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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 JAMADA ALAWWAL 23, 1437 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Police arrest UAE companies Istanbul’s LeBron scores 4,000 in Jleeb struggle for venerable 33 as Cavaliers crackdown, finance as banks Grand Bazaar hold off free 3,0004 later tighten22 credit to39 get facelift Pacers20 100-96 MPs approve extra KD 150m Min 15º Max 28º for Eurofighter warplanes High Tide 05:29 & 16:38 New MP, minister sworn in Housing body gets more authority Low Tide • 10:48 40 PAGES NO: 16801 150 FILS By B Izzak

Prominent Saudi KUWAIT: The National Assembly yesterday approved a cleric injured in law allowing the government to withdraw KD 150 mil- lion from state reserves to support the defense ministry. Philippines attack Defense Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah said the money will be used to make an advance payment ZAMBOANGA, Philippines: An influential Saudi for the purchase of Eurofighter warplanes. Head of the Arabian preacher was shot and wounded in a south- budgets committee MP Adnan Abdulsamad said the ern Philippine city yesterday, police said, adding value of the warplanes deal is KD 2.6 billion. In January, security forces killed the gunman. Sheikh Ayed Al- the Assembly approved additional funds of KD 3 billion Qarni was in hospital following the shooting in for military purchases over the next 10 years. The Zamboanga city but did Eurofighter consortium said in September that Kuwait not have life threatening had agreed to buy 28 Typhoon jets. injuries, local police Also, newly-appointed Minister of Electricity and spokeswoman Senior Water Ahmad Al-Jassar took the constitutional oath Inspector Helen Galvez before the Assembly yesterday in accordance with arti- said. “He is out of danger,” cle 91 of the Kuwaiti constitution. Newly-elected MP Ali Galvez told AFP by phone. Al-Khamees also took the constitutional oath after win- A police report said ning the only seat in the third constituency’s by-elec- that Qarni was shot in the tion that fell vacant with the death of late MP Nabeel Al- right shoulder, left arm Fadhl. The parliament elected Khamees to replace Fadhl and chest while his com- on various committees including the legislative and panion, a Saudi embassy legal affairs committee, as well as others concerned attache, was wounded in with public utilities, youth and sport. Ayed Al-Qarni his right thigh and left leg. In other business, the Assembly passed a draft law However a Saudi embassy adding a new paragraph to article 5 of law 47/1993 statement later said none of Qarni’s companions were wounded. The police said that Qarni had just regarding housing law in the second deliberation, send- delivered a university lecture when a man came out ing it to the government for further discussions and of the crowd and opened fire with a .45 calibre pistol. approval. The bill is primarily intended to relieve the Police acting as security escorts shot the attacker Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) of prior dead. “We pinned down the gunman. He’s dead,” scrutiny by the Audit Bureau and the law on public ten- Galvez said. She said the gunman was apparently a ders for five years ending March 31, 2021. But, it has to Filipino and that two other Filipino men, residents of report its financial situation to the Assembly annually. It Zamboanga, were later arrested after eyewitnesses also aims to enable the PAHW to speed up the imple- said they were with the attacker. mentation of housing projects mentioned in its pro- Continued on Page 13 gram of action, with its activities to remain under the KUWAIT: MPs attend a parliament session at the National Assembly yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Audit Bureau’s subsequent control. 18 killed in Oman bus crash

DUBAI: A bus traveling through north- Ibri are cities west of the capital, Muscat. western Oman’s desert crashed into a He said those hurt in the crash had Arab govt debt truck and a passing car later slammed injuries ranging from serious to minor into the wreckage early yesterday morn- and had been transported to hospitals ing, killing at least 18 people and injuring throughout the sultanate. The crash rises sharply 16 others, police said. Authorities tipped the truck over, sending its con- received first word of the crash near the tents - including plastic bags, cardboard in 2015: S&P Nahdah area on the road connecting the boxes and other debris - all over the two- cities of Fahud and Ibri around 1 am, lane road. The roof of the bus was partly DUBAI: Borrowing by leading Arab governments Oman police spokesman Mohammed torn off. has more than doubled last year and is forecast to bin Salama Al-Hashimi said. Fahud and Continued on Page 13 remain high in 2016, Standard and Poor’s ratings agency reported yesterday. The debt taken by 11 Arab nations rated by the agency, including the oil- rich Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, shot up to $143 billion last year from $70.6 billion in 2014, S&P said in a report. Last year’s figure includes $30 billion debt by Iraq which was added to the list for the first time. The governments of the GCC states - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - borrowed $40 billion last year, TEHRAN: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (right) unveils the Saina domestically including $26 billion by OPEC heavyweight Saudi built car while visiting the International Car Industry Show accompanied by Minister Arabia, the agency said. Egypt topped the list with of Industry, Mines and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh yesterday. — AP $44 billion borrowed in 2015, it said. S&P projects that borrowing by the same Arab nations will drop Rouhani: Voters chose only six percent to $134 billion, of which the GCC share will be $45 billion. The 2016 projections are based on the assump- ‘right and proper path’ tion that most GCC countries will draw down on their huge fiscal reserves to finance budget deficits TEHRAN: Iranian voters chose “the right slide presidential election victory on a resulting from low oil revenues. The gross total and proper path for the country”, moder- pledge to end years of standoff over Iran’s commercial debt by Arab governments is forecast ate President Hassan Rouhani said yes- nuclear program and crippling sanctions. Continued on Page 13 Image shows the site of an accident that occurred in the early hours of yesterday terday after final election results showed No single group won a decisive share of on the road between Ibri and Fahud in western Oman. — AFP his allies had made significant gains. parliament’s 290 seats, but tallies suggest- Friday’s twin elections - to parliament ed the pragmatic Rouhani would be able and to top clerical committee, the to forge a working majority. The main con- Assembly of Experts - were crucial for the servative list secured 103 MPs, reformists Laden left millions for jihad president and a de-facto referendum on and moderates 95, and independents 14, his administration after its nuclear deal while five seats went to minorities and WASHINGTON: In his handwritten will, Al- uments released by the Office of the Director with world powers. four to candidates with no single affilia- Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden claimed he of National Intelligence. They address a range In the parliamentary election, hardliners tion. While conservatives were wiped out had about $29 million in personal wealth - the of topics, including fractures between Al- who vocally opposed Rouhani’s diplomacy by reformists in Tehran, they retained bulk of which he wanted to be used “on jihad, Qaeda and Al-Qaeda in Iraq, which eventually with the West and his moves to open Iran some seats in other cities and enjoyed for the sake of Allah”. The will was released splintered off into what is now known as the up to foreign investment were soundly strong support in rural areas. Some 69 yesterday in a batch of more than 100 docu- Islamic State; and bin Laden’s concerns about beaten by reformists. Conservatives also constituencies had no clear winner, mean- ments seized in a May 2011 raid that killed bin his organization’s public image and his desire lost seats. “The owners of this country are ing a second round runoff in April in a field Laden at his compound in Abbottabad, to depict it as a united network. the people... they determine the path and that has more conservatives than Pakistan. In a letter to one of his wives who had direction of this country,” the president reformists and moderates. The Al-Qaeda leader planned to divide his been living in Iran, bin Laden expressed worry said. “I thank our intelligent and brave peo- The outcome signalled strong public fortune among his relatives, but wanted most Osama bin Laden that her visit to a dentist could have present- ple who have taken a step forward,” he said support for the nuclear deal between Iran of it spent to conduct the work of the Islamic mind years before the fatal raid in Pakistan. “If I ed the Iranians an opportunity to implant a at an auto industry conference in Tehran. and world powers, an agreement steered extremist terror network behind the Sept 11 am to be killed,” he wrote in a 2008 letter to his small chip under her skin, apparently as a Buoyed by new backing from by the president which saw the lifting of attacks. The will did not disclose much detail father, “pray for me a lot and give continuous tracking device. “My dear wife,” he began. “I reformists supportive of the government, sanctions in January. “Cooperation should about where he amassed his wealth, but bin charities in my name, as I will be in great need was told that you went to a dentist in Iran, and the president urged a spirit of cooperation be everyone’s concern. Today the era of Laden’s father ran a successful construction for support to reach the permanent home”. In you were concerned about a filling she put in among MPs from across Iran’s political confrontation is over,” Rouhani added. company in Saudi Arabia for years, and the a final wistful paragraph, he asks his father for for you. Please let me know in detail ... any sus- spectrum. “If there are still some who think Friday’s second election for the Assembly will noted that $12 million was from his broth- forgiveness “if I have done what you did not picions that any of the brothers may have that the country must be in confrontation of Experts also produced high-profile gains er on behalf of the Bin Laden Co. like”. about chips planted in any way.” with others, they still haven’t got the mes- for Rouhani and his closest allies. The threat of sudden death was on his The letters were included in a batch of doc- Continued on Page 13 sage of 2013,” he said, alluding to his land- Continued on Page 13 LOCAL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets Sheikha Intisar Salem Ali Al-Sabah and her team. They deliv- His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets ered to His Highness a copy of a film depicting the story of martyr Fa’eq Abduljalil.— Amiri Diwan and KUNA photos Brigadier Dr Khaled Al-Kanderi. Amir, Crown Prince meet scholars

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah of Emam Ibn Hazm. His Highness the Amir His Highness the Crown Prince Diwan Sheikh Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received a num- received as well Dr Dalal Al-Buaijan who pre- Mubarak Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al- ber of scholars at Bayan Palace yesterday. His sented a copy of doctorate degree on Sabah. Highness the Amir received Sheikha Intisar Molecular Biology. His Highness the Crown In other news, His Highness the Amir sent a Salem Ali Al-Sabah and her team. They deliv- Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- cable of condolences to Sheikh Hamid bin ered to His Highness a copy of a film depict- Sabah also met with Sheikha Intisar Al-Sabah Rashid Al-Nuaimi, the Ruler of Ajman Emirates ing the story of martyr Fa’eq Abduljalil. and her team, as well as Brigadier Dr Khaled in UAE, on the demise of Sheikh Mohammad His Highness the Amir received Dr Athari Al-Kanderi. bin Nasser bin Rashid Al-Nuaimi, the son of Salem Salman Al-Sabah who presented a Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir and His the Deputy Ruler of Ajman. copy of her doctorate degree on constitutions Highness the Crown Prince separately In his cable His Highness voiced heartfelt balances in legislative practices. His Highness received His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al- and sincere condolences on the demise of the Amir received Brigadier Dr Khaled Al- Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. His Sheikh Mohammad, asking God Almighty to Kanderi who also presented a copy of his doc- Highness the Crown Prince also received forgive him and to bring solace to his family. torate degree on philosophy in Business President of Arab Shooting Union and His Highness the Crown Prince and His Administration. His Highness the Amir then President of Kuwait Shooting Union Duaij Al- Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber received Dr Majed Al-Enezi, who presented a Otaibi, and the Union’s members. The meet- Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- copy of his doctorate degree on Sharia Politics ing was attended by chairman of Protocols at cables. — KUNA Sabah meets Egyptian Minister of Justice Advisor Ahmad Al-Zend. — KUNA PM meets Egyptian Justice Minister

KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received the visiting Hamad Al-Sabah yesterday received the Egyptian Minister. Justice Minister Sane visiting Egyptian Minister of Justice also attended the meeting which was Advisor Ahmad Al-Zend and his accom- held at the National Assembly’s head- panying delegation. Minister of Justice quarters. Zend arrived in Kuwait late and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Sunday and held talks with senior offi- Yaqoub Al-Sane attended the meeting. cials. A judicial and legal agreement was Later, First Deputy Prime Minister and signed between the two sides. — KUNA

CANBERRA: Kuwait’s Ambassador to Australia Najeeb Al-Bader and Governor- General of the Commonwealth of Australia, General Sir Peter Cosgrove participate in a ceremony to mark Kuwait’s National and Liberation Days.—KUNA Ambassador lauds Canada’s role in Kuwait’s liberation

CAPITALS: Kuwait’s Ambassador to Canada sary of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Abdulhamid Al-Failakawi has commended Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s ascension to Canada’s role in the Liberation of Kuwait power. from the Iraqi invasion, 25 years ago. The ceremony was attended by Failakawi recalled efforts of the Canadian Governor-General of the Commonwealth troops in the war during a ceremony held of Australia, General Sir Peter Cosgrove and by the Ministry of Veterans’ Affairs in his wife Lynne Cosgrove and Kuwait’s Ottawa on Saturday, marking the 25th Ambassador to Australia Najeeb Al-Bader, anniversary of liberation. Deputy Speaker of the House of The event was attended by a host of Representatives Bruce Scott, along with senior government officials, topped with members of the diplomatic corps in Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Australia. The event was also attended by a Force and Chief of the Air Force Staff, who number of Kuwaiti students in Australia, had taken part in the 1991 war. Diplomats besides Kuwaiti embassy staff. from the member states of the internation- Kuwait’s Ambassador to Australia al coalition that led the war also attended. Najeeb Al-Bader gave a speech before the Failakawi voiced high appreciation by audience, in which he expressed his appre- the Kuwaiti people over the sacrifices of ciation to the Governor for attending the more than 4,000 Canadian troops for the event, stressing the importance of bolster- liberation of the country, upholding the ing bilateral ties between both countries. values of freedom and democracy. He The diplomat also endorsed the joint coop- described Canada as a true friend, and eration between both nations in various stressed Kuwait’s commitment to working fields and praised the firm position of hard for boosting bilateral ties in all fields, Australia in supporting Kuwait during the referring to a military cooperation agree- Iraqi invasion. ment recently signed between the two Governor-General of the countries. Commonwealth of Australia, General Sir Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Embassy in Peter Cosgrove meanwhile congratulated Australia celebrated the 55th anniversary of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- the National Day, the 25th anniversary of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the advent of the Liberation Day and the 10th anniver- the national festivities. —KUNA WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 LOCAL NATO Secretary General hopes Syria’s ceasefire extended beyond two weeks ‘Kuwait plays leading role in tackling regional threats’

KUWAIT: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg hoped cessation of hostilities agree- ment in Syria would be extended beyond its two-week period, while urging all parties in the Syrian conflict to fully respect the ceasefire. “There is an initial agreement on two weeks (cessation), and we would like to see it devel- oped into something much longer,” Stoltenberg said. An extended cessation of hostilities will form a “sustainable, lasting, negotiated political and peaceful solution for Syria,” he said. Stoltenberg urged all parties - the Syrian gov- ernment and opposition - to fully respect and implement the agreement, which he hoped would last further. “Our main focus is the impor- tance of respecting the agreement on cessation of hostilities, and largely it is respected,” he said in an interview with KUNA. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Monday that the ceasefire in Syria was holding “by and large,” and hoped the truce would be KUWAIT: Iraqi Ambassador Mohammed Hussein Bahruloloom (left) speaks during a extended beyond the two-week period. UN press conference with head of the civil crisis cell in the Iraqi cabinet Dr Mahdi Al- Security Council (UNSC) last Friday adopted Allaq Monday night. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat unanimously resolution 2268 endorsing a US- KUWAIT: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during an interview with Kuwait Russian statement on cessation of hostilities in News Agency (KUNA). — KUNA Syria, which would pave way for delivery of Al-Sabah, and First Deputy Premier and Foreign NATO was supporting Jordan and Tunisia with Group overseeing stability humanitarian supplies for those in need. Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al- capacity building and training. “We will soon The conflict in Syria, which broke out in Sabah. start training of Iraqi officers” to help them crack of liberated Iraqi areas March 2011, killed more than 250, 000 people The Brussels-based North Atlantic Treaty down on terrorist groups, like so-called Islamic and forced more than 12 million people to leave Organization was keen on meeting with the State (IS), he added. “In the long run, it is better their homes to safer havens, either within their leadership of Kuwait, he said, and to discuss how to train local forces instead of sending large meet in Kuwait: Official country or in neighboring nations. “we can move this cooperation even more for- numbers of foreign troops,” he said. The conflict became more complicated with ward.” Kuwait and NATO signed a Transit The US is leading an international coalition the Russians launching airstrikes against what Agreement that would facilitate transit of per- against IS in Syria and Iraq. The two countries are By Meshaal Al-Enezi were keen on liberating all territories from they said were terrorist groups including so- sonnel, supplies or equipment via Kuwait to experiencing conflicts that killed hundreds of IS in 2016 but warned that this might be called Islamic State (IS). “We are concerned NATO-led operations or activities in the whole thousands of people combined while forcing a KUWAIT: A work group formed by the UN delayed for a while because of the open about the significant increase of Russian military region, including in Afghanistan. The agreement massive forced deportation. and entrusted with achieving stability in borders with Syria. Allaq added that the presence in Syria,” said Stoltenberg. “confirmed the leading role, the key role Kuwait The conflict in Syria has been further compli- distressed areas in Iraq after liberating meeting discussing re-stabilizing liberated “We have seen substantial air forces, ground has in the region when it comes to facilitating cated with the Russians launching airstrikes them from the Islamic State (IS) held its areas like Tikrit, where over 90 percent of forces and naval forces in eastern cooperation with NATO,” said Stoltenberg. against what they said were terrorist groups fourth meeting in Kuwait, a senior Iraqi offi- the inhabitants have returned home. He Mediterranean. Most of the airstrikes conducted “This is important for our cooperation with including IS. “We are concerned about the signif- cial said. He added that the meeting was also noted that assessing the volume of by Russian planes are not directed against (IS) Kuwait, but also for increasing the role of Kuwait icant increase of Russian military presence in jointly headed by Germany and UAE and destruction in liberated areas needs to be (but) against other opposition groups, and being a hub for our activities in the whole region Syria,” said Stoltenberg. included 20 countries. done once those areas are cleared of thereby the main aim has been to support ... It will make it easy for NATO to have equip- “We have seen substantial air forces, ground Four Iraqi governorates have been dev- mines. (President Bashar) Assad” not to fight IS, he said. ment, personnel passing through Kuwait on its forces and naval forces in eastern astated by IS that destroyed the infrastruc- Responding to a question about fears of He pointed out that most of IS victims were way to Afghanistan, which is a big and impor- Mediterranean. Most of the airstrikes conducted ture and displaced three million people, a division of Iraq, Allaq said that much had Muslims. tant operation,” he added. He noted that coop- by Russian planes are not directed against (IS) Head of the civil crisis cell in the Iraqi cabi- been said about this since 2003 and that The Russian military operation caused an eration between NATO and Kuwait has increased ISIL (but) against other opposition groups, and net Dr Mahdi Al-Allaq said. facts have shown that the Iraqi people increase in the number of people forced to leave over the past years because “we have seen more thereby the main aim has been to support “Now that 85 percent of those lands are were keen on national unity, even in their homes, he said, with “more people becom- instability, more threats, more violence in the (President Bashar) Assad” not to fight IS, he said. liberated, IS remains besieged in Fallujah Kurdistan. Allaq said that donors have ing refugees because of the Russian bombard- region.” He added the two sides could work He pointed out that most of IS victims were where it is using civilians as human shields, already given the UN $50 million and that ment of Aleppo and its surrounding,” in addition together to fighting terrorism, extremism and Muslims. which makes it hard for our troops,” he said the sum was expected to rise to $80 mil- to creating a dangerous situation close to bor- addressing challenges of proliferation of WMD. during a press conference in the presence lion, while Kuwait paid $200 million on ders with NATO-member Turkey including air- “This is important for security of Kuwait, for the More refugees of Iraqi Ambassador Mohammed Hussein direct instructions from His Highness the space violence of Turkish and NATO airspace. region but of course for NATO,” he said. The Russian military operation caused an Bahruloloom Monday night. Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. He increase in the number of people forced to leave also noted that Kuwait has been sending Leading role Regional Center their homes, he said, with “more people becom- Open borders aid, movable field hospitals and caravans Meanwhile, Stoltenberg said that Kuwait is Part of cooperation between the two sides is ing refugees because of the Russian bombard- Allaq stressed that Iraqi armed forces to Iraq. playing a leading role in tackling instability and the establishment of what is called NATO-Kuwait ment of Aleppo and its surrounding,” in addition threats in the region, signing a Transit ICI Regional Center. The Kuwait-based center, to creating a dangerous situation close to bor- Agreement with NATO and building a regional the first permanent presence of NATO in the ders with NATO-member Turkey including air- Kuwait supports Abul Gaith center, to be a permanent presence for NATO in region stretching over more than 5,000 square space violence of Turkish and NATO airspace. the area. meters, will host different kinds of NATO activi- UN Security Council (UNSC) last Friday adopt- Kuwait is the first country to join the Istanbul ties like training, workshops, education and sem- ed unanimously resolution 2268 endorsing a US- as Arab League Secretary Cooperation Initiative (ICI), which was estab- inars offered by NATO trainers. Russian statement on cessation of hostilities in lished in 2004 with the aim of helping regional The Regional Center, due to open towards Syria, which would pave way for delivery of By A Saleh cluded his tenure and does not wish to countries develop military capabilities, including end of this year, would be the focal point for humanitarian supplies for those in need. renew it. The sources added that Egypt had the fight against terrorism and proliferation of NATO activities in the region and would serve “Our main focus is the importance of KUWAIT: Kuwait and other Gulf asked about GCC states’ opinion, adding weapons of mass destruction (MWD). ICI works Kuwait and regional countries. “The center will respecting the agreement on cessation of hos- Cooperation Council (GCC) states officially that none of them rejected the proposal on developing interpretability, ability of the two be a concrete expression of our cooperation, tilities, and largely it is respected,” said informed Egypt of their approval of nomi- and confirmed their intention to vote for sides working together, to have same standards and framework of our activities,” said Stoltenberg. He urged all parties to fully nating former Egyptian Foreign Minister Abul Gaith by the end of this month. “Egypt and be connected in different operations. Stoltenberg. Stoltenberg, meanwhile, said NATO respect and implement the agreement, which Ahmed Abul Gaith to run for the new Arab is mainly concerned about other Arab Stoltenberg described his visit to Kuwait yes- was now focusing on how to prevent crises by he hoped would last further. “There is an initial League Secretary General’s post, well- countries including Algeria, which is not so terday as “very important because it has shown building local capacity of countries in need. The agreement on two weeks (cessation), and we informed sources said. Abul Gaith, who enthusiastic about nominating Abul Gaith how important Kuwait is for NATO.” Stoltenberg alliance, for example, has been building capabili- would like to see it developed into something served under former Egyptian President and insists on rotating the post among met with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah ties of the Afghan forces to enable them fight much longer, and then form basis for sustain- Hosni Mubarak, would replace the current Arab countries,” explained the sources who Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the terrorism and extremism. able, lasting, negotiated political and peaceful Secretary General Nabil Al-Arabi who con- spoke on the condition of anonymity. Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad The same applies to the region, he added, as solution for Syria,” he said. — KUNA Zain becomes signatory to GSMA’s Humanitarian Connectivity Charter

BARCELONA: Zain Group, a leading mobile signatory, Zain Group CEO Scott Jennifer Suleiman, Head of Corporate resiliency and Zain’s technical teams and telecom innovator in eight markets across Gegenheimer commented, “Zain has and Sustainability and Social Responsibility at partners are capable of execution of disas- the Middle East and North Africa, has shall continue to work rigorously to Zain Group said, “We live and operate in a ter recovery plans to restore services within become a signatory to the GSMA’s improve the conditions of people in dis- region where the cost of human suffering acceptable timeframes. Humanitarian Connectivity Charter, which tressed or unfortunate situations. However, as a consequence of war and natural disas- was launched at Mobile World Congress in throughout history has been made abun- ter is all-too apparent. Thus it is not just our Overcoming challenges Barcelona in 2015. dantly clear that the pooling of efforts and responsibility but our duty to band togeth- At Zain, we have considerable experi- The industry-wide initiative is geared at resources often achieves more positive er and render whatever assistance is possi- ence in overcoming challenges that have demonstrating the commitment of the results than what can be done individually, ble, particularly at times of extreme need, resulted from crisis situations. One example mobile industry to supporting customers and we are thus looking forward to con- and we are up to working closely with our is in Iraq, when on August 23, 2014, an and responders before and during humani- tributing our efforts and resources under peers to achieve this under the banner of explosion resulted in major damage to one tarian emergencies. Through the Charter, the Charter.” the Charter.” of Zain’s core sites located nearby. The mobile network operators (MNOs) will Another principle included in the The principle to scale and standardize result was a complete outage of 850 net- commit to a common set of principles and work sites across six Iraqi provinces. Swiftly work towards the adoption of initiatives implementing our contingency plans focused on humanitarian connectivity. The allowed us to restore connectivity to three aim of this initiative is to create a more and a half provinces by the following day, coordinated and predictable response to with full service restoration achieved within disasters. A signing ceremony to honor the two days. The launch of the Humanitarian occasion was held at the Mobile World Connectivity Charter reflects the growing KFH distributes Congress in Barcelona between Zain and recognition within the mobile industry and the GSMA attended by Zain Group among government and responding stake- gifts to clients Chairman, Asaad Al Banwan; Zain Group holders of the crucial role that mobile plays CEO, Scott Gegenheimer; Zain Corporate during humanitarian crises. Mobile devices KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House (KFH) distributed Sustainability Head, Jennifer Suleiman and are often one of the first things people memorial gifts to its clients at the airport branch senior executives from both Zain and the reach for when disaster strikes. on the occasion of the national and liberation GSMA, as well as industry figures and inter- Over the last decade, 1.8 billion people national media. have been affected by disasters around the days, as part of the bank’s efforts to share celebra- Zain is one of the most active compa- world. The challenges posed by these crises tions of various occasions with the society. The air- nies, across sectors, in corporate sustain- are too large for any single entity to port bank branch was rendering services round ability and social responsibility within its address individually and the Charter will the clock throughout the holiday. region of operation, and the aspirations provide a vehicle for driving collaboration On this significant occasion, KFH managed to and principles expressed the Charter align and partnership both within the industry communicate with its clients by distributing seamlessly with its own efforts to render and with external partners. In this context, memorial gifts to them. The gifts represented a assistance wherever possible and improve ensuring preparedness and resiliency is gesture of greetings from KFH staff to the clients the lives of people consistently. BARCELONA: (From left) Zain Group Chairman Asaad Al-Banwan shakes hands with critical from both a sustainability and busi- on this dear occasion. Clients and staff exchanged With respect to the Charter’s principle to Lawrence Yanovitch, President of the GSMA Foundation alongside Corporate ness perspective. congratulations while praised Allah Almighty for enhance coordination within and among Sustainability Director, Jennifer Suleiman and Zain Group CEO, Scott Gegenheimer. The Charter is supported by the United keeping Kuwait as an oasis of security, peace and MNOs before, during and after a disaster; Nations Office for the Coordination of prosperity. Zain will engage with the other MNOs in its Charter is to strengthen partnerships preparedness and response activities Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), the UN It is noteworthy that KFH participated in several respective operating territories to facilitate between the mobile industry, government across the industry to enable a more pre- Emergency Telecommunications Cluster festivals, events and activities held on the national coordination. Emergency measures such and the humanitarian sector, and Zain, with dictable response has seen Zain establish a (ETC) and the International Federation of days such as participating in flag hoisting cere- as access site sharing, mobile base station the support of the GSMA, will lead the Business Continuity Management and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies monies at many places and government buildings, sharing, and waiver for inter-operator development of a partnership framework Disaster Recovery program in line with ISO (IFRC). It was created following two years of visiting Al Qurain House to immortalize the coun- call/SMS charges will be explored for engaging MNOs, telecommunications reg- 22301 for uniform implementation across industry workshops and collaboration facil- try’s martyrs in addition to many other events, humanitarian connectivity. ulators, government and humanitarian its operating companies. In order to sustain itated by the GSMA Disaster Response pro- which confirms the bank’s ceaseless efforts in bodies (Red Crescent, WHO) within its mission critical services (voice, SMS, data), gram, in association with UN agencies, achieving the social responsibility. More results region of operations to provide effective the underlying network elements and IT mobile operators, vendors and non-gov- Commenting on becoming a Charter response capabilities to society at large. platforms are designed with geographic ernment organizations (NGOs). WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 LOCAL

KUWAIT: The photo on the left provided by the Interior Ministry shows Assistant Undersecretary for General Security Major General Abdelfattah Al-Ali explains the security plan to Undersecretary Lieutenant General Suleiman Al-Fahad. Police arrest 4,000 in Jleeb crackdown, free 3,000 later Man leaps to death in bank branch

By Hanan Al-Saadoun cide. The exact motives behind the incident flames. No injuries were reported. were not immediately known. Investigations are KUWAIT: Over four thousand people were ongoing. Drug possession arrested during a crackdown on lawbreakers in Two persons were arrested at a checkpoint in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh yesterday, but around 3,000 Infant found Mangaf while being in an inebriated state, were later released, the Ministry of Interior Investigations are underway to identify a according to the police report. The two, Kuwaitis, announced. Out of 4,015 people detained dur- child who was left inside a box that was found were arrested with possession of 28 suspected ing the campaign, only 1,053 were sent for near camel pens in the desert yesterday. The boy illicit tablets. They were sent to concerned deportation while the remaining 2,962 were was taken to a nearby medical facility. Police are authorities. released after their papers were inspected, the working on identifying the infants’ parents in ministry’s Relations and Security Media order to arrest and question them. Students safe Department said in a statement. Policemen A vehicle turned turtle in front of a girl’s raided targeted places in order to gain total Fisherman drowns school in Jahra, but no injuries were reported. control over all outlets of the area and keep sus- An Asian fisherman drowned when he went pects from escaping, the statement reads. under the waters to repair a boat but never Undersecretary Lieutenant General Suleiman Al- came out. A rescue team went in search for the Municipality statistics Fahad led the ‘wide scale security campaign,’ victim and were able to find his body an hour A statistical report prepared by Kuwait and was accompanied by Assistant later. The body was taken by Criminal Evidence Municipality’s Public Relations Department Undersecretary for General Security Major Investigation Department personnel to the coro- revealed that the Violations Removal General Abdelfattah Al-Ali, and Assistant ner. An investigation was opened in the case. Department collected KD 3,215 in fines and Undersecretary for Central Operations Major equipment moving fees during January 2016. General Jamal Al-Sayegh. No injuries in fire The report further indicates that the number of Firefighters from three fire stations tackled a violating signs reached 157, while 31 warnings Suicide blaze reported at a construction material store. were issued and 36 signs were removed. The A Bangladeshi man jumped to his death from Firefighters from the Shuhada, Shuwaikh and number of cleanliness violations reached 13, the second floor inside a local bank’s branch, Mishref fire stations first isolated the warehouse while 59 warning stickers were placed on aban- said security sources. The case was filed as a sui- where the fire was reported before tackling the doned cars, the report says. Kuwaiti killed by pet lion in Saudi Arabia

HAFR AL BATIN, Saudi Arabia: A young Kuwaiti man died yesterday after being attacked by a pet lioness. The man was mauled by the lioness at a recreational facility in Hafr Al Baten, near the border with Kuwait, while trying to train the lioness. The main trainer for the lioness had left the man to go to the shop when the attack happened. Neither of the men involved were immediately named. The Kuwaiti man died from injuries to his neck and thighs. The main trainer, who called for help, killed the lioness after the attack. Keeping wild animals, especially lions and tigers, has grown in popularity in recent years in the Gulf Cooperation Council states despite authorities warning against the practice. In late 2014, a Filipina housemaid died after being mauled by a lion kept domestical- ly at a house in Kuwait. Lourdes Hingco Abejuela died at a hospital in Kuwait days after she was attacked by the wild animal. Kuwait’s parlia- A picture that went viral on social ment has called for legislation prohibiting the purchase or sale of media and allegedly shows the exotic animals to private individuals. Still wild cats and other exotic lioness after it was shot dead follow- animals can be purchased through social media accounts in Kuwait. ing its fatal attack. TUNIS: Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Sabah is pictured soon after arriving to Tunisia to partake in the 33rd Arab interior ministers’ meeting. — KUNA Interior Minister urges wider NGOs subjected equally to the law: Minister Arab security cooperation By Meshaal Al-Enezi Network restored The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) has located a cut TUNIS: Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister fight terrorism, organized, cybercrimes mote their ideologies, he said. KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and in a cable providing some companies, public establish- and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad and other challenges to Arab countries’ On the meeting, he stated the minis- Minister of State for Planning and Development Hind Al- ments, Kuwait University and a number of ministries with Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah underlined yes- security and stability. He explained that ters would tackle a wide array of key Subaih stressed that all nongovernmental organizations Internet services and landlines and it is being fixed and terday the importance of broader control no economic or social development issues relevant to the security situation, (NGOs) and charities are equally subjected to the law, will be reactivated soon. In other news, MPW’s assistant cooperation among Arab security agencies could be achieved in absence of security challenges and means to boost mutual adding that the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor undersecretary for roads engineering Ahmad Al-Hessan to counter growing security threats. and stability. cooperation. The minister was received (MSAL) and other relevant authorities’ approval is a must said that 83.5 percent of building, executing and main- In statements to KUNA and Kuwait TV Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled pointed at the airport earlier today by Interior to allow any of them carry out a project. Referring to taining intersections along the middle part of Jahra road upon arrival to Tunis to partake in the out that the rapidly developing technol- Minister Hedi Majdoub, Justice Minister allowing the Social Reform Society alone to build have been completed. 33rd Arab interior ministers’ meeting, ogy has left some negative effects on Omar Mansour, Arab Interior Ministers’ schools, institutes, universities and training centers, which start today, Sheikh Mohammad security. Arab security bodies should be Council Secretary General Mohammad Subaih denied that this was something new and Rainwater said that establishing effective coopera- equipped with the latest technology to Bin Ali Koman, Kuwait Ambassador to stressed that it was already included in the society’s Kuwait Municipality stressed that its teams were fully tion and coordination among Arab interi- prevent cybercrimes and misuse of the Tunisia Ali Al-Thefiri and several embassy basic charter and that charters of other charities like the alert to deal with rainwater accumulations in various or ministries has become a must to help new technology by extremists to pro- staff members. — KUNA Islamic Heritage Revival Society, Al-Najat, Al-Theqalain, areas in order to ensure steady traffic flows on all roads Abdullah Al-Nouri and Direct Aid charities also include and within residential areas. In this regard, the cleaning such goals and allows them to build educational insti- manager at Ahmadi municipality Faihan Al-Mutairi said tutes. “However, and regardless of the basic charter, any that his teams had used municipality pumps to remove Warba bank celebrates national days charity or NGO cannot carry out any project without such accumulated rainwater in Fahd Al-Ahmad. MSAL’s written permission,” she warned. Subaih added that a committee was being formed to Signs for services with children’s hospital patients reassess all NGOs’ and charities’ primary laws as well as Municipal Council member Yousef Al-Ghareeb the ideal basic charter set in 2005. Subaih said that MSAL suggested using signs at each area’s entrance show- KUWAIT: Being a leading Islamic bank oper- the 25th of liberation with children with can- to games performed by kids’ beloved cartoon was currently investigating over 800 cases of unlawfully ing the location of the area’s police station, polyclinic, ating in full respect to the Islamic Sharia cer. The visit, held on Feb 22nd 2016 provided characters which reflected the national colors receiving social aid. “There will be no tolerance with any petrol station, co-op, co-op branches, banks and oth- which is marked with tolerance and mercy memorable moments for both Warba Bank and overwhelmed kids with a deep national unlawful aid recipients,” she stressed. er services. and in line with its corporate social responsi- Public Relations team and the kids who have sensation marked with Kuwait love. bility program, Warba bank has recently spent joyous moments inspired from the Warba bank PR team was keen to spend arranged for a visit to the National Bank of national celebrations for kids. quality time with children, where they were Kuwait children’s hospital and celebrated the The visit program included a series of keen to visit all kids, out of those who weren’t 55th commemoration of independence and entertainment sessions ranged from contests able to attend the celebration due to their health condition, in their rooms giving them gifts and national day collaterals The occasion was a true celebration for both kids and parents who have spent an unforgettable time in an ambiance full of joy and happiness which greatly helped to wipe, even temporarily, the moments of pain and suffer. Warba bank stated: “we take pride to have KUWAIT: Information and Youth Affairs Minister Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud Al-Sabah meets KRSC been able to draw a smile on our children Chief Dr Hilal Al-Sayer and his deputy Anwar Al-Hasawi. — KUNA faces which is was the prime objective to achieve out of our visit to them”. “Warba bank is deeply committed towards the community Info Minister lauds KRCS’ therefore we wanted to celebrate with the children of Kuwait the occasion and simulta- humanitarian endeavors neously giving them our support during the world cancer month” KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Minister of State The KRSC’s officials expressed their appreciation to Since its inception, Warba bank has been for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al- the ministry on highlighting KRCS aid campaigns keen to support its leading position in the Humoud Al-Sabah lauded humanitarian work carried delivered to the Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Kuwaiti society as being the fast-growing out by Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS). This Jordan, as well as other humanitarian assistance dis- bank operating according to Islamic Shariah remark was made by Sheikh Salman after a meeting patched to the displaced in Iraq and Yemen. The and as the leading Kuwaiti institution com- with KRSC Chief Dr Hilal Al-Sayer and his deputy Minister was given a book that documents 50 years of mitted to secure both prosperity and happi- Anwar Al-Hasawi, the Ministry of Information said in a KRCS’ humanitarian work. — KUNA ness of the society. press statement yesterday. LOCAL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016

KUWAIT: Students are awarded following a mock trial organized by the Kuwait International Law Society. — Photos by Joseph Shagra Law society holds mock trial for KU students

By Nawara Fattahova the Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and stage of the competition. learnt at the faculty. The students pre- rights and trade relations fields. The win- Spa. Twenty-two students from the facul- The activity was held to give an sented mock cases related to internation- ners were then awarded by the jury com- KUWAIT: The Kuwait International Law ty of law at Kuwait University (KU) com- opportunity to law students to practice al law and used examples of real conflicts mittee consisting of general prosecutors Society held a mock trial on Monday at peted in the event, which was the final the theoretic information they have between some countries in the human and judges. Young Kuwaitis trained Scouting movement in Kuwait in the culinary arts promotes peace: Minister KUWAIT: The scouting movement in By Nawara Fattahova Kuwait always promoted friendship and peace since its inception, said KUWAIT: People in Kuwait are known Minister of Education and Minister of for their passion for food and are Higher Education Dr Bader Al-Essa said always on the lookout for new restau- yesterday. Speaking to the press after rants and cuisines. There is even now the opening of the eighth conference a plan to make Kuwait the ‘food capi- for the Arab Scouting Federation, Dr tal of the world’ and there are many Essa said that His Highness the Amir successful concepts. As part of these Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- efforts to encourage young citizens to Sabah’s patronage of the event reflect- develop their entrepreneurial pas- ed the strong desire on part of Kuwait sions in the culinary arts, a local chef to further contribute to the Arab collaborated with the Ministry of scouting movement. Youth Affairs to organize an initiative The scouting movement is an aimed at offering young would-be extension of its educational counter- restaurateurs’ and chefs basic training part, said the minister, affirming that it on the food industry in Kuwait. taught young individuals all about Kuwaiti entrepreneur Fatma Al- honor, dignity, and the values of help- Tawari recently launched and success- Fatma Al-Tawari ing others under all circumstances. KUWAIT: Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr Bader Al- fully implemented the Houf initiative ticipants, so that each program will al, and I also gave lectures for three The Kuwaiti minister welcomed the Essa opens the eighth conference for the Arab Scouting Federation. — KUNA for strengthening and improving include 50 participants. But we only days on how to prepare sauces, spices, delegations partaking in the confer- together to come out with resolutions In the meantime, head of the cooking and culinary skills of ama- accepted 50 participants since they all pickles and mixing different types of ence and hoped that the event would that would be beneficial for the scout- Kuwaiti Scouting Federation teurs and professionals in Kuwait. The wanted to register for all eight pro- herbs. I told them from where they contribute to the development of the ing movement in the region. Mohammad Al-Dubiyan lauded dur- ministry did a thorough feasibility grams. About 270 people registered should buy the spices, how should they scouting movement in the Arab world. Jraiya also welcomed the recent ing his speech the tremendous efforts study before approving the initiative. online, and only 50 were chosen, with prepare the sauces, etc. The partici- Meanwhile, head of the Arab addition of the UAE and Qatar in the played by the Arab federation, affirm- It also provides strategic sponsorship priority for those who registered first. I pants also attended a live chef station Scouting Federation Mohammad Al- membership of the organization, ing that it played a major role in coor- and financial support to the project. wanted to return the favor to the at Shuwaikh Market, where some work- Jraiya thanked the Kuwaiti leadership affirming that more countries are wel- dinating efforts to boost relations community through this initiative,” shops were also held. We also held lec- for its generous patronage of the con- comed to join. The chief topic of this amongst members. The official also From idea to reality she added. tures at the Kuwait National Library, ference and took the chance to con- event will be the establishment of an hoped that the conference would This month-long initiative was where participants learned skills such gratulate Kuwait on the advent of its online magazine that would highlight come out with resolutions in favor of launched in February, with registra- Training program as table etiquette, catering, specialized national celebrations. He called on the scouting activities in the Arab world, developing the scouting movement in tion open to Kuwaitis between 14 to Various activities were held as part photography, basics of professional heads of the Arab delegations to work said the official. the region. — KUNA 34 years of age of both genders. “This of this initiative. “Houf includes cook- cooking, and many others. I also creat- initiative targets those who have ideas ing workshops, field trips, lectures and ed a WhatsApp group that included all related to the food business or small other activities. Participants visited the participants including the trainers, entrepreneurs. What inspired me to catering companies, factories, Kuwait so they could share their experiences come up with this idea was my own Flour Mills and Bakeries Company and and knowledge,” Tawari stated. business in this field (preparing others. I was keen to let the partici- This initiative could be repeated sauces and spices), and I met many pants witness the projects and catering again. “I would really like to repeat young entrepreneurs and amateurs activities personally, so we visited this initiative as I received a lot of aiming to start a business with great some agricultural projects in various positive feedback and the demand ideas and passion but lacking any farms in Wafra. In this way, we intro- was high from both the participants guidance. For instance, there are no duced the two parties to each other so and the companies, and even the professional photographers specializ- they can do business together, and the trainers praised this experience. The ing in food imagery, proper market- farms can supply their restaurants. The trainers were from Kuwait from vari- ing, or even how to prepare a dish for same applied to the catering compa- ous fields including nutritionists, 200 people,” Tawari told Kuwait Times. nies. We also visited Safir Hotel in Bneid chefs, a doctor who owns a laborato- Houf is made up of eight programs. Al-Gar,” explained Tawari. ry for testing food products and oth- “Initially, we planned to have 400 par- “I supervised the program in gener- ers,” concluded Tawari. Health Ministry hosts 21 int’l doctors in March

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health Dosari. The visits also give patients the The consultants are highly qualified announced yesterday that it would be opportunity to receive advanced doctors specializing in Neurosurgery hosting 21 international visiting con- treatment without going through the and ophthalmology, orthopedics and sultants in public hospitals during trouble of seeking medical care general surgery, as well as in fields of March. The visits come within the abroad. Chemotherapy, oncology, nutrition, framework of the visiting doctors’ pro- The visiting doctors are set to lec- Physical medicine and rehabilitation, gram which aims to share their expe- ture and participate in scientific work- he added. The selection of doctors is riences with international universities shops, in addition to medical semi- based on recommendations made by and medical centers, said Director of nars that would help improve services the various heads of medical depart- Public Relations and Media Faisal Al- provided for the residents of Kuwait. ments. — KUNA

Kuwait keen on activating health cooperation with South Korea SEOUL: Kuwait is keen on activating coopera- tion with South Korea in the health field, Kuwait’s Ambassador in Seoul Jassem Al- Budaiwi said yesterday. Budaiwi made the remarks on the sidelines of his meeting with Minister of Health and Welfare in South Korea Chung Chin-youb during the opening of the International Health Service Center in Seoul for international patients to provide health servic- es for them. The diplomat stressed the importance of South Korean President Park Geun-hye’s visit to Kuwait last March, followed by the visit of Kuwait’s Minister of Health Dr Ali Al-Obaidi to KIB distributes gifts to parents South Korea that was aimed to develop bilater- al relations and cooperation in the health field. of newborns on February 25, 26 He also praised the level of medical services in South Korea’s hospitals, including highly-quali- KUWAIT: While celebrating the gifts to parents of the babies who were fied doctors in various fields. — KUNA National and Liberations Days, Kuwait born in Hadi Clinic on February 25th International Bank (KIB) distributed and 26th.” special gifts among parents of the new- On the other side, Dr Faten Fahad borns on February 25th and 26th, in Al-Mailam, Deputy General Manager of cooperation with Hadi Clinic, one of the Hadi Clinic expressed her pride and leading hospitals in Kuwait. This comes gratitude to have such initiative with as a result of the bank’s aim to share the KIB, which translates Hadi Clinic’s celebrations of these two special occa- approach and strategy to provide sions with citizens and expats. high-quality healthcare services that The Team Leader - Corporate set new standards in the private health Communications at KIB, Fahad Al- sector. She also praised KIB’s active role Sarhan said, “As a leading Islamic insti- in supporting various social activities SEOUL: Kuwaiti Ambassador in Seoul tution, KIB strives to participate in such and mainly the medical sector that is Jassem Al-Budaiwi is pictured with occasions as part of its social responsi- considered one of the most vital sec- Minister of Health and Welfare in South bility program; and this year we went tors that serves a wide base of seg- Korea Chung Chin-youb. — KUNA the extra mile and presented special ments, both citizens and expats. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 FROM THE ARABIC PRESS

Al-Qabas Crime Report Shaheed Park and the Five injured in Fintas fight secret of its success KUWAIT: Five citizens were involved in a bloody fight using sharp objects in Fintas. Two of them received various stab wounds, and it was found the fight was over earlier By Iqbal Al-Ahmad disputes. Policemen responded and brought the fighters under control. The injured were taken to Adan Hospital, veryone is commending the Shaheed Park and all are while the others were taken to Fintas police station. Legal fascinated with it, and this is something nice that procedures are being taken against them. Ebrings back high spirits for us. But if we wonder about the reason of this acceptance, we would have known the success aspects of any project in Kuwait compared with past long years. Shaheed Park is one of the projects the Patient escaped A psychiatric patient escaped with a friend who was Amiri Diwan carried out with all its authorities, very quietly, waiting in the parking lot of the psychiatric hospital, without ruckus, objections, political stands or any other rea- after attacking and beating the nurses. sons that stall many of our projects, with regret. Regardless of any negatives some people may talk about the Amiri Diwan carrying out projects, I personally commend them, because it surprises us with vital and pres- Search for impersonator tigious projects and adds much to the human being in A citizen accused a man of claiming to be a member of the Kuwait. You get surprised that a huge project such as the ruling family and urging her to commit indecent acts. beautiful cultural centers are about to be completed, with- When she rejected his advances, he threatened her. She out reading in papers that the National Assembly objected filed a complaint at Jabriya police station. The citizen said she was bombarded with calls and texts from an unidenti-

or an MP accused, or another doubted, so construction Al-Anbaa stopped and the handover was delayed. fied person who claimed to be a sheikh. When she asked Shaheed Park is also among the projects whose man- The world’s him to stop, he threatened to hurt her. Hawally detectives agement was given to a group of wonderful youth who priorities are working on the case. honor Kuwait society with their seriousness at work and organization. The youth of LOYAC are a group of youth who Fake policemen steal bike were cared for and formed a harmonized working team that Three thieves posing as detectives stole the motorcy- made a beehive out of this park. cle of a citizen and dumped him in an area behind The park’s management is in the hands of Kuwaiti youth, Al-Anbaa Jabriya police station. A security source said while the and the continued activities since its opening are presented citizen was riding his bike on Fahaheel Expressway, he by Kuwaiti youth of both genders, which created a youthful The past may be an example was surprised by an SUV with three persons inside, environment radiating with activity and enthusiasm, and who stopped him and claimed to be detectives. They this is what Kuwait needs and wants today. The youth spirit asked him to go along with them, but as soon as he is very important in all our future projects, because it is the By Dr Nermin Al-Houti got off his bike, one of them got on it and rode away, spirit that will lift us from the swamp of despair and disap- while the other two took the biker to Jabriya and pointment, which we attempt to get out of every day, and e read a statement by the education minister calls for recognizing them as a group that belongs to our asked him to get out before driving off. Fintas detec- we will succeed because of our youth whose capabilities we saying that “there will not be expulsions of society, so what is their legitimacy? Civilization is not in tives are investigating. tremendously trust. Whomosexuals from schools, applied education changing genders Allah Almighty created us with, and I, along with others, was surprised with the names of old institutes or the university.” Here we tell the minister if progress does not mean that we imitate the fake crusts personalities - and we almost forgot them after they quit this statement is true, then he should go back to the of advanced societies; rather development is in looking official work for one reason or another - leading our future Kidnap foiled past in which he and us lived, and all our customs, tradi- at and following the core that made advanced societies Ahmadi governorate detectives are searching for two per- through a committee that was given huge future projects in tions and values coming out of Islam, the Holy Quran advanced at all times. We hoped the statement of the sons who attempted to kidnap a Jordanian girl from a managing Kuwait’s islands. These types of projects need and sayings of the Prophet (PBUH), and the stories of our education minister was about developing school curric- mall. The girl said the two suspects behaved indecently youthful thinking that sees the future differently from a per- grandfathers that were told to us about noble and great ula or adopting innovative minds in science and litera- with her and harassed her inside the mall, and after she son who is past 60, 70 and 80 years of age, and those are personalities that influenced Kuwait and Arab world. We ture and develop their ideas, or improve reading in our left, one of the men attempted to bundle her in their car. the ages of some members of this committee. ask the minister: Do you remember any story or event schools and be interested in the art of taking informa- The two groped her, but she managed to escape. We respect experiences, and we also respect the wish to based on a hero who is homosexual? tion. benefit from those experiences, but they should not be a I remember during my childhood when the ‘hippie’ Our words today are coming out of a parent who feature of appeasement and deprive Kuwait youth from the fad came along and many youth grew their hair long, refuses to have a homosexual sit next to her son. Our opportunities, and have all the attributes of leadership, unbuttoned their shirts and wore necklaces to imitate column has many question marks about the future of Shooting in Mangaf innovation and clear vision that is based on a bright future. Westerners, policemen uses to catch and take them to education in our society. Our words are calling upon Interior Ministry authorities are looking for a person The project of investing in islands and turning them into the police station and shave their heads. Your Excellency, decision makers to take the past as an example for who showered a diwaniya in Mangaf with bullets attractions through which we compensate what hit and will this is our nature, and this is our faith, and today the them. under mysterious circumstances, according to a pre- hit oil incomes, needs a youthful hand that is able to carry society is asked to agree and live with a group that was A final word: Allah Almighty says in Surah Al-Araf: liminary investigation. Police from Abu Halaifa police this responsibility and goes ahead with it in the coming not mentioned in history, and were not mentioned in “And (remember) Lout (Lot), when he said to his people: station responded to a call about the firing, and when years, not an old hand that does not have muscles and heavenly religions, and the constitution did not give “Do you commit the worst sin such as none preceding they arrived, the man who called told them that an nerves required for the coming difficult period. them constitutional rights. you has committed in the ‘alamin (mankind and jinn)?” unidentified person entered the diwaniya and fired his —Translated by Kuwait Times The words of the education minister are a law that — Translated by Kuwait Times weapon before fleeing. — Al-Rai and Al-Anbaa

