents in a coun- team” spray-painted in red on many of lier this month that Chinese villagers were around his premises. He feared for the worse,” try where reselling land can provide big the compound’s walls. The team also had targeted an eight-year-old HIV-pos- the lawyer said. dividends for local governments. set off firecrackers, harassed residents itive boy for expulsion, drawing wide- Elephant ivory is sought out for jewellery and dec- “The obscene tactics of demolition and shot their windows with slingshots spread condemnation. Some 200 resi- orative objects and much of it is smuggled to China, teams emerge in innumerable succes- and ball bearings, according to the offi- dents-including the child’s own grand- where many increasingly wealthy shoppers are buy- sion,” one user of Sina Weibo, a Chinese cial Xinhua news agency. father-signed a petition to expel the ing ivory trinkets as a sign of financial success. A sharp version of Twitter, wrote yesterday. “The Four officials have been reprimand- boy from their village in the southwest- government departments definitely ed and five suspects held in connection ern province of Sichuan to “protect vil- rise in poaching in Kenya, which is home to an esti- knew about this, they’re just pretend- with the case, Xinhua reported, adding lagers’ health”. Discrimination against mated 30,000 elephants and just over one thousand ing they didn’t,” wrote another. that the housing compound had been those with HIV/AIDS remains an issue at rhinos, has sparked warnings from conservation According to a report late Monday by “slated for demolition under a govern- schools, hospitals, workplaces and oth- groups that the government is losing the fight against state broadcaster China Central ment plan”. Forced demolition is a er establishments across China, a factor the slaughter and that elephants could be extinct in Television, a property developer in perennial source of discontent in China, that experts say hampers efforts to Feisal Mohammed Ali the wild within a generation. — AFP the central Chinese city of Nanyang where local governments can often diagnose and treat it.—AFP WHAT’S ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Sultan Center Group celebrates grand opening of Wok Hay restaurant ‘In an authentic Asian ambiance’

he industry-leading Sultan Center Group of to the Far East starting from the Asian charming utmost pleasure to celebrate the grand opening of Restaurants celebrated the grand opening of atmosphere and decorations to the taste of the Wok Hay restaurant, TSC is always keen to satisfy its Tthe Asian fresh dining restaurant Wok Hay fresh Asian cuisine. loyal customer by offering them different tastes which is onsidered to be the new addition to TSC Wok Hay is known for serving the Authentic from all around the globe, our main goal is to bring family. The celebration was held in the presence of Asian recipes created by the creative Chef. the whole world to our customers here in Kuwait TSC restaurants marketing manager Hussein Al Ahmad Al Bader. It’s listed among Kuwait’s finest and Wok Hay is considered to be our new surprise Sayed and many social figures of the Kuwait socie- restaurants due to its special quality levels. The for those who crave the Asian Cuisine” ty and local press where they spent an Authentic interior is specially designed to reflect the Asian “Wok Hay is the perfect destination for food Asian night in its location at the Arabian Gulf Road, ambiance. savvy looking to indulge themselves with the origi- near by the Green Island. Commenting on the event: Hussein Al Sayed, nal aromas reflecting the spirit of gourmet innova- TSC took all of the attendees to a virtual journey TSC Restaurants Marketing Manager said: “It’s our tion by all means” Al Sayed concluded.

Burgan Bank’s TEC skating rink ready to host airport branch resumes during concerts of Hala February

New Year’s holiday irector of Public Relations and Marketing Department at She said the minor hall will continue with its schedule and the Touristic Enterprises Company said the skating rink is receives visitors from 8:30 am until 10:00 pm over four daily peri- urgan Bank announced today that its airport Dready to host concerts of Hala February, as the case every ods at the same ticket price of KD 1.5 per person. The training branch will resume normal working hours during year. She said the major skating rink has been closed and handed school will continue its activity at the rte of four classes per indi- Bthe upcoming New Year holiday, on 1st January over to the organizing committee of Hala February to make the vidual per week. 2014. The branch will commence operations from 8:00 necessary arrangements to start religious seminars, poetry and Al-Saleh said the monthly subscription is KD 40 for each per- am to 10:30 pm, in an effort to accommodate banking songs, as a start of the country’s celebrations of the national days. sons, and reminded that Tuesday is women’s only day. requirements for travellers’ during the public holiday. For more information on any products or services, customers are required to contact Burgan Bank’s call cen- ter 1804080 during the holiday. On this occasion, Burgan YMCA Kuwait gives reception Bank extends its best wishes and greetings to the public on the arrival of the New Year. to Adv Prakash P. Thomas

MCA Kuwait organized a reception to Adv Adv Prakash P. Thomas was then presented Ladies Night: Prakash P. Thomas, who was in Kuwait for a with a beautiful memento by YMCA members. He Yshort visit. The meeting was held in Al thanked the YMCA for arranging the meeting. He Tawoon Institute, Salmiya. The program started is currently serving as the Mar Thoma Sabha Lay Character with prayer by Johnkutty Oommen. Parimanam Trustee & National President of National Forum for Manoj (General Secretary) welcomed the mem- People’s Rights. He was also the president of Development bers. Mathew Eapen (Vice President) presided Iranikudi YMCA and is an active member of YMCA over the function & gave presidential address. activities in Kerala. James Varghese gave the note short course designed for ladies and young Babu Johnson & Santhosh Mathew were felicitat- of thanks. The meeting ended with the closing girls by Asmaa Abdulhameed to inspire and ed on this occasion. Members introduced them- prayer by Joseph M.A. Aequip the development of a positive character. selves to the visiting dignitary. “Who is the most favoured of Allah? He from whom the greatest good comes to His creatures.” (Bukhari). Wednesday, January 7, 14, and 21 @ 6:30pm (ladies only) CBK to serve customers On New Year at airport

Islam 101 ommercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) continues its through call center 1-888225, which receives cus- and place. Customers can safely process their trans- By Dr. Teresa Lesher and Hassan services during new year’s holiday at Kuwait tomers calls round the clock. ATM and deposit actions through the website www.cbk-online.com If you are interested to know more about Islam, Cairport, in addition to the services given machines will meet customers needs at anytime anytime they want. join the TIES Center for information, discussion, and a chance to ask any question about Islam regarding Muslims’ beliefs, acts of worship, Quranic verses, and the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) life. Candice Jennifer Thursday, January 08 @ 7pm - Polygamy Class 10 author aspires Thursday, January 15 @ 7pm - Criminal Law Thursday, January 29 @ 7pm - Inheritance for another novel

Qur’an Quotes and Tafseer By Sunil Cherian But is her imaginative, flying around mind upset- ting her studies? “I never had to bother about her By Teresa Lesher and Hassan he is not one of those Harry Potter kids. She is studies,” said Cherryl, her mother who is her literary into mysteries and enigmas that ensnare a influence, after Agatha Christie. “I can turn my imagi- After reading Qur’anic verses aloud and explaining Steen-aged life. Her 300 plus page first novel, native mood off and on as I wish,” said Jennifer who them very briefly, the presentation will illustrate the Vengeance, first draft completed early this year, is admitted thankfully that her parents, school, particu- various connotations of some words and phrases to about a character named Z who readers think is a larly her English teacher, have helped and supported show the literary beauty and miracle of the Qur’an. boy. “That’s the mystery,” said Candice Jennifer, the her a lot. “When her teachers brought the manuscript The class will include an open discussion in a relaxed prodigy author, a class-10 student at Mangaf India to me I arranged to bind them into a book format,” setting. International School. “I love reading mysteries and said Malayil Moosakkoya, director of the school. Monday, January 05 @ 7pm - Islam would like to amuse my readers,” said the soft-spo- “When we go for vacation the first place we visit is Monday, January 12 @ 7pm - Iman ken writer at her Mangaf flat. Now Jennifer is into a bookshop and our baggage is nothing but books,” Monday, January 19 @ 7pm - Ihsan her second novel, titled ‘Things I’ll Never Say’, said Ashok Vaz, her father, hailing from Goa, India. Monday, January 26 @ 7pm - Fraud another mystery she hopes to complete early next Coming summer, he said, we plan to go to a publisher year. to get our daughter’s novel published. WHAT’S ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Chef receiving his gift The head of transportation dept receiving gift. Kamal Hussein & Steve & Haj Mahmoud with the new couple. Annual celebration of Kuwait Continental Hotels Group

he management of Kuwait Continental Hotel and rooms renewal with different services employees, making also different Staff competi- Hotels Co. held the traditional annual cele- for the customer. tion of the, great & exciting & wonderful game. Tbration for the hotels’ staff and their fami- Kamal Hussein thanked and commended the Kamal Hussein also honored the Majdy lies to strengthen their loyalty to highlight their staff for their efforts during 2014 which was Jenedy F&B Manager and also honored Haj role in advancing & successful work during impact on the sales last year with 5% increase Mahmoud AlMasry the CEO of AlMasry Co. 2014. average occupancy rate of over 85%, despite Hussein also honored the companies who The ceremony was held in The Gardenia Hall stiff competition and the emergence of many sponsored gifts for the staff that also con- of Kuwait Continental Hotel. The reception was new Hotels. tributed to the success of the concert. At the end opened by the hotel General Manager, Kamal Before leaving staff enjoyed the ceremony, of the ceremony, the General Manager, Kamal El-Din Hussein who explained the development which included an Egyptian wedding for a new Hussein delivered the annual bonus; a month’s and expansion of the hotel during the past sev- married couple of hotel staff, and also Egyptian salary for all staff of the Hotels Group which was enteen years and also the outside shape of the ceremony of new born babies of 2 hotel requested by Fouad Al-Ghanim the CEO. Egyptian Tanora show.

Awareness on environmental cleaning

n collaboration with MSAL’s women and children ing activity at martyr Abdul Wahab Al-Abdul Razzaq park preserving marine environment. the activity also included department and with the attendance of the park in Qadsiya, said the Diving Team member, Hamad Boresli competitions on beach cleaning and saving sea creatures Isupervisor and some area residents, the Environmental noting that the activity included showing documentaries from falling in fishing nets. Voluntary Charity recently organized an awareness boost- about the charity projects and Kuwaiti youth efforts in

