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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 RABI ALTHANI 30, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net

Kuwait, Palestine to boost Min 15º Max 23º cooperation, trade links High Tide 12:00 Amir receives Palestinian Prime Minister Hamdallah Low Tide 06:31 & 18:25 40 PAGES NO: 16438 150 FILS KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- exchanges between the two countries Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at and efforts aiming to develop economic Bayan Palace yesterday HH the Crown ties. While receiving Hamdallah and his Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber accompanying delegation, Ghanem Al-Sabah, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh stressed the depth of relations between Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah the two brotherly countries, lauding his- and Palestinian Prime Minister Rami torical ties in all domains, especially those Hamdallah, accompanied by a delegation related to trade and economic ones. of senior officials. During the meeting, Ghanem called on the Palestinian side the Kuwaiti and Palestinian sides tackled to display their products that have a bilateral ties and means to boost cooper- promising market in Kuwait, calling for ation at all levels, besides discussing mat- developing Palestinian industries and ters of mutual interest. urging Palestinian trade delegations to Later, the prime minister held a work- visit Kuwait to hold talk with Kuwaiti busi- ing lunch banquet in honor of his nessmen. Hamdallah commended the Palestinian counterpart. During the ban- depth of relations between the KCCI and quet, they had friendly talks that reflect- its Palestinian counterpart, underscoring ed the depth of historical and close peo- the significance of sharing information to ple-to-people relations, and included increase trade cooperation and provide Kuwait’s support for the Palestinian peo- opportunities for investors. He revealed ple to live in peace and have their own that the Palestinian government is seek- state with Jerusalem as its capital, and ing to open a trade center in Kuwait to condemned Israel’s repeated aggressions promote its products and present avail- on innocent Palestinians. They also called able investment opportunities. on the international community to live The Palestinian premier also received up to its responsibility by obliging Israel Abdelwahab Al-Bader, Director-General to stop its brutal practices against the of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Palestinian people. Development (KFAED) and Abdelatif Al- Later, Kuwait Chamber of Commerce Hamad, Board Chairman and Director- and Industry’s (KCCI) Chairman Ali General of the Arab Fund for Economic Thunayan Al-Ghanem and Hamdallah and Social Development (AFESD) at his KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah in the presence of discussed ways of reactivating trade residence at Bayan Palace. — KUNA HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday. — KUNA THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 LOCAL

KUWAIT: (From left) Public Prosecutor Counselor Dherar Ali Al-Asousi, President of the Court of Appeal Counselor Mohammad Jassim Bin-Naji, and Deputy President of the Court of Cassation Counselor Yousef Jassim Al-Mutawía meet His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. — KUNA Photos Amir reiterates support to judiciary in protecting public funds Sheikh Sabah meets top judges

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday Deputy President of the Court of Cassation Counselor Yousef Jassim Al- Mutaw’a, President of the Court of Appeal Counselor Mohammad Jassim Bin-Naji, and Public Prosecutor Counselor Dherar Ali Al- Asousi. During the meeting, they briefed HH the Amir on the new judicial authority law. HH the Amir lauded efforts exerted by the judicial authority in looking into all cases, especially those related to public funds, stress- ing that the state is keen on protecting public funds. HH the Amir said that the state will nev- er hesitate to bring all perpetrators to justice, emphasizing his full support for the judicial authority. HH Sheikh Sabah reaffirmed the absolute confidences of him and the people that the judiciary is fair and keen on achieving equality and justice among all segments and institutions in the country.

Amir meets ambassadors Later, HH the Amir met with Turkish Ambassador in Kuwait Murat Tamer, who delivered a letter from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on bilateral relations between both countries, as well as ways and means of promoting cooperation in all fields. HH the Amir then received the outgoing Australian Ambassador to Kuwait Robert Tyson. The two meetings were also attended by Deputy Turkish Ambassador Murat Tamer delivers a letter from Turkish President Recep Tayyip His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets the Australian Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Erdogan to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Ambassador Robert Tyson. Jarrah Al-Sabah. —KUNA

Defense Minister in Washington for Britain announces additional White House summit $150m aid to Syrian refugees WASHINGTON: Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah arrived in Washington, DC Kuwait to host ‘Pledging Conference’ for Syria late Tuesday to partake in the White House By Ben Garcia summit on countering violent extremism. The White House summit, which was inau- KUWAIT: Desmond Swayne, the British Minister gurated by US Vice President Joe Biden on of State at the Department for International Tuesday, will focus on means to counter Development at the Foreign and extremism within all possible fields. The event Commonwealth Office, announced $150 million will continue till Thursday with participation of Deputy Prime Minister and in humanitarian aid to war-torn Syria, bringing delegations from over 60 countries. —KUNA Defense Minister Sheikh Khaled the total amount of their humanitarian aid to Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah more than $1 billion. The announcement was made at a press conference at the British Embassy in Kuwait attended by British Ambassador to Kuwait Matthew James Lodge. Swayne is visiting Kuwait to talk about the upcoming ‘Pledging Conference’ set to be held in Kuwait next month. Kuwait had announced last month that it has accepted a United Nations invitation to host the third international aid pledging conference for Syria. “The 150 million dollars is in addition to 700 million pounds already rolling as humanitar- ian aid to Syrian people - most of the amount has been used during the last four years of the KUWAIT: Desmond Swayne, the British Minister of State at the Department for International crisis in Syria which we paid to various humani- Development at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (right), speaks at the press conference tarian groups helping Syrian refugees,” Swayne yesterday, as British Ambassador Matthew Lodge looks on. — Photo by Joseph Shagra said. He asserted that the amount is the largest explained. South Sudan, Iraq, Yemen and Libya,” he men- the UK has ever spent on any humanitarian The release of aid will be gradual to UN tioned. emergency anywhere in the world. “This is the refugee agencies. Swayne also acknowledged Another subject on the agenda in Swayne’s proportionate amount to the problem Syrian the fact that many nations pledged amounts visit to Kuwait is about the United Nations’ mil- people are facing and I believe that this is the during the first and second pledging confer- lennium development goals built on a new sys- right thing to do,” he added. ences, but little of the aid amount was delivered. tem of sustainable development. “The goal is to “In the case of the United Kingdom, whatever eradicate poverty by 2030. We want to support Dreadful situation had been promised has been delivered and the UN’s ambitious program and we want to The United Kingdom’s effort is a response to handed over to the right agencies,” he men- revitalize the idea and let the people know the remarkable leadership by Kuwait, especially KUWAIT: Somali Minister of Education Ali Haji presents a memento to KRCS Deputy tioned. about the subject. I really hope that the world in sending humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees Chairman Anwar Al-Hassawi. —KUNA can unite on this matter - it’s a set of goals that in neighboring countries. “Undoubtedly, we are Not enough can be easily understood and easily remem- in a very dreadful situation now in Syria. The suf- As to whether the aid is enough to ease the bered so that the world can be easily held to fering of the people there is truly unprecedent- Somalia lauds Kuwait’s suffering of Syrian people, Swayne mentioned: account on their performances. The UK prom- ed. We have all seen it on television - we have “Definitely not enough, considering the magni- ised to lead a diplomatic effort to try and get seen the suffering of refugees in Lebanon, tude of problems we are talking about. This is back to the vision that UN Secretary General Ban leading humanitarian role Jordan, Turkey and Egypt. They need help and as why we continue to appeal to countries (who Ki-moon has started. In Kuwait, since they have we promised, we will never abandon the people pledged) to step up,” he noted. “The demand for been showing leadership in international devel- KUWAIT: Visiting Somali Minister of Leading country of Syria,” he reiterated. “The refugees need to live humanitarian aid is really huge, but remember, opment and humanitarian affairs, I know they Education Ali Haji commended Kuwait’s On his part, Hassawi said that the State a normal life; children need to study and we we are also dealing with other humanitarian now speak with authority on this matter in the effort exerted in humanitarian action, and of Kuwait under the leadership of HH the understand that some of the money has to go to crises in other countries such as the recent council of the world. I have come to seek their the Kuwait Red Crescent Society’s (KRCS) Amir has been a leading country in offering local communities where they are welcomed as spread of Ebola in Sierra Leone and other parts support for this particular agenda,” he conclud- role in offering aid to needy and vulnerable aid to peoples, including the Somali peo- refugees. They need to cope with the increase in of Africa. We have sent help to the people of ed. people in different countries, especially in ple. Assawi added that offering aid to population - tens of thousands in this case,” he Somalia. Somalia comes in line with HH the Amir’s After meeting with KRCS Deputy interest in alleviating sufferings of Somalis, Chairman Anwar Al-Hassawi yesterday, Haji noting it also affirms KRCS’s humanitarian said that Kuwait’s humanitarian aid has role in helping needy people in all coun- FM leaves for Kuwaiti-Oman conference been offered to Somalia, thanks to the ini- tries across the globe. He said that a KRCS tiatives launched by His Highness the Amir delegation would travel to Somalia next KUWAIT/MUSCAT: First Deputy Prime Minister GCC Department at Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry addition to following up on bilateral agreements Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. month to take part in a celebration of and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- Ambassador Nasser Haji Al-Muzayen, Kuwaiti in the sectors of trade, economy and investment He added the KRCS has been contribut- humanitarian projects organized by the Hamad Al-Sabah leaves Kuwait today, heading Ambassador to Oman Fahad Hejer Al-Mutairi promotion between the two countries as well as ing to humanitarian action for many years society in Somalia. Hassawi presented a to Muscat to chair the Kuwaiti delegation for the and a number of officials. what has been accomplished during the previ- at regional and international levels, stress- detailed report about all humanitarian aid seventh session of the joint higher committee The joint Kuwaiti-Omani committee began ous session. ing that Somali people are highly appreci- offered by the KRCS to countries like Syria, between Kuwait and Oman. works in Muscat yesterday at the expert level They also discussed support and develop- ating the society’s humanitarian role. He Somalia, Sudan, the Philippines, Bosnia, The delegation includes Kuwait Fund for Arab with attendees discussing a number of topics ment of relations in all fields, in addition to acti- said that the meeting tackled the KRCS’s and Herzegovina and the war-ravaged Economic Development (KFAED) Director and projects including political coordination and vating the work of the Omani Kuwaiti Joint support for Somalia in the domains of Gaza Strip, as well as other countries across General Abdulwahab Ahmed Al-Bader, the First economic, educational, health, media and cul- Committee. The commission seeks to increase health and education as well as further the globe in collaboration with some Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s tural cooperation. trade between the two countries and open fields humanitarian action for orphans, inviting organizations interested in humanitarian Office Director Ambassador Sheikh Dr Ahmad The commission cooperates in the trade, eco- in the private sector to establish joint invest- the society to visit his country. action. — KUNA Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, Director of the nomic, educational, cultural and media fields, ment projects.—KUNA THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 LOCAL

Crime Report Numbers, not names, Woman dragged, robbed By Hanan Al-Sadoun for streets: Cabinet KUWAIT: A Sri Lankan woman complained to the police that unidentified people, suspecting to be robbers, By Mesh’al Al-Enezi lem of receiving so many applications to niques to illegally collect donations, second would cover 3,500 square meters to snatched her purse after dragging her along with their name streets after people, which would sources said. host a center for scientific conferences. vehicle. The complainant’s report alleged that the suspects, KUWAIT: A number of Municipal Council result in difficulty determining the rules of who were in a white vehicle, approached her while she was members complained what they described selection in addition to difficulty in finding Co-op election nominees Meeting on shifting telecom towers walking on the sidewalk, and then one of the passengers as deprivation of their authority concern- certain addresses if street names keep Nominees for new board at 35 coopera- A Municipal Council team recently held tried to snatch her purse. When she resisted, the suspects ing selecting names for various streets all changing. tives that have concluded their fiscal year a meeting under the chairmanship of in the car drove off, dragging her a few meters on the over Kuwait and stressed that this was their are waiting to submit their application in Municipal Council Member Osama Al- ground before she let go of the purse. A case was filed and right according to the municipal law num- Charity laws amendment the election scheduled to take place within Otaibi to study the subject of shifting tele- further investigations are in progress. ber 5/2005. The members also explained Well-informed sources at the Ministry of the coming two months, sources said. com towers in some parts of the country. that a former municipality minister had Social Affairs and Labor said the ministry’s The meeting was not attended by the formed a special committee headed by the legal affairs department had recently fin- New office for KFAS Municipality Director Ahmed Al-Subaih or 38,225 traffic citations municipality director and comprising vari- ished setting the new executive regulations Responding to Amiri instructions, anyone representing him. Otaibi added A traffic campaign held last weekend resulted in filing ous government establishments to select for charities and that those regulations Hawalli Governorate’s committee in the that the committee discussed the appeal 38,225 traffic citations all over the country, suspending street names. would help organize dealing with the ten Municipal Council recently agreed to allo- court verdict ordering the removal of all 2,372 vehicles and collecting KD 1,368,400 in fines, Informed sources said that a letter sent operating charities in addition to 93 ones cate two locations in Ras Al-Salmiya to telecom towers. said security sources adding that 24 people were also from the Cabinet to the council in this distributed all over Kuwait. The sources build a new headquarter for Kuwait arrested for traffic violations. The sources added that regard had recommended using numbers added that the charity law amendment was Foundation for the Advancement of Illegal ads removed the total casualties in the weekend accidents were 211 instead of naming streets after famous per- needed because the previous law on Science (KFAS). In this regard, committee Kuwait Municipality’s inspection teams injuries and four deaths. sonalities. It also indicated that His fundraising for public purposes had been chairman Yousfi Al-Gharib said that the first recently confiscated 4 tractors, a grocery Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber issued in 1959 and no longer fits today. location would cover 5,000 square meters caravan and a bus in addition to removing Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah had raised the prob- Some fundraisers use modern day tech- adjacent to the Scientific Center while the 128 illegal ads in a campaign in Kabd area. Techno criminal A Lebanese national reported that an unidentified person who he accused as a techno-criminal managed to with- draw KD 1,010 from his bank account, said security Lion, hyenas and baboons sources. The man told police that he went to verify with Former minister the bank after receiving a text message informing him that the amount was withdrawn from his account. The surrendered to Kuwait Zoo hails premier bank staff confirmed that the money was withdrawn from a sales point. By Ben Garcia “We got them from people around Kuwait. Some apes By A Saleh were brought in by the police too. The lion is just a cub and KUWAIT: Through his Twitter account, Former MP and Real estate fraud KUWAIT: Reports of a Filipina who died after being not dangerous at all, but it will be once it grows up. But the attacked by her employer’s lion left many shocked, but also hyenas are already big and dangerous,” a zookeeper told Minister Shuaib Al-Muwaizri hailed His Highness the A 33-year-old female citizen recently filed a case at Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah’s Maidan Hawalli police station, accusing a property opened the door for many dormant laws to suddenly come Kuwait Times. to life. Kuwait already has a law that prohibits wild animals “The baboons surrendered to us are native to the recent statements in which he reportedly admitted that broker of taking a down payment of KD 300 from her corruption is present in the government. He also invited to purchase a house plot. The complaint stated that from being kept in residences. Moreover, new regulations Arabian Peninsula. They can be kept as pets but need extra were put in place as a result of that unfortunate incident, care since they are sensitive creatures. This is why we are His Highness or any of his Cabinet members to a tele- after taking the down payment, the broker did not fol- vised debate on Kuwait TV to discuss what is going on in low up with the land buying deal nor returned the including a law prohibiting walking dogs in public places. not recommending anyone to keep them as pets at home, The authorities also announced that all wild animals will be especially if they have kids. Baboons should be in the wild Kuwait. Furthermore, he noted that accepting his invita- money, sources said. tion would be a positive indicator of transparency and confiscated if they are not surrendered to the authorities. or cared for by a zoo,” the zookeeper said. the PM’s keenness on fighting corruption. However, The Kuwait Zoo in Omariya is the only place where Some people also sell wild animals at the Friday Market. Muwaizri reminded the PM that some senior officials these wild animals can be surrendered and taken care of. “The problem is if you don’t know how to handle animals, Duo arrested with hashish had been appointed under pressure before and during For the last few months, zookeepers revealed they have they remain a danger despite their daily diets. Even if you Two Egyptians were recently arrested with possession of his tenure. 800 grams of hashish, said security sources. Case papers received one lion, two hyenas and five baboons from indi- know how to feed or take care of animals, they are not sup- viduals. Some of them were handed over by local police. posed to be in the home of individuals,” he added. indicate that narcotics detectives were tipped off about the Elections, amendments in sports clubs suspects’ activity in drug dealing. Following surveillance, Chairman of the Sport and Youth Parliamentary one of the suspects was arrested with possession of 750 Committee MP Abdullah Mayouf stressed that for the sake grams of hashish and he led police to his supplier who was Kuwait, Egypt keen on promoting of stability and sustainability for sport clubs and sport fed- later on arrested with possession of 50 grams of hashish. eration boards, it is recommending for elections and The second suspect admitted to bringing the drugs into economic cooperation amendments in the sports clubs. Mayouf also recom- Kuwait by hiding them on a truck he drove. A case was mended using the one-vote election system and filed and further investigations are in progress. expressed amazement at his colleague, Humoud Al-Azmi’s KUWAIT: Kuwait Chamber of ing his visit to Kuwait that Cairo will criticism of such recommendations and claims that the Commerce and Industry (KCCI) is witness a new period after issuing one vote system expresses MPs wish to interfere in sport keen on cementing and promoting several laws aiming at luring foreign club elections. Further, Mayouf accused Azmi of not know- economic cooperation with Egypt, investments. ing what was going on within the committee and not especially after President Abdelfatah Ghanim hopes that an interna- reading the parliamentary regulations in the first place. Al-Sisi’s visit to the country last tional economic conference in Egypt slated for March would be a launch month, KCCI Chairman Ali Thunayan Private clinics not to issue forensic report Al-Ghanim said. for encouraging and developing Responding to a parliamentary inquiry made by MP In a press statement after receiv- common economic ties. Soud Al-Huraiji, Health Minister Dr Ali Al-Obaidi stressed ing Southern Sinai Governor Khaled On his part, Fouda emphasized that the ministry had recently rejected an application Fouda and his accompanying delega- that Southern Sinai Governorate made by Interior Ministry’s forensic medicine director to tion yesterday, Ghanim commended enjoys several potentials that the medical licenses department to get a license to the solid brotherly relations between would attract foreign investors KCCI Chairman Ali Thunayan allow a private clinic to issue forensic medical reports in the two countries. He referred to especially in the fields of tourism, rape and sexual assault cases. Egypt’s Prime Minister’s remarks dur- gas and oil. — KUNA Al-Ghanim Administrative court rejects Al-Watan challenge, closure stays Kuwaiti gets six years in jail for insulting Saudi Arabia The two drug dealers pictured with the hashish. By B Izzak know the grounds of the ruling because the commerce and Bahrain, criticized the kingdom position towards the ministry has no right to revoke the license of a sharehold- Syrian regime and also made fun of the Saudi foreign min- Body found in labor camp KUWAIT: The administrative court yesterday said that deci- ing company. He said on Al-Watan electronic website that ister. The ruling can still be challenged before the court of An Indian was found dead inside a laborers’ dormitory sions by the ministries of commerce and information to he will study the details of the court verdict before filing an cassation. in Sabah Al-Salem, said security sources. They noted revoke the commercial and media licenses of Al-Watan appeal to the court of appeals. After the appeal, the case is that the man was rushed to hospital but he had been newspaper are in line with the Kuwaiti law, thus rejecting a expected to go to the court of cassation whose decisions Judiciary praised already dead on arrival. The case is registered as a sui- petition by the daily against the government. are final. The lawyer insisted that the new ruling does not A number of MPs meanwhile praised the Kuwaiti judici- cide, sources said. The court said in its ruling that shutting Al-Watan is have any impact against an order by the emergency judge ary after the public prosecution issued three decisions on legal and is not related to freedom of press and speech, that Al-Watan must be allowed to resume publication until Tuesday to shelve three cases related to allegations of cor- adding that the daily violated the commerce and informa- a final court ruling is issued. ruption against judges. The charges were made by Gulf Bank’s red customers tion ministries laws and as a result its closure is legal. unknown Twitter accounts and indirectly by former oppo- enjoy blockbusters The commerce ministry decided on January 18 to Blogger’s sentence sition MPs. The prosecution said it had gathered sufficient revoke the commercial license of the newspaper for failing In a related development, the court of appeals yester- evidence to prove that the allegations are false and base- during National holidays to meet the minimum capital requirements as a commer- day raised the jail term against activist Saleh Al-Saeed from less. Commenting on the decisions, MP Faisal Al-Kundari cial company. The information ministry then followed the four years to six for insulting Saudi Arabia and endangering charged that former MPs had plotted to discredit the jus- KUWAIT: As part of the National and Liberation day celebrations, decision by another revoking the media license of the daily Kuwaiti-Saudi ties. The criminal court sentenced Saeed to tice system with the aim to destroy the government and Gulf Bank is announcing an exclusive discount for its red cus- to prevent it from printing. Under the commercial law, four years in jail over the charges after he wrote comments the state. MP Rakan Al-Nasef rejected attempts to discredit tomers to watch the latest films at Kuwait National Cinema companies which lose more than 75 percent of their capi- on Twitter deemed offensive to Saudi Arabia. the judiciary and accuse judges of accepting bribes. He Company (KNCC) cinemas between February 19 - 28, 2015. tal will have their licenses revoked. Saeed was accused of writing 16 tweets in October said that the opposition which made the allegations had Gulf Bank’s red customers will be able to see the latest movie Al-Watan’s lawyer Rashed Al-Radaan said he does not charging that Saudi Arabia has occupied parts of Kuwait only displayed a plain paper without providing any proof. screening for only KD 1 instead of the regular KD 3.5 cinema ticket price, by using their red ATM cards to purchase from ticket kiosks in all KNCC cinema theatres. During the period of the promotion, Gulf Bank will also have a red booth present at the KNCC cinema in the Avenues Mall to showcase its products and services to potential and existing customers. Gulf Bank continuously looks for new and interesting initia- tives to reward its loyal customer base over the year. Given the celebratory atmosphere of February and with the National and Liberation Day celebrations just around the corner, Gulf Bank is committed to providing its red customers with the right promo- tions that are tailored to meet their specific needs and to better enjoy their holidays. Gulf Bank is pleased to celebrate this patriot- ic occasion with the people of Kuwait. Gulf Bank’s red program is for university and college students aged 17 to 24 years old. There is no minimum deposit required to open the account or minimum balance charge. To join Gulf Bank’s red program or to find out more of its benefits, visit one of the Bank’s 59 branches, contact the Customer Contact Centre on 1805805 for assistance and guidance or log on to www.e-gulf- bank.com, Gulf Bank’s website. National holidays announced