Citizens partners in Silk City, Interior Minister solves islands projects: Sheikh Mohammad Syrian passengers’ problem KUWAIT: Minister of State for Cabinet carry it out jointly. “We have not Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al- reached a decision yet,” he underlined, KUWAIT: The issue pertaining with cials. Jarrah said things are going in Abdullah Al-Sabah stressed the signifi- pointing that both projects would not deporting scores of Syrians who the direction of being settled and cance of citizens’ role as partners in cost the state budget anything except arrived in the country on Friday and granted those who have passports the Silk City and the islands projects, the cost needed to establish a holding Saturday using passports that were that do not meet international stan- who would share the fruits of devel- company to run them. “The govern- considered ‘forged’ and were dards to bring proof that the data is opment to be achieved through them. ment will run facilities in both projects returned back to where they came correct from the Syrian embassy. Sheikh Mohammad also stressed the through partnership with citizens,” he from was dealt with. Deputy Prime Meanwhile, security sources said significance of the National added, noting that the cost the gov- Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh that the interior ministry gave the Assembly’s partnership on views ernment would pay would only be Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Sabah foreign ministry a report on why the about Silk City and added that the that of the land to be provided, signed letters of ‘to whom it may Syrians were not allowed entry, stat- islands project complements Silk City. whereas private sector partners would concern’ in order to solve the prob- ing they numbered 85 persons, “There are no contradictions,” he build the projects. lem, especially since many of the because the automated reader at the added, pointing out that the Cabinet “The Silk City project was priori- Syrian nationals affected have chil- airport could not read their pass- and the planning council both share tized for economic reasons with the dren. ports, which shows they were forged. the same views on both projects. aim of serving citizens and providing The Syrians were deported at 9 When asked about the reason why Sheikh Mohammad explained that them with all means of welfare,” pm on Sunday to Dubai, but UAE the system could not read the pass- Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah the difference between both projects Sheikh Mohammad added, noting authorities returned them back. ports although they were issued by Al-Sabah lies in the fact that the Silk City project that the private sector would have the Sources said communications were Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Syrian authorities, the sources said was the result of decade-long studies Sheikh Mohammad said that dis- upper hand in the project, and a spe- also going on between the Syrian Al-Sabah the reason is that the system could while the islands project is a major cussions were in progress to shift cial legislation needs to be set to pro- charge d’affaires in Kuwait Ghassan not read the security line because Anjareeni and the Ministry of Residency Affairs Major General the papers are copied, and not one to develop five of Kuwait’s islands Boubyan Island’s development from vide guarantees to the state and privi- Mazen Al-Jarrah, who followed up including Boubyan. the Silk City to the islands project or to leges for investors. — Al-Rai Interior’s (MoI) Assistant European prints. The passports also Undersecretary for Nationality and the issue with Syrian embassy offi- did not have a security code. —Al-Rai

MP mediates to send 1,100 for treatment abroad News in brief KUWAIT: Parliamentary affairs entered the political polar- izations zone through a complaint submitted to the gov- ernment in a private meeting based on the statement of MP Saif Al-Azmi with regards to his admission of 93 stu- Officer issues 60 domestic dent officers in Saad Al-Abdullah Security Science and Ali labor visas under his name Sabah Al-Salem Military Colleges. Informed sources said that processing all these transactions for one MP increased KUWAIT: An informed security source said that several the embarrassment of MPs in public, adding that the medi- employees and officers in the service centers department ation of one MP was accepted to send 1,100 treatment are under investigation for involvement in issuing domes- abroad cases lately, adding the “treatment abroad MP” tic help visas in numbers that exceed what is allowed for threatened to “speak out” if he felt seriousness in parlia- several citizens. The source said that among those being mentary moves to reduce the government’s dealings with investigated is an officer who issued nearly 60 visas in his his transactions. — Al-Qabas name in one year. — Al-Qabas

Despite ministry orders, some schools raise fees ABK celebrates National, Labor safety KUWAIT: An official source at the Manpower Public KUWAIT: Despite the Education Ministry’s orders which Liberation Days with staff Authority (MPA) said the authority gave strict bans increasing private school fees for the 2016/2017 instructions to search establishments, companies, academic year, a number of schools are already asking KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) with the aim of spreading and more information on Al Ahli Bank of locations and labor residences to revive law 6/2010 for tuitions with up to 12 percent increases. For example, marked the conclusion of its celebra- strengthening the national spirit Kuwait please visit www.eahli.com or concerning occupational safety. The source said one school has raised the fees from KD 1,730 to KD 1,900 tions for National and Liberation Day among its employees and the com- contact an ABK representative via ‘Ahli strict measures are being taken over violations for the kindergarten stage, from KD 2,775 to KD 3,050 for by celebrating this occasion with its munities in which it operates. Chat’ or by contacting a customer regardless of their nature in all that contradicts the the preliminary stage, and from KD 4,415 to KD 4,850 for staff members on 24 February, 2016. A video of the event can be viewed service agent via ‘Ahlan Ahli’ at providing of occupational safety for workers as well high school, according to sources. Parents were told to All employees at the Head Office and on ABK’s instagram @abk_kuwait. For 1899899. as suitable residences, and there will not be any pay KD 200 within six days in order to reserve a seat for across all branches were presented complacency in dealing with those violations. MPA their child next year, the sources added. with the Kuwait flag and themed pins urged employers to comply with the rules to avoid In other news, the Ministry of Health started prepar- upon arrival, and enjoyed traditional having their files closed permanently. — Al-Anbaa ing lists containing the names of children of expatriate sweets and hot drinks throughout the doctors working in public medical facilities, so that they day. can be enrolled in public schools next years. A doctor The Bank marked the start of its should have a minimum of five years of service in a pub- National and Liberation day celebra- Social security lic hospital or polyclinic, an ‘excellent’ evaluation during tions earlier this month as it lit up its 2013 and 2014, and to have children under the age of 18 headquarters with the colors of the in order to benefit from this stipulation, sources said. A KUWAIT: The total amounts invested by the Public Kuwaiti flag. The light show contin- Institution for Social Security by the end of the fiscal year maximum of 250 students will be absorbed into public ued throughout the whole month of schools next year according to the Ministry of Education. 2014/2015 reached KD 27.8 billion, including KD 10.7 bil- February. lion as deposits. According to a recent report by the Audit Separately, education ministry sources estimated the ABK will continue to demonstrate percentage of students’ absence in schools around Bureau, social security continued to maintain huge its commitment towards the Kuwait deposits while the authority’s strategy allows investing a Kuwait on the first day following the national holidays at community by celebrating its national 40 percent. — Al-Anbaa maximum of 10 percent instead of the current deposits holidays every year with its people, that add up to 38.5 of the investments. — Al-Qabas WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016

Pachauri charged Israeli troops stray into camp, sparking clashes with stalking, harassment Page 8 Page 11

ATLANTA: Voters line up to fill out forms to place their ballots at Saint Philip AME church on Super Tuesday yesterday. — AFP Trump, Clinton set for big wins Frontrunners eye ‘Super Tuesday’ boost

WASHINGTON/AUGUSTA: Donald Trump looked properly, but his explanations failed to satisfy ing the Republican Party but expanding its ranks. poised to strengthen his lead in the Republican many. “We’re getting people into the party we’ve never presidential race when 11 states vote yesterday, an “If a person wants to be the nominee of the had before,” he told ABC’s “Good Morning America” Before Trump, there was outcome likely to intensify concerns among party Republican Party, there must be no evasion and no yesterday. “We’re getting Democrats coming in, leaders who consider him a usurper. In the games. They must reject any group or cause that is we’re getting independents coming.” Ventura and a big victory Democratic race, former Secretary of State Hillary built on bigotry,” House of Representatives Speaker One of those independents, Gwendolyn Beck, CHICAGO: He was a candidate few thought promotion than winning public office. But soon Clinton would go a long way toward cementing Paul Ryan said in Washington yesterday. Ryan did was putting up Trump signs across Arlington, one stood a chance. Best known as a television he was dominating media coverage and her path to the nomination if she scores big victo- not mention Trump by name but his target was of Virginia’s most liberal areas, when she was con- showman, he seemed more interested in self- debate stages, each pungent remark only ries of her own over democratic socialist Bernie clear. With a string of victories on Tuesday, Trump fronted by a Sanders supporter carrying a 2-year- endearing him more to a disenchanted public. Sanders on Super Tuesday. would advance his strong lead over Cruz, US old. “I came here to tell you you’re a terrible per- Then Jesse “The Body” Ventura became gover- Opinion polls showed Trump leading in nearly Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, Ohio Governor son,” Mark Blacknell, 40, told Beck before walking nor of Minnesota. all the states that will hold primary contests or cau- John Kasich and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson. into a nearby polling place. He said later he was Well before Donald Trump shook up the cuses, many of them in the South. The exception appalled to see Trump signs being put up in the race for the Republican presidential nomina- appeared to be Texas, the home state of US Republican Unease Washington suburb. The encounter reflected the tion, there was Ventura, the former professional Senator Ted Cruz, who enjoyed a narrow lead and The prospect of a Trump victory has alarmed acrimonious nature of the 2016 campaign and the wrestler, radio talk show host and suburban was in desperate need of a victory. Super Tuesday Republican Party leaders, many of whom do not divisions it has laid bare among Republicans, mayor who - in his own election-night words - is the biggest single day of state-by-state contests support his positions and who believe Clinton adding to the traditional split between the two “shocked the world” with his improbable 1998 to select party nominees for the Nov 8 election to would easily defeat him in November if she major American political parties. victory. succeed Democratic President Barack becomes the Democratic nominee. The crossfire As Trump looks to expand his delegate lead in Super Tuesday contests and further show Obama.Voting stretches from eastern states to between Trump and establishment Republicans Clinton Leads in South that he’s for real, the similarities between his Texas and Minnesota, with the first polls closing at threatens to rip the party apart at a time when it On the Democratic side, polls show Clinton, campaign and Ventura’s continue to grow. The 7 pm EST (midnight GMT) in Vermont, Virginia and will need to generate momentum behind a who has won three of the first four Democratic billionaire businessman enters the biggest day Georgia and first results expected soon after. prospective nominee. That worries some contests, with a big lead in six Southern states that of the race so far with several wins under his Trump has stunned many in the Republican Republican strategists looking ahead to the nomi- have large blocs of black voters, who have been belt and exuding confidence about his chances establishment with campaign pledges such as nating convention in July. “If Trump continues win- slow to warm to Sanders, a US senator from in the contests across the Deep South. His top building a wall along the US southern border with ning, disappointed party elites will need to recon- Vermont. Sanders has been aiming for wins in five rivals, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, are struggling Mexico, deporting 11 million illegal immigrants cile with supporting the party nominee,” said Tim other states yesterday - Vermont, neighboring to contain him. and slapping a temporary ban on Muslims enter- Albrecht, a Republican strategist in Iowa. Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Minnesota and “Jesse’s success is the perfect case history to show this can happen,” said Bill Hillsman, a ing the country. The former reality TV star, who Rubio saw his support increase among Colorado. One factor helping Clinton is a focus on MINNEAPOLIS: In this Jan 7, 2007, file fires up crowds by mocking his rivals and critics, Republican voters after a strong debate perform- getting her voters to make their choices early. Minneapolis ad man and close Ventura adviser photo, potential Reform Party presi- who came up with several memorable cam- faced heavy criticism this week over his failure to ance last week, rising to 20 percent from 14 per- More than half the delegates needed to secure the dential candidate Donald Trump (left) reject white supremacists’ support during a CNN cent, a Reuters-Ipsos poll found. Trump still domi- Democratic nomination will be chosen in March paign ads, including one that depicted Ventura speaks at a news conference with Gov as an action figure who tells special interests: “I interview on Sunday. Trump later disavowed that nated the field with 42 percent support. Trump with contests in 28 states, and more than a third of Jesse Ventura. — AP don’t want your stupid money.” —AP support, saying he had not heard the questions cites his high poll numbers as proof he is not divid- those have early voting. — Reuters Indian army candidates stripped to foil cheating

NEW DELHI: India’s army made candidates at a dals in the eastern state. Images in the Indian while a uniformed supervisor stood guard. recruitment day in Bihar take a written exam in Express showed dozens of men sitting cross- The paper quoted an army source as saying their underwear to prevent them from cheating, legged in a field clad only in underpants, with they took the radical step to “save time on frisking reports said yesterday, after a spate of exam scan- many resting their test papers on their thighs, so many people” after more than 1,000 candi- dates turned up. “We had no option but to com- ply with the instructions even though it felt odd,” one would-be recruit told the paper. An army spokesman in New Delhi refused to comment on the report, which came a year after police in Bihar said they had arrested around 1,000 aspiring offi- cers for paying people to sit their exams for them. The High Court in the Bihar capital Patna yes- terday asked the defense ministry for an explana- tion of the unusual move, after a lawyer filed a petition against the army. Cheating - using meth- ods ranging from old-fashioned crib sheets to high-tech spy cameras - is common in India, mostly to secure good school grades and highly- sought government jobs. The impoverished state of Bihar, also one of the most populous, is especially notorious. Last year a scandal in the state that saw relatives scale the walls of a school exam centre to pass notes to candidates went viral and made national head- lines. In the western state of Gujarat, authorities on Sunday blocked mobile phone Internet servic- MUZAFFARPUR, India: Indian army candidates sit in their underwear in a field as they take a es in a string of cities and towns where entrance written exam after being asked to remove their clothing to deter cheating during a recruit- exams were taking place for public service jobs, ment day on Feb 28, 2016. — AFP to stamp out cheating. — AFP WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 INTERNATIONAL Russian warplanes sit idle at Syria base

HEMEIMEEM AIR BASE, Syria: Dozens of declared their adherence to the ceasefire are military reverse the tide of war and make sig- Russian warplanes sat idle yesterday on the not being targeted - a remark reinforcing nificant gains near Aleppo and in several oth- tarmac at this Russian air base in Syria on the Russia’s repeated denials of targeting moder- er areas. The US-Russian-brokered truce fourth day of a cease-fire brokered by ate rebel groups. The US, Western-backed agreement achieves Putin’s strategic goal of Moscow and Washington. The apparent lull in rebels and opposition groups that monitor having Moscow appear as an equal partner of action witnessed by the AP on a trip to the the five-year conflict have accused Moscow Washington in tackling the Syrian crisis. The base, which was organized by the Russian of hitting moderate rebels. deal raises Russia’s global clout, allows Putin defense and foreign ministries, contrasts with During the five-month Russian air blitz to appear as a peacemaker and marks the the hectic operation AP reporters saw here that began on Sept 30, each jet flew several first time Russia has engaged the US in a mili- on a previous visit in January. combat sorties on an average day, amount- tary-to-military dialogue since the start of the The ceasefire that began at midnight ing to a total of more than 6,000 missions. The Ukrainian crisis two years ago. By exchanging Friday has brought a notable reduction in Russian Defense Ministry said late Monday target information with the US, Moscow also hostilities for the first time in the five-year war that the ceasefire was largely holding despite hopes to deflect Washington’s criticism that it that has killed more than 250,000 people, dis- sporadic violations. Lt Gen Sergei Kuralenko, was striking moderate opposition groups placed half of Syria’s population and flooded who heads the cease-fire coordination center instead of its declared target, the Islamic Europe with refugees. But the truce has at the Russian base in Syria, expressed satis- State. remained highly fragile with violations faction with what he described as a good lev- The truce comes at a time when Assad’s reported in many areas with the opposition el of coordination with his US counterparts in military has cut most supply routes to and the Syrian government blaming each Amman, Jordan. Aleppo, Syria’s largest city and its commercial other. The Islamic State group and al-Qaida’s Russia and the US have agreed to capital before the war. The city, the capital of branch in Syria, Jabhat Al-Nusra or the Nusra exchange information about opposition Aleppo province, has been split into govern- Front as it is also known, are excluded from groups abiding by the truce and jointly tackle ment- and opposition-controlled parts since the truce. any possible violations. For President Vladimir 2012. The Syrian army’s successes around The Russian military said Monday that its Putin, the ceasefire deal offers a chance to Aleppo and in other areas have strengthened GHUNAYMIYAH, Syria: A Russian soldier keeps watch as local residents receive warplanes struck Nusra targets north of capitalize on a successful air campaign that Assad’s hand ahead of planned peace talks in humanitarian aid in this Syrian village about 15 km from the Turkish border Aleppo. It also said that groups which have has helped Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s Geneva, tentatively set for next week. — AP yesterday. — AFP Italian killed in Egypt interrogated for days

CAIRO: An Egyptian forensics official has told student, who was researching the rise of inde- the public prosecutor’s office the autopsy he pendent labor unions following the 2011 revolt, conducted on an Italian student showed he was was found in a ditch on the side of a motorway interrogated for up to seven days before he was on Feb 3. killed, two prosecution sources said. The find- Egyptian forensics and prosecution officials ings are the strongest indication yet that Giulio have said his body showed signs of torture and Regeni was killed by Egyptian security services that he was killed by a blow with a sharp object because they point to interrogation methods to the back of the head. “The autopsy report such as burning with cigarettes in intervals over shows a number of injuries at one time; and several days, which human rights groups say are there are a number of other injuries later and the hallmark of the security services. other injuries a third time,” said another investi- In the past, the Interior Ministry has rejected gator in the public prosecutor’s office, sum- accusations about human rights abuses. The marising Abdel Hamid’s statements. “The prosecution sources said Hisham Abdel Hamid, wounds and fractures occurred at different Director of the Department of Forensic times in intervals during a period of about five Medicine, gave his findings during questioning to seven days.” as an expert by officials in the public prosecu- tor’s office last week. “We asked Hisham Abdel Tensions with Italy Hamid to appear before the prosecutor’s office The case has put a spotlight on alleged for questioning, to ask him questions about the police brutality in Egypt, a strategic ally of the autopsy,” an investigator in the prosecutor’s United State and other Western powers. office told Reuters, adding that Abdel Hamid Shopkeepers in Regeni’s neighbourhood of was accompanied by two associates who also Cairo said there were no signs that police in the took part in the autopsy. area had been questioning people since his dis- “Abdel Hamid said during the questioning appearance or death. Rights groups accuse the that the wounds on the body occurred over dif- police of widespread abuses against Egyptians ferent intervals of between 10-14 hours. That since the army toppled Egypt’s first freely elect- means that whoever is accused of killing him ed president in 2013. Such actions against for- was interrogating him for information.” The state eigners are not common. news agency said Shaaban Al-Shami, assistant Italy has said Egyptian investigators should to the justice minister on forensic medical hand over the evidence they have uncovered HOMS: Syrian rebel fighters rest in a field as they hold a position near the frontline yesterday in the countryside on the outskirts of affairs, had denied Abdel Hamid was ques- on Regeni’s death. Egypt invited Italian investi- this central Syrian city, as the Syria truce enters day four. — AFP tioned by the public prosecutor’s office. The gators to take part in the investigation, but judi- main Interior Ministry spokesman was not avail- cial sources in Rome say the collaboration has able for comment. Another Interior Ministry been limited because not enough information Assad sees ‘glimmer of spokesman, asked by Reuters to comment on was shared. A second autopsy in Italy “confront- the findings, said: “I know nothing about this ed us with something inhuman, something ani- matter.” mal”, Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfa has A source in the Department of Forensic said without elaborating further. hope’ in shaky ceasefire Medicine confirmed Abdel Hamid had been The case has created tensions between questioned. Reuters reached Abdel Hamid by Egypt and Italy. Egypt’s interior ministry has telephone but he declined to comment. Regeni, said possible motives for the killers included UN to restart Syria peace talks on March 9 28, disappeared on Jan. 25, the anniversary of criminal activity or the desire for revenge “due the 2011 uprising that ended former President to personal reasons”. Italian judicial sources say BEIRUT: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad pledged tradition of daily demonstrations. In the besieged to the shelters when they hear the planes.” Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule. Regeni had writ- an Italian team in Cairo has not received any yesterday to do his part to guarantee the success of a rebel town of Daraya, near Damascus, dozens of Despite backing opposing sides of Syria’s war, ten articles critical of the Egyptian government, information of value from their Egyptian coun- shaky ceasefire that was largely holding into its fourth young men chanted against the regime and carried Moscow and Washington drafted the UN-backed ces- the Italian newspaper that published them said. terparts. “They have given us nothing,” a judi- day. World powers have thrown their weight behind colorful signs reading “Daraya will not kneel!” “Of sations of hostilities deal and co-chair the internation- The broken corpse of the Cambridge University cial source said. — Reuters the landmark truce as a way to bring an end to Syria’s course we’re going to seize this opportunity (to al task force evaluating its implementation. The oppo- conflict, which began in 2011 with anti-government protest) because the rest of the time there were con- sition High Negotiations Committee alleged at least protests. The United Nations said the next round of stant barrel bombs and shelling,” said activist Shadi three violations by regime forces yesterday and 17 the Qatari, Jordanian among peace talks would resume in Geneva on March 9, Matar. On Monday, dozens had gathered in the oppo- previous day. The White House said it was not sur- announcing a two-day postponement “to allow ade- sition-controlled eastern parts of Aleppo city waving prised by reports the ceasefire had been breached, quate time to address logistical and practical matters”. banners that read, “The revolution continues”. Another but indicated it was too early to call it a failure. 5 executed in kingdom Assad said the truce provided a “glimmer of hope” anti-regime protest took place in rebel-held Dael in Yesterday, Russia said it had recorded 15 ceasefire for Syria, where more than 270,000 people have been the southern province of Daraa. The truce does not violations in the past 24 hours across Syria, mostly in RIYADH: A Qatari and a Jordanian were become one of the biggest producers of the killed since the complex conflict erupted. “We will do include areas where the Islamic State group and Al- Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, and Latakia along the coast. among five people executed in Saudi Arabia drug. The fifth person to be executed yester- our part so that the whole thing works,” Assad told Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, Al-Nusra Front, are present. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for the closure of yesterday, bringing to 69 the number of peo- day was Kassadi Atoudi, put to death in the German public broadcaster ARD, referring to the ces- Regime forces clashed with IS jihadists in the oil-rich Syria’s border with Turkey to prevent supplies reaching ple it has put to death this year. The Qatari, southern region of Jazan following his con- sation of hostilities reached by the United States and eastern province of Deir Ezzor yesterday, said the “terrorist” groups. Tens of thousands of displaced Mohammed Jarboui, was executed in the viction for murder. Russia. “We have refrained ourselves from retaliating in Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Limited clashes Syrians amassed along that border last month, fleeing eastern region of Al-Ahsa after being convict- The 69 executions so far this year include order to give (a) chance for the agreement to survive. also took place in Aleppo city and others rocked the an intense government offensive backed by Russian ed of murdering a Saudi, the interior ministry 47 death sentences for “terrorism” carried out That’s what we can do, but at the end everything has a town of Harbnafsa in the central Hama province, said strikes. Lavrov said it was “important to close the said. Sliman and Ahmed Messoudi were put in a single day on Jan 2. Most people sen- limit. It depends on the other side.” the monitor. The complex patchwork of territorial con- Syrian-Turkish border, since across this border those to death in the northern Tabuk region for tenced to death in Saudi Arabia are behead- The president also offered a wide amnesty to trol has made the truce difficult to monitor, particular- gangs receive arms, including with humanitarian con- trafficking amphetamines, the ministry said ed with a sword. In 2015, Saudi Arabia exe- opposition fighters if they agree to disarm. “The most ly in areas where Al-Nusra Front has formed close ties voys”. in a separate statement. The Jordanian, cuted 153 people, most of them for drug important thing for me, legally and constitutionally... with non-jihadist rebel groups. In an exclusive interview with AFP, Turkish Deputy Abdallah Tayaha, was also convicted of trafficking or murder, according to an AFP (is) that you’re not allowed, as a citizen, to hold Prime Minister Yalcin Akdogan criticized the US for amphetamine trafficking. He was put to count. Amnesty International says the num- machineguns and hurt people or properties,” he said. ‘Much Fewer Planes’ working with the Kurdish People’s Protection Units death in the northwestern Jawf region, it ber of executions in Saudi Arabia last year “This is the only thing that we ask. We don’t ask for Civilians in central Homs province say their towns (YPG) in Syria, which Ankara sees as “terrorists”. “I don’t said. was the highest for two decades. However, anything. As I said, we give them full amnesty.” are not being targeted as often, but violence has not believe it is a very correct approach for giant America Amphetamines are stimulants most often the tally was far behind those of China and stopped. “There are much fewer airplanes, which is to be relying on and hoping for help from a small ter- targeted at students and labourers in the Iran. The kingdom has a strict Islamic legal ‘The Revolution Continues’ very good... (But) there’s still artillery, mortar fire, and rorist organization and staking its entire Syria kingdom, interior ministry spokesman code under which murder, drug trafficking, The much-lauded ceasefire has brought relative we hear the planes flying above us,” said Hasaan Abu approach on this,” he said. Akdogan also rejected General Mansour al-Turki told reporters last armed robbery, rape and apostasy are all calm to swathes of territory in Syria’s north, south, and Nuh, an activist in the flashpoint town of Talbisseh. claims that Turkey was planning a unilateral ground week. He added that war-ravaged Syria has punishable by death. — AFP around the capital, where civilians have resumed their “People still have the same routine - they still go down operation in Syria. — AFP Israeli troops stray into camp, sparking clashes

QALANDIA: Two Israeli soldiers using a traffic app to According to an Israeli police spokeswoman, plate could be seen on the ground in the camp yester- find their way mistakenly entered a refugee camp in Palestinians threw homemade explosives and shot at day. the occupied West Bank overnight, sparking clashes the rescue team, which also opened fire. The Sajdia’s father, Omar, said a huge contingent of that killed one Palestinian and wounded 15 people, Palestinian health ministry said one Palestinian was Israeli forces arrived at the camp. “If you want to officials said yesterday. The two soldiers travelling in a killed and 10 wounded. The dead man was identified describe the situation you would say there is a war,” he jeep entered the Qalandia refugee camp and were tar- as Eyad Omar Sajdia, a 22-year-old student. Five Israeli told AFP as he received guests who paid their respects geted with rocks and Molotov cocktails, Israeli officials border police were also wounded, one of them seri- at his home. Residents said the Israeli reinforcements said. Israeli reinforcements were then urgently ously, police said. included a bulldozer that caused damage to homes. deployed to the camp between Jerusalem and The soldiers’ mishap made headlines in Israel, whose Ramallah to rescue them, provoking further clashes ‘Didn’t Know the Terrain’ military is reputed to be the region’s most technologi- that lasted hours. The two soldiers were later rescued A trail of blood could be seen extending down a cally advanced. “They apparently used Waze, which unharmed. wall from a roof where Sajdia was believed to have indicated a shortcut from Jerusalem to Ramallah,” Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon said the sol- been when he was shot. The narrow roads of the Yaalon said at a conference, according to his office. diers “apparently used Waze”, the Israeli-developed camp were littered with rocks and other debris, and “They didn’t know the terrain. We have to verify who navigation app now owned by Google. The military several thousand people later attended Sajdia’s funer- sent them on the mission, what they knew and what said it was investigating. Waze however said the sol- al, his body wrapped in a Palestinian flag. The two sol- they didn’t know and how to respond when, in mod- diers themselves were at fault, with a setting that tells diers who first entered the camp abandoned their ern times, Waze shows you the way.” Yaalon said: “I the app to avoid “dangerous areas” having been jeep, with one hiding in the courtyard of a house and learnt long ago, when GPS began to be used, that you turned off and the driver having deviated from the shooting to defend himself and signal his position, the cannot neglect locating yourself with a map.” He QALANDIA: Palestinian mourners attend the funeral of Eyad Omar Sajdia, 22, who suggested route. With the threat of two of their sol- military spokesman said. The other fled towards the added that it was important to know “the environ- was killed during clashes with Israeli security forces at this refugee camp yesterday diers being kidnapped or killed, Israeli forces were nearby Israeli settlement of Kochav Yaakov. Their jeep ment and not be misled by technological systems that in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. — AFP quickly dispatched. was burnt, and what was said to be its registration show you the way.” — AFP

INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 EU to call for emergency humanitarian aid to Greece

BRUSSELS: The European Union is pro- Commission’s spokesman, Margaritis migrants arrived in Europe last year- Croatia, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey refugees and migrants heading to their posing increased humanitarian aid for Schinas, told a regular news briefing in mostly via Turkey to Greece-and another this week. top destination Germany, infuriated Greece, where more than 20,000 Brussels that the plan was necessary “to 130,000 have reached the continent so Brussels and Berlin, which are battling Athens, Berlin and Brussels last month by refugees and migrants are stuck after prevent humanitarian suffering as a far in 2016. to make a joint European plan to allevi- announcing daily caps on the number of borders were tightened along the result of an unprecedented number of Overwhelmed, Greece and other ate the migration crisis work, are banking people it processes. Chancellor Werner Balkans preventing them from trekking people arriving in the EU”. Schinas said countries along the main migration route on Turkey to sharply reduce the number Faymann defended the step, saying north to wealthier parts of Europe. the Commission was very concerned have tended to wave the people through of people embarking for Europe, many of Austria cannot become a waiting room The European Commission, the EU with the outbreak of violence at the and the influx has brought Europe’s whom have fled the war in Syria. But a for Germany. Tusk, in Vienna on the first executive, said yesterday it will put for- Greek-Macedonian border. He was Schengen zone of free travel to the verge growing number of EU states are resort- leg of his pre-summit tour along the ward a plan on Wednesday to offer emer- speaking as the bloc is gearing up to a of collapse. European Commission ing to unilaterally tightening their own Balkans migration route, said after talks gency financial assistance for humanitari- summit on Monday with Turkey, the President Jean-Claude Juncker talked to borders, seeking to control the flow of with Faymann: “We must face together an crises inside the 28-nation bloc, com- main departure site for the vast majority Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on people and prevent a spike in the arrivals the consequences of our decisions. The parable with operations it has launched of people heading to Europe. Monday and European Council President many expect later in March as the weath- country that we must support in particu- elsewhere in the world. The More than a million refugees and Donald Tusk will visit Austria, Slovenia, er improves. Austria, the last stop for lar is Greece.” — Reuters

Cameron’s morning after: How Brexit divorce gets messy

BRUSSELS: If Britons vote to leave the British premier if Cameron is forced out. European Union in their June 23 referen- That seems unlikely, however, and EU dum, Prime Minister David Cameron can leaders have insisted there can be no com- effectively file the divorce papers in person ing back from a ‘Leave’ vote once London to fellow EU leaders the next morning in has formally started the clock ticking on Brussels. Just how he will arrange his diary, Article 50 — ruling out also that Britons having scheduled the vote on the first day could hold a second referendum and of the regular midsummer EU summit, is change their minds to stay in if they do not not yet clear; from then on, the process of like the outcome of talks. “We negotiated a “Brexit” will only get messier, as Europe’s package to try and save our marriage,” one fractious leaders haggle their way through senior EU official said. an unprecedented break-up that could take “If Britain votes to go, it’s over. We nego- years to complete. tiate divorce.” Although no member state Article 50 of the Treaty of the European has voted to leave in the 60 years of the Union lets a state quit and sets a deadline to Union and its earlier incarnations, territories negotiate terms within two years. If by mid- such as Algeria have emerged into inde- 2018, Britain has not agreed issues like pendence. But the most recent departure, trade terms or the status of foreign resi- when Greenland quit the EEC membership dents, its membership will simply end — it shared with Denmark until 1985, was so unless it and all 27 other EU states agree an tortuous, even though the trade links were extension. tiny, that the 2009 Lisbon Treaty redrawing Cameron’s government said this week, EU law set the first rules for withdrawal. however, that rewriting British laws post- “Any Member State may decide to with- Brexit and renegotiating relations in trade draw from the Union,” states the new Article and other fields could take a decade, with 50. An agreement on terms needs approval an EU divided over other crises and smart- by a qualified majority of the remaining ing from Britain’s rejection. member states and the European PIRAEUS: A woman holds her baby as migrants and refugees arrive at the port of Piraeus yesterday. More than 1000 refugees and migrants dis- No one has a clear idea how events will Parliament. If there were no deal in two embarked at Piraeus port coming from the islands of the east Aegean sea. —AFP unfold once voting ends at 10 p.m. (2100 years, which veteran trade negotiators think GMT) on Thursday, June 23. Instant exit improbable, Britain’s EU membership would polls will deliver a verdict to Brussels just as lapse unless all 28 states agreed an exten- 10,000 migrants stuck on EU leaders are finishing dinner at the sion. Many eurosceptics say an abrupt exit halfway point of their two-day meeting. would be no problem and that world trade If Cameron stays in London for the result, rules would simply apply. as some British officials expect, he will fly in EU states would want to maintain Greek-Macedonian border the following morning, either triumphant- exports into the British market and Britain or defeated and facing the possible end of would be free to cut its own trade deals his own career and opening negotiations with others. A variety of models including on withdrawing from the bloc. Norway and Switzerland are available, Europe on cusp of self-induced crisis: UNHCR His experience of sitting out the though most mean trading some inde- Thursday summit session, where he may pendence for access to EU markets. IDOMENI, Greece: On foot or by taxi, hundreds said. “It demonstrates once again the EU’s utter were restricting the numbers of migrants they delegate his vote to an ally, possibly the British law could be reworked, where of exhausted refugee families trying to reach failure to respond collectively and compassion- let through because Serbia only allowed 30 Irish or Dutch, would be one that he, or his needed, to cover gaps in lapsing EU rules. Western Europe flocked yesterday to a burgeon- ately to refugee flows.” people from a train carrying 410 to cross its successor, would have to get used to. Once And the rights of some 2 million Britons liv- ing tent city on Greece’s border with Macedonia, border Monday. He said Macedonia was wait- Britain gives notice it is quitting, it will be ing and working in Europe could be safe- which has not allowed anybody in for 24 hours, Persuasion ing for Serbia to open that border. excluded from EU discussions on how to guarded reciprocally with those of a similar citing a similar policy by Serbia further north. European Union President Donald Tusk was About 70 adults and children, mostly from handle that process. number of EU citizens in Britain. The impasse drew strongly worded criticism in Austria yesterday to try to persuade Pakistan, have been stuck on the Macedonian Cameron, who is campaigning to stay on The government paper on Monday from the United Nations refugee agency, which Chancellor Werner Faymann to change his mind side of the border between two razor-wire the basis of a reform package that he questioned those assumptions, however. warned that Europe “is on the cusp of a largely about the country’s decision to accept no more fences for three days. Rexhepi said Macedonian agreed 10 days ago, says he will not delay in And supporters of EU membership argue self-induced humanitarian crisis.” than 80 requests for asylum a day at Austria’s authorities had been trying to send them back notifying Brussels if Britons vote to leave. It that the EU would drive hard bargains, A UNHCR statement said inconsistent poli- southern border with Slovenia, but Faymann to Greece because they had crossed the border is not clear, however, that he could or would not just to gain economic advantage but cies in the continent, which faces its worst said he is holding firm. The cap has caused a rip- illegally, but Greece was refusing to take them. do that formally the next day. to discourage other states from following immigration crisis since the end of World War II, ple effect as other countries southwest of Austria “We are providing food, water, sleeping bags Britain to the exit. Fellow leaders face “are causing unnecessary suffering and risk stop people from getting through. and raincoats for this group,” Rexhepi said. On “IT’S OVER” their own challenges from anti-EU oppo- being at variance with EU and international law Faymann said Austria is neither a “waiting the Greek side, another group of 150 people Some supporters of a Brexit vote have nents-not least in French and German standards.” Greek police say there could be up room for Germany” nor - in an allusion to Greece who have been told it’s their turn to enter suggested that formal notification of national elections respectively in spring to 10,000 people - mostly Syrian and Iraqi - prepared to accept the “policy of waving Macedonia have spent days in a large, flimsy Britain’s plan to quit could be delayed to and autumn next year-so negotiating a refugees - stuck at the country’s Idomeni border through” migrants to the rest of the EU through tent in front of the crossing. “I’ve been at give EU leaders time to offer better terms British divorce by mid-2018 may be a crossing now in deteriorating conditions. Austria. Idomeni for 10 days and it’s the fourth day I’ve than Cameron’s deal, possibly to a new messy business. — Reuters Hundreds of tents fill the fields stretching The Greek government, meanwhile, said it been waiting to cross over,” said Hassan Rasheed, toward the border fence, which is patrolled on has requested 480 million euros in aid for the 27, from Iraq. “Conditions are very bad. There are the Macedonian side by scores of regular police, refugee crisis from the EU, under an emergency many ill children who are coughing, and we Macedonian special police forces and police plan that foresees about 100,000 people being spent the night in this tent under heavy rain.” from other Balkan countries. During the day on stranded in the country. The rapid build-up of migrants stuck at Monday, Macedonia let in only 30 refugees. The “That does not mean that this is easy to Greece’s northern borders risks leading to a Idomeni crossing has become a key flashpoint manage, or that this is what we can take,” gov- humanitarian disaster, the United Nations High in Europe’s migration crisis. Several European ernment spokeswoman Olga Gerovassili said. Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said yester- nations, led by Austria, have imposed refugee “There must be a permanent solution on where day. “Europe is on the cusp of a largely self- camps and border restrictions over the past 10 the refugees will be relocated and what burden induced humanitarian crisis”, the UN refugee days, creating a huge backlog of migrants in each country will shoulder, not just financial agency warned in a statement, urging better Greece. These unilateral actions have infuriated but also regarding how many refugees they will planning and accommodation for all those stuck Greece and threaten to damage the unity of the take in.” Some migrants have been waiting at in Greece. 28-nation European Union. Idomeni for more than a week. The camp is full The UNHCR also urged all EU member The New York-based Human Rights Watch and hundreds more people arrive daily. states to reinforce their capacity to register rights group directly blamed “discriminatory bor- Overnight rain soaked many families, who and process asylum seekers through their der closures” and a cap imposed by Austria for hung up clothing to dry in the sun yesterday. national procedures as well as through the the situation at Idomeni. “Trapping asylum seek- Jasmin Rexhepi, head of the aid group Legis, European relocation scheme. Some 131,724 ers in Greece is an unconscionable and short- which has volunteers working in Macedonia on refugees have crossed the Mediterranean sighted non-solution that is causing suffering its borders with Greece and Serbia, told The already this year, slightly less than in the first and violence,” HRW Greece specialist Eva Cosse Associated Press that Macedonian authorities half of 2015, it said. — Agencies Top German court considers bid to outlaw far-right party

BERLIN: Germany’s highest court opened hear- began to have two of the eight judges, both for- the German government are extremist, not the ings yesterday in a bid to outlaw the country’s mer politicians, removed for alleged bias against criticism of them,” citing the government’s biggest far-right party, which officials accuse of the party - a motion that the court rejected. actions in the migrant crisis. The NPD com- CALAIS: Migrants keep warm next to a fire as agents dismantle shacks yesterday promoting a racist and anti-Semitic agenda. In a recent statement on the ban proceed- plained of “constant hate campaigns against in the “Jungle” migrants and refugees camp in the French northern port city of It’s the second attempt to secure the ban, ings, the NPD asserted that “the real policies of patriotic dissenters.” —AP Calais. — AFP which would be the first of its kind in 60 years. The German parliament’s upper house, which Migrants occupy rooftops to represents the country’s 16 state governments, applied at the end of 2013 for a ban on the protest Calais demolition National Democratic Party, or NPD. The states say it violates the constitution and are keen to CALAIS: About two dozen people protest- France’s government has offered to relo- cut off the state funding to which political par- ing the demolition of a sprawling migrant cate uprooted migrants into heated con- ties are entitled. camp in northern France climbed onto tainers or to centers around France where Back in 2003, the Karlsruhe-based Federal shanty rooftops yesterday, briefly stalling they can decide whether to apply for asy- Constitutional Court rejected a first attempt to the tear-down. lum, and officials have blamed activists ban the party because paid government inform- Bulldozer crews plowed through blus- from the group No Borders for the ongoing ants within the group were partially responsible tery, damp winds, working around the pro- unrest. But many migrants resist French for evidence against it. Officials say there’s no testers, who ultimately came down from offers of help, afraid of hurting their evidence from informants in the new case. the buildings. By mid-afternoon, the demo- chances to reach Britain. Bavaria’s interior minister, Joachim lition was proceeding unimpeded. The city bordering the Channel has ferry Herrmann, told n-tv television that “the NPD is Earlier in the day, a man and a woman links and the Eurotunnel rail to England, a danger to our democracy.” He added that “the standing together on a rooftop had warned and is temporary home to an estimated NPD benefits from state financing of parties - police not to approach. The woman then 4,000 migrants, down from 6,000 in that means that tax money is abused for neo- cut her wrists as officers moved forward. December. The camp has become a flash- Nazi propaganda.” The head of Germany’s main Baton-wielding police beat the man and point between France and Britain, fueling Jewish group, Josef Schuster, said the NPD both were removed from the roof. The far-right support in both countries. wants to create a state “in which there is no woman was conscious, but her condition “This operation will continue in coming place for minorities.” wasn’t immediately known. The slow days, calmly and methodically, providing a Peter Richter, a lawyer representing the NPD, removal of the encampment in Calais has place for everyone as the government has petitioned for the case against the party to be BELFAST: Seamus Daly (2L) walks to a car after being released from Maghaberry prison near angered migrants who live there in squalid committed,” French Interior Minister closed, arguing there was no credible evidence Belfast, Northern Ireland yesterday. A British court dropped all charges against Daly, the only conditions in hopes of reaching a better life Bernard Cazeneuve said in a statement yes- that government informants had been removed remaining suspect in Northern Ireland’s 1998 Omagh bombing that killed 29 people and in Britain. terday. — AP from the group. He also sought as the hearing threatened a peace deal in the province. —AFP WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 INTERNATIONAL Executed Pakistani hailed as hero of Islam

RAWALPINDI: Tens of thousands of sup- Monday showed the Pakistani govern- and members of Islamist parties. porters yesterday cheered and threw ment’s willingness to risk the wrath of The influential leader of the conserva- flowers at the casket of a bodyguard exe- hard-line religious groups, who wield tive Council of Islamic Ideology declined cuted for killing the governor of considerable power. to endorse Qadri’s action. “No one is Pakistan’s most populous province over A Pakistani Taleban attack on a mili- above the law,” Mohammad Sherani told his call to reform a strict blasphemy law. tary-run school in Peshawar in 2014 that journalists, according to the Express Security was tight at the funeral for killed 134 children is seen as having Tribune newspaper. “I respect Qadri’s reli- Mumtaz Qadri, whom supporters consid- hardened Pakistan’s resolve to fight mili- gious sentiments but I respect Pakistan’s er a hero for killing popular Punjab gov- tants and check the influence of religious constitution more.” ernor Salman Taseer in 2011 who criti- groups. Pro-Qadri demonstrations first Controversy over the blasphemy law cized the law that mandates the death broke out on Monday after word spread has exposed the growing gap between penalty for insulting Islam. Police that he had been executed. hard-line religious conservatives and lib- blocked off roads to Liaquat Bagh park in “Mumtaz Qadri is a hero of Islam. He erals in Pakistan. More than 100 people the city of Rawalpindi but thousands sent to hell a person who showed disre- are charged with blasphemy and jailed arrived on foot. “He lives! Qadri lives!” spect for the holy Prophet,” Tahir Iqbal each year in predominantly Muslim supporters chanted, surrounding the Chistie of the hard-line Sunni Tehreek Pakistan, many of them Christians and coffin and throwing flowers. “From your movement said at one of Monday’s other minorities. Critics say the law is blood, the revolution will come!” protests. Stick-wielding Sunni Tehreek often invoked in cases of personal dis- Hardline religious groups in Pakistan activists were maintaining security at putes. No one has yet been executed, say Taseer deserved to die because he yesterday’s funeral. but at least 65 people have been mur- himself committed blasphemy by criticiz- Most participants at the funeral were dered in connection with blasphemy ing the law and supporting a Christian religious and political workers of the allegations since 1990, according to the woman he said was unjustly charged Barelvi branch of Sunni Islam - identifi- Centre for Research and Security Studies RAWALPINDI: People hold the photo of police officer Mumtaz Qadri, the convicted killer of with the crime. But Qadri’s execution on able by their distinctive green turbans - and a Reuters tally. — Reuters a former governor, during his funeral, in Rawalpindi yesterday. — AP Afghan troops pull out of more posts in Uruzgan Policeman kills 4 colleagues, 11 missing

KABUL: Afghan forces have pulled back from by combat losses and desertions. He said troop Musa Qalah and Nawzad, regrouping around a strongpoints in the southern province of numbers in the province were about 1,000 few towns near the provincial capital Lashkar Uruzgan, continuing a withdrawal which began short of their assigned strength while police Gah in what authorities said was a tactical deci- last month when they abandoned two districts were hundreds short. sion to deploy forces more effectively. in the neighbouring province of Helmand to the “Some of them have left the army and police, Meanwhile, an Afghan policeman shot dead Taleban, officials said yesterday. some have been killed or wounded and some four of his colleagues at a checkpoint on a Provincial government spokesman Dost have surrendered to the Taleban,” he said. “We remote stretch of a major southern highway, an Mohammad Nayab said around 100 troops and have to control situation here until we receive official said yesterday. Another 11 policemen police had been pulled from checkpoints in two enough forces.” NATO officials have long who were manning the checkpoint when the areas in Shahidi Hassas district and sent to the pressed Afghan commanders to pull troops off shooting happened on Monday night were still neighbouring district of Deh Rawud. The isolated and hard-to-defend checkpoints and missing, said Gen Ghulam Sakhi Roghlewanai, Afghan Taleban, seeking to topple the Western- use them more effectively against the Taliban, police chief of Uruzgan province. backed government in Kabul and reimpose who have pressed their insurgency since inter- The Taleban claimed responsibility for the Islamic rule 15 years after they were ousted national troops ended most combat operations incident in an email to media. Roghlewanai said from power, said the move, which came after in 2014. it was still unclear what happened at the check- NEW DELHI: Indian Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) Director-General Rajendra heavy fighting late on Monday, had left the Uruzgan, which shares a border with the point, which is located on the highway between Pachauri addresses an audience at a conference in New Delhi. — AFP entire area around the village of Yakhdan under insurgent heartlands of Helmand and Kandahar, Kandahar and Uruzgan provinces. Afghanistan their control. is a poor and largely mountainous region which has seen a series of insider attacks in recent The decision to leave the posts follows Dutch and Australian troops struggled to stabi- years, in which Afghan soldiers or police attack Pachauri charged with months of heavy fighting with the Taleban, who lize after the Taleban regime was toppled by US- their colleagues or allied NATO forces. have put government forces under heavy pres- led forces in 2001. The Afghan police fight insurgents on the stalking, harassment sure across southern Afghanistan. “We want to Along with northern Helmand, much of front lines, but have fewer resources than the create a reserve battalion in Deh Rawud and we which has been abandoned to the Taleban, it army. On remote checkpoints they are vulnera- NEW DELHI: The UN climate panel’s former tions. The court scheduled an initial hearing may ask our soldiers and policemen from other constitutes one of Afghanistan’s main opium ble to Taliban attacks. Authorities want to con- chairman, Rajendra Pachauri, was charged on April 23. Separate from the police investi- districts also to leave their checkpoints,” Nayab smuggling routes, providing a significant source solidate the checkpoints into larger bases but yesterday with stalking and sexually harass- gation, TERI’s internal complaints committee said. Nayab said the withdrawal was prompted of revenue for the insurgency. Last month, have faced resistance from locals, who see them ing a woman who worked at the New Delhi examined the evidence presented by the by a shortage of troops and police, worn down troops pulled out of the Helmand districts of as a barrier against insurgents. — Agencies environmental think tank he’s headed for researcher, and questioned nearly 50 other more than three decades. employees, and concluded that the allega- Police filed the case in a Delhi court after tions of sexual harassment leveled by the investigating a complaint by one of researcher were valid. Pachauri’s colleagues at The Energy Police have charged Pachauri, 75, with Myanmar’s presidential Research Institute, Press Trust of India said. sexual harassment, stalking and criminal Pachauri has denied the allegations, but intimidation of the 29-year old woman. resigned last year from both the UN’s Pachauri had headed the four-decade-old nominations on March 10 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate think-tank for the last 34 years, when it Change and from TERI after the researcher’s emerged as a global center for research in allegations were published in Indian news- efficient utilization of energy and sustain- YANGON: Myanmar will announce papers. The allegations caused a public able use of natural resources. It has affiliate presidential nominations on March uproar in a country where women face a institutes in London and Washington. 10, the speaker of its upper house of stigma against discussing issues such as sex- Pachauri chaired the climate panel - con- parliament said yesterday advancing ual harassment in the workplace. sidered the world’s authority on climate sci- the original date by a week, as a His appointment last month to another ence - since 2002, and had accepted the lengthy political transition in the top post at TERI renewed outrage, and a sec- 2007 Nobel Peace Prize on its behalf. The Southeast Asian nation enters its last ond woman, who had worked there for a panel shared the award with former US Vice stages. year, came forward with additional allega- President Al Gore. — AP The news follows three meetings on the transition between military chief Min Aung Hlaing and democra- cy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy will dominate the incoming government after having won the Nov 8 election. The meetings sparked speculation that a deal would be struck to allow Suu Kyi to become president, despite a constitutional bar, and even though the military showed no wavering in its view that there should be no rapid amendment to remove the hurdle. “The date for holding the meet- ings of the three presidential elec- toral colleges has been put forward by one week, to March 10,” said Mahn Win Khaing Than, the speaker of the YANGON: This photograph taken on February 27, 2016 and released yesterday by the Myanmar Armed upper house of parliament. Forces shows elite Myanmar navy commandos rappelling from a helicopter onto the deck of a warship The NLD swept some 80 percent during the Sea Shield 2016 combined fleet exercise off Coco island in the Andaman Sea. — AFP of elected seats in November, enough to push through its presi- “Setting the vote on the presi- the NLD’s pressure strategy,” said been moved forward is an acknowl- dent, but Suu Kyi is blocked from dency so close to the deadline for Romain Caillaud, of FTI Consulting edgment this strategy has failed.” Trekkers make their way to Dingboche, a popular Mount Everest base camp, in holding the country’s highest office the handover of power was part of in Singapore. “That the vote has — Reuters Pangboche, Nepal. Nepal has extended the permits of climbers who were unable to because her two sons are not climb Mount Everest last year due to an earthquake-triggered avalanche that killed Myanmar citizens, nor was her late 19 people at a base camp in hopes of bringing back western climbers to the world’s husband. Afghan women, girls face highest peak. — AP The NLD has no number two after Suu Kyi, who has said she will control Nepal says Everest climbers the government from “above the ‘invasive virginity tests’ president,” and rumours have swirled stopped by quake can try again over who might fill the top post. KABUL: Afghan women and girls victim, it can be considered sexual being examined more than once. Myanmar’s lengthy transition accused of so-called moral crimes are harassment and human rights viola- In a conservative culture where KATHMANDU, Nepal: Climbers turned climbers to the mountains,” said Ang process meant the NLD-dominated often forced to endure invasive and tion,” the commission concluded, not- great value is attached to a woman’s back from Mount Everest by a deadly earth- Tshering of the Nepal Mountaineering parliament sat for the first time on scientifically questionable “virginity ing that the tests violate the spirit of virginity, the “aggressive” exams can quake and avalanche last year will be able Association. The back-to-back disasters February 1. On March 10, each of the tests” by government doctors, the Afghan constitution as well as damage a woman’s personal dignity, to attempt to scale the world’s tallest peak have been worrying for Nepal, which earns two chambers will nominate its vice- according to human rights advo- international principles. In most cases emotional health, and social status, again this year or next without paying new millions of dollars from permit fees in an presidential candidate, while the mili- cates. the tests, which can include invasive the report warned. permit fees, Nepal said yesterday. industry that employs tens of thousands of tary MPs, who are guaranteed a quar- Improving the lives and rights of genital as well as anal exams, are car- In some cases, women unable to The April 25 earthquake killed thou- people as guides, porters and equipment ter of the seats, nominate the third. women remains a major challenge in ried out in the presence of male prove they were virgins on their wed- sands of people across the Himalayan coun- suppliers. It’s hard to say how many will Once the candidates are in place, Afghanistan nearly 15 years after a guards and others, and often amount ding day have faced violence, and try, including 19 people hit by an avalanche show up for the 2016 climbing season, a joint-chamber session picks the US-backed military campaign ousted to “torture” with “horrible effects and some have been killed, the commis- at Everest base camp. Entire teams of which began yesterday. But expedition president for a five-year term. The the Taleban’s hardline Islamist regime. consequences,” the report found. sion said. climbers were forced to abandon their companies have said their bookings are two losing candidates become vice- Of 53 woman and girls inter- The tests claim to verify whether a “The continued use of degrading attempts at the summit. Nepal hopes that down from previous years by about half. presidents. Candidates do not need viewed in a dozen provinces across woman has been sexually active out- and unscientific ‘virginity exams’ by extending their $11,000 climbing permits “We are encouraged by the permit to be elected members of the legisla- Afghanistan, 48 said they had been side of marriage, but the veracity of the Afghan government is part of a by another two years will reassure Western extension. This will help the local climbing ture. The president then picks the subject to compulsory gynecological the exams has been widely broader pattern of abuses in which climbers and bring many back, businesses to once again get back on their cabinet, which will take over from exams by government officials after debunked by scientists. women and girls in Afghanistan are Mountaineering Department official feet after two bad years,” said Temba Tsheri President Thein Sein’s outgoing gov- being accused of adultery or escap- The report said the tests lacked a jailed on spurious ‘moral crimes’ accu- Gyanendra Shrestha said. Permits normally of the Sherpa Khagri Outdoors agency in ernment on April 1. It is unclear if the ing from home, investigators for scientific basis. Girls as young as 13 sations,” Human Rights Watch senior last for only one climbing season, which Kathmandu, who lost three foreign clients presidential vote will take place on Afghanistan’s Independent Human were among those who reported researcher Heather Barr said in a runs from March to May. and two local workers last year. the same day as the nominations are Rights Commission found in a study being forced to endure the tests, and statement. She joined the Human Expedition companies cheered the deci- Since Everest was conquered by New announced. conducted last year. The study’s find- a number of the women were Rights Commission in calling for the sion, noting that mountaineers had been Zealander Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa One analyst saw the advanced ings were publicized by Human accused merely of leaving their government to explicitly ban such spooked by the 2015 disaster as well as a guide Tenzing Norgay in 1953, the peak has process as a sign that talks between Rights Watch on Monday. homes without permission, which is tests and to end arrests of women 2014 avalanche that killed 16 guides. been climbed by thousands of people. But the military and the NLD for its “Since gynecological tests are not a crime under Afghan law. More accused of trying to leave their “It is a welcome move from the govern- hundreds have also died on its unpre- leader, Suu Kyi, to become president conducted without consent of the than a third of the women reported homes. — Reuters ment that we hope will help bring back the dictable slopes. — AP had made no headway. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 INTERNATIONAL Philippine assault seizes terrorist lair, kills 24

