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SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 JAMADA ALAWWAL 10, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net

Kuwait honors Tributes pour vows on money in for Nimoy, laundering, aka Mr Spock terror finance2 in40 ‘Star Trek’ Kuwait reopens embassy Min 09º Max 28º in Aden instead of Sanaa High Tide 10:08 & 20:14 Kuwait seeking extradition treaty with UK Low Tide 03:33 & 14:40 40 PAGES NO: 16446 150 FILS KUWAIT/LONDON: Kuwait has joined its Gulf partners nd Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates and decided to Zain claims 2 place in Sailing Arabia leg reopen its Yemeni embassy in Aden, instead of the militia- controlled capital Sanaa. “In the framework of supporting By Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi constitutional legitimacy in Yemen represented in Vice Chairman, Zain Group President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi... the state of Kuwait has decided to reopen its embassy in the city of Aden,” the y recent sailing adventure with foreign ministry said, quoted by the official KUNA news Zain’s admirable team has giv- agency. The ministry said the decision was in accordance Men me and the participants a with an agreement by the foreign ministers of the six- grander perception of the importance nation Gulf Cooperation Council. of teamwork. My experience in the race Saudi Arabia and the UAE also announced last week was met with a lot of hard work and that they would reopen their Yemen embassies in Aden. determination. I have witnessed Hadi fled to the southern coastal city a week ago after through an all new perspective just how escaping house arrest in Sanaa, which the Shiite Houthi dependent the success of the team is militia overran in September before seizing power this on the way it’s operated and managed. month. The three Gulf nations were among many coun- Teamwork is as essential in sailing as it is tries, including Britain and the United States, that shut- within a company’s workforce. The right tered their embassies in Sanaa this month over security leadership coupled with a proper hier- fears. archy is vital to the performance of both Western-backed Hadi, who rescinded a resignation he companies and sailing teams in striking- offered last month and has declared all actions by the ly similar ways. Houthis to be illegitimate, has said he hopes to make Aden Being the captain of my own busi- secure for foreign diplomatic missions. Aden was the capi- nesses, I was looking forward to be able tal of an independent south Yemen before the two Yemens to put myself in the position of a team were united in 1990. player and receive instructions rather Separately, Kuwait is seeking to sign a memorandum of than give them. Much like the CEO of a understanding with the United Kingdom on extradition of company, the captain of the boat gives criminals, namely public fund embezzlers, a senior Kuwaiti the orders to the team and assigns cer- official announced. Due to a lack of such an accord tain members to take on certain duties between Kuwait and the UK, “some embezzlers of public that the captain deems fit given their funds have taken refuge in Britain”, revealed Kuwaiti respective skills and abilities. This Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic recruiting process is crucial to ensure Affairs Yaqoub Al-Sane in a statement to KUNA. that the right person is chosen for each The Kuwaiti government is keen on sparing no effort to job and in turn creates efficiency and Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi, Vice Chairman of Zain Group, is seen on the Zain Sailing Team boat. ( See Page 19) tackle such legal shortcomings in coordination with the British authorities, stressed Sane as he emerged from a drives performance. ern us all. Without moral guidance, the tain to command his team ahead. The the values needed to excel and per- meeting with UK Secretary of State for Justice Chris My objective was clear; through structure of any team or company will heart and strength of the team, howev- form, be it in a race or in a company, are strategic teamwork our aim was to excel Grayling, held on the sidelines of the recent Global Law surely topple with time. It comes as no er, comes from the combined individual one and the same. Every contributing Summit in Britain. in the race. This task isn’t as easy as one surprise that Ernesto Bertarelli from the efforts of all the players. Moreover, the member of the team plays a pivotal role would presume since winning alone is Sane said the British official assured him during the Alinghi team is as triumphant a sailing team’s ability to interact with each other to its success and with this synergy the meeting that the Kuwaiti request in this regard would be not the entire purpose; teambuilding captain as he is an entrepreneur. professionally and in unity whether it’s whole is much greater than the sum of was our main focus. In line with what I referred to relevant justice departments, adding that the The captain has the most demanding in the comfort of the workplace or in its parts. Vince Lombardi, the American Kuwaiti and British sides agreed on forming a contact have learned from business school, a job and the qualities that make a good the harshest sailing conditions is the Football player, wisely noted that leader is to make sure that his team per- group for information swaps as a preliminary step toward captain are the same attributes that key driver to success. “Individual commitment to a group crafting a full-fledged agreement in this regard. forms the tactics and strategies he has make a good CEO. Foresight, leadership, I am genuinely pleased with the effort - that is what makes a team work, Kuwaiti-UK relationship at the political and economic set but with a commendable level of credibility and competence are but teamwork in the race and my unforget- a company work, a society work, a civi- levels is distinguished; however there is need to improve respect to the rules and ethics that gov- some traits that are essential for a cap- table experience has confirmed that lization work.” the cooperation in the judicial realm, particularly regarding Continued on Page 13 Egypt brands Hamas Eight dead in US PAGE Awesome Federer PAGE as ‘terrorist’ group shooting spree floors Djokovic Badie handed life in jail CAIRO: An Egyptian court yesterday new low. Hamas condemned what it Unmasking of ‘Jihadi branded the Palestinian Islamist move- called “a great disgrace which soils the ment Hamas a “terrorist” group over its reputation of Egypt”. alleged links with jihadists behind It came almost a month after a court deadly attacks on security forces in the on Jan 31 designated Hamas’s armed John’ shocks Britain Sinai Peninsula. The ruling took ties wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, between Hamas and the authorities a “terrorist” group. In a separate case which ousted Egypt’s elected Islamist earlier in the day, a court sentenced the president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 to a Continued on Page 13 Emwazi a Kuwait-born IT graduate LONDON: The unmasking of Islamic State militant “Jihadi John” as a Londoner who had repeatedly been questioned by security services sent shockwaves Debate on dress Vocal critic of Putin through Britain, with Prime Minister David Cameron stepping in to defend British spy craft. Cameron tried to killed near Kremlin defuse criticism of Britain’s intelligence community, color goes viral which had “Jihadi John” on its list of potential terror sus- MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin that “everything will be done so that pects for years but was unable WASHINGTON: It’s the dress that’s beat- yesterday vowed to punish the killers of the organizers and perpetrators of a to prevent him from traveling ing the Internet black and blue. Or should Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov as Russian vile and cynical murder get the punish- to Syria, where he has played a that be gold and white? Friends and co- opposition figures denounced what ment they deserve.” prominent role in grisly workers worldwide are debating the true they called a “political murder” Allies of Nemtsov, a long- beheading videos. hues of a royal blue dress with black lace and Western leaders called for time anti-corruption crusader Cameron did not mention that, to many an eye, transforms in one a full probe. The 55-year-old who served as deputy premier “Jihadi John” or refer to his real photograph into gold and white. Experts former deputy premier, a vocal under Boris Yeltsin, linked his identity: Mohammed Emwazi, are calling the photo a one-in-a-million Putin critic prominent at oppo- death to his political activities. a Kuwait-born computer sci- shot that perfectly captures how people’s sition rallies, was shot in the Hours before the killing, he ence graduate raised and edu- brains perceive color and process contrast back several times shortly went on air to urge Russians to cated in Britain. But he said the in dramatically different ways. before midnight Friday as he join an opposition rally today country’s spies make “incredi- “This photo provides the best test I’ve walked across a bridge a against the Kremlin stance in bly difficult judgments” daily ever seen for how the process of color stone’s throw from the Kremlin Ukraine. “There is already a list about how to pursue threats correction works in the brain,” said Daniel walls. Boris Nemtsov of unsolved political murders to national security and have Hardiman-McCartney, the clinical adviser The brazen assassination is the latest and attack in Russia,” Amnesty broken up plots that would to Britain’s College of Optometrists. “I’ve ‘Jihadi John’ in a string of murders of opposition fig- International said. “We cannot allow have caused immense dam- never seen a photo like ths before where ures in Putin’s 15 years in power and Boris Nemtsov to become just another age. Emwazi had been known to the British intelligence so many people look at the same photo recalls the shooting of anti-Kremlin name on this list.” services since at least 2009, initially in connection with and see two sets of such dramatically dif- investigations into terrorism in Somalia. reporter Anna Politkovskaya, gunned Yesterday, a steady stream of ferent colors.” David Anderson, who is in charge of reviewing down on Putin’s birthday in Oct 2006. mourners, many in tears, filed across The photo, taken earlier this month Britain’s terrorism legislation, said intelligence agencies Putin blamed the assassination on foes the bridge, heaping flowers and photos before a wedding on the remote Scottish LICHFIELD, England: Shop manager may have dropped the ball, but faced a big challenge to trying to discredit the Kremlin, but said of Nemtsov at the spot where he fell. island of Colonsay, also illustrates the Debbie Armstrong adjusts the now- identify real threats from “hundreds, probably thou- in a message to the victim’s mother Continued on Page 13 dynamics of a perfect social-media storm. famous two-tone dress in a window sands” of suspects. Continued on Page 13 display of a shop on Friday. — AP Continued on Page 13 SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 LOCAL South Korea to offer building nuclear power plants in Kuwait South Korean President Park Geun-hye in Kuwait today

By A Saleh and Agencies Al-Jaber Al-Sabah during her visit. The upcoming three-day visit, which comes KUWAIT: South Korean President Park Geun-hye following an invitation by HH the Amir, aims at accompanied by a large delegation of senior boosting bilateral relations, said Kuwaiti officials is set to start an official three-day visit to Ambassador to Seoul Jassem Mohammad Al- Kuwait today. During her visit, President Geun- Bdaiwi yesterday. hye is expected to present an offer to build The visit by the Korean President reflects the nuclear power plants in Kuwait, akin to similar strong relations linking the two countries since plants that South Korean companies built in the the arrival of the first shipment of Kuwaiti oil to United Arab Emirates, well informed sources Korea in 1963 and the subsequent involvement said. Kuwait had discussed building similar of Korean companies in Kuwait from then plants during earlier talks with Russia, but no onwards, Bdaiwi told Kuwait News Agency progress has been made, said the sources who (KUNA). The Kuwaiti diplomat affirmed that both BEIRUT: KRCS’ envoy Mosaed Al-Enzi gives candy to children at a Syrian refugees’ spoke on the condition of anonymity. nations were looking into means to further bol- camp in Lebanon. — KUNA “South Korean companies are seeking to ster bilateral relations in all possible spheres. push those projects taking into consideration On the chances of partaking in Kuwait’s the growing demand on nuclear power plants,” development plans for 2015-2020, Bdaiwi said Relief aid delivered to Syrian the sources said. They further stressed that the that there was a high possibility for Korean com- Korean offer provides assurances that the panies to participate in Kuwait’s development. refugees in Lebanon, Jordan nuclear power plants to be built are completely He noted Kuwait’s long-term development strat- safe, environment-friendly and save gas con- egy would aim at making his country a regional BEIRUT/AMMAN: Kuwait Red Crescent sumption. financial center by 2035. Society (KRCS) delivered urgent relief aid to A number of agreements and memos are 1,000 Syrian refugees in border-areas in Bilateral relations expected to be signed during the Korean southern Lebanon, the KRCS announced President Geun-hye is expected to meet with President’s visit to Kuwait especially within the yesterday. South Korean President Park Geun-hye His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad health and transportation sectors, Bdaiwi said. Relief aid, including food packages, cleaning equipment, and heating materials, have been distributed to displaced Syrian families in Shabaa, Aersal, Baalbak, and Bent Jabil, said Mosaed Al-Enzi, KRCS’ Kuwait honors anti money laundering, envoy to Lebanon. Enzi stressed the importance of provid- terror finance obligations: Minister ing such aid at this time to alleviate the suf- fering of refugees, whose living condition have been tragic and difficult due to politi- FATF confirms Kuwait’s fulfillment of 2012 commitments cal turmoil and instability in Syria amid cur- rent severe weather condition. KUWAIT: The State of Kuwait has fulfilled its the Australian Presidency, the FATF issued a ulatory and operational measures for combat- He also reiterated the supportive stance earlier undertakings to promote the mecha- statement on FATF action on terrorist finance, ing money laundering, terrorist financing and of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- nisms of fighting money laundering and terror- and adopted a report on the financing of the other related threats to the integrity of the Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwaiti govern- ist financing, Minister of Finance Anas Al-Saleh Islamic State (IS) group. The FATF recognized international financial system. The FATF is ment, and people by the Syrian people, said yesterday citing a recent international that Albania, Cambodia, Kuwait, Namibia, therefore a “policy-making body” which works affirming KRCS’ keenness in delivering report. Nicaragua, Pakistan and Zimbabwe have made to generate the necessary political will to bring humanitarian aid directly to Syrian The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which significant progress in improving their AML/CFT about national legislative and regulatory refugees in various Lebanese cities and vil- is charged with fighting money laundering and reforms in these areas. lages despite all difficulties. terrorist financing, had recently issued a report AMMAN: A volunteer delivers aid to a confirming Kuwait’s fulfillment of 2012 commit- International standards Al-Bunnyan campaign Syrian woman in Jordan. — KUNA ments against money laundering and financing The FATF has developed a series of recom- Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Al-Bunnyan cam- of terrorism, the minister said in a statement. mendations that are recognized as the interna- paign, along with the Kuwaiti diplomatic ongoing mission to ease the suffering of “It is deemed a significant achievement that tional standard for combating of money laun- mission in Amman as well as Jordanian the refugees fleeing violence in Syria since reflects the international community’s reassur- dering and the financing of terrorism and prolif- charitable organizations, handed in 12 tons 2011, Head of the campaign Dr Suleiman ance about the availability of an integrated leg- eration of weapons of mass destruction. They worth of relief aid to some 500 Syrian Al-Shatti said. He added that Al-Bunnyan islative atmosphere for fighting money launder- form the basis for a coordinated response to refugee families in Jordan yesterday. will continue its campaign for the Syrian ing and financing of terrorism primarily based these threats to the integrity of the financial sys- The relief aid campaign provided neces- refugees in Jordan as well as other coun- on Law 106/2013 on money laundering and ter- tem and help ensure a level playing field. First sities to the Syrian families as part of the tries in the region. — KUNA rorist finance,” he noted. issued in 1990, the FATF Recommendations Kuwait was in the forefront of the region’s were revised in 1996, 2001, 2003, and most countries which applied international criteria recently in 2012 to ensure that they remain up for combating money laundering, terrorist to date and relevant, and they are intended to finance and proliferation of weapons, which be of universal application. were adopted by the FATF in 2012, he indicated. The FATF monitors the progress of its mem- Minister of Finance Anas Al-Saleh bers in implementing necessary measures, Healthy atmosphere reviews money laundering and terrorist financ- The minister voiced satisfaction with this regime and will therefore no longer be subject ing techniques and counter-measures, and pro- achievement which he said came in line with to the FATF’s monitoring process. motes the adoption and implementation of the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an appropriate measures globally. In collaboration Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for creating inter-governmental body established in 1989 by with other international stakeholders, the FATF a healthy investment atmosphere for transfer- the Ministers of its Member jurisdictions. The works to identify national-level vulnerabilities ring Kuwait into a financial hub. objectives of the FATF are to set standards and with the aim of protecting the international During the second plenary meeting under promote effective implementation of legal, reg- financial system from misuse. — KUNA UNSC awaits Kuwait pledging conference Members urged to end ‘barbaric warfare’ in Syria

NEW YORK: Kuwait has generously structure, including vital public Commissioner for Refugees cation, water supply, electricity and agreed to host a third pledging services such as water and electrici- Antonio Guterres, who flew in to other public infrastructure cracking conference for Syrians in need in ty, in blatant disregard of resolution brief the Council, stressed that the under the huge pressure, he con- March, a high-level representation 2139, and international humanitari- upcoming Kuwait III conference will firmed. at that conference and meaningful an law, condemning people to fur- play a determining role in stabiliz- Syrians are now the biggest pledges that will make a difference ther unnecessary suffering. ing the situation in the refugee refugee population under UNHCR’s on the ground are needed, OCHA mandate, where 3.8 million are reg- representative told the UN Security Willful denial istered in the neighboring coun- Council (UNSC). Over two million people in tries, he said. As their number Assistant Secretary General for Aleppo and Dar’a Governorates keeps growing and they become Humanitarian Affairs Kyung-Wha have been affected by willful denial more vulnerable, the serious reper- Kang urged the members to show of water and electricity by parties cussions this has across the region leadership to end the “barbaric and to the conflict this month, she sadly only highlight the obvious - the brutal warfare” in Syria. “We are run- confirmed. urgent need for the international ning out of words to describe the Every month OCHA reports on community to bring together all terrible human and humanitarian the same violations, yet, the num- key actors and put an end to the consequences,” she expressed while bers change, but the pattern conflict in Syria, Guterres added. speaking before the Security remains the same, she said. The “There are no winners in this war; Council on behalf of Emergency parties to the conflict continue to everyone is losing.” Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos. act with impunity: killing and Kang, who is also the Deputy abducting civilians; denying access; Promoting extremism Emergency Relief Coordinator, not- removing vital supplies from con- Furthermore, the French ed that Syria enters its fifth year of voys. “This pattern must be broken,” Permanent Representative to the conflict, violence and brutality con- she added. UN Francois Delattre said that tinue unabated and with total To be specific, Kang said the OCHA’s Assistant Secretary Assad’s brutal repression and impunity. The indiscriminate use of sieges that currently affect 212,000 General for Humanitarian Affairs refusal of any transition in the last explosive weapons in populated people must be lifted. Everyone in Kyung-Wha Kang four years promoted extremism areas, by all parties, claimed more all parts of Syria must have access and chaos. “As long as Assad will lives this month and displaced to medical supplies, including sur- hosting countries. remain in power, IS will continue to thousands, she confirmed. gical supplies. The use of blockades Beyond the immediate humani- strengthen,” he said. She told the Council that the of humanitarian aid, and of basic tarian priorities, he said, it is crucial The United Nations rapid reen- Government aerial bombardments, services including water and elec- that development actors fund the gagement to re-launch the political including the use of barrel bombs, tricity, must stop, she voiced. As Regional Refugee and Resilience process in Syria is primordial. The and attacks by armed opposition must the indiscriminate attacks on Plan. Countries like Lebanon and UK, US, Jordan as well as other groups have intensified in many civilians, including through barrel Jordan need much more financial member states of the Council com- areas - including Aleppo, Dar’a and bombs, which have come to char- assistance - not only to local mended Kuwait’s leadership for the Rural Damascus. acterize this conflict, she said. refugee hosting communities, but upcoming humanitarian pledging The parties to the conflict, she also through government budget conference, and called on donors said, continue to kill civilians and Determining role support for necessary structural to make generous commitments. target civilians and civilian infra- On his part, UN High investments in health systems, edu- —KUNA

Kuwait to host summit on women’s issues in March KUWAIT: Kuwait will host a summit titled Awad, President of the Women’s Committee in the Women’s Research and Studies Center and ‘International Women Day: Towards Empowerment’ Kuwaiti Society of Engineers (KSE), said yesterday. Voluntary Action Center. for the first time on March 8, under the auspices of The summit, she added, is co-organized by an The event will focus on raising women’s aware- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- international committee for women, affiliate to ness about their significant role in society and giv- Jaber Al-Sabah. The summit will discuss challenges, World Federation of Engineering Organizations, ing them top posts to help them contribute to problems and issues related to women around the and the Kuwaiti Society of Engineers in collabora- pushing ahead the wheel of production and devel- KUWAIT: Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Kuwait Pengiran Aliuddin hosted a world and ways of addressing them. Bashayer Al- tion with Ministry of State for Youth Affairs, oping their countries, she noted.—KUNA reception recently on the occasion of his country’s National Day. State officials, diplo- mats and other dignitaries attended the event. — Photos by Joseph Shagra SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 LOCAL

KUWAIT: (From left) First Lieutenant Ali Qali, Colonel Khalil Al-Ameer, and Ali Al-Rasheed at the Kuwait Firefighters tackle a blaze at an Abdullah Port warehouse last year. Fire Service Directorate in Salmiya. Fire Directorate’s PR department plays key role in spreading awareness Department chief speaks on role, how they help protect Kuwait

By Nawara Fattahova too. We received great feedback,” Ameer said. in cooperation with paramedics, and the par- “The third program is in cooperation with ticipants then receive a certificate that they KUWAIT: The public relations and media Al-Rai TV called ‘Firefighting and Rescue’. It’s passed this course. They learn the basics of department of the Kuwait Fire Service broadcast every Thursday night and consists how to deal with children in case of health or Directorate (KFSD) is a vital body responsible of 26 episodes, each about 15 to 20 minutes fire emergencies. People can register through for many important issues, especially those long in Arabic. It talks about the latest cases our website www.kfsd.gov.kw. This is our basic related to public awareness. Kuwait Times met including rescue, the prevention sector, licens- course and we plan to hold a level 2 course the director of the department to find out es for commercial buildings and some prob- with more details,” he pointed out. more. lems with the ways of solving them. The suc- The department hasn’t ignored awareness Col Khalil Al-Ameer started his career with cess of these programs is reflected in the in desert areas. “We go to the north and south KFSD in 1989 as a civilian in the planning reduction of fire accidents by 3 percent last of Kuwait to distribute free fire extinguishers department, and in 1992, became an officer year, according to our statistics. And we aim to to people who camp in desert and let them after graduating as a first lieutenant. “I was minimize them even more,” Ameer said. keep them. We also present talks on how to working in another department, but my direc- This success encouraged the KFSD to plan deal with fires and give them awareness tor told me one day that this is not my place and that I was a better fit for the PR depart- ment. In 2010, I became the director of this department, and since then I am working on launching more awareness campaigns,” he told Kuwait Times. Ameer’s first objective was to reduce fire and rescue cases. “We cooperated with the prevention sector and succeeded in reducing the number of fire and rescue accidents in most places. But the number of fires in resi- dential areas is still high, with short circuits and child hazards being the main reasons. It is the latter that I care most about, which is usu- ally caused by the negligence of parents. So I thought of the best way to reach out to these people, and this was through awareness pro- grams,” Ameer stated. “We produced several short films that were shown in cinemas and broadcast on TV for about three months. It cost us about KD 10,000. Now we are preparing more films and brochures in four or five different languages to be published within two months and distrib- uted in areas such as Salmiya, Jleeb and other KFSD rescue jet boats, first introduced in 2011. areas with a high concentration of expatriates,” he added. other similar programs. “This season we will brochures. We noticed that deaths decreased have another program of 30 episodes. We from 6 in 2011 to 3 in 2012, and one only in Awareness is key always try to come with new ideas and the 2013, so we will repeat this campaign every One of the primary responsibilities of the objective is to bridge the gap between us and year. This awareness drive includes informa- public relations department is to promote the public. These programs also signify the tion on the layout of the camps, as they awareness among all Kuwait’s communities. long cooperation with both the public and pri- should leave a distance between the camps, KFSD has also created programs in coopera- vate sectors,” he remarked. and warnings to leave burning charcoal out- tion with various companies. “One of these side the tent as it produces carbon monoxide, was the ‘Giving and Sacrifice’ documentary of Awareness Campaigns which may slowly kill them. It’s held every year 13 episodes that was shown on Al-Watan TV. First Lt Ali Qali spoke about some cam- from Nov 1 to April 1,” Qali added. KUWAIT: Fire trucks put on display during a previous event held by the KFSD to This program portrayed the lives of firefight- paigns that he worked on with Ameer. “KFSD mark the Firefighter’s Day. —KUNA ers, their responsibilities, the equipment they has held many awareness campaigns includ- Records use and more. After the success of this pro- ing ‘Salem’ in cooperation with Equate, ‘Kuwait The fire incidents that the firefighters deal “We also take photos and record the cele- tigations,” Qali noted. The KFSD has several gram, we decided to produce another film Green Oasis’ in cooperation with volunteers with are documented by KFSD. Ali Al-Rasheed brations and carnivals the firefighters partici- social media accounts to reach the new gener- titled ‘Call of Duty’. This mostly targets non- and the ‘Fireman in Every House’, which is a from the photography and film sector at KFSD pate in. These materials are then used in TV, ation as they realize that young people use Arab expats and is aired on KTV 2 in English, as training course that is held every 3 months stated that they film all fires and use the mate- social media and other programs. Sometimes these frequently. It can be found on Instagram many of them watch this channel. Our aim is with 50 participants. We teach them how to rial to make montages and documents that the investigation department of the Ministry of @officialKFSD, Twitter @official_KFSD and on to reach out to expats and make them aware deal with fire and rescue. It’s held for one week can be used later for awareness. Interior demands these records for their inves- YouTube as KFSDchannel. EQUATE participates in Gulf Road’s National Days parade

KUWAIT: EQUATE Petrochemical Company, Kuwait’s first international joint-venture in this industry, participated in Kuwait’s National and Liberation Days parade which took place on the Gulf Road. Under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- Hamad Al-Sabah, the parade included the participation of several EQUATE employees on THE HAGUE: Minister Yaqoub Al Sane with the head of the international department of ICJ, Andrey a float that was especially designed for this Puskakukhin. —KUNA joyous occasion. EQUATE Corporate Communication Leader Kuwaiti Justice Minister Kholoud Al-Feeli said, “Our participation in Kuwait’s festivities during its 54th National concludes Netherlands visit Day and 24th Liberation Day spurs from EQUATE’s responsibility and dedication to THE HAGUE: Kuwaiti Minister of Justice and PCA Hugo Siblesz gave a presentation on dously by the important contribution by Al- Kuwait and its people. We are honored and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Yaqoub the court followed by an in-depth discussion Shumaimri in our financial committee.” proud to take part in this national celebration Al-Sane concluded yesterday his visit to the on ways to boost cooperation with Kuwait. “We are grateful for the State of Kuwait which reflects EQUATE’s role in supporting the Netherlands which was aimed at strength- Kuwait representatives to have put Shumaimri at our disposal,” he development of Kuwait and the petrochemi- ening security, judicial, and counterterrorism Sane said that the PCA has proposed to said. “Today we discussed various options of cals sector. This is a gathering of our society’s cooperation between the two countries. His them to choose four members of the PCA enhancing cooperation between PCA and members, nationals and expatriates alike, to two-day visit also focused on ways to deep- who would be the arbitrators and represen- State of Kuwait including the possibility of en cooperation between Kuwait and the tatives of Kuwait. It also proposed the possi- an host country agreement which would commemorate our national days as ‘Partners international judicial organizations based in bility of a representation of PCA in Kuwait. “I allow the PCA to conduct its hearing in a in Success’ in all relevant fields for this won- The Hague. will put forward all these issues to the particular case in Kuwait city under the same derful land.” Sane Friday visited the Peace Palace Kuwaiti government and other issues cov- conditions that we conduct the hearings in Especially designed for this parade, the which is home to a number of international ered by the constructive meeting,” he said. the Peace Palace here in the Netherlands,” float carried the images of His Highness the judicial institutions, including the The two sides also discussed the possibili- he added. Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- International Court of Justice (ICJ), the ty of sending judges, lawyers and students Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), the from Kuwait to gain more experience in Law conference Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad A-Jaber Al-Sabah. renowned Peace Palace Library, as well as international law, arbitration and human After his visit to London, Sane came to The design highlighted different parts of The Hague Academy of International Law. rights. “This shows that the Kuwaiti diploma- The Hague where he on Thursday met with The head of the international depart- cy is a strong diplomacy and the PCA officials the Dutch Minister of Justice and Security Kuwait’s history and landmarks, as well as ment and first secretary of ICJ, Andrey showed great interest in Kuwait,” he said. Ivo Opstelten and discussed ways to EQUATE’s industrial facilities, such as the Puskakukhin briefed the Kuwaiti delegation On his part, Siblesz said the “PCA has strengthen cooperation between the two Seawater Cooling Towers, which are the first on the history and the function of the world welcomed Kuwait as a member state some countries in the fields of justice, security and of their kind in Kuwait, and production units. court. Later, the Secretary General of the years ago and we have been helped tremen- fight against terrorism. —KUNA SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 LOCAL

ABU DHABI: Vehicles pass by a giant billboard carrying a picture of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at a highway in Abu Dhabi. Kuwaiti missions hold further ceremonies on national occasions Officials, decision makers re-affirm solid support for Kuwait

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s diplomatic missions abroad held further receptions celebrating the National Days and congratulating the top leaders on the anniversaries. Ambassador to Serbia Yousef Ahmad Abdulsamad held, late on Friday a ceremony that was attended by officials, lawmakers and diplomats. He expressed congratulations in a state- ment during the gathering to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the people of Kuwait, hoping Kuwait may witness further progress and prosperity. Ambassador Abdulsamad, whose remarks were broadcast by the official Serb media, hoped the existing economic cooperation between the two countries would be backed up with coordination at the political level. He also noted significance of the forecast meet- ing of the Serb-Kuwaiti commission, due in Kuwait during course of the year.

Albania Elsewhere in Europe, the mission to Albania held a similar activity, during which JAKARTA: Kuwait’s embassy in Indonesia celebrating the National Days. TIRANA: Kuwait’s Ambassador to Albania Najib Al-Bader during the embassy’s celebration. Ambassador Najib Al-Bader stated that this Nieto, accompanied by a high-level delega- hosted two international donor conferences Kuwaiti heart. This big gathering including of visits by high officials between the two year’s national celebrations were distin- tion, is set to visit Kuwait this year, adding for refugees and is set to host a third in March, ambassadors and officials from Holland and countries in recent years as a clear sign of guished with the United Nations honoring of some deals would be inked in the fields of he mentioned. all parts of the world shows the place Kuwait excellent bilateral ties. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- education, trade, health and investment. “This has been highly regarded by the occupies in its leading role in cooperation Dutch-Kuwaiti economic ties are growing Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as a Humanitarian United Nations,” he said, “and this is portrayed with the countries around the world,” Sane and trade exchanges have reached to three Leader and Kuwait as a Humanitarian Center. Greece in the awarding of His Highness the Amir said. billion euro annually, he noted. Kuwait These gestures by the international organiza- In Athens, Kuwait’s embassy held a glitter- Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah the He expressed his heartfelt congratulations Petroleum Corporation has a huge refinery at tion were made to express gratitude for ing reception on the national days and title of ‘Humanitarian Leader’.” Attending the to the UN-acclaimed Humanitarian Leader, His the port of Rotterdam. Kuwait’s abundant contributions to relief Ambassador Raed Abdullah Al-Rifai as well as proceedings were senior local state officials, Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad efforts to help nations in need worldwide. embassy’s staff welcomed guests. Greece’s lawmakers, military officers, foreign diplo- Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to the wise leadership and Big role deputies of ministers of Interior, and Defense, mats, representatives of the Muslim and to the government and the people of Kuwait US ambassador to the Netherlands, Indonesia representatives of political parties and MPs as Christian communities, academics and busi- on the national events. Timothy Broas, wished Kuwait a happy In Indonesia, the Kuwaiti diplomats fol- well as members of diplomatic missions of nessmen, the statement read “I am very happy to see with my own eyes anniversary of independence and for 24 years lowed suit, hosting dignitaries on the occa- Arab and foreign countries were present in this big gathering and by God’s blessings I since the county was liberated. “We obviously sion. Ambassador Nasser Al-Enezi, reached by the event. UAE was able be present in Holland following an the US played a big role in that and we are telephone, congratulated the top leaders on Rifai conveyed congratulations to His In the United Arab Emirates, local authori- invitation by the Dutch minister of justice,” he happy to be here as Kuwait’s friend,” he said. the anniversaries. The Kuwaiti missions world- Highness the Amir Sheikh, His Highness the ties and citizens shared the Kuwaitis the joyful added. Sane said he was also happy to meet Birgitta Tazelaar, Director of North Africa wide have held formal receptions celebrating Crown Prince, His Highness the Prime Minister event with various activities and public deco- the “brothers working in Q8” who had set up a and Middle East department in the Dutch Kuwait’s 54th National Day, which fell on and all Kuwaiti people on these occasions. rations. At the UAE border exits and airports, special stall at the sidelines of the reception to Foreign Ministry, said “we congratulate this February 25th, and its 24th Liberation Day, on The ambassador wished Kuwait continuous UAE citizens are greeting Kuwaitis with roses showcase their products. great occasion of Kuwait.” “The Netherlands February 26th. stability and further prosperity under the wise and congratulatory cards on the 54th Kuwait and Kuwait have very good relations already leadership of His Highness the Amir. The National Day and the 24th Liberation Q8 HQ for a very long time. There is lot of trade Mexico embassy last year celebrated the 50 anniver- Anniversary. And in the cities, public locations He noted that Q8 headquarters in Europe between us, lot of friendship between us and Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti Embassy in Mexico sary of the establishment of their diplomatic and main streets are adorned with the Kuwaiti is based at the Hague and said “we saw many we look forward to continuing that,” she has held a ceremony marking the occasion. relations. Flags and large photos of His Highness the of their works that we as Kuwaitis are proud of added. The embassy said in a statement on Friday Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- and in particular of the capabilities of the Dr M K Bouchahda, President of the Arab that Ambassador Sameeh Jawhar Hayat South Africa Sabah. Kuwaitis.” “This administration shows that writers and journalists in Europe Foundation, received congratulations from Mexican senior Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti embassy to South Television stations broadcast celebratory Kuwait is really a country that produces com- wished progress and prosperity to Kuwait. officials on the occasion of naming of His Africa held a ceremony in Pretoria marking activities in Kuwait, while several poetic petence and capabilities,” he added. “Kuwait has been known internationally for its Highness the Amir as a Humanitarian Leader the national events in the presence of senior soirees and concerts were held. Pictures and Kuwait’s ambassador to the Netherlands media and secondly for its development fund and Kuwait as a Humanitarian Center by the officials of the government, police and army videos of the Kuwaitis’ celebrations have been Hafeez Al Ajmi warmly congratulated His and these are great things,” said the Tunisian UN last year. as well media people and members of diplo- viral on the electronic social media, involving Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown intellectual and writer. Ambassador Hayat stated His Highness the matic missions. UAE citizens expressing solidarity and cordial Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- He noted that Kuwait has a long history of Amir spares no effort in supporting vulnera- feelings toward Kuwait and its people. Sabah, the government and the people of democratic development and is an example ble and needy people across the world, not- Venezuela Kuwaiti Ambassador to the UAE Salah Kuwait. “I am very happy that for the fifth time of democracy even before the revolutions and ing that His Highness the Amir ordered dona- Kuwait’s Embassy to Venezuela also held a Mohammad Al-Buaijan expressed deep grati- I am celebrating the national day and the lib- the Arab Spring.” Kuwait is also quite tions for children treatment suffering from reception marking the February 25-26 tude for the warm sentiments expressed by eration of our nation here in this beautiful city advanced in the freedom of expression and cancer in Mexico. National Day and Liberation Day, which had a the UAE brothers, noting the solid ties that of the Hague and in this friendly country,” he freedom for women,” he added. He extended congratulations on behalf of large turnout. In a speech to attendees have been bonding the peoples of Kuwait said. the embassy’s staff to His Highness the Amir Ambassador Mohammad Al-Shabo referred to and the UAE. “I am happy over the big progress in the Cordial sentiments Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the strength of the 50-year bilateral relations development of Dutch-Kuwaiti relations and Kuwait National Day marks Kuwait’s inde- His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf between the two oil-producing nations, The Hague also over the presence of His Excellency the pendence from Britain and the other occasion Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the according to an embassy statement. The Elsewhere, Kuwait’s embassy in The Hague, Justice, Al Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Yaqoub is observed in remembrance of the liberation Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- ambassador also pointed out to Kuwait’s “con- the Netherlands, held a glittering reception Al-Sane, and his accompanying delegation,” from the Iraqi occupation that began with a Hamad Al-Sabah and all Kuwaiti people on structive and peace-encouraging role” amid on the occasions. The visiting Kuwaiti Minister said Al Ajmi adding that “we discussed bilater- wide-scale aggression by troops of the ousted the national events, the statement added. the tragic circumstances sweeping the Middle of Justice, Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Yaqoub al ties with the Dutch minister of justice and Baathist regime in August 1990. Many leaders, Hayat commended the Kuwait-Mexico dis- East region. Al-Sane, was present to welcome the guests security yesterday.” officials and decision makers, hosted by the tinguished relations, noting the two leaders Kuwait continues to make a huge contribu- along with Kuwait’s Ambassador Hafeez Al He cited a number of visits by Kuwaiti min- missions, expressed cordial sentiments are keen on cementing them on all levels. He tion to the Syrian crisis, particularly on the Ajmi. “Today is a distinguished event and a isters such as those of the foreign minister toward Kuwait and re-affirmed their countries’ said that Mexican President Enrique Pena humanitarian scale, whereby it has already happy event for all Kuwaitis and in every and the oil minister to Holland and exchange solid support for the Gulf state. —KUNA

BELGRADE: Ambassador to Serbia Yousef Abdulsamad with Serbian Minister of Trade, Telecommunications MEXICO CITY: Kuwait’s Ambassador Sameeh Hayat seen during a reception at the and Tourism Rasim Ljajic. —KUNA photos embassy in Mexico City. PRETORIA: Kuwait’s embassy in South Africa celebrations the national occasions. SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 LOCAL

News Local Spotlight in brief IS slaughterer GCC railway to start from Kuwait Project to conclude by 2018 By Muna Al-Fuzai

By Meshaal Al-Enezi

KUWAIT: GCC ministerial sources said that the first leg of the GCC railway would start from Kuwait to Bahrain via [email protected] Saudi Arabia. A bridge connecting Doha and Bahrain is due to be built between the two countries. A line from Saudi Arabia to Abdu Dhabi and Al-Ain and another from ihadi John” or “IS Slaughterer”, this man caused a lot Muscat to Sahar also are in the offing covering an esti- of panic by butchering innocents. When he mated total distance of 2,117 kilometers. The sources “J appeared with his covered face in black, it was hard added that project’s estimated total cost would be $15.4 KUWAIT: KTS Chairman Dr Mustafa Al-Musawi (left) and Catholic Priest Father Davis Sharma at the seminar. for many to identify him, but the British authorities used billion and that, according to the GCC supreme council, — Photo by Joseph Shagra some techniques and methods to reveal the identity of the project would be concluded by 2018. “Jihadist John”, including audio analyses and interviews with former hostages, which confirmed his true identity. Water consumption Kuwait Transplant Society The Washington Post published a full report about the “IS The Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) recently Slaughterer”. According to the paper, this man is Mohammed urged both citizens and expatriates to rationalize Emwazi, a British citizen born in Kuwait, and is well-known to their water consumption rates. The MEW stated that concludes awareness campaign British security services. His place of birth was a subject of water consumption rates during February 25 and 26 discussion here. But the fact that he was born in Kuwait were reportedly equal to consumption of 14,000 Largest number of organ donors in 2014 doesn’t mean he is a Kuwaiti citizen. He grew up and was houses, with 10 people each, during a whole month. educated in UK. The Interior Ministry has to clear this point By Nawara Fattahova betes or hypertension. Also, not all referrals are brain dead - because it has created some fuss here. Some information in in fact only 60 percent were diagnosed as brain dead, 17 the report is indeed disturbing, and it should be a wakeup KUWAIT: The Kuwait Transplant Society (KTS) concluded percent were not and 18 percent were unstable. Sometimes call for governments to put extra efforts in combating terror. Bachelors out of family areas For those who are not aware of this man’s crimes against Well-informed sources at Kuwait municipality said that their awareness campaign ‘Gift of Life’ with a talk on organ the family doesn’t accept a brain death diagnosis. Also, donation at the KTS headquarters yesterday. It was present- some refuse due to religious reasons,” Musawi explained. humanity, let me tell you what he did and how he appeared joint inspections were likely to be launched in collabora- to the public. “Jihadist John” has slaughtered foreign tion with the Ministry of Interior (MoI) and the Ministry of ed by Catholic Priest Father Davis Sharma, who is visiting Last year, 110 people benefitted from 24 donors. “These Kuwait. The campaign included activities in schools and included 42 kidneys and 18 livers that were transplanted in hostages in videos broadcast by IS. He appeared for the first Social Affairs and Labor (MSAL) to make sure no bache- time in a video in August, when he slaughtered American lors live in areas allocated for families. churches. The lecture was mostly attended by nurses and Saudi Arabia, 4 lungs and 9 hearts, also transplanted in doctors from various hospitals in Kuwait. Saudi Arabia, 2 pancreases and 35 corneas. We hope that hostage James Foley, then in a similar videos slaughtering we can soon take corneas from normal deaths, and we American journalist Steven Sotloff, British aid workers David Poet accused of indecency Donors’ numbers hope we will soon be able to perform liver, lung and heart Haines and Alan Henning and US relief worker Abdul A female citizen recently filed a complaint with 2014 was a good year for KTS. “Last year we had the transplants in Kuwait,” stressed Musawi. Rahman (Peter) Kassig. In January, he killed two Japanese Farwaniya police against a famous poet accusing largest number of donors. We also established a mobile The donated organs are transplanted serially, no matter hostages Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto. This man has done him of inviting her to indecent practices through team of doctors. We depend on Intensive Care Unit (ICU) the nationality. “The organs don’t only go to Kuwaitis - all great damage to Islam and millions of Muslims, and people posts he made on Instagram. The complainant doctors to refer patients to us. We should have one dedicat- patients who live in Kuwait are entitled to receive organs like him are a true threat to humanity and not only civil soci- demanded arresting of the poet and holding him ed doctor in every ICU, but there is a shortage of doctors in and we follow the waiting list. Those who carry organ donor eties. legally accountable. Kuwait, so to solve this problem, we came up with an idea. cards or their family members who hold it have an advan- Here is what I think. His appearance in the media may be Instead of having a doctor in each hospital, we have a team tage in the list,” he concluded. a means to convince some gullible people, especially the that visits ICUs daily. We have to diagnose and stabilize the youth, that this is Islam and they might try to imitate him or patients, as maintaining brain-dead patients is not an easy Saving lives trust IS’ call, and this is the real danger to everyone. Also, ‘March 10 session will job as they are very critical and unstable, and we can lose Fr Sharma has himself donated a kidney. He is visiting there is a lot of intolerance and extremism in the world them. This year we lost many cases as the care was not various countries with the same mission - to convince peo- today, even in Western societies, and this can be used as an be unprecedented’ enough for them,” said Dr Mustafa Al-Musawi, Chairman of ple to donate their organs and save the lives of others. excuse to tarnish the image of Islam and moderate Muslims, KTS. “There are people waiting for organ transplants. When we as if we are all involved in these crimes, which is undoubtedly According to him, doctors provide to living patients, but give something, only then we get satisfaction. The person an injustice. these are dead people. “So we organized the mobile team who gives is the one who gets satisfaction. I’m satisfied as I I am a Muslim, but I reject any justifications or calls made By A Saleh whose only job is to look after these patients and sustain gave my kidney and I saved the life of somebody. We have by IS. I understand that extremism has no religion. But so far, them. It needs effort to talk to their families to convince to share, and it’s our responsibility as human beings to we Muslims seem to be the prime suspects in any crime in KUWAIT: MP Faisal Al-Kandari stressed that parliamentary them, and some have to go and discuss the issue with the share our organs after use. There is no charity if a person the world due to IS. Any Muslim that rejects acts of terrorism sessions on March 10, 11 and 12 are set to be ‘historic and rest of the family members. So we need to keep them on donates his organs after death. The charity is if he shares his has to clearly express his rejection to extremism and intoler- unprecedented’ in Kuwait’s parliamentary history as, for machines for several days to allow the family to think it organs while alive. This is a noble action. Those who receive ance and any ideas that encourage terrorism, including con- the first time, each minister would be separately asked over. We don’t force them to make a quick decision. We tell the organs receive life,” he said. servative private religious channels. The problem of these about the measures he took to handle financial violations them to think about it and then take a decision. Many “You as nurses have more responsibility, as you have the religious channels is that young people are the target audi- committed within his jurisdiction as per the audit bureau refuse and then agree, and vice versa. They can change opportunity to speak to patients and their relatives. The ence and their calls are suspicious. report. “It will be a collective inquiry and open for grilling their mind at the last minute just before the surgery. We noble thing as a nurse is to save a life of a dying person. I’m The newspaper mentioned some remarks made by the ministers who fail to take proper measures to prevent such had such a case at Mubarak Hospital when a team of sur- living happiness as somebody else is living with my kidney jihadist’s friends, that he suffered from harassment by UK violations,” he underscored. geons came from Saudi Arabia, but the family changed its and I don’t need any other happiness. Even after my death, authorities and this led him to join IS. Frustration can never Kandari explained that the inquiries ministers would mind at the last minute, so we told the team to go back. The my family will proudly say that I donated my organs. When be an excuse to justify brutal murders. have to respond to include government litigations as gov- decision should come from the bottom of their hearts,” you share your body, that’s the greatest sharing in all reli- This man has offended the Islamic religion, which pro- ernment had only won 60 cases and lost 85,000 others Musawi said. gions,” stated Sharma. hibits the killing of innocents and distorted the image of causing the state treasury KD 692 million. He added that A large number of patients in Kuwait are in need for Muslims. So prosecuting this man and others like him who there are 11 cases still to be trialed in court and that they 121 referrals organs. “These patients ask God to make people donate are preparing to join this organization is inevitable and a are expected to cost KDD 575 million if lost. KTS had 121 referrals last year. “We are covering 7 major their organs. After death, we won’t take anything with us, duty of all Arab and Western governments, to prevent them Further, Kandari added that most of the violations men- hospitals including Adan, Amiri, Jahra, Farwaniya, Mubarak, but we can take happiness in the heart. If you speak about from causing further harm to innocents, whether they are tioned in the audit bureau report had been detected in Sabah and Ibn Sina. A majority of our referrals are mostly organ donation every day for 10 minutes, when at work or Muslims, Christians or others. The West’s policies of naturaliz- bodies subjected to oil minister, Ali Al-Omair. old people, so their organs are old and they may have dia- when traveling, it will help,” he pointed out. ing extremists were wrong and must be corrected. Unlicensed weapons hand over in four months

By Hanan Al-Saadoun the Gulf Road, said security sources. In another case, a Sri Lankan national was arrested with the possession of 120 KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior’s (MoI) security media grams of heroin, 30 grams of meth and 800 Roach pills, said recently reconfirmed the continuation of the four-month security sources. Case papers indicate that narcotics police grace period (effective since February 22, 2015) given to own- had been tipped off concerning the suspect’s activity. ers of unlicensed weapons to hand them over without being Detectives stormed and searched his house where they legally held accountable for possessing them. MoI also found the drugs. The suspect admitted to possessing the stressed that there were 38 centers allocated to receive those drugs for trade. weapons in addition to launching a wide scale media cam- paign to boost public awareness concerning the grace period given using posters, banners, TV and radio flashes in addition Man trapped in car to SMS and messages through various social media networks. Mangaf Rescue Forces were dispatched to rescue a driver who was trapped inside his vehicle when a tree collapsed and fell on it in Abu Halifa, said security sources. No casu- alties were reported.