ASSE Kuwait conducts technical meet on ‘emergency escape guidelines’

merican Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), duced to the members. Further, he informed about the Hygiene Certification etc. The ASSE GCC HSE Excellence Kuwait Chapter is a premier voluntary, non-prof- record number of participation was very encouraging. award 2015 preparations have started and requested all Aitmaking Health, Safety and Environmental He thanked the sponsors for their continual support the members from contracting companies to apply for organization, which strives to provide professional guid- and appreciated John Paul - Deputy General Manager, the award to credit and evaluate their HSE compliance ance, training, consultancy and resources to the indus- M/s Mahatta Trading Company and M/s MSA Middle and performance trial and social sectors in the region. East representative Sanu Basheer. Ritesh Gupta, Head Technical Event Committee intro- As a part of continuous efforts in its professional Fadhel Al Ali Chairman, ASSE Kuwait Chapter in his duced the speaker Shanu Basheer, Sales Manager, M/. journey, ASSE-Kuwait Chapter organized the 193rd address speech expressed his happiness over the MSA Middle East. Technical Meet and 3rd for the year 2014-15; on response to the technical meeting, which was evident The speaker explained about : Latest technological “Emergency Escape Respiratory Protection and Personal about the commitment of our members towards the breakthrough developed by M/s MSA in personal gas Gas Monitoring Equipment” in Hotel Rotana, Fahaheel learning processes. He shared his experience on monitoring by incorporating the BUMP TEST facility in Kuwait on 18th November 2014. Emergency Equipment and Personal gas monitoring personal H2S monitor. ALTAIR 2XP Gas Detector with The Technical Meet began with the welcome address systems, and emphasized on the latest developments in XCell Pulse Technology H2S detector is a revolutionary by Dinesh Dutta, Chapter Treasurer & Acting Secretary. the field of Emergency Systems and urged all ASSE product which Features the first stand-alone bump test, The Chapter President Mohammad Riaz Shareef in his members to get the most out of the technical session. which eliminates the need for bottled gas. Bump test opening remarks emphasized the importance of He thanked the sponsors M/s MSA and M/s Mahatta can be done anytime, anywhere which is based on attending such technical meets by ASSE Members and Trading Company. proven science and patented sensor capabilities. the importance of emergency Escape Respiratory Sunil N Sadanand, Head of the Publication The Speaker Shanu Basheer was appreciated for his Protection and personal gas monitoring equipment in Committee briefed the audience on the ASSE Kuwait excellent presentation and a memento was presented saving lives of employees at workplace, it is ASSE - Chapter activities. He informed the members abound by the President, ASSE-Kuwait Chapter. Kuwait chapter’s efforts in bring such excellent the training programs which are scheduled like Technical Meeting was concluded with Close out Technical Meetings, where in new technologies and NEBOSH IGC, Certified SCBA training, Workshop on speech from Abishek - Sub Committee Member of developments happening in the world of HSE is intro- water and waste water management, and Industrial Technical Events Committee. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 TV PROGRAMS

07:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 10:30 My Name Is Earl 14:00 Run For Your Wife-PG15 15:30 Currie Cup Final Highlights 08:15 Chopped 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 16:00 Big Trouble-PG15 16:00 ITM Cup Final Highlights 09:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back Jimmy Fallon 17:30 Good Morning, Vietnam- 16:30 Super League Final To Basics 13:30 My Name Is Earl PG15 Highlights 09:30 Chopped Canada 14:00 About A Boy 20:00 Mental-PG15 17:00 NRL Final Highlights 00:20 Hell Road Russia 10:20 Recipes That Rock 14:30 The Simpsons 22:00 A Smile Like Yours-PG15 17:30 Rugby League Final 01:10 Manhunt 10:45 All You Can Meat 15:00 Baby Daddy Highlights 02:00 Fast N’ Loud 11:10 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 18:00 NHL 02:50 Storage Hunters 11:35 Grandma’s Secret Stewart 20:00 Trans world Sport 03:15 Container Wars Cookbook 16:00 The Colbert Report 21:00 NFL Gameday 03:40 Dukes Of Haggle 12:00 Chopped 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 21:30 Currie Cup Final Highlights 04:05 How It’s Made 12:50 Siba’s Table 18:00 Raising Hope 01:00 The Words-PG15 22:00 ITM Cup Final Highlights 04:30 How It’s Made 13:15 Jenny Morris Cooks 18:30 About A Boy 03:00 Promised Land-PG15 22:30 Super League Final 05:00 Treehouse Masters Morocco 19:00 Melissa & Joey 05:00 Seven Days In Utopia-PG15 Highlights 06:00 Wheeler Dealers 13:40 Mystery Diners 19:30 Baby Daddy 07:00 The Chateau Meroux-PG15 23:00 NRL Final Highlights 06:50 Robson Green’s Extreme 14:05 Guy’s Grocery Games 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 09:00 Now You See Me-PG15 23:30 Hero Indian Super League Fishing Challenge 14:55 Roadtrip With G. Garvin Jimmy Fallon 11:00 Seven Days In Utopia-PG15 Highlights 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 15:20 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 13:00 Stuck In Love-PG15 08:30 Storage Hunters 15:45 Amazing Wedding Cakes Stewart 15:00 Love And Honor-PG15 08:55 Container Wars 16:35 Chopped 21:30 The Colbert Report 17:00 Now You See Me-PG15 09:20 Dukes Of Haggle 17:25 Jenny Morris Cooks 22:00 Brickleberry 19:00 Playing For Keeps-PG15 09:45 How It’s Made 21:00 Hope Springs-PG15 01:00 Afrasia Golf Masters Morocco 22:30 The League 02:00 Trans world Sport 10:10 How It’s Made 17:50 Guy’s Big Bite 23:00 The Big C 22:45 Her-PG15 10:35 Get Out Alive With Bear 03:00 PDC World Darts 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers Championship Grylls 18:40 Siba’s Table 11:25 Hell Road Russia 07:00 Fedex Cup Playoffs Official 19:05 Grandma’s Secret Film 12:15 Manhunt Cookbook 13:05 Storage Hunters 08:00 PGA Tour Year in Review 19:30 Mystery Diners 01:30 Suicide Shop-18 09:00 Ryder Cup Official Film 13:30 Container Wars 19:55 Burger Land 03:00 Drift-PG15 13:55 Dukes Of Haggle 00:00 Rake 11:00 European Tour Weekly 20:20 Guy’s Grocery Games 05:00 Pop Star-PG15 12:00 European Senior Tour 14:20 Robson’s New Extreme 21:10 Amazing Wedding Cakes 03:00 Supernatural 07:00 Beastly-PG15 Fishing Challenge 06:00 Rake Highlights 22:00 Chopped SA 09:00 Searching For Sugar Man- 13:00 Champions Tour Year in 15:10 Wheeler Dealers 22:50 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 08:00 Bones 11:00 Annapolis-PG15 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 12:30 Coronation Street Review 23:15 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 13:00 Tales Of The Night-PG 14:30 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 16:50 How It’s Made 23:40 Burger Land 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 15:00 Centre Place-PG15 17:15 How It’s Made 14:00 Bones 15:00 WWE Experience 17:00 Searching For Sugar Man- 16:00 WWE Raw 17:40 Treehouse Masters 15:00 Rake 18:30 The Glass Man-PG15 18:30 Troy 16:30 Coronation Street 19:00 WWE Vintage 20:30 No Country For Old Men- 20:00 NFL Gameday 19:20 Magic Of Science 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 22:45 Sleepers-18 19:45 Magic Of Science 18:00 Bones 20:30 NHL 20:10 Container Wars 19:00 Switched At Birth 22:30 WWE Vintage 20:35 Dukes Of Haggle 20:00 Marvel’s Agents Of 23:30 NFL Gameday 00:40 The Hungry Sailors 21:00 Troy S.H.I.E.L.D. 01:30 Holiday: Heaven On Earth 21:50 Magic Of Science 23:00 Supernatural 01:45 Mike Tyson: Undisputed 02:00 Emmerdale 22:15 Magic Of Science Truth-PG15 02:55 Coronation Street 22:40 Close-Up Kings 03:15 50/50-PG15 03:25 Murdoch Mysteries 05:15 Red Tails-PG15 04:20 Murdoch Mysteries 07:30 Escape From Planet Earth- 01:00 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 05:15 Four Weddings UK PG 01:30 ICC Cricket 360 06:10 The Chase 09:00 The Magic Of Belle Isle- 02:00 Big Bash League T20 07:05 Holiday: Heaven On Earth PG15 Highlights 07:30 Murdoch Mysteries 00:00 Franklin & Bash 11:00 Gravity-PG15 03:00 Big Bash League T20 08:25 Murdoch Mysteries 01:00 Good Morning America 12:45 Planes-PG Highlights 00:00 Escape Club 09:20 Big Star’s Little Star 03:00 Grimm 04:00 Big Bash League T20 00:55 Extreme Close-Up 14:30 Man Of Steel-PG15 10:15 Four Weddings UK 04:00 The Knick 17:00 The Magic Of Belle Isle- Highlights 01:25 Keeping Up With The 11:10 Emmerdale 05:00 Good Morning America 05:00 Big Bash League T20 Kardashians PG15 12:00 Coronation Street 07:30 Coronation Street 19:00 The Heat-PG15 Highlights 02:20 Keeping Up With The 06:00 Big Bash League T20 12:30 The Hungry Sailors 08:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 21:00 Delivery Man-PG15 Kardashians Highlights 13:25 The Chase 09:00 24 23:00 The Hangover 3-18 03:15 Eric And Jessie: Game On 14:20 Holiday: Heaven On Earth 10:30 Coronation Street 07:00 ICC Cricket 360 03:40 Eric And Jessie: Game On 14:45 Four Weddings UK 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 07:30 Big Bash League T20 04:10 THS 15:35 Breathless 12:00 Burn Notice Highlights 05:05 THS 16:30 Derren Brown: The Great 13:00 Franklin & Bash 08:30 Big Bash League T20 06:00 Keeping Up With The Art Robbery 14:00 24 01:00 Barbie Presents: Thumbelina Highlights Kardashians 18:00 The Royal Variety 15:00 Live Good Morning America 02:45 Hammer Boy 09:30 ICC Cricket 360 10:00 Big Bash League T20 06:55 Keeping Up With The Performance 2014 17:00 Burn Notice 04:30 Space Dogs Kardashians 20:30 Derren Brown: The Great 18:00 Franklin & Bash Highlights 06:00 Blue Elephant 2 11:00 Live Big Bash League T20 07:50 Style Star Art Robbery 19:00 24 08:00 Quest For A Heart 14:30 ICC Cricket 360 08:20 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 21:50 Paul O’grady For The Love 20:00 Burn Notice 10:00 Everyone’s Hero 08:45 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 15:00 LG ICC Awards 2014 Of Dogs 21:00 Franklin & Bash 11:30 Stuart Little 3: Call Of The 16:00 Big Bash League T20 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 22:20 Coronation Street 22:00 Grimm Wild 10:15 Giuliana & Bill Highlights 13:00 Hammer Boy 17:00 Big Bash League T20 11:10 Kourtney And Khloe Take 14:30 Barbie As The Island The Hamptons 20:30 ICC Cricket 360 Princess 21:00 Story of the World Cup 1992 12:05 House Of DVF 16:00 Pacific Pirates 13:05 Extreme Close-Up 00:00 Haywire 02:00 The Baytown Outlaws 18:00 Everyone’s Hero Iron Man 3 ON OSN MOVIES HD 13:35 E!ES 00:00 Knights Of Mayhem 04:00 Piranhaconda 20:00 Krazzy Planet 14:30 Style Star 01:00 Family Guns 18:00 Army Wives 07:00 Storage Wars: New York Something New 06:00 Hellboy: Blood & Iron 22:00 Barbie As The Island 15:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 02:00 Wild Untamed Brazil 19:00 MasterChef Australia 07:30 Counting Cars 06:25 Ultimate Shopper 08:00 The Chronicles Of Riddick Princess 15:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 03:00 The Known Universe 01:15 Cinderella Man 20:00 Bones 11:00 Storage Wars 10:00 Hellboy: Sword Of Storms 23:30 Pacific Pirates 07:15 Driving Me Crazy 16:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 04:00 Chasing UFOs 03:45 Pirates Of The Caribbean: 21:00 According To Jim 11:30 Storage Wars 11:45 Iron Man 3 21:25 According To Jim 12:00 Storage Wars 08:05 Oprah: Where Are They 16:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 05:00 Salvage Code Red On Stranger Tides 14:00 Haywire 22:00 Dirty Sexy Money 12:30 Storage Wars Now? 17:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 06:00 Master Of Disaster 06:15 Hollow Man 15:45 The Grandmaster 23:00 The Walking Dead 13:00 Storage Wars 17:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 07:00 Megacities 08:15 Meet Bill 08:55 Oprah’s Next Chapter 18:00 The Chronicles Of Riddick 13:30 Storage Wars 18:00 E! News 08:00 Knights Of Mayhem 10:00 Raising Helen 09:45 Cake Boss 20:00 Iron Man 3 00:00 Svengali-PG15 12:15 Piranha 3D 14:00 Pawn Stars 19:00 Live From E! 09:00 Family Guns 10:10 17 Kids And Counting 22:15 Bad Company 02:00 The Greatest Movie Ever 13:45 Double Team 14:30 Pawn Stars 19:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 10:00 Wild Untamed Brazil Sold-PG15 15:30 The Hurricane 15:00 Pawn Stars 10:35 Little People, Big World 20:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 11:00 The Truth Behind 04:00 The Sapphires-PG15 18:00 Hollow Man 15:30 Pawn Stars 11:00 Toddlers & Tiaras 20:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 12:00 Cosmos: A Spacetime 01:45 Straight Time-18 06:00 All In Good Time-PG15 20:00 Snake Eyes 16:00 Pawn Stars 11:50 Say Yes To The Dress 21:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills Odyssey 03:40 The Asphalt Jungle-PG 08:00 The Mortal Instruments: City 21:45 The Family Man 16:30 Pawn Stars 21:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 13:00 The Known Universe 05:30 TCM Presents Under The...- 12:15 Say Yes To The Dress Of Bones-PG15 17:00 Counting Cars 22:00 E! News 14:00 Mega Factories: Supercars U 12:40 Ultimate Shopper 10:10 Alex Cross-PG15 17:30 Counting Cars 15:00 Diggers 00:00 The Baytown Outlaws-18 07:00 Hotel Paradiso-PG 13:30 Randy To The Rescue 02:00 Piranhaconda-PG15 12:00 Vamps-PG15 18:00 Counting Cars 15:30 Diggers 08:40 North By Northwest-PG 18:30 Counting Cars 14:00 Stolen-PG15 14:20 World’s Worst Mum 16:00 Doomsday Preppers 04:00 Hellboy: Blood & Iron-PG15 10:55 Passage To Marseille-PG 19:00 Counting Cars 15:36 The Mortal Instruments: City 15:10 Something Borrowed, 17:00 Beyond Magic With Dmc 06:00 The Chronicles Of Riddick- 00:00 According To Jim 12:45 Ride The High Country-PG 19:30 Counting Cars Of Bones-PG15 Something New 18:00 Naked Science 08:00 Hellboy: Sword Of Storms- 00:30 Castle 14:20 From The Earth To The 20:00 Storage Wars 09:45 Iron Man 3-PG15 18:00 R.I.P.D.-PG15 01:30 Grey’s Anatomy Moon-FAM 20:30 Storage Wars 15:35 Cake Boss 23:00 Live From E!00:05 12:00 Haywire-PG15 20:00 Warm Bodies-PG15 02:30 Army Wives 16:00 The Law And Jake Wade- 16:00 Super Saver Showdown Chopped 22:00 Pain & Gain-18 FAM 13:45 The Grandmaster-PG15 03:30 MasterChef Australia 16:50 17 Kids And Counting 00:55 Amazing Wedding Cakes 16:00 The Chronicles Of Riddick- 17:30 TCM Presents Under...-U 04:30 Switched At Birth 17:15 Little People, Big World 01:45 Reza’s African Kitchen 18:00 Iron Man 3-PG15 05:30 According To Jim 18:00 The Omega Man-PG 02:10 Reza’s African Kitchen 20:15 Bad Company-PG15 05:55 According To Jim 19:40 2001: A Space Odyssey- 17:40 Toddlers & Tiaras FAM 02:35 Ching’s Restaurant 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 22:15 Gangster Squad-18 06:30 Detroit 1-8-7 18:30 Something Borrowed, 02:00 Champions Tour Year in 22:00 Westworld Redemption Stewart 07:30 The Walking Dead Something New Review 23:30 The Haunting 03:00 Ching’s Restaurant 01:00 The Colbert Report 08:30 Castle 03:00 Fedex Cup Playoffs Official 18:55 Say Yes To The Dress Redemption 01:30 Eastbound & Down 09:30 According To Jim 00:45 Medical Anomalies Film 19:20 Say Yes To The Dress 03:25 Charly’s Cake Angels 02:00 Ja’mie: Private School Girl 10:00 Grey’s Anatomy 01:35 Too Ugly For Love 04:00 PGA Tour Year in Review 19:45 Ultimate Shopper 03:50 Amazing Wedding Cakes 02:30 Mixology 11:00 Army Wives 02:25 I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant 00:00 Sweet Home Alabama-PG15 05:00 Ryder Cup Official Film 04:40 All You Can Meat 03:30 About A Boy 12:00 MasterChef Australia 20:35 Cake Boss 02:00 Mr. 3000-PG 06:30 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 02:50 Secret Eaters 05:05 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 13:00 Switched At Birth 00:00 Shipping Wars 21:00 My 600lb Life 04:00 Wild Hogs-PG15 07:00 PDC World Darts 03:40 Long Island Medium 05:30 Reza’s African Kitchen Jimmy Fallon 14:00 According To Jim 01:30 Pawn Stars 21:50 Body Bizarre 06:00 Held Up (1999)-PG15 Championship 04:05 Say Yes To The Dress 05:50 Siba’s Table 06:30 My Name Is Earl 14:30 According To Jim 02:00 Storage Wars 08:00 Big Trouble-PG15 07:30 Top 14 15:00 Detroit 1-8-7 22:40 Long Island Medium 06:10 Sweet Genius 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 05:00 Pawn Stars 04:30 Say Yes To The Dress 10:00 Gambit-PG15 11:30 Snooker UK Championship 16:00 The Walking Dead 23:05 Secret Eaters 07:00 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 09:30 The Simpsons 05:30 Pawn Stars 05:00 Toddlers & Tiaras 12:00 Wild Hogs-PG15 15:00 Super Rugby Final Highlights 17:00 Grey’s Anatomy 23:55 Hoarding: Buried Alive 07:25 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 10:00 Baby Daddy 06:00 Ice Road Truckers 06:00 Something Borrowed,