MANILA: A major Philippine military More militants, some wearing black arm in the volatile region in 2012. They later offensive has killed 24 suspected local and head bands with Islamic State used black flags and arm and head sympathizers of the Islamic State group group-style symbols, later joined in the bands with Islamic State group symbols and captured their remote southern fighting, prompting the military to in an attempt to capture the attention stronghold, where troops raised the deploy three battalions of troops of the Middle East-based terrorist national flag yesterday, the military backed by assault helicopters and group and possibly secure funding, mil- said. artillery fire, according to the military. itary officials said. The main Muslim Six soldiers were killed and a dozen Aside from 24 militant deaths, which rebel group, the Moro Islamic others were wounded in the weeklong were confirmed by the military, nine Liberation Front, has a large camp in campaign that involved about 2,000 other gunmen may have been killed, the hinterlands of Butig, but the insur- military personnel in Butig town in Padilla said, citing intelligence and gents, who signed a peace deal with Lanao del Sur province, Armed Forces accounts from villagers. the government in 2014, backed away of the Philippines spokesman Brig. Gen. “Our doctrine is to resolve the con- to avoid being drawn into the fighting Restituto Padilla said. flict in the shortest possible time with and helped guide fleeing residents to Army generals turned over control of the full application of military safety, Padilla said. the captured militant stronghold in resources,” Padilla said. With the back- There has been speculation that Poktan village to the Butig town mayor ing of provincial government officials, some Moro Islamic Liberation Front after the flag-raising ceremony, which he said the rapid military offensive insurgents backed the militants in the was held near where leaders of the helped stop “the spread of extremism.” clashes in protest after their peace extremist group identified as Omar and More than 30,000 residents of 10 vil- agreement with the government Abdullah Maute used to live, Padilla lages were displaced by the fighting, he stalled. But Padilla said those Moro said. said. Troops were clearing battle sites rebel front insurgents may have been About 40 militants attacked an army and pursuing fleeing militants. The mili- relatives of the militants belonging to camp in Butig on Feb. 20 in the pre- tants initially were affiliated with an the extremist group led by the Maute A Philippine soldier picks up the headband of a militant, adorned with the logo dominantly Muslim region about 840 Indonesian terror suspect known only brothers, who are believed to have per- used by the Islamic State group, as they end their operation in Butig Town, kilometers (520 miles) south of Manila. as Sanusi who was killed in Marawi city ished in the fighting. — AP Lanao Del Sur on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao yesterday. — AFP

Major powers team up to raise US student confessed to concerns over new China laws

BEIJING: The United States, Canada, It also points to growing frustration that severe crimes: N Korea Germany, Japan and the European Union the low-key, individual approach taken in the have written to China to express concern over past may not be working. “While we recog- three new or planned laws, including one on nise the need for each country to address its ‘Warmbier stole item bearing propaganda slogan’ counterterrorism, in a rare joint bid to pres- security concerns, we believe the new legisla- sure Beijing into taking their objections seri- tive measures have the potential to impede SEOUL: A US student held in North Korea since early ously. commerce, stifle innovation, and infringe on January was detained for trying to steal an item bear- The US, Canadian, German and Japanese China’s obligation to protect human rights in ing a propaganda slogan from his Pyongyang hotel ambassadors signed a letter dated Jan. 27 accordance with international law,” said a and has confessed to “severe crimes” against the addressed to State Councilor and Minister of strongly-worded letter co-signed by the four state, the North’s official media said on Monday. Otto Public Security Guo Shengkun, voicing ambassadors. Warmbier, 21, a University of Virginia student, was unease about the new counterterrorism law, China has defended the new and draft detained before boarding his flight to China over an the draft cyber security law, and a draft law laws, saying such steps, including heightened unspecified incident at his hotel, his tour agency told on management of foreign non-governmen- censorship, were necessary to ensure stability Reuters in January. tal organizations (NGOs). in the country of over 1.3 billion people. North Korea has a long history of detaining for- In what sources said was a coordinated eigners and has used jailed US citizens in the past to move, the ambassador of the European “CLIMATE OF UNCERTAINTY” exact high-profile visits from the United States, with Union Delegation to China, Hans Dietmar The diplomatic push comes as Beijing which it has no formal diplomatic relations. Schweisgut, sent a letter expressing similar arguably needs cooperation from the signa- “I committed the crime of taking out a political concerns, dated Jan. 28. tories to the letters more than ever. A slowing slogan from the staff-only area of the Yanggakdo Reuters reviewed copies of both letters. Chinese economy and fragile markets high- International Hotel,” the North’s KCNA news agency The cyber security and counterterrorism laws light the importance of foreign investors’ con- quoted Warmbier as telling media in Pyongyang, the codify sweeping powers for the government fidence. North Korean capital. It did not say what the item to combat perceived threats, from wide- Chinese companies are increasingly look- was. CNN showed video of a sobbing Warmbier say- spread censorship to heightened control over ing to get approvals from foreign govern- ing: “I have made the worst mistake of my life, but certain technologies. ments for acquisitions, and the European please act to save me.” Critics of the counterterrorism legislation, Union is debating whether to give China Warmbier said a “deaconess” had offered him a for one, say that it could be interpreted in “market economy” status. used car worth $10,000 if he could present a US such a way that even non-violent dissidents On the draft cyber security law, all five church with the slogan as a “trophy” from North could fall within its definition of terrorism. ambassadors were particularly concerned by Korea, KCNA said. The acquaintance also said the The four ambassadors said areas of the provisions requiring companies to store data church would pay his mother $200,000 if he was counterterrorism law, which the National locally and to provide encryption keys, which detained by the North and did not return, KCNA People’s Congress passed in December, were technology firms worried may impinge on quoted Warmbier as saying. PYONGYANG: This photo taken on February 29, 2016 and released by North Korea’s vague and could create a “climate of uncer- privacy and mean they would have to pass on “My crime is very severe and pre-planned,” official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) yesterday shows US student Otto tainty” among investors. They did not specify sensitive intellectual property to the govern- Warmbier was quoted as saying, adding that he was Frederick Warmbier, who is arrested for committing hostile acts against North Korea, which areas. ment in the name of security. impressed by North Korea’s “humanitarian treatment bowing at a press conference in Pyongyang. — AFP The EU ambassador used the same phrase Both letters said the draft NGO manage- of severe criminals like myself.” to describe the law’s impact, and both letters ment law had the potential to hinder aca- The White House said on Monday it was aware of The senior pastor at Friendship United Methodist where he was the salutatorian of his graduating class expressed an interest in engaging with China demic exchanges and commercial activities, Warmbier’s situation and was working closely with Church in Wyoming, Ohio, told CNN he did not know and was named student of the year, according to as it worked out implementing regulations calling them “crucial elements” of their rela- Sweden, the United States’ protecting power in North the person identified by Warmbier in the KCNA story Linkedin. A district spokeswoman declined to speak around the law, to try to mitigate those con- tionships with China. Korea, to learn as much as it can about Warmbier’s as a deaconess there, and said Warmbier was not a about his time at the school. Warmbier was active in cerns. Critics have said the draft legislation risked detention. “There’s no greater priority for the adminis- member of the congregation. Warmbier, a member swimming when he was younger, according to a blog Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman choking off NGOs’ work by requiring them to tration than the welfare and safety of US citizens of the Theta Chi fraternity at the University of Virginia, operated by a local athletic booster organization, and Hong Lei, asked about the letters, said all get official sponsors and giving broad powers abroad,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest told a is studying economics with a minor in global sustain- he volunteered as a coach for a local children’s swim countries were enhancing their efforts to to police to regulate their activities. daily briefing. ability, according to his Linkedin page. Members of team. combat terrorism, and that he hoped other In the letters, the ambassadors asked Warmbier’s parents have not heard from him the fraternity were not immediately available for Warmbier, on a five-day New Year’s tour of North countries would respect China’s sovereignty. China to open both draft laws to another since his arrest, according to a statement from his comment. Korea with a group of 20, was delayed at immigra- “The counterterrorism law will not affect rele- round of public consultations. The US family provided by the University of Virginia. “I hope Warmbier was a finance and operations intern at tion before being taken away by two airport offi- vant businesses’ normal operations and it will embassy in Beijing did not immediately the fact that he has conveyed his sincere apology for Finishing Technology, his father’s firm, from June cials, according to a tour operator that had spon- not affect relevant personnel’s legitimate respond to a request for comment for this anything that he may have done wrong will now 2010 to August 2013, and helped run a student sored the trip. While most tourists to North Korea interests,” he told a daily news briefing, with- article. A spokesman for the EU Delegation make it possible for the DPRK (North Korea) authori- investment fund at the University of Virginia, accord- are from China, roughly 6,000 Westerners visit annu- out elaborating. had no comment when reached by Reuters. ties to allow him to return home,” the statement said. ing to his Linkedin profile. ally, though the United States and Canada advise Guo could not be reached for comment. The German embassy declined to com- “I urge the DPRK government to consider his He also took a class at the London School of against it. China’s State Council Information Office and ment on the letter. The Japanese embassy youth and make an important humanitarian gesture Economics and Political Science in 2015. According to Most are curious about life behind the last sliver Ministry of Public Security did not respond to said: “We pay attention to Chinese movement by allowing him to return to his loved ones.” KCNA, Warmbier said he was encouraged in his act by of the iron curtain and ignore critics who say their requests for comment. over relevant laws or drafts of laws.” Other Westerners detained in North Korea previ- a member of the Z Society, an elite philanthropic dollars prop up a repressive regime. While countries often give feedback on A Canadian government spokesperson ously have confessed to crimes against the state. organization that he hoped to join at the university. Isolated North Korea is expected to face a proposed legislation in China, the rare joint said Canada had expressed its concerns to North Korea’s state media said in January that An official in the university’s communications office tough new UN Security Council resolution tighten- response by several major powers, and coor- China’s government “about a number of Warmbier “was caught committing a hostile act could not immediately be reached for comment. ing sanctions against it following its nuclear test in dination with the EU, signals an increased new laws and regulations that constrain against the state”, which it said was “tolerated and Warmbier grew up in Wyoming, Ohio, northeast January and a long-range rocket launch this readiness to lend weight of numbers to their civil society and hinder access to informa- manipulated by the U.S. government”. of Cincinnati. He attended Wyoming High School, month. — Reuters argument. tion. — Reuters

More than $1bn was transferred A third of working women were into Malaysia PM’s accounts: WSJ sexually harassed: Japan study KUALA LUMPUR: Deposits into est report. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s Najib has been buffeted for months by bank accounts ran to hundreds of millions allegations of graft and financial misman- TOKYO: A Japanese government lars of his policies, progress has been ation could be fixed, such as stiffer nounced in the West for women some of dollars more than previously identified agement at debt-burdened 1MDB and in study has found nearly a third of work- gradual. penalties for harassment or discrimina- years ago, in which they drop out of by probes into state fund 1Malaysia particular by revelations of the transfer of ing women who responded to a sur- One big reason behind that effort is tion. the workforce to have children then Development Berhad, the Wall Street around $681 million into his account in vey reported being sexually harassed that this nation’s society is aging and In many Japanese companies, rejoin later, is still prominent in Japan. Journal reported on Monday. 2013. He has denied wrongdoing, saying on the job, such as being subjected to the workforce is rapidly shrinking. women are placed on a different The study also found many com- Citing two unnamed people familiar the funds were a legal political donation unwanted physical contact or degrad- Women now make up for about 8 per- career track from men. They often have plaints of “maternity harassment,” in with flows into Najib’s accounts and a per- and he did not take any money for per- ing comments. cent of leadership positions in compa- part-time jobs, partly because many which women were bullied into quit- son familiar with one overseas investiga- sonal gain. The study, released yesterday and nies hiring 100 people or more. Japanese men rarely help out with ting their jobs when they became tion, the report said that more than $1 bil- The Wall Street Journal report said the first of its kind, examined respons- Yesterday’s study did not propose housework. The so-called “M-curve” in pregnant, or were targeted with sug- lion was deposited from 2011 to 2013, far money beyond the $681 million arrived in es from more than 9,600 women any specific measures for how the situ- employment that used to be so pro- gestions they do so. — AP more than the $681 million earlier identi- Najib’s account in 2011 and 2012. employees, submitted by mail or fied. The paper said global investigators It said investigators in two countries online. The response rate was 18 per- believe much of the $1 billion originated believed funds originated from 1MDB and cent. It did not give a margin of error. with the state fund, known as 1MDB, but moved through a complex web of trans- Of the respondents, 29 percent said did not specify where the extra money actions. Najib is chairman of the board of they had suffered sexual harassment. came from or what happened to it. advisors to IMDB, a fund set up in 2009, The most common type of harassment The report contradicts a conclusion when he came to office, to invest in proj- was having their appearance or age reached recently by Malaysia’s chief law ects of national importance. become the focus of conversation, at officer. In response to the WSJ report, 1MDB 54 percent. Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi said it has consistently maintained that it The next most common was Ali cleared Najib in January of any corrup- has not paid any funds to the personal unwanted touching at 40 percent, fol- tion or criminal offences, saying the $681 accounts of the Prime Minister. lowed by sexually related questions at million transferred into Najib’s account “This has been reiterated by multiple 38 percent. Twenty-seven percent was a gift from a member of Saudi lawful authorities including the Malaysian were asked out for meals and dates. Arabia’s royal family and that most of it Anti-Corruption Commission, the Japan trails much of the world in was returned. A government spokesman Malaysian Attorney General, and various achieving gender equality, ranking said Malaysian authorities had gone to reputable international publications, who 101st among 145 nations and Saudi Arabia to “examine documentation” have confirmed that these funds came economies in the World Economic and interviewed members of the royal from Saudi Arabia,” it said in an email Forum’s study on the “gender gap,” family and officials who handled the response. which measures how fairly women are donations. Probes into the fund’s finances have treated based on economic, educa- “As stated by the attorney-general of been opened in Malaysia, the United tional, health-based and political indi- Malaysia, the funds received were a dona- States, Switzerland, Hong Kong, cators. tion from Saudi Arabia,” the spokesman Singapore and Abu Dhabi, the Wall Street Although Prime Minister Shinzo TOKYO: People walk on a street in Tokyo. A Japanese government study has found nearly a third said in a statement in response to the lat- Journal said. — Reuters Abe has made encouraging women to of working women who responded to a survey reported being sexually harassed on the job, work and get promoted one of the pil- such as being subjected to unwanted physical contact or degrading comments. — AP NEWS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016

A snow covered earth pyramid is pictured yesterday in Fuerst-Pueckler-Park in Branitz near Cottbus in Germany. Two unique earth pyramids are a special feature of Branitz and a reminiscence of Prince Puckler’s trip through the Orient from 1834 to 1840. — AFP

Rouhani: Voters chose ‘right and proper... Arab govt debt rises sharply in 2015: S&P Continued from Page 1 budget deficits caused by sliding oil prices. After having Continued from Page 1 strengthen the industry. “The government will never be posted massive deficits of $160 billion last year and faced a good manager in industry, including the car industry. to reach $667 billion by the end of this year, up $85 bil- with a $159-billion deficit in 2016, the GCC states’ debt is Two renowned hardline ayatollahs lost their seats on The sector should be completely privatized and com- lion on 2015, the agency said. A report by Kuwait Financial expected to rise to 59 percent of gross domestic product the 88-member assembly, which monitors supreme petitive,” he said. “The partnership will drive us ahead.” Centre (Markaz) last month forecast that the public debt of (GDP), the report said. In contrast, GCC states posted a leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s work and will pick the But he also warned that plan would mean removing the GCC states will double by 2020 as they seek to finance combined surplus of $220 billion in 2012. — AFP 76-year-old’s successor if he dies during its eight-year government protections of the domestic car market term. By contrast, 15 of the 16 candidates running in such as prohibitions or heavy tariffs on imported vehi- Tehran on the list headed by Rouhani and his veteran cles. Rouhani said the days of the state-sponsored auto Laden left millions for jihad political backer, former president Ayatollah Akbar monopoly must end. Hashemi Rafsanjani, were resoundingly voted in. “To close the doors and at the same time impose the Continued from Page 1 2010 period, he compared the American combat position Rouhani also called for foreign partnerships to boost products of one or two car factories on the people, to that of the Soviet Union in the final years of its occupa- the country’s car industry and said the sector must be while saying these are your only choices whether you The Iranian dentist might have used a slightly enlarged tion of Afghanistan in the 1980s. “America appears to be privatized to improve its competitiveness. He told a car like it or not, is not an acceptable logic,” he said. Iran’s syringe to make such an implant, bin Laden wrote in the hanging on by a thin thread. Due to the financial difficul- industry conference in a nationally broadcast speech 50-year-old car industry produces about 900,000 cars letter. The US translation is undated. “The size of the chip ties,” he wrote. “We need to be patient a bit longer. With that partnerships with international carmakers offer annually. The country hopes to increase the number to is about the length of a grain of wheat and the width of a patience, there is victory!” quick way to improve the industry’s technology and 3 million by 2025. France’s Peugeot-Citroen last month fine piece of vermicelli,” bin Laden said. He asked her to One document, a hand-written note that US intelli- safety. “There is a shortcut ... We have to start partner- announced a joint venture with automaker Iran Khodro recall the exact date of her dental work, “also about any gence officials believe the Saudi militant composed in ships with prominent world carmakers. We will reach to to make 200,000 cars a year outside Tehran. The French surgery you had, even if it was only a quick pinch”. the late 1990s, laid out how he wanted to distribute the optimum point in technology, protecting the envi- carmaker was heavily involved in Iran’s auto industry In another letter, addressed to “The Islamic about $29 million he had in Sudan. One percent of the ronment, saving energy and safety,” Rouhani said. before nuclear-related sanctions were imposed. In Iran, Community in General,” bin Laden offered an upbeat $29 million, bin Laden wrote, should go to Mahfouz Ould He said partnerships with foreign carmakers will a country of 80 million people, road accidents annually assessment of progress in his holy war since Sept Al-Walid, a senior Al-Qaeda militant who used the nom serve the best interests of all sides, and increasing the claim nearly 17,000 lives, which many blame on lax safe- 11,2001, and of US failings in Afghanistan. The letter is de guerre Abu Hafs Al-Mauritani. “By the way, he (Walid) competitiveness of the local market can only help ty standards. — Agencies undated but appears to have been written in 2010. “Here has already received 20,000-30,000 dollars from it, bin we are in the tenth year of the war, and America and its Laden continued. “I promised him that I would reward allies are still chasing a mirage, lost at sea without a him if he took it out of the Sudanese government.” Prominent Saudi cleric injured in Philippines... beach,” he wrote. “They thought that the war would be Bin Laden lived in Sudan for five years as an official easy and that they would accomplish their objectives in a guest until he was asked to leave in May 1996 by the Continued from Page 1 long separatist rebellion by the mainly Catholic nation’s few days or a few weeks, and they did not prepare for it then-Islamist government under pressure from the United Muslim minority. Zamboanga has a mixed Christian financially, and there is no popular support that would States. Another one percent of the sum should be given But Galvez did not immediately identify the gun- and Muslim population, and has been a frequent target enable it to carry on a war for a decade or more. The sons to a second associate, Engineer Abu Ibrahim Al-Iraqi Saad, man. “We still do not know what this group is or the of attacks by local Muslim militant groups. One of the of Islam have opposed them and stood between them for helping set up bin Laden’s first company in Sudan, motives of the gunman,” she said. nation’s main Muslim rebel groups raided the city in and their plans and objectives.” Wadi Al-Aqiq Co, the document said. He set down specific The Saudi embassy in Manila confirmed the inci- 2013, triggering three weeks of clashes with security Bin Laden sought to portray the US as hopelessly amounts in Saudi riyals and gold that should be appor- dent, stating Qarni was hit in the arm when a man forces that left more than 200 people dead. mired in an unwinnable war in Afghanistan. In an undat- tioned between his mother, a son, a daughter, an uncle, approached his car and shot him as he left a confer- Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Rafael Seguis ed letter that appears to have been written in the 2009- and his uncle’s children and maternal aunts. — Agencies ence. He was visiting at the invitation of a local reli- said last week that the Saudi government had asked gious association, the embassy said. The preacher was several countries, including the Philippines, for later flown to Manila on a plane madeavailable by the improved security because of a possible threat, the 18 killed in Oman bus crash Saudi embassy, according to a statement. nature of which was not specified. Philippine police Saudi media outlets described Qarni as a senior strengthened security at Saudi Arabia’s embassy and Continued from Page 1 others were still unidentified. Among the injured, 11 were Islamic scholar. He has more than 12 million followers its national airline following the request, Seguis said. from Oman, two were Saudis, one was Pakistani, one was on Twitter. In his book “Awakening Islam,” the French Seguis noted that Saudi Arabia has a conflict with Iran, Authorities later brought a crane to lift away the Chinese and one remained unidentified, the police said. academic Stephane Lacroix included Qarni among “the where the Saudi Embassy recently came under attack, smashed remains of the vehicles. Traffic crashes are not uncommon in the Gulf states. most famous” Saudi preachers. Although Qarni is not but said it’s hard to say whether the reported threat Omani police later issued a statement saying their initial Many drivers speed on long desert highways and large employed by the state, he supports the government was connected to that. Protesters set fire to the Saudi investigation led them to believe the bus and the truck populations of foreign guest workers are a source of and enjoys credibility as an “independent” cleric who Embassy in Tehran and attacked its consulate in anoth- had a head-on collision, while the car later crashed into the motorists who have come to the country with differing once backed an Islamist opposition movement against er Iranian city in response to the kingdom’s execution wreckage. Police officers from Muscat arrived at the scene driving habits. In Feb 2013, at least 22 migrant workers the regime that led him to be banned from preaching of a prominent Shiite cleric on Jan 2. The protests by helicopter, while workers with Petroleum Development died when a gravel-filled truck with faulty brakes rammed in the early 1990s. prompted Saudi Arabia to cut diplomatic ties with Oman also aided rescuers, authorities said. Police said six into a bus near in Al Ain, an Emirati city on the Omani bor- Zamboanga is one of the largest cities in the south- Iran, escalating tensions between the longtime region- of the dead were from Oman, four were from Saudi Arabia, der. In May the following year, 15 migrant workers died in a ern Philippines, which has been home to a decades- al rivals. — Agencies two were from Pakistan and one was from Yemen. Five bus crash in Dubai. — AP WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 ANALYSIS

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Issues CAR sex abuse shame for UN

By Celia Lebur

hile on the lookout for scraps of food or a little money at a Congolese peacekeepers Wbase, an 18-year-old woman was raped by three men. “They took me into the bush....They were armed and said they’d kill me if I resisted,” she told Human Rights Watch. The conjunction of sol- diers, war and poverty in Central African Republic has led to a horrendous number of sexual assaults. Barely a month goes by without the United Nations revealing a fresh sex scandal allegation involving its blue helmet peacekeepers and civil- ians. Since the start of the UN peacekeeping man- date in September 2014, 42 suspected cases of sexual attacks and abuse have been reported, and Gains unlikely to shift Iran power balance French investigators too are looking into rape charges against forces stationed in the former By Samia Nakhoul reformist orientation and focus on improve- the 50 percent state-owned car industry - the control. The lesson was clear. All elected politi- colony. Last year, nearly a third of reported cases ments in the economy and foreign relations,” second biggest sector after oil and gas. cians, even the president, are ultimately under among the UN’s 16 peacekeeping missions world- mpressive gains by Iranian President Hassan said one Tehran-based analyst who requested How far the elections will enable him to tack- the thumb of appointed clerics, Islamic jurists wide involved its Central African deployment, Rouhani in heavily handicapped elections to anonymity. “Rouhani will bring more order to le corruption and vested economic interests is and their opaque but powerful institutions, with known as MINUSCA. As the head of the UN mission Iparliament and a clerical body are evidence the economy and greater openness in foreign less certain. Hardline fundamentalists, still the supreme leader at their apex. Now, as then, in Bangui, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, put it: “We of an isolated nation eager to move from theoc- policy but the overall structure and approach entrenched in institutions Khamenei controls Khamenei holds ultimate authority. He and the have sadly the ‘palme d’or’, and this is unaccept- racy to a more open democracy, but few expect will not be altered. The vocabulary will be differ- such as the judiciary, are keen to prevent either Revolutionary Guards set the limits, and deter- able.” a sudden shift in power. The Islamic Republic’s ent, but the balance of power will not shift,” he the new opening to the world or domestic liber- mine the overall direction of the country by con- The most recent case in February involved four unique dual system of clerical and republican said. These contests could shape the future of alization. In his first comment since the vote, the trolling the media, the military, intelligence serv- children in a camp for displaced people who were rule places decisive power in the hands of a con- the next generation in Iran, where nearly 60 per- Supreme Leader praised the high turnout but ices, morality police, Friday prayer leaders and allegedly abused by troops from the Democratic servative Islamic establishment, which has cent of the 80 million population is under 30 and made no comment on the results. He set out the bulk of financial resources. They are power- shown in the past its ability to reassert control anxious to reintegrate into the international guidelines he would like to see in the newly ful but alarmed. Republic of Congo. Though UN Secretary-General when it feels threatened. community and return to world markets follow- elected bodies, suggesting they should not be Ban Ki-moon fired the head of the 10,000-strong Rouhani may have a stronger hand to open ing last year’s nuclear deal and the lifting of most influenced by the West. Vested Interests MINUSCA force in August over the mounting num- up an economy ravaged by a decade of sanc- of the punitive sanctions. The nuclear deal went through because An opening to the world of this magnitude - ber of sex abuse cases, the allegations have contin- tions, but his scope to permit more social and Khamenei wanted it to end crippling sanctions. and Rouhani’s popularity - have panicked hard- ued. “These will certainly not be the last. There’s no political freedom is constrained by hardliners’ Will of the People But he regularly cautions Iranians that the West line allies of Khamenei, who fear losing control reason for it, now that people are talking,” said control of the judiciary, security forces and state Rouhani’s main ally, ex-president Akbar will try to exploit it to undermine the Islamic sys- of the pace of change, as well as inroads into the Onanga-Anyanga. The incriminated troops are media. The scale of gains by Rouhani’s support- Hashemi Rafsanjani, a shrewd operator who has tem. “The Supreme Leader cannot be very hap- lucrative economic interests they built up under from many countries - Congo, Morocco, Niger, ers was undoubtedly a setback for hawks survived every twist and turn in Iranian politics py to see those supporting his policies losing sanctions. At stake are the vested interests of the Bangladesh, Senegal - some of the nations cited opposed to any opening to the West. Prominent since the 1979 revolution and came top in the and those may oppose his policies winning,” says Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is not just publicly by the UN for the first time. critics of Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers Assembly poll, urged hardliners not to stand in Foad Izadi, a pro-conservative Iranian analyst. Iran’s praetorian guard but an economic empire, were defeated. the way. “No one is able to resist against the will with vast holdings from banking to construction ‘An Abomination’ Centrists and reformers not only bounced of the majority of the people and whoever the Too Early to Celebrate and manufacturing. The Guards are still under In nearly every case in CAR, the alleged assaults back in a parliament under hardline control people don’t want has to step aside,” he said in a Almost all analysts agree it is too early for the US sanctions for alleged support for terrorism. took place near camps for people displaced by since 2004, but won a stunning 15 out of the 16 Twitter message. reformist camp, or a young Iranian population This has exacerbated political infighting in conflict that are located close to MINUSCA bases Tehran seats in the 88-member Assembly of Rouhani’s foes include supporters of populist yearning for change, to celebrate any decisive Iran’s complex power structures. One indicator established to protect them. The UN soldiers are Experts, which selects Iran’s supreme leader. Two ex-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, religious step forward for human rights and social free- is what a UN envoy calls “an exponential not solely at blame. After three years of horrific key hardliners including the speaker of the pow- hawks such as Ayatollah Mohammad-Taghi doms, judging by historical precedent. The last increase” in executions ordered by the judiciary strife between Christians and Muslims that has left erful clerical body were ousted. Rouhani’s allies Mesbah Yazdi, who lost his assembly seat, but time reformers won the upper hand in parlia- - more than 1,000 last year, according to human the economy in ruins and the country in chaos, took all 30 parliamentary seats in Tehran, though perhaps most dangerously hardliners around ment under President Mohammad Khatami in rights groups. One big difference from 2000 is sexual abuse is widespread. The UN Population their gains outside the capital were more limit- Khamenei and in the powerful Revolutionary 2000, the Guardian Council vetoed several laws that Rafsanjani, who has wide patronage, is now Find (UNFPA) registered 30,000 cases, including ed, with conservatives keeping many seats in Guards. Rafsanjani’s tweet implied that the elec- it passed as contrary to Islamic principles. backing Rouhani. Khatami’s reformists made rape, in the first 10 months of 2015. both bodies. An unofficial tally by Reuters of first toral gains have already started to change Iran’s Khatami was then at the height of his popu- the error of sidelining and humiliating the veter- round results for the 290-member Majlis (parlia- balance of power. They almost certainly cement larity and the hardliners seemed on the ropes, an dubbed “the shark” in the 2000 parliamen- Others turn to sex to survive. A refugee camp ment) show conservatives won about 112 seats, Rouhani’s prospects of re-election next year, humiliated by his landslide 1997 victory. Many tary election. Some analysts predict that like M’poko near Bangui airport has become a fes- reformers and centrists 90 and independents since friend and foe alike credit him for the then saw Iran heading for detente with the West, reformists may gradually gain a bigger say in tering slum, overcrowded and desperately poor, and religious minorities 29. There will be run-offs nuclear deal that offered Iran a new relationship economic reform, social liberalisation and politi- power if they can consolidate their majority and with some young girls agreeing to sexual relations in April in 59 districts where no one won more with the world. cal pluralism. It ended in tears as conservatives establish a voice in picking the next supreme or fellatio with men - including peacekeepers - in than 25 percent of the vote.The numbers are The results may well also sway the selection used the judiciary and the Guardian Council to leader. This is not just wishful thinking; their exchange for some bread or for 500 CFA francs approximate because Iran does not have rigid of a successor to Khamenei, who holds ultimate shut down the free space Khatami had opened, opponents feel the same. “In the Assembly of (less than one euro). “Women only have their bod- party affiliations. Some candidates were backed state power but is 76 and underwent prostate closing newspapers, locking up reformists, veto- Experts the principalists (hardliners) lost seats. ies to offer to feed their families” if their husbands by both camps. surgery in 2014. The new parliamentary line-up ing reform bills and denying his supporters That part is more complicated because the peo- have been killed or displaced elsewhere, said Irene The advances came despite the disqualifica- could hasten Rouhani’s drive to open Iran to for- access to state media. ple sitting there are theologians, jurists not nec- Ngogui, who works with local NGO Vitalite Plus. tion of thousands pro-reform candidates by an eign trade and investment and loosen some of Though re-elected triumphantly in 2001, essarily politicians, but they do have a lot of Sometimes it’s the parents themselves who unelected clerical Guardian Council that reports the legal shackles on economic activity. Khatami soon became a lame duck due to their power,” said Izadi, an assistant professor at push their young daughters to prostitution. directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Signalling post-election intentions, the presi- crackdown and the revelation of Iran’s secret Tehran University. “In the Shiite theology the “Recently a mother wanted her 14-year-old daugh- Khamenei. “The results in Tehran reflect a dent called on Tuesday for the privatization of nuclear program, which the president did not leader is not infallible.” — Reuters ter to bring home some food, but the girl refused and she was beaten and chased out of the house,” said a humanitarian worker who asked not to be named. The scandals involving UN peacekeepers Corruption rampant in Russian prisons come as no surprise to residents in the M’poko dis- trict across from the bases of both MINUSCA and By Marina Lapenkova Bazhibina, an accountant who spent two years ($13,000), she said. added, using the informal name for the city’s the French force known as Sangaris. behind bars on a smuggling charge before “Transfer to a better cell at Moscow’s penal No. 2 penal detention centre in historic build- And it’s hard to prevent the two worlds from better cell, a hospital stay or early release being released in 2011. She recalled that a for- detention centre Number 1 (known as ings. “To get hospitalized costs between one crossing paths. “At night, the blue helmets come by - everything can be bought in Russian mer businessman complained recently the Matrosskaya Tishina) costs 50,000 rubles,” said and two thousand dollars, depending on the in a car and drive off the road and the girls follow Ajails, as corruption revelations have “monthly rent” for his cell at Medvedkovo penal Yelena Masyuk, a journalist and member of the camp and your state of health,” said former them,” said Lea, a mother at the camp. “They know shown. Yelena Fedoseyeva, a former inmate at detention centre in northeast Moscow was Kremlin’s rights council who visits prisons. “It Soviet dissident and rights activist Valery they’ll get some sardines.” But since the scandals Prison Camp No. 7 near the city of Kaluga, excessively high - around a million rubles costs more at Moscow’s Butyrka prison,” she Borshchev, who also visits prisons to check on erupted, the MINUSCA force says it has taken around 180 km southwest of Moscow, recalled their conditions. “All these reported cases will measures to confine the troops, when possible. how she was asked for a bribe. “At the end of be checked,” the prison service’s spokewoman 2014, Darya Antonova, who was in charge of Kristina Belousova told AFP. “The battle against Local police patrols have also been organized with prisoner education at the No. 7 camp, asked my corruption is continuing.” “night-time rounds to make sure our men in uni- ex-husband for the equivalent of $2,600 in form are not found where they shouldn’t be.” exchange for my early release,” she told AFP. Six Rampant Violations For Onanga-Anyanga, the scandals add to the months after he paid the necessary amount - Investigations into corruption in the prison misery of one of the world’s poorest countries, officially to “buy bed sheets” for prisoners - service have uncovered rampant violations where 70 percent of the 4.8 million people live in Fedoseyeva said she was released. involving officials. In late January, the governor poverty. “This is a country that’s been destroyed Wealthier prisoners convicted of financial of Prison Camp No. 2 in the city of Kazan in cen- and badly disrupted,” he said, “and pouring salt crimes as Fedoseyeva was - known as “sweet” tral Russia killed himself after his deputy was into the open wound is an abomination.” — AFP inmates in prison slang - are the main targets of arrested and confessed to handing prison man- such attempts to extort funds. In July, the fami- agement the equivalent of about 600,000 rubles lies of inmates at the prison camp where from a prisoner in exchange for early release. Fedoseyeva served her sentence accused the In 2012, the former deputy head of the far All articles appearing on these governor of organizing large-scale fraud. The eastern Khabarovsk region’s prison service com- pages are the personal opinion of prison governor allegedly forced families to buy mitted suicide while facing accusations of cor- items of equipment for the prison and then got ruption. His predecessor had killed himself six the writers. Kuwait Times takes no reimbursed by the state, using invoices provided months earlier, also while facing fraud charges. responsibility for views expressed by the families. “The governor has been Last year three members of staff and two former therein. Kuwait Times invites read- removed from her job and is currently under employees at Moscow’s penal detention centre ers to voice their opinions. Please investigation,” a spokesman for the regional No. 1 were arrested for allegedly extorting 10 Investigative committee, which probes serious million rubles from prisoners. send submissions via email to: opin- crimes, told AFP. “You pay bribes to get a cell- Corruption allegations go up to the very [email protected] or via snail phone or medication, to be put in hospital, to highest level: General Alexander Reimer, the mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. get married or have a shower - everything is for head of Russia’s prison service until 2012, was sale in prison,” said Inna Bazhibina, an activist for arrested in March last year. He was accused of The editor reserves the right to edit Rus Sidyashchaya, or Russia in Jail, a movement stealing some three billion rubles from a state any submission as necessary. that defends prisoners’ rights. This file photo taken on March 21, 2007 shows a prisoner in his cell at a prison in contract to buy electronic bracelets and accom- Prices vary according to the prison, said Mordovia penal Colony, 650 km east of Moscow. — AFP panying surveillance systems. — AFP WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 SPORTS

Top seed Vinci knocked Germany’s Holzdeppe Formula One: Mercedes out of Malaysian Open to miss world indoors unleash Rosberg in test

KUALA LUMPUR: Top seed Roberta Vinci was knocked out of the first round BERLIN: Germany’s 2013 pole vault world champion Raphael BARCELONA: World champions Mercedes sent another signal of their con- of the Malaysian Open after losing to Taiwan’s Kai-Chen Chang 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 Holzdeppe is out of this month’s world indoor championships with tinued dominance to the rest of the Formula One paddock as Nico Rosberg yesterday. The 33-year-old Italian, ranked 10th in the world and eyeing her an ankle injury, it was announced yesterday. The 26-year-old suf- was fastest on the first morning of the second pre-season test in Barcelona second WTA tour title of the season, succumbed to a player with a world rank- fered the injury in the German indoor championships in Leipzig on yesterday. The German registered the second best time of testing so far in ing of 153. In an earlier first-round match, second seed Elina Sunday and a scan on Monday has ruled him out for the next few 1min 23.022sec as Mercedes finally used the quicker soft tyres after nearly Svitolina of Ukraine easily dispatched Japan’s Miyu Kato in weeks, including the world indoors in Portland, USA, from March 700 laps on the first four days of testing last week on the medi- straight sets, 6-1, 6-1. China’s Zhaoxuan Yang, seeded eighth, 17-20. He would have been going head-to-head with France’s um compound. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen was second, but beat her fellow countrywoman Saisai Zheng 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. On world record holder Renaud Lavillenie, who cleared 6.16m in 2014, nearly two seconds behind Rosberg as the Finn completed Monday Eugenie Bouchard had an easy win over Hong and reigning world outdoors champion Shawnacy Barber of 42 laps on medium tyres. McLaren-Honda had a mixed Kong’s Zhang Ling, 6-3, 6-1 to advance to the second round. Canada. “It’s not possible for Raphael Holzdeppe to take part in the morning as they at least recovered from the reliability The Canadian, who has been showing signs of return- world championships,” said Germany’s head coach Idriss problems suffered at the end of last week’s test with ing to form, will meet Japan’s Karumi Nara today. Gonschinska. “He will be out for several weeks, which we greatly Fernando Alonso completing 50 laps. The Spanish two- Third seed Sabine Lisicki from Germany also heads regret.” Holzdeppe, who took bronze at the 2012 London Olympic time world champion also recorded the third fastest to the second round today, facing Barbora Games, won the world championships in Moscow in 2013 with a time, but was over two seconds back on Rosberg’s time on Krejcikova from the Czech Republic. Lisicki had leap of 5.89m, then took silver in Beijing last year. He is expected to the same soft tyres to again demonstrate the gulf between defeated Magda Linette from Poland 6-4, 7-6(5) on have recovered in time for the European championships in the McLaren-Honda project and Mercedes. Brazilian Felipe Monday in a tough battle in hot and humid condi- Amsterdam from July 6-10 and the Rio de Janeiro Olympics from Nasr debuted the Sauber C35 with the Swiss team the last to tions. — AFP August 5-21.—AFP unveil their new car for the new season.—AFP City urged to harness Wembley momentum LIVERPOOL: Manchester City defender “Well, of course, if we don’t win today it will Pablo Zabaleta believes that his team’s be tough because we will miss a great Wembley success in the League Cup final chance to try to reduce the gap between against Liverpool can spur them onto fur- the leader and us,” he said. “We are ther silverware at home and abroad. Manchester City, we have talent and big Manuel Pellegrini’s team face Liverpool players to try to recover those points that again in the Premier League today, just probably we lost against Leicester and three days after beating them 3-1 in a Spurs. They won their games this weekend. penalty shootout in the cup final, following They are two good teams. “We cannot for- a 1-1 stalemate at the end of extra time. get Arsenal. Everything is very tight at the City have nine points to make up on sur- top of the table. It just depends on us.” prise league leaders Leicester City and are Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson also still very much alive in the Champions admits there is a collective and personal League, following an impressive 3-1 last 16 responsibility for him to lift his team-mates first-leg away victory at Dynamo Kiev. after the disappointment of defeat at Zabaleta believes winning the League Wembley. And the England midfielder Cup, for the second time in three years, will pointed to the experience of the 2011-12 inspire them to additional success. “We season, when Liverpool lost the FA Cup know that it’s another competition, anoth- final to Chelsea but bounced back to beat er cup is gone, now we have time enough the same opponents three days later in the to be focused on the Premier League and league, as inspiration. “You have to try and the Champions League,” the Argentine take positives from it and learn from these right-back said. “We know how important it experiences,” he said. “There is still a lot to is now to recover all the players and most play for. In the league we have to try and of them be fit for that period because we finish as high as we can and there is the have a lot of big games coming up now Europa League. We have to focus on what we can do this season and finish it well. until the end. “We need to try to win today “Of course I will take the responsibility, and get back on track again. There are still but as a team we’ve great character and PITTSBURGH: Louis Domingue #35 of the Arizona Coyotes makes a save against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center on February 36 points to play for in the Premier League, personality. You saw that on the pitch, so 29, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. —AFP which is a lot of games. there won’t be a problem moving forward. “We were in this situation before a few “I feel when we play to the level we are years ago even when we won the league capable of, we can beat everyone. We left that we were about eight points behind the everything on the field (against City). We Hornqvist hat trick powers leaders and we still have a game in hand. have to do the same until the end of the “It’s time now to focus on the Premier season and there could be still success for League and try to win today.” On a dramatic us. “It is hard. It is difficult. But that is life weekend in the Premier League, Arsenal’s and football and you have to deal with it as Penguins past Coyotes 6-0 3-2 loss at Manchester United was a boost best you can. I’ve been in this situation for City, but Zabaleta says that his team before. We beat Chelsea 4-1 after the FA PITTSBURGH: Patric Hornqvist had his first career Fiddler put in his own rebound to tie the score their sixth victory in the past seven meetings. must only focus on the trip to Liverpool as Cup final. We need to respond the same hat trick, beating goalie Louis Domingue three with 1:31 to play in the third period. The Stars had Pavelski had two goals and one assist, while defeat could spell disaster. way.”— AFP times as the Pittsburgh Penguins made quick an extra skater on after pulling Niemi. Fiddler also Thornton scored one goal and assisted on two work of the sinking Arizona Coyotes 6-0 on assisted on Colton Sceviour’s second-period goal. others to help the Sharks move within two points Monday night. Chris Kunitz and Kris Letang both By earning one point for the overtime loss, the of second-place Anaheim and four points of had a goal and an assist. Matt Cullen scored his Stars tied Chicago atop the Central Division. leader Los Angeles in the Pacific Division. Brent Big names stay put as NHL ninth of the season and Sidney Crosby added Detroit had failed to score in its last 20 power Burns also had a goal and two assists, and Melker three assists as Pittsburgh began a busy week by plays over seven games. The Red Wings have won Karlsson and Nick Spaling added goals for San trade deadline passes sending the Coyotes to their sixth straight loss. their last seven games in Dallas dating to Oct. 14, Jose. Martin Jones made 21 saves to earn wins on Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 30 shots for his fifth 2010. back-to-back nights for the first time since shutout of the season and the 43rd of his career. November. Brendan Gallagher and Torrey Mitchell COLORADO: Loui Eriksson is still with team.” The league-leading Capitals had Domingue made 27 saves but Arizona was never SHARKS 6, CANADIENS 2 scored for the Canadiens, who lost in regulation Boston. Dan Hamhuis is still a Canuck. already addressed their depth by acquir- in it while going winless on a five-game road trip. Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton each had three for the first time in five games. Montreal fell seven And Jonathan Drouin is still on the roster ing forward Daniel Winnik from Toronto The Coyotes have dropped eight consecutive points to key a dominant performance from San points behind Pittsburgh in the race for the final of the Tampa Bay Lightning after the on Sunday, and adding defenseman games away from home and haven’t won on Jose’s top line, and the Sharks beat Montreal for playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.— AP NHL’s trade deadline came and went Mike Weber from Buffalo last week. The opposing ice since Jan. 25. Monday. The league said there were 19 East rival New York Rangers acquired trades involving 37 players completed on Hurricanes captain Eric Staal in exchange LIGHTNING 2, MAPLE LEAFS 1 Monday. That’s lower than last year’s for Finnish prospect Aleksi Saarela and a Tyler Johnson scored twice and Tampa Bay numbers of 24 trades and 43 players, but pair of second-round draft picks over the beat Toronto for its seventh straight victory. It was it marked the 15th straight deadline day weekend. Johnson’s first multigoal game of the season. He in which at least 30 players were dealt. In the West, Sakic completed three was questionable to play after taking Kevan There were a few splashes made, mostly trades in which he added a top-line for- Miller’s clearing attempt off his forehead in a 4-1 in the Western Conference by teams ward in Arizona’s Mikkel Boedker and win at Boston on Sunday. The Lightning’s winning including Anaheim and Colorado as the filled out his defensive depth in acquir- streak matches a season high. Andrei Vasilevskiy afternoon deadline arrived. ing New Jersey’s Eric Gelinas. The made 31 saves. Nazem Kadri scored late in the Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic Avalanche have missed the postseason third period for Toronto, and Garret Sparks had 26 delivered on his intent to provide four of the past five seasons and current- stops. The Maple Leafs have lost two straight and Colorado’s playoff run one more push. ly hold down the West’s eighth and final seven of eight. And Dallas added defensive depth by playoff spot. “We expect to make the landing nine-year veteran Kris Russell in playoffs,” Sakic said. “That’s what these RANGERS 2, BLUE JACKETS 1 a trade with Calgary in exchange for moves are for, trying to help your team Derek Stepan’s short-handed goal snapped a defensemen Jyrki Jokipakka and Brett get better.” Avalanche captain Gabriel tie with 2:48 to play, and New York beat Pollock and a conditional second-round Landeskog appreciated the support Columbus in Eric Staal’s much-anticipated debut. draft pick. Russell has 174 shot blocks in management provided. “It sends a mes- Mats Zuccarello also scored and Antti Raanta just 51 games this season. But the day sage to everybody in here that they’re made 26 saves in giving the Rangers their 13th was largely notable for the names who willing up top to give us the best chance win in 18 games (13-4-1). Henrik Lundqvist’s back- didn’t move. Selected third overall in the possible to go deep in the playoffs,” up denied Cam Atkinson on the doorstep with 2013 draft, Drouin’s future with the Landeskog said. less than a second remaining to preserve the vic- Lightning remains uncertain after his Boedker is an eight-year veteran who tory. Atkinson scored his 20th goal of the season agent went public with his client’s trade adds scoring punch. His 39 points (13 and Joonas Korpisalo had 22 saves for Columbus, demands in December. Drouin was goals, 26 assists) ranked third on Arizona. which finished 7-3-3 in February. Stepan gave the unhappy over being demoted to the Gelinas is a hard-shooting third-year Rangers the lead on a partial breakaway while minors and has since left the AHL defenseman who provides Colorado Eric’s brother, Marc Staal, was in the penalty box. Syracuse Crunch to work out on his own depth on the blue line. Eric Staal was acquired Sunday from Carolina for prospect Aleksi Saarela and two second-round in Montreal. In exchange, the Avalanche traded NEW YORK: Columbus Blue Jackets’ David Clarkson (23) and New York Rangers’ Dylan McIlrath draft picks. Boston acquired play-making forward veteran forward Alex Tanguay and two (6) fight for control of the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, Feb Lee Stempniak from New Jersey and vet- prospects, forward Connor Bleackley and 29, 2016. — AP FLYERS 5, FLAMES 3 eran defenseman John Michael Liles defenseman Kyle Wood, who were both Brayden Schenn had his first career hat trick, from Carolina. But the Bruins stood pat selected in the 2014 draft. For Gelinas, scoring all three goals in the first two periods and NHL Results/Standings on Eriksson, who was a candidate to be Colorado sent the Devils a third-round leading Philadelphia past Calgary. Claude Giroux traded because his contract expires this pick in the 2017 draft. Anaheim made a had four assists and Wayne Simmonds scored NY Rangers 2, Columbus 1; Philadelphia 5, Calgary 3; Pittsburgh 6, Arizona 0; Tampa Bay 2, Toronto 1; Detroit 3, Dallas offseason. “If you look around the league, few splashes in acquiring two-way for- twice for the Flyers, who have won three straight 2 (OT); San Jose 6, Montreal 2. I don’t think any team current in a playoff ward Jamie McGinn from Buffalo and for- as they remain in the thick of the Eastern position traded a player of Loui’s magni- ward Brandon Pirri from Florida. Conference playoff race. Philadelphia held on Western Conference Tampa Bay 37 22 4 175 151 78 Central Division tude,” Bruins general manager Don The defending Stanley Cup champion after nearly wasting a 4-1 lead and remained Detroit 32 20 11 161 163 75 W L OTL GF GA PTS Boston 34 23 6 195 175 74 Sweeney said. “I think one first-rounder Chicago Blackhawks were quiet Monday, three points behind Pittsburgh for the final wild Chicago 39 20 5 180 153 83 Ottawa 30 27 6 185 196 66 was exchanged. The deal had to be right.” but they had already acquired Winnipeg card in the East. Sean Monahan, Micheal Ferland Dallas 38 19 7 206 184 83 Pittsburgh general manager Jim forward Andrew Ladd in exchange for and Michael Frolik scored for the Flames. Michael St. Louis 36 20 9 162 159 81 Montreal 30 28 5 173 175 65 Rutherford said the asking prices were rookie forward Marko Dano and a first- Neuvirth stopped 26 shots and won his 16th Nashville 31 21 11 167 158 73 Buffalo 25 31 7 147 170 57 too high for some players he had identi- round pick in this year’s draft. Far below game of the season. Colorado 32 28 4 172 181 68 Toronto 21 30 10 147 182 52 fied, and Arizona GM Don Maloney said them in the standings, the Coyotes said Minnesota 28 25 10 164 159 66 Metropolitan Division the uncertainty over how much the trading Boedker shouldn’t be seen as a RED WINGS 3, STARS 2, OT Winnipeg 26 31 4 159 183 56 Washington 45 12 4 202 142 94 Pacific Division Pavel Datsyuk scored a power-play goal in NY Rangers 37 20 6 180 159 80 salary cap will grow this summer was a sign Arizona is pulling the plug on its Los Angeles 37 21 4 165 143 78 factor in preventing some teams from season. “We’re not throwing in the towel overtime and Detroit beat Dallas for its third Anaheim 34 19 8 153 144 76 NY Islanders 33 20 7 171 149 73 making trades. in,” Maloney said. “We’ve got some home straight victory. Datsyuk put a rebound past San Jose 34 22 6 188 167 74 Pittsburgh 32 21 8 165 157 72 Washington Capitals GM Brian games coming up, so let’s start winning goalie Antti Niemi at 2:33 of overtime while Vancouver 24 25 12 148 175 60 Philadelphia 29 22 11 157 168 69 MacLellan expressed disappointment he our games and crawl our way back into Mattias Janmark was off for hooking. The Red Arizona 27 30 6 168 198 60 New Jersey 30 26 7 139 153 67 was unable to make an additional move. the playoff hunt.” The Coyotes also Wings moved into third place in the Atlantic Calgary 26 32 4 169 195 56 Carolina 28 26 10 155 173 66 Edmonton 23 34 7 156 193 53 “It seemed to be a little bit quieter today acquired winger Sergei Plotnikov from Division, one point ahead of Boston. Rookie cen- Columbus 26 30 8 167 196 60 Eastern Conference than I expected it to be, so there’s a little Pittsburgh in exchange for prospect ter Andreas Athanasiou scored Detroit’s first two Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the goals, and Jimmy Howard made 39 saves to win Atlantic Division frustration,” MacLellan said. “But still, I’m Matthias Plachta and a conditional sev- Florida 35 19 8 171 146 78 standings and are not included in the loss column (L). comfortable with where we’re at as a enth-round pick in 2017.—AP for the first time since Dec 3. Dallas’ Vernon WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 SPORTS

