SUBSCRIPTION

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 RABI ALAWWAL 27, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net MP calls for Hala February Late Congo Oman salvage international festival kicks goal spoils pride with law against off on a home party at win against blasphemy2 musical40 note African19 Cup Kuwait19 ICC opens examination Min 05º Max 18º into Israeli war crimes High Tide 11:10 & 17:27 Low Tide US blasts ‘tragic irony’ Palestinians welcome probe 04:29 & 15:46

40 PAGES NO: 16406 150 FILS •

THE HAGUE: The International Criminal Court launched Ejected smoker a preliminary probe Friday that could clear the way for a full-scale investigation into possible war crimes in grounds plane Palestinian territories - plunging the court into the most politically charged conflict it has ever tackled. ICC pros- ecutor Fatou Bensouda said her office would conduct with hoax call an “analysis in full independence and impartiality” into alleged war crimes by Israel, including those committed By Hanan Al-Saadoun during last year’s Gaza offensive. Her decision comes after Palestine formally joined KUWAIT: Security forces at Kuwait International the ICC earlier this month, allowing it to lodge war Airport were mobilized yesterday after receiving a crimes and crimes against humanity complaints against call about a bomb on an Al-Jazeera flight bound to Israel as of April. Nearly 2,200 Palestinians and 73 Israelis Beirut. Following standard security inspection pro- were killed during last summer’s war in Gaza. The US cedures, security forces discovered the call was a criticized the decision late Friday, saying it opposed hoax, made by a Kuwaiti in his twenties who had actions against Israel at the ICC as “counterproductive to been forced out of the plane for smoking onboard. the cause of peace”. “It is a tragic irony that Israel, which Security sources said that after refusing to has withstood thousands of terrorist rockets fired at its refrain from smoking, the pilot insisted on remov- civilians and its neighborhoods, is now being scruti- ing the passenger, and he made the call in retalia- nized by the ICC,” US State Department spokesman Jeff tion. The man was arrested and further investiga- Rathke said in a statement. tions are in progress. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earli- er reacted angrily to the prosecutor’s decision, calling it “scandalous” and “absurd” since “the Palestinian Authority cooperates with Hamas, a terror group that Abe pledges commits war crimes, in contrast to Israel that fights ter- ror while maintaining international law, and has an independent justice system”. “Here’s the ultimate folly of $2.5bn in aid this decision - it is the democracy of Israel, a world AL-JABAA: A Palestinian protester argues with a member of the Israeli security forces during a demonstra- leader in fighting terrorism, which is to be hauled to the tion yesterday against the 14-year blockade of a road leading to this village south of the West Bank city of dock in The Hague, while the terrorist war criminals for Mideast Bethlehem. — AFP Continued on Page 13 CAIRO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged yesterday $2.5 billion in humanitarian and development aid for the Middle East as he launched a regional tour Churches torched in Niger protests that includes visits to Jordan and Israel. In a speech in Cairo, Abe pledged $200 million in non-military assis- tance for countries affected by the Islamic State (IS) group’s bloody expansion in Iraq and Syria, which Hollande defends ‘freedom of expression’ spurred an exodus of refugees to neighboring coun- tries. “Japan will newly carry PARIS: A violent mob torched at least sev- of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), with a sec- out assistance of 2.5 billion en churches in Niger’s capital Niamey yes- ond day of rioting erupting in Niger. US dollars in non-military Oil price slump puts at terday during fresh protests against Charlie Around 1,000 youths wielding iron bars, fields including humanitarian Hebdo magazine, as France’s president clubs and axes rampaged through the city, assistance and infrastructure stressed his commitment to “freedom of hurling rocks at police who responded development, intended for risk clean energy push expression”. With France still reeling from with tear gas. The French embassy in the entire region,” Abe said, last week’s deadly attacks that killed 17 Niamey urged its citizens to stay at home, ABU DHABI: Falling oil prices could many renewable energy projects,” he according to an official tran- people, jittery European countries stepped the day after a rally against Charlie Hebdo have a negative impact on global told participants. script. up security, with soldiers patrolling the in the country’s second city of Zinder left Speaking to Egyptian efforts to develop renewable energy Renewable energy, which relies on sources, experts warned yesterday at a solar, wind and other sources, is essen- streets of Belgium for the first time in 35 four dead and 45 injured. “Be very cautious, politicians and businessmen, years. avoid going out,” the embassy said on its he said Japan would “provide conference in Abu Dhabi. Oil prices tial for meeting global CO2 emission tar- have fallen by almost 60 percent since gets. Delegates from more than 150 Anger mounted in several Muslim coun- website as rioters also ransacked several assistance for refugees and tries over the satirical magazine’s depiction Continued on Page 13 displaced persons from Iraq June, crashing on worries over global countries attended the opening session Shinzo Abe and Syria”. “I will pledge assis- oversupply and weak demand in a fal- of the IRENA conference, including Israel tance of a total of about 200 tering world economy. Participants at with has no diplomatic ties with the million US dollars for those countries contending with the International Renewable Energy UAE. Representatives from more than ISIL (IS), to help build their human capacities, infrastruc- Agency (IRENA) conference that opened 110 international organisations are also ture, and so on,” he added. A Japanese foreign ministry yesterday in the oil-rich United Arab taking part in the meeting. “The story of official told AFP that much of those funds would go Emirates (UAE) said the trend could renewables is rapidly evolving and as towards assisting neighboring states hosting refugees. spell doom for plans to shift to clean the importance of renewable energy The money is included in the $2.5 billion figure, she energy. grows, so does the relevance of the said, which also includes loans to improve Egypt’s pow- The fall in oil prices could be a “game agency’s work,” IRENA director general er grid. changer”, Italy’s Deputy Minister for Adnan Amin told the conference. Continued on Page13 Economic Development Claudio He said that total world investments Vincenti told the two-day meeting. Oil in renewable energies had reached $264 price rises in the past encouraged clean billion in 2014, $50 billion more than the energy investments, said Vincenti, previous year. At the meeting, the Abu Grateful Dead adding that a long-term fall in prices Dhabi Fund for Development, in part- could shift the balance among various nership with IRENA, will announce a planning final energy sources. He did not elaborate. series of loans for five renewable energy Salem Al-Hajraf, representing Kuwait at projects in developing countries, organ- resurrection the conference, agreed that falling oil isers said. Abu Dhabi-based IRENA, with prices posed a “major challenge” this 137 member states and the European NEW YORK: Surviving members of the Grateful Dead year as was the case two decades ago. Union, aims to promote the sustainable are planning a reunion in a likely finale to the band that “The fall of oil prices in the 80s was a use of all forms of renewable energy. NIAMEY, Niger: Smoke billows in a street as people demonstrate against French spawned a countercultural movement through their main reason behind the collapse of Continued on Page 13 weekly Charlie Hebdo’s publication of cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) legions of traveling fans. The Grateful Dead, who near the grand mosque in the capital. — AFP emerged from the hippie movement in California in the 1960s and whose fans include late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, will celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary IS uses kids in propaganda with shows on July 3, 4 and 5 at Soldier Field in Chicago. The stadium - the oldest US football stadium still in targeting new generation use and home to the Chicago Bears - was the site of the Grateful Dead’s last show with frontman Jerry Garcia BAGHDAD: A young boy raises a pistol, ment and to perpetuate the “caliphate” after decades of touring in July 1995. Garcia - who sang, aims at two kneeling men and fires, in a the group has declared in areas it holds in shocking propaganda video highlighting Iraq and Syria. Charles Lister, a visiting fel- played guitar and wrote songs - died one month after the Islamic State jihadist group’s efforts to low at the Brookings Doha Center, said the concert, signaling an end to a cultural era in which indoctrinate another generation with its that over the past six months IS media free-spirited “Deadheads” followed the band from show brutal ideology. The boy, who doesn’t materials “have steadily escalated the lev- to show and swapped bootleg recordings. look older than 11 or 12, has allegedly el of violence involving and being carried The reunion will feature the band’s surviving mem- just executed two men said to have con- out by children, with this video being the bers - Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh and Bob fessed to spying for Russia, the voiceover most extreme level reached so far”. Weir - with three guests to fill in for Garcia. “These will saying their bodies “lay humiliated” at the “Showing off children undertaking be the last shows with the four of us together,” Weir told feet of the young jihadist. Their fate could such violent acts is (IS’s) way of suggest- the industry journal Billboard. Trixie Garcia, the late not be independently confirmed. When ing its fight is one that should be under- frontman’s daughter, voiced hope that the concerts asked in another video what he wanted taken by all men of supposed ‘fighting would offer an opportunity for “Deadheads to come to do in the future, the boy said: “I will be age’,” he said. Also, indoctrinating young together”. “The great thing about this show happening the one who slaughters you, O kuffar boys “into such a violent mindset helps to at Soldier Field in Chicago on the Fourth of July is (unbelievers). I will be a mujahed (holy ensure the environment in which (IS) is because this is an amazing American rock band being warrior).” now operating will be (one) in which it celebrated on America’s birthday,” Garcia said in a video An image grab taken from a video shows a child identified as Abdullah from The video is one of many examples of can continue to recruit from in the years Friday announcing the concerts. Kazakhstan executing two men accused of working for Russian intelligence propaganda aimed at spreading IS’ beliefs to come.” Continued on Page 13 services at an unknown location. — AFP to a younger generation to aid recruit- Continued on Page 13 SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 LOCAL Lawmaker calls for law Crime Report incriminating blasphemy Duo held with

By A Saleh Private universities postponed till the next parliamentary term,” liquor, drugs A recent study made by the Census stressed the sources. KUWAIT: MP Hmoud Al-Hamdan urged Central Directorate showed that all Kuwaitis KUWAIT: An Egyptian and a British girl were arrested Muslim leaders to urgently meet to show sup- of schooling age go to school, which indi- Hospital expansion with two bottles of whiskey, 3 pieces of meth, a bag of port to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and cates a remarkable retreat in illiteracy rates. The health ministry stressed that a KD 265 marijuana and 29 psychotropic pills, said security called for an international law incriminating The study also showed a growth in the num- million contract was recently signed to sources, noting that the suspects were stopped at a slander and blasphemy of prophets and ber of students receiving public education expand Farwaniya Hospital and provide 955 checkpoint near Khairan. heavenly religions. He also described French and that more of them tend to join PAAET or more beds. The ministry highlighted that the weekly Charlie Hebdo’s decision to republish private universities in addition to a growth in project would be concluded within three the cartoons insulting the Prophet (PBUH) as the number of students studying overseas in years and that it includes all specialties, 100 an ‘unwise’ one that provokes the feelings of Arab countries. dentistry chairs, a physiotherapy building, an House fire billion Muslims. OPD building, 27 new surgery theatres and A fire recently broke out in a house in Ahamdi, Payroll alternative 233 ICU beds. said security sources, noting that the flames also Inquiry system Finance Minster Anas Al-Saleh is due to engulfed a vehicle parked outside the house. No The Manpower Public Authority held discuss the latest developments in the payroll Child allowance casualties were reported but investigations are a meeting of various managers to dis- strategic alternative project with the parlia- The parliamentary legislative committee still in progress to determine the cause of the fire. cuss activating the automatic inquiry mentary human resources committee today, will discuss a law on establishing a public about workers that would help employ- said informed sources, noting that the com- authority for the Silk City and Boubyan Island ers get a full picture about a worker’s pany entrusted to prepare to the alternative in its weekly meeting. The committee is also Maid charged with theft career in Kuwait. The authority said that was still studying the issue to reach common scheduled to discuss granting child allowance A female citizen reported that her Ethiopian housemaid the new system would be launched next ground among all concerned bodies. to Kuwaiti women married to non-Kuwaitis, a fled the house stealing KD 850 from her bedroom, said week. “Therefore, the project will most likely be proposal the government strongly opposes. MP Hmoud Al-Hamdan security sources. A case was filed and further investiga- tions are in progress.

Reckless drivers In another raid on desert camps where many citi- zens repeatedly complained of the presence of noisy reckless drivers, Ahmadi security arrested a number of irresponsible drivers and raided some on-site garages that repair the vehicles used in racing or reckless driving and provide used spare parts, especially tyres.

Fraud charges Adan detectives arrested a man for fraud and taking KD 43,000 from a citizen to allegedly invest in a business project, said security sources. Case papers indicate that a citizen filed a complaint at Adan police station accus- ing the suspect of swindling him by taking the money and vanishing. Locating the suspect’s house in Salwa, police detectives raided it, but the suspect showed Scores evacuated fierce resistance before being arrested. A case was filed from burning hotel and further investigations are in progress.

By Hanan Al-Saadoun Homemade liquor An Asian was arrested for selling homemade KUWAIT: A fire broke out yesterday at a hotel on Salem Al- liquor in Ahmadi, said security sources. Case Mubarak Street in Salmiya, said security sources, noting papers indicate that a police patrol suspected the that firemen from Salmiya, southern Salmiya, backup and man when he parked his car in an open yard, and Shuhada rushed to the scene to evacuate scores of hotel on stopping him, the trunk was full with 112 bot- guests who had been trapped on upper floors. Some of the tles of liquor. Checking on the suspect, policemen guests suffered from smoke inhalation and were treated on found out that he had been deported a year earli- site. er but somehow managed to illegally return to Kuwait to trade in liquor. Horeca kicks off tomorrow Thimar to display activities at Horeca Cartoon draws

KUWAIT: Leaders Group Company for ther in its outstanding development as one at the exhibition displaying its projects demonstrators Consultancy and development (Leaders of the most successful food companies including the Mr Greek restaurant chain, Group) announced that the 3-day Horeca operating in Kuwait. Monabella chocolate and sweet chain and outside French 2015 Exhibition would begin tomorrow at Thimar’s CEO and managing partner Thimar’s new section - Thimar Catering. the Badriya Ballroom, Messila Jumeriah Ahmed Bajour stressed that in view of the Thimar launched in 2012 with Monabella Embassy Hotel, with the participation of over 50 com- significance of Horeca exhibitions, his com- chocolate and sweets before launching the panies specialized in hospitality, catering pany’s participation was a major step Mr Greek restaurants chain in 2013 in Kuwait By Faten Omar and hotel equipment. In this regard, Thimar towards enhancing Thimar’s status in both at Marina Mall, Gate Mall and the capital. Mr International Food Co announced its first local and GCC markets. He added that Greek has been awarded the best Greek KUWAIT: Dozens of Kuwaitis and expats demon- Ahmed Bajour participation in Horeca as a means to go fur- Thimar would have an outstanding section restaurant for 16 consecutive years. strated in front of the French Embassy in Kuwait on Thursday against the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo for publishing cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in its latest issue. The protest- ers brandished banners in Arabic, French and English reading “Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is beloved more than our souls”, “Anything but the Messenger of God”, “I’m not Charlie, I’m a Muslim” and “If you want the freedom for your words, don’t be angry about the freedom of our actions”.

Clear message “Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is more important than our souls. Our protest today is a clear message to the whole world that they cannot insult our Prophet (PBUH). The attitude adopted by all Muslims is to make the world know that we will not be lenient,” warned Mishari Al-Metraq, executive board member of the National Union of Kuwaiti NBK Family and Jazeera Airways sharing Ali and his family’s dream come true. NBK family celebrating Ali’s first time experience in driving a plane. Students. “A written message will be handed to the French ambassador in Kuwait. We demand the Kuwaiti government to take serious action against NBK grants kid’s wish to become pilot France and Charlie Hebdo,” he added. The protesters said that the French position is not Jazeera Airways welcomes 10-year-old Ali Feraz surprising, accusing the West of racism with no con- cern about what is happening to the Palestinians in KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) continues its “I dream Gaza and the Syrians in Syria. They noted that the to be” initiative, a first-of-a-kind initiative that aims at granting Lifetime experience curriculum in Kuwait stresses the need to “follow the wishes for children with special needs around Kuwait, giving “I Dream to be initiative is a lifetime experience for children Prophet (PBUH) and defend him”. them the chance to live their dreams. not only with life-threatening conditions but children with Ali Feraz, the 10-year-old child who is currently undergoing special needs as well,” she added. “This initiative is a great way Youth movement treatment at NBK Hospital, has always dreamt to become a to spread joy and show that there’s always a positive side to a Dozens of members of security forces stood pilot. NBK, in Partnership with Jazeera Airways, helped make difficult situation. We ask children what they want to be and guard at the embassy in Mansouriya and prevented Ali’s dream come true. try to fulfill that for them.” protesters from coming closer to the building. The NBK’s Public Relations team organized a visit for Ali to NBK gives top priority to children through its commitment speakers thanked the Interior Ministry for allowing Jazeera Airways Head Office. Before going on the flight, Ali to corporate social responsibility. NBK works closely with the them to protest, announcing the “beginning of a was given his own captain’s outfit and Jazeera’s captain Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospitals youth movement in support of the Prophet (PBUH) Mohammad Al-Shakhs gave him his hat as well. Ali and his (KACCH), Bayt Abdullah for the Care of Children in Hospice and his defense”. At the end of the demonstration, family alongside the flight crew and NBK were on the flight (BACCH) and several other special needs organizations to the protesters dispersed peacefully. where he and the captain managed to drive it on ground maximize its reach all the children in numerous hospitals and On Wednesday, Charlie Hebdo published on its around the airport. NBK and Jazeera Airways teams welcomed schools. NBK has been at the forefront of supporting Kuwait’s front page a cartoon of Prophet Mohammad Ali back at the office, giving him precious memorabilia that community through a range of initiatives towards education, (PBUH) weeping, following attacks that left 17 peo- will help with his future as a pilot. health, sports and social responsibilities. The establishment of ple dead in Paris, including 12 in an attack on the “Ali’s dream to become a pilot is yet another wish granted NBK’s Children Hospital for Oncology and Hematology at Al headquarters of the weekly on January 7. The through NBK’s initiative “I dream to be”. We are proud to be a Sabah Medical Area stands as one of many ongoing corporate Kuwaiti government strongly condemned the part of the children’s dreams and expand our support to them social initiatives towards health and children. “I dream to be” attack on Charlie Hebdo and offered condolences as much as possible,” said Maryam Al-Qatami, NBK Public rela- aims at focusing and supporting NBK’s efforts towards chil- to the families of the victims. tions officer. dren and addressing their needs as much as possible. Captain Ali

Campaigns planned to combat intellectual property violations

KUWAIT: Ministry of Commerce and Industry in collabora- Nimr Al-Sabah, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s Evidence in order to enforce the IPR law, he said. “These tion with Ministry of Interior plans massive inspection Assistant Undersecretary for Foreign Trade and endeavors aim at lifting Kuwait from the Priority Watch campaigns to combat Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) vio- International Organizations Affairs. He further underlined List designed by US Trade Representative (USRT),” he lators nationwide, a senior ministry official said yesterday. the necessity of intensifying efforts in this regard. added. “I met with Interior Ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary During the meeting, there were proposals for imple- The Office of the USTR is responsible for developing for Criminal Security Affairs, Maj Gen Abdulhamid Al- menting more effective measures to detect fake goods and coordinating US international trade, commodity, and Awadhi and agreed on certain mechanisms of these cam- that were confiscated by the ministry and refer violators direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations Sheikh Nimr Al-Sabah paigns to protect markets from violators,” said Sheikh to Interior Ministry’s General Department of Criminal with other countries. — KUNA SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 LOCAL Kuwait to host third aid pledging conference for Syria $2.25 million collected in fundraising campaign

NEW YORK/KUWAIT: Kuwait will host a third interna- on the arrangements and organizing matters to ed the KRCS headquarters on Friday offering more tional aid pledging conference for Syria, Ambassador ensure the success of the coming aid pledging confer- donations, he said. The campaign is part of solidarity Mansour Al-Otaibi, the state’s Permanent Delegate to ence, Al-Otaibi added. with the Syrian refugees aiming to alleviate their suf- the UN, announced yesterday. The pledged money is used to help the UN ferings. According to Sayer, the KRCS is working on Otaibi said that he has handed over the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and other aid organizations several trucks that will carry winter items, heavy Secretary General Ban Ki-moon a letter from the His respond to the massive humanitarian needs generat- clothes, blankets and heaters, for the refugees in Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber ed by the crisis in Syria. The UN’s humanitarian agen- Syria’s neighboring countries. He said the KRCS field Al-Sabah including His Highness the Amir’s agree- cies provide life-saving food supplies, water, shelter, teams had already started distributing relief aid on ment on Kuwait’s hosting the conference. medicines, health services, and supporting livelihoods refugees in Lebanon and Jordan, amid the freezing Kuwait hosted the first and second aid pledging to the internally and externally displaced Syrians. weather sweeping the region. conferences for Syria in 2013 and 2014. The two con- ferences were successful and raised $3.9 billion in aid Fundraising campaign 900 families pledges, $1.5 billion in the first and $2.4 billion in the Meanwhile, the Kuwait Red Crescent Society The KRCS also announced yesterday that it had second. Kuwait donated at total of $800 million in the (KRCS) announced that it has raised $2.25 million in distributed aid to around 900 Syrian families in two conferences; $300 million in the first and $500 in cash donations, and $270,000 in material donations northern Syria as part of its urgent relief campaign. the second. Kuwait’s delegation to the UN already for the Syrian refugees in a four-day campaign. KRCS Lebanon houses the largest number of Syrian started consultation with the UN General Secretariat Chairman Hilal Al-Sayer lauded efforts for the cam- refugees with over one million, who mostly stay in to set a date for the third international aid pledging for paign thanking people for their donations. He random areas as the country lacks refugee camps, Syria, Otaibi said. The delegation is contacting and stressed that the door is always open for more. The further mounting the suffering of refugees there, KRCS Chairman Hilal Al-Sayer Kuwait’s Permanent Delegate to the UN coordinating with the UN General Secretariat to agree campaign ended on Thursday, yet several people visit- the KRCS warned. — KUNA Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi

Turkish FM lauds strong relations with Kuwait Official begins visit

ANKARA: Turkish Foreign Minister House, he said. Moreover, the Mevlut Cavusoolu lauded the deep- Kuwait-based Burgan Bank has rooted ties linking his country and shares in one of the Turkish banks. Kuwait. In this regard, the Turkish Foreign In an interview with KUNA a few Minister expressed his appreciation hours before starting two-day offi- of Kuwait’s inclusion of Turkey’s in cial visit to Kuwait, Cavusoolu said its list for investment destinations in that the two countries are closely 2005. cooperating in the economic, trade, On Turkish investments in tourism, investment, construction, Kuwait, the Minister said that the military and defense industry Turkish construction companies domains. executed a number of infrastructure He unveiled that his talks in projects in Kuwait at a total cost of Kuwait will focus on bilateral rela- $1.6 billion. He added that the tions and the regional and interna- Turkish companies are looking for- Lebanese territories testify tional developments of common wards to contributing to Kuwait’s concern. He noted that his visit development and infrastructure comes upon an invitation from the First Deputy Prime Minister and to Kuwaiti aid: Minister Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. The Turkish top diplomat pointed KFAED opens emergency center in Beirut out that combating terrorism and the threat of armed groups, espe- LITANI/BEIRUT: It is self-evident that Kuwait commitment the power plant with a capacity of five megawatts. ment projects in Lebanon, he said, stressing the significance cially that of the Islamic State (IS), to support Lebanon and the activities of KFAED cover all The first stage of the project, designed to dig a main of KFAED-launched projects in this Arab country with a view will be thoroughly discussed during parts of the Lebanese territories, a senior Lebanese official waterway from Qaraoun Dam in the middle reaches of the to improving its economic and infrastructure utilities. his talks with Kuwaiti officials. In this said recently. “The sisterly State of Kuwait offers indispensa- river to the southern farmland, costs $330 million. The costs For his part, Lebanese member of parliament Ali Ammar regard, he underlined the impor- ble funding to socio-economic development projects in are jointly covered by KFAED and the Arab Fund for voiced much thanks and appreciation to the Kuwaiti gov- tance of developing a comprehen- Lebanon, including the water conservation project on Litani Economic and Social Development (AFESD). ernment and people for their nonstop assistance to sive strategy that tackles the differ- River,” Lebanese Minister of Finance Ali Hassan Khalil said Lebanon in different development fields. ent political, military and humani- Friday after visiting the site of a project by a delegation from Emergency center Jest also expressed gratitude to Kuwait for sparing no tarian aspects of the crisis in Syria Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), led Meanwhile, the KFAED announced that it has launched a effort to help Lebanon in the event of difficult conditions. and Iraq, to defeat ISIL. by the Fund’s Director General Abdulwahab Al-Bader. $4.5-million emergency center in the Southern Suburb in He said KFAED-bankrolled development projects in On the economic relations, he On his part, President of Lebanon’s Council for Beirut. The emergency center, which is part of KFAED-fund- Lebanon include health, educational, water and transport stated that the trade exchange Development and Reconstruction (CDR) Eng Nabil Al-Jesr ed projects in Lebanon, consists of several sections for areas. between Turkey and Kuwait said the first phase of the Litani River project is 60 percent response to fire, road accidents and natural disasters, along KFAED has signed with Lebanon 22 loan agreements amounted to $625 million in 2013 complete thanks to the robust support from Kuwait. with a personnel training department, Bader said on the worth KD 211 million. The fund also provided eight grants and $511 million in the first 11 “The project will give a quantum leap to the socio-eco- sidelines of the center’s opening ceremony. worth KD 3.5 million to fund projects in Lebanon in health- months of 2014. He added that nomic development in the southern governorates of The KFAED attaches much attention to social develop- care and government training sectors. — KUNA Turkey seeks to boost trade Nabatiye and the Sidon; it will help irrigate up to 15,000 exchange and relations to live up to hectares of farmland and provide potable water to 100 vil- the level of political relations Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut lages,” Jesr added. between the two countries. He Cavusoolu underscored the importance of the Water resources Kuwaiti investments in Turkey, which projects. He underlined the depth Meanwhile, Bader said that the project aims to stop the amounted to $1.4 billion in creating of the historical and the cultural plundering of the water resources of the River and make jobs in the banking and real estate relations between Turkey and all better use of these vital resources. He reiterated KFAED’s sectors. He called on Kuwaiti Arab countries, especially Kuwait. commitment to the efforts to see the project through, not- investors to explore and try to bene- He called for cooperation and con- ing that “it’s an Arab project which will bear fruit for fit from the available lucrative certed efforts to end the unrest in Lebanon.” investment opportunities in Turkey. Arab countries. Eng Nawaf Al-Dabbos, KFAED’s resident representative in The Turkish Minister welcomed Lebanon, said the project will help residents of Lebanon’s Investment companies Kuwait’s host of upcoming the southern areas get settled in their communities and prod There are about 160 investment Second Arab-Turkish Forum in April. the rural development in these areas. companies with Kuwaiti capital He expressed commitment and sup- KFAED’s delegation inspected the project and was operating in Turkey and about port to the security and stability of briefed by the contractor on the designs of a tunnel for branches of 260 Kuveyt Turk Bank, a Kuwait and all the Gulf Cooperation water passage at a length of 5.5 km, a 7-km-long canal, and subsidiary of the Kuwait Finance Council (GCC) states. — KUNA LOCAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 Weekly Wrap-up

Bill Gates to visit Kuwait?

KUWAIT: World’s richest man Bill Gates will visit Kuwait next week to attend a ceremony to celebrate the United Nation’s honoring of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as a Humanitarian Leader, according to well-informed sources. Gates is the co- chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which he co-established in 2000 with his wife, Melinda Gates. Based in Seattle, Washington, the Untied States of America, the foundation’s primary aim is to enhance health- care and reduce extreme poverty worldwide. — Al-Watan

Minister acquitted The Criminal Court recently acquitted Minister of Communications and Minister of Municipality Affairs Essa Al-Kandari, as well as Al-Jarida daily’s Editor-in- Chief, Khaled Al-Hilal and one more defendant in a Queen Rania chairs discussion case filed by former chairman of Kuwait Airways Sami Al-Nisf. Nisf had sued Kandari over statements he made to the Arabic-language newspaper, commenting with INJAZ Al-Arab entrepreneurs on the measures that Nisf took in purchasing new planes. Slander charges that Nisf had pressed against Kandari, Hilal and reporter Mohyee Amer were rejected by the court. — Al-Jarida Celebrating organization’s 10th anniversary

IS suspect’s trial KUWAIT: Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah met Also during the session, attendees watched a short Worldwide achievements The Criminal Court adjourned a case of a man accused of recently with a group of INJAZ Al-Arab alumni and entre- video highlighting INJAZ Al-Arab’s key achievements. Since Operating in 14 countries across the Middle East joining the Islamic State (IS) until February 22, 2015. The preneurs during a session celebrating the organization’s its launch in Jordan in 2004, the organization has reached 2 and North Africa, INJAZ Al-Arab is the only non-profit suspect, a former Interior Ministry officer, refused to be rep- 10th anniversary. million students with the support of more than 22,000 vol- organization in the region that harnesses the mentor- resented by court-appointed lawyer Hmoud Al-Hajeri, say- The meeting, which was also attended by Sean Rush, unteers from 14 countries in the MENA region, in addition ship of business leaders to help inspire a culture of ing that he did not recognize Kuwait’s law or the court. The President and CEO of US-based Junior Achievement to Pakistan. Marking the occasion, Soraya Salti said “We entrepreneurship and business innovation among Arab man defended his stance when faced with charges of carry- Worldwide (JAW); INJAZ’s parent organization, Soraya Salti, would not be here today without the support of Her youth. ing out hostile actions against Iraq and Syria, saying that he MENA Regional Director of INJAZ Al-Arab and Akef Majesty and her belief in our mission to plant the seeds of Partnering with leading companies in the private joined the ‘Muslims army.’ — Al-Rai Aqrabawi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of INJAZ Al-Arab, entrepreneurship and promote it among our youth to sector, INJAZ Al-Arab equips Arab youth to drive the showcased success stories of 14 young entrepreneurs from encourage self-employment and the creation of more economies of the Arab World forward through training different countries including Jordan, Algeria, Bahrain, jobs.” Aqrabawi also said that “Our students represent the designed to inspire them to develop ambition, entre- Kuwait’s embassy Egypt, KSA, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Qatar, spirit of experimentation and leadership in the Arab world, preneurship and professional skills. Kuwait has no intention at the time being to reopen its Yemen and Oman. which is not only essential in creating jobs and offering Named one of the top 100 NGOs in the world by embassy in Damascus, Ambassador Abdulhameed Al- Queen Rania praised the role of INJAZ and stressed the entrepreneurial opportunities for our youth, this spirit is at Global Journal for two consecutive years (2012, 2013), Failakawi, Foreign Ministry’s Arab Nations’ importance of its programs in providing youth with various the core of a youth-led economic renaissance.” INJAZ Al-Arab has influenced the lives of over 1.5 mil- Department’s Director, said recently. He added that job opportunities, which is considered to be one of the INJAZ Al-Arab’s Young Entrepreneurs Regional lion students since its inception in 2004. Kuwait had agreed to reopen the Syrian embassy in biggest challenges Arab youth face today. Competition was recently held in October, 2014 to honor the INJAZ Al-Arab is a member of Junior Achievement; the country though the embassy had not been closed Her Majesty also emphasized the importance of featur- outstanding achievements of its students, and all the young the world’s largest and fastest-growing youth business based on Kuwait’s request. — Al-Jarida ing INJAZ’s different training courses on Edraak’s platform and ambitious people from across the region that participat- organization dedicated to educating students about in order to benefit the highest possible number of Arab ed in INJAZ programs that year. The Competition was hosted workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial lit- youth. by INJAZ-Kuwait for the second consecutive year. eracy through experiential, hands-on programs. Unwanted destinations The Public Authority for Housing Welfare is mulling a deci- sion to gradually stop allowing citizens to abdicate or Zain shares Kuwait’s joys during Hala February swap housing applications because of previous cases of misuse and law violations, Director Bader Al-Waqian said recently. “Some applicants have been rejecting units in Company main sponsor of national festival Wafra where we have 2426 units and applicants are only 750 so far”, he pointed out. He added that applicants also KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunica- rejected apartments in Jaber Al-Ahmed; where vacancies tions company in Kuwait, participated in the were 70 apartments while applicants were only 33. “This opening ceremony of ‘Hala February’; the means that we already have 2190 unwanted housing biggest national festival in Kuwait, that was units”, he stressed. — Al-Watan held last Friday on Arabian Gulf Street. The company sponsors the sixteenth edition of Hospital’s parking the festival as part of its commitment Farwaniya Hospital’s management clarified that a local com- towards the community as a leading national pany was signed to collect parking fees to enter the facility’s company. parking lot. Visitors had complained from being asked to Zain’s sponsorship and support of this pay a KD1 fee to use the hospital’s parking lot, leading for nationwide festival since its inception is part speculations on whether the step was organized, if the of the company’s belief in the importance of Ministry of Health started collecting new fees for the park- driving the spirit of happiness and together- ing lot’s use or if the hospital was offering a valet parking ness within the hearts of both Kuwait’s people services. “(The fee collecting process) is controlled by a com- and the expatriate community. pany that won a tender announced by the Ministry of This is in addition to the festival’s core aim Health to offer the service in several hospitals, said Dr of energizing the economic and touristic sec- Hmoud Al-Zu’bi, Farwaniya Hospital’s director. — Al-Aan tors of Kuwait in line with the country’s his- toric National and Liberation days on February 25 and 26 respectively. The company was keen on taking part in Kuwaiti doctor appointed the social, cultural, and entertainment activi- AIDS regional advisor ties that were conducted during the opening carnival that was held in the Arabian Gulf KUWAIT: The WHO and the Joint UN Program on HIV and Street in front of Kuwait Towers, the most AIDS (UNAIDS) have appointed Kuwaiti Dr Hind Al-Shomer a iconic structure in Kuwait. In addition, Zain regional advisor for the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle provided numerous competitions and prizes East and North Africa regions AIDS program. to the crowds in an exciting atmosphere of Dr Shomer’s task will be both nationalism and joy. preparing and qualifying train- Zain has long considered itself as a key ers, she said in a statement yes- partner of the Kuwaiti society, especially in terday. She will help them gain such national carnivals. The company has the necessary knowledge and engraved national celebrations as part of its skills in line with the latest world firm Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, developments in the field as well continuing to draw smiles on people’s faces as the UN Millennium during important occasions. Development Goals (MDGs) on Zain’s presence at this major national festi- AIDS prevention, she added. This is part of the preparation val as the main sponsor will continue until the for the post- 2015 MDGs, which end of the national festivities, involving a vari- will seek to carry on with suc- ety of segments like competitions, religious, Dr Hind Al-Shomer cesses, reducing deaths because cultural and entrainment activities. of AIDS and broadening the range of treatment, among many other aims, she noted. Shomer, Chairperson of the AIDS Data and Statistics Office Zain main sponsor of ‘Torch’ event at the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health, noted that she had taken part in preparing the guidance books and the training materi- al. The choice is recognition by the WHO of Kuwait’s efforts on the prevention and treatment since AIDS was emerged. Underlining the importance of pursuing a healthy lifestyle Kuwait was among the first world countries that issued a law on the prevention of AIDS, law 62/1992. — KUNA

Exclusive Royale Hayat services to ‘ABK Advantage’ customers

KUWAIT: Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait is proud to have Royale Hayat Hospital on board as a new participant in ‘ABK Advantage’, a dis- count program that allows ABK customers to benefit from exclusive offers at participating retail outlets. Royale Hayat Hospital is offering ABK customers discounts up to 15 per cent for several medical services and departments that include: Obstetrics, Gynecology, Endoscopy, Laboratory, Obesity Clinic, General Surgery, Family Clinic, Department of Pediatrics, CosmeSurgetreatment sessions (excluding cosmetic sur- gery), Dentistry and Child Dentistry. KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunica- of experts in this field. The event hosts an support to the health sector as well as to special needs athletes, and a blood donation Stewart Lockie, GM Retail tions company in Kuwait, announced its array of organizations and genuine projects play a leading role in promoting a healthy campaign to infuse a sense of volunteerism Banking, said: “Through our offers main sponsorship of ‘Torch’; the first of its that provide their services to those seeking a lifestyle. The company outlined that the within the society. Stewart Lockie we try to cater to our customers’ kind sports and health event held in Kuwait, healthy lifestyle. Torch event comprises of a number of As a leading and responsible telecommu- varying lifestyles. We are delighted which aims at gathering youth to encourage Zain’s distinguished participation in the events and activities over the course of four nication company in Kuwait, Zain reaffirms to have Royale Hayat Hospital as part of ABK Advantage, as good health care is valuable to everyone.” them to pursue a healthy lifestyle through event involves free glucose and blood pres- days, including honoring a number of its commitment to the wellbeing of the Lockie elaborated that “ABK Advantage” offers ABK customers sports. The event witnessed the attendance sure tests conducted in its booth in collabo- young athletes who proudly contributed in entire society. Zain has been at the forefront exclusive discounts reaching up to 45 per cent, from the chain of of the Minister of Health Dr Ali Al-Obaidi. ration with Dasman Diabetes Institute. raising Kuwait’s name at international arenas of companies in supporting and launching participating restaurants, hotels and shopping areas, and referred Zain’s sponsorship comes in line with its Minister of Health Dr Ali Al-Obaidi visited and tournaments in the sports and health health-oriented initiatives all year- round, to the fact that “ABK seeks to offer the best to its customers using Corporate Social Responsibility strategy that the company’s booth and personally con- fields. The event also features seminars including employee blood donation cam- ABK cards.” For more information please log on to www.eahli.com, aims at raising the sports and health aspects ducted a glucose test, expressing his admi- focusing on health and sports which are paigns to promote a culture of giving and chat with an ABK representative on ‘Ahli Chat’, or call one of our among young individuals as well as creating ration of the company’s efforts. This step hosted by a number of certified specialists, volunteerism among its human resources customer service agents on ‘AhlanAhli’ at 1899899. a vibrant healthy environment with the help comes to highlight the company’s utmost competitions for all age groups as well as and the society alike. SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 LOCAL In Brief No fees Companies closed MoE undersecretaries KUWAIT: The government has no intentions for the KUWAIT: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry KUWAIT: Minister of Education and Higher time being to impose fees on services presented free recently closed down 13 companies and referred 160 Education Dr Bader Al-Essa inquired with senior min- of charge, said Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs others to the public prosecution for fabricating price istry officials about three of assistant undersecre- Sheikh Mohammed Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah. He increases after the recent hike of diesel and kerosene taries who are rumored to be still in office past their strongly denied rumors that fees were mulled as a prices, according to sources. The companies were legal service period. If the rumors were confirmed to way to diversify state revenues, saying that the plan panelized for violating the ministry’s directions that be true, then all documents signed by the officials in is to cut spending by reducing subsidies, govern- were imposed to control the market in the wake of question after the official end of their tenures would ment expenses, official missions and treatment fuel prices’ increase, the sources said. —Al-Anba automatically considered to be void, according to abroad.— Al-Watan sources. —Al-Anba Photo of the day

KUWAIT: Two tons of plastic bags and other plastic waste were removed during a cleaning campaign organized recently by the Kuwait Dive Team on a 400-meter-long area north of Kuwait Towers. Team leader Waleed Al-Shatti called in a statement for tougher penalties against violators of environmental laws.

CAIRO: (From left) Jamal Al-Nasrallah, Haila Al-Makimi and Mohammad Al-Sabti pose with their awards. —KUNA Cultural, tourism festival honors Kuwaiti figures CAIRO: A host of Kuwaiti prominent figures were hon- Haila Al-Makimi, Chairman of Kuwait Public Relations ored by the 8th Arab Culture and Tourism Festival in Association Jamal Al-Nasrallah, lawyer and author recognition of their contribution each in his or her Mohammad Al-Sabti and member of Kuwait field of specialty. Electronic Prize panel, engineer Manar Al-Hashash. The honored figures include former information Makimi lauded the initiative by the Council of Arab minister Sami Al-Nisf, professor of political sciences Economic Unity (CAEU) of the Arab League to honor her as an Arab leading woman figure with a high sense of responsibility. Supporting woman is basic in societies working hard to develop themselves, the assistant undersecretary at Kuwait’s Ministry of Information said. Woman is the backbone of an Arab family, she added. Makimi commended the event which “works to enhance Arab ties through bringing together leading figures every now and then, offering a chance to dis- cuss Arab issues and concerns, amid unprecedented changes in the region. Meanwhile, Nasrallah expressed pride in a similar statement for being honored by the Arab event. He referred to a proposal to establish a federation for the Arab public relations associations, to be based in Kuwait, and affiliated to the Arab League. For his part, Sabti underscored Egypt’s role on the Arab political, social and literary levels, saying the honoring “means a lot for intellectuals, especially when it comes from the civil society.” This is a cultural event aiming to consolidate cooperation and integra- tion among the Arab countries, head of the Festival organizing committee Hanan Nasr told KUNA. The ten-day event, which concluded yesterday, included a cultural tour amidst the ancient monu- ments of Luxor and Aswan in Upper Egypt and a con- ference on the Arab woman. — KUNA SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 LOCAL

Local Spotlight Why are Arabs behind?

By Muna Al-Fuzai

[email protected]

hen we talk about an invention or a new drug or a new discovery in astronomy or even a new Wmobile phone, we expect that this product was not manufactured or invented in the Arab world and we rarely see an Arab mind behind something like that. This is a shameful fact, and it led me to wonder what is wrong. Why we are behind in nearly everything we do, even meeting deadlines and appointments in work and social life. Why our image as Arabs is so damaged? Is there any way out? The Arab world today has become famous for the export of violence and killings, and we are now an antithesis of the past Arabs who exported science and culture centuries ago. According to World Bank statics, the Arab world’s population is approximately 377 million. Arab countries are similar socially, linguistically and demographically, featuring early marriage rates that Al-Jarida increase the population growth rates. Financial abun- dance and large population should be factors of progress and development and not the opposite, but it does not seem like it even with the introduction of technology in kuwait digest our daily lives. We are now very backward and hated. Why are Arabs behind the times? I believe there are many reasons for this. Firstly, extremism is an enemy of Whom are you fooling, Bu Humoud? progress and certainly the emergence of extremist movements such as Al Qaeda, Taleban and IS had a nega- tive role due to their calls for fighting non-Muslims, but I By Ali Mahmoud Khajah don’t agree that this is the only reason. Secondly, because Arabs care about the past, not the ll of a sudden and out of the blue, the that another bloc was taking part. And, here, I thief and others. cooperate with the lawyer defending public future. They are ready to argue, fight and kill over inci- Popular Action Bloc (PAB)’s secretary would like to highlight the word ‘take part’ It was also the same bloc that has allied fund thieves and took part in an oratorical dents that occurred a thousand years ago and complete- Ageneral Musallam Al-Barrak appears not ‘organize’. The bloc Barrak referred to as and still allies with those advocating what festivity with people who praised Kuwaitis’ ly ignore the present, wasting time while not offering just before an event held by the Democratic having members in the current government Barrak described as the ‘grand theft’ - the Dow slayer. Yet, he dares, today, to boldly say that anything significant to the world or even their lives. The Forum to which it invited many political blocs, and parliament is the National Democratic deal that was criticized by Barrak which the they will not take part in a forum with a bloc best example of this is the endless discussions they hold to announce that his bloc would not take part Alliance (NDA). Islamic Constitutional Movement (ICM), its including members of the current govern- on social media over faith, Sunnis and Shiites, hijab or in any activity called for by a political bloc Well, for PAB to take such a stance is really MPs and Cabinet members at the time ment and parliament! Whom are you fooling, niqab. These discussions are futile because they revolve that has members of the current government funny for the following reasons. Barrak and strongly defended. It was also the same bloc Bu Humoud, and on what grounds do you around the theme that if you are not with me, you are or parliament. his bloc are the same people who include that took part in an activity held in Sept 2012 PAB members make decisions and take against me! Although some of us live in democratic soci- Regardless of the fact that PAB’s secretary those who had violated election laws and where one of the speakers described stances? Well, if you are counting on eties to some extent like the Gulf countries, tolerance general has deliberately ignored that the repeatedly took part in racial by-elections Saddam’s daughter as ‘a descendant of the Kuwaitis’ weak memories, this will not work activity was held only under the Democratic that have nothing to do with neither the con- best of all tribes, a daughter of a lion who had all the time! and respect for other opinions does not exist. This is a Forum’s umbrella and that no other blocs stitution nor national unity. It was also the been known as the Finally, if you really believe you should not key reason why we are behind. We don’t know how to helped organizing it, for which I would like, by same bloc that once was a basic element in ‘Sword of Arabs’ that managed to humili- take part in an activity including NDA mem- behave when faced with opposing views. the way, to thank the DF leaders for ignoring forming the opposition alliance that included ate the Persians. bers and consider it hypocrisy, you should do Thirdly, the media used by clerics and fatwas have what Barrak said and for holding the activity those who had publicly questioned the con- In other words, Musallam and his move- the same those who pretend to advocate the misled many Arabs. Extremist religious channels have without going into polemics with him, what stitution, campaign organizers for the uncon- ment still include those who had taken part constitution while all their actions and prac- brainwashed the minds of many young people with was really surprising is his announcement stitutional national council and lawyers who in unconstitutional by-elections more than tices are against it. ideas such as jihad and rebelling against their govern- that he would not take part with the excuse had defended the oil vessel and investment once, those who have cooperated and still — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Jarida ments. They used religion as a weapon to intimidate the public, bearing in mind the high rate of illiteracy and ignorance in the Arab world. Another reason is the lack of role models. The ordinary Arab channels focus on kuwait digest actors and singers as role models, but not inventors, scholars or thinkers, and serious talk shows that educate and not only entertain. Ahmad’s Fourthly, education. Education still offers a certificate to get a job without training and is a real tool for human predictions development. Women’s status and abuse against them goes hand in hand against the development of any soci- ety. The key issues related to women’s rights are still By Ahmad Al-Sarraf debatable. Their participation in their countries’ political was inspired to write this column by a letter I received from and economic policy is ineffective to the society. Any reader Tawfeeq Awadh in which he said at the start: Stop society should have active NGOs and here in Kuwait the Iwriting and leave us. We do not want you among us, we do only active ones are those of the Muslim Brotherhood not want to hear true words nor the truth, and we do not that will never call to support the female as a full citizen. want to hear your predictions for our future because we do Finally, one of the sources of concern for me in Kuwait not believe in prescience. We do not want you among us is that the parliament is more backward than the govern- because you read the hidden and scare us - we do not want ment. The impact of the parliament is huge over the soci- your visions and we do not like one who attempts to change ety, but it only seems to work for certain interests, and our tribal, sectarian and racist customs. this is a concern to me as a citizen and a woman. Actually, I found myself after reading those words that I I can blame the Arab situation over the Palestine issue have an ability to predict the future, and astrologists Mike and the West. We are good in this policy of blaming oth- Faghali and Magi Farah are not better than me! So, this is ers, but we do not know how to market ourselves, our what I predict for Kuwait in the new year. nations and our history. No wonder that the Arabs are in Attacks on doctors and hospital workers will increase, as a deep sleep. well as on policemen, patrols and police stations, coupled with an increase in crimes by uniformed people, a large increase in traffic violations with a similar increase in iqama violations, so state revenues from fines will rise. There will be kuwait digest huge increase in the number of officials who will be referred to the public prosecution charged with theft of public funds, with other ministers keeping silent towards what goes on in Where to go We expect some corrupt this evening officials to remain in By Nermin Al-Hoti hen we used to visit Egypt in the past, we their posts, despite all used to always see that line “where to go this Wevening” on Egypt television, and it used to what has been said give us information, as tourists, about places that we could go to without any problem. If we look at the about them. West, we find a newspaper designated for this in every foreign country, and it is not limited to places, but some of them analyze shows and offer suggestions to their ministries in the form of violations. We expect some cor- make it easier for the person to choose where to go. rupt officials to remain in their posts, despite all what has We find that they all lead to one direction, which is been said about them. The sports situation will continue to information, and not advertisement as some people deteriorate and Kuwait will face tough losses, while the gov- believe. The advertisement is paid for a single promo- ernment will keep the football associations. tion, but what we are focusing on today is the role of The new year will be the start of the seven lean years for information and projecting places of entertainment, Kuwait, its people and expats. Sand and flies will increase dur- culture and art for the society, as many art and culture ing the summer and winter this year, and the price of bread shows are being held here and we do not hear or know will go up along with prices of items that rely on diesel. The anything about them until they are over through some government will fail, with its consent, to stop the increases. media coverage, so we ask: Are not these activities The medical services will drop despite the tremendous efforts by the acting undersecretary, but the level will rise again with being held for the society to educate and entertain it? the start of next year. Cheating during school exams will We start by a question in the form of a suggestion: increase, and the minister will get rid of some of the leader- Why does not the media speak about state activities ships. The European Union will be very late in considering beforehand? For example, the Qurain Cultural Festival Kuwait’s request to exclude it from visas, because of the gov- is now being held, so why a program explaining the ernment’s failure to control extreme groups. Ethics will deteri- occasion was not held before the event to speak about orate further with insistence on increasing the religious dose. its activities, guests and bands? Fierce competition between religious societies over charity Such introductions give the receivers (listeners and funds and their violations will increase as supply becomes viewers) an idea about what is being presented and scarce. gives them a motive to attend. In fact, when we give Many agriculture farms will be reclaimed from their own- them more than a choice, they can go to what interests ers because of misuse, to be redistributed to those who will them, but what happens in our society and a lot in Gulf misuse it again. The number of road accident victims will and Arab societies is “surprise information”, and hear its increase as the traffic situation will become worse, then relief impact afterwards through media news. will come according to our most accurate predictions with the The information we get is in the past tense, and end of the school year and the country becoming devoid of what we are asking for are programs and news in future half of its population due to travel. And delays in executing tense - we do not want information about what hap- projects will continue as usual. pened but we want to know “where to go this evening”. — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Qabas — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Anbaa SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015

