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TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 RABI ALAWWAL 29, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Zalzalah Deadly Israeli Argentinean Messi hat-trick urges PM strike deals prosecutor who keeps Barca to form new painful blow accused prez in sight Cabinet3 to Hezb,7 Iran found dead9 of19 Madrid Fighting shakes Sanaa as Min 05º Max 20º Houthis accused of coup High Tide 12:38 & 23:14 Low Tide Militia attacks PM’s convoy, seizes state media 06:08 & 17:48 40 PAGES NO: 16408 150 FILS

SANAA: Yemen’s powerful Houthi movement fought conspiracy theories artillery battles with the army near the presidential palace in Sanaa yesterday, throwing the fragile Arab state deeper into turmoil and drawing accusations that the militia fighters were mounting a coup. Explosions echoed I call it across the city and smoke hung over downtown build- ings as the most intense clashes since the Shiite Houthi extortion movement seized the capital in September brought everyday life to a halt. The Houthis had seized the state news agency and tel- evision station, but by evening a ceasefire was in force, government ministers said. Medical sources said five people had been killed and more than 20 wounded. Final numbers were likely to be higher. The battles marked a By Badrya Darwish new low for Yemen, plagued by tribal divisions, a sepa- ratist challenge in the south and the threat from a region- al wing of Al-Qaeda, which claimed a deadly Jan 7 attack in Paris on a satirical journal known for mocking Islam. The Houthis’ September takeover made them the [email protected] country’s de facto top power, a development that has scrambled relationships and raised tensions across the political spectrum ever since. Information minister Nadia Al-Saqqaf, a critic of the Houthis, told Reuters the presi- respect rules. I respect regulations. I respect a dential palace had come under “direct attack” in what she country of institutions. But all rules are written described as an attempted coup. “If you attack the presi- Iby human beings and sometimes some of these dential palace ... This is aggressive, of course it is an rules are misconceived or misapplied. For instance, attempted coup,” she said. Saqqaf did not specify who a friend called me grumbling and shouting and had attacked the palace, but said the Houthis, friends nearly banging the phone. I tried to cool him down with Shiite power Iran, were now in control of the state and find out what was going on. Why was he boil- news agency, Saba, and state television. ing? He told me simple mathematics - he applied SANAA: Houthi militants raise their weapons during clashes near the presidential palace yesterday. — AP Continued on Page 13 for a visit visa for his friend to come for the Hala February festivities. I asked what happened - did they reject it? He said due to a misdemeanor his company has with the Municipality, the application Fadhl calls for was rejected. My friend didn’t even know he had a court case ties with Israel with the Municipality over this misdemeanor. He only remembered a small dispute over some com- By B Izzak pany paperwork two years ago, and according to him, it was resolved with the chief of the depart- KUWAIT: Controversial MP Nabeel Al-Fadhl said yester- ment and he thought, khalas, it ended. But some- day that he intends to submit a proposal to normalize one forwarded the case in the courts and my friend ties with Israel. He said he knows that the proposal will was never even informed. If he hadn’t gone to be rejected in the National Assembly, but said that apply for a visit for his friend, he would never have Kuwait should follow in the footsteps of countries like known that he had a problem at all. Egypt and Jordan that have full diplomatic ties with This is not the issue. The issue is why does the Israel. government link trivial commercial cases - whatev- Kuwait has repeatedly maintained that it will be the er their type, whether licenses or penalties or con- last Arab country to recognize Israel and will establish tract disputes, HR and social affairs stuff - to your ties with the state only after achieving a peaceful solu- personal life? In every country, businesses have dis- tion to the Palestinian cause by establishing an inde- putes, complaints, legal issues and matters that pendent Palestinian state. have to be resolved and which often take time. But should that mean that the company principal faces a travel ban or cannot finish any other personal Shoot on sight paperwork? Suppose he wants to get married in the court - order for Saudi will they tell him no, he has a misdemeanor in the court, and go fix it first? Or suppose he has an important business meeting in Dubai and delayed border guards paying his landline bill? RIYADH: Saudi border guards have been given In every modern advanced society, travel is an orders to shoot infiltrators on sight after three troop- important and necessary aspect of business and it ers were killed on the Iraqi frontier earlier this month, is not linked to whether you paid your electricity a spokesman said yesterday. The orders apply to bill or forgot to clear your phone bill or have traffic guards patrolling the southern border with Yemen as fines you did not pay. What is this mixture? What well as the northern frontier with Iraq, Major General does this have to do with the other? Mohammed Al-Ghamdi told AFP. Senior commander I don’t say people should not pay their bills. But General Odah Al-Balawi was among the three border this is not the way to handle it. The Ministry of guards killed in the Jan 5 clash with four Saudi infil- Electricity and Water or the Municipality or traffic trators, two of whom blew themselves up. “After that, department should have a system to collect its bills we will not negotiate with anyone,” Ghamdi said. “We from customers without having the power to stop will shoot them directly without any warning, with- all your paperwork in Kuwait. If they put in place a out any negotiation.” He said security officers on the proper system and follow it and apply it without Iraqi side had been told of the new orders. wasta. Otherwise this is just blackmail and extor- No group has claimed responsibility for the border tion against the average citizens. clash but Saudi Arabia is among Arab countries tak- I think it’s high time our honorable gentlemen in ing part in US-led air strikes against the Islamic State the parliament wake up and try to solve these mul- jihadist group in Syria, raising concerns about possi- tiple issues that seem trivial, but affect our lives on ble retaliation inside the kingdom. a daily basis. Continued on Page 13 Bahrain charges oppn chief

DUBAI: Prosecutors yesterday groups abroad who offered to back charged Bahrain’s Shiite opposition an armed uprising. Shiite-dominat- chief with attempting to overthrow ed Iran has been accused of inter- the regime and sent him to trial fering in Bahrain since its Sunni gov- despite international calls for his ernment crushed protests led by Al- release. Sheikh Ali Salman will stand Wefaq in 2011 seeking a constitu- trial from January 28 on charges of tional monarchy. Salman was given “promoting the overthrow and “all legal guarantees” such as assis- change of the political regime by tance from a team of lawyers and force,” prosecutor general Nayef family visits during his questioning, Mahmud said in a statement. Ali Salman Mahmud said. Salman, head of the influential Al- inciting disobedience and inciting In an emailed statement, Al- Wefaq bloc, has been in custody hatred against a part of the popula- Wefaq rejected the accusations since Dec 28 and his detention has tion in public statements. The pros- against Salman which it described sparked near-daily protests across ecutor said Salman had confessed as “unrealistic” after he himself “cate- the Shiite-majority but Sunni-ruled under questioning to making the gorically rejected” them during kingdom. statements in speeches in which he investigations. Salman was also charged with allegedly referred to meeting with Continued on Page 13 TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 LOCAL MoE confirms Filipino Crime Report

Hoax bomb suspect school closure remanded in custody Students won’t be allowed to re-enroll KUWAIT: The man who made a hoax bomb call on a flight recently was sent to the central prison for 10 days. A security source said that the citizen, who was running By Ben Garcia late, claimed there was a bomb onboard an aircraft heading to Beirut. The aircraft was searched and noth- KUWAIT: The Ministry of Education confirmed yesterday ing was found. The suspect admitted that he made the the closure of the Kuwait Philippine International School call because the captain refused to let him board. (NKPIS) in Jleeb Al-Shoyoukh. Speaking with the Kuwait Times yesterday, Abdullah Ali Al-Basri, General Manager, Ministry of Education at the Public Administration for Fugitive nabbed Private Education said, the matter has already been con- A citizen was arrested while driving the wrong firmed to the NKPIS, noting that it had been informed prior way with three absconding girls. A security source to the Ministry’s publication of three notices in local news- said patrols spotted the man driving the wrong papers. way in Fintas, so they asked to stop, but he “Yes, the school has only until April to operate,” attempted to escape and collided with another explained Al-Basri. “This is a decision made by the Ministry car. He was found wanted for three felonies, and of Education and we published three notices to inform the he and the girls sent to concerned authorities. public about it,” he said. The notice, published in the Kuwait Times on January 12, 2015, announced that the school must vacate the premises it currently occupies in Missing girl Jleeb Al Shuyoukh. The notice also warned parents that the A citizen asked police to help him find his daughter, school is not allowed to re-enroll students for the who left the house and did not return. He said the girl 2015/2016 academic year. was not answering his calls and her phone was switched off. Police are investigating. Government premises The Ministry of Education Private and Qualitative Education Sector said that the notice to the NKPIS is in Angry tenant accordance with the ministerial decision No. 210/2008 An angry citizen fired in the air to scare a haris issued on 29/5/2008. The decision also include the evacua- (building janitor) who asked him to lower the vol- tion of NKPIS that ‘exploits’ part of the government premis- ume of loud music. The haris called police, and es ‘Hassan Bin Thabit Kindergarten’ through administrative the citizen was taken for questioning. means, and it is judiciary approved under judgment in the appeal for cassation (No. 313,2010) administrative 10. Kuwait Times earlier reported that the school expected KUWAIT: Abdullah Ali Al-Basri speaking with the Liquor smuggling foiled to obtain a deferral and be allowed to continue operating Kuwait Times yesterday . Shuwaikh customs official foiled an attempt to smuggle in its current location until 2016. A lawyer for the school the Om Al-Qura Education Est, and has a student body of liquor into the country from a Gulf state. Officers found told the Kuwait Times that the school would be allowed to more than 750 students and around 50 teachers and staff. 3,500 bottles and were still counting. Concerned remain through the next academic year and the principal The Education Ministry’s confirmation, however, makes authorities were informed about the incident. of the school also confirmed the plan to reenroll students. clear the school will not be allowed to re-enroll students. Established in 1999, the New Kuwait Philippine The school has asked parents to attend a meeting today at A Ministry of Education ad published on January 12, International School (NKPIS) is a private school owned by 10:00 am to be informed regarding the issue. 2015 to announce the school’s evacuation. Rapist at large A Saudi accused a bedoon of raping her in a Nugra flat. The woman went to the police station and told them that the bedoon lured her into going with him to flat and raped her before let- ting her go. Detectives are investigating. - Al-Rai

Five arrested for drug possession

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

KUWAIT: The Drugs Control General Department arrest- ed five Egyptians with 250 gm hashish, 100 gm shabu and 150 narcotic pills. The arrest was made following tips about the group dealing in drugs. The suspects were sent to concerned authorities.

Man turns son over A citizen handed his son over to police minutes after he fled and entered the house. A security source said that while on an inspection point in Dhaher at dawn yesterday, a young man was chased, who fled to his house. When the car was searched, suspicious sub- stances were found, along with drug paraphernalia and two bottles of cologne. The owner of the house came out and was asked about the person who entered. He told them he is his son, so he was asked to hand him over, which he did. Two other persons who helped the young man escape were also arrested.

Public shooting Police registered firings in Farwaniya, Firdous and — Photos by Yasser Al- Zayyat Naeem only a few days after a grace period to collect weapons was set by the National Assembly. Meanwhile Algonquin College - Kuwait welcomes Canadian delegation in Farwaniya, a citizen was charged with possessing a firearm, after an Egyptian expat complained that his KUWAIT: Algonquin College - Kuwait, a branch campus of will ascend into the galaxy of private colleges and enrich the ment. When it opens, I expect that it will be the flagship of our neighbor fired in the air to scare him. The incident took Canada’s Algonquin College, welcomed a senior management educational options available to high school graduates, particu- global network of international campuses.” place following some differences. And in Firdous, a citi- delegation from its “mother college” and from the Embassy of larly through our diverse disciplines and majors.” Jafar added “ Canadian ambassador to Kuwait Martine Moreau stated zen complained against an unidentified person who Canada in Kuwait this week. Visiting the College’s new campus AC-Kuwait will be the first Canadian college in Kuwait. The “We are pleased that Algonquin College will open a campus in beat him following a dispute over the right of way and in Al-Naseem from Algonquin College were President Cheryl campus location in Al-Naseem will contribute to Kuwait’s con- Kuwait this fall, as it is one of Canada’s most reputable colleges, Jensen, Vice President - Student Affairs Laura Stanbra and Vice tinuing development and, right from its inception, AC-Kuwait with an established presence in Saudi Arabia. This will further fired at his car. In Naeem, criminal evidence men collect- President - International and Strategic Priorities Doug will be an effective community partner. This college is a product enhance the strong cooperation between Kuwait and Canada ed eight cartridges in front of a citizen’s home, after a Wotherspoon. The Embassy of Canada delegation included of joint collaboration and cooperation and we commend in the education sector, a mutual priority for both our coun- man known to him fired at it. Canada’s new Ambassador to Kuwait Martine Moreau. Hosting Algonquin College for its phenomenal support.” tries”. the delegations were Algonquin College - Kuwait’s Chairman of Registration at Algonquin College - Kuwait, is expected to Fake cop at large the Board of Trustees Saud A. Jafar and President Dr David Breathtaking campus open in May 2015. In the upcoming academic year (2015-16) the An Indian in Khaitan told police that unidentified McHardy. Algonquin President Jensen observed “I can only describe college will offer a comprehensive English and Academic persons stole KD 375 from him after posing as detec- On this occasion, Saud A Jafar, Chairman of Board of Trustees the campus here as breathtaking. It is big and beautiful and will Foundations Program. In 2016-17, four diploma programs will be announced that the College will open in September 2015. “We provide students with a wonderful learning and social environ- added, two in Business and two in Advanced Technology (IT). tives and handcuffing him.

NBK receives Lord Mayor of the City of London

KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) received the Lord Yarrow and his accompanying delegation at NBK in the Corporation, Peter Sissons. countries across the world’s leading financial centers, Mayor of the City of London Alderman Alan Yarrow and presence of NBK Executive Management. NBK was the first bank in the GCC to have a presence in ten of which are in the Middle East. In addition to His Excellency Matthew Lodge, the British Ambassador to The visiting delegation included Sir Michael Craig- London through its subsidiary NBKI. NBK enjoys the London, NBK’s international presence includes New York, Kuwait, at NBK Headquarters on the occasion of the Lord Cooper, member of NBKI’s (London) Board of Directors, largest international network offering its customers access Paris, Geneva and Singapore, as well as China Mayor’s visit to Kuwait. The Lay Sheriff of the City of London, Fiona Adler, The to 16 markets on four continents around the world. (Shanghai). Meanwhile, regional coverage extends to NBK Chairman Nasser Al-Sayer and the member of the Swordbearer at Mansion House, James North, and The NBK’s international network comprises more than 170 Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Board of Directors Muthana Al-Hamad received the Lord Head of International Relations, City of London branches, subsidiaries and representative offices in 16 Turkey and the UAE. TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 LOCAL

KUWAIT: Assistant Undersecretary Sheikh Nimr Al-Sabah (second from left) and Leaders Group’s Director General Sheikh Nimr Al-Sabah listens to a demonstration from one of the exhibitors at the event. Nabila Al-Anjari (far right) during their tour of the exhibition. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat State reiterates support for private sector Horeca Kuwait opens with over 50 participating companies

By Faten Omar

KUWAIT: Kuwait is keen to support the private sector and highlight the integrated vision to diversify Kuwait’s sources of income, a senior government official said. The government also supports the implementation of development projects and providing a variety of opportuni- ties for young people, said Sheikh Nimr Al-Fahd Al-Malik Al- Sabah, Assistant Undersecretary for Foreign Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He made his statements at the inauguration of the Horeca Kuwait exhibition, which opened yesterday at Jumeirah Messila Beach Hotel with participation of more than 50 food and hospitality companies. Horeca Kuwait 2015 is organized by the Leaders Group Co in cooperation with Hospitality Services Inc. The opening was attended by a large crowd of diplomats, businessmen, hoteliers and representatives of major companies and restaurants, as well as hospitality and travel experts and Members of the judging panel for a cooking contest held as part of the event. Visitors at the Horeca Kuwait exhibition chefs from around the world. become an ideal platform for gathering hospitality and food hospitality industry, but also helps greatly in advancing of integrated plans, which contributed to the further devel- Small enterprises industry experts from all over the world, especially after the development plans and supports transforming Kuwait into a opment and progress of the hospitality and food industry Sheikh Nimr said Horeca Kuwait contributes to the pro- great success of the exhibition during its previous years,” said tourist country, especially with the drop in oil prices. not only in Kuwait, but also in neighboring countries. motion of small and medium enterprises, and plays a vital Nabila Al-Anjari, Director General of Leaders Group Co, General Manager of Hospitality Services Joumana Horeca 2015 includes cooking contests involving more role in promoting the hospitality and food industries and adding that this is a good opportunity for young and ambi- Damous expressed happiness on the great success achieved than 200 chefs working in major hotels and restaurants. hotel equipment, adding that the ministry of commerce sup- tious people who want to invest in projects related to the by Horeca Kuwait, pointing out that the large turnout of big These competitions will be held under the auspices of three ports specialized exhibitions that promote the role of the restaurant and hospitality industry. companies from Kuwait, Arab and foreign countries reflected leading companies - Borcker, Galbani and Model System - private sector as a key partner in achieving sustainable confidence in the Kuwaiti market and its importance for and supervised by a jury of 10 judges headed by Chef development and provide new job opportunities for young Advancing development investors. Damous added that cooperation with the Leaders Samaan Hilal. people. Anjari said what makes this exhibition more important is Group and Hospitality Services for the fourth consecutive This exhibition will run till tomorrow, from 10 am to 1 pm “The Horeca Kuwait exhibition - in its fourth edition - has that it does not only contribute to the development of the year in the organization of Horeca Kuwait is based on visions and 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

Double water tariffs for expats proposed

KUWAIT: The following are new energy tar- refers to apartments that are mostly inhab- iffs proposed by the Ministry of Electricity ited by expatriates. There is no set date for and Water. Note that the housing sector when new tariffs are set to be adopted as refers to houses given by the government the government continues to study pro- to citizens, while the investment sector posals on that regard.—Al-Rai

MP Youssef Al-Zalzala MP Zalzala urges premier to form ‘new Cabinet’ panel delays maids law

By B Izzak

KUWAIT: MP Youssef Al-Zalzala yesterday called on Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah to form a new cabinet to replace the present Cabinet which is incapable to perform. The lawmaker charged the government of being unable to follow up and deal with violations cited in the Audit Bureau reports which normally highlight financial and administrative wrongdoings and violations. Zalzala also charged that ‘some’ deliberately delay state projects but he did not name any. The lawmaker has been calling on the prime minister to reshuffle or change his entire cabinet a few months after its formation in August 2013. Although, the Cabinet underwent a number of changes in some key posts, the lawmaker insisted that it was still underperforming and needed change. In another development, the national assembly health and labor committee yesterday decided to delay for the second time voting on a comprehensive law that is expected to regu- late the affairs of domestic helpers in the country. Committee rapporteur MP Saadoun Hammad said the vot- ing is expected to take place on February 2. The decision to delay voting was taken at the request of the interior ministry in order to complete its response to the proposed legislation. The committee discussed the 73-article law with represen- tatives of the interior ministry and the Public Manpower Authority which submitted its comments on the draft law, Hammad said.

State-owned company Among other issues, the draft legislation stipulates to regu- late the operations of maids recruitment offices and also con- tains a proposal to set up a government company that will be responsible for the recruitment. Hammad said the bill propos- es to set up special shelters for domestic helpers in case their sponsors do not receive them on time instead of making them stay at the recruitment offices. If approved, it will be the first legislation in Kuwait to cover domestic helpers estimated at more than 650,000, a majority of them female and from Asian countries and who have repeatedly complained of various forms of abuse including non-payment of salary, forcing them to work for many hours and sometimes physical abuse. International rights groups and organizations have been urging Kuwait and other Gulf states to issue special legislation to protect domestic helpers. Head of the interior and defense committee MP Abdullah Maayouf, meanwhile, said the panel will today vote on the long-awaited compulsory military service in order to send for debate to the national assembly next week. TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 LOCAL

KUWAIT: (From left) Head of the Public Funds Prosecution Department Tareq Al-Yaseen, Public Prosecutor Dherar His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah during his meeting with UNICEF’s Executive Ali Al-Asousi, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and First Attorney General Sultan Director Anthony Lake. Majed Bu Jarwa. — KUNA photos Amir receives senior public prosecutors ‘No hesitation to act against public funds squander’

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Lake, the Executive Director of the United NUKS executives Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received in Seif Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and his Separately, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Palace yesterday Public Prosecutor Dherar Ali Al- accompanying delegation. First Deputy Prime Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Asousi, First Attorney General Sultan Majed Bu Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- Seif Palace yesterday head of the executive Jarwa, and Head of the Public Funds Prosecution Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Deputy Minister board of the National Union of Kuwaiti Students Department Tareq Al-Yaseen. The senior officials of the Amiri Diwan Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah (NUKS) Mohammad Mash’an Al-Otaibi and briefed HH the Amir during the meeting about were present at the meeting. members of the board. the cases related to public funds. During the meeting, Lake thanked HH the HH Sheikh Nawaf called on the union to con- For his part, HH the Amir praised the efforts Amir for his efforts to provide relief aid for Syrian tinue on their solemn effort to cater for the exerted by the Public Prosecution to protect refugees and displaced persons. He said that HH needs of Kuwaiti students for the sake of public money. He stressed that the state will not the Amir’s instructions were crucial in providing Kuwait’s future development. On his part, Otaibi hesitate to take firm actions against those who Syrian refugee children with vaccination against affirmed that the union will carry on its efforts to misuse or squander public money. HH the Amir polio, drinkable water, and much needed serve students under the guidelines set by the reiterated his great appreciation and Kuwaiti humanitarian aid. Kuwaiti leadership. The NUKS representatives people’s recognition of the integrity of the judi- The UNICEF Director stressed that the third then present HH the Crown Prince with a gift as cial system. donors’ conference for Syria to be held in Kuwait a token of their appreciation. The meeting was will be also important to help the Syrian attended by Undersecretary at the Crown Prince UNICEF Chief refugees still suffering from the crisis which hit Diwan Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Abdullah Al- His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (center) Meanwhile, HH the Amir received Anthony their country in 2011. Sabah.— KUNA with NUKS executive board members. Cabinet instructs legal action against public funds abuses Amendments to Capital Markets Authority law

KUWAIT: The Cabinet has instructed the Fatwa of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAF), tion. The Cairo meeting also addressed the situ- and Legislation Department to coordinate with the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs said. ation in Libya amid the escalation of terrorist the Kuwait Public Institution for Social Security Then the Cabinet issued a decision defining attacks and armed operations by militants, (PIFSS) to take legal action against reported the activities that are not subject to law Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said. It confirmed sup- financial irregularities and abuse of public 116/2013 on encouraging direct investments in port to the UN efforts to sponsor a dialogue funds at the PIFSS. Kuwait, responding to a proposal by the Kuwait between the Libyan parties. The instructions were decided during the Foreign Investment Bureau. In addition, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled briefed cabinet’s weekly meeting at Seif Palace yester- The decision aims to streamline procedures the meeting on the current visit by his Turkish day, chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister for investors and also comes in line with counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu and an accom- Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Kuwait’s policy adopting the relevant interna- panying delegation to Kuwait. Kuwaiti-Turkish Potential violators will be immediately tional economic criteria and categories, Sheikh talks reviewed bilateral ties in all fields as well referred to the prosecution, according to the as regional and international developments. new instructions. The move comes in harmony with supreme directives on the necessity of Officers’ promotion protecting public funds, and also manifests Based on a briefing by Deputy Prime keenness by the cabinet to protect them. It Minister and Defense Minister Lt Gen Sheikh came following recent reports on financial Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, the cabinet irregularities at the institution. endorsed two draft decrees promoting 515 offi- Meanwhile, the cabinet approved and cers from the rank of Captain to Major, and 145 referred to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Major to Lieutenant Colonel. It also approved a Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah amendments of third decree to grant 13 university graduate Law 7/2010 on establishing the Capital Markets officers from batch 18, the rank of Lieutenant. KUWAIT: Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem and his accompanying delegation are seen Authority of Kuwait (CMAK), said Minister of At the start of the meeting, the cabinet was off at Kuwait International Airport. — KUNA State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad informed of the message His Highness the Amir Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah The amendments will be later referred to the received from Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Speaker in Istanbul for National Assembly, Sheikh Mohammad Mansur Hadi, on the occasion of the new year. Abdullah said in news statements following the Hadi congratulated His Highness the Amir on PUIC conference meeting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the UN honoring naming him a Humanitarian Commerce and Industry Abdulmohsen Al- Leader and Kuwait a Humanitarian Center. The Mudej briefed the cabinet on the amendments. KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister massage also addressed means of enhancing ISTANBUL: National Assembly Speaker capacity as head of the Arab Inter- Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- bilateral ties in all fields. The meeting was also Marzouq Al-Ghanem arrived in Istanbul, Parliamentary Union (AIPU), for coordinat- Customs outlets Sabah chairs the Cabinet session yester- notified of a message from Turkish President Turkey yesterday leading a Kuwaiti parlia- ing stances on issues to be tabled for dis- The cabinet also reviewed recommenda- day.—KUNA Recep Tayyip Erdogan inviting His Highness the mentary delegation partaking in the 10th cussion. Kandari will attend a meeting for tions by its Economic Affairs Committee on a Mohammad Abdullah stressed. Amir to attend celebrations of the 100th session of the Parliamentary Union of the the secretaries-general of the PUIC mem- demand by the General Administration of anniversary of the Gallipoli War slated for April. Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) ber states. Kuwaiti MPs Faisal Al-Shaya and Customs seeking the presence of representa- Arab league The Cabinet was informed of a message by Member States (PUIC) due in Istanbul Saif Al-Azmi arrived in Istanbul on tives of certain authorities at customs outlets Meanwhile, First Deputy Prime Minister and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to His between January 20-22. Saturday and attended a meeting for the for speeding up procedures of imports and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- Highness the Amir on Kuwait’s hosting of the Ghanem is accompanied by a delega- Standing Committee of the PUIC confer- exports. Many ministries and institutions were Hamad Al-Sabah briefed the cabinet meeting third International Humanitarian Pledging tion that includes National Assembly ence. instructed to coordinate with the administra- on the outcomes of his recent visit to Lebanon Conference for Syria, amid the tragic situation Secretary-General Allam Al-Kandari and The Parliamentary Union of the tion to secure their presence at outlets, the where he held talks with senior officials. of the Syrian people. several other MPs. Ghanem will address Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) minister said. These include the Ministry of the The Foreign Minister also provided the Following a briefing by Minister of Justice the session on regional developments, ter- Member States (PUIC) was established in Interior, the Health Ministry, the Ministry of meeting with an account of the recent Arab and Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Yaacoub Al- rorism and the Western anti-Prophet press 1999 and is based in Tehran, Iran. The Communications, the Environment Public League extraordinary ministerial meeting held Sanaa, the cabinet approved the formation of a campaigns. The Arab and Gulf parliamen- union mainly aims to promote Islamic Authority (EPA), the Ministry of Commerce and in Cairo. Arab Foreign Ministers reviewed devel- new board for the General Authority to Take tary groups will hold coordinative meet- teachings and discuss cultural, social and Industry, the Information Ministry, the State opments on the Palestinian scene, a proposal Care of the Printing and Publication of Holy ings on the sidelines of the PUIC session. political issues that concern member Ministry of Municipal Affairs, the Public for a new draft resolution to be put forward at Quran in Kuwait and Sunnah and Their Ghanem will lead the Arab group in his states. — KUNA Authority for Industry and the Public Authority the UNSC seeking an end to the Israeli occupa- Sciences. — KUNA KRCS offers aid to 1000 Syrian families

AMMAN/BEIRUT: The Kuwait Red the suffering of displaced Syrians amid the Crescent Society (KRCS) yesterday deliv- freezing weather conditions in the region, ered urgent aid to 1000 Syrian families in he said. the Jordanian Turra city near the Syrian Also yesterday, the KRCS continued its borders. The aid campaign aims to allevi- relief aid campaign to help Syrian refugees ate sufferings of the Syrian refugees amid in Lebanon. Relief aid has been distributed the severe weather conditions in the among some 500 Syrian refugee families in region. Baalbek city, said KRCS delegate to This aid is part of a program launched Lebanon Dr Musa’ad Al-Enezi. He added to help Syrian refugees in Jordan, head of that the KRCS will continue to deliver relief KRCS field team Abdullah Al-Nasser said. It aid to Syrian refugees especially during includes foodstuff, medical supplies and this harsh winter season. blankets. Around seven trucks loaded with Millions of Syrian nationals have been 30,000 blankets, food and heaters are also scattered in neighboring countries or expected to arrive in Jordan during the become internally displaced due to the next few days to aid Syrian refugees, he ongoing crisis which began nearly four added. The aid program aims to alleviate years ago. — KUNA TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 LOCAL

KUWAIT: The top guests in a group photo after the exhibition’s inauguration. — Photos by Joseph Shagra The Volkswagen XL1 Auto Moto car show opens at 360 mall Total value of vehicles on display exceeds $6 million

By Nawara Fattahova to hold such a huge event, as the total value professional way to attract visitors, and they ers from all over the world with car lovers in Salman Al-Homoud Al-Sabah for their sup- of the displayed vehicles and motorcycles is present their services and provide complete Kuwait. We came up with the idea of holding port,” he pointed out. KUWAIT: Over 125 vehicles, motorcycles over $6 million. The latest models of various information about the vehicles. this event as no international car show is and ATVs from over 30 international brands automobile brands will be unveiled during Furthermore, some of these dealers provide held in Kuwait. Both the United Arab Main sponsor are on display at the Auto Moto car show the fair, which are on display exclusively for the opportunity for visitors to take their Emirates and Qatar for instance, host inter- Ooredoo is the main sponsor and strategic 2015 at the 360 mall from Jan 19 to 24. The the first time in Kuwait. Moreover, unique desired vehicle on a test drive in special national car shows, while Kuwait, which was partner of Auto Moto 15. During this event, exhibition is organized by Osama Bastaki vehicles launched for the first time in the areas around the mall. In addition, many a leader and pioneer for over 30 years, does- the lucky winner of a brand new Corvette will International Group (EPR) and held under region are also on display. Compared to last entertaining activities and surprises for n’t,” added Bastaki. The 360 mall was chosen be announced on Jan 22. Visitors shouldn’t the auspices of Sheikh Salman Al-Homoud year’s show, the number of displayed vehi- adults and children await visitors of the car to host this event due to its strategic loca- miss the amazing Volkswagen XL1, which is Al-Sabah, Minister of Information and State cles has greatly increased,” said Osama show. An outdoor racing circuit was built by tion.”The Auto Moto is considered the first not available for sale. Only 250 pieces were Minister for Youth Affairs. Bastaki, CEO of EPR, during the opening cer- the Sirbb Circuit outside the mall to hold car show held inside a shopping mall in the manufactured of this model, and the car that This is the third edition of Auto Moto. emony yesterday. accompanying activities with this event, Middle East. We are targeting the visitors of is on display at the show is the only one in the “This is the most significant car exhibition which is sponsored by Kuwait Finance the mall, and we consider this mall the best Middle East. It’s a powerful, environment- and the biggest event of its kind to be held Professional presentation House (KFH) and Ooredoo location for the event. And I would like to friendly vehicle that has two engines and pro- in Kuwait. We are the first private company The cars are displayed by their agents in “Auto Moto 15 connects car manufactur- thank the sponsors of this event and Sheikh duces the least emissions.

US Ambassador Douglas Silliman checks the new Dodge Challenger RT. The Ooredoo booth.

A McLaren 650 S displayed at the exhibition A Polaris ATV on display Ebola measures to be evaluated

KUWAIT: A team from the World Health Organization (WHO) will visit Kuwait soon to evaluate the country’s Ebola counter-measures, a senior official said yesterday. The team will visit several locations including Kuwait International Airport, the emergency department of the civil defense, and Health Ministry facilities to evaluate its countermeasures against Ebola, Dr Majida Al-Qattan, Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health, said in a press statement. The official affirmed Kuwait’s readiness to tackle the Ebola virus, stressing that no Ebola case had been recorded in the country. Kuwait will continue to coor- dinate with the WHO and other health organizations to fight the deadly disease, Qattan said. — KUNA TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 LOCAL

kuwait digest Al-Jarida kuwait digest Diesel black marketed, The crime in not smuggled France

By Bassil Al-Jasser By Dr Shamlan Al-Essa e it out of bad or good intentions as they hat took place in France is a heinous crime always claim, our wise government and by any human standard, and it cannot be Bthe distinguished parliament still believe Wany further from Islam and Muslims. Arabs that half of the subsidized diesel is being smug- and Muslims are those who are most exposed to ter- gled abroad, which is completely untrue. Diesel rorism, and the evidence is what is taking place in used to be smuggled, but this stopped long ago the form of killings, displacements and tragedies in after the government set specific quotas of sub- every place - Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Pakistan, sidized diesel for factories. Afghanistan and others. Unfortunately, following this decision, black What took place in France is a example of global- market diesel merchants used their influence ized terror that crosses continents and borders, and and power assisted by some government offi- the examples of this are many including the Sept 11 cials to reduce factories’ shares to less than half operation in the United States and the London, of what they used to get, and thus force them to Madrid, Argentina, India, Russia and France attacks. make up for the difference by purchasing the We do not know until now if the terror act in France rest of their needs from the black market, ie, was a ‘lone-wolf’ attack or carried out by individuals from them. I have proved this in a previous arti- who belong to jihadi organizations. The terrorists in cle I wrote on Jan 6, 2015 under the title “Lifting Yemen declared their responsibility for the crime, Subsidies to Serve Some People, not the Nation!” and it is very clear that the Yemen Qaeda terrorists Actually, those who benefited most from lift- do not have an intellectual or ideological project that ing diesel subsidies are the local black market explains the true goal behind assassinating innocent diesel merchants who used to sell it for 70 fils a journalists who live in a pluralistic and democratic liter when they bought it for 55 fils a liter. state where religion does not have any role in its Nowadays, they sell it for 150 fils, which is twice political affairs. May be the goal of the terrorists is to the actual price. This is a greedy margin of prof- disturb the outstanding relations between France and the Arab world. its that ought to attract the government and the What happened in France created strong reac- parliament’s attention and have them investi- tions in France. The extreme right parties used this gate where such merchants get their diesel regretful incident to start a campaign against all for- from, because it is impossible that they import eigners who live in France including Arabs and it. BUDGET Muslims who form a large community, estimated at Most likely, this diesel comes from state five million French Muslims. We thank God that the refineries through theft or forging its release French president and government have the aware- documents as going to subsidized factories for ness and knowledge of this crime’s dimensions and 55 fils a liter and they sell it to factories running took a clear stand to reject terrorism and not bow to short on diesel supplies. So, corrupt individuals it and protect all French citizens regardless of their managed to divert subsidized diesel to their backgrounds. The danger of what took place in own benefit to be sold on the black market. The France lies in the major role of the Internet and social government said that diesel subsidies used to kuwait digest media, as the French investigations revealed that cost it KD 500 million including KD 200 million one of the terrorist brothers, the younger one, was for the ‘smuggled’ diesel, so I am sure the gov- recruiting and attracting jihadists to go to Syria ernment will continue paying the KD 200 million Brown, nice-looking Arabs through the Internet. The Islamic State (Daesh) was because black market merchants will go on uti- successful in this method by attracting jihadists from lizing factories’ subsidized diesel. Those mer- By Thaar Al-Rasheedi Europe, America and even GCC countries. chants and their corrupt assistants managed to Western experts confirm that Al-Qaeda and other reduce the amounts given to factories and other ow that we are fed up with the many prob- A brown, nice-looking Arab would never do like jihadi groups succeeded in developing their security subsidized bodies by more than 50 percent. A lems and conspiracies against us everywhere others and get interested in modern sciences or capabilities over the Internet, managing technology, factory that used to consume 90,000 liters a Nfrom the ocean to the gulf, I would like to inventions. He would consider them satanic, devilish and vary its uses of the electronic field, so it is not month is now only given 30,000 liters, and send an open letter to the leaders of the world’s things, and thus avoid them. In fact, he would live easy to fight jihadi organizations that are able to accordingly will have to get the rest from the influential countries asking them about what harm is happily in dreams about the glorious past. The penetrate security apparatuses through modern black market. it to them that Arabs, namely GCC peoples, are rich. longer he sleeps, the closer he feels to achieving his communications. This made prices jump to astronomical levels We have not even manufactured a simple needle goals. An Arab is dangerously emotional because the Writer Mamdouh Al-Sheikh, an expert in Islamist and the government will never be able to con- with all the money accumulating over decades so far. moment he faces major challenges, he immediately movements, explained that “what distinguishes the trol them and will keep paying the difference We still import everything from your agricultural and alienates reason, wisdom, logic and wit and only individual jihad phenomenon is that it is not subject from public funds at the expense of citizens’ industrial countries. So, why envy us for the wealth remembers false slogans, agitated emotions and to pattern, and its members come from various interests. The government and the parliament and fortunes we make from selling our finite wishes and illusions, which makes him act wrongly in social backgrounds that are not economically mar- have to form a neutral committee to meet those resources with one hand and handing the money a way that only serves others’ interests. ginalized, and intelligence departments do not have receiving subsidized diesel and make sure they over to you with the other?! In fact you are very lucky that he has a terribly special data about its members. They may be dor- actually consume the amount of diesel and For your knowledge, we are not like the white weak memory that makes him redo the very same mant in the real world, and active in the virtual one, kerosene they get, and at the same time, check peoples of West Europe or the ‘yellow’ people of East mistakes, fall for the same tricks and get bitten over and enjoy high scientific and technical capabilities in refineries’ records to investigate the amounts Asia, who are in fierce competition with you, so that and over, probably hundreds of times. So, all you the field of communications”. released and make sure they go to real deserv- whenever you make a product, they make a better need do is to dig the hole and he will willingly fall in! We in the Arabian Gulf countries should not be ing bodies that actually consume them. one at half the price. This applies for all consumer Gentlemen, the biggest assurance that this brown, satisfied with condemnation and rejecting terrorism So, if we ever manage to form such a commit- goods including vehicles, TVs, PCs, refrigerators, nice-looking Arab will never do you any harm are the -rather we should learn lessons and examples from tee, I am sure it will expose a great deal of cor- washing machines, nuclear reactors, ships, etc. So, recent experiences that prove that he is used to what happened in Paris. Terrorists are using a scien- ruption and manipulation of public funds. Will there is no need to direct all your envy and hatred to pulling down what he had built in years in just a mat- tific methodology and use modern means. Can we this ever happen? us and turn all of Earth’s demons up against us ter of a few days. deter them from our countries? — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Anbaa because we really do not ‘deserve’ all this from you. —Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Anbaa — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Watan

Washington Watch Frustrating ambiance

By Hassan Al-Essa

t seems that Kuwait is covered by a most depress- dance with the ongoing events and problems with ing, frustrating ambiance or atmosphere nowa- the way the state handles its mono-sourced income Idays. One that I noticed when many bloggers and its incapability to set solutions for future prob- stopped posting any political or social tweets. Some lems. of them have even abandoned Twitter for good, Any wise person capable of seeing the complete probably because they realized that their short mes- picture realizes they would be the ultimate result of sages criticizing local situations were useless. May be current forms of corruption within an economy that they have given up hopes of achieving any reform only depends on oil; problems that are doomed to because the ruling elite are still the same and running happen because of the this mentally ‘paralyzed’ in place no matter if oil prices are over $100 or below administration that keeps endlessly ‘reproducing’ $40. The same mentality that ran things during afflu- itself! ence is still the same running things in the current Frustration indicates despair of achieving any rainy days. Nothing has changed in country where change. It means giving up to fate and coincidence. everybody prays that no change happens, though So, what are we waiting for nowadays? Are we await- the situations do. The times of economy and political ing a new beautiful coincidence to save us from science degrees have gone for good. However, the today’s frustration? Be fully aware lively societies administration and many others still insist on living make their own destiny and fate without leaving any- loftily in far-fetched illusions. thing to chance! Depression and frustration is a feeling of incapabil- — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Jarida ity to change real-life situations that are seen as deviant and wrongly illogical. Those enjoying aware- ness and concerned thinking abilities are very frus- trated because they have no say in the course of pub- lic matters. The authority has completely tied their Depression and frustra- hands through oppressing the freedom of expres- sion, which is the exact counter of frustration and depression. It is being ‘strangled’ by laws that are tion is a feeling of inca- sometimes unfair. Laws are very often twisted and changed by the sole power capable of legislating, rul- pability to change real- ing and explaining laws beyond any other powers’ monitoring or control. life situations that are Citizenships have been withdrawn by uncon- testable higher decisions. People with opinions have seen as deviant and been thrown in jail and you cannot do anything to criticize the authority that considers criticism as a wrongly illogical. Those ‘taboo’. Eventually, freedom of expression is no longer a significant issue unless one hypocritically hails and enjoying awareness and praises the ruling ‘elite’ or unreasonable feelings dom- inating so many people’s minds. concerned thinking abil- For those interested in public concerns, depression and frustration may result from the deterioration of ities are very frustrated opposition figures’ speeches and the involvement of its members in secondary issues, though such frustra- because they have no tion is unjustified. The opposition is not individuals and should not be restricted to certain people no say in the course of pub- matter how great their contribution in criticizing the regime is. It is rather a way of thinking and a process lic matters. that is circumstantially and occasionally adaptable to change, and today many things have changed, which necessitates changing the opposition’s tone in accor- TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015

Sisi urges new US, Cuba set for historic talks to normalize ties religious discourse to fight ‘terror’ Page 9 Page 8 Iran general killed with Hezb fighters

BEIRUT: An Israeli strike on Syria one to decide the nature and timing,” killed an Iranian general, Tehran con- said Hassana Sadaqa, as she prepared firmed yesterday, as thousands of to pay her respects. Mourners chant- supporters of Lebanon’s Hezbollah ed “Our party is Hezbollah, our leader gathered to bury one of six fighters is Nasrallah” as the coffin was carried killed in the same raid. The attack on through the streets and shots were Sunday near Quneitra on the Syrian- fired into the air. controlled side of the Golan Heights Mughniyeh was buried in the enraged Hezbollah’s supporters, but same cemetery as his father Imad, analysts said the group would avoid a who was killed in a 2008 car bombing major escalation with Israel. Iran’s that Hezbollah blamed on Israel. As elite Revolutionary Guards confirmed the crowds marched through the the death of one of their generals in a streets, residents threw confetti down statement on their website. “General from their balconies, celebrating Mohammad Ali Allahdadi and a num- what they see as the fighters’ “martyr- ber of fighters and Islamic Resistance dom”. Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television (Hezbollah) forces were attacked by said the six were killed as they carried the Zionist regime’s helicopters,” it out reconnaissance. But an Israeli said. “This brave general and some security source said an Israeli helicop- members of Hezbollah were mar- ter carried out a strike on “terrorists” tyred.” who were preparing an attack on the A source close to Hezbollah said six Jewish state. Iranians had been killed in the attack. The strike came days after Hezbollah told AFP that it was not the Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah source of that toll. Among Hezbollah’s threatened to retaliate against Israel dead was Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of for its repeated strikes on targets in an assassinated commander from the Syria and boasted the movement was group, and Mohammed Issa, a com- stronger than ever. He touted its mander responsible for Hezbollah’s sophisticated arsenal, including operations in Syria and Iraq. Once Fateh-110 missiles, which have a solely focused on fighting Israel, range of 200 km or more and are Hezbollah is now deeply involved in capable of hitting much of Israel. the war in neighbouring Syria, where it backs President Bashar al-Assad. With ‘Israel Called Hezbollah’s Bluff’ its forces spread thin, and little Analysts said the precision Israeli BEIRUT: Hezbollah fighters carry the coffin of Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of Imad Mughniyeh, during his funeral procession yesterday. — AP appetite in fragile Lebanon for a new strike, days after Nasrallah’s bellicose conflict with Israel, analysts said remarks, stood to embarrass war against Israel”. Speaking to reporters at the funer- weighed the prospect of conflict, ferent arenas. We assume that it cur- Hezbollah would seek to respond to Hezbollah. “What happened is that Walid Charara, an analyst close to al, Mahmud Qmati, a member of with the Al-Safir newspaper saying rently does not want full contact,” he the raid without provoking a full-on the Israelis called Hezbollah’s bluff Hezbollah, said he had “no doubt” Hezbollah’s political bureau, said all- Hezbollah needed something “more told AFP. Israel occupied parts of war. last night,” said Hilal Khashan, a pro- that the group would respond, either out war was unlikely, but that “the than a reply and less than a war”. Lebanon for 22 years until 2000 and Yesterday afternoon, thousands of fessor of political science at the from Lebanese or Syrian territory. war of (limited) strikes, assassinations In Israel, analysts made the same the two countries are still technically mourners gathered in Hezbollah’s American University in Beirut. But he Khashan said Hezbollah could resort and intermittent confrontation con- calculation. “Hezbollah doesn’t want a at war. In 2006, Israel fought a bloody southern Beirut stronghold for said Hezbollah’s response was likely to small-scale attacks, like a roadside tinues”. But another Hezbollah official, full-fledged war,” said Yoram war against Hezbollah that killed Mughniyeh’s funeral. “God willing, the to be limited “because if it retaliates, it bomb on the ceasefire line with Israel MP Bilal Farhat, refused to say what Schweitzer, a former Israeli military more than 1,200 people in Lebanon, resistance will retaliate but the lead- will be another war. Hezbollah is in it claimed last year, but would avoid a might happen next. “Let’s wait and counterterrorism chief. “It has a num- mostly civilians, and some 160 ership of the resistance will be the Syria and it is not ready for another more serious response. see,” he said. Lebanese media ber of possibilities to respond in dif- Israelis, mostly soldiers. — AFP p8_Layout 1 1/19/15 9:50 PM Page 1

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 INTERNATIONAL EU challenges removal of Hamas from blacklist

BRUSSELS: The EU will appeal a contro- ing had threatened recent attempts by appealed against its inclusion on the the appeal as the “effects of (the) judge- that would then take around 16 months. versial court decision ordering the Brussels to play a bigger role in reviving blacklist on several grounds. In Gaza ment are suspended.” An EU source added that Brussels will removal of the Palestinian Islamist group the moribund Middle East peace City, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri Hamas’ funds in Europe have contest the court decision on the Hamas from the bloc’s terrorism black- process. Mogherini said EU ministers told AFP the decision to appeal “is an remained frozen since the December grounds that a number of terror groups list, foreign policy chief Federica have “now decided to challenge some of immoral step, and reflects the EU’s total decision. At the time of the initial ruling, habitually claim responsibility for Mogherini said yesterday. Foreign minis- the findings of the court regarding the bias in favour of the Israeli occupation”. Israeli wePrime Minister Benjamin attacks on the Internet, and that it ters from the 28 European Union mem- procedural grounds to list terrorist Netanyahu said it showed Europeans should be possible to use such claims as ber states decided to appeal the deci- organisations”. “This ruling was clearly Hamas on List Since 2001 had learned nothing from the evidence. It also rejects the court’s sion at a meeting in Brussels focused on based on procedural grounds and did Hamas’s military wing was added to Holocaust. A vote by the European request for it to present new evidence the Islamist threat after the Paris attacks not imply any assessment by the court the European Union’s first-ever terrorism Parliament backing the recognition in that a group remains a terrorist organi- this month, she said. Hamas will remain of the merits of designating the Hamas blacklist drawn up in December 2001 in principle of a Palestinian state just hours sation, the source said. “We disagree. on the EU’s terrorism register pending as a terrorist organisation.” the wake of the September 11 attacks after the Hamas decision, following a When a group commits a terrorist act, it the result of the appeal by Brussels Last month’s ruling by the General on the United States. The EU blacklisted series of such votes in European nations, remains a terrorist group,” the source against the December 17 ruling by the Court of the European Union had said the political wing of Hamas in 2003. added fuel to the fire. “The fight against said. Mogherini said the EU was study- bloc’s second highest court, a spokes- that the blacklisting of Hamas was Apart from Hamas, the EU has also terrorism remains a priority for the ing “actions that may be taken” to avoid woman added. based not on sound legal judgements blacklisted the Lebanese Shiite move- European Union,” Mogherini said, further legal challenges to its blacklists. Hamas, which was first blacklisted in but on conclusions derived from the ment Hezbollah, which has ties to adding the the “EU is determined to Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers were removed 2001, said the decision to appeal was media and the Internet. Hamas, which Hamas. Foreign Affairs Council spokes- stem the financing of terrorism”. from the list in October after an almost “immoral”. Israel was enraged by the has been in power in the tiny Palestinian woman Susanne Kiefer confirmed that An expert on EU law said Brussels has identical judgement to the one that decision to remove Hamas and the rul- territory of Gaza since 2007, had Hamas will stay on the blacklist during until Feb 17 to file its appeal, a process removed Hamas. — AFP