What a creative mind with a can of Red Bull

KUWAIT: Ever thought how far one can ful, colorful, clever or amusing. The proj- go with creativity with just a can of Red ect will culminate in a premium art exhi- Bull? Think again. Following the success bition, where the selected pieces will be of Red Bull Art of Can 2011, the event is displayed and the top three pieces returning this year and will be giving tal- awarded prizes. The judges will select the ents from Kuwait the chance to go with winners who will be announced on the inspiration to new heights. The master- opening night of the exhibition. piece can be anything - a sculpture, a painting, photography, dress, music, When to apply? movie, and digital illustration. The application phase starts on 1stMarch and extends to 6 weeks until ED BULL art of can 16th April. Later on, the selection of the This year, a new category will be fea- artworks take place by 25thMay 2016 tured; in addition to the physical art, the and June 6thwill be the opening of the digital displayed art will be introduced to Exhibition Premiere followed by two the competition for the first time. The week exhibition open for the public. physical piece of art should include the Applications can be submitted online by actual Red Bull can as the primary mate- registering at www.redbull.com/artof- rial in the final work. However, the digital cankw or through calling the hotline: Event guests enjoy the Red Bull Art of Can Kuwait at the 360 Event winner, Everito Villacruz, poses for a portrait in front of his art- displayed art is a work of art that can be +965 66406020. The closing date for Exhibition Hall in Kuwait. work. displayed on a screen and should include receipt of the finalized works of art is a digital version of the Red Bull can in the 16th April 2016. The organizers will after- final piece. Submissions could take the wards shortlist the entrants qualified to form of an animation, a digital short film, participate in “The Art of Can” exhibition stop motion, or GIF. based on creativity, theme and final pres- The Red Bull Art of Can offers a plat- entation. form for anyone, regardless of age, who wants to explore his or her creative tal- A bit of history ent. Artists, students, grandparents and The art of creating masterpieces out all those in between are invited to sub- of Red Bull cans started back in 1999. mit their works of art. The Red Bull Art of Exhibitions have been held all around Can is a true expression of one’s imagina- the globe from Europe to New Zealand. tion, with little or no restrictions placed Countries like Austria, Germany, the on the budding artist. Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Your primary material/inspiration Kingdom, South Africa, Singapore, USA, must be a Red Bull can, but you will need UAE, Kuwait and many more. This year, to add plenty of imagination and creativ- Red Bull Art of Can will be taking place in ity. Make a sculpture, a picture, a 3D Kuwait only. Be bold and get inspired. model, a mobile, digital illustration or a Take a look at what others have done - vis- piece of modern art, but make it beauti- it http://www.redbullartofcan.com/gallery

Quarterback class has plenty to prove before the NFL draft Pakistan’s Inzamam backs INDIANAPOLIS: NFL teams looking Tunsil from Mississippi. There’s little for a franchise quarterback in this doubt Tunsil looked the part this tainted duo Asif and Butt year’s draft may have a long search. weekend, measuring in at 6-foot-5, Sure, Carson Wentz, Jared Goff and 310 pounds and looking light on his Paxton Lynch could be the guy - in feet. Bosa, however, ran a slower-than- NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain time. But there are significant ques- expected 4.86 seconds in the 40-yard Inzamam-ul Haq has backed tainted compatri- tions about all three, and this week- dash. Don’t be surprised to hear some ots Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt, saying end’s workouts at the NFL’s annual other names join the conversation they should be given a second chance after scouting combine in Indianapolis before April. serving stints in jail for spot fixing. The pair, failed to produce some of those along with former teammate Mohammad Amir, were jailed in Britain after being found answers. “Most of these kids have nev- BUCKEYE BONANZA guilty of spot fixing at the 2010 Lord’s Test er been under center, so when you Ohio State sent 14 players to the against England. Although Amir has returned talk about a five-step drop, most of combine and linebacker Darron Lee to the national team in impressive style, Asif them have never done it until they got might have been the most impressive. and Butt remain sidelined and have not been with the (quarterback) guru,” NFL Among the players at his position, Lee included in Pakistan’s squad for the T20 World Network draft analyst Mike Mayock ran the fastest 40 (4.47), had the best Cup starting this month in India. said after watching Saturday’s drills. broad jump (11 feet, 1 inch), had top- “Once a person completes his sentence, he “So what the coaches are looking for 10 times in the three-cone drill (7.12) has the right to live and play and the right to is their footwork.” and 20-yard shuttle (4.20) and a 35 do everything else,” Inzamam said in an inter- Regardless, all three could find 1/2-inch vertical jump. Lee may have view in New Delhi. “So I believe the other play- landing spots in the Top 10 picks. They performed well enough to become ers should also get a chance to make a return,” always seem to. The question this year the fifth or sixth Buckeyes player to said Inzamam, who played with the pair in the is who is best positioned. Goff can earn a first-round grade. later stages of his career. The swashbuckling make every throw needed to excel in batsman, who took over as coach of the NFL, though he played largely in a INJURY QUESTIONS Afghanistan last year, was briefly in Delhi as spread offense at California, a pro- Some of this year’s top draft part of his minnow’s preparations for the World gram that with the exception of Aaron prospects must wait until their pro Cup. Inzamam, who played 120 Tests and 388 Rodgers has struggled to produce days to impress scouts. Linebackers one-day internationals during his illustrious NFL-ready quarterbacks. Wentz won a Jaylon Smith and Miles Jack and cor- career, praised Amir for his sensational spell of national championship every year he nerback Kendall Fuller have not yet bowling against India in the ongoing T20 Asia attended North Dakota State, but been cleared to participate in work on Cup in Dhaka. there are big questions about the lev- the field because of significant knee “The sheer fact that a person can have so el of competition he faced in the injuries. Jack and Fuller are hoping to much talent, that even after a long hiatus he Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq Football Championship Subdivision. work out before the draft. Smith may can bowl with the same vigor and precision” is Lynch looked rather fit at 6-foot-7, 244 not get that chance because he had amazing, he said. “The way he bowled against pounds and displayed his athleticism major knee surgery seven weeks ago. India it didn’t look as if he was making a during workouts. But it’s also clear he’s comeback after five long years. It was a treat Indian state threatens not a finished product yet. SLOWER THAN to watch.” The 23-year-old took three quick “Paxton Lynch looks like, to me, The most surprising part of the wickets for Pakistan in last week’s match that they’re building him from the workouts might have been the lack of before India eventually pummeled their bitter Pakistan tie over attack ground up,” Mayock said. “When he speed demonstrated by this year’s rivals by five wickets. Amir’s five-year ban gets his footwork the right way ... he’s receivers. Notre Dame’s Will Fuller from the sport was lifted last April by the NEW DELHI: India’s cricket board yesterday “The venues of the World Cup matches were got good arm strength. But he’s a little (4.32) and TCU’s Kolby Listenbee (4.39) International Cricket Council, while Asif and criticized authorities in the northern state of decided one year ago, the allotment of bit of a project. He’s a couple years were the only receivers to finish the Butt became eligible last September for Himachal Pradesh after they refused to pro- matches was decided six months ago,” said away.” Other first-round possibilities at 40-yard dash in less than 4.4 seconds. national and international matches. But the vide security for an upcoming India-Pakistan Thakur. “By claiming that you cannot provide quarterback could include Connor Only eight other receivers ran sub- Pakistan Cricket Board has said the pair will World T20 tie, citing a January attack on an security, you are only giving credence to Cook from Michigan State and 4.5s. Compare that to the defensive have to work harder to impress before return- Indian army base. Chief Minister Virbhadra Pakistani claims that there is a security threat Christian Hackenberg from Penn backs, where six ran faster than 4.4 ing to international cricket. Singh said Sunday that the match should be to their team in India. It’s about the country’s moved to another venue out of respect for image.” State. But the safest bet might be if a and another 14 who were faster than They returned to domestic cricket in style in the “martyrs” killed in the assault by Pakistani Pakistan have already voiced concerns team with a solid starting quarterback 4.5. January, with Butt smashing a century and left- decided to draft for the future. “If I’m militants on an Indian air force base in neigh- about security in India, saying there were armer Asif picking up two wickets in their first boring Punjab. specific threats from Hindu activists who Dallas at No 4, I’m kind of licking my NEXT UP outing in the one-day league. All three were He has threatened not to provide security forced the cancellation of a meeting lips because I’ve got a 36-year-old Now that the combine has found guilty by a British court of arranging for Pakistan’s players at the Himachal between cricket officials from the two quarterback (Tony Romo) who hasn’t wrapped up, teams can focus squarely deliberate no-balls in return for money in a Pradesh cricket ground in the Himalayan countries in Mumbai last October. The finished a season in three years,” on the next part of the offseason complex betting scam. They were jailed in town of Dharamsala where the clash is due South Asian arch-rivals have not played a Mayock said in reference to Wentz. “I process - figuring out what to do with 2011 and were released at different times the to take place on March 19. “We are not will- bilateral series for more than three years would much prefer drafting a guy for the veterans. Over the next few days, following year. Amir returned to the national ing to provide security for the match,” a sen- amid diplomatic tensions. Those were the future.” Here are some other players such as Peyton Manning and side for the limited-overs tour of New Zealand ior state government official said on condi- worsened by the January attack on the observations from Indianapolis: Marshawn Lynch could decide in January and got down to business right tion of anonymity. “It’s just one match that Pathankot airbase, which came days after whether to retire, teams will away with his wicket-taking ability intact. we are bothered about because it involves Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sur- WHO’S NO 1 announce franchise and transition tag Inzamam said he believes Pakistan still stands a Pakistan and our decision reflects the senti- prise peacemaking visit to Pakistan in With no clear-cut quarterback at designations and determine priorities chance in the World T20 starting March 8 ments of the people of Himachal.” December. The raid led to the postpone- No 1, speculation has centered around about who to re-sign. And those deci- despite disappointing batting in the Asia Cup. Indian cricket board secretary Anurag ment of peace talks between the nuclear- defensive end Joey Bosa from Ohio sions could be influenced by what “T20 is an unpredictable format, so you cannot Thakur accused the state of playing politics armed arch-rivals, with Modi urging his State and offensive tackle Laremy scouts just witnessed in Indy.— AP rule out any team’s chances,” said Inzamam, and said the country regularly provided Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif to take security for Pakistani sportsmen and women. “firm and immediate action”.— AFP who has 8,830 Test runs to his credit.— AFP WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 SPORTS

Baseball toughens up on chew as sky darkens for dippers LOS ANGELES: Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz spit some chew into a bottle at his locker, then dipped into the lat- est notice from baseball. Big leaguers are now getting a written reminder that smokeless tobacco is banned at stadiums in Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles. One- page letters are being put in clubhouse stalls throughout spring training, where there is no prohibition. The notes come jointly from Major League Baseball and the players’ union. So, will Buchholz quit? “That’ll probably happen,” he said. “If you get repri- manded for something, there comes a time where you’re tired of paying fines for something you don’t have to do or doesn’t make you any better.” “You’ve got to obey the rules or there’s consequences to it. We’ll probably learn more about that when we get up North,” he said at camp in Fort Myers, Florida. Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker was a big dipper for a long time. He’s cut back over the years, but still might pop in a pinch when games get tight. “It’s a bad influence for the kids. Big time. I’ll say that. But also they’re adults, too, at the same time,” Baker said. “We’ll see,” he said. “My daughter used to put water in my can and put it back in my truck. Or my son, he has lip check - ‘Get it out, Dad!’” Local laws will prohibit the use of all tobacco products at Fenway Park, Dodger Stadium and AT&T Park this year, meaning players, team personnel, umpires and fans. The letter advises the same ban will take effect at every California ballpark in December. 5th International Shooting Grand Prix kicks off “Major league players are citizens,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said last week in Arizona. “Municipalities pass By Abdellatif Sharaa Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al- laws. We expect that our players will comply with those Sabah. laws.” Said new Dodgers manager Dave Roberts: “I sup- port it.” “I think that the intentions are there, and there’s KUWAIT: Chairman and board members The tournament will witness large obviously going to be some resistance with players,” he of Kuwait Shooting Sport Club were hon- participation as world and Olympic said. ored to meet HH the Crown Prince champions will be among the 350 shoot- “Like it or not, players are role models, and we have a Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- ers from more than 31 countries in the platform as coaches and players. So if that’s the law, then Sabah at Bayan Palace yesterday. competition. Chairman of the Higher we definitely support it,” he said. Similar legislation has President of Arab and Kuwait Shooting Organizing Committee inspected the lat- been proposed in New York City, and both the Mets and Federations Eng Duaij Khalaf Al-Otaibi est preparations. HH the Amir Grand Prix Yankees say they back such a ban at their parks. In expressed his pleasure during which he is poised to see strong competition. All Toronto, a city legislator said Monday that he plans to conveyed greetings from all members of participants are looking to win medals, in pursue a ban that would cover the Blue Jays’ stadium. The Kuwait Shooting Community. He also this event, which is as important as world letter being distributed to players on 40-man rosters and thanked HH the Crown Prince for sup- competitions. There will be prize money teams this spring says: “Please note that these are city porting the hosting of the latest Gulf approved, in addition to the participa- ordinances and not rules established by Major League championship under his patronage. tion of world champions. Baseball. However, the commissioner’s office will be mon- Al-Otaibi congratulated HH the Crown Meanwhile, Secretary General of Arab itoring players and club personnel for compliance with Prince on the occasion of national days and Kuwait Shooting Federations Obaid the regulations.” and his 10 anniversary as Crown Prince. Al-Osaimi welcomed all participating Smokeless tobacco isn’t permitted throughout the Meanwhile, HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah delegations, adding that the number of minor leagues. There is no ban on dipping in the majors, and the issue is certain to be discussed in upcoming labor Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Fifth countries and participating shooters talks between MLB and the union on the contract that International Shooting Grand Prix will reflects the importance of this Grand Prix expires Dec 1. Going back more than a century, even begin today with the official opening at it. He said that HOC decided to double before Bull Durham tobacco signs were plastered all over the Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Olympic the prize money for those who hit or outfield walls, baseball was filled with pictures of players Shooting Complex, under the patronage break world records - provided that they with a chaw in their cheek. Buchholz did take a break, for of HH the Amir - and the presence of his are in the top three places of the compe- a while. “I stopped in the offseason and baseball, it goes representative Information Minister, titions. Al-Osaimi lauded the support of The Kuwaiti Shooter Al-Afasi along with the territory for me,” he said. “It’s not a good State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh HH the Amir. habit.” Over the years, in collective bargaining, MLB and the union have tried to lower that profile. Players, managers and coaches now can’t stick tobacco tins, cans or pouches in their pockets when they’re on the field or in plain sight of fans. No wads stuck in the mouth during TV interviews, either. In their letter, MLB and the union said it would pro- vide “nicotine replacement therapy products to those players who wish to use them as substitutes. A shipment of various products including lozenges, gum, and patches will be sent to each club free of charge in spring training, and throughout the 2016 season.” The letter included a reminder that Dr Michael Steinberg, director of the Rutgers University tobacco dependence program, had previously been hired as a consultant to help players develop a treatment plan, if they wanted. Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons applauded the effort to cut down on chaw. He quit a cou- ple years ago after Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn - a career- long dipper - died at 54 of salivary gland cancer. “I was a tobacco user for a lot of years. I’m not proud of that. I finally was able to quit. It’s a dirty, filthy habit,” he said. “I wouldn’t want my kids doing it. You hope in some way, they can eliminate it and wipe it out. I’m sure there will be some fights over that, especially in this election year. I’m sure that’ll be brought up. But, hey, if you can get rid of it, I’m all for that,” he said.-—AP

Shooters seen during the training session IOC to remove itself from doping cases in Rio Games

LAUSANNE: In a major change in the handling of positive drug tests at the Olympics, the IOC is set to remove itself from the process and have a group of independent sports arbitra- tors rule on doping cases during the games in Rio de Janeiro, officials familiar with the plans said. The change is expected to be approved by the International Olympic Committee’s execu- tive board on Tuesday, three officials told the AP. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the plan had not yet been formally adopted. The move is intended to make the prosecution of doping cases more independent by taking it away from the IOC and putting it in the hands of a special panel of the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Under current rules, doping cases dur- ing the Olympics are dealt with by a special IOC disciplinary panel appointed by the IOC president. The panel schedules hearings with athletes who test positive and decides on sanc- The flags of the participating countries. tions. Most athletes who test positive during the Olympics are disqualified, expelled from the games and stripped of any medals. Under the new proposal, positive cases would go directly to a small group of specially-appointed CAS arbitrators on site. They would hold hearings and issue rulings without IOC involvement. Any appeal against the arbitrators’ decision would be heard by a separate CAS division, which already handles eligibility and other disputes at the Olympics. CAS is a Swiss-based body created by the IOC that is considered the highest court in dealing with sports disputes. The change for the Olympics was studied by CAS and IOC lawyers and came together quickly. It was being submitted for formal approval to the IOC’s ruling executive board later. The move is part of IOC President Thomas Bach’s efforts to make drug-testing and sanctioning more credible by remov- ing any potential conflicts of interest. Bach has also recom- mended that, in the future, all doping sanctions be handed down by CAS, rather than by individual sports bodies. Olympic leaders agreed last year that drug-testing in general - not just at the games - should be taken out of the hands of sports bodies. Bach has proposed that an independent testing agency under WADA control be put into place before the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. WADA is still studying the proposal and how to fund it. “We are convinced that the adoption of these proposals would lead to a more efficient, more transparent, more streamlined, more cost efficient, more harmonized anti-dop- ing system,” Bach said late last year.—AP WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 SPORTS Scolari taking nothing for granted in Sydney

SYDNEY: Guangzhou Evergrande may be way with a 0-0 draw at home to South one of the biggest spending clubs in the Korea’s Pohang Steelers last week with world but coach Luis Felipe Scolari scoffed Martinez coming under fire in the Chinese at the idea they should be expected to media for a lacklustre display. With the waltz into the knockout stages of the Asian Chinese Super League not kicking off until Champions League. The Chinese champi- next weekend, however, Scolari said this ons, who splashed out $45 million on was a time of year for remaining resolutely Colombian striker Jackson Martinez last pragmatic. “Our main objective is to qualify month, today meet Sydney FC, who are from the group stage,” the Brazilian added. obliged to stay under a salary cap of “This (is) only our second match and we around $3 million a season for their entire got a draw in the first match. We are away squad. World Cup-winning coach Scolari, from home and although we have not whose squad also includes Brazil interna- come here for a draw, a point would not be tionals Paulinho and Ricardo Goulart, bris- the worst result for us.” tled when asked whether it remained a fair In stark contrast to Scolari, Sydney FC contest despite the clear disparity in coach Graham Arnold was more than hap- finances. “We will discover the difference py to talk about the different resources between the two teams after we play the available to the two men, and claim under- match and see the result,” Scolari, shaking dog status. “What they paid for Martinez his head, told reporters at the Sydney would fund the whole league and the Football Ground. “There are no easy match- whole code in this country. They flew in on es in the group stage of the Asian two private jets, we fly economy,” said the Champions League, we are at the start of Australian, whose side lost their ACL open- the season and after our first match we are er 2-0 to Urawa Red Diamonds in Japan last improving physically and mentally. “Only week. “They’re attracting big players and two teams will go through so we will do spending a lot of money but we will not be our best to get a good result.” Chinese intimidated by them. “They’ve got three champions for the last five years, very good foreigners, but the rest are Guangzhou won their second ACL title in Chinese players and we’ve shown at three years by beating Dubai’s Al-Ahli over national level that we’re very good against two legs last November. the Chinese national team. “Anything’s pos- They got their 2016 campaign under- sible.”— Reuters Ronaldo rant forgiven and forgotten

MADRID: Real Madrid boss Zinedine stretched by 10 points leading to questions Zidane insists he has put Cristiano Ronaldo’s over Zidane’s position for next season. outburst at his own teammates behind him “When I arrived two months ago everything as he attempts to turnaround a terrible sea- was beautiful and now that we have lost MANCHESTER: Manchester United’s Memphis Depay (right) challenges Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin for the ball during the English Premier League son for the Spanish giants. Madrid sit third one game everything is black,” added the soccer match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England on Sunday, Feb 28, 2016. — AP in La Liga, 12 points adrift of runaway lead- Frenchman. “I understand your concern, but ers Barcelona, after losing 1-0 to Atletico I continue to work with my players because Madrid on Saturday. However, after the I know they will turn this around. The rest Arsenal throwing away golden game Ronaldo said Real would be top if his doesn’t matter to me.” teammates matched his standards. One of the key injuries that Ronaldo The three-time World Player of the Year alluded to has been the absence of Gareth chance to win Premier League later rectified his comments by claiming he Bale. The Welsh star has been out for the was only referring to his colleagues level of past six weeks and featured in just 17 of fitness as Madrid have been ravaged by Madrid’s 34 games this season. Bale LONDON: If he’s celebrating with the Premier things less important,” Puma global marketing past,” Petrick said earlier this month in injuries this season. “Cristiano has spoken returned to training yesterday, but won’t be League trophy in May, Arsene Wenger’s director Adam Petrick said when asked the London. “They have a tremendous winning with everyone. This subject is behind us,” risked for today’s trip to bottom-placed attempts to head off another bout of abuse importance of winning the Premier League tradition.” Wenger has relied on past glory to Zidane said yesterday. “We all know the Levante. Zidane also confirmed that mid- will seem reasonable. “Let’s not go overboard,” and Champions League. “We want everybody remain the Premier League’s longest-serving importance Cristiano has and we are all fielder Luka Modric will miss out in mid- the Arsenal manager cautioned after failing to be successful absolutely in every aspect of current manager, with the last of three title tri- with him. “The issue has been fixed. The week due to a foot injury. “Bale was with us again to win at Manchester United. Despite what they are doing. But it’s not only about umphs in 2004. With Chelsea’s woeful title most important thing is what we have this morning in training. It is the first full Sunday’s 3-2 loss, Arsenal remains third in the winning. It’s also about having a good time.” defense leaving it stranded in the bottom half ahead and we will face that by all sticking session he has done with us and he didn’t Premier League, Leicester is only five points in Recently, the anguish has eclipsed rare of the standings and United erratic under Van together.” feel the injury he had. “He is a fundamental front and there are still 33 points to play for. “I moments of euphoria for fans of a club which Gaal, Wenger has never had a better chance Defeat to Atletico was Zidane’s first in and important player for Madrid. It is clear nine games since replacing the sacked when he isn’t there it is harder for the team. cannot fault our commitment and spirit and has become adept at tossing away chances of to lift the trophy again. At Arsenal, they con- Rafael Benitez in January. However, since “We will see if this weekend he can be with desire,” Wenger said of his players. In reality, winning the title. Arsenal has collected nine stantly talk about potential in the team. The Benitez’s sacking, Barca’s lead over Real has us.”—AFP they lack the fighting spirit and doggedness points from a possible 21 in the last seven players have 11 games to fulfill it. Don’t count to grind out the wins required to end a 12- games. “They have been very successful in the on it.— AP year-old title drought. In the 20th anniversary year of his appoint- ment, Wenger is fast running out of excuses, particularly when the teams above Arsenal Record-signing Teixeira are Leicester and Tottenham. Leader Leicester has never won the league. Tottenham, whose sparks Jiangsu victory last title came in 1961, hosts Arsenal in the north London derby on Saturday. Not even NANJING: China’s record signing Alex Wook nodded Jeonbuk’s second to cut Alex Ferguson’s retirement and the ensuing Teixeira helped kick-start Jiangsu Suning’s the deficit to 3-2. Ramires got his march- disarray under David Moyes and Louis van AFC Champions League campaign yester- ing orders after a shoving match in stop- Gaal has enabled Arsenal to end its Old Trafford hoodoo. Arsenal last won at United in day as the big spenders got off the mark page time but Jiangsu held on-much to the league in September 2006. Since then with a tense 3-2 win over Jeonbuk the relief of their animated coach Dan lesser teams - from Norwich to Swansea - Hyundai Motors. Teixeira started to repay Petrescu-to top Group E. Earlier Brazilian have all emerged victorious at a ground that his giant 50 million euros ($54.4 million) goal-machine Adriano made it seven was renowned as a fortress under Ferguson. transfer fee from Shakhtar Donetsk as he goals in just two AFC Champions League Arsenal has rarely been presented with a grabbed the opener in what became games as FC Seoul destroyed Sanfrecce better chance to win at the record 20-time Jiangsu’s first win of the tournament. Hiroshima 4-1 to stay top of Group F. champions than on Sunday. It was a patched- Former Manchester City forward Jo Adriano, who smashed four in last up United defense and injuries up front forced also got on the scoresheet, but Jiangsu’s week’s 6-0 demolition of Buriram United, Van Gaal into handing Marcus Rashford his victory came at a cost as ex-Chelsea mid- plundered another hat-trick as the Korean first Premier League appearance in place of fielder Ramires saw red during an injury- FA Cup-holders roared back from a goal the sidelined Wayne Rooney. It’s too early to time melee. The well-heeled Chinese side down. After Kazuhiko Chiba’s opener for MADRID: Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (left) vies with declare Rashford a teen sensation. But the 18- were held by Vietnam’s Binh Duong in Hiroshima, Kim Won-Sik equalized just Atletico Madrid’s midfielder Saul Niguez during the Spanish league football match year-old academy graduate followed up his their opening game but it was a different after the half-hour mark, but Adriano Real Madrid CF vs Club Atletico de Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in debut double in the Europa League on story at home as their expensive new stole the show with his treble in 20 sec- Madrid. — AFP Thursday with another brace on Sunday. strike-force started to gel. One-time ond-half minutes. The Brazilian put Seoul Rashford’s emergence highlighted Arsenal’s Liverpool target Teixeira ran at a ahead in the 49th minute when he let a deficiencies developing talent within in its backpedalling defense and fired in at the free-kick drop over his shoulder and Alonso is hero and villain own youth system. near post to open the scoring on 16 min- steered home a delicate volley. He But Arsenal did boast a front four of Mesut utes, only for Lee Dong-Gook to equalize showed his predatory instincts with a Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Danny just after the hour-mark. determined run and near-post finish on as Fiorentina hold Napoli Welbeck which cost more than 100 million But Jo buried a leaping header on 66 55 minutes, and completed his hat-trick pounds ($140 million) to assemble. They still minutes to restore Jiangsu’s lead, before after another flowing team move in the FLORENCE: Marcos Alonso scored for Napoli’s attack from the kickoff broke came out second best in a team lacking lead- Ramires cued up Wu Xi for a shot on the 69th. After two games, FC Seoul lead Fiorentina and then almost immediately down but Alonso’s clearance went straight ership. For a striker bought in 2014 for 35 mil- turn to put the hosts 3-1 ahead. However, Group F on goal difference ahead of gifted Gonzalo Higuain the equalizer for to Higuain and the Argentine sent a first- lion pounds (then $60 million), Sanchez has there were some nervy moments for China’s Shandong Luneng, who beat Thai Napoli in a pulsating, end-to-end 1-1 Serie time shot into the net from 25 metres, his failed to live up to his price tag this season. A draw on Monday. Fourth-placed 25th league goal of the season. Nikola Jiangsu when towering striker Kim Shin- outfit Buriram 3-0.— AFP Fiorentina twice hit the crossbar before Kalinic was given a free run on goal and The Chile forward scored six times in three halftime while Napoli, who are second, fired against the crossbar with only keeper games across September and October in the were denied by a stunning double save Pepe Reina to beat and Cristiano Tello also league. He hasn’t scored since then in the from Ciprian Tatarusanu after the break as curled a shot against the woodwork in competition, with just three cup goals to his both sides lost ground on leaders Juventus. another Fiorentina attack. Tatarusanu twice name. Juventus, chasing a fifth successive title, thwarted Napoli in the 58th minute, parry- Once Wenger blamed the financial advan- have 61 points from 27 matches followed ing Jose Callejon’s powerful drive after the tage of rivals while Arsenal was funding the by Napoli on 58. AS Roma and Fiorentina, Spaniard broke clear on the right and then move to the Emirates Stadium over the last who meet on Friday, have 53. The home brilliantly stopping Higuain’s follow-up. The decade. Even an end to austerity has only pro- team went ahead after six minutes when Romanian also foiled Lorenzo Insigne in duced a couple of successes in the FA Cup, a Alonso outjumped the visiting defense to stoppage time, just after Higuain had a prize with an increasingly diminished status in head in a corner. goal disallowed for offside.— Reuters England. In the build-up to the United game, Wenger resorted to moaning about players who are “tapped up to go somewhere else” - reinforcing the manager’s failure to hold onto talent such as Cesc Fabregas. What irritates Arsenal fans who have seen only one outfield player added to the squad in the last two transfer windows is the club’s cash balance: 159.4 million pounds ($221.6 million) in the latest accounts published on Friday. But Arsenal’s revenue rose to 160 million pounds ($222.4 million) in the six months to November 30. And the club’s main commer- cial backer, kit maker Puma, is relaxed about Arsenal’s failure to win the Premier League since 2004 or challenge for a first Champions League title since reaching the 2006 final. Arsenal heads to Barcelona next month trail- NANJING: Alex Teixeira of China’s Jiangsu FC falls as he fights for the ball with Kim FLORENCE: Fiorentina’s Marcos Alonso Mendoza (top left) scores during a Serie A ing 2-0 in the round of 16. “Anytime you have Jangsoo (right) of South Korea’s Jeonbuk during their AFC Champions League group E soccer match between Fiorentina and Napoli at the Artemio Franchi stadium in a partner who can be focused on doing cool football match in Nanjing in China’s Jiangsu province yesterday.—AFP Florence on Monday, Feb 29, 2016. — AP things, yes it makes some of those other WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 SPORTS Infantino hunts for non-European chief executive African and American names already touted

MIAMI: The victory celebration over, Equatorial Guinea after Morocco with- new FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s drew two months before the tourna- first major decision in charge of the ment because of the Ebola outbreak in troubled world football organization West Africa. will be to appoint a secretary general, “He is very, very capable,” said Swiss- effectively a chief executive, to run day- based sports business consultant Joao to-day operations. Since FIFA was Frigerio, who knows El Amrani from the founded in 1904, it has had 10 secre- FIFA Masters alumni association. “There taries general, all from Europe, the is no doubt in my mind that he can be a game’s strongest continent. At an event great general secretary.” El Amrani in London during his campaign for could not immediately be reached for Friday’s presidential election, Infantino comment. said: “I am convinced the general secre- tary of FIFA should not be a European. Not rushing Why not an African?” Infantino said on Sunday that he A source close to Infantino said on would not rush into a decision about Monday that this “did not necessarily the secretary general, whose role takes mean that an African would be chosen, on added importance in FIFA’s new, more than he had not ruled out an reformed structure. Although some of African”. That said, there would be a FIFA’s reform documents refer to a “CEO”, strong African contender in the shape a source within FIFA indicated that for of the Moroccan Hicham El Amrani. The “tradition reasons” the title of secretary Paris-educated 36-year-old became general is likely to continue to be used. general secretary of the African confed- Infantino might also look to North eration (CAF) on an interim basis in America, whose administrators played a 2010 and was confirmed in the role in key role in swinging votes to the Swiss September 2011. He had previously at Friday’s FIFA Congress in Zurich. been deputy general secretary at CAF US Soccer president Sunil Gulati is an and worked for the Asian Football economics professor at Columbia Confederation in competitions market- University and well connected political- ZURICH: Newly-elected FIFA president Gianni Infantino (center) plays during a football match on February 29, 2016 at ing. He graduated in 2004 from the FIFA ly in the United States. This could be the FIFA headquarters in Zurich. — AFP Masters course, which was created to attractive to FIFA as it tries to improve train future football administrators from relations with the US Department of Gulati would be a good choice sparked not reachable for comment. Although Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa to the around the world. Justice, which has charged dozens of speculation in Zurich over the weekend. there is no obvious candidate for the FIFA presidency. The earliest Infantino El Amrani won the Young Leader of soccer officials in the Americas with Fort was until recently a senior vice- role from Asian football, an Asian candi- could present a nomination would be the Year award in 2015 from the corruption, and is investigating allega- president for sponsorship marketing date might also appeal to Infantino as an Executive Committee meeting in ‘Leaders in Sports’ organization partly tions of bribery and corruption at FIFA with Visa Inc, one of FIFA’s global spon- he seeks to build bridges with other Zurich on March 17, but he may decide in recognition of the way he handled itself. A tweet from sports marketing sors. Fort said his tweet reflected only confederations, especially after he beat to wait until closer to May’s FIFA the switch of the African Nations Cup to executive Ricardo Fort suggesting his personal view, and Gulati was also Asian confederation president Sheikh Congress in Mexico City. — Reuters Bayern’s Guardiola dismisses Dortmund talk before Mainz

BERLIN: Bayern Munich could move closer to an historic fourth straight German league title if they win at nearest-rivals Borussia Dortmund in four days, but Pep Guardiola says, for now, it’s all about Mainz today. Bayern hold an eight point lead in the table and victory at Dortmund on Saturday would be a significant step becoming the first team to win four straight German league titles. Bayern won 2-0 at Champions League side Wolfsburg last Saturday and now a mouth-watering show- down beckons in Dortmund. Before that how- ever Guardiola insists he is focused on playing resurgent Mainz at Munich’s Allianz Arena. “Everyone is talking about Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund, but we are playing against Mainz, who are fifth in the table. “They are a strong and dynamic team.” The Martin Schmidt-coached Mainz proved WOLFSBURG: Bayern Munich’s Spanish head coach Pep Guardiola arrives for the German first just how strong they are in beating Bayer division Bundesliga football match VfL Wolfsburg vs FC Bayern Munich in Wolfsburg.— AFP Leverkusen 3-1 at home on Sunday with goal- scoring midfielder Yunus Malli netting twice to Cup in his final few months in Munich before gling to find a place for Germany’s World Cup leave them fifth and challenging for a coaching Manchester City next season. Tuchel winner Mario Goetze, who is back from Champions League place next season. But says it is obvious Bayern are eager to win at injury. “He still needs more time and I have Bayern want to secure the league title as soon Dortmund to leave Borussia with only a mathe- seven forwards fit,” said Guardiola. “We still as possible to allow them to focus on Europe. matical chance of winning the title. “It should have three months left and we need all our They set the Bundesliga record for the earliest be noted that Bayern want to decide things players in order to reach our goals. “Mario is title win two years ago by wrapping things up early,” said Tuchel, ahead of their game today’s very professional and is important for us.” with seven games left at the end of March at Darmstadt, who are just above the relega- After ex-Bayern president Uli Hoeness was 2014, holding a 22-point gap over second- tion places. “Perhaps it’s the best outcome (for released from prison after serving 21 months placed Dortmund at the time. Bayern) if the eight point gap remains.” for tax evasion on Monday, Guardiola was Two years on, Dortmund are making life Injuries have robbed Guardiola of defenders tight-lipped on whether he has already spo- much harder under coach Thomas Tuchel and with centre-backs Jerome Boateng, Javi ken to him. “That’s private,” Guardiola Guardiola knows he can ill afford to be dis- Martinez and Holger Badstuber sidelined. But snapped. “We are happy for him, for Susi SEOUL: South Korea’s FC Seoul forward Carlos Adriano de Souza Cruz (right) fights tracted by the Champions League or German in attack, he has all his players fit and is strug- (Hoeness’ wife) and his family.”— AFP for the ball against Japan’ Sanfrecce Hiroshima defender Kazuhiko Chiba during a soccer match of the AFC Champions League at the World Cup Stadium in Seoul yes- terday. — AP Magnificent seven for ‘No diversity Oscar’ for goal-machine Adriano Europe football giants SEOUL: Brazilian goal-machine PARIS: There is not one black coach in the top name to it,” said Siasia, who played for Nantes Adriano made it seven goals in just Matches on TV two AFC Champions League games leagues of Europe’s five major championships in France and Lokeren in Belgium before Allegri wants more yesterday as FC Seoul destroyed (Local Timings) and footballers are just as bitter as black actors becoming a coach. “Where is John Barnes with Sanfrecce Hiroshima 4-1 to stay top of in Hollywood. “We can play but not lead, all he achieved at Liverpool and even though Inter goals, and Group F. Adriano, who smashed four ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE maybe the black man is only made to execute,” he grew up in England? He was not given in last week’s 6-0 demolition of Florent Ibenge, the Democratic Republic of much of a chance there as a coach.” England’s Cup final spot Stoke City v Newcastle 22:45 Congo coach said. “You have got to ask the Professional Footballers Association has called Buriram United, plundered another beIN SPORTS 12 HD owners. People are there, trained, but no one for a version of the NFL’s Rooney Rule to be MILAN: Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri is set hat-trick as the Korean FA Cup-hold- Arsenal FC v Swansea 22:45 trusts them.” “The European clubs hardly give introduced in the Premier League. The rule to rest key players when the defending champions ers roared back from a goal down. beIN SPORTS 4 HD us a chance and they do not believe in us,” introduced in 2003 forces American football travel to Inter Milan looking to “score goals” and West Ham v Tottenham 22:45 After Kazuhiko Chiba’s opener for added Samson Siasia, who was named clubs to interview ethnic minority candidates secure their second successive Italian Cup final beIN SPORTS Hiroshima, Kim Won-Sik equalized Nigeria’s interim coach last week. when a vacancy is posted. today. A 2-0 league victory over a hapless Inter side just after the half-hour, before Man United v Watford 23:00 “Many of us have not only played at the The Premier League has indicated it is not beIN SPORTS 7 HD in Turin on Sunday gave Juventus a three-point Adriano stole the show with his treble highest level in Europe, but have excelled. Yet going to introduce the rule yet but lower divi- lead at the top of Serie A after Napoli held an in 20 second-half minutes. The Liverpool v Man City 23:00 even when we get our coaching badges there, sion clubs are going to start a pilot scheme. beIN SPORTS 2 HD enterprising Fiorentina to a 1-1 draw on Monday. Brazilian put Seoul ahead in the 49th these clubs still don’t give us the break we Former England striker Les Ferdinand pointed Inter are out for revenge, but a chastening 3-0 minute when he let a free-kick drop need to show what we can do outside the out that Premier League clubs rarely hold SPANISH LEAGUE defeat in the first leg of the semi-final-as well as over his shoulder and steered home a pitch.” There is no black coach in the English interviews for jobs anyway. “Normally they their comparative lack of threat against the cham- delicate volley. He showed his preda- Sevilla FC v SD Eibar 22:00 Premier League and only Jimmy Hasselbaink have identified the next man they want.” The beIN SPORTS pions on Sunday-has left Roberto Mancini’s men tory instincts with a determined run at Queen’s Park Rangers in the second level lack of opportunities fuels a vicious circle needing a miracle if they are to overturn the tie. and near-post finish on 55 minutes, Celta de Vigo v Villarreal 22:00 Championship. No black manager runs a where black players-who are still well repre- beIN SPORTS 8 HD Juventus have not reached successive Cup finals and completed his hat-trick after French Ligue 1 team and only former Paris sented as television pundits-are put off trying Malaga CF v Valencia 22:00 since the 1960s, and Allegri warned: “We’ll be another flowing team move in the Saint-Germain boss Antoine Kombouare is at to be a coach. “A black player is going to say ‘is going out tomorrow completely focused on reach- beIN SPORTS 13 HD Lens in the second division. There have been it worth passing all the diplomas if no one is 69th. Athletic de Bilbao v Deportivo 22:00 ing the final, and we want to do it by winning. After a ball across the box from none in Italy since AC Milan sacked Clarence going to give me a job’,” said French sociologist Losing never does you any good. “We’ll go there Levante v Real Madrid 23:00 Seedorf in 2014 after just five months in the Pascal Boniface who wrote a book with Pape Spanish defender Osmar Barba, Sin beIN SPORTS 3 HD with plenty of belief, but also to score goals.” Juve’s Jin-Ho’s backheel found the on-rush- post. Diouf, a black former president of Olympique cushion from the first leg means Allegri, who has There are no black coaches in Germany’s Marseille. ing Adriano and the free-scoring for- one eye on a decisive Champions League last 16 GERMAN LEAGUE Bundesliga. “It becomes obvious why you’re “Many of us have good records as players second leg away to Bayern Munich in a little over ward swept home Seoul’s fourth. Hertha Berlin v Eintracht 22:00 not being picked,” Chris Ramsey, who for a and then coaches, but because the European two weeks’ time, can afford to rest key players. Adriano remained a danger in the beIN SPORTS while was head coach at Queen’s Park Rangers clubs do not believe in us, we end up having Argentine striker Paulo Dybala and Croatian final minutes and ex-Arsenal forward Schalke 04 v Hamburger SV 22:00 in the Premier League, told the Leaders in to do something else,” added Siasia. “And even Mario Mandzukic, who started in Sunday’s win, Park Chu-Young also came close with beIN SPORTS Sport conference in London in October when when they give us a chance, they are quick to a free-kick which flashed just wide. Monchengladbach v Stuttgart 22:00 describing his battle to get work. “It’s been a dispense of us.” Many African teams appear to could both start on the bench in place of Simone After two games, FC Seoul top the beIN SPORTS long journey and it’s been very difficult. “You prefer European coaches as well and this also Zaza and Alvaro Morata. Part of that decision is nascent Group F on goal difference Darmstadt v Borussia Dortmund22:00 have to keep going and make sure you don’t hurts their players. Frenchman Herve Renard because Dybala, as well as defender Leonardo ahead of China’s Shandong Luneng, beIN SPORTS 10 HD put your head down. Sometimes it’s about has just been named Morocco’s coach having Bonucci, are one booking away from being sus- who beat Thai outfit Buriram 3-0. TSG Hoffenheim v Augsburg 22:00 embarrassing people by showing it’s obvious won the Cup of African Nations with Ivory pended for the final. “Zaza and Morata could be Brazilians Diego Tardelli and Jucilei beIN SPORTS they’re not picking you for obvious reasons.” Coast and Zambia. Ibenge said African federa- our choices up front,” said Allegri, who will also be put Shandong 2-0 up before Chinese Bayer 04 v Werder Bremen 22:00 tions should put more resources into training reshuffling his defense. Patrice Evra will be absent defender Zhao Mingjian curled home beIN SPORTS John Barnes syndrome black coaches. “We Africans ask that our lead- having missed training due to “family reasons” and a stunning strike with the outside of Bayern Munich v FSV Mainz 05 22:00 Is it discrimination, or training? “Something ers no longer put up discriminatory criteria Giorgio Chiellini-who hobbled off against Inter-is his boot on 86 minutes.—AFP beIN SPORTS 5 HD is really not right, but I don’t want to put any such as race or nationality,” said Ibenge. — AFP also expected to sit out.—AFP Hornqvist hat trick Ronaldo rant powers Penguins ‘forgiven and past Coyotes 6-0 forgotten’

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 201615 18

5th International Shooting Grand Prix kicks off Page 17

LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan dunks during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, Feb 29, 2016 in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 105-95. — AP Thunder humble Kings 131-116 LeBron scores 33; Cavaliers hold off Pacers 100-96

SACRAMENTO: Russell Westbrook had 20 CAVALIERS 100, PACERS 96 sidelined by a right shin bruise. But the points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists, leading LeBron James scored 33 points after sit- 76ers had six players score in double fig- NBA results/standings the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 131-116 ting out a game and Tristan Thompson ures, led by Ish Smithís 25 points. The 76ers victory over the Sacramento Kings on made two huge plays in the final minute, were outrebounded 53-32 in their ninth Cleveland 100, Indiana 96; Washington 116, Philadelphia 108; Boston 100, Utah 95; Milwaukee 128, Houston 121; Monday night. Kevin Durant finished with leading Cleveland to the victory. James was straight loss. Memphis 103, Denver 96; Oklahoma City 131, Sacramento 116; LA Clippers 105, Brooklyn 95. 27 points, 10 rebounds and six assists as rested on Sunday by coach Tyronn Lue and Eastern Conference Western Conference Oklahoma City bounced back from a diffi- the Cavs were lethargic in a 113-99 loss at BUCKS 128, ROCKETS 121 Atlantic Division Northwest Division W L PCT GB Oklahoma City 42 18 .700 - cult stretch. The Thunder had dropped four Washington. But with James back on the Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his sec- Toronto 39 19 .672 - of five, including a heartbreaking overtime floor, Cleveland played with much more ond career triple-double with 18 points, 17 Portland 32 28 .533 10 Boston 36 25 .590 4.5 Utah 28 31 .475 13.5 loss to Golden State on Saturday night. energy and again looked like a team with rebounds and 11 assists, and the Bucks out- NY Knicks 25 36 .410 15.5 Denver 23 37 .383 19 Oklahoma City shot 57 percent (47 for 82) NBA championship aspirations. Matthew lasted the Rockets. Jabari Parker scored a Brooklyn 17 43 .283 23 Minnesota 19 41 .317 23 from the field, including a 14-for-34 per- Dellavedova hit a tying 3-pointer for the career-high 36 points for Milwaukee, and Philadelphia 8 52 .133 32 Pacific Division formance from 3-point range. Enes Kanter Cavs with 1:13 left before Thompson made Khris Middleton had 30 points. The Bucks Central Division Golden State 53 5 .914 - Cleveland 42 17 .712 - LA Clippers 39 20 .661 14.5 scored 23 points on 11-for-11 shooting. it 96-94 with a layup. Thompson then nearly blew a late 13-point lead after the Chicago 30 28 .517 11.5 Sacramento 24 34 .414 29 Sacramento has lost three in a row heading blocked a shot by Indianaís George Hill with Rockets put together a 9-0 run. After forcing a Indiana 31 29 .517 11.5 into a four-game road trip. DeMarcus 18 seconds left. Monta Ellis scored 28 points turnover, Houstonís Trevor Ariza was whistled Detroit 31 29 .517 11.5 Phoenix 15 44 .254 38.5 Cousins had 35 points and 12 rebounds, and Paul George had 23 for the Pacers, who for a 5-second violation on inbounds pass Milwaukee 25 35 .417 17.5 LA Lakers 11 49 .183 43 and Rajon Rondo finished with 11 points, 12 lost their third straight but played much with 20 seconds remaining. Dwight Howard Southeast Division Southwest Division San Antonio 50 9 .847 - assists and nine rebounds. better than in a loss to Portland on Sunday. had 30 points and 13 rebounds for Houston, Miami 33 26 .559 - Atlanta 33 27 .550 0.5 Memphis 35 24 .593 15 while Ariza had 20 points and 11 assists. Charlotte 30 28 .517 2.5 Dallas 32 28 .533 18.5 CLIPPERS 105, NETS 95 WIZARDS 116, 76ERS 108 Washington 29 30 .492 4 Houston 29 31 .483 21.5 Jamal Crawford scored 26 points, and the John Wall scored 16 of his 37 points in GRIZZLIES 103, NUGGETS 96 Orlando 26 32 .448 6.5 New Orleans 23 35 .397 26.5 Clippers beat the Nets to win their second the fourth quarter, helping the Wizards rally Zach Randolph scored 22 points, leading in a row after alternating wins and losses in for the win. Wall and Marcin Gortat com- Memphis to the road win. Matt Barnes had their previous six games. Chris Paul had 23 bined for 14 points during a 16-0 fourth- 16 points for the Grizzlies, and Mario Danilo Gallinari, the Nuggetsí leading scorer Thomas added 18 points and nine assists. points and 12 assists for Los Angeles, and JJ quarter run in Washingtonís sixth victory in Chalmers finished with 15. Memphis won its who is sidelined indefinitely after severely Avery Bradley also finished with 18 points. Redick scored 19 points. Brook Lopez had eight games since the All-Star break. Gortat fifth in a row against the Nuggets, including spraining his right ankle Friday at Dallas. The Celtics went in front for good on a 3- 25 points and 10 rebounds for Brooklyn, finished with 18 points and a career-high 20 three meetings this season. Kenneth Faried Sampson finished with seven points. pointer by Crowder with less than a minute which was going for its first three-game rebounds. Markieff Morris added 16 points had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the to play. Trey Lyles had 18 points and 10 winning streak of the season. Instead, the and 13 rebounds in his first double-double Nuggets, who have lost five of six. Gary CELTICS 100, JAZZ 95 rebounds for the Jazz, who have dropped Nets lost their fifth straight to the Clippers with Washington. Philadelphia played with- Harris added 15 points. Newly signed JaKarr Jae Crowder had 22 points, and the Celtics three in a row. Shelvin Mack added 18 points. at Staples Center. out rookie center Jahlil Okafor, who was Sampson started in place of injured forward extended their home win streak to 11. Isaiah Gordon Hayward finished with 16. — AP