Bedoon stabbed Two citizens were arrested for stabbing a bedoon (stateless) during a fight at Khairan Resort, said security sources noting that the bedoon was stabbed in the back and arm and that the suspects were found heavily drunk when arrested later on. Zain launches ‘Wakti’ Gaming

Drunkard hits several cars Center hosting platform A citizen was arrested for damaging four vehicles in Salwa when he lost control over his own as he was heavily Collaboration with Huawei to offer remarkable gaming experience drunk, said security sources. In another case, a drunken bedoon (stateless) was arrested when a police patrol KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunications company cards. Nadia Al Saif, Zain’s Value Added Services Director, spotted him fighting with a citizen opposite Salwa House, in Kuwait, unveiled the newest centralized gaming plat- said: “We are pleased to have partnered with Huawei to said security sources. form named Wakti, which means “My Time” in Arabic, in launch the latest Wakti gaming platform. The introduction collaboration with Huawei; a leading global ICT solutions of this tool comes as part of our in-depth understanding provider and strategic partner of Zain. The platform offers of customers’ high demand for online multimedia content, Man arrested with phones customers a new interface for remarkable gaming experi- and thus, we are keen to provide our customers with what A 16-year old citizen was arrested for attempted armed rob- ences in the world of multimedia. they aspire to have.” bery in Mangaf, said security sources noting that the suspect The inauguration of the gaming platform was held in Saif continued, “Nowadays, many application develop- was arrested with the possession of a knife, a screwdriver, an Zain and Huawei’s Joint Innovation Center at Zain ers are inventing and submitting an array of multimedia iPhone and mobile phone accessories he had stolen from vari- Headquarters in Shuwaikh, in the presence of the compa- applications, and as a leading telecommunications com- ous vehicles. ny’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mariam Ali and Value pany, we are committed to offering our customers the ide- Added Services Director, Nadia Al Saif, as well as executive al platform that provides guaranteed security levels to representatives from both Zain and Huawei. Zain’s objec- download the software of their choice.” Purses stolen from vehicles A Palestinian woman reported that unidentified robbers tive behind the launch of the gaming center is to provide The new platform offers a variety of substantial value broke open her vehicle and stole a purse including KD the most innovative solutions and value-added services to added services including entertainment services such as 200, IDs and ATM cards. In a similar case, a Canadian its customers, as part of its customer-centric strategy. online gaming, ringtones, video, and music content, reported that someone stole her purse after breaking her Through the Wakti platform, which was developed by which Zain customers will be able to receive first-hand. vehicle. She added that the purse includes a mobile Huawei, Zain will house a variety of services that seeks to The Wakti program has a number of signed agreements Detainees set cell ablaze phone and a credit card the suspect used to withdraw KD shorten the time-to-market of newly-created entertain- with partners such as Rockville, MT2, Anghami, and Two young citizens, arrested for robbing their aunt’s 2,000 from her account. ment services for consumers in the Middle East. The plat- GamePower7. house while she was out of the country, stealing her vehi- form includes more than 160,000 mobile applications Zain has been eager to strengthen its cooperation with cle, jewelry and accessories, were also charged with arson available for Android devices. its strategic partner Huawei in various technological fields as they set fire to Nugra police station detention cell where they were held after arrest. No casualties were Police assaulted Zain prepaid and post-paid customers will be able to to provide customers’ with an out-of-this-world communi- reported and all prisoners were moved to others cells. Two citizens were arrested for drinking, insulting and assault- download the Wakti app and purchase online content cations experience. In June 2014, Zain and Huawei ing a police officer on duty, said security sources. The police using their existing accounts. Additionally, and in an effort launched the first-of-its-kind Joint Innovation Center officer reported that on approaching a group of fighting to reduce customers’ purchase time, Zain customers will based in Kuwait, which serves as a research hub from Four arrested with drugs young men along the Gulf Road to stop the fight, the two sus- be able to purchase the chosen online content through a which Zain is able to advance its mobile broadband net- Two citizens and a bedoon (stateless) were arrested with the pects and five others who are still at large, insulted and direct payment method; a newly developed payment work, services, and applications offered to customers in possession of meth and other drugs at a checkpoint along assaulted him. method offered by Zain, without the need to use banking Kuwait and across the region. SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 From the Arabic press

Crime Al-Jarida Report IS and the division Drugs Control Dept of the region makes several arrests By Dr Bader Al-Daihani KUWAIT: The Drugs Control General Department (DCGD) arrested a man with 250 grams of hashish and he plot to divide regional countries has been 10 gram of ICE for trade and use. He was arrested at supported by the latest developments in many his home where the drugs were found. He is being major Arab countries like Iraq, Syria, Libya and sent to concerned authorities. Meanwhile, Southern T Roads Patrols arrested a citizen and his girlfriend Yemen. The armed militants of IS are still easily roam- drunk and in the possession of two imported liquor ing the Arab region despite allegations about intensi- bottles. Both were sent to the DCGD for further action. fying the air strikes of the 40-member state interna- In a similar case, a Farwaniya police patrol stopped a tional alliance. car in Riqa for erratic driving, and found out that the Regional political incidents are heading towards a driver and the co-passenger were under the influence new division similar to that of the Sykes-Picot under of drugs. After a search on them the police found the supervision and patronage of the US and its three shabu envelopes, 44 narcotic tablets, six dark Western allies in order to protect their interests and pieces (suspected of being hashish) and drugs para- areas of influence worldwide in a way that re-divides phernalia. They were sent to the DCGD. the states formed after the Sykes-Picot according to sects, races, religions and doctrines with the ultimate Soldier with narcotic pills goal of creating smaller states fighting each other Al-Jarida leaving the Zionist entity as the largest and mightiest Salmy customs officers sent a solider to the Drugs Control General Department (DCGD), as regional military power! he was arrested with narcotic pills. The soldier This plot to divide has found its support by the IS also handed them a civil ID of a different person gangs despite the air strikes of the international he was carrying. alliance. In fact, IS has been demonstrating its powers using modern technology despite the international alliance countries capability to cut and prevent its Kidnapper twists rape story communications! An African expat attempted to throw herself from a New plan for work Taking into consideration that IS militants are mere car in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh when she saw a police terrorists moving around using primitive and barbar- patrol. The police found that she was being kid- ian methods and propaganda to display its brutal napped by the driver who she alleged of raping her. crimes, it is most likely, that this terrorist group is She said she was waiting for a ride to her sister’s permits: Manpower being used by the international and regional powers house, and the alleged kidnapper offered her a ride, to impede democratization and social progress, divid- taking her against her will to a flat, raped her and ing Arab states just like Al-Qaeda, Taleban and other offered money which she said she refused. The driv- er denied her claims adding that the ride and the 1.4 million employees in private sector terrorist groups have been used. aftermath were with her consent. The source said Yes indeed, because the rapid and sometimes con- tradicting political changes indicate that the region is policemen arrested the suspect, a Syrian national. KUWAIT: Official sources at the Manpower Public work permits. Investigations are ongoing. moving towards major changes and that IS is but a Authority said that once Minister of Social Affairs and In addition, the sources highlighted that those who tool used to make those changes happen. Those Labor Hind Al-Subaih had reported to the Cabinet bring laborers from outside Kuwait without providing developments are so rapid and can only be deterred Fraudster found about Kuwait’s demography, the manpower authority job opportunities for them would be subjected to by peoples’ awareness and rejection of the new colo- would set the procedures needed to bring new labor strict penal measures. Police found the driver of a zigzagging car in nial division schemes on the one hand, and by the Mubarak Al-Kabeer with a bloody face when they force from outside Kuwait. This would be according to Meanwhile, the sources said that a study conducted resistance of the Egyptian army and people and asked to pull over. The driver said that the bleed- actual needs provided a bank warranty of KD 250 is about Kuwait’s demography pending a report to be sub- Egypt’s political stability on the other. Egypt plays an ing was caused by his in-law who beat him. deposited per laborer. The sources added that needs mitted to the Cabinet in this regard showed that over important strategic role in the region, which made it Police, noticing the smell of liquor from him, of national laborers would also be subjected to actual 1,400,000 worked for the private sector and that only face severe terrorist attacks and systematic media criti- checked on him to find that he was in the want- needs before the authority reopens for issuing new 80,000 of them were citizens. —Al-Anbaa, Al-Watan cism, namely since the June 30, 2013 revolution. ed list over a bank fraud case of over KD 500,000. Within the same scheme, it is noticeable that GCC He was sent to the concerned authorities. states, namely KSA, are under pressure and attempts to get them busy with domestic concerns and ruin 21-year old girl missing Coeducation ban reviewed their relations with Egypt in desperate attempts to foil the formation of a strong regional axis against other A security source said that a girl (21) who was with her family in a chalet went missing after she had KUWAIT: Informed sources said that a sion was based on oil prices develop- mentioned in answers were constitu- regional ones, namely the Turkish one with some Arab gone to the grocery store. Her father reportedly committee will be set up to review the ments and rate of consumption, and tional. states who fanaticize about rebuilding the Ottoman Empire in addition to the Iranian axis led by Iran, which informed the police after his own search for her details of banning coeducation law that consumption rates during the Moreover, the sources added that seems to be making progress in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon failed and when her phone was switched off. The especially that the ban in its present current month are low. all ministers were asked to provide police are looking for her. and Yemen and is supported by effective Western status hinders the Shaddadiya Diesel prices are reviewed month- the office of the State Minister for countries despite being publically criticized in the University premises and increases ly, after the council of ministers Cabinet Affairs and Oil Minister, Dr Ali media because of its nuclear project! financial cost. adjusted its decision to lift diesel sub- Al-Omair, with copies of the inquiries Qurain incident Sources said the law 24/1996 sidies and set the price of one liter at made to them pending study and According to a source, an expat under the influ- includes in its details that the current 170 fils, to having the price at 170 fils making the right decision about ence of drugs stripped his clothes in Qurain market. A police patrol noticed a person with- buildings of Kuwait University, its col- or less according to the international them. - Al-Anbaa Al-Rai out clothes. After a search, police found that he leges and institutes, as well as PAAET, price. - Al-Qabas did not have an ID with him. He was sent to should be adjusted in a way that seg- Co-ops privatization concerned authorities. regate students by designating places Parliamentary inquiries KUWAIT: Social Affairs and Labor White Hands’ for female students in buildings, lec- KUWAIT: In implementation of the Minister and State Minister for ture halls, laboratories, libraries, edu- parliament’s chart and the constitu- Development Affairs Hind Al-Subaih benevolence! Fight over cooking cational and administrative services tional court rulings in a bid to achieve said the Higher Planning Council did Hawally police brought a fight between three and all facilities. cooperation with lawmakers, the gov- not complete the study of privatizing By Waleed Al-Rujaib Egyptians under control in Nugra, and found out The sources added that the law on ernment recently set a new legal co-ops, adding that coops privatiza- that the fight was over the turn of cooking as the three were living together and took turns to cook. special places means that it is possible mechanism that aims at responding tion has several concepts, as it can to put a barrier between male and to parliamentary inquiries in record include privatization of management, ollowing a period in which the Kuwaiti people The three were arrested and sent to the concerned took initiatives to collect donations for benevo- authorities. female students during the lecture, times. or changing its systems. lent reasons, now is the time they are becoming and not necessarily to have a separate In this regard, high-ranking minis- Subaih who was speaking during F very skeptic about collecting donations for any classroom for each gender. - Al-Rai terial sources said that the new mech- the opening of the super market at Cross-dresser arrested cause. anism involves unifying ministers’ Mubarak Al-Abdallah which belongs For instance, Kuwaitis have repeatedly donated for Hawally police arrested an 18-year old man as Diesel prices stand answers and replies to similar to Mishref co-op, said the issue is the Palestinian resistance. Some Kuwaiti women he was found gender cross dressing in Salmiya. KUWAIT: Sources said that the subsi- inquiries and committing all ministers still under study to come out with donated their jewelry in 1930s. The Kuwaiti people He was sent to the criminal detectives. The sus- dies committee concerned with set- to such responses due to be set by the best solution to serve share- were the first to donate for the Algerian revolution pect was caught walking between girls while in ting prices for diesel and kerosene constitutional and legal experts who holders and consumers. She said and I remember back in the 1960s cinema ticket fares a woman’s attire. producers at retail stations decided to will be officially assigned to do so. the preliminary study was present- were deducted to support the Algerian and the keep prices as they are (110 fils per The sources added that the experts’ ed, and the council has asked for Palestinian revolutions. Kuwaitis are brought up to Customer beats salesman liter for diesel and kerosene) during team would review all questions and extra time to study that the council the love of benevolence and charity. An Indian expat who works at a mobile shop in March. in inquiries before responding to will get the result within two However, ever since the Taleban war against the Salhiya reported to police that he was beaten by an Sources said the committee’s deci- them to make sure all the elements months from now. —Al-Qabas Soviets in Afghanistan, when US intelligence sup- unidentified person. He said a man entered his plied them with stinger missiles, donations started to mobile shop and asked him for a telephone and take political Islamic nature and many political Islam reportedly turned violent when he was told about charity organizations appeared even after Al-Qaeda the price of the phone. The report specified that the organization was formed. In fact, many Arab citizens man accused the victim of being a cheater, beat him joined Al-Qaeda and started seeing donation boxes on the head with the phone, before fleeing. Cable thieves on the run everywhere; in coops, stores and restaurants. Some Arab communities even utilized Kuwaitis’ love for Farwaniya detectives are looking for cleaning workers who soldier, when they chased him and caught him with the benevolence and published endless ads about ‘Imposter’ actor caught cut electric cables and wires from the Infectious Diseases help of police when he escaped on foot. The two citizens donating old furniture and clothes and many Kuwaiti Director of Criminal Investigations Department Hospital’s transformers. The police also found out that the told police that they are monitoring a woman calling for families ended up seeing the very same furniture Major General Mahmoud Al-Tabbakh ordered workers were using the electrical room as residence. The help inside a car. The source said police asked the two citi- they had donated offered for sale in second hand fur- the deportation of a Syrian who posted his pho- cables, liquor bottles and cable cutting equipment were zens to remain behind the car until patrols arrive. Upon niture stores. Donations have become a source of liv- to as a policeman in uniform over the social found in the room. arrival the patrol chased the car forcing it to stop but the ing for some people though one cannot deny the media. Upon questioning he said he made the The sources added that police received a call about per- man ran on foot. Investigations revealed that the driver role played by many respectable charity organiza- photos to show it to producers in the hope of son cutting the cable. When they arrived the suspects allegedly kidnapped his divorced wife, who said she was tions in various poor countries. becoming an actor. escaped with the cleaners’ uniforms. surprised by him inside the room, and pulled a knife ask- Now, a new phase has started by collecting dona- In another such incident, Capital detectives arrested two ing her to go with him, then kidnapped her. tions for the Syrian people. But much of those funds Egyptians and a Pakistani who stole electric cables and construc- had been sent to terrorist groups like Al-Nusra and IS Man hits patrol car tion equipment from Sulaibkhat and Doha bridges projects. Filipino diplomat attacked instead of the poor people displaced within their The supervisor of the project called police about two Police arrested a Gulf national who deliberately hit a A Filipino diplomat told Riqa police a man pulled him and home country or living as refugees abroad. Those Egyptians stealing wire and equipment and loading them on patrol car and allowed his three friends to escape trapped him in his car when he went to the residence of a were irregular donations collected away from the dump trucks. They said one of the supervisors on site allowed from his car. A police source said that a patrol team Filipina who accused her sponsor of beating her, to take Ministry of Social Affairs’ authority in local diwaniyas them to enter, steal the equipment and sell them. They said suspected a car with four men in it. When they were her to the embassy. Police are investigating. and some mosques. US and Western intelligence that a fourth Egyptian planned the theft. The Pakistani was ordered to stop the driver made a maneuver to exerted endless efforts to indentify terrorism funding arrested meanwhile the Egyptian is still at large. escape, but failed. He hit the patrol car and stopped Grocer loses leg sources in Kuwait, which made people lose trust in at a distance, allowing his friends to escape on foot. the sources, destinations and purposes of such funds. Wanted bedoon arrested Jahra detectives are looking for an unidentified man and a Police arrested the driver after a stiff resistance from woman who allegedly severed the leg of an Asian expat However, I happened to attend a fair for selling him. He was sent to Farwaniya detectives for ques- Police arrested a wanted bedoon (stateless) man to serve because of a pack of cigarettes. A security source said the second hand books in Kuwait Writers’ Association tioning. prison sentences as he committed 20 robberies from Asian Asian arrived at Jahra Hospital with severe injuries in his supervised by a group of young Kuwaitis under the bachelors’ residences in Jahra and Farwaniya Governorates. right foot, to a point that made doctors decide to ampu- name of ‘White Hands’. Speaking to some of them The bedoon had two swords, a knife, keys, and shabu. He was tate it. The Asian who works as a grocer said a man and a about their purpose of collecting such small amounts sent for concerned authorities. Car thief caught on camera woman stopped by and asked him for a pack of cigarettes. of money, they told me that they were collecting A house monitoring camera helped in catch- When he handed them the pack they drove off at a high them for the benefit of the Syrian people and that Lebanese found dead in flat ing a thief who broke into a car. The Kuwaiti speed. When the grocer hung on to the car the driver losing trust and faith in many charities, they pre- juvenile said he committed 10 similar crimes. The body of a Lebanese national was sent to the criminal evi- increased his speed, making the Asian to fall and his foot ferred sending them through Kuwait Red Crescent At the time of the arrest, the suspect had dence department, as he died in a daily rental flat, to deter- was run over. Society (KRCS). At that point, I realized that the equipment which he said he used to break mine the cause of death whether it is a homicide or after Kuwaiti people, namely the youth, can now tell the and an iPhone 6, he said he stole from a car. drug use. A police source said the haris of the building in Fight at the embassy difference between whom to trust and whom not to. The arrest was made when a house owner saw Hawally reported the death. Two Syrians nationals were sent to Bayan police station the suspect stealing from his car on camera I also gladly realized that the Kuwaitis are still innate- after they exchanged blows inside the Syrian embassy, and called police who went to the house and ly benevolent. So, thank you to those young men and Divorced woman saved on the road continued fighting as they left, using tools, prompting the arrested the Kuwaiti juvenile. He was sent to ladies in the ‘White Hands’ group for such a humane Two citizens contributed to preventing a crime by an army embassy security officer to interfere. —Al-Rai, Al-Anbaa Ahmadi detectives. activity! With united front, Arab Israelis seek more clout

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SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 In Algeria, women ‘imams’ battle radicalization Mourshidates steer women away from false preachers

ALGIERS: Mourshidates, female religious guides appointed by the Algerian religious affairs ministry to spread the good word of slamI and a message of tolerance, read the Quran at the Ennidal mosque in the Algerian capital, Algiers. — AFP

ALGIERS: Hundreds of female religious guides have been at and guide women, only housewives showed up, but the the forefront of Algeria’s battle against Islamic radicalization audience has grown over the years to include university stu- since the civil war that devastated the North African country dents and professionals. “Imams are good but it is much bet- in the 1990s. Their aim is to steer women away from false ter to confide in a woman,” says Aisha, in her 60s. Meriem, a preachers promoting radical forms of Islam. The surge of the high school mathematics teacher, said the rise of “fake Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq, and even in Libya next prophets,” who seek to indoctrinate young people, persuad- door, as well as the growing influence of Al-Qaeda-linked ed her to attend meetings with the likes of Zohra only a few militants and Salafists, has them working around the clock. months ago. “I wanted to learn the true Islam,” she said. Known as “mourshidates,” their goal is to spread the good Samia, another mourshida who decline to give her surname, word of Islam and a message of tolerance, helping those who says she has been working for the past 15 years in a region of have strayed from it. “Killing is a capital sin, so how is it that Algeria where youths, both boys and girls, have been increas- people can kill innocent ones in the name of Islam,” asks ingly radicalized. Fatma Zohra, who is in her mid-40s, her hair and neck con- “Their mothers suffer to see them become radicalized and cealed under a matching purple veil and a hijab. Like the oth- confide in me so that together, and with the help of others, er 300 mourshidates appointed by the religious affairs min- we can de-radicalize them,” she said. Samia warns that istry, Zohra holds a degree in Islam and has learned the Algerians must be alert. “Even if very few Algerians have Koran by heart. She said she was “motivated to know Islam joined the ranks of the Islamic State group, vigilance is neces- better in order to teach the religion” following the traditional- sary because radicalization takes many forms,” she said. ly moderate Muslim country’s civil war in the 1990s, which “Pseudo-imams, who know nothing about the teachings of killed at least 200,000 people. the Koran,” are trying to indoctrinate people through televi- The war erupted after authorities cancelled the 1991 elec- sion programs and the Internet, she said. “Adolescents in par- tions, Algeria’s first democratic vote, which the Islamic Action ticular must be monitored because they are impressionable Front was poised to win. Zohra, who was a student at the and can easily be swayed.” time, recalled bitterly as she met a group of women in a She recalls how she worked hard to help save a 17-year- mosque, that “Algerians killed Algerians in the name of Islam.” old girl after her parents complained that she had begun For the past 17 years she has been “listening to women, adopting radical Islamist behavior. The girl’s mother told advising them and referring them to specialists” when their Samia her daughter “had been indoctrinated and had begun problems are not directly linked to religion. The mourshi- wearing the full Islamic veil” and would admonish the family dates use skills borrowed from psychology and sociology, about attending weddings or watching television. “For working in mosques, prisons, youth centres, hospitals and months we counseled the girl and listened to what she had schools. Unlike imams, who are men, they are not allowed to to say. Finally she went back to school and resumed her nor- lead prayers. mal life,” Samia said. Like Samia, many mourshidates say they are proud to have contributed to help youths from falling ‘Vigilance’ needed into the grips of radical Islamists. “It is the biggest reward of When the first mourshida was licensed in 1993 to teach our work,” one of them said. — AFP

ALGIERS: Fatma Zohra, one of the female religious guides reads the Quran at the Ennidal mosque in the Algerian capital. — AFP SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 INTERNATIONAL Kurdish fighters rout IS militants from town near Iraq

BEIRUT: Backed by US-led coalition airstrikes, the town of Kobani near the Turkish border after and Iraq, is predominantly Kurdish but also has air strikes around the town have killed at least terrorism acts. “The members of the Security Kurdish fighters fought their way into a north- a months-long fight, dealing a very public populations of Arabs and predominantly 175 IS fighters in the past several days in some Council stressed again that ISIL must be defeat- eastern Syrian town that was a key stronghold defeat to the extremists. Christian Assyrians and Armenians. “We are now of the latest losses for the group since Kobani. ed and that the intolerance, violence, and hatred of Islamic State militants, only days after the But it is also tempered by this week’s horrific combing the town for explosives and remnants it espouses must be stamped out,” the state- group abducted dozens of Christians in the abductions by IS militants of more than 220 of terrorists,” said Redur Khalil, a spokesman for Villagers flee ment said, using one of several alternative volatile region, Syrian activists and Kurdish offi- Christian Assyrians in the same area, along the the Kurdish fighters, known as the People’s Some 15,000 villagers have fled the fighting, acronyms for the group. Irina Bokova, the head cials said. The victory marks a second blow to fluid and fast shifting front line in Syria. The Protection Units or YPG. he added. The Kurds in Syria and Iraq have of the UN cultural agency, UNESCO, denounced the extremist IS group in a month, highlighting town of Tel Hamees in Syria’s northeastern emerged as the most effective force fighting IS, the group’s destruction of ancient statues and the growing role of Syria’s Kurds as the most Hassakeh province is strategically important Cutting supply line which controls about a third of Iraq and Syria - artifacts as “cultural cleansing” and a war crime effective fighting force against the Islamic State. because it links territory controlled by IS in Syria Speaking to The Associated Press over the much of it captured in a lighting blitz last spring that the world must punish. In January, Kurdish forces drove IS militants from and Iraq. The province, which borders Turkey phone from the outskirts of Tel Hamees, he said and summer, as Iraqi army forces melted away in From Paris, where the agency is based, the town was a key stronghold for IS and had the face of the militant onslaught. In Syria, they Bokova said she could not watch to the end the served as a staging ground for the group’s oper- have teamed up with moderate rebels for terri- Islamic State video posted Thursday that shows ations in the Iraqi town of Sinjar and the city of torial gains against the group. men using sledgehammers to smash Mosul. Dislodging the group from Tel Hamees Mesopotamian artworks in Iraq’s northern city cuts a supply line from Iraq, Khalil said. The push IS fighters capture dozens of Mosul. She called the video “a real shock.” The on the town’s eastern and southeastern edges Elsewhere in Hassakeh, IS fighters this week Louvre Museum in Paris said the destruction came after the Kurdish troops, working with captured dozens of mostly Christian villages to “marks a new stage in the violence and horror, Christian militias and Arab tribal fighters, seized the west of Tel Hamees - taking at least 220 because all of humanity’s memory is being tar- dozens of nearby villages from the Islamic State Assyrian Christians hostage, according to geted in this region that was the cradle of civi- extremists. US-led coalition forces provided cov- activists. The fate of those abducted was still lization, the written word, and history.” er, striking at IS infrastructure in the region for unknown. On Thursday, video emerged of IS French President Francois Hollande also con- days. militants smashing ancient Mesopotamian arti- demned the “barbarity” of the destructions. More than 200 militants died in the fighting, facts in a museum in Mosul, Iraq’s second largest “What the terrorists want is to destroy all that and at least eight troops fighting alongside YPG, city. The UN Security Council strongly con- makes humanity,” he said Friday during a visit to including an Australian national who has been demned the ongoing “barbaric terrorist acts” by the Philippines. Elsewhere in Syria, at least eight with the Kurdish forces for three months, Khalil the Islamic State group including attacks “and civilians were killed in a car bomb that exploded said. The British-based Syrian Observatory for the deliberate destruction of irreplaceable reli- outside the Bilal Mosque in the rebel-held town Human Rights, which relies on a network of gious and cultural artifacts housed in the Mosul of Dumeir, east of Damascus. Many others were activists inside Syria, said IS defenses collapsed Museum and burning of thousands of books wounded in the blast, which occurred as wor- NAJAF: An Iraqi man prepares a candlelight vigil at the shrine of Imam and the militants fled after Kurdish fighters and rare manuscripts from the Mosul Library.” shippers were leaving the mosque following Ali in Iraq’s central city of Najaf in memory of Muslim and Christian vic- broke into Tel Hamees from the east and south. A council statement said income from loot- Friday prayers. Another car bomb went off out- tims killed by the Islamic State (IS) group. IS is accused of multiple abus- The Observatory’s director, Rami Abdurrahman, ed cultural items in Iraq and Syria is being used side a mosque in Nasseriya, near Dumeir, also es against minorities in the areas under its control in Iraq, Syria and said the Kurds seized more than 100 villages to support the group’s recruitment efforts and causing multiple casualties. It was not immedi- elsewhere.—AFP around Tel Hamees and that ground battles and strengthen its ability to organize and carry out ately clear who was behind the bombings. —AP With united front, Arab Israelis seek more clout Arab parties aim to bolster influence in parliament

NAZARETH: Israel’s once-squabbling Arab parties tle attitudes of exclusion and discrimination.” cent. The formation of the united list was a move aim to bolster their influence in parliament to to ensure no parties were thrown out of the defend the rights of their minority with an Anti-Arab hate Knesset because of the new threshold law, and to unprecedented alliance forged ahead of snap A law penned by hardline Israeli Foreign counter the extreme right of Israeli politics, Odeh elections. The parties hope their show of unity Minister Avigdor Lieberman last year raised the said. “Incitement and anti-Arab hatred increased will encourage a higher turnout among the 1.3 percentage of votes needed for representation in significantly during the Gaza conflict,” he said, million Arab-Israelis who make up 20 percent of the 120-member parliament from 2.0 to 3.25 per- referring to Israel’s military campaign last July and the population. “Israeli law does not guarantee August against Hamas militants who fired rockets our rights,” said Ayman Odeh, the leader of the over the border. unified Arab list. “By forming a single list, we hope Alleged racism even by cabinet ministers has to (win more seats and) weigh in more heavily on incensed the Arab list candidates. Lieberman has political decisions taken in this country.” supported the idea of land swaps that would see The united slate, announced in January, Arab towns incorporated into an eventual IRBIL: Gunsmith Bahktiyar Sadr-Aldeen repairs a weapon at his shop, in Irbil, includes representatives from across the political Palestinian state in exchange for Jewish West northern Iraq. Sadr-Aldeen, an Iraqi Kurd, has seen his business shoot up by spectrum, from Communists to Islamists. Arab Bank settlements-which are illegal under interna- 50 percent since last June, when the Islamic State took over the Iraqi city of Israelis-the descendents of about 160,000 tional law-becoming part of Israel. Odeh, who is Mosul. —AP Palestinians who stayed in Israel after its creation from the Hadash party, says this aims purely to in 1948 - are optimistic about its chances of suc- separate Arabs from Jews, and “kick us out of the cess. “Before, I would boycott the Arab parties country”. Many Arab Israelis are happy living Car bombs kill 27 because they’d fall into the trap of division over inside the Jewish state, but complain they are sec- internal squabbles,” said Rabiee, 38, who did not ond-class citizens. want to give his full name. “This time I will give my Islamic State fighters attack Samarra vote to the united list,” said the resident of How to garner votes? BAGHDAD: Car bombs targeting a crowded mar- to finance their bloody campaign. “Those barbaric, Nazareth, Israel’s biggest Arab city. Another factor in the decision to unite the par- ket and Shiite militia checkpoints north of Iraq’s criminal terrorists are trying to destroy the her- The Arab list, which polls show could win 12 ties was a 2014 bill, supported by rightwing Prime capital killed 27 people yesterday, authorities said, itage of the mankind and Iraq’s civilization,” Al- seats in the March 17 election, one more than Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that sought to fully as the country’s prime minister vowed to punish Abadi said. “We will chase them in order to make their combined total now, includes Muslim, enshrine in law Israel’s status as the national Islamic State militants who smashed ancient arti- them pay for every drop of blood shed in Iraq and Christian, Druze and even Jewish Communist can- Jewish homeland-a move minorities said could facts in a northern city. The first bombs exploded for the destruction of Iraq’s civilization.” The mili- didates. It comprises the Balad party, the Islamic erode their rights, and which rights groups near the market in the town of Balad Ruz, 70 kilo- tants hold Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, and the Movement, the Arab Movement for Change, and slammed as undemocratic. Netanyahu’s Likud meters northeast of Baghdad, killing 11 people surrounding Nineveh province. Hadash, an Arab-Jewish socialist party. While it is party and centre-left coalition the Zionist Union and wounding 50, police and hospital officials unlikely to be part of any coalition government, are predicted to win 22 and 24, seats, respectively, said. A suicide car bomber later attacked a check- Samarra attacked “the very fact that the ticket was put together, on March 17. point manned by Shiite militiamen near the city of In another development, Islamic State suicide even if under duress, offers hope for a renewed Netanyahu would have little trouble forming a Samarra, killing eight Shiite fighters and wounding bombers and fighters struck targets yesterday in positive momentum in Jewish-Arab relations,” rightwing coalition with other hardline parties 15, authorities said. the northern Iraqi city of Samarra, where security Israel Shrenzel, of Tel Aviv University’s department that could hand him a third consecutive term in Samarra and surrounding areas have been forces and their Shiite militia allies have been gath- of Arabic and Islamic studies, wrote in a commen- NAZARETH: Israeli Arab member of parlia- office. Many Arab Israelis have boycotted general under constant attacks by the Islamic State group, ering for an offensive against the radical militants. tary published on the Haaretz daily’s website. ment Hanin Zuabi poses for photo in the elections in the past, but the list hopes that could which holds about a third of Iraq and neighboring Security sources and residents said the attack on “If the Joint List continues to remains intact northern Israeli city of Nazareth. Love her change. Polls show there could be a 66-percent Syria in its self-declared caliphate. Clashes Samarra was launched at 5.30 am when two after the election as well an important condition or loathe her, Zuabi leaves few people Arab Israeli turnout, 10 percent higher than in the between Iraqi security forces and Islamic State mil- Islamic State suicide bombers blew up their cars in for promoting genuine change-and if the spirit of indifferent. Opponents see her as the ene- last vote in 2012. “By making the decision to join itants followed the attack around Samarra, 95 kilo- the northern area of Sur Shnas. At the same time a Hadash will dominate the slate, we can hope that forces, we are responding to the call from the my within, but for others she’s a passionate meters north of Baghdad. A second suicide man drove a Humvee rigged with explosives into large sections of the Jewish public and its repre- Arab street,” said Ahmed Tibi, a lawmaker from bomber attacked another Shiite militia checkpoint the south of the city and detonated it, while sentatives will extend a hand and be ready to bat- defender of the Palestinian cause. —AFP the Arab Movement for Change. —AFP just south of Samarra, killing eight fighters and Islamic State fighters attacked security forces to wounding 16, police and hospital officials said. the west with sniper fire, mortars and rocket pro- All officials spoke on condition of anonymity pelled grenades. because they were not authorized to talk to jour- Thousands of troops and fighters from Shiite Defiant Netanyahu takes nalists. No one immediately claimed the attacks, militias known as Hashid Shaabi (Popular though Iraq sees near-daily attacks often claimed Mobilization) have gathered around Samarra for a by the Islamic State group. Meanwhile in Baghdad, campaign to drive Islamic State out of nearby Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi vowed to strongholds on the Tigris River, including the city anti-Iran campaign to US track down and punish those who smashed rare of Tikrit 50 km to the north. Medical sources said ancient artifacts in the northern city of Mosul. On Samarra hospital had received the bodies of three Thursday, the Islamic State group released a video Hashid Shaabi fighters, and was treating six JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister acceptance of it by Prime Minister would allow himself to be used that way will persuade the president, conquer purportedly showing militants using sledgeham- wounded people. Residents reported seeing black Benjamin Netanyahu takes his long-run- Netanyahu, two weeks in advance of his because he has a reputation as being some- Congress, force China, Russia, Germany and mers to smash the statues, describing them as smoke over parts of the city and hearing powerful ning campaign to deny Iran nuclear arms election, is that on both sides there has one who’s supposed to understand America all the others to toe the line with him and idols. The vandalism drew global condemnation. explosions, as clashes continued. In the town of to Washington next week, asking now been injected a degree of partisan- and someone who’s supposed to under- immediately cancel these negotiations?” The destruction is part of a campaign by the Ishaaqi, about 20 km southeast of Samarra, snipers Congress to torpedo an emerging US ship,” she said in an interview with public stand the importance of bipartisanship in Even Netanyahu’s coalition partner and cab- extremists, who have destroyed a number of shot dead two Hashid Shaabi men as they tried to nuclear deal with Tehran. Netanyahu has broadcaster PBS. “I think it is destructive of the American-Israeli relationship,” Heller said. inet colleague, Foreign Minister Avigdor shrines since last summer. They are also believed set up a sand barrier on the main highway linking infuriated the White House and the fabric of the relationship,” she added. Obama has refused to meet Netanyahu dur- Lieberman, described the speech as “of no to have sold ancient artifacts on the black market Samarra to the capital Baghdad. —Agencies Democrat lawmakers by accepting the great importance”. “No agreement will pre- invitation by Republicans to speak on vent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons Capitol Hill, in what Israel’s Haaretz news- and that is why we must decide on our own paper calls “the speech of his life”. Israeli and act accordingly,” he said in a television US army denies pushing commentators and US officials are saying interview. For most of his political career Tuesday’s speech, two weeks before Netanyahu has warned Tehran wants to Iraq on Mosul offensive Netanyahu fights an election for a third acquire nuclear weapons. In 1996, during consecutive term in office, endangers his first term as premier, in a speech to WASHINGTON: The US military has insisted it the spring or early summer to start an offensive what has historically been bipartisan US Congress he spoke of “unreconstructed dic- was not pressurizing Iraq to launch an offensive to grab back Mosul-Iraq’s second-largest city, political support. tatorships whose governmental creed is to recapture Mosul from Islamic State extremists seized by the IS group last June. A string of Democratic lawmakers are based on tyranny and intimidation”. He in the next few months, saying the timing was up And an official with Central Command told voting with their feet, announcing they named Iran as “the most dangerous of these to Baghdad. Previous comments by senior US reporters last week that “the mark on the wall we will not attend. “The chances of shooting regimes”. “If this regime, or its despotic officials suggesting the Iraqi army would stage a are still shooting for is the April-May timeframe.” down the (emerging Iran) agreement neighbor Iraq, were to acquire nuclear counter-attack against the IS group in the north- The idea was to stage the operation before the depend on enlisting a majority of two- weapons, this could presage catastrophic ern city as soon as April or May have provoked an Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which starts thirds of the members of Congress, which consequences, not only for my country, and angry response in Baghdad. in mid-June, and before the summer heat kicks could overcome President (Barack) not only for the Middle East, but for all But Pentagon press secretary Rear Admiral in, the official said. A few days later, Iraq’s defense Obama’s expected veto and impose new mankind.” John Kirby said Washington was not out to force minister, Khaled Obeidi, expressed irritation that sanctions on Iran,” columnist Ben Caspit In 2012 he warned in a Washington the hand of the Iraqi army before it was ready to the Pentagon would publicly announce a date wrote in the Maariv daily. “After the dirty JALJULIA: An artist works on an effigy of Israeli PM Benjamin speech to pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC, launch such a major undertaking. “I don’t think for the battle of Mosul. “A military official should trick came to light, the number of mem- Netanyahu to be used in a parade float during preparations for which had in the past opposed new sanc- it’s fair to say that the Pentagon or the military not disclose the date and time of an attack,” bers of Congress who retracted and who the Jewish festivities of Purim in the central Israeli town of tions on Iran, against backing Obama’s has been pushing the Iraqis on any specific time- Obeidi said. will not support this course of action Jaljulia. —AFP negotiation strategy. “Iran calls for Israel’s line,” Kirby told reporters. “We haven’t laid a date Analysts and former military officers said the against their president has grown and destruction and they work for its destruc- certain down here at the Pentagon... we’re not Pentagon might be trying to sow fear among the the chances of success have dropped,” he ‘Understand America’ ing his visit, and Vice President Joe Biden tion each day, every day, relentlessly,” he pushing or aggressively trying to nudge them IS group and to build an aura of inevitability wrote. Mark Heller, a political analyst at Israel’s and Secretary of State John Kerry will both said. “This is how Iran behaves today, with- towards a faster timeline than they’re going to be about a future operation. The former supreme US National Security Advisor Susan Institute for National Security Studies told be abroad. out nuclear weapons. Think of how they will ready.” General Lloyd Austin, who as head of US allied commander of NATO, James Stavridis, told Rice slammed the politicization of the AFP the entire speech issue has been inter- Caspit said Netanyahu’s gambit would behave tomorrow, with nuclear weapons.” Central Command oversees the international CNN that Washington may be seeking to “build a issue. “What has happened over the last preted as partisan. “It’s not surprising that be ineffectual. “Does he really think that one Netanyahu said on Wednesday that he had campaign against the IS jihadists, recently said narrative” by forecasting the timing of an opera- several weeks by virtue of the invitation the Republicans would try to do that; a little speech will stop the process that the world no choice but to fight his corner on Capitol that Iraqi and Kurdish forces would be ready by tion. But he called the move “a mistake.” —AFP that was issued by the Speaker and the bit more surprising I think that Netanyahu powers have been maintaining with Iran, Hill. —AFP SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 INTERNATIONAL 8 dead in door-to-door Missouri shooting spree

MISSOURI: A man armed with a handgun “she is expected to be okay,” said Sheriff white house with a small front porch, sitting went on a house-to-house shooting spree in James Sigman of Texas County, which amid a blanket of snow under a blue sky. a rural Missouri town, killing seven relatives includes Tyrone. “A crime like this in any com- First word about the shootings came at and neighbors before taking his own life, offi- munity is major. It’s not something we’re 10:30 pm Thursday (0430 GMT Friday) when cials said yesterday. Seven people were used to seeing,” Sigman told reporters. a juvenile female called the Texas County found dead in four different homes in the Sigman said the shooter, who was armed Sheriff’s Office. She reported hearing gun- sleepy Bible Belt village of Tyrone, in the only with a handgun, had “a minor criminal shots in one of the houses, and fled to a south-central Ozarks section of the history,” with no serious offenses to his name. neighbor’s home to notify the authorities, Midwestern state. The shooter, Joseph Jesse Texas County coroner Tom Whittaker suspect- Kinder said. Aldridge, 36, was later found slumped over ed Aldridge may have become angry upon “Responding deputies found two inside a pickup truck, apparently from a self- discovering that his ailing mother had passed deceased persons” at that first house, he inflicted fatal handgun wound. away, the St Louis Post-Dispatch reported. added, then five other victims in three other His mother Alice Aldridge, 74, was mean- “We’re speculating that he came home residences. “Another (fifth) residence while found dead in a fifth house in Tyrone and found her deceased and then, for what- revealed the body of a deceased elderly “from natural causes,” the Missouri State ever reason, went on a rampage and started female who appeared to have died from nat- Highway Patrol said. “A motive for the killing killing people,” he told the newspaper. “Right ural causes,” he added, referring to a victim has yet to be determined,” said State Highway now, with the shooter dead, we don’t know... believed to be the shooter’s mother. Police Patrol spokesman Sergeant Jeff Kinder. Four We’re in the information-gathering stage.” visited other Tyrone homes in the early of the named victims, aged 47 through 52, Tyrone is home to about 50 people, Sigman hours of Friday, telling residents to stay two male and two female, were all surnamed said, in a 97 percent white county near the inside and not to open their doors to Aldridge. Investigators believed the shooter Arkansas border in which one in five inhabi- strangers, the Herald newspaper in the coun- was a cousin of theirs. An autopsy on tants live under the poverty line. ty seat of Houston, Missouri reported. “This is MISSOURI: Police tape surrounds one of five crime scenes near Tyrone, Mo, on Friday Aldridge’s mother is scheduled for today. a horrific tragedy and our hearts go out to morning, Feb 27, 2015. A gunman killed seven people and wounded an eighth person in Snowy murder scene the victims of these senseless acts and their an overnight house-to-house rampage in the small town in the Missouri Ozarks before Woman survives Yellow police tape on Friday surrounded families,” Missouri Governor Jay Nixon said in apparently committing suicide in a vehicle. — AP One person survived the massacre and one of the crime scenes, a simple one-story a statement.— AFP Canada worried as growing number of youths join jihad 6 Canadians leave for Syria via Turkey

MONTREAL: Concerned about a growing num- since died, such as a former University of Ottawa In Quebec City, Blaney’s provincial counter- ber of Canadian youths traveling overseas to join student John Maguire, who was reportedly killed part, Lise Theriault, offered a toll-free number to jihadists, and lacking an immediate alternative, in December near Kobane, and four cousins call to report suspected cases. Most of the six political leaders have asked parents to keep a from Calgary whose deaths devastated their youths attended the same high school in a more watchful eye on their children for signs of families, which had fled conflict in Somalia to Montreal suburb, which immediately suspend- extremism. “These situations are disastrous,” start new lives in Canada. ed its weekend lease of classrooms to a Muslim Quebec premier Philippe Couillard said Friday, a association that taught Arabic and religion. That day after Canadians learned that six of their own, New legislation move was decried Friday by the association’s aged 18 and 19, including two young women, Pending the passing of new legislation grant- head, Adil Charkaoui, a Moroccan-born had left for Syria via Turkey mid-January. ing sweeping new powers to Canada’s spy Canadian who years ago successfully challenged All of them were born in Canada to immi- agency to thwart terror plots and disrupt sus- his detention without trial under a controversial NATIONAL HARBOR: Golden Isles Tea Party activist William Temple from Brunswick, grant parents who said they sought to instill pected extremists’ travel plans, such as prevent- security measure over suspicions that he was an Ga, dressed as Button Gwinnett turns with his flag and leaves in protest as former Western values in their offspring. One father ing them from boarding a plane to join a Al-Qaeda sleeper agent. Florida Gov Jeb Bush arrives on stage with Sean Hannity of Fox News during the even confiscated his son’s passport to try to banned group abroad, Ottawa has called on At a press conference in Montreal, he accused Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). — AP keep him from taking a flight. They are not the Canadians to simply remain vigilant against radi- the government of using terror scares to bring in first to venture abroad to join Islamic State calization of friends and family. legislation that critics argue will trample individ- jihadists. On Wednesday, an Alberta family “We all have a duty” to act to prevent them uals’ rights. Ottawa, he said, is “using terrorism Jeb Bush cheered, jeered revealed that their 23-year-old daughter had from leaving, Public Safety Minister Steven and radicalization to bring in Bill C-51,” which flown to Syria. Blaney said Thursday. “When an individual wish- will give the Canadian Security Intelligence at conservative confab She had taken an online course to study the es to travel for terrorist purposes, the family is Service a new mandate to disrupt terror threats. Koran but instead learned from her teacher-a aware of it,” he said. “So it is important to report It is being fast-tracked in the wake of two lone OXON HILL: Jeb Bush courted rightwing he discussed his gently-gently position on suspected IS recruiter-how to get to the IS-con- this information to authorities to avoid the situa- wolf attacks in Canada last year and is expected trolled city of Raqa in Syria to join the extremist tion becoming a criminal one and also to save to be passed by the end of June when American voters at a crucial political testing immigration. “If I run for president I have to group. Others left months earlier, and some have lives.” Parliament breaks for the summer.— AFP ground Friday, but the presumed show what’s in my heart. I have to show Republican presidential frontrunner for that I care about people and their future. 2016 received a mixed reception-including “It can’t be about the past. It can’t be about heckles-from wary conservatives. The for- my mom and dad, or my brother (presi- mer Florida governor has work to do to dents George HW and George W).” convince some of the Republican Party When pressed, Bush said he opposes faithful crowding the annual talk shop President Barack Obama’s executive over- known as CPAC at Oxon Hill, close to reach shielding millions from deportation. Washington, where several competing But he stressed that for those living in the presidential hopefuls are attempting to get shadows, “we should give them a path to core conservatives on side. legal status where they work, they don’t It is not necessarily as a member of the receive government benefits... and they controversial Bush dynasty-a hurdle that in make a contribution to our society.” It was a itself may be a heavy lift-but rather as an hard sell at the Conservative Political establishment favorite whom some here Action Conference, where attendees were see as a sellout to billionaire donors and eyeing their conservative pick for winning Obama-backed policies like immigration the White House. “You suck!” a protester reform and education standards. “I know yelled. The Republican Party has repeatedly there is disagreement here,” Bush, 62, told said it aims to include more minorities the convention, acknowledging hecklers as under its tent. —AFP

WASHINGTON: The US Capitol is seen at dusk as the US Congress struggles to find a solution to fund the Department of Homeland Security on February 27, 2015 in Washington, DC. —AFP US Congress narrowly averts Homeland Security shutdown

WASHINGTON: Feuding US lawmakers narrow- clashing over President Barack Obama’s contro- Friday free of controversial amendments sought ly avoided a Department of Homeland Security versial immigration reforms. The president by House Republicans to block Obama’s immi- shutdown Friday at the 11th hour, but funded signed the temporary measure into law shortly gration executive orders. But House Speaker the agency only until March 6, forcing Congress before midnight, despite his preference for full John Boehner, under pressure from his party’s to revisit the issue next week. House and Senate DHS funding through the end of the fiscal year right wing, refused to put the measure to a vote. members scrambled to prevent the premier on September 30. ‘Bite the bullet’ agency securing the United States against terror Earlier attempts to secure comprehensive Then, in one of the harshest rebukes of threats from running out of money at midnight, funding failed spectacularly Friday, with conser- Boehner’s four-year tenure as speaker, more as DHS became a battleground for lawmakers vative Republicans balking because amend- than 50 House conservatives joined Democrats ments they had inserted to repeal in rejecting a three-week extension. Republican Obama’s immigration executive leaders kept that 15-minute vote open for near- orders had been stripped out. With ly an hour as they sought to corral support, but the clock ticking, the House of conservatives were not budging. They wanted Representatives passed the seven- Boehner and others to stand firm by demanding day measure 357 to 60, with just two the amendments repealing the immigration hours to spare. The Senate approved plan, which would provide deportation relief for it earlier by voice vote. Top House millions of illegal immigrants, be kept in the Democrat Nancy Pelosi suggested DHS funding measure. Many have sought to use congressional leaders agreed to a Congress’s power of the purse to rein in what deal that would see Democrats help they see as Obama’s executive overreach. get the one-week stopgap over the “Please. I know party divisions run deep, but finish line, in return for a vote next stand with us for the Constitution,” Republican week on full funding. “Your vote Louie Gohmert pleaded to his House col- tonight will assure that we will vote leagues. for full funding next week,” Pelosi But Pelosi shot back that it was time for wrote in a letter to colleagues. Republicans to “grow up, bite the bullet,” and If Congress did not pass legislation agree to responsibly debate immigration at a that allows money to flow, 30,000 different time. The near-fiasco over DHS fund- DHS employees would be furloughed, ing marked a blow to the Republican leaders while some 200,000 agency staff, who control both chambers of Congress and including border agents, airport who pledged when they took over in January to screeners and Secret Service agents run Capitol Hill more efficiently. “The would be ordered to work without Republican Congress has shown that it simply pay. “It’s the 11th hour, and we must cannot govern,” top Senate Democrat Harry act” to fund the agency that defends Reid said. “Two months into the Republican “our home turf,” Republican Harold Congress, we are already staring a homeland Rogers, the top House appropriator, security shutdown square in the face, even as told his colleagues. The Senate terrorists around the world threaten to strike approved a “clean” DHS funding bill America.”—AFP p10 2_Layout 1 2/28/15 8:25 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 INTERNATIONAL Nemtsov: Yeltsin reformer turned Putin foe

MOSCOW: Boris Nemtsov, who was He was one of the founders of Nemtsov worked in a research institute murdered Friday just meters from the Russia’s Union of Right Forces liberal in the late Soviet era as a young man Kremlin walls, served as a deputy party, and its leader in the early 2000s, and was among a wave of academics prime minister under Boris Yeltsin serving as an opposition lawmaker in and scientists to be swept up by the before becoming one of the most the parliament where he criticised political upheaval of the perestroika prominent opponents of President Putin’s initial steps to curb political reform movement, becoming a deputy Vladimir Putin. Nemtsov, 55, was an freedoms. Always tanned and flashing in Russia’s first post-Soviet lawmaking accomplished orator and was one of smiles, Nemtsov had a quasi rock-star body. the key speakers at mass opposition image, wearing designer jeans and Like most others in the opposition, rallies against Putin’s return to the often wearing his shirt with an extra Nemtsov was a prolific user of social Kremlin in 2012. He began his political button open. He was known for his networks, calling on Muscovites to life as a young reformer working in the colorful love life and popularity with attend an opposition rally on Sunday in industrial centre of Nizhny Novgorod, women. Along with other opposition his most recent blog entry. In recent where he became regional governor at leaders, Nemtsov unsuccessfully sued years he compiled a series of pam- the age of just 32. Putin after he said Nemtsov and others phlets exposing corruption under After serving in the post for six years, “wreaked havoc” in Russia during the Putin, zooming in on the gas behe- he moved up the career ladder during 1990s, pillaging it of billions of dollars. moth Gazprom, the residences alleged- Yeltsin’s presidency, coming to Moscow ly owned by Putin, and most recently to serve as first deputy prime minister A hate figure the misappropriations and graft during in 1997-98. Yeltsin had reportedly con- With the Kremlin’s rhetoric focused preparations for Russia’s Olympic sidered Nemtsov as a successor in 1999, on discrediting the political climate of Games in Sochi last year. Though he as he prepared to stand down due to the 1990s, Nemtsov became one of the continued to be a key figure in opposi- poor health, but eventually picked most reviled faces among the opposi- tion events in Moscow, Nemtsov grad- then-prime minister Putin instead, tion and pro-Kremlin groups routinely ually withdrew over the past decade as believing him to be the moderate that put him on their lists of “traitors” in a younger generation of opposition KIEV: People lay flowers to pay their respect to Boris Nemtsov, a charismatic Russia needed. While Nemtsov initially recent years. He had been a victim of leaders such as charismatic lawyer Russian opposition leader and sharp critic of President Vladimir Putin, in backed Putin’s presidential run, calling hacking and wiretapping, and pro- Alexei Navalny appeared. His most Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine yesterday. Nemtsov was gunned down him “responsible and honest”, he swiftly Kremlin websites had written reports recent post was as a regional lawmaker yesterday in Moscow near the Kremlin, just a day before a planned protest changed his mind and became one of about his personal life and alleged in the city of Yaroslavl north of the cap- against the government. — AP his bitterest foes. affairs. A physicist by education, ital.— AFP

Spain’s Catalonia prepares for independence ahead of vote

MADRID: The wealthy Catalonia region is The central government says the figure is strengthening its tax office and expanding much lower. its network of foreign missions in defiance of the central government, as it prepares for ‘Work advancing too slowly’ possible secession from Spain. Nationalist An independent Catalonia would also leaders in the rich region in northeastern need to set up its own central bank, hire Spain have called a snap regional vote for more civil servants and improve computer September 27 centered on independence systems-a gargantuan task. “Work is after Spanish authorities blocked their bid advancing too slowly, we need to stream- for a referendum on the issue in the courts. line our efforts so we arrive at the elections Catalan president Artur Mas went ahead in September at a much more advanced with a symbolic vote on independence last state,” said Lluis Salvador, a lawmaker in November organized by volunteers. The Catalonia’s regional parliament with the outcome, however, was mixed-about 80 separatist Esquerra Republicana de percent of the 2.3 million people who voted Catalunya (ERC) party. Mas set up a com- backed secession, but the turnout was little mission in February that is charged with more than 40 percent. supervising the creation of the structures His government is building the structure needed by an independent state. of an independent state in areas such as The Catalan government’s draft budget diplomacy, taxes and social security to be for 2015 increases the spending on the ready in case the pro-independence camp treasury department to 54.4 million euros wins September’s elections. It has enlisted from 35 million euros last year, which a former Spanish tax inspector, Joan would allow it to boost hiring by 50 per- Iglesias, to prepare the Catalan govern- cent. Mas has also ordered a study to deter- ment to collect its own taxes. The Catalan mine what steps Catalonia needs to take to tax authority currently collects about five ensure that services such as telecommuni- percent of the total amount of taxes raised cations, energy distribution and transport in the region, which has a population of 7.5 that currently depend on the central gov- million people and accounts for one-fifth of ernment would continue to run smoothly Spain’s economic output. Catalonia could after independence. Catalonia recently VICTORIA FALLS: Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe (centre) is flanked by his daughter Bona, (left) and wife Grace during celebrations to collect around 100 billion euros ($113 bil- opened two more offices representing its mark his 91st birthday in the resort town of Victoria Falls yesterday. — AP lion) in taxes each year, much more than interests abroad in Austria and Italy and the 65 billion euros that an independent plans to open up to three more this year. Catalan state would need, he added. The region already has seven foreign “Everyone knows that Catalonia would missions, including in Britain, France, Zimbabwe’s leader holds be viable economically,” Iglesias told AFP, Germany and the United States. The rejecting critics who argue an independent Catalan body charged with ensuring the Catalan state would have a hard time constitutionality of Catalan laws, the financing itself and could not ask for Council for Statutory Guarantees, warned lavish 91st birthday bash European Union aid. “It is the most eco- Thursday that the regional government did nomically productive territory in Spain,” he not have the authority to adopt some of added. Disagreements over tax income are the measures, in line with Madrid’s argu- a key source of tension between Catalonia ment. “We feel that is it completely out of $1 million celebration financed with ‘donations’ and Madrid. The Catalan officials complain place that the creation of a parallel state is that the central government collects far being promoted,” Jose Antonio Coto, a law- VICTORIA FALLS: Zimbabwe’s President Robert departing from the political scene. flanked by his two deputies, senior party and more in taxes in the region than it spends maker with Spain’s ruling conservative Mugabe celebrated his 91st birthday with a lav- On Friday night Mugabe told state television government officials, his children and wife in public sector expenditure. It puts the dif- Popular Party in the regional Catalan parlia- ish party by the spectacular Victoria Falls yester- in an interview, the final of a two-part series, Grace. A local farmer, who runs a wildlife farm in ference at around 15 billion euros per year. ment said. —AFP day, prompting many Zimbabweans to question that he would not anoint a successor to take Victoria Falls told a state-owned newspaper last once again when he would leave office and who over ruling the ZANU-PF party. “I don’t choose month that he had donated wildlife meat, would succeed him. Thousands of supporters my successor, never. I was not appointed suc- including crocodile and elephant, to be part of sat in large white tents during the $1 million cessor by anyone,” Mugabe said. “The successor the menu for the party. Ukraine conflict at ‘crossroads’ birthday celebration on a rolling golf course can come from any level of the party. It may be Mugabe was feted with poetry, song and near the waterfalls, organized by his ZANU-PF either of the vice presidents, but it’s up to the dance by local musicians and one of his favorite as troop deaths shake truce party. His party has said the money was raised people.” Last December ZANU-PF re-elected Zimbabwean gospel singers performed for him, from individual and company donations. Mugabe, making him candidate in the next having travelled from the United States. Critics KIEV: International monitors said the con- mally annexed the territory in March 2014, Mugabe is a deeply divisive figure at home election in 2018 when he will be 94. say Mugabe is a dictator who wants to rule flict in Ukraine was at a “crossroads” as fur- triggering an international furor. The upris- and abroad and is the only leader the southern Mugabe denies media reports he is suffering until he dies. They accuse him of human rights ther losses among government forces rat- ing in Ukraine’s east began the following African country has known since declaring inde- from prostate cancer and maintains his several abuses, rigging elections and running one of tled a two-week-old truce just as it seemed month. pendence from colonial power Britain in 1980. trips to Singapore are for routine medical Africa’s most economically promising nations to be gaining traction. The deaths of three He is one of a handful of African leaders remain- checks and to fix a recurring eye problem. At his into the ground. But in some corners, Mugabe Ukrainian soldiers after a two-day lull in ‘Humanitarian crisis’ ing from a generation that fought white domi- party in Victoria Falls Mugabe, who donned a is feted as a nationalist hero who triumphed clashes with pro-Russian separatists high- The UN said Friday there was a crisis in nation, which included South Africa’s Nelson striped black suit and red tie, showed no signs over colonial power Britain on the battlefield lighted the fragility of the ceasefire as the rebel-held areas, where people were living Mandela. But while Mandela served one presi- of ill health as he spoke for more than an hour, and at the ballot box, and who remained stead- UN said some five million people needed in “extraordinarily difficult circumstances”. dential term and then retired, Mugabe tight- during which he attacked Western powers for fast in his commitment to the promotion of humanitarian aid due to the conflict. “We really do have a humanitarian crisis in ened his grip on power and shows no sign of imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe. He was black African power.— Reuters The envoy to Ukraine for the the separatist-held areas,” UN aid coordina- Organization for Security and Cooperation tor in Ukraine Neal Walker said in Brussels. in Europe (OSCE), which is monitoring the “We’ve been really hoping that the cease- peace deal, told the UN Security Council fire will hold over time and that that will UK PM defends security services that while there were encouraging signs, enable us to respond more rapidly to those the country still risked all-out war. critical humanitarian needs,” said Walker, as “We seem to be at the crossroads, where the UN this week launched an appeal for after media unmask ‘Jihadi John’ we are facing the risk of a further escalation $316 million in humanitarian aid. The UN of the conflict or where common sense, estimates 4.7 million people in or near the LONDON: Prime Minister David good judgments on our behalf.” Tanzania in 2009 when Emwazi was while London mayor Boris Johnson responsibility, and humanity shall prevail combat zones need help while another Cameron has defended Britain’s Olivier Guitta, managing direc- accused of seeking to join militants accused Cage of an “apology for and we may be able to walk on the road to 300,000 people have fled to other parts of security services after Islamic State tor of security and risk consultancy in Somalia. terror”. John Sawers, the former peace,” envoy Heidi Tagliavini told the 15- the country and a million overseas to executioner “Jihadi John” was GlobalStrat, warned the security Cage also alleged that MI5 tried head of Britain’s MI6 foreign intelli- member council. The Security Council’s escape the conflict which has claimed at unmasked as London graduate forces lacked the resources to track to recruit the graduate, who it gence agency, told the BBC: “The meeting on the conflict came a year to the least 5,800 lives. Ukrainian military Mohammed Emwazi, a man previ- all those who crossed their radar. described as a “beautiful young idea that somehow being spoken day after Russian and pro-Moscow forces spokesman Andriy Lysenko said Friday that ously monitored by spy agency “To monitor one person you need man”. Cameron’s office said it was to by a member of MI5 is a radical- began occupying strategic sites on the three soldiers were killed and seven MI5. As more details emerged 30 officers, so if you have in “reprehensible” to suggest MI5 was izing act, I think this is very false Black Sea peninsula of Crimea. Russia for- wounded in the past 24 hours.—AFP about Emwazi, named by media England 1,000 people that are on to blame for Emwazi’s actions, and very transparent.”—AFP and experts as the man who your list, you need 30,000 officers. beheaded at least five Western We don’t have that,” he said. But hostages held by the IS group in senior lawmaker David Davis, a Syria and Iraq, questions were member of Cameron’s Conservative asked about whether he could have Party, said Emwazi was known to been stopped. associate with fanatics and was on Civil rights group Cage, which a terror watchlist. “How many more had been in touch with the Kuwaiti- people must die before we start to born computing graduate before look more closely at the strategy of he left Britain, said MI5 had been our intelligence services?” he wrote tracking Emwazi since at least 2009. in The Guardian newspaper on Officials have not confirmed Saturday. Emwazi’s identity, but Cameron said Friday: “We will do everything ‘Apology for terror’ we can with the police, the security Further criticism came from services, with all that we have at Cage, a group which supports peo- our disposal, to find these people ple impacted by the so-called war and put them out of action.” He on terror, which said Emwazi had added: “All of the time they (the been radicalized because of LONDON: An arrangement of British daily newspapers photographed DONETSK: The bodies of 14 Ukrainian servicemen killed in fighting in the security services) are having to “harassment” by British intelligence in London shows the front-page headlines and stories regarding the Debaltseve area, are placed on a truck as a Russia-backed rebel walks by in make incredibly difficult judgments agents. The group said this began identification of the masked Islamic State group militant dubbed Donetsk, Ukraine. —AP and I think basically they make very following a post-graduation trip to “Jihadi John”. —AFP INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