Pain & Gain ON OSN MOVIES PREMIERE HD Classifieds

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (25/12/2014 TO 31/12/2014)

SHARQIA-1 PADDINGTON 1:45 PM PADDINGTON 7:30 PM INTO THE WOODS 11:45 AM PADDINGTON 3:45 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 9:45 PM INTO THE WOODS 2:15 PM THE WATER DIVINER 5:45 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB ANNIE 4:45 PM PADDINGTON 8:15 PM INTO THE WOODS 7:15 PM THE WATER DIVINER 10:15 PM AVENUES-5 ANNIE 9:45 PM THE WATER DIVINER 12:45 AM INTO THE WOODS 12:15 PM INTO THE WOODS 12:15 AM ANNIE 2:45 PM FANAR-4 INTO THE WOODS 5:30 PM SHARQIA-2 INTO THE WOODS 11:45 AM ANNIE 8:00 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 12:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 2:15 PM THE WATER DIVINER 10:30 PM Industrial Road, Bicholim, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 2:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 4:45 PM THE WATER DIVINER 1:00 AM CHANGE OF NAME NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 4:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 7:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 NGEL OF DEATH 10:30 PM Goa, hereby changing my NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 6:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 9:45 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 12:30 AM name to Shiva Jaiwant NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 8:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 12:15 AM I, Esmaiyel Mohammed Rajput, (C 4893) NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 10:00 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 NGEL OF DEATH 9:45 PM AVENUES-6 NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 12:05 AM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 NGEL OF DEATH 12:05 AM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 11:30 AM Abdul Shakur Kadiri, holder 27-12-2014 THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 10:00 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 1:45 PM of Indian Passport No. THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:05 AM MARINA-1 NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 4:00 PM PADDINGTON 12:30 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 6:15 PM J2020718, hereby change I, Utukuru Rama Gubbaiah, SHARQIA-3 PADDINGTON 4:19 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 8:30 PM my name to Abdul Shakur holder of Indian Passport PADDINGTON 11:30 AM ANNIE 4:45 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 10:45 PM PADDINGTON 1:30 PM PADDINGTON 7:15 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 1:00 AM Sayed. Address: 10 703 Vali No. J2020031 hereby PADDINGTON 3:30 PM ANNIE 9:15 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 10:45 PM Gab Rd., Kadiri Anantapur, changed changed my name PADDINGTON 5:30 PM ANNIE 11:45 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 12:45 AM AP. (C 4894) PADDINGTON 7:45 PM to Utukuru Rama Subba ESCOBAR: PARADISE LOST 10:15 PM MARINA-2 AVENUES-7 29-12-2014 Reddy. Upparapalli ESCOBAR: PARADISE LOST 12:45 AM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 11:45 AM ESCOBAR: PARADISE LOST 11:45 AM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 2:00 PM ESCOBAR: PARADISE LOST 2:15 PM Konduru Penagalur, MUHALAB-1 NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 4:00 PM ESCOBAR: PARADISE LOST 4:45 PM I am Shivaji Jaivant Rajput, Kadapa, A.P. ESCOBAR: PARADISE LOST 11:45 AM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 6:00 PM ESCOBAR: PARADISE LOST 7:15 PM Indian national, Passport ANNIE 1:45 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 8:00 PM ESCOBAR: PARADISE LOST 9:45 PM (C 4891) ANNIE 2:15 PM NO WED ESCOBAR: PARADISE LOST 12:15 AM Number G6775517, perma- ANNIE 4:45 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 10:00 PM nent address house no. I, Harsh Mehta, holder of MUKUNDA -Telugu 4:15 PM NO WED AVENUES-8 ANNIE 7:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 NGEL OF DEATH 8:00 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 12:30 PM 1126, Muslim Wada, Indian Passport No. ESCOBAR: PARADISE LOST 9:45 PM WED THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 3:30 PM F3832096, resident of ESCOBAR: PARADISE LOST 12:15 AM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 NGEL OF DEATH 10:00 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 6:30 PM WED INTO THE WOODS 9:30 PM 2559B, Gali No. 3, Rampura MUHALAB-2 NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 12:05 AM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 12:05 AM Mohalla, Hisar, Haryana, INTO THE WOODS 12:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 2:30 PM MARINA-3 AVENUES-9 India, have changed my INTO THE WOODS 5:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 12:00 PM ANNIE 1:00 PM name from Harsh Mehta to INTO THE WOODS 7:30 PM INTO THE WOODS 2:30 PM ANNIE 3:30 PM MUKUNDA -Telugu 10:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 5:00 PM ANNIE 6:00 PM Harsh Ahuja. In future, I will INTO THE WOODS 10:00 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 7:30 PM ANNIE 8:30 PM be known as Harsh Ahuja. NO THU+FRI INTO THE WOODS 10:15 PM ANNIE 11:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 12:45 AM INTO THE WOODS 12:45 AM (C 4892) AVENUES-10 112 25-11-2014 MUHALAB-3 AVENUES-1 PADDINGTON 1:15 PM PADDINGTON 12:15 PM P.K -HINDI 12:30 PM PADDINGTON 3:30 PM PADDINGTON 2:15 PM P.K -HINDI 3:30 PM PADDINGTON 5:45 PM PADDINGTON 4:15 PM P.K -HINDI 6:30 PM PADDINGTON 8:00 PM THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR PADDINGTON 6:15 PM P.K -HINDI 9:30 PM PADDINGTON 10:15 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 8:15 PM P.K -HINDI 12:30 AM PADDINGTON 12:30 AM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 10:15 PM CIVIL INFORMATION NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 12:30 AM AVENUES-2 AVENUES-11 THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 10:15 PM MONTANA 11:45 AM INTO THE WOODS 11:45 AM Automated enquiry about the THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:30 AM MONTANA 2:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 2:15 PM MONTANA 4:15 PM INTO THE WOODS 4:45 PM Civil ID card is FANAR-1 MONTANA 6:45 PM INTO THE WOODS 7:15 PM ANNIE 11:30 AM NO THU+FRI THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES ) 9:45 PM ANNIE 2:00 PM MONTANA 9:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 12:45 AM ANNIE 4:30 PM NO THU+FRI+SAT THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 NGEL OF DEATH 9:45 PM 1889988 ESCOBAR: PARADISE LOST 7:00 PM MONTANA 11:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 NGEL OF DEATH 12:05 AM ANNIE 9:30 PM MONTANA 1:30 PM ESCOBAR: PARADISE LOST 12:05 AM MUKUNDA -Telugu 4:00 PM 360º 1 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 9:30 PM MUKUNDA -Telugu 7:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 12:45 PM Prayer timings 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 11:15 PM MUKUNDA -Telugu 10:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 3:15 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 1:00 AM INTO THE WOODS 5:45 PM AVENUES-3 INTO THE WOODS 8:15 PM Fajr: 05:17 FANAR-2 THE WATER DIVINER 12:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 10:45 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 12:15 PM THE WATER DIVINER 2:30 PM MONTANA 1:15 AM Shorook 06:42 NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 2:15 PM THE WATER DIVINER 5:00 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 1:15 AM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 4:15 PM THE WATER DIVINER 7:30 PM Duhr: 11:50 NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 6:30 PM THE WATER DIVINER 10:00 PM 360º- 2 NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 8:30 PM THE WATER DIVINER 12:30 AM PADDINGTON 11:45 AM Asr: 14:41 NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 10:30 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 2:15 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 12:30 AM AVENUES-4 THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 5:15 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 12:45 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 8:15 PM Maghrib: 17:00 FANAR-3 PADDINGTON 3:00 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 11:15 PM THE WATER DIVINER 11:30 AM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: ECRET OF THE TOMB 5:15 PM Isha: 18:22