Romney shows softer side in 2016 Obama warns Congress against more sanctions on Iran campaign preview Page 8 Page 9

SANAA: Yemeni protesters shout slogans during a demonstration against the publication of a new cartoon of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo out- side the French embassy in the capital yesterday. (Inset) A picture taken on Sept 19, 2014 shows Yemeni politician Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak as he rides on a plane returning from the Shiite rebel stronghold of Saada to the capital Sanaa. Gunmen yesterday seized Mubarak. — AFP Houthis seize president’s chief of staff Proposed six-region federal could dilute militia’s power SANAA: Shiite militiamen in control of Yemen’s capital seized tries,” national security service chief General Mohammed Al- sentatives of the Houthis and Saleh’s General People’s “Revolt, revolt youth against Houthis and terrorism.” Mubarak, President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi’s chief of staff yesterday in a Ahmadi told reporters. Congress party walked out of a meeting headed by Hadi yes- a southerner, was one of the representatives in the dialogue new challenge to his leadership of the violence-plagued Mubarak and several companions in his armoured car terday to discuss the political process, including the constitu- of the Southern Movement, which seeks autonomy or seces- country. The abduction of Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, who were stopped by militiamen in Houthi tribal clothes in the tion. The Houthi statement warned Hadi of an unspecified sion for the formerly independent south. heads a “national dialogue” on Yemen’s political transition, southern Hada district, a witness said. He was seized and driv- “series of special measures” they are planning, adding that Hadi named him as prime minister in October, but he came shortly before he was to attend a meeting on a pro- en to an unknown location, an official from the national dia- “President Hadi must not cover up corruption”. Hadi has strug- turned down the job following strong opposition from the posed new constitution opposed by the Houthi militia. Yemen logue secretariat told AFP. Ahmadi said talks were under way gled to assert his authority since the Houthis seized Sanaa. Houthis and from Saleh’s party. Hours after his kidnap, leading has been dogged by instability since the ouster in 2012 of to secure his release. southern political, tribal, and media figures threatened after a strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh, with the Houthis and Al-Qaeda In a statement, the militia said Mubarak’s detention was ‘Foreign Orders’ meeting in Sanaa to suspend their membership in “all (state) seeking to fill the power vacuum. The Houthis are widely necessary to prevent a UN-brokered agreement between the In a speech published by state news agency Saba, Hadi institutions” if Mubarak is not released “within 24 hours”. believed to be backed by Saleh. presidency and them in September “from being broken”, with- said “our problems must be solved by wisdom and common Mubarak’s abduction comes a day after one of two Houthis Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) also has a out clarifying Mubarak’s role. The “national peace and partner- sense, and without resorting to violence such as kidnappings appointed by Hadi as advisors last year announced he was record of acting well beyond its Yemeni base, and claimed ship agreement” was signed in September as the Houthis and killings”. “Those who are attempting to hamper (the politi- quitting because his advice had been spurned. responsibility for the Jan 7 attack on French satirical magazine overran Sanaa. It called for forming a new government and cal process) must realise that we are on the right path and Since their takeover of the capital, the Houthis have Charlie Hebdo that killed 12 people. Yemeni authorities said appointing Houthi advisors to Hadi, and for Shiites to with- they cannot hamper this national process,” saying that such pressed their advance into mainly Sunni areas south of Sanaa, yesterday they had arrested two Frenchmen for questioning draw from key state institutions they had seized. parties could be receiving “foreign orders”. where they have met deadly resistance from Sunnis, including over suspected Al-Qaeda links. The Charlie Hebdo attackers, Mubarak’s kidnap came just before a meeting of the Yemen has repeatedly accused Shiite-dominated Iran of Al-Qaeda loyalists. The turmoil has raised fears that Yemen, French brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi, are known to have national dialogue secretariat to present a draft constitution backing the Houthis. Dozens protested in Sanaa and other which neighbours oil-rich Saudi Arabia and lies on the key trained with Al-Qaeda in Yemen. “There are around 1,000 Al- that stipulates dividing Yemen into a six-region federation, cities yesterday against the Houthis and against Al-Qaeda. shipping route from the Suez Canal to the Gulf, may become a Qaeda militants in Yemen from 11 Arab and non-Arab coun- which the Houthis oppose. Political sources told AFP repre- “Hadi you traitor. You have sold Yemen to Iran,” they chanted. failed state similar to Somalia. — AFP Neighbors join hands to fight Boko Haram

LIBREVILLE: Cameroon, Chad and Niger have lost patience and decided to act. Cameroon in The Islamists detained “over 500 women launched a regional bid to combat the Boko particular has been critical of what it sees as and hundreds of children” in a school, one Haram Islamists, as their attacks spread the Nigerian authorities’ passivity in the face of woman who escaped the area told AFP, adding beyond Nigeria and concern mounts over the Boko Haram. On Friday, after Chad’s parlia- that she had seen “decomposing bodies scat- Nigerians’ failure to regain control. The three ment voted to send armed forces to Cameroon tered all over”. US Secretary of State John Kerry neighbours have opted for a joint military and Nigeria to help fight the Islamists, Chadian on Thursday joined rights monitors in blaming response to the cross-border threat from Boko army vehicles headed south out of the capital Boko Haram for “a crime against humanity” on Haram fighters and have made veiled criti- N’Djamena. the basis of evidence from the towns in north- cisms of Nigeria, whose armed forces appear ern Nigeria. Nigeria’s army had planned to use no match for the Islamist group that emerged ‘Boko Haram’s Deadliest Act’ the isolated settlement of Baga as one of its in 2009. The move comes after the Islamists seized key bases to work with a regional force. Brutal raids, massacres, suicide bomb Baga town on the Nigerian shore of Lake Chad However, the other countries are opposed attacks and kidnappings by Boko Haram have early this month in an offensive that “could be to any major deployment inside a bastion of claimed at least 13,000 lives and driven an esti- Boko Haram’s deadliest act”, according to Boko Haram, which is against Western educa- mated 1.5 million people from their homes, Daniel Eyre, Nigeria researcher for Amnesty tion and wants to establish an Islamist mainly in arid northeast Nigeria. Officially, all International. Satellite pictures released by caliphate. “The most worrying situation for us four states, whose borders converge in remote Amnesty and Human Rights Watch last week today is Nigeria, it’s the situation of Boko territory at Lake Chad, formed a military showed widespread destruction with around Haram,” Niger’s Defence Minister Karidjo alliance that was due to take shape last 3,700 buildings in Baga and nearby Doron Mahamadou said after the fall of Baga. “Since November to battle Boko Haram. But building Baga damaged or destroyed. Eyre said as many November, we have no longer been at that a combined Lake Chad force seems to have as 2,000 civilians may have been massacred, post (Baga). We explained to the Nigerians dropped off the agenda. but Nigeria’s army objected to the “sensation- that we could not stay since we did not wish to Now the urgency of the situation is such al” claims and said that the death toll in Baga put the lives of our soldiers in danger,” that Nigeria’s partners appear to have finally was about 150. Mahamadou said. — AFP p8_Layout 1 1/17/15 10:03 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 INTERNATIONAL Syrian opposition shuns Russia peace initiative

BEIRUT: A Russian initiative to host talks can take place. brink of irrelevance, and the extremist time proponent of peace talks, turned country and has a big role in Syria, but peace talks this month between the The planned meetings in Moscow, Islamic State group has seized control of down his invitation, as did members of our question is whether Russia is ready Syrian government and its opponents scheduled to start Jan. 26, would be the large chunk of northeastern Syria and the Damascus-based opposition party to play a positive role in the political appears to be unraveling as prominent first on Syria since a UN-sponsored con- neighboring Iraq. known as Building the Syrian State. That solution or are they still saying some- Syrian opposition figures shun the ference in Geneva collapsed early last The United States also has joined the party’s leader has been jailed since thing and doing something else on the prospective negotiations amid deep dis- year after making no headway. But the fray, carrying out airstrikes with its allies November on charges that include ground,” senior opposition figure against Islamic State group militants weakening national sentiment and Abdulbaset Sieda said. The opposition while leaving Assad’s forces untouched. weakening the morale of the nation. also accuses Russia of being more inter- Washington has been conspicuously The biggest question hangs over the ested in legitimizing Assad as a partner absent from the diplomatic shuffle Coalition, which sat across the table from with the international community in a toward Moscow, unwilling to spend its Syrian government representatives at fight against Islamic extremists than in political capital to cajole the main last year’s Geneva talks. The group is finding a political settlement to the con- Western-backed opposition group, the backed by Western and Arab Gulf pow- flict. Syrian National Coalition, to attend ers, but has little credibility with any The US, meanwhile, has stayed on the peace talks that have limited hopes of armed opposition groups inside Syria. Its sidelines as Moscow has stolen the success. newly elected chief, Khaled Khoja, has diplomatic limelight. This week, United Nations envoy Staffan de said the group will not attend the talks. Secretary of State John Kerry said he Mistura is working a parallel peace track, Other members say the SNC has yet to hoped the Russian proposal “could be trying to slow the carnage in Syria make a final decision, although the senti- helpful,” reinforcing Washington’s public through a plan that calls for “freezing the ment is decidedly against going to position of welcoming any initiative that conflict” in the northern city of Aleppo as Moscow because the talks there do not makes “genuine” progress toward a a building block for a wider solution to aim to create a transitional government peaceful resolution in Syria. Privately, the war. That plan faces its own hurdles, in Syria with full executive powers - and however, American officials say they and has yet to gain much traction. So far, no Assad. don’t see the Moscow talks as having the Moscow conference has only a short that objective. US officials say they have list of attendees. Assad’s government, ‘Tactical Maneuvering’ no indication the Russians believe Assad which has relied on Russia for economic Russian Foreign Minister Sergey should step down as part of a political and diplomatic support as well as mili- Lavrov said Friday that he expects the transition. The Russians are sticking to DAMASCUS: In this Dec 31, 2014 photo Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad tary hardware during the conflict, has talks to be a success, dismissing the their position that the UN-led Geneva speaks with Syrian troops during his visit to the frontline in the eastern said it is prepared to participate. A few refusal of some in the opposition to process of 2013-2014 means dialogue - Damascus district of Jobar. —AP small, government-tolerated opposition attend as “tactical maneuvering” ahead but not necessarily that a new Syrian groups also have said they will attend. of the negotiations. Distrust of Russia leader must emerge. Washington has not trust of Moscow and concerns the talks Syrian tableau has changed dramatically But Assad himself appeared to lower runs deep in the anti-Assad camp. It only pressured the opposition to attend the hold no chance of success. The faltering since then. President Bashar Assad faces already dour expectations, saying in an deepened when Moscow opted to send talks, American officials say. But US offi- effort suggests that even after four years growing resentment among his support- interview this week that one must be invitations to individuals in the opposi- cials have told the opposition that one and at least 220,000 people killed, the ers in the wake of bloody defeats, while “realistic” about the Moscow talks. The tion instead of groups, feeding suspi- option would be to use the public plat- antagonists in Syria’s civil war are far his main patrons, Russia and Iran, are list of those who have declined - or are cions that the Kremlin is trying to further form in Moscow to present its position. from burning themselves out and will feeling the pinch from the global plunge leaning that way - contains the bulk of fracture Assad’s already-divided oppo- The officials spoke on condition of likely keep fighting for a more decisive in oil prices. Syria’s mainstream opposi- the anti-Assad factions. Mouaz Al-Khatib, nents. anonymity because they were not battlefield advantage before any real tion - political and armed - teeters on the a former Coalition president and a long- “We know Russia is a very important authorized to talk to journalists. — AP Hundreds of US troops to train Syrian rebels

WASHINGTON: The US military will send Vetting Recruits nearly 1,000 troops to train Syrian rebel Once trained and armed, the moderate forces as part of a long-planned effort to rebels will be able to “defend” their own build up a moderate opposition to take on towns, “eventually go on the offensive” the Islamic State group, the Pentagon said against IS jihadists, and help work towards “a Friday. The training will take place in Saudi political solution” to the country’s conflict, Arabia, Turkey and Qatar and is expected to Kirby said. The American troops will comple- start in the “early spring,” spokesman Rear ment a small CIA training program that is Admiral John Kirby told a news conference. already in place but officials declined to dis- More than 400 trainers would start deploy- cuss whether the military would oversee the ing in the next four to six weeks, backed by a spy agency’s efforts. Two other countries also similar number of support troops that will have pledged to help train the Syrian fight- provide help with logistics, communications ers, but officials did not say which govern- and intelligence, he said. The total troop ments or how many trainers they would con- number “for this mission could approach tribute. 1,000,” Kirby said. “It might even exceed that.” US intelligence agencies and foreign part- About 5,400 Syrian rebels would be ners are working to identify potential recruits trained and armed in the first year of the pro- for the training program, who will then be gram, with an initial group of fighters possi- vetted to ensure they have no ties to the IS bly ready to enter battle “before the end of group or other extremists, officials said. the year,” he said. The US Congress backed Major General Michael Nagata, who is over- legislation last month to fund the training seeing the US-led fight against the IS WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama (right) speaks during a press conference with Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron in the East Room of the White House on Friday. —AFP and equipping of Iraqi forces and moderate jihadists in Syria, met a range of opposition Syrian rebels, allocating about $500 million figures in Istanbul earlier this week and came for the Syrian effort. But President Barack away encouraged, Kirby said. Obama has been accused of moving too But he acknowledged that identifying Obama warns Congress slowly to help the opposition while the IS and vetting potential recruits for training was group and other hardline extremists have a difficult task that could not be accom- taken on an increasingly dominant role on plished quickly. “It’s more important, and the battlefield. we’ve said this before, that we get this right against Iran sanctions Obama, wary of having the US drawn into rather than get it fast. There are significant Syria’s multi-sided civil war, had long kept risks if you get it wrong,” he said. To avoid a the moderate rebels at arm’s length. But the repeat of insider attacks that have plagued rise of the IS group last year prompted a the military training mission in Afghanistan, US president threatens to use veto change in strategy, with the US president a portion of the US troops to be deployed announcing plans in September to train and would focus on security for their compatri- WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama But in Washington, many lawmakers are so would pull out of the talks was “very high”. “They arm the opposition. The administration, ots, he said. “Regrettably, we have quite a bit came out swinging Friday against congressional skeptical of the negotiations that they have insist- would be able to maintain that the reason that however, has placed a priority on fighting of experience at dealing with that particular attempts to slap fresh sanctions on Iran, warning ed the US move forward with additional sanctions they ended negotiations was because the United the IS militants rather than President Bashar threat,” he added. In Iraq, US troops already such a move would likely destroy nuclear talks to keep tightening the screws on Tehran. A tense States was operating in bad faith and blew up the Al-Assad’s regime, an emphasis that has led have started training Iraqi government and and increase prospects for a military showdown. exchange between Obama and a top Democrat deal,” Obama said. “And there would be some sym- to disagreements with some allies, including Kurdish forces in the fight against the IS Vowing to veto any sanctions that reach his desk, this week illustrated the degree to which Obama’s pathy to that view around the world.” Turkey. The Pentagon made no mention of jihadists, with about 2,100 Americans Obama pleaded, “Just hold your fire.” In an unusu- diplomacy with Iran has rattled even members of Cameron, who was holding two days of meet- Assad in announcing the training effort. deployed there. — AFP al move by a foreign leader, British Prime Minister his own party. At a closed-door strategy meeting ings with Obama, took the rare step of calling David Cameron said he was personally calling US with Senate Democrats, Obama and Sen Bob another nation’s lawmakers to lobby them against senators to say that new sanctions would drive a Menendez traded arguments about whether fresh proceeding with more penalties. Republican Sens wedge through international unity. penalties would undermine or bolster the negotia- John McCain of Arizona and Bob Corker of IS claims bomb attack on Standing side by side with Cameron at the White tions. It was then that Obama renewed his long- Tennessee received calls from Cameron, who said House, Obama said world powers would be sympa- standing vow to veto sanctions legislation passed he had reached out not to tell them what to do, Algeria embassy in Libya thetic to Iran and would blame the US if Congress by Congress while talks are still ongoing. but to convey that sanctions have already had their moved ahead with more sanctions while fragile “We just have a fundamental disagreement,” desired effect. “It’s the opinion of the United TRIPOLI: Assailants lobbed explosives at with rival governments and powerful mili- negotiations are under way. At that point, Obama Menendez told reporters Friday in New Jersey. “It is Kingdom that further sanctions or further threat of Algeria’s embassy in the Libyan capital tias battling for control of key cities and the argued, the world would lose its best chance to pre- counterintuitive to understand that somehow Iran sanctions at this point won’t actually help to bring Saturday, wounding three people, a securi- country’s oil riches. The foreign ministry of vent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. will walk away because of some sanctions that the talks to a successful conclusion, and they could ty official said, in an attack claimed by the Libya’s internationally-recognised govern- “Congress should be aware that if this diplomatic would never take place if they strike a deal.” fracture the international unity that there’s been Islamic State jihadist group. The IS Libya ment denounced Saturday’s bombing as a solution fails, then the risks and likelihood that this Menendez, who until recently chaired the Senate which has been so valuable in presenting a united branch said “soldiers of the caliphate” “cheap attempt to influence the national ends up being at some point a military confronta- Foreign Relations Committee, has been working front to Iran,” Cameron said. attacked the empty mission in a message dialogue in Geneva” that are to continue tion is heightened - and Congress will have to own across partisan lines with Sen Mark Kirk on new Clinching a nuclear deal would be a major for- posted on Twitter, together with a photo- next week. that as well,” Obama said in his most impassioned sanctions on Iran’s economy that would kick in only eign policy victory for Obama, who for years has graph of a tree-lined street with a fire in the rebuke yet of the sanctions effort. if Iran fails to sign or live up to a nuclear deal in fended off accusations of naivetÈ in engaging background. There was no independent Jihadist Threat The US, the UK and other world powers are time. Other senators are drafting bills that would diplomatically with countries like Iran. Obama confirmation of the claim - reported by the The Algerian embassy, like most foreign struggling to reach a framework accord with Iran require Congress to sign off on any deal before said prospects for a deal are still 50-50 at best, US-based monitoring group SITE missions in the Libyan capital, was closed by March, with hopes of finalizing a longer-term existing sanctions are lifted. It’s unclear whether insisting he wouldn’t agree to any deal that fails Intelligence. last year as militias battled for control of deal by July that would limit Iran’s ability to pro- those senators could muster enough votes to over- to ensure that world powers can verify Iran’s The IS posted a similar claim for a Dec 27 the city. In November, two car bombs duce a nuclear weapon. Secretary of State John ride Obama’s veto. actions or to protect Israel’s security. Iran main- car bomb attack outside the building of a struck near the shuttered embassies of Kerry has spent much of the week holed up in Yet Obama argued that Iran would rightfully tains that its program is solely for energy produc- Libyan unit tasked with securing diplomat- Egypt and the United Arab Emirates in European hotels with his Iranian counterpart, interpret any new sanctions - even ones that don’t tion and medical research purposes. Under the ic missions that left no casualties, SITE Tripoli within minutes of each other, Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif, as both kick in right away - as violating the terms of the interim deal, Tehran agreed to some restrictions reported at the time. The security official, wounding five guards. UAE Foreign countries seek to infuse the talks with fresh interim deal reached in 2013 that made the current to its program in exchange for billions of dollars in who works for the unit, said Saturday’s Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahayan urgency. talks possible. He said the likelihood that Iran relief from US economic sanctions. —AP attack in central Tripoli seriously wounded blamed those attacks on Fajr Libya and a guard and that two passers-by were light- Ansar Al-Sharia. Washington has blacklisted ly hurt. Medical sources confirmed the toll. the radical Ansar Al-Sharia as a terrorist Oil embargo among EU options in Libya The assailants threw “a bag full of explo- group for its alleged role in a deadly 2012 sives from a passing car at a police car attack on the US consulate in the eastern BRUSSELS: An oil embargo is one tactic the would put pressure on parties to cease hostilities European importers of Libyan oil because sharp parked near a guard post”, he said, adding city of Benghazi. that the attack caused damage to the European Union could use to press for a solution and participate in the dialogue process. swings in Libyan oil production had already Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) is a coalition of building and parked cars. to the crisis in Libya, according to a discussion However, this option should be considered with forced buyers to look for alternatives. The paper Islamist-led militias which seized control of But in the brief tweet, the IS said the paper drawn up by the EU’s diplomatic service. the greatest caution as it would take a heavy toll estimated Libyan oil production at 200,000 bar- Tripoli in August after weeks of deadly blast was caused by an explosive device The embargo was one of a range of options in on the Libyan economy and society, and may rels a day now, down from 900,000 barrels a day planted by its militants under the guard fighting with a nationalist group. The sum- the confidential paper, seen by Reuters, which trigger unforeseen reactions,” the options paper in November. However, the paper said an oil station. Foreign Minister Ramtane mer fighting sparked an exodus of foreign- will serve as a basis for talks among EU foreign said. embargo would have drawbacks and pointed Lamamra of neighbouring Algeria con- ers from Libya, with oil companies repatri- ministers in Brussels tomorrow. Another “drastic “Should the option of an oil embargo be con- out that the United Nations already bans illegal demned the bombing. “Any attack on a ating workers and embassies closing down measure”, which should only be considered as a sidered, a starting point would be to request the exports of oil from Libya. diplomatic post is a crime under interna- or relocating to neighbouring countries. In last resort if Libya descended into full-scale civil U.N. to look into this possibility,” it said. One EU The EU is seeking ways to support UN special tional law,” he said. Yesterday’s attack came an interview with AFP, the head of Libya’s war, could be the freezing of the Libyan central diplomat said that, in preliminary discussions, it envoy Bernardino Leon’s efforts to broker a solu- a day after a coalition of militias declared a Western-backed government, Abdullah Al- bank’s overseas assets, the paper said. had become clear that an oil embargo was “basi- tion to Libya’s political crisis. Libyan factions ceasefire, hours after an agreement at UN- Thani, warned that his country could The possibility of an oil embargo as a means cally a no-go” because it would hurt Libya’s pop- agreed to continue UN-backed negotiations in brokered peace talks in Geneva between become a dangerous haven for jihadists. IS of applying pressure for a resolution of the ulation as a whole. Geneva next week, the UN said. Nearly four years Libya’s warring factions. on Jan 12 claimed the abduction of 21 Libyan crisis has been discussed by the EU’s 28 after a NATO-backed revolt ousted Muammar The oil-rich nation has been wracked by Egyptians in Libya, while Egypt has con- member states, the paper said. However, it made Impact Gaddafi, Libya is in turmoil with two rival gov- conflict since dictator Muammar Gaddafi firmed that 20 of its citizens are being held clear that pushing for the United Nations to The paper said that an oil embargo on Libya ernments and two parliaments backed by allied was toppled and killed in a 2011 uprising, in the chaos-hit country. — AFP adopt an oil embargo would be risky. “This ... would have limited economic impact on armed factions. —Reuters SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 INTERNATIONAL Romney shows softer side in 2016 campaign preview Opponents far less welcoming

SAN DIEGO: Mitt Romney is offering a rare glimpse of his softer side as he marches toward an unlikely third presidential bid focused on poverty and the middle class. Conceding that he’s giving “serious consideration to the future”, the Republican Party’s 2012 presidential nomi- nee on Friday cited the support of his wife, Ann, as he addressed the closing reception of the Republican National Committee’s winter meet- ing aboard a retired aircraft carrier. “The last few days, the most frequently asked question I get is, ‘What does Ann think about all this?’” Romney said as his wife looked on. “She believes that people get better with experience. And heaven knows I have experi- ence running for president.” He later added, In this January 2015 photo, 18-year-old Dalton Hayes and 13-year-old Cheyenne “She knows where my heart is.” Romney earned Phillips leave a South Carolina Wal-Mart. — AP a standing ovation for his remarks, his first pub- lic acknowledgement of 2016 ambitions since privately signaling interest with donors a week Teenage sweethearts earlier. However, RNC members and his prospective opponents were far less welcom- ing in the days leading up to his appearance. blaze trail of crime “The country moves on,” said Henry Barbour, a Republican national committeeman from LEITCHFIELD, Kentucky: Police say unless local judicial center on Jan. 5 to find out if a Mississippi. “And that’s going to be a challenge they surrender, the “outcome is not going grand jury had indicted him on the for Gov Romney.” to be good” for two teenage sweethearts charges, his mother said. His case did not History is not on Romney’s side. Not since who have blazed a trail of crime across the come up, but by that time the teens were Richard Nixon has a Republican presidential South, leaving in their wake a string of gone. The sheriff said the couple’s behavior nominee lost the general election - John F SAN DIEGO: Mitt Romney speaks to fellow Republicans at a dinner during the Republican stolen vehicles and pilfered checks while is “becoming increasingly brazen and dan- Kennedy defeated Nixon in 1960 - and then National Committee’s Annual Winter Meeting aboard the USS Midway on Thursday.—AFP stirring concern about their increasingly gerous”. “They’re going on people’s proper- won the GOP nomination again. Nixon defeat- 15-minute speech, while referencing his work one who can reach out to the African-American bold behavior. The 18-year-old and his 13- ty,” he said. “They’re forging checks to get ed Hubert Humphrey in 1968. Yet there is little with the poor, sick and elderly as a volunteer community and the Hispanic community and year-old girlfriend - who had apparently money. ... They could have stopped in doubt Romney would be a force in the 2016 church pastor - a topic he rarely addressed dur- the youth community and the working class convinced the boy and his family that she Kentucky, but they didn’t.” Since they have contest should he run. He remains one of the ing his previous bids. and say, “You know what? We understand.’” was 19 - have so far eluded capture and are no source of money, he added, “they’re best-known Republicans in the nation, main- His new focus includes national security, As Paul has taken steps toward running for now believed to be cruising around in a going to get desperate.” tains close ties to the GOP elite donor class and improving opportunities for the middle class president he has held public events in inner- stolen truck with two guns. Twice, the teens were able to evade law has a network of loyal supporters across the and “breaking the scourge of poverty”. “Our city communities, including schools on “There’s going to come a time when officers in Kentucky, the sheriff said. They country. Early polls show him doing well principles will bring opportunity to every Chicago’s south side. Texas Gov Rick Perry, we’re not going to see him as an 18-year- crashed the first truck they stole and hid in against lesser-known potential Republican American,” Romney declared, adding, “It’s a meanwhile, declared himself ready for another old kid,” said Norman Chaffins, sheriff in the woods. Then they later stole another opponents. tragedy, a human tragedy, that the middle class presidential run and said Romney’s interest in a Grayson County, Kentucky, where the pair truck nearby, Chaffins said. Chaffins said he Yet an overwhelming concern from former in this country by and large doesn’t believe that 2016 bid “doesn’t change my dynamic”. “It does- disappeared nearly two weeks ago. “We’re believes Hayes - who had run-ins with the supporters looms over his return to the nation- the future will be better than the past.” n’t change my strategy,” Perry said in an inter- going to see him as someone who’s stolen law as a juvenile - is calling the shots as the al stage: the lingering perception that the for- The growing field of first-time Republican view before Romney’s speech. three vehicles with two handguns in them, teens try to stay ahead of police. The two mer private equity executive cares only about presidential prospects was largely dismissive of Romney’s team suggests he will make a and the outcome is not going to be good were spotted Monday at a Wal-Mart in the fate of wealthy Americans. The image was Romney, while others questioned his ability to decision about the 2016 campaign soon, both for either one of them if they don’t turn South Carolina, where the teens are fueled in part by his own high-profile missteps broaden his appeal in a third campaign. “He out of fairness to the other candidates contem- themselves in.” thought to have passed two stolen checks, during his last presidential campaign. The son just didn’t attract a big enough constituency,” plating bids and former allies who had begun Dalton Hayes and Cheyenne Phillips said Manning, South Carolina, Police Chief of an auto company chief executive who made Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said as he courted vot- to move on. Former Gov. Florida Jeb Bush vanished Jan. 3 from their small hometown Blair Shaffer. They were seen in a vehicle a fortune in finance measured in the hundreds ers earlier in the day in Las Vegas. Indeed, began phoning leading officials in New in western Kentucky, the sheriff said. Since that apparently was stolen from Kentucky, of millions famously described corporations as Romney struggled to win over younger voters, Hampshire this week, with similar calls planned then, authorities believe the two have trav- he said. people and highlighted his close friendships lower income voters and minorities on the way for Iowa - the first and second states on the eled to South Carolina and Georgia. Hayes’ Authorities believe they then headed to with the owners of professional sports teams. to a 2012 campaign loss that devastated his presidential nominating calendar. “While I have mother urged the young couple to surren- Georgia and stole a pickup truck from the family and his party. Friends and foes alike con- a lot of respect for Gov Romney, and you know I der and “face the consequences”. “I pretty driveway of a man’s home in Henry County, Lesson Learnt cede he’ll have to do more than change his think he is imminently qualified to serve as much cry myself to sleep every night wor- about 30 miles southeast of Atlanta. The No gaffe was bigger than Romney’s remark - message to win new supporters. president, I think there’s going to have to be a rying about where they are and if a police homeowner awoke Wednesday to find his secretly recorded at a high-dollar Florida Paul on Friday repeated that he had been vetting process in New Hampshire again,” said officer or any random individual tries to vehicle was gone, along with two hand- fundraiser - that he doesn’t worry about 47 per- reaching out to ethnic and racial minorities for Sen Kelly Ayotte, a major Romney supporter in pull them over and isn’t so nice and hurts guns he kept inside, Henry County police cent of Americans who “believe they are vic- more than a year to broaden the GOP’s appeal, 2012 who was among those on Bush’s recent them,” Tammy Martin said. Lt. Joey Smith said Friday. Hours later, tims” and “pay no income tax”. On Friday, how- where Romney had only recently admitted to call list. “I want to know what’s his vision for the The couple had been dating for about another truck the couple is suspected of ever, he hinted that he had learned his lesson. past supporters that he needed to do better country, just like I’m going to want to know three months. The girl portrayed herself as having stolen in another state was found Romney outlined three principles that could connecting with Hispanics and addressing the from every candidate, so I think this field is being 19, and the family, including Martin’s nearby. It had been crashed through a serve as the foundation of a campaign during a needs of the poor. Paul cast himself as “some- wide open still,” she said. —AP son, believed her, she said. Cheyenne fence and abandoned behind a vacant “would go in and write checks, and she building on neighboring property, Smith would come out with cigarettes and stuff, said. Martin said her son texted her a few so I didn’t have any reason not to believe days after their disappearance to say the she wasn’t 19. Because normally you can’t couple was in Mississippi. They were spot- buy cigarettes when you’re 13 years old,” ted soon after that in Kentucky, she said. Martin said. By the time her son realized “He was just trying to throw me off,” she she was a mere 13, “he was already done in said. “I’m sure he thought that I would call love with her”, Martin said. the police and tell them where he was.” When he hit the road, Hayes was run- Chaffins said the situation is getting more ning away from trouble back home. He serious as time passes, he said. “This is not a faces burglary and theft charges in his game to us,” Chaffins said. “Our biggest fear home county, stemming from an arrest late is that Dalton is not going to stop for the last year, according to Grayson County police. He’s going to run every time they court records. He was planning to be at the approach him.” —AP Harsh world of slavery in focus at US museum

WALLACE, Louisiana: Life-size sculp- in.” In one exhibit set to open later this tures of slave children haunt the clap- year, 60 ceramic sculptures of black board church on the grounds of the old men’s heads on pikes will commemorate sugar cane plantation, where ceramic a nearby 1811 slave revolt, often credited heads of black men will soon sway on as the largest in US history, which ended pikes in the Louisiana breeze. Unlike oth- in mass beheadings. er plantation museums along the Great In an old church donated by a black River Road between New Orleans and congregation stand or sit some 30 terra Baton Rouge, the newly opened and cotta sculptures of slave children, all of under-construction Whitney Plantation them without eyes, in the style of death focuses squarely on the plight of slaves. masks. A bust of Pope Nicholas V, whose While nearby sites highlight their ante- 15th century edicts sanctioned the bellum architecture and the lifestyles of Portuguese to enslave Africans, peers the white people who lived there, only over them. Seven wooden slave shacks, MCALESTER, Oklahoma: Media witness Sean Murphy (right) of the AP gives a report of the execution of Charles Warner to the rest of the media 11 minutes of the roughly two-hour two of them original to the property and following the execution on Thursday. Looking on from left are the other four media witnesses - Parker Perry, Tess Maune, Abby Broiles and Whitney Plantation tour are devoted to all of them without the extravagance of a Morgan Chesky. —AP the grand house where the German- chair to sit on, line a trail to the rear of American masters resided. the main house. Such displays “help the More time is spent with the granite whites understand how blacks might car- slabs bearing the names of thousands of ry anger and resentment with them,” said Dying US inmate’s last Louisiana slaves, interspersed with Ferdinand Gaines Jr, pastor of First painful snippets of their narratives. “The Antioch Baptist Church, which donated idea is to have people with this color skin its old church building to the plantation. be educated,” said John Cummings, the Cummings’ efforts, he added, also words stir questions museum’s 77-year-old founder, pointing help remind black people that “we did to his own white arm. “When you leave come out of slavery but it wasn’t all OKLAHOMA CITY: An Oklahoma inmate executed fire.” Cohen said she doesn’t believe Warner would spent his entire career at the Oklahoma State here you will be different.” because of black power and black inge- amid a legal challenge over lethal injection began have exaggerated symptoms of suffering, and that Penitentiary, said there is a brotherhood among Cummings, a retired trial attorney nuity. There were whites even back then complaining about the effects on his body before defense lawyers would never coach death row death row inmates and that he thinks Warner was from New Orleans who made much of who were supportive of liberating black the drugs were administered, prompting some to inmates about what to say during their last words. “hamming it up”. “He did it for the other inmates,” his fortune litigating mass disasters from people.” Cummings is also in the process question whether he may have exaggerated his She agreed with other witnesses who said Warner Lopez said. Neither Duncan nor Lopez witnessed deadly hotel fires to a sugar refinery of creating an on-site institute to further symptoms to help his fellow death row inmates’ showed no other physical signs of distress, such as Warner’s execution. explosion, has put more than $7.5 mil- the study of slavery, and plans to restore case. Charles Warner, who was executed Thursday moaning, writhing or lifting against the restraints, Warner and other death row inmates were lion, along with his advocate’s zeal, into a cluster of guest houses for visiting for the killing of an 11-month-old girl in 1997, said but she said there’s really no way to tell if he was plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging Oklahoma’s the plantation, which he bought 17 years scholars. While the museum is fixated on during his last words: “It feels like acid.” The com- suffering. “I just don’t know. We have tried to get method of execution as cruel and unusual. They ago from an oil company that planned to the past, its mission is equally about the ment came before any of the lethal drugs were transparency about what they’re doing and to be claimed the first drug, midazolam, won’t properly redevelop it. Some scenes from the 2012 future. administered and while he was only receiving a able to observe (the IV insertion),” Cohen said of anesthetize an inmate before the second and third Quentin Tarantino film “Django Standing in line at a Home Depot saline drip through an intravenous line. While on prison officials. “And we’ve been denied that. So drugs are administered. Although the US Supreme Unchained” were shot on and around the store recently, Cummings recalled, he the gurney, he also said he’d been “poked” five between the actual veiling and the chemical veil- Court rejected Warner’s request for a stay of execu- sprawling property, which was opened began describing the plantation and its times. ing, it’s very hard for us to know what’s going on.” tion in a narrow 5-4 ruling on Thursday, the to the public as a museum last month. purpose to a young black construction Warner’s attorney who witnessed his execution, But some criminal prosecutors suggested death inmates’ request for the high court to consider the “He’s a man of great passion and he worker, who responded that he hopes it Madeline Cohen, said since she wasn’t able to view row inmates would be quick to exaggerate the merit of their challenge still is pending, according wants to share it with other people,” said will work, because when he is around the IV insertion, she asked Warner to tell her how symptoms of an execution, especially if doing so to Dale Baich, an attorney for the inmates. many times the execution team tried to insert the would be helpful to fellow death row inmates. “I Writing the dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor Norman Marmillion, who owns the near- white people, he always senses their line and whether he was experiencing any prob- think what you witnessed is predictable, especially said she believes questions about the effectiveness by Laura Plantation museum, which thinking that he has done something lems. Cohen said she and Warner’s family members if it could be helpful to the guys behind him,” said of drugs used in executions is particularly impor- unlike most others nearby does not shy wrong. “What is that about?” Cummings found Warner’s comments “disturbing” and “confus- Rex Duncan, a northern Oklahoma prosecutor who tant now because of states’ increasing reliance on from slavery but has Creole cultural his- said. “And what do we have to do to ing”. After the first drug, a sedative, was adminis- recently protested a death row inmate’s request for new and scientifically untested methods of execu- tory as its emphasis. “He just can’t hold it overcome that?” — Reuters tered, Warner again complained: “My body is on clemency. Randy Lopez, a retired prison guard who tion. —AP p10 2_Layout 1 1/17/15 9:13 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 INTERNATIONAL Fighting in Ukraine kills three soldiers

KIEV: Fighting in eastern Ukraine has killed rocket launchers had been spotted near three soldiers, officials said yesterday, as an the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don close to upsurge in clashes in recent days between the border and were being periodically the army and pro-Russian rebels centred moved into Ukraine for attacks. around control of a battered airport. Russia, under Western sanctions over its Further battles shook the area around the actions in Ukraine, strongly denies sending Donetsk airport yesterday, with Ukraine’s weapons and troops into the war zone military saying it was defending its posi- despite witness claims to the contrary. tions despite rebel claims that they had More than 4,800 people have been killed in taken control of the site. the conflict, while talks aimed at ending The wrecked shell of the airport has the fighting have stalled. been repeatedly hit by battles, but remains A September truce has been frequently of symbolic and strategic importance. “The violated, while a peace summit between situation there is really difficult,” military the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany spokesman Andriy Lysenko said in a brief- and France has been postponed until an ing. “There are constant attacks and unclear date. attempts to attack, but the military com- mand constantly sends reinforcements.” He UN Security Council said three Ukrainian soldiers had been The UN Security Council will meet next killed and 18 others wounded over the past week to discuss the flareup of violence in day, bringing the military’s toll to at least Ukraine, diplomats said Friday. A meeting nine dead since Thursday. At least five civil- of the 15-member council will be held on ians have been reported killed since Wednesday at the request of Lithuania. Thursday. There has been an upsurge in violence this It was not clear if the new toll included a week, with fighting around Donetsk airport soldier killed by a booby-trapped honey jar on Thursday forcing monitors from the that exploded in the Lugansk region on Organization for Security and Cooperation Friday. An elderly man identifying himself in Europe to turn back. as a local resident in Stanicya Lugans’ka At least six Ukrainian soldiers and five TULLE: French President Francois Hollande (center) shakes hands with a woman next to French socialist party MP Sophie Dessus (left) as he vis- handed soldiers at a checkpoint a three- civilians were killed on Thursday and Friday, its a market in Tulle yesterday.—AFP litre jar of honey and thanked them for and 18 others were wounded, officials said. their service before walking away, said The council and Secretary General Ban Ki- Lugansk regional governor Hennadiy moon have strongly condemned a rocket Moskal. The jar later exploded, killing one attack on a bus earlier this week that left 11 Fears of radicalization, stigma soldier and seriously wounding three oth- civilians dead. It will be the 27th meeting ers in what appeared to be the first such called by the Security Council to address attack since the war in Ukraine’s east began the crisis in east Ukraine, where pro- stalk gritty French suburbs in April 2014. Moscow separatists are fighting Kiev’s gov- As fighting rocked the area around the ernment troops. Ukraine and the West airport on Saturday, Lysenko also alleged accuse Russia of backing the separatists, Immigrant families a byword for failure of French integration? that Russia was increasing its military pres- but Moscow has denied any direct involve- GRIGNY/CLICHY-SOUS-BOIS, France: Talking to Eiffel Tower. Zouzou, a mother of five from 12 in “revenge” for the satirical magazine’s por- ence along the Ukraine border. He said ment. More than 4,700 people have died in kids at his football club in a gritty high-rise sub- Clichy-sous-Bois, where the 2005 riots began, trayal of the prophet Mohamed-are thought to arms including TOS-1 flamethrowers, C300 nine months of fighting despite a peace urb of Lyon, Mohamed Tria says he was “dumb- complained: “We’ve got nothing here. No trans- have been radicalized in prison. The brothers missile systems and Smerch and Hurricane deal reached in September. —AFP founded” by their reaction to last week’s deadly port links, no shops, no theatre, no cinema.” grew up in Correze in central France, and many Islamist attacks.The teenaged players “didn’t see “The town’s politicians have failed completely experts warn against drawing an automatic link it as 17 people killed but as an act of bravery by because people feel abandoned. My children between city suburbs and radicalization. Fire on truck triggers those who died with a weapon in their hand. don’t vote because they see that politicians “You have to be very careful when drawing They admire those guys,” Tria, president of the don’t care about them.” In Grigny, the southern conclusions based on location,” said Renaud local club, told AFP. Paris suburb home of gunman Amedy Coulibaly, Epstein, a sociologist at the university of Nantes alarm in Channel Tunnel In city suburbs all over France, with their who killed four Jews and a policewoman, the in western France. “These areas are a microcosm crumbling high-rise tenement blocks and sky- fear is that the area will suffer even more from of a much wider problem ... including ethnic dis- LONDON: A fire in a truck that was being between Britain and France were suspend- high unemployment, fears are mounting that a stigmatization. crimination,” he added. transported through the Channel Tunnel ed after smoke was detected in the tunnel sense of desperation and isolation could breed A downtrodden suburb of 11,000 people, After the 2005 riots, successive French gov- triggered an alarm which led to suspension beneath the English channel. Tunnel opera- more cases of radicalization. These suburbs ringed with high-rise, low-cost housing projects ernments have poured in billions of euros in of all passenger and freight rail services tor Eurotunnel said in a statement that a exploded in violence in 2005 as a disaffected with the A6 motorway thundering by, two in five urban regeneration projects and aim to create between Britain and France yesterday, C02 alarm went off just before midday and underclass vented its fury at the establishment, inhabitants live below the poverty line and aver- 300,000 new jobs in depressed suburbs over 10 police said. No injuries were reported. that it was investigating the cause. long seen as ignoring the needs of those age annual income is 10,000 euros ($11,500), a years. Railway operator Eurostar suspended all “If you were planning to travel today, we scratching out a living on the city edge. paltry sum by Western standards. “But pouring in tons of concrete is not services for yesterday and said trains were advise you to postpone your journey and With their high proportion of immigrant fam- But amid the poverty, there is pride and a enough,” stresses Mohamed Tria from the Lyon returning to their original stations. Kent not to come to the station,” Eurostar said in ilies, they have also become a byword for the fierce determination to tell the world that, in the football club. “You need the human touch.” Police said the fire was at the French end of a statement. Eurostar said tickets can be failure of integration in France, with residents words of one inhabitant who declined to be “Kouachi and Coulibaly were a wake-up call but the tunnel. refunded or rebooked within the next 60 feeling a powerful sense of isolation and aban- named, “Amedy is not Grigny.” these are the children of the republic that we Eurostar said rail passenger services days for travel within six months. —AP donment. “He wasn’t brought up like that,” said another have created ... French-style integration has not And as people poured out in their millions for Grigny inhabitant, a childhood friend of worked.” a historic rally under the unifying banner “Je Suis Coulibaly, adding: “He learned all that in prison.” In Grigny, the “years and years” of stigmatiza- Charlie” in support of the Charlie Hebdo satirical The young woman told AFP that she had last tion “can’t just disappear like that,” said one long- weekly, those in the suburbs broadly stayed at seen Coulibaly “a few weeks before the attacks.” term resident. One mother of four said a child of home. “Not surprising,” says Tria. It seems not “I wanted to say hello. He replied: ‘I don’t a friend of hers was suffering from awful everyone shares France’s unprecedented sense shake hands with women anymore.’ That’s when toothache. She rang the dentist who replied of unity. I understood (that he had been radicalized).” An with a chuckle: “Madame, we don’t go to Grigny.” Some 200 “incidents” have been recorded in association bringing together 120 mayors from And while several families have gone to local schools, mainly in the suburbs, ranging from not disadvantaged outskirts warned that their areas authorities to apply for alternative housing in a observing the minute’s silence for the victims to are “on a knife-edge ... the symbol of our divi- different area, many “Grignois” still take pride in “condoning terrorism”. sions, our powerlessness, contradictions and their home. “Leave? Out of the question. Some weaknesses.” people do it and then they end up regretting it. ‘We’ve got nothing here’ You can live somewhere else, but you’ll have the “We’re so close to Paris and so far away from ‘We don’t go to Grigny’ same problems,” said one young resident. An everything,” said Issa, from Clichy-sous-Bois, a Like Coulibaly, the Kouachi brothers-who older friend agreed with a note of pride in her suburb just 25 kilometres (16 miles) from the stormed the offices of Charlie Hebdo and killed voice: “After 43 years here, I feel at home.” — AFP Volunteers join grim search

LONDON: Passengers wait in the long queues at Saint Pancras International station for Malawi flood victims in London yesterday after all Eurostar trains were cancelled for the day due to detected smoke in the channel.—AFP CHILOBWE, Malawi: While heli- because their three-bedroomed killed at least 21 people and dis- Mozambique and Zimbabwe. copters and boats fan out across home was built with bricks and placed tens of thousands. “We can “Homes have been washed Malawi’s devastated floodlands to cement that it survived destruc- account for 21 victims in Zambezia away. Crops have been destroyed. Madagascar’s PM sworn search for the living, families and tion. “There was fast running water province since the red alert was People have lost everything. While friends of the missing have begun all over our house. It was a terrify- declared on Monday,” Rita Almeida many are seeking shelter in schools the grim task of digging for the ing moment and luckily we all sur- of the National Disaster and churches, we are hearing of in despite legal challenge dead. Armed only with hoes, six vived after what was a nightmare,” Management Institute told AFP. families also living under trees,” young men yesterday combed the Selemani said. Around 24,000 people were said Michael Charles, the acting ANTANANARIVO: Jean Ravelonarivo, an air court could take a week or more to rule. banks of a new watercourse creat- Although it was not raining in being assisted in 30 centers in the regional representative. force commander and businessman, was Ravelonarivo said he would form a gov- ed by flash floods through Blantyre yesterday, weather Niassa and Zambezia provinces, “We need to scale up rapid sworn in as Madagascar’s new prime minister ernment “in a few days.” Chilobwe, a shantytown just five experts said the “risks of flooding which border Malawi, she said. The deployment of resources to ensure yesterday promising to get to work swiftly But analysts said Rajoelina’s legal chal- kilometres (three miles) from the are still very high”, mainly in the International Federation of Red these people receive the support although a legal challenge by a former presi- lenge, which argues the prime minister’s commercial capital Blantyre. southern districts of Chikwawa and Cross and Red Crescent Societies they so desperately need.” The IFRC dent still hangs over his appointment. appointment did not follow constitutional Digging at heaps of sand and Nsanje, the worst affected areas. (IFRC) said weeks of heavy rains said an estimated 90,000 people President Hery Rajaonarimampianina rules, could be aimed at securing more seats debris, they were hoping to find Across the border in had left tens of thousands of fami- had been displaced in named Ravelonarivo as premier this week, for his party in cabinet and haggling over the bodies of three people who Mozambique, which shares a river lies homeless and in desperate Mozambique, and at least 6,000 in handing him the task of dealing with mount- posts could delay the formation. were swept away five days earlier. system with Malawi, floods have need of support across Malawi, Zimbabwe. — AFP ing complaints about blackouts and other Ravelonarivo has yet to outline a program “We have not lost hope. We hope problems that forced his predecessor to quit. for the Indian Ocean island, whose economy to find the bodies to give our “Gone are the days of dreams. The time is to has been in tatters since the 2009 coup drove friends a dignified funeral,” Rodney work,” Ravelonarivo said in speech at the cer- off donors and investors. A peaceful 2013 Chikoja, one of the volunteers, told emony, attended by international officials. election helped restore aid but economists AFP. But Andry Rajoelina, who became presi- say deep reforms are needed. Among those missing is a med- dent after a 2009 coup and now heads the Weighed down by hefty power subsidies, ical student who was set to gradu- biggest party in parliament, has challenged the government does not have enough mon- ate this year and had returned the appointment in a top administrative ey to pay for fuel for power stations even home for a weekend to visit his court, extending political uncertainty in a though they serve only some of the 24 mil- parents, who survived the disaster. country struggling to repair its economy. The lion population. —Reuters A total of 176 people have been confirmed dead in the floods, with 153 missing and 200,000 homeless, according to official figures. Torrential rains have wreaked hav- oc across half the impoverished southern African country’s 28 dis- tricts, washing away homes, crops and livestock and disrupting power supplies. Police said four bodies had already been found along the stream through Chilobwe, buried in sand. “One body was found five kilo- metres downstream. So you can see how powerful the flood was,” said a constable, who refused to give her name, but said she helped organise the search effort. Survivor Felistus Selemani said BLANTYRE: A man passes tents for housing flood victims at the Sammy’s Relief Camp in Chikwawa District, it was a “miracle our family of five is near Blantyre, Malawi, yesterday. Flooding in Malawi has killed more than 176 people, displaced at least ANTANANARIVO: Madagascar’s newly appointed Prime Minister Jean Ravelonarivo still alive today and our house 200,000 others, left homes and schools submerged in water and roads washed away by the deluge in the (left) shakes hands with his predecessor Roger Kolo during a handover ceremony at intact”. Selemani said it was the Mahazoarivo State Palace in Antananarivo yesterday. — AFP southern African country. —AP INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015