Syria begins destroying chemical arms facilities

AMSTERDAM: Syria has started the of Assad, which still continues. More than long-delayed destruction of a dozen 200,000 people have been killed and mil- underground bunkers and hangars that lions displaced in the Syrian civil war were used for the production and stor- since March 2011. age of chemical weapons, diplomatic The head of the OPCW is expected to sources told Reuters yesterday. provide an update on the destruction of Damascus last year handed over 1,300 Syria’s production and storage sites, part metric tonnes of toxic agents after join- of its obligations under OPCW member- ing the Organisation for the Prohibition ship, to foreign governments at closed of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), but it is door meetings in The Hague tomorrow. months behind schedule in destroying The technical details of how the seven the facilities used to make and store its hangars are to be demolished with deadly stockpile. explosives are still being drawn up with Work at a first tunnel began on Dec experts at the OPCW, the sources said. 24, but was delayed by winter storms. The sources declined to be identified The site will be sealed off with cement while sharing information about the pro- walls by the end of January, said one gram before it is officially made public. source in The Hague, where the global Repeated delays in destroying the chemical weapons watchdog is based. facilities led to protests from Washington “The work finally began, which is good last month, when the U.S. representative news,” said another source. “There were to the OPCW, Bob Mikulak, called on some technical issues and the bad Syria to speed up the process under weather has slowed up the process.” tighter outside monitoring. An OPCW Syria joined the OPCW after a sarin fact finding mission has been investigat- gas attack killed more than 1,000 people ing the use of chlorine bombs, which ANKARA: Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presides over a cabinet meeting at the presidential palace yesterday. — AFP in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta on have killed and injured dozens of people Aug 21, 2013, prompting threats of mili- in Syrian villages in violation of the tary intervention by the United States, Chemical Weapons Convention and UN which blamed President Bashar Al- Security Council resolutions on Syria. Erdogan chairs cabinet for Assad’s government. Assad’s govern- Syria denies allegations by Western gov- ment and rebels blamed each other. US ernments that it withheld part of its chemi- President Barack Obama called off mili- cal weapons stockpile. Western diplomats the first time as president tary action against Damascus after Syria said Syria has failed to provide any docu- agreed to destroy its chemical stockpiles. mentation about the chemical weapons A year later the United States began a program, which was built up over decades Move seen as turning point bombing campaign against Islamic State and produced mass quantities of toxic militants in Syria with the tacit approval nerve agents for warfare. —Reuters ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip oval table directly facing all the ministers. A key year for Turkey which will in June vote in a Erdogan yesterday chaired a cabinet meeting photo from the meeting depicting a seemingly legislative election where the AKP is seeking a for the first time as head of state, in a move annoyed Davutoglu - looking sidelined with just big majority to write a new constitution that will aimed at cementing his role as Turkey’s undis- a jug of orange juice for company - was widely enshrine Erdogan’s powers as president. Iran subway riders brush puted number one. Erdogan, who took over the circulated on social media. “The picture of “Erdogan’s fait accompli at his new palace is a presidency in August elections after more than Davutoglu brings to mind children whose toy dress rehearsal of the de-facto presidential sys- shoulders with president a decade as premier, hosted the cabinet at his was taken away by their father,” wrote one tem he hopes to impose following the June own hugely controversial presidential palace on Twitter user @Pasha_GS mockingly. 2015 elections,” said Aykan Erdemir, lawmaker of TEHRAN: Rush-hour passengers in the busy “National Clean Air Day”. Rouhani spoke to the outskirts of Ankara. The Turkish president the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). subway of Iran’s capital brushed shoulders male and female passengers on the subway, has the right under the constitution to chair ‘Dress Rehearsal’ with a surprising commuter - President as well as waved to surprised commuters. cabinet meetings, which are usually overseen Analysts saw the meeting as a turning point Controversial Palace Hassan Rouhani. Rouhani, along Foreign He also had time to hug and talk to a young by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. in Turkish politics, symbolising the creation of a Critics say civil and media freedoms have Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and others boy on his trip to work. Greater Tehran has a However Erdogan’s two predecessors in the powerful presidency. Commentator Murat eroded further in Turkey during Erdogan’s half in his government, took the subway and population of 12 million people and suffers presidential job - Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Yetkin said previous examples of a president year as president, which has been marked by an other mass transit in Tehran to work yester- from a score of urban problems, such as Abdullah Gul - performed largely ceremonial chairing a cabinet meeting followed either an all-out-offensive against supporters of his for- day. It was part of their effort to mark heavy pollution. — AP roles and never chaired a government meeting. invitation by a prime minister, or major interna- mer ally-turned-arch foe, US-based cleric The last president to do so was Suleyman tional crises like the gathering called by late Fethullah Gulen. He has also raised eyebrows Demirel, who served as head of state from 1993- president Turgut Ozal for the Gulf war in the with some increasingly outlandish statements, 2000. Erdogan is just the sixth Turkish president 1990s. “Today is different,” he wrote in Hurriyet claiming that Muslims discovered America in the history of the modern republic founded Daily News, saying Davutoglu had simply before Columbus and saying women are not in 1923 to chair a cabinet meeting. Erdogan accepted that “it would be Erdogan who ruled equal to men. transformed Turkey in over a decade as prime the country”. Erdogan’s promotion of a strong presidency minister from 2003 to 2014, winning plaudits for The August elections were the first time a is symbolised by the vast presidential palace speeding up development and growth but also Turkish president, traditionally a ceremonial which opened last year and he says is needed as facing accusations of imposing a creeping role, has been directly elected by the people a symbol of a powerful “new Turkey”, but which Islamisation and authoritarianism on the coun- and Erdogan insisted he now has a popular opponents say is another sign of authoritarian try’s secular democracy. mandate to be an active and powerful leader. In excess. Previously, Turkish presidents from the The closed door-meeting, which was to barely five months in office, Erdogan has trans- founder of the modern republic Mustafa Kemal include presentations by ministers on key formed the role, making clear that the president Ataturk worked in the far more modest Cankaya issues, began just after midday and went on is Turkey’s number one on all the major issues, palace in downtown Ankara. The new palace into the evening. The first official images including foreign policy. has 1,150 rooms and was built at a cost of showed Erdogan sitting at the head of a vast Yesterday’s meeting comes at the start of a around euro490 million ($615 million). — AFP Sisi urges new religious discourse to fight ‘terror’ TEHRAN: Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani talks with people while on a subway train yesterday. — AP ABU DHABI: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi yesterday said the fight against “terror- ism” needs a new Muslim religious discourse Yazidi girl who escaped in addition to security and military measures. “The rise in terrorism... requires a thoughtful searches for relatives response from the international community,” said Sisi told the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. “The fight must not only be DOHUK, Iraq: Adeba Shaker, a 14-year-old displacing thousands of Christians, Shiite restricted to security and military aspects... from Iraq’s minority Yazidi sect, recalled the Shabaks and Turkmen who lived for cen- but should include a reformed religious dis- day when she smiled again for the first time turies in one of the most diverse parts of course from which false ideologies that could since her abduction by Islamic State mili- the Middle East. Hundreds of Yazidi women lure some into adopting violence to impose tants. It was Oct 28, 2014, when she was and girls have been captured, raped and their ideas have been removed,” he said. reunited with her younger sister who had tortured, and forced to convert to Islam Egypt and the United Arab Emirates enjoy also been kidnapped and sold in a market. and marry Islamic State followers, accord- a close relationship and cooperate in various Shaker and 13-year-old Chenar found each ing to rights groups. fields besides military activities. Both govern- other at a camp for internally displaced Shaker was trafficked to the Syrian bor- ments are hostile towards Islamists and have people just outside Dohuk, in northern der and was given as a “gift” to fighters on blacklisted the Muslim Brotherhood, brand- Iraq, where Chenar came after being freed the frontline. She was converted to Islam ing it a “terrorist” organisation. Gulf security is by a Sunni Muslim family who paid to save and forcibly married to one of them. Young “a red line” for Egypt, Sisi said, affirming his her from Islamist fighters. Chenar was sold at the local market. Just country’s unwavering support for efforts by “I can’t describe how I felt, I was so hap- hours before the bidding started, a Sunni the UAE “to preserve its national security” and py,” Shaker told the Thomson Reuters man noticed her. “He said I was too young,” urged “increased” action to “confront all Foundation at the camp. “Now we need to Chenar said. He paid $1,500 for her and attempts to breach the security of Gulf coun- find everybody else.” Sixteen of Shaker’s rel- brought her to his home. “As soon as I tries.” atives are still being held by Islamic State stepped in the house, he allowed me to call The UAE last year jailed a group of 30 fighters who control large swathes of Iraq my family.” Emiratis and Egyptians for terms of three and Syria. They were abducted from their Although she was told she would be months to five years for forming a Muslim ABU DHABI: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi (left) shakes hands with Sheikh Mohammed village in the Yazidi heartland of Sinjar in released, the man told her to be patient. Brotherhood cell. They were part of dozens of bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s deputy commander-in-chief of northwestern Iraq, and separated. “The Daesh (an Arabic acronym used for other Islamists jailed in the UAE since the the armed forces, as Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed Al-Maktoum, who is also vice Islamic State has hounded ethnic and the Islamist group) were watching all our Arab Spring uprisings erupted in 2011, even president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, applauds as he receives the Sheikh religious minorities in northern Iraq since moves, it was a very dangerous situation though the country itself has not seen any Zayed award during the opening of the World Future Energy Summit at the National Exhibition seizing the city of Mosul in June, killing and for everybody,” she said.— Reuters anti-regime movements. — AFP Center (ADNEC) in the Emirati capital yesterday. — AFP TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 INTERNATIONAL

Speechwriters unsung stars of US State of the Union

WASHINGTON: Day after day from between hotels, they live at the pace of ing team until 2011 and highlighted the don’t get a grade and move on to the speeches to a broader audience in 1913. morning to night, a small cadre of word- the president’s hectic schedule. The job president’s taste for good writing. “He is next assignment, you are going to Paradoxically, these moments of sup- smiths searches for the right message, is traditionally discreet, and often a gifted writer and he also has respect rewrite this one again and again.” posed great policy import where the tone and cadence for the US president demanding, given the president’s need for the writing process and understands In their small and exclusive world, country’s president unveils priorities for to speak to the American people. When to speak on breaking news as well as in what that process is like. He is very some figures stand out, including Ted the coming year have rarely yielded his- President Barack Obama delivers his formal settings such as the all-important involved in the writing process from the Sorensen, one of the few writers who toric discourse. State of the Union address today in State of the Union address delivered in very beginning.” got to pen words for President John F But there is at least one notable Congress, it will be the capstone of the heart of Congress. Chief Speechwriter Cody Keenan, the Kennedy. He had an immense asset by exception: The 2002 speech by George weeks of work for a team of White House Presidential aides “should be pos- lead writer on the State of the Union also serving as the president’s special W Bush during which he branded Iraq, speechwriters. “It is a massive undertak- sessed of high competence, great physi- address, has compared the work to counsel and adviser. At Kennedy’s side Iran and North Korea as members of an ing, the process starts really early cal vigor, and a passion for anonymity,” graduate school. “You get a paper daily, Sorensen was in a prime position “axis of evil”. The phrase would become around Thanksgiving,” in late November, according to the 1937 Bronlow assignment, you might pull an all- to understand the president’s thinking emblematic of his polarizing presidency. said Jeff Shesol, a speechwriter for for- Committee report that recommended nighter or come in really early to finish, and worldview. For all his successors, the If the texts are sometimes forgotten, the mer president Bill Clinton who worked sweeping changes to the executive and you hand it in and then you get his question of access to the president, if chief executive’s annual trip to Congress on his 2009 and 2010 State of the Union branch when president Franklin marks back and find out whether he not always easy, is central to the job. remains a solemn moment. speeches. Roosevelt was in power. The job can be likes it or not,” said Keenan, 33. “The Shesol calls it an “incredible ceremo- Clinton demanded a first draft before grueling, but speechwriters know their good thing is he’ll make detailed edits Historic Speech ny” at the packed chamber of the House the Christmas vacation break to prepare time at the White House makes for an when he gets the speech, and he’s gen- The first State of the Union speech of Representatives. The audience is full for this highlight of American political effective launchpad for the rest of their erous with his time - he’ll walk us was delivered in Jan 1790 by George of emotion over a speech that has been life. The White House currently has nine careers in politics or the private sector. through the edits and explain why he Washington. It was only a simple docu- written and rewritten numerous times. speechwriters. A number of them also made them,” he added in an interview ment back then, closer to an administra- “To have played some role in writing the work for First Lady Michelle Obama and ‘Extraordinary Job’ with Harvard University’s John F tive report for Congress than a policy words that the president is saying is a other officials and executive bodies. At “It’s an extraordinary job,” said Adam Kennedy School of Government. The dif- platform. It was Woodrow Wilson who thrill that is hard to describe,” Shesol the White House, aboard Air Force One, Frankel, who was part of Obama’s writ- ference, Shesol noted, “is that you just began the practice of presidential said. —AFP US, Cuba set for historic talks to normalize ties

HAVANA: The United States and Cuba will tank. Cubans have voiced hope that the hold their highest level talks in decades warming ties will translate into improve- tomorrow, ditching decades of Cold War-era ments in their daily lives in a country where hostility to pave the way to reopen supermarket shelves are bare and people embassies and normalize ties. Senior US and make around $20 a month. In the United Cuban officials will meet over two days in States, most Americans approved Obama’s Havana to discuss immigration issues and a move, with a survey released Friday showing roadmap to return ambassadors to each oth- that two-thirds favor lifting the embargo. But er’s nation, more than half a century after full some lawmakers on both sides of the parti- diplomatic relations broke off in 1961. san divide have criticized Obama’s decision, The talks in the Cuban capital come five with Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a weeks after US President Barack Obama and Cuban-American, saying the White House Cuban counterpart Raul Castro simultane- had “conceded everything and gained little” ously made the momentous announcement from the Castro regime. that their countries would seek to normalize The Obama administration already took a ties. Roberta Jacobson, the US assistant sec- major step on Friday when it used executive retary of state for Western Hemisphere powers to loosen some travel and trade affairs, will head the American delegation restrictions. While the move will allow more while the Cubans will be represented by the Americans to visit Cuba and do business with foreign ministry’s director for US affairs, the communist country, the US Congress still Josefina Vidal. As the two nations get closer, has the final say on ending a five-decade-old one person has been noticeably quiet and embargo that has forbidden most commerce absent: The 88-year-old retired leader Fidel and general tourism. For its part, the Cuban Castro has not reacted publicly to the rap- government completed this month the prochement, sparking speculation about his release of 53 political prisoners who were on health. a list provided by the United States.

‘No Sudden Miracles’ Terror Sponsor List The first day of the talks will center on Analysts say this week’s talks will allow migration - an issue that has vexed both the two countries to make progress in prepa- nations for decades, with Cubans hopping on rations to reopen embassies. The two coun- BUENOS AIRES: members of the Argentine Naval Command carry the lifeless body of Argentine prosecutor Alberto Nisman (seen inset) out of rickety boats to traverse 145 km of shark- tries are currently represented by “interests his flat in the trendy Puerto Madero neighbourhood yesterday. — AFP infested waters to reach Florida. Then on sections” without ambassadors. For Cuba, a Thursday, the two sides will discuss the crucial part of the negotiations will be get- process to reestablish diplomatic relations ting its name out of a US blacklist of nations and bring back their embassies. “I think that that sponsor terrorism, which has prevented Prosecutor who accused Jacobson’s visit is, without a doubt, historic the government from qualifying for credit and it will bring changes, but it’s important from international financial institutions. “This to be aware that you can’t expect sudden is not something small, because staying on Fernandez found dead miracles,” said Peter Schechter, Latin America the list bars access from financial institu- analyst at the Atlantic Council, a US think tions,” Schechter said.—AFP Nisman was expected to testify at hearing

BUENOS AIRES: An Argentine prosecutor found accused Iran of being behind the attack and said it “a grave affront to the country’s institutions”. dead just hours before giving what was expect- Kirchner hampered the inquiry to curry favor Bullrich said she’d spoken to Nisman on the ed to be damning testimony against President with the Islamic republic and gain access to its phone on Saturday on three occasions and he Cristina Fernandez appears to have committed oil. The government has categorically denied the said that he had received several threats. suicide, the nation’s top security official said. “All accusations. Nisman had also accused former Elisa Carrio, leader of the Civic Coalition, an signs point to suicide,” said Argentine Security president Carlos Menem (1989-99) of helping opposition party, bluntly called Nisman’s death Secretary Sergio Berni following the death of obstruct an investigation into the bombing, “an assassination”, saying she did not accept that Alberto Nisman, 51, whose body was found which has never been solved. it was a suicide. In 2013, Argentina’s Congress overnight in his apartment in the trendy Puerto Since 2006, Argentine courts have demanded approved, at the request of the executive Madero neighborhood of the capital. the extradition of eight Iranians, including for- branch, an agreement with Tehran to form a Nisman, who accused Fernandez of obstruct- mer president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, former truth commission to investigate the bombing, ing a probe into a 1994 Jewish center bombing, defense minister Ahmad Vahidi and Mohsen consisting of five members from neither was found dead of a gunshot wound just hours Rabbani, Iran’s former cultural attache in Buenos Argentina nor Iran. It also authorized an before he was due to testify at a congressional Aires. Argentina charges that Hezbollah, the Argentine judge to travel to Iran to question the hearing. Officials said a .22-caliber handgun was Lebanese Shiite movement, carried out the former officials accused of involvement. found beside his body, which was discovered by attack under orders from Iran, which Tehran The Jewish center bombing came two years his mother in the bathroom of his 13th floor denies. after an attack against the Israeli embassy in apartment after his security detail was unable to Buenos Aires that killed 29 people. In Jan 2014, MIAMI: Passengers wrap their luggage in layers of plastic - a move to prevent theft contact him. ‘Received Threats’ Argentina accused Israel of concealing informa- and tampering -before boarding a charter flight to Cuba at Miami International Nisman since 2004 had been investigating Nisman had said he had phone recordings tion about the attacks after a former Israeli Airport yesterday.—AP the 1994 van bombing of the building of the that show the Fernandez government and ambassador to Argentina suggested that those Argentine Jewish Charities Federation, or AMIA. Argentine authorities had bowed to Iranian responsible had been killed by Israeli security The bombing left 85 people dead and 300 oth- demands after the Islamic republic dangled forces. Argentina’s Jewish population of about ers injured in the worst attack of its kind in the lucrative commercial contracts. Nisman was sup- 300,000 people is the largest in Latin America. Pope will South American country. Nisman had last week posed to present proof of his allegations that The Security Ministry said Nisman’s security asked for an investigation into possible obstruc- Fernandez and Timerman had a “plan of impuni- guards had alerted his mother on Sunday after- visit LatAm tion by Fernandez and was due to speak at a ty” to “protect the Iranian fugitives”. In addition noon that he was not answering his front door LA PAZ: Francis, the first pon- congressional hearing yesterday to provide evi- to his complaint, Nisman had ordered the freez- or phone, and the Sunday papers were still on tiff from Latin America, will dence of his assertions. He was also expected to ing of assets worth some $23 million of his doorstep. Nisman’s mother found the door to return to the region in July lodge accusations against her foreign minister Fernandez, Timerman and other officials. his apartment locked from the inside and got a when he visits Bolivia, Hector Timerman. Jewish community members had cautiously locksmith to open it. She found her son’s body President Evo Morales said, Anibal Fernandez, secretary general for the welcomed Nisman’s complaint, but also request- on the floor of the bathroom, and called the adding that Paraguay and presidency, said he was “dumbfounded” by ed he make public evidence to back up his police. “Next to Nisman’s body ... a 22-calibre Ecuador are also on the Nisman’s death, saying there was “absolutely assertions. Opposition lawmaker Patricia Bullrich handgun was found, together with a bullet cas- pope’s itinerary. Morales told nothing normal” about it. The prosecutor has said she was shocked by Nisman’s death, calling ing,” the ministry statement said. —Agencies the newspaper La Razon that he communicated directly with the pontiff, who con- firmed his travel plans. “I have Haiti unveils cabinet to fill political vacuum received this message: I will be there in July,” Morales told PORT-AU-PRINCE: Haiti’s leaders unveiled the former premier Laurent Lamothe, Martelly’s had suffered periods of dictatorship and bouts the daily. Morales long has line-up yesterday of a unity government sup- great friend and wealthy ally, who resigned in of violent unrest, and United Nations troops expressed desire for a visit posed to bridge a dangerous political void and December. This fact alone is unlikely to appease have been deployed since 2004. Last year, the from Francis, 78, hoping he put the fragile Caribbean nation back on the the opposition demonstrators, who took to the UN Security Council reduced the size of the might play a role in resolving road to elected government. Haiti has failed to streets again over the weekend to demand mission, which had been beefed up in the wake a longstanding maritime dis- hold elections in three years and parliament’s Martelly step down immediately. Opponents of of the earthquake, but it remains concerned pute with neighboring Chile. mandate expired last week, leaving President the popular singer turned politician accuse him about the situation on the ground. Next week The Argentine pope was Michel Martelly de facto sole leader of the of manipulating the crisis to engineer the col- ambassadors from the 15-nation council will born Jose Bergoglio on Dec country in the face of mounting street protests. lapse of parliament in order to rule by decree - arrive in Port-au-Prince on a fact-finding mis- 17, 1936 in Buenos Aires. Martelly has attempted to calm the situation like Haiti’s former dictators. sion that has become all the more urgent in the Francis formerly served as by naming Evans Paul, a figure from the opposi- In turn, his camp accuses the opposition of current political situation. archbishop of Buenos Aires, tion, as his prime minister and signing a deal to thwarting attempts to hold elections by refus- On Jan 11, Martelly and representatives from where he was known for his hold new elections by the end of this year. But ing to pass a new electoral law that would set several of Haiti’s political movements struck a work in poor communities Paul’s appointment was never ratified by the up and fund a commission to oversee polling. deal to form a consensus government and push and his ardent support of outgoing parliament and his constitutional The international community is increasingly for new elections before the end of the year. A Argentine football club San position appears weak. Nevertheless, yesterday concerned that the crisis will hurt efforts to new nine-member electoral council will be cre- Lorenzo. The announcement he pushed on and named 44 ministers and rebuild Haiti in the wake of the 2010 earth- ated including representatives of the Catholic, about his South America trav- state secretaries. The statement announcing quake and a later cholera epidemic blamed on Protestant and voodoo faiths, as well as farm- el came as Francis yesterday the new cabinet said Paul chose the ministers UN peacekeepers. Haiti was already the poorest ers, women, labor and business groups. The wrapped up a triumphant “in agreement with the president ... in conform- country in the western hemisphere five years accord was welcomed by Haiti’s international visit to the Philippines and Sri ity with the constitution” and it was issued by ago, when the quake devastated the capital partners, including the United States and the Lanka, seeking to promote Martelly’s presidential office. and surrounding region and left more than European Union, but was never formally the Catholic Church in one of Most of the ministers in the new line-up are 300,000 people dead. approved by the outgoing Haitian parliament its most important growth reshuffled holdovers from the government of Before that, this nation of around 10 million before it expired. —AFP regions. —AFP p10 2_Layout 1 1/19/15 9:07 PM Page 1

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 INTERNATIONAL UK plea to imams draws charge of Islamophobia

LONDON: Muslim groups accused the are inherently apart from British society?,” British government of copying the lan- said Khan. Mohammed Shafiq, chief execu- guage of the far right yesterday and of stok- tive of the Ramadhan Foundation, said the ing Islamophobia after ministers wrote to letter was patronizing, factually incorrect, imams asking them to explain to Muslims and “typical of the Government only look- how Islam is compatible with being British. ing at Muslims through the prism of terror- In a letter to over 1,000 imams last Friday, ism and security.” Britain’s 2.8 million Eric Pickles, the minister for local govern- Muslims have been mostly praised by politi- ment and communities, asked them to cians for peacefully condemning the Paris explain to Muslims how Islam can be “part shootings, though Sajid Javid, the most sen- of British identity”, arguing they had a duty ior Muslim in government, has said Muslims to do more to fight extremism and root out have “a special burden” to track down anyone preaching hatred. extremists. In the letter, Pickles said imams Muslim groups said the letter unfairly needed to help the government do some- singled them out. “The letter has all the hall- thing it couldn’t achieve on its own. “You marks of very poor judgment which feeds have a precious opportunity, and an into an Islamophobic narrative, which feeds important responsibility: in explaining and into a narrative of us and them,” Tahla demonstrating how faith in Islam can be Ahmad of the Muslim Council of Britain part of British identity,” the letter read. “We (MCB) told Sky News. The row, which under- must show our young people, who may be scores tensions between the government targeted, that extremists have nothing to and Muslims, comes as security forces warn offer them ... show them these men of an attack on Britain by Islamist militants is hate have no place in our mosques or any highly likely. Jews and Muslims say they are place of worship.” Prime Minister David fearful, for different reasons, after the Cameron defended the letter, saying he Charlie Hebdo shootings in Paris. agreed with its message. “Anyone frankly Harun Khan, deputy secretary general of reading this letter who has a problem with the MCB, said his organization would be it, I think really has a problem,” he said. “I writing to the government to complain. “Is think it’s the most reasonable, sensible, Mr Pickles seriously suggesting, as do mem- moderate letter that Eric could possibly GROZNY: Arial view of a protest rally in downtown regional capital of Grozny yesterday. Protesters have gathered in the Russian region of bers of the far right, that Muslims and Islam have written.” —Reuters Chechnya to rally against the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Chechen central Mosque is at right. —AP Shelling hits Ukraine hospital, EU seeks anti-terror help Kiev alleges Russian incursion DONETSK, Ukraine: Sporadic shelling hit a tions. An army spokesman told AFP that from Muslim countries hospital in Donetsk and shook other parts the counter-offensive had accomplished its of the region yesterday while Ukraine goal. “It’s much more calm today,” said alleged that hundreds of Russian troops Vladislav Selezyov. “Our soldiers had a con- crossed the border to help rebels fighting cise task: Push back the rebels who were Mammoth rally in Grozny against cartoons for control of the country’s east. attacking us. The 93rd airport brigade Ukraine’s fresh charges of Russia back- accomplished it. The separatists can no BRUSSELS: EU foreign ministers called yesterday Europe on alert itself embroiled in a damaging spat over a letter ing the rebels comes after each side longer fire on our positions at close range.” for an alliance with Muslim countries to fight the Europe is on high alert after three French sent to British imams with its call for community blamed the other for a complete break- growing Islamist militant threat as anger over gunmen killed 17 people at the Charlie Hebdo leaders to do more to root out extremism. down of a September truce in recent days, UN Security Council to meet the Charlie Hebdo cartoons fed fresh protests satirical magazine and a Jewish supermarket in with heavy combat having rocked the area With rebels at one point claiming to and violence. Foreign policy head Federica Paris earlier this month, claiming they were act- Belgium seeks mastermind around Donetsk airport. Despite the spo- control the airport, Ukraine launched a Mogherini met Arab League chief Nabil Al-Arabi ing on behalf of Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State Belgian authorities meanwhile were still radic explosions yesterday, the overall vio- massive counter-offensive with tanks and to urge better cooperation in the wake of last group. Two suspected militants were also killed hunting for Abdelhamid Abaaoud, considered lence was far less than in previous days, other heavy artillery on Saturday that con- week’s deadly Paris attacks and anti-terrorism in a police raid in Belgium on Thursday. the brains behind an Islamist cell plotting to kill when heavy clashes rocked the area tinued into Sunday. Intense clashes fol- raids in Belgium. Many of the ministers will meet again on Belgian police that was broken up last week. around the airport northwest of the city lowed, with repeated heavy explosions On the other side of a widening divide, hun- Thursday in London when US Secretary of State Greek prosecutors will consider a Beglian extra- after Ukraine launched a major counter- ringing out from the area surrounding the dreds of thousands of people rallied in Russia’s John Kerry co-hosts talks with some 20 coun- dition request for a suspect arrested in Athens offensive to push back the rebels. airport, while some were also heard closer Chechnya while dozens of churches were tries, including Arab states. The EU meeting yes- on Saturday who could be linked to the cell. The hospital hit yesterday is located in to the city centre. A recent upsurge in vio- torched in Niger during protests over the publi- terday was to prepare for a special European In Germany, police banned a rally by the anti- the centre of the city, and rebel officials lence in eastern Ukraine has been centred cation of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) carica- summit on February 12 dedicated to fighting Islamic PEGIDA movement in the eastern city of who control the area reported six wounded around Donetsk airport and has left in tat- tures. In jittery Brussels, where Belgian troops terrorism. Dresden after a reported threat from IS on the including one doctor and five patients. The ters an often violated September truce, guarded the EU headquarters and other sensi- But so far many EU states have been reluctant movement’s leader Lutz Bachmann. building’s front was damaged and windows which was followed by another accord in tive buildings, ministers were discussing how to to open up their intelligence networks to any- Denmark was due yesterday to host its first were blown out. December. prevent battle-hardened jihadis returning home one except their most trusted allies for fear of march by PEGIDA, whose rallies have spread rap- A university across from the hospital Kiev and Moscow traded blame for the from the Syria and Iraq. harmful leaks, let alone with the Arab world. idly since they started in October. But in the was also hit. breakdown of the ceasefire as the airport “Terrorism and terrorist attacks are targeting Efforts to push through a system for exchanging Muslim world anger still raged at the publication “I walked out of a store and took two battle raged, while UN Secretary General most of all Muslims in the world so we need an air passenger information which many states say of a new Prophet Mohammed cartoon on the steps, then I heard ‘boom! boom! boom!’” Ban Ki-moon voiced alarm and called for an alliance,” Mogherini told reporters. would help track suspected militants have also front of Charlie Hebdo’s comeback issue last said 35-year-old Denis Rybkine. “By reflex, I immediate end to the violence. Ukraine “We need to strengthen our way of cooperat- been held up by a skeptical European week. Russia’s interior ministry claimed 800,000 lay down on the ground, and I saw red and Western nations say Russia has sup- ing together, first of all with Arab countries but Parliament. people had flooded into Grozny, the capital of bricks (from the hospital) fly and windows ported the rebels with troops and also internally. The threat is not only the one we German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter the Muslim province of Chechnya-three-quarters explode.” weapons, charges Moscow strongly denies faced in Paris but also spreading in many other Steinmeier said however in Brussels that the of the republic’s population-to demonstrate. “We Larissa Polyakova said students at the despite witness claims to the contrary. parts of the world.” Al-Arabi, the Arab League Paris attacks had “changed Europe and the say firmly that we will never allow anyone to go university barely missed being hit. “Shells Kiev issued further accusations yester- secretary general, added that “every country in world”, calling for “possibly increased exchanges unpunished for insulting the name of the fell on the window,” she said. “Miraculously, day, saying some 700 Russian troops had the world is suffering from terrorism.” with Muslim countries.” His British counterpart Prophet and our religion,” strongman leader the students had left the room 15 minutes crossed the border into rebel-held territory “It is not just a military or security issue, it Philip Hammond made the same point and Ramzan Kadyrov told the crowd. In Niger, 45 before. Can you imagine what would have earlier in the day. “This morning, two covers the intellectual, cultural, media and reli- pressed the need for progress on the passenger churches were torched over the weekend and happened if they were still inside?” groups of armed forces from the Russian gious spheres and that is what we are trying to data system. five people killed in protests against the car- Elsewhere, in Debaltseve some 60 kilo- Federation crossed the border,” Lysenko get,” he said. In London, however, the government found toons.— AFP meters (around 40 miles) north of Donetsk, said. Russia is under heavy sanctions from artillery fire killed three people yesterday the West over its alleged actions in Ukraine, and wounded 12. Ukraine’s military report- and the UN Security Council is due to dis- ed at least three soldiers killed over the last cuss the worsening crisis at a meeting German anti-Islam group vows 24 hours and another 66 wounded, but tomorrow. claimed to be in control of the airport. The conflict has killed more than 4,800 “We are not giving them the airport,” people since April last year and has said military spokesman Andriy Lysenko. “It become Europe’s worst humanitarian crisis that it won’t be silenced is under our control.” Rebels have disputed since the Balkan wars of the 1990s. Kiev’s account and there was no independ- Thousands of people held a common DRESDEN: A German group protesting what it In neighboring Denmark, a group using the Nacional have been trying to organize a protest ent confirmation, with journalists unable to prayer and peace march on Sunday in the calls “the Islamization of the West” vowed yester- PEGIDA name planned to go ahead with its first march in front of Madrid’s largest mosque. But approach the site. capital Kiev attended by President Petro day that it won’t be silenced after its weekly rally march in Copenhagen yesterday. Organizers say the regional office of the Spanish Interior The blackened and wrecked airport has Poroshenko, who vowed the country was canceled following an alleged terrorist they expect up to 500 people, and police said Ministry banned the latest request for a protest been hit by repeated on-off clashes, and would not yield to rebels he says have threat against one of its organizers. they will closely monitor the demonstrations but this Friday, saying such a march “could pose a control has often been divided between a been backed by Russian troops and The planned demonstration in Dresden by declined to give any details. serious risk to public security.” Associated Press new and old terminal and other installa- weapons. —AFP PEGIDA, or Patriotic Europeans against the In Spain, a group using the PEGIDA name writer Geir Moulson contributed to this report Islamization of the West, was scrapped and local and a small far-right group called Alianza from Berlin. —AP police banned all rallies yesterday after being informed of a call for attackers to kill Lutz Bachmann, PEGIDA’s best-known figure. Yesterday’s cancellation “doesn’t mean that we’ll let ourselves be gagged ... (or) deprived of the right to freedom of assembly and opinion,” co- organizer Kathrin Oertel said at a news confer- ence. Bachmann said a demonstration is planned for next week. About 25,000 people attended last week’s PEGIDA demonstration in Dresden, police esti- mated. Similar groups in other German cities haven’t drawn anywhere near as much support, and there have been much larger demonstra- tions against them. While German politicians have alleged that the group is stirring racist sen- timents with its anti-foreigner rhetoric, they have also backed its right to hold protests. “As chancellor, regardless of whether I like the con- tents, I have an immediate interest in ensuring that there can be demonstrations in every place in Germany, because it is a fundamental right,” Chancellor Angela Merkel said in Berlin. “The great majority in Germany rejects PEGI- DA and has taken to the streets against PEGIDA in recent weeks,” said German Justice Minister Heiko Maas, a sharp critic of the Dresden rallies. KIEV: Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (left) shaking hands with Polish Prime “That must continue to be possible, even if there DRESDEN: Organizer Lutz Bachmann (left) and co-organizer Kathrin Oertel attend a news Minister Ewa Kopacz prior to their talks in Kiev. Kopacz is in Ukraine for a one-day were certainly good reasons for the individual conference of the group ‘Patriotic Europeans against the Islamization of the West’ (PEGIDA) in working visit. — AFP decision by security authorities in Dresden.” Dresden yesterday.—AP

Kenya police tear-gas school kids in demo over playground

NAIROBI: Kenyan police yesterday tear- acquired by a private developer said to showed children, some being carried violent, Arachi said. He said five people cian Eliud Owalo said last week that the gassed schoolchildren demonstrating be a powerful politician, said Boniface away, writhing in pain, screaming and have been arrested; three for vandalism playground had been grabbed to con- against the removal of their school’s Mwangi. Primary school children in choking because of the tear-gas. Police and two for incitement. “We will never struct a parking lot for the politician’s playground, which has been allegedly Kenya are usually between six and 14 officers later brought dogs to the play- allow officers to use force not only on hotel adjacent to the school. grabbed by a powerful politician, said a years of age. “The governor, the senator ground. any citizen more so on children whether “This is brutality beyond words and Kenyan human rights activist. and other government officials are all Acting police chief Samuel Arachi in a demonstration or otherwise,” he greed beyond description. It is difficult The students from Langata Road scared of the politician, they cannot do said he had suspended the police officer said. to believe that police can actually Primary School were in the front line of anything to stop the playground from who was in charge at the scene of the Elijah Mwangi, who was in charge of deploy against primary school children people pulling down a wall erected the being taken,” Mwangi said. Television protest. In such an incident tear gas is the police officers at the school, said he and lob tear gas at them to defend a around the playground which has been footage not used because the protests were not was following orders. Opposition politi- land grabber. —AP TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 INTERNATIONAL Bangladesh arrests 4 suspected IS men

DHAKA: Bangladeshi police arrested four remains unclear whether militants organ- Nazmul Alam, deputy police commission- ly available for comment. Alam said Kabir versial elections last January, have arrest- suspected members of Islamic State in izing under the Islamic State name in the er with Dhaka’s detective and criminal told police while under interrogation that ed eight people for suspected involve- the capital, Dhaka, yesterday, including a region are acting on their own or as part intelligence division, told reporters. the cell he ran from Dhaka was planning ment with Islamic State in the past year. regional coordinator for the militant of a centralized initiative coming out of The suspected coordinator, whom to collect funds and weapons for attacks “Of course this is a growing concern, group who told police they had been the Middle East. police identified as Mohammad on Bangladesh government targets. “The particularly at a time when the country trained in Pakistan. Reports of the grow- “We arrested them in the city early on Sakhawatul Kabir, told police that he and aim of the attacks was to establish a has been experiencing a politically unsta- ing influence of Islamic State, which con- Monday, carrying a huge number of the other three men had received training caliphate state in Bangladesh,” Alam said. ble situation,” said Sakhawat Hussain, a trols territory in Syria and Iraq, have raised leaflets related to militancy for training, a in Pakistan, Alam said. Police in Bangladesh, which has been in retired army brigadier and a security ana- alarm bells across South Asia, though it laptop and other materials,” Shaikh The Pakistan army was not immediate- the throes of a political crisis since contro- lyst in Dhaka. — Reuters US drone strike kills 4 militants in Pakistan DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan: A US drone drone strikes as an infringements of its sov- strike killed at least four suspected mili- ereignty. But many say the military has giv- tants in northwest Pakistan yesterday, four en its tacit acceptance, pointing to a six- intelligence officials said, the fourth such month halt in strikes last year while the strike this year. Two missiles hit a com- government tried to negotiate peace with pound in the Shahi Khel area of Shawal the Taliban. Valley in North Waziristan, near the border Strikes resumed in June, days before with Afghanistan, the officials said. the military launched an anti-Taleban “Through our local sources and inter- operation in North Waziristan. US officials cepts, (we know) a drone fired two missiles do not publicly speak about individual at a compound in the Shawal area and strikes. Drone strikes in Pakistan have killed four militants. The number of dead been gradually decreasing from a high in may go up,” an intelligence official told 2010, when there were 128. Last year, 25 Reuters. The attack came a month after 134 attacks in Pakistan killed up to 186 people, school children were killed by Taliban insur- possibly including two civilians, according gents, the worst single assault in the coun- to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, try’s history. which tracks drone strike using media Pakistan often publicly denounces reports. — Reuters

Sri Lanka bans judge from conference over coup claim COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s attorney general under the previous administration. The barred the country’s chief justice from remarks by China’s Foreign Ministry come attending a regional conference yester- two days after a junior Sri Lankan minister day after allegations he tried to help the said President Maithripala Sirisena’s gov- former president retain power illegally. ernment would look at benchmarks for Chief Justice Mohan Peiris is under grow- Chinese infrastructure costs using inde- ing pressure to stand down after he was pendent audit firms. DHAKA: A cycle rickshaw puller ferries schoolchildren past the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) office after police ended the con- implicated in an alleged coup attempt by That move is bound to please Indian finement of opposition leader Khaleda Zia and its personnel withdrawn from the premises’ vicinity, in Dhaka yesterday. — AFP former president Mahinda Rajapakse, and Western powers concerned about who lost power in an election earlier this Beijing’s access in the island state. Chinese month. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei Sri Lanka’s bar association had threat- said cooperation between China and Sri Dhaka ends confinement ened to boycott the Conference of Lanka was “based on mutual benefit and Attorneys General, held in Colombo on in the common interests” of the two sides. Monday, if he attended. “We have a writ- “We hope and believe that the rele- ten confirmation from the AG (attorney vant cooperation between China and Sri of opposition leader Zia general) that the chief justice (Peiris) was Lanka can further press ahead with a de-invited,” the head of the bar associa- healthy and stable development,” Hong tion Upul Jayasuriya told AFP. told reporters. On Friday, Sri Lanka said it “We said we will walk out if Mohan would review a $1.5 billion port deal with BNP vows to continue transport blockade Peiris is present, and that would have China Communication Construction Co DHAKA: Bangladesh yesterday ended its con- The blockade has seen opposition activists posed, handing Hasina another five years in been a big embarrassment.” Ltd over concerns about the Chinese finement of opposition leader Khaleda Zia after firebomb buses, cars and lorries across the coun- power. Zia has also demanded the release of Rajapakse appointed Peiris after company getting land on a freehold basis a surge in political violence left 27 people dead, try, while police have retaliated by firing bullets opposition officials and leaders detained in a impeaching the previous chief justice in a high-security zone. That port project but her party vowed to continue a nationwide and tear gas. “The BNP-led 20-party opposition crackdown against the latest violence. The BNP Shirani Bandaranayake when her rulings had been of particular concern for India, transport blockade. Zia had been barred from alliance’s transport blockade will continue until says at least 2,000 of its activists have been went against his administration. New the destination for the majority of the leaving her office for the last 16 days to prevent the government agrees to our demand,” said arrested. On Monday police arrested Nadim President Maithripala Sirisena, who was transshipment cargo through Colombo. her from spearheading protests aimed at top- party spokesman Sayrul Kabir Khan. Mostofa, a BNP leader in the northwestern city sworn in on January 9, has vowed to Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, pling her arch-rival, Prime Minister Sheikh “At the moment, there is no security outside of Rajshahi. As part of the crackdown, authori- restore Bandaranayake to the role. who was unseated on Jan 8, heavily Hasina. her office,” Khan added. The blockade has hit the ties have blocked smartphone messaging serv- Police have opened a criminal investi- depended on China for infrastructure in Police stationed outside Zia’s office in Dhaka’s impoverished nation’s economy hard, with ship- ices Viber and Tango to prevent protesters from gation into claims that the defeated the wake of a devastating civil war. He upmarket Gulshan district were stood down yes- ments of garments from its thousands of facto- coordinating attacks.Hasina has accused bitter strongman Rajapakse tried to use military has borrowed over $6 billion for mega terday, while two police vans and a water can- ries disrupted. Bangladesh is the world’s second rival Zia of trying to trigger “anarchy” and force to stay in power. There was no projects since the end of a 26-year con- non parked outside were removed. largest garment exporter after China. ordered the security agencies to hunt down the immediate comment from the chief jus- flict in May 2009. Opponents during the “We’ve withdrawn the additional security Transport operators estimate they are losing protesters behind the firebombings. — AFP tice, who was with the president as the election campaign last month said many from her office after midnight,” local police chief $26 million a day, while millions of dollars worth Facing relentless opposition protests, Hasina’s elections results began to emerge and is of the projects financed with Chinese Rafiqul Islam said, adding that the former two- of crops have rotted in the fields. A total of 238 government has also threatened to bring mur- accused of trying to legitimize a state of loans were over-priced, an allegation time premier was now free to leave. vehicles have been torched since January 4 and der charges against Zia for inciting violence. emergency. that helped Sirisena to victory. Harsha The siege at her office sparked a renewed another 307 damaged, according to Bengali dai- Hasina and Zia, who have between them ruled De Silva, deputy minister for Policy upsurge in political unrest around the country ly Prothom Alo. Bangladesh for most of the last three decades, China hopeful Planning and Economic Affairs, said on that left 27 people dead and hundreds injured. Zia wants Hasina to call fresh polls after last have a notoriously poisonous relationship. Meanwhile, China said yesterday it Saturday that China had already started Zia’s opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party year’s controversial general election, which was The United States, Britain and the European hoped for continued “cooperation” with to discuss the issues “at the highest level (BNP) confirmed the security had been removed boycotted by opposition parties on the grounds Union have expressed concern over the unrest. Sri Lanka despite a pledge by the new of the government” and the new gov- but vowed yesterday to push ahead with the it would be rigged and was marred by deadly The EU, the nation’s biggest export destination, government in Colombo to review ernment would work on a project by transport blockade which she called during her violence. The boycott meant most members of has urged Hasina’s government and the opposi- Chinese infrastructure projects awarded project basis. — Agencies confinement. the 300-seat parliament were returned unop- tion to hold talks to resolve the crisis. — AFP

Myanmar peace process in rebel hands: Army chief Indian police arrest 9 after

YANGON: Myanmar’s army chief said peace in whose troops have engaged in sporadic heavy the peace process continues to stumble on ‘Muslim men’ burnt alive the war-ravaged nation is in the hands of ethnic fighting with rebels from the Kachin decades-old mistrust and the Kachin conflict. NEW DELHI: Police have arrested nine people state capital Patna, after he disappeared days rebels, in an interview broadcast yesterday, as a Independence Army (KIA), despite ongoing Activists say hundreds of people have been after a mob torched a house and burnt to earlier. A mob armed with sticks and other fresh surge in unrest in northern Kachin state efforts to reach a nationwide ceasefire. caught up in clashes since last week around death three men thought to be Muslims in an sharp weapons attacked the house of one of casts doubt over ceasefire efforts. Tensions in Kachin, where a 17-year ceasefire Kachin’s Hpakant township, a jade-rich area outbreak of communal violence in northern the people suspected by Kumar’s family of kid- Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said peace between rebels and the government splintered near the border with China, which officials have India, an official said yesterday. napping and murdering him, police said. was the “only path” if the country is to continue in 2011, have overshadowed efforts to call an blamed on the KIA. “There are so many reasons Police in riot gear were patrolling a village Rioters set his house on fire, killing three resi- its democratization and development, in a rare end to the multiple civil wars in Myanmar’s eth- to believe that elements within the KIA who do where Sunday’s hours-long rampage and dents, thought to belong to the Muslim com- interview with Singapore’s Channel NewsAsia. nic minority borderlands that have blighted the not want peace have intentionally tried to dis- attack occurred in Bihar state, with tensions still munity and injuring two others. “Do they really want peace? If they really country for more than half a century. turb the nationwide ceasefire accord process,” high between the majority Hindu and minority Police said 10 adjoining houses were also want peace, there is no reason that they cannot Reaching a nationwide ceasefire deal with Information Minister Ye Htut said in a post on Muslim communities. gutted and 15 vehicles damaged in the vio- have it,” he said, referring to the country’s many some 16 rebel groups is seen as a cornerstone his Facebook page. The attack was triggered by the discovery of lence, which lasted for four hours on Sunday ethnic minority armed groups who have fought of reforms by Myanmar’s quasi-civilian govern- The latest unrest was sparked on January 15 the body of a teenage Hindu boy, allegedly morning. Couples from different religions in for greater autonomy for decades. “We cannot ment, which replaced outright junta rule in with the brief abduction of the Kachin state murdered by family members of a Muslim girl India are often targeted by their families and keep disagreeing. Disagreeing hinders the 2011. But while the government has pinned its transport minister, who was later released, and who objected to the pair’s suspected relation- community members for supposedly bringing country’s development,” added the army chief, hopes on reaching an agreement within weeks, three policemen believed still to be held. ship. “We have identified the attackers and nine “dishonor”, sometimes resulting in confronta- Several attempted bomb attacks on security accused have been arrested,” said Paras Nath, tions and even deadly violence and full-scale forces and mining firms have been reported in inspector general of police in Muzaffarpur dis- riots. Critics say Hindu hardline groups have recent days in the area, according to the state- trict. “The hunt is on for others. Three persons become more emboldened since the Bharatiya backed Global New Light of Myanmar newspa- were burnt alive,” Nath said. “One accused in Janata Party stormed to power at elections in the murder of the teenage boy has also been May. Alongside the 80 percent Hindu majority, per on Monday, although most were unsuc- arrested,” he added. Muslims make up 13.4 percent of India’s 1.2 bil- cessful. Local activists said a consortium of reli- The body of 19-year-old Bhartendu Kumar lion population, with Christians, Buddhists, gious and civil society groups had sent some was discovered Saturday in his native village of Sikhs and other religions accounting for the 200 cars to try and remove civilians from the Saraiya, 102 kilometers (64 miles) from the rest. — AFP area but had been prevented from getting through to the village by the national army. Tsa Ji, director of Kachin Development Networking Group, told AFP that schools were closed and fear had spread through the area. “The villagers want to get out. They are afraid just seeing (Myanmar) soldiers in uniform. There is no safety for women,” he said, referring to long-standing claims of serious human rights abuses by Myanmar’s armed forces. He said he believed the fighting in the area was directly linked to the lucrative mining industry. The control of plentiful resources is a major source of resentment in Myanmar’s ethnic minority border areas. Some 98,000 people YANGON: A slightly intoxicated street child following glue-sniffing sits in the foreground of a have been forced from their homes by the garbage dump in Hlaing Tharyar, northwest of Yangon, Myanmar. Since the lifting of Western fighting in Kachin and northern areas of neigh- sanctions, more than 500 foreign businesses have invested $50 billion in Myanmar. But as boring Shan state, according to the United MUZZAFARPUR: Burnt wreckage of vehicles, set on fire by a rioting mob, are seen in poor families move from rural areas to the big city in hopes of finding work, many find them- Nations, which has struggled to reach tens of front of a charred house at Sareya village in Muzaffarpur district of India’s northern selves struggling to get by. — AP thousands of those affected. — AFP Bihar state yesterday. — AFP INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 Pope wraps up record-setting Asia tour