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

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 31/12/2014 MSC 1401 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:20 Departure Flights on Wednesday 31/12/2014 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 Airlines Flt Route Time KNE 472 Jeddah 14:25 Airlines Flt Route Time MRJ 4814 Mashhad 14:10 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 AIC 982 Ahmedabad/Hyderabad/Chennai 00:05 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JZR 239 Amman 00:25 SYR 341 Latakia/KAC 14:30 FDB 072 Dubai 00:45 ABY 120 Sharjah 14:20 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 FDB 057 Dubai 14:30 UAL 981 IAD 00:55 IRC 527 Mashhad 14:30 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 RJD 135 Abu Dhabi 14:55 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 IYE 827 Mukalla/Sanaa 14:30 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 KAC 203 Lahore 02:00 CLX 792 Hanoi 14:45 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 KAC 284 Dhaka 15:15 KAC 283 Dhaka 02:25 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 QTR 1084 Doha 01:00 JZR 175 Dubai 15:20 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 MSR 576 Sharm el-Sheikh 15:00 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:35 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:40 THY 773 Istanbul 02:55 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 KNE 462 Madinah 15:45 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 MSC 403 Sohag 02:30 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 MSC 404 Sohag 03:30 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 KAC 381 Delhi 03:40 MSC 1402 Sharm el-Sheikh 15:20 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 FDB 051 Dubai 16:00 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:20 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 02:50 KNE 460 Riyadh 16:00 FDB 068 Dubai 03:55 SYR 342 Damascus/Latakia 15:30 FDB 067 Dubai 02:55 JZR 535 Cairo 16:10 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 SVA 503 Jeddah/Madinah 15:45 RJA 648 Amman 03:05 KAC 562 Amman 16:20 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 CEB 7694 Manila 03:10 JZR 787 Riyadh 16:25 KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:10 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 JZR 357 Mashhad 16:30 OMA 644 Muscat 04:15 RJD 136 Abu Dhabi 16:05 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 QTR 1085 Doha 04:30 KAC 501 Beirut 16:15 KKK 6507 stanbul 03:20 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 CEB 7695 Manila 04:40 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 OMA 643 Muscat 03:25 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:55 MSC 406 Sohag 05:05 KNE 463 Madinah 16:30 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 AGY 680 Alexandria 17:05 JZR 560 Sohag 05:10 KNE 481 Taif 16:50 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:05 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 FDB 052 Dubai 17:00 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 THY 765 Istanbul 05:40 KAC 741 Dammam 17:00 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 IRM 1180 Mashhad 17:35 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 BAW 157 London 06:40 GFA 944 LCA 17:50 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 06:35 KAC 545 Alexandria 17:30 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:10 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 JZR 156 Dubai 17:35 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 RJA 649 Amman 07:05 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 JZR 483 Istanbul 18:40 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 FDB 063 Dubai 18:40 FDB 054 Dubai 08:25 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:50 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 ABY 121 Sharjah 18:40 BAW 156 London 08:45 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:45 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 AGY 681 Sharm el-Sheikh 18:05 KAC 344 Chennai 08:45 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 KAC 618 Doha 19:15 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:15 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 GFA 944 Bahrain 18:35 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:50 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 KAC 542 Cairo 19:25 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 IRM 1187 Tehran 18:45 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 JZR 482 Istanbul 10:00 JZR 238 Amman 18:50 GFA 943 Bahrain 10:15 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 19:40 KAC 117 New York 10:05 JZR 134 Bahrain 19:10 IRM 1186 Tehran 10:20 KAC 102 New York/London 19:55 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:20 ABY 122 Sharjah 19:20 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:00 KAC 561 Amman 10:25 JZR 552 Alexandria 19:30 IRA 665 Shiraz 10:40 KAC 742 Dammam 20:00 JZR 356 Mashhad 10:30 UAE 876 Dubai 19:40 UAE 873 Dubai 11:00 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 AXB 889 Mangalore/Bahrain 11:15 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 KAC 175 Frankfurt/Geneva 10:40 FDB 064 Dubai 19:55 MSC 405 Sohag 11:25 ETD 919 Abu Dhabi 20:30 JZR 174 Dubai 10:45 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 KAC 204 Lahore 11:25 MSR 606 Luxor 20:45 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 KAC 361 Colombo 20:50 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 GFA 943 LCA 11:00 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:00 JZR 561 Sohag 11:45 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 KAC 331 Trivandrum 21:10 IRM 1188 Mashhad 11:45 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 IRM 1181 Mashhad 11:30 KAC 351 Kochi 21:15 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 FDB 073 Dubai 21:35 IRA 664 Shiraz 11:40 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 IAW 157 Al Najaf 12:05 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 AXB 890 Mangalore 12:15 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:45 MRJ 4815 Mashhad 12:55 QTR 1074 Doha 21:55 KAC 103 London 12:20 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 KNE 480 Taif 22:00 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 CLX 792 Luxembourg 13:15 JZR 135 Bahrain 22:05 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:25 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 IYE 826 Sanaa/Mukalla 13:30 JZR 157 Dubai 22:10 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:15 IRC 526 Mashhad 13:30 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 ABY 129 Sharjah 13:40 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 ETD 920 Dubai 22:25 KAC 382 Delhi 13:45 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:30 IAW 158 Al Najaf 13:05 FDB 074 Dubai 22:30 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 IRM 1189 Mashhad 13:10 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 THY 764 Istanbul 23:35 JZR 786 Riyadh 13:10 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 MSR 575 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:15 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 KNE 461 Riyadh 22:50 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 WEDNES..DAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 CROSSWORD 771 STAR TRACK

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

Having the ability to sympathize and to understand others is an emotional A little elbow grease and you are able to accomplish a lot. With several peo- quality that assumes a greater importance in your life now. Knowledge is not nearly as ple out of the office today, you may be enthusiastic about a little housecleaning and significant as wisdom. Accepting the past as just that, the past, or getting in touch with moving furniture around that will help with the quality of care you can give your clients. mystical and spiritual things are what has recently given you feelings of completeness. A co-worker and you may decide to take the decorations down around the establish- You understand what is not working in your life and you know just what to do next. You ment. You and a family member may communicate about some past event that would be strive for cooperation, organization, authority and responsibility. It will take all of these fun to enjoy again. Soon, your mind is busy with ideas on party planning for celebrating a things to get you where you know you must go. Just be sure that your vision is for the new year. Friends inform you about fashion trends and shopping is on your mind. You good of all and not just for yourself or your plans may backfire. There are good smells and a friend have time later this afternoon to purchase what is needed for this party. coming from your kitchen-someone you love is cooking for you. Before you know it quite a few friends want to join your group. Yeah!