Liberals rally to ‘reclaim’ Pakistan after school carnage

ISLAMABAD: One month on from a Taleban school mas- as assets by Pakistan to exert influence in India and sacre in Peshawar that left 150 dead a new movement is Afghanistan-a strategy which progressives are keen to growing among marginalized urban liberals rallying to see ended. “We are basically people who are concerned “Reclaim Pakistan” from violent extremism. Carrying plac- for our own humanity. If we do not take some kind of ards and candles, their stand against religious fanaticism stance we may very well stay alive but we lose our own is an unusual sight in a country more used to mass humanity by being lazy. It makes us complicit,” said 36- demonstrations by Islamist groups filled with chants year-old Taimur Khan, an entrepreneur who is part of the against the West or India. Reclaim movement in Islamabad. Muhammad Jibran Nasir, a 27-year-old lawyer who Progressives remain a relatively small minority, con- has played a key role in organizing demonstrations, said fined to the educated upper and middle-classes-a fact he and others felt they could no longer stand by follow- bemoaned by Nasir. He contrasted the crowds of hun- ing the brutal killings of schoolchildren in the country’s dreds at Reclaim rallies with the estimated 1.6 million northwest on December 16. Parisians who took to the streets to condemn the deadly “I never felt so overwhelmed. I felt pathetic as a attack on the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. human being, as a Muslim, as a Pakistani. I felt very, very “Pakistan is desensitized. But in Paris, millions came out. small,” he said. While Pakistan’s military has been engaged That has made those 12 lives the centre of attention for in heavy offensives in the country’s northwestern tribal the entire world,” he said. areas, progressive critics believe the state-including both “We have lost 55,000 people to terrorism but we the army and political parties-must do more to tackle struggle to justify our case to the world that we are doing those Islamist groups that have traditionally received offi- enough to curb terrorism.” But he also sees hope for a cial backing. broader coalition involving the working class. On January In an effort to highlight the discrepancy, Nasir, who 16, exactly one month after the attack, the Reclaim move- happened to be visiting Islamabad at the time of the ment held its biggest events to date across Pakistan’s Peshawar assault, led like-minded activists to protest out- major cities. The few thousand people who turned out side the radical Red Mosque, whose imam is known for included female polio workers who have come under his pro-Taliban views and who has refused to condemn ISLAMABAD: Muhammad Jibran Nasir (center), a 27-year-old lawyer who has played a key role in attack by the Taleban, relatives of fallen soldiers, and the the attack on the school. organizing demonstrations, speaks to civil society activists in Islamabad. — AFP father and child of a female Christian bonded laborer Maulana Abdul Aziz led an armed insurrection against who was burnt to death for allegedly committing blas- the military in 2007, but was acquitted of all charges that more pressure could result in firm action. He now Quran,” he says. phemy along with her mother. against him by 2013 in a case which analysts say high- says he has been threatened not just by Aziz but by the In Islamabad, protesters laid out symbolic coffins car- lights weaknesses in Pakistan’s judicial system and sym- Jamaat-ul-Ahrar faction of the Pakistani Taleban over the ‘Concerned for our own humanity’ rying the names of each of the children who died in pathies for militants among parts of the security estab- phone. But, as someone who considers himself an obser- The movement has spread over social media, particu- Peshawar. Sundas Hoorain, a 29-year-old lawyer from lishment. vant Muslim, he felt he could no longer see his faith larly Facebook, with like-minded groups in the major Lahore, said the event could prove a turning point. “More The “Reclaim” movement’s first small victory was the hijacked. cities of Lahore and Karachi coordinating their protests and more people are joining in because they agree with re-opening of an investigation against Aziz, said Nasir. “I’ve got some views on my religion, I read on it, I and condemning local militant groups that operate in us. The narrative now resonates beyond the elites... “There’s an arrest warrant out, police say they are doing research on it to an extent. I can’t seem to reconcile the those areas. Analysts believe some militant groups People are saying ‘When you attack children, that’s it’,” she their own investigation,” he said, adding he was hopeful preachings of my Imam and the teachings of the Holy receive backing from the state because they can be used said. — AFP Japan seeks closer maritime defense ties with India Tokyo wants to shore up relationships in Asia

NEW DELHI: Japan’s foreign minister used a said the country appreciated steps taken by added that taxation environment in India and visit to India yesterday to push for tighter India’s Modi government to boost the busi- other issues related to promoting Japanese maritime security ties between the two ness climate after taking power in May 2014. investments were likely to figure in discus- nations, as Tokyo seeks to shore up its rela- “India continues to be the top-choice sions between Kishida and Swaraj. Both gov- tionships in Asia to counter an increasingly investment destination, the new government ernments will also assess the progress in powerful China. has taken some steps (but) investment cli- ongoing bilateral negotiations over nuclear Fumio Kishida, who met with Indian Prime mate has to be improved further,” a Japanese energy and India’s plans to introduce high Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, is on his foreign ministry official said. The official speed rail networks in the country. — AFP first overseas visit since Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe secured a landmark vic- tory in national elections last month. “Japan and India have been increasing cooperation in the field of maritime security... It is impor- KARACHI: Pakistani lawyers chant slogans during a protest against the printing of tant to further strengthen our cooperation,” satirical sketches of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by French magazine Charlie Kishida said in a speech to the Indian Council Hebdo in Karachi yesterday. — AFP of World Affairs in New Delhi yesterday. Both India and Japan have signalled a keenness to beef up their defense ties in Afghan officials arrest 5 for recent months to counter an increasingly assertive China. The two governments are Pakistan school massacre expected to discuss the possible manufactur- ing of US-2 amphibian aircraft in India and KABUL: Afghan security services have has pledged to have closer relations with Japan’s continued participation in India-US arrested five men in connection with the Pakistan. Within 24 hours of the school maritime exercises. massacre at a Pakistan military school last attack, Pakistan’s chief of army staff, Gen. The issue of China’s growing might is also month that killed 150 people, most of them Raheel Sharif, flew to Kabul to meet with likely to figure when Kishida meets his Indian children, officials said yesterday. The men, Ghani to discuss closer cooperation on counterpart Sushma Swaraj for the eighth all foreigners, helped support the Dec 16 combating cross-border terrorism. strategic dialogue later yesterday, India’s for- assault by the Taleban at the Army Public Western diplomats and military officials eign ministry confirmed. School and College in the city of Peshawar, have said the level of cooperation between Kishida also urged closer economic collab- the three Afghan officials told The Kabul and Islamabad since the Peshawar oration with India, a subject close to both Associated Press. They said the men were attack is unprecedented. One Western Modi and Abe, who have been compared for arrested in recent weeks near Afghanistan’s diplomat, who spoke on condition of their economic reform zeal. “Under eastern border with Pakistan. anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, Abenomics the government of Japan sup- The officials spoke on condition of said those arrested by Afghanistan might anonymity as they weren’t authorized to be used in a prisoner swap deal with ports the overseas advancement of Japanese brief journalists about the arrests. Officials Pakistan. The diplomat did not say whom enterprises, while India has been strengthen- in Pakistan declined to immediately com- Afghanistan might get in return. Both ing its manufacturing industry by attracting ment. countries accuse each other of harboring investment under Modinomics,” the Japanese The attack in Peshawar, which saw seven terrorists on the other’s territory, enabling foreign minister said. Taleban gunmen in suicide bomb vests them to plan and carry out assaults before Prime Minister Modi, who chose Tokyo for slaughter children gathered in the school’s sneaking across the mountainous borders his first bilateral visit outside South Asia in auditorium and hallways, shocked and they share. Pakistan is in the middle of an August-September, was on that trip offered enraged citizens across Pakistan. operation to attack suspected militant public and private investment worth $35 bil- Though the two countries long have hideouts in its tribal region bordering lion over next five years by his Japanese coun- NEW DELHI: Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida shakes hand with Indian Foreign been rivals, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Afghanistan. — AP terpart. A Japanese foreign ministry official Minister Sushma Swaraj before the start of a meeting in New Delhi yesterday. — AP

India may seek other suppliers if US will not sell drones: Senator Afghan president WASHINGTON: India may buy unmanned aerial vehicles, or foreign sales of unmanned vehicles, arguing that other coun- AeroVironment Inc, a small US firm, but Northrop Grumman drones, from other countries if the United States does not tries such as Israel are overtaking the United States in drone Corp, Textron Systems, a unit of Textron Inc and General slams Hebdo ease current export restrictions on such aircraft, a key sales. India, which is modernizing its military, is a big and Atomics, a privately held firm, are also seeking permission to Democratic senator said on Friday. Senator Mark Warner of growing market for US weapons makers who are seeking for- sell their unmanned systems to India. cartoon as Virginia, who will join President Barack Obama during a trip to eign sales to help offset declines in US defense spending. The US government strictly controls foreign sales of larger India on Jan 26, said he was concerned that other countries Warner said he hoped that unmanned aircraft would be UAVs but has approved sales of unarmed systems such as the ‘insult to Islam’ could rush in to sell India the equipment it desires if the included as part of a broad US push to expand defense ties Raven, which are used purely for surveillance to a range of United States drags its feet. with India but said he was not aware of any specific initiatives countries, including Uzbekistan, according to a US source. KABUL: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani yesterday con- “This is going to be a space ... where other countries are to be announced during Obama’s visit. Warner said he expected some announcements about demned the decision by French magazine Charlie moving very quickly too,” he told an event hosted by the non- US and Indian officials are trying to work out pilot projects joint defense projects during Obama’s visit but said he had Hebdo to show a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed profit Atlantic Council. “If the Indians can’t find a partner with for joint production of drones and other weapons as part of not been briefed on specific deals. US officials are weighing (PBUH) on its cover following a deadly attack on its the United States, they’ll find one somewhere else.” the US-India Defense Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI), a options as they seek to expand defense ties with India as offices by Islamist gunmen. Ghani blasted the cartoon US aerospace and arms companies have been pressing the source familiar with the effort said. Washington grows concerned about the extent of Pakistan’s as “an insult to the sacred religion of Islam and the US government for years to ease current tight restrictions on One drone project involves the RQ-11 “Raven” built by efforts to crack down on militants. — Reuters Muslim world”, a statement from the presidential palace said. The satirical magazine’s new cover has angered Canadian orphanage volunteer many Muslims worldwide, sparking protests from Pakistan to Niger, as depictions of Mohammed are in Nepal charged with rape widely considered forbidden in Islam. “President Ghani on behalf of the Afghan nation KATHMANDU: Nepalese police have charged If convicted, MacIntosh faces a maximum condemns this insulting act, and termed it desecrating a Canadian orphanage volunteer with rape prison sentence of 11 years. No date has been the religious values,” the palace said, describing the for allegedly abusing a nine-year-old boy in a set for him to appear in court. The case magazine’s decision to publish it as “irresponsible”. Wednesday’s issue of Charlie Hebdo was the first since suburb of Kathmandu, an official said yester- underscores the problems facing Nepal’s brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi gunned down 12 peo- day. Ernest Fenwick MacIntosh, 71, arrived in orphanages, some of which have been hit by ple at the magazine’s Paris offices on January 7 over the Himalayan nation on a tourist visa last allegations of sexual abuse, corruption and such cartoons. Ghani had strongly condemned the August and approached the Jesuit-run St fraud in recent years. bloody assault on the magazine, branding it “heinous”. Xavier’s Social Service Center for homeless Although it is illegal to volunteer in Nepal The cover of Charlie Hebdo’s “survivors’ issue” shows the children with an offer of donations. on a tourist visa, orphanage officials often prophet with a tear in his eye, under the headline “All is “The victim was one of the children living allow foreigners to spend time with children forgiven”. There were protests across deeply conserva- at St Xavier’s. On December 13, MacIntosh in exchange for donations. Background tive Afghanistan in 2012 over earlier cartoons by the invited him to his room, threatened him and checks are rarely conducted on those offering magazine showing the prophet, as well as over a US- molested him,” police spokesman Pawan Giri to help. In August 2012 Briton Simon Jasper made anti-Islam film. said. After the boy filed a complaint on McCarty pleaded guilty to sexually abusing A few hundred people demonstrated last week in December 19, police arrested MacIntosh, who three boys whom he met in Nepal. In the central Afghan province of Uruzgan, praising the has denied any wrongdoing. “We are now December 2010, French charity worker Jean- gunmen and criticizing Ghani’s condemnation of the investigating further to see if he abused other Jacques Haye was convicted of raping 10 chil- COLOMBO: Sri Lankan children play on a beach in Colombo yesterday. Sri Lanka’s youth Paris attack. — AFP children in the home as well,” Giri said. dren in a Kathmandu orphanage. — AFP population aged 10 to 19 make up some 15 percent of its 20 million people. — AFP INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 Indonesia prepares to execute 6 drug smugglers

JAKARTA: Five foreigners and an Indonesian reporters Thursday. “There is no excuse for drug woman sentenced to death on drug charges will dealers, and hopefully this will have a deterrent be executed by firing squad despite international effect.” He said that Widodo refused Rousseff’s pleas, Indonesian officials said yesterday. appeal by telephone to spare Moreira. The presi- A last-minute personal appeal by Brazilian dent told Rousseff that he could not commute the President Dilma Rousseff to spare her countryman, sentence because all judicial proceedings had fol- ex-pilot Marco Moreira, and the Dutch govern- lowed Indonesian law and Moreira had been ment for its citizen, Ang Kiem Soei, “will not granted due process, Prasetyo said. change or delay the execution” on Sunday, said He said that the executions would not disturb Attorney General Office’s spokesman Tony Indonesia’s ties with those countries. Dutch Spontana. Foreign Minister Bert Koenders told reporters The men are among five foreigners and an Friday that Kiem Soei, who previously had his Indonesian woman convicted on drug charges nationality declared unclear by the Indonesian from 2000 to 2011, and sentenced to death. The government, is a Dutch citizen. He said the gov- executions are due to take place simultaneously in ernment in The Hague was doing all it could to pairs, but at different locations. prevent his execution. Spontana said the men and two other foreign “We are working on all channels - international convicts - Namaona Denis of Malawi and Nigerian and to the highest level, we are trying to prevent Daniel Enemuo - along with an Indonesian it,” Koenders told Dutch broadcaster NOS. woman, Rani Andriani, were moved to isolation Koenders said the Netherlands was in contact with cells yesterday. Execution spots were prepared at other countries whose nationals face execution. the Nusakambangan island prison. The other Amnesty International said the planned execu- woman, Tran Thi Bich Hanh of Vietnam, is due to tions would be a setback to the new Indonesian be executed in Boyolali. Both areas are in Central government’s promise of improving respect for Java province. human rights. Clemency requests were rejected by President Indonesia has extremely strict drug laws and Joko Widodo in December. “What we do is merely often executes smugglers. More than 138 people CILACAP: Drug convict Namaona Dennis’ wife, Dewi Retno Atik (right) and her lawyer Chairul Anam aimed at protecting our nation from the danger of are on death row, mostly for drug crimes. About a (right) leave maximum security prison Nusa Kambangan in Cilacap, Central Java province yesterday drugs,” Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo told third of them are foreigners. — AP 2015, prior to the scheduled execution of drug convicts today. — AFP Tugboat sinks in China; 22 including 8 foreigners die Boat capsizes during trial voyage on the Yangtze

BEIJING: Twenty-two people including eight for- eigners have been confirmed dead after a tug- boat sank on a trial voyage on the Yangtze, China’s longest river, state media reported yester- day. The vessel was raised yesterday, 40 hours after it sank while undergoing testing with 25 people-including the eight foreigners-aboard in the eastern province of Jiangsu on Thursday afternoon, state news agency Xinhua said. Three survivors were pulled out by rescuers, whose efforts were complicated by strong cur- rents and icy temperatures. Images posted on Sina Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, showed family members waiting in tears by the river. SURABAYA: National disaster agency officers load debris of the AirAsia flight 8501 The final body was retrieved yesterday after- onto a truck in Surabaya, eastern Java island, yesterday. — AFP noon, maritime officials said. All those on board the 30-metre (100-foot) ship were male. A Strong currents prevent divers Singapore foreign ministry spokesman told AFP on Friday that the vessel was registered in the from reaching AirAsia fuselage city-state and four of its nationals were on board. The Japanese and Indian consulates in PANGKALAN BUN: High waves and Indonesia’s second-largest city, to Shanghai each confirmed to AFP that one of their strong currents in the Java Sea again pre- Singapore. Only 51 bodies have been nationals had also been on board. Xinhua cited vented Indonesian navy divers from recovered so far. local authorities as saying two others on board were from Malaysia and Indonesia. “Water accessing the fuselage and what is The head of the search and rescue JINGJIANG: Rescuers approach the lifted wreckage of capsized tug boat “Wanshenzhou 67” on entered the boat cabin very quickly, in less than believed to be the cockpit from the agency, Henry Bambang Soelistyo, said the Yangtze River near Jingjiang, east China’s Jiangsu Province yesterday. Authorities con- 20 seconds it was completely filled with water,” firmed 22 people dead in the capsizing of the tugboat. — AP AirAsia plane that crashed three weeks Friday that the fuselage would have to be survivor Wang Zhenkai told state television from ago, officials said. lifted because of the divers’ inability to his hospital bed. Wang was accompanying a sink. A photo carried by state media Friday Zhangjiagang, which is close to the Yangtze’s A team of 15 navy divers tried to get to reach it. This will be done by either using Japanese technician who was testing the engine showed only the bow and part of the hull of the mouth near the commercial hub Shanghai. the wreckage to examine it and calculate floating balloons, as the tail section was of the ship, which reports said was made and metal ship floating above the waterline, with a The provincial government said the boat was its weight, but failed to reach it due to the lifted earlier in the week, or cranes from outfitted in China. salvage barge alongside. undergoing trials without properly completing unfavorable conditions, said Suryadi tugboats. Soelistyo did not say when the He survived by clinging to a hydraulic pump The accident occurred on a stretch of the river the required procedures and without first report- Bambang Supriyadi, director of opera- operation would start. and said he had grabbed the Japanese engineer, that experiences extremely strong currents, ing the condition of the ship, as required by regu- tions for Indonesia’s National Search and Divers, however, still need to reach the but their grasp was broken as the boat began to between the cities of Jingjiang and lations. — AFP Rescue Agency. wreckage area. The wreckage that Indonesian survey ships have located appears to be the cockpit was located by at least nine big objects, including the sonar imagery about 500 meters (yards) China’s Xi jet’s fuselage, what is believed to be the from the fuselage and was partly embed- Australia, PNG deny violence cockpit and an engine, Supriyadi said. ded in the mud. The fuselage is sitting on the seabed at a “What we have so far is only a silhou- congratulates at asylum-seeker camp depth of 28 meters (92 feet). ette of the wreckage,” Supriyadi said. “We new head of Taiwan’s SYDNEY: Australia and Papua New sonnel,” a PNG government spokesman The 30-meter-long (100-foot-long) need to deploy our divers to identify Guinea yesterday denied reports that said in a statement, the Australian fuselage and an attached wing were whether it’s the jet’s cockpit or something protests at an asylum-seeker camp in the Broadcasting Corporation reported. sighted Wednesday. Divers attempted to else.” He also said the divers have been ruling party Pacific nation had turned violent, officials “Security... were on standby for safety reach the wreckage Thursday and Friday, told to retrieve the bodies of the pilot and reports said, as hundreds of detainees reasons considering the reported rise in but were turned back because of the and the co-pilot if they are able to find TAIPEI/SHANGHAI: China’s President Xi Jinping yesterday continued a hunger strike. tension. This is only natural to ensure the rough sea conditions. Authorities believe them in the cockpit. Bad weather is a sus- welcomed the election of Eric Chu as chairman of Taiwan’s Several asylum-seekers held on Manus safety of the workers as well as people in many of the bodies are still inside the pected factor in the crash. The plane’s ruling Kuomintang party, the Xinhua news agency reported, Island in PNG have swallowed razor the facility following media reports of self- fuselage. There were 162 people aboard flight data and cockpit voice recorders which quoted Xi saying he hoped Taiwan-China relations blades and washing powder and more harm. would continue to move forward. Flight 8501 when it crashed into the sea were retrieved earlier in the week and will than 400 have gone on hunger strike, “Workers have essential tasks to main- Dec. 28 en route from Surabaya, be key to learning the cause. — AP Taiwan and China have been at odds since the end of China’s civil war when the Kuomintang fled to the island refugee advocates and reports said. The tain such as cleaning and the delivery of leaving the Communists running the mainland. But business detainees said they were protesting their other services.” ties across the Taiwan Straits have increased since China- detention, living conditions and the possi- The spokesman added that no police friendly Ma Ying-jeou took power in 2008. bility of being permanently resettled in entered the detention camp. An asylum- Xi hoped the two sides could work together to create a the Pacific nation. seeker told the ABC there was a fight and favorable situation for peaceful cross-strait relations and Australia sends asylum-seekers who try detainees were threatened. work against the common political basis for Taiwan inde- to enter the country by boat to offshore “They threatened the boys. They told pendence, Xinhua quoted him as saying. The two sides have detention centres on Papua New Guinea them tomorrow... the new group will always agreed upon “one China,” which refers to the idea that and Nauru in the Pacific with no prospect come from Australia and we will come there is only one state called China, even though there are of being settled on the mainland, even if and will enter into the camp and we will two governments, one on the mainland and one in Taiwan. they are genuine refugees. The govern- beat you,” the ABC reported, quoting the And Beijing would rather see the Kuomintang ruling the US- ment rebuttals followed reports from unnamed detainee. Australian allied island than the pro-independence opposition party. refugee advocates late Friday that there Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said Chu, the only candidate, won almost all the 196,830 votes were clashes between security staff and Friday he was worried about the “volatile” cast in the chairmanship vote, the Kuomintang said in a asylum-seekers at the facility. and “very serious situation”, urging pro- statement, without elaborating. “The (immigration) department has testers to resolve their concerns through He inherits an unpopular party seen as favouring big advised the government that whilst some peaceful means. He added that Canberra business and the mainland at a time of growing scepticism transferees engaged in disruptive behav- would maintain its hardline policy on about ties with Beijing. He will have to win back domestic iour late yesterday, claims reported by boatpeople. support but also avoid alarming Beijing’s leaders and dam- some media outlets today that transferees The protests come a month before the age burgeoning commercial ties. He needs to improve the were violently engaged by guards last first anniversary of a riot at the camp that Kuomintang’s image and convince young and middle-class night at the centre are not correct,” an left Iranian Reza Barati dead and 69 voters in Taiwan that cross-strait ties do not just benefit the Australian immigration department injured after tensions flared among wealthy. If not, the party’s candidate for the presidency, spokesman said in a statement. inmates. Some 1,035 men are held on which could be Chu, could face defeat in an election next “The government is advised that the Manus Island, according to immigration year when President Ma Ying-jeou steps down. Taiwan’s opposition Democratic Progressive Party urged majority of transferees last night were figures ending December 31. No women Chu to push for reform of his party, the DPP said in a state- calm and cooperating with staff.” and children are detained in the camp. TOKYO: Protesters hold placards during a demonstration denouncing security policies by ment. Chu, quoted by Xinhua, said he looked forward to cre- Australia’s comments were echoed by A total of 895 asylum-seekers — 596 Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in front of the National Diet yesterday. Several hundred peo- ating a favorable climate for the future development of PNG. “There was no physical engagement men, 164 women and 135 children-are ple, mainly women, took part in the demonstration by forming a human chain and sur- cross-strait relations. — Reuters between asylum seekers and security per- held on Nauru. — AFP rounding the Diet. — AFP No sign of N Korea nuke test moves: US think tank

SEOUL: North Korea is showing no signs of preparing for a On its closely-watched 38 North website, the institute at the facility are sufficiently complete to be readied for test in response to a UN resolution condemning its human new nuclear test, a US think tank said Friday, citing recent said commercial satellite pictures of the Punggye-ri test another nuclear test should Pyongyang make the political rights record. But last week it offered to “temporarily” sus- satellite imagery. However one or more tunnels at the site revealed no signs of test preparations. “As a result, a decision to move forward.” pend any future test if the United States cancels its annual Punggye-ri nuclear test site are complete and ready for fourth nuclear test seems unlikely in the near-term, for at The North has so far conducted three nuclear tests at joint military drills with South Korea this year. The United another test should Pyongyang decide to carry one out, least the next two to three months,” 38 North said. the Punggye-ri site in its northeast, in 2006, 2009 and 2013. States immediately rejected the offer, calling it an “implicit the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University said. “However, it is quite possible that one or more tunnels Pyongyang in November threatened to carry out its fourth threat”. — AFP NEWS SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015

IS uses kids in propaganda targeting new...

Continued from Page 1 has on children, and it’s devastating,” Bates said. “Not only are they using this as a tool to recruit people, but One of the IS videos shows young boys undergoing also to create a future where they have children who classroom instruction in religion and Arabic, then become adults who (move) this world view forward,” he firearms practice and physical training. said of IS and other armed groups. “The scope of the The jihadist group makes its aim clear. “They are the problem in Iraq - you cannot overestimate it. We’re next generation,” a narrator says as one camouflage-clad looking at... thousands and thousands of children” who boy quickly assembles a Kalashnikov assault rifle while will need help. others look on. The boy, who calls himself Abdullah and Young boys feature in IS propaganda photos, includ- says he is from Kazakhstan, is the same one who “execut- ing one showing a group of children wearing ski masks, ed” the two alleged spies. dressed in camouflage uniforms and holding Kalashnikov Jeffrey Bates, the spokesman for the UN children’s rifles in front of an IS sign. Another shows a very young agency UNICEF in Iraq, said ideological indoctrination child with two Kalashnikovs, wearing a magazine carrier or participation in violence is incredibly damaging psy- and standing in men’s combat boots that are far too big chologically to the children who undergo it, and poses for him. IS photos said to be from the jihadist stronghold a major problem for the country. “We have examples of Raqa in Syria also show young girls wearing Muslim ABU DHABI: International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) officials take part in IRENA’s fifth assembly yes- from around the world for decades of the impact this headscarves holding toy assault rifles. — AFP terday. — AFP Oil price slump puts at risk clean energy... Churches torched in Niger protests Continued from Page 1 like it was before” the attacks that rocked France last Continued from Page 1 ered plane, Solar Impulse 2, that does not use any fuel week. Hollande, suffering from some of the worst polling and which will fly out from the Emirati capital in March French-linked businesses, including telephone kiosks ratings in modern French history before the attacks, has The conference coincides with a series of events on a five-month tour, according to energy company run by Orange. In his first reaction to the violence, which burnished his image, according to a poll to be published organised under the banner of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Masdar. also erupted in Pakistan on Friday, President Francois yesterday. Nearly half of those surveyed by Ifop (46 per- Week, including Future Energy Summit and an In March last year, Abu Dhabi opened the world’s Hollande emphasised on Saturday that France was com- cent) approved of his ability to “defend France’s inter- International Water Summit, both tomorrow. Egyptian largest operating plant of concentrated solar power, mitted to “freedom of expression”, which was “non-nego- ests”, a 22-point gain from the last such poll in President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is expected to attend which has the capacity to provide electricity to 20,000 tiable”. Some 15,000 people also rallied in Russia’s September. Future Energy Summit while French Energy and homes. The Gulf region is one of the world’s richest Muslim North Caucasus region of Ingushetia against Said Kouachi, one of the jihadist brothers who Environment Minister Segolene Royal will take part in areas in sunshine but lagging far behind several other Charlie Hebdo, which depicted on its most recent cover gunned down 12 people at Charlie Hebdo’s offices the water summit. Abu Dhabi is to display a solar-pow- countries in harnessing the energy. — AFP a weeping prophet holding a “Je suis Charlie” sign. before being cut down by security forces in a siege, has The deployment of troops in Belgium came after already been buried in secret, it emerged yesterday. He security forces smashed a suspected Islamist “terrorist” was buried Friday in the eastern city of Reims, where he ICC opens examination into Israeli war... cell planning to kill police officers. And in London, lived for around two years, under heavy police protec- authorities were mulling “further measures” to protect tion and with a handful of family members present, Continued from Page 1 Palestinians in retaliation for the attempts to press war police “given some of the deliberate targeting of the according to a well-informed source. His grave was crimes charges against the Jewish state. Palestinian for- police we have seen in a number of countries across unmarked and the name of the cemetery not divulged. of Hamas are the ones who are going to be pressing eign minister Riyad Al-Malki welcomed the ICC’s Europe and the world”. British police officers, for the His brother Cherif was expected to be buried soon in the the charges,” he said. “I won’t be surprised if ISIS, Al- move.”Everything is going according to plan, no state most part unarmed, will reportedly be equipped with Paris suburb of Gennevilliers. Qaeda and Hezbollah follow suit.” and nobody can now stop this action we requested,” he taser guns as part of reinforced security measures. The mayor of Reims, Arnaud Robinet, said he was Gambian-born Bensouda had earlier stressed that “a told AFP. “In the end, a full investigation will follow the As authorities try to close the net on jihadist cells forced by law to accept the burial but was initially preliminary examination is not an investigation but a preliminary one.” around the world, Yemen detained two Frenchmen for opposed to the gunman being buried in his city. He process of examining the information available... on Rights group Amnesty International welcomed the questioning over suspected links to Al-Qaeda. French feared “a tomb that could become a shrine for people to whether there is a reasonable basis to proceed with an ICC’s announcement saying it “could pave the way for and Belgian authorities were grilling suspected accom- gather around or a pilgrimage site for fanatics”. Said investigation.” Bensouda will decide at a later stage thousands of victims of crimes under international law plices both of the Paris gunmen and the alleged “terror- Kouachi’s wife decided not to attend the burial, in order whether to launch a full investigation. Israel began a to gain access to justice”. But the initial probe could lead ist” cell raided in eastern Belgium. Belgian police were to keep it secret, said her lawyer Antoine Flasaquier. “She massive crackdown on the West Bank on June 13 after to an investigation into crimes “committed by all sides”, hunting for the suspected mastermind of the cell, a is now relieved that her husband has been buried with the kidnapping and subsequent murder of three Israeli Amnesty stressed in a statement. Friday’s announce- notorious 27-year-old jihadist who spent time in Syria discretion and dignity,” said the lawyer. teenagers, triggering a series of events that led to the ment is the second such initial probe by the ICC’s prose- and who may have prepared the foiled attack from Charlie Hebdo, which has flown off the shelves in seven-week Gaza war. cutor into the situation in Palestine. The Palestinian bases in Greece and Turkey, according to local media. record numbers since the attacks, announced yesterday Palestine’s move to join the ICC is also seen as part of Authority in 2009 lodged a complaint against Israel but Asked about protesters who burned the French flag, it would extend its print run to seven million copies. a shift in strategy to internationalize its campaign for the ICC prosecutor said in 2012 after “carefully consider- Hollande said: “They have to be punished because when Before the assault on its Paris headquarters, Charlie statehood and move away from the stalled US-led ing legal arguments” it could not investigate because of it happens in France, it’s intolerable, but also abroad.” “I’m Hebdo had a circulation of around 30,000, with only a peace process. The Palestinians were upgraded from the Palestinians’ status at the UN. At the time the thinking of countries where sometimes they don’t handful being sold abroad. Touring the cheese and meat observer status to UN “observer state” in 2012, opening Palestinians’ “observer” status blocked them from sign- understand what freedom of expression is because they stands in the Tulle market, Hollande urged locals to pick the doors for them to join the ICC and a host of other ing up to the ICC’s founding Rome Statute. have been deprived of it. But also, we have supported up where they left off before the worst attacks on French international organizations. Israel reacted swiftly on The ICC, which sits in The Hague in the Netherlands, these countries in their fight against terrorism,” said soil in half a century. He said his visit was “a message to Friday, slamming the announcement. Israeli Foreign is the world’s first independent court set up in 2002 to Hollande as he toured a market in his heartland of Tulle, show that life goes on, that we have come through the Minister Avigdor Lieberman said the sole purpose of investigate genocide, war crimes and crimes against central France. ordeal with a great deal of dignity and efficiency”. “We the preliminary examination was to “try to harm Israel’s humanity. But it can only probe alleged crimes in coun- In a later speech, he urged his compatriots not to are of course aware that there are still threats... but life right to defend itself from terror” and he said the deci- tries that have ratified the Rome Statute, or accepts the change their habits, because “to do so would be to yield has to go on and we need to emerge even stronger. sion was “solely motivated by political anti-Israel consid- Hague-based court’s jurisdiction for a certain time peri- to terrorism”. However, he warned that “nothing will be That’s the best response we can give.” — AFP erations”. od, or through a referral by the UN Security Council. Lieberman accused the court of double standards for Currently, chief prosecutor Bensouda is also running not examining the mass killings in Syria or other conflict preliminary investigations in Afghanistan, Colombia, zones, investigating instead “the most moral army in the Georgia, Guinea, Honduras, Iraq and Ukraine. While 123 Grateful Dead planning final resurrection world”. Israel earlier this month delayed transferring countries have now ratified the Rome Statute, Israel and Continued from Page 1 been playing to, and with, for 50 years,” Lesh, who turns some $127 million in taxes it collects on behalf of the the United States have not. — Agencies 75 in March, told Billboard. Among the musicians who will play on stage in The Grateful Dead achieved a wide cultural influence Chicago will be Trey Anastasio, the singer and guitarist despite never having commercial success in the music Abe pledges $2.5bn in aid for Mideast for Phish - a band often considered the successor to the industry’s traditional sense. Only one song - “Touch of Grateful Dead in their improvisational musical style and Grey,” a concise pop track that the band had played for Continued from Page 1 Junichiro Koizumi was in office. Abe was the last premier base of passionate but convivial fans. Also joining the years live before releasing it in 1987 - ever made the top to visit Egypt during his brief first stint in the top job in band will be Bruce Hornsby, a genre-merging pianist 10. Instead, the Grateful Dead pioneered modern musi- The United Nations has warned that the number of 2007. He said Japan had contributed $2.2 billion to the and singer who frequently collaborated with the cians’ relationship with fans by not only allowing but Syrian refugees could shoot up to 4.27 million by Middle East in 2012 which had “already been put into Grateful Dead in the past, and keyboardist Jeff encouraging bootleg recordings, which proliferated in December from the current figure of more than three execution”. Abe met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al- Chimenti, who has played in a series of post-Grateful the hundreds. million. The Syrian conflict has killed more than 200,000 Sisi before departing to Jordan and then Israel and the Dead groups involving the band’s members. The communal vibe at the concerts gave the Grateful people since March 2011 and displaced around half the Palestinian West Bank. His itinerary includes a visit to the Surviving members of the Grateful Dead have reunit- Dead an almost spiritual air for many Americans of the country’s population, with many fleeing to neighboring Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem. ed before, including for a benefit show in 2008 for then Baby Boom generation, including some who later Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan. Dozens of Japanese com- Abe urged Israel and the Palestinians to resume presidential candidate Barack Obama, which led to a achieved prominence including former vice president pany executives are accompanying Abe on his trip. Since negotiations, after the Palestinians joined the series of full concerts. But the Dead members have Al Gore and the late Jobs. True to the band’s roots, the taking office in Dec 2012, Abe has worked to boost International Criminal Court this month to seek an inves- increasingly looked weary after years of marathon Grateful Dead will again sell tickets for the final concert Japan’s profile in global affairs. He has visited more than tigation into the war in Gaza last year. “Japan believes shows - which were famous for the wide consumption to fans by mail order. But in a sign of changing times, 50 countries including oil-rich Gulf nations - but not that the day will come in the near future when we can of drugs. Weir in August canceled an entire tour of his tickets will also be sold online as well as VIP packages Japan’s neighbors China and South Korea, with which recognize Palestine as a state,” he said. “In order for that RatDog band including a show due this month in with exclusive seats and hotels. Deadheads turned to Tokyo is at odds over territory and history. day to arrive sooner, we will appeal to both Israel and Jamaica. “It is with respect and gratitude that we recon- social media to react to the news, with most rejoicing The last time a Japanese leader visited Jordan, Israel Palestine to resume negotiations to advance the so- vene the Dead one last time to celebrate - not merely but some questioning why the band picked Chicago and the Palestinian territories was in 2006 when called Two-State Solution.” — AFP the band’s legacy, but also the community that we’ve instead of California to sign off. — AFP SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 ANALYSIS

THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961

Founder and Publisher YOUSUF S. AL-ALYAN Editor-in-Chief ABD AL-RAHMAN AL-ALYAN EDITORIAL : 24833199-24833358-24833432 ADVERTISING : 24835616/7 FAX : 24835620/1 CIRCULATION : 24833199 Extn. 163 ACCOUNTS : 24835619 COMMERCIAL : 24835618 P.O.Box 1301 Safat,13014 Kuwait. E MAIL :[email protected] Website: www.kuwaittimes.net

Focus Greece’s Syriza: From marginal leftists to austerity challengers

By Helene Colliopoulou

oters gathered around a smartly-dressed can- didate from Greece’s anti-austerity party Syriza Vin an affluent Athens suburb asking the ques- tion everybody wants answered: Will the country go bust? But then the Syriza candidate quickly had to field what’s proving another tricky question for his party ahead of next week’s elections: Do they have a united plan? Ever since the once-marginal move- ment stormed to the forefront of the Greek political scene, spurred by anger and poverty, speculation has swirled over what Syriza would do once in pow- er. The coalition of social democrats, former Marxists and Trotskyists enjoys a lead of around three points in the polls and Syriza says it has come to end what it calls the depredations of dead-end austerity. “Hope is coming,” is the party’s inaugural campaign mes- Philippines embraces mall worshipping sage. “Five years of destruction and fear have led nowhere. Enough is enough.” The outgoing govern- By Mynardo Macaraig lagoon. But gradually the mall encircled wrong with fulfilling her religious obliga- Mall Power ment of conservative Prime Minister Antonis the chapel as it developed and expand- tions in such an atmosphere. “God is However, these places of worship fall Samaras portrays Syriza as foolhardy risk-takers who n a recent busy evening in one of ed. Today it offers almost anything a everywhere and prayer is a very personal short of the status given to a church in the could destroy the country’s hard-gained credibility with its EU-IMF creditors and push it out of the euro- the Philippines’ top malls, shop- shopper might desire - including the act. You can do it anywhere,” she said. traditional sense. Father Esteban Lu, chaplain zone. Opers wandered through luxury city’s best restaurants, luxury fashion of the SM Megamall chapel, said they were The leftists dismiss these warnings. “The only brand shops while prostitutes sat expec- outlets, a fish-feeding pond to amuse the Mall King Lures Worshippers “blessed”, not consecrated like an actual thing they have not said is that Syriza will round up tantly at a bar and a priest gave a sermon children and a bar well known for its The mall worshipping phenomenon church. That way, the mall owners could take children and steal wives,” the party’s 40-year-old at a chapel. The scene may appear an prostitutes. can largely be traced back to the family the space back and turn it into a shop. leader, Alexis Tsipras, jibed at a rally this week in unlikely combination but in the On any early evening, Father Paul of Henry Sy, the country’s richest man Because of this, the mall chapels can only northern Greece. “My party is neither a monster nor Philippines the Catholic Church has suc- Marquez presides over mass, as brightly who made his initial fortune in shopping hold masses and hear confessions. They can- a threat to Europe. Instead it is the voice of reason,” cessfully set up shop where millions dressed women and transvestites sit on malls and still dominates the sector. SM not hold weddings, baptisms or other sacra- Tsipras wrote in an article in last Sunday’s Die Welt, increasingly spend their leisure time. As a chairs within view of the altar at the front malls are in nearly every major city of the ments, according to Lu. Despite these limita- titled “Greeks to the rescue”. But because of the visit by Pope Francis to the Philippines of the bar and tout for clients. Following country, and he has created a range of tions, Father Reynaldo Reyes, chaplain of the plethora of political views within Syriza, there has shines a spotlight on the nation’s vibrant one recent mass, Marquez said he was “supermalls” in Manila that are the penthouse chapel on the seventh floor of been concern over the party’s ability to steer a clear brand of Catholicism, local Church lead- happy with his chapel’s setting. “Jesus biggest in the country. At first, masses the new SM Aura shopping mall, said his course once in power. ers said he would endorse the mixing of went to the prostitutes, the tax collec- were held in the lobbies of Sy’s SM malls parish enjoyed huge benefits in hosting a faith with consumerism. tors. He was criticised but we cannot every Sunday, before opening hours, for mall chapel. Party More ‘Pragmatic’ Now “It was Jesus who went to market remain an antiseptic church,” he said. the benefit of mall employees and ten- “The (mall) management pays for every- Syriza lawmaker Pangiotis Kouroublis, a former places to preach the good news of salva- Susana, a self-described “sex therapist” ants. Gradually, these masses were thing. The altar, the pews, the maintenance, socialist MP, says the party has become more “prag- matic”. “Syriza will have to conform to European tion. We must go where our people are,” who works the bar and other establish- opened up to outsiders. the janitors, the air-conditioning. We can use demands. They dare not lead the country to bank- Father Rufino Sescon, a member of the ments in the mall, said she was comfort- Sy’s wife, Felicidad, a devout Catholic, all the money from our collections here for ruptcy,” agrees Panagiotis Petrakis, professor of eco- local organising committee for Francis’s ed by the presence of a place of worship worked to set up designated chapels in catechism,” Reyes told AFP. Office worker nomics at the University of Athens. But should the visit, told AFP. “Gone are the days we just nearby. many SM malls, complete with stone Charito Montecillo, a regular patron of the leftists seek to renegotiate the EU-IMF bailout “this have to wait for our people to go to our “I go there to pray occasionally,” altars and ornate statues. chapel, also praised SM management, saying would be time-consuming and have an impact on parish churches.” Susana, who asked that her surname not The Sys’ daughter, Teresita Sy-Coson, it took pains to make their services attractive. the country’s economic growth and liquidity,” he be used, told AFP as Marquez’s evening who is vice-chairwoman of the SM “It is comfortable. I like the pews and the adds. ‘God is Everywhere’ mass concluded. “I pray for good health, Investment Corp, insisted chapels had choir. I like the homilies. They make sure to Syriza maintains that Greece’s public debt - over The 30-year-old Santo Nino de Paz for my kids to finish school and that I not been placed in the malls to attract get good priests,” she said. Retired govern- Ä320 billion and a whopping 175 percent of national chapel in the financial district of Makati’s earn enough to pay my bills,” she said, consumers, but rather to help them. “It is ment employee Editha Ramos, who patronis- output - is holding back efforts to bounce back from upmarket Greenbelt mall helped to pio- wearing a tight skirt, a low-cut tube top a convenience service for the family who es several mall chapels, said she preferred a six-year recession and should be partly erased. “We neer mall worshipping in the Philippines. and a jewelled cross on a necklace. gets together on Sunday. The masses them to the traditional churches. “They are call for the restructuring of the debt so that it can be In the 1980s, when the retail complex Looking out at the bars near the provide the spiritual aspect of the mod- air-conditioned and so clean and orderly. serviced in a socially viable way,” Tsipras said in a tel- was much smaller, the chapel was sur- Greenbelt chapel after mass, lawyer ern lifestyle,” Sy-Coson said in a state- Not like the old churches, so hot and so evised interview this week. The plan “includes eras- rounded only by greenery and a serene Cherry Bayot said she saw nothing ment. dusty,” she said. — AFP ing most of the debt,” he told Star TV. In reference, Tsipras has frequently pointed to the London Conference that forgave Germany a major share of its own debts in 1953. ‘Swedish Schindler’ mystery remains unsolved The leftist party intends to spend Ä12 billion on boosting the country’s recovery, utilising European structural support funds and money already ear- By Camille Bas-Wohlert When there is a new element of interest, we marked by the EU for bank aid. This includes three present it to the Russians.” For a long time, billion euros over the next year to boost employ- eventy years on, mystery still sur- “the behaviour of the foreign ministry and ment in a country where one in four are out of work rounds the disappearance of Swedish its lack of interest were really strange,” as a direct consequence of the austerity cuts. “Four Sdiplomat Raoul Wallenberg who saved Lagergren said. years of reforms did not make the debt viable or pro- tens of thousands of Jews from the mote reforms,” says Rena Dourou, the Syriza gover- Holocaust, though his family is certain the Saviour Sent by the US nor of greater Athens who took over the post after answer lies with Russia. The young diplomat In her apartment in a Stockholm suburb, local elections in May. “If someone is going to went missing on Jan 17, 1945 after being she has devoted an entire room to the files destroy the EU, it’s not Tsipras.... It is fiscal policies summoned to the Soviet headquarters in she has collected on her brother. “We (she that buttress the euro and teach children to give wartime Budapest. Historians, experts and and her older brother Guy von Dardel) Nazi salutes,” she told AFP. “The EU cannot survive relatives have long questioned circum- always admired him,” she said. “He meant a without social cohesion,” she said. stances surrounding his disappearance as lot to us because he was tremendously fun- The leftists have pledged to raise the minimum wage to 751 euros, from Ä580 currently, and create well as Soviet assertions that he died two ny and warm.” Lagergren is the last family 300,000 jobs in the public and private sectors. “We years later in a prison beneath the secret member to have seen Wallenberg alive, know that the first 100 days of government will be service headquarters in Moscow. when she lived in Berlin in the summer of difficult,” says Kouroublis. “But across Europe, it is But Wallenberg’s 93-year-old half-sister 1944. “He was in a big hurry (to go to increasingly becoming apparent that a discussion is Nina Lagergren is unequivocal. “It is possi- Budapest). He understood the gravity of his needed on the pointlessness of austerity.” ble to find the truth,” she told AFP, remem- mission,” she said. Syriza maintains that Greece’s creditors will agree bering her older sibling as “funny and Wallenberg was sent to Budapest by the to renegotiate the terms of the country’s multi-bil- warm”. In 1944, Wallenberg was sent as a War Refugee Board - a US agency created to lion euro bailout when faced with a leftist govern- special envoy to the capital of Nazi-con- save civilian victims of the Nazis by provid- ment elected with a strong popular mandate. “We trolled Hungary and by early 1945, had ing them with papers for neutral countries will beat the drum and they will dance, not the other issued Swedish papers to thousands of such as Switzerland, Sweden and Turkey. He way round,” Tsipras told supporters in a recent Jews, allowing them to flee the country and organised the Budapest rescue mission speech in central Greece. Syriza also proposes trim- likely death at the hands of the Fascists. which, according to certain estimates, ming Greece’s large army, banning the use of riot Several months before the war ended, the saved 100,000 people from persecution. “In police and tear gas during street protests, and drasti- Soviets invaded Budapest and summoned the few lines he sent in telegrams, we cally liberalising the country’s tough policy on immi- the Swede to their headquarters. He was understood the situation,” Lagergren said of gration. —AFP never seen again. Lagergren, like some his brief messages from Hungary. experts on the Wallenberg case, is con- Thanks to his efforts, he was in 1981 the vinced the truth about her brother’s fate is second foreigner ever to be named an hon- All articles appearing on these hidden in Russian archives. orary citizen of the United States, after pages are the personal opinion of Britain’s wartime prime minister Winston the writers. Kuwait Times takes no ‘Playing Cat and Mouse’ Churchill. Wallenberg’s commitment made “It’s a shame that Russia is still playing cat him “a symbol of civic courage,” said Johan responsibility for views expressed and mouse,” author Ingrid Carlberg, who Perwe, spokesman for the Living History therein. Kuwait Times invites read- wrote an extensive biography of Forum, a Swedish government body that Wallenberg, told AFP. “Russia must open its Nina Lagergren, 93-year-old half-sister of Raoul Wallenbergen, holds a picture of her promotes tolerance and equality among ers to voice their opinions. Please brother at her apartment on Jan 13, 2015 in Djursholm near Stockholm. — AFP send submissions via email to: opin- archives. It’s been 70 years since he disap- schoolchildren. “Unlike my grandmother’s peared, his sister is alive and still awaiting a sented numerous documents relating to the tected by Nazi leaders, suggesting the full generation and the generation after that, [email protected] or via snail response,” she said. In 1957, Carlberg said, Swede, but there is no doubt that to this day story had not been told. Hans Olsson, who who have grieved closely, my generation mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. Soviet authorities produced a document they have not shown it all,” she said. is in charge of the case at Sweden’s foreign can use Raoul (Wallenberg) as something The editor reserves the right to edit claiming that a prisoner by the name of A group of researchers recently pro- ministry, said the government considers the positive,” said Cecilia Ahlberg, Lagergren’s any submission as necessary. Wallenberg had died a decade earlier. And duced new information linking Wallenberg Wallenberg dossier “completely open”. “We granddaughter. “As an example and an “after the fall of the USSR, the Russians pre- to a German businessman who was pro- do not believe the full picture is known. inspiration,” she said. — AFP p15_Layout 1 1/17/15 9:11 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 SPORTS