MANILA: Masses of cheering believers in the would allow children to become prostitutes. He Philippines turned out to bid farewell to Pope said superficial compassion for the poor shown by Francis yesterday, a fitting end to a week in Asia many in the world, which amounts to just giving that saw him draw record crowds and campaign alms, was not enough. “If Christ had that kind of relentlessly for the poor. The pontiff visited Sri compassion, he would have just walked by, greeted Lanka as well as the Philippines on his second trip three people, given them something and moved to Asia in five months, seeking to promote the on,” he said. The pope said the main reason for visit- Catholic Church in one of its most important ing the Philippines was to meet survivors of Super growth regions. Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest storm ever recorded More than one million people gathered along on land which hit the country in November 2013, his motorcade route in the Philippine capital of leaving more than 7,350 people dead or missing. Manila yesterday morning for a final glimpse of He flew on Saturday morning from Manila to Francis, the city’s planning agency chief, Francis Leyte island, ground zero for the typhoon, and cel- Tolentino, said. The 78-year-old pontiff showed no ebrated a deeply emotional mass with 200,000 sur- signs of fatigue from a gruelling week on the road, vivors. “Some of you have lost part of your families. smiling and waving to the crowds from an open-air All I can do is keep silent. And I walk with you all “popemobile” on the way to the airport. with my silent heart,” he said. President Benigno Aquino then led a red-carpet Francis had planned to spend a full day in com- farewell on the tarmac, as children sang and munities where homes were flattened by monster danced, before the pope gave a final wave to the winds and tsunami-like ocean surges, but was Philippines and boarded his plane to return home. forced to return at lunchtime to Manila to avoid Sunday saw one of the highlights of his Asian another tropical storm. journey, with six million people turning out in Still, he was deeply moved by his shortened visit Manila as he celebrated mass-a world record for a to the typhoon areas and felt privileged to have papal gathering. made the trip, Cardinal Tagle told reporters. Shortly The Philippines is famed as the Catholic Church’s after the pope left, Tagle said the pontiff’s message bastion in Asia, with 80 percent of the former MANILA: Pope Francis (center) meeting the faithful at an event at a university in Manila. Pope during the trip was clear. “The centrality of love for Spanish colony’s 100 million people following the Francis celebrated mass with millions of singing and cheering Catholics in the Philippine capital on the poor. The centrality of appreciating children Sunday in one of the world’s biggest outpourings of papal devotion. — AFP faith. But even the pope was stunned at the size of who are helpless. How do we face the inequalities,” the crowd, which surpassed the previous world Throughout his stay in the Philippines-where a something to end the nation’s “scandalous social Tagle said. The pope began his Asian tour with two record of five million set during a mass by John quarter of the population lives on 60 US cents a inequalities”. days in Sri Lanka, where he canonised the country’s Paul II at the same venue in 1995. “I cannot fathom day or less-the pope spoke out against the forces first saint in front of another record crowd. the faith of the simple people,” Francis said, accord- that entrench poverty. Compassion Police said a million people in the majority ing to the archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Luis In a speech at the presidential palace, the leader He again implored people to do more to eradi- Buddhist nation turned out for the event, making it Antonio Tagle, who acted as the pontiff’s chaper- of the Catholic Church lectured the nation’s elite, cate poverty, after an emotional encounter in the biggest public celebration ever for the capital one during his five days in the Philippines. calling on political leaders to show integrity and do Manila with a 12-year-old girl who asked why God of Colombo. — AFP

Australia to recall ambassador if Indonesia executes ‘Bali 9’ pair

SYDNEY: Australia could recall its ambassador were also among the five foreigners and one to Indonesia if Jakarta executes two Australian Indonesian executed at the weekend. It was citizens convicted of drug trafficking, Foreign not immediately clear when the executions of Minister Julie Bishop said yesterday, further the Bali Nine members might take place, or straining fragile relations between the two when Indonesia might hold its next round of neighbors. executions. Indonesia resumed executions in Brazil and the Netherlands withdrew their 2013 after a five-year gap. ambassadors from Indonesia, which has some Australia and Indonesia have a long history of the strictest drug trafficking laws in the of diplomatic tensions, which have periodically world, after two of their citizens were among complicated cooperation on regional issues six people executed for drugs offences at the including people smuggling and intelligence. weekend. Australia has been seeking clemency Indonesia recalled its envoy and froze military for the two members of the so-called Bali Nine, and intelligence cooperation in 2013 after who were arrested in 2005 on charges of smug- reports that Canberra had spied on top gling heroin into Australia, but Bishop said Indonesian officials, including former president Indonesia had not been receptive to its pleas. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s wife. Asked if Australia would follow Brazil and Full diplomatic cooperation was restored in the Netherlands in withdrawing its ambassador May last year. The case of the Bali Nine, who from Jakarta if the executions of the two Bali were found guilty of attempting to smuggle Nine members went ahead, Bishop said she more than 8 kg (18 lb) of heroin, has enormous would not rule it out. “I won’t ... speculate as to resonance as a domestic political issue in SURABAYA: Members of the National Search and Rescue Agency carry coffins containing bodies of the victims aboard AirAsia Flight 8501 to transfer to what would happen should the Indonesian Australia. Bali is a popular tourist destination for Surabaya at the airport in Pangkalan Bun yesterday. — AP government carry through its threat to execute Australians, who are broadly opposed to the Australians. What we will continue to do at this death penalty, especially in a case involving point is make representations where we can, young people who are viewed to have made a how we can,” she told Sky News. tragic youthful mistake. Sentences in the case No evidence so far of Citizens from Vietnam, Nigeria and Malawi ranged from 15 years’ jail to death. — Reuters terrorism in jet crash Initial report on AirAsia crash later in January

JAKARTA: Indonesian investigators said yesterday can eliminate the possibility of terrorism.” what was said in the cockpit, said Hananto, who has they had found no evidence so far that terrorism been an air safety investigator since 2009. played a part in the crash of an AirAsia passenger jet Explosion also unlikely The first half of the two-hour long cockpit voice last month that killed all 162 people on board. Utomo said that investigators could hear “almost recording has been transcribed. That includes audio Andreas Hananto told Reuters that his team of 10 everything” on the recording contained in one of the from the previous flight and the beginning of Flight investigators at the National Transportation Safety flight’s two “black boxes”. The other is the flight data QZ8501, which crashed around 40 minutes after Committee (NTSC) had found “no threats” in the recorder, and both have been recovered from the takeoff. The team, which is working with French, cockpit voice recordings to indicate foul play during wreckage at the bottom of the Java Sea. He declined Singaporean and Chinese air safety investigators, AirAsia Flight QZ8501. The Airbus A320-200 van- to give details about what was said during the hopes to finish transcribing the recording this week, ished from radar screens on Dec. 28, less than doomed flight’s final moments, citing Indonesian Hananto said. halfway into a two-hour flight from Indonesia’s sec- law. With seven computers and various audio equip- ond-biggest city of Surabaya to Singapore. There Indonesian authorities have said that bad weath- ment, the small NTSC laboratory dedicated to the SINGAPORE: Former US special representative for North Korean policy Stephen Bosworth were no survivors. er was likely to have played a part in the disaster. AirAsia investigation is split into two rooms; one for (left) delivers his statement during a doorstop briefing to media in Singapore yesterday. When asked if there was any evidence from the According to Hananto, evidence also showed that the cockpit voice recorder and the other for the North Korea yesterday insisted on its proposal for the United States to halt military exer- recording that terrorism was involved, Hananto said: an explosion was unlikely before the plane crashed, flight data recorder. cises with South Korea in exchange for Pyongyang to suspend nuclear tests. — AFP “No. Because if there were terrorism, there would disputing a theory suggested by an official from the Analysis of the flight data recorder would take have been a threat of some kind.” National Search and Rescue Agency last week. longer, Hananto said, because investigators were “In that critical situation, the recording indicates “From the (flight data recordings) so far, it’s examining all 72 previous flights flown by the air- N Korea repeats call for that the pilot was busy with the handling of the unlikely there was an explosion,” Hananto said. “If craft. Investigators hope to finish a preliminary plane.” Investigators said they had listened to the there was, we would definitely know because cer- report on the crash early next week. The full report suspension of US-S Korea drills whole of the recording but transcribed only about tain parameters would show it. There are something could take up to a year, but will not include the half. “We didn’t hear any voice of other persons oth- like 1,200 parameters.” entire cockpit voice transcript. “In Indonesia it SINGAPORE: North Korea yesterday issued a that if (the) United States puts a temporary er than the pilots,” said Nurcahyo Utomo, another The final minutes of the AirAsia flight were full of remains undisclosed,” said Tatang Kurniadi, chief of fresh call for the United States to halt military halt to this large scale joint military exercise... investigator. “We didn’t hear any sounds of gunfire “sounds of machines and sounds of warnings” that the NTSC. “Just some important highlights will be exercises with South Korea if it wants we are ready to respond to the measures by or explosions. For the time being, based on that, we must be filtered out to get a complete transcript of included in the report.” — Reuters Pyongyang to suspend nuclear weapons tests. putting a moratorium on the nuclear tests,” Ri “I wish the US government (will) study our pro- said through an interpreter. posal properly and provide answers to the pro- Indonesia must toughen laws posal,” Ri Yong-Ho, the North’s chief nuclear Military tensions China irked by Japan negotiator, told reporters after two days of The United States, which has close to to combat IS: Think-tank unofficial talks with former US diplomats and 30,000 troops permanently stationed in South comments on border security experts in Singapore. Korea, conducts a series of annual joint mili- dispute with India JAKARTA: Indonesia could help com- report said. There are concerns inter- Stephen Bosworth, the former special tary exercises with its key Asian ally. Seoul and bat the threat of homegrown extrem- nationally about the impending envoy for North Korea policy who led the US Washington insist the drills are defensive in ism by banning its citizens from trav- release from Indonesian jails this year side, stressed that he and his colleagues met nature, but they are regularly condemned by BEIJING: China yesterday lodged a protest with Tokyo after Japanese elling abroad to fight with organiza- and next of 130 inmates convicted of with the North Koreans as private citizens and Pyongyang as provocative rehearsals for inva- media quoted Japan’s foreign minister as saying that a disputed border tions such as the Islamic State group, terrorism offences, a fear exacerbated did not come with any proposals from their sion. The annual exercises habitually raise mili- region between China and India belonged to India, in the latest source of a think-tank said yesterday. by the presence of former prisoners government. “We came here to listen,” he said tary tensions between the two Koreas, who friction between the two Asian rivals. The Jakarta-based Institute for among Indonesia’s IS ranks. after two days of talks with Ri’s delegation at a have remained technically at war since the Japan’s foreign ministry played down the issue, saying it could not con- Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) said Though IPAC found only a luxury hotel in Singapore. 1950-53 Korean War concluded with a cease- firm Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida’s reported remarks. It added new laws banning any involvement minority of the 270 people convicted “We will have discussions when we get fire rather than a peace treaty. that it hoped India and China could resolve their dispute peacefully. with foreign militant groups overseas of terror offences in Indonesian jails back but I would like to emphasize that we are Bosworth said the US side emphasized the Tensions between China and Japan have risen in recent years, fuelled by a were necessary to help stem the flow supported IS, it said some more not representing the US government or carry- need to resume official discussions under the row over a chain of uninhabited islets in the East China Sea. Their relations of fighters from Indonesia to battle- extreme prisoners maintained strong ing any messages or proposals.” The United so-called Six Party Talks process aimed at end- have long been poisoned by what China sees as Japan’s failure to atone for grounds in the Middle East. More links to outside groups and posed a States earlier this month rejected the proposal, ing North Korea’s nuclear program. They its occupation of parts of China before and during World War Two. than 500 Indonesians have gone to serious threat. Indonesia’s most noto- which had been passed to the US side through involve China, the United States, Japan and Japan’s Sankei Shimbun, a conservative daily, quoted Japanese Foreign Syria and Iraq to fight alongside IS rious radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir a “relevant channel”, according to North Korea’s Russia as well as the two Koreas. The process Minister Fumio Kishida as saying in New Delhi on Saturday that Arunachal militants, according to the country’s swore allegiance to IS along with 23 official KCNA news agency. has stalled since 2008 after Pyongyang walked Pradesh that lies on the contested border was “India’s territory”. China dis- counter-terror chief, prompting other inmates at a Java prison in July. US State Department spokeswoman Jen away from the talks. Bosworth also said that putes the entire territory of Arunachal Pradesh, calling it south Tibet, espe- President Joko Widodo to consider Widodo is reportedly considering Psaki described the proposal as an “implicit the recent cyber attack on Hollywood movie cially Tawang, a key site for Tibetan Buddhism. The historic town briefly fell new measures to combat the threat revoking the passports of threat” and accused the North of “inappropri- studio Sony Pictures came up in the discus- into Chinese hands during their 1962 war before Beijing retreated. Kishida’s of homegrown radicalism. Indonesians who have left for Syria, ately” linking routine military exercises sions but gave no further details. reported remarks drew an angry response from China, which called on Indonesia, the world’s most popu- and is exploring other ways of charg- between Washington and Seoul to the possi- US President Barack Obama has author- Tokyo to “understand the sensitivity of the Sino-India boundary issue”. lous Muslim-majority nation, has ing those trying to join IS. bility of a nuclear test. Ri told reporters in ized a new layer of sanctions on several “(We) have lodged solemn representations with Japan and have asked already banned support for IS and its Indonesia has waged a crackdown Singapore that the root cause of tensions on Pyongyang institutions and officials after US Japan to make clarifications and immediately eliminate the negative ideology. But in its latest report, IPAC on extremist groups for more than a the peninsula are large-scale annual military investigators said the North was behind the effects that have resulted from this,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said police efforts to prevent future decade following attacks against exercises involving US and South Korean November attack. North Korea has repeatedly said at a daily news briefing. Hong said that Japan has told China “it will not jihadists from travelling to Syria and Western targets including the 2002 troops. denied involvement. The talks in Singapore intervene” in the border dispute. A Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Iraq would continue to face hurdles Bali bombings-a campaign that has He said the North Koreans provided were held under the so-called “Track 2” diplo- said “the statement was made considering the reality that Arunachal without appropriate legislation. been credited with weakening key “detailed information of the intention and pur- macy process which involves unofficial con- Pradesh state is basically in reality controlled by India and that China and “As long as joining foreign military networks. There are fears that fighters pose” of their government’s offer at the tacts. The countries do not have diplomatic India are continuing negotiations over the border dispute”.—Reuters or terrorist organizations is not a returning from Iraq or Syria could Singapore meeting. “Part of the proposal is ties. — AFP crime, it is difficult to prosecute,” the revive these networks. — AFP NEWS TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015

GROZNY: Chechen Muslims gather in the downtown of the regional capital to take part in a protest rally yesterday against the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. — AP

Fighting shakes Sanaa as Houthis... Bahrain charges oppn chief Continued from Page 1 fatigues. Their bazookas bore ‘Death to America, death to Israel’ signs, which is the Houthis’ sign,” said a hotel worker. Continued from Page 1 that has gripped the kingdom, home to the US Fifth Fleet, The palace is defended by the military’s presidential Widely seen as Iran’s ally in its regional struggle for since 2011. Al-Wefaq has claimed that a man had died protection unit. In the early evening, state news agency influence with Saudi Arabia, the Houthis -now part of Al-Wefaq described Salman’s trial as “political” and said from what it said may have been tear gas inhalation fol- Saba quoted Interior Minister Jalal Al-Roweishan as say- Yemen’s government - said they would “escalate the situ- the authorities had taken out of context his speeches and lowing clashes Saturday between protesters and police in ing a ceasefire had gone into effect. Residents reported ation” if their demands for a fair stake in a new constitu- used them against him. “There is no real case and no legal Salman’s village of Bilad al-Qadim. But the cause of the that the intense artillery and gun battles of earlier in the tion were not met. The Houthis want more rights for the or moral excuse to detain or try” Salman, it said. Salman’s death of the man identified as Abdulazziz Salman Alsaeed day appeared to have tailed off. Tensions between the country’s Zaidi Shiite sect and say they are campaigning arrest sparked condemnation from Iran, the United States remains unclear, with the authorities remaining silent on Houthis and President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi had against corruption. In a move that stunned the Arab and international rights groups. it so far. been growing since Saturday when the Houthis abduct- world, they seized Sanaa in September and advanced Human Rights Watch on Sunday urged Bahrain’s At least 89 people have been killed in clashes with ed his chief of staff, Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, to gain into central and western regions of Yemen, where Sunni Western allies to press the kingdom to release detained security forces since 2011. Hundreds have also been leverage in a bitter dispute over a proposed new consti- Muslims predominate. activists including Salman. The New York-based organisa- arrested and put on trial, rights groups say. Last week, for- tution. A deal signed later that month between political par- tion had said the authorities had failed to present any evi- mer MP Jamil Kazim, an Al-Wefaq member, was sen- But residents were uncertain about the immediate ties and the Houthis called for the formation of a new dence against Salman that would justify his detention. tenced to six months in jail for a tweet over election cause of the violence, which began in the early morning unity government followed by the withdrawal of Houthi And Amnesty International said meanwhile that if con- bribes, referring to November polls which were boycotted with explosions near the palace and the home of the combatants from the capital. The fighters have remained victed, it would consider Salman “a prisoner of con- by his movement. Meanwhile, prominent Shiite activist national security chief. Hadi was believed to have been in place, however. In what he said was an attempt to science”. Nabeel Rajab will stand trial today over tweets deemed at home in another district at the time. Saqqaf said defuse the violence, Saleh Al-Sammad, a Houthi member Washington has expressed concern over Salman’s insulting to public institutions, in an another case that has Houthi fighters later fired on Prime Minister Khaled appointed by Hadi as a political adviser in September, detention, warning it could inflame persistent violence been criticised by rights groups. — AFP Bahah’s motorcade after he left a meeting with Hadi and issued a statement with a list of conditions addressed to a Houthi adviser that had been called to try to resolve bit- the government. Shoot on sight order for Saudi border... ter disagreements over a draft constitution. A Yemeni The conditions include a “fair” and inclusive partner- government spokesman described the shooting at ship with Ansarallah, the political wing of the Houthi Continued from Page 1 arrested seven suspected associates of the four infiltra- Bahah’s armoured convoy as an assassination attempt. movement, and omitting sections of a draft constitution tors. For security reasons, Ghamdi declined to say how Residents said army gunners had shelled a housing that he said violated September’s political agreement. “If Ghamdi said he did not know if the “terrorists” many officers are stationed on the frontier. Last compound used as a Houthi base. Heavy gunfire and the previous agreement is not honoured, there is com- belonged to IS, but they came from the direction of Iraq September, the kingdom inaugurated the first stage of a explosions shook the Hadda district in the diplomatic mitment to escalate the situation ... and it is difficult to and tried to enter through an official crossing in the Arar protective fence and surveillance system stretching for quarter in Sanaa’s south. A Reuters witness saw gunmen undo the escalation, which will come at a big cost,” he region. Officers tried to stop the infiltrators after spotting about 900 km along the northern desert frontier. “It’s very in Al-Khamseen street, home to some senior government said. The draft, launched on Saturday, aims to resolve them on infrared cameras, shooting two of them dead. high-tech,” Ghamdi said. The shoot on sight order also security officials, including the defence minister. “On my regional, political and sectarian differences by devolving Thousands of riyals were found on their bodies, sug- applies to the southern border with Yemen, where Al- way to work in the morning in Hadda street, there were authority to the regions, but has been opposed by the gesting they had hoped to reach a target elsewhere in Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has established a major gunmen swarming everywhere. They were in military Houthis who fear it will dilute their power. — Agencies the kingdom, Ghamdi added. Security officers later presence amid deepening instability. — AFP TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 ANALYSIS

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Issues Europe fuels scoring engine at Nations Cup

By Mark Gleeson

alf of the eight goals scored so far at the African Nations Cup came from HEuropean-born players, highlighting the growing dependency of the region’s national teams on footballers from the diaspora. Only two of the 16 countries at the finals drew their 23-man squads exclusively from home-born players. South Africa’s captain Dean Furman Internet fuels Charlie conspiracy theories was raised in London and has never played for a South African club. However, like many oth- By Tupac Pointu significance in the minds of some, with claims that it mir- Others said adults now have far less control over what ers, he has been snapped up to play for the rored the outline of Israel’s borders. young people opt to believe. “For 30 years, 90 percent of national team because of his profile as an ex- ould the Jan 7 Charlie Hebdo attack have been a secret what children learned came from either their parents or Chelsea apprentice and his ready-made poten- service operation, or perhaps an anti-Muslim plot? The Official Theories too Dull school. Now, it’s the other way round. We need education tial for international duty. Cwildest conspiracy theories found their way onto the Emmanuel Taieb, a professor at the Sciences-Po Lyon uni- about social networks,” a teacher at a roundtable discussion The majority of African countries now Internet within hours of the Paris bloodbath. Just as it did in versity in central-eastern France and a specialist in conspira- in the northern Paris suburb of Sarcelles said last week. For the wake of the Sept 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, cy plots, said that for many the official interpretation of Guillaume Brossard, co-founder of the website actively pursue emerging talent among the the rumour machine moved into top gear from the very events - as provided by the police, politicians and analysts - hoaxbuster.com, a site that allows people to check the valid- immigrant communities in Europe, believing moment the first reports emerged. Among the most fre- was simply too dull. “It is considered poor, disappointing. So ity of information, it is as if the self-expression made possi- the players have had much better coaching quently mentioned is the apparent change in colour of the it is ruled out or questioned in favour of a more appealing, ble by the Internet was custom-made for rebellious and offer more in terms of discipline and tacti- rearview mirrors of a car used by the Kouachi brothers - worrying analysis,” he said. Observers say that young people, teenagers. cal acumen. Algeria and Equatorial Guinea white on an image taken near the Charlie Hebdo office for whom the Internet is their main source of information, “Adolescence is a time when one needs to assert oneself have 15 European-born players each at this where they killed 12 people and black in a later image of the are particularly vulnerable to believing everything they read and rebel against adults, the established order, society etc... year’s tournament, focusing their selection pol- abandoned vehicle. online. Alternative theories are therefore a wonderful area of self- icy on the best talent they can find among Experts put the change down to the fact that the mirrors Mohamed Tria, 49, a business executive and president of expression for them,” he said. “The explosion of social net- were made out of chrome, a material that can change colour the La Duchere football club in a tough area of Lyon, said works has seen what would once have been classroom dis- immigrant offspring in France and Spain according to the light. Other details providing rich material the mainstream interpretation of the attacks was far from cussions take place on Twitter, Snapchat or Instagram,” he respectively and filling the gap with locals. for the conspiracy theorists included the identity card mis- the norm in some places. “I met around 40 kids aged added. Olivier Ertzscheid, a lecturer in information science in Saturday’s Nations Cup opening day saw laid by one of the Kouachi brothers and the telephone between 13 and 15 in my club. I was astounded by what I the western city of Nantes, noted that established media goals by Spanish-born Emilio Nsue for receiver not properly put back on its hook at the supermar- heard,” he said. “They had not got their information from such as the daily Le Monde responded fairly quickly on Equatorial Guinea and an equaliser from ket where gunman Amedy Coulibaly killed four people dur- newspapers, but from social networks, it’s the only accessi- social networks with counter-arguments knocking down the Congo’s Thievy Bifouma, born within sight of ing a hostage siege two days later. Even the route of the Jan ble source for them and they believe what they read there various conspiracy theories. Speed was of the essence if a the Stade de France. Pierre-Emerick 11 solidarity march through Paris has been given dubious as if it is the truth,” he said. balanced picture was to emerge, he said. — AFP Aubameyang, born in France, brought up in Italy and now playing in Germany, scored for Gabon in their 2-0 win over Congo in the sec- Nigeria presidential campaign gets personal ond game of the tournament. Yannick Bolaise, who was born in Lyon, found the net for the By Phil Hazlewood “I think it has a negative impact on the political continually questioning the government’s achieve- Democratic Republic of Congo in Sunday’s process and citizens aren’t able to see the quality ments. draw with Zambia. hen Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary-gen- of people running for election,” said Clement Dapo Thomas, a politics lecturer at the Lagos State eral, was in Abuja last week, he urged all presi- Nwankwo, director of the Policy and Legal University, called it a “gutter campaign” borne out fear in Allegiance Wdential candidates and parties to rise above the Advisory Centre, a pro-democracy group. “What the PDP that it could lose power for the first time in 16 The profile of most of the players is similar. personal and debate the issues that matter. But the they see is personal attacks, falsehoods, concocted years. The electorate may be able to see through it, he message appears to have gone unheeded, with fresh stories and political smearing... that has not ele- suggested, particularly as some of the issues had not They are the offspring of either one or two par- attacks from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vated the debate,” he told AFP. For Nwankwo, the been raised on the three previous occasions that Buhari ents from Africa, born in countries like Britain, against Muhammadu Buhari, from the main opposition APC has fallen into a PDP trap by responding to stood for the presidency. “They (the PDP) have seen the France, Portugal, the Netherlands and Spain, All Progressives Congress (APC). Buhari, who hails from the claims instead of rebutting the allegations by writing on the wall,” he added. — AFP and playing at a high domestic level. Many the Muslim-majority north, has previously been have played at junior level for the land of their accused of being an Islamic extremist, of failing to finish birth but have not made the full national team high school and alleged monumental fraud. and have changed their allegiance to the coun- On Sunday, President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign chief Femi Fani-Kayode added another claim, publicly tries from where they descend. mentioning “rumours” that the 72-year-old was “mortal- FIFA’s statutes were changed in 2003 to ly ill” from prostate cancer. “We are therefore con- allow a player who had represented one coun- strained to urge him to prove to the Nigerian people try at junior level to choose to play for another that he really is as ‘fit as a fiddle’... by taking a brisk walk country, as long as he was eligible for dual or even jogging around the perimeter of the stadium nationality and had not played a full A interna- before any of his rallies,” he said in a statement. “If he tional. This was all at the behest of Algeria, who can do that, it will go a long way to allay the fears of felt a dip in performance in the 1990s could be many.” Raising fears about the health of a man who could solved by strengthening their squad with play- become president recalls the presidency of Umaru ers of Algerian descent from France’s junior Yar’Adua, who died in office in 2010 from a kidney relat- teams. ed ailment. He was believed to have had health issues They are now Africa’s top-ranked team and even before he assumed office in 2007 but were never their best performer at last year’s World Cup, disclosed. Buhari, a former military ruler, said the claim where they reached the second round for the smacked of desperation on the part of the ruling party, first time, was former France under-21 interna- with the February 14 vote widely predicted to go down tional Yacine Brahimi. It is unlikely that teams to the wire. “How they got the impression that I was sick I don’t know,” he told a news conference on Sunday, such as Equatorial Guinea and the Cape Verde revealing that the only health issue he had was a cold. Islands could be competitive at the Nations Instead, he said the medical document said to back up Cup without their foreign-born players. the PDP claims was forged and was designed to avoid However, moves by countries like Nigeria, the main issues in the election, including widespread which has a population well above 100 million, corruption at the highest level. to set up scouting structures in Britain and the U.S. to find immigrant talent undermines their ‘Gutter Campaign’ Buhari has come under personal attack in part internal structures and reduces the chances of because of his time in the military, which saw him seize African-born children reaching the highest lev- power from a democratically elected government in a els of the game. — Reuters coup in Dec 1983. For the PDP, a leopard can’t change his spots and the party has been whipping up the poli- tics of fear, harking back to the days of the former army general’s crackdown on corruption and indiscipline. “No All articles appearing on these pages matter how many pretty robes you wear, once a tyrant, are the personal opinion of the writ- always a tyrant,” one PDP newspaper advertisement ran ers. Kuwait Times takes no responsibil- on Monday, over photos of Buhari in uniform, a dinner jacket and ethnic attire. ity for views expressed therein. Kuwait Others evoked the jailing of political opponents or Times invites readers to voice their his muzzling of the media during his 20 months in opinions. Please send submissions via power. Whether the tactic pays off for the PDP will email to: [email protected] or only be seen when the results come in, with no inde- pendent polling currently available to assess voting via snail mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, intentions. But for politics watchers, the standard of Kuwait. The editor reserves the right the campaign is a worrying development, arguing Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan (right) and presidential candidate of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to edit any submission as necessary. that it does little to help enhance already shaky confi- embraces leading opposition All Progressive Congress presidential candidate Mohammadu Buhari during a conference dence in the country’s leaders. to promote non-violence attended by party leaders in Abuja on Jan 15, 2015. — AFP p15_Layout 1 1/19/15 9:52 PM Page 1

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 SPORTS

Italian Ulissi gets Australia’s Clarke on track Bailey suspended for nine-month doping ban to return during World Cup over-rate violation PARIS: Italian Diego Ulissi has been handed a backdated nine-month sus- SYDNEY: Australian skipper Michael Clarke is recovering well from ham- BRISBANE: Australia one-day captain George Bailey has been slapped with a one- pension after testing positive for the asthma- string surgery and is on track to play a part in the World Cup, physiothera- match suspension for a second over-rate offence in 12 months, the International inhaler drug salbutamol, his Lampre team yes- pist Alex Kountouris said yesterday. The 33-year-old badly tore his right Cricket Council (ICC) said yesterday. In his absence, Steve Smith is likely lead the terday. “Ulissi informed the team that he has hamstring during the first Test against India last month, ruling him out of hosts, who will seek a hat-trick of tri-series match victories against England at received from the Swiss Olympic Association the following three Tests and threatening his involvement in the one-day Hobart on Friday. Bailey, who is leading the side in place of injured regular skipper notification of a nine-month suspension tournament which begins next month. Clarke had surgery in December Michael Clarke, has also been deducted 20 percent starting from 25 June 2014,” Lampre said in a and Kountouris said a review by the surgeon in Melbourne on Sunday had of his match fee, while his players were docked 10 statement. The ban was issued by the Swiss been positive. percent of theirs. “(Match referee) Andy Pycroft Olympic Association because Ulissi, who has “Michael is progressing well in his rehab and is currently running on a imposed the suspension on Bailey after Australia won three Giro d’Italia stages, is based in that regular basis and has commenced batting,” Kountouris said in a statement. was ruled to be one over short of its target at the country.—Reuters “He remains on track for a return to play by February 21, the date we spoke end of the match when time allowances were taken of when the squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup was announced.” Australia into consideration,” the ICC said in a statement. Bailey are scheduled to play Bangladesh on February 21 after beginning their led Australia in the first ODI against South Africa in Perth World Cup against England on February 14. in November, in which both teams were fined for slow Australia coach Darren Lehmann earlier yesterday said Clarke was ahead over rates. Under the ICC code of conduct, in the case of schedule with his progress. “He’s had a couple of bats in the nets, which of a second such over-rate offence in the same format is a really good thing for us. Fingers crossed, but he’s ahead of schedule,” within 12 months, the captain receives a one-match Lehmann told reporters in Melbourne.—AFP suspension. — Reuters

Shaun Murphy overpowers Robertson in Masters final

LONDON: Shaun Murphy thrashed whitewashed Mike Hallett 9-0 in 1988 had Australia’s Neil Robertson 10-2 in the final there been a more lopsided Masters final. of the Masters at London’s Alexandra Any hope of a stunning recovery by Palace on Sunday to complete a career Robertson-who beat Murphy 10-6 in the Triple Crown. The Englishman’s crushing 2012 Masters final-was ended in the ninth win over Robertson saw him join the frame, the first of the evening session, world number one in a select group, now which went the Englishman’s way after the comprising 10 players, who have each Australian made a break of 51. won snooker’s three most prestigious Murphy, producing some of his best tournaments-the World Championship, form in years, won the opening two the UK Championship and the Masters. frames and then compiled the first of his Murphy raced into a 5-0 lead during 127s to take the third.Robertson made Sunday’s opening session and won four sure he avoided the embarrassment of a frames in a row at the start of the whitewash with 80 in the sixth frame evening’s play to take the title after com- before Murphy responded with 69 to go 6- ing out on top in a hard-fought ninth 1 in front. If he was to have any chance at frame. all of stopping Murphy, Robertson had to His dominant display saw him compile win the ninth frame. two breaks of 127 and four more in excess He got in first and then fluked a snook- of 60. Robertson produced arguably the er. But Murphy replied with a snooker of performance of the tournament in cruis- his own and cleared to the blue. ing past Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-1 in the semi- Robertson, trying to escape from a safety finals. However, he was a spectator for shot, then pushed the pink over the pock- much of the final, with Murphy 6-2 ahead et and Murphy duly potted pink and black. come the end of the first session. Yet such Another 127 made it 9-2 before Murphy KUWAIT: The officials are pictured with the media delegation. had been the recent form of Murphy, sealed victory with a break of 60.”The first world champion in 2005 and winner of the session was very tough, being 6-2 down. It UK title in 2008, he considered taking time was probably a couple of shots that made 58 countries partake in HH the Amir out from snooker last year. the difference between being 4-4 and being 6-2 down,” Robertson said. “Shaun ‘Ups and downs’ played very well today, he played fantasti- International Shooting Grand Prix “When I won the World Championship cally all week. I just couldn’t produce the 10 years ago I thought I was going to blitz snooker that got me to the final but you through these events but I’ve had to wait have to put a lot of that down to the way By Abdellatif Sharaa a long time and go through some ups and Shaun played. “He was brilliant in all downs,” Murphy told BBC Sport. “This time departments and I’d just like to say, wel- KUWAIT: President of Kuwait and Arab Shooting last year I considered going away from come to the Triple Crown club.” Murphy Federations, member of the Asian International snooker a bit but I’ve turned it around. I’ve joined Steve Davis, Terry Griffiths, Alex Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) and Asian got some great support, some great Higgins, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins, Shooting Confederation and Chairman of the friends and family around me, and they all Mark Williams, O’Sullivan, Robertson and Higher Organizing Committee Duaij Khalaf Al- know who they are.” Mark Selby in winning all three of snook- Otaibi said all preparations for HH the Amir Not since snooker great Steve Davis er’s major titles.— AFP Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah International Shooting Grand Prix to be held between Jan 24 and Jan 31 are complete. Otaibi was speaking during a press conference held at the Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex that was also attended by Secretary General of Kuwait and Arab Shooting Federations and Director of the Grand Prix Obaid Manahi Al-Osaimi. Otaibi thanked HH the Amir for his unlimited support to shooting and shoot- ers, adding that the shooting community is hon- ored to organize this tournament for the fourth year. He said HH the Amir Grand Prix will witness a large presence through the participation of 58 KUWAIT: (Left) Secretary General of Kuwait and Arab Shooting Federations and Director of the countries, which is four more than the third Grand Prix Obaid Manahi Al-Osaimi is seen with President of Kuwait and Arab Shooting grand prix, including 10 European, besides some Federations, member of the Asian International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) and Asian Asian and a large number of Arab countries. Shooting Confederation and Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee Duaij Khalaf Al- He said the organizing committee is keen to Otaibi at the press conference. close registration for the GP a month earlier in order to carry out the necessary preparations to committee to meet delegations’ requirements Meanwhile, Osaimi said the grand prix will get the visas, make hotel arrangements and oth- from the minute they arrive to Kuwait until they witness the launch of the “Humanitarian Leader” er requirements. Otaibi said the increase in the leave. Otaibi lauded the support of the Cabinet slogan, adding that the organizing committee number of participating countries from various and ministries that are keen to present all types has prepared special medals for the occasion. continents reflects the success of the grand prix of assistance during the organization of the Osaimi said that the gold medalists will receive and the good reputation it has gained around grand prix. He also commended the support of $5,000, besides other prizes for silver and bronze the world, adding that an elite group of world the Public Authority for Youth and Sports (PAYS) medal winners. He said that the committees and Olympic shooters will be present along with and its interest in removing all obstacles, giving began work for this tournament as soon as the Kuwait and Arab shooters who will compete in special thanks to PAYS Chairman Sheikh Ahmad third one concluded to ensure that the tourna- 14 general events and 10 for juniors. Al-Mansour and his deputies. ment’s success. Osaimi gave a brief on the work Otaibi said the number of participating Otaibi lauded the extensive efforts by the of committees and preparations to hold this shooters will exceed 526 of both genders, committees of the tournament to finish their major event. He lauded the support of the mem- besides 185 officials who will be present during tasks on time before the arrival of delegations, bers of the board led by Otaibi and thanked the LONDON: Shaun Murphy (right) is congratulated by his opponent, Australia’s Neil the grand prix, and this record participation adding that the organization of such events efforts of government bodies that contributed Robertson, after winning the 2015 Masters at Alexandra Palace, London. — AP brings great responsibilities to the organizing requires tremendous efforts. to the preparations. Quartet target greatness, Wiggins his tour de force

PARIS: A mouth-watering four-way of doping cases last season. Having Peraud and Thibaut Pinot, who fin- tussle for the Tour de France title and abandoned hope of securing a second ished second and third respectively in Bradley Wiggins’s challenges on the Tour title after his 2012 triumph, 2014, is the ‘real deal’ and not just a Paris-Roubaix and the hour record Wiggins, who reverts to track cycling flash in the pan. Their performances promise to make 2015 a vintage year midway through the season with an indicate a revival is gathering pace and for cycling.Defending champion eye on the 2016 Olympics, is taking there could be more to come with Vincenzo Nibali, 2013 winner Chris aim at the Paris-Roubaix in April-tack- Warren Barguil showing at last year’s Froome, double champion Alberto ling the cobblestones prior to the Vuelta that he too would be a force to Contador and the indefatigable Nairo wooden boards of the velodrome. be reckoned with in the French ranks. Quintana are expected to fight it out Victory in the Queen of the Classics, This season will also be the occa- for the yellow jersey on a Tour tailor- added to his road and track Olympic sion for Slovakian prodigy Peter Sagan, made for pure climbers. Spaniard gold medals and his Tour de France who joined Contador’s Tinkoff-Saxo Contador is planning to take the crown, would make the Briton one of team, to show he has what it takes to toughest road to Paris as he will also most versatile riders of all time, espe- win one of the ‘Monument’ classics. compete in the Giro d’Italia, looking to cially if he goes on to break the hour German Marcel Kittel, the best sprinter become the first rider since the late record. in 2014, will have to hold off the fresh Marco Pantani in 1998 to achieve that French renaissance challenge of Norway’s Alexander particular double. The revamped hour record is cur- Kristoff, while Briton Mark Cavendish “He knows how to get ready for rently held by Austrian Mathias will be looking to fight his way back to them and if anyone can back up the Brandle but it is not expected to with- the front having massively underper- Giro/Tour then I would say he’s the guy stand the challenges of Australians formed last season. to do it,” Briton Froome told Cycling Rohan Dennis and Jack Bobridge, Other sprinters to watch in 2015 Weekly. “It’s not only difficult, it’s risky,” before world time trial champion include Germans Andre Greipel and Contador, one of only six men with Wiggins has his tilt. The Team Sky rider John Degenkolb as well as France’s wins in all three grands tours, said. Like will then leave the road for good to Arnaud Demare and Nacer Bouhanni, Froome, Nibali will avoid a heavy race focus on his 2016 Olympic challenge, who are not on the same team anymore schedule ahead of the Tour in order to leaving it to Froome to help the British after the latter left FDJ for Cofidis. With stay as fresh as possible. outfit show more than last year, when one year to go before the 2016 The Italian, who was dominant on Dave Brailsford’s squad disappointed Olympics, the track cycling world cham- all terrains in last year’s race, will face on the Tour. pionships being held in France next CALI: Australia’s Team member Caitlin Ward (center) falls during the UCI Cycling World Cup Women’s Final, at increased scrutiny as his Astana team The world’s greatest cycling race month will be of greater importance to Alcides Nieto Patino velodrome, on January 18, 2015, in Cali, Valle del Cauca department, Colombia. Lin Junhong are on the radar of the International will also reveal whether the French those seeking to hone preparations of China Team won the gold medal, Shanne Braspennincx of Netherland Team won the silver, and Melissa Erickson Cycling Union (UCI) following a string renaissance led by Jean-Christophe ahead of the Rio Games.— Reuters of the USA won bronze in this event. — AFP TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 SPORTS Peyton Manning to miss Pro Bowl with thigh injury

ENGLEWOOD: As Peyton Manning pon- by Indianapolis. The five-time NFL MVP obligation to play in it very seriously.” on dehydration from a nasty flu bug the future. After saying in December that he ders his football future, he’s concluded one extended his QB record with his 14th Pro “I’ve believed that, if healthy, it’s a play- night before the game. planned to return for an 18th season in the thing: He won’t play in the Pro Bowl next Bowl selection this season, tying center er’s responsibility to play in the game This is the first time Manning is skipping NFL and fourth in Denver, Manning said weekend in Glendale, Arizona. Manning Bruce Matthews and tight end Tony because of what it means to be voted in by the league’s annual all-star game for a rea- after the game that he was unsure about said his right thigh injury hasn’t gotten Gonzalez for the most in NFL history. your peers and the fans,” Manning said. “I’m son other than preparing for an upcoming returning or retiring. much better in the week since the Denver Manning calls it “a great honor” to be select- disappointed that I’m just not healthy Super Bowl. He missed it in 2010 with the Broncos were bounced from the playoffs ed to the game and he’s “always taken the enough this year to be part of it. It’s going Colts and again in 2014 with the Broncos. Rash decision to be tough not being down there with the He played in the 2007 all-star game a week Manning, who turns 39 in March, has other guys, but it hasn’t had enough time after winning his only Super Bowl title. two years and $38 million left on his five- to heal.” The NFL was informed of Manning finished second in the league this year contract. GM John Elway met with Manning’s decision Sunday. Detroit’s year with 39 touchdown passes and was in Manning yesterday and asked him not to Matthew Stafford was added to the Pro the top five with 4,727 yards passing and a make a rash decision. Elway said he’d Bowl to replace him. 101.5 passer rating. But he faded down the check in with Manning during his search stretch when he was bothered by both the for a new head coach but didn’t need a Dehydration to be blamed thigh injury and opponents clogging decision from his quarterback for a month Manning was injured late in the first half underneath crossing routes. Manning was or so. of a 22-10 win at San Diego on Dec 14 and one of a league-high 10 Broncos selected to Elway’s search for Fox’s replacement missed a handful of snaps to get treatment the Pro Bowl, five on each side of the ball. took him and team president Joe Ellis to just before halftime. He returned to play the With such a star-studded roster, the Houston on Sunday along with other entire second half and didn’t miss any more Broncos had a “Super Bowl or bust” mental- Broncos officials to meet with Gary Kubiak, time with the injury. It clearly affected his ity as they sought to return to the title the Ravens’ offensive coordinator and for- play, however, culminating with eight over- game and atone for last year’s 35-point loss mer Texans head coach. Kubiak is largely throws in Denver’s 24-13 loss to the Colts to the Seahawks. Their flat performance in considered the front-runner in Denver. Two last weekend. He also had an incompletion losing 24-13 to the Colts last weekend other candidates, Broncos offensive coordi- into tight coverage on a third-and-5 play in rocked the organization and led to a split nator Adam Gase and Bengals defensive which he bypassed the run even though he with coach John Fox, who was hired Friday backs coach Vance Joseph, met with Elway had a 20-yard gap between him and any as Marc Trestman’s replacement in Chicago. in Denver last week, Gase on Thursday and Peyton Manning defender. Manning blamed the thigh injury That loss also led Manning to reassess his Joseph on Friday.—AP LSU upsets No. 10 Kentucky 84-79

BATON ROUGE: Danielle Ballard scored a at 62 on Bria Goss’ free throw, but LSU season-high 25 points to go with five responded with a 9-1 run, capped by Rina assists, and LSU posted its second-straight Hill’s fast-break upset of a ranked team, 84-79 over No. 10 layup as she was fouled. That gave the Kentucky on Sunday. The Lady Tigers (10-8, Lady Tigers a 71-63 lead with six minutes 4-2 Southeastern Conference) improved to left, and the lead was back to double digits 3-1 since Ballard, who last season averaged at 75-65 on Jasmine Rhodes’ driving layup 10.7 points, returned after being suspend- in traffic with 4:29 left. Neither team led by ed for LSU’s first 14 games for a violation of more than five points in an up-tempo first team rules. Raigyne Moncrief scored 15 half. Ballard paced the Lady Tigers early on points, while Sheila Boykin had 14 points with 13 of her points before halftime, while and 11 rebounds for LSU, which was com- O’Neill scored 12 for the Wildcats. The Lady ing off a double-overtime victory at No. 15 Tigers scored the final five points of the Mississippi State on Thursday. Jennifer half on Jenna Deemer’s right wing 3 and O’Neill scored 19 for Kentucky (15-4, 4-2), Boykin’s layup to take a 43-38 lead into which lost for the second time in three halftime. games - the first loss coming at No. 1 South Carolina on Jan 11, when starting TIP-INS: Kentucky point guard Janee Thompson Kentucky: The previous three times was lost for the season with a broken left Kentucky was ranked in the top 10 when leg. Linnae Harper had 16 points and 15 meeting LSU, the Wildcats lost. ... The rebounds for the Wildcats. Wildcats were seeking their first victory in Kentucky turned the ball over 26 times, the Pete Maravich Assembly Center since leading to 27 LSU points. The Lady Tigers’ 2010. Kentucky shot 32.9 percent (23 of 84 points were their highest in a game this 70). season, coming against a Kentucky squad LSU: Early in the second half, LSU’s giving up an average of 67.1 points per DaShawn Harden was hit in the eye as game. LSU, which had been scoring about she fell in the paint in a crowd of play- 63 points per game as a team coming in, ers on Lady Tigers’ defensive end. She led by as many as 10 points in the second stumbled directly back to the LSU HONOLULU: Jimmy Walker (center) flanked by Miss Hawaii USA Emma Wo (left) and Miss Hawaii Teen USA, Kyla Hee, holds a trophy after win- half when Ballard’s jumper capped a 6-0 bench and was helped to the locker ning the Sony Open golf tournament, Sunday, Jan 18, 2015, in Honolulu. — AP run to make it 55-45. Soon after, O’Neill’s 3 room. LSU shot 44.9 percent (31 of 69). sparked a 12-5 spurt that pulled the The Lady Tigers improved to 32-12 in Wildcats to 61-59. Kentucky briefly tied it the series all-time. —AP Walker wins Sony Open Allenby hurt, stunned by Walker seizes control with two-shot swing Hawaii robbery incident HONOLULU: Jimmy Walker got the message. ticed with one hand. He placed his golf ball Phenomenal golf HONOLULU: His left eye bruised and swollen pay for dinner that he put loosely in his pock- The text he received Sunday morning from down - but left the coin there - and went “He’s one of the hottest players in the shut, Australian golfer Robert Allenby is still ets and a watch. He said the receipt showed swing coach Butch Harmon was to “keep the through another rehearsal. Stepping back, he world,” Piercy said after his round, when Walker shaking over a beating and robbery that left that he paid for dinner at 10:06 pm Friday, pedal down” with a two-shot lead going into repeated the process. And when picked up the was pulling away. “What he’s done the last year him unable to remember anything except and paid for the wine at 10:48. He said the the final round at the Sony Open. The words he coin, he still gave it another look. He sure or two years, nobody’s catching him. It’s just a being dumped in a gutter near a park of restaurant closed at 11 pm. Allenby said he kept hearing from caddie Andy Sanders over didn’t look like someone with a six-shot lead. cake walk.” On a course that lends itself to a homeless people. “You think that happens in was checked out by the doctors, but he did just about every putt carried the same edict. Instead, it was someone determined to get a free-for-all, Walker shot 62-63 on the weekend the movie, not real life,” Allenby told The not have a blood test to determine if he was Don’t let up. Six days after he let a victory get different outcome. and never gave anyone much of a chance. The Associated Press by phone Sunday. “I’m just drugged. from him on Maui, Walker never gave anyone a previous Sony Open record for margin of victo- happy to be alive.” Allenby posted a photo to chance on Oahu. With seven birdies over the ‘Don’t let up’ ry was seven shots, last done by Paul Azinger his private Facebook account showing a Decoy last 11 holes and no bogeys on the toughest “I wanted to finish the day, finish the round,” in 2000. Walker became the first repeat winner of this tournament since Ernie Els in 2004. bloodied scrape on his forecast and the “I did ask to get a blood test, but they said day of the week, Walker closed with a 7-under Walker said. “I didn’t want to give anything 63 and set the tournament record with a nine- Matt Kuchar, who started the final round two bridge of his nose. He said that came from it was probably out of your system,” he said. back. I didn’t want to make a bogey. Andy kept shot victory. He couldn’t sleep the night after shots out of the lead, didn’t make a birdie and being tossed from the trunk of a car. He said The Honolulu Police Department did not telling me, ‘Finish it out. Let’s make the putt.’ I the bruise on his left eye must have come return repeated calls. TV station KHON2 in losing the Tournament of Champions in a play- shot 71 to tie for third with Harris English and off. He headed off into the sunset with a win- chipped it by and he said, ‘Make it.’ And I want- Gary Woodland, who each had a 67. Kuchar end- from being beaten in the car. “I don’t know Honolulu reported Saturday that the matter ed to. Hit a good putt and went in the middle.” what they hit me with between the eyeballs, was being investigated as second-degree ner’s lei draped around his neck, his fourth ed his streak of 255 rounds on the PGA Tour with career victory, a career-high world ranking of His lead at eight shots on the 17th hole, he at least one birdie. “He’s playing some phenom- whether a fist or a baseball bat,” he said. robbery. The image of Allenby’s face, which again looked determined over a 10-foot putt “Whatever it was, it hurts.” he posted to Facebook, was a jarring image in No. 13 and more reason to believe he’s on the enal golf,” Woodland said of Walker. “I saw him cusp of joining the elite in golf. “I really want- and made that one. Sanders was there with a this winter out in Vegas working with Butch, and Allenby missed the Sony Open cut and the middle of a golf tournament. Webb reminder. “He said the same thing again when then went to Amuse Wine Bar in Honolulu on Simpson ran into Allenby went he got back to ed to finish out the day like I didn’t do last you could tell then he was dialed in.” It was the week,” he said. Walker had a three-shot lead he handed me the ball,” Walker said. “He said, largest margin of victory on the PGA Tour since Friday night with his caddie and a friend from the hotel last night. “I could believe what hap- ‘Don’t let up.’ And I made that one.” Australia. He had been to the bar earlier in the pened to him,” Simpson said. with five holes to play at Kapalua when he had Brian Gay won at Hilton Head by 10 shots in Walker was making them all, particularly on week, thought it was a trendy spot and want- Allenby said surveillance cameras showed one bad swing that led to bogey, missed a cou- 2009. The Hero World Challenge last month is the back nine at Waialae. Over the final two ed to try the restaurant. Allenby remembers his friend Anthony Puntoriero talking to ple of birdie putts and was caught by Patrick unofficial. That’s where Jordan Spieth won by 10 rounds, he took only 20 putts on the back nine having dinner, a few glasses of red wine and someone in the bar. “I think that was a decoy, Reed, who beat him in a playoff. The Sony shots against an 18-man field that included that was about it. Even after he returned to a distraction,” Allenby said. “I went to the Open was different, and it showed. - nine one-putt greens on Saturday, and 11 Walker. It made Walker wonder if Spieth were the bar on Saturday with police and watched bathroom, came out of the bathroom and Walker seized control with a two-shot swing putts on Sunday. That usually wins tourna- from a different planet. “And that’s kind of the tape from a surveillance camera that showed was told that Anthony had left and was on No. 8, the start of four birdies in a five-hole ment. And when staked to a lead, it wins them way it feels when you watch those performanc- him leaving with four people, he doesn’t downstairs waiting for me. I go downstairs stretch that built his lead to six shots. He went big. Walker finished at 23-under 257, nine es,” Walker said. “You see them and are like, ‘Man, know who they were or even leaving the bar. and then, bang! They knock me out and take just long on the 14th hole and chipped down- shots clear of Scott Piercy, who closed with a what golf course is that guy playing?’ And to be Allenby said he has no recollection until get- me six or seven miles away.” He said the tape hill about 6 feet past the hole. A bogey was not 66. Piercy was six shots behind when he fin- able to say you’ve done that and you’ve dis- ting kicked and prodded by homeless people showed one man put a hand on Allenby’s going to stop his march to victory, but that’s ished, saw the guy at the top of the leader- tanced yourself like that, it’s really cool. I think it’s searching for whatever he had left. shoulder. “I seriously don’t even remember not how Walker saw it. With only his coin on board and realized second place wouldn’t be a good learning experience. Definitely happy to Allenby said his wallet, cash, driver’s meeting these people,” he said. “That’s what is the green, he stood over the putt and prac- all that bad. keep the pedal down.” — AP license, PGA Tour badge and cellphone were weird. All I know is that I was walking very taken. All he had on him in the gutter were quietly with them and normal. It didn’t make two receipts, the American Express card to any sense at all.” —AP David Warner defends ‘speak English’ sledge