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

Your expectation of success keeps you on your toes and challenges you to You just instinctively want to be powerful and in charge; pulling the strings, continue your road to achievement. This lucky day may find you presented with new as it were, could lead to greater interest in investments, education and travel, etc. Your opportunities. Your focus is strong and you accomplish much. You also are lucky in your inner attitude has a lot to do with how you make and spend money. Now is a good time friendships as your friends have high standards and may encourage the same from you. to think through any changes, adjustments, motivations or perhaps plans toward your You feel free to seek advice as well as give advice when asked. Most people long to have goals. Some circumstances cause you to work late this afternoon. This may not make you the relationship you have with your friends. Your friends understand you and give you very happy but because you are working late some surprise that is most pleasing makes emotional nourishment. Take time to tend to whatever needs your outdoor animal you happy you got to stay a little late. There is a good opportunity to show off a talent or friends have during the cold weather-pets, birds, etc. You appear most elegant in social skill that the people in your office did not know you have. Tonight you help your friends situations this evening-a memorable time. and they help you. A new music performer has your attention.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You are more visible at work and within organizations and groups. You may You may find yourself in the limelight now, especially with those in authori- spend some time later today to focus on a new article of clothing for your ty or in relation to your work. It may be easy for you to enjoy your job or the professional appearance. At home after work is a good time to rest and relax, perhaps to responsibility it encompasses more than usual. Those around you may find your sense of ACROSS 4. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from read a romantic novel or take in a movie with a captivating theme. You should find ideas humor amusing and a bit on the eccentric side at times. You may find new insights or 1. Characteristic of a mob. aba cloth. and thoughts projecting a greater meaning and form just now. You may be extremely elo- breakthroughs in respect to your living situation or life circumstances. Others find your quent or forceful in talking or communicating. People will have no problem in knowing 4. A state in which the level of carbon dioxide in 5. A white metallic element that burns with a independence and unique qualities admirable. Whatever you have done this year to exactly what you mean when you speak. You may find yourself looking for a little fun improve your style or health is working and you are happy to be the social achiever this the blood is lower than normal. brilliant light. communication this afternoon or at least finding some kind of emotional release to enjoy. evening. This is a great opportunity to network. Be cautious of those who promise more 11. Noisy talk. 6. Tuberous or rhizomatous herbaceous peren- Enjoying the finer things in life eventually takes on a high priority. than they can deliver. Focus on clearing your energy as you leave a party. 15. A constellation in the southern hemisphere nials. near Telescopium and Norma. 7. According to need (physicians use PRN in 16. The rapid and continuous delivery of linguis- writing prescriptions). tic communication (spoken or written). 8. An organization of military naval forces. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 17. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in 9. One of the most common of the five major A friend of yours may also be having a celebration. Find some way to spend You are the ideal candidate to take charge of a project this day. Your creativ- Turkey). classes of immunoglobulins. time with this friend and you will amuse each other. You are enthusiastic and ity and originality are high. Now would be an excellent time to appraise your professional people of all ages enjoy having you near them. Your enthusiasm is as pleasant as your good 18. An Indian side dish of yogurt and chopped 10. An apparatus for exposing something to the life and just where it is leading you. You may be a bit restless at this time. Likely, you will nature and employers find you a wonderful employee to have in a customer service depart- cucumbers and spices. air (as sewage). feel the desire to set out on your own, giving your creative side the space it desires-a little ment. This is a good time to request a change to management in some capacity. You would be good in any area where communication is most important: insurance, complaints, adjust- 20. (trademark) An alloy of iron and nickel hav- 11. The face veil worn by Muslim women. more patience. It takes a brave and confidant person to follow through with business plans but you can do it if you start now to research and understand what is involved in the ments, reporting, composing, etc. You may gain a new animal friend this evening but it ing a low coefficient of thermal expansion. 12. American novelist (1909-1955). probably won’t belong to you, meaning a neighbor or friend has a new animal friend. Smile launching and maintaining of your own business. You may want to open up more to rela- and embrace the day. 21. Fastener consisting of a resinous composi- 13. A human female who does housework. tives; this is an ideal time for strong support emotionally. tion that is plastic when warm. 14. Informal terms for money. 22. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely 19. Flightless New Zealand birds similar to the razorbill. gallinules. Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 24. Be compatible or in accordance with. 23. Any of various units of capacity. You have a good attitude and are mentally alert and in a problem-solving 26. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a 25. A clergyman. New career developments lead to better opportunities in the workplace. In other words, you have graduated to be in line for new responsibilities. It is time to apply mood. You may spend some serious contemplative moments wondering if you can suc- skewer usually with vegetables. 27. A card game for 2 players. for a more challenging position within your company. Give yourself a little time to check ceed in what you have set out to accomplish: don’t. The world was not made in a day and 29. Shackle that consists of a metal loop that can 28. Elected Vice President and became 21st out the different possibilities and consider expanding your abilities instead of changing you must not think you have failed if you cannot do everything in the time frame you have planned. Knowing that you have made progress is sufficient for now. When the day is over, what you do best. A transfer may be possible or perhaps further education for the next six be locked around the wrist. President of the United States when Garfield you will be pleased with your productive and positive accomplishments. Working with 32. A Balkan republic in southeastern Europe. was assassinated (1830-1886). months would be beneficial. This is the time to do your research. This afternoon you could your favorite hobby this evening will help you to relax with those you love. As you consider have a visitor to your company that would give you several ideas without you saying a 36. A member of the Siouan people formerly liv- 30. Affect with wonder. what to bring a host at a party, consider a recorded book or music. This person will tell you word. Listen; ask questions, research, etc. the type of music he or she likes if you are not sure. ing in the Missouri river valley in NE Nebraska. 31. A river in southeastern Australia that flows 37. Informal terms for a mother. generally northwest to join the Darling River. 39. Any skeletal muscle having three origins 33. A state in the western United States. Virgo (August 23-September 22) (but especially the triceps brachii). 34. A medicinal drug used to evoke vomiting Pisces (February 19-March 20) 40. A person who gives a name or names. (especially in cases of drug overdose or poison- It could be valuable for you to make some plans regarding your packing General good feelings and a sense of support and harmony make this a happy 41. A woman hired to suckle a child of someone ing). for travel. Most of the time family and friends come to you, this year you will be able to vis- time. Those around you are impressed with your ability to make common sense decisions else. 35. Respiratory disorder characterized by it family and friends. A little vacation is on the planning schedule. You love to ski and may regarding group matters when you already have so many responsibilities. You just naturally 43. A doctor who practices veterinary medicine. wheezing. have friends or family in a part of the country that has plenty of snow for your enjoyment. seem to know what others want. Putting your best foot forward and making a good impression Feeling good in general and knowing that you enjoy your work makes this an exceptional- 44. Relating to or containing the azo radical. 38. Before noon. take on greater importance as a new cycle gets under way in your life. Being in style and mak- ly happy time. You may begin to realize the areas in your life that need some attention, as ing a good appearance may count more than objects. Romance, the arts and life’s other pleas- 45. A crystalline metallic element not found in 42. A particular geographical region of indefi- well as ways in which you can help others. You truly love to be helpful. This will take coop- ures seem to take center stage. There is a good chance to understand those around you and to nature. nite boundary (usually serving some special eration, organization, authority, discipline and responsibility on your part to accomplish have a special time with someone you love. Relax; take on a listening attitude tonight. 46. Pastry made with a cream cheese dough and purpose or distinguished by its people or cul- what you must do to get where you must go. different fillings (as raisins and walnuts and cin- ture or geography). namon or chocolate and walnut and apricot 47. Any of various finches of Europe or America WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Yesterday’s Solution preserves). having a massive and powerful bill. 49. Make or become free of frost or ice. 48. All of the words in a language. 52. Mild yellow Dutch cheese made in balls. 50. Tropical American trees with palmately com- 54. A city of southeastern Mexico. pound leaves and showy bell-shaped flowers. 56. Flesh of large European flatfish. 51. Group insurance that entitles members to 60. An antidepressant drug that acts by block- services of participating hospitals and clinics ing the reuptake of serotonin so that more sero- and physicians. tonin is available to act on receptors in the 53. A streak of light in the sky at night that brain. results when a meteoroid hits the earth's atmos- 61. A midnight meeting of witches to practice phere and air friction causes the meteoroid to witchcraft and sorcery. melt or vaporize or explode. 63. Summer cypress. 55. A genus of orb-weaving spiders including 67. Fly a plane. common garden spiders and barn spiders. 70. A river in north central Switzerland that runs 57. Australian tennis player who in 1962 was the northeast into the Rhine. second man to win the Australian and French 71. Towards the side away from the wind. and English and United States singles titles in 72. Scale insects. the same year. 74. A piece of furniture that provides a place to 58. True firs. sleep. 59. A hidden drawback. 75. A form of address for a married woman. 62. A sudden quick movement. 76. A republic in the western Balkans in south- 64. A island in the Netherlands Antilles that is central Europe in the eastern Adriatic coastal the top of an extinct volcano. area. 65. The United Nations agency concerned with 77. An associate degree in applied science. atomic energy. 66. Acute lung injury characterized by coughing DOWN and rales. 1. God of death. 68. South American wood sorrel cultivated for 2. Using speech rather than writing. its edible tubers. 3. The Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the 69. A doctor's degree in dental surgery. Dali region of Yunnan. 73. Being five more than one hundred.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 information

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Music & Movies Indian maestro seeks harmony with Vienna New Year’s Concert ndian maestro Zubin Mehta will seek to inject music marking the 650th birthday of Vienna became a much-loved, regular event in the classical what he says is some much-needed harmony into University as well as the 200th of the Austrian capi- music calendar. In the 1980s after the 25-concert Ithe world when he conducts the illustrious Vienna tal’s Technical University and the 150th of Vienna’s reign of Austrian Willi Boskovsky and six-times New Year’s Concert on January 1. “All over the world grand Ringstrasse boulevard. These include for American successor Lorin Maazel-who died this year- there are people who hate each other,” Mehta, 78, example “Accelerationen” (“Accelerations”) and the it was decided to have a different conductor each who is holding the baton for a fifth time at the annu- “Elektro-magnetische Polka” by Johann Strauss jun- year. These have included such greats as Herbert von al waltz fest beamed live to 50 million people world- ior, as well as his “Studenten-Polka” (“Students’ Karajan, Claudio Abbado-who also passed away in wide, told Austrian daily Die Presse. “This music can Polka”). Non-Strauss pieces include the “Champagne 2014 — and Mehta in 1990, 1995, 1998 and 2007. at least bring people together for two and a half Galop” by 19th century Danish composer Hans The Mumbai-born conductor, who first came to hours,” he said. Christian Lumbye-which starts with the pop of a Vienna to study in 1954 and whose posts have Indeed, the 90 or so countries able to watch champagne cork. included music director of the New York Thursday’s concert live include for the first time con- Certain works such as “Wein, Weib und Gesang” Philharmonic, said though that he was “just as excit- flict-riven Ukraine, as well as other newcomers as far (“Wine, women and song”) will be accompanied by ed” as before his debut 24 years ago. “I can think of afield as the Bahamas, Armenia and Mehta’s native ballet performances by Vienna State Ballet soloists no greater (honour),” he said. “When I walk from the India, organizers said. The Vienna Philharmonic’s choreographed by Italian Davide Bombana. “Certain Imperial (hotel) towards the Konzerthaus of the annual “Neujahrskonzert” ringing in the new year traditions give people a feeling of safety,” said Musikverein, it’s like I was in my living room. I feel so from Golden Hall of the exalted Musikverein is devot- Andreas Grossbauer, the Vienna Philharmonic’s new at home here.” — AFP ed largely to the kings of 19th century waltz, the chairman. “Bedtime stories, birthday cakes-and per- Strauss family. Each year has some variety, however. haps also the New Year’s Concert.” A picture taken on December 27, Last year, alongside favorites like “The Blue Danube” 2014 shows Indian conducter and “The Radetzky March”, with Daniel Barenboim Dark beginnings Zubin Mehta rehearsing with the conducting, the program included works commem- The event started life on December 31, 1939, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra orating the centenary of the start of World War I. under the Nazis but in the subsequent years these for the 2015 New Year’s Concert This time the occasion is a happier one, with dark beginnings were forgotten and it gradually in Vienna. — AFP