KUWAIT: The Civil Service Commission (CSC) announced yesterday that next Wednesday, February 25, would be an official holiday on the occasion of Kuwait’s National Day. It also announced that next Thursday, February 26, is an official holiday on the occasion of Kuwait’s Liberation Day. All governmental institutions and public bodies will suspend work on KUWAIT: In a bid to support positive youth activities and help young citizens utilize their talents in a way that benefits the whole society, the Ministry of Interior’s the National Day and Liberation Day, the CSC said in a Traffic Department included the Kuwait Riders Carnival into celebrations due to be held during the 31st GCC Traffic Week. In this regard, traffic police recently organ- press statement. — KUNA ized a parade for motorbike riders which extended from the Gulf Road to Kuwait International Airport and back. Over 900 bikers from Kuwait, GCC states and Arab countries took part. — By Hanan Al-Saadoun THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 From the Arabic press

Crime FIGHTING CORRUPTION Al-Qabas Report On human KD 40,000 in rights in UN equipment stolen By Khalid Al-Tarrah KUWAIT: A live broadcast system worth KD 40,000 was stolen from the Sahara satellite channel location in a Salmi epresentative of the Central Department open area according to the legal representative of the facil- ity. Forensic evidence technicians lifted fingerprints and for Illegal Residents did well in presenting a collected evidence from the scene of the crime and police Rbrief during the 12th meeting of the United are working on the case. Nations team that is concerned with the mecha- nism of the periodical comprehensive review of Car on fire Human Rights Council in Geneva. The presenta- Mubarak Al-Kabeer detectives are searching for two tion included the legal basis that the department women who deliberately damaged a citizen’s car by relies on in dealing with and correcting the situa- pouring a highly combustible material on it. A security tion of illegal residents. source said a citizen told police that two women burned Meanwhile, the Minister of Social Affairs and his car completely, and he was told by neighbors that Labor and Minister of Development Hind Al- two women were pouring the substance, sat it a blaze Subaih delivered a speech about “legal achieve- then escaped. ments and projects” that did not attract the atten- Al-Jarida tion of representatives from 115 countries includ- Drug users caught ing the US, Britain, France, China, Italy, Mexico, An Iraqi expat and a female citizen ended up in deten- Russia and Senegal, as those countries summa- tion at the Drug Control General Directorate (DCGD) after rized their recommendations in freedom of being caught using drugs and had some of it with them. Al-Jarida expression, information, especially social media, Police patrols noticed a car driving erratically and when fighting human trafficking, violence against patrol tried to stop the car, they attempted to throw an I remember women, protecting economic rights for minori- envelope from the vehicle. When stopped and questioned, ties, improving human rights situation and revok- it was found that the man is an Iraqi national and that the ing nationality. woman is a citizen wanted for absconding from her family. By Hassan Al-Essa When asked about what they were trying to throw out the The recommendations that were brought up window, the two admitted they were using drugs and fter turning 80, American poet Donald Hall ly broadcasting a song that said: ‘I am standing on top are not new because those countries along with wanted to get rid of what was with them. Police found two wrote a book titled ‘Essays After Eighty’, in of the pyramids seeing Levant’s pastures and vines’. I international associations and organizations envelops filled with shabu (a powered form of metham- Awhich, after worn out by age, sicknesses and los- remember the 1967 war that happened years later and asked Kuwait to improve its situation a long time phetamines) and 24 narcotic pills as well as an envelope of ing loved ones, he reminisced and started reviewing the voice of Sawt Al-Arab’s famous presenter roaring: ago, especially with regard to money laundering, heroin. his own experiences he witnessed throughout his long ‘We destroyed 30 fighters...100 fighters’. I remember fighting terrorism and boosting freedoms at all life such as the Nanking Massacre, also known as the how, driven by our teenage naivete and enthusiasm, we levels. Rape of Nanking, which was an episode of mass mur- danced rejoicing the proclaimed victory before defeat It has been possible to contribute to changing Development plan der and mass rape committed by Japanese troops was declared. I remember the military training we had the stands of many countries and international against the residents of Nanking in China on Dec 13, at school one year later and how we used to take it organizations about what is going on in Kuwait. includes 28 projects 1937 during the Japanese-Chinese war, how Franco lightly and humorously in high school. It has been noticed that Kuwait has gone back- took over Madrid, how Hitler and Mussolini invaded I still remember Andalus cinema and the monthly wards at these levels. Most concerned depart- KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and Minister Poland, when Pearl Harbor was bombed, when he concerts that used to be organized there. I remember ments showed a lack of interest. The minister of Development and Planning Hind Al-Subaih stressed that bought war bonds for ten cents paid from his weekly concerts of Um Kalthoum and Fareed Al-Atrash, the mentioned the proposal of Family Court without implementation of the development plan approved by the allowance, the V-Day marking the victory of allies over singer of Al-Rabea’ and the “First Whisper” songs who explaining the details of the proposal and its pos- parliament last week would start on April 1, 2015. Germany on May 7, 1945, Hiroshima, the Kennedy used to play his oud with emotions coming from the itive effect on the society and state as a whole. It Speaking in an interview with Arabiya TV, Subaih said assassination, taking part in demonstrations against the bottom of his heart. I remember the Russian Bolshoi was possible for the minister to quote statements that 52 percent of the previous development plan had war in Vietnam and 9/11 before he decides that a day performances and the New Year’s concerts held in by Justice Minister Yaqoub Al-Sane in this regard been completed while the remaining part was delayed due will come when nobody will remember any of the hotels. I remember our demonstrations as students at so the picture becomes clear, while knowledge to many deterrents including long, complicated proce- things he did. Kuwait University demanding co-education. I remem- and awareness of what Kuwait is doing for the dures and paper work and delay or denial in passing some As for me, now that I have exceeded the age of 60, I ber our trip as students to the French city of Dijon society be strengthened. economic legislation. “The government will work on com- still remember old Kuwait and the declaration made by where we experienced many love stories that ended up Speaking at international arenas requires artic- Abdul Karim Qassem that ‘Kuwait was an integral part of in happy marriages. I remember the Hawally cinema pleting the 48 percent unfinished projects according to a ulate writing and clear vision that take into con- Iraq’. I remember young Kuwaitis dressed in dishdashas where empty Pepsi and Fanta bottles rolled down from schedule due to end in 2019-2020,” she added, noting that sideration all possible reservations and answer and egals lying on the ground of my school in Salmiya the balcony to the cheaper stall seats. a special committee has been formed by the Cabinet to questions and comments before its launch. solve various problems. after Asr prayers practicing how to use guns using old Well, years go by and we do age fast. I sometimes rifles. I remember when with my schoolmates at the wander amongst graves, paying tributes during funerals May be the content of the representative of Further, Subaih underlined that the new development the Central Department for Illegal Residents plan would include 15 government-funded projects, 8 intermediate school, we joined our seniors in high and remembering loved ones and the moments we school in demonstrations celebrating the union shared happily laughing. They have all died and were underscores focus and organization of ideas and projects for foreign companies and 7 to be done jointly between Egypt and Syria, which was a great chance for buried in the ground. Their experiences engraved mem- the importance of the art of writing and clarity of with the private sector according to the BOT system. “Most us to skip the school’s monotony and boredom. ories about them in our souls, and someday, nobody the message bearing in mind the nature of the of these projects are directed to transport, health, environ- I remember the Sawt Al-Arab radio station repeated- will remember any of the things I still remember! targeted audience. ment and oil,” she remarked. —Al-Anbaa

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 LOCAL

The speakers in a group photo at the event. The speakers in a group photo at the event. Patients Helping Fund launches cancer awareness campaign ‘Making their dreams a reality’

KUWAIT: The Patients Helping Fund ing initiatives and awareness pro- secure the best possible care starting Society (PHFS) announced the launch grams to help those that are in dire with providing the optimum treat- of its nationwide cancer awareness need of help,” said Dr Mohammad Al- ment and supportive facilities.” campaign titled ‘Ro’ya’ under the Sharhan, Chairman of the board of theme of ‘Making their dreams a reali- directors of PHFS. “During the past Treatment cost ty.’ The announcement came during a year, we were keen on providing finan- From his side, Dr Abdulla Al-Mutairi press conference held last Tuesday at cial and emotional support while pro- explained the problems facing cancer the Crown Plaza Hotel Kuwait, in col- viding medications that exceeded 362 patients in Kuwait, saying: laboration with Novartis Oncology and thousand Kuwaiti dinars to 72 cancer “Pharmaceutical companies invented a number of healthcare providers. The patients. We thank Allah and all those what is called targeted therapies, year-long campaign aims at raising who supported our initiative including which unlike chemotherapy, only people’s awareness about the preven- the Ministry of Health and Novartis inhibits the tumor growth without tive measures and early detection Oncology for their superior efforts in affecting healthy cells, thus resulting methods to different cancer diseases, helping to provide cancer patients in a better response with fewer side along with different ways patients can with the medication they require to effects. Meanwhile, the cost of treating fight cancer and be productive to their complete their treatment that they a cancer patient can reach up to 3,000 society while pursuing their dreams. cannot afford. Last but not least I Kuwaiti dinars monthly, which might ‘Ro’ya’ focuses on educating and would like to thank all employees in not be affordable by many. That is why informing the public on ABC (Advanced PHFS for constantly pledging to it is important to collaborate with Breast Cancer), CML (Chronic Myeloid inform, educate and raise awareness charity organizations like PHFS in cam- Leukemia), MF (Myelofibrosis), NET on means to help cancer patients.” He paigns like Ro’ya. From our side we can (Neuroendocrine Tumors) and added that the Ro’ya campaigners this raise awareness, sense of responsibility Acromegaly. It will include a variety of year will distribute brochures and and urgency for the community to activities and lectures around the best engage with the public through social take action and as a result they will be ways the community can come togeth- media on the various ways to help and able to provide patients with the opti- er and take action against these dis- donate to those in need. mum treatment in the optimum time eases. frame.” During the press conference, Dr Breast cancer Salah Fayez, Consultant clinical oncolo- At the conference, Dr Salah Fayaz Fight against cancer gist at the Kuwait Cancer Control spoke about ABS, saying: “During The Patients Helping Fund Society Center, spoke about ABC. Meanwhile, 2010, 22 percent of all cancer types in is urging the public to join its efforts to Dr Rameesh Pandita, Consultant Kuwait were diagnosed as breast can- help patients in “making their dreams Hematologist at Kuwait Cancer Control cer cases and 40.9 percent of females a reality” in the fight against different Center, discussed CML, while Dr Abdul suffering from cancer suffered from cancer diseases. February is Cancer Aziz Ramadan, Consultant breast cancer. Advanced Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and with the help Endocrinologist at Mubarak Hospital, is emotionally devastating for the of a growing base of supporters, talked about early detection methods patients and their families since it is a greater awareness and fast tracking its to NET and Acromegaly. Finally, Dr more complex stage of breast cancer. comprehensive approach to fighting Abdullah Al-Mutairi, Chief Pharmacist What the community needs to under- cancer, the organization is focused on of Kuwait Cancer Control Center, con- stand is that these patients still have its goal to cancer survival. PHFS’s strat- cluded the conference with a small the chance to survive with their can- egy combines funding scientific and speech about the evolution of cancer cer; they can stay productive in the medical research, building and sus- medications and treatments. community, support their families and taining public and institutional sup- keep impacting the society in a posi- port, providing hope and support for Humanitarian role tive way if provided with the right individuals and families living with the “The Patients Helping Fund Society treatment. In order to do so it is our disease, and raising awareness among plays a major humanitarian role by role as health care providers and chari- thousands of people in communities exerting its utmost efforts in launch- table organizations to collaborate to across the country each year. NBK to award walkathon participants Event takes place March 7

KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) will award more than 120 participants in the 21st Annual Walkathon along- side the grand draw on 3 brand new Renault cars from Al Babtain Group. The Walkathon is scheduled to kick off on Saturday 7th, March 2015. Abdul Mohsen Al-Rushaid, NBK Public Relations Manager, said “the participation in NBK’s Walkathon is increasing year after year, and we are extremely thrilled to take our involvement with this exciting event to a new level.” Titled “Let’s Walk Together”, NBK Walkathon this year will hold great surpris- es, 120 participants will be awarded with valuable prizes in addition to giving away three brand Renault 2015 cars as grand prizes along- side several surprises and fun activities. “Our commitment towards being con- nected with the com- Abdul Mohsen munity is the reason Al-Rushaid why we feel it is important for us to maintain the Walkathon annually,” added Rushaid. Ten winners will be selected from each of the 12 cate- gories of participants. The walk for the male participants will start from Kuwait Towers on the Gulf Road, while the walk for female participants will begin from Souq Sharq. The walk for kids and Zeina Friends club members will be locat- ed at the Shuwaikh Beach Park overlooking the Gulf Road. NBK volunteers representing various departments will be available at the registration location next to the Scientific Center daily to help participants registering and on the day of the Walkathon. Registration will be held daily - From 9:00am to 1:00pm and from 4:00pm to 9:00pm. Participants can also register through nbkwalkathon.com. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 Over 150 killed in Chicago imam charged with sex abuse at Islamic school battle for Aleppo

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CAIRO: Egyptian journalists shout anti-terrorism slogans as some hold a copy of the Quran, the Muslim holy book, and another religious text, during a protest to mourn for Christians who were killed in Libya at the Journalists Syndicate in Cairo yesterday. — AP

Saudi court upholds 15-year Fierce crackdown is ‘no jail term for rights lawyer laughing matter’ in Egypt DUBAI: An appeals court in Saudi Arabia ferred on February 4 from a prison in his has upheld a 15-year jail term for a human home city of Jeddah to one in the capital rights lawyer who was nominated for the Riyadh. Nobel Peace Prize, a watchdog said yester- “It’s believed that his refusal to recog- Crackdown, public mood make comedians struggle day. The Specialized Criminal Court of nize the legitimacy of the trial court, in Appeal, which hears terrorism cases, con- addition to not giving an apology to the CAIRO: When President Abdel Fattah “The joke solved political, social million followers on Twitter-he has borrow comedy from social media. firmed on Sunday the latest verdict against court, were the reasons behind his recent El-Sisi said people should not moan and economic problems and jokes decided to move to the United The younger generations tell jokes, Waleed Abulkhair, said the Gulf Center for transfer,” the centre said on its website. about Egypt because it was not like helped get rid of Morsi,” said car- States to become a resident fellow at but the older people don’t like to Human Rights. Abulkhair was convicted Abulkhair was the lawyer for Saudi blog- war-ravaged Iraq or Syria, his remark toonist Al Salam Al-Qawsi. But the Harvard’s Institute of Politics at the challenge the leaders because they last July on a series of charges including ger Raef Badawi who is serving 10 years in gave birth to a joke: New Egyptian laughter did not last and the rise of John F Kennedy School of supported them,” said Anwar. Aside “inciting public opinion” but the last five jail and has been sentenced to 1,000 lash- passports should read “The Country Sisi, who as army chief toppled Morsi Government. from the cautious mood among years of the sentence were initially sus- es for insulting Islam. He received the first not like Iraq or Syria.” Gags like this following mass protests against his “We are living in the most glori- Egyptians, some comedians say they pended. In January another court ordered 50 lashes on January 9 but subsequent are in short supply in Egypt. Humor rule in 2013, coincided with growing ous years of democracy in Egypt, and find it hard to get material when it Abulkhair to serve the full 15 years of his weekly sessions have not been carried was one of the only channels for fear of economic collapse and the may the tongue of the person who comes to Sisi, who served as chief of sentence, a ruling upheld by the latest deci- out. His case has sparked worldwide out- protest under successive Egyptian sort of violence that has torn apart does not agree with that be cut off,” military intelligence under Mubarak. sion. The Gulf Center for Human Rights, rage. A Norwegian parliamentarian nomi- autocrats accused of mismanage- Iraq and Syria. “Now people are he said last June after he was yanked “Sisi rarely makes mistakes that which has offices in Beirut and nated Badawi and Abulkhair for this year’s ment, repression and corruption. But scared. They are obsessed with the off the airwaves, deploying the bit- we can jump on,” said comic writer Copenhagen, said Abulkhair was trans- Nobel Peace Prize.—AFP Sisi’s tightening grip on power is need for stability,” he said. ing sarcasm he was famous for. Mohamed Ashour, 32, who like oth- leaving little space for critics, comics Reflecting the parlous state of free- ers had a field day under the veteran or cartoonists. Thousands of govern- One liners dom of speech in Egypt, the country Mubarak, who was known for blun- ment opponents are languishing in Egyptians are famous across the came in 159th out of 180 countries in ders. “Sisi is a cautious military man. prison, a new law effectively bans Arab world for their humor. Egyptian the 2014 Reporters Without Borders He watches every step.” With new protests and poking fun at the gov- comedy movies have cracked up liv- World Press Freedom index. Other material hard to come across, old ernment is not remotely funny for the ing rooms from Baghdad to Beirut comics try to fill the void-but on jokes are simply being recycled-such authorities. for decades. Jokes helped Egyptians social media such as Twitter or on as this one from the time of “Whoever opposes Sisi is seen as grapple with poverty, poor sanita- Facebook, rather than mainstream President Gamal Abdel Nasser in the someone who opposes the nation, so tion and slums where many families media, limiting their reach in a coun- 1960s, which show that the prob- the political joke has little place in live on top of each other. But try where the Internet is largely the lems of yesterday still resonate society and people reject it,” said Egyptians rarely poke fun at Sisi, who preserve of city elites. Even that today. Someone sees a man with his comedian Mahmoud Al-Ghoul. gazes out inscrutably behind dark approach is risky. nose bandaged and asks him ‘Why is “Political jokes are not dead but they glasses from omni-present portraits Video blogger Ahmed Anwar said your nose bandaged?’ The man says ‘I are frozen.” At a cafe near Tahrir hanging in offices, shops, homes and he received a six-month jail sentence had a tooth removed.’ The first man Square, epicenter of the 2011 revolt lifts across the country. in January 2014 for posting a face- says: ‘Why didn’t you have it that led to the downfall of old leader That might be partly because Sisi tious item on YouTube, mocking the removed from your mouth?’ He Hosni Mubarak, a group of comedi- has delivered a degree of stability Interior Ministry. “Jokes are present replies: “Can anyone in this country ans discuss the glum state of their and raised hopes that several mega- on social media. Television shows open his mouth.’—Reuters business. Ghoul says that post-2011, projects, such as a second Suez he had high hopes that he would one Canal, will deliver jobs and repair the day widely sell his paperback, which economy. It is also because no one takes a critical look at the nature of wants to be branded a traitor, not at Egyptian leaders. But “The President a time when the army is battling is a Donkey” is a tough sell in mod- Islamist militants in the Sinai penin- ern-day Egypt, where both state-run sula, or when the airforce is bombing and private media have rallied Libya following the mass beheading behind Sisi and portray his oppo- of Egyptian laborers by the Islamic nents as traitors. State. “There used to be guys churn- Only a handful of shops are will- ing out one-liners here,” said a man ing to display the book even though at the run-down Metropole coffee it does not name names. Comedians shop in downtown Cairo as dispas- who once saw themselves as agents sionate customers puffed on water of change have realized the joke is on pipes. “No one is willing to joke any- them. By comparison with the cur- more.” rent climate, comedians describe the The fact that Egypt’s most famous rule of the previous president- satirist was forced off the air last year Egypt’s first freely-elected leader when his show was cancelled Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim because of the oppressive political Brotherhood- as the golden age of climate sums up the situation neatly. humor. Police and intelligence serv- Bassem Youssef repeatedly poked ices that thrived under Mubarak and fun at Morsi and became known were opposed to Morsi did not inter- abroad as Egypt’s very own Jon fere, meaning comic writers found a Stewart-the renown American politi- CAIRO: Egyptian Muslims gather to pray at the shrine of Al-Hussein wide reception for their work in cal satirist. Despite a massive follow- during Moulid Al-Hussein, a religious celebration marking the birth- newspapers. ing at home-including almost four day of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Tuesday. — AP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 Snowstorm hits Istanbul