SYDNEY: Explosive Australian opener David ple of times if he keeps saying it in Hindi.” coach Darren Lehmann who said Australia Warner yesterday defended a heated on-field Warner admitted he should not have confront- would play “hard and fair”. “If the ICC decides exchange with Indian batsman Rohit Sharma in ed Sharma but said the pair had been engaging we cross the line, then they’ll come down on us- which he demanded the Indian cricketer “speak in “friendly banter” during the match, which we all know that,” Lehmann said. English”. Warner said the verbal fireworks at a Australia won with six balls to spare despite a “We’re always going to teeter pretty close to one-day international at the Melbourne Cricket century by Sharma, and he didn’t feel the need it-that’s the way that we play-we’ve just got to Ground on Sunday earned him a fine of 50 per- to apologize. make sure that we don’t cross it.” Lehmann sup- cent of his match fee from the International “No, because we were actually going at each ported Warner’s competitive character. “It’s just Cricket Council. The Australian fielders had tak- other anyway during the game,” he said. During making sure he does the right thing on the en offence when the Indians went for a single the summer’s Test series against India, which ground. He knows that better than most, any- off an overthrow which they wrongly believed saw tense sledging, Warner said he would not way. We’ll work with him with that.” Australia was in breach of cricket etiquette. be toning down his “banter” and he repeated have won their first two games in the triangu- “When I went over to say something to him, that stance yesterday. “If people get on the lar one-day series against England and India he sort of said something in their language and wrong side of me, I’m not going to back down,” and face England again in Hobart on Friday. I said ‘speak English’ because, if you’re going to he said. Australia failed to complete their overs within say something for me to understand, theoreti- the allotted time on Sunday, and skipper cally I cannot speak Hindi,” Warner told Sky ‘Hard and fair’ George Bailey-standing in for an injured Sports Radio. “So I did the polite thing and “We’re always there to play hard aggressive Michael Clarke is in danger of an ICC ban. asked him to speak English, therefore he did cricket, but you know what comes with that- Lehman was upbeat on Clarke’s recovery from and I can’t repeat what he said.” that’s what happens, sometimes you are going hamstring surgery which could sideline him Asked whether there was anything wrong in to get fined. “We’ve got to keep trying not to from next month’s World Cup, saying his the manner in which he asked the question, cross that line, and we’ve got to work hard at progress was ahead of schedule. “He’s had a HONOLULU: Robert Allenby, of Australia, lines up his ball on the third green during Warner said: “I thought I was OK by asking him that, and that’s what we’re all about-playing couple of bats in the nets, which is a really the second round of the Sony Open golf tournament.— AP to speak English and I am going to say it a cou- cricket the right way.” He was backed up by good thing for us,” he said. —AFP p17 2_Layout 1 1/19/15 9:12 PM Page 1

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 SPORTS Why wait? NBA teams make trades early this season

Don’t wait until the last minute. The warning times prefer to wait until as close to it as comes whenever a deadline is approaching, possible to be certain they are getting maxi- and NBA teams have gotten the message. mum value for their players. But that gives They aren’t waiting to make trades, already coaches less than two months to prepare for completing more than twice as many as the the playoffs, so Carlisle was glad the Celtics same point last season. “If you’re trying to wanted to do it so soon. “The earlier you can make a change and you need some help, do a deal like this, it helps,” he said. “Helps the earlier the better obviously,” Brooklyn both teams, so we’re grateful that we were coach Lionel Hollins said. It could pay off lat- able to get it done in December as opposed er for Dallas or Memphis, who added pivotal to mid-to-late February, no doubt about pieces well ahead of the trade deadline that.” that’s still a month away. Rajon Rondo got Here are some things to watch this week: extra time to master the Mavericks’ offense, MONDAY MATINEES: Martin Luther King and the Grizzlies have more than half a sea- Jr. Day is one of the highlights of the NBA son for newcomer Jeff Green to get comfort- schedule, with many games during the 12- able playing alongside Marc Gasol and Zach game slate starting in the afternoon. Rondo Randolph. and Green, former teammates, meet in “That’s one of the things that’s nice Memphis. about not getting the deal done at like the CALLING ALL-STARS: The starters for trade deadline, where you only have six the All-Star game will be announced weeks left and you just throw him out there,” Thursday night on TNT. The leaders going Memphis coach Dave Joerger said. “We’ve into the last day of fan balloting: LeBron got some time and try to build something.” James, Pau Gasol, Carmelo Anthony, John There have been 22 trades involving 40 Wall and Dwyane Wade in the East; and players since opening night, according to Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin, Marc Gasol, STATS. That’s well above the 10 deals involv- Stephen Curry and Kobe Bryant in the West. ing 22 players before February last year, and WELCOME HOME: Kevin Durant is under the most in either category it could find in contract through 2016, but that didn’t stop any season following research that dated his free agency from becoming a story last back to 1995-96. Hollins believes the flurry summer. Figure on it coming up again of deals comes from bad teams trading Wednesday when he’s back in his home- good players so they can begin rebuilding, town as Oklahoma City visits Washington. and playoff contenders have taken advan- AND FROM THERE...: Durant and the tage. Memphis got Green, who was averag- Thunder then visit East-leading Atlanta, ing a career-best 17.6 points, from Boston. which has won 12 straight and 26 of 28, Cleveland acquired J.R. Smith and Iman before he faces LeBron James in Cleveland Shumpert, two of the dismal Knicks’ best on Sunday afternoon as ABC’s national cov- players. erage returns. CORTINA D’AMPEZZO: US Lindsey Vonn (center), Austrian Anna Fenninger (left) and Liechtenstein Tina Weirather celebrate on the podium after Dallas acquired Rondo in December, SUNK IN THE ATLANTIC: Not only are the women’s World Cup Super G event of the FIS Ski World Cup in Cortina D’Ampezzo yesterday. — AFP though coach Rick Carlisle wasn’t picky. “If the 76ers not the worst team in the NBA, you can trade for a guy like Rondo, I don’t they’re not even worst in their division. The care when it is,” he said. “I don’t care if it’s in Knicks have been better at being bad, and April.” That’s not legal, of course. The dead- they are last in the Atlantic entering Vonn shatters record line is Feb. 19, and general managers some- Wednesday’s game in Philadelphia.—AP Vonn reaches new heights with 63rd victory NBA results/standings CORTINA D’AMPEZZO: Lindsey Vonn won a a big achievement,” Vonn said. “But I have to focus Colorado. Vonn was on track to shatter Moser- Orlando 99, Oklahoma City 127; San Antonio 89, Utah 69; Toronto 93, New Orleans 95. super-G yesterday for her record 63rd World Cup on the skiing. I can’t let everyone else’s expecta- Proell’s record two years ago before a high-speed victory and celebrated with an embrace from a tions get into my head. So that was my goal this crash at the 2013 world championships in Eastern Conference Western Conference surprise visitor - boyfriend Tiger Woods. The weekend, just trying to ski my best. And I thought Schladming, Austria, when she tore two ligaments Atlantic Division Northwest Division American broke Annemarie Moser-Proell’s 35- I did a really good job.” in her right knee. She attempted to return for W L PCT GB Portland 30 11 .732 — year-old record of 62 World Cup wins with a flaw- Moser-Proell, an Austrian great, established her Sochi but re-injured her knee in Val d’Isere, France, Toronto 26 14 .650 — Oklahoma City 20 20 .500 9.5 less run down the Olympia delle Tofane course, record between 1970 and 1980.”Moser-Proell was in December, 2013, requiring a second surgery. Brooklyn 17 24 .415 9.5 Denver 18 22 .450 11.5 finishing 0.85 ahead of Anna Fenninger of Austria. skiing in the 70s and all the young people in The 30-year-old Vonn is planning to compete Boston 13 25 .342 12 Utah 14 27 .341 16 Tina Weirather of Liechtenstein was third, 0.92 Austria don’t know what that record means,” through the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, Philadelphia 8 32 .200 18 Minnesota 7 32 .179 22 back. Fenninger said. “For the newer generation it’s very South Korea. It was Vonn’s ninth career win in New York 5 36 .122 21.5 Pacific Division Wearing a mask, Woods weaved through the important that Lindsey make history. ... It’s time to Cortina, where she had her first podium result in Central Division Golden State 32 6 .842 — crowd unnoticed until he shared an emotional have a new record. She’s very important for us, 2004, putting her within one of Austrian Renate Chicago 27 15 .643 — embrace with Vonn, who had no idea that the because in America she’s a real superstar.” Goetschl’s record 10 wins in the resort known as LA Clippers 27 14 .659 6.5 Milwaukee 21 19 .525 5 golfer was coming. “No way!” Vonn exclaimed Swedish standout Ingemar Stenmark holds the the Queen of the Dolomites. Vonn has won 32 Cleveland 21 20 .512 5.5 Phoenix 24 18 .571 10 when she spotted him. “I didn’t think this could men’s record of 86 wins. Vonn was relatively sub- downhills, 21 super-Gs, three giant slaloms, two Detroit 16 25 .390 10.5 Sacramento 16 24 .400 17 get any better than yesterday with my entire fami- dued in her celebration, having said that win No. slaloms and five combined races. Not included in Indiana 15 27 .357 12 LA Lakers 12 29 .293 21.5 ly here but now with Tiger here this is unbeliev- 62 was more important to her. She was the last of those numbers are Vonn’s gold medal in downhill Southeast Division Southwest Division able,” said Vonn. “I said, ‘I can’t believe you came.’ the favorites to come down and flashed a big at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, or her golds in Atlanta 33 8 .805 — Memphis 29 11 .725 — And he said, ‘I told you.’” Woods did not speak with smile when reaching the finish then did a slight downhill and super-G at the 2009 worlds in Val Washington 28 13 .683 5 Houston 28 13 .683 1.5 reporters. fist pump. It was Vonn’s first win in super-G this d’Isere. Moser-Proell won 36 downhills, 16 giant Miami 18 22 .450 14.5 Dallas 28 13 .683 1.5 Vonn tied the record of 62 victories when she season and her fourth overall this campaign, slaloms, three slaloms and seven combined races. Charlotte 16 25 .390 17 San Antonio 26 16 .619 4 won a downhill here Sunday. “I’m so happy to showing a return to top form after two knee The super-G was introduced two years after Orlando 15 29 .341 19.5 New Orleans 20 20 .500 9 have finished the weekend with win No. 63. My injuries kept her out of last year’s Sochi Olympics. Moser-Proell retired. This race was originally family and Tiger is here. It’s a really, really special Perhaps more importantly, the win showed Vonn scheduled for Sunday but was postponed due to day,” she said. Vonn faced intense media pressure is dominating again just weeks before her home heavy snowfall over the weekend, which pushed Tyreke Evans channels to match Moser-Proell in recent weeks. “I know it’s world championships in Vail and Beaver Creek, the program back. — AP Pelicans past Raptors Zetterberg’s hat-trick lifts Detroit TORONTO: Tyreke Evans scored from a son-high 18 rebounds and Gordon driving layup with 1.6 seconds left as the Hayward added 10 points for Utah. The DETROIT: Henrik Zetterberg scored three New Orleans Pelicans beat Toronto 95-93 Jazz shot 33 percent while also setting goals in the third period to cap an impressive on Sunday, their first victory in seven season lows in points by a San Antonio Detroit comeback as the Red Wings complet- meetings with the Raptors. Evans scored opponent for the game and in the first ed a 6-4 victory over Buffalo on Sunday - the 26 points, and Alexis Ajinca had 22 to help half (27). Utah beat San Antonio 100-96 on Sabres’ 11th consecutive loss. It was the sixth the Pelicans win without injured starters Dec. 9 in a game that Leonard initially career hat trick for the Detroit captain, and it Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday. Davis and injured his right hand, suffering a small came after the Red Wings wiped out an early Holiday sat out for the second straight tear to a ligament while bracing his fall fol- three-goal deficit against the struggling game. Davis is sidelined by a sprained toe lowing a failed dunk attempt. Sabres. All 11 of Buffalo’s defeats during this on his left foot, and Holiday has a sore skid have been in regulation. The last time a right ankle. Pelicans coach Monty Williams THUNDER 127, MAGIC 99 team lost 11 in a row, all in regulation, was said Davis could return against the Knicks, ORLANDO: Kevin Durant had 21 when Pittsburgh dropped 13 straight from but said he won’t rush the former first points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as Jan 13-Feb 12, 2004, according to STATS. Tyler overall pick back into the lineup because Oklahoma City ran past Orlando. Russell Ennis scored twice for the Sabres. of how hard Davis plays. DeMar DeRozan Westbrook finished with 17 points and six led Toronto with 22 points. The Raptors assists. Serge Ibaka and Dion Waiters each RANGERS 5, PENGUINS 2 have lost seven of their last nine games. added 16 points. The Thunder never trailed, PITTSBURGH: Rick Nash scored twice as and led by as many as 38 on their way to the Rangers downed the Penguins. Derek SPURS 89, JAZZ 69 snapping a four-game road losing streak. Stepan also scored twice for the surging SAN ANTONIO: Tiago Splitter scored They also shot 57 percent in the first of five Rangers and Derick Brassard had a goal and 14 points, and Kawhi Leonard had 12 road games in nine nights. Victor Oladipo an assist as New York improved to 15-3 over points and nine rebounds as San Antonio led Orlando with 23 points. Elfrid Payton its past 18 games. Henrik Lundqvist made 32 never trailed while holding Utah to a sea- added 19 points and eight assists. The saves for the Rangers, who needed 26 sec- son-low scoring total. Tim Duncan added Magic gave up a franchise-record 79 first- onds to jump in front and cruise. Sidney 11 points in 23 minutes for San Antonio, half points on their way dropping their sec- Crosby scored his 15th goal of the season and which has won three straight - including ond straight game. The Thunder were also the last two with Leonard back in the line- the sixth consecutive opponent to score David Perron added his fifth since coming up. Rudy Gobert had 13 points and a sea- 100 or more points against them. — AP over from Edmonton two weeks ago. Marc- Andre Fleury stopped just 13 of the 17 shots he faced before being pulled early in the sec- ond period.

STARS 6, BLACKHAWKS 3 CHICAGO: Cody Eakin, Erik Cole and CHICAGO: Chicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa (81) tries to control the puck in front Shawn Horcoff scored in the third period to of Dallas Stars defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka (2) during the second period of an NHL hockey lead the Stars to a victory over the slumping game, Sunday, Jan 18, 2015. — AP Blackhawks. Eakin also had a short-handed goal in the first as Dallas won for the third NHL results/standings time in four games. Tyler Seguin had a goal and an assist for Dallas. Seguin is tied with Detroit 6, Buffalo 4; Winnipeg 4, Arizona 3 (SO); Chicago 3, Dallas 6; Pittsburgh 2, NY Rangers 5. Rangers star Rick Nash for the NHL lead with 28 goals. Chicago dropped consecutive Eastern Conference Carolina 15 25 5 94 119 35 games for the first time since Nov 1-2. Atlantic Division Brandon Saad scored two goals for Chicago, W L OT GF GA PTS Western Conference which had a 41-33 advantage in shots. Tampa Bay 29 14 4 152 126 62 Pacific Division Anaheim 30 10 6 133 121 66 Detroit 26 11 9 134 115 61 San Jose 24 16 6 125 125 54 MontrÈal 28 13 3 121 105 59 JETS 4, COYOTES 3, SO Vancouver 25 15 3 121 109 53 WINNIPEG: Bryan Little scored the only Boston 24 16 6 121 117 54 Calgary 24 18 3 131 118 51 goal of the shootout after finding the net in Florida 20 13 10 106 120 50 Los Angeles 20 14 11 126 120 51 regulation as the Jets beat Arizona for its Toronto 22 21 3 138 142 47 Arizona 16 24 5 104 150 37 fourth straight win. Michael Frolik and Dustin Ottawa 18 18 8 120 122 44 Edmonton 11 26 9 104 154 31 Buffalo 14 30 3 89 167 31 Byfuglien also scored for the Jets (25-14-8), Central Division who wasted a late two-goal. Winnipeg h s Metropolitan Division Nashville 30 10 4 136 102 64 earned points in its last six games dating to St. Louis 28 13 4 145 110 60 NY Islanders 30 14 1 144 125 61 Jan 10. Lauri Koripikoski and Tobias Rieder Chicago 28 15 2 139 105 58 Pittsburgh 26 12 6 134 111 58 scored for the Coyotes (16-24-5) to force over- Winnipeg 25 14 8 131 117 58 NY Rangers 26 13 4 131 104 56 Dallas 21 17 7 143 148 49 time. Oliver Ekman-Larsson also scored for Washington 24 13 8 133 115 56 Arizona and Shane Doan had two assists. Colorado 19 17 10 121 132 48 Philadelphia 18 21 7 123 137 43 Minnesota 20 19 5 123 129 45 TORONTO: Toronto Raptors DeMar DeRozan (10) is stopped as he drives to the hoop Ondrej Pavelec made 28 saves and for the Columbus 19 21 3 110 137 41 Note: Overtime losses (OT) worth 1 pt and not included against New Orleans Pelicans centre Alexis Ajinca (42) in the last minute of NBA bas- Jets. Mike Smith stopped 27 shots for the New Jersey 16 22 8 102 132 40 in loss column (L). ketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan 18, 2015. —AP Coyotes. —AP TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 SPORTS Sharapova loves karaoke, art, architecture, Cher

MELBOURNE: Despite being the highest Art and architecture paid sportswoman on the planet and While tennis remains her number one one of tennis’ most recognizable faces, passion and what drives her-she is deter- Maria Sharapova insists she is shy and mined to unseat arch-rival Serena doesn’t need expensive things to make Williams as world number one- her happy. But the massively wealthy Sharapova is a keen art and architecture world number two, who has topped the fan. Her Manhattan Beach home is a pri- Forbes list of richest women athletes for vate gallery, Fairfax said, with the Russian 10 years, also confesses to loving art and nominating her Californian friend Chris architecture. She also enjoys karaoke, Gwaltney and edgy Briton Tracey Emin as belting out Cher hits. “I’m quite shy, actu- her favorite artists. ally, in the beginning,” the US-based “I love architecture and modern art, so Russian told The Age newspaper in I actually enjoy building projects and Melbourne as she prepares to launch her looking at beautiful pieces and adding Australian Open campaign. “I’m quite an them to my collection,” she said. “I have a easy person. I don’t need a lot of big or lot of beautiful white walls and concrete expensive things to make me happy.” walls, and I love different textures and, I Despite having homes in Florida and don’t know, I like looking at something California, where the paparazzi thrive, that just puts a smile on your face, makes and being the face of everything from you happy. “People think ‘oh that’s so German cars to French mineral water, the strange’ and don’t really understand, but 27-year-old said she is able to live a rela- that’s what art is about, I guess. “I really tively obscure life. For this, she is grateful. love art. Every time I go to a city I always “No matter what people define me as, try to find my way to the cool galleries.” and say that I am quite well-known, I’m The savvy five-time Grand Slam champi- able to live a very normal, easy life,” said on can afford the best on offer, having Sharapova, whose partner is world become a major force in the business MELBOURNE: Rafael Nadal of Spain is seen as he plays Mikhail Youzhny of Russia during their first round match at the AustralianOpen tennis number 11 Grigor Dimitrov. “I’m lucky world. On top of her numerous sponsor- championship yesterday.— AP enough not to have a lot of cameras fol- ships, she has a Nike apparel line called lowing me around. “I live in a country the Maria Sharapova Collection that is where I think actors and musicians are a worn by a number of other players. little bit more of a bigger deal than Sharapova is also owner of Supergoop, a Nadal rises with emphatic maybe athletes are-which I’m very premium brand of sunscreen, and thankful for. “At the end of the day I can Sugarpova, a candy line now sold in wake up and not feel like I have to put more than 20 global markets. While the victory at Australian Open on red lipstick. I don’t know if I’d ever be glamorous blonde has the world at her able to manage that! “I just want to go feet, also enjoys simple pleasures, like get my cup of coffee and I’m able to do singing karaoke. “My voice is not that it. I mean, I don’t wear pyjamas (out), bad, actually! I love singing Cher,” she Sixth seed Murray into Open second round but I don’t have to, like, have the full said. “I know it sounds crazy, but I have gear on.” quite a good time singing Cher.” —AFP MELBOURNE: If Rafael Nadal Only two of the men’s seeded needed any reminding of how long players went out. No. 11 Ernests it has been since he won the Gulbis wasted four match points Federer beats Lu Australian Open, he only needed to before losing in five sets to Thanasi look at the “09” on the back of his Kokkinakis, an 18-year-old left shoe. After spending most of Australian who went around the MELBOURNE: Swiss world num- Taiwanese overhit a forehand. the last six months on the sidelines court high-fiving fans to celebrate. ber two Roger Federer had a tus- Federer served it out for the in an extended injury layoff, and No. 15 Tommy Robredo retired sle before dispatching Taiwan’s Lu match, protecting his record of after a first-round loss in a warm- with a groin injury after five games. Yen-Shun in straight sets at the never losing a first-round match up tournament, the 14-time Grand No. 7 Tomas Berdych, No. 10 Grigor Australian Open yesterday. in 16 appearances in Melbourne. Slam winner said he was low on Dimitrov, and No. 14 Kevin Federer, who is gunning for his “I thought it was played at a really confidence coming into the first Anderson were among the men fifth title at Melbourne Park, won good level, it was a tough match major of the year. The Spaniard who advanced. Top-ranked 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 and will play Italian and I had to step it up,” Federer remedied that, for a while at least, Djokovic, a four-time Australian Simone Bolelli in the second said. “I’ve played him a few times with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over Open champion, was due to open round. The 17-time Grand Slam so I knew what he can do and he Russian veteran Mikhail Youzhny Tuesday against Aljaz Bedene. champion reeled off the opening didn’t disappoint. “It’s early in the on day one of the Australian Open, Women’s No. 1 Serena Williams, two sets in just over an hour but season and it’s tough to get where he won the title in 2009 and who has won five titles at found more resistance from the rhythm, especially in the first lost in the finals in 2012 and last Melbourne Park, had a Tuesday 47th-ranked Lu in the third. The round, but this court plays nice year. Nadal hit 37 winners, and got night start against Alison Van breakthrough came in the 11th and we had some great rallies so his skipping, double fist-pumping Uytvanck. game when Federer held three it was a nice match.” Federer has celebration going during the third Meanwhile, British sixth seed break points on Lu’s service and reached the semi-final stage at his set. Andy Murray advanced to the sec- took the game when the last 11 Australian Opens. — AFP “Very positive result for me. I ond round of the Australian Open think very good start,” he said. with a testing straight sets workout “Always before the first match you against India’s Yuki Bhambri yester- always have the doubts, especially day. Murray won 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) in this situation I’m arriving here. and will now play Australian Never easy, but it was an important Marinko Matosevic in the next match for me... a comfortable vic- round. A three-time runner-up at tory that give me some confi- Melbourne Park, Murray had not dence.” The Australian Open is the played Bhambri before and found only major Nadal hasn’t won at him a tricky opponent in the 2hr least twice, and he has long want- 13min match on Margaret Court ed another triumph in Melbourne Arena. to complete a second full career Bhambri, the lowest-ranked MELBOURNE: Russia’s Maria Sharapova serves during her women’s singles match Grand Slam. He has come close, player in the men’s draw at 317, against Croatia’s Petra Martic on day one of the 2015 Australian Open tennis tourna- losing to Novak Djokovic in a 5- provided the Scot with a decent ment yesterday. —AFP hour, 53-minute epic final in 2012 encounter ahead of his anticipated and to Stan Wawrinka last year. bigger challenges in the year’s first A right wrist injury and an Grand Slam tournament. “Yuki appendix operation that limited made it very difficult, he played Sharapova through Nadal to seven matches after very aggressive, he came to the Wimbledon have taught him the net, he’s very talented and he as Ivanovic tumbles benefits of patience. And a Jan 5 made it tough,” Murray said. “I’ve loss to Michael Berrer in Doha never hit with him or seen him play helps keep him grounded. “When before so that made it tricky as MELBOURNE: Second seed Maria admitting she felt “lost” on centre court as that happens after a tough period well.” Sharapova powered into the Australian world number 142 Hradecka recovered of injuries you arrive here with Murray always had the edge Open second round yesterday as fifth from a woeful start to outclass a player doubts,” he said. “This first match over the Indian, who is coached at ranked Ana Ivanovic crashed out in a day 137 places above her. Hradecka, who was tough mentally for me. “Today the Nick Bollettieri Academy in of upsets in the season-opening Grand won a silver medal in doubles at the is very hard to speak about having Florida, and had his serve broken Slam. A total of eight women’s seeds were London Olympics and has three Grand (title) chances. I have one match. twice in the first and third sets. A eliminated on the first day of action at Slam doubles titles, showed no signs of That’s better than two days ago, two-time Grand Slam champion, Melbourne Park, with former world num- being intimidated, continually wrong- but I need more to feel that I am Murray is bidding to become the MELBOURNE: Switzerland’s Roger Federer plays a shot during his ber one Ivanovic the highest profile casu- footing Ivanovic as she attacked the net. ready for something very impor- first player to win the Australian men’s singles match against Taiwan’s Lu Yen-Hsun on day one of alty. Ivanovic, seeded five, was bundled tant here. It’s the moment to really Open title after losing three finals the 2015 Australian Open tennis tournament yesterday. —AFP out in a humiliating 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 loss to Early nerves give to this victory the right value.” in Melbourne. — Agencies Czech qualifier Lucie Hradecka, with third World number three Halep also pro- seed Simona Halep forced to dig deep to duced a stuttering first-up performance, avoid a similar fate. with the Romanian admitting nerves Angelique Kerber (seeded nine), Lucie almost got the better of her, but man- Safarova (16), Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova aged to regroup and down Italy’s Karin Retired champion (23) and Svetlana Kuznetsova (27) were Knapp 6-3, 6-2. Despite the emphatic also among the day-one departures, scoreline, Halep struggled to impose her- Li Na is pregnant while Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard (7) and self on world number 50 Knapp and was Ekaterina Makarova (10) negotiated their relieved to advance, saying nerves were MELBOURNE: Retired two-time connection she felt with the way through. Sharapova, who can regain always going to be an issue so early in a Grand Slam champion Li Na was Australian crowd during her two the coveted number one ranking from Grand Slam. always known for her timing on runner-up finishes at Melbourne arch-rival Serena Williams if she wins a “I’m sure that next time I’ll play better,” court at the Australian Open, Park in 2011 and 2013 and her second title at Melbourne Park, said she said the 23-year-old, who is looking to whether it was a cleanly struck title run last year. “I was no was aware of the carnage before she build on a breakthrough 2014 when she passing shot or a deadpanned longer alone out there fighting faced Petra Martic of Croatia. reached the French Open final and the wisecrack at the expense of her my opponent (and sometimes “There were quite a few upsets today. semi-finals at Wimbledon. “I was thinking husband, Jiang Shan. Returning myself); today it felt like I was in Of course I was very well aware of that... I a lot-maybe too much-yesterday about to Melbourne Park for the first the company of my 15,000 certainly didn’t want to be one of them,” this match, (so) I’m really happy I could time since hoisting the champi- friends,” she wrote. “And it really she said. The five-time Grand Slam cham- win this.” onship trophy last year, the feels like this baby is going to pion need not have worried, crushing Seventh seed Bouchard described her Chinese star made yet another enter the world already having Martic 6-4, 6-1 to make it a 24th birthday 6-2, 6-4 defeat of Germany’s Anna-Lena popular delivery at Rod Laver about 15,000 friends.” to forget for the Croat. “I made a few too Friedsam as “solid” but was confident Arena yesterday, announcing to After becoming the first Asian many unforced errors but overall I’m glad she would improve. “I feel good men- the crowd that she and her hus- player to win a major at the I got through,” said Sharapova, who tally and I’m just so ready to fight and band - who also goes by the 2011 French Open and then cap- showed signs of the sizzling form that leave everything on the court. I don’t name Dennis - are expecting turing her second Grand Slam won her the French Open last year and feel tired at all,” she said. Kerber of their first child. last year, Li decided to walk the Brisbane International warm-up tour- Germany lost to Irina-Camelia Begu of “I’m not sure I can trust every- away from the game in nament earlier this month. Romania 6-4, 0-6, 6-1. Meanwhile, one or not,” she playfully told September due to recurring There was only despair for her oppo- Australian Jarmila Gajdosova finally the crowd before letting every- knee injuries. Li has kept busy nent in the Brisbane final Ivanovic, whose broke a demoralizing run at her home one in on her secret. “Me and since her retirement - she has fine form ahead of the Open deserted Grand Slam with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Dennis, we are so excited our been traveling with her husband her. The Serb, who won her only major at Romanian Alexandra Dulgheru, taking first child will be out in the sum- and making plans to open her the French Open in 2008, was hoping to her through the opening round for the mer. Dennis is doing good job - own tennis academy in China. re-establish her Grand Slam credentials at first time in a decade of trying. he just makes one ace.” Li later And now she has a big arrival on the Australian Open, where she enjoys Williams, who won the last of her five posted a message on Facebook the way. “We can’t wait to huge popularity among the home fans. Australian titles in 2010, opens her MELBOURNE: Defending Australian Open champion Li Na of China saying she chose to make the become parents and start this “It’s really disappointing. It’s probably the campaign today against Belgium’s (left) holds the women’s singles trophy next to her wax model big announcement at Rod Laver new chapter together,” she worst thing could happen,” she said, Alison van Uytvanck. — AFP unveiled at the Australian Open tennis championship. —AP Arena because of the special wrote. — AP TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 SPORTS

Senegal trump Ghana 2-1 MONGOMO: Senegal came from Senegal goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul. behind to beat Ghana 2-1 with a stop- But Senegal produced long periods of page-time winner at the African Cup of pressure before Mame Biram Diouf Nations yesterday. Moussa Sow stole equalized with a second-half header, victory right at the end after Senegal after his initial effort bounced back off had gone behind early and then domi- the post. Substitute Sow then scored in nated after that. Andre Ayew stroked the 93rd minute - after a string of home a 14th-minute penalty for Ghana chances - to give Senegal a huge boost after Christian Atsu was fouled by in Group C. — AP Tevez stars as Juve rout Verona to extend lead

MILAN: Carlos Tevez hit a brace as unstop- of Champions League football dented by a pable Juventus stretched their lead over shock 1-0 home loss to Atalanta. Roma to five points at the top of Serie A on Gonzalo Bergessio and Roberto Soriano Sunday after a 4-0 rout of Verona. Roma’s pounced on poor Parma defending to score bid to challenge for a first scudetto since one apiece in the second half to hand 2001 hit the skids on Saturday when Sampdoria a second consecutive win for the Palermo held Rudi Garcia’s men to a 1-1 first time since October. Having lost only draw in Sicily. It was the Giallorossi’s second twice this season and with strikers Luis consecutive draw and Juve, who ham- Muriel and Samuel Eto’o reportedly on the mered Verona 6-1 in an Italian Cup last 16 verge of signing, coach Sinisa Mihajlovic was tie in midweek, had no trouble capitalizing. buoyant. “No other Samp side has amassed Verona had never beaten Juventus in so many points at this stage of the season. Turin and the visitors’ chances of causing a We’ve lost only twice in 19 games so I’m very major upset looked over inside three min- happy,” he told Sky Sport. Fiorentina ended a utes when Frenchman Paul Pogba beat two-month wait to string two wins together Rafael with a long-distance screamer. when Senegalese centre-forward Khouma Tevez, who was rested for Thursday’s Cup Babacar sent a looping header over goal- tie, doubled Juve’s lead four minutes later keeper Benjamin Bizzarri to seal a last-gasp BRISBANE: Amer Abdulrahman of United Arab Emirates (left) and Ashkan Dejagah of Iran fight for the ball during their Group C football match when he latched on to Alvaro Morata’s 2-1 win over Chievo. at the AFC Asian Cup yesterday. — AFP deflected cross after a Pogba dummy to La Viola’s eighth win of the campaign beat Rafael from 12 yards out. Andrea Pirlo moved them up to sixth, 13 points adrift of almost made it three soon after but his dip- champions Juve but only three behind ping free kick from 30 yards out came off Napoli in the third and final Champions the crossbar. League qualifying place. Montella was Iran pummel UAE 1-0 Claudio Marchisio, Tevez and Morata quick to praise Babacar, but told Sky: “I’m spurned further chances to add to the happy Babacar scored the decisive goal but scoreline after the break but Roberto I still believe he has so much more to offer.” Pereyra seized his chance with both hands Milan were stunned 1-0 at the San Siro Gucci gold for Iranians after ‘selfie’ ban in the 66th minute. Defender Giorgio by Atalanta when German Denis beat BRISBANE: Iran snatched a dramatic late winner graphs with female fans who have turned out in social media. “National team players should be Chiellini set up the midfielder down the left Spanish keeper Diego Lopez with the out- against the United Arab Emirates at the Asian droves to watch their games in Australia. They (careful) that those who take pictures with them and Pereyra expertly fired past Rafael and side of his right boot just after the half Cup yesterday - but were careful not to celebrate have been formally warned to stop by the don’t use these photos against the players,” Iran’s into the far top corner for his first league hour. Milan remain in eighth but are now by taking “selfies” with female fans. Substitute Iranian Football Federation’s moral committee, Shahrvand newspaper quoted him as saying. goal in Juve colours, having opened his seven points behind Napoli, who had Reza Ghoochannejhad, nicknamed “Gucci” by his which claimed players risked being used as a “According to this, they should not take pho- account in the Cup on Thursday. Gonzalo Higuain’s 18th minute strike to club mates at Charlton Athletic, popped up to “political tool” if snapped with women. Iran, who tos. If the players don’t respect this, we will be Tevez’s second came barely 10 minutes thank for a precious win away at Lazio in score in injury time and give Iran a 1-0 victory lifted the Asian Cup three times in a row obliged to take action.”Women are banned from later, the Argentinian nutmegging Rafael the day’s early match. and secure top spot in Group C, meaning they between 1968 and 1976 but have failed to win it men’s sports events in Iran, but Team Melli have from close range after Marchisio’s short Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi accepted are likely to avoid holders Japan in the quarter- since, underlined their title credentials with a been feted like rock stars in Australia, with fans pass to net his league-leading 13th of the blame for the reverse, but added: “We have finals.”UAE perhaps deserved to win,” Iran coach third straight victory. UAE finished second in the tweeting pictures of themselves with the play- season. Roma sit second at five points with to wake up and start playing better, right Carlos Queiroz told reporters. “I think they are group and are expected to face Japan next, bar- ers. Meanwhile, Japan coach Javier Aguirre did Napoli and Sampdoria, in fourth, a further now we’re missing something and I have to the best team in West Asia but our substitutes ring a shock defeat against Jordan in Melbourne not wear the expression of a man awaiting a eight points behind. Earlier, Sampdoria and shoulder the responsibility. “Maybe we’re a had experience and did the job when they came today, while Iran will face either Iraq or Jordan. court date over match-fixing charges, the Fiorentina scored precious away wins to little anxious about our situation, but we on to win it for us.” Mexican all smiles as he expressed confidence maintain their hopes of European football can’t forget this is Milan and it’s up to us to UAE coach Mahdi Ali risked a fine by ques- Rock stars his side would finish Group D with a bang next season as AC Milan saw their chances impose our game.” -— AFP tioning Japanese referee Ryuji Sato’s impartiality, Bahrain completed Qatar’s humiliation with a against Jordan despite only needing a point to raging that Iran’s goal had been offside and say- 2-1 win in the group’s dead rubber, leaving the finish top. ing tournament organizers should never have 2022 World Cup hosts rock bottom without a “There will be no question of us playing for a Marseille beat Guingamp given the game to an official from Japan, with point from three matches, Sayed Ahmed the draw,” he said. “We won’t have the calculator out. one of the two teams set to face the Blue match-winner in Sydney with a sublime late We’re here to win.” Japan captain Makoto Hasebe Samurai in the quarter-finals. The Asian Football chip. However, the day belonged to Iran after also courted controversy, a day after Honda was 2-1 in French league Confederation, who have already fined Queiroz their match in Brisbane appeared to be headed fined $5,000 for criticizing the standard of refer- and Japan playmaker Keisuke Honda, are certain for the tournament’s first stalemate following a eeing, when he stood by the team’s blond cult PARIS: Substitute Mario Lemina and but was held to a goalless draw at to take a dim view of Ali’s tirade after he fumed: record 20 games without a draw. hero. “The Japan players all feel the same as France striker Andre-Pierre Gignac Rennes. “I’m surprised at how it was given to a Japanese But in a reminder that politics is never far Keisuke,” said Hasebe, who could now escape scored late in the second half as “Since the start of the year we have referee and maybe we play against Japan in the away from the sporting arena in Tehran, Ali potential censure thanks to Ali’s outburst. “Japan Marseille beat Guingamp 2-1 for its first been somewhat too complacent. We next round.” Akbar Mohamedzade, head of the FA’s moral have a lot of players at European clubs and hon- win in a month while Paris Saint-Germain spoke a lot during this week and we felt Iran’s players have incurred the wrath of the committee, issued a stern warning after photos estly speaking, the standard of refereeing is con- again struggled for inspiration in a scrap- some improvement in our game,” Payet country’s authorities after posing for photo- of players with adoring female fans circulated on fusing.” — AFP py 4-2 defeat of bottom side Evian on said. “We’ll find our confidence back with Sunday in the French league. After start- victories like this one.” After claiming just ing the new year with back to back one point in its three previous matches, defeats and being knocked off the top of under-fire PSG coach Laurent Blanc Messi hits 3 in Barca victory the standings by Lyon, Marseille was needed a convincing win to erase the made to work by a spirited and well- memory of a painful 4-2 loss in Bastia last organized Guingamp team before weekend when his players threw away a MADRID: Barcelona boss Luis Enrique hailed Lemina headed home from close range 2-0 lead. But his side was caught cold at Lionel Messi’s consistent brilliance this season six minutes from time to put the hosts in the Parc des Princes, going behind in the after the Argentine took his tally to 28 goals in 27 front. 14th minute when Adrien Thomasson’s games with a hat-trick in a 4-0 win away to Gignac then extended Marseille’s lead glanced header found Cedric Barbosa, Deportivo la Coruna on Sunday. Messi and from Dimitri Payet’s pinpointed free kick who fired home with a half-volley. Enrique’s relationship has reportedly been frosty five minutes later with another header since the four-time World Player of the Year had into the side netting that left goalkeeper Leveling scores been left on the bench for his side’s 1-0 defeat to Jonas Lossl stranded. Claudio Beauvue Evian goalkeeper Benjamin Leroy Real Sociedad earlier this month. However, pulled one back from the penalty spot by then denied PSG’s handful of half Enrique has repeatedly insisted Messi remains sending Steve Mandanda the wrong way chances and Blanc’s players relied on set the best player in the world and refused sugges- tions he has taken his form to another level over after Rod Fanni was sent off in added pieces to turn things around. “We let our the past week with another stellar performance time. Marseille moved within one point opponents hurt us before we reacted,” after vanquishing La Liga champions Atletico of Lyon while PSG’s win lifted the said the PSG coach, before casting doubt Madrid last weekend with a goal and two assists. defending champions to third in the on his future at the club. “I don’t know if I “Messi has been at an extraordinarily high lev- standings - four points behind the lead- be PSG coach at the end of the season. el all season,” said Enrique, despite reports of a ers - after fourth-place Saint-Etienne But I have the feeling that we are improv- dressing room rift between the two in recent remained unbeaten in 12 league games ing. It’s been a while since we scored so weeks. “He hasn’t dipped at any point. He has many goals and created so many been world class.” Victory brought Barca back to chances at the Parc. Our problem is that within a point of league leaders Real Madrid and we played such beautiful football last continued their positive response to an institu- year. Everyone expects us to be the same tional crisis that enveloped the club following the this year.” Sociedad defeat. However, Enrique is still looking David Luiz got the better of Barbosa for further improvements if the Catalans are to and leveled at the half-hour mark from a continue their pursuit of honours on three fronts corner with a powerful header that Leroy this season. could only divert into his own net. Marco “Winning is good for the players’ confidence Verratti then scored his first goal for the but there are still many things to improve, both in club eight minutes later after Evian attack and defense. “We still need to improve in defenders failed to clear a long free kick. both areas because that is the only way to chal- First at the ball, Zlatan Ibrahimovic could lenge for all the titles.” One of the reported rea- not beat his marker but Verratti made no sons for the dressing room discontent with mistake from the rebound. Enrique has been his much criticized rotation pol- As PSG fans started to relax, Gregory icy. The 44-year-old named a different line-up for van der Wiel’s comical own goal silenced the 29th consecutive game, but maintained the the home crowd and brought the 18th- same 11 that started against Atletico last week- ranked visitors back into the game in the end. However, he refused to admit he had bowed 64th minute, with the defender beating to pressure from his players for a more settled keeper Salvatore Sirigu from close range side. “I am not faithful to one single manner of with a mishit header while under no doing things. I played the 11 I think will work pressure. Javier Pastore concluded a neat best. collective move with a precise volley for “We will be stronger the more players we have only his second goal this season to contributing to the cause.” And Barca’s captain on restore the hosts’ lead and substitute the day Andres Iniesta backed his coach’s inten- Edinson Cavani sealed PSG’s win two tion to keep all his players heavily involved minutes from time. throughout the campaign. “I don’t think the rota- Cavani, who was jeered by PSG fans tions are bad, that way we all feel useful and when he came on, and Ezequiel Lavezzi important,” said the Spanish international. were brought back into Blanc’s squad “It also makes sure we are in a good situation this weekend after the South Americans to get to the end of all the competitions in better were sanctioned for failing to show up at condition. “In the end what matters is what the a training camp during the Christmas coach says and we have to execute it in the best way possible.” Barca’s attention now turns to PARIS: Paris Saint Germain’s PSG’s Zlatan break. Lavezzi also came on as a substi- Ibrahimovic (left) from Sweden, jumps tute in the 79th. PSG played its first another meeting with Atletico in the first leg of for the ball with Evian’s goalkeeper home match since the deadly assault on their Copa del Rey quarter-final tie tomorrow. Benjamin Leroy during their League One Charlie Hebdo magazine’s Paris office by “We have an exciting few weeks ahead of us, but LA CORUNA: Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (left) vies with Deportivo’s soccer match between Paris Saint Islamic extremists who killed 12 people. it is a very intense and tough tie against a difficult Portuguese defender Luisinho during the Spanish league football match RC Deportivo de Germain and Evian Thonon at Parc des Fans paid a tribute to the victims with a opponent in Atletico. We need to be at our best la Coruna vs FC Barcelona at the Municipal de Riazor stadium in La Coruna on January 18, Princes stadium.—AP minute of applause before kick-off. —AP without committing errors.” — AFP 2015. —AFP Vonn breaks Nadal rises with all-time World victory at Cup wins record Australian Open

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 17 18

Gucci gold for Iranians after ‘selfie’ ban Page 19

SEATTLE: Green Bay Packers' James Starks (44) can't catch a pass in front of Seattle Seahawks' KJ Wright (50) during the second half of the NFL football NFC Championship game Sunday, Jan 18, 2015, in Seattle. — AP Seahawks rally stuns Packers 28-22

SEATTLE: The loudest stadium in America over San Francisco. turn over - the Seahawks. The five give- was silent. A return trip to the Super Bowl “Just making the plays at the end and aways were the most in the Carroll era that was slipping away. Time for the Seattle keep believing,” said Wilson, who was over- began in 2010. The silence of the fans was Belichick, Brady to 6th Super Bowl Seahawks to show why they are champions. whelmed and sobbing after the game. remarkable for much of the windy, intermit- “You have the belief these guys have in one “There was no doubt ... we had no doubt as tently rain day. Rookie safety Ha Ha Clinton- FOXBOROUGH: No coach has more postsea- • Brady surpassed John Elway for most another, there is nothing you can’t do,” a team.” Kearse, who has caught touchdown Dix had two interceptions and Green Bay son wins than Bill Belichick. No quarterback Super Bowls for a quarterback and tied has been to more Super Bowls than Tom defensive lineman Mike Lodish for most by coach Pete Carroll said after an implausible passes in four straight postseason games, sacked Wilson five times. Yet it wasn’t Brady. And these New England Patriots are so any player. comeback for a 28-22 victory over Green and several other Seahawks leaped into the enough. much more than that dynamic duo, as the • Belichick tied Don Shula for most Super Bay in the NFC championship game Sunday. stands behind the end zone, saluting the “I felt our football team was a special overwhelmed Indianapolis Colts learned. Bowls for a coach and broke a tie with Tom Plagued by turnovers and outplayed stadium-record crowd of 68,538. Wilson ran group. They’ve been great all year,” coach Belichick and Brady earned their sixth trip to Landry for postseason win. much of the day, the Seahawks staged a through cameramen to jump on Kearse’s Mike McCarthy said. “This is a hard one to the big game - and Belichick got his 21st • New England tied Dallas and Pittsburgh stunning rally built on resilience. Russell back, and defensive end Michael Bennett swallow.” Seahawks All-Pro cornerback postseason win - with the second-most lop- for most appearances in the big game with Wilson, who struggled until the final min- borrowed a bicycle from a police officer and Richard Sherman played much of the final sided AFC championship ever, 45-7 before a eight. Brady completed 23 of 35 passes for utes, hit Jermaine Kearse for a 35-yard rode around the edge of the field saluting quarter holding his left arm at his chest. The raucous, rain-soaked crowd Sunday night. 226 yards before being replaced by Jimmy touchdown 3:19 into the extra period to win the “12s.” Until the final minutes, there center of conversation after last January’s “I only have one thing to say. We’re on to Garoppolo with 3:20 left. Brady went to the it. The Seahawks became the first defending seemed to be no doubt the Packers were NFC championship win against the 49ers, Seattle,” Belichick said, adapting the rallying sideline where he was embraced by Belichick. champion to make the Super Bowl in 10 headed to the big game Feb. 1 in Glendale, he quietly left the field with his arm still cry he repeated, “We’re on to Cincinnati,” after Moments earlier, while sitting on the bench, years, and will play the AFC champion New Arizona. Despite All-Pro Rodgers’ injury, pinned to his body, an NFC championship a loss at Kansas City dropped the Patriots to Brady was shown on the video board with England Patriots, who routed Indianapolis Green Bay and its overlooked defense was towel hanging off his right arm. 2-2. The Patriots (14-4) will face the defending soaked hair. He pumped his fist in the air 12 45-7. How Seattle got there was stunning. carrying the day. Sherman said after the game about the champion Seahawks (14-4) for the NFL title times then slapped hands with teammates. “The will and the drive of these men is “It’s going to be a missed opportunity Super Bowl: “I will 100 percent be able to on Feb. 1 in Glendale, Arizona. The stoic unbelievable,” Wilson said. “We always find a that I’ll probably think about for the rest of play.” Rodgers didn’t shy away from throw- Belichick will match wits with the enthusiastic ‘Stars were aligned’ way to finish.” Seattle (14-4) trailed 19-7 with my career,” Rodgers said. “We were the bet- ing at Sherman, and in an early matchup of Pete Carroll, whom he replaced as Patriots One play after Luck threw an interception about four minutes remaining and had ter team today, we played well enough to All-Pros, Rodgers’ pass to rookie Davante coach 2000. The Seahawks beat the Green to Darrelle Revis late in the third quarter, been ineffective on offense all game. Wilson win. We can’t blame anybody but ourselves.” Adams in the end zone was snagged by Bay Packers 28-22 in overtime in the NFC title Blount ran 13 yards for the touchdown that finally put a drive together with passes to Special teams trickery lifted the Seahawks Sherman. But the Pack was right back in game. made it 38-7. One fan held up a sign: “No Brady threw three touchdown passes, Luck In Our House” “It’s a very disappointing Doug Baldwin and Marshawn Lynch initially back into the game after falling behind 16- scoring position moments later when LeGarrette Blount ran 30 times for 148 yards loss,” Colts coach Chuck Pagano said. “We’ll ruled a touchdown but called back because 0. Their first touchdown came on a fake field Clinton-Dix grabbed a tipped pass and and three scores and the Patriots scored learn from this. We’ll grow from this.” he stepped out of bounds. Wilson finished goal when holder Jon Ryan threw 19 yards returned it 26 yards to the Seattle 4. touchdowns on four straight possessions Eight days after baffling Baltimore with a with a 1-yard scoring run to cut the lead to to tackle eligible Garry Gilliam in the third Fullback John Kuhn, another All-Pro, had his after leading just 17-7 at halftime. “I know four-man offensive linemen formation, 19-14 with 2:09 left. quarter. And Matthews’ onside kick recovery TD dive reversed by a replay review and we’ve had some ups and downs this year,” Belichick called a pass to left tackle Nate kept the Seahawks alive. Lynch rushed for Seattle held. Crosby made it 3-0. Doug Brady said, “but right now we’re up, baby, and Solder that resulted in a 16-yard touchdown Winning score 157 yards on 25 carries and was the one Baldwin fumbled the ensuing kickoff at his we’re going to try to stay up for one more that made it 24-7 with just under five min- The onside kick went high to Packers consistent offensive force Seattle had. He 23, and Crosby made a 19-yarder. It didn’t game.” utes gone in the third quarter. “We’ve been tight end Brandon Bostick, but he couldn’t was crucial to both late scoring drives in get better in the first half for the hosts. practicing that for years,” Solder said. “The gather it, and Seattle’s Chris Matthews regulation. Randall Cobb caught an 18-yard TD pass on No touchdowns stars were aligned.” recovered at the 50. The crowd, quiet since the final play of the opening quarter to Quarterback Andrew Luck and the Colts The Patriots kept rolling with touch- Seattle fell behind 16-0, came alive, and Fake field goal make it 13-0; Green Bay outgained Seattle have a long wait for their next game. The No. downs on each of their next three series - a Lynch sped and powered his way to a 24- And after the Packers tied it, Seattle 137-3 in the period. The Seahawks’ initial 1 draft choice in 2012 had the worst perform- 5-yard pass from Brady to Rob Gronkowski, yard TD run. On the 2-point conversion, wouldn’t be denied in overtime, winning first down came nearly eight minutes into ance of his career and the fourth rout in his and Blount’s runs of 13 and 2 yards. “He Wilson - about to be sacked - threw a des- the coin toss and going 87 yards in six plays. the second quarter. Crosby nailed a 40- four games against the Patriots, all by at least made some great cuts in not good condi- perate pass hauled in by Luke Willson to The 16-point comeback was the largest in yarder to conclude Green Bay’s dominant three touchdowns. He completed 12 of 33 tions,” Belichick said of Blount. “He’s a tough make it 22-19 with 1:25 remaining. Aaron the second half in a conference title game. first half. Wilson was picked off three times, passes for 126 yards, no touchdowns and two guy to tackle.” All that added up to a shot at Rodgers, limping on an injured calf, calmly The Colts defeated the Patriots after trailing had a QB rating of 0.00, and Seattle was for- interceptions. another championship for the Patriots, who led the Packers (13-5) downfield to set up 21-6 in 2006. “It takes everybody and every- tunate it didn’t trail by more. Even after the “It’s hard to find much good (in the sea- lost Super Bowls to the New York Giants in Mason Crosby’s fifth field goal, a 48-yarder body had to contribute to get that done,” fake field goal TD made it 16-7, the son) fresh off this game,” Luck said. “We had the 2007 and 2011 seasons. Turnovers led to our sights set higher.” In his first season as a two of the three touchdowns in the first half. with 14 seconds to go to force overtime. Carroll said. “It was so much heart, so much Seahawks didn’t seem likely to pull off the starter in 2001, Brady led the Patriots to a Josh Cribbs fumbled a punt after the Then Wilson and Kearse struck, with Kearse - belief today. Somehow, somehow we pulled comeback. Yet they did, becoming the first Super Bowl win, starting a run of three cham- Patriots went three-and-out on their first the target on all four of Wilson’s intercep- it out.” The matchup of Green Bay’s top- team since New England a decade ago to pionships in four years. Now he and Belichick possession and Darius Fleming recovered at tions - beating Tramon Williams on the win- ranked scoring offense against the league’s return to the Super Bowl. “I’m honored to be have a chance for their first in 10 years. The the Colts 26. Six plays later, Blount scored on ning pass. Kearse has also caught the win- stingiest defense instead was being con- on this team, Wilson said. “I’m going to the list of milestones is long: a 1-yard run. — AP ning score in last year’s conference title win trolled by the Packers’ ability to stop - and Super Bowl again.” — AP Qatar Islamic Bank plans $549 million Tier 1 sukuk Page 22