Review In ‘A Most Violent Year,’ the capitalist as gangster n his exciting first three films, writer-director J.C. pressuring him to take more drastically illegal steps even Chandor, the son of a Merrill Lynch investment banker, while the suspicious local district attorney (David Oyelowo) Ihas proven to be a canny, clear-eyed studier of capital- is investigating. ism, sensitive to its strivers and alert to its ethical storms. His debut, “Margin Call,” plunged into the board rooms of a Gritty marketplace Wall Street firm in crisis. He followed that with “All Is Lost,” a These pressures enflame the film’s slow-burn, never metaphorical survival film about a man (Robert Redford) igniting with the fury the film’s title promises, but adding literally wrecked by the global economy. In “A Most Violent up to a lean, always absorbing examination of what suc- Year,” Chandor widens his scope, fusing a solemn medita- cess takes in a gritty marketplace ruled by raw power. “We In this July 29, 1999 file photo, actress Luise Rainer poses in her central London apart- tion on the American Dream with a ‘70s-styled gangster are so weak now,” laments Morales at a moment of lever- ment. — AP flick. Oscar Isaac plays Abel Morales, the young head of a age. The performance by Isaac (“Inside Llewyn Davis”) is Brooklyn heating company. With a risky bit of lending, he’s commanding. His restrained businessman and aspiring trying to expand his business while at the same time fend- immigrant clearly evokes Pacino’s Michael Corleone, and ing off mysterious hijackings of his trucks. It’s 1981 New it’s a testament to Isaac that he can get even within a mile Double Oscar winning actress York, one of the city’s most crime-ridden years, and vio- of that comparison. lence crackles in the streets. If there’s something that holds back Chandor’s films, it’s Luise Rainer dies at 104 The atmosphere is exceedingly rich. The greatest pleas- their conceptual neatness and their hard-to-miss allusions. ures of “A Most Violent Year,” vividly shot by the excellent (A tragic side story involving a driver in Morales’ fleet is this ollywood actress Luise Rainer, who screen test). At Paramount in 1942 she did a up-and-coming cinematographer Bradford Young (who film’s most glaring misstep.) But his control is impressive won back-to-back Oscars in the 1930s, screen test for “For Whom the Bell Tolls” but also lenses “Selma”), are the earthy browns and yellows of enough to make me want to him to - like Morales - get a lit- Hhas died at the age of 104. Until her the part went to Ingrid Bergman. In 1943 she its moody period details: Morales’ beige overcoat, the bare tle dirty. “A Most Violent Year,” an A24 release, is rated PG-13 death, she was the oldest living Oscar winner. appeared in the Par war film “Hostages” with winter trees of its suburban Westchester, the electric wide by the Motion Picture Association of America for “language Rainer won her twin best actress Oscars for William Bendix and Paul Lukas. It was her last shots of New York highways. Where we are can’t be mistak- and some violence.” Running time: 124 minutes. Three stars 1936 biopic “The Great Ziegfeld,” drawing the bigscreen appearance until 1997 Dostoevsky en. This is Sidney Lumet territory: street-level New York, out of four. MPAA definition of R: Restricted. Under 17 nod despite a fairly small role as impresario adaptation “The Gambler.” alive with corruption, danger and moral quandary. It’s a requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. — AP Florenz Ziegfeld’s first wife, and 1937’s “The street corner of cinema Lumet so definitively staked out Good Earth,” an adaptation of the novel by Television work that, though Chandor is far from his direct descendent, Pearl S. Buck in which the heavily, if charming- She appeared onstage in England and Lumet’s spirit can’t help but loom over “A Most Violent Year,” ly, accented Austrian-German actress played a then in J.M. Barrie’s “A Kiss for Cinderella” on set in the year his “Prince of the City” blazed across mar- humble Chinese peasant. Broadway in 1942. Bertolt Brecht wrote a play quees. The high expectations generated by her in which Rainer was to star but they had a Oscar achievements did not, however lead to falling out. In 1947 she toured the US in a pro- Clever adaptation much further success in Hollywood. Some say duction of Maxwell Anderson’s “Joan of The movie is doted by the standby scenes of gangster the death of her producer at MGM, Irving Lorraine”; Rainer played Joan of Arc several films: the clandestine gathering of rival family businesses, Thalberg, as well as bad advice from her hus- times over the course of her career. During the the shootout (handsomely done on the 59th Street Bridge), band, the playwright Clifford Odets, con- late 1940s and 1950s she did some television the sudden police raid of the boss’s home. The film’s excel- tributed to the precipitous decline in her work in the US and UK, including appearances lent chase sequence leads irrevocably to the era’s great career. Her first movie was “Escapade,” with on “Schlitz Playhouse” and “Lux Video Theatre”; icon of decay: a graffiti-covered subway. That “A Most William Powell. The film was a remake of one much later, in 1983, she made the seemingly Violent Year” builds all of this not on the usual glamorized of Rainer’s Austrian films, but she received the obligatory appearance on “The Love Boat.” misdeeds but on the residential oil business - a line of work part only after Myrna Loy gave up the role. Federico Fellini almost lured her back for a whose terrors usually only come monthly by mail - is both Rainer had impressed Powell on bigscreen appearance in 1960’s “La dolce slightly reaching and a clever adaptation of the crime “Escapade”; he told a newspaper reporter, vita”-she traveled to Rome for the part but thriller. This is about the dirty work of mainstream “She is an extremely sensitive organism and pulled out before shooting. Born in American business, not the underworld. has a great comprehension of human nature. Dusseldorf, Germany, and raised in Hamburg For Chandor, the backdrop of money, oil and guns make She has judgment and an abiding under- and Vienna, she auditioned for the Dumont rife fodder for big American themes. Morales, elegant with standing which make it possible for her to Theater in Dusseldorf at age 16 and subse- a politician’s manner, is grounded by a belief in his clean- portray human emotion poignantly and truly.” quently studied with acting teacher Max ness. “We’re at war,” he’s told of the cutthroat industry, to Her next film was “The Great Ziegfield,” for Reinhardt, becoming part of his Vienna acting which he responds: “Well I’m not.” But his remove from the which she reunited with Powell. She wowed ensemble and gaining recognition for stage fray gets tested; idealism not be enough to survive. His This photo released by courtesy of A24 shows, Oscar Isaac, left, and Jessica Chastain, in a audiences and the Motion Picture Academy work in Berlin. wife Anne (a slinky Jessica Chastain) is the daughter of the scene from J.C. Chandor’s “A Most Violent Year.” — AP particularly with a single highly emotional former owner of Morales’ business, and she slowly reveals scene in the film in which she was on the American career the measures she’s stealthily taken to prop up the compa- phone with Powell’s Ziegfeld, seeking to She appeared in George Bernard Shaw’s ny. Morales’ in-house lawyer (Albert Brooks, who’s amass- cheerfully congratulate him on his new mar- “Saint Joan,” “Measure for Measure” and ing a tremendous late career as a character actor) is also riage but failing in the attempt; for this scene Pirandello’s “Six Characters in Search of an she was dubbed “the Viennese teardrop.” Author” and then in several German-language films. MGM talent scout Phil Berg discovered Screen test her in 1934, believing she might appeal to In her next pic, “The Good Earth,” she Greta Garbo’s audience. Arriving in played the humble, submissive wife of Paul Hollywood the next year with a three-year Sofia Vergara, Joe Muni’s character, and the sheer contrast to her MGM contract in hand, Rainer worked to part in “The Great Ziegfield” impressed many; improve her English before beginning her she picked up a second best actress Oscar. American career with “Escapade.” In 2010 the Manganiello to wed Thalberg had insisted that she play the part actress appeared at the TCM Classic Film odern Family” star Sofia Vergara — America’s best while MGM’s Louis B. Mayer had been against Festival in Hollywood, where she was inter- paid TV actress-and Joe Manganiello of “True Blood” it, and Thalberg died before production on the viewed by Robert Osbourne. fame plan to tie the knot, US media reported film was complete. Rainer made five more The British Film Institute also hosted her at “M Monday. Colombian-born bombshell Vergara, 42, has been dating films for MGM, in 1937 and 1938, including a tribute to the actress in that year, her cente- the American actor, 38, for six months since breaking off a rela- “Big City,” in which she was strangely cast as nary. Rainer and Odets were divorced in 1940. tionship with businessman Nick Loeb. the wife of cab driver Spencer Tracy. Only one She married the publisher Robert Knittel in A spokesperson for Vergara, famous for playing Gloria Delgado of the five was a hit, the Oscar-winning musi- 1945; they remained together until his death on the Emmy-winning series, did not immediately confirm People cal biopic “The Great Waltz,” in which she in 1989. She is survived by a daughter, magazine’s report that the couple became engaged over Christmas played the wife of Johann Strauss. Francesca-who confirmed her mother had in Hawaii. Manganiello-known for playing Alcide in “True Blood” Rainer struggled for more money and died of pneumonia at her home in London; and for stripping off in Steven Soderbergh’s “Magic Mike”-recently meatier parts at MGM, but Mayer was increas- two granddaughters; and two great-grand- produced a documentary on a male strip club. — AP ingly unsympathetic, though the actress- children. Leo Barraclough contributed to this despite her accent-was among those nominal- report. — Reuters ly considered for the part of Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone With the Wind” (she did not receive a

UAE follows Egypt, Morocco in banning Moses epic he United Arab Emirates said yesterday that it had also fallen foul of the council for its depiction of that it “represents God”. In remarks published will not allow screening of Hollywood’s Moses receiving the revelation from God through a Tuesday by TelQuel magazine, the director of the TBiblical epic “Exodus: Gods and Kings,” mirror- child. Representation of God and prophets is taboo Moroccan Cinematographer Centre said the ban ing similar bans by Egypt and Morocco. The in Islam. The UAE is a Muslim country where for- had security in mind. National Media Council, charged with vetting films eigners, including millions of non-Muslims, make “You saw what happened in Tunisia after the for release in the UAE, said the Ridley Scott movie up the majority of the population. screening of ‘Persepolis’,” said Sarim Fassi-Fihri, in about Moses’s escape from pharaonic Egypt con- “We do not allow the distortion of religions... reference to a 2012 attack by Salafists on a Tunisian tained “religious and historical mistakes.” “The film When it comes to religious and historical movies, TV station that had aired the controversial animated shows Moses not as a prophet but as just a preach- we care about having a correct narrative and avoid- film depicting Iran’s Islamic revolution. The 3D er of peace,” the council’s director of media content ing hurting the feelings of others,” Leem said. But he “Exodus: Gods and Kings”, starring Christian Bale as tracking Juma Obaid al-Leem told AFP, adding that insisted that film censorship in the UAE is not Moses, earned $24.1 million in its debut weekend in the storyline contradicts the holy books. tough, stressing that most movies are approved for the United States, according to box office tracker In addition to his place in the Christian and release. “It is normal if we express reservations Exhibitor Relations. — AFP Jewish faiths, Moses is also revered by Muslims as a about one movie out of 1,000,” he said. On prophet just like Mohammed. Leem said the film Saturday, Morocco banned the film on the grounds lifestyle WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 FEATURES British chef Jamie Oliver ‘turned down hobbit role’