In-form Kohli guides India to Asia Cup final SCOREBOARD DHAKA: In-form batsman Virat Kohli sure off the other batsman by hitting DHAKA: Scoreboard of the Asia Cup Twenty20 match between India and Sri Lanka at the made an unbeaten half-century as India the odd boundary.” Dasun Shanaka Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka yesterday: eased to a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka broke the partnership as Raina miscued Sri Lanka India to qualify for the Asia Cup final in Dhaka a catch to Kulasekara at mid-off after D. Chandimal c Dhoni b Nehra 4 S. Dhawan c Chandimal b Kulasekara 1 yesterday. Kohli, who played a brilliant making 25 runs. T. Dilshan c Ashwin b Pandya 18 R. Sharma c Kapugedera b Kulasekara 15 innings of 49 under pressure against Yuvraj Singh ensured it did not affect S. Jayasuriya c Dhoni b Bumrah 3 V. Kohli not out 56 Pakistan on Saturday, hit 56 off 47 balls India’s run-flow, hitting left-arm spinner C. Kapugedera c Pandya b Bumrah 30 S. Raina c Kulasekara b Shanaka 25 A. Mathews b Pandya 18 Yuvraj Singh c Kulasekara b Perera 35 to guide India to 142-5 after their medi- Rangana Herath for two sixes off succes- M. Siriwardana c Raina b Ashwin 22 um pacers restricted Sri Lanka to 138-9. sive balls in the next over to make 35 off D. Shanaka run out 1 H. Pandya b Herath 2 Replying to the modest score, India 18 balls. India captain MS Dhoni praised T. Perera st Dhoni b Ashwin 17 MS Dhoni not out 7 were in danger early on when Nuwan Singh for his effort. “Yuvraj Singh’s N. Kulasekara run out 13 Extras (w1) 1 Kulasekara removed both the openers innings was crucial, not just for this D. Chameera not out 2 Total ( five wickets; 19.2 overs) 142 Extras (lb 5 w4 nb 1) 10 Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma for match but for the team as well,” said Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Dhawan), 2-16 (Sharma), 3- Total (nine wickets; 20 overs) 138 70 (Raina) 4-121(Yuvraj), just 16 runs. Dhawan returned to the Dhoni. “Good to see him get into some Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Chandimal), 2-15 (Jayasuriya), 5-125 (Pandya) starting line-up after an injury break good form.” Put into bat first by Dhoni, Sri 3-31 (Dilshan) 4-57 (Mathews), 5-100 Did not bat: R. Jadeja, R. Ashwin, J. Bumrah, A. (Siriwardana), 6-104 (Shanaka), 7-105 against Pakistan but survived just three Lanka’s Kapugedera scored the team’s Nehra Bowling: Mathews (Kapugedera), 8-125 (Perera) , 9-138 (Kulasekara) balls before edging Kulasekara to highest of 30 off 32 balls, but the Did not bat: R. Herath 3-0-16-0, Kulasekara 3-0-21-2, Perera 4-0-32-1, Dinesh Chandimal for one. islanders needed a strong effort from Bowling: Nehra 4-0-23-1(w2), Bumrah 4-0-27-2, Chameera 4-0-27-0 (w1), Herath Sharma fell in Kulasekara’s next over lower order batsmen Milinda Siriwardana Pandya 4-0-26-2, Yuvraj 1-0-3-0, Jadeja 2-0-19-0, 3.2-0-26-1, Shanaka 1-0-7-1, Siriwardana 1-0-13-0. offering a catch to Chamara Kapugedera and Kulasekara. Siriwardana made 22 off Ashwin 4-0-26-2 (nb1 w2), Raina 1-0-9-0 Result: India won by five wickets. at slip for 15. Kohli, who hit seven fours, 17 balls while Kulasekara added 17 after added 54 runs with Suresh Raina for the facing just six balls to provide a late then claimed two wickets each to finish were 20-25 runs short, but the Indians third wicket to put India firmly in con- impetus. Indian medium pacers con- with 2-26 and 2-27 respectively before batted well, as always, and Virat was out- trol. “Touch wood, it’s coming out nicely trolled the innings making regular in- the lower-order gave the Sri Lankan standing,” he said. “If the wicket was like now. Another crunch situation, 16 for 2. roads from the start. innings some respectability. Sri Lanka the previous one, it would have been a DHAKA: India’s captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (left) It’s nice to challenge yourself,” Kohli said Ashish Nehra removed Chandimal captain Angelo Mathews said dew that fighting total, but the dew came in and breaks the stumps successfully as Sri Lanka’s Thisara after the match. “Kulasekara and Angie early after he added six runs to his 50 had fallen on the ground in the evening the ball started sliding through.” Perera falls during the Asia Cup T20 cricket tournament were bowling well. I knew I’m striking and 37 runs in the previous two match- was partly responsible for their defeat. Bangladesh will face Pakistan in the tour- match between India and Sri Lanka at the Sher-e-Bangla the ball well, so I have to take the pres- es. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah “With the dew coming in, it felt like we nament today. — AFP National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka yesterday. — AFP Smaller UAE companies struggle for finance Page 22

Markaz announces net profit usiness of KD2.88 million for 2015 B Page 23 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 Ooredoo Kuwait, Huawei Barclays shares dive as bank sees profit fall showcase ICT Innovation Page 25 Pages 26

GENEVA: The New Ferrari GTC4 Lusso is presented during the press day at the 86th International Motor Show in Geneva yesterday. The Motor Show will open its gates to the public from tomorrow to 13, presenting more than 200 exhibitors and more than 120 world and European premieres. —AP (See Page 25) Oil prices have bottomed out: IEA OPEC watching Iran, Russia, unlikely to cut output in June

OSLO: Global oil prices appear to have bottomed The IEA expects prices to reach $80 per barrel Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi said last Non-OPEC Oman and some OPEC sources Energy Minister Alexander Novak plans to travel out and are expected to rise through this year as by 2020, with US oil production reaching a record week a supply cut was not on the cards although have floated an idea of Iran being exempt from to Iran, Moscow’s close ally, in March for more investment cuts help to reduce a supply glut, a high of 14.2 million barrels per day by 2021. Some adding that the production freeze was only the output freezes - as was Iraq in the past when the talks on the production freeze, which he said senior analyst at the International Energy Agency analysts disagreed with the IEA’s outlook on the first step to balance the market after prices fell to country was subject of international sanctions - could last for as long as a year. said yesterday. Benchmark Brent crude futures speed of oil price rebound. their lowest since 2003. “Maybe by the end of the but so far Tehran has not been offered any special were up 44 cents at $37.01 a barrel at 1304 GMT, “The change is not going to be gradual, but it year (a cut could be possible) when it is really clear terms, according to OPEC sources. Russian compliance the highest in eight weeks. They hit a more than will be sudden,” Torbjorn Kjus, senior oil analyst at that Iran is actually producing the volumes they Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said last If Russia respects the output freeze, it would be 12-year low of $27.10 on Jan. 20. Norway’s leading bank DNB. “We think the price are talking about. But not in June,” a source from week the production freeze was “laughable” while a major departure from its former policies. The “Oil prices appear to have bottomed out,” Neil will be above $60 per barrel within the next 12 one of OPEC’s Middle Eastern producers said. Iranian sources say the country would be pre- only time Russia agreed to cooperate with OPEC Atkinson, the new head of IEA’s oil industry and months,” he added. DNB analysts estimate that it January was peak or near-peak production for pared to discuss a production pact once its output was in 2001 but it never delivered on its pledge market division, told a seminar in Oslo. “Prices are would take about a year for the US shale oil pro- Russia and Saudi Arabia, the world’s two top oil reached the pre-sanctions level. Analysts believe and raised exports instead. That was a big disap- expected to grow throughout 2016 and into 2017, ducers to ramp up output after prices rise to levels exporters, but Iran - OPEC’s No.3 producer - is the output and exports could rise by a maximum of pointment for Naimi, who orchestrated the 2001 reflecting expectations that the market is going that make it profitable again. key supply uncertainty for 2016 as it is raising out- 0.7 million bpd to around 3.5 million bpd in the deal, and is still wary of agreeing anything at risk back into balance in 2017,” he added. put after the lifting of Western sanctions in next months but it will take time to understand of being cheated by Russia or fellow OPEC mem- The global oil market was expected to begin Saudis to watch Iran January, adding barrels to the already saturated where real figures stand. bers. “Even if they say that they will cut production rebalancing in 2017 as US output is set to decline OPEC is very unlikely to cut output at its next market. Over the past month, Iran has issued con- Iran, for instance, has already told OPEC it was they will not do it. There is no sense in wasting our under pressure from low oil prices, the meeting in June, even if prices remain extremely flicting statements saying it could add up to 1.5 pumping as much as 3.4 million bpd in January - a time seeking production cuts,” he said last week. International Energy Agency said on Feb. 22 in its low, according to OPEC sources and delegates, as it million barrels per day over the next year which much higher number than estimated by OPEC But in the opinion of OPEC watchers the output medium-term market outlook. If the US producers will be too early to say how fast Iranian output is would confound market skepticism that its fields watchers. By June, when OPEC holds its next freeze deal signals a change of tone for Saudi were to “remain longer in the game”, the market’s rising. The sources, which include officials from the were damaged by years of sanctions. meeting, the picture of Iranian exports will still not Arabia, from a view that the market would rebal- rebalancing could be pushed back by one year to Middle East, say OPEC countries such as Saudi Meanwhile, its February exports have disap- be clear, several OPEC sources said, adding that ance itself to one where it might need a push. 2018, Atkinson said. Arabia also want to test Russia’s commitment to pointed as European buyers were cautious to they might only have reliable numbers for April. “Eventually, we will have a cut in production,” one The price rally, however, will be capped in the freezing output before taking any further steps to immediately boost trade amid remaining dollar The sources also said it will be too early to say in OPEC delegate said, declining to be identified. medium term by a potential increase in the US stablise prices. More than 18 months after oil clearance and ship insurance problems. “No-one June if the world’s record oil stocks have finally Others are urging swifter action. Qatar’s former shale oil production once a rise in oil prices makes prices began a steep slide due to excess supply, at OPEC knows what’s going on with Iranian fields. become to shrink. energy minister Abdullah al-Attiyah, who is still it profitable again. “As soon as oil rises to $40-50 Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Venezuela and non-OPEC So the Saudis want to see what happens in reality,” Saudi Arabia and Russia have not said the out- talking to producers inside and outside OPEC, said per barrel, it will give a signal to light tight oil pro- Russia agreed last month to freeze output at a source in one of the OPEC delegations who is put freeze would be void if Iran refuses to join in, a cut was needed before the glut became unman- ducers (to ramp up),” Atkinson said. January levels in the first global oil pact in 15 years. familiar with production freeze negotiations, said. leaving room for a potential compromise. Russia’s ageable. - Reuters Gulf stocks rise with US manufacturing shrinks oil, Egypt weakens Asian factories hit hard in Feb, jobs on the line MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS WASHINGTON: US factory activity contracted ing money to reanimate growth. Economists at merely maintaining modest growth driven by for the fifth straight month in February. The Citi said last week that the chances of a global cutting prices to attract demand. DUBAI: Stock markets in the Gulf rose yester- own and manage their mobile transmitter tow- Institute for Supply Management says that its recession - which it defines as global growth The Nikkei/Markit Manufacturing Purchasing day after oil prices firmed above $36 a barrel, ers. For a second day, Dubai’s Arabtec soared its manufacturing index rose to 49.5 last month falling below 2 percent - are rising. Managers’ Index held steady at 51.1, the second while Egyptian stocks slid in feeble volume as daily limit; it jumped 14.6 percent to 1.65 from 48.2 in January. But anything below 50 sig- China aims to lay off 5-6 million workers from month above the 50 mark that separates growth investors worried about a possible interest dirhams with volume at another 6-1/2-year nals a decline. Factory employment and exports “zombie enterprises” over the next two to three from contraction. By contrast, China’s official rate hike. high. On Monday, exchange data showed for- fell, but new orders and production increased. years, two sources with ties to the country’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) stood at 49.0 The Saudi index advanced 1.5 percent to mer chief executive Hasan Ismaik had raised his American manufacturers have been hurt by leadership told Reuters. in February, down from 49.4 and below the 50 6,181 points, breaking technical resistance at stake to 11.91 percent from 11.81 percent. economic weakness overseas and a strong dol- Australia’s central bank governor, Glenn mark for a seventh month. the early February and end-January peaks of In a brief statement yesterday, the compa- 6,056-6,099 points. Chartists said this pointed ny said there was no material news, technical lar, which makes US goods more expensive in Stevens, observed yesterday that conditions A private survey, the Caixin/Markit China PMI, to a rise towards 6,850. Petrochemical stocks or operational, to affect its share price. A foreign markets. have become more difficult for a number of which focuses on small and mid-sized compa- helped lift the bourse as Saudi Basic Industries source close to Ismaik told Reuters he was The ISM, a trade group of purchasing man- emerging market economies and noted that nies, fared no better, falling to 48.0, from 48.4, added 1.7 percent and Saudi Kayan rose 2.0 buying the shares because he saw future val- agers, surveys about 200 US companies each “China’s growth rate has continued to moder- and undershooting market expectations of 48.3. percent in high volumes. Telecommunications ue in them, but details of his intentions month. Meanwhile, manufacturing activity ate.” Stevens, who attended the Shanghai G20 Analysts said some of the weakness in China’s also attracted considerable activity with remained unclear. Many institutional investors across much of Asia shrank in February with China meeting, made those comments after leaving PMIs was probably due to the long Lunar New Atheeb adding 2.4 percent and Mobily surging are sceptical of the stock after its collapse suffering a seventh straight month of decline, a interest rates at a record low 2.0 percent. He Year holidays, but they pointed to a worrying fall 6.7 percent after Bloomberg reported, citing from a record high of 7.37 dirhams, hit in May blow to policymakers who only a day earlier kept a conditional easing bias in a widely in the index’s employment gauge which unnamed sources, that Digital Bridge Holdings, 2014. Of eight analysts covering it, three rate it resumed an easing cycle in a fresh effort to spur expected outcome. Survey after survey served dropped to its lowest since January 2009. “The which invests in communications industries, “hold” and five “sell” or “strong sell”, according growth. Business surveys from China to Indonesia to remind how challenging the current environ- big question is do we see a pickup in the second was among leading bidders for Mobily’s portfo- to Thomson Reuters data; their median price showed no signs of reversing a weakening trend, ment is. quarter once China does pass through the sea- lio of wireless towers in Saudi Arabia, a sale val- target is 1.09 dirhams. forcing factories in the trade-reliant region to sonal disruption, but at the moment there is lit- ued at $2 billion. But Arabtec helped lift Dubai’s index 1.5 In a Reuters interview last November, percent, with Union Properties adding 4.3 per- shed yet more jobs and cut prices, a move that INDIA AS A STANDOUT tle hope for that to happen in any significant Mobily said it was considering selling its mobile cent, its third straight day of gains. Amlak could worsen a global disinflationary trend. Japan’s factories saw their weakest growth in way,” said Angus Nicholson, market strategist at transmitter towers, most likely to a specialist Finance, a mid-sized Islamic investment Surveys of manufacturing output from other eight months, while Indonesia and Malaysia con- brokerage IG in Melbourne. tower company that would then lease these house, jumped 9.4 percent, adding to a 12.8 parts of the globe will be released later yester- tracted for the 17th and 11th month respective- Underscoring how a slowdown in China is back to the seller. In February, Saudi’s Maal percent gain made on the previous day when day. Asia’s grim readings will sharpen the focus ly, according to survey compiler Markit. Taiwan putting trade-reliant economies on the financial news website said the kingdom’s the company announced that annual net prof- of officials in the world’s leading economies who went into reverse gear for the first time in three skids, South Korean exports in February three telecommunications operators including it attributable to equity holders had surged declared at a weekend G20 meeting that they months as orders wilted. tumbled in their 14th consecutive month of Mobily were in talks to create a company to 130 percent. —Reuters needed to look beyond ultra-low rates and print- India was perhaps the only standout, and for declines. —Agencies WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 BUSINESS News in brief Smaller UAE companies

US dollar stable against KD at 0.300 struggle for finance KUWAIT: The exchange rate of the US dollar against the Kuwaiti dinar stabilized at KD 0.300, while the euro went down to KD 0.326 compared to the exchange rates for Monday, said a statement by the Some banks cutting lending or recalling loans Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) yesterday. According to the CBK, the exchange rate of the Sterling pound went up to KD 0.418 while the Swiss franc was stable DUBAI: Banks in the United Arab Emirates in recent months. A senior banking official in When Alisa’s facilities were revoked, the sources, while Mashreq said it too had tight- at KD 0.300. Exchange rate of the Japanese Yen are cutting credit lines to small- and medi- November estimated the amount owed by company had to source loans at higher rates ened lending rules for new SMEs. UNB remained the same at KD 0.002. um-sized businesses (SMEs) after a spate of those fleeing reached around 5 billion in order to pay suppliers for goods, Chassebi declined to comment. Several international defaults, posing a threat to one of the econ- dirhams ($1.4 billion) last year. said. He said the company’s turnover was banks including Standard Chartered and omy’s main drivers. Some of the businesses that remain expected to halve this year to 100 million HSBC have also pulled back from the UAE’s Kuwaiti oil barrel drops As weak oil prices prompt a drying up of report increasing difficulties with banks. dirhams. It has already shed staff and ware- SME sector in recent years. to $27.58 Monday bank liquidity, some lenders are becoming One of those is Alisa Trading, a re- house space. Standard & Poor’s expects the ratio of choosier, taking longer to approve loans or exporter of dried fruits, nuts and spices, Privately, several bankers said they had non-performing to performing loans for the KUWAIT: The price of Kuwaiti oil barrel dropped asking for more paperwork, while others are which has operated in Dubai for around 25 withdrawn or, in certain cases, recalled cred- banks it covers in the UAE to climb to about 47 cents reaching $27.58 per barrel on Monday, cutting lending or recalling loans, say busi- years. The company said it had an 11 million it facilities given to commodity traders and 4 percent or higher over the next four to six compared to $28.05 pb on Friday, as announced nesses and bankers. dirham trade finance facility canceled by other sectors deemed risky, with one saying quarters, still below the 5.1 percent level by Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) yester- While the trend is mainly because of Standard Chartered in 2014, then another his bank had targeted companies with debt reached in 2012 in the wake of the 2009 day. Oil prices have risen by three percent in banks’ desire to protect capital, banking facility of about 3.5 million dirhams revoked higher than turnover and with credit from financial downturn. international markets yesterday, affected by sources say some smaller lenders have also by United Arab Bank in 2015. more than a handful of banks. Still, analysts warn the tide of bad debt China’s measures, taken to improve its economy been told by the central bank to limit expo- With SMEs only accounting for about 3.8 could rise, as some banks have not yet fully and the low production rate of crude oil at the sure to the sector. Nobody was available to LONG RELATIONSHIPS percent of total bank loans, the fallout from accounted for all bad loans due to using dif- Organization of the Petroleum Exporting comment from the central bank. Another bank, RAKBANK, declined to the sector’s stress should be relatively con- ferent numbers of days to calculate defaults. Countries (OPEC) and the US. Meanwhile, Brent The dislocation in the lending market renew a 1 million dirham financing it had tained. Still, after a buildup in losses, several In the meantime traders are complaining crude oil rose 87 cents upon settlement, reaching risks undermining a push by the govern- with the lender when it expired in banks have lately taken steps to trim their about long delays in getting approval for $35. 97 pb, while the US crude oil rose 97 cents ment to support SMEs, which make up November, Alisa said. None of the lenders SME business. credit as banks ask for more paperwork, (three percent), reaching $33. about 60 percent of UAE gross domestic were available to comment on Alisa’s case. marking a contrast with recent years when product. The government has targeted rais- “We had long relationships with the LARGER COMPANIES small businesses gorged on credit after Qatar CB cancels ing their contribution to 70 percent by 2021. banks and never defaulted. We were A-grade United Arab Bank for instance is winding banks began to view them as a relatively But what some bankers say is a tide of busi- customers,” said Khaled Chassebi, manager down its SME unit to focus on larger compa- untapped and profitable lending avenue in monthly T-bill auction ness people fleeing the country with unpaid of Alisa. The company is part of a trading nies after its 2015 earnings were hobbled by a buoyant economy. DUBAI: The Qatar central bank has cancelled its debts has shaken banks’ confidence and sector that forms the engine of local com- a more than doubling in provisions. RAK- “In a negative economic environment, as sale of Treasury bills yesterday, sources aware of the exposed shortcomings in insolvency regula- merce but started to sputter last year when BANK said it was committed to the SME seg- soon as banks sniff a problem in a particular matter said. The central bank had planned to sell tions. commodity prices began to sink. Traders of ment but was focusing on growing its pres- sector, there can be a collective rush to three-, six- and nine-month T-bills totalling 2.5 bil- In a country where a bounced cheque food, oil, textiles and jewelry were worst ence among larger companies. Union immediately reduce their exposures to that lion riyals ($666.6 million), banking sources said on risks landing the issuer in jail, many heavily affected and are now finding it toughest to National Bank (UNB) has tightened lending sector,” Omar Rahman, general counsel of condition of anonymity as the information is not indebted expatriates have opted to depart secure funds. criteria for new SMEs, according to banking Noor Bank, said. — Reuters public. “Fewer local banks participated in the T-bills because of tight liquidity and rising rates,” one of the bankers said. The central bank also cancelled its Sovereign funds T-bill sales in January and February as it resisted upward pressure on market interest rates caused by sold equities across low oil prices, which have reduced flows of new money into the banking system, and the US Federal the board in 2015 Reserve’s rate hike in December. “No T-bill issued today, [the central bank] is planning to issue one LONDON: Sales by sovereign wealth funds of $46.4 bil- next month as per normal,” said Adel Bakr, assistant lion of assets in 2015 involved heavy redemptions of director for public debt and banking affairs at the “passive” or index-tracking equity strategies in both Qatar Central Bank. developed and emerging markets, new data showed yesterday. Following a report last week of the headline $46.4 billion outflows from external managers, Egyptian pound weakens research firm eVestment this week revealed a detailed breakdown. It shows sovereign wealth fund (SWF) on black market withdrawals were concentrated in equities, largely CAIRO: The Egyptian pound held steady against indiscriminate, and from the most liquid segments of the dollar at an official foreign currency auction their investments. yesterday but weakened significantly on the Over $17 billion was withdrawn from global equity black market as uncertainty over monetary policy mandates, $10.5 billion from US equity funds and $3.5 grows. Egypt, which depends heavily on imports, billion from emerging market equities, with the is facing a foreign currency crisis and is under biggest outflows concentrated in passive strategies in increasing pressure to devalue the pound, but each category. Peter Laurelli, head of research at the bank surprised markets when it strengthened eVestment, which collates data from 4,400 firms man- the pound by 20 piasters in November and held aging money on behalf of institutional investors, said it steady ever since. The central bank sold $38.8 the redemptions indicated a general reduction in equi- million at a cut-off price of 7.7301 pounds to the ty exposure by SWFs that was not being offset by size- dollar yesterday, unchanged from the previous able allocations elsewhere. auction. But the black market rate jumped, with With oil prices languishing at under $40 a barrel, traders quoting a range of 9.30 to 9.34 to the dol- SWFs and central banks in oil exporting countries such lar, up from levels of 9.17 to 9.22 quoted on as Norway, Russia and Saudi Arabia have been running Sunday. Trading for dollars in the black market is CHENNAI: An Indian vendor arranges flowers as she waits for customers at a stall in a flower market in Chennai down reserves and liquidating assets to help bridge now limited to regular customers, traders said, yesterday. —AFP budget gaps. At the same time equity markets have with many exchanges fearing a crackdown after sold off heavily, with the S&P 500 down 5.5 percent several were closed down in February. since the start of the year and European stocks down Iraq’s oil exports in Feb around 8 percent. The benchmark emerging equity index has lost 5.6 percent. In total, some $55.7 billion Turkey gives Bank has been pulled from equity funds in the year to date, Asya deadline for sale fall below planned levels according to data from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, the longest outflow streak since 2008. ISTANBUL: Turkey has extended the “solution Laurelli said it was not necessarily financial market process” for troubled Islamic lender Bank Asya by BAGHDAD: Iraq’s Oil Ministry said yes- do not include oil being independently loans from local and international events that were prompting the SWF reductions in three months, the deposit insurance fund that owns terday that crude exports averaged exported from Iraq’s self-ruled northern lenders. equity exposure, but the underlying economic factors the bank said yesterday, adding it would be liquidat- 3.225 million barrels a day in February, Kurdish region since mid-2015, prevent- In the summer of 2014, Iraq was impacting SWFs, although the redemptions did sug- ed if a buyer were not found by the deadline. The far below levels planned to provide the ing the government from reaping rev- plunged into its worst crisis in the after- gest a fear of further price falls. “If you believe a hold- bank was taken over by Turkish authorities last year, nation with badly needed cash for enues of nearly 600,000 barrels a day. math of the withdrawal of US troops at ing is going to rise, then it doesn’t make any sense to becoming a high-profile casualty in a feud between ongoing military operations against Iraq holds the world’s fourth largest the end of 2011. The Islamic State group sell it. If you’re in need of assets why not just wait a bit President Tayyip Erdogan and US-based cleric Islamic State extremists. oil reserves, some 143.1 billion barrels, - which emerged out of Al-Qaeda’s longer? It suggests they don’t have a lot of confidence Fethullah Gulen, whose followers founded the Last month exports grossed about and oil revenues make up nearly 95 per- branch in Iraq - blitzed across vast that passive equity exposure is going to be of benefit bank. The bank is now controlled by Turkey’s $2.2 billion, based on an average price cent of its budget. But like other oil- swaths of Iraqi territory, including the to them right now,” he said. Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF), which of about $23 per barrel, ministry reliant countries, Iraq’s economy has country’s second largest city, Mosul, and SWFs also withdrew around $4.1 billion from made the announcement in a statement yesterday, spokesman Assem Jihad said in a state- been severely hit by plummeting oil captured nearly a third of Iraq. emerging market fixed income strategies with external echoing comments made by its chairman last week. ment. Iraq’s 2016 budget is based on an prices since 2014. Iraq introduced austerity measures asset managers, with outflows accelerating in the The fund also said the bank could not be returned expected price of $45 per barrel with a This year’s budget stands at nearly earlier this year - eliminating govern- fourth quarter of 2015 after poor performance across to its original shareholders. Last year the govern- daily export capacity of 3.6 million. 106 trillion Iraqi dinars, or about $89.7 ment posts, merging some ministries, the asset class. Some $2.1 billion was redeemed from ment seized the assets of Bank Asya, saying its January’s daily exports averaged 3.283 billion. It runs with a deficit of over 24 halting spending on construction proj- Japanese equities and $1.97 billion from global fixed financial structure and management presented a million barrels, bringing that month’s trillion dinars (about $20.5 billion) that ects and imposing new taxes to pay for income strategies. —Reuters threat to the financial system. revenues to $2.261 billion. The figures are planned to be relieved through civil servants and fund its military. — AP EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. GOLD Saudi Riyals 81.050 Asia 20 Gram 247.280 Jordanian Dinar 424.580 Bangladesh Taka 0.003451 0.004051 10 Gram 126.560 ASIAN COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound 38.380 Chinese Yuan 0.044581 0.048081 5 Gram 64.120 Japanese Yen 2.656 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.086 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036635 0.039385 Indian Rupees 4.386 Indian Rupees 4.399 Indian Rupee 0.004177 0.004567 Pakistani Rupees 2.874 Pakistani Rupees 2.881 UAE Exchange Centre WLL Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024 Srilankan Rupees 2.083 Bangladesh Taka 3.834 Philippines Pesso 6.327 Japanese Yen 0.002578 0.002758 Nepali Rupees 2.743 Cyprus pound 574.065 Kenyan Shilling 0.002951 0.002951 Singapore Dollar 214.270 CURRENCIES TELEX TRANSFER PER 1000 Japanese Yen 3.640 Korean Won 0.000233 0.000248 Hongkong Dollar 38.728 Australian Dollar 201.91 Canadian Dollar 219.82 Syrian Pound 2.370 Malaysian Ringgit 0.067878 0.073878 Bangladesh Taka 3.836 Swiss Franc 306.95 Nepalese Rupees 3.735 Nepalese Rupee 0.002854 0.003024 Philippine Peso 6.330 Euro 336.85 Malaysian Ringgit 72.525 Pakistan Rupee 0.002707 0.002987 Thai Baht 8.443 US Dollar 299.90 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 46.435 Philippine Peso 0.006245 0.006525 Sterling Pound 431.04 Thai Bhat 9.400 Sierra Leone 0.000071 0.000077 GCC COUNTRIES Japanese Yen 2.67 Turkish Lira 100.970 Saudi Riyal 80.350 Singapore Dollar 0.210464 0.216464 Bangladesh Taka 3.817 South African Rand 0.012653 0.021153 Qatari Riyal 82.768 Indian Rupee 4.375 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001742 0.002322 Omani Riyal 782.614 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.083 Bahrain Exchange Company Taiwan 0.008914 0.009094 Bahraini Dinar 800.190 Nepali Rupee 2.732 UAE Dirham 82.035 Pakistani Rupee 2.860 Thai Baht 0.008125 0.008675 UAE Dirhams 0.08161 COUNTRY SELL CASH SELLDRAFT ARAB COUNTRIES Bahraini Dinar 0.7970 Europe Arab Egyptian Pound - Cash 35.150 Egyptian Pound 0.03819 British Pound 0.410904 0.419904 Bahraini Dinar 0.791921 0.799921 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 38.526 Jordanian Dinar 0.4265 Czech Korune 0.004156 0.016156 Egyptian Pound 0.033558 0.037854 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.406 Omani Riyal 0.7788 Danish Krone 0.040042 0.045042 Iranian Riyal 0.000083 0.000084 Tunisian Dinar 147.770 Qatari Riyal 0.08269 Euro 0.323662 0.331662 Iraqi Dinar 0.000196 0.000256 Norwegian Krone 0.030622 0.035822 Jordanian Dinar 424.660 Saudi Riyal 0.07994 Jordanian Dinar 0.420738 0.428238 Romanian Leu 0.073595 0.073595 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.008 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Slovakia 0.008948 0.018948 Syrian Lira 2.147 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Lebanese Pound 0.000149 0.000249 Morocco Dirham 30.887 Swedish Krona 0.031111 0.036111 Swiss Franc 0.295966 0.305766 Moroccan Dirhams 0.020481 0.044481 Nigerian Naira 0.001239 0.001874 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Turkish Lira 0.095703 0.106003 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Omani Riyal 0.775788 0.781468 US Dollar Transfer 301.150 US Dollar 301.400 Qatar Riyal 0.082007 0.083220 Euro 330.660 Canadian Dollar 224.990 Australasia Saudi Riyal 0.079420 0.080370 Sterling Pound 418.900 Sterling Pound 418.805 Australian Dollar 0.206641 0.218141 Canadian dollar 223.240 Euro 330.790 New Zealand Dollar 0.191967 0.201467 Syrian Pound 0.001276 0.001496 Turkish lira 101.060 Swiss Frank 301.485 America Tunisian Dinar 0.145225 0.153225 Swiss Franc 303.580 Bahrain Dinar 797.355 Canadian Dollar 0.217079 0.225579 Turkish Lira 0.095703 0.106003 Australian Dollar 215.920 UAE Dirhams 82.300 US Dollars 0.297050 0.301550 UAE Dirhams 0.081011 0.082160 US Dollar Buying 299.950 Qatari Riyals 83.510 US Dollars Mint 0.297550 0.301550 Yemeni Riyal 0.001361 0.001441 BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 Markaz announces net profit of KD2.88 million for 2015

KUWAIT: Kuwait Financial Centre “Markaz” Markaz’s financial leverage ratio stood at tainable results. In December 2015, Capital prospects of its direct real estate investments. recognition from experts in the region’s finan- announced a net profit attributable to share- 0.32:1, in comparison to the CBK imposed Intelligence (CI), an international rating The rating also reflects Markaz’s well-estab- cial industry in 2015. Markaz was awarded holders of KD 2.88 million, an earnings per ratio of 2:1, which indicates Markaz’s low agency, affirmed Markaz bonds as BBB with lished franchise and its conservative business “Best Equity Manager in Kuwait” by Global share (EPS) of 6 fils, as compared with a 2014 leverage rate. The quick ratio was at 42.17 per- “Stable” outlook. CI attributed the rating to the model. The bond will mature in December Investor for the sixths consecutive year and net profit of KD 4.02 million, an earnings per cent versus the CBK mandate of a minimum Company’s low leverage; diversified invest- 2016 and Markaz enjoys sufficient liquidity to “Best Asset Manager in Kuwait” from EMEA share (EPS) of 8 fils. Markaz’s total assets under of 10 percent. These percentages reflect ments holdings; sustained growth of revenue repay the bond and a number of options to Finance. Markaz was also recognized twice in management (AUM) reach KD1.03 billion as of Markaz’s ability to maintain a highly liquid and from its asset management activities; and the refinance the repayment of the bond. The 2015 as “Best Investment Bank in Kuwait” by December 31st, 2015. flexible balance sheet in order to achieve sus- increasing contribution and promising company’s performance continued to attract Global Finance and EMEA Finance. Oil exports still constrained post-sanctions, says Iran Tehran to boost output immediately by 500,000 bpd

DUBAI: Iran still faces constraints on oil exports “If everything goes well, definitely the vol- year,” he said. “But it is a plan and it is a desire. as buyers are cautious about boosting trade umes for March are going to be higher than How much it is successful depends on the mar- immediately because of banking and ship insur- February. The difference between March and ket and the negotiations with the customers,” he ance difficulties, a senior Iranian oil official said, February is going to be quite tangible. The main said. Even a gradual increase in Iran’s exports despite seeing a “tangible” rise in shipments this or biggest portion of these additional cargoes is would come at a time of global oversupply, with month. going to be destined for Europe,” he added. producers around the world pumping hundreds DORAL: The front of a 2016 Dodge Ram 3500 Heavy Duty pickup at a Fiat Chrysler Iran emerged from years of economic isola- Litasco, the trading arm of Russia’s Lukoil, of thousands of barrels every day in excess of dealership in Doral, Florida. Industry analysts expect February sales to bounce back tion in January when world powers led by the Spanish refiner Cepsa and France’s Total have demand. Oil prices are near 11-year lows at after a slight decline in January. All automakers reported their monthly sales figures United States and the European Union lifted crip- become the first buyers in Europe since the lift- around $37 a barrel. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, yesterday. — AP pling sanctions against OPEC’s No.3 oil producer ing of sanctions, trading sources told Reuters. Venezuela and non-OPEC Russia agreed last in return for curbs on Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Ghamsari said those cargoes were trial ship- month to freeze output at January levels in the Automakers post healthy The sanctions had cut Iranian crude exports from ments and NIOC had started negotiations for first global oil pact in 15 years. Iranian Oil a peak of 2.5 million barrels per day (bpd) before term contracts with potential buyers. “Definitely Minister Bijan Zanganeh said last week the freeze 2011 to just over 1 million bpd in recent years. in March you are going to see some good news was “laughable”. February sales gains Iran is working to regain market share after for additional barrels or cargoes destined to Iranian sources say the country would be pre- sanctions relief and exports had already risen by Europe,” he said. pared to discuss a production pact once its out- DETROIT: Automakers posted big US LMC is predicting sales of 17.8 million 500,000 bpd in February, Mohsen Ghamsari, put had reached pre-sanctions levels. sales gains in February as consumers new vehicles this year, up from 17.46 million director of international affairs at National Iranian MAXIMIZING MARKET SHARE Ghamsari said Iran would not offer further dis- returned to showrooms after a snowy last year. But the growth rate is slowing from Oil Co (NIOC), told Reuters yesterday. But the Tehran has said it would boost output imme- counts but could consider a pricing improve- January. Ford Motor Co’s sales rose 20 per- previous years and many are expecting a country’s crude shipments, particularly to diately by 500,000 bpd and by another 500,000 ment for its crude sales to Europe by selling cent over last February, while Fiat plateau. Ford’s luxury Lincoln brand saw Europe, have been complicated by a lack of clari- bpd within a year, ultimately reaching pre-sanc- some spot cargoes at the dated Brent bench- Chrysler’s were up 12 percent. Nissan’s sales jump 30 percent after sales of its new ty on ship insurance, dollar clearance and tion production levels of around 4 million bpd mark, though it was sticking with Brent Weighted sales rose nearly 11 percent. MKX SUV more than doubled over last European banks’ letters of credit. seen in 2010-2011. Ghamsari said it was difficult Average (BWAVE) for its term contracts. Industry analysts had expected February. Sales of Ford’s best seller, the F- “For March, definitely our volumes are going to give an exact number for Iran’s oil exports but “Maybe for some small cargoes we would be February sales to bounce back after a Series pickup, were up 10 percent. Ford sold to be higher than February ... but it depends on the plan was to raise shipments by roughly an able or looking to price (them) based on dated slight decline in January. Consulting firm 217,192 vehicles last month. the logistics situation and the banking channels. additional 500,000 bpd to reach 2 million bpd Brent but the term contract will be based on LMC Automotive consulting firm predicts Fiat Chrysler was led by the Jeep brand Still, some shipping companies are somehow this year, depending on market conditions. BWAVE,” he said. Other than Europe, NIOC’s main an 8.1 percent increase over a year ago to and the Ram pickup. Both reported sales reluctant to come and banks also,” he said in a “We believe within this year we have to max- targets for increased oil sales in Asia are China, 1.36 million new vehicles. With an annual increases of 23 percent. The company’s truck telephone interview from Tehran. imise our share ... our goal is to have it within this India and South Korea, he said. — Reuters selling rate of 17.7 million cars and trucks, sales rose 27 percent, but its car sales fell by last month would be the best February in the same percentage. Fiat Chrysler sold 16 years. Automakers reported their 149,188 trucks and SUVs last month but only monthly sales figures yesterday. 33,691 cars. At Nissan, car sales were up Eurozone jobless rate drops “Consumers seem to be shrugging off nearly 8 percent while truck and SUV sales the volatility in the stock market and higher rose 15 percent. The company’s top-selling interest rates,” said Jeff Schuster, senior vice vehicle, the Altima midsize car, saw sales to lowest since August 2011 president of forecasting for LMC. “Very low decline by 0.5 percent. But the Rogue small fuel prices and many new vehicles in show- SUV managed a small gain of 0.7 percent. rooms should help drive another strong year Overall, the Nissan and Infiniti brands sold LONDON: One bright spot in an otherwise Among the factors that have helped are “While it is encouraging that there was a fall for auto sales.” nearly 131,000 vehicles. — AP somber economic picture for the 19-country stimulus from the European Central Bank, which in the headline rate, it is important to recognize eurozone has been the consistent fall in the has cut interest rates and injected money into that this was only marginal and unlikely to put ranks of the unemployed. The trend continued the economy, less stringent budgetary policies, any meaningful upward pressure on wages,” in January, when the jobless rate fell to a near a lower euro and slumping oil prices. Even so, said Danae Kyriakopoulou, senior economist at four and a half-year low. the jobless rate remains high - more than dou- the Centre for Economics and Business Statistics agency Eurostat said yesterday the ble the US’s rate of 4.9 percent, for example - Research. unemployment rate across the region fell to and particularly so in certain countries. Spain Another worry is whether this sustained 10.3 percent in January from 10.4 percent the and Greece have unemployment rates of 20.5 decrease in unemployment can endure given previous month, when adjusted for seasonal percent and 24.6 percent, respectively. the headwinds in the global economy and the factors, as the number out of work declined by In many countries in the eurozone, unem- potential impact on the eurozone. “The euro- 105,000 to 16.65 million. ployment is also generally too high to stoke zone’s recovery will remain under pressure The rate now stands at its lowest since much-needed inflation via higher wages. because of the slowdown in China, continued August 2011 and is the latest in a string of Figures released Monday showed that annual geopolitical tensions with Russia, and the immi- declines over the past couple of years following eurozone inflation fell to minus 0.2 percent in gration crisis, while the weaker euro will likely the end of the region’s longest-ever recession. February, reinforcing market expectations that support exports outside the single-currency The improvement in recent months has been the ECB will pull provide more stimulus next region and low energy prices should continue broad-based with declines recorded in most of week. Prices are falling even in Germany, show- supporting manufacturing sectors across the the region’s economies - Germany’s unemploy- ing how anemic inflation pressures are in the euro area,” said Martin Janicko, economist at ment rate stands at a low 4.3 percent. eurozone despite the fall in unemployment. Moody’s Analytics. — AP Gold jumps after biggest monthly

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina’s Finance Minister Alfonso Prat-Gay, left, talks during a rise in 4 years press conference, next to Argentina’s Finance Secretary Luis Caputo, in Buenos Aires yesterday. — AP LONDON: Gold rose yesterday, building on its biggest monthly gain in four years, as concerns Argentina, US creditors reach over the global economy after downbeat data from China and the United States fuelled interest deal in longstanding spat in the metal as a safe store of value. Further inflows into gold-backed exchange- BUENOS AIRES: Argentina and a group of US Closing a chapter traded funds indicated buoyant investor creditors announced a deal Monday in a The deal “closes a chapter by putting an appetite for gold. The largest, New York-listed longstanding debt standoff, potentially end to the debt default saga which limited SPDR Gold Shares, saw inflows of nearly 15 tons breaking an impasse that has kept the coun- Argentina’s access to international capital on Monday, taking holdings to their highest try on the margins of international credit mar- markets,” said Alberto Ramos, chief Latin since 2014. Spot gold was up 0.6 percent at kets and led to a rewriting of the terms of America economist for Goldman Sachs, pre- $1,244.90 an ounce at 1230 GMT, while US gold debt issuance and negotiations worldwide. dicting that it would also lead to an influx of futures for April delivery were up 1 percent at The deal is a boost for President Mauricio investment in Argentina. $1,246.30. “From our perspective, it’s really war- Macri, who assumed power in December Hours after the announcement, the stock ranted to reconsider gold’s role as insurance in a after campaigning on promises to modernize exchange in Buenos Aires closed with a 1.5 portfolio,” Julius Baer analyst Carsten Menke said. South America’s second-largest economy by percent rise, which analysts said was a sign “The risks of adverse market conditions have solving the dispute and attracting foreign that investors were cautiously optimistic the really risen, whether it’s a China hard landing, an investment. dispute is on its way to being solved. The emerging market solvency crisis, or maybe also a “It gives me greatest pleasure to announce debt conflict goes back to Argentina’s 2001- US recession.” Data yesterday showed Chinese that the 15-year pitched battle between the 2002 financial collapse, when it defaulted on manufacturing sector activity shrank more sharply Republic of Argentina and Elliott $100 billion in bonds. Most creditors renego- than expected in February, suggesting Beijing will Management, led by Paul E. Singer, is now tiated in 2005 and 2010 bond swaps. But a have to ramp up stimulus to avoid a deeper eco- well on its way to being resolved,” arbiter group of creditors led by Singer, a billionaire nomic slowdown. Overnight the Chinese central Daniel A. Pollack said in a statement. hedge fund manager, refused and took bank moved to resume its easing cycle. The agreement still must be approved by Argentina to court in New York, under whose Downbeat data on Monday revived concerns Argentina’s Congress, which would also need laws the debt was issued, and won. about the strength of the US economy. Contracts FORT VALLEY: Employees work on a school bus on the assembly line at Blue Bird Corporation’s to revoke or sharply modify two laws that in U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Griesa in to buy previously owned homes fell to their low- manufacturing facility, in Fort Valley, Georgia. The Institute for Supply Management, a trade practical terms would make the deal difficult New York has repeatedly ruled against est in a year in January, while the Chicago group of purchasing managers, issued its index of manufacturing activity for February. — AP to implement. Argentina, saying the country had to pay the Purchasing Managers Index, a leading indicator The “Lock Law” prevents Argentina from holdouts before it could pay other creditors of the US economy, contracted last month. offering one group of creditors a better deal holding renegotiated debt. Those rulings Although global economic concerns have than others and the “Sovereign Payment Law,” have kept Argentina from accessing interna- prompted investors to channel money into gold, Global govt debt to keep passed in 2014, allowed Argentina to pay tional credit markets, forcing it to issue rising prices have muted some physical demand creditors with renegotiated debt in the face domestic bonds to raise funds and search for in the major Asian gold consuming regions. rising in 2016, says S&P of a New York court order not to do so. backdoor financing from countries like China. Gold’s rally on Monday prompted the The 2014 law was passed at the behest of The long, costly fight led to changes in Chinese, the top consumers of gold, to sell the then President Cristina Fernandez, who how debt is issued worldwide. Many coun- LONDON: The United States, China, Brazil and lion by the end of the year. S&P said it saw the metal on Tuesday, one Hong Kong-based trader India are expected to keep world government biggest absolute increase in annual borrowing refused to negotiate with bondholder groups tries have restructured contracts in attempts said. “They were buyers when prices were that she called “vultures,” casting the fight as a to avoid getting into similar situation. debt rising this year, Standard and Poor’s said in Brazil, which it expects will borrow $14 billion around $1,230 but the rally has put an end to on Monday, despite a small reduction in the more in 2015 an increase of 8 percent. U.S. court trying to bully a sovereign nation. While Macri has good relations with many that,” he said. India, the second largest con- Under the deal, Argentina would pay members of Congress, passage of the deal is annual global borrowing bill. The rating agency Poland and India are both forecast to see $12 sumer, has reintroduced a local sales tax on gold released a new report saying the stock of global billion increases which is an 38 percent rise for $4.653 billion to resolve all related claims, not a given. Fernandez’s Peronist Party has a jewellery, in a move officials hope will dampen including those from Singer’s group in New majority in the Senate and the largest bloc in government debt was expected to rise 2 per- the former and 8 percent increase for the latter. demand. Indian jewellers will go on indefinite cent to $42.4 trillion, with new borrowing of In contrast, Japan, the euro zone and others York and other creditors around the world. the lower house. strike from Tuesday in protest. The agreement would pay the funds man- However, the Peronists have been frac- $6.7 trillion set to continue to outstrip the such as Canada, the UK, Mexico and Ukraine are Despite the taxes, India’s gold imports surged amounts being repaid. expected to see year-on-year drops in headline aged by Elliot, Aurelius Capital, Davidson tured since Fernandez’s chosen candidate, 62 percent in January to 93.3 tonnes, a news Kempner and Bracebridge Capital about 75 Daniel Scioli, lost the presidential election to A number of major countries are behind the borrowing numbers. The eurozone is expected agency reported yesterday. Among other pre- underlying trend. US borrowing is expected to to see a near 6 percent drop, although its over- percent of their full judgments, according to Macri in November. And business leaders and cious metals, silver was up 1 percent at $15.03 the statement. Speaking to reporters in New governors in Argentina’s provinces have increase 8 percent or $163 billion year-on-year, all debt stock will also continue to creep up to an ounce, while platinum was up 1.3 percent at while world number two economy China is just over 7 trillion euros as its countries borrow York, Pollack declined to provide more details. joined the Macri administration in arguing $942.09 an ounce and palladium was up 3.9 per- He said April 14 was the deadline to finish the that the country desperately needs foreign forecast to ramp its borrowing 18 percent or more than they repay. cent at $506.22 an ounce. Palladium is rallying $51 billion. Globally annual issuance is forecast to dip to deal, but added that it could be extended if investment. “We want to return Argentina to after underperforming other precious metals both sides agreed. He described grueling normality” in the economy, Finance Minister The rise in China and in the likes of Brazil and $6.745 trillion from $6.899 trillion in 2015, last month, easing 1.2 percent while gold India is set to drive year-on-year emerging mar- though with $4.9 trillion maturing, the $1.7 tril- negotiations in recent months, joking that it Alfonso Prat-Gay told reporters in Buenos climbed 10.7 percent, its biggest monthly rise “felt like a thousand years to me.” Aires late Monday. —AP ket borrowing up 9.4 percent or $587 billion lion ‘net’ increase will keep the overall debt since January 2012. — Reuters and lift the total EM total debt stock to $6.8 tril- stock rising. — Reuters BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 Global stocks gain after China eases credit

BEIJING: Global stocks rose yesterday after an their best run of the year yesterday, as data from CAC 40 rose 0.4 percent after Asian markets had UniCredit’s Global Head of FX Strategy formed on signs of rising speculative inter- easing of Chinese bank lending helped to offset the region’s big economies bolstered the case also risen after weak Chinese manufacturing and Vasileios Gkionakis. est in China’s first-tier cities. a weak manufacturing reading and a decline in for another strong dose of ECB stimulus next service surveys fanned stimulus hopes there. The On the euro he added: “There is no “We think the PBOC easing is consistent Japanese consumer spending. week. Eurozone manufacturing activity expand- yen eased back in early European trading but doubt the low inflation and the soft eco- with continued weaker-than-expected eco- Germany’s DAX gained 1.1 percent to ed at its weakest pace for a year last month as was still hot to the touch having completed its nomic data is keeping the pressure on the nomic activity and downside risks to 9,598.15 points and France’s CAC-40 added 0.3 deep price discounting failed to put a floor best month against the dollar since 2008 and ECB to do something next week.” growth,” wrote Jian Chang, an analyst at percent to 4,367.21. On Monday, the DAX under slowing order growth. reached its highest against the euro since April There was a glimmer of hope for the Barclays. “It should help to support market slipped 0.2 percent, while Britain’s FTSE 100 was Markit’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) 2013. That was despite Japan becoming the first central bankers though as Brent oil prices, sentiment in the near term.” Economic unchanged. The CAC-40 rose 0.9 percent. Wall will make gloomy reading for the European major G7 economy to sell 10-year government the big downward force on inflation for the growth fell to a 25-year low of 6.9 percent Street looked set for gains, with futures for the Central Bank, coming little more than a week bonds at a negative yield, something that would last two years, hit their highest level since in 2015 but a slump in stocks and an unex- Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & before its next policy setting meeting where it is usually make the currency less attractive as the start of the year having just seen their pected devaluation of the yuan raised mar- Poor’s 500 index up 0.5 percent. expected to increase its support program. investors effectively pay rather than get paid to best month since August. ket fears that the economy was in worse The euro hit its lowest in almost three years Britain’s FTSE 100 climbed 0.6 percent, hold them. “The yen strength right now is largely It helped German Bund yields nudge off shape than the government had let on. against the yen and Europe’s shares extended Germany’s DAX jumped 1.3 percent and France’s being dominated by (weak) risk appetite,” said 10-month lows after the previous day’s Such an easing measure might have deeper than expected fall in eurozone con- been expected to put selling pressure on sumer prices had seen the bloc’s inflation China’s currency, but the yuan’s firmer per- expectations fall to their lowest on record. formance, both onshore and offshore, was The European Central Bank is expected to evidence of a change in sentiment since cut its deposit rate by at least another 10 early January, when weakness in the yuan basis points next week and add to its 1.5 sparked a global selloff in risky assets. trillion euro bond buying scheme. “The yuan’s depreciation pressure has Chinese shares rose yesterday after the eased to an extent that the PBOC could central bank’s surprise monetary policy afford a 50 bps RRR cut while maintaining easing, shrugging off disappointing manu- the currency’s stability,” said a dealer at a facturing and service sector surveys that European bank in Shanghai. Traders said highlighted the wider challenges faced by the yuan’s strength in the face of the cut the world’s second-largest economy. Much was a reflection of tightening liquidity, due of the market’s attention was on the yuan, to a huge amount of maturing open mar- which was firmer after the central bank set ket operations by the central bank, which a higher midpoint reference rate for the were sucking funds out of the market. start of trade, belying fears the policy eas- “The injection from the RRR cut is help- ing could put the currency under fresh ing offset drains from the money market by downward pressure. The benchmark maturing reverse repos,” said a trader at a Shanghai Composite Index closed up 1.7 Chinese commercial bank in Shanghai. percent, while the CSI300 index of the Traders said the cut would have little largest listed companies in Shanghai and influence on broader yuan policy. The Shenzhen added 1.8 percent. move brought China’s money rates down Late on Monday, the People’s Bank of across the board yesterday. A spike in the China (PBOC) announced a cut in the overnight rate the previous week was amount of cash that banks must hold as blamed for setting off a fresh round of falls reserves - the reserve ratio requirement in stocks, and some said the timing of the (RRR) - by 50 basis points. It frees up an esti- RRR cut was informed by concerns that mated $100 billion in cash for fresh lend- shares could have fallen through a key ing. Index gains were led by financials and support and returned to levels not seen industrials, and property shares outper- since 2011. — Agencies WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 BUSINESS

GENEVA: A new Seat Ataca is displayed at the stand of Spanish carmaker during the press day of the Geneva GENEVA: Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann stands behind the new Centenario model car displayed at the Motor Show yesterday in Geneva. — AFP stand of Italian carmaker during the press day of the Geneva Motor Show in Geneva. — AFP Following prank, VW concedes it’s a target GENEVA AUTO SHOW GENEVA: The Latest on the auto show taking make the vehicles affordable for a broad cus- emissions tests while spewing high levels of place in the Swiss city of Geneva (all times tomer base. harmful nitrogen oxide when operating. local): 12:15 am. The new normal at Volkswagen? Volkswagen BMW The VW executive who kept his calm as a A cheeky protester dressed as a BMW’s CEO introduced new versions of the protester mocked its emissions scandal dur- Volkswagen mechanic disrupted the automak- company’s big luxury sedan at the Geneva ing a glitzy media presentation at the Geneva er’s media presentation at the Geneva auto International Motor Show and cautioned that Auto show says such stunts are “something show yesterday, exemplifying the German sales growth in Europe and China will only be that you just have to live with.” company’s nagging image problem following modest this year. Harald Krueger showed off a A wrench-wielding prankster dressed up as an emissions scandal. The protester alluded to new plug-in hybrid of the 7-Series, saying cus- a VW mechanic crawled up under a display Volkswagen’s cheating on US emissions tests tomers who wanted to set an example were car to feign a repair on a car that marketing revealed last year. Holding a wrench and a asking for a low-emissions vehicle. For those chief Juergen Stackmann had just ridden up prop labeled “cheat box,” the protester walked wanting top performance, the company is in at the show yesterday. on stage and looked under a display car as a rolling out a version with a 12-cylinder, 610 After being interrupted by the protester, Volkswagen executive spoke. horsepower engine that can accelerate to 100 Stackmann quipped: “It doesn’t need repairs: In German-accented English, he said CEO kph (62 mph) in just 3.9 seconds. It’s a perfect car.” Security guards then Matthias Mueller “said it was OK as long as no Krueger said yesterday the company whisked away the protester. Afterward, one finds out about it.” Security guards then expected “moderate sales growth” this year Stackmann told The Associated Press: escorted the man away. Volkswagen admitted after a record year in which the company sold “Obviously we know at the moment that we to US regulators in September it had used ille- 2.2 million cars. He said he expected sales are the brand that attracts a lot of attention - gal software in its so-called “Clean Diesel” growth in Europe and China only in the lower and we have to live with that.” engines, allowing the cars to pass laboratory single digit percent range. —AP Volkswagen has admitted that up to 11 million vehicles worldwide may be affected GENEVA: French carmaker Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn poses with the new Renault Scenic by a diesel emissions-rigging scandal after model car at the stand of French carmaker during the press day of the Geneva Motor revelations last fall from the US Justice Show yesterday. — AFP Department.