Business Toyota Racing Development: To activate the beast mode TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 Page 25 Greek economy bouncing back Al-Mazaya Holding posts 34.7% profit leap by 2014 end from crisis Page 26 Page 23

HONG KONG: Participants chat at the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong yesterday. The Asian Financial Forum 2015 is held under the theme of “Asia: Sustainable Development in a World of Change”. — AFP Gulf funds may pull out of global markets GCC faces first current account deficit since 1998

DUBAI: Plunging oil prices could prompt Gulf Arab sov- not immediately respond to requests for comment. ereign wealth funds to pull tens of billions of dollars out Saudi Arabia may withdraw the most from global of global markets this year, with much of the money markets. The central bank had the equivalent of $732 expected to come out of US dollar debt and deposits billion of net foreign assets in November, including $545 Gulf soft as oil slips with banks abroad. billion of securities and $131 billion of deposits with But - in a crucial balancing act for funds tasked with banks abroad. The vast majority is believed to be in US diversifying their economies away from hydrocarbons - dollars, especially US Treasury bonds. The government MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS many are expected to remain active in making long- has projected a record budget deficit of $38.7 billion for term investments such as infrastructure and real estate, 2015. Analysts believe that estimate assumed an aver- DUBAI: Most Gulf equity markets pulled back yesterday follow suit. with an increasing focus on developing nations as age oil price of around $60, so if Brent stays around $50, as oil prices slipped again and negative fourth-quarter opposed to sluggish European economies. For over a Riyadh could face a deficit in the order of $50-60 billion. Air Arabia jumped 2.4 percent after announcing decade, the funds of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation It could cover that by borrowing or running down earnings weighed on Saudi Arabia’s bourse. Brent crude plans to launch a flight to Urumqi and become, it said, Council (GCC) have been big players in the securities some domestic assets - it has the equivalent of $96 bil- fell back below $50 a barrel on concern that the global the first low-cost airline from the Middle East and Africa markets of the developed world, buyers of stakes in lion deposited with Saudi commercial banks. But Saudi economic outlook was darkening and after Iraq to enter the Chinese market. Dubai-listed shares in high-profile companies such as Total and Volkswagen , policymakers tend to avoid debt, and they will not want announced record oil production. Saudi Arabia’s main Bahrain’s Gulf Finance House (GFH) dropped 3.4 percent and investors in European real estate. to hurt the economy by tightening liquidity in the bank- index slid 0.6 percent as petrochemicals giant Saudi and topped trading volume on the emirate’s bourse They have grown rapidly; including the foreign assets ing system. So much, or all, of the burden of covering Basic Industries fell 1.9 percent and Savola Group, the after surging their daily 15 percent limit in the previous of Saudi Arabia’s central bank, the GCC’s sovereign funds the deficit is likely to fall on the central bank’s foreign kingdom’s biggest food maker, dropped 2.3 percent. session. GFH said yesterday that it had no information now total about $2.43 trillion, according to the assets. This is what happened when Riyadh last posted a Savola reported a 23 percent decline in fourth-quar- to disclose that could explain the share price move- International Monetary Fund. Most of that is invested big budget deficit, a $12 billion shortfall in 2009 due to ter profit on Sunday. It made 434.4 million riyals ($115.8 ment. overseas. But the growth is set to falter as oil’s 60 per- a collapse in oil prices. million) in the period, falling short of the 562.4 million Property-related stocks such as Emaar Properties, cent tumble over the past seven months slashes govern- In that year, the central bank’s investments abroad riyals average forecast by analysts polled by Reuters. which lost 1.8 percent, came under pressure after con- ments’ energy export revenues - “petrodollars” - the dropped 7 percent and its deposits abroad fell 12 per- Shares in Saudi Industrial Investment Group tumbled sultancy JLL said in a report on Sunday that Dubai’s main source of new money for the funds. cent, before resuming their growth in 2010 after prices 3.6 percent after its fourth-quarter profit plunged 58 markets for residential real estate and hotel properties Capital Economics estimates if Brent crude averages recovered. Elsewhere in the Gulf, Oman and Bahrain may percent because of the fall in oil prices. were peaking as lower oil prices dampened sentiment. $60 a barrel this year, the GCC will run a current account face heavy pressure to liquidate fund assets because Meanwhile, Almarai, the Gulf’s largest dairy compa- Abu Dhabi’s index edged up 0.3 percent as blue chips deficit of $60 billion, its first deficit since 1998. That they have the weakest budget positions; Oman has pro- ny, added 2.1 percent after reporting a 15 percent rise Etisalat and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank added 0.5 and could halt net flows of fresh petrodollars into the funds jected a $6.5 billion deficit for 2015 at an average oil in quarterly profit, in line with analysts’ estimates. 3.4 percent respectively. entirely. In fact, flows could reverse. Governments will price of $75. But their funds are tiny by international Qatar’s bourse edged down 0.2 percent as shares in probably liquidate some of their fund assets to cover standards: $19 billion for Oman and $11 billion for UAE, EGYPT Qatar Islamic Bank dropped 2.7 percent despite strong budget deficits as their revenues fall; if Brent stays at its Bahrain, according to the IMF. current level around $50, all GCC governments are likely The United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait are Dubai’s index slipped 0.2 percent as property and fourth-quarter results. The lender reported a 30.4 per- to run deficits. believed to need much lower oil prices than Saudi construction stocks fell while banks and other sectors cent jump in quarterly earnings on Sunday, making The projected deficits are small compared with the Arabia to break even on their budgets, so they would did well. Dubai Islamic Bank’s (DIB) 2.2 percent gain 470 million riyals ($129.1 million) during the period. size of the funds, so in contrast to crisis-hit oil exporters face smaller deficits with oil at $50, and less pressure to was the main support. Two other Dubai lenders, Five analysts on average had forecast a net profit of such as Russia, Gulf states will avoid any mass sell-off of sell assets. Annual returns from existing fund assets Emirates NBD and Mashreq , reported strong quarterly 333 million riyals. However, the stock had risen 4.8 per- assets, say bankers and analysts familiar with the funds’ might be enough to cover their deficits. In any case, the results on Sunday and investors may be betting that cent earlier this month in anticipation of the earnings operations. But even before oil began tumbling, there funds may be reluctant to sell trophy assets in real DIB, whose board will review earnings on Jan. 25, will report. — Reuters was a trend for some sovereign funds to bring more estate or private equity, given the loss of prestige this money home to support domestic economic growth, would entail - something anathema to Gulf business cul- said Michael Maduell, president of the US-based ture. Iran sees no OPEC shift toward a cut Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute, which tracks the indus- try. That trend could strengthen, he said. STRATEGIES DUBAI: Iran sees no sign of a shift within OPEC towards below $50 a barrel yesterday, pressured by a global glut Diego Lopez, an Abu Dhabi-based director at the sov- As they plot strategies for 2015, sovereign funds are action to support oil prices, its oil minister said, adding its and OPEC’s refusal at its last meeting in November to cut ereign wealth fund unit of consultants PwC, said funds expected to react differently to the new environment. A oil industry could ride out a further price slump to $25 a its output. were looking to invest in assets such as infrastructure few may become more conservative in investment deci- barrel. The comments are a further sign that despite lobby- OPEC decided against a production cut despite misgiv- and real estate, but as opportunities dried up in devel- sions, Maduell said, citing the Kuwait Investment ing by Iran and Venezuela, there is little chance of collec- ings from non-Gulf members such as Iran and Venezuela, oped countries, were increasingly seeking investments Authority as a possible example. But bankers noted even tive action by the 12-member OPEC to prop up prices - after top producer Saudi Arabia argued the group needed in emerging economies. as oil’s decline pressured governments’ finances, it was entrenching the reluctance of individual members to curb to defend market share against US shale oil and other The Qatar Investment Authority, for example, recently making it more urgent for them to develop financial competing sources. Since the meeting, lobbying by Iran announced a big push into Asia, aiming to invest $15- bases that were not so vulnerable to oil swings - so the their own supplies. $20 billion over five years to diversify away from its funds’ activities were vital. In remarks posted on the Iranian oil ministry’s website for a cut and a diplomatic tour by Venezuelan President Europe-focused portfolio. A senior Doha banker said the funds had grown so SHANA, Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh called for increased Nicolas Maduro has failed to soften the stance of the Gulf much in recent years that they were becoming less cooperation between members of the Organization of the members, who can live with relatively low oil prices. DEFICITS reliant on receiving huge quantities of new petrodollars Petroleum Exporting Countries. “Iran has no plan (to hold Reinforcing the impasse, the Gulf members are frustrated The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Qatar every year. “There is still enough liquidity to ensure that an emergency OPEC meeting) and is currently in consulta- with the position of other countries, who call for supply cuts Investment Authority and Oman’s State General Reserve deals happen, even ones in the $3 billion to $4 billion tions with other OPEC member states in a bid to prevent but do not offer any themselves. Zanganeh said Iran had no Fund all declined to comment. Bahrain’s Mumtalakat, bracket,” he said. “If you have a $500 billion to $600 bil- the sharp fall in the oil price, but these consultations have plans to cut its own oil production and that it had had no the Kuwait Investment Authority, Saudi Arabia’s ministry lion fund, even just deploying the income from returns yet to bear fruit,” he said. further meetings with Saudi Arabia - Iran’s main political of finance and the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency did gives you maybe $20 billion a year to spend.” — Reuters Oil has plunged by more than half since June 2014 to rival in the Gulf - since the OPEC meeting. — Reuters BUSINESS TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 Qatar Islamic Bank plans $549 million Tier 1 sukuk Bank eyes debt market to boost reserves

DUBAI: Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) plans to raise up to 2 QIB’s total capital adequacy ratio, a combination of billion riyals ($549.4 million) through a capital-boosting Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital-regarded as one of the key indi- News sukuk; the latest Gulf bank eyeing debt markets to cators of a bank’s health-stood at 14 percent at the end replenish its reserves after a period of strong lending of 2014, against a 12.5 percent minimum prescribed by in brief growth. Qatar’s largest sharia-compliant institution by Qatar’s central bank. assets announced the sukuk after reporting fourth- Sipchem Q4 profit falls quarter net profit that was up an estimate-beating 30.4 STRONG GROWTH 33% as sales drop percent year on year, according to Reuters calculations. Qatari banks have been able to build their loan DUBAI: Saudi International Petrochemical Co (Sipchem) Unlike European peers that have been dogged by books at a fast pace in recent years as the Gulf state blamed a plant shutdown for lower production and sales capital concerns in recent years, Gulf banks have spends billions of dollars developing infrastructure as the company reported a 33 percent drop in fourth- increasingly turned to capital-enhancing bonds for and prepares to host the 2022 soccer World Cup finals. quarter profit that was roughly in line with analyst esti- positive reasons, seeking to build on existing growth QIB’s lending book jumped 27 percent in 2014 to mates. Sipchem made a profit of 132.4 million riyals and diversify their sources of capital. stand at 60 billion riyals on Dec. 31, while deposits ($35.28 million) in the three months to Dec. 31, accord- New Basel III banking standards, due to come into surged by 32 percent to reach 67 billion riyals at the ing to a statement to Riyadh’s bourse. That compares full force in 2019, will also oblige banks to set aside end of last year. with a profit of 196.8 million riyals in the prior-year peri- more capital. A number of Saudi banks have used the This helped the bank make a net profit of 470 mil- od. Four analysts polled by Reuters on average forecast local-currency sukuk market to raise instruments that lion riyals during the fourth quarter, according to Sipchem would make a quarterly profit of 129.25 million enhance their Tier 2 — or supplementary-capital in the Reuters calculations based on financial statements, riyals. The company blamed the profit drop on the shut- past two years, while banks from the United Arab compared with 360.3 million riyals in the last three down of a methanol plant during the fourth quarter - Emirates have also sold bonds and sukuk that enhance months of 2013 and well ahead of the 333.3 million which resulted in lower production and sales quantities - core Tier 1 capital. riyal average estimate of five analysts polled by Reuters. plus lower sales prices for methanol and butandiol prod- The latest was a Tier 1 sukuk from Dubai Islamic The bank’s board proposed a cash dividend of 4.25 ucts. Sipchem’s 2014 annual profit was 606.2 million Bank , completed last week. On Sunday QIB said that its riyals per share for 2014, up from 4 riyals for 2013, the riyals, down from 620.5 million riyals in 2013. board had proposed a Basel III-compliant Tier 1 sukuk statement added. Shares in QIB closed 0.1 percent worth up to 2 billion riyals, subject to shareholder and higher on Sunday, before the earnings announcement. regulatory approval. — Reuters Abu Dhabi’s TDIC confirms CFO exit ABU DHABI: The chief financial officer of Abu Dhabi state-owned investment fund Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) has left the company due to personal reasons, a compa- ny spokesman confirmed yesterday. TDIC is most well-known for building versions of the Louvre and Guggenheim in the Gulf Arab emirate, as part of its mandate to develop cultural and tourism attrac- tions. Shaun O’Connor had been CFO of TDIC since June 2011 but left two months ago, a source aware of the matter had earlier told Reuters. According to O’Connor’s LinkedIn page, he has been president of Real Capital Solutions since December 2014. A new TDIC CFO has yet to be appointed and deputy finance head, Matt Matharu, is currently serving as acting CFO, the spokesman added.

Ezz Steel agrees $236m facility to restructure debt CAIRO: Ezz Steel, Egypt’s largest steelmaker, has signed a long-term financing agreement with two banks w0orth 1.7 billion Egyptian pounds ($236 million) to help it restructure its debt. The loan will be repaid in quarterly instalments over seven years starting in 2015, Ezz Steel said in a stock exchange statement yesterday. The deal with National Bank of Egypt and Arab African International Bank is part of its plan to restructure the THESSALONIKI: Workers of Hellenic Sugar Industry shout slogans during a protest against the closure of company’s credit facilities by repaying some of its exist- three factories, in Thessaloniki yesterday. International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde yester- ing debt, it said. Ezz Steel operates four plants in Egypt day warned of “consequences” if European countries try to renegotiate their debts, ahead of Greek elec- and controls more than half the country’s steel market. tions which anti-austerity Syriza party is favored to win. — AFP Like other heavy industries in Egypt, its profitability had suffered in recent years from weak exports and a chronic gas shortage as the government diverted supplies Facing public anger, Pakistan toward electricity production to ease regular blackouts. In October, Egypt imposed temporary tariffs to protect domestic steel rebar manufacturers from cheap foreign promises to solve fuel crisis imports during the energy crunch.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government, facing public government decided to buy additional petrol to anger over severe petrol shortages, promised yester- defuse the crisis. “From today we have started buying day the crisis that has led to long queues outside 15,000 metric tons of petrol and in the next 5-6 days it Al-Hamra Real Estate petrol stations would be solved within a week. will be much easier to buy petrol,” said Petroleum boosts loan to $340m Already frustrated by crippling electricity and gas Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. DUBAI: Al-Hamra Real Estate Development has shortages, Pakistanis have accused the government of The state importer says it buys up to 90 percent of increased the value of a syndicated loan to 1.25 bil- not acting fast enough to preempt a decrease in fuel oil and petrol abroad, but this month it was forced lion dirhams ($340.3 million) from 850 million domestic fuel supplies at a time of falling global oil to cut purchases because it had not been paid by its dirhams previously, the United Arab Emirates’ firm prices. The crisis started this month when the cash- customers on time. said yesterday. Al-Hamra, based in the northern starved state fuel importer slashed petrol imports by The government subsidizes electricity, but rarely emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah, 130 kilometers from the half and skipped overseas fuel oil purchases altogeth- pays the subsidies to power companies on time. They, UAE’s commercial hub Dubai, signed the seven-year er, worsening power cuts and leading to petrol short- in turn, cannot pay for their fuel imports, leading to a loan last June. Goldman Sachs remained lead ages around the country. buildup of unpaid bills referred to as “circular debt”. arranger and sole bookrunner on the upsized loan, “This is the height of incompetence and gross mis- Some ambulance services were forced to suspend while original lenders Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, management by the government,” said opposition their work because of fuel shortages, media reported. Commercial Bank of Dubai and Union National senator Saeed Ghani. The anger over the government’s On the streets, disgruntled motorists said they were Bank also contributed to the extra 400 million handling of the crisis has added to the list of problems running out of patience. “This government should be dirhams added to the facility. The loan will be used facing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his authority ashamed of itself,” said one man, Akhlaq Ahmed. “How for capital expenditure and general business pur- already weakened by months of opposition protests can they run this country if they can’t even manage poses, Al-Hamra said in an emailed statement. last year. At a meeting chaired by Sharif yesterday, the petrol distribution in the capital?” - Reuters EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Syrian Pound 2.710 Philippine Peso 0.006520 0.006800 Nepalese Rupees 3.945 Sierra Leone 0.000067 0.000073 Malaysian Ringgit 87.645 Singapore Dollar 0.217217 0.223217 ASIAN COUNTRIES COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH South African Rand 0.019440 0.027940 Japanese Yen 2.518 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 48.035 Australian Dollar 232.53 229.53 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001862 0.002442 Indian Rupees 4.749 Thai Bhat 9.885 Canadian Dollar 249.90 250.90 Taiwan 0.009143 0.009323 Pakistani Rupees 2.928 Turkish Lira 131.225 Swiss Franc 293.82 291.82 Thai Baht 0.008666 0.009216 Srilankan Rupees 2.230 Euro 350.75 351.75 Nepali Rupees 2.971 US Dollar 294.90 297.90 Arab Singapore Dollar 221.370 Sterling Pound 449.01 451.01 Bahrain Exchange Company Hongkong Dollar 38.022 Bahraini Dinar 0.775503 0.783503 Japanese Yen 2.53 2.55 Bangladesh Taka 3.779 Egyptian Pound 0.038236 0.041336 Bangladesh Taka 3.778 4.048 CURRENCY BUY SELL Philippine Peso 6.603 Iranian Riyal 0.000082 0.000083 Indian Rupee 4.746 5.046 Thai Baht 9.006 Europe Iraqi Dinar 0.000196 0.000256 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.227 2.662 Irani Riyal transfer 61.555 Belgian Franc 0.007680 0.008680 Jordanian Dinar 0.411740 0.419240 Irani Riyal cash 121.740 Nepali Rupee 2.964 3.499 British Pound 0.440120 0.449120 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Pakistani Rupee 2.926 2.790 Czech Korune 0.004334 0.016334 Lebanese Pound 0.000144 0.000244 GCC COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 80.14 80.60 Danish Krone 0.042624 0.047624 Moroccan Dirhams 0.024086 0.048086 Saudi Riyal 78.645 Bahraini Dinar 782.70 784.77 Euro 0.341803 0.349803 Nigerian Naira 0.001200 0.001835 Qatari Riyal 81.022 Egyptian Pound 41.12 41.72 Norwegian Krone 0.033921 0.039121 Omani Riyal 0.759694 0.765374 Omani Riyal 766.310 Jordanian Dinar 419.01 424.66 Romanian Leu 0.077159 0.077159 Qatar Riyal 0.080263 0.081476 Bahraini Dinar 783.310 Omani Riyal 764.77 772.07 Slovakia 0.008654 0.018654 Saudi Riyal 0.077977 0.078677 UAE Dirham 80.316 Qatari Riyal 81.21 81.76 Swedish Krona 0.032465 0.037465 Syrian Pound 0.001748 0.001968 Saudi Riyal 78.55 78.95 Swiss Franc 0.282758 0.292958 Tunisian Dinar 0.153118 0.161118 ARAB COUNTRIES Turkish Lira 0.127345 0.134345 Turkish Lira 0.127345 0.134345 Egyptian Pound - Cash 41.450 UAE Dirhams 0.079282 0.080431 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 41.146 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Australasia Yemeni Riyal 0.001331 0.001411 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.376 Australian Dollar 0.230221 0.241721 New Zealand Dollar 0.221016 0.230516 Tunisian Dinar 156.190 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Jordanian Dinar 415.970 Al Mulla Exchange US Dollar 291.750 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.979 America Canadian Dollar 260.085 Syrian Lira 2.102 Canadian Dollar 0.240411 0.248911 Sterling Pound 456.630 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Morocco Dirham 32.325 US Dollars 0.290700 0.295400 Euro 366.500 US Dollar 294.250 US Dollars Mint 0.291200 0.295400 Euro 348.000 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Swiss Frank 303.035 Bahrain Dinar 775.760 Pound Sterlng 448.650 US Dollar Transfer 294.800 Asia UAE Dirhams 79.330 Canadian Dollar 247.700 Euro 348.750 Bangladesh Taka 0.003456 0.004056 Qatari Riyals 80.935 Indian Rupee 4.738 Sterling Pound 448.390 Chinese Yuan 0.046051 0.049551 Saudi Riyals 77.975 Egyptian Pound 41.135 Canadian dollar 246.690 Hong Kong Dollar 0.035930 0.038680 Jordanian Dinar 411.660 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.222 Turkish lira 128.450 Indian Rupee 0.004406 0.004807 Egyptian Pound 40.707 Bangladesh Taka 3.770 Swiss Franc 290.590 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.225 Philippines Peso 6.590 Australian Dollar 239.820 Japanese Yen 0.002429 0.002609 Indian Rupees 4.716 Pakistan Rupee 2.928 US Dollar Buying 293.600 Kenyan Shilling 0.003216 0.003218 Pakistani Rupees 2.867 Bahraini Dinar 783.450 Korean Won 0.000262 0.000277 Bangladesh Taka 3.759 UAE Dirham 80.150 GOLD Malaysian Ringgit 0.079551 0.085551 Philippines Pesso 6.481 Saudi Riyal 78.600 20 gram 238.100 Nepalese Rupee 0.003013 0.003183 Cyprus pound 715.865 *Rates are subject to change 10 gram 121.740 Pakistan Rupee 0.002740 0.003020 5 gram 61.560 Japanese Yen 3.480 BUSINESS TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015

KUWAIT: Ambassador of Greece Dr Theodoros J Theodorou (right) and Prof Emmanuel C Kondylis (second right) during a meeting in Kuwait. Greek economy bouncing back from crisis OPAD, HRADF transforming Greece with structural reforms

By Prof Emmanuel C Kondylis, Ph.D ny and water supply and sewerage companies). These invest- We recently concluded a very important transaction. With number of key features: Chairman, Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund ments will contribute to restart the Greek economy and fuel an offer consisting of an upfront payment of Ä1.234 billion and • Long duration (40+ 10 years) to ensure that, tariffs remain economic growth. an annual payment of Ä22.9 million for the life of the competitive whilst allowing the upgrade and expansion of KUWAIT: With more than 15 privatizations in progress and a The Fund follows international commercial practices and is Concession, annually adjusted according to CPI, the FRAPORT infrastructure and installations strong trade record of 21 privatizations successfully complet- staffed with seasoned professionals from the banking, consult- AG- SLENTEL Ltd consortium was declared as a preferred bid- • Undertaking of the obligation to invest so as to continu- ed, including Hellinikon, Regional Airports, OPAP and the ing and legal sectors assisted by a Council of Experts and der in the Regional Airports’ tender procedure. The airports ously expand and upgrade the airport to specific service Natural Gas System Operator, HRADF, over the last period, has employs experienced international advisors for each project. It were tendered in two clusters of 7 airports each, one cluster levels and performance standards (eg ICAO service level ‘C’ managed to move on to a new chapter and become more has state of the art project management systems and a very containing airports in the mainland, the Ionian Sea and Chania for the terminals) as traffic increases in the concession effective and efficient contributing substantially to the recov- flat organizational structure to facilitate speedy decision mak- and the other containing airports in the Aegean Islands. The duration; Investments expected to be implemented over a ery of the Greek economy. Our role and objective is not only to ing. HRADF efforts are based on three pillars: clarity of purpose, smaller airports that were not included in the perimeter of the period of four years amount to approximately to Ä330 mil- raise total cumulative proceeds for the Greek state, as indicat- transparency of process and speed. In this context, the Fund privatization will be spun off from the Hellenic Civil Aviation lion while investments for the duration of the concession ed in the MoU, but to transform the Greek economy as well by will amount approximately to Ä1.4 billion. These invest- proceeding with those structural reforms through privatiza- ment amounts are over and above the upfront and the tions. Proceeds accrued amount to over Ä7.7 billion. HRADF is annual fees offered by the preferred bidder. well underway to meet the overall targets and to raise the • Tariff policy ensures the competitiveness of the airports expected privatization revenues of Ä9,6 billion by 2016. vis-‡-vis similar airports in the region. In addition, any tariff We keep strengthening our efforts to attract foreign capital, increases from current levels will only be allowed after ini- boost and support Greece’s economic recovery via the imple- tial expansion and refurbishment investments are com- mented privatization program. Our aim is to encourage much- pleted. needed longer-term foreign investments in Greece which will • The privatization of the ports of Thessaloniki and Athens aid overall efforts to exit the Greek debt crisis and return to are in its final stage. The exploitation of OLP and OLTH will growth. strengthen the competitiveness of Greece in the In full cooperation with the Greek government we have tak- Mediterranean and Europe. Strong investment groups are en a number of steps to pave the way for those who wish to participating in the tender process. invest and do business in our country, aimed mainly at lifting • Strong international investor interest has been also the bureaucratic obstacles. For instance, nearly 100 of regula- expressed for TRAINOSE and ROSCO. Their exploitation will tory, administrative and technical barriers slowing down priva- contribute to a) the upgrade and development of the pas- tizations have been lifted - the majority of them constitute senger and freight transportation, b) the creation of syner- substantial reforms. gies between the country’s infrastructure companies, and c) the creation of added value to the Greek economy and a Regulations significant number of new jobs. Moreover, experience in the obstacles that we are going to meet, knowledge of withstanding regulatory or legal gaps, Real estate sector established relations with the potential investors are factors not only implements the privatizations, but prepares the assets Authority to a state-owned company that will operate, main- In the real estate sector, more than 80,000 properties have that contribute to the speeding up of the process. However, we and sets the ground that will allow smooth rollout of the priva- tain and develop these airports. The clustering concept allows been valued and more than 3,000 properties have been select- would never sacrifice quality over time. tization plan. Assets managed by HRADF fall under three main the inclusion of medium-sized, developing airports along with ed for development. We have completed some very important We have to bear in mind, that we seek sustainable and categories according to their nature: corporate rights, infra- the ‘anchor’ large airports within the concession perimeter, transactions such as Afantou and Astir Palace Hotel, located in responsible solutions. We will not allow the privatization structure and land development. whilst maintaining the overall financial and commercial attrac- the Athenian bay area of Vouliagmeni. We also implement inno- process to become a bargain sale. We prepare well each asset tiveness of the cluster. The design of the clusters took into vative initiatives. The real estate auction platform is a very good and we launch tenders with efficiency and transparency. Our Projects account various criteria, such as the formation of clusters of example for one of our successful initiatives. This is a new tool aim is to add value to each asset and therefore get the best Twenty one projects have been completed, including five similar size and adequate critical mass, the inclusion of a bal- that offers immediate and easy access to real estate properties possible financial consideration. very big transactions: Regional Airports, OPAP (Sport betting anced set of airports in terms of commercial attractiveness as in Greece. The e-Auction platform is ideal for commercializing We are changing Greece. Through the privatization scheme operator), Helliniko, Astir Vouliagmenis and the sale and lease- well as the creation of both operational and commercial syner- urban properties as well as small to medium rural plots. Positive significant investments are expected to be implemented in the back of 28 State buildings. In total, Greece’s privatization pro- gies. results in privatizations indicate the effectiveness of Greece’s country’s infrastructure (airports, ports, train operating compa- gram has raised EUR approximately 7,7 billion already. The concession agreement of the airport clusters has a efforts and create opportunities for the country.

GCC helps drive emerging Qatar emir to markets optimism: Survey attend Egypt economic summit DUBAI: Dynamism in GCC countries and (28) and Pakistan (25) - all with popula- the large, next-tier economies of tions topping 100 million - climbed in DUBAI: Qatar’s emir will attend an economic summit Indonesia, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Mexico the Index rankings. The other large non- due to take place in Egypt in mid-March, sources from and Pakistan is offsetting mixed perform- BRICS market - Mexico-held steady at No both countries said yesterday, in a sign of easing politi- ance in the BRICS countries that powered 9. cal tension between the Arab states. emerging markets growth in recent Qatar’s support for former Egyptian Islamist President years. Kuwait slips Mohammad Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood created The more balanced picture for growth Elsewhere in the Gulf, Kuwait slipped tensions with Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, who ousted Morsi in is reflected in the 2015 Agility Emerging three spots to No 21 in the Index, and 2013 and cracked down on the Brotherhood since his Markets Logistics Index, an annual data- Bahrain fell two to No 24. To close the election as president last year. Qatar’s role as a host to driven ranking of 45 emerging gap with its Gulf neighbors, Kuwait exiled Brotherhood leaders has irritated Egypt, which economies accompanied by a separate needs to accelerate infrastructure invest- along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates survey of nearly 1,000 global logistics ment and economic reform. Bahrain considers the Brotherhood a political threat. and supply chain executives. posted strong growth in the first half of “A formal invitation letter has been presented from The Index, now in its sixth year, ranks 2014 but continues to deal with the Egypt’s president to the Qatari emir to attend the eco- emerging markets based on their size, aftermath of sectarian tension. nomic summit in Egypt,” said an Egyptian official source business conditions, infrastructure and The picture was mixed for non-Gulf PARIS: French President Francois Hollande (left) and Prime Minister Manuel Valls arrive to in the Gulf. A source close to Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim other factors that make them attractive countries of the Middle East. Jordan attend a New Year ceremony for business and employment sector representatives at the bin Hamad said the invitation has been accepted. for investment by logistics companies, air slipped five spots to 29 in the Index Elysee Palace in Paris yesterday. — AP Egypt hopes summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm cargo carriers, shipping lines, freight for- despite strong scores for its business Al-Sheikh will attract foreign investors to boost an econ- warders and distribution companies. conditions. Jordan has been affected by omy battered by years of political turmoil. Large BRICS nations Brazil, Russia, fighting in neighboring Syria and Iraq, its Egypt’s energy subsidy costs Qatar has taken steps to improve relations with Cairo, India, China and South Africa have largest trading partner. Lebanon, also including suspending broadcasts by the Qatari-owned accounted for much of the growth and affected by fighting in Syria, fell two down 30% in H1 2014-15 al Jazeera television of an Egypt-focused channel, and investment in emerging markets and spots to No 42. Turkey, which has a much CAIRO: Plummeting global oil prices mean lation of 86 million. The subsidies have the departure in September of seven senior Muslim have dominated the Index. Saudi Arabia larger and more diversified economy, Brotherhood figures. Sources close to Qatar’s govern- climbed to No 2 in the 2015 Index, rank- was more resilient, holding steady at No Egypt spent 30 percent less on energy subsi- helped turn Egypt from a net energy exporter dies in the first half of 2014-15 than it did in into a net importer over the last few years. ment say the Brotherhood members were not expelled ing behind only China, which has 47 10 despite fighting on its southern bor- and left at their own free will. times the population and 12.5 times the der, concerns about the falling lira and the same period of the previous fiscal year, an The government slashed fuel subsidies in oil ministry source said yesterday. The gov- July to ease the burden on a swelling budget Al-Jazeera said it was rolling Al-Jazeera Mubasher economic output. internal political tension. Misr (AJMM) into a new channel reporting live events Gulf states UAE, Qatar and Oman, In North Africa, relatively stable ernment spent 45 billion Egyptian pounds deficit, raising prices of mainstream fuel prod- ($6.35 billion) on energy subsidies in the first ucts by up to 78 percent. It had originally from around the world, not just Egypt. ranked as having the best “market com- Algeria leaped three spots to No 34, but six months of the fiscal year that began in assumed oil prices of $109-$110 a barrel in its Egyptian authorities are still putting pressure on patibility” - the most ideal business con- Algeria has yet to feel the full brunt of July, reaping the benefits of declines that 2014-15 budget and planned to spend about Qatar to hand over Assem Abdel Maged, a senior mem- ditions - among the 45 countries in the falling oil prices, which have added have seen oil prices lose over half their value. 100 billion pounds on energy subsidies dur- ber of the Islamist group Gamaa Islamiya who is wanted Index. They were followed by Uruguay, urgency to calls for economic diversifica- Benchmark Brent crude was trading below ing the fiscal year. The oil minister said in on terrorism charges, according to security sources. Saudi Arabia and Morocco. UAE, tion. Egypt’s slide continued. It dropped $50 a barrel yesterday compared with the December that if oil prices remained at below Sources close to the Qatari government say that officials Malaysia, China, Oman, Saudi Arabia and from No 28 to No 32 despite signs that year’s peak in June above $115. Egypt has $60 a barrel for the rest of the fiscal year, the in the Gulf state have not declined or agreed to hand Chile led in “connectivity,” indicating the current government has halted the struggled with soaring energy bills caused by government could end up spending less than over Abdel Maged, but also said that handing him over they have the best infrastructure and decline that began in 2011. Even so, high subsidies it provides on fuel for its popu- 70 billion pounds on the subsidies. — Reuters would go against the country’s principles. — Reuters transport links among emerging many analysts forecast a strong recovery economies. for Egypt in 2015, and the relative stabili- “Infrastructure investment and struc- ty brought about by the government has tural reforms that improve the climate prompted a reconsideration of the coun- German economy has overcome doldrums: CB for businesses have positioned Saudi try’s prospects among logistics and sup- Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Oman to ply chain executives. It climbed four FRANKFURT: The German economy, Europe’s prices,” the report said. Business confidence had that the economy expanded by 1.5 percent weather the downturn in energy prices,” spots in the survey to No. 20 among mar- biggest, has managed to shrug off faster than also improved in December, the Bundesbank overall in the whole of 2014, suggesting that said Elias Monem, CEO Middle East and kets thought to be emerging as major expected the period of weakness it experienced said, pointing to the increased industrial output growth must have accelerated in the fourth Africa for Agility Global Integrated logistics markets. last year, the German central bank or in October and November and a rise in factory quarter. Logistics. “They continue to pursue smart Elsewhere, Tunisia (No. 35) shows Bundesbank said yesterday. “The German econo- orders. The main factors driving the recovery were policies that will help them diversify and signs of stabilizing in the wake of politi- my appears to have overcome the phase of After notching up growth of 0.8 percent in rising exports, increased consumer and public make them more inviting to the logistics cal upheaval but is feeling the spillover weakness that emerged last spring more quickly the first quarter of 2014, German gross domestic spending a rebound in investment, Destatis said. industry as consumer markets and logis- of ongoing violence in neighboring than many people expected,” the Bundesbank product (GDP) contracted by 0.1 percent in the Analysts said that Germany’s strong fiscal posi- wrote in its latest monthly report. second quarter and then expanded by a meagre tion, its buoyant labor market, low inflation, the tics hubs providing high-value supply Libya. Libya, torn by extremism and mili- Among the positive factors contributing to 0.1 percent in the third quarter. Fourth-quarter sharp drop in oil prices, the lower euro and the chain services.” tia fighting, experienced the biggest this were the “markedly positive consumer cli- GDP data are not scheduled to be released until further monetary easing by the European Central Next-tier economies Indonesia (No. 4 slide of any country in the Index, falling mate-on the back of the favourable employ- mid-February. But the federal statistics office Bank would provide plenty of reasons to be opti- in the Index), Nigeria (27), Bangladesh seven spots to No 40. ment and income outlook and falling energy Destatis calculated in a flash estimate last week mistic about recovery prospects this year. — AFP BUSINESS TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 Asia markets rise, Shanghai hit by crackdown

HONG KONG: Asian stock markets mostly rose 23,738.49. retreated slightly. WTI eased 68 cents to $48.01 a ishment of the three brokerages for rule was 0.48 percent lower at Tw$83.7. yesterday following a rally on Wall Street and a China aside, regional investors were given a barrel and Brent fell 53 cents to $49.64. violations for margin trading business last • Wellington added 0.38 percent, or jump in oil prices, but Shanghai plunged almost positive lead from New York, where all three Friday was a punch to the market,” BOC 21.41 points, to 5,638.14. Spark was up 2.63 eight percent after regulators punished three main indexes finished last week on a high thanks Blow to China market International analyst Shen Jun told AFP. percent at NZ$3.32 while Fletcher Building major brokerages for breaking rules. The euro to a pickup in oil prices. The Dow rose 1.10 per- In Shanghai shares plunged after the China Eyes are now on the release today of was down 0.62 percent at NZ$8.04. continued to struggle against the dollar and yen cent, the S&P 500 added 1.34 percent and the Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) on Chinese economic growth data for 2014. • Manila was marginally lower, dipping before this week’s European Central Bank (ECB) Nasdaq rallied 1.39 percent. Crude gained after Friday suspended three brokerages from open- An AFP survey predicted expansion of 7.3 5.56 points to 7,485.32. Universal Robina meeting, which is expected to unveil a vast the International Energy Agency said there were ing new margin trading accounts for three percent, down from 7.7 percent in 2013, fell 0.6 percent to 198.80 pesos while bond-buying scheme to kickstart the euro-zone signs “the tide will turn” in the market after months after they violated market rules. The which would be the slowest annual rate Metrobank rose 2.24 percent to 91.40 economy. prices tumbled towards six-year lows. news was a blow for Chinese stocks, which since 1990, a year after the Tiananmen pesos. Tokyo rose 0.89 percent, or 150.13 points, to While it predicted that prices will fall in the surged more than 50 percent last year helped by Square crackdown. On currency markets, • Mumbai rose 0.50 percent, or 140.12 17,014.29, Sydney gained 0.19 percent, or 9.86 short term, the Paris-based agency said it an interest rate cut in November. the euro fetched $1.1563 and 135.42 yen, points, to end at 28,262.01. Software major points, to 5,309.1 and Seoul closed 0.77 percent expected the market to rebalance in the second The market was also driven by ample liquidity against $1.1566 and 135.87 yen in New Wipro gained 5.26 percent to 584.45 higher, adding 14.49 points to 1,902.62. half of the year. and margin trading-when investors borrow York Friday. rupees, while Hindustan Unilever fell 5.27 However, Shanghai was hammered, diving 7.70 The comments sent US benchmark West funds to trade with only a small deposit. The single currency is facing selling percent to 892.80 rupees. percent, or 260.15 points, to close at 3,116.35 — Texas Intermediate (WTI) for February surging The three brokerages-Citic Securities, Haitong pressure before the ECB meeting on • Bangkok rose 1.16 percent, or 17.63 its biggest fall since June 2008. Hong Kong fell $2.44 Friday, while Brent for March jumped Securities and Guotai Junan Securities-are Thursday. Analysts are forecasting it will see points, to 1,535.37. Bank of Ayudhya soared 1.51 percent, or 365.03 points, to end at $2.50. However, on Monday the two contracts among the country’s biggest. “The CSRC’s pun- the introduction of massive sovereign 9.73 percent to 62.00 baht, while Glow bond purchases, known as quantitative Energy gained 4.08 percent to 89.25 baht. easing. The scheme essentially entails the • Kuala Lumpur added 0.56 percent, or bank printing euros to boost lending and 9.74 points, to end at 1,753.31. Malayan fight off deflation. However, with more Banking gained 2.21 percent to 8.79 ring- cash in circulation, the value of the single git, Public Bank rose 0.46 percent to 17.64 currency falls. while Sime Darby slipped 0.11 percent to On Friday, the unit sank below $1.1500 9.30 ringgit. for the first time since November 2003. The • Jakarta ended up 0.07 percent, or dollar changed hands at 117.11 yen, com- 3.71 points, at 5,152.09. Auto maker pared with 117.46 yen in New York Friday. Astra International gained 1.71 percent Gold fetched $1,275.51 an ounce, against to 7,425 rupiah, while cement maker 0RQGD\-DQXDU\ $1,257.60 late Friday. Semen Indonesia fell 6.00 percent to 14,100 rupiah. ,QGH[ &KDQJH &ORVLQJ /DVW&ORVLQJ +LJK /RZ In other markets: • Singapore rose 0.21 percent, or 7.02 3ULFHLQGH[ ź      9ROXPH  • Taipei rose 0.39 percent, or 35.77 points, to close at 3,307.7. Oil rig maker :HLJKWHG,QGH[ ź     9DOXH .:'  points, to 9,174.06. Taiwan Semiconductor Keppel Corp jumped 1.87 percent to .6; ź      1XPEHURI7UDGHV  Manufacturing Co added 1.46 percent to Sg$8.18, while Singapore Airlines finished Tw$139.0 while Hon Hai Precision Industry 1.73 percent lower at Sg$11.90. — AFP

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Chinese shares plunged 6$/%22.+       Ÿ  .%7       ź  $*/7<       ź  5($0     ŷ  6.3 percent yesterday after the country’s securities regulator imposed margin trad- ('8       ŷ  0(1$       Ÿ  ing curbs on several major brokerages, a sign that authorities are trying to rein in the &/($1,1*       ŷ  $/08'21       Ÿ  market’s big gains. —AP &,7<*5283       ź  0$5$.(=       ź  .*/       ŷ  5(0$/       ź  .&3&       ŷ  0$6+$(5       ŷ  +80$162)7       ŷ  5HDO(VWDWH     ź  1$)$,6       ŷ  Oil slips below $50 on 6$):$1     ŷ  .,19       ŷ  *)&       ź  )$&,/     ŷ  0$<$'((1       ź  ,)$       ź  record Iraq output &*&       ŷ  1,19       ŷ  07&&       ź  .352-       ŷ  83$&       ŷ  &2$67       ź  LONDON: Brent crude oil prices fell below from a drop in US drilling rigs, signifying a $/$)&2       ŷ  6(&+       ź  $50 a barrel yesterday after Iraq announced likely fall in production in the future. But 08%$55$'       Ÿ  6*&     Ÿ  record oil production and the global eco- they said there was not much room for /2*,67,&6       ź  $5=$1       ź  6&(0       ŷ  0$5.$=       ź  nomic outlook darkened. Iraqi Oil Minister gains. “Some positive data points helped to *&(0       Ÿ  .0(),&       Ÿ  Adel Abdel Mehdi said on Sunday Iraq stabilize oil for now ... Upbeat IEA com- 4&(0       ŷ  $/$0$1       ź  pumped 4 million barrels per day (bpd) of ments and a falling US rig count were the )&(0       Ÿ  $/2/$     ŷ  oil in December, its highest ever thanks to latest positive news. While the news was 5.:&       Ÿ  $/0$/       ź  higher output from its southern terminals able to halt oil’s price decline, it (is) not 63(&       Ÿ  *,+       ź  ,QGXVWULDOV     Ÿ  $$<$1       ŷ  and a surge in supply from the north. enough to turn prices bullish,” Morgan %$<$1,19       ź  Abdel Mehdi said Iraq planned to a big Stanley said in a note to clients yesterday. .6+     ŷ  2628/       Ÿ  increase in exports from the northern city China, the world’s biggest energy con- 16+       Ÿ  .),&       Ÿ  of Kirkuk and the Kurdistan region, which sumer, is expected today to report its weak- 3$3&2       Ÿ  .$0&2       ź  would increase production to 600,000 bpd est economic growth for more than two &$77/       ź  1,+       ź  from April. decades. Data from China’s National Bureau '$1$+       ź  ,6.$1     ŷ  328/7       Ÿ  0$'$5       ź  Brent crude traded around $49.40 a bar- of Statistics showed on Sunday house )22'       Ÿ  $/'((5$       ź  rel by 1015 GMT, down 77 cents. US crude prices fell for a fourth straight month. A &RQVXPHU*RRGV     Ÿ  $/6$/$0       ź  was trading down 74 cents at $47.95 a bar- meeting of the European Central Bank on (.77,7$%       ź  rel. “There’s still more supply than demand Thursday will likely see the launch of a gov- 0+&       ŷ  485$,1+/'       ŷ  and that’s a situation that will not change ernment bond-buying campaign, pointing $7&   ŷ  $/0$',1$       ź  in just a few weeks,” said Hans van Cleef, to further euro falls against the dollar as <,$&2       ź  1225       ź  +HDOWK&DUH     ź  7$0,19       ŷ  energy economist at ABN Amro. well as to downward pressure on oil prices. (;&+       ŷ  Oil prices have dropped by more than “It is not hard to find evidence of .&,1       ŷ  7$,%$     ŷ  half since last June as output around the increasing concerns around global eco- .+.+2727     ŷ  .6+&.6+&        ŷ  world has soared while demand growth has nomic weakness. Yield curves across the 68/7$1       Ÿ  675$7(*,$     ŷ  slowed. Although the International Energy world have been flattening (longer term &$%/(79       ź  .&,&       ź  Agency (IEA) said last week a reversal in the yields falling relative to short ones), a (<$6     ŷ  0$1$)$(       ŷ  ,)$+5     ŷ  *1$+&       ŷ  trend was possible this year, it added that dynamic typically associated with expecta- 28/$)8(/       Ÿ  $0:$/       ź  prices may fall further before rising. tions of weakening economic conditions,” 0817$=$+$7       ŷ  $/,07,$=       Ÿ  Analysts said prices found some support Timera Energy said yesterday. — Reuters -$=((5$       Ÿ  0$1$=(/       ź  6225       ŷ  1,1'       ź  )8785(.,'       ŷ  %,,+&       Ÿ  $/1$:$',     ŷ  6(1(5*<       ź  Gold edges off 4-month $/5$,       ŷ  $*+&      ź  =,0$+       ŷ  .33&       ź  8),*       ź  7$+66,/$7       ź  high on profit booking .287)22'       ŷ  -((5$1+    ŷ  &RQVXPHU6HUYLFHV     ź  (.+2/',1*     ŷ  LONDON: Gold edged lower yesterday as come in, and a little bit of physical selling- *)+       ź  investors cashed in some of the previous nothing huge yet, but it’s the first time =$,1       ź  ,129(67       ŷ  week’s hefty gains, but prices remained we’ve seen this level for a while, so people 225('22       Ÿ  )LQDQFLDO6HUYLFHV     ź  near four-month highs as volatility in the are a bit excited,” MKS’ head of trading +,767(/(&       ź  9,9$       ź  ,QYHVWPHQW,QVWUXPHQWV     ŷ  wider markets boosted the metal’s appeal Afshin Nabavi said. 7HOHFRPPXQLFDWLRQV     ź  as a haven from risk. A market rout after “But overall, gold is going the right way $6&       ź  Switzerland unexpectedly abandoned a to reach $1,300, and if we can reach that, 1%.       ŷ  6$)7(&       ź  cap on the franc last week triggered strong we can go much, much higher,” he said. *%.       ŷ  )8785(       ŷ  bids for gold, often seen as an alternative “With the recent events in Switzerland, and &%.       ŷ  +$<$7&200       ź  $%.     ŷ  7HFKQRORJ\     ź  to risky assets. That sent prices to their the feeling that Europe may want to start $/087$+('       ŷ  highest since September at $1,281.50 on quantitative easing on Thursday, gold has .,%       ź  %$5((4     ŷ  Friday. returned to being a safe haven.” %85*       ŷ  $)$4       ŷ  While it retreated yesterday, it remained Holdings of the world’s largest gold- .),1       ź  $/6+$0(/       ŷ  supported near that peak as the market backed exchange-traded fund, SPDR Gold %28%<$1       ź  6$)5(       ź  braced for further volatility in a critical Trust, climbed 13.7 tons to 730.89 tons on $8%       ŷ  $-:$1       Ÿ  week in the euro-zone, traders said. Friday, its biggest one-day inflow in nearly ,7+05       ź  0$6$.(1       ŷ  :$5%$%$1.       ź  '$/4$1       ŷ  Expectations are high that the European 3-1/2 years. Speculators raised their net %DQNV     ź  $/(,'     ŷ Central Bank will unveil a bond-buying long position in gold for the third straight 0,'$1       ŷ  stimulus package at a policy meeting on week ending Jan 13, US Commodity .,16       ŷ  )/(;     ŷ  Thursday, while the anti-bailout party Futures Trading Commission data showed *,16       ź  7+85$<$       ŷ  Syriza maintains a lead in the polls going on Friday. Liquidity was set to be thin on $,16       ŷ  .&/,1,&     ŷ  :,16       ŷ  $0$5       Ÿ  into Greece’s general election on Sunday. Monday with the US markets closed for a .8:$,75(     ŷ  3DUDOOHO0DUNHW    Ÿ  Spot gold was down 0.3 percent at holiday. Silver was down 0.7 percent at )7,       ŷ  $1,276.10 an ounce at 1015 GMT, while US $17.61 an ounce, while platinum was down :(7+$4       ź  gold futures for February delivery were 0.4 percent at $1,258.44 an ounce and pal- %.,.:7       ŷ  )RUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQFDOO*OREDO,QYHVWPHQW+RXVHRQZZZJOREDOLQYQHW down 70 cents an ounce at $1,276.20. ladium was up 1.2 percent at $759.93 an ,QVXUDQFH    ź  “There’s a little bit of profit taking that’s ounce. — Reuters TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 BUSINESS