ISTANBUL: A snowstorm grounded aircraft at which divides Istanbul into Asian and Istanbul’s main airport yesterday and forced European districts, was shut in both direc- the closure of the Bosphorus Strait, a key tions at 8:10 am (0610 GMT). shipping channel for Russian grains and oil, At least 13 ships were waiting to enter the Turkish officials said. The storm, which snarled strait at both ends and were now scheduled traffic in the city of some 15 million people to make the voyage today, shipping agent and caused some commuters to walk to work, GAC said. The Dardanelles at the opposite also left members of the Besiktas football end of the Sea of Marmara remained opened, team stranded at the airport. The Istanbul it said. Maritime authorities are forced to side is scheduled to play Liverpool in Britain occasionally shut the Bosphorus, the only on Thursday. navigable waterway for Russian commodities, All flights had been suspended at Ataturk due to reduced visibility in winter months, Airport and it was unclear when they would raising cargo costs. resume, an airports agency official said. An estimated 10,000 tankers carry some Turkish Airlines, Europe’s fourth-biggest carri- 150 million tons of petroleum products er, said it cancelled 200 flights scheduled for through the narrow, winding strait each year. yesterday and today. Discount carrier Pegasus Icy roads had led to more than 800 traffic also called off some flights at its hub on the accidents since late on Tuesday, the mayor’s Asian side of Istanbul. The Bosphorus Strait, office said. — Reuters Over 150 killed in ISTANBUL: A person walks under heavy snow next to snow-covered trains in the Asian side of Istanbul yesterday. — AFP battle for Aleppo Italy warns of Libya threat, BEIRUT: Battles in and around the Syrian city entails going northwest out of the city and of Aleppo have killed at least 70 pro-govern- circumnavigating army-held areas before ment fighters and more than 80 insurgents heading north again. “It is the very long way pressure for action grows after the army launched an offensive there, a around,” he said. He also said poor weather monitoring group said yesterday. The army prevented Syrian air force bombardment yes- backed by allied militia had captured areas terday but fighting continued on the ground. Clear risk of alliances between Islamic State, local militias north of Aleppo on Tuesday in what the Casualties on the government side could Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said be higher because 25 of its combatants were ROME: Italy called yesterday for urgent Islamic State. “The situation must be meeting had to produce concrete signs that the scale was an attempt to encircle the northern city unaccounted for, he said. Sixty-six Syrian international action to halt Libya’s slide monitored with the maximum attention.” of the crisis had been recognized, and he said Italy was and cut off insurgent supply lines. Aleppo is insurgents from various groups were killed in into chaos, and pledged it was ready to Italy, whose southern islands are only ready to help monitoring a ceasefire and training a reg- at the forefront of clashes between the army the fighting, as well as at least 20 from Nusra help monitor a ceasefire and train local around 300 kilometers from the Libyan and a range of insurgents, including Islamist Front, he said. Around 60 Syrian soldiers ular army within the framework of a UN mission. armed forces. The UN Security Council is coast, has watched in alarm as the coun- brigades, Al-Qaeda’s Syria wing Nusra Front reached the Shi’ite Muslim towns of Al-Zahra He said the surge in migrant arrivals, up nearly 60 and Western-backed units battling President and Nubl north of Aleppo after retreating due to meet later to discuss Libya, where try has unraveled since Western forces percent in the first six weeks of the year to more than Bashar Al-Assad. from battles in the town of Ratain on Tuesday, two rival governments, each backed by helped topple Gaddafi. 5,300, was clearly connected with the security situation The United Nations is seeking a ceasefire the Observatory said. Fighting had also raged former rebels who toppled Muammar Hundreds of thousands of migrants in Libya. Italy ended its “Mare Nostrum” search-and-res- there, a step towards addressing the crisis in in several Aleppo city districts on Tuesday. Gaddafi in 2011, are battling for power. have arrived in southern Italy in unsafe cue mission in October but the EU-backed Triton mis- Syria which is about to enter its fifth year. The SANA, Syria’s state news agency, said the The growing danger became apparent boats, their departure from Libya facili- sion that replaced it has been criticized as inadequate. advance on Aleppo is the second major army seized at least six villages near Aleppo on Sunday when Islamic State released a tated by people smugglers operating “We must significantly reinforce Triton to bring it into offensive by pro-government forces in a on Tuesday. video showing the beheading of 21 freely in conditions of near-anarchy. Last line with the reality of the enormous scale of the prob- week. The army and allied combatants from On Tuesday United Nations Syria envoy Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya. week, more than 300 were reported to lem,” Gentiloni said. — Reuters Lebanon’s Hezbollah group have also Staffan de Mistura said the government was Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni told have died attempting the perilous cross- launched a large-scale assault in southern willing to suspend air strikes and shelling of parliament that possible alliances ing. As well as fuelling anti-immigrant Syria against insurgents. Yesterday the main Aleppo for six weeks so that a local ceasefire between local militias and IS militants, sentiment in Italy, which is suffering a route leading north out of Aleppo to the plan could be tested. But he played down inspired by counterparts in Syria and deep economic slump of its own, the cri- Turkish border was blocked and under fire by prospects for wider progress. Iraq, risked destabilizing neighboring sis has also heightened security fears, pro-government forces, the Observatory’s “Every time there is a proposal of a cease- countries. particularly after this week’s beheadings founder Rami Abdulrahman said. fire ... history has proven that there is some “The deterioration of the situation on of the Egyptian Christians. Gentiloni “The regime went forward a bit yesterday type of acceleration in order to take a better the ground forces the international com- spoke with US Secretary of State John and the road is still closed,” he said. The army position,” he said. “I fear that could be the munity to move more quickly before it’s Kerry late on Tuesday when Italy joined was controlling the route from positions it set case.” The Syrian conflict started in 2011 with too late,” he said in a special address on the United States, France, Germany, up in the villages of Bashkuwi and Sifat on protests against Assad and has descended the crisis. “There’s a clear risk of alliances Spain and Britain in calling for a national Tuesday on either side of the road, he said. into a civil war, drawing in foreign fighters on between Daesh and local groups,” he unity government in Libya. Insurgents can take another route north but it both sides. — Reuters said, using a common Arabic name for He said yesterday’s Security Council INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 Chicago imam charged with sex abuse at Islamic school CHICAGO: The longtime head of a suburban top of him, massaged her and held her down when Chicago Islamic school has been charged with sexu- she tried to get up. Prosecutors say they collected ally assaulting a woman who worked there, and a evidence. The lawsuit says that when one female civil suit filed Tuesday accuses him of abusing that student told a teacher Saleem touched her inappro- employee and three teenage students. The legal priately, she was told, “Saleem is an old man and old actions shed light on an issue that even many people do things like that - so just forget it.” Muslims say is too often pushed into the shadows Saleem’s bond was set at $250,000 and he was within their communities. Mohammad Abdullah ordered to have no contact with the accuser, her Saleem, 75 - who founded the Institute of Islamic family or anyone under age 18. Glasgow said he Education and is regarded as a leading Islamic expected Saleem to post bond later Tuesday. scholar, or imam, in the United States - is charged Saleem, who also had to surrender his passport, is with felony criminal sexual abuse. Prosecutors said due in court again March 10. At Denny’s news con- he abused the 23-year-old woman, an administra- ference, a statement from the 23-year-old woman tive assistant at the Elgin school, in a series of esca- called on Muslims to speak up about sexual abuse. lating incidents over months. She said, “I will no longer stay silent.” The chairman The civil suit accuses Saleem of abusing that of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater employee, as well as three female students at the America, to which the school belongs, says he school as far back as the 1980s. The lawyer in that examined the facility’s bylaws and found they case, Steven Denny, said Saleem took advantage of granted Saleem almost absolute decision-making both the trust accorded to him as a religious leader power. In light of Saleem’s arrest, Mohammed and of the tendency of Muslims to remain silent on Kaiseruddin said Islamic schools nationwide should matters of sex and sexual abuse. “This place was rework their bylaws to allow greater oversight. ripe for abuse,” Denny told a news conference. It Nadiah Mohajir, director of HEART Women and took special courage, he added, for his clients to Girls, which raises awareness about sexual abuse in come forward within a culture that discourages the Muslim community, called Saleem’s arrest “a even casual contact - never mind explicit sexual CHICAGO: Mohammad Abdullah Saleem (center) is released on bail at a court house in Rolling wake-up call” that presented an opportunity to contact. Meadows, Ill. — AP address a topic that’s been taboo for too long. “The The suit says a fifth person was abused when he denies the allegations.” He hadn’t had a chance to ecutors alleged that a month after the woman start- shame and stigma surrounding sexual abuse is was 11 by a male staffer at the school, not Saleem. It speak to him about the lawsuit. No one answered ed working at the school in 2012, Saleem started even higher in Muslim communities, with its accuses the school of failing to protect children, the phone Tuesday at the school, which has stu- removing the religious veil from her face and came emphasis on purity and modesty,” she said. many of whom lived on campus. It asks for more dents from grades six through 12 and is 25 miles into her office to hug her. Over several months, Kaiseruddin said the matter illustrated that Muslims than $1.5 million in compensation, saying the vic- northwest of Chicago. Saleem, of Gilberts, was prosecutors said, he would hug her and squeeze were not immune to a problem that has plagued tims are psychologically scarred. Defense attorney arrested Sunday, Elgin police said. Authorities start- her buttocks and breasts over her clothes. Last April, the Roman Catholic Church. “We found out that Thomas Glasgow said he talked to his client about ed investigating after the woman contacted them prosecutors say Saleem locked the door of the Muslims are burdened by the same (issue) other the Elgin charges and that Saleem “categorically in December. During a Tuesday bond hearing, pros- woman’s office, lifted her dress, forced her to sit on faiths are burdened with,” he said. — AP Western volunteers rally to Iraq’s Christian militia AL-QOSH: Decked out in his US army-issued ‘Foreign fighters’ battalion’ fatigues and a lip stud shining from his mouth, Also acting as a recruiter, Brett says he the young American fighter cuts an unusual fig- wants to establish a “foreign fighters’ battal- ure in the northern Iraqi town of Al-Qosh. He ion”. In his first week in charge, he brought in served in the US army in Baghdad in 2006-2007 five volunteers from the United States, Britain and has now returned to fight the Islamic State and Canada, all of whom he says have military jihadist group with Dwekh Nawsha, a Christian or contracting experience. The foreign contin- militia whose name is an Assyrian-language gent is tiny compared to the thousands of for- phrase conveying self-sacrifice. The 28-year-old, eigners who have joined IS, but interest is who goes by the pseudonym Brett, has become growing and Brett says he has 20 more volun- the figurehead of an emerging movement of teers already lined up to join. Brett’s first foreigners coming to Iraq to support Christian recruit was Louis Park, a mild-mannered Texan who retired from the Marines in December. “I did not adjust well at peace time,” he said with dipping tobacco tucked in his lip. “I want- ed to get back out here.” After serving in Afghanistan, Park says he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder “and some other things” that barred him from combat deploy- ments. As early as October 2014, he began sav- ing money to join the fight against IS. Park says he travelled to Iraq to continue defending his country, even though Dwekh Nawsha-with barely a few hundred fighters in its ranks-sees little frontline action. “I’m patriotic as hell,” he says. “If my government won’t fight them I will.” The growing contingent of foreign recruits have a variety of reasons for joining Dwekh Nawsha. Andrew, an older man from Ontario, Canada, came because he heard about “slaughterhouses” where IS allegedly cuts peo- ple up for organ trafficking. There is no evi- DONETSK: Pro-Russian rebels stationed in the eastern Ukrainian city of Gorlivka, Donetsk region, launch missiles from Grad launch vehicles dence that such places exist but the rumor has yesterday. Ukrainian troops pulled out of the hotspot eastern town of Debaltseve after it was stormed by pro-Russian rebels in what the EU said been widely circulated by evangelical and anti- was a “clear violation” of an internationally-backed truce. — AFP Islam organizations, especially in North America. A video showing the beheading of 21 AL-QOSH: Brett, a 28-year-old US national Coptic Christians by IS in Libya released on Sunday and entitled “A message signed with Ukraine troops pull out who fights jihadists of the Islamic State (IS) group alongside Dwekh Nawsha, a blood to the nation of the cross” sparked a Christian militia whose name is an fresh surge of calls on social media for tougher Assyrian-language phrase conveying self- Western action. of besieged Debaltseve sacrifice, poses for a photograph in the northern Iraqi town of Al-Qosh. — AFP ‘Internet cowboys’ One seven-year US army veteran called groups. Bearing a tattoo of a machinegun on Scott says he was planning to join the Syria- his left arm and another of Jesus in a crown of based Kurdish “Popular Protection Units” (YPG) Rebels’ assault a blow to Europe-brokered truce thorns on his right, Brett jokingly refers to him- until he found out they were “a bunch of damn self as a “crusader”. IS never captured Al-Qosh- Reds”. Other foreigners in Dwekh Nawsha say but it came close enough for its mostly they were turned off by what they see as the ARTEMIVSK: Ukrainian troops pulled out of the monitoring the ceasefire, have been barred from acting in concert with Russian forces” and Christian population to flee to the neighboring socialist streak in the YPG, an affiliate of hotspot eastern town of Debaltseve yesterday Debaltseve by the rebels surrounding it and warned that “the costs to Russia will rise” if the autonomous region of Kurdistan, together Turkey’s Kurdistan Workers’ Party whose after it was stormed by pro-Russian rebels in were therefore unable to verify the situation. truce is further degraded. with tens of thousands from Mosul and the months-long battle against IS in Kobane what the EU said was a “clear violation” of an A worker at a hospital in the Debaltseve’s Nineveh plains. “One man’s terrorist is another attracted many volunteers. Alan Duncan, a internationally-backed truce. Ukrainian ‘We’ve lost so many’ neighboring town of Gorlivka told AFP that “sev- man’s freedom fighter,” Brett says, speaking prominent British foreign fighter and veteran President Petro Poroshenko said 80 percent of Poroshenko, who went to visit the frontline eral soldiers underwent emergency surgery” from a Dwekh Nawsha base in the Kurdish city of the Royal Irish Regiment, recently left the the thousands of soldiers in the town-a strategic yesterday, said the troop pull-out from the town there yesterday. Occasional artillery blasts could of Dohuk. YPG for similar reasons. He told AFP that an railway hub sandwiched between the two main was “a planned and organised withdrawal” and be heard. A Gorlivka municipal councilor, Tatiana “But here we’re actually fighting for the exodus of foreign fighters from the YPG has rebel-held cities of Donetsk and Lugansk-had that, “from 2,000 soldiers, we have 30 who are Dementchenko, said the bombardments had freedom of the people here to be able live begun, naming several well-known volunteers withdrawn. AFP journalists near the town but wounded”. The leader said hostilities in been non-stop overnight. “We really hope that peaceably, to be able to live without persecu- currently fighting for the group he says plan to prevented from entering saw dozens of army Debaltseve “demonstrate to the world the true will all cease very soon. We’ve lost so many men, tion, to keep the church bells ringing.” The leave in the coming days. Jordan Matson, a for- tanks and vehicles carrying haggard soldiers face of the bandit separatists supported by so many civilians,” she said, adding that two chil- mass exodus that took place in mid-2014 has mer US soldier who has become the poster leaving Debaltseve. Russia”. He reiterated a call for the US and EU to dren, aged two and four, were killed by shelling put the continued existence of one of world’s boy of YPG foreign fighters, argued that some The rebels’ assault on Debaltseve dealt a bad get “tough” with Moscow. The US White House near her apartment on Sunday-the first day of oldest Christian communities into question. volunteers may have lost their bottle when blow to the European-brokered truce agreed by issued a statement that “strongly condemned the ceasefire. “The shelling hasn’t stopped since. With Kurdish peshmerga fighters now clawing confronted with the intensity of the fighting in all sides last week in a bid to quell a 10-month the violation of the ceasefire by separatist forces That’s what the truce looks like here.” — AFP back land around Mosul, some Christians are Kobane. “Most of the Internet cowboys have conflict that has killed more than 5,600 people. keen to take up arms for their survival and come to realize this isn’t a normal deploy- Western countries blamed the persistent vio- Dwekh Nwasha is only one of several recently ment,” he told AFP. “So they lose the stomach lence on Russia. They say Moscow is cynically Sainthood for missionary formed groups. to come or stay.”— AFP playing with the truce-which won unanimous backing from the UN Security Council on Tuesday-to keep Ukraine destabilized. “The angers native Americans What winter? US Northwest actions by the Russia-backed separatists in WASHINGTON: The Franciscan friar who called the “genocide” of California’s indigenous Debaltseve are a clear violation of the ceasefire,” brought Christianity to California in the 18th cen- peoples. enjoys high temperatures EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said tury is on track for sainthood, but for Native in a statement. She said safe passage for all who Americans, his legacy is anything but holy. ‘Ethnic cleansing’ wanted to leave the area must be ensured. SEATTLE: Flowers are blossoming. Bees are Coast, it happens when there is a big Junipero Serra founded the first nine of what An online petition, launched by Carac on the buzzing. The sky is blue. Sunsets have been trough over the East Coast. So when they would become 21 Spanish missions stretching liberal website MoveOn.org, appealing to Pope Putin call to surrender from San Diego to San Francisco, giving the Francis not to canonize Serra, has drawn more stunning. Temperatures have crept north of get their bad weather, often we get the The EU and Canada this week ratcheted up 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 Celsius), and good weather,” said Kirby Cook, a meteorol- Roman Catholic Church a firm foothold in what than 3,100 signatures. “It is imperative he is sanctions on Russia over its perceived military was then called New Spain. Beatified by Pope joggers are going shirtless. This isn’t a typical ogist for the weather service. Mild tempera- enlightened to understand that Father Serra was role in the conflict. Russian President Vladimir John Paul II in September 1988, he is set to be responsible for the deception, exploitation, February in the Pacific Northwest. While the tures have meant headaches for skiers and Putin, who repeatedly denies directly helping canonized when his successor Pope Francis oppression, enslavement and genocide of thou- US Northeast is buried under snow, the snowboarders. Nearly all ski resorts in west- the insurgency, had on Tuesday urged the makes his first papal visit to the United States in sands of indigenous Californians, ultimately result- opposite corner of the country has been ern Washington state have partially closed Ukrainian soldiers in Debaltseve to surrender. September. Serra died in 1784 at the age of 70 at ing in the largest ethnic cleansing in North hosting the opposite of the winter weather their operations or shut down completely. “Obviously it’s bad to lose,” Putin said during a Carmel, the headquarters of his Alta California America,” the petition states. A Jesuit who is spiri- spectrum. The US Northwest has had a There hasn’t been enough snow. visit to Hungary. “But life is life and it still goes missions, where he remains interred under the tually close to Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of record-breaking winter, but for warm tem- That’s a result of El Nino, the weather on.” A rebel military spokesman, Eduard chapel floor. Among Native Americans, he’s a the Franciscan order, the pope announced in mid- peratures. Records highs were logged phenomenon that warms the equatorial Basurinsaid yesterday that more than 300 controversial figure. January, en route to the Philippines, his intention Monday and Tuesday in parts of Washington waters of the Pacific Ocean. Usually when El Ukrainian soldiers had given themselves up to They hold him responsible for the suppres- to canonize Serra as “the great evangelizer” of the state and Oregon as one of the mildest win- Nino is around, the Northwest gets drier the insurgents, the Interfax news agency report- sion of their centuries-old culture and the brutal American west coast. Pope Francis will visit ters continues in the Northwest. On Tuesday, winters and wetter falls. Although this year, ed. A regional deputy police chief in Debaltseve, death of countless thousands of their ancestors. Washington, Philadelphia and New York, but not meteorologists reported record highs of 61 Cook said El Nino went from weak to neu- Ilya Kiva, admitted to AFP by telephone yester- “We strongly oppose naming the murderer of California, on his September 22-27 American tour. F (16 C) at Sea-Tac Airport, 63 F (17 C) in tral. Still, the effect is felt throughout the day that some soldiers were taken prisoner but our people and culture a saint,” said Toypurina Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez hailed Hoquiam, 59 F (15 C) in Bellingham and 65 F region. At a garden store in Seattle, foot would not say how many. Carac, spokesman for the Kizh Gabrieleno nation the pope’s intentions, calling it a “gift to California 18.5 C) in Quillayute, Washington state, traffic of eager gardeners has come early Kiva confirmed the soldiers’ evacuation, but in greater Los Angeles. “We are very surprised and the Americas.” “It’s wonderful to think that this while in northwest Oregon, McMinnville hit this year. “Usually this time of the year in added that some “street fighting continues”. that a modern, progressive pope like Francis new saint once walked the road that is now the a record for the day of 66 F (19 C). Seattle it’s dreary and drizzly, we’re pretty Amnesty International has expressed concern would follow through on this, without doing his Hollywood Freeway,” said Gomez in a statement, Forecasters said the high pressure ridge slow. But we’ve definitely been seeing a lot about the treatment of prisoners taken in the homework on the history of Serra and his true referring to one of the most traffic-clogged high- responsible for the summerlike weather more inspiration in gardeners. Veggies are Ukraine conflict, noting brutality by both sides. legacy,” he said. Ron Andrade, director of the Los ways in the United States. He acknowledged that might weaken enough by Wednesday for growing in the ground early. We’re seeing An estimated 5,000 civilians are thought to have Angeles city and county Native American Indian canonization would revive bad memories of some clouds and a chance of drizzle. The plums and cherries are already in full been trapped in the town, with little water or Commission, acknowledged that Serra himself Indian suffering in missionary and colonial times, high pressure is expected to rebuild over bloom,” said James Raebel, a landscape food. Journalists, and Organization for Security never personally killed anyone. “But then, neither but recalled an apology that Pope John Paul II the weekend and into next week. “Typically designer who works at the Magnolia and Cooperation in Europe officials tasked with did Hitler,” said Andrade, referring to what he extended to native Americans in 1992. —AFP when there is a big ridge over the West Garden Center. — AP THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 INTERNATIONAL

A year after revolution, Ukraine struggles with old hang-ups

KIEV: The former power company execu- undercurrents of arbitrary justice and nothing has happened. No-one has of Yanukovich and his circle. Zinevich not meet national standards. Yarema said tive yanked up his trouser leg to show the political scheming raise awkward ques- appeared in court. No-one is in jail. There’s believes Yarema’s office was behind his Zinevich had caused damage to the state electronic bracelet round his ankle that tions about the state of Ukraine which the the impression that no-one wants to get case too. He suggests it was pressured to the tune of $25 million. “I think prosecu- would alert police if he tried to make a run “EuroMaidan revolution”, a year on, has to the truth,” Igor Kulchytsky, whose 65- into victimizing him because the new tor Yarema needed a loud scandal that for it from Kiev. “And all this when I am not still not found a lasting answer to. year-old father, Volodymyr, was one of leadership needed a showcase to demon- would draw people’s attention, so they guilty of anything and there has been no Ukraine will mark the first anniversary those shot dead on Kiev’s Independence strate it was robustly attacking corruption. could say: ‘Look at what we are doing to crime,” said Volodymyr Zinevich. Zinevich, of the ousting of the pro-Moscow Square, told Reuters. A spokeswoman for the prosecutor gener- fight corruption’,” Zinevich said. Zinevich, 45, once director of Ukraine’s state energy President Viktor Yanukovich next week- al’s office said: “Vitaly Yarema is not com- who is under house arrest, denies there firm Ukrinterenergo, is suspected of end, honoring the memory of the 100 or Shadow economy menting on this case.” was any loss to the state and says he made embezzlement from a botched deal to so civilians killed in protests against him. In truth, rooting out corruption is not The contract Zinevich signed was for no illegal profit from the aborted deal. buy South African coal last year. The He fled to Russia on Feb 21 after the easy in a country where much of the pub- delivery of 1 million tons of South African “The coal was imported and it was burned imports were to make up for a shortfall in shootings which climaxed months of lic service functions with a flow of illicit coal-half of which was delivered before ... How can you talk about a loss when it’s supplies caused by the war in eastern protests against his policy swerve away payments that guarantee work is carried the investigation started against him. the price of the contract? There’s no crime. Ukraine. from European integration and against out or, often, to ensure that no steps are Investigators say the coal he imported did It’s absurd.” —Reuters A contract he signed for importing 1 the sleaze and corruption that marked his taken. According to an estimate by Kiev’s million tons of coal to keep power plants four years in power. small foreign investment community, the operating was ended in November after shadow economy may account for as three deliveries, when questions arose Critical mission much as 60 percent of the economy as a about the quality of the coal. Prosecutors President Petro Poroshenko and the whole. Corporate malpractice is prevalent say Zinevich imported coal which was other pro-Western leaders who emerged among state companies too, the prime unsuitable for use. Questions were also have pledged to build a more just society minister says. raised over the price at which it was sold and root out the corruption that threatens The state gas company Naftogaz, for to end-users. Nobody else has been Ukraine perhaps as much as the bitter war instance, has been specifically targeted by named in the affair. Zinevich, whose com- raging in the east with pro-Russian sepa- the International Monetary Fund as in pany was given the tender by the govern- ratists. That mission is even more critical need of a total re-make. “They teem with ment to find a foreign source of coal, now with Western governments saying (illegal) money,” Prime Minister Arseny denies wrongdoing and says he is a casu- they will not pour money into a dysfunc- Yatseniuk said of state companies. But alty of high-level political intrigue. tional state. In one brutal European Union there has been no consensus yet, despite Is he involved in a scheme of the sort appraisal, British Foreign Minister Philip months of talk, in finding someone to that has made Ukraine a no-go area for Hammond described Ukraine’s economy head a newly created “anti-corruption” foreign investors for years? Or is he, as he as a “sink of corruption”. body to be the arrow-head of the attack. says, victim of competing political inter- As the anniversary approaches, the Needing to act to stem growing popu- ests behind the scenes despite the Maidan mood among many Ukrainians is disillu- lar resentment, Poroshenko axed his pros- revolution a year ago and commitments sionment and resentment that no-one yet ecutor-general, Vitaly Yarema, whose VUHLEHIRSK: In this image made from TV, Russian backed rebel forces by the new pro-Western leadership to end has been put on trial for the killings, some- office is blamed for failing to find those consolidate their position in Vuhlehirsk, Ukraine yesterday, as rebel shady dealings and corruption? Whatever thing widely seen as a cover-up highlight- guilty of the Maidan shootings and for forces advance on Debaltseve, about 4km from this position. —AP the truth, cases like that of Zinevich with ing the malaise of a sick society. “For a year lack of action against the Ukrainian assets