Ford Ford predicts demand for small SUVs “is here to stay” in Europe, and says lower oil prices won’t translate into a significant drop in fuel costs in the region. Ford Europe chief Jim Farley spoke yester- day to The Associated Press at the Geneva auto show, where the Detroit automaker is launching the Edge as its flagship for the SUV market in Europe. At just over 4 meters (13 feet) long, the Edge is small enough to fit many urban park- ing spaces in Europe, but also sits high up for a sense of safety for drivers. Farley said plunging oil prices aren’t lead- ing to as sharp a drop in costs at the pump because much of the fuel price is made up of taxes in Europe. Ford is also among automak- ers working on “full autonomy” self-driving GENEVA: Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Board of Volkswagen presents the new T- cars, which he predicted will hit markets with- Cross Breeze during the press day at the 86th international Motor Show in Geneva GENEVA: The New Bugatti Chiron is presented during the press day at the 86th in four years, though Ford will wait until it can yesterday. — AP International Motor Show in Geneva yesterday. — AP Barclays shares dive as bank sees profit fall Japan setting up panel

LONDON: Barclays saw its shares plunge J P Morgan’s global investment bank. yesterday after the bank revealed plans to Jenkins had championed a more ethical to discuss extra budget split itself into two, simplify its operations approach to his company’s operations after and cut its dividend amid weaker earnings. he took charge in wake of allegations The bank said its fourth quarter adjust- Barclays was involved in the manipulation ST hike next year could hurt Japan’s consumption ed pretax profit, which includes one-off of a key global interest rate called the items like provisions to pay for mis-selling London interbank offered rate, or LIBOR. TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will con- thing when it raised the tax to 8 percent from 5 per- gross domestic product growth, and on that measure policies in the UK, fell by more than a half He sought to reduce the importance of vene an advisory panel to consider an extra budget for cent in 2014, but its 5.5 trillion yen ($49 billion) stimu- Japan is set for a windfall, economists say. Last calen- to 247 million pounds ($344 million) from investment banking. the coming fiscal year, sources told Reuters, days after lus package was not enough to stop a recession. dar year, nominal GDP expanded at the fastest pace the year before. The London-based firm’s “The new boss Jes Staley is clearly tak- the Group of 20 nations urged more fiscal spending to This time the size of the tax increase is smaller, and since 1994, when comparable data first became avail- restructuring plan is part of new rules to ing a big broom to Barclays’ operations in a support the ailing global economy. the government has already agreed to exempt food able. The finance ministry expects fiscal 2015/16 tax separate riskier investment banking from bid to dramatically simplify the group,” said Abe announced the plan yesterday, saying the and other everyday goods, but politicians are worried. revenue to reach a 24-year high of around 56 trillion retail banking. Such ring-fencing is meant Laith Khalaf of Hargreaves Lansdown stock- panel would help him prepare for hosting a Group of Top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said yen, more than their original estimate of 54.5 trillion to keep people’s savings secure in the brokers. “When the dust has cleared, the Seven summit in May where the fragile state of global on Friday taxes should not be raised if it caused rev- yen. event of another financial crash. bank should have two high quality finan- growth is sure to top the agenda. enue to fall, suggesting a delay is possible. Even if nominal growth slows, fiscal 2016/17 tax The bank said it would pay a lower divi- cial services divisions, and the potential to “We need to do more to ensure stable growth for A 2 percentage-point sales tax hike will cost con- revenue could still top the government’s estimate of dend this year and next year, leading offer investors a decent dividend, but it’s the world economy,” Abe told reporters. “I want to hear sumers around 5 trillion yen, so government needs to 57.6 trillion yen, economists say. shares to fall nearly 11 percent to 153.30 going to take some elbow grease to get the frank views of experts and well-known economists spend 5 to 10 trillion yen to keep consumption on And the government could bring forward bond pence. there.” from both inside and outside Japan. We need to track, economists say. issuance, they say, as it can borrow at no cost, given The bank also announced plans to sell The bank also offered a warning about debate how G7 countries can cooperate.” “The size of fiscal stimulus should be at least equal- the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) negative interest rate policy. down its stake in its African operations over the uncertainty regarding operations in the Financial market turmoil and economic contrac- ly as large as last time, possibly larger, given the global Critics say Japan already has the world’s worst debt the next three years to a non-controlling event that Britain votes to leave the tion at the end of last year have increased pessimism situation,” said Hiroshi Shiraishi, senior economist at burden at twice the size of its economy and runs large position. Barclays Africa Group Ltd. is now European Union on June 23. It argued the about Japan’s domestic demand, but rising tax rev- BNP Paribas Securities. budget deficits, so risks triggering a downgrade by 62 percent owned by Barclays and has 12 vote “raises the possibility of a disruptive enue and falling bond yields suggest it now has more Tax revenue is closely correlated with nominal credit rating agencies. — Reuters million customers across 12 countries. an uncertain exit from the EU, with atten- leeway to spend. Finance Minister Taro Aso told New CEO Jes Staley says Barclays PLC “is dant consequences for investment and reporters on Feb. 23 that he would not rule out a stim- fundamentally on the right path, and is, at confidence.” ulus package for fiscal 2016/17, which starts from UK manufacturing activity its core, a very good business.” Staley was It described the period following a vote April. brought in after former CEO Antony in favor of leaving as having “unpredictable “If there are changes in the economy, then it’s natu- slumps to three-year low Jenkins was pushed aside amid concerns implications on market conditions.” “We ral to respond with an extra budget,” said an official about the performance of Barclays’ invest- think it is in the interests of our customers involved in fiscal policy, who said the government was LONDON: British factories had their weakest month “The breadth of the slowdown is especially worri- ment bank. Staley began his career as a and clients for the UK to remain in the EU,” seriously leaning toward more spending. in nearly three years in February, a survey showed some.” New orders in February were their weakest commercial banker and advanced to head Chairman John McFarlane said. — AP “Cash handouts for pensioners have only just start- yesterday, raising a warning signal that the country’s since the turnaround began in 2013. Consumer and ed, but this could be an option,” the official said, refer- recovery from the financial crisis could be slowing investment goods orders bore the brunt of slower ring to a policy that will start next month. further. growth in demand at home and a further fall in Timing was not yet clear on an extra package, he With growing uncertainty about the health of orders from abroad, Markit said. said, though ruling party heavyweight Toshihiro Nikai the global economy and the approach of Britain’s has said he suspected it was being prepared ahead of European Union membership referendum, the BREXIT elections expected in July. Markit/CIPS manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Kallum Pickering, an economist with Berenberg, Abe advisor Masahiko Shibayama has also said the Index (PMI) fell sharply to 50.8, below all the fore- said nervousness about Britain’s June 23 EU mem- next package could include spending on childcare casts in a Reuters poll, from 52.9 in January. It was bership referendum suggested a difficult few and elderly care to reduce the burden on the working just above the reading of 50 delineating expansion months ahead for manufacturers. population. from contraction. “As long as the UK votes to stay in the EU, domes- Economists are building extra spending into their The survey showed demand at home slowed tic demand will likely pick up again thereafter. If the forecasts. “We are already factoring in an extra budget while export orders fell, a double whammy for a sec- UK votes to eject itself from its biggest market, for money to be spent in fiscal 2017,” said Masamichi tor which accounts for about 10 percent of Britain’s things may get much rougher,” he said in an email to Adachi, senior economist at JP Morgan Securities. economic output. It underscored why the Bank of clients. The survey was mostly conducted before a “Nominal growth is good, and tax revenue is nominal, England has said it is ready to pump more stimulus latest sharp fall in value of sterling in late February so the government should have enough money to into the economy if needed. which would make British goods cheaper abroad. spend.” “The near-stagnation of manufacturing high- The manufacturing sector cut jobs for a second lights the ongoing fragility of the economic recovery month in a row although the decline was mild. SALES TAX CONUNDRUM at the start of the year and provides further cover for Companies said they cut the prices of their goods for A spending boost could also offset the coming the Bank of England’s increasingly dovish stance,” the sixth month in a row but the fall was slightly less LONDON: A customer uses an automated teller machine outside a branch of the blow from a rise in sales tax to 10 percent from 8 per- Rob Dobson, a senior economist at Markit, said. marked than in January. — Reuters British bank Barclays in London. — AFP cent in April 2017. The government tried the same BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016

David Beckham poses for a selfie with Briitsh Airways pilots and cabin crew. David Beckham talks travel with British Airways pilots and cabin crew. David Beckham talks travel to British Airways British sportsman reveals his unforgettable family holidays

KUWAIT: The iconic British sportsman and frequent flier What’s your favourite London restaurant? Where’s your favourite US destination? course my personal favourites. They have all you could ask for speaks to British Airways’ High Life magazine about travelling Restaurants in London are some of the best in the world, I’ve had so many great holidays in the US, especially with as a player and a fan including scale and atmosphere. I have the world, pub lunches, and his favourite city. so it’s difficult to pick only one. I’m really into pub lunches at Victoria and the kids, but our most memorable holiday has never been to La Bombonera in Buenos Aires but I’d love to From his love affair with America, to dog walks in Hyde the moment - The Cow in Notting Hill is great. been to Utah. The landscapes are breath-taking. see it. It’s supposed to be amazing. Park and his favourite family destination, David also reveals why Buenos Aires is on his must visit list. What do you enjoy doing in London with your family? What’s the most exhilarating live sport to watch? You travel a lot. Is there anywhere left on your bucket There is nothing better than walking my dog with the kids Football of course! Though I also love basketball and ten- list? You fly all over the world for work - where is your in Hyde Park. You feel you’re in the heart of the greatest city in nis. There’s always a great atmosphere at Wimbledon. I would I’m incredibly fortunate to have visited many places favourite place to visit? the world. love to watch the Palio di Siena horse race in Italy one year. It’s around the world. Antarctica for example, was pretty special That’s a tough one. New York and LA are pretty special but something I’ve always wanted to see. and somewhere I will never forget. There are so many places I also like Singapore (I love staying at Marina Bay Sands) Then What’s been your best holiday to date? still to see but it’s difficult to pick out one in particular. I like to again, can you ever beat Paris? I’d say it can be matched but We had an incredible time in the Maldives for our last few Do you have a favourite sports stadium? visit destinations where food is the central part of the journey not beaten. Of course, I love coming back to my home, Christmas holidays, it has it all for the whole family. I’m also a The Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Wembley so my next holiday will be somewhere I can try different London. It has everything you could ask for in a city. huge fan of Bali. Stadium in London and Old Trafford in Manchester are of cuisines. Ooredoo Kuwait, Huawei showcase ICT Innovation at MWC Barcelona Using cutting-edge communications to deliver best value

KUWAIT: Top executives from Ooredoo Among the technical areas being explored Kuwait, a member of the international include the Internet of Things, Customer Ooredoo Group, have met with their counter- Experience Management, and more. parts at Huawei, a leading global ICT solu- Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Thani, CEO of tions provider, during the Mobile World Ooredoo Kuwait: “At Ooredoo, we aim to con- Congress which took place in Barcelona tinuously offer our customers a differentiated between 22-25 February 2016, as the compa- service with added value and hence a unique HONG KONG: US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew nies prepare showcased ICT Innovation pre- experience. Our longstanding partnership attends a roundtable meeting with journalists in viewing how Ooredoo Kuwait will use cut- with the leading global ICT solutions Hong Kong yesterday. — AP ting-edge communication, IT and managed provider, Huawei, is a major step towards fur- services to deliver value to its customers in ther achieving that and we look forward to Fed’s Dudley the coming years. debuting are FMO project that will feature Ooredoo Kuwait first teamed up with cutting-edge technology from the telecom sees risks to US Huawei on the FMO project in late 2015 at the field”. companies’ first Annual Strategy Summit- Howard Liang, President of Global economic outlook aimed at developing new technology plat- Technical Service Department Huawei, forms as well as supporting local community “Ooredoo is a significant strategic partner of initiatives in Kuwait. During the summit, the Huawei. In the past few years, Ooredoo and HANGZHOU, China: An influential Federal Reserve offi- companies signed a memorandum of under- Huawei have experienced a meaningful and cial yesterday said he sees downside risks to his US eco- standing related to future innovation and col- fruitful relationship aiming at helping nomic outlook, an assessment that could flag a longer laboration, with leaders now agreeing on a Ooredoo provide the best network service in pause before the Fed’s next interest-rate hike than he joint global showcase by August 2016. BARCELONA: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Thani, General Manager and CEO of Kuwait. The collaboration between both sides and his colleagues had earlier signaled. The showcase will be the first global ICT Ooredoo Kuwait and Huawei Executive Howard Liang, President of Global Technical includes different domains, such as the con- “At this moment, I judge that the balance of risks to innovation showcase, displaying Huawei’s ICT Service Department. verged ICT operations and working closely to my growth and inflation outlooks may be starting to tilt converged operation capability on helping evolve Ooredoo network to 4.5G”. slightly to the downside,” New York Federal Reserve operators optimize organization process, Several meetings with Huawei were held Kuwait, Executive Director&CEO, Advisor of In recent years Ooredoo and Huawei have President William Dudley said in remarks at a confer- build unified service platform and improve at MWC 2016 Barcelona as Ooredoo Kuwait Ooredoo Kuwait Dr Hamad Y Al-Naimi, partnered in the development of Ooredoo’s ence in Hangzhou, China sponsored by the People’s the efficiency of network management and looks to accelerate its own digital transforma- Hendrik Vorster, CTO of Ooredoo Kuwait, as mobile broadband capabilities including the Bank of China and the New York Fed. business. Driven by revenue and customer tion and match the demands of a growing well as Huawei executives Howard Liang, commercial launch of LTE services in Kuwait. Although he said he still expects the US economy to experience, Ooredoo Kuwait and Huawei will customer base both locally and abroad. The President of Global Technical Service Ooredoo and Huawei have since expanded grow about 2 percent this year, enough to push unem- together show how to create more business cooperation was discussed between senior Department Huawei and management team their relationship to include plans on IP trans- ployment down and begin to pull inflation up to the values for operators and establish the global- management of both companies including from Huawei Middle East and Huawei Kuwait mission networks modernization, core network Fed’s 2-percent target, he added, “on balance, I am ly leading ICT operation model and capability. Sheikh Mohammed Al-Thani, CEO of Ooredoo led by Anas Mahaftha. virtualization, and LTE service expansion. somewhat less confident than I was before.” The Fed raised US interest rates in December for the first time in almost a decade, and signaled that it would probably raise rates four more times this year, a gradual pace by historical standards. VIVA launches a dedicated portal to Yusuffali MA: Indian The US central bank in December raised its target range for its benchmark policy rate by one quarter of a inform customers about arrival budget to have percentage point, and currently aims to keep the rate positive impact between 0.25 percent and 0.5 percent. Dudley, a close of the Samsung S7 & S7 Edge ally of Fed Chair Janet Yellen and a permanent voter on ABU DHABI: Yusuffali MA, Managing Director of US monetary policy, suggested that the sharp global KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing and most sive visual experience. economic slowdown, stock-market sell-off and oil price LuLu Group, the largest retail chain in the Middle- developed telecom operator, launched a dedicated por- The 5.1-inch Galaxy S7 and 5.5-inch Galaxy S7 edge slide since the beginning of the year may force the Fed East, giving his views on the Indian Budget, which to tighten monetary policy even more slowly. tal on its website informing customers about the arrival are constructed with 3D glass and metal - all in a sleek was presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in The Fed put markets on notice for just such a possi- of the anticipated Samsung Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge, at its design with durability and ergonomic curves for a com- Parliament on Monday, 29 February, said this is “a bility in January, saying it needed more time to assess branches all over Kuwait. fortable grip. From work to play, the device’s new prudent budget, sure to global developments and their effect on the US econo- Customers interested in acquiring the latest Always-On Display, gives users a simplified, zero touch make a positive impact in my before offering an assessment of the balance of Samsung Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge, with postpaid plans, are experience where they don’t need to worry about miss- many sectors. risks to the outlook. For Dudley, the jury now appears required to register on the portal with their full name, ing a call or important notification. The Finance Minister has to be in. With turbulence in global financial markets clearly highlighted the civil ID number, mobile number and email address, and Without compromising design, Galaxy S7 and reflecting mixed economic signals, the risks appear to growth pillars of the Indian have increased, and though so far he has left his out- will be contacted by VIVA through SMS regarding the Galaxy S7 edge both have increased utility with IP68 economy in agriculture, rural, look largely unchanged, continued tightening in finan- availability of the new devices its branches. water and dust resistance. Edge UX, the advanced edge social sector, skills, ease of cial markets “could potentially lead to a more signifi- Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge introduce experience available on Galaxy S7 edge, provides con- doing business and tax and cant downgrade to my outlook.” the first Dual Pixel camera on a smartphone, delivering venience and increased efficiency by creating easy compliance reforms. I am Of particular concern, he said, were falling inflation brighter and sharper images, even in low light. Thanks shortcuts to users’ most loved functions such as email, happy that the government expectations, as tracked both by market pricing and to the revolutionary Dual Pixel technology, brighter lens selfie mode, panorama mode or third party applica- has given stress on ‘Make in more importantly in his view, by surveys of households. with wider aperture, and bigger pixel, the camera has a tions. India’ by providing tax and While so far the declines were not dangerously large, if Yusuffali MA faster shutter speed and a more accurate autofocus To find out more about VIVA’s Samsung Galaxy S7 & duty benefits and these will they fell further they could make it more difficult for go a long way in strengthening the manufacturing even in low-light conditions. Motion Panorama, a new S7 Edge, customers can visit VIVA’s 70 VIVA branches, or the Fed to bring inflation back up to its goal. capabilities and infrastructure facilities of India.” The Fed next meets in mid-March to consider mone- camera mode, brings movement to traditional the VIVA website at www.viva.com.kw, or call VIVA’s 24 He added, “The Finance Minister’s focus on agri- tary policy, and is widely expected to leave rates panoramic photos, giving the user a completely immer- hour call center on 102. culture was keenly awaited and will enhance expen- unchanged. diture on the rural and agriculture sectors which in turn will enhance food security and boost exports. In STRONG DOLLAR, CHINA my point of view, the ‘three years tax holiday’ for In a question-and-answer session following his ICE weighs counter bid for LSE Group Start-ups is one of the most exciting announce- speech, Dudley said the December rate hike was justi- ments of this budget. The next-generation of skilled fied. He said the relative strength of the dollar was a LONDON: Exchange and clearing house operator The potential deal between LSEG and Deutsche entrepreneurs are our future and this will bring in factor in the Fed’s decision-making in general, although Intercontinental Exchange Inc said yesterday it was con- Boerse would combine the LSE’s share-trading the much needed impetus. Another highlight would the US central bank did not have “an objective” for the sidering making an offer for London Stock Exchange operation with the derivatives trading of be the 100 percent FDI in food processing business. greenback. Group Plc (LSEG), a week after Deutsche Boerse AG Deutsche Boerse’s Eurex. It would propel the com- This will be news to many international players who He noted that the dollar had appreciated “quite a made a third attempt for a merger with LSEG. panies to a similar scale as U.S. exchange ICE, are looking to set up business in India and we all bit” in recent months, adding: “a lot of that seems to be No approach has been made to the board of LSEG, which has taken a huge slice of the European must welcome this.” well justified by where we are on the economic cycle In conclusion, the MD of LuLu Group, which oper- and the monetary policy cycle”. Asked about China’s and no decision has been made yet as to whether to derivatives market. ates the largest retail hypermarket chain in the transition away from investment and export-led pursue such an offer, ICE said in a statement. Shares in Atlanta-based ICE must make an offer for LSEG no region, said, “Being a retailer, obviously, I am pleased growth toward consumption, Dudley said he thought LSEG, which had a market capitalisation of $13 billion as later than March 29. Under British takeover rules, Beijing was on the right course. “Obviously, this is diffi- on Monday, rose as much as 8.8 percent to a record Deutsche Boerse must either make an offer or to note that the FM has mentioned about retail as cult to manage because it’s a big, complex economy so high of 2914 pence on Tuesday morning. announce it will not do so by March 22, unless it obtains the largest service sector employer in country and I would not be surprised if there were a few A spokesman for LSEG declined to comment. ICE is an extension from the UK mergers regulator. [that] many more jobs opportunities can be created, bumps...but I think that I’m quite optimistic that this planning a counter bid for LSEG in an attempt to scuttle Deutsche Boerse could not immediately be reached provided the regulations are simplified.” transition can be managed,” he said. — Reuters a merger with Deutsche Boerse, Bloomberg reported for comment. The German company’s shares were up He added that from a common NRI’s point of earlier on Monday citing sources. 1.7 percent at 77.57 euros. — Reuters view, the easing of customs declaration and increas- ing of free baggage allowance are a welcome step. technology WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016

BBC Kids’ channel CBBC to air ‘The Deep’ following Technicolor, DHX deal

echnicolor and DHX Media have Gestalt Comics. Taylor serves as co-cre- include Australia’s the Seven Network (animation, voices and post-production) into ‘The Deep’ and join the Nekton fami- finalized an agreement with the ator and lead writer of the animated and ABC3, Super RTL in Germany, Ketnet are the co-production partners, with dis- ly on their thrilling aquatic adventures as TUK’s BBC to air the underwater series, and Brouwer is co-creator and art in Belgium, NRK in Norway, SVT in tribution handled by DHX. they uncover the mysteries of the under- adventure series “The Deep” on kids’ director. Sweden, YLE in Finland and Canada’s Alison Warner, VP, IP sales, acquisi- sea world,” commented Cheryl Taylor, channel CBBC from this month. “The Deep” follows the adventures of Family CHRGD. The series premiered on tions and co-productions at Technicolor, controller of CBBC. “This beautifully ani- The animated show, whose primary the Nekton family-a brilliant team of Seven Network on Nov. 30, on Family said: “‘The Deep’ is a classic adventure mated series is action adventure with a target is 6 to 12 year olds, is based on the underwater explorers. With state-of-the- CHRGD on Jan. 1, and on Super RTL on story with solid appeal for co-viewing real heart.” “‘The Deep’ is a terrific animat- Aurealis Award-winning graphic novel art technology and a thirst for discovery, Feb. 19. audiences with a strong cohesive family, ed family series and we are excited that series created by Tom Taylor, whose the Nektons explore the mysterious Twenty-six half-hour episodes of “The who live and work underwater in a state CBBC has picked it up for broadcast in graphic novels include “Earth 2,” depths of the ocean. The deep is a place Deep” are in production. Technicolor is of the art submarine, exploring unchart- the UK,” added Josh Scherba, senior VP “Superior Iron Man,” “Batman: Legends of where leviathans swim through sunken the underlying rights holder and will ed areas of the earth’s oceans to unravel distribution at DHX Media. “We’ve seen the Dark Knight,” “Injustice: Gods Among cities, pirates lurk amid floating black oversee the series roll-out and brand the mysteries of the deep sea. There’s tremendous interest in ‘The Deep’ world- Us” and “Star Wars: Blood Ties.” The books markets, and a mysterious group of licensing extensions; Australia-based A really nothing else on air like it right wide, and we look forward to further dis- are illustrated by James Brouwer (“Justice Guardians hide long lost secrets. Stark Production (scripts, design and now.” tribution announcements with League Beyond”), and published by Other broadcasters airing the show music) and Canada-based DHX Media “CBBC is poised to take the plunge Technicolor and A Stark.” — AP NY judge: US cannot make Apple provide iPhone data

NEW YORK: A federal judge ruled Monday that nique hasn’t existed on newer iPhones. In the US Justice Department cannot use a 227- California, U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheri Pym year-old law to force Apple to provide the FBI ordered investigators to create specialized soft- with access to locked iPhone data, dealing a ware to help the FBI bypass security protocols blow to the government in its battle with the on the encrypted phone so investigators can company over privacy and public safety. test random passcode combinations in rapid The ruling, by US Magistrate Judge James sequence to access its data. Orenstein, applied narrowly to one Brooklyn The court ruling comes one day before a drug case, but it gives support to the company’s Tuesday congressional hearing that will include position in its fight against a California judge’s testimony from FBI Director James Comey and order that it create specialized software to help Apple General Counsel Bruce Sewell on encryp- the FBI hack into an iPhone linked to the San tion and “balancing Americans’ security and pri- Bernardino terrorism investigation. vacy.” Both cases hinge partly on whether a law Orenstein said he was offering no opinion on written long before the computer age, the 1789 whether in the instance of this case or others, All Writs Act, could be used to compel Apple to “the government’s legitimate interest in ensur- cooperate with efforts to retrieve data from ing that no door is too strong to resist lawful encrypted phones. entry should prevail against the equally legiti- “Ultimately, the question to be answered in mate societal interests arrayed against it here.” this matter, and in others like it across the coun- He said the interests at stake go beyond try, is not whether the government should be expectations of privacy and include the com- able to force Apple to help it unlock a specific mercial interest in conducting business free of device; it is instead whether the All Writs Act potentially harmful government intrusion and resolves that issue and many others like it yet to the “far more fundamental and universal inter- MOUNTAIN VIEW: In this May 13, 2015, file photo, Google’s self-driving Lexus car drives along a street during a demonstration at Google cam- come,” Orenstein wrote. “I conclude that it does est” of protecting data from the harms of pus in Mountain View, California. — AP not.” improper access and misuse. He noted that Apple’s opposition to the government’s tac- Congress has not adopted legislation that would tics has evoked a national debate over digital achieve the result sought by the government Google’s self-driving privacy rights and national security. On and said it must be discussed by “legislators who Thursday, the Cupertino, California-based com- are equipped to consider the technological and pany formally objected to the order in a brief cultural realities of a world their predecessors filed with the court, accusing the federal govern- could not begin to conceive.” ment of seeking “dangerous power” through the The Justice Department said in a statement car strikes public bus courts and of trampling on the company’s con- that it’s disappointed in the ruling and plans to stitutional rights. The separate California case appeal in coming days. It said Apple had previ- involves an iPhone 5C owned by San Bernardino ously agreed many times prior to assist the gov- LOS ANGELES: A self-driving car being tested by ment, “We clearly bear some responsibility, because if of 2014. In most cases, Google’s cars were rear-ended. County and used by Syed Farook, who was a ernment and “only changed course when the Google struck a public bus on a Silicon Valley street, a our car hadn’t moved there wouldn’t have been a col- No one has been seriously injured. health inspector. Farook and his wife Tashfeen government’s application for assistance was minor accident that appears to be the first time one of lision.” Google’s written statement called the Feb. 14 colli- Malik killed 14 people during a Dec. 2 attack that made public by the court.” the tech company’s vehicles caused a crash during Chris Urmson, the head of Google’s self-driving car sion “a classic example of the negotiation that’s a nor- was at least partly inspired by the Islamic State A senior Apple executive said that the com- testing. project, said in a brief interview that he believes the mal part of driving - we’re all trying to predict each group. The couple died later in a gun battle with pany policy has been to give the government Google accepted at least some responsibility for Lexus was moving before the bus started to pass. “We other’s movements.” Google said its computers have police. information when there’s a lawful order to do so, the collision, which occurred on Feb 14 when one of saw the bus, we tracked the bus, we thought the bus reviewed the incident and engineers changed the Orenstein, ruling with an eye to the California but that in New York the judge never issued an the Lexus SUVs it has outfitted with sensors and cam- was going to slow down, we started to pull out, there software that governs the cars to understand that case, cited it specifically multiple times in his rul- order and instead asked attorneys about the eras hit the side of the bus near the company’s head- was some momentum involved,” Urmson told The buses may not be as inclined to yield as other vehicles. ing and noted that the government request constitutionality of the government’s use of the quarters in Mountain View, California. Associated Press. He acknowledged that Google’s car Jessica Gonzalez, a spokeswoman for California’s there is far more “intrusive.” The New York case All Writs Act to compel it to help law enforce- No one was injured, according to an accident did have some responsibility but said it was “not black DMV, which regulates Google’s testing of about two features a government request that is far less ment recover iPhone data in criminal cases. The report Google wrote and submitted to the California and white.” dozen Lexus SUVs in the state, said agency officials onerous or invasive for Apple and its cellphone executive spoke on condition of anonymity to Department of Motor Vehicles. It was posted online spoke Monday with Google but would have no com- technology; the extraction technique exists for discuss a pending legal matter. Monday. According to the report, Google’s car intend- NO INJURIES ment. A critic of Google’s self-driving car efforts said that older operating system and it’s been used Apple has since declined to cooperate in a ed to turn right off a major boulevard when it detect- The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority the collision shows the tech giant should be kept from some 70 times before to assist investigators. dozen more instances in four states involving ed sandbags around a storm drain at the intersection. said none of the 15 passengers or the driver of the bus taking onto public streets self-driving prototypes it government requests to aid criminal probes by The right lane was wide enough to let some cars was injured. The transit agency is reviewing the inci- built without a steering wheel or pedals. Google sees CREATE SPECIALIZED SOFTWARE retrieving data from individual iPhones. — AP turn and others go straight, but the Lexus needed to dent and hasn’t reached any conclusions about liabili- that as the next natural step for the technology, and Since late 2014, that physical extraction tech- slide to its left within the right lane to get around the ty, spokeswoman Stacey Hendler Ross said in a writ- has pressed California’s DMV and federal regulators to obstruction. The Lexus was going 2 mph (3 kph) when ten statement. There may never be a legal decision on authorize cars in which humans have limited means of it made the move and its left front struck the right side fault, especially if damage was negligible - as both intervening. of the bus, which was going straight at 15 mph (24 sides indicated it was - and neither Google nor the “Clearly Google’s robot cars can’t reliably cope kph). The car’s test driver - who under state law must transit authority pushes the case. Still, the collision with everyday driving situations,” said John M. be in the front seat to grab the wheel when needed - could be the first time a Google car in autonomous Simpson of the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog. thought the bus would yield and did not have control mode caused a crash. Google cars have been involved “There needs to be a licensed driver who can before the collision, Google said. While the report in nearly a dozen collisions in or around Mountain takeover, even if in this case the test driver failed to does not address fault, Google said in a written state- View since starting to test on city streets in the spring step in as he should have.” — AP Huawei opening up commercial use of 4.5G & 5G broadband

DUBAI: This past week’s Mobile models with state-of-the-art technol- World Congress saw Huawei and oth- ogy,” said Zou Zhilei, President of er heavyweights from the mobile Carrier Business Group, Huawei. WASHINGTON: This Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016 file photo shows an iPhone in industry lay the foundation for wider This past week the company also commercial use of 4.5G & 5G broad- unveiled its five ‘Big Initiatives’ for the Washington. Can the FBI force a company like Apple to extract data from a band-considered the backbone of telecom industry to accelerate its customer’s smartphone? Some legal experts and now a New York federal today’s digital economy. digital transformation. Huawei magistrate say in effect that Congress has already considered that question Huawei Deputy Chairman and describes the five initiatives as Big and declined to grant that authority. — AP Rotating CEO Guo Ping has noted Video - Everywhere, Big IT - Enabling, that industry players must ensure Big Operation - Agile, Big they do not miss out these opportu- Architecture - Elastic, and Big Pipe - US to renegotiate arms nities in the coming five years. Guo Ubiquitous. The initiatives represent said that three things should be done new opportunities for telecom oper- control rule for hacking tools before 5G arrives: increase connectiv- ators in the Middle East and world- ity, enable verticals, and redefine net- wide, foreseeing a potential $100 bil- WASHINGTON: The Obama administra- veillance software. work capabilities. These initiatives lion video industry market, a $1 tril- tion plans to renegotiate portions of an “International cybersecurity policy is a will help address the uncertainties lion enterprise cloud market, and the international arms control arrangement so new domain, and it is vital that we work brought about by new technologies Huawei Deputy Chairman and Rotating CEO Guo Ping. number of IoT connections expected it’s simpler to export tools related to hack- together in order to protect our networks and new business models. On the regional level, Ooredoo broadband coverage by delivering to grow 10-fold. ing and surveillance software, since those from the many threats they face,” Langevin To that end, over 300 leading tele- has now teamed up with Huawei to the Sultanate’s first Smart Street City planners are placing particu- technologies are also used to secure com- said, applauding the effort thus far. com operators, analysts and enter- open a next-generation Innovations Lamppost solution together with lar emphasis on using ICT to develop puter networks, a lawmaker says. The White House has said it supports prises attended the recent 4.5G Lab in Qatar to pioneer broadband Huawei. safer urban communities. According The rare reconsideration of a rule making cyber intrusion tools available Industry Summit to analyze pre-com- solutions and infrastructure. Saudi A greater emphasis on openness to Huawei, safe city development has agreed to in 2013 by 41 countries is set to overseas for legitimate cybersecurity activ- mercial deployments of mobile operator Mobily has further and collaboration has been crucial to now shifted from an incubation peri- be included on a December agenda by the ities. The White House referred questions broadband. For its part, Huawei announced plans to optimize its net- the maturation of broadband tech- od focused on video surveillance to a United States. It makes room to more pre- Monday to the State and Commerce extended global open partnerships work performance and investments nologies at the start of 2016. This rapid-growth stage embracing com- cisely draft ways to control the spread of departments, neither of which responded on 5G technologies with more than through a network managed services includes strengthened ties between prehensive public safety manage- such hacking tools without the unintend- to requests for comment. 20 operators, including Etisalat, agreement with Huawei over the global telecom operators, leaders of ment. This includes building multidi- ed negative consequences for national Efforts to come up with a workable U.S. Vodafone, Telefonica, TeliaSonera and next five years. In Oman, Omantel is industry, product designers, and mensional and intelligent security cybersecurity and research that industry rule have highlighted the difficulty of more. enhancing and expanding its mobile application developers. In a fully con- systems featuring awareness, visuali- groups and lawmakers have complained applying the export controls restricting nected era, the ability to seamlessly zation, and collaboration-helping about for months. physical items to a virtual world that relies combine expertise from these differ- governments improve crisis preven- As one of those 41 member countries on the free flow of information for net- ent sectors has led to a new industri- tion and emergency handling capa- of the 1996 Wassenaar Arrangement, work security. Many companies operate in al revolution-increasingly known as bilities while reducing crime rates. which governs the highly technical world multiple countries and routinely employ ‘Industry 4.0’-which Huawei believes Tapping into the potential of of export controls for arms and certain foreign nationals who test their own cor- has the potential to reorder the glob- more powerful mobile networks, technologies, the United States agreed to porate networks across borders. al economy impacting the way that consumers also got a glimpse this restrict tools related to cyber “intrusion In May, the Commerce Department’s people learn, work and live. past week of Huawei’s new flagship software” that could fall into the hands of Bureau of Industry and Security proposed device the Huawei MateBook-a 2-in-1 repressive regimes. denying the transfer of offensive tools - POWERFUL MOBILE NETWORKS gadget designed to meet the evolv- On Monday, the co-chairman of the defined as software that uses “zero-day” “Changes in the ICT industry are ing demands of today’s modern busi- Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, Rep. exploits, or unpatched new vulnerabilities, the main driving force behind busi- ness users. Building on Huawei’s suc- Jim Langevin, D-R.I., issued a statement and “rootkit” abilities that allow a person ness development in the digital era. cess in delivering powerful high-end revealing the administration’s decision to administrator-level access to a system. As a key enabler in the ICT industry, mobile consumer devices, the ensure countries discuss the removal of But in the cyber world, testing a net- Huawei is committed to helping the MateBook defines itself as a mobile language that would broadly sweep up work often requires determining first telecom industry and vertical indus- productivity tool that seamlessly research tools and technology used to cre- how to exploit it and attempting to do tries digitize their infrastructure, integrates mobility, high efficiency, ate or otherwise support hacking and sur- so. — AP Huawei team. operational systems and business work and entertainment. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 HEALTH & SCIENCE Climate data the key weapon in fight against Zika outbreak

NEW YORK: If you’ve got a family - espe- cially one with young kids - then you know putting together healthy meals every night can take more planning and preparation than you have time and energy. Could a subscription service that delivers kits of pre-measured ingredients and recipes be a cost-effective and healthy solution? To find out, I spent a month cooking meals created by some of the biggest players in the industry: Blue Apron, Plated, Purple Carrot, Hello Fresh and Marley Spoon. Their taste, val- ue and customer service varied. And ulti- mately the question of whether these kits might work for you depends a lot on whether you’re a picky eater and how much you value time. Each of my boxes contained three dinners for two. My hus- band and I tested out the services, since my kids typically eat well before he gets NEW YORK: Photo shows Hello Fresh’s Shrimp Taco Lettuce Wraps in New York. NEW YORK: Photo shows Blue Apron’s Chicken & Sage Biscuit Pot Pie, in New home anyway. Here’s what I found. An industry has emerged supplying home-delivered meals in a box. York. — AP photos vors without having to make the trek to a Blue Apron said the extra portion was a So how do they taste? prepare and tastier than Blue Apron’s, Are they affordable? specialty food store. Not having to lug result of large rolls that a supplier provided Healthiness aside, some meals were though not as fancy as those from Plated At about $10 per meal, per person, bags home on the subway, then drag for the dish, adding that the majority of its really great, while others reminded me of or Marley Spoon. the services cost more than groceries, them up a few flights of stairs, was also meals do serve two people. Some of the the hot lunches I ate in elementary school. but probably less than takeout or a enticing. Suburbanites with SUVs may ingredients left a bit to be desired as well. Meals from Purple Carrot, which are exclu- So what’s the bottom line? restaurant meal, depending on where not feel the same way. Knowing that While Plated boasted wild Pacific salmon, sively vegan, may or may not be up your These services are worth a try. All of you live. I didn’t save money. The meal everything you need to make dinner is and Blue Apron supplied shrimp from the alley. Some were great, all were time con- the companies I tried offer generous first- kits don’t yield leftovers, so that meant waiting for you at home is a stress reduc- Gulf of Mexico, Hello Fresh’s shrimp came suming and, unlike with the other compa- week promotions. But if you think you buying groceries for sack lunches or pick- er, but the boxes aren’t foolproof. A rock- all the way from India. Marley Spoon takes nies, there wasn’t an option to choose might drop them after that, go online and ing up takeout. Factoring out the sub- hard avocado in a Hello Fresh shrimp its focus on ingredients a step further by dishes from a list. You’re stuck with the skip your next few deliveries while you stantial first-week discounts the compa- recipe resulted in a last minute trip to the including products from high-end suppli- three dishes Purple Carrot schedules for a make up your mind. Cancellations take nies all offer, my family’s weekly food store for a replacement. ers familiar to foodies. given week. time to process and people have gotten budget grew by roughly 60 percent to But others included mystery ingredi- It’s worth noting that all the other stuck paying for boxes they didn’t want cover the additional costs. Are they healthy? ents. A Blue Apron kit came with a con- companies offer plenty of vegetarian because they didn’t cancel them fast Yes, though not in the kitchen. I’m no It depends. All the companies provide tainer of “chicken demi-glace” and a bag of options. And Hello Fresh offers a vegetari- enough. Whether something like this slouch at the stove, but all the meals I calorie counts; most of the meals come “biscuit mix,” but didn’t list any ingredients an subscription that’s a little cheaper than could be worth it boils down to what your made still took longer to prepare than in between 500 and 700 calories. After on the containers or on the company’s their regular one. I found the Blue Apron time is worth. Cutting back on last-minute the kit recipes said. I did, though, save that, it can get a little hazy. In particular, website. Blue Apron said it provides cus- dishes I tried a bit simplistic and bland, grocery trips is nice, but is it worth $60 to time on grocery trips. And the boxes Blue Apron fudges the numbers, labeling tomers with ingredient lists on request, prompting memories of lunch ladies in $72 a week? I grew tired of eating out of a minimized what I needed to pick up and some of its meals for two as actually but doesn’t list them on its website, hair nets. Plated gives you the option of box after a couple of weeks and began schlep back on the shopping excursions I serving three. A dinner of Italian beef because they can vary by region. Plated’s paying a little extra for more upscale food. longing for fresh bread and my favorite couldn’t avoid. sandwiches with cheese sauce and pota- fancy salmon dish included hoisin sauce, A wild Pacific salmon dish was worth the turkey chili - not to mention “Free Wine Another time-saver: You don’t really to wedges was listed at 590 calories per but didn’t say what was in it. extra $12 I paid on top of the company’s Wednesday” at my neighborhood Thai have to decide what you’re having that serving. The kit made two sandwiches, A Hello Fresh dish also used hoisin regular $72 weekly price. But with its restaurant. While I’m keeping my Plated night until just before dinner time. but said it served three people. My hus- sauce, but it came in little takeout packets high-end ingredients, Marley Spoon offers and Marley Spoon subscriptions active, I (Though you should probably make band and I polished off the whole thing with the ingredients printed on them. It much of the same quality for a fraction of think it’s back to the grocery store for me. seafood dishes sooner rather than later.) by ourselves, consuming a whopping included artificial food coloring, some- the price. Hello Fresh fell somewhere in Though that could change after I start And you can try out new dishes and fla- 885 calories each in the process. thing I try to avoid. the middle. Its dishes were the fastest to hauling bags up the stairs again. — AP Why Zika is causing alarm?

RIO DE JANEIRO: Global health officials are racing cautions against mosquito bites such as using insect to better understand the Zika virus behind a repellent and mosquito nets. U.S. and international major outbreak that began in Brazil last year and health officials have advised pregnant women to has since spread to many countries in the avoid travel to Latin American and Caribbean coun- Americas. The following are some questions and tries where they may be exposed to Zika. answers about the virus and current outbreak: How widespread is the outbreak? How do people become infected? Active Zika outbreaks have been reported in at Zika is transmitted to people through the bite least 36 countries or territories, most of them in of infected female mosquitoes, primarily the the Americas, according to the US Centers for Aedes aegypti mosquito, the same type that Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Brazil has spreads dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. been the country most affected. Africa (1): Cape The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Verde; Americas (31): Aruba, Barbados, Bolivia, said Aedes mosquitoes are found in all countries Bonaire, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, CuraÁao, in the Americas except Canada and continental Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Chile, and the virus will likely reach all countries Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, and territories of the region where Aedes mosqui- Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, toes are found. Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, St. How do you treat Zika? Maarten, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, US There is no treatment or vaccine for Zika infec- Virgin Islands and Venezuela Oceania/Pacific tion. Companies and scientists are racing to devel- Islands (4): American Samoa, Marshall Islands, op a safe and effective vaccine for Zika, but the Samoa, and Tonga World Health Organization (WHO) said it would take at least 18 months to start large-scale clinical What is the history? trials of potential preventative shots. The Zika virus is found in tropical locales with WHIPPANY: File photo shows the North American headquarters of Bayer Healthcare in Whippany, NJ. The Food and Drug Administration large mosquito populations. Outbreaks of Zika announced it plans to warn consumers more strongly about Essure, a contraceptive implant that drew thousands of complaints from women How dangerous is it? have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, reporting chronic pain, bleeding and other health problems. — AP The PAHO said there is no evidence that Zika Southern Asia and the Western Pacific. The virus can cause death, but some cases have been report- was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus ed with more serious complications in patients monkeys and was first identified in people in 1952 Birth control warning with pre-existing medical conditions. It has also in Uganda and Tanzania, according to the WHO. been associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare disorder in which the body’s immune system Through sexual contact attacks part of the nervous system. On Feb 26, the US CDC reported six confirmed and probable cases of sexual transmission of the that raises complaints Zika and microcephaly mosquito-borne Zika virus from male travelers to Much remains unknown about Zika, including female non-travelers. On Feb 23, the CDC had said whether the virus actually causes microcephaly in it was investigating 14 new reports of possible US health regulators to warn consumers about Essure babies, a condition defined by unusually small transmission, in addition to a previous case in heads that can result in developmental problems. Texas. In two of the suspected cases, the infection Research is under way in Brazil to confirm the sus- was confirmed in women whose only known risk WASHINGTON: Federal health regulators plan to another proposed “check-list” that doctors would DeLauro said in a statement after the FDA’s plan pected link to microcephaly, with initial findings factor was sexual contact with an ill male partner warn consumers more strongly about Essure, a con- use to make sure patients understand the device’s was announced. Essure’s warning label previously expected within months, according to public who had recently traveled to a Zika outbreak area, traceptive implant that drew thousands of com- risks. “We strongly support a black box warning, but noted that the device’s nickel can result in allergic health officials. Brazil said it has confirmed more the agency said. The reports suggest sexual trans- plaints from women reporting chronic pain, bleed- it needs to be a very strong one,” said Diana reactions, such as itching and hives. But many than 580 cases of microcephaly, and considers mission may be a more likely means of spreading ing and other health problems. The Food and Drug Zuckerman of the National Center for Health women have attributed more severe problems to most of them to be related to Zika infections in Zika than previously considered, the CDC said. All Administration announced it would add a boxed Research. In September, dozens of women urged the implant, including mood disorders, weight gain, the mothers. Brazil is investigating an additional cases involve possible transmission of the virus warning - its most serious type - to alert doctors the agency to recall the device at a public meeting hair loss and irregular bleeding. Many of those com- 4,100 suspected cases of microcephaly. Research from men to their sex partners. and patients to problems reported with the nickel- on problems reported with Essure. In recent plaints have been shared through social media, in Brazil indicates the greatest microcephaly risk is On Feb 27, France said it had detected its first titanium implant. months they have been joined by members of including a Facebook page called Essure Problems, associated with infection during the first trimester sexually transmitted case of Zika in a woman But the FDA stopped short of removing the Congress, including Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D- which has grown to over 27,000 members. “Essure is of pregnancy. Recent studies from other countries whose partner had traveled to Brazil. British health device from the market, as favored by women who Connecticut, who said in a statement she would an important permanent birth control option with a have shown evidence of Zika in amniotic fluid, officials reported Zika was found in a man’s semen have petitioned the agency in the last year. Instead, monitor the FDA’s follow-up on Essure. positive benefit-risk profile,” Bayer said in a state- placenta and fetal brain tissue. two months after he was infected, suggesting the the agency is requiring manufacturer Bayer to con- “The FDA cannot continue to drag its feet on ment. The German conglomerate said it would con- virus may linger in semen long after infection What are the symptoms? symptoms fade. The WHO has advised women, duct studies of the device to further assess its risks medical device safety when women are suffering,” tinue to work closely with the FDA. — AP People infected with Zika may have a mild particularly pregnant women, to use condoms. in different groups of women. “More rigorous fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint The PAHO said Zika can be transmitted through research is needed to better understand if certain pain and fatigue that can last for two to seven blood, but this is an infrequent transmission mech- women are at heightened risk of complications,” Cheap natural gas leads to days. But as many as 80 percent of people infect- anism. There is no evidence Zika can be transmit- said Dr William Maisel, chief scientist for the FDA’s ed never develop symptoms. The symptoms are ted to babies through breast milk. device center. more plants and pollution similar to those of dengue or chikungunya, which The WHO says because no big Zika outbreaks The agency said in a statement that Essure is “an are transmitted by the same type of mosquito. were recorded before 2007, little is known about appropriate option for the majority of women,” but NEW ORLEANS: The nation’s boom in cheap The report combined new natural gas, fertiliz- complications caused by infection. During an out- that “some women may be at risk for serious com- natural gas - often viewed as a clean energy er and chemical plants and petroleum refinery How can Zika be contained? break of Zika from 2013-14 in French Polynesia, plications,” including damage to the uterus and fal- source - is spawning a wave of petrochemical expansions projects. Natural gas is a prime ingre- Efforts to control the spread of the virus focus on national health authorities reported an unusual lopian tubes if the device shifts out of position. plants that, if built, will emit massive amounts of dient in ammonia, a basic element in fertilizers. eliminating mosquito breeding sites and taking pre- increase in Guillain-Barre syndrome. —Reuters Essure has been sold for more than a decade and is greenhouse gases, an environmental watchdog Similarly, the report said natural gas is important frequently pitched to women as the only non-surgi- group warned in a report Monday. The for chemical manufacturers of plastics and other cal option for permanent birth control. It consists of Washington-based Environmental Integrity products. Seven refinery projects were included two nickel-titanium coils inserted into the fallopian Project said hydraulic fracturing of shale rock because shale oil extraction has surged along tubes, where they spur growth of scar tissue and formations and other advances, such as horizon- with fracking, the group said. A bulk of these block sperm from fertilizing a woman’s eggs. Bayer tal drilling, have made natural gas cheap and projects is in Louisiana, where 20 of the 44 proj- estimates 750,000 women have received the device plentiful - so plentiful that the United States has ects were found. In recent years, Louisiana has since 2002. begun exporting gas. embraced a slew of new facilities. The state has The company sells the device as an alternative to The watchdog nonprofit, which says its mis- long welcomed the oil and gas industry. traditional surgical procedures used to “tie the sion is to hold polluters accountable and cham- The report found that Louisiana’s projects tubes,” via incision. But the FDA has received thou- pion environmental laws, is led by Eric Schaeffer, would produce the equivalent of 68 million tons sands of reports of problems with the device from former director of the US Environmental of carbon dioxide a year, or as much as 15 new women and doctors. While the product’s label Protection Agency’s Office of Civil Enforcement. coal power plants. The state has six coal plants in warns about pelvic pain and bleeding immediately Thanks to this energy boom, the group calculat- operation today, the report said. If built, the after the procedure, many women said these prob- ed that if 44 large-scale petrochemical develop- report found that Louisiana’s greenhouse gas lems persisted and were so severe they required ments proposed or permitted in 2015 were built emissions would go up by about 30 percent. The surgery to remove the device. The FDA is requiring they would spew as much pollution as 19 new Environmental Integrity Project said this poten- Bayer to study various complications with Essure, coal-fired power plants would. The report said all tial load of pollution needs to be considered in including unplanned pregnancy, pelvic pain and these projects potentially could pump about 86 efforts to curb greenhouse gases. “The numbers surgery. Such studies generally take years to design million tons of greenhouse gases into the are far too large to ignore,” the report said. The and complete. atmosphere each year. That would be an report acknowledged natural gas developments The proposed warning label will also take time increase of 16 percent for the industry’s emis- have been a benefit to the US economy and that JOAO PESSOA: Caio Julio Vasconcelos who was born with microcephaly undergoes to implement. The FDA is seeking public input for sions in 2014, the report found. natural gas is cleaner than coal. —AP physical therapy at the Institute for the Blind in Joao Pessoa, Brazil. — AP 60 days on the language for the warning and WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 HEALTH & SCIENCE For Ethiopia’s famine survivors, new drought stirs hunger, fear Govt, aid agencies seek $1.4 billion to feed 10.2 million