Toyota Racing Development —To activate the beast mode Experience Toyota’s true essence of racing and performance heritage KUWAIT: Mohamed Naser Al-Sayer & Further strengthening our strategic of companies in the world, the Toyota Sons, one of the Al-Sayer Group Holding partnership with Toyota, I am pleased to group. TRD’s mission is to pioneer the Companies and the exclusive distribu- introduce for the first time in Kuwait future of automotive culture with tors of Toyota in Kuwait, launched Toyota Toyota’s true essence of racing and per- advanced technology and high skill Racing Development - TRD. The official formance by revealing “Toyota Racing engineering. Over the years TRD’s inten- launch event and press conference, held Development - TRD” a totally exciting tion has remained the same: to expand at 360 Mall was attended by Mubarak and all new range of high performance Toyota’s motorsport activities world- Naser Al-Sayer, CEO - Mohamed Naser products and accessories. wide, and to develop and sell motor- Al-Sayer & Sons (MNSS), Kuwait market is characterized by sport-derived performance accessories. TakeharuInuzuka, General Manager - strong representation of the youth seg- Explaining TRD’s inception and suc- Toyota Technocraft Japan, the brand ment. TRD will all set to connect with a cessful history, TakeharuInuzuka, holder of TRD, RyosukeAko, Assistant more youthful audience across the General Manager - Toyota Technocraft General Manager - TMC MENARO Dubai, region, expresses Toyota’s brand promise Japan, said What is unique to TRD is that delegates from business units of Al- of “Waku-Doki” - Fun to Drive, Stylish, the company was founded by a group of Sayer Group Holding and representa- Youthful and Innovative, marking the engineers who enjoy a great passion for tives from press and media. evolution of the Toyota brand and motorsports and were truly eager to In the opening speech, highlighting acknowledges its versatility in providing spread the excitement and essence of the long-standing strong business rela- a platform for self-expression to cus- motoring. tionship with Toyota Mubarak Naser Al- tomers across the region to highlight All of our products are designed and Sayer, CEOMNSS said Al-Sayer Group their individuality and their uniqueness developed by those engineers who have reflects Toyota’s corporate philosophy to in the world. deep understanding and passion for all manship to give our customers the joy leadership position with the introduc- emphasize contributing to society TRD package render each car instant- kinds of races - from competitive and of not just striking good looks, but also tion of a range of new and exciting mod- through automotive manufacture. To ly recognizable as unique examples, endurance, to autocross, drifting and good performance. els to enhance the market leadership accomplish this goal we put our cus- with sharper designs that also lend the grassroots - both in Japan and overseas. These are just a few of the reasons of with steady sales and sustained per- tomers always at the center of every- cars better performance. TRD cars have For over half a century, they have why we have earned the “Racing formance. Customers have found a strik- thing we do, to enable continuous unique, aggressive look, also featuring worked hard to improve the car’s per- Development” signature in our brand ing connection with the successful improvement at workplace in line with even more advanced and sophisticated formance as well as the driver’s connec- name. Every bit of our racing DNA is Toyota’s new design direction. The new the best in the business principles. One sports package. tion with his car. poured into each of our part, making our design direction has led Toyota to devel- of the biggest achievements of all is that Toyota Technocraft, a brand holder of “TRD will do what others cannot do”. products extraordinary in the most emo- op cars with dynamic and exciting exte- we have successfully built a true culture TRD, was established in Japan in 1954. It This was and still is our motto. We try to tional and inspirational way. rior designs while increasing the fun to for excellent customer care. is a member of one of the largest group continuously polish our skills and crafts- Toyota continues to reinforce the drive quotient. EBRD bank: Oil price plunge drags down Russian economy Economy seen shrinking 4.8% this year

LONDON: Russia’s battered economy will been plagued by the tumbling value of its The EBRD, founded in 1991 to help ex- shrink by a far worse-than-expected 4.8 per- ruble currency, separate data showed yester- Soviet bloc countries such as Russia and cent this year, as plunging oil prices add to fall- day. Net capital outflows from Russia more Ukraine make the transition to free-market out from the Ukraine crisis, the EBRD develop- than doubled in 2014 to $151.5 billion, economies and democracy, added however ment bank forecast yesterday. prompted by the Ukraine crisis and the plung- that some nations would win a boost from the The London-based European Bank for ing value of the ruble, according to statistics tumbling cost of crude. The bank’s investment Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) from the central bank. zone-comprising mainly former communist sharply revised its September prediction for a Russia in 2013 had already seen its high lev- nations across central and eastern Europe but 0.2-percent contraction for the economy of the el of capital flight, a recurring problem for the which now includes also Turkey and emerging key oil producer in 2015. country, reach $61 billion. The outflow was economies in north Africa and the Middle East- “A sharp fall in the price of oil has piled accelerated by the payment of debts owed was expected to contract by an overall 0.3 per- pressure on an already fragile Russia, and is hit- abroad by Russian banks and companies, cent in 2015. ting growth in energy exporters and other which have had their access to capital markets That was a major downgrade from the prior emerging nations with close links to eastern cut by sanctions. forecast for 1.7-percent expansion in the oper- Europe’s largest economy,” the EBRD said in its ating region that comprises more than 30 economic outlook for the bank’s investment Ukraine cost countries. “Even this forecast is subject to con- zone. Oil prices have slumped by almost 60 The EBRD added yesterday that Ukraine’s siderable risks,” cautioned Hans Peter Lankes, percent since June, hit hard by global oversup- shattered economy is predicted to shrink 5.0 the EBRD’s acting chief economist. ply, the strong dollar and weak crude demand percent this year, down from September’s fore- Those risks included the impact of any fur- arising from the stuttering world economy. cast for a contraction of 3.0 percent. That fol- ther large falls in the oil price, a further escala- Russia’s economy is also buckling under the lowed a 7.5-percent collapse in Gross Domestic tion in the Ukraine/Russia crisis, and any weight of Western sanctions over the Kremlin’s Product in 2014. “The Ukrainian economy potential increase in uncertainty in the euro- actions in Ukraine-which remains plagued by remains in a particularly precarious state,” the zone, according to Lankes. Plunging oil prices unrest-and tit-for-tat sanctions imposed on the London-based institution said. were however expected to boost countries in West in response. Russia has strongly denied “In addition to the impact of the conflict in central and southeastern Europe and in the sending weapons and troops into the war zone the east of the country, there is currently south and eastern Mediterranean region, off- despite witness claims to the contrary. uncertainty about the volume and timing of setting weak demand arising from euro-zone TOKYO: A man checking share prices is reflected on the electronic board of a securi- At the same time, Russia’s economy has international financial assistance.” uncertainty, the bank added. —AFP ties firm in Tokyo yesterday.—AP Egypt lets pound to fall Currency risks are often as inflation fear eases overlooked by investors CAIRO: Egypt’s central bank let the outlook. pound weaken yesterday for the second Egypt is an energy importer and a day running, a move analysts said was major wheat importer. Global commodi- aimed at stamping out a thriving black ties fluctuations can have a major impact MARKAZ ANALYSIS ON SWISS FRANC market as inflation concerns ease. on its balance of payments and inflation, The bank allowed the pound reach affecting rate decisions. 7.24 pounds per dollar at yesterday’s Hany Genena, head of research at KUWAIT: Kuwait Financial Centre ‘Markaz’ pub- Easing program in the euro-zone helped shape simply the removal of an artificial support sys- auction, its weakest level since dollar Pharos Securities Brokerage, was the lished an analysis on the Swiss franc and the the Swiss decision on Thursday since any tem and the franc is finding its real value among sales were introduced in December 2012, only economist of five polled by Reuters ramification of the Central bank of Switzerland’s “enhancement” to the euro currency would currencies. That said, the removal of the peg turned several brokers insolvent Alpari, a UK and was expected to let it depreciate fur- last week to forecast a rate cut and deval- decision to abandon its cap on CHF/EUR conver- require further intervention by the Swiss sion. The analysis tackled the decision reasons as National Bank to maintain the peg at a huge cost online foreign exchange declared bankruptcy. IG ther to close the gap with the unofficial uation. well as its impact on the currency, the European to the bank’s balance sheet. Group forecast that it would take a hit of around rate that has been widening for months. “We see the both the Egyptian pound economy and market. Currency wars a term used heavily in past 4 $46 million while Bloomberg suggests that The central bank made a similar move in and interest rates going down further in The analysis stated that the crisis began on years and it is here to stay - Currency manipula- Barclays lost “tens of millions”, and in the Hedge the first half of 2014, but had held the 2015. We comfortably see the official January 15, 2015,when the Central bank of tion is a zero sum game where one wins while fund sphere, Everest macro hedge fund blew up pound steady at 7.14 for over six months exchange rate converging to the parallel Switzerland abandoned its cap on CHF/EUR con- other loses. Markaz analysis doesn’t believe that after $1 billion in losses due to the central bank amid what currency traders said was rate,” Genena said yesterday. version which was at SFr 1.2 to the euro. The the Swiss franc is part of that; what happened is decision to remove the peg. concern that further depreciation would “The parallel rate is a very reliable abrupt removal of the cap sent the Swiss franc fuel inflation. proxy of the equilibrium exchange rate up 30 percent in an unprecedented swing Inflation spiked in Egypt after the gov- given that a significant bulk of transac- among ‘reserve’ currencies. The shock could be ernment slashed energy subsidies in July, tions, particularly private sector transac- felt in the Swiss stock exchange where the SMI prompting the central bank to raise rates tions, are executed at this rate.” The bank fell 8.7 percent on back of the news, while Euro by 100 basis points that month. The rates offered $40 million and sold $38.4 mil- fell to a decade low against the US dollar to at which banks are allowed to trade dol- lion at a cut-off price of 7.24 pounds per EUR/USD 1.15, and gold closed at 1279 $/Oz lars are determined by the results of the dollar yesterday, weaker than Sunday’s with 4 percent weekly gain. central bank sales, giving it effective con- official rate of 7.19 pounds. It did not The analysis said that the exact rationale trol over official rates, whereas many give a reason for the move and could not behind this decision was not clear. However, businesses and ordinary people use the be immediately reached for comment. analysts suggest that the main reason behind black market. However, the pound was still changing the dissolution of the cap is due to the huge cost It introduced a fourth weekly auction hands in the black market at a much bared by the Swiss central bank to “peg” the in December to ease mounting currency weaker rate of 7.87 pounds per dollar franc to the EUR. The Swiss National Bank’s Balance sheet tripled since the beginning of pressure, but this proved ineffective. yesterday, one trader said. That level was 2008 - two times greater than the bank of Japan. Foreign reserves fell to $15.33 billion weaker than the rate of 7.80 quoted on The Swiss National Bank’s balance sheet repre- December after Egypt repaid a Qatari Sunday, meaning the gap between the sented 86 per cent of Switzerland’s gross domes- deposit and defended the pound. official and unofficial rates widened tic product - far higher than the Bank of Japan Expectations the bank would devalue slightly despite the depreciation. The (60 per cent) or the Federal Reserve (about 25 had grown since it announced a surprise International Monetary Fund has urged per cent).1 Last month the Central bank of 50-basis-point cut in benchmark interest Egypt to allow more exchange rate flexi- Switzerland announced that it stands by its peg rates on Thursday, saying plummeting bility to boost exports and competitive- to the euro and will not change it in the near global oil prices had eased the inflation ness. — Reuters future. However, reports on a Quantitative TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 BUSINESS

Mercedes-Benz offers perfect range of Coupes, Cabriolets and Roadsters

KUWAIT: Mercedes-Benz dream cars CoupÈs, Cabriolets and Roadsters are ors epitomising modern luxury. There Like its Coupe counterpart, the E- their sporty suspension and dynamic have long been the objects of desire for built to be enjoyed, and with our per- are few cars on the road that leave an Class Cabriolet is as stunning to look at handling promising a performance par car enthusiasts, with their sporty char- fect mild weather right now, taking to impression like a coupe, even more so as it is exceptional to drive. The chisled excellence. The lightweight alluminium acter, technological innovations and the open road with the top down is an AMG coupÈ. The CLA 45 AMG - the all muscular design commands attention body of the SL 63 AMG plus the SLK 55 promise of performance. A R Albisher nothing short of perfect,” said Michael new 4 door coupe offers a near sports from the sweeping headlamps to the AMGs eight cylinder engine offer maxi- and Z Alkazemi Company, the exclusive Ruehle, CEO of Abdul Rahman Albisher car drive thanks to its 4MATIC all-wheel- sleek tail. The four-seater soft-top takes mum performance and minimum con- general distributor of Mercedes-Benz in & Zaid Alkazemi Company. drive system and the most powerful open-top motoring to a new level, with sumption levels, characteristic of AMG. Kuwait has a wide range of CoupÈs, Mercedes-Benz Coupes are the epit- series-production four cylinder engine an abundance of power and wind Whatever the model, open air enjoy- Cabriolets and Roadsters waiting to be ome of elegance and sportiness in auto- in the world. Alongside that, the S 65 deflectors ensuring maximum comfort ment is never far away as the vario-roof enjoyed this season, as Middle Eastern motive design. The versatile and com- AMG Coupe housing a monster V12 and enjoyment even for rear passen- disappears in less than 20 seconds. weather finds a comfortable balance pelling range of two and four door CLS, engine, and the CLS 63 with its twin-tur- gers. A full range of Mercedes-Benz perfect for open air driving. S-Class, C-Class and E-Class Coupes offer bo 5.5-liter V-8 and seven-speed auto- In the hard top convertible category, CoupÈs, Cabriolets andRoadsters, “Nothing evokes the feeling of being seductive and sporty profiles, high per- matic solidify Mercedes-Bens AMGs Mercedes-Benz Roadsters are without including AMG models,are available at alive quite like the experience of driving formance engines capable of catapult- coupes as a formidable range in the parallel. The SL and SLK ranges are icon- Albisher &Alkazemi Co’s Shuwaikh a Mercedes-Benz dream car. Our like acceleration and high quality interi- automotive industry. ic amongst sports car enthusiasts, with Showroom.

Burgan Bank announces 6th youth draw account winner

KUWAIT: Burgan Bank recently a successful future. There is no KD limit announced Shaikha Khaled Abdulla to open an account, and no minimum Sabah Al-Naser Al-Sabah as the sixth balance required to maintain it. winner of the new Youth Account draw Furthermore, account holders receive that entitles young customers to dou- free prepaid card and an ATM card ble their student allowances and win an which entitles them to discounts at additional KD 200 every month after selected merchants. transferring their allowance to the Established in 1977, Burgan Bank is “Youth” account. the youngest commercial Bank and With the introduction of the Youth third largest by assets in Kuwait, with a Account draw, customers transferring significant focus on the corporate and their student allowances to the bank financial institutions sectors, as well as will be automatically enrolled into a having a growing retail, and private draw, whereby for every KD 20 in their bank customer base. Burgan Bank has Youth Account, customers will be given five majority owned subsidiaries, which a chance to win a cash prize of KD 200 include Jordan Kuwait Bank, Gulf Bank every month. Customers wishing to Algeria, Burgan Bank - Turkey, Bank of Air Arabia enters China take part in this draw are advised to Baghdad, Tunis International Bank, in transfer their educational allowance to which Burgan Bank owns a majority Burgan Bank’s Youth account and enjoy stake. Burgan Bank Group has one of their multiple chances of winning. the largest regional branch networks Three scheduled weekly flights from Feb 10 The bank’s Youth Account was with more than 231 branches across launched for young individuals, around Kuwait, Turkey, Jordan, Algeria, Iraq, SHARJAH: Air Arabia will create another piece the MENA region to play an important role in same days at 19:05 and arrive in Sharjah at the ages of 15 to 25, who seek to attain Tunis, Lebanon and Palestine. of history next month when it becomes the first this incredible story,” said Adel A. Ali, Group 20:45. low-cost airline from the Middle East and Africa Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia. “We have had The flight schedule will slightly change to enter the Chinese market. Starting on our eye on the Chinese market for some time between March 29 and October 24, 2015 as February 10, 2015, the carrier will fly regular and are now ready to begin regular services to flights will depart Sharjah International Airport NBK gold sponsor of first non-stop services to Urumqi, the largest city in one of the world’s great economies. With a large at 09:05, arriving at Urumqi International Western China. population, strong economy and vibrant cultur- Airport at 18:10. Meanwhile, return flights will Petroleum Economist Located in the Xinjiang district of China, al scene, Urumqi represents an exciting first leave Urumqi on the same days at 19:05 and Urumqi is a modern industrial city of 3.3 million Chinese destination for us and we hope to add arrive in Sharjah at 20:20. Hydrocarbons Strategy Forum people and a major transportation hub in the more routes over time. This is a major move for In recent times, Air Arabia, the newly voted region. It has been described as the gateway to Air Arabia and an important step in strengthen- the Low Cost Carrier (LCC) of the year by the vast region of Xinjiang, which offers some of ing connectivity between the rapidly growing Aviation Business, has seen its flight network KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) nities” panel. NBK’s participation in this the best bazaars, hiking, outdoor sports and economies of the Middle East and Asia.” expand with the addition on new routes, such is the Gold Sponsor of the first Petroleum forum comes in line with its commitment natural beauty in the country, as well as being Air Arabia will fly three times weekly to as Cairo in Egypt and Antalya in Turkey, from its Economist Hydrocarbons Strategy Forum to deploy all its potentials and expertise the location of large oil and natural gas Urumqi from its main hub in Sharjah, UAE. main base at Sharjah International Airport. The titled “Cooperation: The Gulf’s new to support Kuwait’s oil sector. NBK has reserves. Flights will depart Sharjah International Airport carrier currently operates from five international imperative”. been the banking partner of choice for “The Chinese aviation sector has witnessed on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 09:35, arriv- hubs, including the UAE (Sharjah &Ras al- The Forum, co-hosted by Kuwait Kuwait’s oil sector and enjoys historical tremendous growth in recent years and we are ing at Urumqi International Airport at 18:15 that Khaimah), Morocco, Egypt and the most recent Petroleum Corporation (KPC), will take relationships with many leading oil com- delighted to be the first low-cost carrier from evening. Return flights will leave Urumqi on the addition in Amman, Jordan. place on Wednesday 21st January, 2015 panies in the forefront KPC and all its under the patronage of His Excellency Dr subsidiaries. Ali Saleh Al-Omair, Minister of Oil and NBK is the largest financial institution Minister of State for National Assembly in Kuwait and has been consistently Al-Mazaya Holding posts 34.7% Affairs. awarded the highest credit rating in the The forum will provide insight of the region from Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, profit leap by 2014 end: Al-Nafisi impact of oil prices drop on Kuwait and and Fitch Ratings. NBK also stands out in GCC economis from high profile speakers terms of its local and international net- KUWAIT: Al-Mazaya Holding revenues from the sale of the final including Aldo Flores-Quiroga, Secretary work, which includes branches, sub- Company announced its financial stage the residential villas of “The General, International Energy Forum sidiaries and representative offices in results achieved by end of 2014, fol- Villa” Project in Dubai Land. This is in (IEF), Mohammad Al-Ramahi, Minister of China, Geneva, London, Paris, New York, lowing a board meeting held on addition to selling major parts of the oil and gas, Sultanate of Oman, Nizar Al- and Singapore alongside its regional Sunday, Jan 18, 2015. Chairman of second stage of “Queue Point” resi- Adsani, Deputy Chairman and Chief presence in Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, the Board, Rashid Jacob Al-Nafisi dential Projectat Al-liwan which will Executive Director, Kuwait Petroleum Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Turkey, and presided the meeting, with the pres- be considered upon handing over Corporation (KPC). Pradeep Handa, NBK the UAE. NBK was founded in 1952 as the ence of the Board Members and CEO the project to clients. And the Office General Manager, Foreign Corporate, Oil first indigenous bank and the first joint of the Group. Spaces Project at “Mazaya Business and Trade Finance Group will speak at stock company in Kuwait and the Gulf Following the meeting, Rashid Al- Avenue”, with revenues earned from the “Financing challenges and opportu- Region. Nafisi , the chairman of the company the sale operations amounting to KD said : “Throughout 2014, Al-Mazaya 10.969 million, achieving operating holding continued to achieve posi- revenues amounting to KD 16.665 tive leaps in its financial results. The million by end of 2014. company achieved a net profit of KD 8.086 million by the end of 2014, Financial results compared to KD 6.001 million end of Speaking of the company’s finan- Ibrahim Abdul Rashid Al-Nafisi 2013, with13.05 fils per-share prof- cial results materialized by end of Rahman Al-Saq’abi itability, compared to 9.69 fils per- 2014, Al-Nafisi said:”The Company hoping to positively impact company share profitability by virtue of the was able to maintain steady growth by establishing a Turkish company revenues. The project is now 100 per- company’s focus on operational in its operational performance and “Mazaya Turkey Real-Estate cent completed and is being leased. activities increasing the occupancy net profit, in line with its carefully Investment” and appointing a CEO, in The company also achieved positive rate in its income-generating proj- designed smart objectives”. a promising step to geographically results implementing “Queue-Point” ects, which ultimately led to an Reviewing the remaining details of expand and benefit from the promis- Project in Dubai Land consisting of increase in the rental revenues of the the company’s financial statements ing investment opportunities in the 38plots being currently under imple- company by 33.7 percent, valued at last year, he pointed out that: “By end new market. mentation. The Project so far exceed- KD 5.303 million by end of 2014, as of 2014, the company’s total assets • Al-Mazaya signed an Alliance ed 75 percent of its implementation compared to KD 3.965mil- amounted to KD 261.889 million, Agreement with one of the giant processes while numerous residential lionachieved in 2013. This included compared to KD 228.116 million dur- real-estate development companies units have been already delivered. the Sky Gardens Project in Dubai ing 2013, with 14.8 percent increase. in Istanbul, whereby Al-Mazaya * Al-Mazaya owned a new land in International Financial Centre, in The shareholders’ equity added up to develops joint ventures, taking “Sabah Al-Salem” area in Kuwait which the occupancy rate reached 99 KD 107.755 million end of 2014, com- advantage of the experience and which spans for 2,000 m≤at a strate- percent, and Al-Mazaya Towers at the pared to KD 97.167 million for 2013, position of the Turkish company in gic location in order to build a heart of the Kuwaiti capital which is representing a 10.9 percent increase. the Turkish real-estate market. sophisticated medical center in line 100 percent leased now. Not to men- • The company managed to push with “Clover” Medical Project at Al- tion Al-Mazaya projects in a number The 2014 achievements: forward the timetable for all under- Jabriyah. Al-Mazaya announced a of the GCC countries such as the KSA As for Al-Mazaya’s major accom- implementation projects, in line with contest to Engineering Offices to and Dubai, in which the company plishments during 2014, CEO, Eng. Al Mazaya Logistics Bahrain- a group come up with an original drawing for occupancy rates totalled100 percent”. Ibrahim Abdul Rahman Al-Saq’abi of industrial units available for rent in the Project and accordingly, assigned As for other project-sale activities said on this occasion: Bahrain Investment Port, worth more the selected Engineering Office to of the Company, Al-Nafisi stressed • Al-Mazaya announced its entry than KD 6 million - in order to speed commence the design and imple- Mazaya was able to achieve good into the Turkish Real-Estate Market, up the operating / leasing operations, mentation processes. TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 technology

Dubai team creates virtual online tour of Gulf boomtown

DUBAI: Armchair travelers can now take a virtual Developers in the Gulf commercial hub launched Jumeirah island and the view from the top of the The team behind it says it includes nearly 1,300 tour of Dubai skyscraper rooftops, glitzy hotel a new website yesterday that offers users an inter- world’s tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa. The pieces of panoramic video and photos. They plan interiors and other sights in the Middle East’s active virtual tour of dozens of landmarks in the Dubai360 site took 18 months to put together to keep updating the site as the fast-growing city brashest city on their laptops or tablets. desert metropolis, including the man-made Palm and was supported by the emirate’s government. continues to expand. — AP

Booking a trip to ER on your smartphone? It’s a breeze TRENTON: It’s like OpenTable for medical New York, has more than 6 million patients appointments. No waiting weeks to see a der- per month making appointments for den- matologist. No sitting for hours in the emer- tists, family doctors and 40-plus types of spe- gency room. No frantic calls to find a family cialists in more than 2,000 cities. ZocDoc was doctor with openings. Online services such as started in 2007 by Cyrus Massoumi, who was ZocDoc and InQuicker are enabling patients frustrated trying to get care after his eardrum with non-life-threatening conditions to ruptured during a long flight and he had to schedule everything from doctor’s office vis- wait four days to see an ear specialist. “We its to emergency room trips on their laptops think everyone in America will be booking and smartphones - much like OpenTable online eventually,” Massoumi says. users do with restaurant reservations. InQuicker had a similar origin. It also was Hospitals and doctors increasingly are founded by someone who had some experi- subscribing to the services to simplify ence with the hassles of scheduling medical appointment scheduling for patients who appointments. Tyler Kiley, who’d spent lots of dislike waiting on hold and are comfortable time in ERs growing up because his mom was doing everything from shopping to banking an ER nurse and his dad a hospital adminis- online. With most of the services, booking is trator, started it in 2006. He says he’d seen lots as simple as going to a website, entering a zip of unnecessary waiting, so he created soft- code and the kind of care needed, and check- ware for online check-ins. ing available times. Patients can get a doctor Growth surged after current CEO Mike appointment within a couple days, even if Brody-Waite joined in 2010, bringing his mar- they’re a new patient. And the services say keting expertise: InQuicker now serves 224 most patients are seen within 15 to 20 min- hospital ERs, 517 doctor practices, 126 urgent utes of their appointment, and when an ER care centers, and some other medical backs up, patients with reservations are providers. The Nashville company scheduled texted to come later. 302,000 appointments in 2014, up more than “I truly believe talking to people on the 80 percent from 2013, and its revenue was $7 phone to schedule doctors’ appointments million. Revenue is projected to reach $15 will be something of the past very soon,” says million this year, says marketing chief Stacie Natan Edelsburg, a New York resident who Pawlicki. has made 10 doctor appointments through MELBOURNE: Rafael Nadal of Spain holds the racket at the Australian Open tennis championship yesterday. — AP one of the biggest online medical appoint- Win-win-win ment booking services, ZocDoc. Doctors and Doctors and hospitals say the services hospitals are using such services to attract help attract new patients. At Northwestern and retain patients as the health care land- Lake Forest Hospital outside Chicago, assis- Rafael Nadal’s new racket scape keeps getting more competitive. With tant ER director Dr. Steve Edelstein says ER the nationwide proliferation of urgent care Express sends about 40 patients a month to centers and pharmacy clinics open on nights his ER and the hospital’s nearby Grayslake and weekends, patients have more conven- Emergency Center. A quarter are new comes with a power switch ient options than ever before. The booking patients, and he says those tech-savvy cus- websites also are a way for hospitals and doc- tomers “are generally more likely to have tors to try to please patients at a time when credit cards and good insurance” than oth- Sensors embedded in racket record technical data they face new financial incentives to do so. ers. “It’s been nothing but a benefit,” Starting this year, the Affordable Care Act, Edelstein says. MELBOURNE: Rafael Nadal’s new high-tech viously outlawed what it calls “player analysis minutes. In that time, he hit 572 shots, or 22 per which requires most Americans to have Jersey City Medical Center and its two tennis racket looks and feels like his old one. technology” during competition but adopted a minute, which broke down to 156 backhands, health insurance, increases or reduces the urgent care centers rolled out InQuicker two Except for the on-off switch. Call it a “smart new rule last January that allows players to 222 forehands, 118 serves and 76 smashes. The Medicare payments hospitals receive each years ago and use grew quickly. Together, racket,” the latest advance in tennis technology wear or use “smart” equipment, like Nadal’s new data also gets more detailed and analyzes, for year based on patient satisfaction and quality. they draw roughly 300 patients a month - 70 tells you where you hit the ball with the help of racket and devices like heart-rate monitors that example, how Nadal hit his forehands - 133 had That can have a significant impact: Medicare, percent of them new patients - through an app. Sensors embedded in the handle of the record data about player performance in real topspin, 49 had slice and 40 were flat. which covers Americans 65 and older and InQuicker and their own healthstops.com racket, made by Babolat, record technical data time. Babolat initially fitted the technology into Swipe to the next screen and an image of a others with disabilities, pays for 43 percent of site. “It’s helped a lot with patient satisfaction,” on every ball struck. At the end of a match or its “Pure Drive” rackets, which are used by tennis racket appears that shows where the ball hospital patients’ care. A similar program for says operations chief Kirat Kharode. His ER’s training session the data can be downloaded to Karolina Pliskova , Julia Goerges and Yanina is making impact. For Nadal’s practice, he hit 42 doctors starts next year. “I don’t think you can average wait to see a doctor is 35 minutes, a smart phone or computer and used to help Wickmayer and then incorporated the sensors percent of shots in the center and 20 percent compete in our medical practice marketplace versus 15 or less with a reservation. analyze a player’s strengths and mistakes. into a newly-released racket used by Nadal, on top of the racket - the rest on the bottom without being a ZocDoc participant,” says Dr. Some patients also like the benefits of Aside from the sensors, the racket is just a rack- Caroline Wozniacki and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. and sides. Bobby Buka, a New York dermatologist who booking online. Lauren Toth, 29, made an ER et. It’s the same size and weight as Nadal’s old- Don’t expect to see players on their iPhones At a demonstration of the racket before the gets about 15 patients a week from ZocDoc. reservation last spring at Jersey City Medical fashioned former racket. analyzing their game mid-match. An ITF ban on tournament started, Wozniacki and Nadal joked Center when her foot swelled up and red “I know to play well I need to play 70 per- coaching during matches prevents players from about the pros and cons of knowing too much. “Sometimes it’s not a good thing,” said Easy booking spots covered her leg. “When I got there, the cent of forehands, 30 percent of backhands,” consulting the data on court. The way it works Nadal said after racing through his first-round is simple, says Thomas Otton, the company’s Wozniacki. “Because you think you’re hitting it The services, which are free for patients waiting room was packed. There must have Australian Open match over Mikhail Youzhny, 6- director of global communications. There are in the middle of the racket, but really it shows but usually charge $200 to $300 per doctor a been 50 people there, and they took me in 10 3, 6-2, 6-2 yesterday. “If I’m not doing that, I two buttons on the bottom of the racket’s han- you you’re not. And there’s no going around month, are benefiting from the focus on mak- minutes,” recalls the Manhattan public rela- know I’m not doing the right thing on court.” dle. “You press the ‘on’ button. A blue LED light that.” Nadal’s uncle and coach, Toni, joked that ing scheduling easier for patients. ER Express, tions representative. Doctors advised rest and “This (racket) is a way you can check these appears. And, you play,” Otton said. When fin- the racket would give him an edge. “Sometimes ice packs and sent her home for follow-up. an Atlanta startup, books reservations for kinds of things,” added the 14-time Grand Slam ished, a second button is pressed, activating when I correct Rafa on how he’s hitting the ball, more than 150 ERs and urgent care centers in Later, a dermatologist diagnosed inflamed winner, who was sidelined for much of last sea- Bluetooth which synchs the information with a he doesn’t agree.” said Toni. “Now I have the nearly 30 states. It served more than 40,000 blood vessels and prescribed medication. son from a wrist injury and an appendix opera- smart phone or other device. data.” Nadal retorted, without missing a beat, patients in 2014, up 300 percent from 2013. “This could revolutionize the way emergency tion. Otton called up Nadal’s data from his prac- “Now he has the data to know that he was Meanwhile, ZocDoc, which is based in care is delivered,” Toth says. — AP The International Tennis Federation had pre- tice session on Friday that lasted 1 hour, 31 wrong.” — AP Snowplow tracking apps hold cities accountable for cleanup CHICAGO: As another storm flung snow hampering the response effort. The city Clark remembers peering out the win- at Chicago, Alexandra Clark wondered hasn’t made another attempt. dow of her Wicker Park apartment on the how she’d get to work. Like an increasing The apps tap into GPS data already col- city’s West Side in a January 2014 storm. A number of snowbound city dwellers, she lected by the city to direct plows, so no pair of heavy truck tire tracks suggested a had a ready tool at hand: an app that extra money is spent in the creation. It’s a GPS-equipped plow might indeed have tracks hundreds of city snowplows in politically deft move by cities where bun- passed, but with the blade up. “No joke, close to real time. But something seemed gled storm responses have cost officials the next week when it snowed overnight, out of whack. “Plow tracker said my street their jobs, and a way to show skeptics that a plow had come through and taken off was plowed an hour ago - Pull the other plow drivers are working hard - and not the side mirror of my car,” the Redondo leg,” the 31-year-old video producer just clearing the streets of the wealthy and Beach, California-native recalled with a tweeted to the mayor’s office, including a well-connected. laugh. “It’s probably coincidence but after photo of her snowed-in street. that I really didn’t tweet much to the City Across the country, local leaders have Social media of Chicago anymore.” made plow-tracking data public in free But in New York and Chicago, in partic- Mayors in Chicago and other cities mobile apps, turning citizens into snow ular, the tech savvy have scrutinized the where snow is frozen into local lore know watchdogs and giving them a place to sites. Armed with the ultimate proof - the that storms can doom political careers. A look for answers instead of clogging cities’ own data - they’ve needled public botched response to a 1979 blizzard in phone lines at city call centers to fume. officials about snow-cleanup shortfalls on Chicago is said to have cost then-Mayor Chicago and New York introduced apps in social media. “It puts a lot of pressure on Michael Bilandic re-election. More recent- early 2012, and Seattle has gotten into the everybody involved to be more responsi- ly, a 2011 blizzard entombed cars and game, as have some places in Maryland ble and to be more accountable,” said buses and stranded hundreds of people and Virginia. Boston briefly experimented, Priscilla Dixon, a Chicago lawyer who has for 12 hours overnight on Chicago’s Lake too, though their site was so popular it used the app and is a believer in engaging Shore Drive, and a December 2010 bliz- crashed during a February 2013 storm, the city via social media. zard did much the same in New York City. Those debacles prompted both cities to create plow trackers. Then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg talked of wanting to fix the This image made from the screen of a mobile device shows The Codex Mendoza app with a page from the 16th century disconnect between what NYC officials document that is considered one of the most important primary sources on the Aztecs of pre-Columbian Mexico. — AP were saying and what people were see- ing. Aztec app brings historic App draws 2,500 visitors In the lead-up to one of the first storms this year, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel Mexico codex into digital age exuded confidence. “We’re going to bring all of the assets and strengths of the city MEXICO CITY: A 16th century document considered one of the director of academic innovation. The original Codex Mendoza to bear to make sure that people are safe, most important primary sources on the Aztecs of pre-Columbian was compiled by Aztec and Spanish artisans to inform the king of secure and that our streets are safe, Mexico went digital Thursday with a new app that aims to spur Spain about conditions in the viceroyalty. But the boat carrying it plowed and passible,” he told reporters on research and discussion. The Codex Mendoza is a 1542 illustrated to Spain was attacked by French buccaneers and it never reached Jan 5. report ordered by Spanish viceroy Antonio de Mendoza that its destination. The app drew more than 2,500 visitors details sources of riches, Aztec expansion and territorial tributes, In the mid-17th century it came to be in the collection of in the hours that followed, Department of and chronicles daily life and social dynamics. The new interactive University of Oxford, and it has remained there since. Miranda said Streets and Sanitation spokeswoman codex lets users page through the virtual document, mouse-over that until now, Mexican or other researchers who wanted to con- Molly Poppe said. The city is not bothered the old Spanish text for translations into English or modern sult the codex had to track down one of the rare copies, which by the extra scrutiny, says Poppe, who Spanish, click on images for richer explanations and explore maps were only available in English, or make a costly trip to England. engages residents via the department’s of the area. “This is a virtual repatriation” of the document, he said. “We are in Twitter account. A typical exchange Presented by Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and discussions with other European institutions that hold different involves her explaining that blowing snow History, the digital codex is available free both on the Internet and Mexican codices,” Miranda added. “This should be the first of a can make a freshly plowed street look like through Apple’s App Store as a 1.02-gigabyte app. “Never before series.” The National Institute of Anthropology and History created CHICAGO: In this photo, Alexandra Clark, displays the City of Chicago snow- it’s been skipped. — AP had these tools been used to amplify understanding of a docu- the app in collaboration with Oxford’s Bodleian Library and King’s plow tracker app on her iPod in front of her car. — AP ment of these characteristics,” said Ernesto Miranda, the institute’s College London. — AP TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Ice cream keeps Rio zoo animals cool in heatwave RIO DE JANEIRO: Ice cream, fruit and copious helpings AFP. The zoo has spent weeks preparing stocks of of frozen meat helped keep the sweltering inhabitants frozen food for the hot and sticky weather which of Rio’s zoo cool as temperatures soared. Zoo staff assails Rio this time of year, high summer in the handed out the treats as the thermometer touched 40 Southern Hemisphere. Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). Chimpanzee Paulinho, 30, The zoo also must ensure the animals have access to bagged two ice creams before bounding off to seek water-via pools or sprinklers. Meanwhile vegetation is shade, while orangutan Else, 35, and her daughter left untrimmed to ensure maximum shade. Providing Tanga, 20, gobbled an assortment of fruit. cool meals “refreshes the animal and stimulates memo- Carla the elephant wolfed down 50 kilos (110 ry function, as well as the palate,” Cunha said. She not- pounds) of ice cream dragged in by her handler, while ed that some of the meat-eaters, notably the tiger, lie Gabi, an eight-year-old jaguar, preferred to slurp on a on top of the meat as an additional means of keeping hunk of frozen meat. “The animals have a problem with cool. Watching Gabi the jaguar take a pre-lunch pool the heat like all of us-sunstroke, dehydration, apathy. dip, visitor Aline Montez wished she could join. “Look So we are taking measures to deal with the problems how cool he is over there while we’re here baking in the heat can generate,” zookeeper Karla Cunha told the heat,” Montez quipped. — AFP Medicare chief steps down, ran health care rollout

WASHINGTON: Medicare’s top adminis- required cybersecurity clearance after and said the decision to leave was MYANMAR: In this Dec 22, 2014 photo, street children sniff glue in the foreground of a roadside garbage dump in trator unexpectedly resigned Friday, technology professionals under her balked Tavenner’s. Tavenner joined HHS shortly Hlaing Tharyar, northwest of Yangon. — AP photos becoming the latest casualty in the turmoil because testing was incomplete. before the passage of the Affordable Care over the president’s health care law, which Act. She came from state government, is still struggling for acceptance even as ‘Huge and complex responsibility’ having served as Virginia’s health secretary Myanmar street kids turn to millions benefit from expanded coverage. The website later passed security tests under former Democratic Gov Tim Kaine. Marilyn Tavenner’s departure underscores and received full authority to operate. In Although she started out directly caring the uncertainty overshadowing President her farewell message, Tavenner termed for patients, most of her career was spent sniffing glue to forget hunger Barack Obama’s health care law nearly five the health law’s online insurance markets in hospital administration. She rose years after its party-line passage by a then- “a success.” But she also said her job, which through the ranks to become a top execu- HLAING THAR YAR, MYANMAR: Sweaty hair matted to his families often squatting on land illegally seized by gangs - Democratic-led Congress. The Supreme involves oversight of Medicare and tive of Hospital Corporation of America. pale, emaciated face, Thant Zin Oo starts his days early, children are most vulnerable. Court will hear a challenge to the legality Medicaid as well, was a “huge and com- winding through small alleyways outside Myanmar’s Many are left to fend for themselves, easily influenced of the law’s financial subsidies this spring, plex responsibility” and “we had many Management skills biggest city Yangon and scavenging through garbage by the bad habits of other street kids, from prostitution and a new Republican Congress is prepar- additional challenges put before us” Andy Slavitt, a former technology exec- piled up behind shops and factories in search of something and gambling to drug abuse and gang-style extortion, said ing more repeal votes. because of Obama’s health law. Roughly 1 utive who played a leading role in the res- - anything - to sell. Tucked under the 11-year-old’s filthy, Aung Kyaw Myint, local leader of an organization that pro- A former intensive care nurse with a in 3 Americans are covered by health cue operation to get HealthCare.gov work- tattered shirt is a half-empty yellow glue tin. “It gives me a vides help for homeless kids. Every morning before sunrise, businesslike approach to a divisive area of insurance programs run by the Centers for ing last year, will take over as acting sense of peace,” he says, taking a break so he can draw the a growing number of street kids can be seen picking public policy, Tavenner told staff in an Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare administrator. The website is the strong, noxious fumes into his young lungs. “I forget my through garbage, climbing on the heaps of trash at city email that she’s stepping down at the end Despite Tavenner’s close association online portal to subsidized private cover- hunger for a moment and dream of things that I cannot do dumps, or sleeping on the sidewalk. of February with “sadness and mixed emo- with “Obamacare,” some senior age for people who don’t have health in my real life.” Rain or shine, Oo and his 15-year-old brother Ko Min are tions.” Her chief of staff is also leaving. Republicans in Congress said they were insurance on the job. Slavitt had impressed Myanmar’s long-time military rulers handed over power among them. The boys say they earn $2 to $3 a day - around Tavenner, 63, survived the technology sorry to see her leave. “She has proven her- the White House with his mix of technolo- to a nominally civilian government three years ago, leading half of which goes to their parents and the other half to a meltdown that initially paralyzed self to be a strong leader and a straight gy and management skills. He stayed on to the lifting of Western sanctions and a burst of economic small tin of glue they share between themselves. Oo no HealthCare.gov. She remained in place shooter who brought in much-needed pri- after HealthCare.gov stabilized, serving as activity. More than 500 foreign businesses have invested longer imagines he will one day be a doctor. And Ko Min even as her boss, former Health and vate sector sensibility into the agency,” Tavenner’s principal deputy, responsible $50 billion. But as poor families move from rural areas to says even his more modest goal, being a soldier, now seems Human Services secretary Kathleen Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said in a state- not only for HealthCare.gov but also for key the big city in hopes of finding work, many find themselves totally unrealistic. He said, “When I sniff glue, I close my eyes Sebelius, left office following signals of ment. “I truly appreciate her service and Medicare and Medicaid issues as well. struggling. Without education or money to buy food - their and in my dreams I go to nightclubs and have fun.” — AP White House unhappiness. wish her the very best in her next adven- A permanent replacement requires But Tavenner was embarrassed last fall ture.” But former House oversight chair- Senate confirmation, and any presidential when she testified to Congress that 7.3 man Darrell Issa, R-Calif., said, “Tavenner health care nominee could face rough million people were fully enrolled for pri- had to go.” The over-count, discovered by going in the new Republican-led Senate. vate coverage under the health law. That his staff, “was a deplorable example of an There was no immediate word on whether number turned out to be an over-count agency trying to scam the American peo- the White House would submit Slavitt’s that exaggerated the total by about ple,” Issa said. The administration insists it name for confirmation. Since the health 400,000 people. The error, discovered by was only a mistake, resulting from a dou- care law’s big coverage expansion began Republican congressional staff, was ble-count of people with dental coverage. last year, at least 10 million uninsured termed “unacceptable” by new HHS In her own message to the depart- Americans have gained coverage through Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. Tavenner had a ment, current HHS Secretary Burwell a combination of subsidized private insur- played a key role in the 2013 decision to called Tavenner “one of our most ance and expanded Medicaid eligibility. A go live with HealthCare.gov, signing a esteemed and accomplished colleagues” study this week also documented signifi- cant declines in the numbers of people who forego needed care because of costs, and who struggle to pay medical bills. But the Affordable Care Act has yet to find the public acceptance enjoyed by its federal forebears: Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. This year’s Supreme Court case looms as a crucial test. Plaintiffs in the case argue that the law as written only allows the federal government to subsi- dize coverage in states that have set up their own insurance markets. Supporters of the law say that while its wording may be confusing, Congress intended for subsidies to be available across the country, regardless of state actions. Since Washington is currently running WASHINGTON: In this Dec 9, 2014 file photo, Marilyn Tavenner, the admin- the insurance markets in 37 states, a rul- istrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, testifies on ing favoring the plaintiffs would unravel MYANMAR: A street child opens the lid of a glue-tin at a roadside garbage dump in Hlaing Tharyar, northwest of Capitol Hill.— AP much of the gain in coverage. — AP Yangon.