News Over 300 Boko Haram fighters in brief killed; troops recapture town Militants threaten Nigerian elections

ABUJA: Nigeria’s military yesterday claimed military has frequently made claims of suc- that more than 300 Boko Haram fighters cesses against Boko Haram which have were killed when troops recaptured the gar- often been at odds with eye-witness rison town of Monguno in northeast Borno accounts on the ground. But the recapture state. “Over 300 terrorists were killed while a of Monguno appears to be the latest in a few were also captured,” defense spokesman growing list of army victories in the last Chris Olukolade said in an emailed state- month, with Chadian troops spearheading KASSERINE: Mourners carry the coffin of one ment. There was no independent verifica- the counter-offensive in border regions. of the Tunisian policemen killed in what the tion of the claims, which follow similar asser- government labeled a ‘terrorist attack’ in a tions about Boko Haram casualties by Niger, Elections threatened region known as the base for the country’s Chad and Cameroon involved in the region- Meanwhile, Islamist group has vowed to most dangerous Islamist group, before his al fight-back against the militants. Civilian make voting impossible in Nigeria’s upcom- burial yesterday. —AFP vigilantes in the town spoken to by AFP con- ing election after a spate of deadly attacks in 4 Tunisian police killed firmed that the town had been retaken but the country’s violence-wracked northeast. said only that there were heavy casualties, The group’s leader Abubakar Shekau said in TUNIS: Around 20 Islamist militants attacked a checkpoint in Algeria’s central Kasserine region, killing four police officers and without specifying numbers. Nigeria’s mili- a new video posted on Twitter late on stealing their weapons, the government said yesterday. Okba tary on Monday said it had regained control Tuesday evening that his fighters would dis- Ibn Nafaa, a small brigade of Al-Qaeda-affiliated fighters operat- of Monguno, after the militants captured the rupt polling in Africa’s most populous nation ing in mountains along the Algerian border, were behind town on January 25, sparking fears about an scheduled for March 28. “This election will Tuesday night’s attack, interior ministry spokesman Mohamed assault on the Borno state capital. Monguno not be held even if we are dead. Even if we Ali Aroui told reporters. “Around 20 terrorists attacked a check- lies about 125 kilometers north of are not alive, Allah will never allow you to do point and killed four police. They opened fire on the checkpoint Maiduguri, which has long been seen as a it,” he said in the Hausa language widely and then they fled with the police weapons,” he said. Tunisia is This screen grab image taken yesterday from a video made available by engaged in a campaign against Islamist militants who mostly key prize for the militants in their quest to Islamist group Boko Haram shows Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau spoken in northern Nigeria. attack security forces. Soldiers are also trying to flush out fight- establish a hardline Islamic state. making a statement at an undisclosed location. —AFP Shekau also claimed responsibility for a ers from a base in the Chaambi mountains near Algeria. Last Olukolade claimed that the “massive” large-scale attack on the northeastern city of year, Okba Ibn Nafaa killed least 14 soldiers in rifle and rocket- casualties came after a two-day operation to Gombe last Saturday where leaflets were propelled grenades attack on two checkpoints, the deadliest liberate Monguno and 10 other communi- dropped warning people not to vote. The strike on Tunisia’s armed forces. The group’s name refers to an ties, which destroyed a cache of equipment, latest threats came as the embattled head of ancient Islamist leader from the Maghreb. Since April last year, arms and ammunition. The cache included Nigeria’s electoral body faced senators in thousands of soldiers have been deployed to flush out militants from the Chaambi range bordering Algeria, where some fled five different types of armored fighting vehi- parliament to explain his decision to delay following France’s military intervention in Mali last year. cles, an anti-aircraft gun, some 50 cases of the election by six weeks. Attahiru Jega, shells and eight different types of machine president of the Independent National guns. Five rocket-propelled grenades, 49 Electoral Commission (INEC), has been criti- Aid worker shot dead boxes containing ammunition as well as 300 cized for agreeing to the postponement on JUBA: A British aid worker in war-torn South Sudan was shot dead motorcycles were also destroyed, the security grounds. late Tuesday in the capital Juba, colleagues said. The Briton, who was spokesman added. National security advisor Sambo Dasuki working for an international aid organization, was reportedly killed Two Nigerian soldiers were killed and 10 recommended pushing back the date from by gunmen who followed him into his compound in the capital Juba others injured in the operation, he said. “The February 14 to give troops in a regional by a gunman who then fled, colleagues said, who asked not to be cordon and search operations is continuing offensive against Boko Haram more time to named. Britain’s Foreign Office confirmed that a British national had along with aggressive patrols by troops who secure and stabilise the northeast. The been killed. “We can confirm the death of a British national in South are now dominating the cleared communi- deployment would leave soldiers unavail- Sudan. We stand ready to provide consular assistance to the family,” a Foreign Office spokesman said. South Sudan’s police said they had ties,” the statement said. “The various phases able to provide security on polling day, he no information on the killing. Aid workers have been targeted multi- of the highly coordinated air and land oper- said. But Dasuki’s six-week deadline to effec- ple times in the 14-month long war, including gunmen shooting ations is also ongoing in the designated the- tively crush the militants has been seen as down a UN helicopter and peacekeepers killed. The country is awash atres being handled by contingents unrealistic, even if it allows INEC more time with guns, and shots are often heard at night. South Sudan is heavily involved in the renewed counter-terrorism MONGUNO: A handout picture shows a Boko Haram fighters’ anti-aircraft to distribute more ID cards to the 68.8 mil- dependent on international aid organizations for humanitarian aid, campaign in and outside Nigeria.” Nigeria’s lion registered voters.—Agencies with the UN estimating that 2.5 million people are in a state of emer- gun destroyed by the Nigerian military at Monguno. —AFP gency or crisis, just steps short of famine.

Baby ‘used as weapon’ Abuse reports overshadow party as Gambia turns 50 PRETORIA: A man accused of murdering his baby daughter by using her as a club to attack his girlfriend has appeared in a BANJUL: The Gambia prepared to mark enforcement agencies including the ‘Brutal rule’ against him, as he rules a country with one South African court, local media reported yesterday. Police said it was believed an argument erupted when the 32-year-old its 50th year of independence yesterday, feared National Intelligence Agency Opponents say Jammeh he has become of the worst human rights records in Africa.” Cameroonian man questioned whether he was really the three- with festivities overshadowed by grow- (NIA) have arrested at least 30 people increasingly paranoid, regularly sacking Gambia, a tourism hotspot of 1.8 million day-old girl’s father. Prosecutors told the Pretoria Prison Court ing complaints over its rights record and since the beginning of January, accord- ministers and keeping only a tiny circle of people with an estimated 50,000 annual that Alexander Forba snatched the infant from her mother, the regime increasingly seen abroad as ing to Amnesty International. trusted allies close to him. After the failed visitors from Britain alone, is planning gripped the baby by the legs and used her as a weapon to beat a pariah. President Yahya Jammeh, who Amnesty published a report three coup attempt, the president reshuffled his numerous events to mark its Golden the woman with, Eyewitness News reported. Prosecutor Sipho has ruled the former British colony with months ago stating that Jammeh’s government twice in less than two weeks, Jubilee as an independent state. Letsoalo said Forba then threw the infant to the floor of their an iron fist since seizing power in 1994, opponents were being subjected to with high profile culls at the justice, foreign Festivities were due to kick off at 8:00 am apartment and continued to attack the woman until witnesses was due to launch three months of cele- daily rights violations and detailing a affairs, information, and transport min- with a parade at the national Independence intervened. The woman and the baby-who had not yet been for- mally named-were taken to hospital. The child was pronounced brations with a parade at the national crackdown by authorities on the media. istries. Jammeh has also faced criticism for Stadium in the western town of Bakau, fol- dead on arrival. Forba, who faces charges of murder and assault, Independence Stadium. But prepara- “The rights to freedom of expression his restrictions on gay rights, which he has lowed later in by state banquets for high- will be held in custody until he returns to court next week. tions have been clouded by growing and assembly are seriously curtailed as attacked numerous times in public-includ- ranking officials and foreign dignitaries. A accusations from political opponents the government keeps a tight control of ing at the United Nations General calendar of events to mark the milestone and international rights groups of the media and journalists and human Assembly in 2013. features youth and women’s rallies, numer- Taiwan to export nuke waste enforced disappearances, torture and rights defenders continue to be arbi- He enacted a law in October creating ous sports tournaments, a cookery contest, TAIPEI: Taiwan has unveiled a Tw$11.25 billion ($356 million) plan to the muzzling of journalists. trarily arrested, detained and subject to the crime of “aggravated homosexuality” the state opening of the country’s new par- process nuclear waste overseas for the first time as its power plants The anniversary comes six weeks enforced disappearance,” it said. which carries a sentence of up to life liament building, poetry recitals and “reli- approach capacity, sparking criticism from environmental groups. after the presidential guard put down a Lawmakers recently passed several imprisonment, according to Human Rights gious entertainment”. But while some The state-run Taiwan Power Co (Taipower) opened bidding on bid to seize power blamed mainly on pieces of legislation criticized around Watch (HRW). “Naturally, Jammeh’s out- African heads of state, including Ghana’s Tuesday for 1,200 used fuel rods used in the island’s first and second nuclear plants to be processed abroad. The two plants, which cur- ex-servicemen from the Gambian and the world for the restrictions they landish behavior and penchant for self-pro- President John Dramani Mahama, have rently store the spent fuel rods, were launched in 1978 and 1981 and US armed forces while Jammeh was in placed on freedom of speech. These motion delights satirists,” Graeme Reid, the agreed to attend, Western dignitaries are will each be decommissioned once they have been operational for Dubai. There has since been a wave of include an amendment to the criminal director of HRW’s gay rights program, said expected to shun a country which in the 40 years. But Taipower has said it may be forced to shut down or arrests, detentions and harassment tar- code which places harsher punish- in a recent commentary on the group’s last 18 months has withdrawn from the decommission the plants earlier than scheduled as they are reaching geting family members of those sus- ments on acts of public disorder, such website. “But while Jammeh may be a fig- Commonwealth, severed ties with Taiwan storage capacity for spent nuclear fuel. Some environmental groups pected of involvement, relatives and as “singing abusive songs” and cross- ure of fun from afar, at home his brutal rule and drawn vociferous criticism from the US accused Taipower of trying to extend the operations of the two right groups have said. Gambian law dressing. is no laughing matter. Few dare speak out over human rights. —AFP plants even though they are set to be decommissioned. INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 News in Brief Modi’s controversial suit to be auctioned

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s con- troversial pinstripe suit embroidered with his name was set to be auctioned yesterday in his home state of Gujarat, offi- cials said. The money collected from auctioning the suit and hundreds of other gifts received by the prime minister would be used to clean up the heavily polluted Ganges River. Modi wore the dark pinstriped suit during the visit of US President Barack Obama to India last month. Photographs of the suit showing Modi’s name mono- grammed in dull gold stripes went viral on social media. Opposition leaders attacked Modi for his extravagance in wearing a suit that was estimated to cost more than 1 mil- lion rupees ($16,000). Gujarat official Milind Toravane said the suit and other items received by Modi since he became prime minister nearly nine months ago were to be auc- tioned over the next three days starting yesterday. The gifts include decorative pieces in silver and brass among other objects. During the 12 years that Modi was chief minister of Gujarat, the gifts he received were regularly auctioned off and the money collected used to fund programs for the education of girls in the state.

Turkish journalist fatally stabbed ‘over snowball’ BANGALORE: Britain’s Breitling SkyWalkers Aerobatic Team perform aerial stunts atop Boeing Stearman Biplanes at Yelahanka Airforce Station in Bangalore yesterday on the ANKARA: A Turkish shop owner has allegedly stabbed inaugural day of Aero India 2015. — AFP a journalist to death after a snowball hit his store win- dow in Istanbul, local media reported yesterday. Nuh Modi vows to end India status as top defense importer Koklu was tossing snowballs with a group of friends in the Kadikoy district on the Asian side of Istanbul on BANGALORE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed yester- domestically made equipment to account for 70 percent of has ordered a report by next month from the government’s Tuesday night when one hit the window of a spice day to end India’s status as the world’s number one the procurement budget within five years, up from the cur- contract negotiation committee (CNC) into the deal amid shop, the private Dogan news agency reported. The defense importer, saying he wanted 70 percent of hard- rent 40 percent, in what he said would be a major boon to reports of cost concerns. “I have asked the CNC to speed up seller later allegedly emerged with a knife and stabbed ware to be manufactured domestically by the turn of the the economy. “A nation with a strong defense industry will the process of completion of the report for us to take a the journalist in the heart, according to Dogan. Koklu decade. Speaking at the start of a major aviation industry not only be more secure. It will also reap rich economic decision on the acquisition of Rafale,” he told reporters at died in an ambulance while travelling to a hospital. conference, Modi told hundreds of foreign and local busi- benefits,” said Modi. the show. “The CNC is reviewing the long-term costs or the Police detained the shop owner, Dogan reported. nessmen that his government would favor domestic firms life-cycle costs, incurred over the life of the fighter.” France’s Relatives of the victim said they believed the stabbing when awarding defense contracts as part of a larger push $12-bn Rafale deal defense minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, is due in India next may have had more to do with Koklu’s opposition to to boost India’s manufacturing sector. Modi also said he wanted global firms to invest in India, week to discuss the deal. India’s Business Standard news- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s policies than the “We have the reputation as the largest importer of for example by transferring some technology to local firms, paper, citing unnamed sources, reported this week the snowball. The leftist freelance journalist had previously defense equipment in the world,” the prime minister said at as part of negotiating their lucrative deals to sell hardware. deal was in trouble over the new government’s apparent participated in a demonstration in the same neighbor- the biennial Aero India show in the southern city of He said India’s offset policy, which requires foreign contrac- discovery that Dassault’s bid was higher than that of its hood against a government-driven bill boosting police Bangalore. “That may be music to the ears of some of you tors to invest a percentage of the value of their deal in rival, the Eurofighter Typhoon. powers. here. But this is one area where we would not like to be India, needed further reform. “I want our offsets policy not The US has the largest contingent at this year’s show, number one,” he added. “We are reforming our defense as a means to export low-end products, but to acquire with 64 companies including Boeing, followed by France, procurement policies and there will be a clear preference state-of-the art technology and skills in core areas of priori- Britain, Russia and Israel. The United States displaced tradi- for the equipment manufactured in India.” India, which has ty,” Modi said. The five-day show, which is held at an air tional ally Russia as India’s top supplier of armaments in long been the world’s largest buyer of defense equipment, base on the city’s northern outskirts, attracts the bosses of 2013 and Washington and New Delhi renewed their 10- is in the midst of a multi-billion-dollar upgrade of its age- hundreds of aviation and defense firms. France’s Rafale is year Defense Framework Agreement during Barack ing military hardware and recently lifted a cap on foreign among fighter jets, transport and other planes showcased Obama’s visit last month aimed at fostering stronger trade investment in defense. at the air show as it attempts to seal a long-delayed $12- ties. Israel’s Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon is attending the While his right-wing government has pledged to push billion deal to supply 126 of the jets to India. India chose show as the country also attempts to grab a larger stake in forward with planned military purchases, which stalled French company Dassault Aviation in January 2012 for India’s military modernization plans. Reacting to Modi’s under the previous centre-left Congress administration, exclusive negotiations for the jets but successive deadlines speech, the Israeli embassy said the country was open to Modi is determined that does not come at the expense of to complete one of the world’s biggest defense contracts technology transfer and joint production of hardware with the domestic defense industry. The premier said he wanted have slipped by. Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar said he India. — AFP Australia ratchets up pressure

ANKARA: Ertugrul Kurkcu, an opposition lawmaker, listens on Indonesia over executions to a debate after being injured during a brawl between the legislators from the ruling party and opposition mem- bers at the parliament yesterday. — AFP