Cup exit can boost Crisis will return with a Vaz Te leaves West Ham league campaign bad result: Luis Enrique LONDON: West Ham United have terminated the contract of Portuguese forward Ricardo Vaz Te by mutual consent, the Premier League club said MADRID: Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is hoping to turn the disap- MADRID: Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has laughed off suggestions the club yesterday. The 28-year-old joined the east London side in pointment of their Copa del Rey elimination at the hands of Atletico Madrid have come through an institutional crisis thanks to their best performance 2012 and scored the winning goal in the Championship in midweek into an advantage in the La Liga title race. Whilst Atletico will of the season to beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 last weekend. Enrique’s job was (second-tier) playoff final at Wembley that year to now face Barcelona in a two-legged quarter-final over the believed to be on the line against the Spanish champions with his relation- secure the team’s promotion to the Premier League. next two weeks, Real will be able to concentrate solely on ship with star player Lionel Messi at breaking point. Ironically, it was a Messi- Vaz Te, who made 61 appearances and scored 19 goals league matters until they return to Champions League inspired display that saw off Diego Simeone’s men as he scored once and in all competitions for West Ham, has found his play- duty away to German side Schalke 04 on February 18. set up Neymar and Luis Suarez as all three of Barca’s star forward line found ing time increasingly limited and has featured only Real currently lead Barcelona by a point at the top of the net in the same game for the first time in La Liga. “Nothing has changed. five times this season. “Everything I achieved here and the table and have a game in hand on the Catalans. As soon as we lose or draw the party will start again,” Enrique said yesterday. all my game time and my life off the pitch has been “The conclusion was that in the two games we had little Victory last weekend kept the Catalans just a point adrift of Real Madrid at amazing,” Vaz Te said in a statement on the club’s control of the game. We played well, but committed the top of the table, although the European champions also have a game in website (www.whufc.com).”I’ll never forget errors that prevented us from going through,” Ancelotti hand. Barca will reach the halfway mark of their league season away to that day at Wembley. It was so special for said yesterday. “We’re disappointed because it was Deportivo la Coruna on Sunday and Enrique is aware of the need for all me and the fans.” “I would like to thank one of the club’s objectives, but now we have to three points to maintain the pressure on Madrid. “We’re missing tomorrow’s the West Ham fans and to tell them to look forward and think about the two competi- result, but until now the evaluation is positive. We need to get to February keep supporting the club through tions we are still in. “We have a month now to or March with a chance to win titles and we are on course for that. “What we what is going to be an exciting time concentrate on La Liga and if possible gain expect are the logical differences of a game away from home. The state of over the next few years.” — Reuters points on our rivals.”—AFP the pitch seems like it won’t be perfect and that is a handicap. —AFP Kuwaiti skiers win six trophies

DHABI: The Kuwait Speed Racing water- Nahyan, head of the Abu Dhabi sports team has added a new achieve- International Marine Sports Club, to ment to the country after winning six prove the event a success. different trophies in the second round of The Public Authority for Youth and the UAE Jet Ski Championship, held in Sport, headed by Sheikh Ahmad Al- Dubai. Mansour Al-Sabah, and the Kuwait Racer Rashed Al-Dawas was ranked Olympic Committee, chaired by Sheikh first in the junior stock game, while his Dr. Talal Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, have played compatriot Abdulaziz Al-Najdi came sec- a significant role in helping racers make ond in the same category. “The fellow the achievement, Al-Dawas noted. racers also dominated the game of the The Kuwaiti team won four trophies professionals stock after Abdullah Al- in different competitions in the first Fadhel won the first place, while round of the championship. UAE Jet Ski Abdullah Al-Terkit and Hamad Al-Dalaly Championship kicked off with a high- came second and third respectively,” Al- speed competition involving over 70 Dawas told KUNA. participants in action on the water and He hailed the impressive perform- runs until April. The championship ance of the team members and their includes six rounds that are held in Abu eagerness to raise Kuwait’s flag at this Dhabi and Dubai. Racers from countries, international event. He commended the namely: Italy, USA, France, Qatar, Kuwait, efforts exerted by all UAE’s officials, par- Oman and the UAE are taking part in the ticularly Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al event. — KUNA

DOHA: Kuwaiti bikers seen at the 2nd GCC Charity Bike Show 2015, winning the first places after bagging 10 trophies in all categories of the competition. — KUNA Kuwaitis snatch first places in Qatar bike show

DOHA: Kuwaiti bikers performed well in the 2nd to snatch several trophies. next Monday and Thursday. GCC Charity Bike Show 2015 here on Friday “Kuwaiti bikers always perform well in such Khaled Al-Hammdi, head of the organizing night, winning the first places after bagging 10 competitions as they are the leaders of this sport committee, expressed his gratitude to Kuwaitis trophies in all categories of the competition. in the Gulf region,” he said. For his part, Osama for their effective participation in this competi- Nedhal Amin won three trophies in the three Salmin, a referee at the competition, said he was tion, congratulating them on their trophies. categories; Softail, Trick and V-Rod, while Amer astonished as about 98 Gulf bikers participated He noted that the event aimed to exchange Buadnan won the title of the Sportster category. in the event in different categories, thanking all expertise in this field and support charity activi- Fahad Salmin came in second in the Super Sport officials and the Soul Riders MC for the well- ties. The event featured several categories, category, and Dhari Al-Ajmi got the second organized event. including Sportster, Dyna, Softail Touring, V-Rod, place in the Gold Wing category. Salman Khalifa Al-Tamimi, captain of the Vintage, Touring, Metric Touring, Chopper, Mohammad Al-Sahaf won the trophy of Kuwaiti Scooter team, affirmed Kuwaiti racers’ Bobber, Burgor, Radical, Trick, Super Shot, Spider DUBAI: Winners posing with their trophies in the second round of the UAE Jet Ski Radical category and best of the best award, keenness to take part in this event as it comes as CanAm, Hayabousa, best paintwork, and public’s Championship, held in Dubai. — KUNA while second place went to Eissa Al-Ostaz after a fund-raising campaign for Qatar Charity. choice award. A large number of bikers from getting the Super Sport trophy. He noted that Kuwaiti team’s participation in the GCC member states and other countries In a statement to KUNA, Al-Sahaf expressed the event reflects the depth of popular relations across the globe took part in the event organ- his happiness for winning the first place, noting between the two countries, indicating that the ized by the Soul Riders Motorcycle Club at the McIlroy feels like all Kuwaiti bikers were keen on competing well teams will take part in two other GCC events Aspire Zone. —KUNA punching himself after putting horrors

ABU DHABI: Rory McIlroy felt like punch- chipping past the hole. ing himself after a dire performance with His rotten putting continued, missing the putter in the third round of the Abu birdie chances from 15-20 feet on three Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship yesterday straight holes before dribbling an eight- which all but ended his hopes of starting footer wide on the final green to cap a mis- 2015 with a title. erable display with the short stick that left The world number one began the day him looking away in disbelief. two strokes behind leader Martin Kaymer “I tried to stay as patient as possible but but come his final putt he was eight adrift it was very frustrating - I kept giving myself of the German, who now seems certain to birdie chances and was not able to convert claim a fourth Abu Dhabi crown. any of them,” said the four-times major win- McIlroy, 25, carded a one-under-par 71, ner. making two birdies and a bogey, despite “I started the ball on line for the most missing just two fairways and one green in part but struggled with the speed as well, regulation. so (it’s a) combination of that.” “I feel like punching myself,” the McIlroy won the last two majors - the Northern Irishman told reporters. “I didn’t British Open and the US PGA putt well at all. From tee to green I’ve never Championship - and the serial winner said felt more comfortable. I’m driving the ball he was determined to end positively in Abu great. It’s just a matter of capitalising on the Dhabi. chances you give yourself and I didn’t do “I’m going to have to do something a bit that today.” better on the greens tomorrow to shoot a Among the Northern Irishman’s woes good number and finish the tournament were a scuffed birdie chance on the ninth off well - (I’m) obviously playing for second that lipped out and a bogey on 13 after place tomorrow,” McIlroy added. — Reuters

ABU DHABI: Martin Kaymer of Germany plays a shot during the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in the capital of the United Arab Emirates yester- day. —AFP Ruthless Kaymer closes on fourth Abu Dhabi title

ABU DHABI: Martin Kaymer plundered seven the next tee on an overcast, muggy afternoon. untidy despite his score and he found sand on birdies in a third-round 67 in Abu Dhabi yester- “The main goal (was) to still be leading going to three successive holes from the 10th to 12. Yet day, moving six strokes clear of Thomas Pieters the first tee tomorrow morning,” Kaymer told his putting was imperious and he picked up as Rory McIlroy’s title bid floundered following a reporters. another shot on 11 with a 25-footer that left him desperate day on the greens for the world num- “Even when I missed the fairway, I managed grinning. ber one. to make up-and-downs. I used a lot of birdie The world number 12 converted a final birdie German Kaymer is a three-times winner of chances that I had. I didn’t miss many putts.” On on 13, a simple tap-in from two feet. That con- the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and a the par-five 10th, Kaymer sliced into the sandy trasted with McIlroy’s toils. The four-times major fourth title is within his grasp, having gone 36 rough and his ball stuck in a tree. The German winner could only make two birdies all day holes without dropping a shot to stand on 20 took a drop and scuffed the subsequent wedge despite missing just two fairways and one green under. into a bunker but - unfazed - he chipped in from in regulation to card a one-under 71 “I hit the He started Saturday on 13 under, two strokes 30 yards to save par, punching the air in jubila- ball just as well as I did yesterday, gave myself so clear of McIlroy, and sank five birdies in eight tion. many chances and didn’t convert any,” a despon- holes to stretch a lead that was never in jeop- “I got the right spin, the right yardage and I dent McIlroy told reporters. ardy. think it was more luck than skill - that was big for Belgian Pieters (70) is on 202. Austrian Bernd ABU DHABI: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a ball on the 13th hole during the So focused was Kaymer that twice on the momentum where easily you can bogey, dou- Wiesberger (66) and France’s Alexander Levy (67) third round of the HSBC Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, yes- back nine he did not even wait for playing part- ble-bogey,” said the 30-year-old U.S. Open cham- are tied for third on 203 with McIlroy one stroke terday. —AP ner Pieters to finish putting before marching to pion. Kaymer’s approach play was sometimes further back. — Reuters p16_Layout 1 1/17/15 10:01 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 SPORTS

NCAA agrees to restore wins to Penn State, title to Paterno

STATE COLLEGE: The NCAA agreed Friday million fine spent in Pennsylvania, not come. Hundreds of students celebrated Penn State’s then-President, Rodney Michael Boni, a lawyer for one of the to restore 112 football wins it had stripped spread to abuse-prevention programs Friday night with a subdued rally outside Erickson, agreed to the sanctions in 2012, victims who testified at Sandusky’s trial, from Penn State and Joe Paterno in the around the nation. the university’s administration building, in the weeks after Sandusky was convicted. said he supported the restoration of Penn Jerry Sandusky child-molestation scandal The pact emerged just days after a fed- followed by a march to the nearby Beaver Just days earlier, former FBI Director Louis State’s scholarships and bowl eligibility last and to reinstate the venerated late coach eral judge declined to rule on the constitu- Canyon apartment area. As many as 500 Freeh released a scathing report commis- fall, but does not believe Paterno’s victories as the winningest in major college football tionality of the sanctions and weeks before people joined the march. sioned by Penn State’s trustees, and the should be reinstated because they were history. a Pennsylvania court was to hold a trial on Someone projected a huge photo of school removed an iconic bronze statue of “tarnished” by Sandusky. The agreement, swiftly approved by the the legality of the penalties. Paterno onto the side of an apartment Paterno from the school’s Beaver Stadium. He also said he sensed a shift in Penn boards of the NCAA and the university “Hopefully, today we’ll begin to make building. Others chanted, “We are Penn Freeh’s report accused Paterno and oth- State’s attitude after the criminal case after intermittent talks heated up this right the damage that has been done,” said State!” In the agreement, Penn State er top Penn State officials of burying child against Sandusky wrapped up and it con- week, lifts the last of the sanctions Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Jake acknowledged that the NCAA had acted in sex-abuse allegations against Sandusky to cluded civil settlements with victims. imposed in 2012 and wipes away the black Corman, who had sued the NCAA with good faith in the Sandusky matter, and avoid bad publicity. The report portrayed “There was a movement away from marks that had tainted one of the nation’s state Treasurer Rob McCord. “Today is a vic- university President Eric Barron said he the Hall of Fame coach as more deeply what I thought was a genuine mea culpa most celebrated college athletics pro- tory for due process, which was unafforded believed the agency had a legitimate con- involved in the scandal than previously on the part of Penn State, having accepted grams. After more than two years of criti- in this case. Today is a victory for the peo- cern about institutional control. thought. The alleged cover-up by Paterno, the NCAA sanctions, and one toward, ‘Why cism that the NCAA had overstepped its ple of Pennsylvania. Today is a victory for NCAA officials said Friday that their then-university President Graham Spanier did we cave so easily?’ That was disap- authority, officials with college sports’ gov- Penn State nation. The NCAA has surren- motivation in the deal was to start funding and two other Penn State administrators pointing,” Boni said. erning body did not back down. Instead, dered.” The unprecedented scope of the abuse-prevention programs with the fine. allowed Sandusky to prey on other boys The sanctions eliminated all wins from they said they were focused on ending liti- sanctions had drawn intense criticism from “The victors are those of us who were for years, it said. 1998, when police investigated a mother’s gation that had held up distribution of the Penn State alumni and fans who defended advocating for the children,” said Harris Paterno was never charged with a complaint that Sandusky had showered university’s $60 million fine to fund child Paterno as innocent in the scandal and Pastides, an NCAA board member and crime, although Spanier and the two other with her son, through 2011, Paterno’s final abuse-prevention programs. called the school’s athletics program a president of the University of South former administrators continue to fight season as head coach after six decades Before the deal, the NCAA had agreed national model. They accused the NCAA of Carolina. They did not back off their right charges in court. Paterno’s family called with the team and the year Sandusky was last year to eliminate some of the sanc- rushing to judgment to assert its domi- to take such action. “The board felt they Friday’s announcement “a great victory for charged. The restored wins include 111 tions, including reinstating Penn State’s full nance, ultimately punishing people who had to quickly and decisively put forward a everyone who has fought for the truth in under Paterno and the final victory of complement of scholarships and letting had nothing to do with Sandusky. set of sanctions. I hope we never have to the Sandusky tragedy.” 2011, after trustees fired Paterno in the the team participate in post-season play. The family of Paterno, who died as the do this again,” said Kirk Schulz, an NCAA “This case should always have been wake of the charges against Sandusky and Friday’s agreement threw out the rest of scandal was unfolding, hailed the agree- board member and Kansas State’s presi- about the pursuit of the truth, not the the team was coached by Tom Bradley. the sanctions, including eliminating a five- ment, while lawyers for Sandusky’s victims dent. unjust vilification of the culture of a great That returns Paterno’s record to 409-136-3. year probation period and scholarship and worried that the NCAA’s retreat sent the The penalties sprung from the scandal institution and the scapegoating of coach- He died of lung cancer at 85 shortly after transfer rules, and restoring the wins that wrong message. In State College, home to that erupted when Sandusky, a retired es, players and administrators who were the season ended. Sandusky was convicted had been wiped out. It also bowed to Penn State’s sprawling main campus nick- assistant coach, was accused of sexually never given a chance to defend them- of 45 counts and is now serving a 30- to Pennsylvania officials’ desire to see the $60 named Happy Valley, the news was wel- abusing boys, some of them on campus. selves,” they said. 60-year prison sentence. — AP

Boost for McLaren after Honda win engine argument

LONDON: McLaren have been given a available to them, taken as an average of boost after Formula One’s governing body the three. tweaked the rules to allow Honda, the “For example, if the three 2014 manu- team’s new partner, to develop their engine facturers have eight, seven and five unused this season in line with rival manufacturers. tokens respectively at the start of the sea- The Japanese company, who have son, then the new manufacturer will be replaced Mercedes at McLaren, are return- allowed to use six during the season,” ing to Formula One as the sport’s fourth The current manufacturers are allowed engine supplier. to improve their engine using a complicat- Mercedes, Renault and Ferrari are ed system of ‘tokens’ within set limits. allowed to introduce limited upgrades dur- Tne tokens are assigned to parts of the ing the season but Honda, as a new engine and divided into three categories, entrant, had been told to present their meaning that some parts require more engine for approval on Feb. 28 with no fur- than others and manufacturers must ther development permitted. choose which areas to improve. Honda met International Automobile There are 66 tokens and the existing Federation officials last Monday to present manufacturers can use 32 during the their view that the situation was unfair. A course of 2015, with the number reduced document issued to teams on Friday by over time so that by 2018 there will be only Formula One race director Charlie Whiting, 15 tokens available. seen by Reuters and confirmed by the FIA, Honda, who partnered McLaren from did not name Honda but clarified the situa- 1988 to 1992 when they won four con- tion with an amendment in their favour. structors’ titles, quit F1 as a constructor at “As each of the four 2015 manufacturers the end of 2008. will have an homologated power unit at McLaren have not won a race since 2012 the start of the season, we believe it would and finished fifth last year. Double world be fair to ensure that each of them enjoys champion Fernando Alonso has now joined equal opportunities for upgrades during from Ferrari to partner Briton’s Jenson the season,” it said. Button. The season starts in Australia on “We will therefore allow the new manu- March 15, with champions Mercedes again facturer to use the same number of tokens expected to set the pace after a dominant that the other three manufacturers have 2014.— Reuters

BUENOS AIRES: Mini’s driver Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar (R) and co-driver Mathieu Baumel of France celebrate their victory at the end of Stage 13 of the Dakar 2015 between Rosario and Buenos Aires, Argentina, yesterday. Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar won the Dakar Rally car title for the Neureuther wins World Cup second time ahead of Giniel De Villiers of South Africa and Krzysztof Holowczyc of Poland. — AFP slalom, Hirscher skis out WENGEN: Felix Neureuther took advan- slalom. Neureuther earned 100 points for Qatar’s Al-Attiyah wins tage of a rare mistake by Marcel Hirscher of his 11th career World Cup win, his second Austria to win a World Cup slalom yester- this season, and leads Hirscher by 44 in the day and retake the discipline standings slalom standings. He also climbed to third lead from his great rival. Neureuther seized overall. Neureuther has had top-3 finishes second Dakar Rally title his chance after Hirscher, the world cham- in five of six slaloms this season in another pion from Austria, skied out of a slalom duel with Hirscher, who clinched the crystal BARDAERO: Nasser Al-Attiyah and Marc Coma riding a Honda and almost 17 minutes adrift Sanz, the 29-year-old Spaniard who betterred by event for the first time in three seasons. globe trophy on the final day of last season. avoided any last minute drama to claim the car with Australia’s Toby Price, on another KTM, fin- one place the highest ever finish for a woman Germany’s Neureuther rose from fifth The 30-year-old German’s only blip was and bike titles in the 2015 Dakar Rally which ishing third in the overall standings. rider. Russian Airat Mardeev won the trucks race after the first run by racing down a tricky failing to finish last Sunday at nearby after 9,000 gruelling kilometres concluded in Yesterday’s closing 393 kilometre (101km and Rafal Sonik of Poland came out on top in slope in steadily falling snow to beat Adelboden where Gross got his first career Baradero yesterday. timed) stage between Rosario and Baradero was quads. Over half the 406 competitors that set Stefano Gross of Italy by 0.20 seconds. win. Hirscher’s consistent run of slalom For both it was a case of renewed glory in the won by Ivan Jakes of Slovakia. out two weeks ago completed the rally. “It’s a special moment for me,” said results ended when he straddled a gate. “I notoriously tough event described as rallying’s He was followed across the line by his compa- This year’s edition cost one competitor his life Neureuther, who also won this race two would rather be fast and go out than be in Everest, with Qatari Al-Attiyah having won the triot Stefan Svitko with Price taking third for a - Polish motorbike rider Michal Hernik dying as a years ago. “This classic hill is amazing.” the fifth or sixth position with a big gap 2011 title and defending champion Coma claim- KTM 1-2-3. Organisers were forced to shorten result of hyperthermia and dehydration during Olympic bronze medalist Henrik between the leader and yourself,” said ing his fifth victory in the two-wheel category. the stage as heavy rain had rendered sections of the third vstage from San Juan to Chilecito. Kristoffersen of Norway was third, trailing Hirscher. “It sucks that I struggled but it was And for Al-Attiyah’s Mini team it was a fourth the road too dangerous. Hernik, 39, was found dead a few hundred 0.44 behind Neureuther’s combined time definitely not easy.” First-run leader Mattias successive Dakar title and for Coma’s KTM outfit Coma, who came in fifth yesterday, inherited metres from the track after a helicopter had of 1 minute, 46.93 seconds. Hargin of Sweden finished sixth, 0.96 a 14th victory overall. the lead in the overall standings from Honda’s been sent out to look for him when he failed to In the finish area, Neureuther was greet- behind Neureuther. “The key was to remain in front each day, and Joan Barreda after the eighth stage. Coma turn up at the finish and his tracker stopped ed by Kristoffersen kneeling to bow in a Both American racers who qualified for a that wasn’t easy,” said the 44-year-old Al-Attiyah opened his Dakar account in Africa in 2006, he sending a signal. show of respect before the two racers second run dropped in the rankings. David who became only the seventh multiple car win- then won again in 2009, the first time it was held His was the fifth death since the rally was hugged. “Felix’s second run was unbeliev- Chodounsky went from 13th to finish 18th, ner with sixth in the 13th stage from Rosario to in South America, adding the 2011, 2014 and moved to South America over security concerns able,” Kristoffersen said. “It’s cool to see trailing by 2.79. Ted Ligety fell to 27th from Bardero north of Buenos Aires which was short- now this year’s title. in the Sahara desert and the 24th overall since someone ski that fast. It makes me go on a 24th, and was 3.65 behind his good friend ened to only 34 kilometres due to heavy rain. Finishing in ninth place overall came Laia the race was created in 1979. — AFP higher level, too.” Neureuther. “I’m just upset with myself,” He added: “We had to work day after day, but we Hirscher went out early in the morning said Chodounsky, from Crested Butte, did a great job with Mathieu (Baumel, his co-dri- run and last failed to reach a slalom finish Colorado. “I didn’t quite let it go as much as ver). I reckon experience helped in this second line in March 2012 at Schladming, Austria. I could have. That was just on me.” The race title, and training.” Coma for his part said he was The three-time defending overall World was switched from its usual Sunday slot, “proud and happy” of his fifth Dakar victory. “To Cup champion missed the chance to allowing the classic Lauberhorn downhill to talk about a sixth title next year is still too early, I extend his big lead in those standings over be pushed back a day when better weather want to first of all enjoy this fifth win.” Kjetil Jansrud of Norway, who does not race is forecast. —AP Al-Attiyah, who has also enjoyed success in the Olympic Games, winning bronze in skeet shooting at the 2012 Games in London, domi- nated from start to finish. He set down his marker for the title when posting the quickest time in the opening stage leaving Buenos Aires a fortnight ago. He was subsequently stripped of the first stage for speeding, but did not let that hiccup distract him as he bounced back to take the second stage, and ended with five stage wins in all.

Masterful Al-Attiyah Assisted by Baumel of France he dealt mas- terfully with all the Dakar could throw at him, from crossing the Andes to coping with Chile’s Atacama desert to Bolivia’s salt flats. In the curtailed closing stage, Robby Gordon came out on top, the American crossing the line over half a minute clear of Leeroy Poulter. Argentina’s Emiliano Spataro crossed in third. In the bikes race, Coma, the 38-year-old from Catalonia, equalled the number of titles held by French duo Cyril Neveu and Cyril Despres, who now competes in the car category for Peugeot, and one behind another Frenchman, Stephane WENGEN: Felix Neureuther, center, winner of an alpine ski, men’s World Cup slalom, Peterhansel. celebrates on the podium with second placed Stefano Gross, left, and third placed Coma added: “Everyone was saying that the Henrik Kristoffersen in Wengen, Switzerland, yesterday. Felix Neureuther won a World absence of Despres would make it easy for me, DOHA: Brazil’s Fabio Chiuffa (C) passes the ball during the 24th Men’s Handball World Cup slalom yesterday to retake the discipline standings lead from Marcel Hirscher of but that was absolutely not the case.” Coma was Championships preliminary round Group A match Brazil vs Spain at the Duhail Handball Austria, who skied out of the event for the first time in three seasons. —AP joined on the final podium by Paulo Goncalves, Sports Hall in Doha yesterday. — AFP p17 2_Layout 1 1/17/15 10:14 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 SPORTS Starc expects intense tri-series ODI with India

MELBOURNE: Left-arm paceman He ripped through the tourists’ top won 2-0 by Australia, and Starc on series to watch and to be a part of and it more consistently. Mitchell Starc said he expects Australia’s order with two wickets in the opening Saturday predicted another tough battle will be no different on Sunday.” “I think in recent times I know my tri-series one-dayer with India in over of the match on his way to being between the number one and two Starc’s four wickets against England one-day and Twenty20 game and know Melbourne today to continue where the named man of the match. ranked sides in the world one-day stand- took him past the 50 mark in his 29th what I need to do for the team,” he said. recent niggling Test series left off. The 24-year-old left-arm quick was ings. “It’s been a pretty intense Test one-day international and he is averag- “I guess it comes back to that confidence Starc was the chief destroyer in the reprimanded by the ICC during the series,” Starc told reporters. “Two great ing an impressive 21.58 with the white thing and I showed against England why opening game of the series against fourth Test in Sydney for his exaggerated teams going hard at it and it will be ball. He was publicly criticised by Test I like to be taking the new ball. England on Friday, finishing with figures send-off in the face of Murali Vijay after much the same today. “There will be spin great and now television commen- “But I want to play as often as I can of 4-42 in Australia’s bonus point three- dismissing the opener. two sets of guys doing their best to play tator Shane Warne during the India Test for Australia and if I keep bowling fast I wicket victory at the Sydney Cricket It was one of several flashpoints from their best and trying their hardest for series and he admits he needs to trans- know I can take wickets in all forms of Ground. both sides in a highly-competitive series their countries. “It was a fantastic Test fer his one-day form to Test matches the game.” —AFP Pakistan not favourites for World Cup: Waqar

LAHORE: Pakistan head coach Waqar “I am happy that we are not the Younis yesterday said he was happy his favourites, to be very honest because it is a team were not among the favourites to win big pressure, being the favourites,” Waqar next month’s World Cup, saying the tag told media. often put unnecessary pressure on players. “We were not the favourites last time Pakistan completed a short training either but we played excellent cricket and reached the semi-finals,” said Waqar, who was head coach in Pakistan’s 2011 World Cup finish, losing to India in the semis. Waqar said four-time champions Australia and South Africa would stand a better chance. “Of course, teams which play on those bouncy wickets like Australia and South Africa are probably more the favourites than us. But... I have lots of hopes,” he said. Waqar admitted Pakistan had suffered injury problems which had unsettled them. Frontline paceman Junaid Khan injured his leg during practice on Thursday but an MRI revealed he will be fit within a week. “We had problems with our fast bowlers for few months and, of course, the recent episode with Junaid-it’s a setback. If you have injuries you can’t move forward.” Waqar, ruled out of the World Cup which Pakistan won in Australia and New Zealand in 1992 due to injury, admitted the mega event was never good for him. He was also captain of the team which crashed out in the first round in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. “The World Cup has never been that kind to me, there’s no doubt about that,” he Waqar Younis said. Waqar said he has hopes for strong play camp for February-March World Cup, to be from captain Misbah-ul Haq, an all-rounder held in Australia and New Zealand, in who will retire after the World Cup. Lahore on Friday. “Of course Afridi is number one, we have Pakistan will play two one-day interna- big hopes for him and Misbah, they are tionals against New Zealand on January 31 going out after the World Cup. “In the and February 3, before starting their World camp over the last four to five days I have Cup campaign against arch-rivals India in seen both want to finish on a high, which is Adelaide on February 15. a very good sign,” he said. —AFP

SCOREBOARD CHICAGO: Teuvo Teravainen #86 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates his first NHL goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period on Friday at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Jets defeated the Blackhawks 4-2. — AFP AUCKLAND: Scoreboard in the rain-disrupted third one-day international between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Eden Park in Auckland yesterday. New Zealand Fall of wickets: 1-40 (B. McCullum), 2-139 Ducks stay tied for first in M. Guptill not out 66 (Latham), 3-145 (Taylor) B. McCullum c Kulasekara b Mathews 28 Bowling: Kulasekara 6-0-35-0, Prasad 6-0- T. Latham b Mathews 42 30-0, Mathews 6.5-2-21-3, Senanayake 7- NHL with 5-1 win over Devils R. Taylor lbw Mathews 3 0-30-0 (1w), Perera 3-0-24-0. Extras (lb 5, wd 1, nb 0) 6 Result: Match abandoned Total (for 3 wickets, 28.5 overs) 145 ANAHEIM: Hampus Lindholm and Jacob eled fellow NHL All-Star Marc-Andre Fleury, after being cross-checked across the back by Silfverberg scored 1:52 apart to break open a who stopped 29 shots and heard taunting Chicago’s Daniel Carcillo, and didn’t return. tie game, Corey Perry got his team-high 19th chants of his name after each goal allowed. goal and the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Predators 4, Capitals 3 Third New Zealand and New Jersey Devils 5-1 on Friday night. Patrick Canucks 3, Hurricanes 0 James Neal scored twice and the surging Maroon and Silfverberg scored in the final Ryan Miller stopped 27 shots in his second Predators spoiled coach Barry Trotz’s return to S Lanka ODI abandoned 3:33, helping the Ducks remain tied with straight shutout and the Vancouver beat Nashville, beating Washington for their fifth Nashville atop the overall NHL standings fol- Carolina. Derek Dorsett, Shawn Matthias and straight victory. Seth Jones and Mattias AUCKLAND: The third one-day interna- an inside edge across the front of his lowing the Predators’ 4-3 win over Alexandre Burrows scored the Canucks’ three Ekholm had the other goals for the Predators, tional between New Zealand and Sri Lanka stumps, before confidently accumulating Washington. Ilya Bryzgalov faced only 15 goals in a span of 10 minutes, 31 seconds of who fired Trotz at the end of last season. Trotz was abandoned yesterday after frequent runs. shots while earning his first victory in three the second period. Kevin Bieksa had two was the team’s inaugural coach, leading interruptions because of rain. McCullum again blazed away in trade- starts since returning to the Ducks on Dec. 9 assists for Vancouver, which has followed a Nashville through its first 15 NHL seasons The players were forced from the field mark fashion at the head of the innings, for the third and final time with New racing to 28 off 22 deliveries before mistim- as a free agent. He was the backup to Jean- three-game losing streak with back-to-back before taking the job in Washington. Alex Zealand, batting first, 145-3 after 28.5 ing a pull shot off Mathews’s first delivery Sebastien Giguere during Anaheim’s 2007 shutouts on the road. Miller, who beat Ovechkin scored twice and Marcus Johansson overs. and edging the ball to Kulasekara at fine Stanley Cup championship season. Playing Philadelphia 4-0 on Thursday night, earned also had a goal for the Capitals, who had won More than three hours later, the umpires leg. Tom Latham, another top order New their second straight game without Jaromir his fifth shutout of the season and 34th of his three in a row. Late in the third period, Neal ruled there was no likelihood of the weath- Zealand batsman in need of confidence- Jagr and Tuomo Ruutu, both of whom were career. According to STATS, it was Miller’s first forced a turnover by Matt Niskanen inside the er clearing enough for play to resume and boosting runs, proved an able lieutenant back home with the flu, the Devils got their shutouts on consecutive days since 2012. Cam Capitals blue line. Neal then walked in and the match was abandoned. for Guptill. only goal from Martin Havlat. Cory Schneider Ward made 10 saves in two periods for the slipped a shot between the pads of goalie For New Zealand Martin Guptill was not He put on 42 in a 99-run stand for the stopped 14 of 15 shots in the first period, but Hurricanes but allowed three goals and was Braden Holtby at 18:20. out 66, while for Sri Lanka Angelo Mathews second wicket before being bowled by was replaced by backup Keith Kincaid at the replaced by Anton Khudobin, who made four had three for 21. Mathews when trying to settle in after the start of the second because of an undisclosed stops in the third. Rangers 2, Blue Jackets 1 New Zealand were rocked early when second rain break. injury. Kincaid gave up four goals on 25 shots. Marc Staal and Chris Kreider both scored batting mainstay Brendon McCullum was Ross Taylor became Mathews’s third vic- The Devils, coming off a 5-3 victory at Los Jets 4, Blackhawks 2 and Henrik Lundqvist made 35 saves to lead removed by Mathews for 28, putting pres- tim when trapped leg before wicket for Angeles on Wednesday, haven’t won consecu- Bryan Little and Chris Thorburn scored 28 New York. Derek Stepan, who was a game- sure on Guptill to repay the faith the selec- three. He appealed the dismissal but tive games on the same road trip since open- seconds apart midway through the third peri- time decision to play due to an upper-body tors had in him after he failed in the first replays supported the bowler. Taylor left ing the season with wins at Philadelphia, od to snap a tie, and Winnipeg won its third injury, had two assists. Columbus’ Sergei two games. the field as the rain swept in for the final Florida and Tampa Bay. The two-time defend- straight. Zach Bogosian and Andrew Ladd Bobrovsky matched Lundqvist save for save He overcame a shaky start, offering a time. The seven-match series is locked at 1- ing Pacific Division champions outshot the each had a goal and an assist for the Jets, who until the Rangers ended a lengthy scoring caught and bowled chance that fell just 1 with the fourth game to be played in Devils 27-6 through the first two periods, - along with rookie goalie Michael Hutchinson drought - they’d been shut out 3-0 in their short of Nuwan Kulasekara and twice sent Nelson on Tuesday. — AFP grabbing their 3-1 lead at 5:08 of the second. - beat the Blackhawks for the third time this last two starts - in the second period. Scott Lindholm used defenseman Adam Larsson as season, all in Chicago. Hutchinson made 31 Hartnell had the goal for the Blue Jackets, a screen and beat Kincaid to the stick side saves. In his previous two wins against the who have dropped four in a row while with a 40-foot wrist shot from the slot after Blackhawks, he stopped 71 of 72 shots. being outscored 15-7 after collecting getting a drop pass from Matt Beleskey. Chicago rookie Teuvo Teravainen got his first points in 13 of 15 games. Ryan Johansen Moments later, Andrew Cogliano circled the NHL goal, Brandon Saad also scored, and extended his personal- and franchise- net with the puck and slipped it to Silfverberg, Corey Crawford finished with 31 saves. Jets record points streak to 12 games with an who had the blade of his stick perfectly posi- forward Mathieu Perreault left the ice gingerly assist (7-7-14). It’s the longest such streak tioned in the crease to redirect the puck in. with 9.4 seconds left in the second period in the NHL this season. —AP Beleskey, back in the lineup after sitting out Wednesday as a healthy scratch, stung Schneider with a hard 40-foot snap shot NHL results/standings about 20 seconds before Perry opened the Chicago 2, Winnipeg 4; Anaheim 5, New Jersey 1; Nashville 4, Washington 3; NY Islanders 6, Pittsburgh 3; Carolina 0, scoring at 4:09 of the first. Vancouver 3; Columbus 1, NY Rangers 2. Eastern Conference Western Conference NY Islanders 6, Pittsburgh 3 Atlantic Division Pacific Division Kyle Okposo scored three of his four goals W L OT GF GA PTS Anaheim 29 10 6 130 119 64 in the third period to complete his first NHL Tampa Bay 28 14 4 149 124 60 Vancouver 25 15 3 121 109 53 hat trick, and the New York Islanders jumped MontrÈal 27 13 3 115 101 57 San Jose 24 16 5 122 121 53 back into first place in the Eastern Conference Detroit 24 11 9 123 109 57 Los Angeles 20 14 10 124 117 50 with a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Boston 24 15 6 120 114 54 Calgary 23 18 3 127 115 49 Florida 20 13 9 104 117 49 Arizona 16 23 4 100 143 36 Penguins on Friday night. Ryan Strome and Toronto 22 20 3 138 139 47 Edmonton 10 26 9 101 152 29 Michael Grabner also scored, and John Ottawa 18 17 8 118 119 44 Central Division Tavares and Josh Bailey both had three assists Buffalo 14 28 3 82 157 31 Nashville 30 9 4 134 97 64 for the Islanders. The Penguins seemed poised Metropolitan Division NY Islanders 30 13 1 140 119 61 Chicago 28 14 2 136 99 58 to overtake the Islanders atop the St. Louis 27 13 4 142 110 58 Metropolitan Division and tie Tampa Bay for Pittsburgh 26 11 6 132 106 58 Washington 24 12 8 129 110 56 Winnipeg 24 14 8 127 114 56 the top spot in the East, but they failed to NY Rangers 25 13 4 126 102 54 Colorado 19 17 9 119 129 47 hold leads of 2-0 and 3-2. Pittsburgh captain Philadelphia 17 21 7 119 134 41 Dallas 19 17 7 132 141 45 AUCKLAND: Martin Guptill of New Zealand (L) stretches for the crease during the Sidney Crosby scored twice and assisted on New Jersey 16 22 8 102 132 40 Minnesota 19 19 5 120 128 43 third one-day international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in David Perron’s power-play goal. Jaroslav Halak Columbus 18 21 3 107 136 39 Note: Overtime losses (OT) worth 1 pt and not included Auckland yesterday. — AFP made 21 saves for the Islanders and outdu- Carolina 14 25 5 91 117 33 in loss column (L). SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 SPORTS Bullish Serena issues Aussie Open challenge

MELBOURNE: World number one tion to claim a “special” win was stronger Open and the WTA Tour Championship. “So it’s a really big distance to get to the court,” she said. “This year I feel a lit- Serena Williams yesterday declared that than any other player in the 128-strong Another Australian title would take 22. I can’t think that far ahead. tle off. But I feel off in every Grand Slam, none of her rivals could match her desire field. her to clear second on the all-time I just have to think about 2015 at the except for last year. That didn’t work out to win the Australian Open and if they “I’ve been going for number six for a Grand Slam winners list behind Steffi Australian Open in particular.” Williams for me, so maybe this is different. wanted the title they would have to number of years now-it would be really Graf’s 22, having joined Chris Evert and displayed some erratic form in the “I still want to improve some things. I fight her for it. special for me, I’d be really happy,” said Martina Navratilova on 18 with her win Hopman Cup this month and admitted feel like I should be doing some things The 18-time Grand Slam champion Williams, who is the short-priced book- at Flushing Meadows. feeling “a little off” heading into the better, but every day I can see some- won the last of her five Australian makers’ favourite to win the tournament. Williams, 33, said it was exciting but opening Grand Slam of the season. thing coming through, so there’s light at crowns in 2010 and expressed frustra- “I want it, I think, more than anyone also daunting to contemplate reaching But she said that was not a bad thing the end of the tunnel.” tion that a sixth had eluded her for so else here. That doesn’t mean I’m going the German great’s benchmark. “Twenty considering she went into last year’s Williams plays Alison Van Uytvanck of long. to get it so I’ll have to fight hard to get two is so far away from 18 — when event convinced she was in amazing Belgium in the opening round and faces With an ignominious round four exit it.” The American held on to the top rank- you’re 18 years old you look at someone form, only to crash out early to Ana a potential rematch of her US Open final at last year’s tournament clearly still ing for the entire 2014 season, ending that’s 21 and you think they’re old,” she Ivanovic. “Last year I felt really good, was against Caroline Wozniacki in the quar- rankling, Williams said her determina- the year with a flourish to take the US said. playing well. I was feeling amazing on ters. —AFP

NBA results/standings

Detroit 98, Indiana 96; Memphis 106, Orlando 96; Philadelphia 96, New Orleans 81; Brooklyn 102, Washington 80; Chicago 119, Boston 103; Atlanta 110, Toronto 89; Oklahoma City 127, Golden State 115; Dallas 97, Denver 89; San Antonio 110, Portland 96; Phoenix 110, Minnesota 99; Utah 94, LA Lakers 85; Miami 95, Sacramento 83; Cleveland 126, LA Clippers 121. Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L PCT GB Toronto 26 13 .667 - Brooklyn 17 23 .425 9.5 Boston 13 25 .342 12.5 Philadelphia 8 31 .205 18 NY Knicks 5 36 .122 22 Central Division Chicago 27 14 .659 - Milwaukee 21 19 .525 5.5 Cleveland 21 20 .512 6 Detroit 15 25 .375 11.5 Indiana 15 26 .366 12 Southeast Division Atlanta 32 8 .800 - Washington 27 13 .675 5 Miami 18 22 .450 14 Charlotte 15 25 .375 17 Orlando 15 28 .349 18.5 Western Conference Northwest Division Portland 30 10 .750 - Oklahoma City 19 20 .487 10.5 Denver 18 21 .462 11.5 Utah 14 26 .350 16 Minnesota 6 32 .158 23 Pacific Division Golden State 31 6 .838 - LA Clippers 26 14 .650 6.5 Phoenix 24 18 .571 9.5 Sacramento 16 23 .410 16 LA Lakers 12 29 .293 21 Southwest Division Memphis 28 11 .718 - Houston 28 12 .700 0.5 Dallas 28 13 .683 1 San Antonio 25 16 .610 4 LOS ANGELES: Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, right, goes up for a shot as Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin fendsde during the second half of an NBA New Orleans 19 20 .487 9 basketball game, Friday, in Los Angeles. The Cavaliers won 126-121. —AP Westbrook’s has triple-double as Thunder roll over Warriors

OKLAHOMA CITY: Russell Westbrook had 17 13 points for the Wizards. The game was first Boston on Monday in a three-team trade. Zach points, a career-high 17 assists and matched meeting of Brooklyn’s Kevin Garnett and Randolph added 18 points, and Marc Gasol had his career best with 15 rebounds for his first Washington’s Paul Pierce since March 4, 2007. 12 points and 16 rebounds to help the Grizzlies triple-double of the season and ninth overall, Garnett and Pierce played six seasons in Boston win their third straight. Memphis played for the leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 127- together and last season with the Nets. Pierce first time this season without starting point 115 victory over the Golden State Warriors on scored eight points, and Garnett had four. guard Mike Conley, who sat with a sprained Friday night. Kevin Durant had 36 points on 14- right ankle. Elfrid Payton led the Magic with of-18 shooting, Serge Ibaka matched his career SUNS 110, TIMBERWOLVES 99 career highs of 22 points and 12 assists. high with 27 points on 12-of-18 shooting, and Goran Dragic scored 21 points, Gerald Green Dion Waiters added 21. Oklahoma City had lost added 19 and Phoenix sent Minnesota back to MAVERICKS 97, NUGGETS 89 three of four. NBA-leading Golden State had its losing ways. Mo Williams, after scoring a fran- Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points after missing won eight in a row. Klay Thompson scored 32 chise-record 52 on Tuesday night when the a game in Denver to rest, and Dallas split a points, Marreese Speights had 20 and Stephen Timberwolves beat Indiana to snap a 15-game home-and-home set against the Nuggets. Curry added 19 for the Warriors, They allowed losing streak, scored 26 points on 10-for-22 Tyson Chandler and Rajon Rondo were the oth- their highest point total of the season. shooting against Phoenix. Green got his 19 er two Dallas starters who sat out the second points in 24 minutes after going scoreless in just night of a back-to-back on Wednesday night, CAVALIERS 126, CLIPPERS 121 8 minutes on the floor in the Suns’ win over and their return helped as well. Chandler had Kyrie Irving scored 37 points, LeBron James Cleveland on Wednesday night. Eric Bledsoe his 17th double-double with 11 points and 16 added 32 and the Cleveland Cavaliers held off added 16 and Brandan Wright 11 for the Suns, rebounds, while Rondo scored just two points the Los Angeles Clippers. Tristan Thompson winners of five in a row at home and 2-0 in their but had eight assists and nine rebounds. Arron had a season-high 24 points and grabbed 12 franchise-record, eight-game homestand. Afflalo scored 16 points for the Nuggets. rebounds starting in place of Kevin Love, who Anthony Wiggins scored 17 points for SYDNEY: Viktor Troicki of Serbia holds the winners trophy after defeating Mikhail sat out after hurting his back in Thursday’s win Minnesota. 76ERS 96, PELICANS 81 Kukushkin of Kazakstan in the men’s singles final at the Sydney International tennis over the Lakers. Blake Griffin had 34 points and Nerlens Noel had 17 points and 11 tournament in Sydney, yesterday. —AP 19 rebounds to lead six players in double fig- SPURS 110, TRAIL BLAZERS 96 rebounds, and Michael Carter-Williams scored ures for the Clippers, who had won six of their Kawhi Leonard scored 20 points in his return 22 points to lead Philadelphia past New previous eight. DeAndre Jordan had 19 points from a 15-game absence and San Antonio rolled Orleans. The Sixers never trailed in only their Troicki ruthlessly and 12 rebounds, Matt Barnes added 17 points past Portland. After missing 17 games total due third home win of the season. They put away and Chris Paul had 15 points. James tied the to a torn ligament in his right hand, Leonard’s the short-handed Pelicans in a hurry, making 10 dismantles Kukushkin game at 97-all early in the fourth on a 3-point- presence energized San Antonio. Tony Parker of their first 14 shots and racing to a 16-point er over Austin Rivers, who became the first scored 19 points and Patty Mills added 18 for lead in the first quarter. New Orleans played player in NBA history to play for his father after San Antonio. LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points without center Anthony Davis and guard Jrue to win Sydney title being signed by the Clippers. and Damian Lillard added 23 for the Trail Blazers. Holiday. Davis, averaging 24.2 points and 10.4 rebounds, sat out with a sprained left toe suf- SYDNEY: Serbian Viktor Troicki took a big phy from Australian tennis great Rosewall. HAWKS 110, RAPTORS 89 JAZZ 94, LAKERS 85 fered late in Wednesday night’s win at Detroit. step on his comeback trail after a doping Al Horford scored 22 points and the Eastern Gordon Hayward scored 31 points on 12-of- Holiday, a former 76ers All-Star guard, missed ban by ruthlessly dismantling fellow qualifi- ‘There’s no stopping’ Conference-leading Atlanta Hawks extended 18 shooting and added seven assists to lead a second straight game with right ankle er Mikhail Kukushkin 6-2 6-3 to win the Troicki will take a big boost in confi- Sydney International yesterday. dence into his first round tie at the their winning streak to 11 games, beating the Utah past Los Angeles. Derrick Favors added in inflammation. Alexis Ajinca had 16 points and The 28-year-old righthander, who Australian Open against Czech Jiri Vesely, Toronto Raptors 110-89 on Friday night. The 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Trey Burke had 13 rebounds for the Pelicans. Eric Gordon also returned to action last July after serving a who also won an ATP title as a qualifier on Eastern Conference-leading Hawks have won 25 20 points for the Jazz. Nick Young scored 23 had 16 points. of 27 to improve to 32-8. The winning streak is points off the bench for the Lakers, who have one-year ban for missing a dope test, took Sunday at the Auckland Open. just over an hour to claim his second career Once ranked 12th in the world, Troicki’s their longest winning streak since also winning lost four straight. Jordan Hill added 16 points for HEAT 95, KINGS 83 11 in a row to begin the 1997-98 season. The Los Angeles, which played without Kobe Bryant. ATP title. victory in his second Sydney International Chris Bosh scored 30 points and Luol Deng A rampant Troicki won the last four final will send him back towards the top 50 Hawks also extended their franchise-record Bryant did not travel to Utah following the had 25 for Miami. Miami scoring leader road winning streak to 11 games and are 15-1 Lakers’ 109-102 home loss to Cleveland on games of the first set and was 4-1 up in the from his current ranking of 92. Dwyane Wade missed his second straight second when Kukushkin took a medical He has made it clear this week that he on the road since starting 1-4. Paul Millsap Thursday. Bryant had a career-high 17 assists in game with a hamstring strain. Rookie point added 16 points, and Jeff Teague and DeMarre that game to go with 19 points and six timeout to have treatment on his left thigh. believes his doping ban was unfair and guard Shabazz Napier had 12 points, five The Kazakh had made his way to the paid tribute to his Australian coach Jack Carroll each had 13. Atlanta, which made 12 of rebounds. assists and six rebounds in his second start of final without losing a set, including in his Reader and the rest of his team for sticking 23 3-point attempts, is unbeaten since a 107-77 the season. Miami went 3-2 on its trip. quarter-final victory over Juan Martin Del with him. blowout loss to Milwaukee on Dec. 26. Atlanta BULLS 119, CELTICS 103 DeMarcus Cousins had 17 points and 11 Potro, but his mobility had been key to his “They were with me throughout the hasn’t lost away from home since a 100-99 loss Derrick Rose scored 20 of his 29 points in the rebounds for Sacramento. progress. hardest time that is behind me,” he said. at Orlando on Dec. 13. DeMar DeRozan scored second half and hit three of Chicago’s seven 3- The world number 66 rallied to win the “They stood by me and I really appreci- 25 points for Toronto. The Raptors are 2-6 in pointers in the fourth quarter. Rose also had 10 next two games for his only break of serve ate that.” Kukushkin said his injury had their last eight games. assists. Jimmy Butler scored 22 points and Pau PISTONS 98, PACERS 96 Brandon Jennings scored a season-high 37 in the contest and offered hope of an been a hangover from hip surgery he Gasol had 20 points and 11 rebounds for extended contest to the neutrals on Ken underwent three years ago and was not NETS 102, WIZARDS 80 Chicago. The Bulls were 27 for 41 in the second points and Andre Drummond tipped in the winner with 0.3 seconds left in Detroit’s victo- Rosewall Arena. certain he would be able to face Malek Brook Lopez and Jarrett Jack each scored 26 half and outscored Boston 31-17 in the fourth Troicki, however, was just too strong Jaziri at Melbourne Park on Monday. points to help Brooklyn beat Washington to quarter. Jared Sullinger had 20 points and eight ry over Indiana. With 23.9 seconds left, Detroit called a timeout. Jennings took the inbounds and, roared on by vocal support from “Tough to say,” he told reporters. “Of snap a seven-game losing streak. Lopez, the rebounds for the Celtics. Sydney’s ethnic Serb community, broke course I hope I will be able to recover. Of pass and held for the last second shot. He subject of numerous trade rumors, scored 11 back before serving out the match to love, course when I play eight days in a row it’s points in just over 2 1/2 minutes in the third GRIZZLIES 106, MAGIC 96 drove to the bucket and missed the layup, but sealing victory with his 13th ace. tough. quarter. He scored Brooklyn’s first eight points of Newcomer Jeff Green scored 12 of his 21 Drummond was there for the tip in. “We both came through the qualis so it “But I will have day off tomorrow and fly the fourth quarter, too, and had 25 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter and Memphis held Drummond finished with 16 points and 16 was a tough week and we’re heading to to Melbourne. I will have a match already points in the second half. Jack had 19 of his 26 on to beat Orlando. Green played his second rebounds. Roy Hibbert led Indiana with 14 straight to Melbourne where we play on on Monday. I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t points in the final two quarters. John Wall had game for Memphis after being acquired from points. — AP Monday,” Troicki said after receiving the tro- know.” - Reuters SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 SPORTS Eriksen’s late show sees Spurs past Sunderland