Mali government declares country Ebola-free UK holds first trial over female genital mutilation BAMAKO: Mali’s health minister declared the West African nation free of thanked the country’s health workers and international partners for their Ebola on Sunday following a 42-day period without a new case of the work to halt the outbreak. Mali’s last infected patient recovered and left LONDON: A London doctor went on trial Dharmasena denies the charge and has deadly virus. Mali recorded six deaths from Ebola, which, according to hospital early last month. At one point health officials had been monitor- yesterday for carrying out female genital said the procedure may have been “med- World Health Organization data, has killed more than 8,400 people in ing more than 300 contact cases. mutilation in only the first such case to be ically justified”. About 100 million to 140 neighboring Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia in the worst epidemic of Mali became the sixth West African country to record a case of Ebola prosecuted in Britain despite pressure from million girls and women globally are the viral haemorrhagic fever on record. when a two-year-old girl from Guinea died in October. It was close to campaigners. Dhanuson Dharmasena, 32, is thought to have undergone FGM, which “I declare on this day, Jan 18, 2015, the end of the end of the Ebola being declared Ebola free in November before a second wave of infec- accused of performing an FGM procedure ranges from removal of the clitoris to epidemic in Mali,” Ousmane KonÈ said in a statement in which he tions.- — Reuters on a woman who gave birth at his hospital more widespread mutilation, and can lead in 2012 following damage caused by labor. to infection and long-term severe pain. Another man, Hasan Mohamed, 41, who FGM has been illegal in Britain since translated for the woman in hospital, is 1985 but no-one has ever been prosecut- Guinea schools reopen, but accused of encouraging an offence of FGM, ed. There have been increasing calls on and of aiding and abetting Dharmasena. police and the government to act and last The woman, who was 24 at the time, first year a new requirement on British hospi- Ebola fears still keep many home underwent FGM at the aged six in Somalia. tals was introduced to keep a record of The doctor carried out procedure again patients who have been subjected to CONAKRY; Schools shuttered during the height allowed to enter the building. Yet many pupils tration what the chemical was they were spray- when her stitches tore during childbirth. “It FGM. Government figures indicate that of the Ebola crisis in Guinea began reopening remained at home after rumors flew through the ing and without saying why they were masked,” is that stitching back together by Dr tens of thousands of women in the UK are yesterday, but many parents were still too afraid capital that masked workers were seen at a said Idrissa Diallo, a spokesman for a local par- Dharmasena, and Mr Mohamed’s insistence living with the consequences of FGM. to send their children to classes. Employees at school building, raising questions about how ents association. “So we won’t be sending our or encouragement, which the prosecution Anti-FGM legislation was extended in the doors of schools in the capital were taking safe the buildings were. children to school for the moment.” Text mes- says is an offence under the act,” prosecutor 2003 to make it an offence for British temperatures of everyone who showed up yes- “These masked people were spraying the sages also circulated yesterday morning urging Kate Bex told the court. She said the proce- nationals or permanent residents to carry terday. Only those with normal readings were classrooms without telling the school adminis- parents to keep their children at home. The mis- dure was “against the policy of his employ- out FGM abroad or seek FGM abroad, even information frustrated teams that were working er”-Whittington Hospital in north London- where it is legal. The maximum penalty is to disinfect the buildings. and that it was not “medically necessary”. 14 years in jail. — AFP The schools would normally have reopened three months ago, but authorities had feared that large groups of children congregating could allow the Ebola virus to spread. Guinea, though, is now showing signs of improvement. The World Health Organization said several days ago that the country had its lowest weekly total of new confirmed cases since mid-August. Still, rumors were rampant, and some still incorrectly fear that health workers are actually spreading the disease. “Guinea is a lost country,” lamented Nafiou Bah, one of the workers cleaning up the build- ings to reopen. “We have disinfected the build- ings with a chlorine solution as is recommended for hygiene reasons but it’s crazy to say that we’ve contaminated the classrooms.” More than 1,800 people have died from Ebola here in Guinea since the epidemic first began here a lit- tle over a year ago. The disease later spread to SENEGAL: A Guinean student gets his temperature checked yesterday as he enters at the Sierra Leone and Liberia, leaving more than Oumou Diaby school in the Ratoma area of Conakry as students head back to school after 3,000 people dead in each of those countries in the months that followed. — AP UNITED KINGDOM: Dr Dhanuson Dharmasena arrives at Southwark Crown Court in nearly four months of school recess due to the Ebola outbreak.- — AFP central London yesterday. — AFP TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE ‘Lifestyle’ diseases kill 1 m prematurely

GENEVA: Diseases linked to lifestyle ble diseases (NCDs), like cardiovascular epidemic,” WHO chief Margaret Chan not get enough exercise, Mendis said, down 13.4-percent since 2008. A move choices, including diabetes and some conditions, diabetes, lung disease and a said in a statement. Millions of lives describing the situations as “extremely in Hungary to heavily tax unhealthy cancers, kill 16 million people prema- range of cancers, killed a full 38 million could be saved if the world over the frightening.” food and drink components has mean- turely each year, the World Health people around the globe in 2012 — 16 next decade invests just $11.2 billion The international community has while led to a 27-percent drop in junk Organization said yesterday, urging million of them under the age of 70. each year, or $1-3 per person, on pro- staked out nine global targets for shift- food sales, the report said. action to stop the “slow-moving public “Not thousands are dying, but mil- moting healthier habits, the report ing unhealthy habits with the aim of But while some countries have made health disaster”. Unhealthy habits like lions are dying ... every year in their 30s, found. slashing premature NCD deaths by a progress, most will fall short of the 2025 smoking, alcohol abuse and consuming 40s, 50s and 60s, not in their 80s and quarter between 2011 and 2025. Simple target, WHO said, warning that inaction too much fat, salt and sugar have 90s,” said Mendis. “It’s beyond belief that Devastating consequences and inexpensive steps like banning would have far-reaching consequences. sparked an epidemic of diseases which it is seemingly invisible,” she told Today, some six million people die advertising of tobacco and alcohol prod- “When people fall sick and die in the together constitute the leading cause of reporters ahead of the launch. Most of prematurely each year due to tobacco ucts and taxing foods and drinks that prime of their lives, productivity suffers, death globally, WHO said. the world’s 16 million premature NCD use, 3.3 million deaths are linked to alco- contain high levels of salt and caffeine and the cost of treating diseases can be This “lifestyle disease” epidemic “caus- deaths each year — 82 percent occur in hol abuse, 3.2 million to lacking physical has already proven successful in a range devastating,” the UN health agency said. es a much greater public health threat poor and middle income countries, and activity and 1.7 million to eating too of countries, WHO said. It has estimated that if nothing is done than any other epidemic known to man,” most of them could be averted with just much salt, according to WHO findings. A In Turkey, for instance, an advertising to improve the situation, premature said Shanthi Mendis, the lead author of small investments, the report found. full 42 million children under the age of ban on tobacco products combined NCD deaths will suck $7.0 trillion out of WHO’s Chronic Diseases Prevention and “The global community has the five are considered to be obese, and an with significant price hikes and health the global economy over the next Management report. Non-communica- chance to change the course of the NCD estimated 84 percent of adolescents do warnings has pushed smoking rates decade. — AFP WHO says chronic diseases kill 3m annually in China

BEIJING: More than 3 million people are dying risk factors in China is “worryingly high”. It said that in their most productive years from diseases that prematurely each year of chronic non-communica- over half of all men in the country are smokers, can be prevented simply by changing common ble diseases in China, the World Health more than four in five adolescents do not engage unhealthy lifestyle habits: smoking, excessive alco- Organization said yesterday, calling on the country in sufficient physical activity and around one in five hol consumption, unhealthy diet, and not enough to step up efforts “to stop the tsunami of chronic adults have raised blood pressure. “This new report physical activity.” The World Bank said in 2011 that disease”. Chronic non-communicable diseases is a dramatic wake-up call,” Bernhard the economic benefit of reducing cardiovascular (NCDs) - such as lung cancer, stroke, heart disease Schwartl‰nder, WHO’s representative in China, diseases by one percent per year from 2010-2040 and diabetes - accounted for 8.6 million deaths in said in the statement. in China could generate more than $10.7 trillion, China in 2012, the WHO said in a statement. “There is an urgent need for strong action now - equivalent to 68 percent of China’s real GDP in The organization said prevalence of many key to stop millions of Chinese men and women dying 2010. — Reuters

Europe’s tuberculosis hub Britain seeks to wipe out the disease LONDON: Health authorities launched an 11.5 million pounds ($17.4 million) plan yesterday to tackle Britain’s persistent tuberculosis (TB) problem, seeking to wipe the contagious lung disease out altogether. Britain has one of the highest TB rates in western Europe and London is known as the continent’s “TB capital”. TB rates in the United Kingdom are nearly five times those in the United States. If current trends continue, England alone will have more TB cases than the whole of the US in two years. “TB should be consigned to the past, and yet it is occurring in England at higher rates than most of Western Europe,” said Paul Cosford, a director at the government’s health agency, Public Health England AUSTRALIA: Shark warning signs are seen posted on the beach in the northern New (PHE). “This situation must be reversed.” Often thought South Wales city of Newcastle. — AFP of as a disease of the past, when it was dubbed “the white plague” for rendering its victims pale and fever- ish, TB has stubbornly persisted in Britain. It occurs Australian beaches mainly in areas of poverty and deprivation. The bacterial disease is hard to treat and conta- reopen as sharks scram gious, passing on via the coughs and sneezes of an infected person. In 2013, 7,290 TB cases were reported SYDNEY: Australian beaches which had closed sighted him again this weekend.” in England, an incidence of 13.5 cases per 100,000 of due to sightings of large sharks for a record nine Sharks are a regular feature in Australian the population. TB cases are concentrated in urban days, reopened yesterday, officials said, but waters and swimmers and surfers have had their “hot spots” in London, Leicester, Birmingham, Luton, BOYNTON BEACH: In this Jan 10, 2015 photo, Jennifer Blanchard, 34, of Miami, rough surf kept most swimmers away. A five- fair share of encounters with the animals this Manchester and Coventry. protests over the case of a little boy whose parents have been fighting over whether meter (16 foot) great white estimated to weigh summer. Some beaches to the north and south PHE officials say TB clinics in London manage more to circumcise him. — AP 1,700 kilograms (3,750 pounds) and nicknamed of Sydney were closed on the weekend due to cases a year than those in all other western European Bruce was first spotted off Merewether Beach shark sightings and a 17-year-old boy was hospi- capitals together. Drug resistant TB is also an increas- Fla boy’s circumcision spurs near Newcastle north of Sydney on January 10. talized after he was bitten on the hand while ing problem, with cases of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Several other sharks, including tiger sharks feed- spearfishing 230 kilometers south of Sydney on TB rising from 28 cases in England in 2000, to 68 in lengthy legal battle, protests ing on dolphins, were also seen along the coast, Friday. Fatalities are rare in Australia but two 2013. prompting the closure of all six Newcastle beach- teenagers died in shark attacks last month, one PHE’s plan is to work with the National Health BOYNTON BEACH: An estranged Florida agreed to the circumcision, but later decid- es despite sweltering summer temperatures. on the west coast and one on the east. Service (NHS)to target the most vulnerable people, couple’s fight over whether to circumcise ed she opposed it. The father favors the Authorities reopened the beaches yesterday Scruton said there had been a number of improving access to screening, testing and treatment their son has become a rallying cry for procedure. after jetski patrols found no sign of the animals, sharks seen around Newcastle and the Hunter services as well as outreach programmes such as “Find those who denounce the procedure as bar- Judges have ruled in favor of the father, said Henry Scruton, president of the Hunter region this summer, with another large one and Treat” mobile health units. Bruce Keogh, NHS baric. meaning the surgery is likely, but anti-cir- branch of Surf Life Saving New South Wales. “The taunting two fishermen on the weekend by cir- England’s medical director, said the NHS would focus The dispute between the one-time Palm cumcision advocates have made the case big one is the monster,” Scruton said, referring to cling and nudging their small boat. “It felt like its 10 million pounds contribution on screening and Beach County couple has sparked a pro- their cause celebre and organized a series Bruce. “Bruce, he has been sighted on Saturday, getting trapped in a room with an angry pit bull,” treatment. “Our goal is to eliminate TB as a public longed court battle, protests and the rapt of protests. Circumcision rates have fallen Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, definitely the one of those onboard, Tim Watson, told the health problem,” he said. — Reuters attention of a movement of self-pro- in the US, but a majority of boys still under- Friday,” Scruton told AFP. “But I don’t think they’ve Newcastle Herald. — AFP claimed “intactivists.” The mother initially go the removal of their foreskin. — AP WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015

Mulla Exchange customers entertained by Famous comedian

l Mulla International Exchange, the leading money remit- General Manager expressed his contentment for seeing an amaz- alive in front of the audience with his famous tag line “Bhavnao that takes our relationship beyond the business aspect, these tance company in Kuwait continues its efforts of connect- ing crowd during the event, explaining: “This is our own way of Ko Samjho”, he is the winner of the first season of The Great concerts are held for customers as a measure of gratitude for Aing with its customers by hosting a standup comedy show thanking thousands of our customers in Kuwait, this concert is Indian Laughter Challenge which is considered a milestone that their loyalty.” featuring the hilarious Sunil Pal who was accompanied by a well part of the ‘Customer Loyalty Program’ which started about three introduced Stand-Up Comedy to everyone. Sunil Pal has been art Al Mulla Exchange now has 57 branches spread across Kuwait known singer Yasin Nazir. The event took place 9th and 10th years ago. We already held 95 shows or events for different com- of great numbers of Bollywood movies with renowned film mak- with the last branch opened in Khaitan. There are plenty of January, 2015 at the American International School, making it the munities. We consider our customers our core business segments ers. unique services that include free insurance, loyalty points, SMS 94th and 95th events for its customers with over 1000 guest’s from the perspective of money remittance and we always con- Joshi concluded: “We continuously strive to provide the high- confirmations on all transactions along with fast and secure attendance of Al Mulla International Exchange customers each template to have something exclusive for them.” est quality of customer service as well as a full range of value- transactions from home or the office through the website day. Al Mulla International Exchange always assures to bring the added services to facilitate our customers’ lives. Additionally we www.amxremit.com that are extended by Al Mulla Exchange to On behalf of Al Mulla International Exchange, Rakesh Joshi, best to its customers, as Sunil Pal is a famous character who came assure connecting with them in a more social and artistic way its customers.

Bhavans GCC spell bee grand finale cast magic spell

ndian Educational School Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, on the bold initiatives taken by N K Ramachandran emerged as the champion in Category1, Nevin Noji Kuwait, hosted the Grand Finale of the Bhavans GCC Menon, Chairman, Bharatiya Bhavans, Middle East for Vaidyan of Indian Educational School, Kuwait, in ISpell Bee Championship 2015 in a spectacular way in leaving no stones unturned when it comes to quality Category2, Madhushree Prakash of Modern the Bhavans Auditorium on Thursday, January 15. education and bringing technology into the main International School Oman, emerged as the champion in Organized under the auspices of the Bhavans Middle stream of education by installing latest gadgets of the category 3, Yumna Kulsoom Adeel, India International East, the programme was simultaneously conducted in kind used for the GCC Spell Bee Championship. School Mangaf, Kuwait, Category 4 and Josephine the Indian Educational School Kuwait, Private Jim O’Neill, the Chief Guest of the programme, ooz- Crystal. R Mathew, United Indian School, Kuwait International School, Abu Dhabi and Modern ing with appeal and charisma matched with his position, emerged as the Champion in Category 5. International School, Oman on video conferencing rendered an unmatched support to the competitors Adnan Mohammad, Private International School Abu mode. The dynamic presence of Mr. Jim O’Neill, Deputy with his presence throughout the programme. Dhabi (Category 1), Kaivan Mitesh Ramani, Modern Country Exams Manager, Kuwait and Iraq, British At the end of a spell- binding round of questions, Piya International School, Oman (Category 2), Abhay Lejith, Council, as the Chief Guest added to the splendor of the Darshan of Modern International School Oman, Private International School Abu Dhab i(Category 3), evening. Vishal Korada, Private International School Abu Dhabi Thousands of aspiring spellers in five categories, (Category 4), and Fathima Haneef Integrated Indian selected through a systematic process by winning the School, Kuwait stood in the second position. vigorous first, second and knockout rounds competed to The Third position went in favour of Thejas Shetty, reach the nerve-racking war of Grand Finale. It was Indian Educational School, Kuwait, Category 1, Sanjay indeed a spine-tingling experience for the spectators to Kumar Ramesh, , Private International School Abu Dhabi, watch the tiny tots as well as the other contestants recol- Category 2, Darrell Jovan D’s a, Indian English Academy lect and deliver the correct spelling of words notwith- School, Kuwait, Category 3 and Shelvin Aleena , Indian standing the complexity and intricacies involved in the Educational School, Kuwait, Category 5. English language. Neither the perplexing questions from The Champions were conferred on a cash prize of the expert pronouncers nor the implacable winter could Rupees 50,000 each, a trophy and a certificate for their dampen the spirits of the participants. splendid performance. The winners for the second posi- Lauding the meticulous preparation undertaken by tion received a cash prize of Rs 10,000 each and a certifi- the participants, T Prem Kumar, the Principal of Bhavans cate and the third position winners received a cash prize Kuwait reiterated in his welcome address the role of Rupees 5, 000 each and a certificate. spelling competitions can play in improving the confi- The chief guest Jim O’Neill, Chairman N K dence children need to speak in public, and applauded Ramachandran Menon, and the Principal T Prem Kumar the parents for motivating their children to reach to that distributed the prizes. Suresh V Balakrishnan, GCC Spell level, no matter they win or lose. He also congratulated Bee Coordinator, proposed the vote of thanks.

SHRPK Training on ‘Communication Etiquettes’ Welfare Kerala Kuwait ociety of HR Professionals Kuwait (SHRPK) industry professionals, students and young individu- President PEFK were also present in the sessions and arranged training seminar on “Communication als. they appreciated the trainers for conducting the ses- new office bearers SEtiquettes”. Upcoming training events are Lead Trainer Kiran Bukhari provided excellent sion in real professional manners and congratulate “Time Management” and “Excellence in CV Writing”. activities based learning to the attendees and SHRPK Team for organizing this wonderful seminar. elfare Kerala Kuwait elected welfare) K V Mujeebullah (Socio-cultural) Society of HR Professionals Kuwait (SHRPK) arranged trainees were fully engaged in the two sessions. In his vote of thanks Faisal Rehman, President SHRPK new office bearers for the year M K Gafoor (Rehabilitation), Vinod training seminar on the topic of “Communication Irtaza Zahidi provided a supportive role to Kiran dur- thanked all the participants and announced upcom- W2015 -Anwar Saeed (President) Pereira (Sports), Faisal Winners (Arts). Etiquettes” dated 10.1.2015 with collaboration of ing the training. Muhammad Irfan Adil, Founder and ing training events which will cover “Time Aniyan kunju, K Abdu Rahman, Dr Abdul Working Committee members: Rasheed PEFK. Representation was welcomed by various President PEFK and Muhammad Nawaz, Sr Vice Management” and “Excellence in CV Writing”. Fathah, Femina Kalam (Vice presidents). Khan, K Moidu, Divakaran Devadathan, Krishna Das, Majeed Narikkodan, (Gen Warda Anwar, Manju Mohan, Navamani, Secretaries, Jaison Samuel (Treasurer), Waheeda Faisal. Layik Ahmed, P G Sanoj, Shabeena The election was done by the central Razak, Anwar Shaji (Assistant council consisting of 77 members previ- Secretaries) Shoukath Ali (Assistant ously elected from the 16 units. K A Treasurer) Conveners are Abdullah Cadiri Shafeeq, state secretary, Welfare party of (Public Releation), Khaleelurahman India, Kerala had controlled the elec- (Relief Cell) P P Abdu Razak (Members’ tions. Maha Quizzer registration closes on 23rd January

ITCAA-Kuwait quiz is on 30th and students. For further details and free January 2015, from 2:00 pm to 3:30 online registration log on to http://nit- Npm with test centers in Salmiya caakuwait.org/wp/?page_id=1021. Indian Model School (SIMS), Fahaheel Al Registration closes on 23rd January 2015. Watanieh Indian Private School (DPS), This is a solo open general written quiz Ahmadi and United Indian School (UIS), contest for participants, irrespective of age, J’leeb Shyoukh. Special prizes for ladies nationality or affiliation. WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015

Professor Jonathan Passmore speaking at the seminar Alistair McCullough speaking General view of the audience ACK hosts ‘Effective Leadership Through Coaching’ seminar

he Australian College of Kuwait’s Corporate Training internationally for his published work consisting of numerous for 2015. ACK CT is a leading establishment in Kuwait that offers ACK CT is uniquely positioned to provide a range of local, Department (ACK CT) hosted an enlightening seminar publications on leadership, coaching, safety and behavioral internationally accredited courses in leadership and safety, and I regional and international consultancy services and certifica- Ttitled “Effective Leadership Through Coaching” at the change. was delighted to share insights into leadership with ACK’s tions through its strategic alliances with organizations and College’s campus. The event attracted individuals and corporate Passmore highlighted the nature of leadership and the role guests.” accrediting bodies such as the Institution of Occupational Safety representatives from a range of sectors, including the oil, hospi- of coaching, using active listening and powerful questioning, Alistair McCullough, Projects Manager at ACK CT, also spoke and Health (IOSH), City and Guilds, The Chartered Institute for tality, banking and medical sectors; as well as ACK Alumni and and how this can help leaders become more transformational to during the leadership seminar. With a wealth of experience in Environmental Health (CIEH), and the National Examination staff. develop and inspire their people. He also went on to express his consulting, coaching and training, Alistair highlighted the need Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH). Through The seminar featured guest speaker, Professor Jonathan delight at the warm reception received at ACK: “It was an honor for leadership to focus less on ‘secrets and steps’ and more on close cooperation with these bodies, ACK CT is truly able to Passmore - Managing Director of Embrion Ltd, highly regarded and a privilege to be able to speak at ACK’s first leadership event building strong leadership behaviors. deliver world class trainings and seminars to the Kuwaiti market.

Girls Sports Club members participated in a trip to the Sabah Heritage Village in Salmi, where they were welcomed by Sheikh Sabah Al-Nasser Al-Sabah. The event was organized under the patronage of Sheikha Fraiha Al- Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Chairperson of the Girls Sports Club and the Ideal Mother Society. Mega fun, excitement at ICSK carnival

he Indian Community School Kuwait held also released on the occasion. up with excitement. The crowd went in a rhap- an exciting 12th Mega Carnival on January The eagerly awaited annual event attracted sody as the Kuwaiti-singer Mubarak took the T16, 2015 at the Senior school premises. people in huge numbers. People across age- stage and sang some hit Hindi songs with the The carnival kicked off to a colorful start with groups enjoyed the exciting games, on-the-spot ICSK golden voice Julia Anil. Master Tojan, an ex- a grand inauguration ceremony. Director of prizes, bingo, bargains on various items, flash- ICSK student also entertained with his mesmer- Private Education Abdullah Al-Basri was the mob, battle of bands, song and dance programs, izing voice. Sixty lucky winners were declared in chief guest. Shubashis Goldar, Deputy Chief of entry of cartoon characters and magic-show the ‘Mega Raffle Draw.’ Mission and Chief Public Information Officer at the Indian embassy was the guest of honour. Vice-Chairman to the Board of trustees Bobby Mathew, Secretary Vijay Karayil, treasurer C Sunil Kumar, Joint Secretary George Mathew, carnival convener Sherin Mani, other members of the board of trustees, Kuldeep Singh Lamba and Shivy Bhasin from the Council of Elders, the par- ent representatives to the board, elected mem- bers of the Parent Advisory Council, principals and vice-principals of all ICSK schools, invited eminent Indians in Kuwait, staff members, stu- dents, parents and other guests bestowed their gracious presence on the occasion. Secretary Vijay Karayil, in the welcome speech, appreciat- ed the staff for their sincere efforts in putting up a marvelous event. Bobby Mathew, in the presi- dential address, highlighted the noble cause of this fund-raising event. The chief guest and the guest of honor addressed the audience and appreciated the efforts of the management. The inaugural ceremony saw wonderful dance per- among others. A special session by the fire-fight- The ICSK mega carnival is one of the largest formances by students of ICSK Junior School and ers of Kuwait was highly informative. The mas- of its kind that is driven by the noble purpose of the grand entry of the carnival mascot, a beauti- ters of ceremonies for the day Lloyd and Neeta creating a “School Welfare Fund” to meet the fully crafted life-like model of a camel. The kept the crowds enthralled with their power- educational needs of the less-privileged stu- release of colorful balloons into the bright morn- packed energetic voices and a variety of fun and dents. The success of the mega carnival, an ing sky marked the carnival opening. A souvenir games for all age-groups. The visitors thronged event of unparalleled scale and grandeur, is commemorating the12th mega carnival was the stalls and the center-stage was also charged- commendable. TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 TV PROGRAMS

09:20 Dallas Car Sharks 15:00 Keeping Up With The 09:45 How It’s Made Kardashians 10:10 How It’s Made 16:00 Keeping Up With The 10:35 Gold Rush Kardashians 11:25 Gold Rush 17:00 Giuliana & Bill 00:00 The Vicar Of Dibley 00:00 Predator CSI 12:15 Alaska: The Last Frontier 18:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 01:00 My Dog Ate What? 00:30 Eastenders 13:05 Auction Hunters 18:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 00:00 Crisis 01:00 Doctors 02:00 Mega Breakdown 01:00 Good Morning America 13:30 The Liquidator 19:00 E!ES 03:00 Car SOS 01:30 Being Erica 13:55 Dallas Car Sharks 20:00 Fashion Bloggers 05:00 Good Morning America 02:15 Moone Boy 04:00 Hunter Hunted 07:00 Emmerdale 14:20 Outback Truckers 20:30 Fashion Bloggers 05:00 Fight Science 02:40 Whitechapel 15:10 Rods N’ Wheels 21:00 House Of DVF 07:30 Coronation Street 03:30 Scott & Bailey 06:00 Crime Lab 10:00 Emmerdale 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 22:00 E! News 07:00 Secret Garden 04:15 The Weakest Link 16:50 How It’s Made 23:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 10:30 Coronation Street 05:00 Cbeebies Stories 08:00 Predator CSI 13:00 Crisis 17:15 How It’s Made The Hamptons 09:00 My Dog Ate What? 05:05 The Green Balloon Club 17:40 Dual Survival 15:00 Live Good Morning America 05:30 Gigglebiz 10:00 Mega Breakdown 18:00 Crisis 18:30 Dive Wars Australia 11:00 Megacities 05:45 Boogie Beebies 19:20 Manhunt 19:00 Drop Dead Diva 06:00 Nina And The Neurons: In 12:00 How Hard Can It Be? 21:00 Crisis 20:10 The Liquidator 13:00 Caught In The Act The Lab 20:35 Dallas Car Sharks 22:00 Devious Maids 06:15 Cbeebies Stories 14:00 Wild Untamed Brazil 23:00 Justified 21:00 Get Out Alive With Bear 15:00 Ancient Secrets: Mystery of 06:20 The Green Balloon Club Grylls 00:05 Chopped 06:45 Gigglebiz 00:55 Amazing Wedding Cakes The Silver Pharaoh 21:50 Dive Wars Australia 16:00 Chasing UFOs 07:00 Boogie Beebies 22:40 Manhunt 01:45 Guy’s Big Bite 07:15 The Weakest Link 02:10 Guy’s Big Bite 17:00 Air Crash Investigation 23:30 Get Out Alive With Bear 18:00 Pirate Patrol 08:00 The Vicar Of Dibley Grylls 02:35 Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco 08:30 Moone Boy 03:00 Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco 19:00 Ancient Secrets: Mystery of 00:00 Armageddon 09:00 Eastenders 03:25 Charly’s Cake Angels The Silver Pharaoh 02:30 Taken 2 09:30 Doctors 03:50 Amazing Wedding Cakes 20:00 Chasing UFOs 04:15 Ninja: Shadow Of A Tear 10:00 Being Erica 04:40 Reza, Spice Prince Of 21:00 Air Crash Investigation 06:00 Into The Blue 10:45 The Weakest Link Thailand 22:00 Pirate Patrol 08:00 Taken 2 11:30 The Vicar Of Dibley 05:05 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 23:00 Megacities 09:45 Alex Cross 12:00 Moone Boy 05:30 Reza, Spice Prince Of 11:30 Armageddon 12:25 32 Brinkburn Street 00:00 Violetta Vietnam 14:00 Oblivion 13:15 Eastenders 00:45 The Hive 05:50 Siba’s Table 16:15 Taken 2 13:45 Doctors 00:50 Art Attack 06:10 Sweet Genius 18:00 White House Down 14:15 Being Erica 01:15 Art Attack 07:00 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 20:15 Alex Cross 15:00 As Time Goes By 01:40 Jungle Junction 07:25 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 22:00 The Cold Light Of Day 01:50 Jungle Junction 07:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:00 Mystery Girls 15:30 The Vicar Of Dibley 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 16:00 Moone Boy 02:05 Jungle Junction 08:15 Chopped 02:15 Jungle Junction 09:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Stewart 16:25 The Weakest Link 01:00 Two And A Half Men 17:10 Eastenders 02:30 Violetta Basics 03:10 The Hive 09:30 Farm Kings 01:30 Getting On 17:40 Doctors 02:00 Jonah From Tonga 18:10 Being Erica 03:20 Art Attack 10:20 Recipes That Rock 00:30 Taken 2-PG15 03:45 Art Attack 10:45 Reza, Spice Prince Of 02:30 Louie 02:15 Ninja: Shadow Of A Tear- 19:00 As Time Goes By 03:00 Back In The Game 19:30 Being Eileen 04:10 Jungle Junction Thailand 04:00 Into The Blue-PG15 04:20 Jungle Junction 11:10 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 03:30 The Michael J. Fox Show 06:00 Taken 2-PG15 20:00 Call The Midwife 04:00 New Girl 20:45 Mistresses 04:35 Jungle Junction 11:35 Grandma’s Secret Cookbook 07:45 Alex Cross-PG15 04:45 Jungle Junction 12:00 Chopped 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 09:30 Armageddon-PG15 21:35 Saxondale Jimmy Fallon 22:05 Mad Dogs 05:00 Art Attack 12:50 Siba’s Table 12:00 Oblivion-PG15 05:25 Art Attack 13:15 Jenny Morris Cooks The 05:30 My Boys 14:15 Taken 2-PG15 22:50 The Weakest Link 06:00 Last Man Standing 23:35 Being Eileen 05:50 Mouk Riviera 16:00 White House Down-PG15 06:00 Dog With A Blog 13:40 Mystery Diners 06:30 The Simpsons 18:15 Alex Cross-PG15 06:25 Liv And Maddie 14:05 Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 20:00 The Cold Light Of Day-PG15 06:50 So Random Cook Off 08:00 New Girl 22:00 In The Blood-PG15 07:15 I Didn’t Do It 14:55 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 08:30 My Boys 07:40 Jessie 15:20 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 09:00 Back In The Game 08:05 Austin & Ally 15:45 Farm Kings 09:30 Dads 08:30 Sonny With A Chance 16:35 Chopped 10:00 Hot In Cleveland 00:00 Homes Under The Hammer 10:30 The Simpsons 00:50 Simply Italian 08:55 Suite Life On Deck 17:25 Jenny Morris Cooks The 00:00 Inappropriate Comedy-R 09:20 Wizards Of Waverly Place Riviera 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 01:15 Come Dine With Me Jimmy Fallon 02:00 The Addams Family-PG 02:05 Celebrity MasterChef 09:45 Hannah Montana 17:50 Reza, Spice Prince Of 04:00 Chalet Girl-PG15 10:10 That’s So Raven Thailand 12:00 Last Man Standing 02:55 Antiques Roadshow 12:30 New Girl 06:00 Standing Ovation-PG15 03:45 Come Dine With Me 10:35 High School Musical 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 08:00 Addams Family Values-PG 12:15 Austin & Ally 18:40 Siba’s Table 13:00 My Boys 04:10 Paul Hollywood’s Bread 14:00 The Michael J. Fox Show 10:00 Maid In Manhattan-PG 04:35 Homes Under The Hammer 12:40 Jessie 19:05 Grandma’s Secret Cookbook 12:00 Mr. 3000-PG TAKEN 2 ON OSN ACTION HD 13:05 I Didn’t Do It 19:30 Mystery Diners 14:30 Dads 05:30 Simply Italian 15:00 Hot In Cleveland 14:00 See Spot Run-PG15 13:30 So Random 19:55 Burger Land 07:00 Struck By Lightning-PG15 18:00 The 7:39-PG15 05:50 Come Dine With Me 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 16:00 Addams Family Values-PG 13:55 Liv And Maddie 20:20 Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity 09:00 Vamps-PG15 20:00 Lay The Favorite-PG15 06:40 Celebrity MasterChef Stewart 18:00 Good Morning, Vietnam- 14:20 Austin & Ally Cook Off 11:00 Won’t Back Down-PG15 22:00 Hit And Run-18 07:35 Paul Hollywood’s Bread 16:00 Two And A Half Men PG15 14:55 Jessie 21:10 Amazing Wedding Cakes 13:15 Magic Journey To Africa 01:00 Live Cricket 08:00 Antiques Roadshow 16:30 Last Man Standing 20:30 Why Stop Now-PG15 15:20 Liv And Maddie 22:00 Reza, Spice Prince Of 15:00 Kon-Tiki-PG15 09:00 Super Rugby Final Highlights 08:50 Come Dine With Me 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 22:00 Ass Backwards-18 15:45 Liv And Maddie Thailand 17:00 Vamps-PG15 12:00 Hero Indian Super League 09:15 Homes Under The Hammer 18:00 Back In The Game 16:10 Violetta 22:25 Reza, Spice Prince Of 19:00 Runner Runner-PG15 Highlights 10:10 Bargain Hunt 18:30 About A Boy 12:30 Trans World Sport 17:00 I Didn’t Do It Thailand 21:00 The Art Of The Steal-PG15 00:00 Live MSNBC Now With Alex 10:50 Come Dine With Me 19:00 The Simpsons 13:30 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 17:25 Jessie 22:50 Ching’s Restaurant 23:00 Kick-Ass 2-18 Wagner 11:45 Celebrity MasterChef 19:30 Hot In Cleveland 14:00 Golfing World 17:50 Liv And Maddie Redemption 01:00 Live MSNBC The Ed Show 12:35 Antiques Roadshow 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 15:00 Hero Indian Super League 18:15 Dog With A Blog 23:40 Burger Land 02:00 Live MSNBC Politicsnation 13:30 Come Dine With Me Jimmy Fallon 01:00 Inescapable-PG15 Highlights 18:40 Austin & Ally 03:00 Live NBC Nightly News 13:55 Homes Under The Hammer 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 03:00 Maladies-PG15 15:30 Snooker - The Masters 19:05 Spooksville 03:30 ABC World News With David 14:45 Bargain Hunt Stewart 05:00 Hold Fast-PG15 19:00 Golfing World 19:30 Violetta Muir 15:30 Come Dine With Me 21:30 Two And A Half Men 07:00 Lost Christmas-PG15 21:00 Futbol Mundial 16:20 Celebrity MasterChef 20:20 Liv And Maddie 09:00 Nebraska-PG15 04:00 Live MSNBC All In With Chris 22:00 Web Therapy 00:30 Barbie As The Princess And 21:30 Super Rugby Final Highlights 17:10 Antiques Roadshow 20:45 Liv And Maddie 00:40 The Hungry Sailors 11:00 Inescapable-PG15 Hayes 22:30 Ja’mie: Private School Girl The Pauper 18:05 Come Dine With Me 21:10 Wolfblood 01:30 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 13:00 Maladies-PG15 05:00 Live MSNBC The Rachel 23:00 Louie 02:00 The Adventures Of Rocky 18:30 Homes Under The Hammer 21:35 Gravity Falls Of Dogs 15:00 Playing For Keeps-PG15 Maddow Show 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers And Bullwinkle 19:15 Homes Under The Hammer 22:00 Suite Life On Deck 02:00 Emmerdale 17:00 Nebraska-PG15 06:00 Live MSNBC The Last Word 03:30 The Chronicles Of Narnia: 20:10 Nordic Cookery With Tareq 22:25 A.N.T. Farm 02:25 Emmerdale 19:00 The Tall Man-PG15 W/ Lawrence O’Donnell 00:30 Trans World Sport Prince Caspian Taylor 22:50 Shake It Up 02:55 Coronation Street 21:00 How I Live Now-PG15 07:00 NBC Nightly News 06:00 Princess And The Pea 07:30 ABC World News With David 01:30 Ryder Cup Official Film 20:35 Nigellissima 23:10 Wolfblood 03:25 Tricked 22:45 Her-PG15 08:00 Barbie Fairytopia Muir 03:00 WWE Vintage 21:00 Home Cooking Made Easy 04:20 The Widower 01:00 Bates Motel 10:00 Jelly T 07:57 NBC Nightly News 04:00 Live WWE Raw 21:25 Celebrity MasterChef 05:15 Murdoch Mysteries 02:00 Banshee 11:30 The Ugly Duckling And Me 08:18 ABC World News With David 07:30 Futbol Mundial 21:55 Rachel’s Favourite Food For 06:10 The Jonathan Ross Show 03:00 Mistresses 13:00 The Adventures Of Rocky Muir Living 07:05 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 08:00 Snooker The Masters 04:00 Revenge And Bullwinkle 08:39 Live ABC Nightline 22:20 Antiques Roadshow Of Dogs 11:30 Golfing World 14:30 Cinderella 09:06 MSNBC The Rachel 23:10 Come Dine With Me 00:00 Giuliana & Bill 07:30 Tricked 05:00 Bones 12:30 PGA Tour Highlights 16:00 Quest For A Heart Maddow Show 23:35 The Good Cook 00:55 The Soup 08:25 The Widower 07:00 Necessary Roughness 01:15 The French Connection II- 13:30 PGA European Tour 18:00 Jelly T 10:00 MSNBC The Last Word W/ 01:25 Keeping Up With The 09:20 The Chase 08:00 Psych 03:30 Salmon Fishing In The Highlights Kardashians Yemen-PG15 20:00 Tom And Jerry’s Giant Lawrence O’Donnell 10:15 Murdoch Mysteries 09:00 Bones 11:00 Live ABC World News Now 14:30 WWE This Week 02:20 E! News 05:30 Hitchcock-PG15 Adventure 11:10 Emmerdale 10:00 Revenge 11:30 Live ABC World News Now 03:15 Escape Club 07:30 Beastly-PG15 21:45 Cinderella 15:00 WWE Raw 11:35 Emmerdale 11:00 Necessary Roughness 12:00 Live NBC Early Today 04:10 E!ES 09:00 The Past-PG15 23:30 Quest For A Heart 18:00 WWE Experience 12:00 Coronation Street 12:00 Emmerdale 12:30 Live ABC America This 05:05 E!ES 12:30 The Hungry Sailors 11:15 Eastwood Directs: The 19:00 WWE Afterburn 12:30 Coronation Street Morning 00:20 Gold Rush 06:00 Keeping Up With The 13:25 The Jonathan Ross Show Untold Story-PG15 13:00 Live ABC America This 23:00 Trans World Sport 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 01:10 Alaska: The Last Frontier Kardashians 14:20 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 12:45 Pop Star-PG15 Morning 02:00 Fast N’ Loud 06:55 Keeping Up With The Of Dogs 14:00 Psych 14:30 Hitchcock-PG15 13:30 Live ABC America This 02:50 Auction Hunters Kardashians 14:45 Murdoch Mysteries 16:00 Emmerdale 16:30 The Past-PG15 00:00 Lovestruck: The Musical- Morning 03:15 The Liquidator 07:50 Style Star 15:35 The Chase 16:30 Coronation Street 19:00 The Words-PG15 PG15 14:00 Live ABC America This 21:00 The Magic Of Belle Isle 03:40 Dallas Car Sharks 08:20 E! News 16:30 Midsomer Murders 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 01:45 Saving Mr. Banks-PG15 Morning 00:00 ICC Cricket 360 04:05 How It’s Made 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 23:00 Being Flynn-18 18:20 The Jonathan Ross Show 18:00 Psych 04:00 The Host-PG15 14:30 MSNBC First Look 00:30 Big Bash League T20 04:30 How It’s Made 10:15 Giuliana & Bill 19:10 Coronation Street 19:00 Criminal Minds 06:15 A Family Reunion-PG15 15:00 Live NBC Today Show Highlights 05:00 Dual Survival 11:10 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 19:35 The Chase 18:57 MSNBC Hardball W/ Chris 20:00 State Of Affairs 08:00 The Pretty One-PG15 06:30 Live England v India ODI 06:00 Outback Truckers 11:35 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 20:30 Midsomer Murders 10:00 Cloudy With A Chance Of Matthews 14:30 New Zealand v Sri Lanka 06:50 Rods N’ Wheels 12:05 E! News 22:20 Coronation Street 21:00 Killer Women 19:38 MSNBC The Rachel 01:00 CBGB-18 Meatballs 2-PG ODI Highlights 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 13:05 Extreme Close-Up 22:50 Emmerdale 22:00 True Blood Maddow Show 03:00 Seven Days In Utopia-PG15 11:45 The Host-PG15 16:00 Story of the World Cup 1992 08:30 Auction Hunters 13:35 Pop Innovators 23:15 Emmerdale 23:00 Mistresses 20:19 MSNBC The Last Word W/ 17:30 England v India ODI 05:00 Planes-PG 14:00 The Good Doctor-PG15 08:55 The Liquidator 14:30 Style Star 23:45 Murdoch Mysteries 16:00 The Pretty One-PG15 Lawrence O’Donnell Highlights

OBLIVION ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD Classifieds

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (15/01/2015 TO 21/01/2015)

SHARQIA-1 I -Tamil 3:00 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 11:30 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 12:45 PM I -Tamil 6:15 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 1:15 AM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 3:15 PM I -Tamil 9:45 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 6:00 PM TAKEN 3 1:00 AM AVENUES-8 SEVENTH SON 8:15 PM THE IMITATION GAME 12:30 PM SEVENTH SON 10:30 PM MARINA-1 I -Hindi 3:00 PM TAKEN 3 12:45 AM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 11:30 AM I -Hindi 6:30 PM TAKEN 3 1:30 PM THE IMITATION GAME 10:00 PM SHARQIA-2 THE SNOW QUEEN 2 3:45 PM THE IMITATION GAME 12:30 AM TAKEN 3 12:30 PM THE SNOW QUEEN 2 6:00 PM TAKEN 3 3:00 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 8:00 PM AVENUES-9 TAKEN 3 5:30 PM TAKEN 3 10:30 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 12:15 PM TAKEN 3 7:45 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:45 AM THE SNOW QUEEN 2 2:00 PM ACCOMMODATION TAKEN 3 10:00 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST-3D 3:45 PM TAKEN 3 12:15 AM MARINA-2 THE SNOW QUEEN 2 5:30 PM Room available at Abu Alifa TAKEN 3 12:30 PM THE SNOW QUEEN 2 7:15 PM SHARQIA-3 TAKEN 3 3:00 PM UNBROKEN 9:00 PM separate toilet with African FROM A TO B 1:00 PM TAKEN 3 5:15 PM UNBROKEN 12:05 AM family, prefer couple or THE SNOW QUEEN 2 3:30 PM TAKEN 3 7:30 PM working lady, rent KD 100. THE SNOW QUEEN 2 5:15 PM TAKEN 3 9:45 PM AVENUES-10 THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 7:00 PM TAKEN 3 12:05 AM SEVENTH SON 12:00 PM Tel: 90033641. (C 4908) THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 9:30 PM SEVENTH SON 2:15 PM 19-1-2015 THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 12:05 AM MARINA-3 SEVENTH SON 4:30 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 12:15 PM SEVENTH SON 6:45 PM MUHALAB-1 THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 3:00 PM SEVENTH SON 9:00 PM Room for rent available in FROM A TO B 12:15 PM SEVENTH SON 5:30 PM SEVENTH SON 11:15 PM Hawally with TFC for SEVENTH SON 2:30 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 7:45 PM SEVENTH SON 1:15 AM Filipino only. Please contact THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 4:45 PM SEVENTH SON 10:15 PM SEVENTH SON 7:00 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 12:30 AM AVENUES-11 mobile 65589910. (C 4906) FROM A TO B 9:15 PM TAKEN 3 -DOLBY ATMOS 12:30 PM 17-1-2015 TAKEN 3 11:45 PM AVENUES-1 TAKEN 3 -DOLBY ATMOS 3:00 PM FROM A TO B 12:00 PM TAKEN 3 -DOLBY ATMOS 5:30 PM MUHALAB-2 FROM A TO B 2:15 PM TAKEN 3 -DOLBY ATMOS 8:00 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 11:45 AM FROM A TO B 4:30 PM TAKEN 3 -DOLBY ATMOS 10:30 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 1:30 PM FROM A TO B 6:45 PM TAKEN 3 -DOLBY ATMOS 1:00 AM SITUATION VACANT THE SNOW QUEEN 2 4:00 PM FROM A TO B 9:15 PM THE SNOW QUEEN 2 5:45 PM FROM A TO B 11:45 PM 360º- 1 A maid is needed to work THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 7:30 PM SEVENTH SON 11:30 AM as a part timer in an apart- THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 10:00 PM AVENUES-2 SEVENTH SON 1:45 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 12:30 AM INTO THE WOODS 11:30 AM SEVENTH SON-3D 4:00 PM ment located in Salmiya. INTO THE WOODS 2:00 PM SEVENTH SON 6:15 PM Salary and time are nego- MUHALAB-3 INTO THE WOODS 4:45 PM SEVENTH SON-3D 8:30 PM SEVENTH SON -3D 11:30 AM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 7:15 PM SEVENTH SON 10:45 PM tiable. Call 66417504. TAKEN 3 1:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 9:45 PM SEVENTH SON 1:00 AM (C 4907) TAKEN 3 3:45 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:05 AM 18-1-2015 TAKEN 3 6:00 PM 360º- 2 TAKEN 3 8:15 PM AVENUES-3 LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 12:15 PM TAKEN 3 10:30 PM THE WATER DIVINER 11:45 AM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 2:15 PM TAKEN 3 12:45 AM I -Tamil 2:30 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 4:15 PM I -Tamil 6:00 PM P.K -HINDI 6:15 PM SITUATION WANTED FANAR-1 I -Tamil 9:30 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 9:15 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 11:30 AM THE WATER DIVINER 12:45 AM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 11:15 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 2:00 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 1:15 AM An assistant finance man- THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 4:30 PM AVENUES-4 ager, MBA (Finance), hav- THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 7:00 PM TAKEN 3 11:30 AM 360º 3 ing 10 year experience in THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 9:30 PM TAKEN 3 2:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 12:00 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 12:05 AM TAKEN 3 4:30 PM INTO THE WOODS 2:30 PM Kuwait is looking for the TAKEN 3 7:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 5:00 PM post of chief account- FANAR-2 NO THU THE IMITATION GAME 7:30 PM ant/assistant finance FROM A TO B 12:30 PM Special Show “TAKEN 3” 7:00 PM THE IMITATION GAME 10:00 PM manager. Capable of FROM A TO B 3:00 PM THU THE IMITATION GAME 12:30 AM FROM A TO B 5:30 PM TAKEN 3 9:30 PM doing upto finalization, FROM A TO B 7:45 PM TAKEN 3 12:05 AM AL-KOUT.1 available immediately. THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 10:00 PM TAKEN 3 1:00 PM Please call 90073251. FROM A TO B 12:15 AM AVENUES-5 TAKEN 3 3:30 PM (C 4909) THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 1:00 PM TAKEN 3 5:45 PM FANAR-3 SEVENTH SON-3D 3:30 PM TAKEN 3 8:00 PM 19-1-2015 SEVENTH SON 1:00 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 5:45 PM TAKEN 3 10:15 PM THE SNOW QUEEN 2 3:15 PM SEVENTH SON 8:15 PM TAKEN 3 12:30 AM THE SNOW QUEEN 2 5:00 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 10:30 PM THE SNOW QUEEN 2 6:45 PM SEVENTH SON 1:00 AM AL-KOUT.2 Prayer timings THE IMITATION GAME 8:30 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 11:30 AM SEVENTH SON 10:45 PM AVENUES-6 THE SNOW QUEEN 2 1:30 PM Fajr: 05:20 SEVENTH SON 1:00 AM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 11:30 AM THE SNOW QUEEN 2 3:15 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 2:00 PM THE SNOW QUEEN 2 5:00 PM FANAR-4 THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 4:30 PM FROM A TO B 6:45 PM Shorook 06:43 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 11:30 AM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 7:00 PM FROM A TO B 9:15 PM TAKEN 3 1:15 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 9:30 PM FROM A TO B 11:45 PM TAKEN 3 3:30 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 12:05 AM Duhr: 11:59 TAKEN 3 5:45 PM AL-KOUT.3 TAKEN 3 8:00 PM AVENUES-7 THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 11:30 AM Asr: 14:56 TAKEN 3 10:15 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 12:45 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 2:00 PM TAKEN 3 12:30 AM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 3:15 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 4:30 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 5:15 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 7:00 PM Maghrib: 17:16 FANAR-5 NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 7:30 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 9:30 PM TAKEN 3 12:45 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 9:45 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 12:15 AM Isha: 18:36

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

Arrival Flights on Tuesday 20/1/2015 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 Departure Flights on Tuesday 20/1/2015 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 Airlines Flt Route Time OMA 645 Muscat 15:00 Airlines Flt Route Time UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 BBC 043 Dhaka 00:05 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:10 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 JZR 324 Al Najaf 14:25 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 KAC 284 Dhaka 15:15 PIA 206 Lahore 00:40 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 JZR 239 Amman 00:25 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 FDB 072 Dubai 00:45 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 FDB 051 Dubai 16:00 BBC 044 Dhaka 01:35 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 KLM 411 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:40 JZR 1535 Cairo 16:10 KLM 411 Amsterdam 01:55 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:20 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 NIA 251 Alexandria 16:15 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:15 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 KAC 562 Amman 16:20 KAC 283 Dhaka 02:25 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 MIX 6060 Sharjah 01:00 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 QTR 1084 Doha 01:00 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 THY 773 Istanbul 02:55 OMA 646 Muscat 16:00 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:35 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:55 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25 JZR 552 Alexandria 16:10 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 CLX 794 Luxembourg/VRN 17:00 MIX 307 Sharjah 03:30 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 KAC 381 Delhi 03:40 FDB 052 Dubai 17:00 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 KAC 741 Dammam 17:00 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 02:50 JZR 325 Al Najaf 17:50 FDB 068 Dubai 03:55 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 FDB 067 Dubai 02:55 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 NIA 252 Alexandria 17:15 RJA 648 Amman 03:05 UAL 982 IAD 17:55 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:10 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 TAR 328 Tunis/Dubai 18:05 QTR 1085 Doha 04:30 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 KKK 6507 Istanbul 03:20 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 MSC 406 Sohag 05:05 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:50 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 FDB 063 Dubai 18:40 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 ICV 673 Luxembourg/MXP 04:00 ABY 121 Sharjah 18:40 THY 765 Istanbul 05:40 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:05 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:45 ICV 673 Hong Kong 05:45 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 CLX 794 SGN 18:30 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 SYR 341 Damascus 18:55 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 06:35 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 BAW 157 London 06:40 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:15 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 JZR 238 Amman 18:50 KAC 416 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 06:45 KAC 618 Doha 19:15 RJA 649 Amman 07:05 TAR 328 Tunis 18:55 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:10 AXB 393 Kozhikode 19:15 JZR 560 Sohag 07:10 JZR 134 Bahrain 19:10 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 KAC 542 Cairo 19:25 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 UAL 982 Bahrain 19:15 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 KAC 678 Muscat/Abu Dhabi 19:25 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 ABY 122 Sharjah 19:20 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:55 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 FDB 054 Dubai 08:25 UAE 876 Dubai 19:40 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 BAW 156 London 08:45 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 19:40 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 SYR 342 Damascus 19:55 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 KAC 104 London 19:55 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:55 FDB 064 Dubai 19:55 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:30 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:00 KAC 513 Tehran 08:55 AXB 393 Kozhikode 20:15 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 KAC 742 Dammam 20:00 JZR 1534 Cairo 09:15 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 KAC 361 Colombo 20:50 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:25 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:00 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 GFA 049 Bahrain 20:30 KAC 101 London/New York 09:50 MSR 607 Luxor 21:05 DLH 636 Frankfurt 20:50 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 GFA 049 Istanbul 21:15 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 IRA 675 Lar 10:40 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:20 KAC 351 Kochi 21:15 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 UAE 873 Dubai 11:00 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 KAC 561 Amman 10:25 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 RBG 555 Alexandria 11:15 FDB 073 Dubai 21:35 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 MSC 405 Sohag 11:25 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 DLH 636 Dammam 21:35 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:15 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 QTR 1074 Doha 21:55 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 FDB 8063 Dubai 12:25 JZR 135 Bahrain 22:05 IRA 674 Lar 11:40 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 KLM 415 Amsterdam 22:15 RBG 556 Alexandria 11:55 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:15 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 KAC 514 Tehran 13:10 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 KAC 677 Abu Dhabi/Muscat 12:20 FDB 074 Dubai 22:30 JZR 561 Sohag 13:45 AIC 981 Chennai/Hyderabad/Ahmedabad 22:30 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 KAC 382 Delhi 13:45 PIA 239 Sialkot 22:35 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:25 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 UAL 981 Bahrain 23:10 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:55 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:25 JZR 553 Alexandria 23:25 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 QTR 1075 Doha 23:05 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 THY 764 Istanbul 23:35 FDB 8064 Dubai 13:05 KLM 415 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:15 FDB 057 Dubai 14:30 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:30 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 CROSSWORD 790 STAR TRACK

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

Communicating and getting your message across to others is at a high just The stars line up to help you become very inventive. You will impress people now. Your timing for business consulting should be perfect and those around you find in conversations and communicate to loved ones on new levels. If you channel the energy you most spontaneous and enthusiastic. This is not a good time, however, to make any you receive today, you can continue to use this same talent to become influential. Your tim- concrete decisions about a relationship or business deal. There are some mighty powerful ing should be perfect and those around you should find you most spontaneous. This after- energies that spill into your life in unpredictable ways. Careful-your decisions and actions noon, children may surprise you with their creativeness. This could mean a surprise gift now will have long-lasting effects. This afternoon, weather permitting, you and your from a friend or a young salesperson at your door. Later, you may enjoy a true hearts and flowers evening-filling you with happy feelings. A new friendship or romance started now friends can engage in outdoor activities that are both carefree and pleasant. This is a won- has a bright and positive future. If emotional fences need mending, this is a good day for derful way to relieve any stress. You should try now to loosen up and enjoy your compan- the task. There are positive energies present. ions. You will definitely feel the power of love today.