Threats have no place in diplomacy, Indonesia tells Australia Fighting breaks out in Turkish parliament JAKARTA: Indonesia’s foreign ministry told Australia yesterday ANKARA: The Turkish parliament descended into chaos that nobody responds well to threats as tensions mount over when a brawl broke out as the country’s ruling party the looming execution of two Australian drug smugglers. As sought to push through a controversial bill to boost police diplomatic efforts intensify to save Andrew Chan and Myuran powers. Five opposition lawmakers were injured in the Sukumaran, Prime Minister Tony Abbott asked Indonesia to brawl overnight Tuesday to yesterday, with two suffering remember the one billion dollars in Australian aid in the after- head injuries inflicted by the president of the assembly’s math of the 2004 tsunami that killed 170,000 Indonesians. hammer, the Dogan news agency said. Four of the five “We sent a significant contingent of our armed forces to required hospital treatment for their injuries and the ses- help in Indonesia with humanitarian relief,” he told reporters in sion was adjourned until later. The opposition fears the bill Australia earlier. “I would say to the Indonesian people and the will effectively create a police state under President Recep Indonesian government-we in Australia are always there to Tayyip Erdogan. Lawmakers had earlier used a variety of help you and we hope that you might reciprocate in this way at delaying tactics to thwart the debate on the bill. The so- this time.” Abbott said he continued to make “the strongest pos- called “homeland security reform” bill was submitted to sible personal representations” to Indonesian President Joko parliament by the ruling Islamic-rooted Justice and Widodo and warned he would feel “grievously let down” if his Development Party (AKP) after deadly pro-Kurdish protests pleas for clemency were ignored. in October. We consider it a law that facilitates a switch to Abbott’s comments were not warmly received in Jakarta, an authoritarian state,” Aykan Erdemir, a lawmaker for the which has repeatedly insisted its decision to execute the two opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) said. ringleaders of the so-called Bali Nine heroin smuggling opera- tion was not directed at Australia. Foreign ministry spokesman HK leader tells residents Arrmanatha Nasir said he hoped the prime minister’s remarks did not reflect “the true colors of Australians”. “What I know is to ‘be inspired’ by sheep this: threats are not part of diplomatic language and from what HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing leader has told I know no one responds well to threats,” Nasir told reporters in residents in his Lunar New Year address to be “inspired” response to Abbott’s tsunami aid remarks. by this year’s zodiac animal-the sheep-after anti-gov- Indonesian authorities have confirmed the Australians will ernment protests paralyzed parts of the city. Chief be among the next set of prisoners to face the firing squad, but BALI: Motorists ride past the exterior of the notorious Kerobokan prison where two Australian prisoners, part of Executive Leung Chun-ying encouraged residents to have remained tight-lipped about when the executions will the so-called “Bali Nine” heroin smuggling gang, on death row are currently being held in Denpasar. — AFP “take inspiration” from the sheep, describing the zodi- take place and which other foreign convicts will join them. On ac ungulates as “mild and gentle animals living peace- Tuesday Chan and Sukumaran were given a glimmer of hope fully in groups”. Leung said the past year “was no easy when their transfer to the prison where they are due to be shot ride” with the city “rife with difference and conflicts”-a was postponed. The Indonesian attorney-general’s office said A sharp rise in civilian thinly veiled reference to the pro-democracy rallies the transfer would not go ahead this week. The delay was in that brought some streets in the financial hub to a response to Canberra’s appeal for more time for the families to standstill for over two months. “In the coming year, I be with their loved ones, and logistical difficulties involving deaths in Afghanistan hope that all people in Hong Kong will take inspiration capacity at the Nusakambangan island jail. from the sheep’s character and pull together in an accommodating manner,” he added. Leung has fre- ‘Make displeasure known’ quently drawn ridicule-and anger-from Hong Kong’s Despite this, Indonesia insisted the execution of the Battles, not bombs, top killer of civilians vocal pro-democracy supporters for his pro-Beijing Australians-who are on death row along with citizens from stance. “Of course you’d like everyone to turn into France, Ghana, Brazil and Nigeria-would go ahead, having lost KABUL: Battles between the Taleban and government forces As in 2013, the UN estimated that close to three-quarters of sheep,” one netizen commented on a local news site, their appeals for presidential clemency. “We will be making our were responsible for the most Afghan civilian casualties in civilian casualties were caused by “anti-government ele- using Leung’s local nickname of a “wolf”. During the displeasure known. We will be letting Indonesia know in 2014, the war’s deadliest year, surpassing roadside bombs as ments” (72 percent), far ahead of those caused by govern- protests that brought thousands onto the streets to absolutely unambiguous terms that we feel grievously let the leading killer for the first time, the United Nations said ment forces including international forces (14 percent). Ten call for fully free leadership elections, Leung was fre- down,” Abbott said when asked what would happen if the exe- yesterday. The number of civilians killed and wounded in percent of all casualties could not be clearly attributed to quently portrayed as the sheep’s mortal enemy-a wolf. cutions went ahead. Afghanistan jumped 22 percent in 2014, the UN said yester- either side. day, as NATO troops withdrew from combat leaving govern- The NATO mission in Afghanistan, named Resolute “I don’t want to prejudice the best possible relations with a India under pressure very important friend and neighbor. “But I’ve got to say that we ment forces to battle a raging Taleban insurgency. Support, condemned the Taleban for their “total disregard can’t just ignore this kind of thing-if the perfectly reasonable The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan for human life”. Resolute Support said it was working closely over Pakistani boat NEW DELHI: The Indian government is under pressure to representations that we are making to Indonesia are ignored by attributed the rise to an intensification in ground fighting, with Afghan forces to reduce civilian casualties in the future. explain what caused a Pakistani fishing boat to explode, them.” Relations have been on an even keel in recent months, resulting in a total of 10,548 civilian casualties last year, com- The report also documented a 40 percent increase in casual- killing four people on board in mysterious circumstances, recovering from a damaging rift in 2014 over spying revelations pared with the 2013 figure of 8,637. The number of civilian ties among children (714 killed, 1,760 injured) compared after a senior Indian coast guard official said it was deliber- and people-smuggling. Legal and diplomatic efforts to save the deaths rose 25 percent to 3,699 while the number of injured with the previous year and a 21 percent rise in casualties ately targeted. BK Loshali, deputy inspector general of the Australians have escalated in recent weeks, with every surviving was up 21 percent to 6,849.The total casualty figure is the among women (298 killed, 611 injured). Indian coast guard, is shown in a video released by the former prime minister of Australia urging Jakarta to spare their highest recorded in a single year since the UN began compil- Indian Express newspaper saying he gave an order to lives. On Tuesday Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi ing its reports in 2009. The total number of civilian casualties 2015 a major test attack the boat as it approached Indian waters last New noted their pleas but insisted “this issue is purely a law enforce- since 2009 now stands at 17,774 killed and 29,971 injured. The report underlined the dire social and economic con- ment issue”. However, her Australian counterpart Julie Bishop UNAMA had previously noted a leap in civilian casualties sequences of civilian losses on Afghan society. The deaths or Year’s Eve. The comments contradict the Indian govern- disagreed. “Indonesia itself makes representations to other gov- linked to the intensification in ground fighting between gov- injuries of men often leave their wives as the sole breadwin- ment’s version that the boat laden with explosives was ernments to stay executions of their nationals who find them- ernment and insurgent forces, in its last report published in ner, forcing them to marry off daughters or take children out intercepted by the coast guard because it was planning an selves on death row in countries overseas,” she told ABC radio. “I July 2014. For the first time since 2009, more civilians were of school to work. “For Afghan women and children, the unspecified illegal transaction and the people on board set know that the foreign minister is part of making those repre- killed by ground engagements (34 percent) than by impro- anguish of losing a husband and father in the conflict is it on fire, causing it to explode. “I hope you remember 31st sentations, so when Indonesia does it, it is indeed a foreign pol- vised explosive devices (IEDs), the insurgent-made bombs often only the beginning of their suffering and hardship,” December, we blew off the Pakistani,” Loshali said in the icy matter because it involves the foreign minister.” Lawyers for that have previously been the biggest killer. said UNAMA Director of Human Rights Georgette Gagnon. video. “I was there at Gandhinagar and I told at night blow Chan and Sukumaran have a court date next Tuesday to exam- The report said the increasing use of explosive weapons “Rising civilian deaths and injuries in 2014 attests to a failure the boat off. We don’t want to serve them biryani.” The ine a last-ditch claim that Widodo did not follow the rules in systems such as mortars, rockets and grenades in civilian- to fulfill commitments to protect Afghan civilians from harm,” development comes as India and Pakistan’s foreign secre- rejecting their clemency bids. — AFP populated areas had resulted in “devastating consequences”. added UNAMA head Nicholas Haysom. —Agencies taries are set to resume talks next month for the first time since May. NEWS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

Taylor Wilkinson (right) and Karissa Courtney, both Seattle Pacific University students with the afternoon off, share a hammockverlooking o Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains beyond on Tuesday in Seattle. — AP New drug shields Battle lines drawn for a civil war in Yemen monkeys from AIDS SANAA/DUBAI: Hundreds of Sunni tribesmen in the central The revolution, the people, the army and the security forces Yemeni desert parade in pickup trucks toting heavy machine will stand against them,” he said. guns and singing martial songs to raise morale. They have Bereft of much of the state’s revenue since Saudi Arabia pitched camps on the edge of the country’s oil-rich Marib pulled its aid late last year, the Houthi-run government likely PARIS: Scientists said yesterday a new drug tested on meaning that these sites do not mutate very much. Lab- province, determined not to let their home turf fall as a prize won’t be able to pay public sector salaries or keep the mori- monkeys provided an astonishingly effective shield dish tests have found that the drug also works on to the Shiite militia that now rules much of Yemen. Having bund economy afloat without the oil and electricity over- against an animal version of the AIDS virus, a major gain human HIV, which is very close to the simian version of almost miraculously avoided civil war for four years after whelmingly concentrated in the hands of Sunni tribal ene- in the quest for an HIV vaccine. Macaque monkeys giv- the virus. being rocked by Arab Spring protests, the impoverished mies in Marib. Not without a fight, leaders there say. Their en the drug were able to fend off high repeated doses “Unlike antibodies, which fail to neutralise a large Arabian Peninsula country awash with weapons now appears arsenal of anti-aircraft missiles, Grad and Katyusha rockets will of the simian version of the human immunodeficiency fraction of HIV-1 strains, our protein has been effective to be leaning toward the kind of conflict that has ravaged oth- not be their only defence. “We’ll blow up the oil and gas wells virus (HIV), they reported in the journal Nature. “We... against all strains tested, raising the possibility it could er countries in the region. if the Houthis use planes after the air force fell into their con- show a way to achieve long-lived, effective, vaccine-like offer an effective HIV vaccine alternative,” said Farzan. A fight for land and power has spread since the Houthi trol, and we’ll cut off the road to the capital,” said Sheikh protection from HIV 1,” the main group of viral strains in He cautioned: “Of course, we still need to do further rebels overran the capital Sanaa in September, taking on a Hamad Ben Wuhayt, who leads a group of tribal fighters on humans, said study leader Michael Farzan, a professor at safety studies in both macaques and humans” before sectarian stripe that may embroil regional powers Iran and Marib’s western edge. the Scripps Research Institute in Florida. any trials can take place. Since 1981, about 78 million Saudi Arabia and strengthen Yemen’s powerful Al-Qaeda Tribal leaders say Saudi Arabia has kept up a longstanding The prototype drug, called eCD4-Ig, comprises two people have been infected by HIV, which destroys branch. “Traditional Yemeni political actors used to find mid- policy of paying regular cash allowances to local leaders imitations of the receptors, or docking points, where immune cells and leaves the body exposed to tubercu- dle ground and didn’t let their clashes lead to a full-blown civil despite its boycott of the government, but has not given HIV latches on to CD4 cells - the key defences of the losis, pneumonia and other opportunistic diseases. war. The Houthis don’t seem to be interested in compromis- them weapons. Analysts and diplomats have long said the immune cells. The mimics latch on to the virus, tricking Thirty-nine million have died, according to UN esti- ing,” said Nadwa Dawsari, an expert and researcher on Yemeni Houthis receive arms and training from Shiite Iran, which has it into prematurely launching the docking procedure. mates. tribes. “They mix a lack of experience in politics with, as their praised the Houthi takeover as a revolution while Sunni gulf The virus can only execute the procedure once, render- own leader has said, limitless ambitions. The fact that Iran is leaders condemn it as a coup. ing it unable to attach to CD4 cells thereafter. The scien- Treatment Burden involved aggravates things and brings in a regional dimen- tists likened the effect to closing the door to an intruder Antiretroviral drugs, invented in the mid-1990s, can sion that makes a conflict harder to avoid,” she told Reuters. ‘Apostates’ Vs ‘Little Islamic Staters’ and tossing away the key. The drug provides “very, very treat infection, but cannot cure it or prevent it. A decade of on-off government offensives against the A shooting war has been underway for months, with Houthis devastated their homeland in Yemen’s impoverished dozens of fighters killed each week in clashes pitting the strong protection,” Farzan told AFP by email. Treatment is lifelong, carries side effects and for many north, flattening villages and pulverizing Saada city - the Houthis against Sunni tribesmen and Al-Qaeda fighters in the The paper reported on a 40-week experiment which health systems, the drugs bill is spiralling, said Anthony ancient centre of Yemen’s Shiite sect which ruled the country southerly Al-Bayda province. The province offers a strategic showed that inoculated animals thrived even after Fauci, head of the US National Institute of Allergy and for a thousand years until a republic was founded in 1962. But gateway both to Marib and Yemen’s formerly independent being injected with four times the dose needed to Infectious Diseases (NIH), whose parent organisation after street protests ousted veteran president Ali Abdullah South, which has eluded Houthi control along with its ports infect macaques in a “control” group. Further research, funded the research. “This innovative research marks Saleh in 2011, national dialogue talks on Yemen’s future and gas reserves. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the most to be unveiled at a conference in Seattle next week, an important step toward our goal of putting HIV into foundered and the divided military could no longer hold off powerful branch of the global militant group, has seen its found that the treated macaques “continue to be pro- sustained remission in chronically-infected people,” the aggrieved militants’ advance. space to thrive widen as the state’s remit across the country tected from eight times and 16 times the infectious Fauci said in a press release. has collapsed. The militants have relished joining the tribal dose, more than a year after inoculation,” Farzan said. The approach behind eCD4-Ig is based on the idea The Devil’s Game fight and driving suicide car bombs into the Shiite “apostates” The search for a vaccine has been one of the most that two is better than one. Separately, the two mimics The rump state Houthi fighters have carved out in Yemen’s - not just in the mountainous wastes of the battlefield but frustrating chapters of the AIDS saga. Traditional anti- are not effective, but together they are. They are deliv- north and west needs resources in order to be viable. Clad in repeatedly in the capital, helping to sow poisonous sectarian body-based vaccine candidates have failed to put up ered into the body inside a harmless adenovirus that is the traditional Yemeni dagger belt during a televised speech resentment. “We wish Saudi Arabia would intervene militarily, more than a partial shield, partly because of mutations used extensively in medical research. Once injected last week, the group’s leader Abdel-Malek Al-Houthi upbraid- so we can rid the Islamic world of it and all its little Islamic in the stealthy virus. The new prototype formula, into muscle tissue, the virus uses cells to crank out the ed leaders of areas not yet under their control and warned Staters,” Houthi official Zaid Al-Houthi wrote on his Twitter though, targets sites on the virus’ so-called Env entry protective protein, in quantities that could last for them against “playing the devil’s game”. “If people try to play page this week, referring to the ultra-radical Sunni militant protein that are “highly conserved” - a scientific term years. — AFP games which affect the economy, the people will resist them. group. — Reuters THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 ANALYSIS

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Focus Immigration rebuke hard to challenge