Afghan most dangerous criminals executed Obama to host new Afghan leaders

KABUL: Afghanistan says it has executed one of the country’s most dangerous criminals, a man who was charged with a string of armed robberies, kidnap- pings and killings of Afghans and foreigners across the country. The national intelligence service said that Raees Khudaidad was hanged at Kabul’s main prison yesterday morning in the presence of senior officials from the country’s judiciary and attorney general’s office. Officials say Khudaidad operated a crime ring that operated in several countries, and that he had lived in Pakistan, Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates under different identities. He was believed responsible for dozens of killings. Khudaidad was arrested during a special security force operation in Kabul last year. In another development, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah are to visit the White House next month, and Ghani has accepted an invitation to speak to a joint meeting of Congress at a time when the Obama administration is weighing whether to slow the pace of US troop with- drawals from the country. The White House said Friday that Ghani and Abdullah will visit March 24. It’s the leaders’ first visit since they formed a unity gov- ernment after an election to replace former President Hamid Karzai, whose relations with the US grew increasingly strained. Abdullah’s post is similar to that of a prime minis- ter. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that during a working lunch the leaders will discuss securi- ty, economic development and reconciliation efforts between the Taliban and the Afghan government. PANJSHIR: Survivors wait to receive food donations near the site of an avalanche in the Paryan district of Panjshir province, north of Kabul, Ghani will also meet with Secretary of State John Afghanistan. The death toll from severe weather that caused avalanches and flooding across much of Afghanistan has jumped to more than 200 peo- Kerry at the Camp David presidential retreat in ple, and the number is expected to climb with cold weather and difficult conditions hampering rescue efforts. — AP Maryland. Ghani will address Congress on March 25. Former tant opportunity to hear from the newly-elected pres- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak to good faith to reach an agreement to curb its nuclear President Hamid Karzai appeared before a joint meet- ident on how the United States can continue to work Congress next Tuesday. Boehner invited Netanyahu program and is actively working to develop nuclear ing of Congress on June 15, 2004. “Afghanistan is an together to promote our shared goals and reaffirms without consulting with the White House or weapons. White House spokeswoman Bernadette important friend and ally to the United States,” said our commitment to the Afghan people.” Democratic leaders in Congress, and some Democrats Meehan said both Boehner’s office and the Afghan Republican House Speaker John Boehner, who invited Ghani’s appearance is not expected to spur the plan to skip the speech. The Israeli leader argues that government consulted with the Obama administra- Ghani to speak. “This joint address presents an impor- controversy Boehner has faced since inviting Israel Iran is not negotiating with the U.S. and its partners in tion in arranging Ghani’s speech. — Agencies Bangladesh activists protest against US blogger’s murder American blogger hacked to death with machetes

DHAKA: Hundreds of protesters rallied in Dhaka to denounce the murder of a prominent American blogger of Bangladeshi origin hacked to death with machetes after he allegedly received threats from Islamists. Demonstrators- including teachers, publishers and fellow writers-met near the spot where Avijit Roy, founder of Mukto-Mona (Free- mind) blog, was attacked by unknown assailants as he returned home from a book fair with his wife on Thursday evening. As they chanted slogans including “we want jus- tice” and “raise your voice against militants”, the head of the Bangladesh bloggers’ association said the protests would continue until those responsible were caught. “Avijit’s killing once again proved that there is a culture of impuni- KATHMANDU: Nepalese supporters of the 30-party alliance led by the Unified ty in the country,” Imran Sarker told AFP at the rally. Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) shout slogans during mass-demonstrations in “The government must arrest the killers in 24 hours or Kathmandu yesterday. Nepalese police fired teargas and water cannon at thousands face non-stop protests.” No one has yet claimed responsi- of opposition supporters who converged on the capital to protest controversial bility for the attack, which also seriously wounded the 44- plans to vote on a disputed new national constitution. — AFP year-old’s wife and has shocked many in a country already reeling from weeks of violent political protest. Roy, a US cit- izen, is the second Bangladeshi atheist blogger to have Nepal police and been murdered in two years and the fourth writer to have DHAKA: Photo shows the dead body of Avijit Roy, a US blogger of Bangladeshi origin been attacked since 2004. Washington on Friday con- who was hacked to death, at Dhaka Medical Collage hospital morgue in Dhaka. — AFP demned the killing as a “shocking act of violence” and an protesters clash assault on the country’s “proud tradition” of free speech. “This was not just an attack against a person, but a cow- KATHMANDU: Nepalese police yesterday fired turned violent when protesters tried to enter a ardly assault on the universal principles enshrined in Knights Templar drug teargas and water cannon at thousands of restricted area near parliament and police Bangladesh’s constitution,” State Department spokes- opposition supporters who converged on the moved in to disperse them. Gopal KC, a doctor woman Jen Psaki told reporters. Roy’s father, Ajay, said he cartel leader nabbed capital to protest controversial plans to vote on a at Kathmandu’s Civil Service Hospital, said “24 had warned his son he could face problems in Muslim- disputed new national constitution. As anger people have been admitted here, all with minor majority Bangladesh, where secular activists have MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s most wanted drug groups and infighting among vigilantes, mounts over the planned vote, protesters threw injuries”. Acharya told AFP that four officers were expressed concern about the rise of Islamism. “I told Avijit lord Servando Gomez, whose Knights whom the authorities want to disband. bricks and stones in brief clashes with security also wounded after protestors threw stones at that the Bangladeshi situation would not be comfortable Templar cartel smuggled drugs to the US and forces who responded with about 20 rounds of them. Man Bahadur Khadka, a 52-year-old for him. But he came to Bangladesh to see his mother and iron ore to China, was finally captured Friday, Birthday cake teargas, police and an AFP reporter on the scene farmer from eastern Nepal, took an overnight because two of his books were published at the bookfair,” without a shot fired. The former teacher nick- At the height of its power, the cartel said. “We estimate that around 35,000 people bus to the capital to join the protest and pres- he said. Ajay Roy said his son had received numerous named “La Tuta” was detained by federal imported precursors from Asia to manufac- are participating in today’s rally,” Kathmandu sure lawmakers to draft a charter that is “friendly threats from Islamists before he arrived in Bangladesh on police as he left a house in Morelia, capital of ture crystal meth before exporting the potent police spokesman Dinesh Acharya said, while to the poor”. “I don’t think the ruling parties western Michoacan state, hiding his face with drug to the United States. The organization another officer said 4,000 police were lining the should push through a constitution based on a February 16. Hardline Islamist groups have long demanded the pub- a scarf and cap, officials said. Gomez, 49, was also tapped iron ore mines, exporting the route through Kathmandu. Years of squabbling majority vote,” Khadka said. “They should realize taken to Mexico City and frog-marched in mineral to China until the military took over have seen Nepal’s politicians miss a series of that many sons of poor farmers lost their lives lic execution of atheist bloggers and sought new laws to combat writing critical on Islam. Police have launched an front of television cameras, wearing a black the Pacific port of Lazaro Cardenas in late deadlines to draft the charter which was fighting for a better future for people like us,” he sweater and jeans as two masked federal 2013. Authorities had a $2 million reward for designed to draw a line under a decade of civil said. A key sticking point concerns internal bor- investigation and recovered the machetes used in the attack, which they compared to a fatal assault on atheist police officers held him down by the neck Gomez’s capture, seeking him for kidnap- war. The government’s push last month to hold ders, with the opposition pushing for provinces and led him into a helicopter. pings, extortion, murder and drug trafficking, a vote, rather than seek agreement on disputed to be created along lines that could favor histori- blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider in 2013. Haider was hacked to death by members of a little-known Islamist militant The balding, goateed kingpin had eluded said National Security Commissioner Monte terms of the constitution, sparked protests cally marginalized communities, handing them authorities last year despite a massive man- Alejandro Rubido. group, triggering nationwide protests by tens of thou- including inside parliament itself, deepening dis- a majority and therefore more influence in those hunt in the mountains of Michoacan with Police captured him and eight other peo- cord between ruling parties and the opposition areas. Other parties have attacked this model, sands of secular activists. “The pattern of the killing help from a “rural defense” force comprised of ple, seizing a grenade launcher and 11 guns, led by former Maoist rebels. calling it too divisive and a threat to national uni- appeared to be the same as that of previous attack on a former vigilantes, who had taken up arms he said. His brother Flavio was simultaneously Yesterday, flag-waving demonstrators, riding ty. No date has been set for the vote on the char- celebrated writer,” assistant commissioner of Dhaka police against the Knights Templar. With his arrest, detained in Yucatan peninsula. The arrest fol- motorcycles and travelling on foot, packed ter, which was intended to conclude a peace Shiblee Noman said. “It seems it was carried out by a reac- the authorities have now taken down all the lowed months of tracking accomplices, Kathmandu’s narrow streets and shouted slo- process begun in 2006 when Maoist guerrillas tionary fundamentalist group.” top leaders of the cult-like cartel, dealing a including a messenger in Morelia who deliv- gans calling for a constitution based on consen- entered politics, ending an insurgency that left huge blow to a group that once dominated ered food and clothes. His allies gathered sus. An AFP reporter said the situation briefly an estimated 16,000 people dead. —AFP Atheists the ‘easiest target’ the agricultural and mining state through somewhere in Morelia with cake for his After Haider’s death, Bangladesh’s hardline Islamist murder, kidnappings and extortion. “Today February 6 birthday. The raid was launched groups started to protest against other campaigning blog- we have achieved the most important objec- after police saw “unusual activity” near the Mexico’s ‘I’m tired now’ gers, accusing them of blasphemy and calling a series of tive in the fight against organized crime: the residence, with an increase in cartel members nationwide strikes to demand their execution. The secular detention of the most wanted criminal in all who placed vehicles at access points, Rubido government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reacted by of Mexico,” Interior Minister Miguel Angel said. attorney general quits arresting some atheist bloggers. Osorio Chong said before Gomez was pre- The government also blocked about a dozen websites sented outside an airport hangar for federal Publicity seeker MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s much-maligned attor- physical evidence. Parents of the students refuse and blogs to stem the furor over blasphemy, as well as prosecutors. Gomez became the de facto boss after the ney general, who has faced public anger over to believe the young men are dead. Only one stepping up security for the bloggers. “Communal and mil- The capture is a much-needed victory for group’s founder, Nazario “El Chayo” Moreno, the investigation into the presumed slaughter of body has been identified among charred itant groups have threatened the very spirit of our nation. President Enrique Pena Nieto amid public was killed by marines in March 2014. Moreno 43 students, stepped down Friday and was giv- remains. Yet instead of crushing them, the government was keen on anger over his handling of violence in the had been wrongly declared dead by officials en a more low-key cabinet post. Jesus Murillo appeasing them by arresting secular bloggers,” Sarker said neighboring state of Guerrero, where 43 stu- in 2010. Unlike the more shadowy gangsters Karam was sworn in as the new minister of rural, ‘I’m tired now’ on Friday. Noman said police were investigating a tweet by dents were allegedly killed by a gang in of Mexico’s underworld, Gomez was a publici- territorial and urban development at a ceremo- Murillo Karam also drew public scorn when the pro-Islamist group Ansar Bangla Seven that appeared league with local police. His much-maligned ty seeker who appeared in online videos and ny presided by President Enrique Pena Nieto, he declared “I’m tired now” to wrap up a press to celebrate Roy’s murder. “Target Down here in attorney general, Jesus Murillo Karam, television interviews. He nurtured a Robin who praised his longtime friend for his “intelli- conference in November in which he first indi- stepped down on Friday to take a more low- Hood image in his mountain hometown of gence” and “love and commitment for Mexico.” cated the students were probably dead. His #Bangladesh,” the group tweeted from the @AnsarBn7 handle. Roy’s wife, who is also a blogger, was moved to a key cabinet job. Pena Nieto said the arrest Arteaga, where Gomez threw parties and Murillo Karam’s exit was widely expected under words became a trending topic on Twitter in “strengthens the rule of law and we continue gave out cash. clinic for further treatment on Friday. a reform that will turn the federal prosecutor’s Mexico and a rallying cry for protestors, with the marching toward a peaceful Mexico.” US Drug The gangster always wore a baseball cap, office into an autonomous department. Spanish hashtag #YaMeCanse. The case has Roy had written about 10 books, including the best-sell- Enforcement Administration chief Michele jeans and a gun holstered to his belt. Some of But he was also heavily criticized by human turned into a political headache for Pena Nieto, ing “Biswasher Virus” (Virus of Faith), as well as his blog, Leonhart applauded “another win for Mexico his videos ensnared local politicians caught rights groups, protestors and parents of the 43 who is facing the biggest challenge of his which championed liberal secular writing in the Muslim- in the fight against brutal criminal cartels like casually chatting with him around a table, students over his handling of the case. Murillo administration amid relentless drug violence. majority nation. Pinaki Bhattacharya, a fellow blogger and the Knights Templar.” including a former interim governor who was Karam concluded that the students were Felipe de la Cruz, spokesman for the families of friend of Roy, said one of the country’s largest online book But violence has continued to afflict sever- later arrested. Surrounded by masked gun- abducted by corrupt local police officers in the the 43 students, said Murillo Karam “never did retailers was being openly threatened for selling Roy’s al regions despite the arrests of several king- men, he railed against his rivals, but claimed city of Iguala, who handed them over to a drug what he was supposed to do” and that “his his- books. “In Bangladesh the easiest target is an atheist. An pins since Pena Nieto took office in 2012. that his gang wanted “peace and calm” in gang that killed the young men and incinerated toric lie was discovered.” The comment came atheist can be attacked and murdered,” he wrote on Alejandro Hope, a former Mexican intelli- Michoacan. Gomez told Britain’s Channel 4 their bodies in September. But Human Rights after Murillo Karam said he gave the “historic Facebook. Muslims make up some 90 per cent of gence official, told AFP that Gomez’s capture News in a January 2014 interview that being a Watch, Amnesty International and an independ- truth” on the case. “The fact that he has moved Bangladesh’s 160 million people. A tribunal has recently was symbolic and would “not majorly change teacher was “a very healthy and honest job, ent team of Argentine forensic experts have to a minor ministry is (a tactic) that the Mexican handed down a series of verdicts against leading Islamists the criminal scene.” Hope said Michoacan is but due to my aspirations and my hyperactive questioned his conclusions, saying it was too government has always used to avoid responsi- and others for crimes committed during the war of inde- struggling with the emergence of new armed nature, it didn’t satisfy me.”— AFP soon to declare the students dead without more bility,” de la Cruz said.—AFP pendence from Pakistan in 1971. — AFP SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 INTERNATIONAL

70 years on, survivors keep memory of Battle of Manila

MANILA: Seventy years have not dulled investor, said it was just a short-wave Fort Santiago, a centuries-old Spanish rushed for an appendectomy - not in the was the first editor-in-chief of the pre- the memories of survivors of the month- radio the family listened to for news out- garrison used by occupation troops to operating room, but to the hospital war Manila Daily Bulletin. He was tor- long Battle of Manila. The mass killings side Manila. All members of the house- torture and kill suspected guerrillas. For basement, where it was safer. Rocha, tured by the Japanese before he and his by Japanese forces, the loved ones lost hold - including Hall and his brother, his a while, Hall had hoped that his mother who later would become the Philippine family were interned. and the desperation are etched in their mother, his grandmother, an uncle, and somehow escaped and was safe with the ambassador to Spain, once saw a man Chapman, an 80-year-old former minds, as is the elation when American hanging dead from a telephone pole, lawyer, said internees looked like “walk- forces finally rescued them in the closing with a sign that said he was a thief. He ing skeletons” and starvation deaths months of World War II. The US liberated remembers his family using huge wads were routine. When American tanks the Philippine capital from the Japanese, of devalued Japanese wartime currency crashed through the university gates on but not before Manila was destroyed to buy basic commodities, and privately Feb 3, 1945, she heard “people being and more than 100,000 civilians killed. singing “God Bless America,” and “I Love hysterically happy.” “The soldiers were About 16,000 Japanese soldiers and My Own, My Native Land” at home. out throwing candy bars down to the 1,000 US troops also died in the fighting “The most remarkable thing was people, and the people who were starv- from Feb 3 to March 3, 1945. Manila was whenever we passed in front of a ing were scrambling for them. It was the the second-most devastated city in Japanese sentry we had to all bow, and if happiest kind of chaos you can imagine,” World War II after Warsaw, Poland, said we didn’t bow, he would slap us or kick she said. The Japanese camp comman- historian Ricardo Jose of the University us or whatever,” he said. As fighting in dant refused to surrender and was shot of the Philippines. He called the city “one Manila intensified, his family decided to as he tried to reach for what was of the worst battlefields in the world.” flee, but tragedy struck before they believed to be a grenade in his back- When the Japanese invaded the could. When a shell landed on a neigh- pack, she said. His body was dragged to Philippines, then an American colony, in bor’s house, shrapnel cut through an the main building, where some 1941, Gen Douglas MacArthur, com- adobe wall and sliced off the top of his internees spat and urinated on it, she mander of the US forces there, declared mother’s head, killing her. Rocha’s father said. Manila an “open city” to spare it from lost 13 relatives when the Japanese Chapman wanted to spit on the body, destruction. But when the Americans herded them inside the German Club too. Her father, who was abused by the returned, the Japanese decided to fight with hundreds of others, then torched occupiers for years and would be tor- to the last man, from building to build- them all alive, Rocha said. mented by the war for the rest of his life, ing, and burned entire city blocks. forbade it. James Litton, then 11, heard Civilians died from malnutrition and MANILA: Visitors check a map during an exhibit at a commemorative event for We cannot forget thunderous explosions the day after the American shelling, but mostly, historians the 70th year of the Battle for Manila at the Ayala Museum in suburban Makati, Rocha saw Japanese soldiers shoot a Americans reached Manila. The Japanese agree, at the hands of Japanese troops. south of Manila, Philippines. — AP man because he didn’t raise his hands, were blowing up bridges to keep US Four survivors shared their stories with and a woman screaming as she was bay- troops from advancing. Days later, the The Associated Press: Roderick Hall was aunt and the family’s helpers - were guerrillas. “About two years later, I was oneted against a tree. “Christians are Japanese began burning houses in the 9 when the Japanese occupied Manila. brought to Manila’s Masonic Temple. away in school. My father wrote and taught to forgive, but we are never Malate district, where his family lived. The British boy and his family lived in a Hall, then 12, and his brother and the said, ‘I am going to marry again.’ And taught to forget. We cannot forget,” he Litton’s four-story home was made of home in the Malate district, though his house helpers were later released. They that’s when I started to cry and broke said. “All we need is that they recognize concrete, so it became an emergency father was interned with thousands of were allowed to bring food to their down and had to admit to myself that what they did and apologize.” Joan shelter for about 120 homeless neigh- foreigners at the University of Santo mother and the others for several days. this hope that my mother was alive Bennett Chapman, a Philippine-born bors. Tomas. Then the Japanese stopped the visits. somewhere was no longer the case.” American, remembers being so deprived In late January 1945, before American For someone who was 4 when the at the Santo Tomas prison camp that Japanese land mine forces closed in on the capital, the 200 people massacred Japanese began bombing raids on powdered milk was a special treat. When Then the Japanese ordered everyone Japanese barged into the family home, About 200 people were massacred at Manila in December 1941, Juan “Johnny” her mother was able to give her a to leave. As civilians hurried toward the searched every room and found what the temple, but Hall learned only recent- Rocha remembers a lot from the war. spoonful, she would nibble on it on the nearby Philippine General Hospital for the raiders claimed was an illegal radio ly from a war document that his mother Perhaps because, when those first steps of the large staircase in the main shelter, a 15-year-old girl stepped on a transmitter. Hall, now a business was listed among dozens executed at bombs were falling, he was being building. Chapman’s father, Roy Bennett, Japanese land mine. —AP US ‘could reopen’ embassy in Cuba

WASHINGTON: The United States and the second between the Cold War foes Cuba said they made progress Friday in since President Barack Obama and Cuba’s talks on restoring diplomatic ties and President Raul Castro surprised the world in Washington could reopen its Havana December with their decision to restore embassy before a key April summit if differ- ties after more than a half century of enmi- ences are overcome. After a second round ty. The hope is that within the coming of historic meetings, negotiators from both months both nations will agree to reopen countries appeared optimistic about the embassies in each other’s capitals and road ahead, but cautioned there were still appoint full-fledged ambassadors. outstanding issues to resolve in order to restore diplomatic ties frozen for half a cen- Permanent contact tury. An initial round of talks in Havana last “Today was productive and encourag- month-the highest level since US-Cuban ing. In open, honest and sometimes chal- relations were severed in 1961 - broke the lenging...conversation we addressed the ice but ended with little sign of a break- requirements of each side and the differ- through. Obama is due to attend the ences we identified in our first discussion in Summit of the Americas in Panama on April Havana a month ago,” said top US diplomat 10-11, which Cuba will also be at for the for Latin America, Roberta Jacobson. “And first time. “I do think that we can get this we made meaningful progress in resolving done in time for the Summit of the them,” she said, cautioning that “serious dis- Americas,” Jacobson said, when asked if the agreements remain.” The head of the Cuban embassies could be reopened by then, but delegation, Josefina Vidal, at a press confer- she stressed much depended on whether ence at the State Department, also said she “we can get things done in time.” believed progress had been made. But she Washington has insisted that its diplo- HEILONGJIANG: Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers train in the snow in Heihe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang province. China’s renewed a call for Havana to be removed mats and embassy be granted full powers military training this year will focus on “improving fighting capacity” to win “local wars”, the defense ministry said, with Beijing embroiled in from the US blacklist of state sponsors of under the Vienna Convention to operate several territorial disputes. — AFP terrorism and urged that provisions be freely, including meeting with Cuban dissi- found to enable Cuba’s interests section in dents. Although no new date for the next Washington to have access to the US bank- round of talks has been set, Vidal said the ing system. two delegations had promised to be in Chinese official jailed for Vidal stressed that while it was “not a “permanent” contact. Jacobson revealed precondition” that Havana be removed that more diplomatic exchanges were from the blacklist in order to restore diplo- planned-including a first US-Cuba human 17 years over jade bribes matic relations, it should happen before rights dialogue, due to be held sometime ties can be renewed. “It would be very diffi- in late March. cult to explain that Cuba and the United Next week two separate Cuban teams States have established normal diplomatic will visit Washington to discuss human traf- Advisory body ousts former top Hu Jintao’s aide relations when Cuba is kept on this list that ficking and civil aviation, and then early we believe we have never belonged to,” she next month a US delegation will travel to BEIJING: A former senior Chinese provincial offi- ures against graft, such as publishing officials’ Mingguo, once a senior official in the southern said. Secretary of State John Kerry earlier Havana to work on greater Internet con- rebuffed communist Cuba’s demand to nectivity “to better support access to infor- cial was sentenced yesterday to 17 years in jail for assets, relaxing controls on media and establishing export powerhouse province of Guangdong, have the designation-in place since 1982 mation for the Cuban people.” Obama has taking around 13 million yuan ($2.1 million) in an independent legal system. according to media reports. Both have been — lifted immediately, saying the current called on the US Congress to lift the bribes consisting largely of precious stones, a accused of graft. review would run its course. decades-old biting economic embargo of court said. Ni Fake, a former deputy governor of Disgraced senior aide Ling was demoted in September 2012 after “The state-sponsored terrorism designa- Cuba. But some lawmakers-as well as parts the eastern province of Anhui, is the latest official In another development, China expelled a dis- sources said his son was involved in a deadly crash tion is a separate process, it is not a negoti- of the Cuban dissident community-remain to fall in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s much-tout- graced senior aide to former President Hu Jintao involving an expensive sports car in an embarrass- ation,” Kerry said. “And that evaluation will wary of the diplomatic demarche, arguing ed campaign against corruption. from a high-profile advisory body yesterday, the ment to the party, which is sensitive to public criti- be made appropriately and nothing will be Obama has failed to secure guarantees The Intermediate People’s Court in Dongying official Xinhua news agency reported on its web- cism that its officials and their families lead done with respect to the list until the evalu- about progress on human rights on the City said in a statement on its official microblog site, marking the latest step in a significant politi- lifestyles of excess. Ling was dropped from his ation is completed.” Friday’s talks were only island.— AFP that Ni was also stripped of personal property cal scandal. Ling Jihua heads a Communist Party post as head of the party’s General Office of the worth one million yuan ($160,000). The court is in body charged with reaching out to non- Central Committee, a powerful post similar to cab- Anhui’s neighboring province of Shandong. China Communists and holds a rank equivalent to vice inet secretary in governments modeled after the typically holds corruption trials outside the geo- premier. The largely ceremonial advisory council politics of the United Kingdom, such as Australia graphical area where the alleged crimes took also dismissed former spy boss Ma Jian and Zhu and Canada.— Agencies place, to separate officials from their local power bases. According to the court statement, the 60- year-old was found to have accepted “cash, jade artefacts and precious stones” from company North Korean leader tells executives on 49 occasions over the course of 12 years. army to ‘prepare for war’ The bribes amounted to nearly 13 million yuan, the court said. Jade has been used in Chinese art SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un the military to train hard in order “to tear to for millennia, and has long been as valued as gold has urged his army to prepare for war with pieces the Stars and Stripes”, in comments is in the West, but it carries loftier moral connota- the United States and its allies, state media made while opening a new hall at the said yesterday, as Pyongyang ramps up the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum tions including purity and longevity. Corrupt offi- rhetoric ahead of US-South Korea military in Pyongyang, KCNA said. The drill Friday was cials have in recent years turned to taking bribes in drills. Kim’s comments came after South a prelude to an eight-week exercise, Foal the form of art and precious stones rather than Korea and the United States Friday conduct- Eagle, involving air, ground and naval field money, according to state media. The ruling ed a joint naval drill involving 10 South training, with around 200,000 Korean and Communist Party’s top anti-graft body said Ni was Korean warships and a US Aegis destroyer, 3,700 US troops that begins on Monday. “obsessed with collecting jade” and had appointed ahead of the launch of large-scale military A week-long, largely computer-simulated himself honorary chairman of the provincial jewel- exercises that have enraged the North. “The joint drill, Key Resolve, will also get under way. ry industry association, according to an earlier prevailing situation where a great war for Seoul and Washington insist the exercises are report by the state-run Shanghai Daily. national reunification is at hand requires all defense-based in nature, but they are con- The official wore jade accessories every day and the KPA (Korean People’s Army) units to demned by Pyongyang as provocative went to jade stores every weekend, the report become (elite) Guard Units fully prepared for rehearsals for invasion. North Korea had quoted the Party’s Central Commission for war politically and ideologically, in military offered a moratorium on carrying out nuclear technique and materially”, he was quoted by tests if this year’s joint drills were cancelled-a Discipline Inspection (CCDI) as saying. Ni will not the official Korean Central News Agency proposal rejected by Washington as an appeal, according to the court statement. Xi’s anti- (KCNA) as saying. “implicit threat” to carry out a fourth atomic graft campaign has ensnared a number of senior North Korea regularly ratchets up hostile drill. North Korea claims it won the 1950-53 figures including Zhou Yongkang, a former mem- rhetoric at times of joint US-South Korea mili- Korean War, which ended in an armistice ber of China’s all-powerful Politburo Standing tary exercises that spark a sharp surge in ten- instead of a peace treaty, leaving the two WASHINGTON: Members of the US and Cuba delegations are seen at the start of Committee. But critics say the Communist Party sions on the divided peninsula. Kim called on Koreas still technically at war.— AFP Cuba talks at the State Department in Washington on Friday, Feb 27, 2015.— AP has resisted introducing reforms seen as key meas- NEWS SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

Skiers sit on a ski lift over the Darbandsar ski resort, 60 km northeast of Tehran, yesterday. Darbandsar ski resort is one of the newest resorts around Tehran attracting many Iranian and foreign skiers from November till late April. — AFP Debate on dress color goes viral Vocal critic of Putin killed near Kremlin Continued from Page 1 image, to process this luminescence confusion.” Continued from Page 1 leader Mikhail Gorbachev also claimed the killing was The photo produced a deluge of media calls Friday aimed at “destabilising the situation in the country, at Guests at the wedding could not understand why, in to the Tumblr reporter, 21-year-old McNeill, who calls Russian state television - which in recent years has heightening confrontation” with the West. one photo of the dress being worn by the mother of the the seemingly endless phone calls “more than I’ve denied Nemtsov airtime - gave lavish coverage to his The powerful Investigative Committee leading the bride, the clearly blue and black-striped garment trans- received in the entirety of the rest of my life combined”. murder. Investigators said gunmen fired at least eight probe said it was looking into a possible “provocation formed into gold and white. But only in that single pho- She says the photographer, who is also the mother of shots from a moving car as Nemtsov walked with a to destabilise the political situation in the country.” It to, and only for around half of the viewers. the bride, never wanted the publicity. woman who was not injured. Russian television listed as initial hypotheses a link to the Charlie Hebdo The debate spread from the wedding to the Internet, There’s one clear winner: English dress retailer named her as 23-year-old Ukrainian model Anna massacre, noting that Nemtsov had received threats initially from friend to perplexed friend on Facebook. Roman Originals, which has reported a million hits on Duritskaya. after he condemned the killings in Paris, as well as the One such wedding guest, musician and singer its sales site in the first 18 hours following the photo’s Opposition figures said his death was linked to his “situation inside Ukraine”. Caitlin McNeill, posted the photo Thursday night to her worldwide distribution. “I can officially say that this outspoken opposition to Putin and in particular his Hours before his murder, Nemtsov urged Russians Tumblr account with the question: “Guys please help dress is royal blue with black lace trimming,” said criticism of Russia’s stand on the Ukraine conflict. They to show up for a rally today calling for “an immediate me. Is this dress white and gold, or blue and black? Me Michele Bastock, design director at Roman Originals. pointed the finger at a climate of hatred whipped up end to the Ukraine war,” he said on popular Echo of and my friends can’t agree and we are freaking the She said staff members had no idea that the dress, by the Kremlin. “The political responsibility for this Moscow radio, adding that Putin should quit. (expletive) out.” She’s consistently seen gold. One of her when shot in that singularly peculiar light, might be murder lies with the authorities and personally Opposition activists scrapped the rally after news of friends, Alana MacInnes, saw gold and white for the first perceived in a totally different color scheme. Not until President Putin - those who started and are fighting a his death while the authorities gave permission for a hour, then black and blue. Friday anyway, when they arrived at work to field hun- war and are running a propaganda campaign of march in memory of Nemtsov through the city centre Buzzfeed sensed clickbait heaven and, amid its own dreds of emails, calls and social media posts. They, too, hatred in its support,” former Yabloko liberal party today afternoon. Ukrainian President Petro newsroom argument, was among the first to call split almost 50-50 on the photo’s true colors. leader Grigory Yavlinsky wrote on Facebook. Poroshenko called Nemtsov a “bridge between McNeill. It posted more than a half-dozen stories on the All agreed, however, the dress for the Birmingham, “If a few days ago, people were walking round with Ukraine and Russia”. “The murderers’ shot has image and the tsunami of reaction. On Twitter, England-based retailer was likely to become their great- a placard saying ‘let’s finish off the fifth column’, and destroyed it. I think it is not by accident.” #TheDress and variants surged to the top of trending est-ever seller. The chain’s website Friday headlined its today Nemtsov is killed, then let’s think what will hap- The former researcher rose to prominence as gov- lists globally within hours. The entertainment elite then product as “#TheDress now back in stock - debate now.” pen tomorrow,” said a fellow deputy prime minister ernor of the Nizhny Novgorod region in central Russia chimed in. Taylor Swift saw the dress was “obviously” “Straightaway we went to the computers and had a under Yeltsin, Anatoly Chubais, referring to a pro- before serving in Yeltsin’s team. After leaving parlia- blue and black. “What’s the matter with u guys, it’s white look. And some members of the team saw ivory and Kremlin rally. Opposition leader Alexei Navalny ques- ment in 2003, he led several opposition parties and gold. I see a royal blue all the time,” she said. “It’s an and gold,” countered Julianne Moore. Kim Kardashian, tioned how Nemtsov could have been killed, saying groups. A passionate orator with a rock star image enigma ... but we are grateful.” The dress sells for £50 never one to miss a trending topic, reported she was he would have been under surveillance ahead of and popular with women, Nemtsov was a key speaker seeing gold but to husband Kanye West, it was solidly ($77). today’s planned rally. “I can’t believe that yesterday at mass opposition rallies against Putin’s return to the black and blue. “Who is color blind?” Kardashian asked There may be a scientific explanation for all the night he could have strolled towards the Kremlin Kremlin in 2012. He wrote a series of reports critical of the twitterati. madness. According to British physicist Isaac Newton, without being watched,” he wrote in his blog. corruption and misspending under Putin. In 2013, he The answer, says Hardiman-McCartney, is that every color is not inherent to objects. Humans perceive the US President Barack Obama condemned a “brutal” said up to $30 billion of the estimated $50 billion viewer seeing either set of colors is right. He says the colors reflected on the surface of objects through and “vicious murder” and urged a probe while British assigned to the Olympic Games that Russia was to exceptional bar-code style of the dress, combined with light that hits the retina in the back of the eye. Reena Prime Minister David Cameron said the “callous mur- host in Sochi had gone missing. The Kremlin has the strongly yellow-toned backlighting in the one pho- Garg, an assistant professor at the New York Eye and der” must be investigated “fully, rapidly and transpar- denied the claims. Alexei Venediktov, editor-in-chief to, provides the brain a rare chance to “choose” which of Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai in New York, said the var- ently”. Putin suggested the crime was aimed at smear- of Echo of Moscow radio, wrote that Nemtsov knew the dress’ two primary colors should be seen in detail. ied reactions can be explained by how we understand Those who subconsciously seek detail in the many hori- color, noting that the poorly exposed photograph was ing the authorities. It “had all the hallmarks of a con- he was taking risks by openly criticizing Putin. “But I zontal black lines convert them to a golden hue, so the likely taken with a cell phone camera. tract killing and is entirely provocative in nature,” he will not leave Russia, who would fight then?” he quot- blue disappears into a blown-out white, he said. “If you see the dress as black and blue, you’re prob- was quoted as saying by the Kremlin. The last Soviet ed the veteran politician as saying. — AFP Others whose brains focus on the blue part of the ably seeing the photo as over-exposed, meaning dress see the photo as the black-and-blue reality. there is too much light, so the colors in the dress “There’s no correct way to perceive this photograph. It appear darker to you after the retina has compensat- Unmasking of ‘Jihadi John’ shocks Britain sits right on the cusp, or balance, of how we perceive ed,” Garg told AFP. “If you see the dress as white and the color of a subject versus the surrounding area,” he gold, you’re probably seeing the photo as under- Continued from Page 1 job and planned to marry. He wrote in one email that his said. “And this color consistency illusion that we’re expe- exposed, meaning there is too little light and the col- “‘life’ is kind of on a ‘pause’.” riencing doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your ors in the dress appear lighter to you after the retina “Perhaps they did slip up in this case but one won’t Like many British Muslims who have become radical- eyes. It just shows how your brain chooses to see the has compensated.” — Agencies know until there’s been an inquiry or a report of some ized in recent years, he seemed to feel that Muslims were kind,” he told the BBC. The first photograph of Emwazi as increasingly under attack in many parts of the world and an adult was published late Friday by Sky News, report- complained to CAGE of the plight of his fellow believers edly taken from his university records and showing him in Chechnya, Iraq and elsewhere. CAGE said that Emwazi Egypt brands Hamas as ‘terrorist’ group with a goatee beard and wearing a Pittsburgh Pirates even changed his name in a bid to escape the attentions baseball cap. of the security services, but still was barred from going Continued from Page 1 Sami Abu Zuhri, the Hamas spokesman in Gaza City, The case has some parallels to that of two Al-Qaeda- to Kuwait. His family reported him missing early in 2013. denounced the ruling as “a desperate attempt to export inspired extremists who murdered a British soldier in a Four months later, police told them Emwazi was in Syria, Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood’s top leader Mohamed Egypt’s crises”. It amounted to “a dangerous escalation London street in May 2013. A report by lawmakers con- CAGE said. Badie to life in prison while other members received the against the Palestinian people and the forces of Palestinian cluded that delays and other failings by the agencies London mayor Boris Johnson, a member of death penalty. resistance” against Israel. But it would have “no impact on had contributed to that tragedy. However, it is not clear Cameron’s Conservative party, accused Cage of an “apol- Since the military toppled Morsi, the authorities in Egypt Hamas which treats with respect all the sons and leaders of what laws could have been used to prevent Emwazi ogy for terror”. John Sawers, the former head of Britain’s have accused Hamas of aiding jihadists who have staged a the Arab world, except for some influential persons in Egypt”, from leaving Britain at the time, since he had not been MI6 foreign spy agency, also condemned the group’s string of bloody attacks on security forces in the Sinai. Egypt Abu Zuhri said. charged with any terrorist-related offenses. It is not arguments as “specious”. “The idea that somehow being also accuses Hamas, which controls the neighbouring Gaza Israel and the United States view Hamas as a “terrorist” known if police or security services had any evidence he spoken to by a member of MI5 is a radicalising act, I Strip, of supporting the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood. Last organisation, and the European Union decided in January to was planning to join extremists in Syria. think this is very false and very transparent,” Sawers told March, Egypt banned all Hamas activities on its soil and froze appeal a European court ruling ordering Hamas’s removal His identification as the front man in IS murder videos BBC radio. its assets. from the EU’s list of terror groups. Egypt has accused Hamas has raised questions about how a soccer-playing Emwazi appeared in a video released in August show- Yesterday’s court ruling came after two complaints were militants of infiltrating through tunnels used by smugglers. filed against Hamas implicating it in deadly attacks on the The army regularly announces the destruction of such tun- London youngster who liked smart clothes became one ing the slaying of American journalist James Foley, police and army in the Sinai, a judicial source said. “It was nels, and is creating a buffer zone on the border with Gaza to of the world’s most wanted men. Authorities were work- denouncing the West before the killing. A man with simi- proven that the movement has committed acts of sabotage counter the threat. ing to piece together the path to radicalization of lar stature and voice was also featured in videos of the IS on Egyptian territory and killed innocent people, civilians and But despite this, Cairo has continued to play its traditional Emwazi, who came to Britain from Kuwait as a small killings of American journalist Steven Sotloff, Britons members of the police and army,” the ruling said. The court role of mediator between Hamas and Israel, as it did in the child and attended state schools in London before David Haines and Alan Hemming, and US aid worker cited coordinated attacks in the northern Sinai at the end of most recent Gaza war last July and August. Gaza political pro- studying computer science at the University of Abdul-Rahman Kassig. He also appeared in a video with January in which at least 25 soldiers were killed, saying that fessor Mukhaimer Abu Saada also described yesterday’s rul- Westminster. Japanese hostages Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto “the rockets used in this operation are found only in the Gaza ing as a “dangerous escalation”. “Egypt may freeze the assets Court documents from 2011 obtained by the BBC list shortly before they were killed. Strip”. and investments in the country of Hamas individuals,” but Emwazi as part of a network of west London men sus- Foley’s parents in Arizona on Thursday expressed sur- Jihadists in the peninsula have killed scores of policemen would not go as far as to jail members of the movement who pected by MI5 of sending funds, equipment and recruits prise that “Jihadi John” was an educated man who had and soldiers since Morsi’s overthrow, vowing revenge for a have settled in Cairo, he added. to Al-Shabab militants in Somalia. The group included real prospects in life. “So he, in a sense, had a privileged crackdown on his supporters that has left more than 1,400 In the other case, Badie, the top leader of the now-banned Bilail Al-Berjawi, a Lebanese-British militant who was upbringing, so to me that makes that even more sad people dead. The militant organisation Ansar Beit al-Maqdis Muslim Brotherhood, was among 14 who were sentenced to killed in a US drone strike in Somalia in Jan 2012. Emails that he’d want to use his gifts for such evil and such (Partisans of Jerusalem), which has pledged allegiance to the life, alongside deputy leader Khairat Al-Shater and leading fig- that Emwazi sent to a Muslim advocacy group reveal a hatred. It’s very frightening to me,” Diane Foley said. “We Islamic State group, has claimed most of the attacks. ure Mohamed Al-Beltagy. Four lower-level members were sen- young man increasingly frustrated by the attentions of need to forgive him for not having a clue what he was Yesterday’s ruling comes just days after Egypt adopted a new tenced to death for inciting violence that led to the killing of British spies and angry at the plight of Muslims around doing,” she said. anti-terrorism law allowing the authorities to close the prem- protesters demonstrating outside a Brotherhood office days the world. The widow of Haines, a British aid worker, said Friday ises of any declared “terrorist” organisation and freeze its before Morsi’s ouster. Two of those sentenced to death and Emwazi approached the group, CAGE, after he and she would like to see “Jihadi John” captured and put on assets and those of its members. three sentenced to life were tried in absentia. — Agencies two friends were arrested and deported on a trip to trial. Dragana Haines told AP in a phone interview from Tanzania in Aug 2009. They said they were going on a her home in Croatia that “I really hope he will be caught, post-university safari. But Emwazi said he was grilled by I think it would be a good lesson for all.” Haines, whose Kuwait reopens embassy in Aden instead... a British intelligence officer who accused him of trying husband was killed in September, said she would rather to travel to Somalia to link up with terrorists there. He see Emwazi judged in a court of law than killed by ene- Continued from Page 1 ing the Kuwaiti-UK relations and serving common interests. said the agent, who identified himself as Nick, suggested my action. “People of his kind believe that death in com- Other key topics concerning the bilateral ties were discussed Emwazi “work for us” before saying “life will be harder for bat is an honor, something special,” she said. extradition of those wanted in public funds cases, he said, during the meeting, he said, labelling the relationship you” if he did not cooperate. In the modest west London neighborhood where adding that he discussed this with the British official in the between Kuwait and the UK as quite significant and express- It is clear that Emwazi was unnerved after his unwant- Emwazi’s family lived, citizens were shocked after his presence of Kuwait’s Public Prosecutor Dherar Al-Asousi ing desire to bolster the mutual cooperation continuously. ed interrogation. “He knew everything about me; where identify was revealed. Sharaft Ullah, who worships at the mutual cooperation in legal prosecution. Grayling expressed These topics will be referred to specialized technical commit- I lived, what I did, the people I hanged around with,” he Harrow Road Mosque near the family home, remem- understanding and keenness on endorsing such an MoU, as tees for further examination and studying means of taking wrote in one of the emails that CAGE made public bered Emwazi as a strict Muslim who prayed several well as on exchanging information in money laundering cas- relevant action at this level, he said. Britain is a key partner for Thursday. “He even said that he would try to visit me. But times a day. He said Emwazi was “a very good local guy es and terrorism combating, Sane said. Kuwait in the face of numerous international challenges, I refused and told him that I did not want him to pay me and polite with everybody”. “I feel angry because he was Grayling described his talks with Sane as positive and can- Grayling said, hoping that such accords would pave way for a visit.” The following year Emwazi accused British agents educated in this country and he graduated from did, affirming that the meeting would contribute to cement- stronger partnership between the two countries. — Agencies of preventing him from going to Kuwait, where he had a Westminster,” Ullah said. — Agencies SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 ANALYSIS

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Issues Having it both ways: Greece’s doublespeak

By Mathilde Richter

ingerly treading between its anti-austerity promises to voters and its pledges to sceptical Ginternational creditors, Greece’s new radical government is resorting to doublespeak to keep everyone happy, analysts say. After persuading Brussels last week to chew on its reform proposals over the next two months, the Syriza-led government has touted the agreement to its weary domestic audi- ence as one that ends painful austerity. “Greece and Europe have both turned a page,” Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said on Tuesday in announcing the agreement. Washington Watch After two abortive eurozone finance minister meet- ings, Greece on Feb 20 pledged to work “in close agreement” with its European partners and the International Monetary Fund to “strengthen fiscal sus- Bibi’s legacy: Fractured Israel, Divided US tainability, guarantee financial stability and promote economic recovery”. To secure bargaining room until June to work out a new four-year reform plan, Athens’ By Dr James J Zogby Since the speech was announced, negative will be a grouping of aggressive ego-driven divided Israel which will have either a hard- new radical team had to pledge to respect privatisa- reaction has been growing. At first criticized as a hardliners who will only serve to exacerbate ten- line government that will continue to take tions completed by the previous government, and n a few days, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin “breach of protocol” and an “unseemly partisan sions with the US. hostile steps provoking Palestinians and fur- refrain from one-sided reform rollbacks. Netanyahu will mount the podium of the US move”, the response has developed into an As of now, it appears that even if the Zionist ther frustrating peacemaking efforts or a At a closed-door meeting of Syriza lawmakers ICongress to speak before a joint session of increasingly hostile war of words and action. Union edges out Netanyahu’s party, they will weak and dysfunctional centrist government called to evaluate the deal, hardline Energy Minister the House and Senate. He will use the occasion The While House has charged that the prime have no chance of forming a cohesive coalition that will be incapable of acting decisively for Panagiotis Lafazanis complained that the government to blast Iran and issue dire warnings about the minister’s behavior is “destructive of the fabric of that will be able to effectively govern and peace. was “adopting language reminiscent of its creditors,” current US-led negotiations designed to limit the [US-Israeli] relationship”. Secretary of State advance peace. This is so for two reasons. For A further impact of Netanyahu’s behavior media reports said. Other Greek government officials Iran’s nuclear program. John Kerry chided Netanyahu’s critique of the one, the left is too weak. While the positions of will be seen here in the US. Israelis console have argued that there is “constructive ambiguity” in Having successfully used his two previous Iran negotiations as uninformed. And, as of the Zionist Union are closely aligned to those themselves that polls continue to show that a the agreement which leaves Athens room for manoeu- appearances before Congress to announce his Friday, 36 members of Congress had announced espoused by Washington, it is unlikely that they majority of Americans support their state. vre. One notable example is the rehiring of laid-off civ- intent to scuttle the Oslo peace process (1996) their intention to boycott the speech. One will be able to find enough like-minded Knesset What they ignore are the follow up questions il servants, a key Syriza campaign promise which the and to sabotage President Obama’s plan to Representative told me he expected the num- members to establish a ruling majority. Because which show Americans increasingly frustrat- government still intends to carry out. This measure restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks (2011), ber of boycotters to grow in the coming days. they will need to include rightist groupings to ed by and deeply divided over Israeli policies. was left out of the agreement after the Greek govern- Netanyahu apparently hopes to use this address Equally significant has been the reaction in reach the 60+ threshold, the government they Majorities oppose settlements and oppose ment argued that it constituted internal policy and to stiffen the resolve of those in Congress who Israel, where not only Netanyahu’s opponents form will be hamstrung from the beginning. Israel actions that conflict with American pol- was non-negotiable. are opposed to the current negotiations with have accused him of the risky business of “play- An additional issue is the fact that what will icy. And when asked whether the US should Another example is the government’s pledge to Iran. The ever-cocky prime minister, no doubt, ing politics inside American politics”. A former likely emerge as the third or fourth largest bloc side with Israel, the Palestinians, or “not take raise the minimum wage. The deal agreed with believes he will once again be successful. head of Mossad charged that the speech was in the Knesset is the Arab Union - a first ever either side”, two-thirds consistently choose Brussels said wages will be raised “in a manner that That this speech occurs a scant two weeks “pointless and counterproductive”. And even grouping of smaller Arab parties. Since they are the last option. More striking is the fact that safeguards competitiveness and employment before Israelis go to the polls is, for Netanyahu, Israel’s President recently weighed-in criticizing expected to win between 12 to 15 seats in the 76 percent and 70 percent of Democrats and prospects”. This reference was conspicuously absent the “icing on the cake” since it will display for the Netanyahu gambit. next Knesset, it will be impossible for the “cen- Independents, respectively, say “not take from a government summary of the deal released to voters back home his supreme mastery of ter-left” to amass 60+ seats without the agree- either side” - as do 75 percent of those under Greek media. America. It will also, he hopes, divert attention Paralysis ment of the Arab bloc. However, it is unlikely 50 years of age, 76 percent of non-whites, from his recent financial scandals and his failure There have been those who suggest that this that the Arab group will be included in any gov- and 72 percent of women. Only Republicans ‘Perilous’ Divide to establish a secure peace or to provide for the is but “a tempest in a teapot” that will soon set- ernment formation. Thus, they will be reduced believe that the US should take Israel’s side - “The Tsipras government is trying to bridge an well-being of his people. tle down once the Israeli elections are over. I to the same “silent partner” status they had dur- 49 percent of whom feel this way, against 47 incredibly perilous divide,” said Susanna Vogt, a politi- What the prime minister did not expect was think not. Netanyahu may still be reelected, ing Rabin’s tenure in the early 1990’s. This will percent who say “not take either side”. cal analyst and director of the Greek branch of the the firestorm his appearance would produce. although polls are showing that he will have to serve to create a dysfunctional situation in It may very well be that when Netanyahu is Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a think tank close to the Since he has repeatedly asserted that “I know scramble to cobble together the 60+ Knesset which the government can only be sustained by finished his big Washington adventure, plenty ruling German conservatives. “By playing with words, America”, he should have anticipated that his members he will need to form a government. the acquiescence of the Arab bloc. But this will, of officials in Washington will insist that “the it is trying to satisfy the expectations it raised during deliberate effort to embarrass the US president Since the announcement of his speech to in turn, inhibit such a government from taking US-Israel bonds are unbreakable”. And many the electoral campaign and following its arrival to would not sit well with the White House or its Congress, Netanyahu’s slight lead over his “cen- any dramatic steps toward peace lest it be in Congress will still jump, when asked, to do power,” she told AFP. Greek government spokesman allies. By having his ambassador to Washington, ter-left” opponents in the Zionist Union has attacked by the right for acting without the sup- Israel’s bidding. But that’s not the whole story, Gabriel Sakellaridis said Wednesday the deal “left a former Republican Party operative, conspire evaporated. The two parties now appear to be port of the “Jewish majority”. The result will be since he will leave in his wake a fractured room” for Athens to apply its own policy. with the speaker of the House to arrange this running dead even - with each garnering 23 or paralysis. Israel and a deeply divided America. Such will But privately, some government officials are less speech, the Israeli leader displayed remarkably 24 seats in the next Knesset. Given the fragmen- be the master manipulator’s legacy. sanguine. “Clearly we will be under supervision,” one short-sighted arrogance. But then, this is one of tation of Israel’s right wing parties, Netanyahu Legacy NOTE: Dr James J Zogby is the President of senior official conceded last week, adding that the the draw-backs of cockiness. may be able to forge a coalition of 60+, but it This will be Netanyahu’s legacy: A deeply the Arab American Institute government now had to “outdo” itself to fulfil pledges to combat corruption and tax evasion. The Greek offi- cial added that the instructions from Athens for the third and final Eurogroup meeting were to “negotiate Assad or no Assad, West asks with an agreement in mind, not a rupture. Clearly this making a compromise”. “At the end of the day, most people understand By Marianne Barriaux A Softening Stance? the Syrian leader quit power. But repeated any moderate Syrian opposition,” he said. that it’s all they could do at the moment,” said Manolis Officially, the United States - like France diplomatic attempts at a solution to the con- Syria Opposition Roadmap Spourdalakis, a political scientist at Athens University. aced with a seemingly unending and Britain - remain steadfast in their flict have failed, and Western governments As if on cue, though, Syria’s main domes- “Syriza was elected on a program whose prelude was to negotiate a better deal ... a good part of it was bloody conflict in Syria and the rise demand are coming under increasing pressure from tic and exiled opposition groups said Friday accepted. Even accepting the notion (of humanitarian Fof the Islamic State group, is that intelligence services who are worried about they had for the first time agreed a draft crisis crisis) is a change,” he said. President Bashar Al-Assad the lesser of the the number of nationals joining the ranks of roadmap that incorporates a call for a transi- According to a poll in leftist daily Avgi, conducted country’s evils and should the West re- IS. International coalition strikes against the tional governing body. But while the exiled before Tuesday’s agreement, 80 percent of respon- engage with him? While world powers jihadist group that controls swathes of Iraq Syrian National Coalition insists Assad must dents applauded the government’s handling of the such as the United States, France and and Syria, meanwhile, have produced mixed step down in any peace deal, the domestic talks. But one of Syriza’s best-known activists, 92-year- Britain refuse to have anything to do with a results and some countries appear to be National Coordination Committee for old wartime resistance hero Manolis Glezos, was not leader the French prime minister described softening their stance towards Assad. Democratic Change (NCCDC) has been more one of them. In a scathing blog entry, Glezos called the deal an “illusion” and apologised to the party’s vot- as a “butcher”, the question is increasingly In the United States, experts say circumspect. One of the documents on ers for being part of it. “There can be no compromise... being raised within these countries. there have been signs that which the roadmap is based calls for any between a slave and a conqueror, the only solution is Staffan de Mistura, the UN envoy for Washington may be considering transitional governing body to have full exec- freedom,” Glezos said. Vogt noted that in last month’s Syria, echoed this feeling last month when abandoning efforts to unseat the utive powers, but does not specify Assad’s elections, 36 percent of Greeks voted for Syriza he said Assad was “part of the solution” to Syrian leader in any future transition. role. “because they wanted real change”. But Athens’ EU end a conflict that has killed more than Yezid Sayigh, senior associate at the Nevertheless, Petra Becker, a Syria expert peers are now waiting for concrete results and in this 210,000 people, displaced nearly half the Carnegie Middle East Centre, said at the German Institute for International and respect “doublespeak is not going to be very helpful,” country’s population and spilled over into recent consultations with Russia - a fer- Security Affairs think-tank, said the mere fact she noted. —AFP neighbouring nations. And this week, a pri- vent Assad ally - “suggest an effort to that both opposition groups were talking vate trip to Damascus by French lawmak- devise a new diplomatic framework jointly was positive. She said IS had “put pressure on ers who met Assad for talks drew an angry with Russia that would allow the US a face- the opposition to come to an agreement”. All articles appearing on these response from the French government saving means to accommodate Assad’s sur- Many experts say that formally re-engaging which cut diplomatic ties with Syria in vival more formally.” with Assad would be a mistake. “Western pages are the personal opinion of 2012 - but was feted by media in the con- In a joint statement published Friday by countries have cobbled together a very suc- the writers. Kuwait Times takes no flict-torn country. newspapers Le Monde and Al-Hayat, the cessful Arab coalition (to fight IS) and that responsibility for views expressed “The Assad regime is trying to give the French and British foreign ministers stressed coalition would fall apart,” said Joshi. therein. Kuwait Times invites read- impression of unstoppable momentum Assad could not “credibly” be part of any He added that much of the focus was on ers to voice their opinions. Please towards normalisation of ties,” said future government fighting IS. But the Sunni community in Syria, which forms send submissions via email to: opin- Shashank Joshi, senior research fellow at French Senator Francois Zocchetto, the backbone of the rebellion against Assad Britain’s Royal United Services Institute one of the lawmakers who met with and is widely considered as key to tackling IS [email protected] or via snail defence and security think-tank. But he Assad, argued Friday that it was impos- from within. “If you join hands with the pri- mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. said this was “exaggerated” and that while sible to fight against extremism in France mary persecutor and tormentor of Syria’s The editor reserves the right to edit Western and Syrian intelligence agencies while ignoring what was going on in Syria. Sunni community, you jeopardise that any submission as necessary. may have had low- to mid-level contacts, “This secular state could disappear tomor- chance and you encourage people to join there had been no formal coordination. row... because right now there is no longer ISIS (IS) in greater numbers,” he said. —AFP p15_Layout 1 2/28/15 8:38 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 SPORTS

Chiefs thrash Crusaders Fenerbahce beat CSKA Sharapova out with bug virus HAMILTON: The Chiefs sent an ominous reminder to their rivals why they BELGRADE: Fenerbahce moved a step closer to the Euroleague playoffs MEXICO CITY: A stomach virus caused world number two Maria Sharapova are favorites to win this year’s Super Rugby title with a 40-16 thrashing of with a shock 81-75 win at CSKA Moscow on Friday, handing the six-time to pull out of the Acapulco International in Mexico just hours before her the Canterbury Crusaders in Hamilton yesterday. champions their first home loss this season and stalwart Andrei Kirilenko a semi-final on Friday. Chasing their third championship in four seasons, the Chiefs flexed their sour return home. Former NBA All-Star forward Kirilenko, who rejoined “I’m really sorry to have to withdraw,” the top-seeded Russian said on her muscles with a five-tries-to-one romp against a Crusaders team that made CSKA on Tuesday for a third stint with the Russian giants, made a cameo website (www.mariasharapova.com). “I had a great start to the event and the final last year but has struggled to reproduce their best form. appearance but scored only two points in five minutes on court. was hoping I could recover in time for tonight’s match but unfortunately it The Chiefs have won all three matches they have Roared on by several hundred noisy away fans, the Turkish side raced was not enough time. played this year, each with more conviction than the last, into a 10-0 lead and held the upper hand throughout a physical contest, “I want to thank the tournament for organising such a great while the Crusaders have managed just one victory from which boiled over in the closing stages when CSKA’s Serbia playmaker event and most importantly the fans who were so passionate dur- three and suffered one of their heaviest losses in the Milos Teodosic was ejected for dissent. ing all my matches.” southern hemisphere competition. Cool free-throw shooting by Teodosic’s compatriots Nemanja Bjelica French Open champion Sharapova, winner of five grand slam and Bogdan Bogdanovic allowed Fenerbahce to pull away in the last two Sonny Bill Williams, back with the Chiefs after titles, reached the last four of the hardcourt tournament with a minutes. “I think we did a great job rebounding at both ends and we had to spending the last two seasons playing rugby 6-1 4-6 6-2 win over Slovakia’s Magdalena Rybarikova on because we were up against one of the best teams in Europe,” Fenerbahce’s Thursday. league in Australia, had another big game. He Czech forward Jan Vesely told Euroleague television. “It was a tough game scored his team’s first try and had a hand in two Sharapova, who will next play at Indian Wells, California and a great team effort so we are all very happy,” added the former Denver from March 11, was due to meet Caroline Garcia of others as the Chiefs went to the break leading 22- Nuggets and Washington Wizards campaigner.—Reuters 9.—Reuters France in the semi-finals. —Reuters

NBA results/standings

Indiana 93, Cleveland 86; Philadelphia 89, Washington 81; Atlanta 95, Orlando 88; Boston 106, Charlotte 98; NY Knicks 121, Detroit 115 (OT); Golden State 113, Toronto 89; Chicago 96, Minnesota 89; Houston 102, Brooklyn 98; LA Clippers 97, Memphis 79; New Orleans 104, Miami 102; Utah 104, Denver 82; San Antonio 107, Sacramento 96; LA Lakers 101, Milwaukee 93; Portland 115, Oklahoma City 112.