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

If you are in sales and the sales have not been going well-stand back, they Your imagination and creativity is strong and when it comes to ideas and will be multiplying soon. Mental endeavors are favored as is communication with friends thinking-you seem to have an answer for all the problems you detect. This, coupled with and loved ones. Be as flexible as possible. You take a serious attitude to just about all the ability to put your thoughts into words, allows you to captivate and spellbind. You have aspects of your life. This is an excellent time to sit down alone and get many things accom- been tagged for giving advice regarding very personal and emotional issues. You will be plished. Parental instincts may come to your attention now and you make every effort to able to be understanding and handle this volatile material. You are able to cut through the appease any discord in the home. Also, there is a strong wish to make your surroundings red tape and get at what is beneath and behind. You demonstrate success through your refusal to step into any negative pits. Besides being creative, positive and affectionate, you as pleasant as possible. This could mean a new purchase or some new guidelines for the are very sociable and magnetic to the opposite sex today. Your love is intensified and any family members. Someone may invite you to see his or her vacation pictures. Go . . . You relationship begun at this time will be especially strong. may want to show off your own pictures soon.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) There is concern now about the future of business. Your emotions could be You can turn a difficult task into something quite uncomplicated. This is a intensified and this would cloud your logical reasoning. You may not be very good time to lead the way on a project-you are able to move things forward objective-you could make choices you would regret later. If you relax this morning and think ACROSS 7. An Asian peninsula (off Manchuria) sepa- quickly. You have a great deal of respect for others, particularly those that seek to achieve about these upcoming decisions, you will overcome difficulties. It would not be a bad idea 1. A long projecting or anterior elongation rating the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan. and have a difficult time. With a little guidance they learn and begin to shine in their work. to delay decisions, cut your losses or step back for a bit to appraise-perhaps, with the addi- of an animal's head. 8. Intelligence derived from non-communi- Creating a successful end result is your goal and higher-ups will pay attention. You love tion of some trusted business advice. An interest in a new intellectual pursuit may be fos- books and may even have an idea for a story of your own. Certainly, where young people tered this evening. A volunteer program, of your choosing, can be quite rewarding. There 4. Aroused or activated. cations electromagnetic radiations from are concerned, you know just what to do to get them involved in a storytelling time they are some marvelous opportunities to teach others. You can demonstrate great understand- 12. A solution containing a phosphate foreign sources (other than radioactive enjoy sharing. Laughter and setting situations up to entertain friends are fun pastimes and ing and you are in a good position to lend a helping hand. buffer. sources). that is what tonight is all about-fun and games. 15. A loose sleeveless outer garment made 9. Type genus of the Nepidae. from aba cloth. 10. The compass point midway between 16. A volatile flammable mixture of hydro- northeast and east. carbons (hexane and heptane and octane 11. Usually included in genus Cardamine. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) etc.) derived from petroleum. 12. A folded part (as a fold of skin or mus- Travel enters into your thinking from time to time and now is a time to set out You may be asked to do extra work, beyond your work description. You could 17. A broad flat muscle on either side of the cle). a few plans for future visits, tours or explorations. Always leave room for side be a sly one and be a happy camper to accommodate the needs but request that one of your trips and if you are limited in your budget, you will find a way to set aside funds for the next back. 13. An indehiscent fruit derived from a sin- projects be an exchange for what will be expected of you in the next few weeks. You defi- adventure. Work is uneventful but doing well. A co-worker may suggest a vegetable garden 18. A person who habitually pretends to be gle ovary having one or many seeds within nitely need to feel secure in the professional realm of life just now and saying no would to help you save money for your travels. You will take much pleasure in the results of your probably not be a good response. The satisfaction of a job well done is one of your greatest something he is not. a fleshy wall or pericarp. labor. This afternoon your family members and friends want to show their expression of love incentives and higher-ups know you will have good results from your hard work. You can 19. Cause to ripen. 14. Water at boiling temperature diffused in and you may be quite pleased when they come up with gift cards that would help you control your own progress to some extent and you make every effort to shine in your specific toward your next travel. Making your reservations will be a reality soon, even if it is in several 20. Water frozen in the solid state. the atmosphere v 1. job. Your resolve is strong and there is success in the future. Consider having a book garage months. 21. Used of a single unit or thing. 23. The capital of Cape Verde on Sao Tiago sale soon-you need the extra space. 22. A town in northern Michigan on an arm Island. of Lake Huron. 25. Lighted up by or as by fire or flame. 24. Genus of tropical plants with creeping 26. (Greek mythology) Daughter of Zeus Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) rootstocks and small umbellate flowers. and Demeter. 27. The fleshy part of the human body that 28. A loose material consisting of grains of Your communication skills are sharp. If you are in business for yourself, This is an excellent time to sway others to your cause through speeches or you sit on. rock or coral. redesign or add color to your advertisement. Anything eye catching is a plus. clever arguments-your thinking is most lucid. You are buoyed with confidence now to suc- Send out your advertisement or pass around your advertisement to a new area or a new ceed at any project you attempt. If you deal with groups, you will probably be advocating 29. Evergreen shrubs and small trees of 30. Strike with disgust or revulsion. group of people. If you are working for someone else, be sure to let them know you have sweeping changes. Just do not become involved in any project that may require a follow- North and Central America and Asia. 31. A board game in which players try to ideas and give examples. On a more mundane level, it is an excellent day to sign papers and through later. Make sure both your expectations and abilities are realistic before diving into 33. An Iranian language spoken in move their pieces into their opponent's connect with new contacts. There may be some driving involved for the next few days. something you may not be able to get out of without embarrassment. In your hunger for Afghanistan. bases. Parental type of instincts may kick in this afternoon as you make every effort to help a young emotional excitement, you may seek out new and different kinds of people-or maybe new person. You may want to make some time available for some sort of tutoring. Be sure to and different kinds of places to spend the afternoon or evening. Companionship with others 34. A cut of pork ribs with much of the meat 32. A strip of land projecting into a body of request approval of a parent. is most rewarding. trimmed off. water. 35. Worry unnecessarily of excessively. 36. In full operation. 39. Failure of some tissue or organ to devel- 37. (folklore) A corpse that rises at night to op. drink the blood of the living. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 41. A guided missile fired from shipboard 38. The Uralic language spoken by the against an airborne target. Yeniseian people. Being in the spotlight is fun this morning. It is a good time to be humble and This marks a time when relations with a spouse or business partner are on a 44. An instance or single occasion for some 40. A plant hormone promoting elongation see where your efforts can best help. You could experience a sudden and unexpected solid ground. Expressing affection should come easily and can do much good for your char- change of scenery in the workplace. This may entail getting a new boss, new co-workers or acter. Business dealings may be particularly fruitful at present, particularly if you give one event. of stems and roots. embarking on a totally different project or a new field of work. You may have misgivings hundred percent. Also, romance is heightened in your personal relationships and you should 45. (botany) Of or relating to the axil. 42. A card game played in casinos in which about your work or your talents at this time. There are many opportunities, however, for you take the time to actively cultivate them. There is a promise of exciting times to come 49. A luminance unit equal to 1 candle per two or more punters gamble against the to succeed in the eyes of others. Remember, a display of personal confidence is very impor- between partners! Your thirst for freedom and excitement, while a definite boon to any rela- square meter measured perpendicular to banker. tant. Constructive communication is paramount with family this evening. Tonight it would tionship, should not completely dominate your decision-making process. This evening there be good to have dinner served at the dinner table for communication, instead of the couch is time to reflect and understand your own situation. A new recipe is worth your attention. the rays from the source. 43. A large group of islands in the south for television. 50. A region of northeastern France famous Pacific including Melanesia and Micronesia for its wines. and Polynesia (and sometimes Australasia 53. Brazilian statesman who ruled Brazil as a and the Malay Archipelago). virtual dictator (1883-1954). 46. A Hindu prince or king in India. WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Yesterday’s Solution 56. A historical region on northwestern 47. A white metallic element that burns India and northern Pakistan. with a brilliant light. 59. West Indian tree having racemes of fra- 48. Rounded like an egg. grant white flowers and yielding a durable 51. A white soft metallic element that tar- timber and resinous juice. nishes readily. 61. Evergreen trees and shrubs having oily 52. A metallic element having four allotrop- one-seeded fruits. ic forms. 63. Stairway in India leading down to a 54. The blood group whose red cells carry landing on the water. both the A and B antigens. 67. Standard temperature and pressure. 55. A motley assortment of things. 70. Excessively fat. 57. (used of opinions and actions) Far 71. A period marked by distinctive charac- beyond the norm. ter or reckoned from a fixed point or event. 58. A small Asian country high in the 72. A skin disease of adults (more often Himalayas between India and Tibet. women) in which blood vessels of the face 60. A workman who laces shoes or footballs enlarge resulting in a flushed appearance. or books (during binding). 74. An independent ruler or chieftain (espe- 62. Having or denoting a low vocal or cially in Africa or Arabia). instrumental range. 75. A metric unit of volume or capacity 64. A complex red organic pigment con- equal to 10 liters. taining iron and other atoms to which oxy- 76. Born out of wedlock. gen binds. 77. Wild or seedling sweet cherry used as 65. The largest continent with 60% of the stock for grafting. earth's population. 66. Small slender gull having narrow wings DOWN and a forked tail. 1. Plant with an elongated head of broad 68. Someone who engages in arbitrage stalked leaves resembling celery. (who purchases securities in one market for 2. Very dark black. immediate resale in another in the hope of 3. Serving as or forming a base. profiting from the price differential). 4. Largest known toad species. 69. A state of southwestern India. 5. A language of Australian aborigines. 73. A public promotion of some product or 6. A very poisonous metallic element that service. has three allotropic forms. Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 information

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Afghanistan 0093 Luxembourg 00352 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Albania 00355 Macau 00853 Algeria 00213 Macedonia 00389 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Andorra 00376 Madagascar 00261 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Angola 00244 Majorca 0034 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Anguilla 001264 Malawi 00265 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Antiga 001268 Malaysia 0060 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Argentina 0054 Maldives 00960 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Armenia 00374 Mali 00223 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Australia 0061 Malta 00356 Austria 0043 Marshall Islands 00692 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Bahrain 00973 Mauritania 00222 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Rawda 22517733 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Adaliya 22517144 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Kaifan 24849807 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Burundi 00257 New Caledonia 00687 Shuwaikh 24814507 Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 Nuzha 22526804 Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 Qadsiya 22515088 Chad 00235 N. 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Gossip Charlie Hunnam to play Drug Lord

harlie Hunnam is reportedly set to star in ‘American story moving narcotics from his base in Acapulco. ‘American blockbuster ‘Knights Of The Round Table: King Arthur’. He Drug Lord’. The ‘Sons of Anarchy’ actor is reportedly Sniper’ writer Jason Hall is to pen the script and is writing may be reunited with his ‘Pacific Rim’ co-star Idris Elba, who Cset to play cartel leader Edgar Valdez in the upcoming the character for Hunnam to portray, reports Deadline. is up for the part of Merlin. It is believed Warner Bros. is film based on a 2011 Rolling Stone article of the same name, Sarah Esberg of Plan B will executive produce the movie, hoping to create a franchise that will last for six planned by Vanessa Grigoriadis and Mary Cuddehe The story follows with Jillian Share and Sophie Sikora are supervising for films. high school football player Valdez, a Mexican/American Legendary. Hunnam - who previously starred in the sci-fi born and raised in Laredo, Texas, who became the first US adventure ‘Pacific Rim’, directed by Guillermo del Toro - is citizen to lead his own drug cartel and the movie tells his also set to take on the lead role in Guy Ritchie’s upcoming

Emily Blunt for Cavill wants to The Huntsman? play Superman

mily Blunt is in talks to star in ‘The ing her sister Ravenna’s death. Director Frank for ‘years’ Huntsman’. The ‘Into the Woods’ actress Darabont dropped out of the project last Eis in negotiations to play Charlize week following creative differences with Theron’s character’s evil sister The Snow Universal but a new filmmaker is set to be Queen in the upcoming sequel to ‘Snow announced for the movie next week. Joe Roth White and the Huntsman’, TheWrap reports. is to produce the film alongside Palak Patel as Theron is set to reprise her role as the villain- Executive Producer while the current draft of ous Ravenna while Chris Hemsworth will the screenplay was written by Darabont, with return as Eric, the huntsman who aided Snow previous drafts penned by Craig Mazin and White (Kristen Stewart) in the original film Evan Spiliotopoulos. ‘The Huntsman’ is slated directed by Rupert Sanders. The sequel sees for release on April 22, 2016. the Huntsman sent on a quest to find the stolen magic mirror, forcing him to face his past and the evil Snow Queen set on aveng- Depp never expected musical roles ohnny Depp “never imagined” appearing part in the production - which features an all- enry Cavill wants to play Superman for in a musical. The 51-year-old actor - who star cast including Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt “many years to come”. The 31-year-old Jpreviously showed off his vocal talents in and Anna Kendrick - Rob admits that was part Hactor will don the famous red cape for a the lead role in ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon of the appeal for the hunky actor. He added: second time in ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Barber of Fleet Street’ - jumped at the chance “He is a great influence and such an extraordi- Justice’ - the sequel to ‘Man of Steel’ - and he to play the wolf in ‘Into the Woods’ because nary man in so many ways and so kind and so insists he has no intention of walking away from he didn’t think he’d get the opportunity to wonderful to work with and generous the DC Comics franchise any time soon. Speaking sing on screen again. Director Rob Marshall beyond belief and he was excited to be part to website TheAnglophileChannel, he said: “I love said: “I think he was excited about doing of a company.”It was a small part, and that the character. I love working with Warner Bros. another Sondheim musical - that was thrilling was exciting for him - not to carry the film - and what they’re doing with it, and so fingers for him. He was like, ‘I can’t believe I’ve done and it’s almost a cameo in a way.” crossed I’ll be able to tell the story for many, many two Sondheim musicals in my life’. He never years to come.” Cavill is very excited for cinema imagined ever doing a musical. But mostly he goers to see the two iconic superheroes on was excited because he wanted to play the screen together for the first time and insists direc- big bad wolf.” Though Johnny only has a small tor Zack Snyder’s vision for his Superman and Ben Affleck’s Batman is something very special. He explained: “It’s Zack Snyder, so it’s going to be a visual spectacle, and its cinematic history. Fingers crossed it turns out to be as exciting as I think it Halliwell is back in the studio is.” Cavill is believed to be set to play the son of Krypton until at least 2019 with ‘Justice League - eri Halliwell is working on new music. The Oyelowo says Part 1’ planned for 2017 and ‘Justice League - Part former Spice Girls star - who is engaged to 2’ set to hit the big screen. Warner Bros CEO Kevin GFormula 1 team boss Christian Horner - has Tsujihara also recently announced the studio’s revealed she’s been inspired to get back in the stu- Selma plans to make a solo Batman film with Affleck dio and has been singing anywhere and every- has been a reprising his role as The Caper Crusader and where while working on new songs. She shared: another standalone Superman adventure. “I’m back in the studio. Oh my God, I’m so excited. ‘cinematic journey’ ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ also stars The strangest place that I’ve done recording is on Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Jason Momoa as horseback in Austin, Texas. Christian was ahead of avid Oyelowo has been on a “cinematic journey” that led him to Aquaman and Jesse Eisenberg as super-villain Lex me and I was singing to the horse. If I’ve got a the role of Martin Luther King in ‘Selma’. The 38-year-old actor Luthor. It is scheduled for a March 2016 release. melody I want to keep it.” The 42-year-old beauty - Dfirst read the script for the film about the civil rights movement who released a number of singles including ‘It’s in 2007 and insists that its overarching message still resonates. He said: Raining Men’ and ‘Lift Me Up’ following her depar- “It’s been an incredible journey. Having read the script and had this ture from the Spice Girls - has enlisted the help of deep spiritual knowledge that I would be playing this role at some some well known songwriters to help re-launch her point, I went on this cinematic journey that took me from 1865 to music career Geri has been working with Amy President Obama coming into office - literally.” Oyelowo also stressed Wadge, who co-wrote Ed Sheeran’s hit single the need to have greater diversity in the movie industry, saying it’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’, and Eliot Kennedy - who important that different perceptions and experiences are explored on penned the Spice Girls song ‘Say You’ll Be There’. film. He told The Sunday Times newspaper: “If you only have a certain Speaking to The Sun newspaper about working section of society telling stories, a certain class of society green-lighting with Eliot, she said: “It’s beautiful. Elton John and and effectively creating culture, it’s a narrow view. And it becomes a [lyricist] Bernie Taupin, how they have that collabo- self-fulfilling prophecy. ‘Black doesn’t travel.’ Yeah, because you haven’t rative feeling, we’ve been able to do that.” allowed it to!” Meanwhile, David revealed recently that he stayed in character throughout the filming of ‘Selma’. He shared: “We were shoot- ing in Atlanta, Dr King is from Atlanta, revered in Atlanta - Martin Luther King boulevard, this, that and the other. “You go and say [in an English accent]: ‘Hello everybody, I’m going to be playing Dr King’ - it’s not so good for 500 extras waiting for you to give a speech so I sort of felt I Take That to perform at BRITs needed to stay in [character] the whole time.” ake That will perform at the BRIT formed they stole the show.” Although they Awards. The trio - featuring Gary Barlow, will be hoping to top their previous perform- THoward Donald and Mark Owen - are ances, the 43-year-old frontman hasn’t quite “planning something special” for their per- decided what they will be doing on stage, but formance at the annual awards ceremony, teased they may bring out other acts to sing which will be their first time singing at the with them. He told The Sun newspaper: “We event since Jason Orange left the group last haven’t decided exactly what yet but we’re year. Gary said: “We know what a big deal per- thinking about some sort of collaboration or forming at the Brits is, so we are definitely a big surprise.” Despite being snubbed in the planning something special at the moment.” list of nominations, the eight-time award win- The ‘These Days’ hitmakers - who released ners will perform at the ceremony - which will their seventh studio album, ‘III’, last year - take place on February 25 at London’s O2 have performed at the celebration of British Arena - alongside Sam Smith, Taylor Swift and music five times before, standing aboard a Ed Sheeran, with Madonna also rumored to spaceship in 2009 and bringing riot police be singing at the show. — Bang Showbiz Christina Aguilera onto the stage in 2011. A Brits source said: “It’s too early to say exactly what they’ll do likes cosy nights but if you look at the last two times they per- hristina Aguilera enjoys spending cosy nights at home with her children. The ‘Your Body’ hitmaker - who has Cson Max, six, from her marriage to Jordan Bratman and daughter Summer, four months, with fiance Matthew Rutler - admits she is very different at home than she is when she’s on stage. She said: “When I’m home, I’m in my sweatpants getting cosy with my children. There are two sides to me; the person who will cuddle in bed and sing my kids to sleep and the per- sona who goes out onstage - the extrovert and the artist. It’s important for me to express that side of myself. There aren’t as many opportunities, but I make sure to get dressed up and be glamorous. Whether I add some eye make-up, wear a special fragrance or try a fun new nail colour - anything feminine and sexy.” But the blonde beauty thinks it’s more important for new mothers to be “happy and healthy” with themselves than trying to please other people. She told America’s OK! maga- zine: “It’s about getting to a place where you’re confident in your own skin and don’t need the approval of others to feel great about yourself. All women have a natural sex appear, no matter what. Sometimes just a nice bubble bath is all it takes to relax and feel sexy at the same time!” lifestyle TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015

Music & Movies

US director Richard Linklater poses with his awards for director of the year and film of the British actor Timothy Spall poses with his award for British Producers Matthilde Bonnefoy and Dirk Wilutzky pose with their award for documentary year for ‘Boyhood’ at the 35th London Critics’ Circle Film Awards in London. — AFP photos actor of the year. of the year for their film ‘Citizenfour’. Boyhood bolstered for Oscars at London Critics’ awards oming of age film “Boyhood” scooped three prizes at career in “Birdman”, a rival to “Boyhood” at the Oscars with the London Critics’ Circle awards on Sunday, bolster- nine nominations. Meanwhile stylish comedy “The Grand Cing the real-time drama, nominated for six Academy Budapest Hotel”, another top Oscar contender with nine Awards at next month’s Oscars. Shot over 12 years, the crit- nominations, was awarded best screenplay for writer and ics group awarded “Boyhood” film of the year, best director director Wes Anderson. Julianne Moore won actress of the for Richard Linklater and best supporting actress for year for her performance as a professor diagnosed with Patricia Arquette-the same categories it won at the Golden Alzheimer’s disease in “Still Alice”. Globes earlier this month. Rosamund Pike, who is nominated in the best actress Linklater said that the award from the critics’ association category at the Oscars, was awarded British actress of the meant a lot to him. “To me it’s the top of the top because year for her work in thriller “Gone Girl” and British comedy they’re people who know film history and they see every “What We Did On Our Holiday”. Timothy Spall, who missed film,” the director said. “Not to be elitist, but in this world of out on an Oscar nomination, won best British actor of the film, those writers are important because they know quite year for playing the artist JMW Turner in “Mr Turner”. — AFP a bit about what they’re talking about, so you take it more seriously, and it’s that much more of an honour.” British actress Miranda Richardson poses with the Dilys British actor Alex Lawther poses with his award for young The circle awarded Michael Keaton best actor for his Powell award for excellence. British performer of the year for his work on the film ‘The role as a former star making a theatrical bid to revive his Imitation Game’.

Berlin Film Festival completes competition lineup Box Office: ‘American Sniper’ shatters erlin Film Festival chief Dieter Kosslick has completed his Competition section lineup, with films by Wim records with $90.2 million weekend BWenders, Pablo Larrain and Oliver Hirschbiegel among the latest additions. Wenders’ 3D film “Every Thing merican Sniper” hit the bullseye, earn- BoxOffice.com. “In the climate we live in, word- of January. the weekend’s other adult drama, “Blackhat.” Will Be Fine” stars James Franco, Charlotte Gainsbourg and ing an astonishing $90.2 million in its of-mouth can push a movie really far, really fast.” The film is set up nicely when it comes to Michael Mann’s look at the way we hack now Rachel McAdams. Franco plays Tomas, a writer who acciden- “A debut weekend in wide release. It is “American Sniper” also benefited from its 332 competition for the family dollar. It has the mar- with Chris Hemsworth trading in Thor’s hammer tally causes the death of a child and spends the next 12 years now on pace to upend records for the Martin Imax screenings, where it is expected to generate ket more or less to itself until “The SpongeBob for a keyboard, flopped. It earned a doleful $4 examining the effect of the tragedy on his life and that of Luther King holiday and for the month of $11.5 million for the four-day weekend and Movie: Sponge Out of Water” debuts on Feb 6. million from 2,567 locations for the weekend and Kate, the child’s mother. January, pulling in roughly $105 million over the enjoyed the format’s biggest ever R-rated open- “The parents like it just as much as the kids and should make $4.6 million over the holiday. That’s As previously announced, the festival is to present four-day period. It’s also a new high-water mark ing. In premium large formats, the war drama getting some adult business is always a good a dreadful result for the $70 million production Wenders with an honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achieve- for director Clint Eastwood, whose previous made $9.7 million for the weekend. “American sign with films like this,” said Erik Lomis, distribu- and the worst of Mann’s career. It’s lower even ment, and will screen 10 of his movies as part of an homage. weekend record was the $29.5 million wide Sniper” wasn’t the only record breaker. Sony and tion chief for The Weinstein Company. than the modest $10 million the studio projected Wenders directed seminal pics like “Paris, Texas” and “Wings release opening for 2008’s “Gran Torino.” At 84, Screen Gems’ “The Wedding Ringer,” starring “Blackhat” would pull in over the four-day period. of Desire,” and has been nominated three times for an Oscar, he’s still got it. Kevin Hart as a best man for hire, now ranks as Bad news Legendary Pictures backed the film, with most recently for “The Salt of the Earth.” Larrain’s “The Club,” For context’s sake, the previous top-grossing the No. 1 R-rated comedy opening for the month “American Sniper’s” success was bad news for Universal distributing. The filmmakers will now which was shot off the radar, turns on four disgraced priests, Martin Luther King weekend release was last look abroad in order to stem some of that red who live together purging their sins; another disgraced com- year’s “Ride Along” with $48.6 million. “The movie ink. “We wish the film would have found a bigger panion arrives, shattering their tranquility. has become a cultural phenomenon,” said Dan audience,” said Nick Carpou, Universal’s president Chile’s Larrain is one of Latin America’s foremost directors. Fellman, Warner Bros. head of domestic distribu- of domestic distribution. “We think, based on the His last film, Gael Garcia Bernal starrer “No,” won Cannes tion. “It tore apart the record book and not by a director and Chris Hemsworth, that it’s got strong Directors’ Fortnight and was Oscar nominated. Sony Pictures little. By an enormous amount.” “American Sniper” international appeal.” The top five was rounded Classics picked up US rights.Hirschbiegel’s “13 Minutes,” recently picked up Oscar nods for best picture out by holdovers, “Taken 3” and “Selma.” Liam which is about a resistance fighter who tried to assassinate and best actor for star Bradley Cooper, and the Neeson’s latest vigilante flick fell sharply in its Hitler, stars Christian Friedel (“The White Ribbon”), Katharina awards buzz only intensified interest in the film. sophomore frame, dropping more than 60% to Schuettler (“Generation War”) and Burghart Klaussner (“The The war drama was co-produced and co- earn $14 million over the weekend and bringing White Ribbon”). Hirschbiegel was Oscar nominated for financed by Village Roadshow for less than $60 its total to $62.8 million. “Downfall.” The following films complete the Competition million. Early projections had pegged a wide The success of “American Sniper” helped push program: release debut in the $40 million range. the holiday weekend to new highs, lifting the “Aferim!” Romania/Bulgaria/Czech Republic By Radu Jude overall box office up more than 13% over last (“Everybody in Our Family”) With Teodor Corban, Mihai 332 Imax screenings year’s numbers. This year is expected to shatter Comanoiu, Cuzin Toma, Alexandru Dabija What was amazing about “American Sniper’s” records thanks to sequels to films such as “Star “El boton de nacar” (The Pearl Button) - documentary performance is that, despite dealing with the Wars” and “The Avengers,” and, it would seem, a France/Chile/Spain By Patricio Guzman unpopular Iraq War and such depressing topics gritty war drama from Clint Eastwood. “What a “El Club” (The Club) Chile By Pablo Larrain as post-traumatic stress disorder, it put up num- great way to kick off the box office,” said Paul (“Tony Manero,” “No”) With Roberto Farias, Antonia bers similar to a blockbuster summer release. Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Rentrak. Zegers, Alfredo Castro, Alejandro Goic, Alejandro Sieveking, Analysts likened the reception to “Guardians of “If this is going to end up as the first $11 billion Jaime Vadell, Marcelo Alonso the Galaxy,” which shattered expectations last year in history, it’s going to be because of week- “Elser” (13 Minutes) Germany By Oliver Hirschbiegel summer in part because of the endorsements it ends like this and unexpected performances like (“Downfall”) With Christian Friedel, Katharina Schuttler, received on social media platforms. By debuting ‘American Sniper.’”—Reuters Burghart Klaussner, Johann von Bulow, Felix Eitner in a handful of theaters on Christmas, “American “Every Thing Will Be Fine” Sniper” was able to build support organically. In this image released by Warner Bros Pictures, Bradley Cooper appears in a scene Germany/Canada/France/Sweden/Norway By Wim Wenders “This is unprecedented,” said Phil Contrino, from “American Sniper.” — AP (“Pina,” “Wings of Desire”) With James Franco, Charlotte vice president and chief analyst at Gainsbourg, Rachel McAdams, Marie-Josee Croze “Ten no chasuke” (Chasuke’s Journey) Japan By Sabu (“Kanikosen,” “Dead Run”) With Ken’ichi Matsuyama, Ito Ohno, Ren Ohsugi, Yusuke Iseya, Hiromasa Taguchi, Tina Whitney Houston’s family blasts lifetime for unauthorized biopic Tamashiro, Susumu Terajima hitney Houston’s estate is telling fans they should “brace shared with me inquiries she had endured from her peers and shine. But to do so in such an incredible way, to go after someone “Vergine giurata” (Sworn Virgin) for the worst” if they choose to watch Lifetime’s Angela teachers about the upcoming TV movie about her aunt Whitney. who cannot correct what you get wrong, someone who - like so Italy/Switzerland/Germany/Albania/Kosovo By Laura Bispuri WBassett-directed biopic, which premiered on Saturday. She was somewhat exasperated and said she did not get it - that a many people, and especially women - struggled to hold up their With Alba Rohrwacher, Lars Eidinger, Flonja Kodheli, The family of the late singer has come out slamming the network woman who claimed to be her aunt’s friend would direct a movie humanity and live with dignity despite their personal challenges, Luan Jaha, Emily Ferratello and Bassett for the unauthorized biopic, “Whitney,” releasing a that seems so unloving towards her Aunt, and how it could affect is wrong.—Reuters As announced previously, the program also includes: long statement, written by Houston’s sister-in-law Pat Houston, on her cousin Krissi. I share with you the thoughts I shared with my “45 Years” by Andrew Haigh UK her official website. daughter yesterday - that there is often a fine line that separates “Als wir traumten” (As We Were Dreaming) by Andreas “If you watch this movie, watch it knowing that Lifetime is elevation and degradation in the industry. What lifts up one per- Dresen Germany/France notorious for making bad biopics of deceased celebrities and son in the headlines may in fact destroy another. I don’t think it “Body” by Malgorzata Szumowska Poland brace yourself for the worst,” Pat Houston wrote, referring to ever entered their minds that they were assaulting the legacy of “Cha va con va” (Big Father, Small Father and Other recent biopics based on Brittany Murphy and the controversial another individual; they just want the job or the opportunity to Stories) by Phan Dang Aaliyah movie. “You should not be surprised that someone decid- Vietnam/France/Germany/Netherlands ed to do a made for TV biopic. And, I might add, without the fami- “Cinderella” by Kenneth Branagh US ly’s blessing and despite her mother’s request to not do this “Eisenstein in Guanajuato” by Peter Greenaway movie. It happens every day.” Lifetime had no comment on the Netherlands/Mexico/Belgium/Finland statement. “Ixcanul” (Ixcanul Volcano) by Jayro Bustamante Guatemala/France Prominence and profit “Journal d’une femme de chambre” (Diary of a Pat Houston also accuses the film’s director, Bassett, who grew Chambermaid) by Benoit Jacquot France/Belgium close with Whitney Houston while they co-starred together on “Knight of Cups” by Terrence Malick US “Waiting to Exhale,” of using their friendship to push the movie “Mr Holmes” by Bill Condon UK forward. “Misrepresenting the term friendship to advance an “Nobody Wants the Night” by Isabel Coixet - Opening agenda is not only disrespectful and dishonest but a slap in the film Spain/France/Bulgaria face to her true and loyal friends,” Pat Houston continued. “You “Pod electricheskimi oblakami” (Under Electric Clouds) by should expect people will always rise to the occasion for promi- Alexey German Russia/Ukraine/Poland nence and profit - not love, respect or honor. “ It’s hardly the first “Queen of the Desert” by Werner Herzog US time Lifetime has garnered backlash from the family of the sub- “Taxi” by Jafar Panahi Iran ject of one of their biopics. Similarly, the family of Aaliyah took aim “Victoria” by Sebastian Schipper Germany at the network for the unauthorized biopic about the young late “Yi bu zhi yao” (Gone with the Bullets) by Jiang Wen singer, saying they wanted a bigger release than what Lifetime China/US/China. — Reuters could provide. Yolanda Ross, Deborah Cox, Director Angela Bassett, Lifetime EVP and GM Rob Sharenow, Yaya DaCosta, Suzzanne Read Pat Houston’s statement in full below. Douglas and Arlen Escarpeta attend the Premiere of Lifetime’s Whitney at the Paley Center on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 “My daughter came home from high school yesterday and in Beverly Hills, Calif. — AP lifestyle TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015

Fashion Milan Fashiondesigners celebrate normality

actile fashion is setting the trend on Sunday, the sec- autumn and winter. The jacket comes in surprising and ond day of Milan Fashion Week previews for next pleasing shades of purple, dusty rose and green and is lay- Tautumn and winter menswear. Designers are luxuriat- ered over knitwear and worn with baggy elastic-waist ing in mohair, cashmere and heavy knits, enveloping men trousers. Creative director Tomas Maier says the collection in rich, luxurious knitwear, including oversized scarves, “is not about meticulous dressing, everything matching or chunky sweaters and slumping caps. Dark shades domi- looking brand new.” In other words, comfort and personal nate, with some flashes of pink, purple and red offering style are key. Color contrast gives it all spark: purple against contrast and whimsy. Here are some highlights: rust; aqua green under a yellowish green; salmon pink with camel. Gender interplay Miuccia Prada’s mostly black-on-black collection created Mohair mop the perfect canvas to continue the designer’s examination Alessandro Dell’Acqua’s fuzzy mohair skullcap, the key of gender interplay in fashion. So when Prada created a accessory for his latest No. 21 collection, is bound to be an short-sleeved slate gray notched-collar jacket for men, it instant hit next winter - providing both warmth and became the bodice of a dress for a woman. And a nylon slumped-down style. Dell’Acqua, presenting the third col- men’s jacket, with just a few sartorial sashays, was trans- lection of his No. 21 line named for his lucky number and formed into pretty belted office or party dresses with the birthday, found comfort in mohair, which besides caps also added detail of grosgrain ribbon bow accents. The final tal- turned up as bulky sweaters, featuring diamond, argyle or ly: 30 looks for men, 20 for women, all, the designer said, arching mermaid patterns, and socks worn under velvet aimed to be “elegant and modern.” sandals. The color palate was blue and black, with just a Prada’s sought-after footwear included flat knee- and flash of yellow. ankle-boots, as well as sneakers with contrasting wave pat- tern along the sole. There was just one flash of color: a red SWAT-team chic and black plaid woolen trench. “I was fixated. No one want- There was a SWAT team chic uniform quality to the Calvin ed to put in the show, I said I like to do some mistakes,” she Klein collection for next year. Italo Zucchelli’s tone-on-tone said. outfits leaned toward an austere gray, black and blue palate, often in pebbled, cheetah prints. While there were tailored Orient express suits, the uniform vibe came through most strongly in the Missoni’s man is an artist seeking inspiration on the short-waisted jackets with a plethora of pockets worn with trans-Siberian railway, according to designer Angela correspondingly high-waist trousers. Jackboots and leather Missoni. He’s a mÈlange, matching oriental-rug pattern V- baseball caps completed the uniform - for which there was neck sweaters with plaid suits, in shades of ink blue as deep also an optional rain poncho. Zucchelli continued his explo- as a poet’s eyes. And his creative energy is expressed in the ration of high-tech fabrics, creating oversized trousers and kinetic knit patterns, a frenetic argyle on one trouser leg, in cropped bomber jackets in vinyl and knitting Fair isle shades of crimson and burgundy, and in tiny rectangular sweaters from an Alpaca/nylon mesh. — AP Models present creations part of the Prada collection show during the Fall/Winter 2015 Men’s Fashion Week in repetitions on the other. His carefree nature is summed up Milan. — AP/AFP photos in the sweep of the big multi-colored scarves. And his curiosity about the lands he traverses comes through in the ethnic tunic tops. Missoni continued its collaboration with Converse with a silken sports boot, at times with embroi- dered desert flowers, worn with cashmere socks.

Enchanting images Massimiliano Giornetti wraps his looks for Salvatore Ferragamo in humungous scarves - signaling comfort chic, Milan’s overriding message for next winter. The underlying charm in the Ferragamo menswear collection came from the animal motifs that created a sense of enchantment. Geese fly placidly across the back of a suit jacket, announc- ing winter’s arrival. A shaggy buffalo peers watchfully from the side of a plaid double-breasted jacket or the front of a pullover. A zebra arches gracefully across the back of a pea- coat, and a pink dragon fly is embroidered on a suit jacket sleeve. The creatures, embedded in the garments, gave the collection an artistic, narrative flair. In keeping with the theme, bronze and horn claws become buckles and brooches.

Bottega Veneta A soft corduroy jacket exemplifies the sort of lived-in looks at the heart of Bottega Veneta’s collection for next

Missoni Salvatore Ferragamo lifestyle TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015

Fashion

Bottega Veneta

Calvin Klein

Master Calendar, a calendar straight from space

he new Master Calendar of Jaeger- Revealing the beauty of a celestial fragment iconic calendar complication, the complete calen- and the month in twin apertures at 12 o’clock. various moon phases - new moon, first quarter, LeCoultre is distinguished by the virtues On this new watch, the strange and fascinat- dar of the Master Calendar model displays the Featured on certain Renaissance pocket watches full moon and last quarter - in the traditional form Tand indeed the very face of astronomy. ing meteorite stone used for the dial shakes up perpetual calendar by means of a long hand before being more widely used in the 19th centu- of this emblematic heavenly body emerging from Endowed with all the attributes that have forged the traditionally pure, understated aesthetic of tipped with a red moon crescent sweeping ry, this numerical display principle serves to catch between two clouds and rising up against a star- the success of this line, it is also imbued with a the Master Calendar. Composed of a single block around a scale around the dial rim graduated attention and focus it firmly on the present. studded sky. seductive appeal exercising its own laws of gravi- of meteorite discovered and officially registered from 1 to 31. It also indicates the day of the week Finally, the complete calendar indicates the ty, thanks to the choice of meteorite stone to in Sweden, it comes from the asteroid belt Carefully balanced visual effect compose its dial. between Mars and Jupiter. The cleverly mastered dial architecture Whether it comes to fragments from asteroids However, its iron content makes this material ensures immediate and pleasing readings of the or of even more impalpable origins in the comets difficult to work with. To get an aesthetically per- information, with hours and minutes shown by wandering through the solar system, meteorites fect dial, this block of meteorite is cut into several dauphine hands and small seconds at 6 o’clock. lend themselves to all manner of inner fantasies. thin plates in a process involving countless pre- Everything is governed by a will to achieve the Their ages, estimated at millions or hundreds of cautions, until the exact plate corresponding to right balance between watchmaking expertise, millions of years, defy our imagination. Their rari- the demands imposed by Jaeger-LeCoultre is aesthetic elegance and optimal comfort. With a ty is equally fascinating, since very few of them achieved. Still in its rough state at this stage, the 39 mm-diameter, this10.6 mm-thick case is actually manage to reach the surface of the earth. meteorite must undergo several preparatory designed to adapt to the curve of any wrist. Its Known as “shooting stars” when they light up phases before revealing the structure of its stone subtle discretion could easily make one forget summer nights, or “bolides” when they are large that features a unique pattern shown by each cut. the considerable efforts deployed by the master or bright enough to be seen by day, meteorites At the end of a lengthy and delicate procedure, it artisans in fitting an automatic movement with a leave a characteristic luminous trail when enter- can at last express the beauty that it has stored full calendar inside such a pleasantly sized case. ing the atmosphere. An authentic invitation to up across several million years. The experience is This concern for detail runs all the way to the very make a wish... unutterably moving, as if a part of the universe heart of the watch. The sapphire crystal case-back Once they have landed on or been buried sev- were converging towards the stone dial, at last of the Master Calendar reveals the intricate work- eral centimeters into the earth, meteorites often within reach. ings of Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 866 and its deli- remain unnoticed, if not by the experienced eyes cate finishes testifying to infinite patience. They of those who make a profession of gathering Useful functions reflect the soul and the rigorous discipline of the them. Meteorite hunters distinguish between The earth’s spinning on its axis determines the artisans exercising their craft in the Manufacture those they have actually seen falling and those length of the day, while its rotation around the based in the VallÈe de Joux, for whom every ges- that are lucky finds. Connoisseurs have long con- sun defines the year. Likewise, moon phases - and ture is imbued with true meaning. sidered Antarctica as a sort of Eldorado, since the the 29-day approximate gap between two new The new Master Calendar remains true to its ice cap fosters a concentration of these stones moons - are behind the duration of the week and initial philosophy of setting an aesthetically har- that rise to the surface when blue ice is eroded by month. Each major civilization has sought to con- monious and perfectly readable stage for time in katabatic (down-slope) winds. This continent is vey through a calendar the various celestial its entirety. As if one were able to capture the however now the exclusive preserve of scientific movements it has observed. moment in hand within a single glance. meteorite hunters and any commercial exploita- Calendar-related indications are among the tion is prohibited. most useful a watch can offer. Representing the Boyhood bolstered for Oscars at London Critics’ awards

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 37

Activists of PETA (People for the Ethical treatment of Animals) display placards near the venue of the Berlin Fashion Week at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin yesterday. The activists were protesting against the use of animal fur in the fashion industry. — AFP Sotheby’s wins UK court battle over disputed Caravaggio otheby’s on Friday won its legal battle the painting were inadequate. Summing up with a man who claimed the auction at London’s High Court, judge Vivien Rose Shouse negligently led him to undersell a said the auction house’s experts had reason- painting acquired by an expert who later ably reached the conclusion that the quality declared it to be a Caravaggio. Lancelot of the painting “was not sufficiently high to William Thwaytes sold the painting, known as indicate that it might be by Caravaggio”. “The Cardsharps”, to the partner of renowned Sotheby’s Old Master experts maintain collector Denis Mahon at a London auction in that the original painting is on display in the 2006 for £42,000 ($63,700, 55,000 euros) after Kimbell Museum, Fort Worth, Texas. Judge Sotheby’s billed it as being the work of a “fol- Rose ruled the auction house had been justi- lower” of the Italian Renaissance master. fied in relying on “the connoisseurship and But a year later, at his 97th birthday party, expertise” of their own specialists in assessing Mahon claimed that the work was an original, the quality of the painting. Thwaytes inherit- painted around 1595, and insured it for £10 ed the work after his family bought it for a In this July 20, 2013 file photo, US singer Hanni El-Khatib performs at the Vieilles million. Thwaytes sued Sotheby’s for negli- reported fee of £140 in 1962. Mahon died in Charrues Festival in Carhaix-Plouguer, western France. — AFP gence, claiming they hadn’t sufficiently exam- 2011, aged 100, and the painting is currently ined whether the painting, which depicts a owned by his heirs. It is on loan to a museum pair of card cheats fleecing a privileged in Clerkenwell in London. — AFP Hard-rocking Hanni El-Khatib young man, could be an original. In this picture taken on October 30, 2014, “The His lawyers said not enough top experts Cardsharps” by ‘follower of’ Caravaggio is displayed in the plays with new sound had been consulted and that pre-sale tests of Museum of the Order of St John in central London. — AFP fter exhaustive touring that won him lyricist, saying the music drove his work. a fan base in Europe, Hanni El-Khatib “I’m not the kind of guy who labors over Remains of five people found in Alexander-era tomb Acame home to Los Angeles, booked metaphors or high-level concept stuff,” he a month at a studio and decided simply to said. “If I delve down that road, I’m more ones from at least five people, including a tion that a member of Alexander the Great’s kingdom by Rome in the second century BC. Few see where his music took him. El-Khatib, stream-of-consciousness than anything.” baby and an elderly woman, were identified entourage had been buried there. relics were found, and the culture ministry con- whose first two albums offered a retro Bin a massive tomb in Greece dating back to The ministry had originally thought that a sin- firmed yesterday that even the grave inside the garage rock sound marked by guitar reverb Surprise success in Europe the era of Alexander the Great, the culture ministry gle skeleton lay in the tomb, but yesterday said tomb had been searched. and a confidently hip vocal delivery, was in El-Khatib did not record any music until said yesterday. “A minimum number of five people that out of 550 bone fragments found, 157 had “The condition in which the bones were found a career position where he enjoyed artistic five years ago when he switched careers have been identified from bone remains, four of been matched to specific bodies so far. Other indicates that they had been disturbed,” it said. In freedom-a loyal audience, yet no chart-top- from fashion design. He was the artistic whom were buried and one of whom was burned,” bones were those of animals, including a horse. December, the ministry dismissed as “unfounded” ping songs that defined him. director for HUF, a label aimed at skate- the ministry said in a statement. “The dead are a The tomb, measuring 500 meters (1,640 feet) in cir- claims on Greek websites that the bones were “There is a lot more personal stuff that I boarders in San Francisco, where El-Khatib woman, two middle-aged men and a newborn” cumference and dug into a 30-metre hill-was found those of a 54-year-old woman, and is therefore like- chose to delve into, knowing that I didn’t was born and grew up. He has played and a fifth person whose sex could not be verified, to contain sculptures of sphinxes and caryatids, ly to be Olympias. Historians say it is also highly feel that I had any pressure on the third major US festivals but has been a break- it said. intricate mosaics and coins featuring the face of unlikely to have been Alexander himself, who con- record to perform in a certain way. I didn’t away success in Europe, especially France. The woman was estimated to be aged over 60, Alexander the Great. Before the announcements, it quered the Persian empire and much of the known have one of those hits where people were El-Khatib has scheduled 10 shows in France and the two men between 35 and 45 years old, was thought that the tomb could contain world before his death at the age of 32 in 323 BC. saying, ‘We want another song like that,’” El- in support of “Moonlight,” around the same officials said. No other details were immediately Alexander’s Bactrian wife Roxana, the king’s mother Additional research will determine whether the Khatib told AFP on a recent visit to New number upcoming in the United States. available on the baby and the fifth person. The Olympias, or one of his generals. dead were related, the ministry said. — AFP York. El-Khatib-who also knows the music excavation of the tomb in Amphipolis, northern The tomb’s location was known in antiquity, “It was more one of those introspective, industry as co-head of his own label, Greece-the largest ever unearthed in the country- and it is believed to have been repeatedly looted experimental types of records for me,” he Innovative Leisure-suspected his raw rock made global headlines this summer amid specula- following the conquest of the ancient Macedonian said. “I felt like now is my opportunity-I can sound has fallen out of favor in the United push myself, and push my listeners as well.” States, where mainstream hits so frequent- The album, “Moonlight,” which comes ly employ production techniques such as out tomorrow, starts with El-Khatib’s signa- drum machines and backing vocals. “I think ture guitar jamming on the title track and that overseas, people are still connecting to the hard-rocking “Melt Me.” But “Moonlight” my style of music in a sense. Specifically in gradually moves in new directions with the France, there is a love and a fascination and melancholic “Mexico,” the funkier “Home” a connection to American rock ‘n’ roll,” he and the nearly six-minute closer “Two said. Brothers,” in which El-Khatib’s guitar builds El-Khatib pointed to the Black Keys as a an atmosphere of dark disco. “Even though rare US band that still enjoys mainstream the songs may be varied in style, I think the success with a rock-heavy sound. Black overall vibe is there, so to me it felt cohe- Keys frontman Dan Auerbach recorded El- sive,” said El-Khatib, who was alone in the Khatib’s previous album, “Head in the Dirt,” studio with a sound engineer and his live after the two musicians ran into each other band’s drummer Ron Marinelli. at a bar in Paris and bonded.—AFP The album also has somber lyrical turns with the final track opening with the line, “I lost two brothers this year / I hope they died without fear.” The title song tells of light and darkness with the refrain, “All my life I’ve been fighting for the moonlight.” But El-Khatib played down his efforts as a Cuban artist Kadir Lopez shows his works of art in Havana. Cuban art became an object of desire after the rapprochement with the US.—AFP photos