By David Ingram and Mica Rosenberg

S President Barack Obama’s administration faces a dif- ficult and possibly lengthy legal battle to overturn a UTexas court ruling that blocked his landmark immigra- tion overhaul, since the judge based his decision on an obscure and unsettled area of administrative law, lawyers said. In his ruling on Monday that upended plans to shield millions of people from deportation, US District Judge Andrew Hanen avoided diving into sweeping constitutional questions or tackling presidential powers head-on. Instead, he faulted Obama for not giving public notice of his plans. The failure to do so, Hanen wrote, was a violation of the 1946 Administrative Procedure Act, which requires notice in a publication called the Federal Register as well as an opportu- nity for people to submit views in writing. The ruling, however narrow, marked an initial victory for 26 states that brought the case alleging Obama had exceeded his powers with execu- tive orders that would let up to 4.7 million illegal immigrants Obama’s view of US role challenged stay without threat of deportation. “It’s a very procedural point - that he did this too quickly,” said Michael Kagan, a law professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Hanen’s rul- By Julie Pace where Obama has tried to stake out a Syria rorism partnership with Yemen’s government ing left in disarray US policy toward the roughly 11 million new model of American engagement in Syria has perhaps been the most vexing and its drone-based attacks on the country’s people in the country illegally. Obama said on Tuesday he dis- S President Barack Obama’s view the Arab world: Middle East crisis confronting the White dangerous Al-Qaeda branch. Yemen’s military agreed with the ruling and expected his administration to of the US role in the Middle East House. Eager to keep the US out of the quag- has also received heavy aid from the US in prevail in the courts. The US Justice Department was prepar- Uand North Africa is being chal- Iraq mire of Syria’s civil war, Obama threw his sup- hopes it could be built into an effective bul- ing an appeal of Hanen’s temporary injunction to the 5th US lenged by deepening crises in the very It once looked as though Obama’s port behind diplomatic negotiations to oust wark against Al-Qaeda in the Gulf. But Shiite Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, Obama said. The countries he has seen as models for his legacy in the Middle East would be bring- Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad from office, Houthi rebels overran Yemeni forces and court could consider an emergency request to block Hanen’s approach to the volatile region: Iraq, ing to an end the unpopular and expen- negotiations that repeatedly failed. He nearly seized power. Within days, the US closed its ruling, potentially within days, although most of the 23 Syria, Yemen and Libya. After making sive Iraq war. As he heralded the with- launched airstrikes against Assad after a 2013 embassy, complicating the US counterterror- judges on the court were appointed by Republican presi- good on his pledge to end large-scale drawal of US troops in late 2011, Obama chemical weapons attack, but backed away in ism campaign. dents. American ground wars in the region, said the US was leaving behind a “sover- favor of a negotiated settlement to strip Syria There was no consensus among lawyers with expertise in Obama has inched the US military back eign, stable and self-reliant Iraq.” But last of its stockpiles of deadly gases. “We now Libya administrative law and immigration law on whether Hanen into Iraq. year, a few thousand American troops have the opportunity to achieve our objec- While Obama spent his first term trying to would be reversed on appeal. But they said the judge was The targeted counterterrorism cam- returned to Iraq to help combat the vio- tives through diplomacy,” Obama said at the end US military action in the Arab world, wise to focus on an area of administrative law where legal paigns Obama prefers to ground combat lent Islamic State group. And in August, time. Libya became an example of where Obama precedent is sometimes fuzzy. In the near term, the narrow have weakened some extremists, but the US began launching airstrikes against But after nearly four years of fighting, the was willing to engage. The US joined NATO approach allowed Hanen to issue a temporary injunction bar- done little to quell the chaos in which militant targets in the country. civil war rages on, more than 200,000 people partners in a 2011 bombing campaign to ring federal agencies from putting Obama’s plans into place. terror groups thrive, or ward off the for- Obama’s critics have accused the presi- have died and Assad remains in power. support a popular uprising against longtime An appointee of President George W Bush, Hanen had previ- mation of new factions, like the Islamic dent of putting his political interest in Obama reversed his opposition to training dictator Moammar Gadhafi, who was toppled ously criticized US immigration enforcement as too lax. State group. And Obama’s calls for withdrawing from Iraq ahead of concerns and equipping Syrian opposition forces, but and killed. Obama said at the time that it regional governments and local security about the security situation he was leav- that mission has been slow to develop. It was would have been a “betrayal” of US values to Brake on Presidential Action forces to take the lead for stabilizing their ing behind. They argue the US pullout ultimately the Islamic State group that pushed not assist the Libyans. But the US and Hanen’s ruling turned on the Administrative Procedure own countries has often only exposed created a vacuum that allowed the Islamic Obama into military action in Syria. The US, Western partners largely left the post-Gadhafi Act’s requirement that a proposed rule or regulation appear the weaknesses of those institutions. State to thrive and capture large swaths along with Arab partners, started launching transition to Libya. Widespread militia vio- in the Federal Register so people have a chance to comment. The White House acknowledges that of northern and western Iraq. airstrikes in September, but the White House lence has plunged the country into chaos The Federal Register is a daily journal of US government pro- the terror threat has spread throughout Obama pinned the blame for the continues to lack a clear plan for getting and two rival governments and parliaments ceedings. The “notice and comment” requirement acts as a the region, though officials argue the risk Islamic State’s rise in part on the Iraqi gov- Assad to leave power and ending the civil war. rule the country’s eastern and western brake on all presidents, slowing their plans by months or to the US posed by groups like the ernment’s alienation of minority sects. US regions. years. The requirement, though, does not apply to “interpreta- Islamic State is less than when al-Qaida officials helped ease Prime Minister Nouri Yemen Among the groups taking hold there has tive rules” or “legislative rules,” an exception that Justice was at peak strength. Still, US defense Al-Maliki from office last year, but the When Obama announced airstrikes been the Islamic State. On Sunday, the mili- Department lawyers said applied to Obama’s announcement and intelligence agencies are deeply con- political situation remains fragile. against the Islamic State group in Iraq and tants released a video purporting to show the in November. cerned about the number of countries Baghdad is still witnessing near-daily Syria, he held up Yemen as a successful story beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians, mainly For Hanen, the pivotal question became whether the new buckling under a toxic mix of political attacks by militants, including suicide and for how the US could fight terrorism without young men from impoverished families who rules, such as granting work permits to potentially millions of chaos and security concerns. car bombings, seeking to undermine the being drawn into ground combat. For years, were kidnapped after travelling to Libya for illegal immigrants, was binding on federal agents or merely A look at the situation in countries government’s efforts to maintain security. the White House had heralded its counterter- work. —AP general guidance. He ruled that they were binding, and that Obama should have allowed for notice and comment. Lawyers with expertise in administrative law said there was lit- Egypt on ambitious anti-terror campaign tle guidance from the US Supreme Court on what qualifies as a rule that needs to be published, leaving disagreement By Hamza Hendawi billion dollar arms purchases by Egypt, including jet told France’s Europe 1 radio. France and Italy, directly Hayat. “They want to see heavyweight Egypt on among lower courts and a grey area for Hanen to work in. fighters and naval pieces from both France and across the Mediterranean from Libya, have come out their side unconditionally to end the Syrian crisis. “The case law as to what qualifies as a legislative rule is gypt is making an ambitious bid to place itself Russia. A deal with Germany to buy two submarines in favor of some form of international action. The UN They also want a clear and pragmatic position as remarkably unclear,” said Anne Joseph O’Connell, a University at the center of the fight against extremism is under discussion, said the officials. Security Council holds an emergency session well as an actionable plan to intervene in Yemen and of California Berkeley law professor. Eacross the Middle East. Beyond fighting mili- Wednesday on the Libya crisis. save it from the control of Houthis, who take their tants in its own Sinai Peninsula, it is trying to organ- Libya The more assertive Egyptian-Gulf campaign, orders from the clerical regime in Tehran.” Lengthy Process Looms ize an international coalition against the Islamic Separately, Egypt is trying to persuade the West however, threatens to mire Egypt in multiple fights O’Connell said it was hard to predict how the appeals State in Libya and helping Saudi Arabia defend its to open up a new front against the Islamic State that could further enflame the ongoing conflicts. Yemen court would rule in the end, although she thought it was like- borders. The growing military alliance is rooted in a group in Libya, Egypt’s western neighbor, and is Egypt’s military has been battling ferociously in Sinai, In Yemen, Saudi Arabia has already started arm- ly the court would lift Hanen’s temporary injunction and allow shared belief among Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah appealing for “political and material” support to but has been unable to suppress jihadis who have ing Sunni tribesmen to fight back against the the Obama administration to begin putting its program in Al-Sisi and Gulf Arab leaders that extremism must be enable it to contain the threat in Libya. On Tuesday, sworn allegiance to the Islamic State group. They are Houthis. But the Saudis and Egyptians may have lit- place. The subject is not strictly partisan, she said, because confronted region-wide. Sisi called on the United Nations to approve a new believed to number in the hundreds or low thou- tle appetite for ground action in the mountainous, sometimes a liberal interest group might favor a strict require- It has been anchored with a quid pro quo: Gulf coalition for airstrikes in Libya, where the extremists sands, bristling with heavy weapons smuggled in chaotic country. Egyptian columnist Abdullah El- ment for notice and comment. An appeal before the 5th oil powerhouses Saudi Arabia, the United Arab have set up their first major affiliate outside of Iraq from Libya. Striking militants in Libya could prompt Sinnawi, who is close to the military, wrote that Circuit could take months, as lawyers file written briefs and Emirates and Kuwait have given Egypt an estimated and Syria. He argued in a radio interview that the an even more brutal response from Sinai extremists, Egypt’s navy could deploy if there is any threat to the court holds oral argument and comes to a decision. $30 billion to rescue its damaged economy in return Islamic State group in Libya is not just a threat to who previously have carried out high-profile bomb- shipping in and out of the Red Sea. Yemen lies on The appeals court could also consider other questions, for Egypt providing military manpower alongside its Egypt - its militants beheaded a group of Egyptian ings in Cairo and other Egyptian cities. one side of the narrow entrance to the Red Sea, the such as whether the states that brought the lawsuit had Gulf counterparts. With the alliance, this nation of 90 Christians in a video released this week - but to “Gulf states want Egypt to stand by them in the only route to Egypt’s Suez Canal from Asia. But Egypt what is known as standing to sue or whether Obama violat- million people seeks to maneuver itself into a leader- Europe as well. face of the region’s entire range of crises,” a promi- cannot “endure a long war abroad” or the distraction ed the clause of the US Constitution that requires presidents ship role that has eluded it in recent years, first “I want to say humanity will judge us if we do not nent Saudi journalist, Abdullah Nasser al-Otaibi, of the military from the fighting in the Sinai, he to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed”. There is no because of waning influence under former President fight against terrorism and protect humanity,” Sisi wrote in Monday’s edition of the pan-Arab daily Al- wrote Monday in the Al-Shorouk newspaper. chance Obama would begin the notice-and-comment peri- Hosni Mubarak, then because of the turmoil that fol- In recognition of the limits, the security officials od now, because U.S. immigration policy would be frozen in lowed his 2011 ouster. said Egypt was not looking, at least for now, for a place during the lengthy process, said Peter Margulies, an A contingent of Egyptian troops is already ground campaign in Libya, but rather an air assault immigration expert at Roger Williams University School of deployed on Saudi Arabia’s border with Iraq to help similar to that by the US and its allies in Iraq and Law in Rhode Island. He said it could delay Obama’s policy defend it against jihadi fighters, who earlier this year Syria. Egypt carried out two rounds of airstrikes in for “a minimum of six to eight months, and potentially much carried out a deadly cross-border raid, according to Libya on Monday, on top of secret strikes it conduct- longer”. —Reuters Egyptian military and security officials. On another ed last year along with the United Arab Emirates front, Gulf nations have said they are considering against Libyan Islamist militias. The officials said what action to take in Yemen, where Shiite rebels Egyptian troops briefly crossed the border into Libya known as Houthis - widely suspected of links to Iran - Monday to conduct search-and-destroy missions All articles appearing on these have taken power in the capital and are fighting to targeting possible surface-to-air rockets that could pages are the personal opinion of seize more of the country. threaten warplanes headed back from Libya. Egypt already has military advisers on the Saudi- As a precaution against possible retaliation from the writers. Kuwait Times takes no Yemeni border tasked mainly with developing a militants, Egyptian naval units in the area and border responsibility for views expressed joint strategy with the Saudis to confront future hos- guards have been placed on high alert. Egypt is like- therein. Kuwait Times invites read- tilities, according to the officials, who have first-hand ly to continue launching airstrikes against Islamic knowledge of Egypt’s plans. They spoke on condi- State positions focusing on arms depots and train- ers to voice their opinions. Please tion of anonymity because they were not authorized ing camps, the officials said. A second phase of the send submissions via email to: opin- to talk about the deployments. campaign could involve special forces targeting [email protected] or via snail Plans for the creation of a military alliance with high-value assets inside Libya, they said. “This is a Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and war that is as or more crucial than the 1973 war,” said mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. a top Egyptian official, alluding to Egypt’s last war The editor reserves the right to edit possibly Jordan were back on track after a period of An Egyptian Christian woman is seen wearing a shirt with the photo of hiatus, said the officials, with France, Italy and Algeria Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi during a vigil to morn Christians against Israel, when Egyptian troops crossed the any submission as necessary. now viewed as possible additional partners. Already, Suez Canal to storm fortified Israeli positions on the Saudi Arabia and the Emirates are bankrolling multi- who were killed in Libya at St Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo on Tuesday. —AP waterway’s east bank. —AP p15_Layout 1 2/18/15 8:35 PM Page 1

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 SPORTS

Japan target Laudrup Tough for Ocean Race Rooney sorry for ‘dive’ TOKYO: Michael Laudrup will not leave his post as head coach of Qatari ALICANTE: China’s Dongfeng Race Team were in no mood to celebrate LONDON: Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney apologised for the way champions Lekhwiya before May despite confirming the Japanese Football Chinese New Year yesterday after being relegated to the back of the fleet he won a penalty during his side’s FA Cup win over third-tier Preston North Association are seeking his services. for the first time since the Volvo Ocean Race started. Frenchman Charles End, according to the beaten team’s goalkeeper. Rooney went to ground in “I am aware of the interest from Japan but... we have a lot of games com- Caudrelier’s crew entered the 5,264-nautical mile (nm) leg four from their the penalty area after Preston goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann slid out to ing up and they have, absolutely, first priority at the moment,” the Dane told home port of Sanya to Auckland as overall leaders by a point after victory meet him towards the end of Monday’s fifth-round tie at Deepdale and Kyodo News on Wednesday. on the previous stage. scored from the spot to complete a 3-1 win. The United captain “When the season finishes in May, I will think about my However, the crew have been struggling to re-establish their grip on the was accused of diving by a number of former players on social future. It could be here in Lekhwiya or somewhere else.” fleet and the latest setback was a problem with their mast track, which has media and although Preston manager Simon Grayson refused Laudrup played briefly with Japanese club Vissel Kobe at broken free in one area. The track attaches the mainsail to the mast, similar to criticise him, Stuckmann said that Rooney had apologised. the end of a glittering career which included league titles to a curtain rail. “After the game Rooney told me: ‘Sorry, it was my chance to get with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and Ajax This is the third time this problem has hampered the team during the a penalty. I had to use that’,” Stuckmann was quoted as say- Amsterdam. race. They have made a temporary fix with lashings to secure it to the mast ing in Wednesday’s edition of British tabloid The Sun. The JFA have said they would like Javier Aguirre’s suc- but will want to make a more permanent repair as soon as they reach Stuckmann added: “I say it clear: that was no penalty. I cessor in place by March 7 so the new manager can take in lighter winds in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. also believe that if the situation had happened the other the start of the J-League season and be fully up to speed One of Caudrelier’s biggest rivals for the overall prize, Bouwe Bekking of way around, one of our strikers against the United keep- before the World Cup qualifying campaign gets under- Team Brunel (Netherlands), have left Dongfeng Race Team in their wake er, the ref wouldn’t have given the penalty. I have no way in June.—Reuters and lead the rest of the fleet by about 30nm. —Reuters doubt about that.”—AFP

NHL results/standings

Columbus 5, Philadelphia 2; Washington 3, Pittsburgh 1; NY Islanders 4, Carolina 1; Florida 3, Toronto 2; New Jersey 2, Buffalo 1 (SO); Dallas 4, St. Louis 1; Nashville 5, San Jose 1. Western Conference Pacific Division W L OTL GF GA PTS Anaheim 35 15 7 169 160 77 Vancouver 32 21 3 158 147 67 Calgary 32 22 3 166 147 67 San Jose 29 22 8 165 170 66 Los Angeles 26 18 12 155 150 64 Arizona 20 31 7 131 194 47 Edmonton 16 32 10 135 196 42

Central Division Nashville 39 12 6 175 132 84 St. Louis 37 16 4 179 141 78 Chicago 35 18 4 172 131 74 Winnipeg 30 19 10 165 157 70 Minnesota 28 21 7 155 152 63 Dallas 27 22 8 179 180 62 Colorado 24 22 11 149 161 59

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Montreal 37 15 4 150 123 78 Tampa Bay 35 18 6 191 159 76 Detroit 31 14 10 160 141 72 Boston 28 20 8 147 145 64 Florida 25 19 12 138 155 62 Ottawa 22 23 10 155 158 54 Toronto 23 30 5 162 178 51 Buffalo 16 37 4 105 195 36

Metropolitan Division NY Islanders 38 19 1 188 163 77 NY Rangers 34 16 5 174 136 73 Pittsburgh 32 16 9 162 144 73 Washington 31 17 10 171 146 72 Philadelphia 24 23 10 153 167 58 Columbus 25 27 3 147 172 53 New Jersey 22 26 9 126 155 53 Carolina 20 29 7 127 154 47 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the stand- ings and are not included in the loss column (L). NEWARK: Michal Neuvirth No. 34 of the Buffalo Sabres makes a save in the third period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center.—AFP Capitals ease past Penguins, Flyers fall