Vertonghen felled Defoe, the ball passing over the wall and into the far corner. Tottenham 2 In first half stoppage time Kane hit the woodwork, with Pantilimon keeping out former Sunderland player Danny Rose’s fol- low-up strike. Sunderland 1 After the restart Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino brought on Emmanuel Adebayor in place of the out of sorts Roberto Soldado for the Togo forward’s first LONDON: Christian Eriksen’s goal two min- appearance since November 9. utes from time and crucial late saves from And Adebayor almost instantly repaid Hugo Lloris helped Tottenham to a 2-1 that vote of confidence when he flicked the Premier League win over Sunderland at ball onto Nacer Chadli only for Pantilimon’s White Hart Lane yesterday to lift Spurs hand to get in the way of the Belgian above Arsenal and into fifth. winger’s volley. Struggling Sunderland turned up in Defoe’s proud record of scoring on his north London proudly fielding their new debut for every club he’s played for in his signing, former Tottenham striker Jermain long career ended at White Hart Lane when Defoe, the 32-year-old having only joined after a quiet start he made way for Danny from FC Toronto on a three-and-a-half year Graham. deal on Friday. With 10 minutes left on the clock, Spurs In-form Harry Kane returned after skip- keeper Hugo Lloris produced a fine double ping Spurs’ FA Cup replay win over Burnley save to deal with strikes from Adam in midweek. Tottenham raced into a third Johnson and Graham. Then, just as the minute lead when defender Jan match appeared to be heading for a draw, Vertonghen’s shot found the back of the Eriksen popped up to bag the points for net with significant assistance on its way Tottenham. from a deflection off John O’Shea. Andros Townsend, shortly after coming The hosts went close to doubling their on for Mousa Dembele, set up the Danish BRISBANE: Tomi Juric (R) of Australia fights for the ball with Kwak Taehwi (L) of South Korea during the first round Asian Cup football match advantage as the half hour approached, midfielder to shoot right-footed from out- between South Korea and Australia at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane yesterday.— AFP with only Costel Pantilimon’s fine save side the box and into the bottom left cor- denying Eriksen’s goalbound effort. ner of Pantilimon’s net. Minutes later Steven Fletcher should There was late drama as first only a have levelled for Sunderland, the striker lightning reaction save from Lloris prevent- somehow managing to miss from six yards ed Graham’s drive from securing a draw, S Korea rock Aussies after charging onto Billy Jones’ cross at the while down at the other end Vertonghen’s far post. slotted into an empty net, but it was disal- Justice for the visitors arrived seconds lowed. This defeat left Sunderland fifth later when Sebastian Larsson curled in a from bottom, one point above the relega- 25-yard free kick awarded when tion zone. — AFP with shock defeat Gayle lifts resurgent Oman salvage pride with Kuwait win SYDNEY: Lee Jeong-Hyeop struck in the first took their chance, full credit to them. But I defi- mistakenly flashed up on the big screen. Palace at Burnley half as South Korea shocked Australia 1-0 yester- nitely feel like we could have finished top of the German-based midfielder Koo was day to top Group A and complicate the hosts’ group.” stretchered off in pain early in the second half weekend’s win over Tottenham. Burnley task at the Asian Cup. Australia had been the before Tomi Juric came close when he flashed a manager Sean Dyche, meanwhile, was form team with two big wins so far, but Ange Chorus of boos shot wide after a one-two with Ivan Franjic. Crystal Palace 3 looking to bounce back from his side’s mid- Postecoglou’s rejigged side were dealt a setback With clouds of moths swarming around Nathan Burns had a shot tipped onto the bar week FA Cup replay defeat to Spurs. after the Korean striker slid in to score on 32 Brisbane Stadium, Kwak Tae-Hwi nodded wide before Postecoglou threw on big guns Cahill and And the hosts had gotten off to a bright minutes. and Tomi Juric’s fierce shot was saved at the near Kruse with 20 minutes to go. Kruse soon had the start when Mee headed in from Kieran The Socceroos, who finish second in Group A, post as the teams exchanged early chances. goal at his mercy after a great first touch but he Burnley 2 Trippier’s corner after 12 minutes before will now play China in the quarter-finals in hot Nathan Burns clattered Park, who was was denied by the outstretched glove of Kim, their top scorer Ings made it 2-0 after Scott and humid Brisbane and face a likely semi-final stretchered off and later withdrew, in an aerial back in Uli Stielike’s side after recovering from a Arfield’s pass four minutes later. against holders Japan. challenge, before South Korea found a way flu bug. Australia’s reported Liverpool target Crystal Palace missed a chance to Australia threw everything at South Korea as through in the 32nd minute. Ryan also saved smartly from Jang Hyun-Soo in LONDON: Dwight Gayle scored a double as equalise just before the break when James they sought a vital equaliser, and Kim Jin-Hyeon Captain Ki Sung-Yueng threaded the ball to the closing stages before a frustrated Australia resurgent Crystal Palace claimed a 3-2 McArthur’s shot off Sanogo was saved by saved brilliantly from Robbie Kruse when the Lee Keun-Ho, whose cross-shot to the far post trudged off to a chorus of boos. comeback victory at relegation rivals Burnley keeper Tom Heaton. A Sanagoo substitute looked certain to score. was met by the sliding Lee Jeong-Hyeop with Meanwhile in Newcastle, Abdul Al Maqbali Burnley yesterday. header just before the half-time whistle also The game was not without controversy, with Aussie goalkeeper Mat Ryan given no chance. buried a second-half header as Oman beat Crystal Palace had been trailing 2-0 after went wide. Gayle got Palace back in the Park Joo-Ho and Koo Ja-Cheol both stretchered The goal rocked Australia but after striking Kuwait 1-0 in a dead rubber between two teams the first 16 minutes when Ben Mee and frame after Wilfried Zaha’s cross from the off and Matthew Spiranovic earning a caution eight times in their first two games, they would who had already been eliminated. Danny Ings pulled Burnley ahead. right. And just three minutes back after the that rules him out of their last-eight tie. have been confident of hitting back in front of a A scrappy encounter between the Gulf rivals But Gayle got the visitors back on track break Gayle set up Puncheon who pulled “I definitely feel that we could have got a sell-out crowd in Brisbane. appeared to be meandering towards the tourna- on 28 minutes, and after a Jason Puncheon Palace level from 25 yards. Mee had a draw out of the game,” said talismanic forward James Troisi nearly found a response when ment’s first draw before Al Maqbali pounced equaliser, left it late to seal Palace’s first win chance to pull Burnley in front after 70 min- Tim Cahill, who came on in the second half but his quick feet and shot bulged the side-netting- with a superb header to earn Oman their first at Turf Moor since August 2003. utes but his close range header was saved. this time was unable to rescue Australia. “Korea coming so close that the “Goal!” video message Asian Cup win since 2004. — AFP It maintained new Crystal Palace man- Glenn Murray missed two late attempts ager Alan Pardew’s unbeaten record after before Gayle completed the comeback their 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur. after he picked up Puncheon’s cross three Pardew gave on-loan striker Yaya minutes from time to fire past Heaton. The Krkic strike sees Sanogo his debut after joining from victory sent Palace four points clear of the Arsenal this week, as the French Under-21 relegation zone and left Burnley one place Stoke beat Leicester striker was one of two changes from last above the bottom three. — AFP LEICESTER: Bojan Krkic produced a touch of class to score Stoke City 1 the only goal of the game as Stoke won 1- 0 away to Leicester Leicester City 0 yesterday to leave the Foxes rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table. The 24-year-old Spanish forward broke the deadlock at the King Power Stadium in the 63rd minute when he received the ball from Jon Walters on the edge of the box and spun away before beating Leicester goalkeeper Ben Hamer with a well-struck low shot. It was the former Barcelona forward’s fourth goal of the season and was eventually good enough to give the mid- table Potters a fourth away win. Defeat ended Leicester’s four-game unbeaten run and left the East Midlands club at the foot of the Premier League, two points behind fellow strugglers Queens Park Rangers and four adrift of safety. For Stoke, this win saw Mark Hughes’s men bounce back from their 3-0 defeat by Arsenal last time out and kept the BATA: Equatorial Guinea’s defender Sipo Bohale (C) vies with Congo’s forward Thierry BURNLEY: Burnley’s Danny Ings, centre, scores his side’s second goal, during the Potters in mid-table. Bifouma eyed by Congo’s coach Claude Le Roy during the 2015 African Cup of English Premier League soccer match between Burnley and Crystal Palace, at Turf New Leicester striker Andrej Kramaric, who signed from Nations group A football match between Equatorial Guinea and Congo at Bata Moor, in Burnley yesterday.—AP Croatian side Rijeka for £9.5 million ($14.4 million, 12.4 mil- Stadium in Bata yesterday. — AFP lion euros), found himself on the bench after securing a work permit on Friday. Leicester manager Nigel Pearson made four changes, Late Congo goal Matches on TV two enforced, with Dean Hammond injured and Matty James suspended. Pearson dropped Leonardo Ulloa, the (Local Timings) club’s eight-goal top-scorer this season, to the bench along spoils home party with Marc Albrighton, while Danny Drinkwater, Jamie English Premier League Elche v Levante 23:00 Vardy, Andy King and Jeff Schlupp all recalled. West Ham v Hull City 16:30 beIN SPORTS 1 HD beIN SPORTS 2 HD Sevilla v Malaga 23:00 Meanwhile Stoke boss Hughes also made four changes, BATA: Congo striker Thievy Bifouma secured all three points for Congo on the beIN SPORTS 11 HD beIN SPORTS 10 HD again with two forced upon him after Ryan Shawcross and grabbed a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw to stroke of full time but fired straight at Erik Pieters were sidelined through injury. deny hosts Equatorial Guinea a rousing Ovono from in front of the posts. The game Man City v Arsenal 19:00 Italian Calcio League beIN SPORTS 1 HD England striker Peter Crouch and Geoff Cameron were start to the African Nations Cup finals at the began with a dramatic goal for the under- beIN SPORTS 11 HD Lazio v SSC Napoli 14:30 on the bench, with Phil Bardsley, Marc Muniesa, Marc Estadio de Bata yesterday. rated home side as Nsue, a former Spanish beIN SPORTS 3 HD They led with a 17th minute goal from under-21 international playing at Asian Nations Cup Genoa v Calcio 17:00 Wilson and Victor Moses-the latter fit after eight weeks out English-based captain Emilio Nsue but their Middlesbrough, swept in a clever pass from Uzbekistan v Saudi Arabia 12:00 beIN SPORTS 10 HD with a thigh injury-in Hughes’s starting side. beIN SPORTS 6 HD AC Milan v Atalanta 17:00 A dull first half meant there was little work for either defence was finally breached in the 87th, winger Kike after his probing run at the China v North Korea 12:00 beIN SPORTS 3 HD Ben Hamer or Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. But after ending the celebrations of a capacity defence to sweep aside all the organisa- beIN SPORTS 4 HD Juventus v Hellas 22:45 the break, Stoke took charge of proceedings. Indeed they crowd almost exclusively clad in their tional problems that clouded the build-up beIN SPORTS 3 HD beIN SPORTS 11 HD should have been ahead inside the opening minute of the team’s red colours. to the event. beIN SPORTS 13 HD The small central African nation, handed Equatorial Guinea could have killed the second half with Marko Arnautovic eluding Paul Konchesky African Nations Cup beIN SPORTS 1 HD a place at the finals after stepping in as game with the first chance of the second to run on to an incisive ball from Moses, before wastefully Zambia v Congo 19:00 French League emergency hosts, were fortunate to lead as half when Balboa was one-on-one with the beIN SPORTS 6 HD shooting into the side-netting. replays showed Nsue was just offside when keeper but his effort was well saved by Cape Verde v Tunisia 22:00 PSG v Gaillard 16:00 Stoke had another chance when, an attempted clearing he scored. Bifouma earned Congo a Christoffer Mafoumbi. beIN SPORTS 6 HD beIN SPORTS 5 HD header from Leicester captain Wes Morgan fell to Steven beIN SPORTS 13 HD deserved draw after outpacing the defence Balboa also created a chance for Nsue to Spanish League beIN SPORTS 1 HD N’Zonzi, whose 20-yard right-foot volley led to an excellent and they might even have got the winner get behind the opposing defence with a Getafe v Real Madrid 14:00 Stade Rennes v Etienne 19:00 stop by Hamer on the hour. two minutes later but Dominque Malonga clever chip over the top in the 70th minute beIN SPORTS 2 HD beIN SPORTS 5 HD However, minutes later the stalemate came to an end. squandered a golden chance. but again the effort was thwarted. beIN SPORTS 14 HD beIN SPORTS 13 HD Walters’s run and pass set up by Bojan, who took one touch Bifouma, who spent most of the game Nsue did find the net four minutes later Atletico v Granada 19:00 beIN SPORTS 1 HD with his right foot, turned and then beat Hamer with a left- moaning at the match officials, sped away with a clever lob but was wrongly ruled off- Marseille v Guingamp 23:00 beIN SPORTS 2 HD foot strike. Kramaric came off the bench for the final 25 to place the ball under home goalkeeper side. The home side’s failure to extend their beIN Sports Max 5 beIN SPORTS 5 HD Deportivo v Barcelona 21:00 beIN SPORTS 13 HD minutes but saw little of the ball while Ulloa, brought on by Felipe Ovono and just inside the post to lead meant Congo’s hopes remained alive beIN SPORTS 2 HD beIN SPORTS 1 HD Pearson in the 71st minute, was equally ineffective as a lack stun the crowd. and eventually they broke through for the of service neutered the impact of both forwards. — AFP Substitute Malonga should have equaliser. —Reuters Qatar’s Al-Attiyah Late Congo wins second Dakar goal spoils Rally title home party

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 16 19 S Korea rock Aussies with shock defeat Page 19

LONDON: Queens Park Rangers’ Dutch striker Leroy Fer (5th R) jumps for the ball during the English Premier League football match between Queens Park Rangers and Manchester United at Loftus Road Stadium in London, yesterday. — AFP Fellaini, Wilson spare disjointed Man United

prevailed at the expense of QPR’s under- Monaco striker to prove himself worthy of a into action again moments later when he remained a scrappy game, and QPR were pressure Harry Redknapp thanks to the long-term contract and it was the Colombia was forced to acrobatically tip another Austin seeking to live off the scraps. Leroy Fer impact of his two substitutes. The pair international who had the first chance of an shot from distance over his own crossbar. blazed over but the home side, who have QPR 0 spared the blushes of Radamel Falcao, who error-prone first half in west London. Juan As the visitors laboured in attack, United’s been formidable on their own patch this sea- returned to the starting XI but squandered Mata’s cross picked Falcao out in the 13th supporters made their displeasure felt at son, were struggling to find a way back into a two gilt-edged chances, and allowed United minute, but both of the striker’s close-range half-time by urging Van Gaal to ditch his poor game, despite the promptings of sub- to consolidate their position in the top four. efforts were met by reflex saves from goal- favoured 3-5-2 formation with a chant of: “4- stitute Adel Taarabt. The hosts were gifted a Man United 2 Redknapp had accused a Loftus Road keeper Rob Green. 4-2!” Van Gaal held his tactical course, initial- chance when Michael Carrick and Marcos insider of undermining him in the build-up QPR have been indebted to Charlie Austin ly, but made a personnel adjustment at half- Rojo were involved in a mix-up going for the to the game and his mood will not have for keeping them in touch with the teams time by sending Fellaini on for Mata. Falcao same ball, but Eduardo Vargas failed to make been improved by the sight of the firepower above the relegation zone and their top scor- remained United’s biggest threat and will the most of the opportunity presented to LONDON: Marouane Fellaini and James on the United team-sheet. er almost gave them the lead mid-way have wondered how Green managed to him. Wilson came off the substitutes’ bench to Robin van Persie was absent after injuring through the first period. push out his 56th-minute header from Angel Vargas was given further reason to rue his earn Manchester United a 2-0 victory at his ankle in United’s 1-0 loss at home to Bobby Zamora’s pass fell kindly for the for- di Maria’s cross. But Green would be beaten profligacy deep into added time when 19- struggling Queens Park Rangers in the Southampton last weekend, but the mer Burnley striker, who was watched by two minutes later, by Fellaini. Wayne Rooney year-old Wilson sealed the win with his first Premier League yesterday. Both sides’ man- Dutchman’s misfortune opened the door for England manager Roy Hodgson, but David found Antonio Valencia on the right and goal of the season, slotting home the agers went into the game under the spot- Falcao. de Gea was equal to his effort. from his cut-back, the Belgian midfielder rebound after his initial effort was saved by light, but it was United’s Louis van Gaal who Van Gaal has challenged the on-loan The United goalkeeper would be called took a touch before hammering home. It Green. — AFP Rodgers delights in Five-star Chelsea maul Liverpool turnaround Swansea to surge clear It was the sort of performance they seemed incapable of produc- Seventh-placed Liverpool’s push for a top- Aston Villa 0 ing earlier in the season-solid at four finish gathered momentum when Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert scored in a 2-0 victo- the back, sufficiently clinical in Swansea 0 ry at Aston Villa who have now gone five attack-and a pleasing turnaround league games without a goal. for Rodgers. Crystal Palace recovered from 2-0 down to Liverpool 2 “We have regained our identity snatch a vital 3-2 win at fellow strugglers Chelsea 5 in how the team has played for Burnley, their second consecutive victory since two years,” Rodgers, whose side are Alan Pardew took charge taking them up to 12th. Bottom club Leicester City’s recent burst BIRMINGHAM: It was a world seventh in the table, told reporters. LONDON: Chelsea ran riot at Swansea City, of form which had earned them seven points away from the full-throttle enter- There was a lot in the victory from three games was halted by 1-0 home loss tainment of last-season’s title over Villa that reflected the scoring four times before halftime on the way to a 5-0 win that sent Jose Mourinho’s side five to Stoke City, Spaniard Bojan Krkic scoring the charge, but Liverpool’s 2-0 victory improving mood at Anfield. There points clear in the Premier League yesterday. winner. over Aston Villa was a step towards were further strong performances Brazil midfielder Oscar and Spain striker Swansea have proved tough opponents in regaining the club’s identity, from Emre Can and Lazar Diego Costa scored two apiece inside the south Wales since joining the Premier League opening 36 minutes as Swansea were torn to in 2011 and had only suffered two home according to manager Brendan Markovic, two summer signings defeats this season, but they were no match for Rodgers. who had been written off as part BIRMINGHAM: Liverpool’s Italian striker Fabio Borini shoots to shreds. Substitute Andre Schuerrle got his name on the scoresheet late in a more even a rampant Chelsea side who oozed class. Yesterday’s solid if unspectacu- of a flawed transfer strategy. score the opening goal of the English Premier League football second half. From the moment Oscar ruthlessly pun- lar performance against the Mamadou Sakho looked more like match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park in ished an errant pass by Gylfi Sigurdsson in the Birmingham, central England, yesterday.— AFP “It was very good, we hit the post twice and Premier League’s bluntest strike the towering centre half he does could have got even more,” Mourinho, who will home defence to put Chelsea ahead in the first minute the writing was on the wall for the force came courtesy of a goal in for France and Lucas Leiva, whose 12 games in which he has been relative new dawn, heralding a be hoping Arsenal can take points off second- placed champions Manchester City on Sunday, hosts. A slick one-touch passing move ended each half from forwards Fabio return has coincided with absent. change in tactics and mindset that with Costa making it 2-0 after 20 minutes and Borini, recently brought in from Liverpool’s upturn in fortunes, was told Sky Sports. Manchester United climbed The win was another boon to has prompted the unbeaten run above Southampton into third spot, 12 points the Spaniard made it 3-0 following more dozy the cold, and Rickie Lambert. again an effective shield in front of Rodgers, whose job was under and pulled Rodgers back from the behind Chelsea, with second-half substitutes Swansea defending. It was a third successive away the defence. scrutiny when, at the start of brink. Marouane Fellaini and James Wilson on target Oscar’s second, a cheeky dink over busy league victory, an eighth game If Rodgers needed convincing in a 2-0 win at second-bottom Queens Park Swans keeper Lukasz Fabianski, was followed December, they exited the The 3-4-3 formation adopted to quickly by Willian striking the crossbar as unbeaten in all competitions and of the Brazilian’s abilities, then the Champions League in the group plug gaping holes in defence has Rangers. Southampton are away at Newcastle United later on Saturday. Chelsea threatened to run up a rugby score. took the Merseysiders’ points tally stats are clear cut-Liverpool have stage and lost heavily to also brought the best out of some The fizz went out of the visitors in the sec- for the last five games to an lost only two of the 20 games in Christian Eriksen struck a late winner to give Manchester United at Old Trafford. of the attacking talents who Tottenham Hotspur a seventh 2-1 league victo- ond half and they had to be content with just impressive 13, edging them closer which he has featured this season, As it turned out, that 3-0 defeat looked shorn of belief through the ry of the season, at home to Sunderland, and one more goal when Schuerrle got the final to the prized top-four. compared to eight defeats in the proved an inauspicious start to a early season. — Reuters lift them above Arsenal. touch to deny Oscar a hat-trick. — Reuters NBK doubles chances for Al- Jawhara customers

Page 22 Business Lifting subsidies could fuel inflation: Markaz SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 Page 23 Agility to develop 40-acre distribution Kuwait must heed warnings on oil boom sustainability: Al-Shall park in Ghana Page 25 Page 26

HANOVER: Carpets are on display at the Domotex trade fair for carpets and floor coverings yesterday on the fairgrounds in Hanover. According to the fair organizers, more than 1,300 companies from 63 countries will present their products during the fair running until January 20. — AFP ECB compromises with Germany over QE Bank eyes bond purchase plan to raise fund for deflation fighting

LONDON: The European Central Bank (ECB) about the principle of risk sharing. meeting on Wednesday. prevent the euro-zone from slipping into banks will only be allowed to buy the sover- will next week announce plans to directly buy “There are a series of trade-offs involved in The central bank widely reported to be deflation, possibly as early as next week. eign debt of their respective countries. government bonds, creating new money to (designing QE) and whatever is announced considering purchases worth at least 500 bil- German government officials, as well as the That means that each national central bank fight off possible deflation despite German will probably not satisfy everyone,” Ken lion euros or to pledge to buy sovereign debt head of the central bank or Bundesbank, Jens alone will carry the risk of a possible default by objections, according to Saturday’s FT. The ECB Wattret, economist at BNP Paribas, told the FT. until inflation approaches two percent, said Weidmann, have repeatedly voiced concern their government. And Germany, Europe’s pay- holds its first policy meeting of the year on “Any adverse impact stemming from a reluc- the FT report. about such a program. master, will not have to bail out another coun- Thursday and is widely expected to announce tance to mutualize risk could be offset by a Euro-zone inflation fell into negative terri- They believe it will take away the pressure try, the magazine said. some sort of program of sovereign bond pur- strong signal that the ECB is willing to buy in tory in December, with consumer prices down on governments to push through essential, In addition, a ceiling of 20-25 percent will chases or Quantitative Easing-to try to kick- large scale in order to raise inflation expecta- 0.2 percent. On a year-over-year basis, inflation but painful, economic reforms. And taxpayers, be set on how much a central bank can buy start the euro-zone’s sluggish economy. tions.” was the weakest since September 2009, at 0.8 particularly German ones, could end up foot- of a government’s debt, Der Spiegel said, Germany is concerned such a program German news magazine Der Spiegel percent well below the ECB’s target of close to ing the bill should another country be unable without revealing its sources. Furthermore, amounts to direct fiscal support for profligate reported on Friday that national central banks 2.0 percent. Falling prices could prove damag- to repay its debt, the critics argue. crisis-hit Greece will not participate in the states, taking away the pressure to push would only be allowed to buy the sovereign ing for EU firms as consumers put off purchas- scheme because its sovereign debt does not through tough economic reforms. Conscious debt of their respective countries, to ensure ing goods and for governments laden with Revised scheme fulfil the necessary quality criteria, the report of German objections, the bonds will be they alone carried the risk of a possible default fixed-rate debt. Merkel’s office confirmed a meeting took said. The ECB holds its first policy meeting of underwritten by individual states in order to by their government. The weekly said that ECB In the past, Germany has made no secret of place but refused to reveal what was dis- the year on Thursday and is widely expected reassure German taxpayers that they will not chief Mario Draghi had presented the scheme its objections to a contested program of so- cussed. The weekly, in a pre-released copy of a to announce some sort of QE program to try be on the hook in the event of a default, to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and called quantitative easing-or sovereign bond story to appear in Sunday’s edition, said that to kick-start the euro-zone’s sluggish econo- according to the FT, raising separate issues Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble in a purchases-which the ECB is planning to help under the revised scheme, the national central my. - AFP Swiss CB defends franc move despite turbulence

GENEVA: Switzerland’s central bank yesterday stood by its September 2011 in an effort to protect the country’s vital shock decision to let the franc soar, insisting the subsequent export and tourism industries, even buying massive quanti- turbulence rocking global markets and the Swiss economy ties of foreign currencies to do so. The rate was introduced as since the move would eventually subside. “This was not an the euro-zone crisis sent investors scurrying to the safe haven easy decision... (but) we are convinced it is the right one,” currency. More recently, the Russian ruble crisis put renewed Swiss central bank chief Thomas Jordan said in an interview pressure on the franc. published in Swiss dailies Le Temps and NZZ Saturday. Jordan insisted the efforts to rein in the franc were no The Swiss National Bank (SNB), he said, had determined longer justified, insisting the Swiss economy was in a much that by continuing to artificially hold down the franc, “it risked better place than it had been when the cap was introduced. losing control of its monetary policy in the long term.” Jordan’s “We gave the Swiss economy time to adapt to the new sit- comments came after the bank stunned markets Thursday uation. A period of three years is not negligible,” he said, with its decision to abandon the minimum rate of 1.20 francs stressing that “the currency cap from the beginning was sup- against the euro that it had been defending for more than posed to be an exceptional and temporary measure.” three years. “It was always meant to be abandoned.” This Swiss currency has since gained around 20 percent against other currencies and is currently trading at around SNB not all-powerful parity with the euro. The soaring franc caused panic on global Now that the cap was gone, Jordan acknowledged that markets, bankrupted foreign exchange traders as far away as “following this decision, the economic situation in Switzerland New Zealand and was seen as a significant threat to is more difficult.” But, he pointed out, “SNB cannot fulfil all Switzerland’s export-dependant economy. The Swiss stock wishes with its monetary policy. It is not all-powerful.” exchange’s main SMI index has plunged more than 14 per- His comments were unlikely to win over Swiss businesses KABUL: An Afghan resident looks on as he sits under posters advertising a beauty parlor in Kabul yesterday. cent since Thursday’s announcement. bracing to see exports plunge and shoppers at home flood Afghanistan’s economy has improved significantly since the fall of the Taleban regime in 2001 largely because of Swiss banking giant UBS said the SNB’s decision would across to neighboring euro-zone countries for cheaper goods. the infusion of international assistance. — AFP deliver a severe blow to economic growth, slashing its fore- “Making products in Switzerland and selling them abroad cast to just 0.5 percent expansion this year from its previous is currently the worst possible scenario,” Syz analyst Jerome Sri Lanka flag-carrier ditches Rajapakse’s ‘vanity’ airport estimate of 1.8 percent. Schupp told TDG. The boss of a small watchmaking company The yield on Swiss 10-year bonds on Friday meanwhile H. Moser & Cie underlined the impact of the SNB’s move in an COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s national airline yesterday announced it hoping it would become a new economic hub and act as a entered negative territory for the first time, slipping to -0.031 open letter Jordan, warning that he may have to move his will stop all flights to the country’s second international airport gateway to the island’s southeast. But the former government percent, meaning lenders will now have to pay to lend money business to Germany. built and named after Mahinda Rajapakse, after he was defeat- said in parliament that the airport earned 16,000 rupees ($125) to the country. “Over 95 percent of our watches are sold to people outside ed in last week’s presidential elections. Sri Lankan Airlines said in the month of May last year, recording a turnover less than of Switzerland, and the first retailers called the same day to operating flights via the Rajapakse International airport in the that of a corner grocery store. The only foreign airlines which Swiss system cancel orders,” Edouard Meylan wrote. former president’s home constituency of Hambantota was a operate services through the airport are UAE-based Fly Dubai “The strong franc is threatening the entire Swiss system,” Switzerland’s tourism industry, already hit by a lack of huge drain on the already heavily debt-laden carrier. and Rotana Jet Aviation. Two budget carriers pulled out of the the Tribune de Geneve (TdG) daily lamented Saturday, adding: snow, was also bracing for mass cancellations as already pricy The state-owned airline-under new management after new airport last year saying it was uneconomical due to insufficient “The future looks dark.” Jordan said Switzerland’s central resorts suddenly became far more expensive for foreign visi- President Maithripala Sirisena assumed office last week-has traffic, but Sri Lankan Airlines maintained flights for political bankers, who unanimously agreed to scrap their long-drawn tors. decided to cut back uneconomical flights, including operations reasons, according to official sources. Local media dismissed efforts to hold down the value of the franc, “were aware that Tourists arriving in Switzerland Friday were also less than via Rajapakse International. the airport as a vanity project for Rajapakse who had also this decision could have a major impact on markets.” thrilled. “With an exchange rate like that, we won’t be coming “This translates to an annual bottom line improvement of named a sea port, a performing arts centre and a conventions “The markets should gradually stabilize,” he said, admitting back to Switzerland anytime soon,” a Scottish tourist in his 60s approximately $18 million,” the airline said in a statement. The centre after himself. Built with funding from China’s Export- though that “it could take time.” who gave his name only as Bornsadi told AFP as he arrived at airline is weighed down with debts of nearly $650 million. Import Bank, the new $206 million facility could accommodate Rajapakse opened his pet-project airport in March 2013, the Airbus A380, the biggest airliner in service. — AFP The SNB had been defending the exchange rate floor since the Geneva airport Friday for a week’s holiday. — AFP BUSINESS SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015

NBK doubles chances for Al-Jawhara customers Bayt.com report KD5,000 weekly, KD125,000 monthly and KD250,000 quarterly six steps to getting

KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) is rewarding Al- ahead in your career Jawhara customers by doubling their chances to win in the weekly, monthly and quarterly draws when they do not with- veryone wants to succeed in their job but not draw or transfer from their accounts starting from January everyone knows how to do it. There may be times 2015. Ewhen you feel stuck and don’t really know where NBK customers have chances to win KD 5,000 weekly, KD you are headed. It could be that you’re dissatisfied with 125,000 monthly and a grand prize of KD 250,000 quarterly. your job role, aren’t finding it challenging enough or Each KD 50 in a customer’s account entitles them to one entry are simply looking for a long-awaited promotion. The in the draw, thus more money in an account means more right attitude, amongst other things, is a key aspect in chances in each draw. The new feature introduced to al Jawhara getting you through any obstacles and achieving all Account enables customers to double their chances when your dreams. In this article, the experts at Bayt.com, maintaining their balance without withdrawing. the Middle East’s leading job site, offer six steps to get- “We are always providing our customers with more chances ting ahead in your career: to win bigger prizes,” explained Ahmed Al-Khader, NBK’s Deputy General Manager, Consumer Banking Group. “At NBK, 1. Find a mentor we are keen to develop our products to award more cus- A good mentor is that special someone who will tomers.” take the trouble to see things from your point of Al-Khader added: “Al Jawhara is the most popular prize-giv- view, take your side and guide you in the right ing account in Kuwait and we congratulate all our previous direction. The best professional mentors are peo- winners and look forward to many more.” ple with experience in your own industry who can Al-Jawhara account entitles account holders to enter the give sound professional advice, help you brain- weekly, monthly and quarterly Al-Jawhara draws. All prizes are storm and solve problems, put matters in perspec- automatically credited to the winners’ accounts the day after tive and sometimes open doors for you. Mentors the draw. however need not be from your own industry. An Al-Jawhara accounts are available to both Kuwaitis and old college professor, an entrepreneur friend of the expats and can be opened at any one of NBK’s branches around family or even someone in a completely unrelated Ahmed Al-Khader Kuwait, or through NBK website for existing customers. field whose judgment and intuition you trust, can all serve as allies and sounding boards as you progress up the career ladder.

2. Manage your time effectively From marginal leftists Effective time management boils down to setting specific goals and meeting them. Plan ahead both in macro and micro terms. 94 percent of profes- sionals in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to austerity challengers use a to-do list to organize their day, according to the Bayt.com ‘Distractions at Work in the MENA’ poll, December 2013, and you could use them too. Greece’s Syriza throws down a gauntlet Set deadlines for projects and then break the proj- ects up into individual milestones with separate deadlines which you can tick off as you accomplish ATHENS: Voters gathered around a smartly-dressed can- them. didate from Greece’s anti-austerity party Syriza in an affluent Athens suburb asking the question everybody 3. Negotiate for what you’re worth wants answered: Will the country go bust? But then the There’s nothing like feeling underpaid and under- Syriza candidate quickly had to field what’s proving valued to put a damper on your career aspirations another tricky question for his party ahead of next and stifle your motivation and productivity. Take week’s elections: Do they have a united plan? control of the situation and try to negotiate a com- Ever since the once-marginal movement stormed to pensation package that is more in line with what the forefront of the Greek political scene, spurred by you feel you’re worth. anger and poverty, speculation has swirled over what Syriza would do once in power. The coalition of social 4. Manage your boss democrats, former Marxists and Trotskyists enjoys a lead Bosses have lives, career roadblocks, deadlines and of around three points in the polls and Syriza says it has worries of their own and a smart employee will come to end what it calls the depredations of dead-end learn how to ingratiate themselves to their boss amidst all the noise and create an ongoing profes- austerity. sional dialogue that achieves both parties’ objec- “Hope is coming,” is the party’s inaugural campaign tives. In fact, 7 in 10 professionals in the MENA feel message. “Five years of destruction and fear have led comfortable to voice their opinion to their man- nowhere. Enough is enough.” The outgoing government agers, according to the Bayt.com ‘Employee of conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras portrays Engagement in the MENA’ poll, April 2014. Syriza as foolhardy risk-takers who could destroy the Proactivity is the key to a successful country’s hard-gained credibility with its EU-IMF credi- employee/employer relationship. Take control of tors and push it out of the euro-zone. your career and communicate your goals, aspira- The leftists dismiss these warnings. “The only thing tions, ideas and concerns to your boss on an ongo- they have not said is that Syriza will round up children ing basis rather than hoping he will make plans and steal wives,” the party’s 40-year-old leader, Alexis that suit you and notice all the work you get done. Tsipras, jibed at a rally this week in northern Greece. “My party is neither a monster nor a threat to Europe. 5. Delegate ATHENS: Syriza lawmaker Panagiotis Kouroublis speaks to journalist during a interview to his office in Athens. Ever since Instead it is the voice of reason,” Tsipras wrote in an arti- This is not about passing the buck. It’s about free- the once-marginal movement stormed to the forefront of the Greek political scene, spurred by anger and poverty, spec- ing yourself to do what you do best and achieving cle in last Sunday’s Die Welt, titled “Greeks to the rescue”. ulation has reached fever pitch on what Syriza would do once in power. — AFP But because of the plethora of political views within maximum efficiency all around. Effective delega- Syriza, there has been concern over the party’s ability to tion can spread the workload amongst people so be serviced in a socially viable way,” Tsipras said in a tele- cannot survive without social cohesion,” she said. The that each is challenged in their own domain and so steer a clear course once in power. vised interview this week. The plan “includes erasing leftists have pledged to raise the minimum wage to 751 that others can learn new skills and improve old most of the debt,” he told Star TV. euros, from 580 euros currently, and create 300,000 jobs ones. The whole outfit benefits when everyone is Party more ‘pragmatic’ now In reference, Tsipras has frequently pointed to the in the public and private sectors. “We know that the first doing what they do best. Syriza lawmaker Pangiotis Kouroublis, a former social- London Conference that forgave Germany a major share 100 days of government will be difficult,” says ist MP, says the party has become more “pragmatic”. of its own debts in 1953. The leftist party intends to Kouroublis. “But across Europe, it is increasingly becom- 6. Take ownership of your work “Syriza will have to conform to European demands. They spend 12 billion euros on boosting the country’s recov- ing apparent that a discussion is needed on the point- The Bayt.com ‘Employee Engagement in the MENA’ dare not lead the country to bankruptcy,” agrees ery, utilising European structural support funds and lessness of austerity.” poll reveals that 93 percent of professionals in the Panagiotis Petrakis, professor of economics at the MENA are involved in decisions that impact their money already earmarked by the EU for bank aid. Syriza maintains that Greece’s creditors will agree to University of Athens. But should the leftists seek to rene- work. Taking ownership of your work is the first This includes three billion euros over the next year to renegotiate the terms of the country’s multi-billion euro gotiate the EU-IMF bailout “this would be time-consum- step toward personal and professional satisfaction. boost employment in a country where one in four are bailout when faced with a leftist government elected ing and have an impact on the country’s economic If you think of yourself as ‘owning’ your little out of work as a direct consequence of the austerity cuts. with a strong popular mandate. “We will beat the drum growth and liquidity,” he adds. Syriza maintains that domain, you will take special pride in your output “Four years of reforms did not make the debt viable or and they will dance, not the other way round,” Tsipras Greece’s public debt-over 320 billion euros ($378 billion) and results. That feeling of ownership will boost promote reforms,” says Rena Dourou, the Syriza governor told supporters in a recent speech in central Greece. and a whopping 175 percent of national output-is hold- your creativity as you look for new ways to indulge of greater Athens who took over the post after local Syriza also proposes trimming Greece’s large army, ing back efforts to bounce back from a six-year recession and improve your professional terrain and the atti- elections in May. “If someone is going to destroy the EU, banning the use of riot police and tear gas during street and should be partly erased. tude will almost always communicate itself to your it’s not Tsipras.... It is fiscal policies that buttress the euro protests, and drastically liberalizing the country’s tough boss and peers. “We call for the restructuring of the debt so that it can and teach children to give Nazi salutes,” she said. “The EU policy on immigration. — AFP 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 Tunisian Dinar 156.190 New Zealand Dollar 0.221016 0.230516 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 SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015

Lifting subsidies could fuel inflation: Markaz Inflationary pressures on housing and investment sectors seen

KUWAIT: Kuwait Financial Centre ‘Markaz’ pub- percent. Thus, in the context of a threefold This has increased the need for new technologies Labor costs lished its report on the impact of rising fuel costs increase in the prices of kerosene and diesel in and innovative building materials, while attempt- Typically, in the GCC, labor cost accounts for on the construction industry in Kuwait. In this Kuwait, from 55 fils a liter to 170 fils (effective ing to find ways to keep other key cost compo- about 25 percent of the total cost, which in the report, Markaz analyzed the hidden cost to society from January 1, 2015), the price of basic raw nents like fuel-connected ones low. face of workers’ shortage, will probably increase with respect to abrupt large increases in fuel price materials for construction and the transportation further. Thus, fuel price inflation can add greatly to levels. Though a revision of subsidies’ rationaliza- costs involved in servicing the construction indus- Investment spending the cost burden, making margins unprofitable for tion is understandable in terms of ensuring long- try will likely go up very high. With diesel consti- Between 2015 and 2020, an average annual contractors’ and thus driving out private sector term fiscal sustainability, a strategic approach to tuting around a quarter of transportation energy investment spending of KD 11.8 billion is envis- involvement in the construction industry in the implementation is called for with respect to roll consumption in Kuwait, a threefold increase in aged in Kuwait. Off this, about KD 6.3 billion per process. back of subsidies in order to prevent inflation risk, diesel prices will likely mean an increase in fuel annum is budgeted for strategically important However, subsidies’ rationalization is important which can have a negative effect that is unpre- costs for the construction sector by about 5 per- infrastructure projects, like the airport expansion for long-term fiscal sustainability, though there dictable and potentially uncontrollable, as the project. Thus, the construction industry in Kuwait might be short-term discomfort. The friction effects pass through various industries and sectors, is expected to see a busy phase ahead. This between long-term sustainability versus short- impacting investors’ sentiment in the process, as implies that run away construction costs can ham- term financial pain can be alleviated to a signifi- well. per private involvement in the industry, particu- cant extent by implementing fuel price increases The report stated that the fuel price increases larly at a time when the government is pushing in a gradual or phased manner. The key is to pro- may escalate costs facing the Kuwaiti construction hard the PPP concept in infrastructure projects. vide the time to adapt and to administer the infla- industry to such an extent that it may amount to With the government of Kuwait targeting a real tionary impact in installments that are manage- about 1 percent of GDP on the basis of even highly private sector growth of 9.4 percent per annum able over a long stretch of time; rather than a one- conservative estimates. Construction projects on an average between 2015 through 2020, time large impact implementation. involve high levels of risk due to a combination of strategic infrastructure and construction projects An international case example where such a ‘one-off’ design and construction planning effort, are expected to receive more implementation phased measure was adopted recently is India. In fluctuating site-based working conditions that cent. In Kuwait, the construction industry, valued attention given their critical role in supporting January 2013, the Indian government decided to impact deadlines, dependence on fixed-price con- in standalone fashion, stands second to invest- private sector growth. deregulate diesel prices in a phased manner or tracting and the broad fragmentation existing in ments in the power sector. With such high invest- Thus, there is a potential hidden opportunity stages, through 50 Indian paise a litre rise every the supply chains that support construction proj- ments running on the sector, inflationary pres- cost on the Kuwaiti economy with the increase in month. By September 2014, the Indian govern- ects. In the context of value chain complexity that sures stemming from fuel price increases can prices of diesel, with respect to the additional ment was able to remove the gap between the is connected to the construction industry’s highly increase project costs dramatically. costs imposed on the construction industry. In imported cost of the fuel and the retail selling fragmented supply chain structure, sudden move- For Kuwait, the construction sector constitutes many countries around the world, the infrastruc- price. In October 2014, the Indian government ment in price levels in terms of key factors of input about 1.7 percent of the country’s GDP. Currently, ture sector is currently being looked upon to play officially ended diesel subsidies completely. With can have implications for viability of several proj- there are a number of strategic infrastructure a prominent role in reshaping the economy, longer strategic implementation schedules, open- ects, especially those financed by the private sec- projects taking place in Kuwait, like the Kuwait reducing bottlenecks and in supporting the ing channels for public debate and fostering trans- tor. Metro, Clean Fuels project, etc. The Kuwait con- growth of the private sector. In such a scenario, parency in studies, any resultant inflationary struction industry is estimated to have drawn in the impact of sharp fuel price rises is that they will effects will get diluted across a protracted time- Construction sector approximately KD 4.9 billion worth of contracts by squeeze contractors’ margins. With respect to the frame. Also, the implementation schedule must be International evidence indicates that an the end of 2014. However, the total cost of infra- GCC, the construction industry is already facing communicated much in advance to stakeholders increase in fuel cost by 30 percent-40 percent can structure and construction projects in Kuwait in mounting costs of labor due to workforce short- in society. Thus, the impact of prices increases can hike the total cost of construction by about 2-5 2014 is estimated to have touched KD 6.5 billion. ages. be greatly softened. Gasoline reduces US inflation; mid-year rate hike in doubt Consumer sentiment hits 11-year high