OROGOLD now open in Kuwait ritish celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has revealed that he was offered the role of a hobbit in exchange for cook- ROGOLD, the anti-aging and media figures who marvelled this loca- Bing director Peter Jackson a birthday meal, but reject- skin care cosmetics line that tion’s grand opening which was held ed the chance due to work commitment. The British cook Ofeatures authentic 24K gold as on December 18th, 2014. The latest told US actress Kate Hudson about the deal with the “Lord of an ingredient has announced the OROGOLD location boasts the same the Rings” director on his new Channel 4 show, “Jamie And opening of a brand new store location gleaming white dÈcor accented with Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast”. in Fanar Mall Salmiya, one of the most slick black and signature gold. Just like “The worst thing that happened to me was that I got luxurious shopping destinations in other OROGOLD stores, this location phoned up by the exec producer and asked did I want to go Kuwait. exudes opulence and luxury with and cook for Peter Jackson’s birthday, the big birthday,” he At the start of event ceremony, the plush tufted wingback chairs, beautiful said. “And if I did, they would fly me over and I could be a brand manager of OROGOLD Kuwait product displays and a dazzling gold hobbit in the film. But I was working, I couldn’t get out of it. I Sara Abaza revealed the newest ORO- chandelier dominating the center of really wanted to do it,” he added. “I would have got right into GOLD location continues in the tradi- the ceiling. it as well, I would have taken the costume home and said tion of the OROGOLD brand by offer- OROGOLD is one of the few cosmet- ‘Jools, let’s make love!’” joked the chef. — AFP ing top notch service alongside goal ic lines that concentrate on the use of oriented products. “We are thrilled with gold as a phenomenal skin care solu- this latest store opening. We heard our tion. Each of OROGOLD products aims Man wants refund after buying customers’ demands; they love the to help fight the signs of aging. $650 in tickets to ‘The Interview’ products and want more locations Constant innovation in products and a where they can experience OROGOLD highly skilled research and develop- ony apparently isn’t the only one who lost money on “The in person. ment team that aim to offer their cus- Interview” last week. A man in Ohio tried to cash in on the The grand event hosted a large tomers with the very best skin care Sbuzz surrounding Seth Rogen and James Franco’s new com- gathering of prominent Kuwaiti, British products that redefine the phrase “val- edy when he purchased $650 in tickets or 50 passes at $13 each and expat community social and ue for your money”. to the movie. According to WCPO in Cincinatti, Jason Best learned that a local theater in Clifton was among the 300 theaters to play the controversial film on Christmas day and hoped to re-sell the tickets online at a higher price (a.k.a. he wanted to scalp them). “I saw all the hype about ‘The Interview’ on the 23rd and ‘Interview’ rakes in more than $15 million online thought, ‘hey, folks are selling these tickets in other cities and it seems like that’s the thing to do right now so why not give it a shot so see how it goes,”‘ he said. But the plan backfired once ontroversial low-brow comedy “The Interview” ty throughout the episode, played in some 330 independ- Sony announced it was streaming the film online for half the price scored more than $15 million in online rentals and ent movie houses that offered to show the film after Sony on sites like YouTube, Hulu and Netflix. Now the man is demand- Cpurchases, entertainment giant Sony said, following came under fire for the cancellation. It was also made avail- ing a refund from the Esquire Theatre. “I thought I’d get my mon- an embarrassing cyberattack and threats that led the com- able beginning Wednesday across Google Play, YouTube ey back because the theater’s website very clearly said the tickets pany to pull the film from theaters. Movies, Microsoft’s Xbox Video and on a dedicated website, were refundable,” Best told WCPO in an email. The madcap R-rated comedy featuring Seth Rogen and seetheinterview.com Sony Sunday said the comedy was But a theater manager told Best that the art house didn’t have James Franco revolves around the fictional assassination of rented or purchased online more than two million times a website and that “The Interview” was listed as a special event. It turns out Best had purchased the tickets from movie tickets.com North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. Sony canceled the film’s over four days through Saturday, for a total of more than which specifically warns on its website that theater owners release after many of the biggest US movie theater chains $15 million. This, it said, made it the studio’s “#1 online film reserve the right to withhold refunds for special events. Plus the got cold feet following threats from hackers who also of all time.” It was available for rent for $5.99 or $14.99 for manager said that scalping tickets was illegal. The $40 million- claimed a cyberattack on Sony Studios. purchase. Meanwhile “The Interview” earned an estimated budgeted “Interview,” which expanded to iTunes on Sunday, The White House has said the attack was orchestrated by $1.8 million in theaters over the weekend, adding to the $1 recently changed from a wide to limited release after North North Korea, but Pyongyang has denied any involvement. million it raked in on its Christmas Day limited release, Korean hackers threatened to harm theater goers. —Reuters In the end the comedy, which received widespread publici- according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations. — AFP A scene from Columbia Pictures’ “The Interview.” —AP

Mr Baker Launches New Year 2015 Cake Variety

New Year full of hope, Baker group creates success and cheerfulness successful brands, does

‘Happy Days, New Successes’ is the motto of Mr not import them Baker with the approach of the 2015 Notably, Mr Baker company is a subsidiary of the New Year. As usual, Mr Baker is pre- Baker Group that locally develops its own senting new five cakes for the brands and works on promoting them using the occasion that suit various same work patterns followed by international tastes in addition to a touch firms. The group has 6 outstanding commercial of festivity with other Mr activities in Kuwait; Mr Baker, Kanafani, Mr Subs Baker products with & Wraps, Herfy, Abul Saleem and The Victorian. superb designs and fancy The company has been in business for 25 years. additives to pastries baskets and all kinds of cakes. 2015 comes to new cakes give Mr Baker a new to match push towards more chal- lenges to win the satisfac- all tastes tion of its distinguished customers who were the rea- son behind the success the company has reached today in all of its branches. 22 branches covering all Kuwait The quality products Mr Baker presents is an old tradition for the company based on taking care of all details, using the best raw materials from the finest international sources such as Swiss chocolate, fine Belgian flour and French butter and cream that are all prepared by the best international dessert and baking experts according to the best international confectionery standards. lifestyle WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 FEATURES

A worker prepares Slovakia’s traditional delicacy pastry Bratislava Rolls filled with poppy and nuts.

Slovakia’s traditional delicacy pastry Bratislava Rolls Bratislava croissantsfilled with poppy and nuts. offer a taste of the past

or Slovaks, it is the stuff of Marcel Proust’s Turkish, German or Slovak? For expert command economy shuttered many family madeleine recollections: a scrumptious, Sandor Pap, it is to the residents of Bratislava, pastry shops and the original recipe got lost in Fcrescent-shaped pastry filled with wal- known as Pressburg under the Austro- the shuffle. nuts or poppy seeds that triggers a rush of Hungarian Empire of the late 19th-early 20th Bratislava’s croissants survived in home memories. All but forgotten under the century, that the crescent cookie owes its baking until they could resurface at pastry decades and drabness of communism, the beginnings. “Back then, people didn’t care shops and cafes after the fall of the Berlin Wall tasty Bratislavske rozky-or bajgel, as they are about questions of nationality or faith,” said in 1989. “When we sell them at public events, also called-are making a comeback. Slovak the employee of the state-funded Bratislavske like now at the Christmas markets, older peo- pedestrians munch away on the traditional Rozky Association. Case in point: the historic ple stop by and recount their childhood mem- treat at cafes and snack shops or just walking Schwappach pastry shop, an institution that ories,” said Bolemant. “And how their grand- around the narrow cobblestoned streets in the has been around for centuries, goes by a mothers made the pastries. But they regret old town of Bratislava. The reward? A reminder German name but refers to its croissants by that they no longer have the recipe.” of the rich history and vibrant cultural melange yet another term-their Hungarian designation, While Pap and Bolemant insist there is no of this capital cut through by the Danube at Pozsonyi kifli. The bakery began churning out official original recipe and every family uses its the heart of Europe. The cousin of the French the treats over Christmas 1785, when master own, there is a version patented by the city’s croissant, the Italian cornetto and the Austrian pastry chef Wilhelm Scheuermann included well-known master pastry chef Vojtech Kipferl, the bajgel harks back as far as the 16th them in a holiday window display to much Szemes. century but its exact provenance remains fanfare. The pastries gained their European Union- shrouded in mystery. legislated “traditional specialties guaranteed” ‘Recount their childhood’ trademark in Slovakia. Yet two of the former Today, the Bratislavske rozky label comes Austro-Hungarian Empire countries-Austria or with strict criteria. “The croissants must be Hungary-could just as well have claimed it: marbled and golden, meaning you have to Pressburg, alias Bratislava, lay at the cross- brush on two layers of egg yolk. Their filling roads, right on the border with the two “mod- must make up 30 percent of the total weight ern” states. Bratislava’s croissants are now and they have to be baked chemical-free,” said starting to make a name for themselves out- Eva Bolemant, whom the association employs side Slovakia. One store, the FantastiCo, a to market the sweets. small but trendy glass-windowed corner shop “The shape varies with the filling, allowing that makes only Bratislavske rozky which are clients to tell them apart: touted as among the city’s best, began selling those with walnuts are in the shape of a C, the rolls last year on an “E-shop”. Orders quick- while the poppy seed variety look like a horse- ly came in by the dozens. Today, they arrive in shoe or U.” The pastries were widely available the thousands, with more and more coming Slovakia’s traditional delicacy pastry until the end of World War II. But communism’s from abroad. — AFP Bratislava Rolls filled with poppy and nuts. After mastering fruits, Poland takes on black caviar oodies, take note: After flooding the global market nurse cap and scrubs. The air is swapped out 20 times an Europe’s top caviar producers with it since 2008,” she tells Sturgeon Conservation Society. with its apples and berries, Poland has gone gourmet hour, and the room is sterilized for six hours every night. AFP. “They’ve been a huge hit, so it was just a matter of The trickiest part of the production process is season- Fand is trying its hand at making black caviar. Dressed time before we launched our own brand, Antonius.” Today, ing the eggs. Many years of experience go into determin- from head to toe in sterile clothing, a worker leans over a Crystal clear water the two farms have more than 1,000 tonnes of sturgeon ing just the right amount of salt. “Making caviar is an art. sieve containing roe from Russian and Siberian sturgeon. Outside, thousands of sturgeon swim around in fish swimming throughout their waterways. There’s no ready-made recipe,” Szczukowski says. The She uses tweezers to remove any leftover bits from the canals fed by the crystal clear water of the Lyna River. The whole operation takes no more than 15 minutes: from ovary sack-anything to ensure the quality of the caviar. fish are slim and muscular, with a pointed mouth for the No ready-made recipe carving out the roe-filled ovaries to vacuum packaging Nor is hygiene to be trifled with at the fish farm in the Siberian sturgeon and a rounder one for the more covet- Traditionally, caviar was made from eggs from wild the caviar in elegant black and white boxes with the northern Polish village of Rus. “We produce unpasteur- ed-and expensive-Russian variety. Each female weighs sturgeon in the Caspian and Black seas with the best Antonius label. “We want Poland to have its own caviar ized, fresh caviar, so we have to make sure it doesn’t come between 10 and 20 kilos (22 and 44 pounds) and carries known producers in Russia and Iran. Years of overfishing brand recognized around the world,” says Lakomiak- in contact with even the smallest speck of bacteria,” says roe totaling around 12 percent of its weight. Before wind- and pollution have left the sturgeon at risk of extinction. Winnicka. farm head Marek Szczukowski. “The taste of caviar largely ing up in Rus, the sturgeon spend the first seven or eight The fish is protected under the 1973 Convention on The potential is there, says French chef Michel Moran, depends on the quality of the air, the water, its tempera- years of their lives on a parent farm in Goslawice, central International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna who has lived in Poland for 15 years. “Poland makes really ture, the feed, but also the method used to obtain the Poland. It extends across 2,000 hectares (nearly 5,000 and Flora (CITES). Yet demand continues and caviar prices good drink for example. We’re able to raise great quality eggs.” Everything here is up to hospital standards. acres) of lakes and 500 hectares of ponds heated by a have skyrocketed, now retailing from around 1,700 euros livestock, we have great fish,” says the chef at Warsaw’s Employees handle the precious eggs, whose colors vary nearby power plant. ($2,100) per kilo (2.2 pounds) and prompting many a “Bistro de Paris”. “I don’t mean the Baltic Sea unfortunate- from a golden brown to olive to black, in a room fit for sur- “We are the biggest fish farm in Poland and one of country to try to cash in on the luxury food. ly, but if we get our fish from fresh water, we’re able to gery. All the equipment, the walls, the floor and even the Europe’s three main sturgeon producers,” says marketing In 2012, caviar producers made 260 tonnes of the fishy raise some really good stuff,” he tells AFP. “And now, a ceiling are stainless steel. As for the staff: no shower, no and sales manager Agata Lakomiak-Winnicka. “We began delicacy in countries including France and Italy but also caviar like this, I’m convinced there’s a place for it on the entry. The same goes for anyone without a hygiene mask, farming sturgeon in 1992 and have been supplying Israel, Uruguay and even Vietnam, according to the World market.” — AFP

An employee of a fish farm in the northern Polish village of Rus checks the Agata Lakomiak-Winnicka, marketing and sales manager for Antonius An employee of a fish farm checks sturgeon caviar. weight of sturgeon caviar. — AFP photos caviar, shows two cans of the Polish product. lifestyle WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 Features The 15 Best Travel Destinations in 2015

ith 2014 coming to a close, it’s time to reflect and take a look at the up and coming trending destinations for the new year. Sure, its tempting to want to go back to the old favorites - London, Paris, New York... but what about discovering somewhere new? WSomewhere off the beaten path, a travel destination yet to be fully discovered, an underrated city, or an experience only few will ever tick off their bucket lists? Here are the 15 best travel destinations in 2015 - put ‘em at the top of your lists and beat the crowds, these destinations are set to boom in 2015 and beyond...