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L PCT GB Toronto 37 21 .638 - Boston 23 33 .411 13 Brooklyn 23 33 .411 13 Philadelphia 13 45 .224 24 NY Knicks 11 46 .193 25.5

Central Division Chicago 37 22 .627 - Cleveland 37 23 .617 0.5 Milwaukee 32 26 .552 4.5 Indiana 24 34 .414 12.5 Detroit 23 35 .397 13.5

Southeast Division Atlanta 46 12 .793 - Washington 33 26 .559 13.5 Miami 25 32 .439 20.5 Charlotte 23 33 .411 22 Orlando 19 41 .317 28

Western Conference Northwest Division Portland 38 19 .667 - Oklahoma City 32 27 .542 7 Utah 22 35 .386 16 Denver 20 38 .345 18.5 Minnesota 13 44 .228 25

Pacific Division Golden State 45 11 .804 - LA Clippers 38 21 .644 8.5 Phoenix 31 28 .525 15.5 Sacramento 20 36 .357 25 LA Lakers 16 41 .281 29.5

Southwest Division Memphis 41 16 .719 - Houston 40 18 .690 1.5 Dallas 39 21 .650 3.5 San Antonio 35 23 .603 6.5 New Orleans 31 27 .534 10.5 PORTLAND: Oklahoma City Thunder center Serge Ibaka drives on Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge during the first half of an NBA basketball game. —AP T’Blazers silence Thunder

PORTLAND: LaMarcus Aldridge had 29 points HAWKS 95, MAGIC 88 have won four straight. Mason Plumlee and and 16 rebounds, and the Portland Trail Blazers Paul Millsap scored 14 of his 20 points in the Deron Williams had 15 points apiece for the rallied to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 115- first quarter and Atlanta recovered after losing Nets. Schmidt looks to claim 112 Friday night, spoiling Russell Westbrook’s an early 16-point lead to beat Orlando. third straight triple-double. Led by Millsap’s 3-point shooting, the Hawks LAKERS 101, BUCKS 93 Westbrook, who fell and hit his face on team- sprinted to a 19-3 lead. The Hawks hit their first Wayne Ellington scored 11 straight points in big win over England mate Andre Roberson’s knee in the final seconds, eight shots before Orlando rallied to finish the the final 6 minutes, helping Los Angeles beat DUBLIN: Ireland coach Joe Schmidt side for Ireland, inflicting their only loss of had 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. He half up 45-42. Atlanta regained the lead with a Milwaukee for its season high-tying third believes if Six Nations champions Ireland the last Six Nations their fourth successive became the first player to string together three strong third quarter and stretched the advan- straight victory. Jordan Clarkson led the Lakers defeat England at Lansdowne Road today victory over the Irish. triple-doubles since LeBron James in 2009. The tage to 10 points in the final. Nikola Vucevic had with 16 points. Ellington finished with 14 - all in it will be the team’s biggest win since he Schmidt admitted to being excited Blazers overcame a 15-point, third-quarter 21 points for Orlando. the final period - and Jordan Hill and Jeremy Lin took over in 2013. ahead of the game which if the Irish win deficit and tied it on a tip shot by Aldridge with added 14 points apiece. Ersan Ilyasova had 17 Victory would also equal the best ever would set them fair for a third ever Grand 4:33 to go. Rookie Mitch McGary came off the PELICANS 104, HEAT 102 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks. Michael win sequence of an Irish side at 10 tests. Slam and also only the second time they bench for a season-high 20 points - 12 in the Alexis Ajinca made the go-ahead layup with Carter-Williams scored eight points in his second However, the 49-year-old New Zealander- will have successfully defended the title- third quarter - for the Thunder. 26 seconds left and scored a career-high 24 game for Milwaukee as the starting point guard. who has guided the Irish to eyecatching the last occasion being the old Five points to help New Orleans win its fourth victories over southern hemisphere giants Nations back in 1949. “It would be the WARRIORS 113, RAPTORS 89 straight. Hassan Whiteside appeared to be going KNICKS 121, PISTONS 115 South Africa and Australia-added he is biggest win we’ve had so far,” said Klay Thompson scored 25 points, Stephen up for a tying dunk when he was blocked by fel- Shane Larkin’s three-point play in the final under no illusions how difficult it will be to Schmidt. “Not only because of the year Curry had 22 and Golden State never trailed low 7-footer Omer Asik, who secured the minute of the second overtime helped New York beat the only other unbeaten side in the that is in it (the World Cup which begins in against Toronto. Draymond Green had 17 points rebound, but his hasty outlet pass went off Eric snap an eight-game losing streak. tournament after two matches. September) but also for the players who and nine rebounds for the Warriors. They Gordon’s hands and out of bounds. That gave Larkin put the Knicks ahead by four with 28 England are on a good run of their have come into the squad, it would be bounced back from a loss Thursday night in Miami one more shot, but Dwyane Wade’s 3- seconds remaining, and they held on to win a own, having won four tests on the trot, great to give those players that confidence Cleveland to improve to 10-2 in the second point attempt bounced out as time expired, game that Detroit appeared to have control of and have in recent times been a bogey which comes with such a win.”—AFP game of back-to-backs. dropping the Heat to its first loss in three games. after two quarters. The Pistons led by 18 in the Tempers flared after Golden State’s Festus Gordon scored 20 points and Tyreke Evans second and by 12 at the half but blew what Ezeli pushed Toronto’s Tyler Hansbrough in the had 19 points and 11 assists for New Orleans. looked to be an easy game against the team Nadal strolls into semi-final throat after they tangled under the basket in the Luol Deng had 22 points for the Heat, and Goran with the NBA’s worst record. third. Hansbrough responded by chasing after Dragic added 20. Detroit squandered a five-point lead in the BUENOS AIRES: Rafael Nadal, working his four minutes. “Now the next step is to reach Ezeli, shoving him and throwing a punch that final minute of regulation, allowing the Knicks to way back to top form after wrist problems the final to improve on ... Rio de Janeiro last failed to connect. Both players received double CLIPPERS 97, GRIZZLIES 79 tie it at 95 it on a pull-up 3-pointer by Langston last year, screamed with delight on reaching week and I hope to do it,” he added in a technical fouls and were ejected. Terrence Ross Chris Paul had 19 points and 13 assists, and Galloway with 6.3 seconds remaining. the Argentine Open semi-finals with a 6-1 6- courtside interview after the quarter-final at scored 18 points for Toronto. They have lost four DeAndre Jordan added 15 points and 22 1 rout of Federico Delbonis on Friday. the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club. straight. rebounds to lead Los Angeles past Memphis. JAZZ 104, NUGGETS 82 Nadal, who went down to a first defeat in The Spaniard, who dropped to world Jamal Crawford also had 19 points, and J.J. Derrick Favors had 21 points, 10 rebounds 53 consecutive semi-finals on clay at the Rio number four with his loss to Italian Fabio PACERS 93, CAVALIERS 86 Redick finished with 18. Matt Barnes added 13 and three blocks, Trey Burke came off the bench Open last weekend, pumped his fist after Fognini in Rio de Janeiro, meets With LeBron James and Kyrie Irving sidelined, for the Clippers. Zach Randolph led Memphis to score 19 points and Utah beat struggling winning a superb rally in the fifth game of Argentine Carlos Berlocq in Saturday’s Rodney Stuckey scored 19 points and George with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Jordan helped Denver. Gordon Hayward added 15 points for the second set and again when the second semi-final with a 65th title and Hill had his first career triple-double in Indiana’s the Clippers to a 47-41 advantage in rebounds. the Jazz. Utah has won five of its last seven. Will Argentine hit the ball wide on second match Guillermo Vilas’s record of 46 claycourt victory over Cleveland. Barton had 22 points for the Nuggets. They have point. “It was very important for me to reach crowns in his sights. Juan Monaco, tour- Hill had 15 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists SPURS 107, KINGS 96 lost nine straight at home and 18 of 20 overall. the semi-finals here in Argentina,” said nament winner in 2007, faces 2011 cham- to help Indiana win for the seventh time in nine Tony Parker scored 19 points, Kawhi Leonard Denver was in the playoff conversation after a Nadal, who overwhelmed Delbonis in an pion Nicolas Almagro in the other games - including twice over the Cavaliers in the had 17 points and seven rebounds, and San five-game winning streak in mid-January, but impressive battering lasting one hour and Argentine-Spanish semi-final. —Reuters past three weeks. Antonio snapped a four-game losing streak with has fallen into 13th place in the Western James sat out with soreness in his lower back, a victory over short-handed Sacramento. Conference. while Irving stayed home after hurting his left The Spurs avoided their first five-game skid shoulder. J.R. Smith had 21 points and Kevin since late in the 2010-11 season with an efficient 76ERS 89, WIZARDS 81 Love finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds. and aggressive performance. They had just six Nerlens Noel had 14 points and 13 rebounds turnovers and made 29 of 32 free throws, offset- for Philadelphia. Robert Covington added 13 BULLS 96, TIMBERWOLVES 89 ting a night they shot below 40 percent from the points and Jason Richardson had 12 to help Jimmy Butler had 28 points and 12 rebounds floor. Kings center DeMarcus Cousins sat out Philadelphia snap a five-game winning streak and Chicago beat Minnesota for its seventh vic- with a sprained left ankle and bruised left hip, and win for the first time since trading Michael tory in its last nine games. Mike Dunleavy made and point guard Darren Collison missed his Carter-Williams. five 3-pointers on his way to 21 points, and eighth consecutive game as he prepares to have John Wall scored 21 points on 7-of-26 shoot- Joakim Noah finished with 11 points, 12 surgery on a core muscle injury that will sideline ing for Washington. Otto Porter added 19 and rebounds and eight assists. The Bulls trailed 85- him at least another month. Sacramento is 2-11 Ramon Sessions had 14. The Wizards have lost 84 before Kirk Hinrich drove inside for a layup without Cousins. six in a row and 11 of 13. with 4:29 remaining, and then Tony Snell made a smart pass to Dunleavy for an open 3 that made ROCKETS 102, NETS 98 CELTICS 106, HORNETS 98 it 89-85. Butler added a clutch bank shot to help Terrence Jones scored a season-high 26 Isaiah Thomas scored 28 points and Boston Chicago improve to 10-1 in its last 11 games points, James Harden made the tiebreaking free overcame a 16-point third-quarter deficit to beat against Minnesota. throw with 43 seconds left and followed that Charlotte for its third straight victory. Kevin Martin scored 18 points for the with a jumper in Houston’s victory over Thomas scored 21 points in the second half. Timberwolves. Minnesota coach Flip Saunders Brooklyn. Harden, who played after spraining his Fellow newcomer Jonas Jerebko had 16 points rested Kevin Garnett in the first part of back-to- right ankle on Wednesday night, shot just 4 for and 10 rebounds. Mo Williams had 31 points for BUENOS AIRES: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Federico Delbonis of back games. 15 for 15 points, but had 12 assists. The Rockets Charlotte. —AP Argentina at the ATP Argentina Open. Nadal won the match 6-1 6-1. —AP p16_Layout 1 2/28/15 8:56 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 SPORTS McIlroy set to miss cut at Honda Classic

PALM BEACH GARDENS: World number closed with three bogeys from the last four one Rory McIlroy was set to miss the cut holes. The cut is projected for three over- after shooting a four-over par 74 in his sec- par and while it may change before the ond round of the Honda Classic on Friday leaders finish their rain-delayed round on to go seven-over for the tournament. Saturday, McIlroy can safely pack his bags Heavy rain wiped out most of the morning for the short journey to his home in and at the close, Californian Brendan Jupiter, Florida. “I’m pissed off. I don’t like Steele led by two strokes over Texan missing cuts. You want to be playing on Patrick Reed after shooting birdies on each the weekend, and I’m not going to be play- of his first four holes before darkness fell. ing which is not nice,” he said. Reed had an impressive 67 to move six- McIlroy had not missed a cut since the under and has the advantage of not need- 2014 Irish Open and his last missed cut in ing to finish his round late yesterday. the U.S. was at the 2012 US Open. He has Overnight leader Jim Herman, the jour- been in outstanding form, finishing in the neyman American who shot a 65 on top two in five of his last six tournaments Thursday, managed just three holes, mak- including victory in Dubai. ing par on all to stand five-under. “I guess after coming off a three-week England’s Luke Donald shot a 67 to break, I felt, I wouldn’t say rusty, but just move four shots off the lead alongside not quite on top of my game yesterday,” compatriot Ian Poulter and Ireland’s McIlroy said. Padraig Harrington, who had not finished “And then today I felt like I was trying to their rounds. get something going and couldn’t. McIlroy found it hard going in the Coming off three weeks off and playing in Champion Course’s notorious winds. The conditions like these, it sort of shows you Northern Irishman, playing in his first PGA where your game’s at. I’ve just got to Tour event this year, bogeyed his first hole, regroup and get ready for Miami next the par-4 10th, and then made another week.” He will be assured four rounds in bogey after finding water on the 18th. the limited field at the WGC-Cadillac After a birdie on the par-3 fifth hole he Championship.—Reuters Awesome Federer

NEWARK: Carl Soderberg No. 34 of the Boston Bruins skates against Marek Zidlicky No. 2 of the New Jersey Devils during their game at the floors Djokovic Prudential Center. —AFP Safarova wins Qatar Open Bruins beat Devils in OT DUBAI/DOHA: Roger Federer’s enduring semi-finals, charging the net at every class shone through again as the Swiss opportunity. maestro beat world number one Novak Djokovic was wise to that, passing NEWARK: Ryan Spooner scored his first NHL Cam Ward blanked Arizona 3-0. They rallied from deficits of 3-1 and 4-3 in the Djokovic 6-3 7-5 to win the Dubai Federer in successive points, first with a lob goal with 2:14 left in overtime and the Boston third period. Championships for a seventh time yester- and then with a forehand that arrowed into Bruins defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-2 on LIGHTNING 4, BLACKHAWKS 0 Cody Eakin had two goals and an assist, but day. The 33-year-old’s serve is the least the corner. The Serb, for his part, dragged Friday night after blowing a two-goal third-peri- Ben Bishop made 28 saves for his second the Stars lost their fifth straight game (0-3-2) praised of his repertoire but it was his awe- Federer from side to side, seeking to pin od lead. shutout, while Steven Stamkos scored two goals. They also were 0-3-2 against Colorado this sea- some delivery that blunted Djokovic’s the Swiss to the baseline. Djokovic had two Daniel Paille and David Pastrnak scored for Brian Boyle and Ryan Callahan also scored for son. baseline game, taking his career ace haul break chances with Federer serving at 1-1 Boston, which won for only the second time in the Lightning, who returned home after a 3-2 For Colorado, Tyson Barrie also had a goal and past the 9,000 barrier with 12 more, several in the first. The Swiss saved both, yet still nine games (2-5-2). Niklas Svedberg had 29 road trip against Western Conference teams. two assists. Gabriel Landeskog had one of each, at vital moments. Federer went into the looked the more vulnerable. From the saves starting for the ailing Tuukka Rask, who Stamkos has 11 goals and 17 points in nine Matt Duchene assisted twice and Jarome Iginla match with a 19-17 winning record against deuce court, Federer regularly sliced his had played in the last 18 games for Boston. games against Chicago. Chicago backup goalie scored a goal. Djokovic, although the Serb beat him in serve wide to pull eight-times grand slam Travis Zajac and Jordin Tootoo tallied for New Scott Darling stopped 25 shots. The Blackhawks last year’s gripping Wimbledon final. champion Djokovic out of position before Jersey. Cory Schneider made 31 saves as the beat Florida 3-0 Thursday in their first game DUCKS 4, KINGS 2 The match proved to be a tale of skipping forward to dispatch any short Devils lost their second straight and fell nine since losing leading scorer Patrick Kane, placed Corey Perry scored the tiebreaking goal with chances taken and chances missed - return. points behind Boston in the race for the last on long-term injured reserve Wednesday with a 8:39 to play, and the Ducks furiously rallied from Federer converting his two break points The first set’s decisive moment came wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The broken left collarbone suffered in Tuesday’s 3-2 a two-goal deficit in the third period. with clinical efficiency, while Djokovic with Djokovic serving at 3-4. Federer Bruins, who swept the three-game season series, shootout win over the Panthers. Ryan Kesler and Emerson Etem scored 90 sec- failed on all seven of his. “We get the best advanced to blast a forehand down the line are four points ahead of idle Florida for the final onds apart early in the third period for the out of each other,” Federer said in a court- for the Swiss’s first break point, which he wild-card position. AVALANCHE 5, STARS 4 Ducks, who beat the defending Stanley Cup converted when Djokovic clubbed a fore- Ryan O’Reilly scored on the first shot of a champions for the third time in four lively meet- hand long. That put Federer 5-3 up and he ISLANDERS 2, FLAMES 1 shootout. Colorado’s Semyon Varlamov stopped ings this season. served out to clinch the set. In the second, Jaroslav Halak set the Islanders’ team record all three Stars shots in the shootout after O’Reilly Perry secured the seventh 25-goal season of both players became more comfortable on with his 33rd win of the season, and Ryan lifted the puck over Dallas’ Kari Lehtonen and in his NHL career when he slipped past two Kings serve, the score racing to 3-3 without a sin- Strome scored a power-play goal in the first- off the crossbar. The teams began the night tied to put home a bouncing puck in the slot. He gle deuce. Serving at 3-4 and 15-40 down, period. for sixth place in the Central Division with 63 then added an empty-net goal with 23.6 sec- Federer despatched two aces and two serv- Halak stopped 26 shots, but lost his shutout points each, but out of playoff position. onds left on a high-arcing shot. Trevor Lewis ice winners to hold. bid with 20.9 seconds left on Josh Jooris’ goal Colorado won all five games between the teams. and Brayden McNabb scored for the Kings, who The Swiss world number two repeated that cut Calgary’s deficit in half. The Islanders Nate Guenin had a career-high three points have lost two straight after an eight-game the trick again, serving at 15-40 and 4-5 made it 2-0 with 41.3 seconds remaining on Cal with a goal and two assists for the Avalanche. surge.—AP down, he made another two aces and a Clutterbuck’s empty-net goal. New York moved service winner to save two set points and two points ahead of the rival Rangers for first square the set. A cross-court winner gave place in the Metropolitan Division. NHL results/standings Federer a break and 6-5 lead and although Karri Ramo stopped 37 shots for the Flames, he fluffed his first match point on serve, he who without injured leading scorer Mark Boston 3, New Jersey 2 (OT); NY Islanders 2, Calgary 1; Carolina 3, Washington 0; Tampa Bay 4, Chicago 0; Colorado 5, Dallas 4 (SO); Anaheim 4, Los Angeles 2. set up another with a second serve ace that Giordano missed a chance to move into a wild- he converted with a powerful forehand off card position in the Western Conference playoff Western Conference Tampa Bay 38 19 6 207 167 82 a weak Djokovic return. race. Calgary dropped to 1-2 on its seven-game Pacific Division Detroit 34 15 11 176 156 79 WLOTLGFGAPTS road trip. Boston 30 22 9 161 160 69 In Doha, Lucie Safarova beat Victoria Anaheim 39 17 7 186 176 85 Azarenka in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, to clinch Vancouver 35 23 3 174 162 73 Florida 26 22 13 145 172 65 the Qatar Open yesterday. It was her sixth HURRICANES 3, CAPITALS 0 Los Angeles 29 20 12 164 157 70 Ottawa 26 23 10 167 161 62 career title and first since Quebec City in Anton Khudobin stopped 28 shots to earn Calgary 33 25 4 175 160 70 Toronto 25 31 5 170 185 55 San Jose 30 24 8 173 177 68 his first shutout of the season. Brett Bellemore Buffalo 19 38 5 120 207 43 2013. “It’s an amazing feeling. I’m so happy Arizona 20 35 7 137 210 47 to win the title. It’s been a long time. I’m and Jeff Skinner scored, and Nathan Gerbe Edmonton 18 34 10 142 206 46 Metropolitan Division happy at the way season has progressed,” added an empty-netter with 10.4 seconds left Central Division NY Islanders 41 20 2 202 174 84 said Safarova. The Czech snapped wild card as the Hurricanes won for the fourth time in Nashville 41 14 7 188 147 89 NY Rangers 38 16 6 190 148 82 St. Louis 39 18 4 190 152 82 six games. Carolina, last in the Metropolitan Pittsburgh 35 17 9 176 152 79 DOHA: Lucie Safarova of the Czech Azarenka’s 14-match winning streak in Chicago 37 21 5 183 150 79 Republic celebrates with the Qatar Doha and also foiled the Belarusian’s Division, moved three points behind seventh- Winnipeg 31 20 12 174 170 74 Washington 33 20 10 184 159 76 Open trophy after defeating Victoria attempt to clinch a record third Qatar Open place Columbus in the division. Braden Minnesota 32 22 7 173 160 71 Philadelphia 26 25 11 164 181 63 title. Holtby stopped 35 shots for the Capitals, who Colorado 27 24 11 166 179 65 New Jersey 25 27 10 139 164 60 Azarenka of Belarus in the final of the Dallas 27 25 10 195 207 64 have lost three straight since winning four in Columbus 26 30 4 157 189 56 womenís singles yesterday. — AFP Contesting their first final of the sea- Eastern Conference son, Safarova broke Azarenka in the very a row. Khudobin had 10 saves in the third Atlantic Division Carolina 23 30 7 137 159 53 side interview after winning an 84th tour first game and asserted her supremacy period to complete his fourth career shutout. Montreal 40 16 5 167 135 85 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the singles crown. “I’m pleased I did some good gradually. Having lost all her six previous It was just the second of the season for the standings and are not included in the loss column (L). serving when I had to. I definitely won the encounters to Azarenka, Safarova raised Hurricanes and their first since Nov. 1, when big points tonight.” The 17-time grand slam her game to a new level, in the match champion began with the same tactics that which lasted one hour and twenty six min- helped trounce teenager Borna Coric in the utes. —Agencies IOC approves Tokyo 2020 venue changes

RIO DE JANEIRO: The International Olympic some 70 meters high and with initial cost of force to speed up preparations for 2018. Committee executive board on Friday gave the some $3 billion before a revised plan was sub- Gunilla Lindberg, who chair’s the 2018 Games greenlight to organizers of the Tokyo 2020 mitted costing around 40 percent less, is too big coordination commission, had earlier met with Games to move three competition venues as for its local environment. Muto said the stadi- Pyeongchang organizing committee chief Cho part of a plan to trim more than $1 billion from um’s size and cost is “an issue for the govern- Yang-ho to propose the creation of the 10- the budget. ment. We will just operate the stadium.” strong group, which will meet monthly. The IOC board meeting in Rio de Janeiro The Tokyo team initially pledged to have Rio CEO Carlos Nuzman meanwhile told focused on preparations for the Tokyo games in some 80 percent of venues within eight kilome- reporters there was “no decision as yet” on five years time as well as the next Winter ters (five miles) radius of the Olympic Village, but whether next year’s Games will have one flame Olympics in the South Korean city of some events will now move to existing facilities or two, saying the question of having one flame Pyeongchang in 2018. further afield as part of plans to lop around $1.7 at the iconic Maracana football stadium-which Tokyo Games CEO Toshiro Muto said the billion off the overall budget. will host the opening ceremony-and another at Japanese had submitted three venue changes as PyeongChang organizers and the IOC mean- the stadium hosting track and field was being part of a plan to cut costs of the sporting extrav- while announced the creation of a special task- addressed. —AFP aganza. “It is a year since we established the organiz- ing committee and we are putting together our vision,” said Muto, who said organizers proposed moving basketball outside Tokyo to Saitama an hour away. Rising labor and construction costs have also prompted Japan to rein back plans for new sites for canoe slalom-moving from a park to allay environmental concerns-and equestrian events, to be hosted at Baji Park, a 1964 venue. IOC executive director Christoph Dubi called Saitama’s 37,000 arena Super Arena a “fantastic venue” and forecast “considerable savings” from the proposals. Tokyo organizers earlier Friday submitted their Games Foundation Plan to the IOC as Japan’s capital prepares to become the first Asian city to stage a second Summer Games having hosted in 1964. Like Rio, Tokyo has not escaped controversy on budgets. The city has seen public protests in recent months over plans to demolish the National Stadium and replace it with a huge DUBAI: Roger Federer of Switzerland poses with the trophy after defeating world 80,000-seater stadium designed by British-Iraqi TOKYO: International Olympic Committee (IOC) Vice President John Coates, speaks during a number one Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their final match on the fifth day of the architect Zaha Hadid. joint press conference with Yoshiro Mori, president of Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee of ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships yesterday. — AFP Campaigners say the new design, standing Olympic and Paralympic Games. —AP p17 2_Layout 1 2/28/15 8:37 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

England out to silence critics against Sri Lanka

WELLINGTON: England are determined to would not be dwelling on that series as restore their World Cup credibility in a conditions in Wellington would be com- crunch Pool A match Sunday against an pletely different. improving Sri Lanka. “We got beat by Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka so Eoin Morgan’s men return to it’s important we go out there and try to Wellington’s Westpac stadium for the fix- stamp our authority in conditions that ture, scene of a humiliating eight-wicket should favor us,” he said. loss to New Zealand on February 20. Finn said England’s poor start meant That defeat, a day-nighter in which they were treating all their remaining pool England folded so quickly that ground staff fixtures-against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and did not need to turn on the floodlights, fol- Afghanistan-as must wins. lowed a 111-run drubbing by Australia in “It’s very important for us and these their opening match. three games are almost each like a quarter- A subsequent win over minnows final, but we thrive on that sort of pressure Scotland was greeted with relief rather and hopefully it will bring the best out of than jubilation, and opening batsman us.” Moeen Ali said England needed to make a After three matches, England are placed statement against Sri Lanka. beneath Bangladesh and Afghanistan on Ali said victory against the 1996 champi- the Pool A table. ons would restore the battered self-belief A loss to Sri Lanka would leave them of the team, which has been flayed in the facing an early exit if the group throws up British media. “(It’s) a very important game, any upset results. if we can win that it will give the team a lot Today’s match will be Sri Lanka’s third in more confidence of being a very good one- eight days, having played Afghanistan last day side and a major side in the competi- Sunday and Bangladesh on Thursday. tion.” he said. Sri Lanka made a shaky start Former Sri Lanka great Muttiah to their own campaign, suffering a 98-run Muralitharan said the schedule was “not loss to New Zealand and a real scare ideal” preparation for a dangerous against Afghanistan. encounter against an England side keen to But they clicked in a 92-run win over prove a point. Bangladesh last Thursday which included But he said Sri Lanka’s batting looked centuries for Tillakaratne Dilshan and “ominous” against Bangladesh and sling- Kumar Sangakkara. arm fast bowler Lasith Malinga finally Sri Lanka defeated England 5-2 on home appeared to be finding form. soil late last year in a series that prompted “He looked much more like his old self, Morgan’s predecessor Alastair Cook to be his bowling had some of that old zip about axed as one-day captain. it and that is a great sign for a team that But paceman Steve Finn said England really needs him to fire,” he said. —AFP

SYDNEY: South Africa’s AB De Villiers celebrates after scoring a 150 runs during their Cricket World Cup Pool B match against the West Indies. —AP De Villiers blasts 162 as SA demolish Windies

SYDNEY: South Africa captain AB de Villiers edge and was caught behind for a duck. two wickets in three balls, removing du Plessis hammered the second-fastest century in World The West Indies lost any remote chance they caught behind for 62 attempting a shot through Cup history as he led his side to a crushing 257- had with the pair’s exit. Jonathan Carter (10), extra cover and then trapping Amla leg before run victory over the West Indies at the Sydney Dwayne Smith (31) and Lendl Simmons (nought) for 65. Cricket Ground on Friday. De Villiers finished on all fell in the space of seven balls to leave their But de Villiers and Rossouw began to dramat- an unbeaten 162 off just 66 balls as South Africa side at 53 for five. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir trig- ically up the tempo, raising their hundred stand raced to the second-highest World Cup total of gered the collapse and finished with five for 45 off 60 balls. The skipper brought up his 50 off 30 408 for five, behind only the 413 for for five from 10 overs. De Villiers, who made his century balls and Rossouw’s half-century came off 31 made by India against Bermuda, a non-Test off 52 balls, teed off late on, plundering 34 off balls. WELLINGTON: England batsman Moeen Ali catches a rugby ball during training nation, in Trinidad in 2007. Holder’s penultimate over-two sixes, three fours De Villiers unfurled some remarkable shots in ahead of their 2015 Cricket World Cup Group A match against Sri Lanka. —AFP The Proteas’ skipper’s innings was also the and a two-and then 30 off his last over. Holder the closing overs, easily clearing the ropes. In the fastest 150 in ODIs and de Villiers now has the finished with one for 104 off 10 overs. last 10 overs the Proteas piled on 150 runs. Preview fastest fifty, hundred and 150 in ODI cricket-all Apart from the spectacular de Villiers show, Rossouw was caught behind off Andre coming against the West Indies. there was a solid supporting cast from the South Russell, having struck six fours and a six. Jerome South Africa’s second win of the tournament African top order with Hashim Amla contribut- Taylor claimed the catch of the day to dismiss Pakistan look to rescue put them firmly back on track for the quarter- ing 65 off 88 balls, Faf du Plessis 62 off 70 and David Miller for 20 with a splendid one-handed finals after their abject 130-run loss to India and Rilee Rossouw slamming 61 off 39 balls. effort on the boundary that prevented what revived their bid for a maiden World Cup title. Off-spinner Gayle struck in the 30th over with seemed a certain six. —AFP World Cup campaign On a night for the statisticians, this result also equalled the biggest winning margin, in terms SCOREBOARD BRISBANE: Pakistan’s calamity-hit World opener by seven wickets with Hamilton of runs, at a World Cup match set when India Cup campaign stops off at Brisbane on Masakadza (85 in that game), Brendan beat Bermuda by 257 runs in 2007. SYDNEY: Completed scoreboard in the World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and the West Indies at the Sunday where they will look to get their Taylor (43) and Sean Williams (39) all likely De Villiers demolished the West Indians with Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday: first points on the board and so keep their to play at the Gabba today. Zimbabwe’s eight sixes and 17 fours and was particularly sav- quarter-final hopes alive against a bruised only other two wins came way back in 1995 age on West Indies captain Jason Holder, clout- South Africa C. Gayle b Abbott 3 and battered Zimbabwe. in Harare and 1999 in Sheikhupura. ing four sixes off the pace bowler’s final over. Q. de Kock c Russell b Holder 12 M. Samuels c de Kock b Abbott 0 On the field, 1992 champions Pakistan Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, who H. Amla lbw b Gayle 65 J. Carter c de Villiers b Morkel 10 The fastest-ever World Cup century was made F. du Plessis c Ramdin b Gayle 62 D. Ramdin b Tahir 22 have been mauled by 76 runs by bitter enjoyed innings of 83 and 67 in the 2013 by Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien, off 50 balls, against R. Rossouw c Ramdin b Russell 61 L. Simmons lbw b Tahir 0 rivals India and suffered a 150-run rout at series in Zimbabwe, said it was crucial to England in Bangalore during the 2011 tourna- AB de Villiers not out 162 D. Sammy st Ramdin b Tahir 5 the hands of the West Indies. get the defeat against the West Indies out ment. D. Miller c Taylor b Russell 20 A. Russell c Abbott b Tahir 0 Off it, the squad have been in turmoil of their system and concentrate on reboot- It was a miserable effort in reply by the West F. Behardien not out 10 J. Holder c Amla b Steyn 56 with eight players fined for breaking a cur- ing their faltering World Cup campaign. Indies as they tumbled to 151 all out off 33.1 Extras (lb2, w11, nb3) 16 J. Taylor not out 15 few, reports of a bust-up in training and “We must forget it and learn from it. We overs, with their big guns Chris Gayle and Total (5 wkts, 50 overs) 408 S. Benn c Amla b Morkel 1 chief selector Moin Khan being sent home just need to improve our performances,” Marlon Samuels succumbing early on to Kyle Did not bat: D Steyn, K Abbott, M Morkel, I Tahir Extras (lb5, w3) 8 in disgrace for visiting a casino. said the veteran. “If you got tapped in the Abbott. Fall of wickets: 1-18 (de Kock), 2-145 (du Plessis), 3-146 Total (all out, 33.1 overs) 151 Zimbabwe, meanwhile, go into the previous two games, then you can’t per- (Amla), 4-280 (Rossouw), 5-328 (Miller) Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Gayle), 2-16 (Samuels), 3-52 Gayle, who blasted a World Cup record 215 Bowling: Taylor 8-1-64-0 (1nb, 4w); Holder 10-2-104-1 (Carter), 4-52 (Smith), 5-53 (Simmons), 6-63 (Sammy), 7- game on the back of a four-wicket win over form. Every game is a new game, and now with 16 sixes in his last innings against (2nb, 2w), Russell 9-0-74-2 (1w); Samuels 2-0-14-0; Benn 63 (Russell), 8-108 (Ramdin), 9-150 (Holder), 10-151 the UAE, a 62-run loss to South Africa and a we have to leave it behind and prepare for Zimbabwe, exposed his stumps, swung his bat 10-0-79-0 (1w); Sammy 7-0-50-0; Gayle 4-0-21-2 (3w) (Benn) 73-run defeat by the West Indies in a game the next one and try to win all other games. and was bowled middle stump by Abbott for Bowling: Steyn 7-0-24-1 (2w); Abbott 8-0-37-2 (1w); where Chris Gayle made the first double That is the only way.” three in the second over. Samuels, who made an West Indies Morkel 5.1-0-23-2; Tahir 10-2-45-5; Du Plessis 3-0-17-0. century in World Cup history. Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad has unbeaten 133 in the same match, got an outside D. Smith c Miller b Tahir 31 Result: South Africa won by 257 runs. The African side have found it hard to been cleared to play in the game despite restrict opposition batsmen-West Indies suffering an ankle injury, an official said feasted on their bowlers to the tune of 372 Friday. The 23-year-old right-hander was for two while South Africa helped them- sent for an MRI scan after team practice in selves to 339 for four. Brisbane, complaining of pain in his left Size of 2019 World Cup still to decided — ICC Pakistan haven’t played since February ankle but has been judged fit to play. 21 but despite the break, giving them plen- Shehzad scored 47 in the opening SYDNEY: The number of teams taking part in would leave us with a long group stage, at the Bangladesh in 2018. ty of time to chew over over their prob- defeat by India but managed just one in the 2019 World Cup hasn’t been finalised, the end of which the eight teams everyone thought Although they are both members of the 10- lems, they will be buoyed by knowing they Pakistan’s thrashing at the hands of the International Cricket Council told AFP on Friday would get through had made it into the quarter- strong Test ‘elite’, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh traditionally hold the upper hand against West Indies in Christchurch. Zimbabwe as it responded to growing criticism that its pro- finals.” have generally been ninth and tenth in the rank- Zimbabwe. have two points from three Pool B games posed cut risked damaging the sport’s develop- Asked what his feelings were following the ings and could well find themselves involved in They have won 27 of their 30 ODI meet- with skipper Elton Chigumbura demanding ment. initially improved showing by the four Associate a qualifying event featuring the likes of Ireland ings, taking their most recent series 2-1 in his bowlers match the promising form of Cricket chiefs have come under fire for their sides-Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and the and Afghanistan. Harare in 2013, although they did lose the the team’s batsmen.—AFP plan to reduce the number of teams involved in UAE-at the World Cup, Richardson said: “There’s a “We didn’t want to go to 10 nations without England in four years’ time to 10 from the 14 tak- sense of relief. Our biggest concern before the providing a pathway where you could have the ing part in the ongoing tournament in Australia tournament was that these teams would be leading associates and the lower-ranked Test and New Zealand. uncompetitive.” nations scrapping it out,” said Richardson. “All But ICC chief executive David Richardson, in a An online petition calling for the ICC to aban- will have an opportunity to qualify.” telephone interview with AFP, said Friday: “I’ve don its plan to reduce the number of teams in The best way to improve a ranking is to beat learnt never to say never to anything. I’m sure 2019 has already gathered more than 13,000 sig- higher-ranked teams, yet the Test nations are not the format of the next World Cup will be debat- natures. obliged to play Associate or junior teams such as ed after this one has finished.” Ireland beat one But Richardson said the thinking in reducing Ireland, who beat the West Indies in their World of the elite Test match nations for the third suc- the number of teams had been motivated by Cup opener, outside of major tournaments. cessive World Cup when they defeated the West trying to get as near to the “best format” 1992 “It’s a good point about the rankings. We are Indies by four wickets in their 2015 opener, while World Cup The nine sides taking part in Australia working with the full (Test) members to make Thursday saw tournament debutants and New Zealand 23 years ago all played each sure they play as much as possible against the Afghanistan’s astonishingly rapid progress con- other, with the top four going straight into the Associates,” Richardson said. tinue when they defeated Scotland by just one semi-finals. “We are looking at upwards of six ODIs each wicket to record their first World Cup win. “The best format was 1992,” said Richardson, year for the Associates, although some of these “I’m pleased with the performances of the South Africa’s wicketkeeper at that World Cup. may be against each other. But the fixture sched- qualifiers so far, but the bigger tests are still to “You had nine teams, then the semi-finals. There ule is congested.” Steve Waugh, Australia’s for- come,” said Richardson. “The question is what do was something up for grabs in every match.” But mer World Cup-winning captain, is among those you want the World Cup to be? Do you want it to Richardson denied the 2019 World Cup would who believe the emerging nations deserve their be a jamboree of world cricket or the pinnacle of be a ‘closed shop’ of the elite Test-playing place. “It is definitely important to have the min- the one-day game?” nations. now countries to grow the game in different “Heading into this tournament there was crit- As things stand, the eight top-ranked one- markets,” Waugh told Friday’s Sydney Morning BRISBANE: Pakistan cricketers Shahid Afridi (left) and Yasir Shah prepare to bowl icism that the format (where 14 teams are split day sides as of September 30, 2017, will qualify Herald: “ “The World Cup of soccer has 32 coun- during their training session ahead of the 2015 Cricket World Cup Pool B match into two groups of seven, with the top four in automatically with the final two spots to be tries. Cricket needs more than eight teams play- against Zimbabwe. —AFP each pool qualifying for the quarter-finals) decided by a qualifying tournament in ing.” —AFP SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

New Zealand edge Australia in thriller

AUCKLAND: New Zealand booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals with a narrow one- wicket win over Australia in a sensational finish to their Pool A match in Auckland yesterday. With six needed for win and just one wicket in hand, Kane Williamson (45 not out) hit Pat Cummins for a straight six to seal the victory, to the delight of most of a packed 40,000 crowd at Eden Park, who saw their side almost snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Australia fought back through a career-best SCOREBOARD six for 28 from Mitchell Starc who almost sealed an unexpected win for the four-times former PERTH, Australia: Completed scoreboard in the World Cup Pool B match between champions. India and the United Arab Emirates at Perth’s WACA Ground yesterday: Earlier, Trent Boultólike Starc a left-arm seam- United Arab Emirates Bowling: Kumar 5-0-19-1 (2w); Yadav 6.3- erótook a career-best five for 27 saw Australia dismissed for just 151 all out in 32.2 overs before Amjad Ali c Dhoni b Kumar 4 2-15-2 (3w); Ashwin 10-1-25-4 (1w); New Zealand struggled to reach their victory tar- A. Berenger c Dhoni b Yadav 4 Sharma 5-1-16-1 (2w); Jadeja 5-0-23-2; get in 23.1 overs, despite skipper Brendon K. Chandran c Raina b Ashwin 4 McCullumís 24-ball 50. Khurram Khan c Raina b Ashwin 14 India New Zealand now have four wins in as many S. Patil c Dhawan b Ashwin 7 R. Sharma not out 57 group games and on course to claim top spot in Shaiman Anwar b Yadav 35 S. Dhawan c Mustafa b Naveed 14 Pool A, while fellow co-hosts Australia have R. Mustafa lbw b Sharma 2 V. Kohli not out 33 three from their first three fixtures following a Amjad Javed c Raina b Jadeja 2 Extras 0 111-run win over England and a no result wash- Mohammad Naveed b Ashwin 6 Total (1 wkt, 18.5 overs) 104 out with Bangladesh. Mohammad Tauqir b Jadeja 1 Did not bat: A Rahane, S Raina, MS Dhoni, The Black Caps were crusing at 131 for four but lost their next five wickets for 15 runs in the M. Guruge not out 10 R Jadeja, R Ashwin, B Kumar, U Yadav, M space of 19 balls. The slide started with Glenn Extras: (lb4, w9) 13 Sharma Maxwell dismissed Corey Anderson for 26 after AUCKLAND: Sir Richard Hadlee presents New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum with the Chappell- Total: (all out, 31.3 overs) 102 Fall of wicket: 1-29 (Dhawan) the left-hander and Williamson put on 52 for the Hadlee Trophy after beating Australia during their 2015 Cricket World Cup Pool A match at Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Berenger), 2-13 (Ali), Bowling: Naveed 5-0-35-1; Guruge 6-1- fifth wicket. Eden Park. —AFP 3-28 (Chandran), 4-41 (Patil), 5-44 (Khan), 19-0; Javed 2-0-12-0; Chandran 3-0-17-0; Starc then dismissed Luke Ronch (six), Daniel 6-52 (Mustafa), 7-61 (Javed), 8-68 Tauqir 2.5-0-21-0. Vettori (two), Adam Milne (nought) and Tim first ball of the next over. Boult, who had figures hamstring injury, drove stright into the hands of (Naveed), 9-71 (Tauqir), 10-102 (Anwar). Result: India won by nine wickets. Southee (nought) to give Australia a sniff of an of 5-0-24-0 in his first spell, removed Glen short cover in Boultís next over and was out for unexpected win before Williamson held his Maxwell (one) off the inside inside edge and 12. nerve. then, two balls later, had Mitchell Marsh playing Boult then bowled Mitchell Johnson and Earlier, McCullum hit three sixes and seven on for a second-ball duck. Starc in his next over to better his previous ODI fours to give New Zealand an ideal start to their Australia captain Michael Clarke, playing his best of four for 44 against Sri Lanka at Dunedin India rout UAE run-chase. But it was Boult who derailed first international since December following a last month. —AFP Australia after the visitors won the toss and bat- ted on a flat pitch. Boult triggered Australiaís slump to 106 for SCOREBOARD by nine wkts nine, having been well-set at 80 for one. It was only thanks to a last-wicket stand of 45 between AUCKLAND: Completed scoreboard in the World Cup Pool A match between New Zealand and Australia at Auckland’s Eden Park yesterday. PERTH: India’s World Cup confidence contin- However, that rarely looked likely from the Brad Haddin (43) and Cummins (seven not out) ued to climb as they thrashed the United time they lost opener Andri Berenger in just that Australia got past their lowest World Cup Australia New Zealand Arab Emirates by nine wickets in their Pool B the second over. Berenger failed to cope with total of 129 against India at Chelmsford in 1983. A. Finch b Southee 14 M. Guptill c Cummin s b Starc 11 match at Perth’s WACA Ground yesterday. the typical WACA bounce and top-edged a Haddin was the last man out, caught of D. Warner lbw b Southee 34 B. McCullum c Starcb Cummins 50 The UAE managed just 102 after winning short ball from Umesh Yadav through to wick- Anderson after hitting four boundaries and two S. Watson c Southee b Vettori 23 K. Williamson not out 45 sixes off 41 balls. Southee took two for 65 while M. Clarke c Williamson b Boult 12 R. Taylor b Starc 1 the toss and electing to bat, the lowest ever etkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to fall for G. Elliott b Starc 0 total against India at a World Cup. The just four. Amjad Ali and Krishna Chandran, left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori, who did a superb S. Smith c Ronchi b Vettori 4 job in slowing Australiaís early run-rate, finished G. Maxwell b Boult 1 C. Anderson c Cummins b Maxwell 26 defending champions then made it three the other two batsmen in the UAE top three, L. Ronchi c Haddin b Starc 6 wins from as many matches in the tourna- both fell for the same score as their side with two for 41. M. Marsh b Boult 0 B. Haddin c Taylor b Anderson 43 D. Vettori c Warner b Cummins 2 ment when they cruised to their meagre vic- slumped to 28 for three in the 11th over. Ali, Australiaís batting was in a state of chaos as A. Milne b Starc 0 M. Johnson c Williamson b Boult 1 they lost eight wickets for 26 runs in nine overs, T. Southee b Starc 0 tory target in just 18.5 overs. like Berenger, fell victim to a short ball, M. Starc b Boult 0 Although opener Shikhar Dhawan fell caught behind by India captain Dhoni off with left-arm seamer Boult taking three for five T. Boult not out 0 in his second five-over spell. David Warner, who P. Cummins not out 7 Extras:(w10, nb1) 11 cheaply to a brilliant catch in gully, Rohit Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who replaced injured Extras: (b4, lb2, w6) 12 Sharma (57 not out) and Virat Kohli (33 not fellow seamer Mohammed Shami (knee). made 34, gave Australia a confident start in an Total (9 wkts, 23.1 overs) 152 Total: (all out, 32.2 overs) 151 Fall of wickets: 1-40 (Guptill), 2-78 (McCullum), 3-79 out) enjoyed some batting practice out in the Just when it seemed pace would be the opening stand of 30 with Aaron Finch (14). But once Warner and Shane Watson (23) fell off suc- Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Finch), 2-80 (Watson), 3-80 (Taylor), 4-79 (Elliott), 5-131 (Anderson), 6-139 middle as they guided India to the win. India’s undoing of the UAE, off-spinner Ravichandran (Warner), 4-95 (Smith), 5-96 (Maxwell), 6-97 (Marsh), cessive deliveries, the innings fell apart. (Ronchi), 7-145 (Vettori), 8-146 (Milne), 9-146 impeccable form is a far cry from their indif- Ashwin tore the heart out of their batting 7-104 (Clarke), 8-106 (Johnson) 9-106 (Starc), 10-151 Warner and Watson looked well set during (Southee) ferent efforts leading into the World Cup. order. Spin rarely plays a significant role at the (Haddin) Bowling: Johnson 6-1-68-0 (1nb); Starc 9-0-28-6 The Indians were at long odds to defend WACA, but man-of-the-match Ashwin their 50-run stand for the second wicket but Bowling: Southee 9-0-65-2 (4w); Boult 10-3-27-5 (4w); Cummins 6.1-0-38-2 (6w); Marsh 1-0-11-0; the title they won in 2011 after failing to reach claimed the wickets of Chandran, Khurram Watson holed out off Vettoriís last ball of the 13 (2w); Vettori 10-0-41-2; Milne 3-0-6-0, Anderson 0.2- Maxwell 1-0-7-0. the final of the triangular one-day series Khan (14) and Swapnil Patil (7) in quick suc- over. 0-6-1. Result: New Zealand won by one wicket. against Australia and England just prior to this cession as the UAE collapsed to 44 for five, a Southee removed Warner leg-before off the tournament. However, their title defence has position from which they could not recover. been flawless so far, with emphatic wins over Ashwin finished with career-best figures of Pakistan and South Africa prior to beating the four for 25 from his 10 overs as the UAE Malinga gamble starting to UAE. While they weren’t expected to be trou- added at least a hint of respectability to their bled by the amateurs from the Middle East on batting performance with an innings-high Saturday, even on a pitch that has rarely been last wicket stand of 31. Dhawan, coming off a kind to Indian teams, the way they dismantled blazing century against South Africa, made pay dividends for Sri Lanka the UAE batting line-up was impressive. UAE just 14 before he was brilliantly caught with skipper Mohammad Tauqir won the toss and one hand by Rohan Mustafa off Mohammad NEW ZEALAND: The toe-crusher is hitting the target, the bouncer is batted, hoping his side could set India a com- Naveed in a lone match highlight for the coming out well and, most importantly, the wicket column is swelling petitive target. UAE.—AFP again. Three games into the World Cup and Sri Lanka’s calculated gamble on Lasith Malinga appears to be paying off. Sanath Jayasuria knew exactly what he and his colleagues on the selection committee were doing when they picked the paceman with bleached, straw- coloured hair in the World Cup squad even though he was still recov- ering from ankle surgery. “A player like Malinga, we have to take a gamble because he is a match-winner,” Jayasuriya explained after naming the 15-strong squad. The 31-year-old pacer with a weird low-slung action has not let him down and three games into the campaign, Jayasuriya has grounds for feeling some vindication. True, the rust showed in Sri Lanka’s tournament opener against New Zealand in which Malinga bled 84 runs in his 10 wicketless overs. Against Afghanistan, while not the strongest of opponents, Malinga took 3-41 and looked more in control of his craft. The three wickets he claimed against Bangladesh on Thursday, however, suggested a return to his once devastating best was not that far away. “He’s getting there. He and Sri Lanka will be encouraged by what he did,” Sunil Gavaskar told STAR Sports channel. Gavaskar was impressed by Malinga’s last few overs, particularly the way he sealed Sri Lanka’s comprehensive win by trapping Taskin PERTH: India’s Ravichandran Ashwin (center) celebrates with teammates after tak- Ahmed plumb lbw, leaving the tail-ender with some sore toes in the ing the wicket of United Arab Emirates batsmen K Karate during the 2015 Cricket process. “Towards the end, he was really bowling quick, he was get- World Cup Pool B match. —AFP ting those yorkers on target as we saw with the poor, hapless number 11,” the former India captain said. The bouncer is also coming out of World Cup results and standings hand nicely, one of them accounting for the wicket of Sabbir Rahman, Bangladesh’s topscorer at Melbourne on Thursday. Pool A “He does get those number 9-10-11 just like that. So it’s coming At Auckland back and it’s good news for Sri Lanka,” added Gavaskar. Australia 151 (Trent Boult 5-27) v New Zealand 152-9 (Brendon McCullum 50; Mitchell Starc 6-28) New Zealand won by one wicket TURNAROUND Angelo Mathews has seen the toil behind the turnaround from Pool B close quarters. “If you watch Malinga in the nets, he’s the one who is At Perth UAE 102 v India 104-1 (Rohit Sharma 57 not out) working the hardest,” Mathews said on Wednesday of his pace spear- India won by nine wickets head, whose performance is crucial to Sri Lanka’s bid for a second 50- over World Cup title. Played won lost tied N/R points run rate “He bowls for hours so he can get his rhythm back. He tries very Pool A hard to do his best for the team. We all know how good a bowler he is, New Zealand 4 4 0 0 0 8 +3.589 Sri Lanka 3 2 1 0 0 4 -0.063 because the things he does when in form are immense.” Bangladesh 3 1 1 0 1 3 +0.287 Malinga’s pace has undoubtedly dropped, the rigour of 30 tests Australia 3 1 1 0 1 3 -0.305 and 180 one-day internationals has taken its toll on his body and Afghanistan 3 1 2 0 0 2 -0.760 since spin-bowling great Muttiah Muralitharan’s retirement, the pres- England 3 1 2 0 0 2 -1.415 Scotland 3 0 3 0 0 0 -1.735 sure on him to perform has also grown. The right-arm paceman him- self, however, is just focusing on fine-tuning the toe-crushers and Pool B bouncers which England’s batsmen can expect to face in Wellington India 3 3 0 0 0 6 +2.630 on Sunday. South Africa 3 2 1 0 0 4 +1.260 Ireland 2 2 0 0 0 4 +0.338 “He bowls three types of deliveries. The bouncer, the fast yorker West Indies 4 2 2 0 0 4 -0.313 and then the slow yorker. It’s very, very difficult to pick up,” former Zimbabwe 3 1 2 0 0 2 -0.827 Australia batsman Dean Jones said. “He bowls two lengths-it’s very full UAE 3 0 3 0 0 0 -1.326 AUSTRALIA: Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga bowls during the Pool A 2015 Pakistan 2 0 2 0 0 0 -2.260 or very, very short. Brilliant bowler, best in the world bowling in the death.” —Reuters Cricket World Cup match in this file photo. —AFP SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 SPORTS