ESTAYISH: When drought and pests decimated it is difficult to even eat once a day.” trolled Korem to get help. “We called it the road their farm in Ethiopia’s northern Amhara region, His family of eight did not harvest anything in of death,” said John Graham, country director for 10-year-old Eseye Tiruneh and her family board- 2015 from their half hectare plot. Every few days, Save the Children, who was a young aid worker ed a bus, fleeing the starvation all around them. they make a three hour round trip to fetch water at the time. “It could have been 100,000 people It was 1985 and Ethiopia was in the grip of its from a spring with their donkey. Up to 30 people or more who died just along that road.” worst famine, which killed around one million can be in the queue ahead of them, quickly Today, Korem is a bustling town, surrounded people. Ethiopia’s communist regime resettled washing their faces before filling their jerrycans by fields that turned green after a few days of Eseye’s family in Wollega, over 1,000 km (620 with water that will be reserved for drinking and unseasonal rain in December. Blue and white miles) southwest, as part of an ambitious plan to cooking at home. But help is at hand this time, tuk tuks vied with donkeys for space on its busy move more than a million people from the unlike in 1984, when the government hid the roads, lined with buildings under construction. “I drought-affected north, where it was fighting a hunger crisis until its had celebrated its 10th can’t stress enough the difference in the situa- WASHINGTON: Photo shows the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC. The US rebellion, to the fertile west. anniversary in power, bombed markets in rebel- tion between 1985 and 2015,” said Graham. “It Supreme Court hears its most important abortion case in decades today, with all But they did not escape death. Eseye’s mother, held territory and blocked relief to areas con- was already a full blown disaster by the time eyes on the critical swing vote of Justice Anthony Kennedy. The case has huge impli- grandmother and two siblings died in an epidem- trolled by insurgents. Michael Buerk (of the BBC) got to a Save the cations on this hot-button issue that could determine the availability of abortion ic of malaria and diarrhoea that killed about a Children feeding camp in Korem and announced services across the country, just as a highly polarized American electorate goes to dozen people each day in the resettlement vil- Children drop out of school to the world that this thing was happening.” the polls in this election year. — AFP lage. “It was only my father and I who survived,” Yet with soaring rates of malnutrition, chil- In contrast, the current government - which said Eseye, now aged 40, wearing a black head- dren are dropping out of school and into menial ousted the Derg in 1991 and took power - has US women seeking abortions scarf, dusty maroon dress and faded beige shawl, jobs to survive, robbing parents like Eseye and been quick to acknowledge the crisis and has her eyes fixed on her feet. “The main work of the Ayalew of hope for the future. “I wish God would put $380 million of its own money into the get misleading info farmers was to bury people.” While no one is pre- give us rain so that I can educate my children emergency response since July. “Twenty years dicting famine in Amhara this year, drought is properly and they could get government jobs, ago, we had no such capacity,” said Mitiku Kassa, NEW YORK: Women in many US states are Such characterizations are incorrect, the once again casting a shadow over farmers ekeing live a better life and support me,” said Eseye, head of Ethiopia’s National Disaster Prevention given misleading information in state- researchers said. “Misinformation is a threat out a living on these rocky hillsides. who has a cross tattooed on her forehead and a and Preparedness Committee. “It has come issued brochures when they seek abor- to the integrity of the doctor-patient rela- picture of the Virgin Mary on a black string through the economic development that we tions, such as characterizations of fetal and tionship and to the medical system as a Precarious around her neck. Chances of that are slim. registered for the last 12 years.” embryonic development, according to a whole,” said Cynthia Daniels, the study’s Under a burning sun, hundreds of men and Eseye’s daughter quit school at 16 to work in a study released on Monday. Thirty-one US lead author and a professor who heads women squatted in the dust outside a ware- nearby town so she can send a couple of dollars Vision states require women to be given informa- Rutgers’s Informed Consent Project. “This house, waiting to fill their plastic bottles with home to her mother each month. With double digit growth over the last tional packets ahead of getting an abortion study shows the problems that occur when cooking oil and their white sacks with wheat and Eseye’s 12-year-old son is still in school, but decade has helped Ethiopia to achieve many of in a practice known as informed consent, politicians intervene into the doctor- yellow split peas. Life is always precarious for his attention is waning as his body grows thin- the Millennium Development Goals, slashing according to the study by researchers at patient relationship,” she said. The nation’s families in these densely-populated highlands, ner. “He is getting weak and tired,” she said. “He poverty, hunger and child mortality rates. It has Rutgers University in New Jersey. Their find- highest court on Wednesday is scheduled who plough narrow terraces cut into steep doesn’t follow his lessons properly and he a strong, if authoritarian, vision and is keen to ings come just days before the US Supreme to hear challenges to a 2013 law in Texas mountainsides. The poorest 10 percent receive doesn’t study.” Some 1.3 million schoolchildren dispel the proud nation’s image as a poster child Court is set to hear arguments in its first that requires doctors at abortion clinics to food aid from the government from January to have been affected by the drought, the gov- for famine. There is a well-established health sys- abortion case in nearly a decade. have admitting privileges at nearby hospi- June every year, in exchange for digging ponds ernment says, either too hungry to concentrate tem with staff in each local clinic routinely Looking at brochures issued in 23 of tals and for clinics to meet the standards of or planting trees. It started distributing emer- or dropping out to search for food or water. In screening children for malnutrition. Moderate those 31 US states, the researchers said ambulatory surgical centers. gency food aid in October after the strongest El Eseye’s village, children aged 12 and above cases receive a fortified porridge and severe they found nearly a third of the information Critics say the Texas law is unnecessary, Nino on record triggered a drought which left have left home to work as shepherds, house- ones get therapeutic food, with admission to a to be medically inaccurate. The brochures superfluous and expensive and creates an wheat shoots to wither in the fields. maids, dish washers and porters while the stabilization centre if there are complications. are authored by and required by the states. undue burden on women seeking abor- The government and aid agencies have asked younger ones are sick with coughs and diar- “This is not some independent, international Based on those findings, the researchers tions. Abortion has been legal in the United for $1.4 billion to feed 10.2 million people-the rhoea. “They try to help their younger siblings relief effort,” said Paul Handley, head of office for estimated that nationwide, 35 percent of States since 1973. The study found that the third largest appeal globally after Syria and not die from hunger by sending some money the United Nations Office for the Coordination of women having abortions were given infor- US states with the worst records regarding Yemen. All of the farmers at the food distribution back home,” she said. Humanitarian Affairs in Ethiopia. “This is being mation exaggerating the development of the medical accuracy of their brochures who remembered 1984-85 famine said the cur- done not just together with but actually through fetuses and embryos. For example, a were North Carolina, Michigan and Kansas. rent drought is worse, particularly as it came on Then and now government systems.” But eight out of 10 Wisconsin brochure said a 20-week-old Worldwide, about three in 10 countries the back of a poor harvest in 2014. “We are hun- Hunger has not yet brought death in the Ethiopians are still dependent on rain-fed agri- fetus “may feel pain” and a North Carolina allow abortions on request or for any rea- gry, the children are hungry,” said Ayalew farming highlands, people said, unlike in 1984 culture, leaving Africa’s second most populous pamphlet said fetuses between weeks 12 son, according to a 2015 Pew Research Berihun, 51, a blue headscarf wound round his when Derg junta forces and rebels battled on nation vulnerable to drought. “If the rain doesn’t and 14 had fully formed lips and noses and Center analysis, although many prohibit head and a plastic sack stuffed into the pocket of the spectacular mountain paths. Hundreds of come and this support doesn’t come regularly, have fingernails beginning to form, the procedures after a certain point in the his faded turquoise jacket. “On good days, we thousands walked along hairpin bend roads what is going to happen to us?” asked Ayalew. “I study said. pregnancy. — Reuters usually eat in the morning and evening. But now from rebel-held Sekota to government-con- am scared for our lives.” — Reuters Vegas outbreak makes Nevada’s syphilis rate highest in the West

LAS VEGAS: Nevada is experiencing the high- progress for years, even decades, without iPhones can find quick, easy access to hook- est rate of syphilis in the West following an treatment. In early stages, it’s highly treatable ups. Not meeting in person first can make it outbreak in Las Vegas. Health officials say it is with penicillin. harder to negotiate condom use, she said. part of a national spike in cases tied to increased testing, a rise in anonymous sex tied What’s going on in Nevada? What’s being done? to social media, and a less consistent use of Clark County health officials declared an Las Vegas officials have been working to condoms. Social media’s link to syphilis in the outbreak in Las Vegas last week after noting a connect with various websites and apps. gay community has prompted health officials 128 percent increase in reported syphilis cases Adelman said they’ve sought permission for a to take their educational outreach directly to since 2012 - with 615 of the 694 cases involv- passive presence on platforms such as the gay the websites and apps, in some cases creating ing men diagnosed in 2015. This makes website Adam4Adam, so users can reach out profiles or buying advertisements. Here’s a Nevada’s rate of syphilis the highest in the to them for information. Other popular apps closer look at what’s going on: West. There’s been an uptick in other parts of officials are looking into include Tinder and Nevada, too, but that could be tied to a popu- Grindr. Adam4Adam said through Twitter it What is syphilis? lation increase, the state health department has live health counselors and tips available Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease said. Nevadan youth, meanwhile, are having on its website, and it counts some health that’s been around at least since the Roman sex at younger ages and are using condoms agencies among its advertisers. Tinder and times, said? Dr. Tony Fredrick, the Southern inconsistently or improperly. Grindr couldn’t be reached for comment. Nevada Health District’s medical epidemiolo- gist. It’s never really gone away - it just comes Rest of the country How is LGBT responding? in waves. It’s detected by blood testing, which Syphilis outbreaks have appeared in pock- The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of means it’s not a part of the “bundle” of STDs ets of the US in recent years, including in Southern Nevada said the issue has been on found through urine screening. Kansas, Pennsylvania and Hawaii. The latest In this file photo, the organism treponema pallidum, which causes syphilis, is seen through its radar, as a majority of the latest syphilis cas- Caused by the bacterium Treponema pal- available data, from 2014, showed a 15 per- an electron microscope. — AP es have involved men having sex with men. lidum, syphilis spreads through skin-to-skin cent increase in cases overall, the Centers for Blaming social media? increase in the use of smartphone apps. Educational outreach, destigmatizing efforts sexual contact when there’s a sore or lesion, Disease Control and Prevention said. There’s Health providers and officials have warned Elizabeth Adelman, a senior disease investiga- and a push for testing are priorities, said Vince typically in the genital or anal areas or mouth. been an increase in other STDs. The most com- publicly about the prevalence of anonymous tor for the health department in Las Vegas, Collins, the center’s HIV prevention services Symptoms aren’t always apparent and can mon, chlamydia, has risen to record levels. sex through social media, particularly with an said young people dependent on their manager. — AP WHAT’S ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016

Bumblebee Class performs a Kuwaiti national song. A coloring activity. Happy Birthday Al-Muthana Nursery celebrates National, Liberation Days

l-Muthana Nursery proudly celebrated Kuwait’s National and Liberation Days with students, their parents and friends. The celebration started at 9 am and continued Atill 1 pm. The celebration began with the Kuwait National Anthem performed by Yousef Fadi, Abdulrahman Fahad and Mohammad Sami. Followed by the prayer lead by Ghalia Sulaiman Haniyah Raza and Haya Abdulaziz. Presentation of Ladybug Class students performed singing and dancing. Bumblebee Class presented tableau, singing and dancing with Kuwait national songs. Small children of 1 year+ also contributed to dancing. The hall of Al-Muthana Nursery were decorated with a colorful balloons representing Kuwaiti flag. Kuwait national songs were played thru out the celebration. Al-Muthana Nursery entertained children and guests with light snacks and refresh- ments. At the end of the celebration prizes were distributed to winners. Students played lots of games, face painting, fishing, play dough, coloring. Parents enjoyed the full of fun Happy first birthday to Gabriel Roque Lagman on and entertainment. Feb 22, 2016. May you have more birthdays to Angie - Administrator thanks students and parents for their participation. Also, she come and good health. Greetings coming from thanks sponsors, Al Hassan Optics - Ahmad Nasr and Royal Digital Computer Center - mom, dad, Ninong Dhan, Tita, Tricia family and Imran Nasim for their support. Special thanks to Merla, Annette, Elda, Fatima, Haifa, Nida, Angie, Administrator, welcomes children Duaa, Master of Ceremonies, announces friends. Julie, Jonna, Gina, Douaa, Lina and Milba for their voluntary efforts. and parents. the event’s details.

The Ideal School for Special Needs organized a ceremony recently to celebrate Kuwait’s National and Liberation Days.

The Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity organized a ceremony for gifted students to celebrate Kuwait’s National and Liberation Days. The event took place recently at the Sawda Bint Malek School in Fahad Al- Ahmad. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat WHAT’S ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016

Dr Kawami lectures at Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah

r Trudy S Kawami, Director of served the movement of animals as well,” mix of local and exotics animals, whether Parthian Period in Iran (Leiden: 1987), Research for the Arthur M Sackler she said. “The heavy-horned water buffalo domesticates or wild, nicely mirrors the Ancient Iranian Ceramics from the Arthur M DFoundation, NYC, gave a lecture was native to South Asia, but took up happy diversity of peoples who moved through Sackler Collections (New York: 1992) and recently at the Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah residence in the reed swamps of the head of the Gulf in antiquity,” she concluded. Breath of Heaven, Breath of Earth: Ancient titled ‘The Animal Parade in the Gulf in the Gulf and appeared in ancient art as far Dr Kawami received her PhD in art histo- Near Eastern Art from American Collections Antiquity.’ north as Syria,” she added. ry and archaeology from Columbia (U. of Washington Press, 2013), Dr Kawami During the lecture, Dr Kawami said that “Exotics like the maned Asiatic lion never University, where she specialized in the art has published numerous articles and lec- the gazelle and the wild goat were native to lived here in nature, but may have been of ancient Western Asia. She has carried out tures frequently. She has a special interest in the Gulf and appeared in the earliest art kept in royal zoos and were quickly adopted research in Turkey, Iran, and Central Asia, the mingling of ancient cultures in the Gulf from the region. “Just as the blue waters of as international symbols of power and and in major European and American muse- area and along the Silk Road in Central Asia. the Gulf provided a highway for humans, it authority,” she explained. “The fascinating ums. The author of Monumental Art of the Dr Trudy S Kawami

Shorbagi judges 2015 Ad Stars Advertising International Award

aragon Marketing Communications Creative Director, Nizar Al-Shorbagi P judges the 2015 Ad Stars Advertising International Award, Busan, South Korea in the Direct Marketing cate- gory as a member of the preliminary judges in the festival that awards creativi- ty in advertising in various categories from participants from over 67 countries in which the Kuwait is officially represent- ed for the first time. This comes as a direct result of Paragon leading by example the GCC creative revo- lution as well as placing Kuwait and Oman on the world map of graphic design. On the significance of being one of a handful of judges from the Middle East to ever serve on the Ad Stars International Award jury Nizar says “I feel an amalgama- tion of pride and responsibility to live up to the trust of the organizers and exceed them in order to open the doors for others in the region to be recognized for their talent, experience, knowledge and ethics. Nizar Al-Shorbagi The Indonesian Embassy in Kuwait participated at the 1st International Kuwait Trade Fair that was held at the Kuwait International Fairground Nizar Al-Shorbagi, is a Creative Director from February 21-27, 2016, by renting 108msqi of booth and displaying a number of products such as furniture, silver jewelry, Muslim women of an award winning agency - Paragon international books on creativity, corpo- clothing, and some food products from Indonesia. During the exhibition, the Embassy’s booth also featured a fashion show with models includ- International has immeasurable passion rate identity and design. ing the Ambassador’s wife Madame Marita Razak and the daughter of the Russian Ambassador to Kuwait, Alexey Solomatin. for the creative industry and believes in It is worth mentioning that this is not —Photos by Joseph Shagra the power of communication and its posi- the first time that a creative team member tive effect on our lives when practiced from Paragon participate as a member of responsibly, therefore he regularly judges the jury for an international competitions international, regional and local awards for creativity, he was preceded by Louai such as New York International Festival in Alasfahani, Founder and Chief Creative 2013 and the Summit International Award Officer of Paragon Marketing communica- in 2013 - 2015 which held a place in the tions as a key member of the jury of many United States of America. international competitions such as New He earned his Bachelor degree in Art York International Festival of creativity and Design from Cairo, Egypt, his work for and the Summit International Award and a wide sector of local and international much more. Louai Alasfahani who has brands such as Porsche, VW, Audi, Mazda, always been and still encouraging and Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Toyota, Nikon, inspiring his creative team to contest for Dominos Pizza, Cafe Supreme and IKEA many of the international and local cre- over the past 15 years has won numerous ative events. local, regional and international creativity awards and worldwide recognition in addition to his work is featured in many

Al-Munayes Tea Bag relaunches with new look

l-Munayes General Trading Est has habit for most people. We take this fact relaunched its tea bag product in very seriously and never compromise on Athe Kuwait market, sporting an all- quality because we believe that customers new look and enhanced quality. The new deserve to always receive the best” modern design places the Al-Munayes logo Al-Munayes Tea has a distinguished her- in the center of focus and conveys a clear itage that stretches back to 1954. Its tea is visual message about the quality of the 100 percent pure original Ceylon, and pack- packaging through smart use of white aged in Sri Lanka. The product enjoys wide- space. Now in distribution, the all-new Al- spread popularity thanks to its comprehen- Munayes Tea Bags will gradually become sive formula that blends together rich available in all points of sale throughout refreshing taste, pristine color and beauti- the country. ful aroma. Moreover, Al-Munayes Tea is a The new Al-Munayes Tea Bags come in purely “Natural” product without any addi- two variants: 25 bags and 100 bags, and tives or preservatives making it a healthy feature a freshness-preserving metallic foil choice for consumers of all ages. wrapping to ensure the highest levels of All Al-Munayes Tea packages display the quality and taste. “Original Ceylon Tea” seal of quality which “Our improvements are not limited to can be done only with the permission of the visual presentation of the Al-Munayes The Ceylon Tea Counsel in Sri Lanka. Tea Bags, rather our vision goes much fur- Moreover, Al-Munayes Est ships utilizes a ther than that. We ensure a 100 percent all highly efficient delivery and distribution natural product to deliver a rich and system which ensures that the tea reaches refreshing taste,” explained Salah Al- the market quickly, thereby preserving Munayes, Deputy General Manager of Al- quality and freshness. Al Munayes General Munayes General Trading Est. Trading Est was established in 1947, and He added: “Drinking tea is an essential remains loyal to its founding principles. p32.qxp_Layout 1 3/1/16 8:04 PM Page 1

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 TV PROGRAMS

11:00 Global Business 09:40 Fatal Encounters 09:30 Modern Family 12:00 News Update 10:30 Murder Shift 10:00 Hot In Cleveland 12:30 Culture Express 11:20 Deadly Affairs 10:30 Community 13:00 Africa Live 12:10 True Crime With Aphrodite 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 14:00 News Update Jones Jimmy Fallon 00:40 Cursed 14:30 Dialogue 13:00 The Will 00:10 The Chase 12:00 Mad Love 02:20 Valley Girl 15:00 News Update 13:50 I Almost Got Away With It 01:05 Emmerdale 12:30 Weird Loners 04:00 Ghoulies 15:15 China 24 14:40 California Investigator 01:30 More Tales From 13:00 Breaking In Northumberland... 05:20 Jakob The Liar 16:00 News Update 15:05 Dr G: Medical Examiner 13:30 Community 07:15 Apache 16:15 Global Business 15:55 Fatal Encounters 02:00 Coronation Street 02:30 Murdoch Mysteries 14:00 Mr. Robinson 08:45 Mannequin 17:00 News Update 16:45 On The Case With Paula 14:30 Modern Family 10:15 Race For The Yankee 17:15 World InSight Zahn 03:25 Shetland 04:20 Hiding 15:00 Hot In Cleveland Zephyr 18:00 Asia Today 17:35 Murder Shift 15:30 Suburgatory 18:30 Culture Express 18:25 I Almost Got Away With It 05:15 Come Dine With Me 12:05 The Beautiful Country 16:00 The Nightly Show With Larry 19:00 News Update 19:15 The Will Couples 14:05 The Aviator Wilmore 19:30 The Heat 20:05 Deadly Affairs 06:10 Who’s Doing The Dishes? 15:40 The Secret Of Santa Vittoria 16:30 Mad Love 17:55 Captain Jack 20:00 Africa Live 20:55 True Crime With Aphrodite 07:05 More Tales From 21:00 Global Business Jones Northumberland... 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 19:35 It Runs In The Family 18:00 New Girl 21:00 State Of Grace 21:30 Dialogue 21:45 California Investigator 07:30 Shetland 18:30 Playing House 23:15 Valley Girl 22:00 News Update 22:10 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 08:25 Hiding 22:15 China 24 22:35 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 09:20 Murdoch Mysteries 19:00 The Last Man On Earth 23:00 News Update 23:00 Scorned: Crimes Of Passion 10:15 The Chase 19:30 Hot In Cleveland 23:15 World InSight 23:50 Deadline: Crime With 11:10 More Tales From 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring Tamron Hall Northumberland... Jimmy Fallon 11:35 Come Dine With Me 21:00 Suburgatory Couples 21:30 The Nightly Show With Larry 00:50 River Monsters 12:30 Who’s Doing The Dishes? Wilmore 01:45 I Was Bitten 13:25 Emmerdale 22:00 Brickleberry 02:40 Wild Capture School 13:50 More Tales From 22:30 Curb Your Enthusiasm 03:10 Wild Capture School Northumberland... 03:35 Tanked 23:00 It’s Always Sunny In 01:00 CNBC Originals 00:35 Weird Or What? 14:20 Coronation Street 04:25 Crocodile Feeding Frenzy Philadelphia 02:00 Us Squawk Alley 01:20 How It’s Made 14:45 Murdoch Mysteries 05:15 Gator Boys 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 03:00 Asia Squawk Box 01:44 How It’s Made 15:35 Come Dine With Me 06:02 Treehouse Masters 05:00 Asia Street Signs 02:08 Food Factory Couples 06:49 Wild Capture School 07:00 Fast Money: Half Time 02:31 Food Factory 16:30 Murdoch Mysteries 07:13 Wild Capture School Report 02:55 How The Universe Works 17:25 Murdoch Mysteries 07:36 Swamp Brothers 08:00 Capital Connection 03:42 Sci-Fi Saved My Life 18:20 Emmerdale 08:00 Monkey Life 09:00 Squawk Box Europe 04:29 Weird Or What? 18:45 More Tales From 00:00 Chicago Fire 08:25 Bad Dog 12:00 Europe Street Signs 05:16 Food Factory Northumberland... 01:00 Castle 09:15 Wild Capture School 13:00 Worldwide Exchange 05:39 Food Factory 19:10 Coronation Street 02:00 Supergirl 09:45 Wild Capture School 14:00 Us Squawk Box 06:03 How The Universe Works 19:35 Come Dine With Me 03:00 Better Call Saul 10:10 Treehouse Masters 17:00 Squawk On The Street 06:50 Unchained Reaction Couples 04:00 Good Morning America 11:05 Tanked 19:00 Us Squawk Alley 07:37 How Do They Do It? 20:30 Murdoch Mysteries 06:00 Castle 12:00 Bad Dog 20:00 Fast Money: Half Time 08:00 How Do They Do It? 21:25 Murdoch Mysteries 07:00 The Whispers 12:55 Bondi Vet Report 08:23 Weird Or What? 22:20 Coronation Street 08:00 C.S.I. Cyber 13:50 Wild Capture School 21:00 Us Power Lunch 09:08 Sci-Fi Saved My Life 09:00 The Voice 14:20 Wild Capture School 23:00 Us Closing Bell 09:53 Unchained Reaction 11:00 The Whispers 14:45 Gator Boys 10:38 How It’s Made 12:00 Coronation Street 15:40 Treehouse Masters 11:00 How It’s Made 12:30 Coronation Street 16:35 Tanked 11:23 Strangest Weather On Earth 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:30 Crocodile Feeding Frenzy 12:08 How The Universe Works 00:10 Eat Street 14:00 Supergirl 18:25 River Monsters 12:53 Unchained Reaction 00:35 Eat Street 15:00 Live Good Morning America 19:20 Dog Rescuers 13:38 Weird Or What? 01:00 Maverick Chef 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 20:15 Tanked 00:00 Killer Kids 14:23 How It’s Made 01:25 Bondi Rescue 18:00 The Voice 21:10 Charles & Jessica: A Chimp 01:00 Martina Cole’s Lady Killers 14:46 How It’s Made 01:50 Grandma’s Boy 20:00 Marvel’s Agent Carter Tale 02:00 Fatal Vows 15:10 Sci-Fi Saved My Life 02:15 Street Food Around The 21:00 Marvel’s Agent Carter 22:05 Treehouse Masters 03:00 I Killed My BFF 15:57 Strangest Weather On Earth World 22:00 The Flash 23:00 Dog Rescuers 04:00 The First 48 16:44 How The Universe Works 02:40 Street Food Around The 23:00 DC’s Legends Of Tomorrow 23:55 Gator Boys 05:00 Martina Cole’s Lady Killers 17:31 Mighty Ships World 06:00 Fatal Vows 18:18 Sci-Fi Saved My Life 03:05 Hook It, Cook It 07:00 The FBI Files 19:05 Weird Or What? 03:30 My Sri Lanka With Peter 08:00 The FBI Files 19:50 Invent It Rich Kuruvita 09:00 Frenemies 20:40 How The Universe Works 03:55 David Rocco’s Dolce India 09:30 Private Crimes 21:25 How It’s Made 04:20 Fearless Chef 00:00 Contraband 00:10 Doctors 10:00 Crimes That Shook Australia 21:50 How It’s Made 05:10 Eat Street 02:00 Jersey Shore Shark Attack 00:40 Unforgotten 11:00 Diabolical Women 22:15 Sci-Fi Saved My Life 05:35 Valentine Warner’s Wild 04:00 388 Arletta Avenue 01:30 Unforgotten 12:00 Crimes That Shook Australia 23:00 Invent It Rich IDENTITY THIEF ON OSN MOVIES HD COMEDY Table 06:00 Superfast 02:20 Ripper Street 13:00 Nightmare In Suburbia 23:45 How The Universe Works 08:00 Breakdown 14:00 The First 48 06:00 Food Lover’s Guide To The 03:15 Doctors 11:50 Jessie 10:00 Destruction: Las Vegas 15:00 Crimes That Shook Australia 11:00 The Pioneer Woman Planet 03:45 Doctors 12:15 Cars Toons 12:00 Jack The Giant Killer 16:00 Frenemies 11:30 The Pioneer Woman 06:25 The Food Files 04:15 Starlings 12:20 Miraculous Tales Of 14:00 12 Rounds 16:30 Private Crimes 12:00 Chopped 06:50 Maverick Chef 05:05 Death In Paradise Ladybug & Cat Noir 16:00 Superfast 17:00 The FBI Files 13:00 Guy’s Big Bite 07:15 Bondi Rescue 06:00 The Cafe 12:45 Fish Hooks 18:00 Stranded 06:25 Doctors 18:00 Crimes That Shook Australia 00:00 Programmes Start At 13:30 Guy’s Big Bite 07:40 Grandma’s Boy 00:40 Mao’s Cold War 13:00 Fish Hooks 20:00 Max Payne 06:55 Doctors 19:00 Nightmare In Suburbia 7:00am KSA 14:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 08:05 Street Food Around The 01:30 Zero Hour 13:10 Austin & Ally 22:00 John Wick 07:25 Starlings 20:00 The First 48 07:00 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives World 02:20 Origins 13:35 Austin & Ally 08:15 Call The Midwife 21:00 Crimes That Shook Australia 07:25 K. C. Undercover 15:00 Man Fire Food 08:30 Street Food Around The 02:40 Chasing Classic Cars 14:00 Liv And Maddie 09:10 Doctor Who 22:00 Diabolical Women 07:50 Supa Strikas 15:30 Man Fire Food World 03:05 Anthony Bourdain: No 14:25 Descendants Wicked World 10:00 Doctors 23:00 My Haunted House 08:15 Annedroids 16:00 Chopped 08:55 Hook It, Cook It Reservations 14:30 Liv And Maddie 10:30 Doctors 08:40 Lab Rats 17:00 The Kitchen 09:20 My Sri Lanka With Peter 03:50 100 Miles From Nowhere 14:55 Dog With A Blog 11:00 Death In Paradise 09:10 Kirby Buckets 18:00 The Pioneer Woman Kuruvita 04:35 Origins 15:20 Dog With A Blog 00:00 American Reunion 11:55 Starlings 09:35 Wander Over Yonder 18:30 The Pioneer Woman 09:45 David Rocco’s Dolce India 04:55 Origins 15:45 Miraculous Tales Of 02:00 Blues Brothers 2000 12:45 Call The Midwife 10:00 Rocket Monkeys 19:00 Chopped 10:10 Fearless Chef 05:20 Extreme Engineering Ladybug & Cat Noir 04:15 The Love Guide 13:40 Doctor Who 10:25 Ultimate Spider-Man 20:00 Iron Chef America 11:00 Eat Street 06:05 Codes And Conspiracies 16:10 Violetta 06:00 Mr. Wonderful 14:30 Doctors 10:50 Boyster 21:00 Chopped 11:25 Valentine Warner’s Wild 06:50 Mao’s Cold War 17:00 The Next Step 08:00 The Devil Wears Prada 15:00 Doctors 11:20 Boyster 22:00 All Star Academy Table 00:20 Fast N’ Loud 07:35 Origins 17:25 Austin & Ally 10:00 The Love Guide 15:30 Starlings 11:45 Pair Of Kings 23:00 Kitchen Casino 11:50 Cesar To The Rescue 01:10 The Island With Bear Grylls 08:00 Bizarre Foods 17:50 Dog With A Blog 11:45 Blues Brothers 2000 16:15 Call The Midwife 12:10 Pair Of Kings 12:40 Chasing Time 02:00 Men, Women, Wild 08:50 Tattoo Hunter 18:15 Mako Mermaids 14:00 Serial (Bad) Weddings 17:10 Doctor Who 12:35 Lab Rats 13:05 Bondi Rescue 02:50 So You Think You’d 09:40 Extreme Engineering 18:40 Gravity Falls 16:00 The Devil Wears Prada 18:00 Doctors 13:00 Lab Rats 13:35 East Bites West Survive? 10:30 Gunslingers 19:05 Miraculous Tales Of 18:00 That Awkward Moment 18:30 Eastenders 13:30 Phineas And Ferb 14:00 Eat Street 03:40 Storage Hunters 11:20 Origins Ladybug & Cat Noir 20:00 Identity Thief 19:05 Death In Paradise 13:55 Phineas And Ferb 14:30 Eat Street 04:05 The Liquidator 11:45 Chasing Classic Cars 19:30 Violetta 22:00 Good Luck Chuck 20:00 New Tricks 14:20 Kickin’ It 14:55 Hook It, Cook It 04:30 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop 12:10 Bizarre Foods 20:20 The Next Step 21:00 New Tricks 14:45 Kickin’ It 00:20 Swamp People 15:25 Grandma’s Boy Edition 13:00 Tattoo Hunter 20:45 Good Luck Charlie 01:10 The Curse Of Oak Island 15:50 David Rocco’s Dolce India 22:00 Ripper Street 05:00 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 15:10 Disney Mickey Mouse 13:50 Extreme Engineering 21:10 Good Luck Charlie 02:00 Sean Bean On Waterloo 16:20 Fearless Chef 22:55 Death In Paradise 05:30 How Do They Do It? 15:15 Rocket Monkeys 14:40 Gunslingers 21:35 H2O 02:50 American Pickers 17:15 Eat Street 23:50 Doctors 06:00 Flying Wild Alaska 15:40 Wander Over Yonder 15:30 Origins 22:00 Binny And The Ghost 16:05 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 03:40 Shipping Wars 17:40 Eat Street 06:50 Philly Throttle 15:55 Chasing Classic Cars 22:25 Sabrina Secrets Of A 18:10 Charlie Luxton’s Homes By 00:45 Till Human Voices Wake Us 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 16:30 Kirby Buckets 04:05 Shipping Wars 16:20 Bizarre Foods Teenage Witch 16:55 Gamers Guide To Pretty The Sea 02:30 Capital 08:30 Storage Hunters 04:30 Pawn Stars 04:30 Half Of A Yellow Sun 17:10 Tattoo Hunter 22:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A Much Everything 05:00 Search For The Lost Giants 19:05 Hook It, Cook It 08:55 The Liquidator Teenage Witch 06:30 A Passage To India 18:00 Extreme Engineering 17:25 K. C. Undercover 06:00 Ice Road Truckers 19:30 Grandma’s Boy 09:20 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop 18:50 Gunslingers 23:10 Hank Zipzer 09:30 Blackfish 17:50 Supa Strikas 06:50 Duck Dynasty 20:00 David Rocco’s Dolce India Edition 19:40 Origins 23:35 Binny And The Ghost 20:25 Fearless Chef 11:00 Half Of A Yellow Sun 18:15 Lab Rats 07:15 Duck Dynasty 00:00 What’d You Miss? 09:45 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 20:05 Chasing Classic Cars 21:15 Eat Street 13:00 Belle 01:00 Charlie Rose 10:10 How Do They Do It? 18:40 Mighty Med 07:40 American Pickers 20:30 Secrets Of The Arsenal 19:10 Annedroids 21:40 Eat Street 14:45 The Horse Whisperer 02:00 First Up With Angie Lau 10:35 The Island With Bear Grylls 21:20 Anthony Bourdain: No 08:30 Storage Wars 22:05 Charlie Luxton’s Homes By 17:30 Blackfish 03:00 First Up With Angie Lau 11:25 Men, Women, Wild 19:35 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 08:55 American Restoration Reservations 20:00 Kirby Buckets The Sea 19:00 True Colors 09:20 American Restoration 22:55 Chasing Time 21:00 Thank You For Smoking 00:05 Henry Hugglemonster 20:25 Gamers Guide To Pretty 09:45 Storage Wars Texas Much Everything 23:20 Bondi Rescue 23:00 Summer Of Sam 00:20 Calimero 10:10 Storage Wars Texas 20:55 K. C. Undercover 23:45 East Bites West 00:35 Zou 10:35 American Pickers 21:20 Pickle And Peanut 00:50 Loopdidoo 11:25 Search For The Lost Giants 01:05 Art Attack 21:45 Lab Rats 22:10 Mighty Med 12:15 Pawn Stars 01:00 Wish I Was Here 01:30 Henry Hugglemonster 12:40 Pawn Stars 01:45 Calimero 22:40 Super Matrak 03:00 Kon-Tiki 13:05 Shipping Wars 02:00 Zou 23:05 Super Matrak 05:00 Barely Lethal 13:30 Shipping Wars 02:15 Loopdidoo 23:30 Boyster 07:00 Ashes 13:55 Ax Men 00:30 Suburgatory 09:00 Kon-Tiki 02:30 Art Attack 01:00 The Nightly Show With Larry 02:55 Henry Hugglemonster 14:45 Swamp People 11:00 The Good Lie 15:35 Storage Wars Wilmore 13:00 From Up On Poppy Hill 03:05 Calimero 01:30 Brickleberry 03:20 Zou 16:00 American Pickers 15:00 High Moon 02:00 You’re The Worst 03:30 Loopdidoo 16:50 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 17:00 About Alex 03:45 Art Attack 17:40 Duck Dynasty 02:30 It’s Always Sunny In 19:00 Before I Go To Sleep 04:10 Henry Hugglemonster 00:00 Stewarts And Hamiltons 18:05 Duck Dynasty Philadelphia 21:00 Little Accidents 04:20 Calimero 00:55 The Grace Helbig Show 18:30 Search For The Lost Giants 03:00 New Girl 23:00 Fifty Shades Of Grey 04:35 Zou 01:25 Giuliana & Bill 19:20 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 03:30 Mr. Robinson 04:45 Loopdidoo 02:20 Live From The Red Carpet: 19:45 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 04:00 Weird Loners 05:00 Art Attack The 2016 Academy... 20:10 Pawn Stars 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 05:25 Henry Hugglemonster 03:15 Christina Milian Turned Up 20:35 Pawn Stars Jimmy Fallon 05:35 Calimero 04:10 E! Entertainment Special 21:00 Counting Cars 05:30 Modern Family 01:00 Top 14 03:00 Sunshine Tour Highlights 05:50 Zou 05:05 The E! True Hollywood Story 21:25 Counting Cars 06:00 $#*! My Dad Says 06:00 Keeping Up With The 04:00 Super Rugby 06:00 Loopdidoo 21:50 Leepu And Pitbull 06:30 Community Kardashians 06:00 Gillette World Sport 06:15 Art Attack 22:40 Gold Hunters: Legend Of 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 06:55 Keeping Up With The 06:30 Top 14 Highlights 06:35 Henry Hugglemonster The Superstition... 08:00 Weird Loners 06:50 Calimero Kardashians 08:30 Breaking In 07:00 Golfing World 07:50 Style Star 23:30 Counting Cars 08:00 Premier League Darts 07:00 Zou 23:55 Counting Cars 09:00 New Girl 07:20 Loopdidoo 08:20 Live From The Red Carpet: 11:30 Top 14 Highlights 07:35 Art Attack The 2016 Academy... 12:00 Gillette World Sport SUPERFAST ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION 08:00 Calimero 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 12:30 Sunshine Tour Highlights 08:10 Zou 10:15 Giuliana & Bill 13:30 Super Rugby 08:25 Loopdidoo 11:10 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 15:30 Top 14 Highlights 04:00 Trending Business 12:15 So You Think You’d 22:10 Extreme Engineering 11:35 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 16:00 PGA European Tour 05:00 Trending Business Survive? 23:00 Secrets Of The Arsenal 08:40 Miles From Tomorrow 09:05 Sofia The First 12:05 The Grace Helbig Show Highlights 06:00 Asia Edge 13:05 Storage Hunters 12:35 The Grace Helbig Show 17:00 Sunshine Tour Highlights 07:00 Bloomberg West 13:30 The Liquidator 09:30 Goldie & Bear 09:45 Jake And The Never Land 13:05 Fashion Bloggers 18:00 Golfing World 08:00 Charlie Rose 13:55 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop 13:35 Fashion Bloggers 19:00 Inside The PGA Tour 09:00 Countdown Edition Pirates 10:10 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 14:05 Dash Dolls 19:30 European Tour Weekly 10:00 Countdown 14:20 Flying Wild Alaska 15:00 Keeping Up With The 20:00 Trans World Sport 10:30 On The Move 15:10 Philly Throttle 10:35 Doc McStuffins 11:00 Sofia The First Kardashians 21:00 Super Rugby 11:00 On The Move 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 00:00 Violetta 16:00 Live From The Red Carpet: 23:00 Sunshine Tour Highlights 12:00 The Pulse 16:50 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 00:45 The Hive 11:30 Goldie & Bear 12:00 Miles From Tomorrow The 2016 Academy... 13:00 Bloomberg Surveillance 17:15 How Do They Do It? 00:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A 18:00 E! News 14:00 Bloomberg Surveillance 17:40 Mythbusters Teenage Witch 12:25 Special Agent Oso 12:40 The Hive 19:00 Fashion Police 15:00 Bloomberg Go 18:30 The Weapon Hunter 01:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A 20:00 Botched 16:00 Bloomberg Go 19:20 Close-Up Kings Teenage Witch 12:50 Handy Manny 13:15 Jungle Junction 21:00 Botched 03:00 Top 14 Highlights 17:00 Bloomberg Go 20:10 The Liquidator 01:40 Hank Zipzer 22:00 E! News 18:00 Bloomberg Markets 20:35 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop 02:05 Binny And The Ghost 13:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 03:30 Gillette World Sport 14:00 Sofia The First 23:00 Hollywood Medium With 04:00 PGA European Tour 19:00 Bloomberg Markets: Edition 02:30 Violetta Tyler Henry European Close 21:00 Mythbusters 03:15 The Hive 14:25 Goldie & Bear Highlights 20:00 Bloomberg Markets 21:50 The Weapon Hunter 03:20 Sabrina Secrets Of A 14:50 Doc McStuffins 05:00 PGA Tour Highlights 21:00 Bloomberg Markets 22:40 Big Giant Swords Teenage Witch 15:15 Zou 06:00 Sunshine Tour Highlights 22:00 Bloomberg Markets 23:30 Philly Throttle 03:45 Sabrina Secrets Of A 15:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 07:00 Gillette World Sport 23:00 Bloomberg Markets Teenage Witch 15:55 Loopdidoo 07:30 Top 14 Highlights 04:10 Hank Zipzer 16:10 Miles From Tomorrow 08:00 Trans World Sport 04:35 Binny And The Ghost 16:35 Jake And The Never Land 09:00 Golfing World 05:00 Violetta Pirates 00:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 10:00 PGA Tour Highlights 05:45 The Hive 17:00 Sofia The First 00:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 11:00 PGA European Tour 05:50 Mouk 17:25 Jungle Cubs 01:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives Highlights 17:50 Aladdin 01:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 12:00 Super League 00:00 News Update 00:40 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 06:00 Lolirock 18:15 Gummi Bears 02:00 Man v Food 14:00 Top 14 Highlights 00:30 Dialogue 01:05 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 06:25 Sofia The First 18:40 Goldie & Bear 02:30 Man v Food 14:30 PGA Tour Highlights 01:00 News Update 01:30 The Haunted 06:50 Gravity Falls 19:05 Miles From Tomorrow 03:00 Man Fire Food 15:30 Golfing World 01:15 China 24 02:20 Ghost Lab 07:15 Miraculous Tales Of 19:30 Sofia The First 03:30 Man Fire Food 16:30 WWE Experience 02:00 The Heat 03:10 Surviving Evil Ladybug & Cat Noir 19:55 Doc McStuffins 04:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 17:30 WWE Afterburn 02:30 News Update 04:00 Deadly Women 07:40 Jessie 20:10 Jake And The Never Land 04:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 18:30 This Week In WWE 03:00 Global Business 04:45 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 08:05 Shake It Up Pirates 05:00 Iron Chef America 19:00 WWE Vintage 04:00 News Update 05:10 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 08:30 Shake It Up 20:35 Miles From Tomorrow 06:00 Chopped 20:00 Mobil 1 The Grid 05:00 News Update 05:30 The Haunted 08:55 That’s So Raven 21:00 Goldie & Bear 07:00 Man Fire Food 20:30 Golfing World 06:30 Dialogue 06:20 Fatal Encounters 09:20 That’s So Raven 21:30 Sofia The First 07:30 Man Fire Food 21:30 Inside The PGA Tour 07:00 News Hour 07:10 True Crime With Aphrodite 09:45 Austin & Ally 22:00 Jungle Cubs 08:00 Chopped 22:00 European Tour Weekly 08:00 Global Business Jones 10:10 Austin & Ally 22:25 Aladdin 09:00 Barefoot Contessa 22:30 Louis Vuitton America’s Cup 09:00 News Update 08:00 Dr G: Medical Examiner 10:35 A.N.T. Farm 22:50 Gummi Bears 09:30 Barefoot Contessa Highlights 10:30 Sports Scene 08:50 On The Case With Paula 11:00 A.N.T. Farm Zahn 11:25 Jessie 23:20 Lilo And Stitch 10:00 The Kitchen ABOUT ALEX ON OSN MOVIES HD 23:30 Gillette World Sport p34_p34 stars 3/1/16 8:03 PM Page 1

stars34 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016

CROSSWORD 1183 STAR TRACK

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

You are at your mental best with sharp ideas and clear thoughts. This is an This is a great time to reflect and understand any past frustrations; perhaps excellent time to make decisions and take care of mental work. You may new and positive ideas are forming in your mind. Emotions in particular or the feelings of have problems holding onto money, through bad investments or unpaid debts, which those around you are clear. You feel good and so does everyone else. Since this year is may surface now. This problem of holding onto money could also be because of the chari- about your own development in the career and personal areas, you will be giving more ties or causes that solicit your support. It would be good to be cautious and discriminate attention to your growth. Travel or an educational study could bring a new depth to your between those who really need your help financially and those who engage in rip-offs. view of the world. Your usual tendency to move in many different directions will become Communication and getting your message across to others are at a high just now. Your fine-tuned and with purpose. Adoption plays a part in your plans or in the plans of a loved timing should be perfect. You have an intuitive way about you in knowing when your one. You could become a part of the progress and be encouraging. You are positive in loved one has needs. This is a good time to share with a loved one. your purpose and a motivation to many.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Communication with authority figures is enhanced. Your communication You will find that more changes happen in the career market today. It also abilities are in full swing. This is an excellent time to sway others to your way of thinking. appears that an organizational shuffle will affect you and could open up new opportuni- Be careful though, of taking it to an extreme in trying to find the logical reason for every ties. There could be fast changes and surprise events and you will need to be able to event that occurs, especially the action of loved ones. If you are not traveling physically, become flexible in your ideas and methods of working. A family member, perhaps one you certainly will be mentally. Why not consider a trip for this next weekend your great ful- that has been ill, is in need of a visit this afternoon. Visiting with this family member would fillments this month are in areas of moneymaking, image-creation and family interests. be a good idea. A feeling of being at peace and stable on the emotional level comes to This is the opportune time to enhance all of these areas; ask for input from all involved. In importance just now. Stability and permanence satisfy a deep emotional need. Music is the moneymaking area, it is the creative talents that shape up quite nicely. They will bring also likely to play a more important role in your life. Romance is possible this evening, rewards-photography, carpentry, paint forms, etc. especially with your efforts in mending fences.