WASHINGTON: US consumer prices recorded February. Other data on Friday, however, sug- The 11-year high in consumer sentiment in their biggest drop in six years in December and a gested the economy was growing solidly despite January reported by the University of Michigan gauge of underlying inflation was flat, which the soft inflation readings, with factory output reflected gains in both employment and could make the Federal Reserve more cautious rising last month and consumer sentiment hit- income, and the boost to spending power from about raising interest rates. The Labor ting its highest level in 11 years in January. sharply falling gasoline prices. A separate report Department said its Consumer Price Index fell 0.4 from the Fed showed factory output rose 0.3 percent last month, the largest decline since BULLISH SIGNALS percent last month, a fourth straight monthly December 2008, after sliding 0.3 percent in Fed officials will need to navigate these con- gain. Mining output jumped 2.2 percent on November. flicting signals as they near a decision on when increased oil and gas extraction. Drilling activi- In the 12 months through December, the CPI to raise benchmark borrowing costs from near ty, however, fell. increased just 0.8 percent, the weakest reading zero, where they have been pegged since The better prospects for the economy helped KABUL: An Afghan girl selling pens and accepting alms rests on the pavement in since October 2009 and a sharp deceleration December 2008. “Maybe the data would push us to lift US stocks, while prices for US government front of a shopping market in Kabul yesterday. — AP from November’s 1.3 percent rise. a little bit further one way or the other,” San debt fell. The dollar rose against a basket of cur- “The odds of a rate hike in June are fading Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President John rencies. Weaker global demand and increased fast,” said Michelle Girard, chief economist at RBS Williams told a group of business people in San shale production in the United States have China regulators promise in Stamford, Connecticut. “The recent data can- Francisco. caused an oil glut, sending crude prices tum- not leave the Fed feeling more confident that “But I think the good news here is that the bling. Brent crude prices neared a six-year low taxi industry shakeup inflation will move higher.” While Fed officials economy has improved a lot ... and in fact we are this week. In the United States, gasoline prices have viewed the energy-driven drop in inflation able to start adjusting policy, tightening policy in last month registered their biggest drop in six BEIJING: China’s government promised yes- companies that decide their own charges for as transitory, a strong dollar is taming underlying a way because of that strength.” years. The cost of gasoline has now declined for terday to overhaul the country’s taxi industry use of a cab. “While cab drivers are undoubt- price pressures, which could cause them some Despite a strengthening labor market and six straight months. Food prices rose for the following strikes by drivers in at least seven edly unhappy about the use of taxi apps, their discomfort. economy, inflation does not look like it will reach 12th month. Elsewhere, shelter costs increased major cities over complaints about low pay, fundamental grievance is and always has The so-called core CPI, which strips out food the US central bank’s 2 percent target anytime 0.2 percent, while the rise in medical care com- high charges imposed by taxi companies and been with the cab companies and the con- and energy costs, was unchanged in December. soon. Indeed, some economists think it could dip modities prices was the largest since May 1989. competition from ride-hailing apps. The tract system,” said Geoffrey Crothall of China It was only the second time since 2010 that it did into negative territory this year before rebound- Apparel prices, however, recorded their biggest Ministry of Transport said it will take unspeci- Labour Bulletin, a Hong Kong-based research not increase. ing. The softness in core inflation, however, along decline since September 1998, and there were fied steps to improve pricing and “rights pro- group, in a report this week. In the 12 months through December, the core with darkening prospects for the global econo- also declines in airfares, new motor vehicle and tection” mechanisms and to integrate ride- After deducting charges to taxi companies, CPI rose 1.6 percent, the smallest gain since my, is likely more troubling for the Fed. used cars and trucks prices. — Reuters hailing apps and other new technologies into many drivers make less than a factory worker, the industry. according to Crothall. “With earnings so low, Strikes have been reported this week in drivers understandably get angry when their cities including Nanjing in the east, Chengdu business is poached by unlicensed cabs that in the west and Shenyang in the northeast. In are not subject to the same burdensome reg- Japan retailer a sign of shifting official attitudes, the govern- ulations as they are,” he said. Gulf Bank announces ment’s China News Service on Thursday cited In other moves to put more money into Uniqlo to step up experts who said taxi companies hurt drivers drivers’ pockets, the city government Beijing winners of Al-Danah by charging up to 9,000 yuan ($1,450) per on Thursday canceled a 1 yuan (16 cent) sur- controls on China month for use of a cab. The report appeared charge imposed each time a taxi is refueled. on websites of numerous Chinese news out- The Ministry of Transportation said the east- daily draws suppliers lets. ern city of Wuhu province raised taxi fares by 1 Drivers cited by Chinese media also com- yuan (16 cents) to 7 yuan ($1.15) for the first TOKYO: Japanese fashion giant Fast Retailing Co is plained about competition from private driv- 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles). KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its Al-Danah announced alongside winners of tightening controls on treatment of workers at key sup- ers who use ride-hailing apps such as Uber. The Communist Party newspaper People’s daily draws on January 11, 2015, KD250,000 and KD50,000. The Ministry of Transport announced a ban Daily warned on Jan. 6 that rising use of ride- announcing the names of its winners Al-Danah allows customers to win pliers’ factories in China following complaints by labor last week on use of such apps by drivers with- hailing apps would force changes in the for the week of January 4 to January 8. cash prizes and simultaneously rights groups. Members of two labor rights groups said out taxi licenses. Taxi drivers have protested industry. “The current monopoly has long The Al-Danah daily draws include encourages them to save. Each KD100 Friday they are planning meetings next week with rep- resentatives of the company, which makes popular repeatedly in recent years over conditions in been criticized,” the newspaper said. “The draws each working day for two prizes gives the customer 1 chance daily their industry. Most are treated as independ- large amount of money that must be handed Uniqlo brand clothing. of KD1000 per winner. which accumulates day by day. The “We believe that Uniqlo has a lot of suppliers in ent contractors without salary or other bene- to taxi companies will have to be gradually more money saved and the longer it is fits. They have no bargaining power with taxi reduced.” — AP China. These two factories are just the starting point of The winners were in the account, the more chances indi- our campaign,” said Alexandra Chan, a project officer of (Sunday 4/1): Nawal Abdullah Al- viduals stand to win. Every the Hong Kong-based labor monitoring group Students Shamrukh, Adel Ali Hassan Hussein Al-Danah prize draws will automat- & Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior, or SACOM. (Monday 5/1): Mukesh Kumar ically be deposited into the winner’s Fast Retailing issued a statement Thursday saying it Dave Kumar, Aseel Jaber Ghaler Al- account within two working days. Al- would take action to ensure fair payment and account- Mohammed Danah also offers a number of unique ing of working hours, curb excess overtime and (Tuesday 6/1): Danah services including the Al Danah improve conditions on factory floors of its suppliers in Mohammed Yousef Al-Kandari, Deposit Only ATM card which helps response to the complaints based on undercover inves- Thoraya Abdullah Abdulhussain Al- account holders deposit their money tigations by SACOM. Fodery at their convenience; as well as the Al SACOM said it found that workers at two suppliers in southern China were working between 112 hours and (Wednesday 7/1): Adnan Danah calculator to help customers 134 hours of overtime a month, on top of 11-12 hours a Abdulwahab Al-Nasef, Mohammed calculate their chances of becoming day with only a few days off a month, and were being Ahmed Hamad Al-Alyan an Al Danah winner. underpaid, based on Chinese labor laws. Workers were (Thursday 8/1): Sheikha/ Hessah Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah account is not wearing required protective gear and factory temper- Abdullah Al-Khalifah Al-Sabah, Ali open to Kuwaitis and all residents of atures exceeded 38 Celsius (100 Fahrenheit) at times, the Reda Fathallah Gholamy Kuwait. Customers who open an report said. It cited various hazardous conditions, includ- account and/ or deposit more will ing chemical-laden wastewater on the factory floors. Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah 2015 draw enter the draw within two days. To In a statement, Fast Retailing said its own investiga- lineup includes daily draws (2 winners take part in the Al-Danah 2014 upcom- tion had corroborated some of those complaints. per working day each receive KD1000). ing yearly draw, customers must have “Respecting human rights and ensuring appropriate Al-Danah’s 1st Quarterly draw will be an Al Danah account containing at working conditions for the workers of our production held on 26 March (KD200,000, least KD 200. To be part of the Al- partners are top priorities for Fast Retailing, and in this KD125,000, and KD25,000), 2nd Danah draws, customers can visit one we are completely aligned with SACOM,” Yukihiro Nitta, the company’s executive officer responsible for corpo- Quarter - 25 June (KD250,000, of Gulf Bank’s 59 branches, transfer on rate social responsibility, said in the statement. KD125,000, and KD25,000), 3rd line, or call the Customer Contact It said Fast Retailing would step up monitoring at the Quarter - 17 September (KD500,000, Center on 1805805 for assistance and factories, including those that supply textiles to its KD125,000, and KD25,000). The final guidance. Customers can also log on direct suppliers. Chan welcomed the response. Al-Danah draw for the Million Dinars to www.e-gulfbank.com/aldanahwin- “We will keep closely monitoring the suppliers of MOSCOW: Bank traders work in an operation room at Metallinvestbank in Moscow will be held on 7 January, 2016 where- ners, to find out more about Al-Danah Uniqlo in China and of course we will see the progress on Friday. Russian markets traded sluggishly as its credit rating was downgraded to by the Al-Danah Millionaire will be and who the winners are. of these two factories that we investigated this time,” “junk” level later Friday for the first time in a decade. —AP she said. — AP SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 BUSINESS

Kuwait bourse upbeat on renewed optimism

BAYAN WEEKLY MARKET REPORT

KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) ended last week in Moreover, the stock market was able to realize limited the green zone. The Price Index closed at 6,598.67 points, increase on Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s sessions, in light of up by 1.66 percent from the week before closing, the the slight increase in the trading value, among a fluctuated Weighted Index increased by 2.35 percent after closing at performance due to the speculative operations that were 444.32 points, whereas the KSX-15 Index closed 1,077.57 concentrated mainly on the small-cap stocks. On the end of points up by 3.24 percent. Furthermore, last week’s average week session, the stock market ended the session with daily turnover increased by 27.37 percent, compared to the mixed closings for its three indices, as the Price Index was preceding week, reaching KD 25.50 million, whereas trad- able to realize some gain, supported by the continued pur- ing volume average was 268.26 million shares, recording an chasing operations on the small-cap and mid-cap stocks, increase of 19.81 percent. whilst the profit collection operations executed on some The stock market indicators closed the week in the green large-cap stocks pushed the Weighted Index and KSX-15 zone, compensating its losses of the first week of the year, Index to close in the red zone. as the market received support from the active purchasing operations that concentrated on the large-cap and blue- Sectors’ Indices chip stocks, which acquired the largest part of the market Nine of KSE’s sectors ended last week in the green zone, liquidity during most of the week’s sessions, especially that while two recorded losses, and the Health Care sector’s of expected positive financial results and cash distributions index closed with no change from the week before. Last for year 2014, to positively affect the market indicators, week’s highest gainer was the Telecommunications sector, especially the Weighted and KSX-15 indices, to realize achieving 5.40 percent growth rate as its index closed at noticeable gains by the end of the week. Also, this perform- 602.10 points. Whereas, in the second place, the Banks sec- ance came despite the profit collection operations that tor’s index closed at 1,032.11 points recording 2.74 percent were present during some daily sessions of the week, and increase. The Real Estate sector came in third as its index targeted the stocks that realized some gains from time to achieved 2.65 percent growth, ending the week at 1,149.22 time. points. Furthermore, the stock market initiated the first session On the other hand, the Consumer Goods sector headed of the week with good growth for all its indices, supported the losers list as its index declined by 1.69 percent to end by the purchasing power that included most of the traded the week’s activity at 1,204.83 points. The Basic Materials stocks, especially in the Telecommunications, Real Estate sector was second on the losers’ list, which index declined and Financial Services sectors, which contributed to the by 0.40 percent, closing at 1,082.68 points. light increase in the trading activity. However on the sec- ond session, the market witnessed quick profit collection Sectors’ Activity percent of last week’s total trading volume, with a total of trading value. The Financial Services sector took the second operations executed on many of the stocks and concentrat- The Financial Services sector dominated a total trade 363.85 million shares. place as the sector’s last week turnover was KD 27.19 mil- ed on the small-cap stocks in particular, which caused the volume of 529.12 million shares changing hands during last On the other hand, the Banks sector’s stocks were the lion represented 21.33 percent of the total market trading market indicators to close mixed by the end of the session, week, representing 39.45 percent of the total market trad- highest traded in terms of value; with a turnover of KD value. — Prepared by the Studies & Research Department as the Price Index closed with loss, whilst the Weighted and ing volume. The Real Estate sector was second in terms of 31.82 million or 24.96 percent of last week’s total market Bayan Investment Co. KSX-15 indices realized limited growth. trading volume as the sector’s traded shares were 27.13

US stock investors mull a correction Ukraine’s CB chief defends policies in hostile parliament WALL STREET WEEKLY REVIEW KIEV: Ukraine must take swift and decisive action to over- NEW YORK: Next week may show exporters tumbled as a result. come a “full-scale financial crisis”, central bank head Valeriia whether US stocks are finally undergo- The dollar also rose to an 11-year high Gontareva said on Friday in a speech to parliament, where ing a long-awaited correction or if a against the euro on Friday. The green- she faced abuse and mockery over her performance. recent run of losses are just a bump on back has gained steadily against a basket A year of revolution and war with pro-Russian sepa- the road to more gains. of major currencies for months, rising ratists has pushed the hryvnia currency to record lows and It’s been more than three years since about 16 percent as of the end of June. crippled the economy, which was already near bankruptcy the S&P 500 has dropped 10 percent or Those gains are a double-edged after years of corruption. more. This month, the benchmark index sword. US exporters will now find their “We must act quickly. We’re in full-scale financial crisis fell five sessions in a row, from Jan 8 goods more expensive, and therefore that can only be overcome though decisive action, signifi- through Jan 15, shedding more than 3 harder to sell, abroad. A strengthened cant budget-saving and financial support from ... donors,” percent in the process. Since December currency, though, helps fight inflation, she told a rowdy session of parliament. Deputies voiced 29, the index has fallen almost 5 percent which could encourage the US Federal anger over the hryvnia whose value against the dollar through Thursday’s close. Reserve to keep its accommodative slumped nearly 50 per cent last year. Radical Party leader What to make of the declines is less stance awhile longer to help boost eco- Oleh Lyashko, a member of the governing coalition, led clear. The selloff has left shares more rea- nomic growth. In the week through Jan. criticism of Gontareva’s stewardship of the central bank by sonably priced: The forward looking 14, both retail and institutional investors scattering fake dollars in a derisive gesture as she stepped price/earnings ratio of the S&P 500 stood pulled money out of stock funds and up to the tribune to speak. at 16 on Friday, down from 20 at the end instead put cash to work in bond funds, Later, as Gontareva spoke, he gestured in her direction of 2014. US investors have been spooked according to data from Lipper, a and shouted: “This swindler should be sitting in jail!” by a collapse in commodities and may Thomson Reuters unit. US-based stock Gontareva said the hryvnia’s fluctuations had become less not be sure whether that’s a signal to buy funds saw $4.1 billion in outflows over severe but “unfortunately” the currency had not yet found or sell. Oil prices have fallen in half in that week. In contrast, bond funds added an equilibrium value. recent months, trading below $50 a bar- $4.3 billion in net new cash. “I hope that when international organizations rel at around six-year lows. That’s cut Earnings reports may not offer much announce this large help we will find this equilibrium gasoline prices for Americans and helped reassurance. Of the 40 S&P 500 compa- quicker,” she told parliament, saying the central bank US consumer sentiment hit an 11-year nies that have reported through Friday would stick to a flexible exchange rate and “never” return high in January, data showed on Friday. morning, 55 percent have beat analyst to a fixed peg against the dollar. At the same time, lower crude prices revenue expectations and 77.5 percent The central bank is considering raising the main inter- indicate global demand is slowing, have beat earnings expectations - but NEW YORK: American flags fly in front of the New York Stock Exchange, in New York. est rate from the current level of 14 percent to combat potentially depriving US companies of forecasts had been revised down sharply Global stock markets swung higher Friday led by a surge in Chinese shares. — AP inflation, she said. The ex-Soviet country’s hard currency reserves have collapsed to just enough to cover five weeks markets they need to boost profits. in recent weeks, according to Thomson buying opportunity after stocks hit a replacement parts and DST Systems, a Prices for copper, regarded as an indica- Reuters data. Key earnings reports due of imports, and an estimated $15 billion funding gap has series of record highs in the last year. software development company. fanned fears of big government debt writedowns. tor for global economic activity because next week include Dow Jones compo- “We’re in buying mode now, and are Next week other shoppers may bring of its uses in construction and telecom- nents Morgan Stanley, IBM, American Earlier, Finance Minister Natalia Yaresko said Ukraine absolutely pleased to be able to pick up their lists to market, shrugging off the needed “financial mobilisation” and further help from for- munications, fell 8 percent this week to Express and Johnson & Johnson. Wall some stocks we’re excited about while events that sent stocks lower this week. “I five-and-a-half year lows. Street still expects overall earnings of eign backers to survive the economic crisis. “To win in this investors are putting them on sale,” said believe it’s more likely to be noise than war, together with the military we need to carry out finan- Adding to uncertainty was Thursday’s S&P 500 companies to rise 3.5 percent for Lamar Villere, a portfolio manager at part of a broader correction,” said Ed move by the Swiss National Bank to the fourth quarter, but that’s off from the cial mobilisation,” Yaresko told parliament, underscoring Villere & Co, which has about $3 billion in Keon, a portfolio manager at Quantitative the link between Ukraine’s financial plight and a conflict scrap a three-year-old currency cap, an 11 percent consensus that prevailed on assets under management. He’s been Management Associates, a Prudential about-face that sent the Swiss franc soar- Oct 1. with pro-Russian separatists in its eastern regions which buying real estate developer Howard Financial company, where he helps man- has brought confrontation with Russia. — Reuters ing against the euro. Shares of Swiss For some investors, the recent dip is a Hughes Corp, LKQ, a provider of auto age more than $60 billion. — Reuters SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 BUSINESS Kuwait must heed warnings on oil market boom sustainability Al-Shall Weekly Economic Report

KUWAIT: The public administration in produce about 3.34 million barrels new record figure of KD 4,447 million to its index, according to AlShall Kuwait missed one opportunity after per day in 1972, then it dropped pro- in 2007, the highest in the past 12 index, without adjustment of the another in proactively dealing with duction due to a weak oil market to years. It soon declined in 2008 and exchange rate impact versus the US signs of any emerging general prob- 862,000 barrels per day in 1982, and the decline continued in 2009 which dollar. Growth rate in those markets lem. Examples are too many. The gov- remained almost constant between 2 recorded the second lowest level of indexes went up and scored 11.2 per- ernment overlooked deliberately vio- to 2.2 million barrels per day for the liquidity since 2000, excluding infla- cent (20.3 percent in 2013). lations of incorporators of companies period 1993-2002. Then it began to tion impact. It recovered once again The Egyptian market came first in the early 1970s in Al-Manakh crisis; increase it simultaneously with a in 2010 and this recovery extended to with 31.6 percent rise, then the it also interfered in the purchase of sharp increase in prices due to appar- 2014 when it achieved the highest Pakistani with 26.5 percent rise, then stocks of speculators in 1978; it also ent economic growth for China and level in the past 15 years as we men- the Turkish with 24.7 percent. As for tolerated the flow of establishing Gulf India and due to geopolitical events. tioned above. KSE, it came 9th with a drop by -2.4 and closed companies which led to The situation in the current slug- Liquidity of private housing activi- percent according to AlShall index; it the outburst of the biggest crisis in gish oil market era is better than it ty achieved absolute rise in 2014. however remains better than three world securities. This is all true when was before if the purpose of pumping Private housing’s share from the mar- other loser markets. The Omani mar- the public administration ignored production surplus is limited to halt- ket liquidity, agencies and contracts, ket came last with -7.2 percent drop. many and serious warnings about ing investment in linear, non-conven- increased to KD 2,272 million while its impossible sustainability of the oil tional oils. But once logic is absent, relative contribution to the total mar- The Weekly performance of KSE market boom and increased public there would be no minimum limit for ket liquidity dropped to about 45.5 The performance of Kuwait Stock expenditure by an annual growth rate prices; but logic will most likely pre- percent versus 49.4 percent in 2013. Exchange (KSE) for the last week was of 13 percent during 10 years and the vail. The situation is worse because Rise in private housing activity scored more active, where all indexes current and fixed dominating its com- China and, to a lesser extent, India, 16.9 percent compared with 2013. showed an increase, the traded value ponents. The entire country has and the emerging Asian economies Investment trading activity index, the traded volume index, the become face-to-face with a new and the global economy will not increased to about KD 2,106 million, transactions index, and the general Manakh unless the public administra- achieve the old and high economic with a rise in its contribution to mar- index showed an increase, AlShall tion begins with a fundamental growth rates in the future, which in ket liquidity to about 42.2 percent in Index (value index) closed at 446.1 change within it that excludes the the past provided unprecedented 2014 (38.7 percent of the market liq- points at the closing of last Thursday, current crisis makers from providing support to the oil market. A prudent uidity in 2013). The rise in the liquidi- showing an increase of 9.6 points or solutions. management does not remain idle ty of investment housing activity was about 2.2 percent compared to the The first requirement of con- until a problem transforms to a crisis around 38.4 percent, compared to the end of the previous week, and fronting the crisis is to control the fac- and perhaps to a disaster and then it year 2013. increased by 2.1 points or about 0.5 tor which it controls, albeit limited, starts to find unfeasible solutions The housing activity, both private percent compared with the end of which is public expenditures and thereto. That was the history of the and investment, captured 87.7 per- 2014. should link them with the factor that performance of the public adminis- cent share of the real estate market controls 92 percent of its financing, tration. We hope that performance liquidity in 2014, leaving about 12.3 oil revenues. There must be aware- would be better this time for the sake percent to the commercial and ware- ness of the oil market cycles, which of future. housing sectors (11.9 percent in may be long. The option open before 2013). The average value per transac- Kuwait and other Gulf States is either Local real estate market 2014 tion of private housing increased to to cut down production at a subse- Positive outcome KD 360.8 thousand in the end of 2014 quent date to supporting prices to 2014 ended with a positive out- (KD 290.7,000 in 2013). While the avoid the collapse of states in and come as market liquidity increased to average per transaction value for outside OPEC which are on the brink KD 4992.4 million, 26.8 percent, (KD investment housing activity rose to of instability, or to sacrifice prices in a 3935.8 million for 2013). 2014 liquidi- KD 1.189 million up from KD war of surplus production with tradi- ty was the best, without calculating 838.6,000. As for the commercial tional oil producers who have no oth- the impact of inflation, during the activity, it increased to about KD er choice but war. It is true that there past 15 years from 2000 and to 2014. 5.389 million (KD 2.768 million in is no need to reduce production by Liquidity in the second half of 2014 2013). The average value per transac- half as in the 1970s and 1980s, but scored KD 2,145.2 million which is tion in general for the real estate trad- the demand to adhere to the pre- lower than the first half which stood ing in 2014 rose by 34.3 percent. scribed production quotas would be at KD 2847.2 million, indicating a sufficient. Kuwait, for instance, which probable weak liquidity in 2015. KSE vis-a-vis foreign markets in 2013 produced 3.126 million bar- The market began with a rise for Compared with indexes perform- rels per day, or about 1 million barrels three years after 2000 until the end of ance in 2013, their performance in 2014 was mixed. Morgan Stanley Capital International Index “MSCI” for the world increased by 2.9 percent compared with 24.1 percent in 2013. The rise in 2014 included “MSCI” for the USA which rose by 11.1 percent. The weight and impact of the US mar- ket are very heavy on the rest of the other global markets. The overall index for the two Americas rose by 9.3 percent. However, “MSCI” for Europe dropped by -8.6 percent. The same index, excluding UK, dropped by about -8.5 percent. The condition of Asia was similar to most of the European markets. “MSCI” for Asia/the Pacific dropped by -2.5 percent in contrast with 9.3 percent increase in 2013. World Index will drop to -6.7 percent if we exclude the United State form it, this reflects the weight of the US market in the composition of the index as we stated above. The continent’s performance according to “MSCI” indexes until the end of 2014 in comparison with its performance in the end of 2013. The comparative performance of growth (or decline) of indexes for a selected group of major stock mar- kets (16 markets) in 2014 according to the latest available data from the Financial Times, including Kuwait Stock Exchange, without considera- tion to exchange rates movement. Compared with 2013, it indicates a rise in 12 markets while KSE index according to AlShall index came in the 14th position and dropped by - 2.4 percent (3.8 percent rise and the same position in 2013). It is worth mentioning that the average rise for all markets listed in the graph scored 3.4 percent in the end of 2014 vis-a- vis 18.2 percent rise in 2013. When we analysis the simple aver- ages (not weighted) for the cash yield and P/E ratios for the selected global markets reveals that the average cash yield for them scored about 2.9 per- cent, which is the same as in 2013. As for P/E for those markets, it scored 17.6 times (16.6 times in 2013) which means that the rise in prices is higher than the rise in profitability. The KSE cash yield index scored about 3.4 percent and came third among those markets, which is slight- ly higher than the average of selected global markets. As for KSE P/E, it scored 15.8 times and ranked 12th in terms of P/E rankings. This means its stock prices are high in contrast with their profit. The Australian, Swedish, Singaporean and Hong Kong markets come next to it respectively. Average P/E for the same group per day, above its quota, will be the 2003 and achieved KD 2,828 million. scored 15.3 times (14.2 times in 2013). most vulnerable to pressures, and it Signs of weakness began to The Kuwaiti stock market came third should hedge the likely reduction remerged in 2004 and continued among those markets (the 6th in and link expenditures with revenues until the end of 2005 when liquidity 2013). It ranked 8th in terms of high from a conservative production num- scored KD 2,231 million. 2006 wit- P/E compared to with the 2nd posi- ber. nessed noticeable improvement in tion in 2013. This means its prices are liquidity though it was a correction high among the 16 selected markets. Production year in the regional and Kuwaiti stock KSE occupied the 9th position According to BP, Kuwait used to markets. It continued and scored a among 12 Middle East markets equal BUSINESS SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 OPEC lets demand-supply imbalances play out

NBK Oil Markets Report

KUWAIT: The year 2014 ended with inter- to be affected in the near term. duction in November was down by November witnessed five consecutive includes at least 28,000 b/d of Kirkuk crude national oil prices down between 40 per- Nevertheless and for the longer term, signs 289,000 b/d on the previous month, to months of uninterrupted output gains to handed over to the federal authorities in cent and 50 percent during the year to lev- of a slowdown across the US shale industry 30.2 mb/d, according to OPEC figures. This reach a year-high of at least 900,000 b/d. Baghdad by the Kurdistan Regional els last seen in 2009. Brent crude finished may be discerned in the cutbacks in capital is the largest monthly decline since March Kuwait and Saudi Arabia also recorded Government (KRG) in a deal negotiated the year at $55.7 per barrel (bbl), a decline spending being announced by private sec- and comes in the wake of supply outages output declines, of about 60,000 b/d between the two parties to end the stand- of 44 percent, and US benchmark West tor oil companies such as Marathon Oil, in Libya that took at least 249,000 b/d of apiece, to 2.7 mb/d and 9.6 mb/d, respec- off over oil revenue disbursements. Kirkuk Texas Intermediate (WTI) closed at ConocoPhillips and Continental. These crude offline. tively. This most probably relates to the and some of its surrounding oil fields have $53.5/bbl, a drop of 46.6 percent. three producers are expecting to pare back An escalation in the conflict between cessation of production at the 300,000 b/d been under de facto KRG control since Meanwhile, Kuwait export crude (KEC)fell their investments by between 20 percent armed militias loyal to the two rival gov- offshore Khafji field, which the two coun- June 2014 when the local Peshmerga by almost 49 percent during 2014 to settle and 40 percent in 2015 which would affect ernments in Libya saw output shut-in at tries manage jointly as part of their opera- forces moved in to secure the city against at $50.5/bbl. future supply and production. Going into Sharara, one of the country’s major fields. tions in the Neutral Zone. In the two the Islamic State’s (IS) offensive. Moreover, Crude oil’s precipitous decline over the 2015, markets are not expecting oil prices it seems that federally-designated crude last 6 months to five-and-a-half-year lows to rise until the second half of the year has been routed through the KRG’s own has been catalyzed by a combination of when global oil demand growth tradition- independent pipeline to Ceyhan in Turkey- weak global oil demand and rising oil pro- ally rebounds (and world economic growth the source of much acrimony between duction especially from North America, improves). ICE Brent futures, in contango Baghdad and the KRG-rather than through where US shale/tight oil output had been since mid-2014, are ranging between the federal pipeline which runs through IS- ramping up at breakneck speed. $65/bbl and $74/bbl for December deliver- controlled territory and is still out of com- The decision by OPEC in November to ies over the next two years. mission after it was sabotaged in March. maintain its output ceiling of 30 million Non-OPEC production, meanwhile, was barrels per day (mb/d)in the face of a sup- World oil demand to rise broadly flat at 57.3 mb/d (including biofuels ply glut of more than 1 mb/d, rather than In line with forecasts of an improve- and processing gains) in November. US pro- cut production as many had been antici- ment in the global economy, world oil duction increases continued unabated, pating, saw traders respond by a further demand is expected to rise by 0.9 mb/d to however, with total liquid fuels production round of selling which accelerated the 93.3 mb/d in 2015, from 92.4 mb/d in 2014, rising by140,000 b/d to 12.3 mb/d in price decline. As well as effectively dismiss- according to the IEA. This represents a cut November, according to the IEA’s estimates. ing the notion of an oil producer-orches- of 250,000 b/d from last month’s IEA fore- The US Energy Information Agency (EIA) trated price floor, OPEC, with Saudi Arabia cast, with the agency expecting demand forecasts total liquid fuels production reach- in the vanguard, has signaled to the market growth from Russia and other oil-export- ing 13.6 mb/d in 2015 and crude output in that it is no longer willing to bear the brunt ing countries to be relatively muted in particular rising by 8.4 percent to 9.3 mb/d. of production cuts unilaterally, preferring 2015. Oil demand from OECD Europe and Burgeoning US production looks set to to let demand-supply dynamics play out Asia Oceania is actually expected to con- propel non-OPEC production in 2014 to a until prices reach levels that become tract in 2015, by approximately 100- record high of 1.9 mb/d. The IEA has also uneconomical for some of the higher cost 200,000 b/d, a similar amount to the Oil production is likely to suffer further months since production was shut down revised its 2015 supply forecast higher, to oil producers, notably the US shale indus- decline witnessed in 2014. World oil after Islamist militias loyal to the govern- on technical and environmental grounds, 1.3 mb/d. Once again, the ‘call on OPEC try, to record further unfettered output demand growth in 2014, at an estimated ment in Tripoli, the National Salvation approximately 100,000 b/d of crude has crude and stock change’ for 2015 has been gains. Breakeven costs for the US shale 0.6 mb/d, is likely to be the slowest growth Government, advanced on two key oil been taken offline from both countries. lowered to reflect downward revisions to industry are hard to estimate, however; but in 5 years. export terminals, prompting the country’s Iraq, Ecuador and Nigeria were the only global demand and the expected increases it is thought that prices would need to be OPEC output declines in November on national oil company to declare “force OPEC members to record an increase in in non-OPEC supply. OPEC will thus need at $50/bbl or below for a sustained period Libya supply outages but rising US oil pro- majeure”. The recent deterioration in secu- production in November. Iraqi crude out- to reduce production in 2015 by at least of time for investment and ultimately pro- duction has propelled non-OPEC supply rity represents a major setback for Libya’s put rose by 50,000 b/d to 3.4 mb/d. 1.1 mb/d from its official 30 mb/d ceiling in duction at some of the bigger shale plays growth in 2014 to a record high OPEC pro- oil industry, which had up until early Significantly, the increase in Iraqi exports order to balance the market. Ooredoo partners with ‘Auto Moto 2015’ at 360 Mall

KUWAIT: Ooredoo has always joined efforts as Auto Moto will bring benefits to both, youth with strategic partners to bring the best of and families of Kuwait. Auto Moto 2015 exhibi- events and activities to the people of Kuwait. tion accommodates much more than 100econo- The company has recently partnered with my and luxury cars ranging from a variety of Kuwait’s largest car exhibition, Auto Moto, for its international renowned worldwide automotive third year, 2015.The exhibition is opening today brands and therefore providing an excellent val- at 360 Mall under the patronage of Minister of ue for visitors. In addition, the event introduces Information and Minister of State for Youth various models of which some are new arrivals Affairs Sheikh SalmanAl-Homoud Al-Sabah. of 2015, whereby visitors can test drive their Ooredoo’s decision of partnering with this event favorite cars. Ooredoo is ready to serve customers at the Auto Moto exhibition at 360 Mall providing cus- tomers with all Ooredoo services; post-paid, pre- paid, voice, or data. Ooredoo also plans to announce the winner of its first Corvette Stingray 2015. The name of the lucky winner of the Corvette will be announced on Thursday. Ooredoo’s draw this year includes two brand- new 2015 Corvette Stingrays. All customers of Ooredoo automatically qualify to the draw sim- ply by paying their bills or recharging their cred- it. For every KD spent, customers get one chance to enter the draw. Aside from the two Corvettes, Ooredoo is announcing 7 lucky winners of free smartphones every week. The exhibition takes place at the internal Agility to develop 40-acre area, ground floor of the mall and some of the comes from its vision of enriching people’s lives external area, starting from today, the 18th,to and its values; Caring, Connecting and the 24th of January. The 360 Mall was chosen for Challenging. being a destination of luxury and entertainment distribution park in Ghana Earlier last week, a press conference was held in Kuwait targeting youth and families, provid- by the organizing party announcing the event ing a unique shopping experience and a family whereby the Manager of Public Relations of friendly atmosphere. Based on the exhibition’s Ooredoo, Fatemah Dashti, expressed the com- previous success in 2014 and 2013, Auto Moto is Latest world-class logistics hubs to improve African networks pany’s enthusiasm and excitement of partnering Kuwait’s largest automotive show allowing visi- with one of the largest exhibitions in the coun- tors to shop for their favourite cars at one place. ACCRA: Agility, a leading global logistics and Speaking on this latest Agility investment also designs and builds warehouses on its try. Serving its vision of enriching people’s lives Ooredoo strives to come closer to the youth and logistical infrastructure provider, today broke into the region, Geoffrey White, Agility CEO Distribution Parks for third parties to specific in Kuwait, Ooredoo believes a large event such families sponsoring events such as Auto Moto. ground on construction of a distribution park on Africa said, “Agility is a world leader in develop- individual customer specifications. White went a 40 acre site in the Tema Port Free Trade Zone ing logistics parks around the globe and is com- on to add, “Ghana is an attractive location to Enclave in Accra, Ghana. The Agility Distribution mitted to developing a network of quality launch the network of new Agility Distribution Jazeera Airways Group to sell Park, one of a series of logistics hubs that Agility Distribution Parks in Africa. By providing much Parks thanks to a long term stable and transpar- is building across the African continent, will pro- needed import and export routes in and out of ent Government, fast growing GDP and increas- 15 Airbus A320s for $507m vide international standard logistics infrastruc- Africa, Agility Distribution Parks will help compa- ing prominence as a regional commercial hub in ture to local, regional and global companies nies operate in Africa with the reliable, modern West Africa. KUWAIT: Jazeera Airways Group yesterday ation was a strategic decision to enhance the operating in Ghana. and secure infrastructure they need to grow Quality logistics infrastructure is a key driver announced the sale of 15 Airbus A320 aircraft airline’s business model and focus on future The network of Agility Distribution Parks their business.” of new foreign direct investment, stimulating owned by the Group’s fully-owned Sahaab growth opportunities, boost shareholder value being developed across Africa will serve the Agility Distribution Parks focus on providing improved trade flows, prosperity and job cre- Aircraft Leasing for $507 million (KD149 million) and enhance return on equity. The decision has growing requirements of Agility’s existing and undisturbed power, IT connectivity and security ation.” The first phase of the park will be com- as part of a strategic shift to a leased aircraft unanimous support from our board of directors, new customers as they seek distribution facilities for tenants, creating an international platform plete and operational in the last quarter of 2015, operation and a focus on the passenger airline the management teams of both our companies across the continent to meet the demands of the from which companies can efficiently operate and when fully occupied will include 100,000 business. The airline business is the Group’s star (Jazeera Airways and Sahaab Aircraft Leasing), performer that today contributes 81 percent to and our local and international advisors.” burgeoning growth in both the FMCG and com- their businesses. Offering 2PL, 3PL and 4PL solu- sqm of bonded and non-bonded warehouses the Group’s bottom line -up from 50 percent in “The Board of Directors will present during mercial markets. tions, Agility operates its own warehousing and with ancillary services. 2011. The buyer purchasing the fleet is a consor- the company’s upcoming Annual General tium comprising Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Meeting for Shareholders its recommendations Limited and Investec Bank PLC. to invest the cash surplus, including the distribu- Warba Bank wins best call centre The transaction will result in additional cash tion of exceptional cash dividends and financing surplus of KD 24 million and will lift Jazeera the expansion of the company’s business lines Airways Group’s cash balance to KD 82 million in into sectors that complement the passenger air- award from Banker Middle East 2015, transform it into an asset-light, debt-free line business. We look forward to a long-term relationship with our leasing partners”, Boodai added. KUWAIT: Warba Bank has won the Best Call Centre relationship with our corporate and retail cus- In an Extraordinary General Assembly held in Award from Banker Middle East Magazine granting tomers and provide them with innovative banking December 2014, Jazeera Airways Group share- awards for banking products and services in solutions,” added Al-Ghanem. holders’ approved amendments to the Group’s Kuwait for 2014 by CPI FINANCIAL. The award cere- Al-Ghanem also said; “Warba Bank is very keen Articles of Incorporation that permit the Group mony took place at Warba Bank’s Head Office. on establishing its footprints through expanding to start new business lines and activities to sup- Commenting on the occasion, Shaheen Al- its branches network in various vibrant areas in port its core airline business, become more cus- Ghanem, Deputy CEO for Investment & Treasury at Kuwait to get closer to our customers and to attract tomer centric, and ensures increase in return on Warba Bank said: “We are very proud of winning a larger segment of new ones while enhancing the equity in the medium term and long-term.. this prestigious award from Banker Middle East. The sale proceeds will be reflected in the This award is an addition to our distinguished Group’s Q4 2014 financial statements. The achievements and reflects the success that the Group had announced KD 13.0 million ($45.3 Bank maintains in Kuwait as well as the remarkable million) in net profit for the nine-month period services we offer to our customers by satisfying ending on September 30 2014. The passenger their financing and investment needs in compli- company, and enable it to further grow its prof- airline business contributed to KD 10.4 million ance with the rules of Islamic Sharia.” itable airline business. ($36.2 million) in net profit for the same period, Jazeera Airways Group comprises two fully while the leasing business contributed to KD 2.6 Al-Ghanem praised the exceptional perform- owned companies, Sahaab Aircraft Leasing and million ($9.1 million). The Group is expected to ance of the Bank’s Call Centre staff for their ongo- Jazeera Airways, which is a passenger airline register a non-recurring net loss of KD 3.2 mil- ing strife towards more contribution since inaugu- based in Kuwait that operates leased aircraft lion ($11.2 million) for financial year 2014 as a ration of the Call Centre in 2012. The Call Centre from Sahaab Aircraft Leasing. The leasing com- result of the difference between the sale value has managed to satisfy customer needs, respond pany’s customers also include Virgin America, and the book value of the aircraft portfolio, as of to their inquiries about the wide range of products TAP Portugal, FlyNas, and SriLankan Airlines. the signing date of sale agreement. Profit from and services provided by the Bank, receive cus- role of the Call Centre and maximizing its efficien- Jazeera Airways Group recorded a net profit the passenger airline business is expected to tomers’ suggestions and find quick and practical cy in providing innovative services to maintain cus- of KD8.1 million for Q3 2014, an increase of 22.6 continue to grow in 2015 and going forward. solutions for their inquiries around the clock i.e. tomers satisfaction”. Al-Ghanem stressed on the percent from Q3 2013’s KD6.6 million, making it HSBC Bank Middle East Limited acted as the sell- 24/7. These efforts have been fruitful leading to Bank’s commitment for supporting national labor the company’s best quarter in history and the side financial adviser to the Jazeera Airways Warba Bank Call Center winning the Best Call through effective contribution in the continuous dards. The members of the Call Centre hold the company’s 17th quarter of consecutive prof- Group, while Clifford Chance acted as sell-side Centre Award in Kuwait. development and training to Kuwaiti professional International Certificate of Specialized Call Centre itability, of which 13 had record net earnings. legal counsel. Ernst & Young Kuwait advised on “We are committed to continue exerting all pos- calibers. It is noteworthy that the Call Center Programs from “CariZma Company” certified by its Jazeera Airways Group Chairman Marwan accounting and tax matters. The transaction is sible efforts to apply the highest standards of com- adopts a special strategy based on ongoing devel- strategic partner “The Call Center School in the Boodai said “The move to divest from the leas- subject to customary closing conditions and petency and efficiency to widen all banking busi- opment of the staff to ensure that the customers USA”. Customers and shareholders can reach Warba ing business, though profitable, by selling our regulatory approvals and is likely to be complet- ness, expand our customer base, seize new oppor- receive the best services in accordance with the Call Centre by dialing 1825555 to enquire about fleet and continuing with a leased-aircraft oper- ed during the second quarter of 2015. tunities for growth and continue to enhance our highest professional and international quality stan- the services and products offered by the Bank. SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2014 TECHNOLOGY Amazon’s Prime Instant Video makes history

NEW YORK: Online retailer Amazon.com’s Prime es like Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV or Roku. Netflix is PRIMING VIEWERS ingly important but still relatively small part of the Instant Video made history this week when its show the leading paid streaming service, with about 53 Amazon Prime Instant Video is available for free streaming service. “Transparent” has been its most “Transparent” won a Golden Globe for best comedy million subscribers worldwide, including 38 million for members of Amazon’s $99 annual Prime pro- high-profile series, but it has also debuted “Mozart TV series, a first for a web-only production. Amazon in the U.S. Amazon is second, with an estimated 24 gram. The Seattle company’s longtime strategy has in the Jungle,” which stars Gael Garcia Bernal as a Studios then announced that it had hired Woody million Prime subscribers using its video service, been to invest in services for its Prime members to classic music conductor. The success of Allen to create his first-ever TV series. So what is compared to Hulu’s 6 million paid subscribers, grow its membership base, because members gen- “Transparent,” along with Netflix shows like “House Amazon Prime Instant Video? It competes with according to Forrester Research. erally spend more. Services like free two-day ship- of Cards” and “Orange is the New Black,” have Netflix, Hulu, Yahoo Screen and others by streaming Amazon offers original programming like ping and discounts on grocery and same-day deliv- proven that viewers will watch original content on a mix of original content and reams of movies and “Transparent,” which stars Jeffrey Tambor as a trans- ery have helped attract an estimated 40 million streaming services. Amazon Studios, which began TV shows. Here’s a brief look at the rise of Amazon gender parent to three grown children, and thou- Prime members (the company does not disclose the producing original programing in 2010, has also Prime Instant Video and other streaming services: sands of other TV shows and movies, including old- total figure). Amazon said it gained 10 million more begun offering viewers a chance to vote on pilots to er HBO programs like “Six Feet Under” and “The subscribers over the December holiday period. determine which shows it develops. The latest THE STREAM Sopranos.” The service is available mainly to Prime batch, which began streaming Thursday, includes More Americans are watching TV by streaming members in the U.S., U.K., Germany, Austria and CONTENT IS KING pilots of 13 original comedy, drama, documentary video on PCs, tablets and phones or via set-top box- Japan. Amazon Studios original content is an increas- and kids shows. — AP New York Post says its Twitter accounts hacked

NEW YORK: A New York Post spokeswoman claiming to support the Islamic State militant said some of the newspaper’s Twitter group, and Crayola apologized for a hack of accounts were briefly hacked Friday. its Facebook page that filled it with sex jokes The Twitter feed of United Press and other off-color content. During a 2013 International sent out identical suspicious hack, Burger King’s Twitter feed posted tweets Friday on false economic and military obscenities and put up McDonald’s logo as its news. One tweet on UPI’s feed said that the profile picture. Pope said World War III had begun. Another More dangerous intrusions of companies on the New and organizations are also on the rise. Just York Post’s business section Twitter feed since fall 2013, hackers at Sony Pictures said that Bank of America’s CEO was calling Entertainment, Target, Home Depot and for calm after a Federal Reserve decision. The JPMorgan Chase compromised those compa- hack is being investigated, said Jenny nies’ computer networks and gained access to Tartikoff, a spokeswoman for the Post. The confidential information about customers or New York newspaper is owned by News Corp. employees. The hacks have exposed the lack UPI, based in Washington, did not immedi- of uniform practices for dealing with breach- ately respond to a request for comment. It’s es. The White House is pushing for new cyber- the latest hack of a high-profile social media security legislation that increases the sharing account. The Twitter and YouTube accounts of of information between US agencies and the the US military’s Central Command were private sector and protects businesses from compromised earlier this week by hackers lawsuits for revealing cyberthreats. — AP Diaper technology goes from baby’s bottom to research lab

NEW YORK: This idea is not just in its infan- ical sample with fluorescent dye. Then cy, it’s literally in diapers. A new trick for researchers permeate the sample with the revealing tiny details under a microscope specialized version of the diaper material. LAS VEGAS: In this Jan 14, 2015, photo, Amado Nanalang watches basketball games while making bets at a sports book owned and operated by draws on a technology that helps make dis- When it expands, it carries the dye along CG Technology in Las Vegas. CG Technology owns and operates sports books in Las Vegas and is asking the Nevada Gaming Control Board to posable diapers so absorbent. with it. The original molecules of the sample allow more sports, such as the Olympics, to be wagered upon. — AP It all began when Edward Boyden and are destroyed. The result: A transparent, colleagues at the Massachusetts Institute of detailed replica of the original sample that Technology tried to think of new ways to is nearly five times as long, wide and tall as Technology means correct get super-high resolution out of lab micro- the original. The dye still shows the key scopes. They hit on an unusual strategy: details. In a paper released Thursday by the Rather than trying to make the devices journal Science, the researchers report that more powerful, why not make the micro- the technique reveals tiny details of cells in calls and more scrutiny scopic specimens under the microscope both human tissue and mouse brain. grow larger, so they’ll be easier to inspect? The technique offers promise for exam- In their search for a way to do that, they ining relatively large bits of tissue in three Fans can watch more and better camera angles came across sodium polyacrylate, which dimensions with super-fine resolution, swells up as it absorbs liquid in diapers. Boyden said. While its resolution doesn’t yet NEW YORK: The officials huddled to sort out the Fox has leaned on him heavily on critical rul- took place in the 2014 regular season, NFL They use a close cousin of the diaper sub- match that of other advanced microscope close call, so the TV broadcast showed the clip ings the last two Sundays. Pereira asserted that spokesman Michael Signora says, officials were stance in their technique. The procedure methods, he said, his team is working to over and over, the announcers declaring a defi- pass interference should have been called graded as correct nearly 96 percent of the time begins with painting key details in a biolog- improve it. — AP nite touchdown. against the Cowboys in their wild-card win over and averaged fewer than one incorrect call per Standard fare today - but not so 35 years ago. the Lions. A week later, he correctly predicted game. NBA referees are correct at a similar rate Mike Renfro, whose lunging catch in the back of that a Dallas catch would be overturned at when they blow their whistles, says Rod Thorn, the end zone was eventually ruled incomplete, Green Bay. Buck is no Luddite when it comes to the league’s president of basketball operations. suspects that’s why so many fans remember - instant replay. Yet he acknowledges he went to But when the accuracy of the calls they don’t and rue - the play from the 1979 AFC champi- sleep two straight Sunday nights feeling a bit make is factored in, the percentage dips. That’s onship game. conflicted about the thrilling games he had just one of many pieces of data the NBA is now track- Viewers across America took in that moment called: The disputed officiating decisions had ing, to try to keep up with the ever-more- and fumed, “It’s clear here in my den,” Renfro overshadowed everything else. demanding expectations of fans who get to dis- says. Now fans think that at least a few times per sect slow-motion, HD replays. game. Other sports joined the NFL in instituting Close play video reviews, and viewers at home can follow “The innocence of that is gone,” he says. While Mistakes made along as their own replay officials. working the baseball playoffs last fall, Buck hap- “The standard has been raised because every- They can watch more and better camera pened to catch an old Yankees-Dodgers World body sees these things now,” says Thorn, who angles in high-definition super slow motion. Series on MLB Network. There was a close play at has been involved with the league in some fash- Rewind the play on their DVRs. Instantly look up first base, and Buck realized he was conditioned ion since 1963. analysis and images on social media. Rehash the to expect nine replays. Instead, the announcers Watch video of old NFL games, Pereira says, decision on 24/7 sports television. briefly noted it was tough to tell if the runner and it’s conspicuous “how many mistakes were “Officiating is better than it’s ever been,” Mike was safe or out, then moved on. made.” Pereira wonders if the surging popularity Pereira insists. “But people don’t think that.” Major League Baseball instituted video of the sport, not to mention the rise of gambling Pereira used to be in charge of ensuring the reviews for many on-field calls last season after and fantasy football, leaves fans more invested - NFL got calls right. These days, he lets millions of Commissioner Bud Selig long argued human and accordingly more infuriated at missed calls. fans know if a call is wrong. After retiring as the error was part of the game. The NBA has gradu- Renfro agrees. He refuses to lament that league’s officiating chief in 2010, Pereira joined ally expanded the scope of replay since adopt- instant replay wasn’t available back in January Fox in a newly created role as a rules analyst. The ing it in 2002. The NHL started reviewing goals in 1980. In fact, he was ambivalent about the NFL concept proved so popular that other networks 1991, with ongoing discussions about widening instituting it, describing himself as “old school.” hired their own. the use of video. But as the game - and the money involved - “He’s become such a part of the fabric of The NFL first tried instant replay from 1986-91 got bigger, he came around to the idea. And he watching the game,” says John Entz, Fox’s execu- and introduced the current system in 1999. figures the most memorable play of his 10-year tive producer for NFL coverage. Lead announcer Those advances allow officials to get more and career probably had something to do with the Joe Buck used to espouse a “less is more” philos- more calls right. They also may make fans, play- policy. Fans who list the non-catch as one of the ophy in analyzing questionable calls, not want- ers and coaches less and less tolerant when mis- most notable botched calls in NFL history may ing to be burned by his lack of expertise. Then takes are made. not recall this: Had the upstart Houston Oilers the network added what Buck calls the “the “There’s more pressure than ever to get it been awarded the touchdown against the reign- greatest gift we’ve been given”: the ability to right,” Entz says. But some calls will always be ing Super Bowl champion Steelers, it merely bring in Pereira to offer an instant, definitive wrong, no matter how much replay is expanded would have tied the score late in the third quar- This undated image provided by the journal Science via American Association for the assessment. in the future. Of the more than 40,000 plays that ter. Pittsburgh went on to win 27-13. —AP Advancement of Science shows mouse brain tissue imaged using a new method that tries to make microscopic specimens easier to inspect. A paper released Thursday, by the journal Science, reported that the technique reveals tiny details of cells in both human tissue and mouse brain. — AP Apple camera patent gives GoPro stock jitters SAN FRANCISCO: Apple has patented a comment. Patent office records show new design for a digital video camera Apple first applied in 2012 for the patent, that could potentially compete with the which was granted Tuesday. rugged portable cameras made by But one tech analyst cautioned GoPro, a move that sent GoPro’s stock against reading too much into the filing. tumbling. GoPro shares dropped more “Apple develops and patents lots and lots than 12 percent on Tuesday after reports of technology all the time. Only a fraction of the new patent surfaced on tech blogs of it ever sees the light of day in commer- and financial wires. cial products,” said Jan Dawson of Apple has not announced any plans Jackdaw Research, who tracks consumer for the patent, which covers a design for tech products. a remote-controlled, digital camera that Apple already has developed sophisti- can be attached to a helmet, surfboard or cated camera technology for its iPhones scuba mask. and iPads, added Dawson, who said he But as first reported by the blog doubts the company would want to sell a “Patently Apple,” the company’s applica- stand-alone camera unless it could be tion to the U.S. Patent and Trademark tied in with Apple’s broader family of Office says Apple’s design improves on products and services. aspects of GoPro’s camera. Apple says Still, the news seemed to make some GoPro’s camera “can cause excessive GoPro investors nervous. “Anytime wind resistance and presents a high pro- Apple enters a market, it can be bad file that is more susceptible to damage.” news for existing players,” Dawson not- Representatives for Apple Inc., based in ed. Go Pro’s shares ended down $6.91 to Cupertino, California, and GoPro Inc., $49.87. Apple shares gained 97 cents, or based in San Mateo, California, did not slightly less than 1 percent, closing at SCOTTSDALE: A solar array now sits atop a parking structure at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Ariz. The project is the first of everals planned as a immediately respond to requests for $110.22. — AP result of a partnership between Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and NRG Energy and was unveiled on Jan. 14, 2015. The project will feature 2,000 photovoltaic solar panels totaling 600 kilowatts. — AP SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Sea level rise accelerating more than once thought