Bader Al Kharafi with Zain Team on Leg 4 Zain celebrates the victory from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. Zain Team facing off against the waves Zain Team showcases their talents in most challenging leg

KUWAIT: The Zain Sailing Team, representing Kuwait, have surprised board Deputy Chairman of Zain and Head of the MAK Group in the sport in Kuwait. We need to build on our participation this year to many during their debut at this year’s EFG Sailing Arabia - The Tour. Kuwait, Bader Al-Kharafi for the Dubai to Abu Dhabi leg (Leg 4), and increase the reach of sailing across the region.” With just one leg of the race remaining, and two impressive second Michael Miller, Zain Group Treasury Executive Director, for the first two Ends-Schedule (remaining Legs): place finishes already secured in the third and fourth legs, the Zain legs. Leg 6 - 27th February, Doha - Manama Team continued to showcase their talents in the most challenging leg Just before setting off on the challenging 60 nautical-mile leg of the race so far. The leg 5 route from Abu Dhabi to Doha saw blus- Bader Al-Khafari - recently named 66th in Arabian Business’s Top 500 Teams: tery winds and tough waves for the teams with Zain Team finishing Most Powerful Arabs in the World - an enthusiastic sailor, said: “It was 1. Delft Challenge (Netherlands) - Wouter Sonnema sixth. Skippered by CÈdric Pouligny, one of France’s leading racing interesting and challenging, and the rough sea made it tough, but we 2. Bienne Voile (Switzerland) - Lorenz M¸ller sailors and member of Sidney Gavignet’s winning EFG team last year, made it, enjoyed it and got a top result. It was all down to teamwork. I 3. EFG Bank (Oman) - Sidney Gavignet and experienced navigator GÈrald VÈniard, the multinational team is enjoyed being part of it and actually helped to sail the boat, including 4. Team Averda (Oman) - Marcel Herrera formed mainly from employees from Zain, who are more used to a stint at the helm.” 5. Al Thuraya (Oman) - Mary Rook working at one of the Middle East’s leading mobile telecoms opera- Michael Miller has been impressed with Zain’s performance so far. 6. Zain Sailing Team (Kuwait) - CÈdric Pouligny tors. Commenting before Leg 5, he said: “Every time we go out on the 7. GAC powered by Dongfeng Race Team (China) - Nick Moloney For Zain, their sailing aspirations extend far beyond this race and water we surprise ourselves. We’ve been able to handle the manoeu- 8. Oman International Maritime College IMCO (Oman) - Mathijs the company aims to mirror Tour organiser Oman Sail’s achievements vres well, and the team has developed this incredible will to win. It is Wagemans in the Sultanate by following its successful formula and powerful amazing. I really hope this is the start of a long association with the 9. OMIFCO (Oman) - Ahmed Al Mamari vision to rekindle its maritime heritage. The company has fully Tour for Zain and we’ve done so much better than expected. Zain is 10. Renaissance Services (Oman) - Fahd Al Hasni embraced the challenging 720 nautical-mile race, having brought on very keen to promote the values of sailing and the cultural legacy of 11. Royal Navy of Oman (Oman) - Ali Al Rahbi (Retired after Leg 4) Murray bags brace and sees red in Palace romp

Pardew, who had been sacked by West Ham in ing for West Ham as he had escaped a red card 2006. earlier in the half after a crude challenge just West Ham 1 The fifth successive away win of Pardew’s moments after being booked by referee Mike Palace reign lifted the south London club further Dean. Palace doubled their lead six minutes away from the relegation zone, while West Ham after the interval when centre-back Dann are without a victory in their six matches in all climbed above Winston Reid to meet Puncheon’s Palace 3 competitions. Sam Allardyce’s men went close to corner with a header that was too powerful for taking the lead when Mark Noble’s 20-yard free- Adrian to keep out. kick cannoned off the woodwork with Palace Allardyce sent on Brazilian winger Nene for goalkeeper Julian Speroni rooted to the spot. his debut after an hour, but within three minutes LONDON: Glenn Murray netted twice to fire But Palace were soon in the ascendency and Murray had ended the contest as he dived full Crystal Palace to a 3-1 win against West Ham Murray fired straight at Hammers goalkeeper length to head Puncheon’s free-kick into the far before his memorable afternoon ended with a Adrian after running onto Jason Puncheon’s corner. Nene hit a post with a curling strike pass. before Murray’s day reached an unwanted con- STOKE-ON-TRENT: Stoke City’s Jonathan Walters (front) and Hull City’s Paul McShane red card at Upton Park yesterday. Alan Pardew’s side swept into a three-goal lead as Murray Murray didn’t need to rue that miss for long clusion when he was sent off for a second book- battle for the ball during their English Premier League soccer match at the Britannia as he put Palace ahead in the 41st minute when ing after lunging in on Reid in the 69th minute. Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent, England yesterday. — AFP opened the scoring in the first half and struck again after Scott Dann had increased Palace’s he met Puncheon’s corner with a header which The Hammers got one back in the 76th minute lead after the break. Murray was then sent off for Hammers defender Aaron Cresswell diverted as Valencia smashed home from the edge of the a second booking and Hammers striker Enner into his own net with a woefully mistimed penalty area, but it was way too late to prevent a Crouch comes off Valencia reduced the deficit, but Palace survived attempt to hack clear. Murray’s second goal in chorus of boos from the home fans at full- bench to sink Hull a late barrage to secure a sweet result for his last two appearances was even more frustrat- time.—AFP Caped Aubameyang strikes Berahino’s fast Stoke 1 Matches on TV as Dortmund down Schalke start dents Saints (Local Timings) BERLIN: Gabon star Pierre-Emerick just seven points adrift of the European Euro bid Aubameyang was happy to play Borussia places. Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen built Hull 0 ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP Dortmund’s ‘superhero’ yesterday by net- on their shock Champions League win over WEST BROMWICH: Chelsea v Tottenham 19:00 ting in their 3-0 home win over Schalke 04 Atletico Madrid on Wednesday with a 1-0 Saido Berahino put a beIN SPORTS 1 HD in the Ruhr Valley derby. Dortmund win at home to strugglers Freiburg to go dent in West Brom 1 beIN SPORTS 14 HD Southampton’s bid to beIN SPORTS 2 HD FR climbed to ninth in the table after picking fourth. STOKE-ON-TRENT: A solitary second-half goal beIN SPORTS 2 FR up their fourth consecutive league win Veteran midfielder Simon Rolfes, who qualify for the Champions League as by substitute Peter Crouch gave Stoke City a 1- after starting February bottom of the table. will retire at the end of the season, grabbed Southampton 0 ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE 0 victory at home to relegation-threatened Hull After going close with a string of chances, a first-half winner to give Leverkusen their the West Bromwich Liverpool v Manchester City 15:00 City at the Britannia Stadium yesterday. Crouch Dortmund finally got the breakthrough first league win in four games. Augsburg Albion striker’s early beIN SPORTS 1 HD when Aubameyang-who had compared dropped to sixth after their 1-0 defeat at goal clinched a 1-0 had only been on the field a matter of seconds Arsenal v Everton 17:05 when he headed home a Charlie Adam cross in beIN SPORTS 8 HD winning the derby to ‘an orgasm’ in mid- Hertha Berlin as ex-Chelsea striker Salomon win at the Hawthorns the 71st minute. It was a fourth goal in as many week-pounced on a mistake in the visitors’ Kalou scored a late winner at the Olympic yesterday. Berahino struck in the second minute to games for Crouch and it gave the Potters a SPANISH LEAGUE defense to roll the ball home on 78 min- Stadium to claim his sixth goal of the sea- extend Albion’s impressive since Tony Pulis took over as deserved three points against a Hull side who Malaga v Getafe 0:00 utes. It was his fifth goal in as many league son. Stuttgart stay bottom after their 1-1 manager to one defeat in 10 matches. beIN SPORTS 2 HD offered next to no threat going forward. games and the 25-year-old celebrated by draw at Hanover 96 while Hoffenheim are The result lifted Albion eight points clear of the beIN SPORTS 14 HD donning a ‘Batman’ hat, playing up to his just two points short of the European Mark Hughes’s Stoke side have now lost just beIN SPORTS 2 HD FR Premier League relegation zone and left fifth placed once in their last six league outings and this beIN SPORTS 2 FR ‘caped crusader’ nickname, while team- places for next season after their 2-0 win at Southampton in danger of losing ground in the race for a victory cements their place in the top half of Valencia v Real Sociedad 14:00 mate Marco Reus wore a ‘Robin’ mask to home to Mainz. top four finish after their second successive defeat. the table. They lie in 10th place, four points beIN SPORTS 2 HD play his side-kick. Henrikh Mkhitaryan On Friday, Bayern Munich celebrated Southampton boss Ronald Koeman had made five clear of Newcastle United in 11th, while Hull beIN SPORTS 14 HD made it 2-0 a minute later when he slid their 115th birthday with a 4-1 win over changes to the side beaten by Liverpool, including a beIN SPORTS 2 HD FR home Ilkay Gundogan’s cross to claim his Cologne to go 11 points clear before sec- remain four points clear of the relegation zone beIN SPORTS 2 FR recall for Sadio Mane after the Senegal winger was after none of the sides below them managed to first goal of the season. Reus, who had ond-placed Wolfsburg go to resurgent dropped last weekend as punishment for arriving late to Eibar v Athletic de Bilbao 19:00 crashed a shot against the crossbar, fired Werder Bremen today. Arjen Robben net- win yesterday. That will come as a relief for beIN SPORTS 6 HD the match. But Albion made the perfect start as they wide and had a shot blocked in the first ted his 17th goal in 19 league matches this Tigers manager Steve Bruce, who sent out a Sevilla v Atletico de Madrid 21:00 took the lead through England Under-21 forward half, finally got on the scoresheet by poach- season with a crisp header with 20 minutes starting line-up shorn of in-form attacking duo beIN SPORTS 2 HD Berahino, who blasted a fine finish into the top corner for Nikica Jelavic and Dame N’Doye. beIN SPORTS 14 HD ing Borussia’s third on 86 minutes to score left to remain the league’s top scorer. beIN Sports Max 5 his 17th goal of the season after Chris Brunt’s free kick Eight-goal top scorer Jelavic was not even for the fifth match running in all competi- Earlier, captain Bastian Schweinsteiger gave Real Madrid v Villarreal 23:00 tions. hosts Bayern an early lead at the Allianz was only half cleared by Maya Yoshida. on the bench after he reportedly hurt his knee beIN SPORTS 2 HD Schalke’s 19-year-old goalkeeper Timon Arena before Franck Ribery added a second Berahino turned provider when he burst towards on Friday, while N’Doye was only a substitute beIN SPORTS 13 HD Wellenreuther paused too long over a inside 10 minutes. Cologne fought back Southampton’s goal and slipped Brown Ideye in, but the after travelling to Russia and Senegal during beIN SPORTS 1 HD FR back-pass and Reus simply tapped the ball when Nigeria international Anthony Ujah Nigerian striker’s shot was blocked by two Saints defend- the week. Those absences seriously under- beIN SPORTS 1 FR into the empty net behind the despairing scored right on the stroke of half-time but ers. Another chance was spurned by West Brom when mined Hull’s chances of claiming a third succes- ITALIAN LEAGUE teenager. The defeat drops Schalke, who Bayern roared back as Robben then Poland Michael Dawson headed straight into the hands of sive win to follow victories against fellow strug- Cagliari v Hellas Verona 14:30 were missing several stars with injury, to striker Robert Lewandowski extended their Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Koeman had glers Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers. beIN SPORTS 3 HD fifth while neighbors Dortmund are now lead.— AFP seen enough of his side’s slow start and he ditched his 3- Buoyed by his late winner against Aston Villa a US Citta di Palermo v Empoli 17:00 beIN SPORTS 3 HD 5-2 formation, bringing on winger Eljero Elia in place of week ago, Stoke’s Victor Moses looked lively for centre-back Florin Gardos. There was no immediate the hosts in the early stages, but even he could US Sassuolo v Lazio 17:00 beIN SPORTS 7 HD improvement as Albion midfielder Craig Gardner went not produce a chance of note in a poor open- Genoa v Parma 17:00 Swansea down Burnley through on goal, forcing Saints defender Jose Fonte to ing period. Atalanta v Sampdoria 17:00 make a last-ditch challenge. Hughes brought on Charlie Adam for beIN SPORTS 6 HD defender Kieran Trippier put through his Injured referee Phil Dowd was replaced at half time by Stephen Ireland at the start of the second peri- beIN Sports Max 4 own net in the 64th minute, moving Gary reserve official Graham Scott and there was injury frus- od in an attempt to breathe some life into his Internazionale v Fiorentina 20:00 Burnley 0 Monk’s side up into eighth place. Swansea beIN SPORTS 3 HD tration for Albion as well when Berahino limped off early side. The Scottish midfielder had several efforts strike Bafetimbi Gomis could have had a beIN Sports Max 4 in the second half. Southampton should have equalized but all were off-target, and the game looked Torino v Napoli 22:45 first-half double, but after his first attempt certain to end in a goalless stalemate until he was foiled by goalkeeper Tom Heaton in when Ryan Bertrand drilled across the face of goal to beIN SPORTS 3 HD Swansea 1 turned provider with just under 20 minutes beIN SPORTS 14 HD the 39th he shot high over the bar after Graziano Pelle, but the Italian striker produced a remark- remaining, crossing for Crouch to convert just beIN Sports Max 4 being played through by Jonjo Shelvey. able miss as he somehow failed to find the finishing moments after his introduction in place of Ashley Barnes was denied from close range touch with the goal at his mercy. The hosts threatened a GERMAN LEAGUE Mame Biram Diouf. Hull had not won in Stoke in the 23rd with Sean Dyche’s side unable second when Yoshida’s clearance fell invitingly to Darren Borussia M v Paderborn 17:30 BURNLEY: Swansea beat relegation-threat- to find a breakthrough after the interval. Fletcher inside the penalty area, yet the former in nine years, and they were denied an equaliz- beIN SPORTS 4 HD er in injury time when Paul McShane’s effort Werder Bremen v Wolfsburg 19:30 ened Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor yesterday to The defeat leaves Burnley in 18th place on Manchester United midfielder smashed over. There was was blocked by a superb sliding challenge from beIN SPORTS 4 HD register back-to-back Premier League wins 22 points, four clear of bottom-placed one last chance for Pelle to level, but again he couldn’t Erik Pieters.— AFP for the first time since December. Burnley Leicester.— AP hit the target from close-range.— AFP De Villiers blasts Murray bags 162 as South brace and Africa demolish sees red in West17 Indies Palace19 romp SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

Trail Blazers silence Thunder 115-112 Page 15

GRANADA: Barcelona’s forward Pedro Rodriguez (right) vies with Granada’s French defender Jean Sylvain Babin during the Spanish league football match Granada CF vs FC Barcelona at the Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium in Granada yesterday. — AFP Barcelona hot on Real Madrid’s heels

MADRID: Barcelona cut Real Madrid’s lead at the top of to a chipped Rakitic pass and slipped the ball past another fine performance from Uruguay international Spanish television. “It’s always a difficult challenge here La Liga to one point when in-form forward Luis Suarez home goalkeeper Oier to make it 2-0 three minutes into Suarez who struck twice in Tuesday’s 2-1 Champions but I think we worked really hard and deserved the win.” played a part in all three of their goals in a scrappy 3-1 the second half. Barca appeared to be cruising against League victory at Manchester City after Barca had been “What was really impressive was the intensity of the victory at Granada yesterday. Barca struggled to find their second from bottom opponents but Granada beaten 1-0 at home by Malaga last weekend. Messi team from the kickoff and we have to continue in the their rhythm in the early stages at the Nuevo Los pulled a goal back five minutes later when Marc Bartra fluffed two good chances in the closing stages when same way,” added the Croatia midfielder. Barca have 59 Carmenes stadium but took the lead in the 25th minute felled Lassane Bangoura in the penalty area and Fran twice sent clear by Neymar, leaving the Argentina cap- points from 25 matches with Real on 60 from 24 ahead when Ivan Rakitic smashed the ball in from close range Rico stroked the spot kick past Claudio Bravo. tain on 27 La Liga goals for the season, two behind top of their game at home to sixth-placed Villarreal on after Granada defender Cala failed to clear a Suarez cen- Suarez proved too much for the hosts though and he scorer Cristiano Ronaldo of Real. Sunday. Champions Atletico Madrid are six points adrift tre. sped clear in the 70th minute, left Oier floundering and “I think it was important for us to keep racking up of Barca in third and visit Sevilla, who are fifth, on Lionel Messi twice went close before Suarez ran on unselfishly set up Messi to find the empty net. It capped points after a tough game against Malaga,” Rakitic told Sunday. — Reuters Rooney fires United Berahino’s fast start as Brown goes red dents Saints Euro bid of the season, were particularly welcome given another sub-par Berahino turned provider when he Man United 2 performance by Louis van Gaal’s burst towards Southampton’s goal and side, and particularly record sign- West Brom 1 slipped Brown Ideye in, but the Nigerian ing Angel di Maria. striker’s shot was blocked by two Saints The first half was one of frus- defenders. Another chance was spurned Sunderland 0 tration for United and their sup- by West Brom when Michael Dawson porters, seeking to bounce back Southampton 0 headed straight into the hands of after defeat at Swansea City last Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster. weekend, with the hosts perhaps Koeman had seen enough of his side’s MANCHESTER: Wayne Rooney able to count themselves lucky WEST BROMWICH: Saido Berahino put a slow start and he ditched his 3-5-2 for- scored twice as Manchester not to have fallen behind. Just six dent in Southampton’s bid to qualify for mation, bringing on winger Eljero Elia in United beat Sunderland 2-0 yes- minutes had gone when Di Maria terday in a game notable for ref- was dispossessed by Patrick van the Champions League as the West place of centre-back Florin Gardos. There eree Roger East’s error in sending Aanholt, whose pass allowed Bromwich Albion striker’s early goal was no immediate improvement as off the wrong visiting player. Connor Wickham to advance MANCHESTER: Manchester United’s English striker Wayne Rooney clinched a 1-0 win at the Hawthorns yes- Albion midfielder Craig Gardner went Sunderland kept the hosts at bay from just inside the United half. celebrates scoring a penalty during the English Premier League terday. Berahino struck in the second through on goal, forcing Saints defender until the 64th minute, when East He reached the edge of the area football match between Manchester United and Sunderland at minute to extend Albion’s impressive Jose Fonte to make a last-ditch chal- correctly adjudged that Radamel before shooting and his low shot Old Trafford in Manchester yesterday. — AFP since Tony Pulis took over as manager to lenge. Falcao had been brought down in was well saved by United goal- one defeat in 10 matches. Injured referee Phil Dowd was half, a badly aimed Ashley Young replace him at the interval, with the area by former United keeper David de Gea. Moments The result lifted Albion eight points replaced at half time by reserve official corner ended with United pass- young winger Januzaj thrown on defender John O’Shea. But the later, Rooney was caught in pos- clear of the Premier League relegation Graham Scott and there was injury frus- referee inexplicably decided that ing the ball all the way back to in an attempt to enliven proceed- session by Lee Cattermole, lead- zone and left fifth placed Southampton tration for Albion as well when fellow centre-back Wes Brown ing to an 18-yard Jermain Defoe their own goalkeeper, causing ings. Soon after the restart, Chris in danger of losing ground in the race for Berahino limped off early in the second had made the telling foul and shot that flew just over. consternation and jeers among Smalling’s driven cross was head- showed him a straight red card their supporters. But United ed back by Falcao for Rojo, whose a top four finish after their second suc- half. Southampton should have equal- before Rooney clinically convert- Young hits bar began to threaten, with Young shot flashed just over and Januzaj cessive defeat. Southampton boss ized when Ryan Bertrand drilled across ed the penalty low into the bot- In similar fashion, Falcao lost controlling an Antonio Valencia was on hand, after Anthony Ronald Koeman had made five changes the face of goal to Graziano Pelle, but tom-left corner. the ball to Brown to set another cross on his chest and turning a Reveillere headed clear, to drive to the side beaten by Liverpool, includ- the Italian striker produced a remark- The England forward’s second Sunderland counter-attack in powerful shot towards goal that an effort high. The penalty and ing a recall for Sadio Mane after the able miss as he somehow failed to find goal came six minutes from time motion, this time ending in a was deflected onto the crossbar red card drama naturally reduced Senegal winger was dropped last week- the finishing touch with the goal at his when a shot by substitute Adnan Defoe shot that De Gea saved by O’Shea. Rooney also had a Sunderland’s ambition and hopes end as punishment for arriving late to mercy. The hosts threatened a second Januzaj was parried by Costel comfortably. It was an uninspir- free-kick punched over by of taking anything home with the match. But Albion made the perfect when Yoshida’s clearance fell invitingly Pantilimon and Marcos Rojo saw them from their visit to Old Pantilimon and Rooney stooped ing start from United, although start as they took the lead through to Darren Fletcher inside the penalty a scrambled attempt blocked Trafford. Januzaj, in particular, to head in, unopposed, from six Rooney threatened early, heading England Under-21 forward Berahino, area, yet the former Manchester United yards. Victory sent United up to near the line by Sebastian seemed eager to take advantage wide from eight yards at a Di who blasted a fine finish into the top cor- midfielder smashed over. There was third place in the Premier League Maria corner, and O’Shea might Larsson. of their fatigue and after twice ner for his 17th goal of the season after one last chance for Pelle to level, but table, two points above Arsenal, have been punished after tan- Di Maria had endured a miser- forcing Pantilimon into action, he again he couldn’t hit the target from having played a game more. gling in the area with Falcao. able first half and it was no sur- let fly with the shot that yielded Chris Brunt’s free kick was only half Rooney’s goals, his 10th and 11th By the mid-point of the first prise that Van Gaal opted to Rooney’s second goal. — AFP cleared by Maya Yoshida. close-range. — AFP China cuts rates again in face of weak demand Page 22

Business Germany okays Greek bailout extension despite unease SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 Page 23 Dynamics unveils association with Pagani 3M will continue to focus on oil & gas sector in Kuwait at Concours d’Elegance Page 26 Page 25

MUMBAI: A digital screen shows Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley delivering his budget speech at Parliament in New Delhi, at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in Mumbai yesterday. — AFP India budget goes for growth, investment Economy seen growing 8% — 8.5% • Corporate tax cut to 25% NEW DELHI: Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley yesterday ‘big bang’ reforms also say the Indian economy is a super Jaitley forecast inflation at 5 percent by the end of the fis- bankruptcy code and the creation of a public debt manage- announced a budget that put boosting growth before giant, which moves slowly but surely,” Jaitley told parliament cal year ending March 2016, undershooting the Reserve Bank ment agency. painful reforms, slowing the pace of fiscal deficit cuts and as he wrapped up a 90-minute speech. of India’s 6 percent target and creating room to cut interest In a key passage, Jaitley said he would cut the tax on seeking to put domestic and foreign capital to work. In his Jaitley promised higher investment in India’s decrepit rates. Annual inflation was 5.1 percent in January. But he company profits to 25 percent over four years from the cur- first full-year budget since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roads and railways, offered the carrot of tax cuts to global pushed back by a year, to 2017/18, a deadline for cutting the rent 30 percent, high by international standards. landslide election victory last May, Jaitley said India’s econo- companies and the stick of tighter rules to get Indian tycoons fiscal deficit to 3 percent of gross domestic product. In A national goods and services tax would enter force, as my was about to take off. Modi tweeted that the budget to invest at home rather than stash wealth abroad. Tax 2015/16, the deficit will be 3.9 percent of GDP, above the 3.6 planned, in April 2016 and a controversial set of new rules would “further reignite our growth engine”. evaders face jail sentences of up to 10 years, he warned. percent target inherited from the last government. to fight tax avoidance would be delayed by two years, he Billed as a test of the nationalist premier’s willingness to The tax changes and tougher enforcement would raise In volatile trading, India’s NSE share index ended 0.7 per- said. Jaitley scrapped a distinction between direct and port- reform a $2 trillion economy with a bloated public sector and $2.5 billion next year, he said. Tax receipts overall would rise cent higher after having briefly fallen into the red on his com- folio investors, in a move to encourage foreign investors to weak private investment, the budget was short on structural 15 percent and government asset sales would raise $11 bil- ment that the fiscal deficit would slip. take strategic stakes in Indian firms. He also simplified regu- reforms and contained revenue targets some called unrealis- lion - goals that past experience shows may be hard to meet. Ratings agency Moody’s gave the budget a cool recep- lation of financial markets. “This clear statement of intent tic. Although Jaitley forecast that growth would accelerate to tion, saying it was neutral for India’s credit and left stabilizing should bring cheer to industry,” said Krupa Venkatesh, a It drew a mixed reception from economists, with some 8-8.5 percent in the fiscal year starting in April, up from 7.4 government finances at the mercy of economic growth. partner at Deloitte. The government shied away from politi- calling it a path to an investor-friendly India, but others see- percent this year, the budget contained little obvious sup- Moody’s rates India at the lowest notch of investment grade. cally sensitive cuts in its $37 billion subsidy bill, seeking ing a missed opportunity to tackle deep-seated structural port for Modi’s call to “Make in India”. “We were not expecting big bang reforms,” said Atsi Sheth, a instead to boost efficiency of a rural jobs scheme that is problems. “It assumes a questionable growth rate, relies too heavily Moody’s sovereign ratings analyst. “The big bang reforms are India’s costliest welfare program. It will also boost direct “Definitely far from what some were hoping would be an on divestment to meet fiscal targets, does not address the also not desirable because they have a higher chance of roll- welfare payments into bank accounts, and gradually event similar to the game-changing budget of 1991 which revenue deficit issue head on and leaves the good things for back. “ replace benefits in kind. ushered in India’s economic liberalization,” said Devika the future,” said Arvind Sethi, CEO of Tata Asset Management. “My proposals... lay down the roadmap for accelerating Mehndiratta, senior economist at ANZ research. Capitalizing on windfall savings stemming from cheaper oil CARROTS AND STICKS growth, enhancing investment, passing on the benefit of Apparently anticipating such barbs, Jaitley, 62, said his imports, Jaitley was able to ramp up infrastructure invest- India’s budget concentrates a year’s economic policy- growth process to the common man, woman, youth and government had acted “rapidly” to right the course of Asia’s ment without slashing spending on politically sensitive sub- making into a single speech, and the range of measures child,” said Jaitley. “This is the path we will doggedly and third-largest economy. “People who urged us to undertake sidies and welfare schemes. Jaitley announced included a monetary policy overhaul, a relentlessly pursue.” — Reuters Greek PM vows no retreat in ‘battle’ with creditors

ATHENS: Greece’s prime minister vowed yesterday Is it unclear however whether Tsipras can avoid A list of reforms submitted by Athens this week, not to back down in his “battle” with the country’s another rescue package. His self-declared “govern- which focused on tackling tax evasion and excessive creditors, in line with his election promise to aban- ment of social salvation” faces a major challenge in bureaucracy, was described by German Chancellor don austerity and avoid a third bailout. keeping both voters and Greece’s international credi- Angela Merkel as just a “starting point”. “The battle will continue,” Prime Minister Alexis tors happy by providing relief for the poor while also Germany’s parliament nonetheless overwhelm- Tsipras told the central committee of his hard-left keeping government spending in check. ingly approved the bailout extension Friday, despite Syriza party. “Anybody thinking that we are going to Thursday saw the first protests in Athens since the a minor rebellion by members of Merkel’s party, sur- go away will be disappointed.” Tsipras said that in the bailout extension, with several hundred anti-capital- veys suggesting German voter unease and the coun- talks that landed Greece a four-month extension to ists and anarchists taking to the streets, some smash- try’s Bild daily saying “greedy” Greece should get no its 240-billion-euro ($270-billion) bailout Tuesday, the ing shop windows and setting fire to rubbish bins. more money. pressure from other European countries “had the Greece must also repay billions of euros in debt in Yesterday, Yanis Varoufakis, Greece’s maverick character of blackmail”. the coming months. new finance minister, promised “no pity” in tackling “Conservative forces (in Europe) tried to set a trap Tsipras has said he wants to renegotiate the coun- tax evasion and said that the government might for us, to drive us into budgetary asphyxia,” the 40- try’s 320-billion-euro debt pile, despite fierce opposi- impose a one-off levy on the rich to help fill govern- year-old said. “We will not retreat from the difficulties tion, particularly in Germany, to any new debt “hair- ment coffers. “What interests us is those who have or from our own principles.” cut”. Meanwhile, Greece’s nascent recovery from six money but who have never paid (tax). They are our Syriza swept to power in January on a promise to straight years of recession also looks in trouble, with target and we will show no pity,” Varoufakis told the ease the hardship caused by past government official data on Friday showing a contraction of 0.4 TV channel Skai. Varoufakis assured such a levy spending cuts imposed in return for the euro-zone percent in the fourth quarter of 2014. would “only be for those who can pay.” We are not country’s two bailouts in 2010 and 2012. Initial estimates had forecast a 0.2 percent drop in going to take money off people who are suffering,” Tsipras reiterated Friday that once the current gross domestic product. After winning four months he said. bailout expires on June 30 there would be no “third of breathing space from its creditors, the govern- Tsipras said Friday the government would table memorandum” as the previous agreements tying aid ment now has until the end of April to provide them legislation early next week aimed at alleviating ATHENS: Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (left) speaks to Deputy Prime Minister to spending cuts are known. “Memorandums are fin- with more details of its reform program in order to poverty and putting the country of 11 million on a Giannis Dragasakis (right) before delivering a speech at the Syriza party headquar- ished,” he said. receive the final bailout tranche. more equitable road to recovery. — AFP ters, in Athens yesterday. — AFP BUSINESS SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

China cuts rates again Bayt.com weekly report Why C-suite in face of weak demand recruitment has moved online Regulators signal increased concern about deflation iring C-suite, or top senior executives, is one of the most important decisions your compa- BEIJING: China’s central bank cut interest rates yesterday, just Hny will ever make. Traditional methods of days before the annual meeting of the country’s parliament, in recruitment, however, are time-consuming and cost- the latest effort to support the world’s second-largest econo- ly. Fortunately, the recruitment landscape is chang- my as its momentum slows and deflation risks rise. The central ing for the better. While online recruitment was once bank said the 25 basis point cut in the benchmark interest rate used primarily to recruit entry to mid-level profes- to 5.35 percent - its second cut in just over three months - and sionals, it is now a major platform to source and hire a 25 basis point cut in the benchmark saving rate to 2.5 per- top executive talent. cent would be effective from today. Hereís why C-suite recruitment has moved online, “The focus of the interest rate cut is to keep real interest according to experts at Bayt.com, the Middle Eastís rate levels suitable for fundamental trends in economic leading job site: growth, prices and employment,” the People’s Bank of China High opportunity cost. 51 percent of professionals (PBOC) said in a statement on its website. who took part in the ëHiring Management in the “This does not represent a change in the direction of mone- MENAë poll say they hire senior executive talent tary policy.” However, using new language to describe the poli- online. Leading job sites, such as Bayt.com, serve as a cy setting, the PBOC said the latest rate cut would create a highly effective online intermediary. In fact, Bayt.com “neutral and appropriate” monetary environment for China. has almost 20 million job seekers registered on its The move came four weeks after the bank had lowered the lev- website, ranging from interns and entry-level profes- el of cash banks must set aside as reserves, known as the sionals to middle managers, team leaders and C- reserve requirement ratio or RRR, leading some to believe the suite executives. The sheer size of the Bayt.com data- PBOC was growing increasingly worried about deflationary base alone means that the opportunity cost of not risk. The reference to “real interest rates” in yesterday’s state- being online is huge. ment also implied that sliding prices were an important factor Senior talents are online. The C-suite talent pool in its decision. An article in the central bank’s official newspa- has become incredibly IT and web savvy and most per on Feb. 25 had warned that deflationary risks were higher senior professionals have active online profiles. These than many thought. profiles give a recruiter a better idea of a candidateís “The rate cut happened in the first week after the Lunar personality, achievements, knowledge, and hands- New Year holiday, underscoring the government’s hope to on experience. In many cases, highly established boost corporate confidence,” said Li Huiyong, an economist at executives have their own blogs and nearly all of Shenyin & Wanguo Securities in Shanghai. “Deflation is the top them are on social media. These online activities can enemy. Only through continuous easing (rate and RRR cuts), assist companies in gauging potential candidates we can ease the vicious cycle of economic contraction.” BEIJING: A Chinese family walk past a China Dream billboard, showing messages pushed by Chinese President Xi while avoiding the costs of hiring the wrong person. Globally around 20 central banks have eased policy this Jinping’s administration on display in Beijing. China yesterday cut interest rates for the second time in three months, HR departments are budget-driven. Time is mon- year to counter deflationary pressures driven in part by the adding to signs that Chinese leaders are worried that the economic slowdown is deepening too sharply. — AP ey, and todayís budget conscious, ROI driven HR plunge in oil prices. pockets. “I think most of the loan demand is still pretty weak, able due to the week-long lunar new year festival holiday, most departments are anxious to save both. The Bayt.com so what this does is (to) lower primarily the cost of financing economists predicted the central bank would have to follow ëSkills and Hiring Trends in the MENAí poll, January Reducing real rates for people who can borrow at the benchmark; the big state up with further cuts to guidance lending rates and the RRR this 2015, reveals that 48 percent of companies in the In its last round of rate cuts in November, the PBOC reduced borrowers and local governments, those heavily indebted enti- year if it wanted to gain policy traction. Deflationary cycles, MENA take quite a long time to fill an open vacancy one-year benchmark lending rates by 40 basis points to 5.6 ties,” Polk said. “But it’s not likely to spur private sector borrow- once entrenched, can stall investment for years or even in their company ñ between 1 and 3 months. The percent and lowered one-year benchmark deposit rates by 25 ing.” decades, as the case of Japan highlights, and is considered a internet has emerged not only as a faster, easier and basis points to 2.75 percent. Beijing has been trying to stimu- The surprise interest rate cut in November, followed up by a nightmare scenario by many economists in China. “The econo- more effective way to source and screen top talent, late investment to reinvigorate an economy that expanded at February reduction in the RRR that poured fresh cash into the my is unlikely to stabilise immediately after the rate cut,” wrote but also as an efficient tool to manage the entire its slowest rate for 24 years in 2014, but it is questionable financial system, had little apparent effect on business confi- Minsheng Securities economists in a research note reacting to end-to-end recruitment process. With amazing tech- whether the cuts alone will be able to revive appetite for pro- dence, although the liquidity was welcomed by the stock mar- the news. nology available in the market today, companies can ductive investment. ket. China’s annual consumer inflation hit a five-year low in “Expectations of loose monetary policy and renminbi search through millions of CVs and narrow them That might not be the primary goal of this cut, said Andrew January while factory deflation worsened, underscoring deep- depreciation will persist.” China is due to release official facto- down to the exact candidates required. The Polk, economist at the Conference Board in Beijing. He and ening weakness in the economy. Export and import growth ry and services Purchasing Managers’ Index surveys for Bayt.com†CV Search†and†Job Postings†are only other economists pointed out that many Chinese companies had also tanked in the same month, performing worse than February on Sunday, the last data release before the National examples of the wellspring of services offered by are carrying staggering debt burdens, so allowing them to refi- expected. People’s Congress, the rubber-stamp legislature, convenes Bayt.com to help employers find the perfect match nance at lower rates is seen as a way to put more cash in their Although January and February data is considered unreli- next week. — Reuters for their job vacancies. With the possibility to filter CVs by key criteria, such as years of experience, nationality, location and industry, the chances of Jordan, Israel agree on $900m Egypt could raise finding the right candidate become much higher. Kuwait Top†executives†engage in active†online†conver- Red Sea-Dead Sea project up to $2bn in sations.†Professional networking forums are the new crude up frontier in online recruitment and a top choice for Eurobond issue identifying leaders, especially at the senior end of the AMMAN: Jordan and Israel signed an cubic metres are envisioned in a future spectrum. This could be attributed to the fact that 81 agreement to go ahead with a World Bank- expansion. The idea of linking the two by 89 cents percent of professionals feel that professional online LONDON: Egypt could raise as much as $2 billion through a sponsored project to build a desalination bodies of water has been around for more platforms, such as†Bayt.com Specialties, are a good Eurobond this year and expects economic growth of close to 7 plant in the Gulf of Aqaba and a pipeline than a century. The Dead Sea has been to $54.95pb way for employers and candidates to engage togeth- percent in three years’ time, Finance Minister Hany Kadry linking the Red Sea with the Dead Sea. The found to be receding at a rate of more er through industry-related comments, discussions Dimian said on Friday. plant will be built in the southern than 3.3 feet (1 meter) every year. and questions.†Bayt.com Specialties†invites special- KUWAIT: The price of Kuwaiti The Arab world’s most populous country is in the process of Jordanian port of Aqaba on the Red Sea Under the agreement, Nasser said, ists from all over the world to come together and crude oil went up Friday by 89 rebuilding its battered finances after the uprising that toppled and will desalinate water to be shared by Israel would also release 50 million cubic engage in industry-related discussions. Specialists cents to $54.95 per barrel com- Hosni Mubarak four years ago hit the country’s economy, dis- Israelis and Palestinians. The brine that is a metres more water from the Sea of Galilee, with the best content are endorsed by their peers pared to $54.06 pb Thursday, said a couraging investors and tourists, and slashing growth. “I am byproduct of the process will be sent its largest reservoir, to Jordan, beyond and get badges and ranks on their CV.†Bayt.com statement by Kuwait Petroleum getting advice on between $1.5-2 billion - we will see (what) north in a 112-mile (180-km) pipeline to water-sharing stipulated in a 1994 peace Specialties†has proven to be a great tool for compa- Corporation (KPC) yesterday. our roadshow will reveal and then we will decide, but I think it the Dead Sea. The project will cost around agreement. Israeli National Infrastructures, nies to pick the best amongst top executives in their In the global markets, prices for will be in that region,” Dimian said in an interview with Reuters. $900 million. It will take nearly three years Energy and Water Resources Minister industry. This indirect approach to hiring, which future oil contracts went up yester- Clarifying comments made earlier in the day in a speech to to complete. Jordanian officials said the Silvan Shalom said the project would bring relies on networking and relationship building, is day due to shortage in production investors, he said the dollar-denominated Eurobond would be two projects were crucial to providing a water from the desalination plant for farm- necessary to get to know a candidate well beyond and supplies from Libya and Iraq in launched in June at the latest, but could come earlier. source of fresh water to the kingdom, ers in southern Israel and drinking water to the limits of a traditional CV. the last few weeks. Global forecasts Dimian said he expected the issue to come in different which faces a severe water deficit, and to the north. The Palestinians who have long The global economy. C-suite talent is scarce. This regarding the increase of demand maturities, with possible combinations of 3, 5 and 7 years, but reviving the shrinking Dead Sea. complained about Israeli restrictions on is why sourcing C-suite executives has become an for crude oil had led to a hike in would expect them to be less than 10 years. Egypt has mostly “The deal will help satisfy Jordan’s constructing new water infrastructure and intensive global process. Companies want to take Brent Mix price by 15 percent in the relied on local money markets to finance its budget deficit increasing water needs for development,” what they say is illegal pumping from their advantage of the vast executive talent pool across beginning of this month. since being effectively frozen out of international markets Jordan’s water minister, Hazem Al-Nasser, underground aquifers in the West Bank will the world. As the workforce is becoming increasingly Meanwhile, the price for the after the uprising that toppled autocrat Mubarak in 2011. said after the agreement was signed. The also get water from the plant, Nasser said. global, employers are looking to hire individuals who Brent mix at the London stock Talking about growth prospects, Dimian confirmed he desalination plant will produce at least 80 The project began to move ahead two can lead a multicultural organization and craft practi- exchange Friday had increased by expected growth of at least 4 percent in the fiscal year end- million cubic metres annually. Israel will years ago after the World Bank determined cal strategies that will ensure long-term profitability. $1.27 to reach $61.32 pb. At the ing in June, and predicted a return to higher growth in the buy at cost up to 40 million cubic metres. it is possible to use the Red Sea to replen- Recruiting online greatly reduces the distance New York Mercantile Exchange medium term. “In three years’ time we will be north of 6.5 The rest will go to Aqaba. ish the shrinking Dead Sea after years of between global companies and job seekers, ensuring (NYMEX), the price for American percent, approaching 7 percent,” he said, citing manufactur- Nasser said the pipeline will pump 300 studying whether such a connecting life- that these companies make the best C-suite hires. million cubic metres annually of Red Sea line could work. - Reuters crude went up by 63 cents, reach- ing, energy, construction, telecommunications and housing water to the Dead Sea. As much as 2 billion ing $48.80 pb. — KUNA as drivers.—Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Syrian Pound 2.570 Philippine Peso 0.006591 0.006871 Nepalese Rupees 3.995 Sierra Leone 0.000065 0.000071 Malaysian Ringgit 82.875 Singapore Dollar 0.214542 0.220542 ASIAN COUNTRIES South African Rand 0.019371 0.027871 Japanese Yen 2.492 CURRENCIES TELEX TRANSFER PER 1000 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 47.695 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001848 0.002428 Indian Rupees 4.768 Australian Dollar 227.72 Thai Bhat 10.150 Taiwan 0.009270 0.009450 Pakistani Rupees 2.914 Canadian Dollar 243.15 Turkish Lira 118.715 Thai Baht 0.008766 0.009316 Srilankan Rupees 2.221 Swiss Franc 322.91 Nepali Rupees 2.982 Euro 341.15 Singapore Dollar 218.730 US Dollar 296.50 Bahrain Exchange Company Arab Bahraini Dinar 0.780277 0.788277 Hongkong Dollar 38.241 Sterling Pound 458.91 Egyptian Pound 0.037449 0.040549 Bangladesh Taka 3.810 Japanese Yen 2.53 CURRENCY BUY SELL Iranian Riyal 0.000082 0.000083 Philippine Peso 6.700 Bangladesh Taka 3.811 Thai Baht 9.120 Iraqi Dinar 0.000191 0.000251 Indian Rupee 4.766 Europe Jordanian Dinar 0.414290 0.421790 Irani Riyal transfer 61.555 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.221 Irani Riyal cash 121.740 Belgian Franc 0.007729 0.008729 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Nepali Rupee 2.980 British Pound 0.450929 0.459929 Lebanese Pound 0.000147 0.000247 Pakistani Rupee 2.930 GCC COUNTRIES Czech Korune 0.004231 0.016231 Moroccan Dirhams 0.022011 0.046011 Saudi Riyal 79.146 UAE Dirhams 80.57 Danish Krone 0.040987 0.045987 Nigerian Naira 0.001211 0.001846 Qatari Riyal 81.517 Bahraini Dinar 786.95 Euro 0.330491 0.338491 Omani Riyal 0.7634371 0.770051 Omani Riyal 770.990 Egyptian Pound 38.76 Norwegian Krone 0.034822 0.040022 Qatar Riyal 0.080758 0.081971 Bahraini Dinar 788.100 Jordanian Dinar 421.29 Romanian Leu 0.075350 0.075350 Saudi Riyal 0.078457 0.079157 UAE Dirham 80.806 Omani Riyal 768.93 Slovakia 0.008737 0.018737 Syrian Pound 0.001255 0.001475 Qatari Riyal 81.65 Swedish Krona 0.031155 0.036155 Tunisian Dinar 0.150125 0.158125 ARAB COUNTRIES Swiss Franc 0.305474 0.315674 Turkish Lira 0.119270 0.126270 Egyptian Pound - Cash 40.870 Turkish Lira 0.119270 0.126270 UAE Dirhams 0.079772 0.080921 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 38.798 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Yemeni Riyal 0.001339 0.001419 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.385 Australasia Tunisian Dinar 153.760 Australian Dollar 0.222151 0.233651 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Jordanian Dinar 418.390 New Zealand Dollar 0.215096 0.224596 Al Mulla Exchange US Dollar 296.550 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.991 Canadian Dollar 239.300 Syrian Lira 2.115 America Sterling Pound 459.125 Morocco Dirham 31.520 Canadian Dollar 0.230009 0.238509 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Euro 362.290 US Dollars 0.292500 0.297200 US Dollar 295.600 Swiss Frank 283.230 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollars Mint 0.293000 0.297200 Euro 334.700 US Dollar Transfer 296.600 Bahrain Dinar 788.825 Pound Sterlng 450.800 UAE Dirhams 81.115 Euro 336.940 Asia Canadian Dollar 236.700 Qatari Riyals 82.280 Sterling Pound 459.730 Bangladesh Taka 0.003509 0.004109 Indian Rupee 4.765 Saudi Riyals 79.270 Canadian dollar 236.150 Chinese Yuan 0.046072 0.049572 Egyptian Pound 38.710 Jordanian Dinar 418.575 Turkish lira 119.930 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036148 0.038898 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.219 Egyptian Pound 38.790 Swiss Franc 313.530 Indian Rupee 0.004523 0.004924 Bangladesh Taka 3.796 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.223 Australian Dollar 232.680 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Philippines Peso 6.685 Indian Rupees 4.793 US Dollar Buying 295.400 Japanese Yen 0.002406 0.002586 Pakistan Rupee 2.925 Pakistani Rupees 2.910 Kenyan Shilling 0.003236 0.003236 Bahraini Dinar 787.100 Bangladesh Taka 3.810 GOLD Korean Won 0.000257 0.000272 UAE Dirham 80.450 Philippines Pesso 6.721 20 gram 238.100 Malaysian Ringgit 0.078654 0.084654 Saudi Riyal 79.000 Cyprus pound 727.905 10 gram 121.740 Nepalese Rupee 0.002995 0.003165 *Rates are subject to change Japanese Yen 3.475 5 gram 61.560 Pakistan Rupee 0.002699 0.002979 BUSINESS SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 Japan inflation at new low since war on falling prices began

TOKYO: Japan’s inflation rate has dropped to its low- wake of the 2011 Fukushima accident. 80 percent of private-sector economists expect addi- est level since just after Tokyo launched a high-profile But plunging oil prices have dealt another blow to tional easing by the end of the year,” SMBC Nikko offensive in 2013 to battle years of falling prices and the BoJ’s inflation goals, and doubts are growing over Securities said in a note. tepid growth, data showed Friday. the ambitious target-even among policymakers “We expect additional easing will come in late The disappointing figures challenge Bank of Japan themselves. April.” The inflation data were among a mixed bag of chief Haruhiko Kuroda’s persistent claim that inflation Minutes from the central bank’s January meeting figures published Friday including a better-than- is on the upswing, two years after Tokyo kicked off a showed that three of nine BoJ board members expected expansion in factory activity, but analysts war on the deflation that has been widely blamed for doubted the chances of reaching the price target. warned that the uptick was likely to fizzle in the com- holding back growth and denting company expan- Kuroda has said the bank would further expand its ing months. Separately, the internal affairs ministry sion plans. unprecedented monetary easing campaign-launched said household spending fell a greater-than-expect- The data may also aggravate doubts over the gov- in April 2013 — if necessary. ed 5.1 percent from a year ago, as the sales tax hike to ernment’s wider bid to lift the world’s number three 8.0 percent from 5.0 percent weighed on shopping economy out of two-decades of stagnation. Sluggish spending nationwide. The jobless rate last month ticked up to Sustained inflation is a key measure of Prime Minister On Friday, Kuroda insisted that an expected recov- 3.6 percent from 3.4 percent in December. Following Shinzo Abe’s growth blueprint, dubbed Abenomics, ery in oil prices-they have dropped by about half the levy rise in April, Japan’s economy fell into reces- which was set into motion following his late 2012 since the summer-will help the BoJ get its inflation sion, prompting Abe to put off a second sales tax hike election victory. target back on track. “As the effects of declining crude this year, which was aimed at taming Japan’s enor- The government data on Friday showed that prices dissipate, the two-percent inflation target is mous national debt. Japan’s inflation rate last month came in at 2.2 per- likely to be achieved,” the BoJ chief told the National Japan limped out of recession in the last quarter of cent, down from 2.5 percent in December. Press Club. The perennially optimistic central banker- 2014, with a weak 0.6 percent expansion between But stripping out the effect of a sales tax hike last who signed a press club guestbook with a Japanese October and December. But over the full year the pre- year, it rose just 0.2 percent from a year earlier, the saying about making good on one’s promises-added liminary data showed zero growth. And even Friday’s lowest since a zero percent rate in May 2013. The slip that Japan’s annual labour negotiations were likely to upbeat industrial output figure-a 4.0 percent on- makes the Bank of Japan’s much-touted 2.0 percent usher in pay hikes. month expansion-did not warrant much optimism, inflation goal a cornerstone of Abenomics-look That, in turn, would lead to a boost in spending said Marcel Thieliant from London-based Capital increasingly unrealistic. and price hikes, Kuroda said. Still, the data on Friday Economics. “While industrial production surged in Prices had been on the rise, largely due to Japan were certain to boost speculation that the BoJ will be January, firms are predicting a renewed decline in having to import pricey fossil fuels to plug an energy forced to expand its monetary easing campaign coming months as consumer spending remains slug- TOKYO: People watch an electronic stock board of a securities firm in Tokyo Friday. gap left by the shutdown of atomic reactors in the sooner than later to counter the downturn. “Currently, gish,” he said. —AFP Asian stocks were lackluster Friday after US markets drifted lower. — AP EU sets France Germany OKs Greek bailout deficit targets

BRUSSELS: The EU set France tough new targets on Friday to get its budget deficit back within Brussels rules, keeping up extension despite unease the pressure after giving Paris two more years until 2017 to toe the line. The benchmarks were announced by the European Commission just two days after it extended the Greece has turned a new page: Schaeuble deadline for France, the bloc’s second biggest economy after Germany, to meet the EU’s deficit ceiling of 3.0 percent of BERLIN: German lawmakers approved a hard-won bailout exten- “The ‘memoranda’ are finished,” he said, referring to the inter- looming in March, Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis acknowl- economic output. sion for Greece’s new anti-austerity government in a move Berlin’s national bailouts Greece received in 2010 and 2012. edged that “at this moment the coffers are empty”. Greece’s debt It said France must use the extra breathing room to reach finance chief called “not easy” but necessary, keeping a crucial life- To help replenish state coffers, a bill will also be tabled next of 320 billion euros is equivalent to 175 percent of its annual eco- a deficit-the difference between government spending and line open to Athens. Greece’s left-wing Prime Minister Alexis week to encourage taxpayers to pay part of their arrears, which nomic output. To secure the extra time for its bailout lifeline, revenue-equal to 4.0 percent of annual Gross Domestic Tsipras welcomed the German vote Friday as “a political act of currently stand at 76 billion euros ($85 billion) and rising. The new Tsipras’s government has agreed to refrain from one-sided reform Product in 2015, 3.4 percent in 2016 and 2.8 percent in 2017. common sense and democracy”, saying there would be no third Greek government has walked a fine line between pledging to rollbacks and published a list of proposed reforms focused on France in December had set its own targets at 4.1 percent, 3.6 bailout for his country and pledging to get to work on reforms. He meet the demands of international creditors and maintaining the tackling tax evasion and corruption and improving government percent and 2.7 percent for the coming three years, but the promised that now his month-old government would “start work- support of voters who swept them to power on promises of end- efficiency. But Varoufakis on Friday told Antenna TV that the deal Commission said Paris had not explained how it would ing hard, in order to change Greece within a Europe that changes ing years of hated austerity. sealed after gruelling negotiations with creditors was worded in a achieve them, prompting Brussels to lay down the law. direction”. The four-month bailout extension for Greece, approved An anti-government protest involving several hundred anti- “deliberately” vague way to ensure its approval by European par- French Finance Minister Michel Sapin, speaking during a by euro-zone finance ministers Tuesday, averts a potentially capitalists and anarchists in Athens, following the deal Tuesday liaments. The mixed message has fanned scepticism about visit to Slovenia, said the country would be able to meet what calamitous end-February deadline that could have seen Athens with euro-zone ministers for the bailout extensions, deteriorated Greece’s ability and willingness to pay back the money, especially he described as “demanding” but “realistic” targets. default and exit from the euro. into street violence Thursday. In another protest Friday evening, in Germany, Europe’s biggest economy and effective paymaster. The European Union had disappointed fiscal hardliners With worsening Greek economic data heightening the pres- around 7,000-8,000 people demonstrated outside parliament as Seventy-one percent of Germans doubt that Athens will imple- when it said Wednesday France would escape possible fines sure, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble had vigorous- Tsipras chaired a cabinet meeting inside. ment the savings and reforms it has announced, a poll for ZDF for now and get two more years to get its house in order, ly urged MPs to support giving Athens the additional breathing public broadcaster showed Friday. while Italy and Belgium were let off the deficit hook because space. “I’d like to ask parliament, each lawmaker, not to reject the ‘No more billions’ Schaeuble starkly warned this week that Greece would not both were making adequate progress towards their targets. request by the ministry of finance, which wasn’t easy for me On Friday the government faced more bad news when official receive “a single euro” until it meets the pledges of its existing 240- either, because this would do great harm to our people and our data showed Greece’s economy shrank by 0.4 percent in the billion-euro ($270-billion) bailout program. Top-selling tabloid- France must find savings future,” Schaeuble told parliament. fourth quarter of 2014, more than previously thought, and the style newspaper Bild fanned public sentiment with a front-page To hit the EU’s new targets France will have to find addi- first quarter-on-quarter contraction since the country exited a six- headline Friday that said “Bild readers say Nein (no)!”. It published tional savings in a weak economy, putting the government ‘Turned a new page’ year recession last year. With a more than 1.5-billion-euro ($1.7-bil- photos of readers holding up signs that read “Nein-no more bil- on the spot as it tries to boost growth. For 2015, the Schaeuble, who has traded barbs with Athens in recent weeks, lion) repayment deadline to the International Monetary Fund lions for the greedy Greeks”. — AFP Commission, the EU’s executive arm, estimated the savings sought to reassure lawmakers Germany would not have to stump required at 0.5 percent of GDP, up from the current 0.3 per- up “new billions” or change the bailout conditions but merely cent-that means additional savings worth at least 4.0 billion grant “more time to successfully conclude” the plan adopted for euros ($4.5 billion). But for 2016, Paris must find an even Athens in 2012. As expected, the extension won overwhelming tougher 0.8 percent and then 0.9 percent in 2017, the support in the lower house where Chancellor Angela Merkel’s left- Commission said in a series of recommendations. “France right coalition has a commanding majority. While Schaeuble should step up efforts to identify savings opportunities described the extension as an act of “solidarity” toward an EU across all sub-sectors of general government, including at member in need, Tsipras said that “Europe has now recognized social security and local government level and use all windfall that Greece has turned a new page”. “This is the time for the gains for deficit reduction,” it said in a statement. reforms that our country needs and which no government ever The European Union polices member state deficits and sought, because there were commitments with powerful inter- has the authority to impose large fines if they break the rules, ests,” he told Euronews in an interview. although it has never actually done so. Diplomatic sources In Athens Tsipras announced that the first legislation by his said the EU’s euro commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis had “government of social salvation” aimed at easing the “humanitari- demanded Wednesday that Brussel begin infringement pro- an crisis” caused by years of cuts would be put to parliament early ceedings against France, laying it open to an initial fine equal next week. This will include providing free electricity for 300,000 to 0.2 percent of GDP. German newsweekly Der Spiegel said poor families and housing for 30,000 people, debt relief, measures Latvian Dombrovskis had some support, but EU Economic to protect “hundreds of thousands” at risk at losing their homes Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici, a former French and scrapping a controversial goldmine project, he said. He added finance minister, argued instead that Paris should get three there would be no more agreements of austerity cuts in exchange more years to sort out its finances.—AFP for further financial support.