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

Don’t be too quick to jump toward a new financial opportunity-there could Your management and directional abilities are in high focus. A new be further negotiations necessary. Talk to someone today that will not be afraid to give method of working may have you and your co-workers with your heads you suggestions for adjustments-if there are any. You have a desire for beauty and harmo- together in deep concentration. People are ready to help each other and that is a good ny, and fine-tuning your talents and using your imagination are the most fun things to do thing. If team work is involved, look for ways to lead or join the leader that can keep a ACROSS 4. Having winglike extensions. right now. Your job may be in stage sets or design. It may also be in some other craft. focus. Friends at work may be talking about family matters this afternoon. Fondness and 1. An accidental happening. 5. West Indian tree having racemes of fragrant Whatever the case, be aware that it is easy to be disillusioned; accept change with your appreciation for the past and for your roots in life take on greater importance for you. This 4. A genus of Scolopacidae. white flowers and yielding a durable tim- usual good attitude. This is a good time to get rid of any unrealistic thinking. Long-dis- afternoon, some form of team sports is invigorating and you enjoy the camaraderie 11. A male monarch or emperor (especially of ber and resinous juice. tance travel is advisable after the twenty-fourth of this month. To combat negative emo- among friends. Love is in full blossom-it certainly makes it easier to put the past behind Russia prior to 1917). 6. The inner and thicker of the two bones of tions, go with the flow. Enjoy a little exercise. you. You may find yourself dancing cheek-to-cheek this evening. 15. Used of a single unit or thing. the human leg between the knee and 16. Reduce to lay status. ankle. 17. Radioactive iodine test that measures the 7. A hospital unit staffed and equipped to pro- amount of radioactive iodine taken up by vide intensive care. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) the thyroid gland. 8. An instance or single occasion for some Irrational actions could occur if you allow outside influences to rule your 18. A nucleic acid consisting of large mole- event. feelings. You must drop that continuous worry over someone else’s opinion. This could be Business is completed quickly today and you may be able to go home early cules shaped like a double helix. 9. A river in southeastern France. a stressful day, but you will find a way to change it into a more positive one. Also, there are or plan your weekend activities during the afternoon. Nonrestrictive discussions and read- ing material may bring insights. Emotional security, a sense of belonging and nurturing 19. A simple water-soluble protein found in 10. A fractional monetary unit of Japan and many great opportunities to double your money. Allow yourself time to think through a are the issues felt instinctively now. You may intuitively know the weakness of your com- many animal tissues and liquids. situation before making a decision. Then, try to remove your emotions before expressing Indonesia and Cambodia. petition so planning a sales pitch, an advertisement gimmick or some other technique 20. A United Nations agency created to assist 11. Relating to or characteristic of a tribe. how you want to proceed with a business, technical or personal plan. This can be a great that will get you ahead in the long run may be where your attention is most focused for developing nations by loans guaranteed 12. A island in the Netherlands Antilles that is time to be with others. You and a co-worker friend or business partner are on solid ground. now. You make good use of your time, no matter what the subject matter. You have by member governments. the top of an extinct volcano. Giving up some time for another person can do wonderful things to your self-esteem and enough personality and popularity to be a leader and may give some thought to a politi- 21. A literary language of Chinese Turkestan 13. Channel into a new direction. you regularly give your time to a couple of charities. cal station in your town. Advertising your name will be easy. (named for one of the sons of Genghis 14. Socially incorrect in behavior. Khan). 22. Motionlessness attributable to a tempo- 23. A trivalent metallic element of the rare rary paralysis. Aquarius (January 20- February 18) earth group. 24. Aromatic bulb used as seasoning. Leo (July 23-August 22) 25. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a 27. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac Today and tomorrow is this month’s best times for beginning a diet, or at skewer usually with vegetables. least, giving the old diet a boost. Be careful not to push your friends to adopt the same Your creative mind may not have an opportunity to ki ck in today as there insects. are lots of people trying to gain your atte ntion and you can beco me distra cted; patience is 26. English essayist (1775-1834). diet methods that you choose for yourself-everyone has his or her own special needs. 29. Submerged aquatic plant having narrow a virtue. There is a genuine love of experiencing new things and you may go out of your Steam baths and good masseurs will help keep that motivation high-keep your up your 28. A member of the Iroquoian people former- leaves and small flowers. way to find the new and exciting. Co mpro mise is paramount in all of yo ur choices. Yo u ly living east of Lake Ontario. 30. Of or relating to or characteristic of water intake. Today you will be able to tackle tasks that require real discipline. Whether you may want to just get out and walk or exercise afte r wo rk this afte rnoon. This evening a 31. An alliance of nations joining together to Thailand of its people. are male or female, the family chores can become quite tedious and boring-consider ear young child may need homework guidance. You can demonstrate great understanding candy while you work. Cooperation in redistributing domestic responsibilities among fam- fight a common enemy. 32. Tropical American tree grown in southern and sensitivity and it is easy to lend guidance, but perhaps not the answers. The internet 35. An informal term for a father. ily members builds a family-based team attitude and frees everyone to some personal may be an option. You enjoy pleasant surroundings-your environment reflects your men- United States having a whitish pink- time. Emotional security, a sense of belonging are felt instinctively. 39. (often followed by `of') A large number or tinged fruit. tal peace of mind. Animals are your friends and bring serenity. amount or extent. 33. A red fluorescent dye resulting from the 40. Duck of the northern hemisphere much action of bromine on fluorescein. valued for the fine soft down of the 34. The function or position properly or cus- Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) females. tomarily occupied or served by another. Sometimes you feel that by the middle of the day you have become 43. Set down according to a plan. 36. Being nine more than forty. After your morning exercise, you can show up glowing and fresh to work 46. Above the surround or above the normal involved in too many people and too many subject matters. Stop and take a moment to while others seem to look like they struggled to bring themselves to work 37. The second month of the Moslem calen- get away from the crowd or to step up above the view so that you can see things in a dif- position. dar. or school. This is one of those days where you may find a lot of communication that 47. 1 species. ferent light. It might be good to make a list of first-things-first. Learn to execute some revolves around you fixing things. You may have to explain certain policies or shield a boss 38. The sixth month of the civil year. stress relief techniques. This will be easier if you have a place of retreat for a few moments 49. Declare or acknowledge to be true. 41. Costing 10 dollars. from too many prying eyes or questions. It is good that you are prepared for this workday. 50. A river in north central Switzerland that during the day. If you are working away from home, perhaps you could have a lunch time There is much progress now, whether you are in professional surroundings or an educa- 42. Affecting things past. that is creative and nature oriented. This year you will give more thought to having a place tional environment. You will have time to think about current issues or some future project runs northeast into the Rhine. 44. A silvery ductile metallic element found of your own. This private place could be real estate or an area in your home with lots of 52. Relating to or characteristic of or occurring you are planning. Use a little time today to meditate on how you can execute this pause- primarily in bauxite. light for your drawings, art or music. Enjoy expressing your talents. and-think mode; it is good. Party tonight-enjoy! on land. 45. Small bulb or bulb-shaped growth arising 53. Identification mark on the ear of a domes- from the leaf axil or in the place of flowers. tic animal. 48. In a murderous frenzy as if possessed by a 56. A state-chartered savings bank owned by Word Search demon. Yesterday Solution its depositors and managed by a board of 51. A state in northwestern North America. trustees. 54. Informal terms for a mother. 58. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of the 55. A federation of North American labor alkali metal group. 60. An awkward stupid person. unions that merged with the Congress of 61. Passerine bird of New World tropics. Industrial Organizations in 1955. 65. A visual representation of an object or 57. English writer (born in Ireland) (1713- scene or person produced on a surface. 1766). 68. A workplace for the conduct of scientific 59. Jordan's port. research. 62. An anti-inflammatory drug that does not 71. English admiral who defeated the French contain steroids. fleets of Napoleon but was mortally 63. Italian histologist noted for work on the wounded at Trafalgar (1758-1805). structure of the nervous system and for 72. A warning against certain acts. his discovery of Golgi bodies (1844-1926). 75. Anthropologist and linguist. 64. A hard copal derived from an African tree. 77. American prizefighter who won the world 66. Rounded like an egg. heavyweight championship three times 67. A colorless odorless gaseous element that (born in 1942). give a red glow in a vacuum tube. 78. A loose sleeveless outer garment made 69. United States tennis player who was the from aba cloth. first Black to win United States and 79. (geology) Used of the earliest known rocks. English singles championships (1943- 81. One of the five major classes of 1993). immunoglobulins. 70. Any of numerous local fertility and nature 82. A metric unit of volume or capacity equal deities worshipped by ancient Semitic to 10 liters. peoples. 83. A lace used for fastening shoes. 73. An associate degree in applied science. 84. Small cubes with 1 to 6 spots on the faces. 74. Hormone released by the hypothalamus that controls the release of thyroid-stimu- DOWN lating hormone from the anterior pitu- 1. A pilgrimage to Mecca. itary. 2. A former copper coin of Pakistan. 76. Seed of a pea plant. 3. Small beads made from polished shells and 80. A heavy odorless colorless gas formed dur- formerly used as money by native ing respiration and by the decomposition Americans. of organic substances. Yesterday’s Solution

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Afghanistan 0093 Luxembourg 00352 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Albania 00355 Macau 00853 Algeria 00213 Macedonia 00389 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Andorra 00376 Madagascar 00261 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Angola 00244 Majorca 0034 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Anguilla 001264 Malawi 00265 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Antiga 001268 Malaysia 0060 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Argentina 0054 Maldives 00960 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Armenia 00374 Mali 00223 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Australia 0061 Malta 00356 Austria 0043 Marshall Islands 00692 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Bahrain 00973 Mauritania 00222 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Rawda 22517733 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Adaliya 22517144 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Kaifan 24849807 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Burundi 00257 New Caledonia 00687 Shuwaikh 24814507 Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 Nuzha 22526804 Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 Qadsiya 22515088 Chad 00235 N. Ireland (UK) 0044 Dasmah 22532265 Chile 0056 North Korea 00850 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 China 0086 Norway 0047 Colombia 0057 Oman 00968 Shaab 22518752 Comoros 00269 Pakistan 0092 Qibla 22459381 Congo 00242 Palau 00680 Cook Islands 00682 Panama 00507 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Costa Rica 00506 Papua New Guinea 00675 Mirqab 22456536 Croatia 00385 Paraguay 00595 Cuba 0053 Peru 0051 Sharq 22465401 Cyprus 00357 Philippines 0063 Salmiya 25746401 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Poland 0048 Czech Republic 00420 Portugal 00351 Jabriya 25316254 Denmark 0045 Puerto Rico 001787 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Diego Garcia 00246 Qatar 00974 Djibouti 00253 Romania 0040 Bayan 25388462 Dominica 001767 Russian Federation 007 Mishref 25381200 Dominican Republic 001809 Rwanda 00250 W Hawally 22630786 Ecuador 00593 Saint Helena 00290 Egypt 0020 Saint Kitts 001869 Sabah 24810221 El Salvador 00503 Saint Lucia 001758 Jahra 24770319 England (UK) 0044 Saint Pierre 00508 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Saint Vincent 001784 New Jahra 24575755 Eritrea 00291 Samoa US 00684 West Jahra 24772608 Estonia 00372 Samoa West 00685 Ethiopia 00251 San Marino 00378 South Jahra 24775066 Falkland Islands 00500 Sao Tone 00239 North Jahra 24775992 Faroe Islands 00298 Saudi Arabia 00966 Fiji 00679 Scotland (UK) 0044 North Jleeb 24311795 Finland 00358 Senegal 00221 Ardhiya 24884079 France 0033 Seychelles 00284 Firdous 24892674 French Guiana 00594 Sierra Leone 00232 French Polynesia 00689 Singapore 0065 Omariya 24719048 Gabon 00241 Slovakia 00421 N Khaitan 24710044 Gambia 00220 Slovenia 00386 Georgia 00995 Solomon Islands 00677 Fintas 23900322 Germany 0049 Somalia 00252 Ghana 00233 South Africa 0027 Gibraltar 00350 South Korea 0082 Greece 0030 Spain 0034 Greenland 00299 Sri Lanka 0094 PRIVATE CLINICS Grenada 001473 Sudan 00249 Guadeloupe 00590 Suriname 00597 Guam 001671 Swaziland 00268 Guatemala 00502 Sweden 0046 Ophthalmologists Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Endocrinologist Guinea 00224 Switzerland 0041 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Guyana 00592 Syria 00963 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Haiti 00509 Serbia 00381 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Taiwan 00886 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Honduras 00504 Tanzania 00255 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Hong Kong 00852 Thailand 0066 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Hungary 0036 Toga 00228 Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Tonga 00676 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Iceland 00354 Tokelau 00690 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 Dermatology Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288 India 0091 Trinidad 001868 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians Dr. Mohammed Salam Rheumatologists: Indian Ocean 00873 Tunisia 00216 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581 Bern University 23845955 Indonesia 0062 Turkey 0090 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dentists Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Iran 0098 Tuvalu 00688 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Iraq 00964 Uganda 00256 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 Ireland 00353 Ukraine 00380 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226 Internist, Chest & Heart General Practitioners Italy 0039 United Arab Emirates 00976 Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444 Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Ivory Coast 00225 United Kingdom 0044 Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557 General Surgeons Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid Jamaica 001876 Uruguay 00598 Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Japan 0081 USA 001 Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148 Assistant Professor Of Medicine Jordan 00962 Uzbekistan 00998 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 Internists, Chest & Heart Head, Division of Cardiology Kazakhstan 007 Vanuatu 00678 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Neurologists Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital 25339667 Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Kenya 00254 Venezuela 00582 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Consultant Cardiologist Kiribati 00686 Vietnam 0084 Urologists Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 Kuwait 00965 Virgin Islands UK 001284 Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Gastrologists MD, PH.D, FACC Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Virgin Islands US 001340 Dr. Sami Aman 22636464 Inaya German Medical Center Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Laos 00856 Wales (UK) 0044 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Te: 2575077 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3 Latvia 00371 Yemen 00967 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135 Fax: 25723123 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Lebanon 00961 Yugoslavia 00381 Soor Center Liberia 00231 Zambia 00260 Psychologists [email protected] Tel: 2290-1677 Kaizen center Noor Clinic William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Libya 00218 Zimbabwe 00263 /Psychotherapists www.soorcenter.com Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 25716707 23845955 Lithuania 00370 lifestyle WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016

Chris Martin never responded to Gwyneth Paltrow’s divorce petition ccording to TMZ - who have obtained legal docu- been privately hashing out a settlement, focusing on their ments - the Coldplay frontman has failed to respond extensive financial assets. The former couple have main- Ato Gwyneth’s separation papers which could lead to tained an amicable relationship since their “conscious her being eligible for a default judgement, meaning the uncoupling” in 2015. The ‘Fix You’ singer previously insisted 43-year-old actress would be granted what she has asked he didn’t want there to be any animosity between him and for in her petition with Chris, 38, having no right to a the actress as he didn’t want their split to negatively counter claim. It is known her petition asks for joint cus- impact their kids. He said: “If you have kids and they start tody of their two children, daughter Apple, 11, and nine- reading about their parents not liking each other, that’s not year-old son Moses. Gwyneth filed for divorce in April 2015, good. “We just spent a long time trying to maintain a and Chris was served with the legal documents in May friendship so there wouldn’t have to be any kind of battle.” 2015, with the case remaining dormant since then. However, business managers for Gwyneth and Chris have

Blythe Danner thinks she’s too old to use social media he 73-year-old actress’ daughter Gwyneth Paltrow convinced her to join photo-sharing website TInstagram, but Blythe quickly decided to delete her account after realising she doesn’t “feel the need” to be active on the platform or any other similar site. She shared: “I’m glad I’m older in that I don’t feel the need. I was on Instagram for about two minutes. My daughter put me on, than I said, ‘That’s not for me.’ “ However, Blythe admitted she still takes a keen interest in the activities of her daugh- ter and her grandchildren, Apple and Moses, on social net- works. She told the Metro newspaper: “I check in with my grandchildren and my daughter but other than that, I have no desire.” Blythe said Gwyneth encouraged her to join Instagram because she thought it would help provide a behind-the-scenes look into her new movie ‘I’ll See You in My Dreams’, the comedy-drama directed by Brett Haley. Blythe explained: “She thought I should be doing things of the moment. She loves the movie and she thought people should see what I was up to. I said: ‘Well, I’ll leave that up to Lewis Hamilton has written you. You tell them.’ “ songs about Nicole Scherzinger he Formula One racing driver is currently working on the Formula One World Championship for a third time in his debut album and he admits his on-and-off rela- 2015, and although he would love to release his first musi- Ttionship with the former Pussycat Dolls singer has cal project this year, he is putting his ambition to one side provided inspiration for his music. However, Lewis insists to concentrate on winning the racing title for a fourth time. he won’t be making heartbreak tracks and instead he has The 31-year-old driver - who currently competes for the focused on the “fun stuff” from their romance. Speaking Mercedes AMG Petronas team - said: “I wish I could release about his album, the 31-year-old sportsman told the Daily my album this year, but right now I’m focused on working Mirror newspaper: “I’ve been inspired by life - the easy stuff on getting the fourth championship. “I hope at some like relationships, that’s always easy to talk about, and par- stage people will hear it, but it’s not ready yet.” tying. “It’s not really break-ups or none of that emotional stuff, it’s usually fun stuff. It’s the good stuff in relationships, the excitement when you’re in something new.” Lewis won Brie Larson ‘risked her life’ to attend the Academy Awards he ‘Room’ actress diced with death to pick up her gong for Best Actress over the weekend Tbecause she had to endure three frightening Michael C Hall has flights from Vietnam, where she’s currently shoot- ing her new movie ‘Kong: Skull Island’, to California for the annual ceremony. Speaking on ‘Live! with Kelly & Michael’ just hours after she celebrated her married in secret win at a boozy after-party, she said: “It was like three really sketchy flights [from Vietnam], and I he ‘Dexter’ actor and long-term girl- three years of marriage. Michael was most was like ‘I really hope I win because otherwise I’ve friend Morgan Macgregor reportedly recently seen in stage production ‘Lazarus’, risked my life for...’ “ But the 26-year-old actress is Texchanged vows at New York City Hall which featured songs written by the late pleased she made it out alive as she was able to yesterday in a private ceremony. Though a David Bowie. And he recently revealed the walk out on stage at the Dolby Theatre and collect spokesperson for the 45-year-old actor has iconic singer - who died of cancer in her prize, although she has admitted the moment confirmed the happy news, no further January - sent him a “very, very amazing is a bit of a blur now. She explained: “I don’t know details have been made available. Michael gift and note” on opening night for the what I said at all [in my acceptance speech]. I hope and Morgan - a book reviewer and novelist play, which was staged at The New York I thanked people.” However, the blonde beauty - have been together almost four years and Theater Workshop. He added: “Out of was well prepared for the mind-boggling moment, made their first public appearance togeth- respect for his intense privacy I’ll just say as Eddie Redmayne - who she calls her “fairy god- er at the 2012 Emmy Awards. This is the that it was an artifact from his past that he mother” since he’s presented her with a number of third marriage for the actor, who was mar- had passed on to me. “And it will be a talis- awards this season - warned her she’d be riddled ried to actress Amy Spanger from 2002 to man to me for the rest of my life.” with nerves when he left the audience to present 2007, and his ‘Dexter’ co-star Jennifer Nicole Kidman her category. She said: “He told me, ‘You’re going Carpenter, whom he divorced in 2011 after to be fine until they call me to come up and pres- ent and once that happens, you’re going to like nominated for an need some.’ It’s totally true. They very slyly pulled him away and I was like ‘Oh no’ ... It was like, ‘Is this going to happen again?’ When he called my name, Leonardo DiCaprio Olivier Award it’s a weird out-of-body experience.” almost left his Oscar he 48-year-old actress spent two months on London’s West End playing the part of DNA researcher TRosalind Franklin in the acclaimed play, written by in a restaurant Anna Ziegler. The Australian beauty has already won a London Evening Standard Theatre Award for the role, as he 41-year-old actor - who scooped the Best Actor acco- well as a Best Actress gong at the WhatsOnStage Awards. lade on Sunday evening on his sixth nomination at the However, the Olivier Awards are recognised as Britain’s top Tprestigious ceremony - was caught on camera by web- theatre accolades, with other nominated performers site TMZ getting into a car as he left Ago in Hollywood. The including Oscar winner Mark Rylance and Benedict clip shows one person handing ‘The Revenant’ actor a bottle Cumberbatch. Nicole previously admitted she relished the of alcohol, before a man rushes out holding the statuette and opportunity to work in the West End, revealing she missed attempts to hand it to Leonardo. The man asked: “Do you the thrill of performing in front of a live audience once the want this to go with you?” Leonardo calmly replied: “Give it to play came to a close. She said in November: “I have just Dan right there.” The ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ star headed to both loved it so much, that connection with an audience and I’m the Governors Ball and the Vanity Fair afterparty once going to miss it. “I was sobbing on Saturday night at the Sunday’s ceremony at the Dolby Theatre had finished, but curtain call. I’ve said to Michael (Grandage, the director) decided to head to Ago “where everyone could get in” so he ‘Don’t make me wait another 17 years.’” By contrast, Nicole could celebrate with all his friends. An onlooker told the New previously blasted the movie industry, saying women are York Post newspaper’s Page Six column: “Leo was with all his given too few opportunities to demonstrate their talents. boys. It was a lot of dudes.” The actor was joined by Lukas She said: “We’re all working and banding together and try- Haas, Tobey Maguire, Chuck Pacheco, Vincent Laresca, ‘The ing to change that and that’s what’s needed. “We also Revenant’ producer Arnon Milchan, and club boss Richie need to put cameras in little girls’ hands and get them to Akiva, as well as his mother Irmelin Indenbirken, dad George, tell stories and increase their confidence so that they can and stepmom Peggy DiCaprio, and the group seemed to feel powerful.” Elsewhere, ‘Gypsy’ leads the nominations enjoy inspecting his award. The source said: “A couple of the after being listed in contention for eight prizes, including a guys kept standing on the couch and lifting the Oscar and Best Actress in a Musical Category nod for star Imelda passing it around.” They were also heard howling and chanting Staunton. “Wolf pack, wolf pack, wolf pack.” lifestyle WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 Nervous Adele kicks off world tour in Belfast dele has kicked off her first world tour in four years with to The Rain” and “Skyfall”, the theme song to the James Bond a concert in Belfast that received overwhelmingly posi- film of the same name. Adele last performed in Britain in Ative reviews despite the bestselling singer’s bout of September 2011. pre-gig nerves. Alexis Petridis, music critic for The Guardian newspaper, The show in Northern Ireland’s main city late on Monday gave the concert four out of five stars, praising her “fantastic was sold out months in advance and fans came from as far as voice” and calling the performance “solid-if unsurprising”. Japan and South Africa to catch a first glimpse of the British The Sun, the biggest selling daily in Britain, gave her five ballad singer. stars saying the show “proved why she is the most successful The 100-stop tour includes dates in London in March, Paris artist of the 21st century”. in June, as well as New York’s Madison Square Garden and the The show was “polished and perfect”. Staples Center in Los Angeles, culminating with two dates in The Independent called on the singer to be the “bawdy, Mexico City in November. ballsy person she is on stage when she writes”. “I know some of you have been dragged along but I’m Adele has broken several records with her third and latest going to win you over,” Adele joked with some 11,000 fans album, featuring the ballad “Hello”. gathered in Belfast, the BBC reported. She was officially the biggest-selling artist in the world in “Although some of my songs get a bit depressing.” The 27- 2015, according to the International Federation of the year-old singer, who has been frank about her stage fright, Phonographic Industry (IFPI). — AFP also informed fans that she was suffering “bowel movements” because of nerves. Dressed in a long black dress with golden threads, she per- formed 18 hits including “Hello”, “Rolling in The Deep”, “Set Fire Fallen Japan idol Nori-P emerges as survivor of ‘bullying’ culture

ormer pop idol Noriko Sakai, who fell spectacularly from grace after being arrested on drugs charges, is a Frare breed in Japan: A female celebrity who has suf- fered public humiliation and survived. The swift demise of mixed-race sweetheart Becky over an alleged affair with a married man recently highlighted Japan’s harsh treatment of women in the entertainment business, but Sakai insisted that redemption is possible-for those with thick skin. “I don’t like losing,” the 45-year-old told AFP in an inter- view. “I used to play softball at school. It was very tough pulling tyres around the schoolyard in winter (for training). If you made a mistake you would get a slap across the face, it was different to how it is today. “It was very spartan,” added Sakai, who is set to embark on an Asian tour to mark a new mini album and celebrate 30 years in pop. “It toughened me up for later life, gave me that tenacity.” Sakai, who two decades ago cultivated a sweet, girl-next- door image similar to Becky’s brand, was given a suspended jail sentence in 2009 for using illegal stimulants. Her comeback, following a three-year hiatus, was little short of remarkable in a country which wants its female entertainers not only to entertain, but to be squeaky clean- not elegantly wasted. Former pop idol Noriko Sakai smiles during an inter- A native of Fukuoka in western Japan, Sakai has just view in Tokyo. Sakai, who fell spectacularly from grace returned from Taiwan, where the singer-actress was greeted after being arrested on drugs charges, is a rare breed at the airport by hundreds of fans and around 50 television in Japan: a female celebrity who has suffered public crews and media. humiliation and survived. — AFP photos “I got a taste of what it feels like to be Lady Gaga,” she laughed. “I didn’t expect an amazing welcome like that. I’m Teeny-bopper Minami Minegishi, a former member of The media vitriol ended Becky’s career, but her alleged Sakai believes that Japan has turned a corner with regard to very grateful my fans have stayed with me and I’ve been Japan’s most popular girl band AKB48, famously shaved her boyfriend, a married male pop singer, suffered no such back- the thorny issue of sexual equality. able to have such a long career.” hair off-a traditional act of contrition in Japan-after being lash. “I think it has improved,” she said. “Although I’ve never Becky, a half-British singer in the Katy Perry mould, regu- photographed leaving her boyfriend’s home in 2013. “What disgusts Japanese people about what Becky did worked in an office so I can’t speak for women working larly appeared on several television shows, in multiple com- “In some respects it’s tougher for a woman,” said Sakai. was how she continued to lie about the affair,” said celebrity alongside men in companies. mercials and was adored by millions-until a leaked text mes- “But if you make a mistake in Japan, and not necessarily psychologist Yoko Haruka. “But every family has a strong woman running it. And if sage from the star to her alleged lover found its way into the just women, people judge you to the bitter end. “She carried on pretending to be a sweet girl. But when you look at Japan as a metaphor for the family, things can Japanese tabloids and a 15-year career ended in tears. “They will dig up a mixture of fact and fiction. It’s like a her lying was exposed, she became persona non grata,” only improve the stronger women become.” — AFP kind of group bullying, it’s quite spiteful,” she added. Haruka added. SHAVED HEAD “It’s contagious, like when a pupil makes a mistake at Sakai shot to fame in 1986, when she went by the nick- Her plight is not a first in Japan, where a female per- school-that pupil is made to feel totally alone and they name ‘Nori-P’ and sang songs with lyrics such as “sweet cou- former’s stock can quickly plummet if she suddenly becomes parade them around until they break down completely. I ple, pee-pee! Woo be popple, pee-pee!” “unavailable” to male fans. wonder if it’s really necessary to go that far.” Less sugar-puff and more street-wise thirty years on,

Film review ‘The Wounded Angel’ ‘The Tenth Man’

homas Wolfe may have believed that “Wild Tales”), an unmarried, outwardly prim you can’t go home again, but Orthodox woman that works at the founda- TArgentine writer-director Daniel tion. Burman pays tribute to the work of Burman begs to differ in his latest, “The Usher’s foundation, shooting on location Tenth Man,” which pivots on a middle-aged with actual workers and clients. Given that guy returning to his roots and ultimately fiction and documentary are so closely finding himself. A valentine to the bustling bound up in the film, audiences may won- Once district, the old Jewish neighborhood der if some of the humorously inspired of Buenos Aires, and to Usher, the macher solutions to problems that the foundation behind a Jewish welfare foundation located provides are real or imagined-as when a there, this low-key romantic comedy marks hungry person is dispatched to a bar mitz- a return to one of Burman’s oft-repeated vah celebration along with a wrapped gift themes-a son coming to grips with his rela- from the foundation’s supply. tionship with his father-and to the setting As Ariel begins to spend time with Eva- of one of his most successful features, “Lost clearing out the apartment of a recently Embrace.” Although the pic has a warm and deceased person, checking the bathroom fuzzy vibe, its low-budget, documentary- cabinet for a medication that another foun- Film Director Emir Baigazin at his like look, slight storyline and general lack of dation client requires-he is initially intrigued Photo Exhibition in Lugano. drama may limit offshore distribution to by her efficiency, unflappable calm and her fests and Jewish-interest events. apparent muteness. Because of Usher’s The story is structured around the seven interventions, he continues to see her over days that the genial and slightly pudgy Ariel the course of the week, sampling her cook- our separate stories in which male adoles- tion. When an illness destroys his chances, angry formances. But while “Harmony Lessons” provid- (Alan Sabbagh) spends in Buenos Aires dur- ing and even spying on her as she cleanses cents go off the rails constitute “The Chick acts out, joining his school’s thugs in shak- ed some sort of psychological grounding for the ing the colorful Purim holiday, trying to herself at the mikva. When Ariel’s girlfriend FWounded Angel,” the sophomore outing of ing down younger children for their money (a protagonist’s behavior and explored the notion connect with his father (voiced by the real- back in New York essentially dumps him Kazakh writer-director Emir Baigazin. plot element that also appeared in “Harmony of survival of the fittest, “The Wounded Angel” life, mono-monikered Usher), the backbone over the phone, thanks to Usher, he has no Unfortunately, it’s impaired by the fact that it is Lessons”) lacks a similar mechanism that would generate a of the close-knit Jewish community. One of reason to feel depressed or even to want to very similar to his much-prized, Berlin Silver The most surreal-looking of the stories fol- rooting interest in the characters, and feels arbi- the film’s several running jokes is that, while return to the U.S. Bear-winning debut, “Harmony Lessons” (2013), lows greedy loner Toad (Madiyar Nazarov) as he trarily tied together by the director’s interest in managing the affairs of his foundation in a Ariel’s peregrinations on behalf of Usher but considerably less compelling: Whereas the scavenges for scrap metal in a dingy sewer tun- the themes of the Simberg painting. Baigazin’s god-like way, Usher is often heard yet never and the foundation might easily have earlier film combined a pitch-perfect study in nel. There he meets three boys who have formalist tendencies, typified by peripatetic seen. Another is the constant supply of become tiresome, but Burman keeps them crime and punishment with engagingly stylized escaped from an orphanage. The older two carry French lenser Yves Cape’s lengthy shots-which used cell phones with prepaid minutes entertaining and slightly absurd, such as visuals, the follow-up, which the director calls a mentally impaired youngster on a decorated frame characters in windows and doors, and remaining that come Ariel’s way, with Usher Ariel’s hospital visits with the gentle giant the second in a trilogy, fails to catch fire emo- litter. As the orphaned boys sniff glue and get within devastated landscapes-don’t support the always knowing what number to call. Ariel Marcelito (Uriel Rubin), who is obsessed tionally and is burdened by excessive formalism. high, one (Timur Aidarbekov, the lead of overall narrative as well as they did in the direc- grew up in the Once, but currently works in with the sports paper and has an aversion While not exactly DOA, this “Angel” will struggle “Lessons”) tells Toad about their unseen com- tor’s more energetic debut. The visuals, while New York as an economist. He still carries to bathing. Ariel’s quick-witted solutions to to fly beyond festivals. The action is set in the panion, the wounded angel. Meanwhile, Toad striking, also come across as alienating and self- sad childhood memories of his father failing Marcelito’s problems prove that he is defi- early 1990s-a time of severe economic crisis and steals the bag of silver that they have stripped conscious, as do production designer Sergey to attend his school events, because he was nitely a macher in the making. This is the increasing crime-in a desolate outpost of rural from electric cables. Kopylov’s austere whitewashed homes, where constantly called away to make up a quo- sort of quiet, well-observed comedy that is rum at funerals and the synagogue. “Why characteristic of Burman’s oeuvre, and it’s in Kazakhstan that, in the words of the local the walls contain nothing but a mirror. During does a quorum in Judaism require 10 men?” ample supply here. teacher, produces nothing but criminals and DEDICATED STUDENT the Berlin Film Festival, Baigazin announced that Ariel continually wonders, a question that Low-light, hand-held lensing by Daniel lazybones. The episodes are separated by The final protagonist is Aslan (Omar Adilov), a the final film in this trilogy would be postponed gives the film its English-language title. As Ortega provides an almost monochrome images from a symbolist painting by Hugo dedicated student whose ambition to become a while he prepared the first pic in a new trilogy Usher orders Ariel to run various errands, it look and adds to the docu feel, as do the Simberg, called “The Wounded Angel,” which is doctor come to naught after he performs an about modern nightlife in Kazakhstan’s capital, may seem, at first, that the father doesn’t dozens of locals who comprise the extras. situated in Finland’s Tampere Cathedral, and abortion on his girlfriend, then goes mad. His Almaty. Sounds like a good plan, since his treat- have his priorities straight. But it soon — Reuters accompanied by simple titles such as “Fate,” “The parents even try an exorcism to disabuse him of ment of rural teens is producing diminishing becomes apparent that he has a hidden Fall” and “Greed.” The second episode focuses on his belief that a tree is growing inside him. As in returns. — Reuters agenda or two concerning his son’s welfare Chick (Madiyar Aripbay), a lad with a beautiful his earlier film, helmer Baigazin works with non- and happiness. And one of their chief com- singing voice, who is preparing for a competi- pro actors who give intense but impassive per- ponents involves Eva (Julieta Zylberberg, lifestyle WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016

In this photo taken Thursday, Jan 28, 2016, Rudy Madrigal, left, shares a fist bump with fellow inmate Nicolas Melendrez Rudy Madrigal, center, looks on as he sits with fellow inmates in a college world history class at the Monroe Correctional before Madrigal headed into his world history classroom, at right, at the Monroe Correctional Complex in Monroe, Wash. Complex in Monroe, Wash. College education in American prisons is starting to grow again, more than two decades since federal government dol- lars were prohibited from being used for college programs behind bars. College behind bars An old idea with some new energy

ight years ago, when Noel Caldellis began ects associated with criminal justice. Now more ticipate in any kind of educational program serving time for killing a university student, dollars are starting to follow those results, led by behind bars are 43 percent less likely to reof- Ehis main objective was to make 20-plus a recent decision by the US Department of fend. Another study paid for by the Indiana years in prison pass as quickly as possible: work Education to experiment again with federal Pell Department of Correction found that while all out, walk circles in the yard with inmates and Grants for inmate students. Forty-seven states kinds of inmate education has a positive influ- watch TV. A few years into his sentence at the have applied to participate in that program. ence on recidivism, inmates who take college Monroe Correctional Complex, Caldellis discov- States such as Washington, New York and courses have a prison return rate of less than 5 ered he could spend his time developing his California also are looking into spending more percent. That’s compared to the national aver- mind as well as his body, moving from the state dollars on these programs. Rudy Madrigal, age of nearly 68 percent within three years of weight room to the classroom. “It’s helped me a student in Washington’s University Beyond release, federal statistics show. tremendously to grow as a person,” said Bars program, said the experience transformed In Washington state, private donations have Caldellis, who is working on a bachelor’s degree his life. been paying for college classes at prisons across in history. the state since 2008. The state also provides vocational education in subjects ranging from DEGREE WITH A SCHOLARSHIP computer coding to auto mechanics. One way Madrigal, who expects to serve about 24 Washington is unique among the states is how years for second-degree murder and assault many inmates are participating in its education with a deadly weapon, said he had a rough start programs. It has about 16,500 inmates and to his sentence, getting in fights and other trou- 11,000 are involved in education, said Mike Paris, Inmate Jayson Bush raises his hand in a college world history ble. He took his first class as another way to pass state administrator of offender education. In class at the Monroe Correctional Complex. the time, but started getting excited about comparison, in California less than a quarter of project this fall to pair four community colleges school after really connecting with a math its more than 112,000 inmates participate in with state prisons to provide classes. In the past, teacher and finding out he could work toward a educational programs. most California inmates going to college took degree with a scholarship from a private founda- online classes supported by private dollars. In tion. “Since I started school and educating FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION 2014, New York Gov Andrew Cuomo said the myself, I’ve built up connections not just with The Vera Institute’s Pathways from Prison to state would be putting money back into inmate people in here but with people out there,” said Post-Secondary Education Program, which is education programs. Lawmakers fought the Madrigal, who hopes after prison to get into paid for with private foundation money, gives plan, saying it rewarded criminal behavior, but social services to help other people. inmates a free college education, both in prison others pointed out how much less expensive it is While his path is personally enriching, state and after release, along with other supports to educate prisoners than to incarcerate them. officials and prison experts say the community is such as mentoring and housing assistance for Authorities estimate New York spends about the real beneficiary. A Rand Corporation study inmates in Michigan, New Jersey and North Katja Schatte, left, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of $60,000 a year to incarcerate one prisoner while Washington, talks with inmate Noel Caldellis in a world histo- on education in prisons found inmates who par- Carolina. California will be starting a new pilot a year of college in prison will cost about ry class Schatte teaches at the Monroe Correctional Complex $5,000. Katja Schatte, a PhD candidate at the in Monroe, Wash. University of Washington who teaches world history at the Washington state prison in Monroe, said criminal justice reform is inter- College education in American prisons is twined with so many things happening in starting to grow again, more than two decades American society today - from the Black Lives since federal government dollars were prohibit- Matter movement to inequity in public schools. ed from being used for college programs behind “People should be thinking about how do we bars. The shift comes as everyone from President keep people out of prisons in the first place and Barack Obama to state policymakers are looking education is the answer,” Schatte said. This story for ways to get better results from the $80 billion has been corrected to reflect that Washington the US spends annually on incarceration. Private University’s program is called Beyond Bars, not money kept some prison education programs Behind Bars. — AP going when government dollars vanished. Several recent studies have shown those proj- ects cut crime and prison costs by helping inmates go home and stay there instead of returning. “Education in prison is transformative. It leads to safer communities and that’s to the benefit of everyone,” said Fred Patrick, director of the Center on Sentencing and Corrections at the Inmates look on in their Vera Institute of Justice, a New York nonprofit college world history that combines research and demonstration proj- class. — AP photos

‘Airport’ star George Kennedy dead at 91 eorge Kennedy, who won a supporting actor Oscar for destructively as does the warden or the guards.” Location,” published in 1983, and “Murder on High, released his role alongside Paul Newman in the beloved film During the 1970s he made two attempts at starring in his in 1984. His autobiography, “Trust Me,” was published in G“Cool Hand Luke,” and was also a fixture of 1970s disas- own television series: 1971’s brief “Sarge,” in which he played a 2011. Kennedy was married four times, the first time to ter movies including the “Airport” franchise and “Earthquake,” priest with a police background, and 1975’s “The Blue Knight,” Dorothy Gillooly in the 1940s, the second (and third) time to died Sunday in Boise, Idaho. He was 91. His grandson Cory an adaptation of the Joseph Wambaugh novel and subsequent Norma Wurman. His fourth wife, Joan McCarthy, died last Schenkel reported the death on his Facebook page. TV movie in which he played a Los Angeles beat cop. year. He is survived by two children and several grandchil- While Kennedy largely played gruff, blue-collar characters Other notable film credits during the 1970s included dren. — Reuters in dramas and genre films, he allowed a comedic side to Michael Cimino’s “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot”; “The Eiger emerge in the deadpan “The Naked Gun” movies. Sanction”; and Agatha Christie period mystery “Death on the Kennedy appeared in all four of the “Airport” movies of the Nile,” in which he was gruff as always but in this case excep- 1970s as Joe Patroni, the reluctant, cigar-chomping but highly tionally well groomed. He worked steadily in the 1980s but effective chief mechanic who could be counted upon when made an impression only in the 1988 deadpan police comedy the chips were down and supreme expertise was required. He “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!” and its also turned in a powerful performance in 1975’s “Earthquake” sequels. He recurred on primetime soap “Dallas” as rancher as the hearty, sentimental police sergeant Slade, who helps Carter McKay from 1988-91 and appeared in the reunion where he can in the wake of the devastating temblor. telepics “Dallas: J.R. Returns” (1996) and “Dallas: War of the Kennedy toiled in the TV trenches for much of the 1960s, Ewings” (1998). especially guesting on Westerns-and occasionally appearing in Most recently he appeared in the 2014 crime drama remake supporting roles in high-profile films such as “In Harm’s Way,” “The Gambler,” starring Mark Wahlberg. Kennedy was born in “The Sons of Katie Elder,” “The Flight of the Phoenix” and “The New York City to parents in show business. He first appeared Dirty Dozen.” onstage at the age of two, but later he would spend 16 years in He finally burst into the public consciousness with his 1967 the U.S. Army, ultimately working for Armed Forces Radio. He This file photo taken on March 22, 2003 shows US actor role as Dragline in “Cool Hand Luke,” in which he was second- participated in the opening of the Army Information Office, George Kennedy saluting as he arrives at the 75th billed and held his own alongside star Paul Newman. The New which provided technical advice to the entertainment indus- Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. Kennedy, the York Times said: try. A role as technical adviser to “The Phil Silvers Show” led to “George Kennedy is powerfully obsessive as the top-dog his early career in television. Flowers are placed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame star Oscar-winning star of “Cool Hand Luke” and the “Naked of actor George Kennedy. — AFP Gun” comedy movies, has died at the age of 91. — AFP who handles things his way as effectively and finally as The actor also wrote books: murder mysteries “Murder on lifestyle WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016

A man walks past a gold jewelry shop in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, built in the mid-15th century, has suffered some wear and tear over the years, surviving fire and earthquakes, and welcoming up to 400,000 people a day. The labyrinthine bazaar is now about to undergo a much needed renovation that will last a decade and cost tens of millions of dollars. — AFP photos Istanbul’s venerable Grand Bazaar to get facelift ver 500 years old, surviving fire and earthquakes, it the Byzantines in 1453. With the city in need of a trade cen- down the slope towards the Golden Horn.” With the government undertaking massive construc- welcomes up to 400,000 people a day and takes tre for goods coming in from all over the nascent Ottoman One by one, trenches will be dug in the alleyways of the tion projects across the country that risk trampling on Opride in being the world’s most visited destination- Empire, the Grand Bazaar expanded rapidly. market. Engineers will build concrete tunnels through heritage, others fear atmosphere will be sacrificed to more popular than the Eiffel Tower. By the 17th century it had taken on its current form, a them to allow water, rain and discharges to pass and also modernity. So it’s hardly surprising that Istanbul’s venerable Grand covered market (giving the bazaar its Turkish name to carry the electrical wiring which still hangs above from The project also foresees the construction of two hotels Bazaar, built in the mid-15th century, has suffered some Kapalicarsi), which now has thousands of shops and the bazaar’s walls. in caravanserais-Ottoman-era guesthouses that were wear and tear over the years. dozens of streets. “These galleries will solidify the edifice underground aimed at travelling merchants-on the edge of the bazaar. The labyrinthine bazaar is now about to undergo a It has become one of Istanbul’s most iconic sites, out- and stabilise the building’s columns,” said Olfaz. “In Turkey, urban development takes place excluding much needed renovation that will last a decade and cost stripping even the Hagia Sophia in terms of visitor num- Meeting under the framework of their union, the own- the people,” said Cemal Gokce, president of Istanbul’s civil tens of millions of dollars. bers, and featured in a memorable sequence in the 2011 ers of the more than 3,000 shops in the bazaar agreed to engineers chamber. But the revamp is not without controversy, especially James Bond film “Skyfall”. also contribute for the renovation, convinced that it was “I do not think that the project is aimed at reinforcing among traditionalists who fear the spirit of the historic Visitors flock there to pick up souvenir trinkets or a car- necessary. the historical and cultural identity of this edifice. With its market will be lost. pet. Bargaining with the multilingual, friendly but famous- “It’s too cold here in the winter and in summer it’s too long history, it’s wrong to make the Grand Bazaar simply a “It’s the most visited destination in the world, so it’s very ly hard-nosed shop-holders is all part of the experience. hot. And as soon as it rains there are leaks,” said a vendor, shopping centre.” important for us,” said Mustafa Demir, the mayor of the Locals also come in droves to pick more prosaic goods Kenan, who sells leather. “There are lots of problems, I But Demir, a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Fatih district of Istanbul where the bazaar is located. like clothes, furniture or shoes, or possibly jewellery for a expect that will change soon.” Erdogan, insisted that there was no alternative to the reno- “It’s a very long project which is going to need a special occasion. vation. decade,” he said. The cost is estimated at $33.5 million (30 ‘NOT A SHOPPING CENTRE’ “We are in the 21st century, there is no question of million euros) which will be largely financed by the Turkish ‘CHANGE IS NEEDED’ But there are still dissenting voices, especially from freezing the Grand Bazaar in its past,” said Demir. “We need authorities. With the building’s foundations showing their age, the among the small-scale traders who fear their rents could to keep traditions going while responding to the needs of The Grand Bazaar ranked as the top destination any- absolute priority is to give the bazaar back its structural skyrocket. people today.” — AFP where in the world with over 90 million visitors in 2014, stability, the restoration’s architects say. “That depends on our landlords but we are expecting according to a Travel + Leisure listing. “The Grand Bazaar is built on a hill whose soil is perme- an unpleasant surprise,” said Mahmut, a clothes seller, in Construction of the bazaar began around 1455 under ated by water,” said Okan Erhan Olfaz, the engineer in front of a pile of T-shirts. the reign of Sultan Mehmet II, the “Conquerer” who had charge of the works. “If that is the case we will be obliged to leave, We won’t finally seized the city then known as Constantinople from “The soil cannot sustain the building which is slipping be able to manage.”

A man sits in front of the blocked Sandal Bebesten gate in the historic Grand A shop assistant waits for customers. Mustafa Demir, mayor of the Fatih district of Istanbul where the city’s historic Bazaar in Istanbul. Grand Bazaar is located, stands on the roof of bazaar. Cath Kidston introduces SS16 collection - Blooming Lovely! t Cath Kidston, spring has well and truly sprung! The lat- Kidston’s fresh new Highgate Rose china collection is surely the est, Blooming Lovely collection has landed, and it’s full star of the show - and your kitchen! Aof the joys of the season. Cath Kidston, the Home of Make sure you look out for the adorableConfetti Hearts Modern Vintage is known for its signature floral designs, and print, fluttering Garden Fairies and much more, as the collec- the SS16 prints and products are a joyful celebration of British tion is here to bring sunshine and cheerfulness to the last of blooms in all their glory. the winter months. This season, see how Cath Kidston’s garden After the success of the AW15 Library Collection, Cath grows... Kidston has returned to its print archive once more and cherry- Welcome to SS16 at Cath Kidston! picked some favorite florals that were ripe for reinvention; with Cath Kidston is operated in Kuwait by European Apparel Co. beautiful new prints that come in fresh shades of blue, green, yellow and coral. Cath Kidston’s Blooming Lovely garden bursts into flower with an eclectic, colorful array of blooms, from classic roses to new hero hydrangeas, and daisies to ditsies. Herbaceous bor- ders are a traditional feature of English gardens, so Cath Kidston has run them along skirt hems and on bags in all their- glory. Key background colours for vibrant blooms include versa- tile, easy to wear shades of denim blue and fresh green as well as classic oat and navy grounds on fashion and bags. The col- lection also includes, lovely pieceslikeModern Vintage turnlock bags, crisp printed cotton dresses and essential outfit building pieces in denim and cotton, plus beautiful new luggage and feminine nightwear trimmed with delicate broderie anglaise. Kids can dress for spring in style too, with new character knits, specially-designed bags for their scooters and more. New parents will wonder how they survived without Cath Kidston’s clever new changing bags and accessories. For Home, Cath Istanbul’s venerable Grand Bazaar to get facelift

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 39

Sand gazelles are seen at the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary in Umm Al-Zamool, some 290 kilometres south of Abu Dhabi near the border with Oman and Saudi Arabia, yesterday. The sanctuary which is reserve for many different animals stretches over an estimated area of 8,900 square kilometres and currently hosts nearly 155 Arabian Oryx, which were reintroduced into its natural habitat in the UAE in a five-year conservation plan launched by UAE’s late ruler Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, after fears of their extinction. — AFP

Stallone’s brother Oscars shine light on livid over Oscar snub furious Frank Stallone slammed the Academy in a foul-mouthed tirade Monday for snubbing big Abrother Sylvester in the best supporting actor category at this year’s Oscars. Mexico’s cinema revival The Rocky star was widely backed to bag the prize following a Golden Globe award for his critically all it cinema’s revenant: Left for dead two decades acclaimed turn as the boxer in Ryan Coogler’s spin-off ago, Mexico’s movie industry is now thriving under a movie “Creed.” Cgolden generation of film-makers who have scooped But the statuette went instead to Britain’s Mark up Oscars for three years in a row. Alejandro Gonzalez Rylance for “Bridge of Spies,” in one of the biggest Inarritu became only the third director to win back-to-back shocks of Sunday’s gala ceremony at Hollywood’s Oscars, rewarded on Sunday for his survival epic “The Dolby Theatre. Revenant,” a year after his triumph for “Birdman.” “The Academy should be ashamed of themselves. Before him, countryman Alfonso Cuaron won the best It’s as clear as the nose on your face that Sly won. Mark directing statuette for the sci-fi thriller “Gravity” in 2014. who? It’s total Hollywood bullshit,” tweeted livid actor All three films were shot by another Mexican, and musician Frank, 65. Emmanuel Lubezki, who made history by winning his third The younger Stallone, warming to his theme, insist- consecutive Oscar for best cinematography after filming ed that Rylance should have “been embarrassed” to “The Revenant” under extreme winter conditions. supplant an actor who had done a “historic job” creat- Inarritu, Cuaron and their friend Guillermo del Toro form ing two cinema icons that have appeared in films “The Three Amigos” of Mexican directors who have con- spanning four decades. quered Hollywood. But other less famous film-makers have Sly’s underdog prizefighter turned world champion won prizes at prestigious film festivals in Europe. boxer Rocky Balboa spawned seven movies grossing The five-year haul is impressive: Mexicans have won an inflation-adjusted $1.7 billion in North America nine Oscars, four Golden Globes, three prizes at the Cannes alone, while four Rambo films featuring irritable film festival, two best film awards in Berlin and a Golden Vietnam vet John Rambo took in $674 million. Lion in Venice. But that’s not all. While Mexicans make a “Mark Rylance couldn’t even comb his hair for name abroad, production is soaring back home, from 10 Christ sake this is the 3rd time Sly’s gotten ripped off films made in 2000 (when Inarritu’s first film, “Amores Rocky, Copland and Creed. New Voters,” Frank tweeted, Perros,” came out) to 120 per year today. “Rather than call- although his brother was never nominated for 1997 ing it a new wave, we should talk about several waves,” said crime drama “Cop Land.” Jean-Christophe Berjon, film critic and former advisor at Stallone himself was in more magnanimous mood, the Cannes film festival. posting a picture of himself on Instagram in his black and blue Oscar tuxedo winking at the camera, fist ‘STIMULATING EXCHANGE’ clenched in defiance. The “Three Amigos” created their own production firm, “To all the ‘real Rocky’s’ of the world, Please hang on Cha Cha Cha films, in 2009. “There is a special relationship to your dreams, NEVER GIVE IN, NEVER GIVE OUT, NEV- Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu arrives at the 88th Oscars in Hollywood, California. — AFP between them, a very stimulating exchange,” said Daniela ER GIVE UP! thanks for the support,” said the 69-year- old. Michel, director and co-founder of a film festival in the in their own country. “Instructions Not Included,” a comedy starring popular He later posted a screenshot of a smiling Rocky Mexican western city of Morelia. The industry is doing well even though the Mexican comic Eugenio Derbez as a playboy whose life is upended from “Creed,” assuring fans that he was “very happy” “They show their films to each other during editing and government is forbidden from providing aid for produc- when an ex-love leaves a baby at his doorstep, even broke and urging them to “please understand my brother is they sometimes produce each other’s work,” she said. tions under the North American Free Trade Agreement. new ground as it became the most seen Spanish-language so em motional (sic) because he is just very protective Behind this trio, who live in the United States and make But two movies managed to break box-office records in movie in US box office history. — AFP and only wants the best for me. Life is good!” Hollywood features rather than Mexican-themed movies, is the same year in 2013 with the comedies “Instructions Not Stallone was last nominated for an Oscar 39 years another generation of promising film-makers such as Amat Included” and “We Are the Nobles.” Escalante, who won best director at Cannes in 2013 for his ago as best lead actor and writer for “Rocky.” drug war drama “Heli.” A host of celebs rushed to ally themselves with Another Mexican, Michel Franco, won the best screen- Team Sly, including British media personality Piers play prize at Cannes last year for “Chronic,” a film about an Morgan, US actress Mia Farrow and Arnold end-of-life nurse played by British actor Tim Roth. Schwarzenegger, Stallone’s co-star in action franchise Roth, during a visit to Mexico in October, said the coun- “The Expendables.” try’s film industry was going through an “incredible” period. Leonardo DiCaprio Oscar “Sly, just remember, no matter what they say, to me “I think it’s the energy; there’s a whole new group of you are the best, you were the winner. I’m proud of young filmmakers whose cinematic vocabulary is extraor- you,” Arnie said in a video posted to Facebook. dinary,” he said at the Morelia festival, according to US film Rylance, 56, was asked backstage how it felt to have publication Variety. win breaks Twitter record outpunched Stallone but said he didn’t take awards He was promoting another Mexican-made film he too seriously. starred in, the drug cartel flick “600 Miles” directed by eonardo DiCaprio’s moment in the Oscar limelight on moment. In less than 24 hours, the post had been retweeted “I don’t know, people come up and say things Gabriel Ripstein. Sunday spawned a record-breaking burst of Twitter nearly 2.9 million times; as of Monday, it has been retweeted about competing as actors and I know it’s necessary to US box office hit - Homegrown productions have soared Lactivity. 3.34 million times. make a show out of it,” he told reporters, insisting he in the past decade thanks to tax incentives, which have DiCaprio’s best actor win for his starring turn in “The Related Leonardo DiCaprio Uses Oscar Speech to Speak Out did not feel “better” than his fellow nominees. — AFP encouraged all sorts of companies to invest in films. Revenant” at the 88th Academy Awards-his first Oscar-gener- on Climate Change On Facebook, DiCaprio also topped the Mexican cinema had enjoyed another golden period ated more than 440,000 tweets per minute. That made it the buzz chart, followed by the “Spotlight” win, Lady Gaga per- between the 1930s and 1950s, with legendary film-maker most-tweeted minute of an Oscars telecast ever, handily beat- forming best-song nominee “Til It Happens to You” and Sylvester Stallone Luis Bunuel heading that generation. ing the previous record of 255,000 tweets per minute, set in Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu winning best director for But the industry went through a quiet period marked by 2014 when host Ellen DeGeneres tweeted a star-studded selfie. “Revenant.” The world’s biggest social service said 24 million a series of comedies panned by critics, and barely any After DiCaprio’s win, the next most-tweeted Oscars people had 67 million interactions (posts, likes and comments) movies were made in the 1990s. “Short films kept Mexican moments were the “Spotlight” surprise win for best picture fol- related to 88th Academy Awards, up from 21 million users and cinema alive for years,” said Michel, who created the lowed by “Mad Max: Fury Road” picking up its sixth statue of 58 million interactions in 2015. DiCaprio’s thank-you post on Morelia festival to encourage young movie-makers. the night, for sound mixing. Facebook about the Oscars had more than 1.5 million likes as While Mexico is making more movies, Mexicans still Twitter said there were 24.2 million total Oscar-related of 9 am ET. On Twitter, numerous celebs posted huzzahs for spend more at the box-office on Hollywood blockbusters tweets from 5:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. ET, yielding 3.9 billion overall DiCaprio after he grabbed the trophy. — Reuters than domestic fare. “Only one-third of films that are pro- impressions; last year, Twitter said 3.7 billion tweet impressions duced (in Mexico) come out in theaters,” Berjon said, were viewed in a 48-hour period. Still, Ellen DeGeneres’ staged adding that while directors like Escalante are making a selfie with a gaggle of thesps (which was actually snapped by name for themselves in Europe, they are not really known Bradley Cooper) may retain the title of most-tweeted Oscars