WASHINGTON: The world’s oceans are now rising decade. The new study recalculates the 1900-1990 far faster than they did in the past, a new study rate to less than half an inch a decade. Old and says. The study found that for much of the 20th new research both say that since 1990 seas are ris- century - until about 1990 - sea level was about ing at about 1.2 inches a decade. While hundreds 30 percent less than earlier research had figured. of tide gauges around the world have been meas- But that’s not good news, scientists say, because uring sea levels since 1900, they have mostly been about 25 years ago the seas started rising faster in Europe and North America with few in the polar and the acceleration in 1990 turns out to be more regions or the middle of the oceans, Hay said. So dramatic than previously calculated. past estimates of 20th century sea level rise gave The current sea level rise rate - which started in an incomplete picture of the global effect, said 1990 - is 2.5 times faster than it was from 1900 to study co-author Jerry Mitrovica, a geophysics pro- 1990, according to a study published Wednesday fessor at Harvard. The new method uses statistical in the journal Nature. Scientists say that faster analysis and computer models to better simulate pace of sea level rise is from melting ice sheets in the areas in the gap, Mitrovica said. Greenland and West Antarctica and shrinking gla- Outside scientists praised the new study, but ciers, triggered by man-made global warming. were still cautious about adopting the estimates “We’re seeing a significant acceleration in the until more studies could be done. “The implica- past few decades,” said study lead author Carling tions are troubling - accelerated ocean warming, Hay, a geophysical researcher at Harvard ice sheet collapse and sea level rise - all point to University. “It’s concerning for cities along the US more and more sea level rise in the future, per- East Coast” where water levels are rising even haps at a faster rate than previously thought,” said faster than the world average. “It’s definitely Jonathan Overpeck, co-director of the Institute of something that can’t be ignored,” Hay said. the Environment at the University of Arizona. Previous research said that between 1900 and RIO DE JANEIRO: Youngsters enjoy diving into the sea at Arpoador beach in a temperature of 37 “This will make adaptation to climate change 1990, the seas rose about two-thirds of an inch a degrees Celsius, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. — AFP more difficult and costly.” — AP The heat is on NASA says 2014 warmest year on record

WASHINGTON: For the third time in a decade, the globe sizzled to the hottest year on record, federal scientists announced Friday. Both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA calculated that in 2014 the world had its hottest year in 135 years of record-keeping. Earlier, the Japanese weather agency and an independent group out of University of California Berkeley also measured 2014 as the hottest on record. NOAA said 2014 averaged 58.24 degrees Fahrenheit (14.58 degrees Celsius), 1.24 degrees (0.69 degrees Celsius) above the 20th-century average. But NASA, which calculates tempera- BATA: A football fan holds a placard reading “Stop Ebola in Africa” ahead of the 2015 tures slightly differently, put 2014’s average tem- African Cup of Nations group A football match between Equatorial Guinea and perature at 58.42 degrees Fahrenheit (14.68 Congo at Bata Stadium in Bata yesterday. — AFP degrees Celsius) which is 1.22 degrees (0.68 degrees Celsius) above the average of the years 1951-1980. Earth broke NOAA records set in At least 50 Ebola 2010 and 2005. The last time the Earth set an annual NOAA record for cold was in 1911. NOAA also said last month was the hottest hotspots remain: UN December on record. Six months in 2014 set marks for heat. The last time Earth set a monthly UNITED NATIONS: At least 50 Ebola quick treatment for Ebola victims is work- cold record was in December 1916. “The globe is hotspots remain in the three hardest-hit ing. But he appealed for greater global sup- warmer now than it has been in the last 100 West African countries but new cases are port including “virus detectives” who can years and more likely in at least 5,000 years,” said declining and the deadly disease will be identify where there are cases, “anthropolo- climate scientist Jennifer Francis of Rutgers LAS VEGAS: In this file photo, Amanda Ouellet wipes her face with a cold wet towel to cool off defeated, the UN’s Ebola chief said gists who can tell us how the communities University, who wasn’t part of either research while working outside holding an advertising sign in Las Vegas. — AP Thursday. The latest report from the World are reacting,” and managers to make sure team. “Any wisps of doubt that human activities influences weather worldwide, global tempera- John Christy, who measures temperature via Health Organization showing reductions in treatment centers are adequately are at fault are now gone with the wind.” tures tend to spike. Previous records, especially satellite, puts 2014 in a cluster of warm years Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone “is very equipped. in 1998, happened during El Nino years. Every behind 2010 and 1998. He said he is “puzzled good news,” Dr David Nabarro said in an “We saw a big shift in behaviors in Climate denial sites year in the 21st century has been in the top 20 that this difference between surface and deep interview with The Associated Press. In the Liberia in November and December,” he Texas A&M University climate scientist warmest years on record, according to NOAA. atmosphere continues to occur as it has now for week ending Jan 11, WHO said Guinea said. “We’re now seeing a big shift of behav- Andrew Dessler and other experts said the latest 36 years. Our theories can’t explain it. I don’t reported its lowest weekly total of new iors in much of Sierra Leone, though there statistics should end claims by non-scientists Ground measurements know what is going on.” Ebola cases since mid-August. Liberia had are still one or two communities that are that warming has stopped. It didn’t, as climate Temperatures have risen by about 1.6 Georgia Tech professor Judith Curry, who is its lowest total since the first week of June reluctant to change behavior. And we’re denial sites still touted claims that the world has degrees Fahrenheit (0.9 degrees Celsius) since not in the mainstream of climate scientists, and no confirmed new cases for the final beginning to see a big shift in behaviors in not warmed in 18 years. 2014’s heat was driven the mid-19th century and pre-industrial times, wrote that talk about the record implies that two days of the week. And new cases in Guinea as well.” However, the goal of isolat- by record warmth in the world’s oceans that did- said Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA’s Goddard temperatures will get warmer, something she Sierra Leone declined for a second week to ing and treating 100 percent of patients n’t just break old marks: It shattered them. Institute for Space Studies, where the space says won’t happen for at least another decade. the lowest level since the end of August. and conducting 100 percent of burials safe- Record warmth spread across far eastern Russia, agency tracks warming temperatures. “We are But she added in a blog post in response to the But Nabarro cautioned that “there are ly by Jan 1 was missed. the western part of the United States, interior witnessing, before our eyes, the effect of human- NOAA announcement: “I’m not willing to place still numbers of new cases that are alarm- That’s “a sign of the task still to be done,” South America, much of Europe, northern Africa caused climate change,” said Pennsylvania State much dollars on that bet, since I suspect Mother ing, and there are hotspots that are emerg- Nabarro said. “Of course, 100 percent of and parts of Australia. One of the few cooler University professor Michael Mann. Nature will manage to surprise us.” NASA’s ing in new places that make me believe safe burials and 100 percent of everybody spots was in the central and eastern United Some non-scientists who deny man-made Schmidt says temperatures will continue to rise there is still quite a lot of the disease that quickly under treatment are still the direc- States. “Every continent had some aspect of global warming have pointed to satellite tem- with year-to-year variations and he wouldn’t be we’re not seeing.” There are “at least 50 tions that we’re aiming at,” Nabarro said. record high temperatures” in 2014, said Tom Karl, perature records - which only go back to 1979 - surprised if 2015 breaks 2014’s record: “The micro-outbreaks” underway, and the chains “And I do really anticipate that in much of director of NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center. which show a warming world, but no record this increase in greenhouse gases is unrelenting and of transmission of the virus “have still got to the region, we will be there in a very short Nine of the 10 hottest years in NOAA global year and less of a recent increase than the that in the end is going to dominate most things be understood,” he said. The Ebola outbreak distance in the future, and that’s why the records have occurred since 2000. The odds of longer-term ground thermometers. But Mann, going on.” This was the 38th year in a row that has been the worst in world history. number of cases is coming down and will this happening at random are about 650 million Dessler, Francis and others say there have been the world was warmer than the 20th century According to the latest WHO report continue to come down, and we will before to 1, according to University of South Carolina quality and trustworthy issues with some satel- average, according to NOAA data. Most people released Wednesday, there have been more long see an end to this outbreak.” Sierra statistician John Grego. Two other statisticians lite measurements and they only show what’s in the world and the United States were born than 21,000 cases and 8,300 deaths. The Leone’s President Ernest Bai Koroma pre- confirmed his calculations. happening far above the ground. They said after 1976 and have never lived in a cooler than death toll in Liberia as of Sunday was 3,538, dicted this week that his country would be Climate scientists say one of the most signifi- ground measurements are also more important normal year. “You want to understand what that followed by Sierra Leone with 3,062 deaths Ebola-free by WHO standards by May, cant parts of 2014’s record is that it happened because it is where we live. (cooler) world is like and you wonder are you and Guinea with 1,814. The key, Nabarro which means zero new cases for a period of during a year where there was no El Nino weath- ever to going to experience that,” said Victor said, is getting local communities to time. er oscillation. During an El Nino, when a specific ‘Theories can’t explain it’ Gensini, a 28-year-old meteorology professor at change their traditional healing rituals and Nabarro said Koroma’s judgment “is area of the central Pacific warms unusually and University of Alabama Huntsville scientist the College of DuPage in Illinois. — AP funeral and burial practices which involve a based on the way the local communities lot of contact with body fluids that spread are embracing the response.” “I personally Ebola. In some cases, evidence suggests would respect his judgment and his predic- Astronauts close to moving that as many as 50 people have become tion,” said Nabarro, who just returned from infected at a single funeral, he said. a 10-day visit to West Africa including all Nabarro said the national and interna- three hard-hit countries. “I’m very wary tional campaign for safe healing and burial myself to make predictions because I just into space station for year practices, isolation of suspected cases, and don’t have the information.” — AP CAPE CANAVERAL: An American astronaut and have the first information from the first two. If we wait until commercially developed crew cap- Russian cosmonaut are just two months shy of see something dramatic, that’s going to change sules are ready to launch astronauts from US soil, launching to the International Space Station for how everybody looks at having additional one- before building on Kelly and Kornienko’s flight. an entire year. Already, though, scientists are year missions.” Kelly will provide an especially That won’t happen before 2017 or 2018. SpaceX clamoring for additional long-term subjects. Two unique set of data. His blood and urine samples, and Boeing are the two chosen contractors. people are not enough from a scientific perspec- as well as other measurements, will be compared Since the retirement of the US space shuttle fleet tive, NASA’s space station program scientist, Julie with those from his identical twin brother, Mark, a in 2011, Russian Soyuz spacecraft have served as Robinson, said Thursday. The space agency wants retired astronaut. Last week, space station pro- the only means to ferry crew to and from the to start collecting data from Scott Kelly and gram manager Mike Suffredini said NASA may space station. — AP Mikhail Kornienko before making any firm deci- sions on further one-year missions, she said. NASA and its partners - Russia, Europe, Japan and Canada - are considering as many as 12 one-year test subjects at the space station. All but Russia are new to such long orbital hauls. Space veterans in their 50s, Kelly and Kornienko will rocket into orbit in late March from Kazakhstan and remain aboard the space station until the following March. It will be the first time NASA sends someone into space for 12 months; station stints typically last six months. The Russians are old pros at this, but medical and technological breakthroughs since Russia’s year- long missions from the 1980s and 1990s means even more will be learned this time around, according to Robinson. The two sides will collabo- rate on many of the experiments. NASA wants to learn how the body fares after a year in space, before committing to lengthy trips to Mars and elsewhere. Right now, it’s a big question mark as to what happens beyond six months in orbit. “What we NORTH YORKSHIRE: Jill Armstrong makes her way on Nordic skis to the Tan Hill pub don’t know right now is what that six- to 12- in North Yorkshire as temperatures are set to plunge across large swathes of the UK. month period looks like,” Robinson told reporters. SAN DIEGO: A hippopotamus also known as the common hippo swims in its enclosure at the Met Office warns that severe cold weather and icy conditions could increase health “We’re talking about it scientifically, but we’re not San Diego Zoo, California. The name hippopotamus comes from the ancient Greek for “river risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt services today. — AP really having deep discussions about it until we horse”. Hippos can be very aggressive towards humans. — AFP SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Environment trumps genetics in shaping immune system

WASHINGTON: How your immune system makes sense, as older twins presumably does its job seems to depend more on your haven’t lived together in years and have had environment and the germs you encounter different exposures since childhood, they than on your genes, says new research that concluded. put twins to the test to find out. After all, the When the researchers gave flu vaccine to immune system adapts throughout life to participating twins, they found no sign that fight disease, said Stanford University immu- genetics determined how many flu-fighting nologist Mark Davis, who led the work. And antibodies were produced. Most intriguing, while young children’s immunity may be the researchers found infection with a virus more influenced by what they inherit from so common that most adults unknowingly mom and dad, Thursday’s study showed carry it had a dramatic effect. genetic influences waned in adulthood. Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, is dangerous to “Experience counts more and more as you those with weak immune systems but harm- get older,” said Davis, director of Stanford’s less for most people, and prior research has Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and shown it can rev up parts of a healthy Infection. immune system. Sure enough, the Stanford Scientists know there is tremendous varia- team examined 16 pairs of identical twins tion in how the immune systems of healthy where only one had CMV, and found big dif- people function. Davis asked if that’s more a ferences in nearly 60 percent of the compo- matter of nature or nurture, by comparing 78 nents studied. Does that mean we should try pairs of twins with identical genetic makeups to prime the immune system, rather than to 27 pairs of fraternal twins, who are no working so hard to avoid germy situations? more alike genetically than any other siblings. “I’m a strong believer in the power of dirt,” Traits shared by the identical twins are more Davis said with a laugh, but this study actual- likely to be hereditary. His team used blood ly can’t offer health advice. “This just says the samples from the twin pairs, who ranged in environment plays a huge role in shaping age from 8 to 82, to track more than 200 what your immune system looks like,” he activities and components of the immune explained. system. In three-quarters of the measure- Investigating how that happens is impor- ments, differences between pairs of twins tant, said Dr. Megan Cooper, a pediatric immu- were more likely due to non-heritable influ- nologist and rheumatologist at Washington ences - such as previous infections or vaccina- University School of Medicine in St. Louis, who tions, even nutrition - than genetics, the wasn’t involved in the study. She noted that researchers reported in the journal Cell. autoimmune diseases tend to run in families MICHIGAN: In this file photo, Brandon Falke, 27, feeds hay to cows outside his milking at the Falker Family Farm in Bruce Twp,Mich. — AP Then they compared the oldest twins, 60 but whether someone born genetically sus- and over, to those under age 20, when the ceptible gets sick may be shaped by their immune system is still maturing. The exposures.“It’s when you get those infections” Dairy industry braces for youngest identical twins had far more that may be key to the impact on the immune immune similarity than the oldest. That system, she said. — AP milk bust after 2014 boom

MADISON: Milk sales set records in 2014, but Many dairy farmers recall 2009 with dread, ‘Drink milk like no other’ plummeting prices are forcing some dairy farmers when prices plunged and some were forced to sell The boom-and-bust cycle is just part of the to spill the surplus down the drain. Already dis- off cows. Hardtke said the years since have been a business, said Greenwood, who farms in Canton, heartened by the current glut, which is due to roller coaster. If prices continue to dwindle, New York, and didn’t enroll in the federal program. global factors and overproduction, dairy farmers Wisconsin dairy farmer Rick Steger says his income He said feed prices are low, “so things are not as say they worry that futures markets predict dwin- will decrease by a third - if not more. bad as they could be.” dling prices in 2015. Over in the dairy aisle, though, “I’m very worried because it’s such an extreme Meanwhile, consumers are seeing milk prices shoppers are milking savings by the gallon. “I guess drop,” said Steger, whose farm is in Theresa, 50 slashed. At the peak last year, a gallon of whole I’m sorry if I’m hurting the farmer or the middle- miles northwest of Milwaukee. “Our expenses milk cost an average of $3.86. The most recent man, but I’m certainly delighted to pay under $3 a aren’t going to drop.” Steger said he signed up for numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indi- gallon,” said Michael Kleinhenz, of Madison, the Federal Margin Protection Program last year, cate it’s now $3.82 a gallon - lower in places like Wisconsin. but he believes it would not cushion the blows Madison, where skim milk cost $2.99 a gallon- and Dairy farmers recognize the volatility of the expected this year. The US Department of prices are again expected to fall this spring. industry. Less than a year ago, they struggled to Agriculture program, a product of the 2014 Farm Madison mom Angela Willard said she was happy meet global demand and milk prices climbed to Bill, serves as a sort of insurance policy for farmers. about the lower prices because her two children record highs - about $25 per hundredweight, or The program sets average national feed prices, and “drink milk like no other.” Her 8-year-old daughter roughly the equivalent of a 10-gallon tank, accord- farmers subtract that price from their milk price to Alexandria added, “It will be gone in like two days.” ing to Mark Stephenson, director of dairy policy determine their margin; if the margin is below a Such milk-drinking families could play a role in lev- analysis at the University of Wisconsin. So, many pre-determined amount, farmers get money from eling out demand “dramatically” by buying more farmers bought new equipment and expanded the USDA. More than half of the nation’s dairy dairy, Hardtke said.”We just need people in the US their herds to meet demand. But when China farmers enrolled in the program before the to buy more milk,” Hardtke said. “That would really TAOYUAN: Staff (in background) from the Animal Disease Control Center prepare to pulled back on its dairy imports after stockpiling December deadline, the USDA said recently. help us out.” — AP cull geese at a farm as they work to help prevent the spread of avian flu in the north- milk powder and Russia imposed sanctions against ern area of Taoyuan yesterday. — AFP the US by halting trade, dairy farmers nationwide were left with a surplus, Stephenson said. Dutch ‘horror dentist’ sent Two die of bird flu in China “We were told to bring everything to a screech- ing halt,” said Norbert Hardtke, director of milk mar- to French psychiatric unit BEIJING: Two people have died of the March of that year. The virus ignited fears keting at Family First Dairy Cooperative in Madison, Wisconsin. Every state has some dairy production, H7N9 strain of avian flu in China’s eastern that it could mutate to become easily trans- BOURGES: A Dutch dentist suspected of muti- disorders ranging from sepsis to broken jaws, but California and Wisconsin anchor the country’s province of Fujian, state media said yester- missible between people, threatening a lating dozens of patients in France has been according to a French victims’ group. Dutch supply. The milk glut reached its peak in the day, quoting local health officials. Fujian global pandemic. But Chinese officials and detained in a special prison psychiatric unit, a media also reported healthy teeth being Northeast over the holidays, when cooperatives has confirmed 15 cases since the start of the World Health Organization have said judicial source said. Dubbed the “horror den- pulled for no reason and abusive billing. A asked farms to pour out some of their milk. 2015, Xinhua news agency reported. It did there is no evidence of sustained human- tist” by the media, Mark van Nierop, 50, claims group of 120 French victims formed a collec- not say when the two patients died. to-human transmission, despite occasional to suffer from “psychological problems” includ- tive to press charges and a criminal investiga- Low prices Another human infection was reported in instances of apparent infection between ing gender identity issues and suicidal tenden- tion was opened in May 2013. “It’s something that no farmer likes to do... it the adjacent province of Jiangxi on Friday, family members. The report came as cies, which he had cited in a failed attempt to But Van Nierop fled in December, forcing doesn’t feel good to just dump it out,” New York Xinhua said, while both the municipality of Taiwan said it had begun culling an addi- challenge his extradition from the Netherlands. French authorities to seek an international based Northeast Dairy Producers Association Shanghai and neighboring Zhejiang tional 22,000 birds yesterday after they Van Nierop was detained in Canada in warrant for his arrest. He was finally detained board director Jon Greenwood said. And with an province have reported cases “this winter”. tested positive for the H5 strain of the virus October and flown back to the Netherlands in the small town of Nackawic in the excess of milk in the international market, prices for Cases of the virus accelerated in China in in the island’s worst bout of the disease in a where he was arrested under a Paris-issued Canadian province of New Brunswick. Dutch milk, butter and milk powder continue to drop. 2014, with statistics compiled by health decade. More than 200,000 birds have now international warrant and a court approved his prosecutors are also probing his claim that he Market predictions for 2015 look worse, Hardtke authorities in Beijing showing 310 cases been killed there in just over a week. extradition last month. French investigating killed his second wife in 2006, two years said, as prices are expected to drop through the were diagnosed on the mainland from Taiwan has reported several outbreaks of judges Thursday night ordered him to be sent before he was persuaded by an investor to spring - about $13.50 per hundred weight in January until December 10, including 132 H5N2 but has no recorded cases of the to a prison psychiatric unit in the Loiret depart- move to the remote rural area of Chateau- March. Dairy Farmers of America, a national mar- deaths. Another death was recorded on potentially deadly H5N1 strain, although ment, south of Paris, after new complaints Chinon in central France, described as a keting cooperative, has started charging its 15,000 December 29. authorities said pet birds smuggled from were filed against him. “medical desert” because of a lack of health- members 50 cents per hundredweight to account In 2013, the country recorded 46 deaths China tested positive for the strain in 2005 Many of Van Nierop’s 2,800 patients suffered care professionals. — AFP and 144 cases since the outbreak started in and 2012. — AFP for additional transportation fees and low prices. WHAT’S ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 Mais Alghanim’s Hummus Carnival welcomes culinary enthusiasts

Latest New Year promotion

he Mais Alghanim group of restaurants has Offerings also feature an assortment of excep- sidered a pioneer on the culinary and hospitality recently announced its latest promotion for tional flavors, such as those exuding from the scene and is renowned for its high-quality dishes Tthe New Year, the “Hummus Carnival”, which Hummus Beetroot, with its inviting velvet-red col- that deliver an exceptional taste at a very competi- features a delectable selection of Hummus dishes or, Hummus with dried grated Oregano and tive price, at every instance. The restaurant has in a variety of flavors. Patrons visiting the restau- Hummus with Peas for a fresh green appearance. been committed to offering its customers a series rant’s Sharq and Mahboula branches are in for a Perhaps you would also like to sample the of innovative promotions and this “Hummus tasty treat, as they embark on a truly unique and Hummus with Avocado, which really should not be Carnival” comes as part and parcel of these creative innovative experience. missed! Last, but not least, we invite you to feast on offerings, which the restaurant’s team of qualified The promotion includes an extensive variety of Hummus with Red Pepper and the rich and tasty and professional chefs have executed to perfection Hummus flavors, blended with a myriad of mouth- Hummus with Carrots. and to the satisfaction of its guests. watering ingredients that offer the customers an In addition to this very special selection of Worth mentioning that this delectable medley irresistible taste every time. Indulge your senses in exceptional Hummus dishes, Mais Alghanim also of Hummus dishes are available only at Mais a selection of Hummus specials including Hummus offers its guests a variety of delicious desserts, such Alghanim branches located in Sharq, Arabian Gulf with Sausages, Hummus with Mussakhan, as the Choco Delight, which is prepared with fruits Road and in Mahboula, Coastal Road, Spoons Hummus with Mushroom, Hummus with Fried and nuts and is presented in the form of a Complex. It is not available for To Go orders. For Vegetables, Hummus with Falafel and Hummus Hummus dish. additional information, please visit www.maisal- with Batata Hara (Spicy Potato). The Mais Alghanim group of restaurants is con- ghanim.com

Thiruvenkatam group’s Kuwait members conducted the third annual Children’s Thiruppavai program on 10th January 2015. About 43 children participated in Thiruppavai recitation, quiz and fancy dress competitions. Many parents also attended the program.

Statement from the What’s On - Submission Guidelines Ahmadi Governor’s dewaniya Embassy of India All photos submitted for What’s On should closed for national holidays n the occasion of the 66th Republic Day of India, a be minimum 200dpi. Articles must be in Flag Hoisting ceremony will be held at the Embassy hmadi Governor Sheikh Fawaz Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah will not be plain text and should include name and Oof India premises at 9:00 am on Monday, 26 phone numbers. Articles and photos that fail able to welcome weekly visitors to his dewaniya from Tuesday, January 20, January 2015. This will include reading of the message of to meet these requirements will not be pub- A2015 to Tuesday, February 24, 2015, and that as the governorate prepares Honorable President of India and the singing of patriotic lished. for national celebrations and to celebrate the United Nation’s honoring of His songs. An Open House Reception will follow during which Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as a Humanitarian Leader, light snacks, tea, soft drinks etc shall be served. All Indian and Kuwait as a Humanitarian Center. The Governor resumes welcoming visitors Please send them to nationals in Kuwait are cordially invited to join in the as usual starting from Tuesday March 3, 2015. Republic Day celebrations and arrive to the venue latest by [email protected] 8:45 am.

Kuwait National English School Key Stage 2 Musical

n keeping with the theme of sustain- ability and conserving our environment, Ia major focus of our schools Mission Statement, the Key Stage 2 pupils of Kuwait National English School performed brilliantly last month the musical:”Eddie the Penguin Saves the World”. This mes- sage was once again reinforced through our school Director, Madame Chantal, in her address to the audience. Pupils enthralled the audience with their singing, dancing and dialogue. A big thank you to our Music teachers, all staff, parents and pupils for the success of this concert. WHAT’S ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 Dubai Ruler honours THE 99 creator

HE 99 is proud to announce that Teshkeel Media international media outlets and has received a lot of pos- Group was the winner of the Media category of the itive attention globally, leading to an animated series T2014 Islamic Economy Award. Dr Naif Al-Mutawa, produced by Endemol UK that aired in 70 countries in the creator of THE 99 superheroes, received the award various languages. from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al THE 99 were created as positive role models for the Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the world’s children offering universal themes of tolerance, United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai at the Islamic teamwork and diversity to a worldwide audience. THE 99 Economy Award Ceremony in Dubai on 14thJanuary superheroes hail from different countries and cultures 2015 at Ritz Carlton, Dubai, UAE. from across the globe. Each character possesses one of The Islamic Economy Award has eight categories in 99 superpowers loosely based on the 99 attributes that all, and “recognizes innovative world-class business ini- Muslims apply to their understanding of God. These tiatives and ideas that have contributed to the social and powers are qualities that all of humanity values and res- economic welfare of the Muslim population”. onates with-powers such as wisdom, mercy, kindness etc. Forbes named THE 99 as one of the “Top 20 Trends Neither the comics nor the series however, have any Sweeping the Globe” and President Barack Obama mention of religion and are of an entirely secular nature. praised Dr aif Al-Mutawa and THE 99 as perhaps the most They are stories of teamwork and tolerance and a good- innovative of the thousands of new entrepreneurs versus-evil struggle understood by all societies and cul- viewed by his Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship tures. In 2010, THE 99 stood cape to shoulder with in Washington D.C. The story of the creation and devel- Batman, Superman and the rest of the JLA and fought opment of THE 99 has been covered by thousands of against evil in a six-issue crossover series.

Character Day in ABS KG department

f you were in the KG campus at ABS recently, you didn’t see students, you saw superheroes, princesses, and all Isorts of other wonderful characters coming in to school. During our superstar assembly we played a fun game where boys competed against girls to see who could match the character to their symbol fastest. We listened to many recognizable songs from movies with our favorite characters and all of KG sang an amazing rendition of ‘Let it Go’ together. Every classroom had different fun activities to celebrate their favorite characters.

A festival was organized recently in Dubai featur- ing poetry and cultural activities that highlight the strong relations between the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. — KUNA SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 TV PROGRAMS

13:30 How It’s Made 15:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 15:55 Tricked 14:00 Psych 13:55 How It’s Made The Hamptons 16:50 Keep It In The Family 16:00 Emmerdale 14:20 How It’s Made 16:00 Giuliana & Bill 17:45 Who’s Doing The Dishes 16:30 Coronation Street 14:45 The Liquidator 17:00 Giuliana & Bill 18:30 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 18:00 Psych 15:10 The Liquidator 18:00 E! News Of Dogs 19:00 Castle 00:35 Doctor Who: The Snowmen 15:35 The Liquidator 19:00 Eric And Jessie: Game On 19:00 Big Star’s Little Star 20:00 How To Get Away With 01:35 Live At The Apollo 16:00 The Liquidator 19:30 Eric And Jessie: Game On 19:55 Tricked Murder 02:20 Watson & Oliver 16:25 The Liquidator 20:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 20:50 Keep It In The Family 22:00 The Americans 02:50 Him & Her 16:50 Dallas Car Sharks The Hamptons 21:45 Who’s Doing The Dishes 23:00 Mistresses 03:20 Moone Boy 17:15 Dallas Car Sharks 21:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 22:40 The Great Fire 03:45 The Omid Djalili Show 17:40 Dallas Car Sharks The Hamptons 23:35 Celebrity Exposed: Richard 04:15 The Weakest Link 18:05 Dallas Car Sharks 22:00 House Of DVF Young Photography 05:00 Woolly & Tig 18:30 Dallas Car Sharks 23:00 Fashion Bloggers 05:05 The Green Balloon Club 18:55 Troy 23:30 Fashion Bloggers 05:30 Gigglebiz 19:45 The Big Brain Theory 05:45 Charlie And Lola 20:35 You Have Been Warned 06:00 Nina And The Neurons: In 21:25 Gold Rush 00:00 Crisis The Lab 22:15 Gold Rush 02:00 Good Morning America 00:00 Diggers 06:15 Woolly & Tig 23:05 Alaska: The Last Frontier 06:00 Good Morning America 00:30 Diggers 06:20 The Green Balloon Club 23:55 Troy 07:00 Emmerdale 06:45 Gigglebiz 00:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 01:00 Hard Time 07:30 Coronation Street 07:00 Charlie And Lola Basics 02:00 Chasing UFOs 10:00 Emmerdale 07:15 The Weakest Link 00:30 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 03:00 Street Monkeys 10:30 Coronation Street 08:00 Sinbad Basics 04:00 How Hard Can It Be? 13:00 Crisis 08:45 Doctor Who: The Snowmen 00:55 Siba’s Table 05:00 Going Deep With David 16:00 Live Good Morning America 09:45 Moone Boy 01:20 Siba’s Table Rees 18:00 Crisis 10:10 Hustle 01:45 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 05:30 Going Deep With David 19:00 Drop Dead Diva 00:00 Violetta 11:00 The Weakest Link 02:10 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Rees 21:00 Crisis 00:45 The Hive 11:45 Sinbad 02:35 Fast Food Gone Global 06:00 Car SOS 22:00 Devious Maids 00:50 Art Attack 12:30 My Family 03:25 Charly’s Cake Angels 07:00 Street Genius 23:00 Justified 01:15 Art Attack 13:00 Doctor Who: The Snowmen 03:50 Siba’s Table 07:30 Street Genius 01:40 Jungle Junction 14:00 Doctors 04:15 Siba’s Table 08:00 Diggers 01:50 Jungle Junction 14:30 Doctors 04:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 08:30 Diggers 02:05 Jungle Junction 15:00 Doctors Basics 09:00 Hard Time 02:15 Jungle Junction 15:30 Doctors 05:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 10:00 Chasing UFOs 02:30 Violetta 00:00 U.F.O. 16:00 Doctors Basics 11:00 Crime Lab 03:10 The Hive 02:00 Dead In Tombstone 16:30 As Time Goes By 05:30 Reza, Spice Prince Of 12:00 Sea Patrol 03:20 Art Attack 04:00 Europa Report 17:00 Being Eileen Thailand 13:00 Dangerous Encounters 03:45 Art Attack 06:00 Ghostbusters II 17:30 The Omid Djalili Show 05:50 Siba’s Table 14:00 Live Free Or Die 04:10 Jungle Junction 08:00 Safe 18:05 Rev. 06:10 Have Cake, Will Travel 15:00 Space Mysteries 04:20 Jungle Junction 10:00 Tactical Force 18:35 The Vicar Of Dibley 06:35 Have Cake, Will Travel 16:00 Secret Garden 04:35 Jungle Junction 12:00 Europa Report 19:05 Call The Midwife 07:00 Tastiest Places To 17:00 Wild Untamed Brazil 04:45 Jungle Junction 14:00 American Warships 19:50 Sherlock Chowdown 18:00 Ultimate Airport Dubai 05:00 Art Attack 16:00 Safe 21:20 Whitechapel 07:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 19:00 Space Mysteries 05:25 Art Attack 18:00 Haywire 22:10 Scott & Bailey 07:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 20:00 Secret Garden 05:50 Mouk 20:00 Tactical Force 23:00 The Weakest Link 08:15 Food Network Challenge 21:00 Wild Untamed Brazil 06:00 Dog With A Blog 21:45 Star Trek Into Darkness 23:45 Moone Boy 09:05 Siba’s Table 22:00 Ultimate Airport Dubai 06:25 Liv And Maddie 09:30 Have Cake, Will Travel 23:00 Crime Lab 06:50 So Random 09:55 Have Cake, Will Travel 07:15 Gravity Falls 10:20 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 07:40 Jessie Basics 08:05 Zapped 10:45 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 09:45 Girl Meets World 00:00 Dead In Tombstone-18 Basics 10:10 Wizards Of Waverly Place 02:00 Europa Report-PG15 11:10 Siba’s Table 00:30 The Daily Show Global 00:00 Celebrity MasterChef 10:35 Jessie 04:00 Ghostbusters II-PG 11:35 Siba’s Table Edition 00:50 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 11:00 Austin & Ally 06:00 Safe-PG15 12:00 Guy’s Big Bite 01:00 Two And A Half Men 01:40 Bill’s Kitchen: Notting Hill 11:25 Gravity Falls 08:00 Tactical Force-PG15 12:25 Unique Eats 01:30 Saturday Night Live 02:05 Rick Stein’s India 11:50 Liv And Maddie 10:00 Europa Report-PG15 12:50 Unique Eats 02:30 Louie 02:55 How To Cook Like Heston 12:15 Dog With A Blog 12:00 American Warships-PG15 13:15 Hungry Girl 03:00 Men At Work 03:20 Antiques Roadshow 12:40 Mako Mermaids 14:00 Safe-PG15 13:40 Hungry Girl 03:30 How I Met Your Mother 04:15 Antiques Roadshow 13:05 Binny And The Ghost 16:00 Haywire-PG15 14:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:00 New Girl 05:10 Bargain Hunt 13:30 Girl Meets World 18:00 Tactical Force-PG15 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 05:55 Bargain Hunt 13:55 I Didn’t Do It 19:45 Star Trek Into Darkness- 14:55 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Jimmy Fallon 06:40 Bargain Hunt 14:20 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 22:00 Dredd-18 15:20 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 05:30 My Boys 07:25 The Roux Legacy Teenage Witch 15:45 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 06:00 Last Man Standing 08:00 Come Dine With Me 14:55 Gravity Falls LONE SURVIVOR ON OSN MOVIES PREMIERE HD Basics 06:30 The Simpsons 08:25 Come Dine With Me 15:20 Dog With A Blog 16:10 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 14:00 Dangerous Attraction-PG15 23:00 Live MSNBC News 08:50 Come Dine With Me 15:45 Jessie Basics 08:00 New Girl 15:45 Legendary Amazons-PG15 OSN SPORTS 1 HD 09:15 Come Dine With Me 16:10 Austin & Ally 16:35 Siba’s Table 08:30 My Boys 17:45 The Mortal Instruments: City 09:40 Come Dine With Me 16:35 Girl Meets World 00:30 Monty Python’s Meaning Of 02:00 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 17:00 Siba’s Table 09:00 Men At Work Of Bones-PG15 10:05 Antiques Roadshow 17:00 Liv And Maddie Life-18 01:00 At Any Price-PG15 02:30 NFL Gameday 17:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 09:30 2 Broke Girls 20:00 Last Passenger-PG15 10:55 Antiques Roadshow 17:25 Binny And The Ghost 02:30 The Big Wedding-PG15 02:45 Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit- 03:00 Live NHL 17:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 10:00 The Goldbergs 22:00 Lone Survivor-18 11:50 MasterChef 17:50 Binny And The Ghost 04:15 Loser-PG15 04:30 Madea’s Witness Protection- 06:20 Live Cricket 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 10:30 The Simpsons 12:45 MasterChef 18:15 Binny And The Ghost 06:00 The Little Rascals Save The 06:30 Mandela: Long Walk To 18:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 14:30 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 13:35 MasterChef 18:40 Binny And The Ghost Day-PG Freedom-PG15 Basics Jimmy Fallon 15:00 Trans World Sport 14:25 MasterChef 19:05 Binny And The Ghost 08:00 Timer-PG15 09:00 Straight A’s-PG15 19:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 12:00 Last Man Standing 16:00 Live Snooker - The Masters 15:20 MasterChef 19:30 Binny And The Ghost 10:00 Free Samples-PG15 11:00 Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit- Basics 12:30 New Girl 20:00 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 16:15 Come Dine With Me 19:55 Gravity Falls 12:00 Look Who’s Talking Too 13:00 Red Sky-PG15 19:30 Siba’s Table 13:00 My Boys 00:00 MSNBC Caught On Camera 16:40 Come Dine With Me 20:20 Wizards Of Waverly Place 14:00 Sweet Home Alabama-PG15 15:00 Dark Tide-PG15 20:30 NFL Gameday 19:55 Siba’s Table 13:30 The Simpsons 01:00 MSNBC Caught On Camera 17:05 Come Dine With Me 20:45 Suite Life On Deck 16:00 Timer-PG15 17:00 Straight A’s-PG15 21:00 Trans World Sport 20:20 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 14:00 How I Met Your Mother 02:00 Live ABC World News 17:30 Come Dine With Me 21:10 Hannah Montana 18:00 Surviving Christmas-PG15 18:45 About Time-PG15 22:00 Live Snooker - The Masters 20:45 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 14:30 2 Broke Girls 02:30 Live NBC Nightly News (Sat- 17:55 Come Dine With Me 21:35 That’s So Raven 20:00 Hello Ladies: The Movie 21:00 10 Years-PG15 21:10 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 15:00 The Goldbergs 18:20 Antiques Roadshow 22:00 Suite Life On Deck 22:00 Cherry-18 23:00 Seven Psychopaths-18 Sun) Basics 15:30 The Daily Show Global 19:15 Antiques Roadshow 22:25 A.N.T. Farm 03:00 ABC World News 21:35 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Edition 20:05 Come Dine With Me 22:50 Shake It Up 03:30 NBC Nightly News (Sat-Sun) 00:00 NFL Gameday Basics 16:00 Two And A Half Men 20:55 Food Glorious Food 23:10 Wolfblood 04:00 NBC Saturday Today Show 22:00 Chopped 16:30 Last Man Standing 00:30 NFL Road To The Playoffs 21:40 The Roux Legacy 23:35 Wolfblood 06:00 ABC 20/20 01:30 Futbol Mundial 22:15 Homes Under The Hammer 22:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 01:00 Scents And Sensibility-PG15 07:00 ABC World News 02:00 European Tour Weekly 23:10 Homes Under The Hammer 23:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:00 Men At Work 01:00 Kong Return To The Jungle 03:00 Hick-PG15 07:30 NBC Nightly News (Sat-Sun) 02:30 Inside The PGA Tour 23:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:30 The Michael J. Fox Show 02:45 Free Birds 05:00 Phantom-PG15 03:00 Live PGA Tour 19:00 Dads 04:30 Tristan And Isolde 08:00 ABC World News 07:00 Grand Piano-PG15 06:30 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 19:30 The Goldbergs 06:00 Barbie Of Swan Lake 08:30 NBC Nightly News (Sat-Sun) 09:00 Atlas Shrugged-PG15 00:30 Fashion Bloggers 20:00 Friends With Better Lives 07:30 Easter Egg Escapade 09:00 MSNBC Investigates 07:00 Snooker UK Championship 11:00 Phantom-PG15 00:55 Fashion Bloggers 20:30 Mystery Girls 09:15 The Missing Lynx 10:00 ABC World News 11:00 European Tour Weekly 13:00 Stolen Child-PG15 01:25 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 00:05 Coronation Street 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 11:00 The Little Rascals Save The 11:30 Live PGA European Tour 00:45 The Fighters 14:45 Jobs-PG15 10:30 NBC Nightly News (Sat-Sun) 01:50 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 00:30 Coronation Street Stewart Day 16:30 PGA Tour 01:35 How It’s Made 17:00 Atlas Shrugged-PG15 11:00 MSNBC All In With Chris 02:20 E! News 00:50 Coronation Street 21:30 Two And A Half Men 12:45 Free Birds 20:30 ICC Cricket 360 02:00 How It’s Made 18:45 Nobody Walks-PG15 Hayes 03:15 Eric And Jessie: Game On 01:15 The Chase 22:00 Saturday Night Live 14:15 Speed Racer 21:00 Futbol Mundial 02:25 How It’s Made 20:15 White Bird In A Blizzard 12:00 MSNBC The Rachel 02:50 How It’s Made 03:40 Eric And Jessie: Game On 02:05 The Chase 23:00 Louie 16:30 The Happy Cricket 21:30 NFL Road To The Playoffs 22:00 Cloud Atlas-18 Maddow Show 03:15 How It’s Made 04:10 E!ES 02:55 Emmerdale 23:30 Friends With Better Lives 18:00 The Missing Lynx 22:30 NFL Gameday 03:40 How It’s Made 05:05 E!ES 03:20 Emmerdale 19:45 Barbie Presents: Thumbelina 13:00 MSNBC Hardball W/ Chris 23:00 Live NFL 04:05 How It’s Made 06:00 Keeping Up With The 03:45 Emmerdale 21:00 Speed Racer Matthews 04:30 How It’s Made Kardashians 04:05 Emmerdale 23:15 The Happy Cricket 14:00 ABC 20/20 05:00 How It’s Made 06:55 Keeping Up With The 04:30 Emmerdale 15:00 MSNBC Caught On Camera 01:00 The Strain 05:30 How It’s Made Kardashians 05:00 The Great Fire 02:00 Salem 16:00 Live NBC Sunday Today 02:00 New Zealand v Sri Lanka 06:00 Fast N’ Loud 07:50 Style Star 05:55 Big Star’s Little Star 01:00 Internal Affairs-18 03:00 Mistresses Show ODI Highlights 06:50 Kindig Customs 08:20 E! News 06:45 Who’s Doing The Dishes 03:00 Goal II: Living The Dream- 04:00 The Blacklist 17:00 Live NBC Meet The Press 06:30 Live Australia v India ODI 07:40 Highway To Sell 09:15 House Of DVF 07:35 Keep It In The Family 05:00 Red Lights-PG15 05:00 Graceland 18:00 ABC This Week With G 15:30 Big Bash League T20 08:30 Gold Rush 10:15 House Of DVF 08:25 Murdoch Mysteries 07:00 Dangerous Minds-PG15 00:00 Lakeview Terrace-PG15 07:00 Necessary Roughness Highlights 09:20 Gold Rush 11:10 Fashion Bloggers 09:15 Murdoch Mysteries 09:00 The Count Of Monte Cristo- 02:00 Peace, Love & Stephanopoulos 08:00 Psych 10:10 Alaska: The Last Frontier 11:35 Fashion Bloggers 10:00 Murdoch Mysteries 11:30 Blancanieves-PG15 Misunderstanding-PG15 19:00 Live MSNBC Melissa Harris- 17:00 Australia v India ODI 09:00 Graceland 11:00 Airplane Repo 12:05 E! News 10:55 Murdoch Mysteries 13:30 The Chateau Meroux-PG15 04:00 Thor: The Dark World-PG15 Perry Highlights 10:00 The Blacklist 11:50 Street Outlaws 13:05 E!ES 11:40 Murdoch Mysteries 15:15 Before And After-PG15 06:00 The Music Never Stopped- 20:00 NBC Meet The Press 19:00 New Zealand v Sri Lanka 11:00 Necessary Roughness 08:00 Legendary Amazons-PG15 12:40 How It’s Made 14:05 Kourtney And Khloe Take 12:30 Midsomer Murders 17:15 The Count Of Monte Cristo- 21:00 ABC This Week With G ODI Highlights 14:05 The Great Fire 12:00 Emmerdale 19:30 Stalingrad-PG15 10:00 Quartet-PG15 13:05 How It’s Made The Hamptons Stephanopoulos 21:00 Australia v England ODI 15:00 Big Star’s Little Star 12:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Prisoners-PG15 12:00 Thor: The Dark World-PG15 Highlights

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD Classifieds

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 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 TAKEN 3 12:30 PM THE SNOW QUEEN 2 7:15 PM Room for rent available in SHARQIA-3 TAKEN 3 3:00 PM UNBROKEN 9:00 PM Hawally with TFC for FROM A TO B 1:00 PM TAKEN 3 5:15 PM UNBROKEN 12:05 AM Filipino only. Please contact THE SNOW QUEEN 2 3:30 PM TAKEN 3 7:30 PM THE SNOW QUEEN 2 5:15 PM TAKEN 3 9:45 PM AVENUES-10 mobile 65589910. (C 4906) THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 7:00 PM TAKEN 3 12:05 AM SEVENTH SON 12:00 PM 17-1-2015 THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 9:30 PM SEVENTH SON 2:15 PM 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 SITUATION VACANT FROM A TO B 12:15 PM SEVENTH SON 5:30 PM SEVENTH SON 11:15 PM SEVENTH SON 2:30 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 7:45 PM SEVENTH SON 1:15 AM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 4:45 PM SEVENTH SON 10:15 PM A maid is needed to work SEVENTH SON 7:00 PM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 12:30 AM AVENUES-11 as a part timer in an apart- FROM A TO B 9:15 PM TAKEN 3 -DOLBY ATMOS 12:30 PM ment located in Salmiya. 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 Salary and time are nego- MUHALAB-2 FROM A TO B 2:15 PM TAKEN 3 -DOLBY ATMOS 8:00 PM tiable. Call 66417504. 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 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 THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 7:30 PM SEVENTH SON 11:30 AM THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 10:00 PM AVENUES-2 SEVENTH SON 1:45 PM Prayer timings THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 12:30 AM INTO THE WOODS 11:30 AM SEVENTH SON-3D 4:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 2:00 PM SEVENTH SON 6:15 PM Fajr: 05:20 MUHALAB-3 INTO THE WOODS 4:45 PM SEVENTH SON-3D 8:30 PM Shorook 06:43 SEVENTH SON -3D 11:30 AM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 7:15 PM SEVENTH SON 10:45 PM TAKEN 3 1:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 9:45 PM SEVENTH SON 1:00 AM Duhr: 11:57 TAKEN 3 3:45 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:05 AM TAKEN 3 6:00 PM 360º- 2 Asr: 14:51 TAKEN 3 8:15 PM AVENUES-3 LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 12:15 PM Maghrib: 17:11 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 Isha: 18:32 I -Tamil 6:00 PM P.K -HINDI 6:15 PM 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 THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 4:30 PM AVENUES-4 No: 16406 THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 7:00 PM TAKEN 3 11:30 AM 360º 3 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 TAKEN 3 7:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 5:00 PM FANAR-2 NO THU THE IMITATION GAME 7:30 PM FROM A TO B 12:30 PM Special Show “TAKEN 3” 7:00 PM THE IMITATION GAME 10:00 PM 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 FROM A TO B 7:45 PM TAKEN 3 12:05 AM AL-KOUT.1 THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 10:00 PM TAKEN 3 1:00 PM FROM A TO B 12:15 AM AVENUES-5 TAKEN 3 3:30 PM 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 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 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 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 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 TAKEN 3 5:45 PM AL-KOUT.3 TAKEN 3 8:00 PM AVENUES-7 THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 11:30 AM 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 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

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

Arrival Flights on Sunday 18/1/2015 FDB 057 Dubai 14:30 Departure Flights on Sunday 18/1/2015 JZR 786 Riyadh 13:10 Airlines Flt Route Time IRC 6507 Shiraz 14:50 Airlines Flt Route Time JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 KAC 503 Beirut 00:05 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 OMA 645 Muscat 15:00 AGY 681 Alexandria 00:15 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JZR 239 Amman 00:25 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:10 FDB 072 Dubai 00:45 IRC 529 Ahwaz 14:15 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 KAC 284 Dhaka 15:15 UAL 981 IAD 00:55 KAC 741 Dammam 14:45 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 JZR 175 Dubai 15:20 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 KAC 617 Doha 15:00 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:15 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 KAC 283 Dhaka 02:25 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 QTR 1084 Doha 01:00 FDB 051 Dubai 16:00 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 RJA 642 Amman 01:05 JZR 535 Cairo 16:10 THY 773 Istanbul 02:55 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:20 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:35 KAC 562 Amman 16:20 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25 SVA 503 Jeddah/Madinah 15:45 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 JZR 787 Riyadh 16:25 KAC 381 Delhi 03:40 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 IRC 6508 Shiraz 15:50 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 FDB 068 Dubai 03:55 OMA 646 Muscat 16:00 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 02:50 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:55 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 KAC 773 Riyadh 16:20 FDB 067 Dubai 02:55 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:10 FDB 052 Dubai 17:00 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 KAC 742 Dammam 17:45 OMA 644 Muscat 04:25 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 CEB 7694 Manila 03:10 GFA 944 LCA 17:50 QTR 1085 Doha 04:30 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 KKK 6507 Istanbul 03:20 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 CEB 7695 Manila 04:40 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 OMA 643 Muscat 03:25 UAL 982 IAD 17:55 MSC 406 Sohag 05:05 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:50 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:05 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 THY 765 Istanbul 05:40 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 JZR 555 Alexandria 04:25 KAC 542 Cairo 18:25 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 FDB 063 Dubai 18:40 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 06:35 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 ABY 121 Sharjah 18:40 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 GFA 944 Bahrain 18:35 QTR 8632 Doha 06:25 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:45 RJA 643 Amman 07:05 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 KAC 544 Cairo 06:40 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 JZR 560 Sohag 07:10 JZR 238 Amman 18:50 BAW 157 London 06:40 AXB 393 Kozhikode 19:15 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 JZR 134 Bahrain 19:10 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:10 KAC 618 Doha 19:15 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 UAL 982 Bahrain 19:15 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 QTR 8632 Lahore/Doha 07:55 ABY 122 Sharjah 19:20 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 FDB 054 Dubai 08:25 UAE 876 Dubai 19:40 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:55 JZR 483 Istanbul 19:35 BAW 156 London 08:45 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 19:40 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 FDB 064 Dubai 19:55 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 KAC 502 Beirut 19:50 KAC 513 Tehran 08:55 AXB 393 Kozhikode 20:15 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 KAC 102 New York/London 19:55 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:55 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:30 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:00 KAC 171 Frankfurt 09:05 KAC 361 Colombo 20:50 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 KAC 774 Riyadh 20:00 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:25 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:00 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 KAC 351 Kochi 21:15 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 MSR 606 Luxor 20:45 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 DLH 636 Frankfurt 20:50 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 KAC 117 New York 10:05 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 DLH 636 Dammam 21:35 GFA 943 Bahrain 10:15 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:20 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:45 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 KAC 561 Amman 10:25 IRA 665 Shiraz 10:50 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 UAE 873 Dubai 11:00 FDB 073 Dubai 21:35 JZR 482 Istanbul 10:35 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 SYR 341 Latakia 11:10 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 JZR 174 Dubai 10:45 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 MSC 405 Sohag 11:25 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:15 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 QTR 1074 Doha 21:55 GFA 943 LCA 11:00 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 JZR 135 Bahrain 22:05 KAC 541 Cairo 11:05 FDB 074 Dubai 22:30 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 KLM 417 Amsterdam 22:15 IRA 664 Shiraz 11:50 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 KAC 514 Tehran 13:10 KAC 172 Frankfurt 22:20 KAC 501 Beirut 12:00 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:55 IRC 528 Ahwaz 13:15 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 SYR 342 Latakia 12:10 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 JZR 561 Sohag 13:45 AIC 981 Chennai/Hyderabad/Ahmedabad 22:30 KAC 103 London 12:20 QTR 1075 Doha 23:05 KAC 382 Delhi 13:45 UAL 981 Bahrain 23:10 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 JZR 502 Luxor 23:05 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:25 KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:15 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 THY 764 Istanbul 23:35 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 KAC 415 Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur 23:25 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:25 PIA 205 Lahore 23:40 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:30 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 FDB 060 Dubai 23:55 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 CROSSWORD 788 STAR TRACK

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

There is tremendous mental energy available for you now. Take care to This is a good time to work on a personal project, perhaps a large or com- avoid being temperamental and touchy. If you channel this energy carefully, you can be plicated project. You will surely be able to elicit the help of people if there is a need. A very influential. Communication comes easily. You make all details clear. No one should variety of things have your attention. You organize yourself to uncover a mystery or work misunderstand anything you say. This is a great day to pay bills, clean up paperwork, a puzzle, etc. You work quickly and well by yourself, so do not complain if others have not write letters, balance your checkbook and make phone calls; your phone will probably be come around to help . . . You can take the praise later and praise there will be. This also ringing anyway. Also, make sure you have complete information before gambling with marks a time when you should enjoy a great amount of attention. Perhaps a friend will an investment. There is an interest in religion and philosophy-with many questions being want you to help him or her with some projects or they will help you. This evening is a raised about mysterious topics like your purpose in life. Talk among friends is usually fun time when you could be tempted to make promises but it is not a smart thing to do as at this time. If there is a party, go and enjoy. you may later want to break your promises.