MUMBAI: An Indian vendor waits alongside his cart filled with vegetables at the whole sale market in Mumbai yester- day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s right-wing government unveiled its first full budget, a day after announcing the time was ripe for long-awaited reforms to kickstart the economy. — AFP Oman’s Bank Dhofar gets assent for capital plans

DUBAI: Bank Dhofar, Oman’s second-largest bank by assets, and Standard Chartered about its capital-raising plans, won shareholder approval for plans to raise its capital by as sources told Reuters earlier this month. The bank had a total much as $300 million, including through the issuance of capi- capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of 12.93 percent at the end of tal-boosting bonds, it said yesterday. The lender said share- September, down from 13.17 percent at the same point of holders attending a meeting on Feb. 26 unanimously backed 2013, according to its third-quarter financial statement. In plans to issue bonds with a perpetual tenor which would comparison, Bank Muscat, Oman’s largest bank, had a CAR of enhance the bank’s Tier 1, or core, capital. 15.6 percent, while National Bank of Oman, the country’s Should Bank Dhofar sell a Tier 1 bond, it would be the first third-largest bank by assets, had a CAR of 13.8 percent at the such issue by an Omani bank. However, the format still needs end of September. approval from the sultanate’s central bank and Bank Dhofar Bank Dhofar also said shareholders approved setting up a said that should regulatory assent not be received by March euro medium term note (EMTN) program worth $500 million 31, it would instead look to issue convertible bonds worth up in the next 12 months, which would allow the bank to issue to 100 million omani rials ($260 million). non-convertible bonds with a likely tenor of five years, subject Bank Dhofar is working with National Bank of Abu Dhabi to regulatory approval. — Reuters SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 BUSINESS Kuwait bourse advances on buying interest

BAYAN MONTHLY REPORT

KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) ended February same companies for 2013 financial year, which was KD in the green zone. The Price Index closed at 6,601.43 1.15 billion. points, up by 0.44 percent compared to the closings of For the annual performance, the price index ended the month before, the Weighted Index increased by last month recording 1.01 percent annual gain com- 3.60 percent after closing at 457.73 points, whereas the pared to its closing in 2014, while the weighted index KSX-15 Index closed at 1,116.86 points increasing by increased by 4.30 percent, and the KSX-15 recorded 5.37 4.12 percent. Furthermore, last month’s average percent increase. turnover decreased by 2.99 percent, compared to the preceding month, reaching KD 25.61 million, whereas Sectors’ Indices trading volume average was 219.26 million shares, Eight of KSE’s sectors ended last month in the green recording decrease of 23.56 percent. zone, while the other four recorded declines. Last The stock market positive performance enabled it to month’s highest gainer was the Telecommunications realize good gains for its three indices, especially the sector, achieving 14.03 percent growth rate as its index Weighted and KSX-15 indices. This performance was closed at 665.72 points. Whereas, in the second place, supported by the purchasing power and the quick the Industrial sector’s index closed at 1,139.65 points speculative operations that the traders executed in the recording 2.79 percent increase. The Consumer Goods market, and concentrated on many large-cap stocks, sector came in third as its index achieved 2.10 percent especially in the Telecommunications and Oil & Gas sec- growth, ending the month at 1,238.87 points. tors. On the other hand, the Health Care sector headed Also, the stock market was affected by the profit col- the losers list as its index declined by 5.69 percent to lection operations that pushed it to the red zone in few end the month’s activity at 869.70 points. The Real daily sessions during the month, whereas it concentrat- Estate sector was second on the losers’ list, which index ed on some large-cap stocks on one hand, and many declined by 2.37 percent, closing at 1,102.87 points, fol- small-cap stocks on the other hand, especially that of lowed by the Insurance sector, as its index closed at previous noticeable price gains, which caused to limit 1,165.06 points at a loss of 1.12 percent. the monthly gains of the stock indicators. On the other hand, most of the listed companies still Sectors’ activity did not disclose its last year financial results, although The Financial Services sector dominated total trade two-third of the legal disclosure period have passed, as volume during last month with 1.59 billion shares volume, with a total of 992.55 million shares. Banking sector took the second place as the sectors the number of the disclosed companies reached 65 as changing hands, representing 40.39 percent of the total On the other hand, the Telecommunications sec- last month turnover of KD 101.98 million represented at end of February, forming 33.85 percent of the total market trading volume. The Real Estate sector was sec- tor’s stocks where the highest traded in terms of val- 22.12 percent of the total market trading value. 192 listed companies, with approximately KD 1.19 bil- ond in terms of trading volume as the sector’s traded ue; with a turnover of KD 107.81 million or 23.39 per- —Prepared by the Studies & Research Department lion and an increase of 3.31 percent for the results of the shares were 25.15 percent of last month’s total trading cent of last month’s total market trading value. The Bayan Investment Co.

Pope attacks ‘throw US stocks slip after weaker growth away’ economic globalization WALL STREERT WEEKLY REPORT ebruary proved to be a strong month for ROME: Pope Francis launched a fresh in Italy, where unemployment, particular- US stocks, even though it ended in down- attack on economic injustice yesterday, ly among young people, is running at Fbeat fashion. Major stock indexes closed condemning the “throw-away culture” of record levels after years of economic lower on Friday, capping a week of subdued globalization and calling for new ways of recession. trading that still delivered a couple of new thinking about poverty, welfare, employ- The cooperative movement in Italy, highs for the Dow Jones industrial average and ment and society. whose roots go back to 19th century Standard & Poor’s 500 index. It also brought the In a speech to the association of workers’ associations, have long had close Nasdaq composite within striking distance of Italian cooperative movements, he point- ties to the Catholic Church, with credit its March 2000 high. ed to the “dizzying rise in unemployment” services, agricultural and building co-ops The Nasdaq notched the biggest monthly and the problems that existing welfare forming an important part of the overall gain at 7.1 percent. But the S&P 500’s 5.5 per- systems had in meeting healthcare economy. cent performance marked its best monthly needs. Pope Francis said they could help increase since October 2011, and a turnaround For those living “at the existential find new models and methods that could from its 3.1 percent slide in January. The Dow margins” the current social and political be an alternative model to the “throw- rose 5.6 percent for the month. system “seems fatally destined to suffo- away culture created by the powers that Trading was listless for much of Friday as cate hope and increase risks and threats,” control the economic and financial poli- investors balanced encouraging reports on he said. The Argentinian-born pope, who cies of the globalised world.” housing and consumer confidence against has often criticised orthodox market eco- Perhaps mindful of a wide-ranging data showing that the US economy grew at a nomics for fostering unfairness and corruption scandal linked to some coop- slower annual rate in the final months of 2014 inequality, said people were forced to eratives in Rome last year, he attacked than previously estimated. Oil rose, recouping work long hours, sometimes in the black those who “prostitute the cooperative some of its losses from a day earlier. economy, for a few hundred euros a name”. But his overall message was that Technology stocks were among the biggest month because they were seen as easily economic rationale had to be secondary decliners. “Many people are trying to figure out replaceable. to the wider needs of human society. what to do, taking some profits when they can. “‘You don’t like it? Go home then’. “When money becomes an idol, it We saw that over the past couple of days with What can you do in a world that works commands the choices of man. And thus tech stocks,” said JJ Kinahan, TD Ameritrade’s like this? Because there’s a queue of peo- it ruins man and condemns him. It makes chief strategist. “It’s a wait-and-see attitude.” ple looking for work. If you don’t like it, him a slave,” he said. “Money at the serv- The Dow ended down 81.72 points, or 0.5 NEW YORK: The facade of the New York Stock Exchange. US stock indexes edged someone else will,” he said in an unscript- ice of life can be managed in the right percent, to 18,132.70. That’s 0.5 percent below slightly lower in early trading Friday after the US economy slowed more sharply than ed change from the text of his speech. way by cooperatives, on condition that it its most-recent high of 18,224.57 on expected in the final three months of 2014. Utilities stocks were among the biggest “It’s hunger, hunger that makes us accept is a real cooperative where capital does Wednesday. The S&P 500 slid 6.24 points, or 0.3 decliners. — AP what they give us,” he said. not have command over men but men percent, to 2,104.50. The index is down 0.5 from Other economic bellwethers were more biggest decliners in the S&P 500. Southwestern His remarks have a special resonance over capital,” he said. — Reuters a high of 2,115.48 on Tuesday. upbeat: An index of pending home sales, an Energy fell $1.27, or 4.8 percent, to $25.08, The Nasdaq fell 24.36 points, or 0.5 percent, indicator of potentially completed sales, rose in while NRG Energy lost 79 cents, or 3.2 percent, to 4,963.53. The index has been inching closer January and the December figure was revised to $23.98. Chesapeake Energy slid 52 cents, or 3 KSE stocks move up to crossing the 5,000-point mark, something it higher to show a smaller decline. Separately, percent, to $16.68. Benchmark US crude rose hasn’t done since March 2000 at the height of the University of Michigan’s index of consumer $1.59 to $49.76 a barrel on the New York the dot-com era. It’s now within 86 points of sentiment slipped this month. It remains at the Mercantile Exchange. and down: Report that peak. The three main US stock indexes are highest level in eight years. Brent crude rose $2.53 to $62.58 a barrel in all up for the year. The current bull market, now “The market does not have a clear catalyst London. US oil prices appeared to stabilize in KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) activity by market leaders relatively helped in its sixth year, has been powered by strong to either cause it to sell off or to surge forward, February around the $50 a barrel mark. That’s began the last week trading bearishly with in maintaining stability of the weighted corporate earnings growth and low interest and we’re getting a little expensive from a valu- made a key variable of business more pre- the price index dropping 10.3 points to index and Kuwait 15 index. The sessions rates, which make stocks more attractive rela- ation perspective,” said David Heidel, regional dictable for investors, Kinahan said. “That’s 6,601 while the weighted index rose 0.12 were dominated by speculations, with tive to bonds. Strong job growth and improv- investment director at U.S. Bank Wealth really the kind of thing that gives stability to points and Kuwait 15 index 1.63 points at some blue-chips luring investors seeking ing consumer confidence have also encour- Management. the stock market,” Kinahan said. US govern- aged traders, despite signs of sluggishness in Tuesday’s closing. advantages from the cash distributions. Investors should get a better sense of the ment bond prices rose. The yield on the 10- Europe and elsewhere. While most of the Gulf market dropped The report indicated at noticeable economy and consumers’ willingness to spend year Treasury note slipped to 1.99 percent Some of that confidence appeared shaken next week, when automakers report their from 2.03 percent late Thursday. In metals trad- in Monday’s session, following oil prices’ “comeback” of cheap chips, namely those on Friday, when the Commerce Department February sales figures and the government ing, gold edged up $3 to $1,213.10 an ounce, decline, the Kuwaiti bourse rallied, buoyed lower than 100 fils, along with “slowness” reported that the US economy grew at an issues its monthly update on hiring. All told, silver fell seven cents to $16.51 an ounce and by all market indices, amid corporate reve- by portfolios and the main market mak- annual rate of 2.2 percent in the October- eight of the 10 sectors in the S&P 500 ended copper was flat at $2.72 a pound. In other lations about cash dividends’ distribution ers, except for selective trades in some December quarter, weaker than the 2.6 percent lower, with technology stocks notching the energy futures trading, wholesale gasoline estimate last month. The latest growth projec- and decline of pressure on blue-chips, wit- blue-chips. The National Days’ vacation biggest decline. The sector is up 4.2 percent rose 6 cents to $1.768 a gallon, heating oil tion represents a major slowdown from the nessed in the week’s first session, accord- has also contributed to creating the gen- this year. Consumer staples rose the most. jumped 16.3 cents to $2.30 a gallon and natu- previous quarter, which produced the Those stocks are up 2.9 percent this year. ral gas rose 3.7 cents to $2.734 per 1,000 cubic ing to a report released by Al-Oula financial eral lackluster atmosphere that gripped strongest growth in 11 years. Several energy companies were among the feet. — AP brokerage company, yesterday. Limited the market. — KUNA SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 BUSINESS

Dynamics unveils association with Pagani at Concours d’Elegance

n Feb 6, Pagani Automobili, world- Pagani,” noted Al-Maousherji. “We are proud renowned Italian supercar maker, to be a part of this event, which is considered Oopened its Middle East tour with an the premiere event for priceless classic and exclusive invitation-only, first-of-a-kind event luxury cars in the world,” explained Al- showcasing the PaganiHuayra hyper-car to a Maousherji. select group of VIP guests and motoring and “Kuwait, despite its small market size, has lifestyle journalists from across the region at a large number of Pagani car lovers and luxu- the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, followed ry car collectors. The value of the Pagani by the official launch of the Pagani Huayra lies in its beauty, state-of-the-art Automobili brand in Kuwait. materials and design. It the true example of The launch of the Pagani Huayra took the marriage between art and science at its place at Concours d’Elegance, Marina best,” added Al-Maousherji. “Words are not Crescent in Salmiya on Feb 11. The car was enough to explain our deep thanks to launched at the Pagani stand under the MrAbdulazizIshaq who made the impossible patronage and presence of former Prime possible from logistics to premium hospitali- Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al ty, and finally a very wonderful and success- Sabah, who was highly impressed by the car ful show”. and its features. The exhibition closed with a press confer- Pagani Automobili ence by Ahmad Sager Al-Maousherji, CEO of Pagani is a privately-owned Italian sports Dynamics, together with Horacio Pagani, car manufacturer. The company was founded Founder and Chief Designer of Pagani in 1991 by Horacio Pagani and is based in San Automobili. “The Middle East has always been Cesariosul Panaro, near Modena, Italy. Pagani a key market for us where our legend enjoys a is known for its extensive experience in tremendous fan following,” explained Pagani. advanced composite materials and crafting. “With the Pagani Huayra, the company’s most Art and science mixed together for the world’s ambitious project so far, we have developed a most exclusive supercar. The Pagani Huayra high performance supercar from scratch to received, during 2012, the most important cater to a global audience and at the same European car awards. It was also named “Car time one that is compliant with the toughest of the Year” for 2013 by British performance safety requirements.” car magazine Evo; the 2013 “Performance Car The two-door Huayra coupe is personally of the Year” award from Car magazine and designed by Horacio Pagani and is built in the 2013 “HyperCar of the Year” from the world town of Modena, Italy. The vehicle is powered famous magazine Top Gear. In 2013 the by a bespoke Mercedes-AMG 6.0-liter V12 Pagani Huayra was able to further reaffirm its twinturbo engine that develops 730 PS (537 reputation as one of the world’s premier high- kW) and 1,000 Nm (737 lb-ft) of torque. It is performance cars by beating the Top Gear cir- mated to a seven-speed sequential transmis- cuit record for road homologated cars with a sion which enables the 1,350 kg (2,975 lbs) lap time of 1:13.8. supercar to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.3 seconds and hit a top speed of Dynamics Company 370 km/h (230 mph). The car costs Ä1,195,000 Dynamics Company represents luxury + local taxes. vehicles including Pagani, among one of the “With Kuwait’s booming luxury car sales most prestigious cars in the world. No matter market and fast growing pool of ultra-high- what industry, the mission is to provide luxury net-worth individuals, it is only opportune to seekers top class products and services as host a prestigious international brand like they are expected from Dynamics Co.

5 reasons US economy is stronger US economy slowed in Q4, than Q4 GDP suggests

WASHINGTON: The US economy grew at a modest the face of global economic weakness and a rising growth outlook favorable annual rate of 2.2 percent in the fourth quarter, less dollar, which hurts export sales. Moreover, one area than half the third quarter’s torrid 5 percent rate of weakness in the government’s report Friday - a and weaker than the government first reported. slowdown in business stockpiling - may turn out to Inventories, trade drag on growth; inflation muted While the sharp slowdown seems troubling on the be a good thing for the future. Slower inventory surface, economists say it’s actually nothing to wor- building in the fourth quarter will mean that busi- WASHINGTON: US economic growth braked more Capital Economics in Toronto. year. “We continue to expect consumer spending to kick ry about. They remain optimistic that the country is nesses will spend more in the coming months as sharply than initially thought in the fourth quarter as busi- Growth in consumer spending, which accounts for the year off on a robust foot after the drop in energy finally emerging from years of sub-par activity and they respond to rising demand. That should then nesses slowed their pace of stock accumulation and the more than two-thirds of US economic activity, was revised prices gave consumers a substantial windfall,” said Bricklin is on course this year for the strongest growth in a lead to stronger factory production and ultimately, trade deficit widened, but the underlying fundamentals down by one-tenth of a percentage point to a 4.2 percent Dwyer, an economist at BNP Paribas in New York. Business decade. Here are five reasons why Friday’s gross economic growth. remained solid. Gross domestic product expanded at a 2.2 pace in the fourth quarter, still the fastest since the first spending on equipment in the fourth quarter was revised domestic product report showed that the economy percent annual pace, revised down from the 2.6 percent quarter of 2006. A tightening labor market and lower to show it rising at a 0.9 percent rate instead of the previ- is doing just fine: * JOB GROWTH pace estimated last month, the Commerce Department gasoline prices are likely to keep supporting domestic ously reported 1.9 percent contraction. While GDP growth slowed in the fourth quarter, said on Friday. The economy grew at a 5 percent rate in demand and help the economy navigate a turbulent A first-quarter acceleration is now in the cards, with * REALISTIC GROWTH the job market was on a roll. The surge continued the third quarter. With consumer spending accelerating at global economy. data on Thursday showing a rebound in business spend- The sizzling growth rate in the July-September into January, giving the country the strongest pace its quickest pace since the first quarter of 2006 and sturdy Improved employment prospects and cheaper gaso- ing intentions in January after four straight months of quarter was never going to last. One-time factors, of job creation in 17 years - job gains of 423,00 in gains in other measures of domestic demand, the slow- line also are keeping consumers in a buoyant mood. A declines. such as a 16 percent surge in federal defense November, 329,000 in December and 257,000 in down in growth is likely to be temporary. second report showed the University of Michigan’s final spending, fueled the strongest acceleration in January. Hopes for 2015 stem from the theory that “There is every reason to believe that domestic February reading on the overall index on consumer senti- STURDY DOMESTIC DEMAND almost a dozen years. The third quarter growth fol- strong job growth and falling unemployment will demand will grow at a rapid clip over the first half of this ment was 95.4, higher than the initial reading of 93.6. The The Commerce Department data showed that growth lowed a 4.6 percent jump in the second quarter, force employers to start boosting salaries to attract year too,” said Paul Ashworth, chief US economist at data pointed to sturdy consumer spending growth this in final sales to domestic purchasers, a key measure of which was also misleading. That was credited to a workers. The combination of more jobs and rising domestic demand, was revised to a 3.2 percent pace for robust rebound after harsh winter weather sent the salaries is likely to fuel strong consumer spending the fourth quarter from the previous 2.8 percent rate. The economy into reverse in the first quarter. After such this year. GDP growth revision was generally in line with expecta- big swings, it’s natural that economic growth would tions. Prices for most US Treasury debt rose, while US settle into a more sustainable pace. * THE ROAD AHEAD stocks were trading marginally lower. The US dollar fell To be sure, not all the signals are flashing green. against a basket of currencies. * CONSUMER STILL KING The GDP report showed that trade will likely weigh Businesses accumulated $88.4 billion worth of inven- The centerpiece of the fourth quarter’s growth on the economy this year. Imports shot up at a tory in the fourth quarter, far less than the $113.1 billion was consumer spending, which expanded at a 4.2 much faster rate than exports, and the wider deficit the government had estimated last month. That resulted percent rate. That was the strongest quarterly subtracted 1.1 percentage points from fourth quar- in the GDP growth contribution from inventories being growth since early 2006. Consumers benefited from ter growth. The stronger dollar makes imports revised down to one-tenth of a percentage point from 0.8 falling gas prices, which gave them more to spend cheaper and more attractive to US consumers but percentage point previously. on other items. Consumer spending accounts for 70 dampens demand for US exports. Housing has also The slower pace of inventory accumulation, however, percent of economic activity, and economists said lagged in the recovery, though it is expected to will be a boost to GDP growth this quarter. Current esti- the solid performance in the final three months of strengthen this year. A separate report Friday from mates put the first-quarter growth pace at between 2.4 the year was an encouraging sign going into 2015. the National Association of Realtors showed that percent and 3 percent. the number of Americans signing contracts to buy Strong domestic demand sucked in more imports * BUSINESS SPENDING homes rose at a healthy pace in January. than previously reported in the fourth quarter, resulting in Another promising sign emerged from compa- For the current January-March quarter, econo- a trade deficit, which subtracted 1.15 percentage points nies. Friday’s report revealed that they increased mists forecast GDP to grow at a pace of about 2.5 from GDP growth instead of the previously reported 1.02 investment spending to expand and modernize percent. They expect further strengthening as the percentage point drag. Despite the strong consumption, their facilities at a solid 4.8 percent rate in the fourth year progresses. Many analysts believe growth for inflation pressures were muted, with the personal con- quarter. While that was down from the pace over all of 2015 will top 3 percent, giving the country the sumption expenditures price index falling at a 0.4 percent the previous six months, it was a marked improve- strongest year since GDP grew 3.3 percent in 2005. rate - the weakest reading since early 2009. The PCE index ment over the government’s first estimate that That would represent a significant acceleration after NEW YORK: A man dresses up as “Statue of Liberty” at Times Square in New York on was previously reported to have declined at a 0.5 percent business investment had only risen at a 1.9 percent average growth of just 2.2 percent over the past five Friday. Dozens of men and women earn their livelihood dressing up as cartoon char- pace. Excluding food and energy, prices rose at an unre- pace during the three-month period. years. Analysts expect the Federal Reserve to acters and super heroes every day to pose with customers, mostly tourists, and then vised 1.1 percent pace, the slowest since the second quar- The robust upward revision eased concerns that respond later this year by raising rates from record coax them for tips at Manhattan’s Times Square. —AFP ter of 2013. —Reuters businesses might cut back sharply on investment in lows near zero. —AP SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 BUSINESS 3M will continue to focus on UGB announces results for 2014 oil & gas sector in Kuwait MANAMA: United Gulf Bank BSC (UGB), yesterday announced its financial results for 2014. Key Financial Highlights for 2014: Huge potential for innovative products, solutions in Kuwait: Parsons * Net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent of $18.8mil- lion (2013: $ 2.6 million) * Net consolidated profit of $ 1.8 million (Net profit 2013: $ 4.2 mil- By Islam Al-Shara’a products/solutions and have plans to address the same, to the global oil and gas industry and its applications. From lion) through a more focused approach. everyday essentials - such as respirators, abrasives and * Basic earnings per share of2.31cents(2013:0.32 cents) KUWAIT: 3M, the well-known technology solutions com- KT: How strong is 3M’s presence in the oil & gas sector electrical connects - to advanced materials for preventing * Net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent in Q4 2014 of pany, will continue to bring innovative solutions and prod- in Kuwait given the fact that this industry is of high signifi- corrosion and reducing the density of down hole cements, $ 3.1 million (Q4 2013: $ 0.4 million) ucts to Kuwait as it is focused on creating value for its cus- cance to the Kuwaiti market? 3M technologies offer a wealth of ingenious solutions to * Total income before interest and other expenses $ 169.1 million tomers through the 40+ technology platforms it owns in In order to complement our objectives to accelerate our many of today’s toughest challenges. (2013:$ 64.3 million) 3M, said Martin Parsons, Country Manager - Kuwait and penetration and expansion in the region by leveraging the 3M Oil & Gas products are divided into three categories * Total assets for 2014 of $ 2.78billion (2013: $ 1.26 billion) Qatar, 3M Gulf, in an interview with Kuwait Times. enormous opportunities that it offers, we opened a Mining, - Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream. Upstream seg- * Capital adequacy ratio of 15 percent (2013:17 percent) which Over the years, 3M has made some inroads into specific ment helps improve drilling efficiency, maintain pipeline exceeds the minimum regulatory requirement of 12.5 percent areas of safety and drilling in Kuwait. With the accelerated integrity and protect valuable equipment and personnel. investment - both ongoing and planned - 3M sees a huge 3M Midstream solutions protect pipelines against corro- Financial performance potential for many of its products/solutions and has plans sion, manage underground assets and ensure reliable UGB’s profit attributable to shareholders of the parent for to address the same through a more focused approach, he product flow - even under extreme conditions. 3M 2014increased to $18.8million compared to $2.6 million in 2013, with explains. Excerpts: Downstream solutions are designed for refining and stor- a similar increase in basic earnings per share to2.31 cents from 0.32 KT: Tell us a bit about 3M’s presence in Kuwait. age applications to promoting brand image. Our technolo- cents in 2013. Parsons: 3M has been operating in Kuwait for many gies help improve productivity, promote safety, and, most UGB consolidated FIMBank - Malta from 31 years, as part of 3M Gulf’s operations based out of Dubai. importantly, keep businesses up and running. March 2014 in which equity ownership was Over the years, we have built strong presence through KT: Give us a few details of key projects handled in the increased to 60.5 percent from 30 percent focusing on the primary market segments, thus driving past in Kuwait? through voluntary bid acquisition. end-user focus and creating value for our customers in Parsons: There are various projects and opportunities UGB’s total assets stood at $2.78billion as multiple segments. that we have been working on in Kuwait, both with the at 31December 2014, compared to US$ KT: Do you offer your entire product range to the government and private sectors, whether in improving 1.26billion in 2013. Kuwaiti market? safety at the workplace, productivity, efficiency, border UGB balance sheet remains strong with Parsons: 3M produces over 65,000 products globally. management solutions or in providing the latest technolo- total equity of $580.4million (2013: $459.6 mil- What brings our focus to a particular country is based sole- gies for the Intelligent Traffic management systems. UGB Chairman lion) and a capital adequacy ratio in excess of ly on the various opportunities that this country can offer KT: What are 3M’s latest innovations for the oil & gas Masaud Hayat 15 percent, above the Central Bank of Bahrain’s us. The primary market segments for us in Kuwait are sector? minimum level of 12.5 percent. UGB’s Board Consumer, Healthcare, as well as Oil & Gas. Opportunities Parsons: We have recently expanded our line of prod- of Directors will not be recommending any dividends for 2014. are also arising in Infrastructure. Our aim is to continue ucts in our Personal Protection Equipment division to Masaud Hayat, Chairman of UGB said: “Net profit attributable to bringing innovative solutions and products to every mar- include 3M Fall Protection products. It provides safe and shareholders of the parent registered more than 600 percent increase ket that we serve and are focused on creating value for our secure solutions that can be trusted by a company’s during 2014,and we are well placed for 2015. I take this opportunity customers, through the 40+ technology platforms that we employees who work at height. We also have the technical to express our gratitude to all the Bahraini regulatory authorities, own in 3M. resources to help with the Competent Person Training, a especially the Central Bank of Bahrain as well as the Bahrain Bourse KT: What are the main areas/divisions which you focus program in which 3M Fall Protection Trainers can help pro- for their longstanding support and collaboration and to thank all our on priority in Kuwait? tect workers from injuries or death - and avoid costly safety shareholders, mainly our mother company KIPCO for their trust and Parsons: The Oil & Gas sector is of high significance to violations, and on site fall hazard evaluations. confidence” Kuwait, and is a primary market segment for us. Kuwait has Martin Parsons KT: What are 3M’s future plans and investments for UGB is the merchant banking subsidiary of KIPCO Group. Its pro- been heavily investing in the oil and gas industry for many Country Manager - Kuwait and Qatar Kuwait? prietary investments include assets in commercial banking, real years. The sector currently accounts for about 60 per cent Parsons: We currently have a strong presence in Kuwait, estate, private equity, and quoted securities. As of 31December 2014 of the country’s GDP, and about 95 per cent of its export Oil & Gas division unit within 3M Gulf in September of last with a focus on key markets, with support from the 3M Gulf assets under management exceeded $ 11.6 billion (31 December revenues. year. We have since been investing with front end operations team in Dubai. We will continue to evaluate 2013: $ 9.7 billion). UGB’s core subsidiaries, associates and joint ven- Although we have been serving this market for some resources for managing key accounts /stake holders, and opportunities for growth in the Kuwaiti market, and pro- ture include: Burgan Bank, KAMCO Investment Company K.S.C.P. time now, we believe that there are still plenty of opportu- providing technical support in the field - factors that are all vide innovative solutions to different segments of the mar- (KAMCO), FIMBank - Malta, North Africa Holding Company, United nities that have arisen in this segment. We have made critical for long-term success in the segment. ket. With Kuwait being a primary focus for the Gulf region, Gulf Financial Services - North Africa, Takaud Savings & Pension some inroads into specific areas of safety and drilling areas. KT: What are 3M’s contributions to the Oil & Gas sector? we do see an opportunity for further penetration in some Company, FIM Bank Plc, United Capital Transport Company and However, with the accelerated investment - both on-going What are the main products/solutions which 3M provides? of the key segments, such us Consumer, Healthcare and Oil United Real Estate Company. and planned - we see a huge potential for many of our Parsons: 3M supplies thousands of innovative products & Gas industries. NBK Capital holds first ‘The Insight’ Investment Forum

KUWAIT: NBK Capital held the first of an annual ber of financial professionals at NBK Capital also tlements, corporate governance and the addi- series of investment forums entitled “The exhibited valuable business insights. The MENA tion of trading products, which are all required Insight”. The event outlined the views of various Equities-Asset Management Division provided to have Kuwait upgraded to emerging status,” investment professionals at NBK and NBK Capital international and regional historical evidence the Brokerage Division observed. The forum relating to the current investment environment that “equities are rewarding over the long-term concluded with a roundtable discussion hosted in the MENA region. despite their significant volatility”. Meanwhile, by senior members of the Research Division at Coinciding with NBK Capital’s tenth anniver- representatives from NBK Capital’s Brokerage NBK Capital on the topic of ‘Key Trends in the sary, “The Insight” comes as a new initiative by NBK Capital to share with its clients and investors updates on business operations, offer expert opinion on major trends and observa- tions in the world of finance, as well as provide investment insights that could help stakeholders make informed investment decisions. Gulf Air celebrates Chief Executive Officer of NBK Capital Faisal Al-Hamad commented, “We are delighted to 20th anniversary of its host the first annual economic forum, “The Insight”. As NBK Capital heads towards its sec- ond decade of operation, we believe it is vital to Falconflyer program continue to foster close working partnership with our clients and investors through transpar- MANAMA: The Kingdom of Bahrain’s alongside our remaining 19 winners!” ent communications and open dialogue. national carrier, Gulf Air as part of its Gulf Air’s Falconflyer loyalty program, Augmented by our clients and investors’ trust in Falconflyer program’s 20th anniversary cel- pioneered by the airline two decades ago, us, NBK Capital formulates creative financial ebrations recently awarded Inayatullah boasts over a million members across 100 solutions that address the specific investment Qureshi with 20,000 complimentary countries around the globe. Further details needs of clients, institutional customers and Falconflyer miles. of the airline’s Falconflyer loyalty program high-net-worth individuals”. The Gulf Air FalconflyerProgram’s 20th can be found by visiting the airline’s web- Key highlights of the event included a pres- anniversary celebrations will see the airline site gulfair.com where you can also enroll in entation on current macro-economic analysis over the course of 2015 give Falconflyer the Gulf Air FalconFlyerProgram. and business observations of local and regional Division examined the performance of stock Banking, Petrochemicals and the Transportation members who fly with Gulf Air (a minimum Gulf Air, the national carrier of the markets. It was noted that, “In the GCC markets, market operation in local and regional markets; Sectors’. Since its inception in 2005, NBK Capital of one flight in any given promotional Kingdom of Bahrain, commenced opera- there are good growth anticipations in 2015- “We believe that Kuwait is on the right track to prides itself on a reach and scale that is global, a month) the chance to win 20,000 tions in 1950, becoming one of the first 2016; business and consumer sentiment should achieve the qualifications needed to be classi- focus that is regional and a service level that Falconflyer miles each. The monthly pro- commercial airlines established in the stabilize with more stable oil markets”. fied as an emerging market by MSCI. The CMA is always remains personal. For more information, motion is running for one year from Middle East. Today, Gulf Air is a major inter- Subsequent interactive presentations by a num- laying the groundwork to enhance custody, set- visit our website www.nbkcapital.com January 2015 to December 2015 and is national carrier serving 43 cities in 24 coun- valid for those Falconflyer members travel- tries spanning three continents. The airline ling throughout 2015 with one lucky win- operates one of the largest networks in the Burgan Bank Gulf Bank announces winners ner chosen via a monthly raffle (June and Middle East, with double daily flights to December will have 5 winners each) and a over 10 regional cities, from its hub at announces seventh of Al-Danah daily draws total of 20 lucky winners winning Bahrain International Airport. Gulf Air 400,000Falconflyermiles, overall. serves all its destinations with a combina- youth draw KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its Al-Danah daily to save. Each KD100 gives the customer 1 Kavita Al-Jassim, Gulf Air Senior tion wide and narrow body fleet totaling 28 draws on February 22, 2015, announcing the chance daily which accumulates day by day. Manager Customer Experience congratu- modern aircraft. Renowned for its tradition- account winner names of its winners for the week of The more money saved and the longer it is lated Qureshi at a ceremony held at the air- al Arabian hospitality, evidenced by the air- February 15 to February 19. The Al-Danah in the account, the more chances individu- line’s headquarters: “We are delighted, 20 line’s signature family and business friendly KUWAIT: Burgan Bank recently announced KHALED daily draws include draws each working day als stand to win. Every years into our Falconflyer program, to con- products, Gulf Air is committed to being an FAISAL NAHAR ALMUTAIRI as the seventh winner of tinue to find new and innovative ways to industry leader and developing products for two prizes of KD1000 per winner. Al-Danah prize draws will automatically reward our loyal members. This year sees us and services that reflect the evolving needs the new Youth Account draw that entitles young The winners are: be deposited into the winner’s account celebrate a milestone in our history as we and aspirations of its passengers. customers to double their student allowances and (Sunday 15/2): Samer Eliya Asaad, within two working days. Open an account continue to pursue our longstanding mis- Gulf Air connects Bahrain to the world win an additional KD 200 every month after trans- Mohammed Shrhan Ramdan Al-Shammiri and Deposit now to Win Big, Live big, with sion of recognizing and celebrating our and, as such, is a key national infrastructure ferring their allowance to the “Youth” account. (Monday 16/2): Mustafa Sayed Hassan Al- Al-Danah 2015. passengers across the Gulf Air network. asset, serving as a powerful driver for the With the introduction of the Youth Account draw, Zelzela, Abdullah Fares Mohammed Al- Al-Danah also offers a number of unique Congratulations to Qureshi and, on behalf economy and supporting the Kingdom’s Mutairan services including the Al-Danah Deposit of Gulf Air, I look forward to celebrating on-going economic growth. customers transferring their student allowances to the bank will be automatically enrolled into a draw, (Tuesday 17/2): Hussain Hassan Hussain Only ATM card which helps account holders Al-Khawaja, Mnahi Saud Fahad Al-Shammari deposit their money at their convenience; whereby for every KD 20 in their Youth Account, Gulf Bank’s priority clients (Wednesday 18/2): Nemshan Saod as well as the Al Danah calculator to help customers will be given a chance to win a cash prize Nemshan Al-Nemshan, Saleh Aidha Ali customers calculate their chances of to enjoy 15% exclusive of KD 200 every month. Customers wishing to take (Thursday 19/2): Mohammed Fayyad becoming an Al-Danah winner. discount at CLASS Big & Elegant part in this draw are advised to transfer their educa- Abdalghafar, Namshan Mekhlaf Al-Jenfawi Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah account is open to tional allowance to Burgan Bank’s Youth account Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah 2015 draw lineup Kuwaitis and all residents of Kuwait. and enjoy their multiple chances of winning. includes daily draws (2 winners per working Customers who open an account and/ or KUWAIT: Gulf Bank has announced that financial products and banking services. it is partnering with CLASS Big & Elegant To take advantage of this latest exclusive The bank’s Youth Account was launched for day each receive KD1000). Al-Danah’s 1st deposit more will enter the draw within to offer its Priority Banking clients exclu- offer, customers can identify themselves young individuals, around the ages of 15 to 25, who quarterly draw will be held on 26 March two days. To take part in the Al-Danah sive benefits when they shop with their and use their Gulf Bank Visa Infinite, seek to attain a successful future. There is no KD lim- (KD200,000, KD125,000, and KD25,000), 2nd 2015 upcoming yearly draw, customers Gulf Bank credit cards. World MasterCard, Platinum MasterCard, it to open an account, and no minimum balance quarter - 25 June (KD250,000, KD125,000, must have an Al-Danah account contain- Through this partnership with CLASS and Platinum Visa when making a pur- required to maintain it. Furthermore, account hold- and KD25,000), 3rd Quarter - 17 September ing at least KD 200. To be part of the Al- (KD500,000, KD125,000, and KD25,000). The Danah draws, customers can visit one of Big & Elegant, Priority Banking clients chase from CLASS Big & Elegant and ers receive free prepaid card and an ATM card which benefit from a 15 percent discount when enjoy the 15 percent discount. To find final Al-Danah draw for the Million Dinars Gulf Bank’s 59 branches, transfer on line, or entitles them to discounts at selected merchants. will be held on 7 January, 2016 whereby the call the Customer Contact Center on shopping at their store in Arraya Mall. out more about Gulf Bank’s promotions To find out more about Burgan Bank’s Youth This offer is valid until 14 December and offers, customers can visit one of Al-Danah millionaire will be announced 1805805 for assistance and guidance. Account as well as the latest promotions, customers 2015. Gulf Bank’s 59 branches; contact the alongside winners of KD250,000 and Customers can also log on to www.e-gulf- Gulf Bank is committed to offering its Customer Contact Center on 1805805, or are required to visit their nearest Burgan Bank KD50,000. bank.com/aldanahwinners, to find out Priority clients with new promotions in log on to the Bank’s bilingual website at branch or contact the call center on 1804080. 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Arctic research vessel Sikuliaq prepares for final trials

SEWARD: A floating Arctic laboratory four decades let its load-handling system extend a boom down in the making has arrived at its home port and 45 degrees to release equipment that can descend stands poised to begin unlocking mysteries of one to 10,000 meters or more. The ship has acoustic sys- of the wildest places on Earth. The 261-foot Sikuliaq tems designed to map the ocean bottom and pro- (see-KOO’-lee-ak) next month will leave Seward, sail file sediment 70 meters deep, Whitledge said. But around the Aleutian Islands and tuck into sea ice in it’s the ice capability and its extreme maneuverabili- the Bering Sea. The voyage will be the final trial for ty that makes it stand out. its reinforced hull, propulsion system and array of The vessel’s reinforced double hull can be cranes and booms that will deploy instruments pushed through ice 3 feet thick. It’s powered by two ranging from small submarines and plankton nets thrusters and scalloped propeller blades that can be to buoys that weigh a ton. “Knock on wood, I’m rotated 360 degrees to either pull or push the ves- hoping that’s it’s going to be something that peo- sel. Reinforced propellers can grind ice. It can be ple like over the next 30, 40 years,” said Terry steered by a joystick in the captain’s chair, the swipe Whitledge, a University of Alaska Fairbanks chemi- of a computer screen, or controls on stations on the cal oceanographer who has worked since 1999 to starboard or stern. The $200 million-plus vessel is see the vessel built. designed to conduct research 24 hours per day. It The Sikuliaq is named for the Inupiat Eskimo will cost about $45,000 per day to operate. There word for young sea ice. The ship is owned by the are always issues with new vessels, Hoshlyk said, National Science Foundation and will be operated and it can up to three years to detect problems. by UA Fairbanks. It replaces the Alpha Helix, which That’s been the case with the Sikuliaq. was taken out of service in 2004. At just 125 feet After trials on Lake Michigan, a lubrication prob- long, the Alpha Helix could carry only 15 scientists lem was discovered in the propulsion units and and was undersized for the waters where crab fish- they had to be replaced, costing more than $1 mil- ermen of “Deadliest Catch” earn their money. The lion. On the transit across the North Pacific, cracks Sikuliaq, built by Marinette Marine Corp. in developed in the base foundations of winches hold- Marinette, Wisconsin, has berths for 26 researchers, ALASKA: The National Science Foundation research ship Sikuliaq is moored in Seward, Alaska. — AP ing 36 tons of cable. The A-frame crane will be a crew of 20, and features lacking on the Alpha replaced. Carbon steel was used in places it should Helix. frame crane off the stern. The crane can rotate researchers to stage gear, such as CTDs, devices not have been, Hoshlyk said, such as the drains The vessel has nearly 100 feet of stern deck. down almost flush with the water for towing or to that measure conductivity, temperature and depth. going over the side. “Now you have a light-blue Researchers can fill a modular container and have it help hoist a sediment corer sunk 70 feet into the “You don’t want this stuff iced up and frozen boat with rust streaks,” he said. “That piping is going loaded with one of the Sikuliaq’s cranes, said Mike ocean floor, Whitledge said. “To pull that back out when you’re trying to deploy it and have it work to deteriorate and it’s going to have to be replaced.” Hoshlyk, the ship’s captain. The cranes can put peo- requires many, many tons of pull,” Whitledge said. properly,” Hoshlyk said. “You’re just wasting time The Sikuliaq will spend about a month in Bering Sea ple as well as equipment on sea ice. For heavy lift- Just forward from the stern deck is the Baltic Room. sending something down that’s not going to work.” ice and then head to dry dock for repairs. Science ing, scientists can turn to the double articulated A- It looks like a garage but provides headed space for A door on the Baltic Room slides out of the way to missions could resume in July. — AP Fill in the blank Facebook adds new gender option for users

CALIFORNIA: Facebook users who don’t fit any of sees their gender. Last year’s changes created an the 58 gender identity options offered by the social online stir, with thousands of comments - some media giant are now being given a rather big 59th grateful, others confused or hostile. But staff at option: fill in the blank. “Now, if you do not identify Facebook said there was full support to take it even with the pre-populated list of gender identities, further this year, from CEO Mark Zuckerberg on you are able to add your own,” said a Facebook down. As of Thursday, the free-form option rolled announcement published online Thursday morn- out to US users, while the custom gender identity ing and shared in advance with The Associated option with a list of words was available in the Press. Facebook software engineer Ari Chivukula, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, Spain, who identifies as transgender and was part of the Italy, Germany, Argentina and Denmark. team that made the free-form option, thinks the One thing that has not changed is an “interested change will lead to more widespread acceptance of in” option for Facebook users to define whom they people who don’t identify themselves as a man or might want to date. That option still only allows woman. “We’re hoping this will open up the dia- men or women, but users can click both options, logue,” Chivukula said. one option or neither option. They can also hide it Alison CK Fogarty, a gender identity researcher entirely. Facebook, which has 1.23 billion active at Stanford University, said giving users control monthly users around the world, would not release over the words describing their gender is a signifi- how many users have chosen gender identity cant step in social recognition of a growing trans options beyond man or woman, citing privacy con- CALIFORNIA: This architectural rendering by BIG & Heatherwick Studio and released by Google, shows the company’s plan for a community, especially coming from the world’s cerns and a general practice of not sharing user new headquarters campus in Mountain View, California. — AFP largest social media company. “People are still information. fighting to make room for gender identity within The Williams Institute, a think tank based at the the socially constructed binary of male and female,” University of California, Los Angeles, estimates Google aims to make a big Fogarty said. “Labels and identities are powerful in there are at least 700,000 people in the U.S. who that they give a sense of community, a way of artic- identify as transgender, an umbrella term that ulating one’s experience.” In February 2014, includes people who live as a gender different from statement in Silicon Valley Facebook expanded gender identity from male and the one assigned to them at birth. Sarah Kate Ellis, female to a list of dozens of options, including CEO and president of the advocacy group GLAAD, Androgyne, Gender Fluid, Intersex, Neither and said that the past few years have brought “real Google hits back at rivals with futuristic HQ plan Transgender. Those choices will all still be available. movement in trans visibility” and that Facebook People who choose a custom gender can also has been a leader in making that happen. “This choose the pronoun they would like to be referred helps to accelerate trans acceptance in our coun- WASHINGTON: Google has unveiled plans for a new campus head- the center of one building, connecting with cafes and local shops. to publicly: he/his, she/her or they/their. Facebook try,” Ellis said. “I’m excited about the future for gen- quarters integrating wildlife and sweeping waterways, aiming to Tensions in the Valley has a setting for users to control the audience who der identity.”— AP make a big statement in Silicon Valley-which is already seeing ambi- The New York Times, which first reported on the Google campus tious projects from Apple and Facebook. The design also includes plan this week, said the project has raised concerns in the once- lush public gardens, looping covered bikeways and futuristic-looking sleepy community of Mountain View about being overrun by the buildings that can be moved about like toy blocks. The redesign on technology behemoth. The expansion of the wealthy tech giants in the Google property in Mountain View, California, by Danish architect the region has led to increased congestion as well as an explosion in Bjarke Ingels and London-based Thomas Heatherwick, was submit- the area’s real estate prices. ted to local officials Friday, with details released on the company’s Radcliffe said the new Google campus will see it do “more with official blog. the local community.” “We’re adding lots of bike paths and retail The latest huge design project in Silicon Valley comes as Apple is opportunities, like restaurants, for local businesses,” he noted. “We in the midst of building its “spaceship” campus and Facebook is using also hope to bring new life to the unique local environment, from renowned architect Frank Gehry for its campus expansion. Google- enhancing burrowing owl habitats to widening creek beds.” In near- which has faced opposition from locals-said its new design is aimed by Cupertino, Apple won approval in 2013 for a shimmering flying- at “rethinking office space.” “As we’ve inhabited a variety of work- saucer-shaped headquarters after a tax break granted the technolo- places-including a garage in Menlo Park (California), a farmhouse in gy titan was trimmed. “Apple Campus 2” is described as a 21st Denmark and an entire New York city block-we’ve learned something Century creation designed for research, collaboration, and innova- about what makes an office space great,” Google vice president for tion. real estate David Radcliffe said in a blog post. Radcliffe said the new Apple enlisted world-famous architect Norman Foster to trans- campus will “lead to a better way of working.” form a 176-acre site dominated by asphalt and old buildings into He added that “instead of constructing immoveable concrete “sustainable, state-of-the-art office, research and development facili- buildings, we’ll create lightweight block-like structures which can be ties.” Facebook meanwhile is upgrading its Menlo Park campus at the moved around easily as we invest in new product areas.” The plan former headquarters of Sun Microsystems. Gehry, known for his includes large canopies over the campus which “regulate climate, deconstructive style and buildings that sometimes appear unfin- pollution, and sound, while freeing spaces from traditional architec- ished, also designed the Stata Center at the Massachusetts Institute WASHINGTON: Photo shows a view of and Apple iPhone displaying the Facebook app’s splash tural limitations like walls, windows and roofs.” It aims “to blur the dis- of Technology and the Cinematheque Francaise in Paris. Facebook’s screen in front of the login page on a computer. Facebook said it has boosted the number of adver- tinction between our buildings and nature,” added Radcliffe. One new hub has been described as “a large, one-room building that tisers on the social network to two million as it launched a mobile app for those managing their rendering shows a loop for bicycles and pedestrians going through somewhat resembles a warehouse.”— AFP commercial pitches. — AFP RSA Conference plans to expand Regulators approve tougher rules for Internet providers DUBAI: RSA Conference (www.rsaconference.com), RSA Conferences offer attendees; to network and influence extends well beyond its borders,” said Art the world’s leading information security confer- learn, and I am excited to see the event expand Coviello, RSA Executive Chairman. “Ourplans to WASHINGTON: Internet activists have declared millions who wrote to the FCC and spoke out on ences and expositions has announced it intends to into Abu Dhabi.” “The Middle East has rapidly launch RSA Conference Abu Dhabi 2015 provides a victory over the nation’s big cable companies, social media in support of the change. “Today’s expand to Abu Dhabi in November of 2015. With emerged as an information security market whose venue for the larger information security industry after the Federal Communications Commission FCC decision will protect innovation and create successful events throughout the world, this will be to tap into the burgeoning vitality and creativity of voted to impose the toughest rules yet on a level playing field for the next generation of the first new event added to the RSAC landscape the Middle East and North African markets. broadband service to prevent companies like entrepreneurs - and it wouldn’t have happened since the introduction of RSA Conference Asia- We look forward to facilitating the same level of Comcast, Verizon and AT&T from creating paid without Americans like you,” he wrote. Verizon Pacific and Japan in 2013. RSA Conference is in dis- industry interaction and advancement in Abu fast lanes and slowing or blocking web traffic. saw it differently, using the Twitter hashtag cussions with the UAE National Electronic Security Dhabi that has long characterized the RSA The 3-2 vote ushered in a new era of govern- #ThrowbackThursday to draw attention to the Authority (NESA), about the launch of the event. Conference experience.” “As Internet penetration ment oversight for an industry that has seen rel- FCC’s reliance on 1934 legislation to regulate NESA is responsible for establishing cybersecurity and investments in advanced technologies contin- atively little. It represents the biggest regulatory the Internet. Likewise, AT&T suggested the FCC strategies, policies and standards to create a Cyber ue to surge in the Middle East, the need for enter- shake-up to telecommunications providers in had damaged its reputation as an independent Secure environment, further enabling the UAE’s prises and governments to deploy advanced secu- almost two decades. federal regulator by embracing such a liberal unimpeded progress. rity technologies and proactive policies grow even The new rules require that any company policy. Targeting 800 information security profession- further.” said Mohammed Amin, Senior Vice providing a broadband connection to your als from Europe, Middle East and African regions, President, EMC Turkey, Eastern Europe, Africa and home or phone must act in the “public interest” Net neutrality RSA Conference Abu Dhabi 2015plans to offer Middle East region. and refrain from using “unjust or unreasonable” “Does anyone really think Washington needs keynotes, track sessions and sponsors, like its other “In recent months, we have seen frequent business practices. The goal is to prevent yet another partisan fight? Particularly a fight events. “Cyber security is a global concern critical to instances of advanced cyber-attacks and espi- providers from striking deals with content around the Internet, one of the greatest engines businesses and regions around the globe. NESA is onage campaigns targeting critical industries, providers like Google, Netflix or Twitter to move of economic growth, investment and innova- committed to protecting our national infrastruc- enterprises and governments across the region their data faster. “Today is a red-letter day for tion in history?” said Jim Cicconi, AT&T’s senior ture from all cyber threats, utilizing the latest inno- making cyber security a core focus area for both Internet freedom,” said FCC Chairman Tom executive vice president for external and legisla- vative technologies and setting cybersecurity enterprises and governments. The RSA Conference Wheeler, whose remarks at Thursday’s meeting tive affairs. Net neutrality is the idea that web- strategies and policies,” said a NESA spokesperson. Abu Dhabi is aimed at highlighting the importance frequently prompted applause by Internet sites or videos load at about the same speed. “In order to stay ahead of threats, the industry’s of adopting an “Intelligence Driven Approach” to activists in the audience. That means you won’t be more inclined to greatest minds need to continue to share informa- security while fostering an environment of learning President Barack Obama, who had come out watch a particular show on Amazon Prime tion and provide lessons learned. and awareness for both public and private sector in favor of net neutrality in the fall, portrayed instead of on Netflix because Amazon has As a past attendee of RSA Conference events, I Mohammed Amin, SVP and Regional Manager entities to better understand the wider threat land- the decision as a victory for democracy in the struck a deal with your service provider to load have seen first-hand the countless opportunities TEEAM region scape and outlook for the future.” digital age. In an online letter, he thanked the its data faster.—AP SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Drinking coffee may lower risk of multiple sclerosis