6. Oman

man is quickly coming out of the shadows as one of the most intriguing Odestinations to visit in 2015. If you want to experience the Middle East in all its authenticity, culture and traditions - Oman is one of the safest countries you can do so.

1. Bosnia & Herzegovina 11. Atacama Desert, Chile

arlier this year WOW gave you 10 reasons to visit Bosnia & Herzegovina and he Atacama Desert will leave you in awe - and no, it won’t be anything near Ethe post went absolutely viral on social media. Why? A picture tells a thou- Twhat you expect. Earlier this year it even snowed... yes.... snowed... in the sand words... and Bosnia & Herzegovina is one of the most picturesque coun- desert! This is the world’s driest desert, home to cactus’, salt flats, geysers and so tries off the beaten path. Fortunately it is still flying very much under the radar - much more to be discovered. making now the perfect time to visit (but be sure to be quick!).

7. The Philippines

ristine waters and a paradise unlike any other - the Philippines has long Pbeen a WOW “must visit ASAP” destination.

2. Ireland 12. South African Safari

he land of green pastures and torrential rain... Ireland really lives up to its’ If there’s one travel experience that trumps them all, it’s a safari. South Africa is Tcliche in the best possible way. But what is still surprising to most who visit really embracing tourism and welcoming visitors from all over the world to their Ireland is the unparalleled natural beauty to be discovered here. Added with unique country for some of the best wildlife watching in Africa. Its’ neighbors some of the friendliest people in the universe and you have yourself one of the too have amazing wildlife safaris on offer, but rest assured you will have a strong world’s most enjoyable countries to visit. chance of seeing the Big 5 in South Africa!

8. New Zealand

any (if not most) people you meet on your travels will regard New Zealand Mas their #1 dream destination. Geographically isolated (much like Australia) and with relatively untouched wilderness, it’s not hard to see why. Lord of the Rings may have (definitely) also had a significant impact on the increased inter- est. But years on from the trilogy and subsequent The Hobbit films, NZ remains a top pick for travelers heading into 2015.

3. Patagonia, Chile 13. Turkey

ondering what’s at the end of the world? Hiking the W trek in Patagonia is hether you’re rummaging through the souks and spice markets in Wone of the biggest trophies you can have on your travel wall of fame. Be WIstanbul, drifting through the air over Cappadocia in a hot air balloon or sure to consider an off-season visit for the most grounding experience - no one sun tanning on one of the many beaches, Turkey was a hotspot in 2014 and will wants to walk behind trails of tourists in the wilderness. continue to be for 2015.

9. Nicaragua

ove over Costa Rica - there’s a new hot spot to visit in Central America in 2015. MNicaragua is quickly becoming Central America’s must visit destination, with so much to offer long and short term travellers. If you plan on sticking around for a while and engaging in some slower travel, this is the perfect place to do so. Extremely affordable and now attracting many solo travelers from around the world, this is a great budget option for 2015.

4. Belgrade, Serbia 14. Madagascar

urprised to see the Serbian capital make the list? But Belgrade is one of f you really want to get off the beaten path and experience something truly SEurope’s most underrated cities, particularly in summer. Tourism is still fairly Iunique, consider a trip to Madagascar. If the film is any indication of how minimal in Serbia, but there’s so much to discover. If you get off the beaten path many species of wildlife you can encounter here, you’re in for a real treat! and visit the road less travelled in Europe, you surely won’t be disappointed. Spend hours in line for the Eiffel Tower view? That’s less a guarantee.

10. Morocco

hether you’re hunting for magic carpets through the Souks in Marrakech Wor wondering the old streets of Fez, there’s so much to discover in Morocco. You want culture? tick. Experiences unlike anywhere else? tick. Friendly Moroccans? tick. Tourism in Morocco has sky rocketed in recent years, so be sure to jump on the bandwagon before it’s too late. Morocco is here to stay as one of the world’s most intriguing countries for travelers.

5. Tasmania, Australia

asmania - or simply “Tassie” to the locals - has had its’ fair share of publicity 15. Cuba Tthese past couple of years, after Hobart was declared Lonely Planet’s best city to visit in 2014 and Australia’s only mention for best regions to visit in 2015. inally - Cuba. Whether you’re off to Trinidad, Havana, or touring around the But it truly comes at no shock. Tasmania has the world’s cleanest air, friendly Fcountry on an arranged group tour, there really is so much to see in Cuba. locals, untouched wilderness, some of the world’s best hiking trails, fresh pro- Right now is the time to visit, whilst Cuba still feels like stepping into a time duce and so much more. If there’s one place you simply must visit in Oceania in warp. Modernization is bound to hit the shores of Cuba sooner or later, so be 2015, it’s Tassie. sure to chuck it on the top of your list. — www.worldofwanderlust.com Bratislava croissants offer a taste of the38 past WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

PeopleCities cheer and celebrate Newmodel Year’s Eve during the annual New Boot Drop. Year’s events after Times Square

elevised images of New York city is also taking a more interactive for the mountain town that lies with- City’s glittery ball drop have approach by asking residents the in the world’s largest contiguous pon- Tbecome inextricably linked with age-old New Mexico question: red or derosa pine forest. New Year’s Eve. But Times Square isn’t green? Las Cruces residents have the only place to ring in the new year been voting through an online poll Fireworks show with an object dropping at midnight. on whether the chile’s LED lights Several thousand people gather Las Cruces, New Mexico, is spicing up should shine red or green, organizer on closed streets - typically in freez- New Year’s Eve with its first ever chile Russ Smith said. ing weather - to watch the pine cone drop. In Miami, a 35-foot neon orange “Since red and green is so com- drop and a fireworks show. “There will light up tonight, while Atlanta mon in the vocabulary here in New have been a few years where it’s and Nashville, Tennessee, will mark Mexico, it blends perfectly with the insanely cold out there,” said Joann the start of 2015 with peach and interest of the people,” Smith said. “It Hudson with the Flagstaff Convention music note drops. has created curiosity and interest on & Visitors Bureau. In Arizona, the celebratory New the part of the public.” Around the Officials in the Arizona town of Year’s Eve drops include a pine cone, country, the countdown-to-midnight Show Low deal a deuce of clubs card cowboy boot and playing card. events are quirky and sometimes on New Year’s. The card represents Officials in cities with Times Square- bizarre. Objects range from a water- how the town, which is about 180 styled celebrations have found that melon to walleye to a live opossum. miles northeast of Phoenix, suppos- the events are great ways to draw edly got its name. A settler won a people to their downtowns - often Western culture ranch through a card game where the with accompanying fireworks dis- The town of Brasstown, North object was to show the lowest card, plays and concerts - while embracing Carolina, for most of the past 20 years hence the two of clubs. Since 2010, a their heritage. has used a live animal in its New 7-by-4-foot card has dropped from a “It’s about raising the level of visi- Year’s Eve Possum Drop. But this year, crane in a downtown park. “We seem bility downtown and doing things after challenges from animal rights In this Dec 31, 2013 photo, the crowd cheers as a lighted cowboy boot drops to the roof of the Palace Saloon New to get a steady group of people each downtown that don’t go on else- protesters, the organizer says he’ll no Year’s Eve. year that come out for that,” said where in the city,” said Andy Hume, longer use a live opossum - instead, drops from a downtown hotel twice - cowboy boot above downtown’s 100th anniversary and welcoming the Steve North, who oversees economic coordinator of downtown develop- it’ll be a road-kill opossum or perhaps once at 10 p.m. at an event geared Whiskey Row four years ago in a nod new millennium. The pine cone start- development for Show Low. “It’s get- ment for Las Cruces. “For quite a long a pot of opossum stew. toward families and again at mid- to its western culture. The Flagstaff ed off as a big metal trash can but ting some play around the state. We’ll time, our downtown was on life sup- Flagstaff, Arizona, celebrates the night. In nearby Prescott, the city tradition started in 1999 when the now has a more artistic design with likely get some people who will travel port, and that’s putting it nicely.” The new year with a 6-foot pine cone that began dropping a 6-foot spurred Weatherford Hotel was celebrating its colored LEDs. The pine cone is fitting up here.” — AP New Year’s card sheep completes knitting scarf hen millions of Japanese get their customary New Year’s greeting cards tomorrow, the sheep thatís on the postage Wstamps will have finished knitting the scarf it began 12 years ago. Tradition in Japan calls for people to send post cards — often hun- dreds of them ó to friends, colleagues and relatives, decked with pine trees, cranes and other symbols of good luck to welcome the new year ó but also showing the animal of the year, as set by the Asian zodiac. Although most stores and businesses are closed Jan 1, mail workers are hard at work, making sure all the cards get delivered. The sheep is the animal for 2015, heralding a year of harmony as well as possibly meekness, according to astrological storytelling. In 2003, the stamp on the cards issued by the post office had as its A lighted cowboy boot drop resting on the roof of the Palace Saloon, design a fluffy sheep busily knitting a scarf. This year, it’s wearing the officially marking the start of the new year. scarf, and holding the knitting needles, perhaps a little proudly. It is not clear what it plans to knit for 2027. — AP

In this Dec 30, 2014 photo, sheep designs on postage stamps Visitors admire a large object of a sheep at the Tatsumizu shrine in Tsu in Mie pre- In this Dec 31, 2013 photo, the crowd cheers and fireworks explode in the are seen on New Year’s greeting cards, 2003 issue, left, and 2015 fecture, central Japan yesterday, to celebrate the upcoming ‘Year of the Sheep’. New sky as a lighted cowboy boot drops to the roof of the Palace Saloon New issue, right. Year’s Day is one of the most important holidays of the year in Japan, with many Year’s Eve in downtown Prescott, Ariz. — AP photos people visiting their hometowns and visiting temples and shrines. — AFP