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

The energies now are best applied out-of-doors, engaging in activities that Communicating with friends and colleagues should be direct and to the are both carefree and pleasant with friends and relatives. This may be a true hearts and point. Say what you mean and leave it at that. This could be a wonderful time of inner flowers day, filled with joyous and harmonious feelings. A new friendship or romance reflection. You may spend much of this day thinking about finishing unfinished plans. started today has a bright and long future. If emotional fences need mending, this is a Spending time with a close friend or relative could prove beneficial. Now marks a time good day for the task because you are in a truly mellow mood. Try a little potpourri or when relations with a spouse or business partner are on solid ground. Expressing affec- scented candles to maintain that relaxed state this afternoon. Until the middle of tion should come easily and can do positive things for your disposition. This time promis- February, your time alone is well spent. Perhaps you will be writing a book, practicing es to create exciting times between partners! Romance is highlighted and perhaps a your talent or even shopping. Your social calendar is gradually filling up-there are plans in vacation can be planned. A close friend, loved one, partner, etc., is looking forward to the works for a big social event soon. gaining your attention and might cheerfully help with the funds for a trip.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) For you, the elements may encourage an insightful day. Your creative tal- Your creative juices are flowing, ready to be applied to the work at hand. If ents should be easy to find. Family members or a friend may want to join you give your best effort now, considerable success may follow and you you in your creative endeavors. You mix well with others at this time. You have a clear pic- may unconsciously help a close friend through your efforts. This is the time to make your- ACROSS DOWN ture of friends’ feelings and should not hesitate to make your own needs known. This 1. A person regarded as greedy and pig-like. 1. A pilgrimage to Mecca. self available to friends and family. This is also a time to get to know someone better. You could include your wishes for their future plans as well. Relationships can only improve 4. The state of being split or cleft. 2. A spread made chiefly from vegetable oils create pleasant surroundings in the home and people enjoy visiting with you. Shared with your willingness to include, help and guide others. Also, this is a time when you seek and used as a substitute for butter. activities that take place at this time should be successful. The need for emotional security intellectual stimulation in both love life, social and leisure activities. Giving flowers or 12. The Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the is accented at this time-though you should not pressure a partner into doing things just Dali region of Yunnan. 3. A city in southwestern Switzerland at the some other token of your esteem to a loved one under this energy will bring rich rewards. to please and satisfy you. You have a generous and warm mood that makes you popular You will have much success as a cook this evening-play dress-up-a little wine? 15. Fermented alcoholic beverage similar to western end of Lake Geneva. in social circles and melts even the coldest heart. but heavier than beer. 4. A New England state. 16. Russian writer of stories and novels and 5. (New Testament) The Apostle closely associ- plays (1818-1883). ated with St Paul and traditionally assumed to Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 17. Having any of numerous bright or strong be the author of the third Gospel. Cancer (June 21-July 22) 6. Bulky grayish-brown eagle with a short colors reminiscent of the color of blood or Balance is becoming an important dynamic in your life and you may become wedge-shaped white tail. Mental endeavors are favored today, as is communication with friends and cherries or tomatoes or rubies. aware of the need to insert more fun or social opportunities into your calen- 7. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in loved ones. Avoid being inflexible. A community program is on your mind. You have been 18. The battle in 1806 in which Napoleon deci- dar this year. You might consider taking a creative arts class that will afford you the oppor- Turkey). asked to involve yourself before, but now you may decide the time is right for you to become sively defeated the Prussians. tunity to get into some social activities while you learn. This could be an acting class, art, 8. A member of a Finnish people of Russia. active in this community project. This evening may be more of a time of inner reflection. You design, cooking or any other activity about which you might like to know. You might con- 20. Strike sharply. 9. An associate degree in nursing. may very well spend the day thinking about past accomplishments and future plans. Spending sider that it would take a couple of different subjects before you settle on something you time with a close friend or relative and confiding in him or her could prove beneficial. You cer- 21. Lighted up by or as by fire or flame. 10. A brittle gray crystalline element that is a really enjoy. You work to keep from being locked into one subject. You will enjoy the inter- 23. French field marshal who commanded the tainly appreciate your friends and family and are willing to do some special favor for them that action between classmates and broaden your scope of communication in business meet- semiconducting metalloid (resembling silicon) will show them just how you feel. Do not force a commitment from a loved one this evening. ings. Electricity is in the air tonight . Allied armies in France during World War II used in transistors. (1852-1931). 11. Four books in the New Testament that tell 25. Prince's plume. the story of Christ's life and teachings. 28. An artificial language for international use 12. Soft creamy white cheese. Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) that rejects rejects all existing words and is 13. Characterized by lightness and insubstan- based instead on an abstract analysis of ideas. Your nature is usually calm-you take a serious attitude regarding just about all Your energies are high today and anything you set out to do will have suc- tiality. cessful end results. Completing the household errands early would be a good idea. You 30. (used as a sentenced connector) Therefore 14. The content of cognition. aspects of your life. This is an excellent time to sit down alone and plan where you want to place your energies for the next few weeks. Also, this is a great day to dive in and lend a help- should take every opportunity to get outside and enjoy the natural world. When it comes to or consequently. 19. Filled with fear or apprehension. ing hand to a good friend. This is a time of reflection-perhaps on the direction of your life. You relationships, demanding what you want could lead to frustrations and ill feelings. You are 31. (Chinese and Japanese) Treatment of symp- 22. The basic unit of money in Suriname. are filled with a great desire to set goals and plan your successes. You are apt to spend a great feeling festive and desirous of enjoying a good time with friends and family. toms by applying pressure with the fingers to 24. A training program to prepare college stu- deal of time communicating with co-workers and people outside of work just now. This is a Communicating with long-distance associates and engaging in social functions with close friends is enhanced. This is a time of self-confidence and good cheer. This may lead to a fun, time of sudden personal growth that corresponds to changes in your romantic life as well. It specific pressure points on the body. dents to be commissioned officers. productive day, but it could just as well lead to a day of extravagance. Take note, be aware would be good to pull closer to a loved one, or perhaps it is time to start a love relationship. 35. North American republic containing 50 26. A beverage made by steeping tea leaves in and stay in a positive frame of mind. Witness a little nature. states - 48 conterminous states in North water. America plus Alaska in northwest North 27. A large fleet. America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific 29. Of surpassing excellence. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Ocean. 32. A port and state capital of Tasmania. Pisces (February 19-March 20) 39. Type genus of the Podicipedidae. 33. Deciduous round-headed Asiatic tree wide- If you have been considering a new business venture, today is an excellent day Today you may see all the trees but somehow you miss the forest. You are 41. Surveying instrument consisting of the ly grown in mild climates as an ornamental for its heart-shaped leaves and fragrant yellow- to begin the plans. It is also a good day for travel. Your communication skills are at their peak acutely aware of precise details, but may be too cautious to extend them to a wider con- upper movable part of a theodolite including green flowers followed by hanging clusters of and ideas that need expression or paperwork that needs finishing can be handled efficiently. clusion. If, however, you have already outlined the big picture, this is an excellent time to the telescope and its attachments. work out details. You may notice the negatives but you are determined to find the brighter fleshy orange-red berries. You could be a bit impulsive and restless at this time. Avoid big changes and give yourself 42. In bed. plenty of time to think through new ideas. Rash decisions may prove unfortunate. This is a side of a situation or person and you are an influence to others. Do not become preoccu- 34. The compass point that is one point east of pied with one idea and accept it as gospel. Considering all sides may be a good step to 43. Having or resembling a beak. most favorable time for working in groups, particularly in soliciting the aid of friends in a pet southeast. take at this time. It is good that you have an open mind to a friend’s quirks. It’s best to take 45. (Babylonian) God of wisdom and agricul- project. You feel genuine warmth and affection for all of your loved ones-especially the kids. If 36. Conforming to an ultimate standard of per- you cannot find a party, set one up yourself-careful, you may be tempted to overspend or it easy this evening and let others have their way. You may be wise to bury your head in a ture and patron of scribes and schools. fection or excellence. overindulge. Keep it simple. book or take a little time to work on a hobby. 46. The network in the reticular formation that 37. A telegram sent abroad. serves an alerting or arousal function. 38. The clay from which adobe bricks are made. 47. Bulky grayish-brown eagle with a short 40. The capital and largest city of Yemen. WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Yesterday’s Solution wedge-shaped white tail. 44. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a 48. A public promotion of some product or skewer usually with vegetables. service. 51. Pasture grass of plains of South America 49. A white linen liturgical vestment with and western North America. sleeves. 53. A radioactive element of the actinide series. 50. (of persons) Neat and smart in appearance. 54. (Jungian psychology) The inner self (not the 52. A small cake leavened with yeast. external persona) that is in touch with the 55. A drug (trade names Atarax and Vistaril) unconscious. used as a tranquilizer to treat anxiety and 56. European shad. motion sickness. 57. Being one more than ninety. 58. A city in western Germany near the Dutch 59. Of or relating to or characteristic of Hades and Belgian borders. or Tartarus. 61. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely 60. A federal agency established to coordinate the razorbill. programs aimed at reducing pollution and pro- 63. To or from every one of two or more (con- tecting the environment. sidered individually). 62. A state in northwestern North America. 64. Hard red wheat grown especially in Russia 67. Resembling a plum fruit. and Germany. 71. Any of various hard resins from trees of the 65. Someone who drives a taxi for a living. family Dipterocarpaceae and of the genus 66. Having an irregularly notched or toothed Agathis. margin as though gnawed. 72. An island of central Hawaii. 68. North American yellow-breasted songbirds. 73. A native or inhabitant of Denmark. 69. Beyond what is natural. 76. A platform raised above the surrounding 70. Founder of Christian Science in 1866 (1821- level to give prominence to the person on it. 1910). 77. Electrical conduction through a gas in an 74. Aromatic bulb used as seasoning. applied electric field. 75. The compass point that is midway between 78. Serving as an essential component. north and northeast. 82. The compass point that is one point south 79. A highly unstable radioactive element (the of due east. heaviest of the halogen series). 83. A knockout declared by the referee who 80. A blood group antigen possessed by Rh- judges one boxer unable to continue. positive people. 84. A flammable colorless gaseous alkene. 81. A chronic inflammatory collagen disease 85. The seed of the cereal grass. affecting connective tissue (skin or joints). Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 information

For labor-related inquiries and complaints: INTERNATIONAL Call MSAL hotline 128 CALLS

Afghanistan 0093 Luxembourg 00352 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Albania 00355 Macau 00853 Algeria 00213 Macedonia 00389 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Andorra 00376 Madagascar 00261 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Angola 00244 Majorca 0034 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Anguilla 001264 Malawi 00265 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Antiga 001268 Malaysia 0060 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Argentina 0054 Maldives 00960 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Armenia 00374 Mali 00223 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Australia 0061 Malta 00356 Austria 0043 Marshall Islands 00692 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Bahrain 00973 Mauritania 00222 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Rawda 22517733 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Adaliya 22517144 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Kaifan 24849807 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Burundi 00257 New Caledonia 00687 Shuwaikh 24814507 Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 Nuzha 22526804 Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 Qadsiya 22515088 Chad 00235 N. Ireland (UK) 0044 Dasmah 22532265 Chile 0056 North Korea 00850 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 China 0086 Norway 0047 Colombia 0057 Oman 00968 Shaab 22518752 Comoros 00269 Pakistan 0092 Qibla 22459381 Congo 00242 Palau 00680 Cook Islands 00682 Panama 00507 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Costa Rica 00506 Papua New Guinea 00675 Mirqab 22456536 Croatia 00385 Paraguay 00595 Cuba 0053 Peru 0051 Sharq 22465401 Cyprus 00357 Philippines 0063 Salmiya 25746401 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Poland 0048 Czech Republic 00420 Portugal 00351 Jabriya 25316254 Denmark 0045 Puerto Rico 001787 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Diego Garcia 00246 Qatar 00974 Djibouti 00253 Romania 0040 Bayan 25388462 Dominica 001767 Russian Federation 007 Mishref 25381200 Dominican Republic 001809 Rwanda 00250 W Hawally 22630786 Ecuador 00593 Saint Helena 00290 Egypt 0020 Saint Kitts 001869 Sabah 24810221 El Salvador 00503 Saint Lucia 001758 Jahra 24770319 England (UK) 0044 Saint Pierre 00508 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Saint Vincent 001784 New Jahra 24575755 Eritrea 00291 Samoa US 00684 West Jahra 24772608 Estonia 00372 Samoa West 00685 Ethiopia 00251 San Marino 00378 South Jahra 24775066 Falkland Islands 00500 Sao Tone 00239 North Jahra 24775992 Faroe Islands 00298 Saudi Arabia 00966 Fiji 00679 Scotland (UK) 0044 North Jleeb 24311795 Finland 00358 Senegal 00221 Ardhiya 24884079 France 0033 Seychelles 00284 Firdous 24892674 French Guiana 00594 Sierra Leone 00232 French Polynesia 00689 Singapore 0065 Omariya 24719048 Gabon 00241 Slovakia 00421 N Khaitan 24710044 Gambia 00220 Slovenia 00386 Georgia 00995 Solomon Islands 00677 Fintas 23900322 Germany 0049 Somalia 00252 Ghana 00233 South Africa 0027 Gibraltar 00350 South Korea 0082 Greece 0030 Spain 0034 Greenland 00299 Sri Lanka 0094 PRIVATE CLINICS Grenada 001473 Sudan 00249 Guadeloupe 00590 Suriname 00597 Guam 001671 Swaziland 00268 Guatemala 00502 Sweden 0046 Ophthalmologists Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Endocrinologist Guinea 00224 Switzerland 0041 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Guyana 00592 Syria 00963 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Haiti 00509 Serbia 00381 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Taiwan 00886 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Honduras 00504 Tanzania 00255 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Hong Kong 00852 Thailand 0066 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Hungary 0036 Toga 00228 Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Tonga 00676 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Iceland 00354 Tokelau 00690 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 Dermatology Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288 India 0091 Trinidad 001868 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians Dr. Mohammed Salam Rheumatologists: Indian Ocean 00873 Tunisia 00216 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581 Bern University 23845955 Indonesia 0062 Turkey 0090 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dentists Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Iran 0098 Tuvalu 00688 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Iraq 00964 Uganda 00256 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 Ireland 00353 Ukraine 00380 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226 Internist, Chest & Heart General Practitioners Italy 0039 United Arab Emirates 00976 Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444 Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Ivory Coast 00225 United Kingdom 0044 Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557 General Surgeons Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid Jamaica 001876 Uruguay 00598 Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Japan 0081 USA 001 Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148 Assistant Professor Of Medicine Jordan 00962 Uzbekistan 00998 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 Internists, Chest & Heart Head, Division of Cardiology Kazakhstan 007 Vanuatu 00678 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Neurologists Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital 25339667 Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Kenya 00254 Venezuela 00582 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Consultant Cardiologist Kiribati 00686 Vietnam 0084 Urologists Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 Kuwait 00965 Virgin Islands UK 001284 Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Gastrologists MD, PH.D, FACC Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Virgin Islands US 001340 Dr. Sami Aman 22636464 Inaya German Medical Center Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Laos 00856 Wales (UK) 0044 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Te: 2575077 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3 Latvia 00371 Yemen 00967 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135 Fax: 25723123 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Lebanon 00961 Yugoslavia 00381 Soor Center Liberia 00231 Zambia 00260 Psychologists [email protected] Tel: 2290-1677 Kaizen center Noor Clinic William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Libya 00218 Zimbabwe 00263 /Psychotherapists www.soorcenter.com Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 25716707 23845955 Lithuania 00370 lifestyle SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015

Gossip Jessie J’s tattoo has a spelling error

he ‘Bang Bang’ hitmaker, who has the tattoo on her ing in an effort to conceal it. She told ‘The Graham Norton right hip, has revealed she only discovered the mis- Show’: “It’s the reason I always wear high waisted stuff. I’m Ttake when her mum pointed it out to her. The 26- not going to put a spelling mistake that close to a camera. year-old singer explained: “I did it ages ago and had ‘Don’t “I’m going to get it covered and I’m not having any more lose who you are in the blur of the star!’ tattooed on my tattoos.” Jessie has a number of other smaller tattoos, side. “Not long after I had it done my mum said to me in including the phrase ‘Stand Up’ inked on her wrist. tears, ‘I don’t know how to tell you this but it is spelt wrong.’ “I have ‘Don’t loose who you are in the blur of the stars!’ It’s really big, which is awful.” Jessie explained that she’s so embarrassed by her tattoo she wears high-waisted cloth-

Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Martin are ‘totally into each other’ he couple, who split in October last year, were spotted on a Apple, 10, and son Moses, eight, is now dating the ‘Hunger Games’ date at Madeo in Los Angeles on Thursday night and an eye- star. When asked about their relationship, Gwyneth told Howard witness has claimed that the 24-year-old ‘Hunger Games’ Stern’s SiriusXM radio show: “Who says I don’t approve [of Jennifer seeks psychic T actress and the Coldplay singer, 37, were constantly “laughing and Lawrence]? Why not? Why is it going to be an issue? I respect him giggling” throughout their dinner date at the Italian eatery. A as the father of my children... It’s his life and it’s his decision... and I

Justin Bieber source told the New York Post’s Page Six column: “They were totally do think that he loves the kids so much and I don’t think that he into each other. The romance is on for sure.” Their date came short- wouldn’t be with someone who isn’t great. And if I’m wrong, I’ll ly after Chris’ estranged wife Gwyneth Paltrow insisted she doesn’t come back here and tell you.” have “an issue” with his new girlfriend. The 42-year-old actress said she isn’t bothered that her husband, with whom she has daughter to get over Selena Gomez

he 22-year-old singer finally split from the The source added: “The psychic says Selena will Canadian heartthrob in October after more have a new man by the summer!” The ‘Rudderless’ Tthan four years of on/off dating and has star previously admitted she will always have feel- decided to sit down with a clairvoyant in a bid to ings for Justin, despite their turbulent romance. heal her broken heart after. A source told She said: “I support him. I think I always will. I’m America’s OK! magazine: “Selena said the psychic upset when he’s upset, I’m happy when he’s hap- was incredible. They did a lot of tarot and angel py. I don’t want anything to ever happen to him card readings, and now they have sessions every bad. It hurts me. That’s all.” week.” Selena, who was recently spotted holding hands with music producer and DJ Zedd at a Golden Globes after-party, was overjoyed when the psychic predicted she would find love again. Heidi Klum Lena he ‘Girls’ creator-and-star has decided to learn to play the instrument after being musically inspired by her Fun. to get married? Tguitarist boyfriend Jack Antonoff and close friend Taylor Swift. The 28-year-old actress said: “I don’t have any secret tal- ents. Any bit of talent I have I pour into my job. But we just got he 41-year-old model has been dating 28-year-old Vito Schnabel since a piano in our house, so I’m going to take a lesson every two last February and while he is reportedly keen to take their relationship Dunham weeks. “I will practice! The lesson is every other week.” Lena Tto the next level, the German beauty - who split from husband Seal in also wants to get a secret talent because her ‘Girls’ castmates, 2012 - is not so keen. A source told heat magazine: “They live together but Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke and Zosia Mamet, are all very Vito would love to move it to the next level. “He’s getting to the age where good at other things aside from acting. She told PEOPLE: he is ready for marriage, but Heidi is just not ready to commit. She isn’t keen is taking “Allison’s (secret talent) is singing, and we wrote it in. Zosia is on getting married again after her divorce from Seal.” According to the very good at accents and impressions. Jem’s an amazing insider, Heidi - who raises kids Leni, 10, Henry, nine, Johan, eight, and Lou, twerker, like, Nicki Minaj ‘Anaconda’ video butt talent!” Lena five, with her ex-husband - is “pretty much done” having children and is piano lessons feels very close to her co-stars and insists they have a “sisterly” happy with her relationship the way it is. The source added: “The kids love bond with one another. She said: “We’re really good friends. Vito, Seal gets along with him and, above all, if it does go wrong, she We have a deep sisterly connection formed by work, and we’ll doesn’t want to put the family through another divorce.” While Heidi is never not know each other. “We hang out. We eat snacks and reluctant to tie the knot, she has reportedly discussed the possibility with look at clothes on the Internet.” her former spouse. A source said recently: “Heidi speaks to Seal most days and still refers to him as her best friend. She’s even discussed the idea of marrying Vito with Seal and he’s given his blessing.” lifestyle SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015

Gossip

Angelina Jolie felt ‘hurt’ by Golden Globes snub he 39-year-old actress was feeling “upset” after she crowned ‘Boyhood’ as Best Motion Picture (Drama) - missed the prestigious awards ceremony in Los the star is still hoping to receive praise at the Oscars, TAngeles, still reeling over ‘Unbroken’s exclusion from and was pleased to see the film’s protagonist, Jack the extensive list of nominations. A source revealed: O’Connell nominated for the Bafta Rising Star award. “Angelina’s hurt. She’s been upset that the film was over- The young actor - who is up against the likes of looked.” The film - directed by the former actress - tells the Margot Robbie and Shailene Woodley - recently story of Olympic athlete Louis “Louie” Zamperini who was revealed he is keen to bring the award “home” to the taken prisoner in Japan during World War II, and follows his UK. He said: “It’ll be a good night out, one way or the struggle to endure the difficult conditions. A member of the other, but I really want it. I want to really bring it home Hollywood Foreign Press Association revealed the movie for us. Queen and country, and all of that.” would have made the shortlist in previous years due to “star power alone” but added the film wasn’t quite good enough to warrant a nomination this time. The source told the New York Post’s Page Six column: “A few years ago, she would have been in.” Despite being ignored by the awards - which

Mindy Kaling doesn’t ‘need marriage’ he ‘Mindy Project’ star, who previously admitted she would have tied the knot with ex-boyfriend B J Novak if he’d asked her before they split almost 10 years ago, admits Tshe is no longer in a rush to settle down and have children. The 35-year-old comedi- enne said: “When I was younger, I wanted so badly to be married and have kids in a rush. I don’t need marriage. I don’t need anyone to take care of all my needs and desires. I can take care of them myself now.” But Mindy would like to have a long-lasting relationship like her parents. She told the February issue of Good Housekeeping magazine: “I loved my parents’ relationship. The way my father was with my mother when she was dying was so moving. It was such devotion. I don’t know that that will happen for me, but I like it.” The actress has been casually dating over the past few months and admits she prefers the ear- ly stages of a relationship. She explained: “If I could relive the first three months of courtship over and over for the rest of my life, I would. Especially in winter, who doesn’t like a nice heavy seven-course meal and taking a cab home to fall asleep in the clothes you wore on the date? Wait. Actually that was, like, my whole 20s. And it was very fun.” blames

he ‘Game of Thrones’ actress admits she engaged in too much, no one likes you, we all just pretend to like an anonymous war of words with someone she you because you’re rich and famous, horrible messages. Tdidn’t get along with via Formspring - a question- “Mum’s like, just delete it. It’s easy for an adult to say. But and-answer-based social networking service - and look- when you’re in this world and your body is changing and ing back now, she knows she was “bullying” the other your hormones are everywhere and you just want to fit girl, even though she was also receiving “horrible” mes- in. “I don’t blame the girls who doing what they did. It sages. She said: “I had an awful experience with doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt and that it wasn’t wrong. But I Formspring. I knew who the girl was who was sending understand it.” Though Maisie has public profiles on anonymous things and I’m being completely honest social media, she also has a private account on Tumblr in with you here, we started sending horrible anonymous order to vent without having “fingers pointed” at her. She things back. “She deleted her Formspring because she admitted: “I have a Tumblr where I have a false name and was being bullied. And then she set it up again. Why are no-one knows it’s me. It’s a way to get things off your you setting it up again? My advice would be to stay off it. chest without fingers pointed at you.” The full interview It’s the worst thing. It’s just bad news. It was the worst with the ‘Cyber Bully’ star is available to read at year of my life and it was all down to Formspring.” The 17- www.thedebrief.co.uk. year-old star admits she was advised by her mother to delete her account on the website because of the abuse she received but she refused because she wanted to “fit in” with her peers. Asked about the messages she Internet for ‘worst year’

Maisie Williams received, she told website The Debrief: “[There were] paragraphs of speech saying you’re weird because you’re not at school, you’re stuck up because you talk about it Hilary Duff has no desire to be skinny he 27-year-old actress, who has two-year-old son Luca with estranged husband Mike Comrie, says she often wants to lose up to 10 pounds, but insists she is “per- Tfectly happy” with her figure. Discussing the pressure to be thin in Hollywood, she said: “I just tell myself, ‘I’m 5ft 2in, I’m really fit, killing it in the gym, and doing crazy things.’ I love to work out, but I’m just not that concerned with being the skinniest per- son. “I’m not a model; I’m an actress. I always feel like I’m in the five to ten pound strug- gle, but my life is so busy. I’m just not that concerned, really. I’m normal and I’m per- fectly happy being that way. “Some weeks I’m like, ‘Man, my clothes are fitting so good,’ and then some weeks I’m like, ‘I need to cut back on a few things,’ but that’s it. I don’t fall into the trap of having to be 110 pounds.” The blonde beau- ty - who recently moved to New York City to play fun-loving Kelsey in the upcoming series ‘Younger’ - also insists still makes time to go out and have fun despite being a mother. She told Elle.com: “Obviously, I’m a well-known person and people watch everything I do. Sometimes it’s he ‘Drunk In Love’ hitmaker sparked annoying, but, for the most part, I live the way I want and do the rumors she is expecting her second child things I want. I obviously try to be respectful of myself and my Twith husband Jay Z on Sunday after post- son and my family. I do care what people think. But I’m 27, and ing an image of a baby bump sculpted out of I know that it’s important to have fun.” sand, but her former Destiny’s Child bandmate has played down the speculation saying it’s a silly con- clusion to jump to. She said: “First of all, if you look at the picture, the baby bump is probably where her knees probably really are... Just stop it, stop it.” chops off The 34-year-old singer also mentioned how the star is always secretive with her person- her own hair al life, with rumors suggesting she wasn’t pregnant circulating when she was expect- ing her first child with the ‘99 Problems’ rap- he ‘American Sniper’ star claims her new shorter hairstyle is very nervous about starring on Broadway. The 33-year-old per, Blue Ivy, who was born three years was initially a “disaster” because she cut it herself in a bid star is set to take over the lead role of Sally Bowles in ‘Cabaret’ ago. Speaking on ‘The View’, she added: Tto look different in one of her upcoming movies. She said: from Emma Stone in the production at Studio 54 in New “You know, when she was pregnant, people “I lopped it off and it was a disaster. Bradley Cooper and I did York City next month, but admits she usually only sings said that she wasn’t pregnant. There’s just no another movie [the Untitled John Wells Project] after this one when she’s not herself. The British actress told ‘Live with says truth to it. Sorry!” However, mass speculation [‘American Sniper’] where I played a chef and I decided that I Kelly and Michael!’: “I’ve never sung or danced in pub- has surrounded the image which suggests a had to look really different so I gave myself the worst haircut lic unless inebriated in karaoke.” She also told the burgeoning belly, although neither Jay Z you’ve ever seen. “I kind of half did it and then my friend took ‘Today’ show: “I’m terrified, of course I am. By the or his 33-year-old wife - who are holi- over but it was kind of a half short fringe, bangs and an under- way, if I wasn’t, I’d be really worried because it’s daying in Asia - have commented. cut which is still growing out, the whole underneath is still singing and dancing on Broadway. This is a In September, the 45-year-old shaved, so it was a disaster that has suddenly grown into some- big deal.” rapper seemed to confirm the thing manageable!” Meanwhile, the blonde beauty admits she singer was expecting another child during a performance in Paris where he altered song lyrics to allegedly sing, “cause she pregnant with another one,” although those is not pregnant claims were later dismissed with no further information being revealed.—Bangshowbiz

Michelle Williams Beyonce lifestyle SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015

Russian Oscar-nominated drama stirs controversy at home

ussian director Andrei Zvyagintsev’s sombre social drama “Leviathan” may have been nominated for an Oscar, but at home the film has sparked Rheated debate, with the arts minister claiming it blackens Russia’s image. The film will not even be released in Russia until next month, but that hasn’t proved an impediment to criticism, reminding observers of the Soviet joke about the hate campaign against Boris Pasternak’s novel “Doctor Zhivago”: “I haven’t read it but I condemn it.” “Those who have seen the film and those who haven’t seen it are heatedly arguing about it today,” wrote Gazeta.ru news web- site. “Probably because those who are arguing don’t really have opposing views on cinema-they have opposing views on the country.” The film, which scooped a Golden Globe on Sunday and best screenplay award at Cannes, is a bleak por- trayal of one man’s struggle against the sti- fling omnipotence of the Russian state. It depicts a car mechanic in a small northern city who struggles against a corrupt may- or’s plans to take away his property. Actors take the stage during Culture minister Vladimir Medinsky, a the Dolce & Gabbana men’s divisive and outspoken figure, gave an Fall-Winter 2015-2016 interview on the day of the Oscar nomina- fashion show, part of the tions to Izvestia daily in which he personal- Milan Fashion Week, ly attacked the director and his vision. The unveiled in Milan yesterday. movie has a mood of “existential hopeless- — AFP/AP photos ness” and “there is not a single positive hero,” he said. At the same time the characters, howev- er much vodka they knock back on screen, are not “real Russians,” he claimed. The min- ister accused the director of cynically exploiting anti-Russian tropes to win festi- val plaudits. “What does he love? Golden Milan Fashion Week statuettes and red carpets, that’s pretty Russian Director Andrei clear,” Medinsky said sneeringly, adding the film “in its rush for international success, is opportunistic beyond belief.” The minister denigrated the film despite the fact that it was partly funded by the state. Due to legislation brought in by Medinsky, “Leviathan”-which was already released in France and Britain late last year-can only be shown in Russia with swear words beeped out, even to adult audiences. It will be released on February 5.

‘Anti-Putin cinema manifesto’ Acclaimed abroad, Zvyagintsev has struggled with accusations of lack of patriotism since his astonishing 2003 debut “The Return,” which swept the board at the Venice Film Festival. His success in the West is held against him by some. In an editorial, state news agency TASS wrote the film featured “typical cliches that are successfully ‘sold’ by our directors in the West.” It said the film confirmed Westerners’ worst fears about Russia so they could say to themselves: “Look how bad everything is there, they admit it themselves.’” A senior Orthodox Church spokesman backed Medinsky’s accusations. “It’s obvi- ous that it’s made to cater to a Western audience, or rather to the Western elite, since it consciously repeats popular myths about Russia,” spokesman Vsevolod Chaplin told Izvestia daily, while admitting he had not seen the film. Some Orthodox fundamentalist activists even called for a ban on the film, which depicts clerics as involved in corruption. “‘Leviathan’ is evil, and there is no place for evil on cinema release,” Kirill Frolov, the head of a group called the “Association of Orthodox experts”, told Izvestia. A pro-Kremlin political analyst Sergei Markov tweeted that the film is an “anti-Putin cinema manifesto”. But many critics and arts figures praised the film saying the accusations against it simply did not stand up. “There’s no point in arguing with naive, unprofession- al theories that Zvyagintsev makes his characters drink and criticize the authorities just to get into Western film festivals,” wrote Komsomolskaya Pravda critic Stas Tyrkin, calling “Leviathan” a film about “the here and now.” “Artists don’t exist to beautifully depict Russian birches, Russian meadows and Russian lakes. That’s absurd,” said popular theatre director Konstantin Bogomolov, speaking to Ura.ru news agency. “The task of a Russian artist is to create great works.” — AFP

Ermenegildo Zegna Too white, too male: Oscars accused over nominees oo white and too male. That is the charge facing the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences after it unveiled its Tnominations this week for the 2015 Oscars race. The phrase #OscarsSoWhite soared up the Twitter trending topics within minutes of Thursday’s nominations for the Oscars, the climax of Hollywood’s annual awards season. Not a single non-white actor or actress was shortlisted in any of the four main acting categories, although the Martin Luther King Jr movie “Selma” did make it into the best picture race. The drama, starring Oprah Winfrey and Britain’s David Oyelowo as the Nobel Peace Prize-winning black civil rights leader, has been judged best film of the year by the Rotten Tomatoes review aggregator website. The movie, released just as huge protest rallies were held across the United States over the shooting of unarmed black teenagers by white police offi- cers, had an exceptional 99 percent positive rating on the website. That is better even than the 98 percent for coming-of-age drama “Boyhood,” which topped wins at the Golden Globes last weekend and earned six Oscar nominations. “To nominate it only for best movie and best song, that is disgraceful,” said Tom O’Neil, founder of the Goldderby.com web- site, which keeps close tabs on all the main movie industry prizes. It is only the second time since 1998 that not a single African-American actor was nominated. “It’s due to the lack of diversity of (Oscar) voters them- selves, 93 percent of whom are white, 77 percent male and with an aver- age age of 63. This is not representative of the real world,” O’Neil told AFP.

Stuck in the past Sasha Stone of Awardsdaily.com said the Academy was way behind the rest of the industry. “It’s very frustrating to work in a business that seems so stuck in the past,” she said. Among those left out were acclaimed screenwriters and authors Gillian Flynn and Cheryl Strayed, whose book was adapted into the film “Wild” starring Reese Witherspoon, both seen as favorites before Thursday. “It is a shame to see the Academy pass up the opportunity to honor the first black woman director,” Stone said, referring to “Selma” director Ava DuVernay. “They also passed up the chance to honor the female writer for ‘Gone Girl,’” she added, referring to Flynn. “‘Selma’ was an excellent movie that acted and directed itself beautifully,” joked actor Joshua Malina. Tom Nunan of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television noted that last year the Academy gave its best picture prize to “12 Years a Slave,” along with best supporting actress for Lupita Nyong’o-who is black-and best screenplay. Stone added: “There is the sense that they paid their dues last year when ‘12 Years a Slave’ won this. They now feel ok about choosing the subject matter that suits them, usually period pieces featuring white British men.” This year the top-tipped films include “Boyhood,” made over 12 years following a child’s growth; the dark comedy “Birdman”; stylish caper “The Grand Budapest Hotel”; and Clint Eastwood’s “American Sniper.” They also include “The Theory of Everything,” about British astro- physicist Stephen Hawking, and “The Imitation Game,” about code-break- ing mathematics genius Alan Turing, a fellow Briton. Some have nonetheless defended the Academy, stressing that it elect- ed an African American, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, to head its Board of Governors, and that actors like Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Hudson, Octavia Spencer and Mo’Nique-all black-have won Oscars in recent years. “I have not seen the evidence of closed doors based on people’s color,” said Nunan, noting that “Friends” star Jennifer Aniston failed to score a nomi- nation for her “role of a lifetime,” in “Cake,” while animated favorite “The Lego Movie” was also left out. “I certainly do not believe there is any kind of racism in approaching who gets attention and who doesn’t at the Academy,” he added. But he said: “There should be more work done to involve more diversity.” African-American lobbyist and leader Al Sharpton meanwhile commented: “The movie industry is like the Rocky Mountains: the higher you get, the whiter it gets.” — AFP Costume National lifestyle SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015

Rare help gets Saint Petersburg homeless through winter n his seven years spent living rough around Russia’s Down but not out into the snowy streets of Russia’s northern former cap- last winter,” he told AFP. Hundreds more end up in second city of Saint Petersburg, Valera has lost his Antonov is acutely aware of the personal tragedies ital, as well as the risk of death they face there. “Over hospital with either hypothermia or serious burns Igirlfriend and four fingers to the brutal winter that have pushed the men and women he serves out 1,700 people died from the cold in Saint Petersburg caused by the fires they light to try to keep them- weather. But though freezing temperatures claim the selves warm. Four out of every 10 homeless people lives of hundreds of homeless people in the city every start living on the streets due to family disputes, and year, Valera is convinced that he is going to survive this some 14 percent are former convicts, the charity’s time round. As winter deepens, Valera, 40, is benefiting data shows. Three percent are refugees. from a rare initiative by a local charity providing those “In Russia it is very easy to find yourself out on the on the streets with a warm meal and bed for the night. streets, but it is very difficult to get out of that situa- Every evening in a quiet neighborhood on the edge tion,” Antonov said. “We have very little social assis- of the Gulf of Finland, a group of homeless people tance.” According to official figures there are some huddle for warmth against the icy wind as they wait in 30,000 homeless people in Saint Petersburg, but char- front of a tent. Just before 9:00 pm, a minibus arrives ity workers estimate the real figure to be around dou- and volunteers from the charity Nochlezhka-which ble that. translates as “Shelter”-start doling out dinner and Those who lack documents or are not registered as opening up the heated tent. “I wait for this moment all living in the city are de facto excluded from society, day,” Valera told AFP. “The meal is good and the tent is struggling to find work and claim pensions or medical warm.” Most people coming to the tent are slightly help. At the moment only four homeless centers are drunk, but the atmosphere remains calm as they open across the city, and they can only take in some quickly settle down in the warmth of the shelter. “The 120 people each at a time. homeless here really appreciate our help and in gener- In a place where temperatures can drop down as al they behave well,” said Igor Antonov from low as -25 degrees Celsius (-13 degrees Fahrenheit), Nochlezhka. “We don’t have to receive people if they that means that without help from charities it are drunk but we do it all the same,” he said. “You can’t becomes a struggle just to stay alive. “Winter is the kick a human being out in the middle of winter-it is far Homeless people receive hot food near a shelter tent provided by a charity organization in Russia’s most difficult season for the homeless,” Antonov said. too risky.” second city of St Petersburg. —AFP “It is a time only to survive.” — AFP Rio Tattoo Week Totolinha (left) and Rato pose for a photo.

Brazilian tattoo artist Maylcoln waits for clients during Rio Tattoo Week in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Jan 16, 2015. Tattoo artists from Brazil and around the world gathered for the annual A man gets a tattoo of a woman’s face three-day event. — AP photos and a skull on his leg.

This file photo shows US country music singer Dolly Parton as she performs on the Pyramid Stage in Somerset, southwest England. — AFP Life, songs of Dolly Parton take center-stage in movie series

olly Parton, the busty US country star who rose out of poverty to become one of the most nominated DGrammy winners, is the subject of a new movie series, NBC said Friday. The singer, songwriter and actress, 68, will be involved in the production of a yet-undetermined number of two-hour films based on her “songs, stories and inspiring life,” NBC network said in a statement. The films, still a work in progress, are not meant to be biopic in nature, but will be a series of tales, NBC said. “I don’t know anyone in the world who doesn’t love Dolly Parton and the idea of developing television movies inspired by her incredible life and the stories she has sung about for decades is exciting to all of us at NBC,” said Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment. A release date has not been announced and a cast yet to be chosen, NBC told AFP. Jennifer Salke, president of NBC Entertainment, said the movies will infuse Parton’s “incredible work ethic and that genuine hopefulness and positive outlook that has been her trademark for years. And you can bet there will be a lot of her music in them too.” Parton said she was “so excited” to be working with the series’ partners and “to create projects for NBC that are both fun and inspirational with a family audience in mind.” Parton, born to a poor family in the mountains of eastern Tennessee, began to sing in public as a young child. The 10- time Grammy winner has seen a total of 41 albums reach the country chart top 10 during the last 40 years. Some of her most famous ballads include “Jolene” and “9 to 5.” Parton’s 46 Blessed Animals Grammy nominations mean that only Beyonce has her beat for the most nominated woman of all time. Parton has appeared in more than 20 films, sometimes playing herself, and two of her songs have been nominated for Oscars. A well- known philanthropist, Parton is also renowned for her abnor- Dogs and cats wait to be blessed by a priest at San Anton church in Madrid marking San Anton Abad’s Day (Saint Anthony yesterday. Dogs, cats, rab- mally large cleavage. Dolly the sheep-the first clone of an bits and even turtles, many dressed in their finest, trooped into churches across Spain in search of blessing on the patron saint of animals Saint adult mammal-was named after Parton, having been created Anthony’s Day. — AFP photos from the cell of a sheep’s mammary gland. —AFP HK Phooey kicks back into action at Sotheby’s sale

popular piece of street art destroyed by Hong Kong Isaure de Viel Castel, Sotheby’s head of mid-season sales authorities has been remade and is expected to for contemporary and modern fine arts, told AFP. Artists Afetch more than HK$1.5 million ($192,000) at a such as Invader are responding to this challenge by mak- Sotheby’s auction next week. It comes as experts say the ing replicas of their works so collectors can take them demand for “cutting edge” art is growing across the Asian home, she said. “We’re reaching out to new collectors here, market with new, younger collectors emerging. The people in their 30s or 40s who are very international.” ceramic mosaic of 1970s American cartoon character Hong Hong Kong has emerged as one of the world’s major Kong Phooey-a mask-wearing dog who is an expert in auction hubs in art and wine thanks to cash-rich mainland kung fu-was created by high-profile French street artist Chinese buyers with an appetite for luxury items. The gov- Invader. ernment is also developing a new art and culture district It first went up on a wall in a quiet street of Hong Kong’s on the Kowloon waterfront where contemporary art muse- upmarket Happy Valley neighborhood last January. But the um “M+” is expected to boast a world-class collection. artwork, which measures 1.3 meters x 2.1 meters (52 inches But the city authorities are also frequently criticized for x 82 inches), was taken down within weeks by Hong Kong failing to preserve Hong Kong’s cultural heritage, with the authorities, sparking outrage from residents. Now the rapid pace of development leading to the demolition of his- French artist has recreated the mosaic-which has the char- toric buildings, and iconic graffiti scrubbed from walls. acter performing his signature flying kick-and it is slated to Invader expressed deep disappointment after his art was be the highlight of Tuesday’s auction. It will be sold along- taken down. side the first ever work to be auctioned in Hong Kong by “I have never faced a situation where a public authority British artist Tracey Emin-a turquoise neon sign that reads would systematically and rapidly remove the art from the “Trust Me”, expected to fetch up to HK$350,000. streets,” the artist said in a statement published by the South “There are some very important collectors acquiring China Morning Post in February of last year. “What message Monet and Van Gogh, but there’s also a deep pool of new would you send to your citizens? What modern cultural her- This picture shows an employee of auction house Sotheby’s, standing next to a ceramic mosaic of 1970s US car- collectors trying to acquire more cutting edge pieces,” itage do you want to leave them?” — AFP toon character Hong Kong Phooey created by high-profile French street artist Invader. — AFP Russian Oscar-nominated drama stirs controversy at home

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 38

Sheerin is seen onstage during the Hala February concert in Kuwait. — Photos by Joseph Shagra

Hala February kicks off on musical note

By Nawara Fattahova

he musical concerts of the Hala February festival started early this year, Twith the first concert held on Jan 8 where veteran Lebanese singer Majida Al- Roumi performed alone. Like every year, it was held at the ice skating rink, where the rest of concerts will be held as well. The second concert took place on Thursday night, with three singers participating. It started at 10:10 pm with young Emirati singer Shama Hamdan, who found fame after participating in the TV show ‘Arabs Got Talent’ two years ago. She presented a new song that she sang for the first time, and the audience liked it and were singing with her. She concluded at 11:25 pm. The second singer was Kuwaiti star Nabeel Shuail who came onstage at 11:45 pm. His performance was unusually short, as he only sang for an hour. He was the first to take self- ies with the audience. He also invited his two young sons to sing his last song with him. Syrian crooner Asala Nasri Shuail concluded at 12:50 am. The concert Emirati singer Shama Hamdan performs. ended with Syrian crooner Asala Nasri, who night saw four singers from different coun- with the audience, which has become a trend 12:30 am. The third star of this concert was am. The last star of this concert was veteran came onstage at 1:30 am. She was wearing tries. The event started at 10:15 pm with the at such concerts. He concluded at 11:00 pm. popular singer Sheerin from Egypt, who Saudi singer Abadi Al-Jawhar, who came black, mourning her brother who passed Emirati singer Fayiz Al-Saed, who launched his The second singer of this concert was came onstage at 1:00 am. She started her onstage at 2:40 am. away recently, and received condolences from career about 15 years ago. Besides being a young Qatari singer Fahd Al-Kbeisi, who career about 16 years ago and gained great He started his career about 40 years ago, the presenter of the concert. She concluded successful singer he is also a popular compos- came onstage at 11:25 pm. He started his publicity in Egypt and other Arab countries. and is very popular for playing the oud (lute), at about 4:00 am. er. He got popular with his fast-paced songs, career in 2001, but only became popular in She was welcomed warmly by her fans who and is even called the ‘King of Oud’ and the The third concert was held on Friday. This his latest being ‘Selfie’. He then took a selfie Kuwait about five years ago. He concluded at sang along with her. She concluded at 2:15 ‘Octopus of Oud’.

Emirati singer Fayiz Al-Saed

Veteran Saudi singer Abadi Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kbeisi Al-Jawhar