WASHINGTON: People who drink four to six also protect against MS, supporting the idea years before symptoms began for those Similar protective effects were seen caffeine in coffee has any impact on relapse cups of coffee daily may be less likely to get that the drug may have protective effects for afflicted with MS. among those who drank lots of coffee five to or long-term disability due to MS, an incur- multiple sclerosis, according to international the brain,” she added. After accounting for other factors such as 10 years before symptoms appeared. able disease of the central nervous system research. The findings of a US and Swedish study- age, sex, smoking, body mass index and sun The US study found that “people who did- that affects 2.3 million people worldwide. “Caffeine intake has been associated with released ahead of the American Academy of exposure, the Swedish study found that n’t drink coffee were also about one and a The study was funded by the Swedish a reduced risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Neurology annual meeting in Washington- “compared to people who drank at least six half times more likely to develop the disease Medical Research Council, the US National diseases,” said lead author Ellen Mowry of the each compared more than 1,000 MS patients cups of coffee per day during the year before than those who drank four or more cups of Institute of Neurological Disorders and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine to a similar number of healthy people. symptoms appeared, those who did not coffee per day in the year before symptoms Stroke, the National Institute of in Baltimore, Maryland. Researchers tracked how much coffee drink coffee had about a one and a half times started to develop.” Environmental Health Sciences and the “Our study shows that coffee intake may the subjects drank in the one, five and 10 increased risk of developing MS.” More research is needed to determine if National Institute on Aging. —AFP

Blood biomarkers found for chronic fatigue syndrome

WASHINGTON: Chronic fatigue syndrome disease for more than three years. Those is a disease with distinct stages that can be who had been sick for less than three years identified through biomarkers in the had higher levels of immune molecules blood, researchers said Friday, offering called cytokines. hope that earlier diagnosis may improve “The association was unusually strong treatment. with a cytokine called interferon gamma Scientists at Columbia University’s that has been linked to the fatigue that fol- Mailman School of Public Health said their lows many viral infections, including findings represent “the first robust physical Epstein-Barr virus,” said the study. evidence” that the syndrome is “a biological However, cytokine levels did not explain illness as opposed to a psychological disor- symptom severity, which often fluctuates. der, and the first evidence that the disease Patients may have good days and bad has distinct stages.” days. The report was published in the journal “It appears that ME/CFS patients are Science Advances. flush with cytokines until around the three- With no known cause or cure, chronic year mark, at which point the immune sys- fatigue syndrome-known formally as tem shows evidence of exhaustion and encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) — has long cytokine levels drop,” said Hornig. puzzled the medical community. It can Researchers said the findings support cause extreme tiredness, headaches, diffi- the theory that the disease may strike culty concentrating and muscle pain. when vulnerable patients fall ill with a “We now have evidence confirming common virus like Epstein-Barr, which what millions of people with this disease causes mononucleosis, and they are already know, that ME/CFS isn’t psycholog- unable to recover. ical,” said lead author Mady Hornig, associ- “The immune response becomes like a ate professor of epidemiology at car stuck in high gear,” the university said in Columbia’s Mailman School. a statement. “Our results should accelerate the Previous research has ruled out two process of establishing the diagnosis after viruses thought to be causing ME/CFS, individuals first fall ill as well as discovery of including xenotropic murine leukemia A handout photo realesed on February 24, 2015 by the European Southern Observatory shows NASA/ESA Hubble Space new treatment strategies focusing on virus and murine retrovirus-like sequences. Telescope image of the region known as the Hubble Deep Field South. New observations using the MUSE (Multi Unit these early blood markers.” “This study delivers what has eluded us Spectroscopic Explorer) instrument on ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) have detected remote galaxies that are not visible to for so long: unequivocal evidence of Hubble, its operators said yesterday. —AFP Plasma samples immunological dysfunction in ME/CFS and Researchers tested levels of 51 immune diagnostic biomarkers for disease,” said biomarkers in blood plasma samples from senior author W. Ian Lipkin, professor of Sky-scanning instrument 298 patients and 348 healthy controls. epidemiology at Columbia’s Mailman Specific patterns appeared in patients who School. had the disease three years or less. “The question we are trying to address These patterns were not visible in in a parallel microbiome project is what on VLT finds new galaxies healthy controls or patients who had the triggers this dysfunction.” —AFP Results give astronomers best three-dimensional view

PARIS: A new instrument on Europe’s Very that even Hubble, the powerful orbiting tele- Lyon Centre for Astrophysics Research told AFP. Large Telescope (VLT) has produced the most scope, have not been able to spot. In 27 hours over four nights, MUSE found 26 detailed 3-D view yet of the deep Universe, dis- A joint project of the American and galaxies that had been too far and too faint to covering 26 distant galaxies in just 27 hours of European space agencies, Hubble has captured be included in Hubble’s map. scanning, its operators said Friday. iconic long exposure pictures that taught us “This opens many new avenues,” said Bacon, MUSE, for Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer, much about the young Universe. hailing the “fantastic” results. captures high-resolution images of deep space, But to find out more about the galaxies in “It shows that we have built a machine that and breaks the light observed from distant these “deep field” images, astronomers have to performs extremely well and will allow us to objects down into its component colours in study them with other instruments-a difficult learn many things.” order to study the composition, distance and and time-consuming job, said the ESO state- The results allowed astronomers to look movement of galaxies. ment. back about 12 billion years — not long after The 22-million euro ($25 million) instrument, “But now, for the first time, the new MUSE the Big Bang that formed the Universe some which took 10 years to design and build, start- instrument can do both jobs at once-and far 13.7 billion years ago. ed operating last year as part of the European more quickly,” it added. MUSE studies the mechanism by which Southern Observatory’s VLT array based in In 20 years, astronomers have been able to galaxies form, how they move and what they Chile’s Atacama desert. analyse 18 of some 500 objects discovered by are composed of, in order to better understand Its first results have “given astronomers the Hubble in a part of the sky known as Hubble our world. best ever three-dimensional view of the deep Deep Field South, for example. The team, said Bacon, is looking specifically Universe,” an ESO statement said. for young systems giving birth to bright, new MONROVIA: A man walks past an ebola campaign banner with the new slo- “The new observations reveal the distances, Opens new avenues stars, and were less concerned with massive gan “Ebola Must GO” in Monrovia on February 23, 2015. The country of four motions and other properties of far more galax- The MUSE team, on the other hand, was able clusters which can be spotted more “but don’t million is slowly emerging from the epidemic, with infections at a fraction of ies than ever before in this tiny piece of the to study and determine the distances to 189 resemble our own galaxy.” the peak, borders reopening, children back at school and now the night- sky.” galaxies in the same area, the instrument’s prin- The results were published in the journal MUSE has allowed the team to study objects cipal investigator Roland Bacon of France’s Astronomy & Astrophysics. —AFP time lockdown lifted. —AFP

China’s survey Tribes from around US gather to discuss legal marijuana finds increase TULALIP: The Justice Department’s potential legal issues remain. said Ken Meshigaud, chairman of wrestling with the idea since the US over tribal lands. If tribes are in announcement in December that it Representatives of about 75 the Hannahville Indian Community, Justice Department announced those states, and those states pro- would allow the nation’s Indian tribes from around the country a band of the Potawatomi Tribe on that it wouldn’t stand in their way if hibit marijuana, tribal members in giant pandas tribes to legalize and regulate mari- converged on the Tulalip Indian Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. “From they want to approve pot for med- could face state criminal prosecu- juana on their reservations brought Tribes’ resort and casino for a $605- an economic standpoint, it may be ical or recreational use. The agency tion if they legalize or regulate BEIJING: Wild giant pandas in China are doing well. notes of caution - if not silence or a-head seminar on the regulatory, a good venture the tribes can get said tribes must follow the same marijuana, he said. The latest census by China’s State Forestry opposition - from many tribes. They legal and social issues related to pot into.” law enforcement priorities laid out Administration shows the panda population has were reluctant given the sub- legalization. That’s a small fraction for states that legalize the drug, Great business model grown by 268 to a total of 1,864 since the last survey stance-abuse problems that of the nation’s 566 recognized Self-sufficiency including keeping marijuana out of Several tribes stressed they are ending in 2003. already plague many reservations. tribes. Many attendees were from Tulalip Vice Chairman Les Parks the hands of children and criminal proceeding cautiously and reluc- But the attendance at a conference smaller tribes looking for a poten- called it “a dream of another point elements. tant to outpace changes in state Nearly three quarters of the pandas live in the on the topic Friday gave an early tial economic edge. “A great deal of self-sufficiency on our reserva- The discussions are heating up: marijuana laws. For example, tribes southwestern province of Sichuan. The remaining indication of just how many might more are considering this than I tions.” “That’s what marijuana can On Monday, about 200 tribal lead- might not want to legalize for pandas have been found in the neighboring Shaanxi be weighing it, even if a thicket of thought would be considering it,” do for us,” he said. Tribes have been ers attended a meeting of the recreational use if it’s illegal off- and Gansu provinces. National Congress of American reservation, said Chris Stearns, a “The rise in the population of wild giant pandas is Indians, which included a closed- Navajo and the chairman of the a victory for conservation and definitely one to cele- to-the-press panel discussion with Washington State Gambling brate,” said Ginette Hemley, senior vice president of Justice Department officials on Commission. “They can sell to non- wildlife conservation for World Wildlife Fund. marijuana legalization, said Demitri Indians, but the second they leave Downing, a former prosecutor for the reservation they get arrested,” Hemley credited efforts by the Chinese govern- the Tohono O’odham tribe in Stearns said. “That’s not a great ment for the increase. The survey shows 1,246 wild southern Arizona who now advises business model.” giant pandas live within nature reserves. There are 67 tribes on regulatory issues related The tribal council of the 3,200- panda reserves in China, an increase of 27 since the to pot. The topic also is on the member Hoopa Valley Tribe, in last survey. agenda of a major tribal economic Northern California’s famed “The survey result demonstrates the effectiveness summit in Las Vegas next month. Emerald Triangle, has requested of nature reserves in boosting wild giant panda num- “We have to take a look at it,” said recommendations from health, law bers,” said Xiaohai Liu, executive program director for Seth Pearman, an attorney for the enforcement and other tribal offi- WWF-China. Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe in cials to consider the consequences South Dakota. “The economic of marijuana legalization, including But the survey also points to economic develop- opportunity is just astronomical - it whether it might jeopardize federal ment as a main threat to the rare animal. It says 319 would be almost negligent to miss aid for health care, fire services or hydropower stations and 1,339 kilometers (832 out on this.” housing, said Councilman Brad miles) of roads have been built in the giant panda’s He said tribal leaders already are Marshall. Some tribes said they habitat. drafting regulations for a marijuana would first consider regulating WWF said it is the first time that large-scale infra- industry, and they toured some cannabis for medical use. They said structure projects such as mining and railroads get Washington state dispensaries on they were intrigued about the idea referenced in the survey. Traditional threats such as their trip. The conference was that making pot more accessible organized by Robert Odawi Porter, might help cut down on abuse of poaching are on the decline, WWF noted. a former president of the Seneca methamphetamine or prescription China began surveying its giant pandas in the Nation in New York, and Seattle drugs among tribal members. 1970s. The latest census began in 2011 and took BENTIU: IDP’s (Internally displaced persons) queue to register at the UNMISS Protection of marijuana business attorneys “We’re looking at what the benefits three years to complete. Civilian (POC) site in Bentiu, Unity State, on Friday. The camp receives up to 200 new IDP Hilary Bricken and Robert McVay. are, not only with revenue but with The number of giant pandas in captivity grew by each day, due to lack of services in the town. The World Health Organization today appealed Porter noted that difficult legal the medical relief we can give to issues remain, especially related to our elders,” said Lewis Taylor, chair- 211, more than double the previous survey figure, for 1.0 billion USD in additional funds to help provide life-saving health services to millions according to the census released yesterday. —AP tribal sovereignty. About 17 states man of the St Croix Tribe of in need in conflict-ravaged Syria, Iraq, Central African Republic and South Sudan. —AFP have some criminal jurisdiction Wisconsin. —AP SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE India keeps tight rein on public health spending

NEW DELHI: India’s federal government yesterday health coverage. He has also vowed to revamp the and 8.3 percent in the United States. Indian states Health Mission, the country’s main health pro- kept its healthcare budget for 2015-16 on a tight sector and make medical services more affordable manage their health budgets separately. gramme that provides basic medical services to leash and asked states to contribute more funds for for the poor. Despite rapid economic growth over the past millions of poor people. running the country’s flagship health programmes. “Health has not received adequate attention two decades, successive federal governments have While the government said it will open six new The government announced 297 billion rupees and allocation in the budget. The promise of uni- failed to invest generously in health. An inadequate large public hospitals across the country, the ($4.81 billion) for its main health department, versal health coverage will remain unfulfilled unless number of doctors and a poor network of public financing left many disappointed. roughly 2 percent higher than current year’s health is prioritised,” K. Srinath Reddy, President of hospitals, coupled with bureaucratic bungling, “This budget allocation is not a significant revised budget of 290 billion rupees. the Public Health Foundation of India, told Reuters. means India often struggles to spend its allocated increase to boost Indian public health stan- It had been expected that Prime Minister Asia’s third-largest economy spends about 1 budgets. dards,” said a health ministry official in New Narendra Modi would ramp up federal health percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on The budget documents said states will be asked Delhi who described the budget figures as “dis- spending in a bid to achieve his goal of universal public health, compared with 3 percent in China to increase their share in funding for the National couraging”. —Reuters Panel: Use new meningitis vaccines only for outbreaks

ATLANTA: A federal panel recommended pads for outbreaks. that two new meningitis vaccines only be Even with antibiotic treatment, 10 to 15 used for rare outbreaks, resisting tearful percent of people who get it die, and pleas to give it routinely to teens and col- about 15 percent of survivors have long- lege students. term disabilities, including loss of limbs or The vaccines target B strain meningo- brain damage. Illnesses caused by the B coccal disease, which comes on like the flu strain are very rare and have not been at first but can rapidly develop into dan- increasing, but the disease grabbed atten- gerous meningitis or blood infections. But tion in 2013 with small outbreaks at it is very rare and students already get Princeton University and the University of another meningitis vaccine that protects California, Santa Barbara. At that time, against four more common strains. there was no B strain vaccine available in So the Advisory Committee on the US; special permission was granted to Immunization Practices declined to recom- bring it from Europe where it was mend routine shots for all adolescents and approved for students at the two schools. college students. The panel is to consider This year, there have been two out- that later this year. It only recommended breaks - at the University of Oregon and at the vaccine be used in emergencies or for Providence College in Rhode Island. In people at unusually high risk. Oregon, one student died last week and Before the unanimous vote, the com- three others were sickened. mittee heard pleas for broader support for The strain B vaccines for ages 10 to 25 the vaccine. With quivering voices and were licensed in the US in the past few teary eyes, many told personal stories months: Bexsero, by Novartis, was about the disease’s personal impact. One approved last month. It’s given in two dos- woman, Patti Wukovits from New York’s es, at a retail price of $160 a dose. MIAMI: Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell talks about our community’s preparedness ahead of the second Long Island, said her 17-year-old daughter Pfizer’s Trumenba was licensed in open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace during a visit at Florida International University College of Law in Miami. died in 2012, shortly before her high October. It’s a three-dose series at $115 a Droves of people signing up for health insurance this weekend may not realize it, but their coverage under President Barack school graduation. shot. The panel’s advice - if adopted by the Obama’s law could be short lived. —AP “We buried her in her prom dress,” said government - would influence doctor use Wukovits, a nurse. “Kimberly would be of the new vaccines and insurance cover- alive today if she’d had the opportunity to age. Annoyance arises from govt be protected by the B vaccines.” Illnesses from the other four bacterial Meningococcal (mehn-ihn-joh-KAHK’- meningitis strains have fallen to historic ul) disease is caused by a bacteria spread lows, with fewer than a dozen cases error on health care tax forms by coughing, sneezing and kissing, and reported each year. The vaccine against most cases occur in previously healthy those strains is recommended for ages 11 children and young adults. College dormi- through 18 years. It’s standard for most Government mistake affects 800,000 customers tories are considered potential launching kids entering college. —AP WASHINGTON: It’s not uncommon to feel some Unfavorable interaction Tax penalties trepidation around tax-filing season. But there’s “This is not just an aggravation, it’s a financial The health care law offers subsidized private an added hassle this year for nearly a million con- issue, because I could end up paying for a clerical insurance to people who do not have access to sumers who got financial help with health insur- error,” she said. The Obama administration says coverage on the job. Because those subsidies are ance premiums under President Barack Obama’s it’s trying to figure out what caused the broader delivered as tax credits, recipients have to account law. mistake, even as it rushes corrected information for them each year on their tax returns. That’s what The government sent consumers erroneous to affected taxpayers. the 1095-A tax form is supposed to help them do. information on forms that they need to complete Asked for an explanation at a recent House For John Stephens of Littleton, Colorado, it’s their 2014 tax returns. Now they’re getting robo- hearing, HealthCare.gov CEO Kevin Counihan put turned to vexation. An audio recording and edit- calls and emails advising them to delay filing until it this way: “It appears there was an unfavorable ing specialist, Stephens said his 1095-A indicates the mistakes get fixed. interaction between two pieces of software he was only insured for the last two months of Some are taking it in stride. Others wonder code.” 2014, when in fact he had coverage since what else could go wrong. “It’s been a comedy of Translation: The administration is still techno- February. Such a mistake could expose him to tax errors from the start,” said K.C. Crafts, a freelance logically challenged by health insurance pro- penalties that the law levies on people who financial writer from South Berwick, Maine. grams. remain uninsured if they can otherwise afford cov- The mistake the government made affected “This is an unforced error,” scolded Rep. Matt erage. 800,000 customers receiving subsidized health Cartwright, D-Pa. “It provides fodder for those Stephens said he’s spent a lot of time on the coverage through the federal insurance market. who want to tear down” the law. Donna Brown of phone with his insurer and the Colorado health Some states running their own insurance Austin, Texas, said she thinks it’s about on par for insurance exchange, which is run by that state. “It’s exchanges also have had tax-form troubles. the government. really easy for them to bounce the ball back to the In the federal case, 2015 premiums were sub- “I never am too surprised when the federal other.” Last year, insurers said many of the enroll- stituted for what should have been 2014 num- government makes mistakes like this,” said ment records they got from the then-new insur- bers on new tax forms called 1095-As. Those Brown, a former executive administrative assis- ance markets had errors. forms are like W-2s for people who got subsidized tant for a tech company. Taking a break from the Spokesman Curtis Hubbard said the Colorado health insurance - building blocks for filing an industry’s pressures, she said she’s relieved that exchange is reviewing its records and working accurate tax return. she was able to get health insurance as a result of with Stephens’ insurer to resolve the situation. Crafts said her form has another error as well, Obama’s law. Brown usually files her taxes at the Stephens said he suspects his situation is an potentially more serious. The coverage dates are last minute, so the error notices haven’t affected early indicator of more problems. “It’s the pointy wrong, and the result makes it appear as if she her routine. end of the spear,” he said. “It’s going to be a big, PARIS: French Prime Minister Manuel Valls (C) and French minister for Social and her husband got much more in subsidies “Whoever implemented this, there would big problem.” Affairs, Health and Women’s Rights Marisol Touraine (L) visit La Pitie- than they actually received. Maine is one of the 37 have been problems,” said Brown. “It’s new. Even Hubbard said Colorado sent out about 107,000 Salpetriere hospital on Friday in Paris, as France is facing the worst flu epi- states served by HealthCare.gov, which is run by though it’s the second year of coverage, it’s the of the forms to consumers. So far, the exchange the Department of Health and Human Services. first time these statements are coming out.” has gotten about 170 calls with questions. —AP demic of the past five years. —AFP WHAT’S ON SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

Lu&Lu Hypermarket gifts winners a trip to Incredible India u&Lu Hypermarket, the country’s largest retail chain, held their much awaited prize distribution on 26 February, 2015 at their Al-Rai outlet. Organized as a part of their ‘Incredible India’ promotion, the raffle draw offered customers a lucky coupon for every KD5 worth of purchase that gave them the opportunity to win one of 26 free air tickets to India. The start of the prize distribution ceremony was exciting Lwith a large turnout and applause rang out as the winners were announced and received their prizes. The winners expressed appreciation to Lu&Lu Hypermarket for providing great deals and rewards for shopping at their outlets. Lu&Lu Hypermarket, which brings world class shopping to Kuwait, offers a vast selection of products at competitive prices to serve the diverse population of this cosmopolitan country.

KSNA Kuwait Chapter holds ‘Keli 2015’

eli 2015’, a two-day theater festival Sunil Jain inaugurated the festival by lighting the Ambassador. Haridasan as a token appreciation and grati- ‘Keli 2015’ souvenir to the ambassador who organized by the Kuwait Chapter of the traditional lamp in the presence of three KSNA Kuwait Chapter Chairman Vijay Karayil tude. Ad-Hoc Committee member T V Jayan released it and presented it to Ad-Hoc ‘Kthe Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi judges and renowned theatre personalities in his presidential address outlined the vision of presented a memento to Sudheer Committee member Babu Chakola. Ad-Hoc (KSNA) for Gulf Malayalai Diaspora on February from India, Sreejith Ramanan, Sudheer the chapter in promoting pravasi theatre and Parameswaran. Ad-Hoc committee member Committee member Nixon George proposed a 25 and 26, 2015 at the Indian Community Parameswaran and C K Haridasan and KSNA theatre artists in Kuwait. KSNA Kuwait Chapter and Kalshri Award winner K P Balakrishnan was vote of thanks. Rajeshwari Subbaraman and School (Senior), Salmiya, turned out to be a office-bearers. and Gulf Coordinator Sajeev K Peter in his wel- honored with a ‘ponnada’ by Vijay Karayil. Murali S Nair anchored the inaugural ceremony. huge success. A large number of theatre enthu- Former Kerala Minister Surendran Pillai and come address informed that this year, in addi- In his brief speech Sreejith Ramanan On the first day of ‘Keli 2015’ two plays were siasts and art lovers overwhelmingly participat- veteran South Indian film director I V Sasi also tion to Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain will host the- touched on the changing face of Indian theatre staged. Nirbhaya Theatre Kuwait presented ‘Eee ed in the two-day event watched the four plays graced the occasion. The ambassador congrat- atre festivals. and urged theatre people to update them- Choottonnu Kathichu Tharuo’, followed by staged during the festival. ulated the chapter for taking the unprecedent- ‘Keli 2015’ program convener Chessil selves with the cotemporary trends in global Ayanam Open Forum’s ‘Guantanamo’. On the The inaugural ceremony opened with a ed initiative by holding the drama festival for Ramapuram introduced the judges to the audi- theatre. second day, Kalpak Kuwait staged prayer song by Reshma Mariam John, Shreya the diaspora. Ad-Hoc Committee member ence. Ad-Hoc Committee member B S Pillai pre- Ad-Hoc Committee member Iqbal ‘Papasangeerthanam’ and Sruti School of Music Sajeev and Maria Nixon. Indian Ambassador Johney Kunnil presented a memento to honor sented mementos to Shreejith Ramanan and Kuttamangalam handed over the first copy of presented ‘Kolangal’. Indian Bangladesh Embassy notice Military Contingent he Indian Embassy would like to inform that the EdCIL (India) Limited, a Government of observes TIndia Enterprise, formerly known as Martyrs’ Day Educational Consultants India Limited (Ed.CIL), has been designated as the “Nodal Agency” to promote angladesh Military Indian education abroad. EdCIL has been assisting Contingent observed NRIs, PIOs and foreign nationals for pursuing Under- Martyrs’ and International graduate courses, Post-Graduate Courses and B Mother Language Day with due Doctoral Programs in Indian Institutions. Details of respect and solemnity at Subhan assistance provided by EdCIL to Indian Diaspora as Camp on 21 February 2015. A well as foreign nationals are available on their web- good number of guests from site ‘www.edcilindia.co.in’. Those interested may Bangladesh community of please contact Dr Shaik Suleman, Head, Placement Kuwait and all members of BMC and Secondment, EdCIL (India) Ltd, EdCIL House-18- attended a “Probhat Feri” on this A, Sector-16-A, NOIDA - 201301, UP (Tel 0091-120- occasion. The “Probhat Feri” end- 2515281, Fax: 0091-120-2515372, E-mail: ssule- ed with wreath laying by [email protected], [email protected]), for further Brigadier General S M Shamim- information. Uz-Zaman, BSP, ndc, psc, Commander BMC on the ‘Shaheed Minar’ of BMC What’s On - Submission Guidelines Command Headquarters.

All photos submitted for What’s On IDAK holds should be minimum 200dpi. kids’ day Articles must be in plain text and he IDAK council 2014-2015 should include name and phone organized a kids’ day out on T14th February 2015. More numbers. Articles and photos that than 50 children with ages rang- ing from 4-14 years to spent a fun fail to meet these requirements will filled, action packed day at not be published. Kidzania. The entire program was ably marshaled by IDAK volun- teers Dr Devipriya, Dr Aji, Dr Please send them to Joshin, Dr Gincy, Dr Lini, Regina, Dr Nadia and Dr Rithna. IDAK also [email protected] takes this opportunity to thank Rania Eladem, Kidzania. SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 WHAT’S ON

The honored students on stage. Students, parents, and school administration members in a group photo.

Social Workers Hani Hassan and Ahmed Al-Najjar with the honored Honored students, Saif, Hussein and Murtadha. Honoring Saif Rabee’. students. Jaber Al-Ali honors outstanding students

aber Al-Ali Secondary School of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Educational Area held a ceremony recently to honor students with outstanding performance during the first semester of the school year 2014-2015. The ceremony was attended by School Director Khalid Abdul Rahman Al-Sager, his assistant Mohammed Al-Hudhainah, social workers Hani Hassan and Ahmed Al-Najjar, a number of the honored students’ Jparents and teaching staff members. The ceremony also featured poems recited in classical Arabic and Kuwaiti dialect, in addition to a musical performance by the school’s music activity team.

uthor and Columnist Abdullah Abbas Buwair met recently with Major General Abdulfattah Al-Ali, the Interior Ministry’s Assistant AUndersecretary for General Security, and gifted him a copy of his lat- est book ‘His Highness the Amir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah: Leader Al-Sager honoring Abdul Aziz Essam School teaching staff. of Humanitarian Work.’

NECK Conducted National, Liberation day celebrations ational Evangelical Church of Kuwait conducted National and Liberation day celebrations. NECK Chairman Rev Emmanuel Ghareeb inaugurated the meeting. Dr Mustafa Al Mousawi, chairman of Kuwait Organ Transplantation Organization, inaugurated the official consent for the organ transplantation. Hundreds of consent handed over to Rev Fr Davis Chiramel - Chairman Kidney Federation of India. NRev Dr Joseph Marthoma Metropolitan was the main speaker. Fadila Abdul Nour Michael, Jackie Zanstr, and M Mathews were honored for their excellent service in NECK. Rev Warren Reeve, Pr Keith, Dr Mustafa Al Mousawi, Rev Fr Davis Chiramel, Rev Samji. K Sam, Gigi M Thomas, Rev Sameh Hanna, K P Koshy, and Roy K Yohannan were felicitated. NECK’s website was officially inaugurated by Rev Emmanuel Ghareeb. More than 580 people from 83 congregations with more than 100 languages attended the meeting.

The Jahra Schools Club hosted a ceremony at the Umayma Bint Khalaf Elementary School for girls to celebrate Kuwait’s National and Liberation Days. SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 TV PROGRAMS

Biography 14:55 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 20:30 Deadliest Space Weather 15:20 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 20:55 NASA’s Unexplained Files 15:45 Barefoot Contessa - Back 21:45 Alien Mysteries To Basics 1803:15 Muppets Most 22:35 Close Encounters 16:10 Barefoot Contessa - Back 03:00 The Assets Wanted-PG 03:35 Lion Man: One World 23:00 Alien Encounters To Basics 04:00 The Blacklist 05:15 Walk Of Shame-PG15 African Safari 23:50 How The Universe Works 16:35 Siba’s Table 05:00 Graceland 07:00 Gravity-PG15 04:00 Lion Man: One World 17:00 Siba’s Table 06:00 Crisis 09:00 The Twilight Saga: Breaking African Safari 17:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 08:00 Franklin & Bash Dawn Pt. 2-PG15 04:25 Lion Man: One World 17:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 09:00 Graceland 11:00 The Company You Keep- African Safari 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 10:00 The Blacklist PG15 04:50 Lion Man: One World 18:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back 12:00 Emmerdale 13:00 Khumba-PG African Safari To Basics 12:30 Coronation Street 05:15 Lion Man: One World 14:00 Franklin & Bash 15:00 The Way Way Back-PG15 03:10 The Hive 19:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back African Safari 15:00 Crisis 17:00 The Twilight Saga: Breaking 03:20 Art Attack To Basics 05:38 Lion Man: One World 16:00 Emmerdale Dawn Pt. 2-PG15 03:45 Art Attack 19:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives African Safari 16:30 Coronation Street 19:00 Homefront-PG15 04:10 Jungle Junction 19:55 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 06:02 Lion Man: One World 18:00 Franklin & Bash 21:00 We Are What We Are-18 04:20 Jungle Junction 20:20 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives African Safari 19:00 Castle 23:00 The Counselor-18 04:35 Jungle Junction 20:45 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 06:25 Lion Man: One World 20:00 How To Get Away With 04:45 Jungle Junction 21:10 Barefoot Contessa - Back African Safari Murder 05:00 Art Attack To Basics 06:49 Lion Man: One World 20:45 How To Get Away With 05:25 Art Attack 21:35 Barefoot Contessa - Back African Safari Murder 05:50 Mouk To Basics 07:12 Lion Man: One World 21:30 Better Call Saul 06:00 Kim Possible 22:00 Chopped SA African Safari 22:20 House Of Cards 06:25 Liv And Maddie 22:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 07:36 The Wild Life Of Tim 23:30 Top Gear (UK) 04:15 Back To The Sea 06:50 Girl Meets World 23:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Faulkner 06:00 The Nut Job 07:15 H2O: Just Add Water 23:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 08:00 The Wild Life Of Tim 08:00 Skateboy And The 07:40 Jessie Faulkner Challenge Beyond The Seas 08:10 High School Musical 2 08:25 Lion Man: One World 10:00 Barbie And The Diamond 09:45 Girl Meets World African Safari Castle 10:10 Gravity Falls 08:50 Lion Man: One World 11:30 The Happets 10:35 Jessie African Safari 13:00 Barbie Fairytopia 11:00 Dog With A Blog 09:15 Lion Man: One World 03:20 Emmerdale 03:00 Supernatural 14:30 Hatching 11:25 Austin & Ally African Safari 03:55 Emmerdale 04:00 Sons Of Anarchy 16:00 Garfield’s Fun Fest 11:50 Liv And Maddie 09:40 Lion Man: One World 04:20 Emmerdale 06:00 Good Morning America 18:00 Barbie And The Diamond 12:15 Dog With A Blog African Safari 04:45 Emmerdale 07:00 Emmerdale Castle 12:40 Jessie 10:10 Lion Man: One World 05:00 The Jonathan Ross Show 07:30 Coronation Street 20:00 Astro Boy 13:05 Good Luck Charlie African Safari 05:55 Get Your Act Together 08:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 22:00 Hatching 13:30 Good Luck Charlie 10:35 Lion Man: One World 07:05 Sunday Night At The 09:00 Switched At Birth 23:30 Garfield’s Fun Fest 13:55 Good Luck Charlie African Safari Palladium 10:00 Emmerdale 14:20 H2O: Just Add Water 11:05 Lion Man: One World 08:00 Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night 10:30 Coronation Street 17:00 Liv And Maddie African Safari Takeaway 12:00 Intelligence 17:25 I Didn’t Do It 11:30 Lion Man: One World 09:10 Murdoch Mysteries 13:00 Downton Abbey 17:50 Dog With A Blog African Safari 09:55 Murdoch Mysteries 14:00 Switched At Birth 18:15 Good Luck Charlie 12:00 Lion Man: One World 10:40 Murdoch Mysteries 16:00 Live Good Morning America 04:00 Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit- 18:40 Binny And The Ghost African Safari 11:35 Murdoch Mysteries 17:00 Intelligence PG15 19:05 Binny And The Ghost 12:25 Lion Man: One World 12:30 Midsomer Murders 18:00 Downton Abbey 06:00 Grace Unplugged-PG 19:30 Binny And The Ghost African Safari 14:05 Who’s Doing The Dishes 19:00 Switched At Birth 08:00 The Philly Kid-PG15 19:55 Gravity Falls 12:55 Lion Battlefield 15:00 Sunday Night At The 20:00 Intelligence 09:45 Live Free Or Die Hard- 20:20 Kim Possible 13:50 Into The Pride Palladium 21:00 Downton Abbey PG15 20:45 H2O: Just Add Water 14:45 Into The Pride 15:55 The Chase: Celebrity 22:00 Supernatural 12:00 Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit- 21:10 I Didn’t Do It 15:40 Into The Pride Specials 23:00 Sons Of Anarchy PG15 21:35 Gravity Falls 16:35 Into The Pride 16:50 The Jonathan Ross Show 14:00 Run For Your Wife-PG15 22:00 Suite Life On Deck 17:30 Into The Pride 17:45 Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night 16:00 The Philly Kid-PG15 22:25 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 18:25 Lion Battlefield Takeaway 17:45 Snitch-PG15 Teenage Witch 19:20 The Last Lion Of Liuwa 19:00 Sunday Night At The 19:45 About Time-PG15 22:50 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 20:15 Sharkageddon Palladium 22:00 Machete Kills-18 Teenage Witch 21:10 The Real Lion Queen 19:55 Who’s Doing The Dishes 23:10 Wolfblood 22:05 Killer Iq: Lion vs Hyena 20:50 The Jonathan Ross Show 04:00 Europa Report 23:35 Wolfblood MISSION TO MARS ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD 23:00 Shark Rampage 1916 21:45 Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night 06:00 500 mph Storm Takeaway 08:00 Alex Cross 22:50 Get Your Act Together 10:00 Star Trek Into Darkness 09:00 ICC Cricket 360 19:45 Cake Boss 00:35 Jungle Junction 15:20 Special Agent Oso 12:15 Hellboy: Blood & Iron 09:30 Super Rugby 20:10 Super Soul Sunday 00:50 Art Attack 15:35 Special Agent Oso: 3 14:00 Shanghai Noon 13:00 Live PGA European Tour 21:00 Cake Boss 01:15 Julius Jr. Healthy Steps 16:00 Alex Cross 17:30 Inside The PGA Tour 21:25 Cake Boss 01:25 Calimero 15:40 Special Agent Oso 03:15 Eric And Jessie: Game On 18:00 A Common Man 18:00 Super Rugby Highlights 21:50 Bakery Boss 01:40 Henry Hugglemonster 15:55 Handy Manny 03:40 Eric And Jessie: Game On 19:45 Star Trek Into Darkness 20:00 Golfing World 22:40 Extreme Couponing 01:50 Zou 16:05 Justin Time 04:10 THS 22:00 Mission To Mars 21:00 Live PGA European Tour 23:05 Undercover Mums 03:20 Antiques Roadshow 03:00 Apocalypse World War I 02:05 Mouk 16:20 Sofia The First 05:05 THS 23:55 Cake Boss 04:15 Antiques Roadshow 04:00 Expedition Wild 02:15 Jungle Junction 16:45 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 06:00 Keeping Up With The 05:10 Bargain Hunt 05:00 Animal Autopsy 02:25 Art Attack 16:50 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Kardashians 05:55 Bargain Hunt 06:00 Car SOS 02:50 Julius Jr. 17:15 Lilo & Stitch 06:55 Keeping Up With The 06:40 Bargain Hunt 07:00 Science of Stupid 03:00 Calimero 17:40 Adventures Of The Kardashians 07:25 The Roux Legacy 07:30 Science of Stupid 03:00 Live NHL 03:15 Henry Hugglemonster Gummi Bears 07:50 Style Star 04:00 500 mph Storm-PG15 08:00 Come Dine With Me 08:00 Mad Scientists 06:00 Top 14 Highlights 08:20 E! News 06:00 Alex Cross-PG15 03:25 Zou 18:05 Chip n Dale Rescue 08:25 Come Dine With Me 08:30 Mad Scientists 06:30 Volvo Ocean Race 09:15 House Of DVF 08:00 Star Trek Into Darkness- 03:40 Mouk Rangers 08:50 Come Dine With Me 09:00 Big, Bigger, Biggest Highlights 10:15 House Of DVF PG15 03:50 Jungle Junction 18:30 Ducktales 09:15 Come Dine With Me 10:00 Perilous Journeys 08:30 Live AFL Nab Challenge 11:10 Fashion Bloggers 10:15 Hellboy: Blood & Iron-PG15 04:00 Art Attack 18:55 Art Attack 09:40 Come Dine With Me 11:00 Last War Heroes 11:30 Dubai World Cup Carnival 11:35 Fashion Bloggers 12:00 Shanghai Noon-PG15 04:25 Julius Jr. 19:20 Sofia The First 10:05 Antiques Roadshow 12:00 Sea Patrol 15:00 ICC Cricket 360 12:05 E! News 14:00 Alex Cross-PG15 04:35 Calimero 19:45 Calimero 11:00 Antiques Roadshow 13:00 Dangerous Encounters 15:30 PGA Tour 00:40 Scorned: Crimes Of 13:05 E!ES 16:00 A Common Man-PG15 04:50 Henry Hugglemonster 20:00 Doc McStuffins 11:50 Masterchef: The 14:00 Situation Critical 21:00 World Rugby Passion 14:05 Kourtney And Khloe Take 17:45 Star Trek Into Darkness- Professionals 15:00 Air Crash Investigation 21:30 AFL Nab Challenge 01:30 LA: City Of Demons 05:00 Zou 20:10 Jake And The Never Land The Hamptons PG15 12:20 Masterchef: The 16:00 Wild Sri Lanka 02:20 Police Women Of 05:15 Mouk Pirates 15:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 20:00 Mission To Mars-PG15 Professionals 17:00 Swamp Men Memphis 05:25 Jungle Junction 20:25 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West The Hamptons 22:00 22 Bullets-PG15 13:10 Masterchef: The 18:00 Human Ape 05:35 Art Attack 20:35 Zou 16:00 Giuliana & Bill 03:10 True CSI Professionals 19:00 Air Crash Investigation 06:00 Julius Jr. 20:50 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 17:00 Giuliana & Bill 04:00 Solved 14:05 Masterchef: The 20:00 Wild Sri Lanka 06:10 Calimero 20:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 18:00 E! News 04:45 Scorned: Crimes Of Professionals 21:00 Swamp Men 19:00 House Of DVF Passion 06:25 Henry Hugglemonster 21:20 Sofia The First 14:55 Masterchef: The 22:00 Human Ape 05:00 ICC Cricket 360 05:30 LA: City Of Demons 06:35 Zou 21:45 Adventures Of The Professionals 20:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take The Hamptons 23:00 Last War Heroes 04:00 Friends With Kids-PG15 05:30 ICC World Cup H/L: IND v 06:20 Solved 06:50 Mouk Gummi Bears 15:20 Masterchef: The 06:00 Held Up (1999)-PG15 UAE 07:10 True Crime With 07:00 Jungle Junction 22:10 Chip n Dale Rescue Professionals 21:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 08:00 Free Samples-PG15 06:30 Live ICC World Cup: PAK v Aphrodite Jones 07:10 Art Attack Rangers 15:45 Come Dine With Me The Hamptons 22:00 Christina Milian Turned Up 10:00 Article 99-PG15 ZIM 08:00 Nightmare Next Door 07:35 Julius Jr. 22:35 Ducktales 16:10 Come Dine With Me 12:00 Straight Talk-PG15 14:30 ICC World Cup H/L: ENG v 16:35 Come Dine With Me 22:30 Christina Milian Turned Up 08:50 Fatal Encounters 07:45 Calimero 23:00 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 23:00 Fashion Bloggers 14:00 Hope Springs-PG15 SL 09:40 Murder Shift 17:00 Come Dine With Me 18:00 ICC World Cup H/L: PAK v 08:00 Jungle Junction 23:05 Art Attack 23:30 Fashion Bloggers 16:00 Free Samples-PG15 10:30 I Was Murdered 08:10 Zou 23:30 Julius Jr. 17:25 Come Dine With Me 03:00 Enlisted 18:00 It’s A Disaster-PG15 ZIM 17:45 Bargain Hunt 03:30 Baby Daddy 19:00 ICC Cricket 360 10:55 Stalked: Someone’s 08:25 Henry Hugglemonster 23:40 Calimero 20:00 The World’s End-PG15 Watching 18:30 Bargain Hunt 04:00 Back In The Game 22:00 Breathless-PG15 08:35 Julius Jr. 23:55 Henry Hugglemonster 19:15 Antiques Roadshow 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 11:20 Forensic Detectives 08:50 Mouk 20:05 Come Dine With Me Jimmy Fallon 12:10 Solved 09:00 Calimero 20:55 Food Glorious Food 05:30 My Name Is Earl 13:00 Disappeared 09:15 Art Attack 21:45 The Roux Legacy 06:00 Welcome To The Family 13:50 True Crime With 09:40 Henry Hugglemonster 03:25 Charly’s Cake Angels 22:20 Homes Under The Hammer 06:30 Dads Aphrodite Jones 09:50 Doc McStuffins 23:10 Homes Under The Hammer 03:50 Siba’s Table 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 03:00 Every Day-PG15 14:40 Who On Earth Did I 10:05 Special Agent Oso: 3 04:15 Siba’s Table 08:00 Back In The Game 05:00 Seven Days In Utopia-PG15 Marry? Healthy Steps 04:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back 08:30 My Name Is Earl 06:45 Mud-PG15 15:05 Who On Earth Did I To Basics 09:00 Enlisted 03:15 Extreme Couponing 10:10 Special Agent Oso 00:00 Programmes Start At 09:00 I Will Follow You Into The Marry? 05:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back 09:30 2 Broke Girls 03:40 Extreme Couponing 10:20 Special Agent Oso: 3 7:00am KSA Dark-PG15 15:30 Solved To Basics 10:00 Cougar Town 04:05 What Not To Wear Healthy Steps 07:00 Phineas And Ferb 11:00 Seven Days In Utopia-PG15 16:20 I Was Murdered 05:30 Reza Spice Prince Of 10:30 Dads 05:00 What Not To Wear 10:25 Special Agent Oso 07:25 Phineas And Ferb 13:00 Christmas Magic-PG15 16:45 Stalked: Someone’s Vietnam 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 06:00 18 Kids And Counting 10:40 Special Agent Oso: 3 15:00 Mirror Mirror-PG15 Watching 07:50 Supa Strikas 05:50 Siba’s Table Jimmy Fallon 06:25 Super Soul Sunday Healthy Steps 03:15 How It’s Made 17:00 I Will Follow You Into The 08:15 The 7D 06:10 Have Cake, Will Travel 12:00 Welcome To The Family 07:15 Say Yes To The Dress 17:10 Murder Shift 03:40 How It’s Made Dark-PG15 10:45 Special Agent Oso 08:40 Boyster 06:35 Have Cake, Will Travel 12:30 Back In The Game 07:40 Little People, Big World 18:00 Disappeared 04:05 How It’s Made 19:00 Hateship Loveship-PG15 11:00 Sofia The First 09:05 Lab Rats 07:00 Tastiest Places To 13:00 My Name Is Earl 08:05 Bakery Boss 18:50 Fatal Encounters 04:30 How It’s Made 21:00 The Letter-PG15 11:25 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 09:30 Kickin’ It Chowdown 13:30 Dads 08:55 Extreme Cheapskates 19:40 Forensic Detectives 05:00 How It’s Made 23:00 Killing Season-18 09:20 Extreme Cheapskates 11:50 Calimero 09:55 Ultimate Spider-Man 05:30 How It’s Made 07:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 14:00 Baby Daddy 20:30 True Crime With 07:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 09:45 Cake Boss Aphrodite Jones 12:05 Jake And The Never Land 10:20 Phineas And Ferb 06:00 Overhaulin’ 14:30 2 Broke Girls Pirates 08:15 Chopped 15:00 Cougar Town 10:10 Sister Wives 21:20 The Will: Family Secrets 10:45 Zeke & Luther 06:50 Kindig Customs 10:35 Say Yes To The Dress 12:30 Julius Jr. 11:10 I’m In The Band 07:40 Fantomworks 09:05 Siba’s Table 15:30 The Daily Show Global Revealed 09:30 Have Cake, Will Travel Edition 11:00 What Not To Wear 22:10 Who On Earth Did I 12:40 Henry Hugglemonster 11:35 Camp Lakebottom 08:30 Gold Rush 11:50 Oprah’s Master Class 12:55 Handy Manny 09:20 Gold Divers: Under The Ice 09:55 Have Cake, Will Travel 16:00 Mystery Girls Marry? 12:00 Mighty Med 10:20 Barefoot Contessa - Back 12:40 Super Soul Sunday 13:05 Justin Time 10:10 Alaska: The Last Frontier 16:30 Welcome To The Family 03:00 Silent Victim-PG15 22:35 Who On Earth Did I 12:25 Lab Rats To Basics 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 13:30 Say Yes To The Dress: The 13:20 Sofia The First 12:50 Marvel Avengers 11:00 Street Outlaws 05:00 A Cool Dry Place-PG15 Big Day Marry? 10:45 Barefoot Contessa - Back 18:00 Enlisted 13:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Assemble 11:50 American Muscle 07:00 The French Minister-PG15 14:20 Say Yes To The Dress ‚Äì 23:00 Deadly Affairs 12:40 How It’s Made To Basics 18:30 Melissa & Joey 23:50 Diabolical 14:10 New Adventures Of 13:15 Phineas And Ferb 11:10 Siba’s Table 19:00 Brooklyn Nine-Nine 09:00 My Last Day Without You- Bridesmaids Winnie The Pooh 13:05 How It’s Made 14:45 Curvy Brides 13:40 Japaneezi Going Going 13:30 How It’s Made 11:35 Siba’s Table 19:30 Men At Work PG15 14:35 Henry Hugglemonster 12:00 Guy’s Big Bite 15:10 Cake Boss Gong 13:55 How It’s Made 20:00 The Mindy Project 10:45 The Last Harbor-PG15 14:45 Zou 14:05 Zeke & Luther 12:25 Unique Eats 20:30 Veep 12:30 Quiz Show-PG15 15:35 Little People, Big World 14:20 How It’s Made 16:00 Hoarding: Buried Alive 15:00 Special Agent Oso: 3 14:30 Pair Of Kings 14:45 How It’s Made 12:50 Unique Eats 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 14:45 The Prestige-PG15 13:15 Hungry Girl 16:50 Say Yes To The Dress Healthy Steps 14:55 Pokemon The Series: XY 15:10 How It’s Made Stewart 17:00 My Last Day Without You 13:40 Hungry Girl 17:15 18 Kids And Counting 15:05 Special Agent Oso 15:20 Ultimate Spider-Man 15:35 How It’s Made 21:30 Mystery Girls 19:00 Dangerous Minds-PG15 14:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 22:00 Married 17:40 Sister Wives 00:10 Zou 15:15 Special Agent Oso: 3 15:45 Phineas And Ferb 16:00 How It’s Made 21:00 Sense And Sensibility-PG 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 22:30 Married 18:30 Craft Wars 00:25 Mouk Healthy Steps 16:10 Supa Strikas 16:25 How It’s Made 23:30 Born On The Fourth Of July 19:20 Cake Boss 16:50 Baggage Battles 16:35 Pair Of Kings 17:15 Baggage Battles 17:00 Lab Rats 17:40 Baggage Battles 17:30 Mighty Med 18:05 Baggage Battles 18:00 Kickin’ It 18:30 Baggage Battles 18:25 Phineas And Ferb 18:55 The Carbonaro Effect 18:50 The 7D 19:20 The Carbonaro Effect 19:20 Lanfeust Quest 19:45 The Big Brain Theory 19:45 Supa Strikas 20:35 You Have Been Warned 20:10 Hulk And The Agents Of 21:25 Gold Rush S.M.A.S.H. 22:15 Gold Divers: Under The Ice 20:35 Ultimate Spider-Man 23:05 Alaska: The Last Frontier 23:55 Gold Rush j 21:00 Phineas And Ferb 21:25 Boyster 21:55 Marvel Avengers Assemble 22:20 Kickin’ It 22:45 Japaneezi Going Going Gong 23:10 Pair Of Kings 03:10 How Do They Do It? 23:35 Phineas And Ferb 03:35 How Do They Do It? 0:00 Violetta 04:00 Stephen Hawking’s 00:45 The Hive Universe 00:50 Art Attack 04:48 Stephen Hawking’s 01:15 Art Attack Universe 01:40 Jungle Junction 06:00 Stem Cell Universe With 01:50 Jungle Junction Stephen Hawking 06:48 Stephen Hawking 02:05 Jungle Junction Biography 02:15 Jungle Junction 08:00 Food Factory 02:30 Violetta 08:25 Food Factory 03:10 The Hive 08:50 Food Factory 03:20 Art Attack 09:15 Food Factory 03:45 Art Attack 09:40 Food Factory 04:10 Jungle Junction 10:05 Food Factory 04:20 Jungle Junction 10:30 How Do They Do It? 04:35 Jungle Junction 10:55 How Do They Do It? 04:45 Jungle Junction 11:20 How Do They Do It? 05:00 Art Attack 11:45 How Do They Do It? 05:25 Art Attack 12:10 How Do They Do It? 05:50 Mouk 12:35 How Do They Do It? 06:00 Kim Possible 13:00 How It’s Made 06:25 Austin & Ally 13:25 How It’s Made 06:50 Girl Meets World 13:50 How It’s Made 07:15 Liv And Maddie 14:15 How It’s Made 07:40 Jessie 14:40 How It’s Made 08:05 Dog With A Blog 15:05 How It’s Made 15:30 Curiosity: Sun Storm 08:30 Good Luck Charlie 16:20 Stephen Hawking’s 08:55 Good Luck Charlie Universe 09:20 Sonny With A Chance 17:10 Stephen Hawking’s 09:45 Sonny With A Chance Universe 10:10 Suite Life On Deck 18:50 Stephen Hawking THE COUNSELOR ON OSN MOVIES HD 10:35 Suite Life On Deck Classifieds

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (26/02/2015 TO 04/03/2015)

SHARQIA-1 THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 4:30 PM FOCUS 1:00 PM DRAGON BLADE 6:30 PM SERENA 3:00 PM DRAGON BLADE 9:00 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 5:15 PM DRAGON BLADE 11:30 PM FOCUS 7:00 PM SERENA 9:00 PM FANAR-4 FOCUS 11:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 1:30 PM FOCUS 1:15 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 3:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 6:00 PM SHARQIA-2 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 8:15 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 11:45 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 10:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 1:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:45 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 3:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 6:00 PM FANAR-5 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 8:15 PM TOM LITTLE AND THE MAGIC MIRROR 1:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 10:30 PM THU+SAT YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:45 AM SERENA 12:45 PM SUN+MON+TUE+WED SHARQIA-3 SERENA 3:00 PM KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 11:30 AM TOM LITTLE AND THE MAGIC MIRROR 5:15 PM TOM LITTLE AND THE MAGIC MIRROR 1:30 PM SERENA 7:00 PM KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 1:15 PM SERENA 9:15 PM SUN+MON+TUE+WED KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:30 PM TOM LITTLE AND THE MAGIC MIRROR 3:15 PM KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 5:00 PM MARINA-1 DRAGON BLADE 7:15 PM TOM LITTLE AND THE MAGIC MIRROR 12:15 PM KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 9:45 PM THU+SAT KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 11:45 PM KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 12:15 PM SUN+MON+TUE+WED MUHALAB-1 SERENA 2:15 PM FOCUS 12:00 PM TOM LITTLE AND THE MAGIC MIRROR 4:30 PM SITUATION VACANT SITUATION WANTED vacancies THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 2:00 PM TOM LITTLE AND THE MAGIC MIRROR 6:30 PM SERENA 3:45 PM KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 8:15 PM FOCUS 6:00 PM SERENA 10:15 PM Required Indian (prefer 12 years experienced pro- A Major Private School in Kuwait SERENA 8:00 PM KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 12:30 AM Goan) male houseboy, cook fessional looking for senior FOCUS 10:15 PM and driver with Kuwait position in finance / Bilingual program FOCUS 12:15 AM MARINA-2 license for a Kuwaiti family. accounts. Qualification: CFA YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:30 PM MUHALAB-2 With good English speaking Level1/CMA (IMA-USA), Has the vacancies for the coming school year: YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 2:45 PM and expert in cooking TOM LITTLE AND THE MAGIC MIRROR 1:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 5:15 PM BCom. Oracle Financials, • Vice Principals - Native speakers English or bilingual THU+SAT YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:30 PM Kuwaiti foods. Contact: Microsoft Dynamics GP. • Discipline Office, Male for middle and High School, bilingual KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 1:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 9:45 PM 22450617/8. (C 4934) Contact: 60320220. - English/Arabic - preferably Kuwaiti SUN+MON+TUE+WED YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:05 AM 24-2-2015 (C 4932) • Classroom teacher, Native Speakers of English THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 3:00 PM 18-2-2014 TOM LITTLE AND THE MAGIC MIRROR 4:45 PM MARINA-3 • High School English teacher - Native Speakers of English KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 6:45 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER (3D) 1:00 PM ACCOMMODATION • Arabic Teachers KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 8:45 PM FOCUS 3:00 PM KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 10:45 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER (3D) 5:00 PM Sharing accommodation in CHANGE OF NAME • P.E. female teacher KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 12:45 AM FOCUS 7:00 PM Maidan Hawally, room and • KG Classroom Teachers Native Speaker of English or Bilingual FOCUS 9:00 PM Thiru Ganesan (Hindu), • Islamic Studies and Quran Teachers MUHALAB-3 partition, Filipino/Indian. FOCUS 11:00 PM Call 65020905. son of Thiru Rengaiah, born • Math Teacher for High School Native Speakers of English or YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:30 PM FOCUS 1:00 AM on 10th August 1982 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 2:45 PM 24-2-2015 bilingual YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 5:00 PM (native district: • Business studies teacher AVENUES-1 Pudukkottai), residing at YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:15 PM FOR SALE • Teacher assistants YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 9:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:45 PM No. 674, Kummankulam, YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 3:15 PM Pudukkottai Veduthi, All application must have an appropriate university DENON 7.2 AV receiver for YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 5:45 PM Alangudi Post, Pudukkottai- degrees, and 3 years of relevant experience. FANAR-1 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 8:15 PM sale. Model AVR 3311. RMS 622301, holder of Indian FOCUS 12:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 10:45 PM 125 x 7, HDMI x 7, 3D ready, Interested candidate should send their CV, to the following email: Passport No. F6077280, has FOCUS 2:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 1:00 AM network ready. iPod/iPhone converted to Islam with the [email protected] FOCUS 4:00 PM socket, brand new condi- FOCUS 6:00 PM AVENUES-2 name of Abdul Rahman. tion, Carton pack. If inter- FOCUS 8:00 PM TOM LITTLE AND THE MAGIC MIRROR 11:45 AM (C 4931) ested, please call 99725095. FOCUS 10:00 PM THU+SAT 18-2-2015 FOCUS 12:05 AM TOM LITTLE AND THE MAGIC MIRROR 1:45 PM (C 4933) 112 THU+FRI+SAT 21-2-2015 FANAR-2 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 1:15 PM KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 11:45 AM SUN+MON+TUE+WED Prayer timings KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 1:45 PM TOM LITTLE AND THE MAGIC MIRROR 3:45 PM THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 3:45 PM TOM LITTLE AND THE MAGIC MIRROR 5:45 PM Fajr: 04:56 KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 5:45 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 7:45 PM KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 7:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 9:45 PM FOR CIVIL INFORMATION Shorook 06:14 KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 9:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:15 AM KIDNAPPING MR. HEINEKEN 11:45 PM Automated enquiry about Duhr: 12:01 AVENUES-3 Asr: 15:19 FANAR-3 SERENA 12:30 PM the Civil ID card is THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 12:15 PM SERENA 3:00 PM Maghrib: 17:47 DRAGON BLADE 2:00 PM SERENA 5:30 PM 1889988 Isha: 19:04

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

Arrival Flights on Sunday 1/3/2015 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 Departure Flights on Sunday 1/3/2015 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 Airlines Flt Route Time IRC 528 Ahwaz 13:15 Airlines Flt Route Time FDB 8058 Dubai 12:35 UAE 3855 Dubai 00:05 FDB 8053 Dubai 13:15 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 JZR 561 Sohag 13:45 AGY 681 Alexandria 00:15 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 FDB 8063 Dubai 00:20 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 JZR 332 Al Najaf 00:15 JZR 786 Riyadh 13:10 JZR 239 Amman 00:25 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 FDB 072 Dubai 00:45 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:25 UAL 981 IAD 00:55 FDB 8054 Dubai 13:55 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 FDB 8064 Dubai 01:00 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 JZR 513 Sharm el-Sheikh 00:45 FDB 057 Dubai 14:30 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 KAC 742 Dammam 14:45 UAE 3856 Dubai 01:35 IRC 529 Ahwaz 14:15 MEA 406 Beirut 00:45 IRC 6507 Shiraz 14:50 MEA 407 Beirut 01:45 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 MSC 1402 Sharm el-Sheikh 02:00 KAC 617 Doha 15:00 QTR 1084 Doha 01:00 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:10 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:15 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 RJA 642 Amman 01:05 JZR 175 Dubai 15:20 IAW 158C Al Najaf 02:20 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 MSC 1401 Sharm el-Sheikh 01:15 OMA 645 Muscat 15:25 MSR 3003 Sharm el-Sheikh 02:30 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:20 IAW 157C Al Najaf 01:20 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 THY 5413 Istanbul 02:40 FDB 8056 Dubai 15:25 MSR 3002 Sharm el-Sheikh 01:30 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 KKK 713 Istanbul 02:45 KAC 513 Tehran 15:30 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:35 FDB 051 Dubai 16:00 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 SVA 503 Jeddah/Madinah 15:45 THY 5412 Istanbul 01:40 KAC 562 Amman 16:20 KKK 715 Madinah 02:50 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 JZR 787 Riyadh 16:25 THY 773 Istanbul 02:55 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 IAW 157E Al Najaf 02:00 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 IAW 158E Al Najaf 03:00 IRC 6508 Shiraz 15:50 KKK 712 Istanbul 02:05 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25 OMA 646 Muscat 16:25 KKK 714 Istanbul 02:10 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:55 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 JZR 331 Al Najaf 02:15 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 FDB 068 Dubai 03:55 FDB 052 Dubai 17:00 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 FDB 8055 Dubai 17:25 SYR 1526 Latakia 04:00 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 MEA 401 Beirut 04:05 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 02:50 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 GFA 944 LCA 17:50 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 FDB 067 Dubai 02:55 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 SYR 1525 Latakia/Damascus 03:00 UAL 982 IAD 17:55 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:10 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:50 MEA 400 Beirut 03:05 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 OMA 644 Muscat 04:25 CEB 7694 Manila 03:10 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 QTR 1085 Doha 04:30 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 KAC 542 Cairo 18:25 CEB 7695 Manila 04:40 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 ABY 121 Sharjah 18:40 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 KKK 717 Jeddah 05:05 GFA 944 Bahrain 18:35 KKK 6507 Istanbul 03:20 FDB 063 Dubai 18:40 MSC 406 Sohag 05:05 OMA 643 Muscat 03:25 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:45 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 JZR 238 Amman 18:50 JZR 333 Al Najaf 03:40 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 THY 765 Istanbul 05:40 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 KAC 618 Doha 19:15 JZR 134 Bahrain 19:10 KKK 716 Istanbul 04:00 AXB 393 Kozhikode 19:15 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 UAL 982 Bahrain 19:15 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:05 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:15 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 06:35 ABY 122 Sharjah 19:20 JZR 555 Alexandria 04:25 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 UAE 876 Dubai 19:40 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 RJA 643 Amman 07:05 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 JZR 483 Istanbul 19:35 JZR 560 Sohag 07:10 FDB 064 Dubai 19:55 QTR 8632 Doha 06:25 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 19:40 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 AXB 393 Kozhikode 20:15 BAW 157 London 06:40 KAC 514 Tehran 19:45 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 KAC 544 Cairo 06:40 KAC 502 Beirut 19:50 QTR 8632 Lahore/Doha 07:55 KAC 361 Colombo 20:50 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:10 KAC 102 New York/London 19:55 FDB 054 Dubai 08:25 KAC 281 Dhaka 20:55 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:00 BAW 156 London 08:45 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 OMA 647 Muscat 20:05 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:00 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:55 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:55 OMA 648 Muscat 21:05 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 MSR 606 Luxor 20:45 KAC 171 Frankfurt 09:05 KAC 351 Kochi 21:15 KAC 382 Delhi 08:15 DLH 636 Frankfurt 20:50 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:25 DLH 636 Dammam 21:35 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 FDB 8051 Dubai 21:10 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:45 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:30 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 KAC 117 New York 10:05 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:20 FDB 8052 Dubai 21:55 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 FDB 073 Dubai 21:35 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 KAC 284 Dhaka 08:50 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 KAC 561 Amman 10:25 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:15 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 QTR 1074 Doha 21:55 JZR 482 Istanbul 10:35 JZR 174 Dubai 10:45 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 JZR 135 Bahrain 22:05 FDB 074 Dubai 22:30 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 KLM 417 Amsterdam 22:15 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 GFA 943 LCA 11:00 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 GFA 943 Bahrain 10:15 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 KAC 172 Frankfurt 22:20 KAC 541 Cairo 11:05 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:55 IRA 665 Shiraz 10:50 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 UAE 873 Dubai 11:00 AIC 981 Chennai/Hyderabad/Ahmedabad 22:30 KAC 741 Dammam 11:45 SYR 341 Latakia 11:10 BBC 043 Dhaka 23:10 IRA 664 Shiraz 11:50 QTR 1075 Doha 23:05 MSC 405 Sohag 11:25 UAL 981 Bahrain 23:10 KAC 501 Beirut 12:00 JZR 502 Luxor 23:05 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 SYR 342 Latakia 12:10 KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:15 FDB 8057 Dubai 11:50 THY 764 Istanbul 23:35 KAC 103 London 12:20 KAC 415 Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur 23:25 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 PIA 205 Lahore 23:40 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:30 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:25 FDB 060 Dubai 23:55 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 CROSSWORD 828 STAR TRACK

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

Collisions of powerful energies enter into your life today. The decisions and Business dealings may be particularly fruitful now–particularly as you put your actions of today will have permanent effects. Fears and self-doubts about your abilities may heart into helping each customer. This is a good day for thinking and ideas. The rules of employ- creep into your mind but you are the only one that can create the encouragement that you need, ee and customer may be on override today as a customer may want to know more about some so stop your worries and focus your thinking on your job. Your directional abilities will automati- particular product. Maybe the customer wants to try to create a similar product or he or she has a cally take over as they are in high focus. This is a good time to write and communicate with real similar item at home and wants to know how much to charge as a garage sale item. You are care- originality. Inventions and breakthroughs are possible. Loved ones, children and other people or ful not to say anything that you might regret later but this is not easy. Good luck surrounds you things dear to your heart are emphasized in your life now. You enjoy expressing an interest in this afternoon. There are lots of possibilities for making extra money and for meeting new people. family matters, for the most part concerning the general living environment in the home. This evening you are pleased as a loved one shows you special appreciation.

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

Your energy is high and your creative mind is ready to be applied to the work at You are apt to spend a considerable amount of time and effort to improve hand. Giving your best effort now will bring you considerable success. You are full of confidence finances, principally through physical or manual activity. You have plenty of energy to and should succeed at any project you attempt. Others value you for your ability to make practical tackle any problem or project that you want to accomplish. You are disposed to enjoying decisions with group issues. You have a natural sense of what the public wants. Companionships the company of friends more than just about anything. Complete unfinished work, are most important to you and you take every opportunity to be with friends this afternoon. Now before taking it easy. Mental stimulation from others is invited later today. You are physi- is the time for imagination and creativity. This, coupled with the ability to put your thoughts into cally attractive to others and this aspect increases your chances of being invited to many words, allows you to enchant others. There are exciting changes in your romantic life. An intimate social activities. Today promises positive emotional relationships, particularly if you take getaway just may be the way to enjoy some special time with that favorite someone. time to nurture them. Be careful not to overspend your budget when shopping later. Diet, exercise and work are uppermost on your mind these days.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Your sensitivity is heightened when you listen to someone else’s problems. This should be one of those wonderful days when you have the feeling that every- You could be most persuasive and clear in your communications. Your self- thing is good! Working with others this morning, you are at your mental best with sharp ideas and assertiveness is strong. Working on some unfinished project could prove beneficial. This is ACROSS DOWN clear thoughts. You could not be mad even if someone should mistreat you–although it is very a period of optimism and emotional stability, making it a good time to evaluate and mod- 1. Czechoslovakian religious reformer who 1. A fricative sound (especially as an expres- unlikely that anyone would. If you have to deal with the public today, you will have them eating ify existing relationships; or perhaps to start a new relationship. Professional advance- anticipated the Reformation. sion of disapproval). right out of your hand. The practical use of your time and energy will bring good times to all. Your ment is possible and your frame of mind can be focused toward writing an excellent 4. Natural nitrogen-containing bases found 2. Beyond what is natural. ability to effectively communicate with both friends and colleagues is positive. Your mood this request for a promotion. You may find yourself settling an argument or bringing some evening is powerfully romantic. There may be a new face on the scene to stir up a number of for- sense into an otherwise confused conversation. The situation is a natural for self-expres- in plants. 3. A painful emotion resulting from an gotten feelings. If you want to play it safe, keep your feelings to yourself; if not . . . Flirt. 12. A period marked by distinctive charac- awareness of inadequacy or guilt. sion and lends itself to your particular ideas and thoughts. ter or reckoned from a fixed point or event. 4. Any of various chiefly Mediterranean 15. Antibacterial drug (trade name plants of the genera Asphodeline and Nydrazid) used to treat tuberculosis. Asphodelus having linear leaves and Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 16. Improved garden variety of black night- racemes of white or pink or yellow flowers. Cancer (June 21-July 22) 5. A trivalent metallic element of the rare shade having small edible orange or black Criticism happens when we are brave enough to be expressive. Manage the criti- Although a sense of challenge creeps up from time to time, you can use your cre- berries. earth group. cism through a listening ear. Stand by your ideas, some changes may be in order and that may be ative mind to turn the blocked situations into doorways of change. Remember, most of the 17. The last (12th) month of the year. 6. Widely distributed low-growing Eurasian difficult but time will be the secret of success. This could also be a test of your inner strength in obstacles you encounter are temporary. After the noon break you will find foggy thinking from 18. A long steep slope or cliff at the edge of herb having narrow leaves and inconspicu- problem-solving abilities. This afternoon you will be pleased at the amount of progress you make. the morning has miraculously dissolved–clear decisions become available. Knowing things with- a plateau or ridge. ous green flowers. You find your way around most obstacles and are in control and able to guide yourself with ease. out knowing how you know them is typical at a time like this. Mind, body and finances play a big part of your activities. Facing facts, creating a healthier body and finding the right secure financial 20. A radioactive element of the actinide 7. The elementary stages of any subject Your sense of inner direction is good. You are at ease with the opposite sex and may decide to (usually plural). accept an after-work-coffee-date. You will be pleased. At home this evening, do not put off to the investments are important issues that need attention this evening. You and a loved one can han- series. next day what you can do today–for then you can be truly relaxed when it comes to visitors. dle investment issues together–successfully. Balance and moderation are key words now. 21. Given to merry frolicking. 8. A chronic inflammatory collagen disease 23. In some unspecified way or manner. affecting connective tissue (skin or joints). 25. A state of lawlessness and disorder (usu- 9. Predatory black-and-white toothed ally resulting from a failure of government). whale with large dorsal fin. Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 26. Submerged freshwater perennials. 10. Inflexibly entrenched and unchange- This is a time during which you are at your best in regard to practical and work- 28. King of Denmark and Norway who able. Events and circumstances today may conspire to block your sense of freedom. 11. United States songwriter noted for his Someone challenges your ideas. It may not be easy to find suitable solutions to problems just related affairs. Events may line up in your favor and push you over the top to new discoveries. forced Edmund II to divide England with now. You are wise to leave the discussion on the table for another time as with further investiga- Your personality and mode of living will be changeable each day. This is good, as it takes a person him. protest songs (born in 1941). tion, someone’s thinking could change. There is the successful culmination of an ambitious proj- that can go with the flow of the day for business to succeed. You may be a bit itchy for something 29. Informal terms for a mother. 12. A legally binding command or decision ect this afternoon. If new projects present themselves, plot your course and do not act on the new and different and your mind is open to almost anything. A new love interest could suddenly 31. A public promotion of some product or entered on the court record (as if issued by process until next week’s work continues. When you come into work next week, you will have a appear from an unexpected quarter. It could be quite exciting, though not particularly stable. At service. a court or judge). plan. Volunteering your services to a friend this afternoon can be most rewarding. Also, love is in least you are not afraid to experiment within reason. Increase your activity levels to build your strength and lift your spirits. A lover or child brings about much laughter. 32. A deep prolonged sound (as of thunder 13. The 20th letter of the Hebrew alphabet. full bloom this evening . . . It is a good time to let this special loved one know just how you feel. or large bells). 14. Causing a dull and steady pain. 37. Make less active or intense. 19. Make a logical or causal connection. 22. (medical) A bandage consisting of a pad 40. The complete duration of something. Virgo (August 23-September 22) 42. A row of unravelled stitches. and belt. Pisces (February 19-March 20) 24. A doctor's degree in optometry. 43. (of complexion) Blemished by imperfec- Today you may feel like a character in a murder mystery or spy novel, except that This is a great time to work in groups or on a team. Gathering and exchanging tions of the skin. 27. Any member of Athapaskan tribes that you are not sure whether you are the hero, the bad guy or the victim. In negotiations, you could information becomes a more important part of your life just now. Networking with people that 44. The rate at which energy is drawn from migrated to the southwestern desert (from be fooled. Try keeping your feet planted as firmly in truth and open negotiations as you can. Buy have your same interests is a priority. You grab as many ideas as you can to get a focus, move for- a source that produces a flow of electricity Arizona to Texas and south into Mexico). time to think through decisions and you will see some positive results. After a morning of exasper- ward and advertise your name for others to hear. Just how closely do you relate to your own emo- in a circuit. 30. A port city in southwestern Iran. ating negotiations, you will enjoy a more productive afternoon. There are plenty of people to help tionstoday could be a test. If you are listening closely, you will communicate with logic and empa- you, if you need them. There are temptations while shopping and if you have not been shopping thy. Your path of self-development and expression becomes more and more unusual–setting you 45. A sweetened beverage of diluted fruit 33. An inactive volcano in Sicily. 34. Inspired by a feeling of fearful wonder- in a while, you could find that you are magnetically pulled in many different directions. You may apart from the crowd and from all that is traditional. In changing the world through new ideas, juice. be a little gullible or impressionable–be wise and say no to the fast-sell. you may be helping people live better financially, with new job opportunities. 49. Free of trouble and worry and care. ment or reverence. 51. 1 species. 35. Norwegian writer of novels (1859-1952). 52. (prefix) Opposite or opposing or neu- 36. Invade in great numbers, as of pests. 38. Prevent the occurrence of. tralizing. Yesterday’s Solution 53. Either of two folds of skin that can be 39. Having a face or facing especially of a moved to cover or open the eye. specified kind or number. 41. The state prevailing during the absence 56. Port city in northwestern Belgium and of war. industrial center. 46. Type genus of the family Tridacnidae. 58. Nonresinous wood of a fir tree. 47. An island northwest of Wales. 59. A white soft metallic element that tar- 48. A state of northeastern India. nishes readily. 50. The floating wreckage of a ship. 60. Relating to or lying near the palate. 54. The branch of computer science that 64. North American republic containing 50 deal with writing computer programs that states - 48 conterminous states in North can solve problems creatively. America plus Alaska in northwest North 55. (Greek mythology) The Muse of astron- America and the Hawaiian Islands in the omy. Pacific Ocean. 57. A soft silvery metallic element of the 69. A loose sleeveless outer garment made alkali earth group. from aba cloth. 61. In bed. 70. Any of four pairs of muscles extending 62. Set down according to a plan. from the cervical vertebrae to the second 63. Any of the short curved hairs that grow rib. from the edges of the eyelids. 73. An implement used to propel or steer a 65. Tough Asiatic grass whose culms are boat. used for ropes and baskets. 74. United States architect (born in China in 66. A member of the Siouan people former- 1917). ly living in Iowa and Minnesota and 75. (zoology) Of or resembling a goose. Missouri. 76. Blood cells that engulf and digest bacte- 67. Open-heart surgery in which the rib ria and fungi. cage is opened and a section of a blood 77. A condition (mostly in boys) character- vessel is grafted from the aorta to the coro- ized by behavioral and learning disorders. nary artery to bypass the blocked section of 78. A great raja. the coronary artery and improve the blood 79. Title for a civil or military leader (espe- supply to the heart. cially in Turkey). 68. Type genus of the family Arcidae. 71. A unit of length of thread or yarn. 72. To make a mistake or be incorrect.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 information

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

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 SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 lifestyle

Gossip Fergie was completely broke before she found fame with Black Eyed Peas

he 39-year-old star, who has 17-month-old son Axl with Dress for Success, because she says it “touches a nerve” with per cent of the proceeds from the husband Josh Duhamel, admits she was forced to move her. Speaking to PEOPLE magazine, she explained: “Dress for limited edition Fergie Footwear holi- Tback in with her mother, Theresa Ferguson, before the Success is an angel to women who need, but can’t afford busi- day shoe, the Regan, went to Dress for group released their first single ‘Where Is The Love’ in 2003. ness-appropriate clothing. I’ve met some of the women who Success. I’m so proud to partner with an organi- She said: “I remember when I ran out of money in the early have been helped to get a suit - and a week’s worth of profes- sation that builds self-esteem and helps 2000s - I moved back to my mom’s, and she was my angel for a sional attire when they get a job - and their stories are so women make improvements in their lives.” period of time.” The ‘LA Love’ now lends her support to low- touching.” The pop star, who also designs shoes, recently income women interviewing for jobs via the organisation, made a large donation to the charity. She said: “This year, 100

Ryan Gosling had daughter’s Jennifer Lawrence insists David name tattooed on his hand Russell is her ‘closest friends’ he ‘Drive’ star, whose welcomed six-month-old baby girl, Esmeralda Amada, into the world with girlfriend he 24-year-old actress has hit back at ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ and ‘American Hustle’ Eva Mendes last September, has sparked rumours he T rumours she got into a heated argu- with Jennifer, allegedly screamed at her on recently got the shortened version of her first name ‘Esme’ ment with the director on the set of set and later ordered producer Harvey inked on the knuckles of his left hand. The 34-year-old T their upcoming movie, ‘Joy,’ in Boston on Weinstein to leave when showed up unan- heartthrob made no attempt to hide the letters after enjoy- Tuesday. The Oscar winner addressed the nounced. But a spokesperson for the movie’s ing a lunch date with friends at Little Dom’s in Los Feliz, Los “terrible” speculation in a rare message on her studio, Fox 2000, insisted David was merely Angeles on Friday. It is not yet if the markings are perma- Facebook page on Friday, writing: “David O. helping Jennifer to get into the right frame of nent or whether they were drawn on with pen. But Ryan Russell is one of my closest friends and we mind for an intense scene. Bradley Cooper is previously admitted all of his tattoos look “homemade” and have an amazing collaborative working rela- also starring in the upcoming film. Molly Sims “ridiculous.” Speaking in 2007, the actor, who also has a tat- tionship. I adore this man and he does not has given herself gastritis by eating citrus too of a barcode on his left wrist and a picture of a mon- deserve this tabloid malarkey. This movie is fruits. The 41-year-old ‘Yes Man’ actress, who ster’s hand dropping a bloody heart on his left forearm, going great and I’m having a blast making it!” is set to give birth to her second child immi- also said: “A tattoo should never be meaningful, because at The blonde beauty also admitted she doesn’t nently with husband Scott Stuber, admits her a certain point you’re going to hate it, and it might as well use social media on a regular basis because healthy cravings have caused some “really make you laugh.” A source recently revealed ‘The she can “barely work email.” A source told gos- painful” side effects, including inflammation Notebook’ star has formed a very close bond with sip website TMZ.com that the 56-year-old of the lining of her stomach. She said: “With Esmeralda and loves singing to her. The insider said: “Ryan filmmaker, who has previously worked on my first pregnancy it was apples, but this time sings to the baby. He loves it. Sometimes he’ll make up his around I’ve had so many mandarin oranges own songs and include her name in them. It’s very sweet.” and grapefruits to the point where I got gas- tritis. It’s really painful, but I can’t stop! Normally I don’t even drink OJ, but this morn- ing I drank it straight from the jug. It’s so weird.” The former Sports Illustrated model, who is expecting a baby girl, says she has gained less weight this time around after put- ting on 80 pounds while pregnant with son Jane Lynch still remembers Brooks, two. She told The Bump magazine: “With baby number two, I’ve only gained about half of that and I’ve felt much more energetic.” But the blonde beauty admits she Cory Monteith ‘every day’ has done a lot less exercise. She explained: “I did a lot less cardio and a lot more Pilates. I still did Tracy Anderson and spinning, but I took it much easier. My body just didn’t feel he ‘Glee’ actress says her late co-star, who died in July 2013 from a heroin and alcohol overdose, like I needed it, especially in the middle was “one of the best guys I’ve known” and she will miss seeing the rest of the cast regularly after months, and I didn’t want to push it as hard. recently filming the final episode of the series. She said: “We all still remember and love him Some days you have energy, and some days T you feel like you’ve been hit by a bus. It’s so every day. I love the whole cast and I’ll see them in life, but when the show ends you won’t see them like you used to. Everyone is going to go on with their lives. I’ll miss it.” The two-hour finale is set to important to really listen to what your body is pay a small tribute to Cory when it airs in the US on March 20. telling you and go with it.” Meanwhile, Jane admits she was more emotional than she had pre- dicted when they wrapped up shooting earlier this month. The 54- year-old star told UsMagazine.com: “It’s been really sad, it’s all over now. I wasn’t expecting it to be what it was, it felt very right that it was over and we really celebrated it. We celebrated every cast member one at a time.” Jane will always be proud of what the series accomplished. She explained: “[The show has] been mind- blowing for forward-thinking. It’s nice to not get up on a soap box, [but] to do it through the show. It’s good to have really hated char- acters that you love at the end and characters that are so good you want to spank them! Matt Morrison’s character is like that, he’s so lovely and he’s just like that in real life.” Molly Sims give herself gastritis by eating citrus fruits he 41-year-old ‘Yes Man’ actress, who is set to give birth to her second child imminently with husband Scott TStuber, admits her healthy cravings have caused some “really painful” side effects, including inflammation of the lin- ing of her stomach. She said: “With my first pregnancy it was apples, but this time around I’ve had so many mandarin oranges and grapefruits to the point where I got gastritis. It’s really painful, but I can’t stop! Normally I don’t even drink OJ, but this morning I drank it straight from the jug. It’s so weird.” The former Sports Illustrated model, who is expecting a baby girl, says she has gained less weight this time around after putting on 80 pounds while pregnant with son Brooks, two. She told The Bump magazine: “With baby number two, I’ve only gained about half of that and I’ve felt much more ener- getic.” But the blonde beauty admits she has done a lot less exercise. She explained: “I did a lot less cardio and a lot more Pilates. I still did Tracy Anderson and spinning, but I took it much easier. My body just didn’t feel like I needed it, especial- ly in the middle months, and I didn’t want to push it as hard. Some days you have energy, and some days you feel like you’ve been hit by a bus. It’s so important to really listen to what your body is telling you and go with it.”

Kelly Osbourne has quit ‘Fashion Police’

he 30-year-old star, who has worked on the E! star threatened to quit on Twitter earlier this week quarrels and held the show together, even when Kelly series since 2011, has walked away from the after Giuliana’s controversial comments about her was being testy.” News of Kelly’s departure comes Tshow just days after co-host Giuliana Rancic was friend Zendaya, 18. But a source claims she doesn’t shortly after her father Ozzy Osbourne threatened forced to apologise to Disney star Zendaya Coleman think the show has been the same since Kathy Griffin ‘Access Hollywood Live’ host Billy Bush, who is friends for making an “outrageously offensive” comment took over from the late Joan Rivers. The insider told with Giuliana, on Twitter after he blasted rumours about her dreadlocks. The network confirmed the the MailOnline: “Kelly stayed on the show after the Kelly warned her not to joke she thought Zendaya’s news in a statement on Friday (27.02.15), saying: “Kelly beloved Joan Rivers passed away, but nothing has dreadlocks would “smell of patchouli or maybe weed.” Osbourne is departing E!’s ‘Fashion Police’ to pursue been the same since. “The chemistry has not been the The British rocker tweeted: “@BillyBush stop acting other opportunities, and we would like to thank her same between the hosts since the show came back on like a b****. Act like a man. Lay off Kelly or we’ll be for her many contributions to the series over the past air and Kelly knows it’s time to move on. “This has going to hospital to get my foot out of your a**. God five years, during which time the show became a hit nothing to do Giuliana. Zendaya accepted Giuliana’s Bless.” with viewers. ‘Fashion Police’ will return, as scheduled, apology and she’s already moved on to a new hair on Friday, March 30th at 9:00 p.m. and no decisions style! Even Kelly tweeted ‘this too shall pass’ and was have been made on her replacement.” The lilac-haired over it. “Joan was the mama bear, she stopped all the SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015 lifestyle

Madonna thinks Europe has become a ‘scary place’

he ‘Living For Love’ hitmaker, who has a house in tic freedom, for example. “Now, it’s completely gone. two people living like the only lovers left alive in a London and spends much of her time there, It’s like, to me, you know, I said this two years ago, it’s post-apocalyptic world. I feel like that’s where we’re Tclaims France currently feels like “Nazi Germany” like we’re living in a crazy time. It feels like, you know, heading for if we continue to behave the way we because of “the level of intolerance that’s going on.” Nazi Germany. All of these people... the intolerance, the behave, to treat one another the way we’re treat- While discussing her new song ‘Ghosttown’ from her level of intolerance that’s going on is really scary. It’s not ing one another, to maintain this level of intoler- upcoming album, ‘Rebel Heart,’ the 56-year-old singer just happening in France, it’s all over Europe, but it’s ance and discriminatory prejudice... hateful said: “France was once a country that accepted people specifically in France. Anti-Semitism, I think, is at an all- behaviour towards other human beings who are of colour. It was once a place that artists escaped to, time high, people are becoming, behaving, and react- different than you are.” whether it was Josephine Baker or Charlie Parker or ing in extremely fearful ways, so it’s scary.” The singer writers, painters, whatever. It was a country that also believes we are headed towards an apocalypse embraced everyone and that encouraged freedom in unless things change. She told Europe 1 Radio: every way, shape, or form-freedom of expression, artis- “‘Ghosttown’ is like, for me, a kind of foreshadowing of

he 21-year-old chart-topper was performing at the opening night of her ‘The Honeymoon Tour’ in Kansas City on Wednesday evening Twhen a wooden platform which was supposed to take her onto the stage snapped, causing her to narrowly avoid getting “crushed”. Speaking in a ‘Honeymoon Diaries’ video update titled “that time i almost died during (but actually this time) (sic),” she explained: “I almost died. I can’t stop think- ‘almost ing about this, because it was literally the craziest. So the wooden thing breaks and goes like this! (sic)” The 22-year-old star - who is dating rapper Big Sean - then gestured how the panel had snapped from a horizontal to a vertical position, and went on to explain the terrifying moments which fol- lowed, during which she clung onto a beam until she was saved by crew members. She continued: “I’m about to be crushed by mechanical, by metal s**t and by wood and stuff, and I go like this and grab this thing.” However, the near-death experience, which happened during a performance of her single ‘Love Me Harder’, didn’t faze her and she managed to continue singing the hit. She added: “I didn’t drop the mic. I was like, ‘Oh I gotta keep singing.’ “Following the show, the ‘Problem’ hitmaker vented about the freaky incident on her Twitter account, confessing she still enjoyed the per- formance. She wrote: “We did it!!!! I ALMOST DIED ONCE BUT OTHER THAN died’ when she she when died’ THAT IT FELT PRETTY GOOD! i love u kansas city. so much. thank u for put- ting up w my nerves. “Anyway... i’m so proud of / thankful for my honey-

got trapped in a lift a in trapped got moon crew / friends. today was a dream (little f ups included). only gets bet-

ter from here. Ariana Grande Ariana

Kelly Clarkson says Brandon Blackstock is her first love he ‘Heartbeat Song’ admits, who married the music manager in October 2013 after two years of dating, Tadmits he is the only person she has ever professed her love to and meant it. The 32-year-old star, who has eight-month-old daughter River Rose with Brandon, said: “He was the first guy I ...said it [to] - and wanted to say it. I didn’t feel like I had to. Because, like, ‘Oh, that’s what you have to do when you say it.’ “ The blonde beauty has no regrets about not opening her heart to her ex-boyfriends even though she thinks it probably hurt their feelings. She told ‘CBS Sunday Morning With Charles Osgood’ in an upcoming interview that will air tomorrow: “That’s horrible. But it’s true. And that’s how - what it is.” But Kelly admits she never thought she would find long-lasting love because she has witnessed a lot of divorces, including her own parents’ split. She explained: “I never thought honestly I would get married or fall in ‘love’, like they say in the movies. You know, I never thought that would happen. And, not so because I didn’t think it was true.” Selena Gomez ‘declined’ Kerry Washington Margot Robbie stole to take part in Justin’s doesn’t feel guilty about upcoming roast toilet paper from hotel he ‘Boyfriend’ hitmaker will be the focus of a Comedy being a working mother Central Roast in honour of his 21st birthday today, but his he ‘Focus’ actress admitted to tak- Ralph Lauren?’ And I was like, ‘I’ve never he ‘Scandal’ star has eight-month-old daughter Tex-girlfriend wants doesn’t want to join in with the jokey ing rolls of the household good bought anything from Ralph Lauren, Isabelle with husband Nnamdi Asomugha and she is evening, which will be hosted by Kevin Hart, because she is now from a hotel in New York where what are you talking about?’ The bag my “grateful” that her own mother was “such a powerful T dating DJ Zedd. A source told In Touch Weekly magazine: “Selena T her friend was staying but insisted it friend had given me that I’d put all my role model as a working mom” to her. Speaking to the new declined. Now that she’s dating DJ Zedd, she thinks it would be was only “one time”. She shared: “It was stolen goods in was a Ralph Lauren bag.” issue of InStyle magazine, she said: “Women use this ‘guilt’ incredibly disrespectful to him if she were to do it.” But the one time and it was when I was living in And the 24-year-old actress, who now word a lot, but I’m not sure how I feel about it. I know why Canadian singer, who split from the brunette beauty in October New York. I was busy, I was working on rents a place in London with five friends, it’s the word that keeps coming up, but I can’t co-sign on it after four years of on/off dating, is upset that she won’t be among ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ and I didn’t have has blamed her male housemates for yet. There has got to be a better way. You can’t be all those poking fun at him during the TV special, which is being time. Every time I got home, I thought always ensuring their home is low on things to all people all the time, you have to experience filmed on March 7. The source said: “Justin is hurt. He really want- ‘Damn, I forgot to buy toilet paper toilet paper. Speaking on The Tonight your humanity, you have to know you are a limited vessel, ed her there. He’s hoping he can change her mind.” But the again.’ “So I was saying goodbye to a Show with Jimmy Fallon, she said: “I live and you can only do so much.” The 38-year-old star also ‘Rudderless’ actress has no plans to even watch the show when it friend who was staying at a hotel. And with three boys and I can’t tell you how isn’t sure whether becoming a parent has changed her. is aired on Comedy Central on March 30. The source added: she was like, ‘I’m getting on a plane to hard it is to get your hands on toilet She said: “It’s too early to tell. Maybe later I’ll look back and “Selena is really happy right now.” Another insider recently Australia so take whatever we’ve got left paper. They steal it. “We’ve got a girls’ have some of that figured out. But when you’re in it, you’re claimed Justin is upset the ‘Slow Down’ hitmaker isn’t pining over over.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, great.’ So I bathroom and a boys’ bathroom fortu- in it! And I’m so in it right now.” Kerry feels lucky to have him. The source said: “Seeing her happy with Zedd and the fact packed up a bag and I was like, ‘Toilet nately but they sneak on up and steal all lots of famous friends to ask for parenting advice if she that she’s not pining for him are bitter blows to his ego. Justin paper, yes!’ “And then I walked out and our toilet paper.” ever needs it. She said: “I called up Connie Britton, who wants to have his fun, and know he got papped outside the hotel and my adopted her son when she started ‘Nashville’. I emailed has Selena in his back pocket mum called me and she was like, ‘Oh Jessica Alba. I have all these girls I have known for a long whenever he needs her.” what did you buy from Ralph Lauren? time. now we have a new chapter in our lives we can share Did you buy something really nice from ideas about.”

Fearne Cotton pregnant with her second child

he 33-year-old ‘Celebrity Juice’ panellist - who already has watching live music from the world’s best.” The star - who married casters who have gone before me have left an impressive two-year-old son Rex with husband Jesse Wood - revealed the the son of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood last July - added trail and I hope to carry that on. Doing this job is an Tnews in a statement on her website, although did not reveal her departure from the station marks a “new chapter” in her life, and absolute joy and to now have the opportunity to broad- when they are expecting the baby to be born. She wrote: “Jesse and she will be leaving with positive memories. She explained: cast Monday to Friday is something that I am so grateful I are very happy to announce we are having another baby. I feel “However it is now time for a new chapter. “I would like to thank for. I can’t wait to introduce a Live Lounge artist for the extremely blessed and happy that Rex will be a big brother, and we Radio 1 for being such a great home and most of all to the listeners first time!” get to welcome another Wood into the world.” Along with the who have been on this journey with me. It’s such a kick to know you announcement, the BBC Radio 1 DJ confirmed she has decided to heard a band on my show first, or that the songs I’ve played have leave the station - on which she presents the 10am-1pm weekday helped you through the day, so thank you. “I will leave with the show - after 10 years. She continued: “It has also been a time of big best memories and many great friends. “Here’s to family and new decisions and one I want to share with you now. After much time adventures.” Replacing the blonde beauty on her weekday show and careful thought I have decided to leave Radio 1 after ten amaz- will be current Official Charts Show host Clara Amfo, who said she is ing years.” “I have had the most incredible decade broadcasting on “thrilled” to have secured the slot. She said: “I am honoured and Radio 1, meeting wonderful people, helping break artists and thrilled to be presenting such a huge show on Radio 1. The broad- lifestyle SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

A statue dating back to the eighth century BC is displayed at the entrance of Iraq’s national museum during its official An artefact coming from the shrine of Imam Musa al-Kadhim and dating back to 1227 AD is displayed. reopening yesterday in the capital Baghdad. The national museum reopened after 12 years of painstaking efforts dur- ing which close to a third of 15,000 stolen pieces were recovered. — AFP photos Baghdad museum reopens 12 years after looting ‘Destruction sparked global outrage’

raq’s national museum officially reopened yesterday after 12 years of 1,500 Iraqi dinars (just over a dollar), 10 US dollars for Arabs and 20 for painstaking efforts during which close to a third of 15,000 pieces other foreigners. Ilooted during the US-led invasion were recovered. The reopening The Mosul museum, which UNESCO museology expert Stuart Gibson was brought forward in what officials said was a response to the described as “a small jewel” constructed on the gardens of the former destruction of priceless artefacts by Islamic State group jihadists in the palace of King Faisal of Iraq, was also pillaged in 2003. northern city of Mosul. Archaeologists have expressed fears the jihadists would go on to “We have been preparing to reopen for the past couple of months, destroy more heritage in the areas they control, possibly the Assyrian the museum should be open to everyone,” Qais Hussein Rashid, the site of Nimrud and the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Hatra. Abadi deputy tourism and antiquities minister, told AFP. warned traffickers and buyers that Iraq and its partners would not relent “The events in Mosul led us to speed up our work and we wanted to in its hunt for looted artefacts. “We have details on every artefact in open it today as a response to what the gangs of Daesh did,” he said, Mosul, every piece is marked, and we will track down all the pieces using an Arabic acronym for the IS group. smuggled by Daesh and the terrorist groups, we will track them down On Thursday, the jihadists who have occupied Iraq’s second city of and all the world is with us.” — AFP Mosul since June last year released a video in which militants smash ancient statues with sledgehammers in the city’s museum. Militants are also seen using a jackhammer to deface a colossal 40- tonne Assyrian winged bull in an archaeological park in Mosul. The destruction sparked global outrage, calls for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council and fears over the fate of other major heritage sites in areas under IS control. The Mosul destruction was the worst disaster to strike Iraq’s treasures since the national museum in Baghdad was looted in the chaos that fol- lowed the toppling of Saddam Hussein. The pictures of jihadists gleefully hacking away at treasures dating A man walks past an artefact displayed during the official reopening of Iraq’s national back several centuries before Christ drew comparisons with the 2001 museum. dynamiting by the Taleban of the Bamiyan buddhas in Afghanistan. One jihadist speaking to the camera claims they are destroying them on religious grounds because the statues are symbols of idolatry. But officials and experts argue the IS militants are seen destroying the pieces that are too bulky to be smuggled and sold to finance their self- proclaimed “caliphate”.

Hunt continues The 2003 plundering of the Baghdad museum, footage of which was beamed around the world at the time, has been compared to the 13th century Mongol sack of the city’s library. The museum was considered to host one of the world’s greatest archeological collections. Officials said yesterday that about 15,000 pieces were looted in 2003, of which 4,300 have been recovered. “We are still tracking down more than 10,000 artefacts in markets and auctions. What we got back were the most important,” Rashid said. After cutting a red ribbon at an official ceremony, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said: “Today the message is clear from Baghdad, from the land of Mesopotamia. “We will preserve civilisation and we will track down those who want to destroy it,” he said. Rashid said the reopening would help heal the wounds of the Mosul looting. “We don’t want February 26 to be a day of sadness and gloom... reopening the museum sends a message at home and abroad that it should be restored as a touristic and cultural institution,” he said. An artefact is displayed during the reopening of Iraq’s national Artefacts coming from the area of Mosul and dating back to the second century BC is dis- The museum is due to reopen to the public today. Tickets will cost museum yesterday. played.

Bill Cosby asks judge to dismiss three accusers’ defamation suit

ill Cosby’s lawyers asked a federal judge on Friday to “The new, never-before-heard claims from women who Cosby has canceled or postponed more than a dozen per- throw out a defamation lawsuit filed by three women have come forward in the past two weeks with unsubstantiat- formances as more accusers have come forward, and women’s Baccusing the comedian of decades-old sexual offenses. ed, fantastical stories about things they say occurred 30, 40, or groups have protested or threatened to rally at many of his The women, all of whom have stepped forward in recent even 50 years ago have escalated far past the point of absurdi- public appearances. years, say Cosby’s representatives publicly branded them as ty,” Singer wrote at the time. “It is long past time for this media Lawyers for the three accusers have until March 20 to file a liars while trying to defend his innocence. vilification of Mr. Cosby to stop.” reply to Cosby’s motion to dismiss the suit. Green originally But Cosby’s lawyers say the actor was merely acting in self- The three women seek an unspecified amount of money for filed the defamation lawsuit in December 2014 and Serignese defense as his character was under attack. compensatory and punitive damages. Many of the accusations and Traitz joined later. The suit is filed in US District Court in “The law does not require that one stand idly by while he is against him exceed the statute of limitations for criminal pros- Springfield, in western Massachusetts. Cosby has a home near- publicly attacked,” the lawyers argue in their 38-page filing. ecution. But the scandal has taken its toll on the 77-year-old by in Shelburne Falls. — AP “Instead the law entitles an individual who is accused of seri- actor and comedian as he has sought to revive his career with ous wrongdoing to rebut the allegations without facing a national stand-up comedy tour. defamation claims.” Joseph Cammarata, a lawyer for the three accusers, said his clients disagree with that position. “We believe that the law provides that when you make a public statement about an individual, it must be truthful,” he said. “We look forward to an opportunity to have the truth tried by a jury who can ultimate- Alan Cumming ly determine which of the parties was being truthful.” Cosby’s lawyers say their client denies all of the allegations of sexual misconduct. Cosby, who starred as Dr. Cliff Huxtable Alan Cumming, on the beloved sitcom “The Cosby Show” from 1984 to 1992, hasn’t been charged with any crime. At least 15 women have stepped forward in recent years to level various assault accusa- Lena Hall heading tions. Tamara Green, a California lawyer, says Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her in her Los Angeles-area apartment in the to Cafe Carlyle early 1970s. Therese Serignese says Cosby drugged and raped her in a dressing room after a show in Las Vegas around 1976. ony Award winners Alan Cumming and Lena Hall are And Linda Traitz alleges he tried to drug her and then groped leaving their Broadway shows, but you can still catch her on a Southern California beach in about 1970. Tthem live. Cosby’s lawyers say his representatives were responding to The Cafe Carlyle said Friday that Hall will make her debut at the accusations in strongly-worded rebukes. One November the legendary lounge April 7-18. Hall is leaving “Hedwig and 2014 statement references Traitz’s “extensive” criminal record, the Angry Inch” on April 4. Cumming is a star of “Cabaret” and which includes larceny, fraud and drug possession charges. “The Good Wife.” He will play at the cafe June 2-13 after his “As the old saying goes, ‘consider the source,’” wrote Cosby Broadway revival ends. His show - “Alan Cumming Sings Sappy attorney Martin Singer, who also attached copies of Traitz’s Songs” - will feature a cellist. Florida criminal and prison records with the statement. The spring season will also mark the return of “Smash” star Megan Hilty, who will sing “Songs for My Daughter” on May Punitive damages 19-30; singer-songwriter Judy Collins on May 5-16; and Another November 2014 statement cited by Cosby’s accus- Bill Cosby salutes the crowd as he begins a performance at the Buell Theater in Denver. Cosby’s lawyers asked a federal “Strictly Bossa Nova” star John Pizzarelli with pianist Daniel ers offers “general comments” on the allegations and does not judge on Friday, to throw out a defamation lawsuit filed by three women accusing the comedian of decades-old sexual Jobim on April 21-May 2. — AP specifically name any of the accusers, his lawyers say. offenses. — AP lifestyle SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

Fashionable or geeky - the modern watch dilemma

t’s Milan fashion week, you’ve got tickets to the catwalk shows and an outfit to die for, but which Iwatch to wear? A chunky smartwatch or chic tick- er that can’t tell the time? Ahead of the hotly-anticipated Apple Watch launch this year, expected to revolutionise tech wearables, there are already watches you can use to check emails, Facebook or the weather, play games or even get your kettle to boil. Purists might say such a gadget would only dis- tract from the delights of watching Prada, Versace or Armani, but critics and buyers are notoriously bad mannered anyway, often texting or taking selfies in shows, so they might as well be on their watches. Bare wrists have been all the rage at Milan’s autumn-winter 2015 shows, but an accessory the fashion world had dropped as one less thing to wor- ry about is now making a comeback. With the rise of the smartphone a decade or so ago came the demise of the ordinary watch-its rebirth is said to have begun nearly three years ago with Pebble, which created one of the world’s first official smartwatches. That sparked a flurry of activity which will result this year in items on the must-have geek list such as the Puls, built on the Android system, and the Activite Pop for exercise fiends. But smart watches have already drawn criticism for being bulky and, with no serious fashionista will- ing to look nerdy, watchmakers and technology developers have been racing to find a way to win over the female market.

Side-stepping the techno race Successes so far have been thin on the ground, the most notable attempt coming from Ornate, whose Lutetia smartwatch claims to be just the tick- et for women but which boasts raffish beaded wrist- bands which risk falling flat with high-end cus- tomers. Some companies, like Italian start-up D1 Milano, have decided to side-step the techno race and sal- vage the watch by transforming it into a purely aes- thetic accessory. Amid the bustle of shows, D1 unveiled what it claims is the world’s first thermochromic watch, which changes colour as the room temperature inches up. A sleek black which transforms into a green or grey camouflage pattern, the watch-the brainchild of 22-year old designer Alessandro Pedersoli and his three co-founders-is selling well in the Middle East in particular. Thermochromic inks first appeared on the fash- ion scene in the 1970s with mood rings-which claimed to show the wearer’s emotional state by reading their body heat-before the technology moved to T-shirts and shorts in the 1990s. Having the world know you were sweating because blotchy patches appeared under your arms, back and crotch proved a trend-killer however. Instead of ink, D1 is using resin-the stuff usually used on factory pipes as a warning system against overheating-which it has adjusted to react at 27 degrees Celsius, when it becomes transparent to reveal the pattern beneath. The company’s next project will be to bring out new versions of their octagonal-faced tickers twice a year, in line with both the spring/summer and autumn/winter shows-ideally anticipating some of the trends on the catwalks. It is too soon to say whether fashion’s finest will be hooked, but they will still have to rely on their phones, because these watches may be pretty but they’re not designed to tell you the time. — AFP

Models present a creation for fashion house Ermanno Scervino at the women Fall / Winter 2015/16 Milan’s Fashion Week yesterday. — AFP Photos Baghdad museum reopens 12 years 38after looting SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015

Flowers adorn the Hollywood Walk of Fame star of Leonard Nimoy in Los Angeles. — AP Galaxies mourn the death of Mr Spock Legendary actor Leonard Nimoy dies at 83 eonard Nimoy didn’t just leave a lasting impression on the science-fiction world, he also left his mark on science Litself. Seth Shostak, who researches the possibility of real- world extraterrestrial life as the senior astronomer at SETI Research, recalled that Nimoy was regularly willing to lend the organization a helping hand. When he was asked to narrate a planetarium introduction or appear as a guest at an event, Nimoy did so graciously and never charged. “That struck me then, and it strikes me now,” said Shostak. “If you play a famous alien, you might have little interest in how science is searching for real aliens, but Nimoy was actually interested in the science - and he was always willing to help us out.” Remembrances poured in from beyond the entertainment spectrum after news spread Friday about the death of the 83- year-old actor, who played the half-alien, half-human Spock in “Star Trek” films, TV shows and video games. NASA, Virgin Galactic, Intel and Google all sent messages, as did other groups motivated by Nimoy and his role as the truth-seeking science officer. In this Aug. 9, 2006 file photo, actor Leonard Nimoy poses for a photograph in Los Actor Leonard Nimoy and his wife, actress Susan Bay, arrive at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre “Leonard Nimoy was an inspiration to multiple generations Angeles. Nimoy, famous for playing officer Mr Spock in “Star Trek” died Friday in Los in Hollywood for the premiere of the movie “Star Trek” in Los Angeles in this April 30, of engineers, scientists, astronauts and other space explorers,” Angeles of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was 83. — AP 2009, file photo. — AFP said NASA administrator Charles Bolden. “As Mr. Spock, he made science and technology important to the story, while never failing to show, by example, that it is the people around us who matter most.” NASA posted a photo online taken in 1976 of Nimoy and his “Trek” cast mates in front of NASA’s real- Tributes pour in for Mr Spock life space shuttle Enterprise, parked outside the agency’s man- ufacturing facilities in Palmdale, California. resident Barack Obama joined Leonard Nimoy’s co- agency on Twitter, under a photo of the Star Trek cast visit- “I love you profoundly my dear friend and I will miss you stars from “Star Trek” to bid adieu to the actor who ing the space shuttle Enterprise in 1976. everyday,” he said on Instagram, alongside a portrait of Astronaut tweets Pdied Friday aged 83 after making his name as “Mr “To boldly go where no man has gone before” was a Nimoy. “Today we salute the legendary Leonard Nimoy Samantha Cristoforetti, an Italian astronaut aboard the Spock.” “Long before being nerdy was cool, there was catchphrase from the opening credits of the original Star #LiveLongAndProsper,” tweeted the nerdy hit CBS sitcom International Space Station, similarly tweeted her condolences Leonard Nimoy,” said Obama, who recalled meeting the Trek TV episodes. “The Big Bang Theory,” on which Nimoy once made a mem- from space. “Live Long and Prosper, Mr. #Spock!” she wrote. Boston-born Nimoy with the Vulcan salute in 2007. orable cameo appearance, voicing a Spock doll. Don Lincoln, a senior physicist at Fermilab, said he was More than a household name, Nimoy was a “lifelong ‘I will miss you’ Veteran Hollywood comedian Carl Reiner asked, via inspired to go into science not just because Nimoy’s portrayal lover of the arts and humanities, a supporter of the sciences, George Takei, 77, who played the helmsman of the Twitter, if Spock “could not find a way to stay, what chance of the logical Mr. Spock but also because of “In Search of...,” the generous with his talent and his time,” the president added. Starship Enterprise on “Star Trek,” told CNN how he and have we earthlings? ‘May flights of angels sing him to his curious 1970s TV series hosted by Nimoy that was dedicated “I loved Spock,” said Obama. Nimoy had been good friends for half a century. rest’.” “Leonard, you lived long and prospered, and were an to mysterious phenomena. William Shatner, who played Captain James T. Kirk on “When discussing a scene, he had a remarkable talent for inspiration to me and to millions. Rest in peace,” tweeted “Despite the fact he worked in fiction, anyone who can “Star Trek,” was similarly effusive in his praise. “I loved him analyzing the scene very quickly, in terms of its point, its Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, whose use of social like a brother. We will all miss his humor, his talent, and his drive,” Takei recalled. “But he was also able to guide other media from the International Space Station helped reboot inspire that many people to look into the sky and wonder has capacity to love,” Shatner said on Twitter and Facebook. actors. He was really a company actor... A real leader and a public interest in “the final frontier.” — AFP done something really important for mankind,” he said. “RIP Leonard Nimoy. So many of us at NASA were brilliant actor.” Zachary Quinto, who played Spock in the two Lincoln noted that “Trek” and the character of Spock, armed inspired by Star Trek. Boldly go...” echoed the US space most recent Star Trek films, said he was heartbroken. with his Vulcan nerve pinch and phase set to stun, provided the world with a dynamic look at someone interested in sci- ence. “The fact is that Spock was a cool geek,” said Lincoln. “Scientists are not always portrayed as being very strong. Usually, they’re the guy with the tape on their glasses and their pants too high. He was clearly a person who had desirable components beyond just being smart.” Nimoy’s commitment to astronomy frequently warped from beyond the Alpha Quadrant and into the real world. He and his wife, Susan, donated $1 million to the renovation of the iconic Griffith Park observatory complex overlooking Los Angeles. The observatory’s theater is named after Nimoy. “Mr. Nimoy was committed to people, community and the enlarged perspective conferred by science, the arts and the places where they meet,” the observatory said in a statement. “The theater honors Nimoy’s expansive and inclusive approach to public astronomy and artful inspiration.” The actor, director and photographer narrated several films focusing on astronomy, including a 2012 short film about NASA’s Dawn mission and the 1994 IMAX documentary film “Destiny in Space.” “All I can say is if and when we pick up a sig- William Shatner (R) and Leonard Nimoy (L), the actors who portrayed Capt James T. Kirk Flowers are placed in memory of actor Leonard Nimoy. — AFP nal, it’ll be wonderful if the real aliens are half as appealing as and Science Officer Mr. Spock respectively in the original Star Trek television series, recall Mr. Nimoy was as Spock,” said Shostak of SETI Research. — AP memories of filming the show 40 years ago. — AFP