PITTSBURGH: Alex Ovechkin scored his od, to lift Columbus over Philadelphia. season, Nelson’s 16th and Grabner’s sixth for the Kings looming Saturday at Levi’s third period for the Sabres, who have lost NHL-leading 37th goal and assisted on Joel Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Johansen and a 3-0 lead. Carolina, coming off a 6-3 win at Stadium. four straight and 19 of 21. Michal Neuvirth Ward’s winner with just more than four min- James Wisniewski also scored for the Blue Ottawa, outshot New York 18-8 in the sec- made 34 saves, including 17 in the third utes remaining to lift the Washington Jackets, who snapped Philadelphia’s nine- ond period and 38-30 overall, but couldn’t STARS 4, BLUES 1 period and overtime in his 11th straight Capitals to a testy 3-1 win over the game points streak. dent Johnson until Jiri Tlusty’s goal with Jamie Benn had his first career hat trick decision. Adam Henrique wasted a chance Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night. Wayne Simmonds and Michael Del Zotto 8:46 remaining. and Kari Lehtonen was stingy in net again to give the Devils the lead with 3:27 left in Ovechkin beat Marc-Andre Fleury on a had goals for the Flyers, who remained six Tavares scored his 28th of the season on for Dallas in a rout of St. Louis. Blues coach regulation when he failed to hit the net on a breakaway in the first period. The three- points behind idle Boston for the Eastern an empty net with 4:19 remaining. The Ken Hitchcock yanked goalie Brian Elliott in penalty shot after being taken down by time MVP then helped set up Ward’s first Conference’s final playoff spot. Islanders rebounded from blowing three favor of Jake Allen after the Stars took a 3-0 defenseman Zach Bogosian on a break- career goal against the Penguins as Calvert scored the go-ahead goal with two-goal leads the previous night in a 6-5 lead before the midway mark of the first away. Washington improved to 3-0 against 10:06 left in the final period when he was loss to the Rangers. period, the last two goals coming in a 20- Pittsburgh. John Carlson added a short- the beneficiary of a deft pass from Cam second span. Jason Spezza had three assists PANTHERS 3, MAPLE LEAFS 2 handed, empty-net goal with 11 seconds Atkinson for an easy goal that put PREDATORS 5, SHARKS 1 for the Stars, who have won four of five and Nick Bjugstad scored the go-ahead goal remaining. Columbus up 3-2. The play started when Pekka Rinne made a season-high 42 triumphed on coach Lindy Ruff’s 55th birth- on a power play early in the second period Braden Holtby made 30 saves for the Philadelphia’s Vincent Lecavalier turned the saves and Nashville extended its winning day. Patrik Berglund spoiled Lehtonen’s bid and Florida defeated struggling Toronto. Capitals, who pulled within a point of the puck over in his zone. streak to a season-best six straight games for a second straight shutout with 7:30 Jussi Jokinen and 2008 Maple Leafs draft third-place Penguins in the crowded by beating San Jose. remaining. Lehtonen’s scoreless streak was pick Jimmy Hayes also scored for the Metropolitan Division. ISLANDERS 4, HURRICANES 1 The Predators scored five unanswered 1:45:48. Panthers, who moved within two points of Steve Downie scored his 10th goal of the Backup goalie Chad Johnson made 37 goals for the win. Craig Smith scored twice, idle Boston for the final playoff spot in the season for Pittsburgh. Fleury stopped 29 saves and four players scored to lead the and Shea Weber scored and had an assist. DEVILS 2, SABRES 1 Eastern Conference. Roberto Luongo made shots but allowed a pair of power-play Islanders. Anders Lee, Brock Nelson, Michael Paul Gaustad and James Neal each had a Scott Gomez and Jacob Josefson scored 27 saves. goals, including Ward’s during a 5-on-3 with Grabner and John Tavares scored for the goal, Mike Ribeiro had two assists as the in the shootout, and Cory Schneider denied Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel scored for the 4:13 to play. Islanders, who took a 3-0 lead in the season Predators padded their lead atop the NHL both Buffalo attempts as New Jersey Maple Leafs (23-30-5), who are 26th overall series between the first- and last-place standings to 84 points, six ahead of snapped a four-game losing streak. Patrik in the NHL standings. Kessel’s goal, which BLUE JACKETS 5, FLYERS 2 teams in the Metropolitan Division. The Montreal. Elias scored for the Devils in the first period cut it to 3-2, came on a power play with 50 Matt Calvert scored two goals, including Islanders improved to 19-3 against the Matt Irwin scored for San Jose. The and Schneider finished with 24 saves as seconds left and Jonathan Bernier (14 saves) the winner midway through the third peri- Metro Division behind Lee’s 19th goal of the Sharks, losers of two straight, are 1-4-1 with New Jersey. Tyler Ennis had a goal in the out of his net.—AP AUK Karate Twins bring home silver medals from Paris

KUWAIT: The American University of Championship in Germany-Bremen, crowned as the World Champions, and their support,” expressed Salman and Kuwait’s (AUK) Karate Twins, Salman and which Salman described as “the dream of were later selected by Al Ahli Club of Mohamed. Mohamed Al-Mosawi, won silver medals each karate athlete”. Dubai to compete in the UAE karate The American University of Kuwait at the Karate1 Premier League, a champi- They are looking forward to compet- league, where they won gold medals. (AUK) is an independent, private, equal onship organized by the World Karate ing in the 23rd World Karate Seniors The Karate Twins expressed their grat- opportunity, and co-educational liberal Federation, in Paris, in January 2015. The Championship in in 2016, which will be itude to those who supported them in arts institution of higher education. The 19-year-old twins were there to repre- held in Lenz, Austria. In the meantime, achieving their success. “We would like educational, cultural and administrative sent Kuwait as part of its Karate National they will participate in other internation- to thank the American University of structure, methods and standards of AUK Team (KATA), and are currently practicing al championships in preparation for the Kuwait for their amazing support are based on the American model of for their upcoming championships this tournament in 2016. The Karate Twins throughout all our championships. We higher learning. The language of instruc- year in multiple locations around the look forward to fighting in two more would also like to especially thank the tion is English. More information on the world. The Karate 1 Premier League saw competitions in 2015; one will be held in Intensive English Program’s Sandy Stein, American University of Kuwait can be 888 athletes from 67 nations come Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, and the other Marisa Tessier, and Don Prades for all found at www.auk.edu.kw together in what is known as one of the one will be the Asian Championship in most challenging championships in Yokohama, Japan. Karate. “The level of this championship “With a lot of work, training, and sup- was very high because it’s organized by port from our parents, our coach, family the World Karate Federation. There are 8 and friends we have reached now the Karate1 championships a year, and the grade of black belt, which is a prestigious strongest one is the one held lately in position in ranking system by Japanese Paris, where many athletes participated organization, and became professional and competed on ranks”, said Mohamed karate players. We will never give up. of the championship. Instead, we will follow our goal until we Salman and Mohamed participate in achieve it and make our country proud several karate championships every year, of us,” Said Salman.. which provides them with opportunities The Karate Twins have been recog- to hone their skills in the sport. In nized for their combating skills through- The American University of Kuwait’s (AUK) Karate Twins, Salman and November 2014, the Karate Twins came out their careers. In 2011, at the World Mohamed Al Mosawi in 7th place in the 22nd World Seniors Championship in Malaysia, they were p16_Layout 1 2/18/15 9:43 PM Page 1

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 SPORTS Clarke gets top Ryder Cup job

LONDON: Excellent communication Scotland in September. skills and a wealth of experience were World number one Rory McIlroy said two of the reasons Darren Clarke was last month that his compatriot would named Europe’s 2016 Ryder Cup cap- be a perfect fit for the US where he is a tain on Wednesday, said selection panel popular figure. “I am naturally extreme- member Colin Montgomerie. ly proud to be selected,” Clarke said in a The Northern Irishman was appoint- news release. “The Ryder Cup has been ed to succeed triumphant 2014 skipper a massive part of my life and my career Paul McGinley for the clash at Hazeltine, so to have the chance to lead Europe is Minnesota after a five-man panel met a huge honor. at the European Tour’s Wentworth “I am lucky to have played and headquarters on the outskirts of worked under some fantastic captains London. ... and I look forward to the challenge of Clarke, 46, was one of three con- trying to follow in their footsteps and tenders for the job, along with Spain’s help Europe to a fourth consecutive vic- Miguel Angel Jimenez and Thomas tory.” Bjorn of Denmark. He was described as Clarke is particularly synonymous “an exceptional candidate” by victori- with the 2006 Ryder Cup in Ireland ous 2010 skipper Montgomerie. “It was where, despite fighting a constant bat- a unanimous decision to announce tle to control his emotions after his wife Darren as captain,” Montgomerie told Heather had died of cancer just before Sky Sports television. the event, he won all three of his “I think he’ll be a very good commu- matches. nicator which is most important. He has He is likely to be going head-to-head the respect of the players, is a British with Davis Love III at Hazeltine after the Open champion (2011) and has a very Golf Channel reported on Monday that good Ryder Cup record.” the 1997 U.S. PGA Championship win- Clarke has tasted defeat just once in ner would be named American skipper seven previous appearances in the next week. It would be the second time biennial team event, five times as a Love, 50, has led the team after he over- player and twice as a vice-captain, and saw the “Miracle of Medinah” defeat in seems to have the backing of most of 2012 when Olazabal’s side stormed the team that won the trophy in back to win from 10-4 down.—Reuters Kuwait veterans to tour Sri Lanka DUBAI: Lucie Safarova of Czech Republic returns the ball to Venus Willams of the US during the 3rd round of the WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis KUWAIT: In commemoration of celebrat- very well known figure in Kuwait Cricket Championships. —AFP ing the National Day of Kuwait KVCC this A good exposure for Veteran year is looking forward to play two Cricketers to play in Test playing country matches in Sri Lanka namely in Colombo Sri Lanka as in the past the Veterans did and Kandy. The mastermind behind this not cross the borders of GCC countries. Venus put out of tour is none other than the Chairman A warm-up match was played between Taher Bastaki who will also lead the the Kuwait X1 and Veterans X1 at the squad supported by Mahmood Bastaki a Sulaibiya Grounds under floodlights. orbit in Dubai Open

DUBAI: Venus Williams lost her title and an She also hit confidently, and moved Asked if Serena had consulted her on this unbeaten record stretching back a decade remarkably well considering she had had a sensitive decision, Venus said: “You know, she when she subsided to a 6-4, 6-2 third round three-hour match the previous day followed didn’t ask me my opinion. She just said, I Dubai Open defeat against Lucie Safarova by a doubles. “That’s what you train for,” might be playing there. I said, Oh, okay. That’s The 34-year-old American’s serving deliv- Safarova said. pretty much the conversation.” And asked if ery was at half pace for much of the match in “I really felt well on court. It sometimes she could understand the decision to let a court temperature of about 40 degrees, her gives you extra confidence when you come bygones be bygones, she said: “Um, I don’t movement was slow, and her appetite for the close to defeat (against Casey Dellacqua of know. I just respect every decision she makes, battle not great. Australia) and you turn it around.” pretty much. There’s nothing complicated Williams dropped serve in the opening Safarova also claimed to have taken confi- about it.” game and after failing to convert three suc- dence from winning a Grand Slam doubles Venus was then invited to say whether she cessive break back points at 4-5, no longer title at last month’s Australian Open. She was would consider returning to Indian Wells one looked a serious contender for victory. due to play the winner of Ana Ivanovic, the day, to which she replied: “I haven’t really giv- The result was more a surprise given that former world number one from Serbia, and en a lot of thought to it. I have just been this was only Williams’ second defeat this year, Karolina Pliskova, her rising 22-year-old com- focusing on this year.” and that she may now have to wait a while patriot.Although Williams will return home Earlier Agnieszka Radwanska, a former before returning to the world’s top ten after a earlier than expected after 16 successive wins titleholder, was also beaten. The fifth-seeded four-year interval, one of her goals. “Obviously in Dubai, it will not alter to her decision to Pole has been suffering from a virus and I want to win and then your ranking goes up,” continuing giving a miss to the Indian Wells looked below par for the second successive she said. “But I have been super happy with tournament which starts in three weeks’ time. day as she lost 6-4, 6-2 to Garbine Muguruza, the year so far and I am disappointed to lose. “It will give me a chance to rest,” she said. a 21-year-old from Barcelona who looks en She is a player who hits the ball a little bit dif- Her sister Serena Williams, the world num- route for the top 20. ferent. I don’t think I was playing badly.” ber one, has by contrast agreed to return to And later Flavia Pennetta, a wild card entry Safarova’s serve was certainly difficult to the Californian event after a 14-year interval who saved four match points against Julie read, and she mixed in swerving deliveries during which both sisters have boycotted the Goerges of Germany in the first round, fol- into the body with others swung out wide, tournament - a response to hostile, allegedly lowed it by winning 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 against the testing the reach on a right-hander’s double- racist, treatment from spectators. Venus was seventh-seeded Angelique Kerber, another handed backhand. quizzed about her attitude to this. German.—AFP

Volkswagen Behbehani sponsors Fourth Annual Junior Masters Tournament Kuwait Club and Al Arabi Club secure first and second place KUWAIT: Behbehani Motors Company Junior Masters tournament is now in its Volkswagen Junior Masters Middle East the exclusive distributor of Volkswagen fourth year and aims to bring together regional final where they will compete in Kuwait, concluded the fourth annual talented players, under the age of 13, against winners and runner-up teams Volkswagen Junior Masters tournament who are passionate about football and from Bahrain, Qatar, Dubai and Abu at the Kuwait Club stadium this week. enjoy being part of the team” Dhabi. The winner of the finals will then Local team Kuwait Club secured a win- He continued, “The tournament is one be crowned Volkswagen Junior Masters ning goal in the tournament for the third of the largest of its kind organized world- Middle East Champions. year in a row and will now represent wide and Volkswagen Behbehani is The Volkswagen Junior Masters was Kuwait along with runner up team, Al proud to present an opportunity for local established 15 years ago by Volkswagen arabi Club at the Volkswagen Junior youths to exhibit and practice their skills AG as part of its commitment to support Masters regional final to be held in Dubai against other talented young athletes youth and sports around the world. The this March. from all over the region. We wish the tournament provides young footballers Commenting on the Volkswagen Kuwait team the very best of luck as they with a chance to enjoy the sport and Junior Master Tournament, Abdullah Ali, proceed to Dubai for the regional final.” compete fairly and has, in the process, Volkswagen Behbehani General The tournament in Kuwait saw over become the biggest youth-oriented foot- Manager, Kuwait, said: “The Volkswagen eight teams compete for a place in the ball tournament in the world. p17 2_Layout 1 2/18/15 10:01 PM Page 1

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

England’s Morgan targets form

WELLINGTON: Captain Eoin Morgan will against Australia in mid-January but his face the twin challenges of rallying a strug- more-recent scores have been 0, 2, 0 and 0 gling team while contending with a per- and he has passed 50 only twice in his past sonal form slump when England takes on 24 innings. co-host New Zealand at the Cricket World “I try to keep it as simple as possible so Cup tomorrow. you don’t look any further forward than While disappointed at England’s 111-run what’s in front of you and I’ve done that loss to Australia in its opening match and and it hasn’t worked,” he said. “But I believe nagged by a “sense of frustration” that the it will work and when it does I can hopeful- elements of his team’s game haven’t ly make it a match-winning performance or clicked into place, Morgan believes build on somebody else’s performance. improvement isn’t far away. “Re-engaging with that belief you need Back-to-back games against the two co- to have and that determination in your hosts represented a rugged opening to the training probably gives me more confi- tournament for England, and while easier dence than if it was my first time going matches following should see England through a bad run.” through to the knockout stage, a loss to the While individuals have made contribu- Black Caps would reduce the margin for tions in recent matches - notably James error. “Our senior players will need to stand Taylor’s 98 in the World Cup opener against up and we’ll need to lead from the front,” Australia - Morgan regretted England is not Morgan said. “We didn’t do it (against producing unified performances. Australia) at the MCG which was disap- “There is a sense of frustration,” he said. ponting within itself. “The big games that we play (early in the “So guys like myself, Jimmy (Anderson), World Cup) are great practice for the later (Stuart) Broad, (Ian) Bell, need to make con- stages in the tour and if we can get wins tributions in order to make the young guys under our belt against good opposition it feel quite comfortable within themselves.” can breed confidence for later in the tour. In a frank news conference on “We’ve had guys who have put in good Wednesday, Morgan acknowledged his individual performances but guys haven’t own lack of recent form. He made 121 in built on that around them and that’s been the opening match of England’s tri-series disappointing.” —AP

NEW ZEALAND: Zimbabwe’s Tafadzwa Kamungozi celebrates in this file photo. —AFP UAE offer Zimbabwe shot at redemption

NELSON: Zimbabwe get the chance to resurrect Indies, Zimbabwe know the challenge ahead ance in 1996 where they recorded a solitary win their World Cup campaign and put their first and how costly an off-day against the UAE could over the Netherlands. points on the board today when they meet the be. Ahead of the World Cup a seven-wicket win Their road to Nelson has also been less than United Arab Emirates in Nelson. over Sri Lanka in a warm up game showed their impressive, including a 14-run loss to Although nerves got the better of Zimbabwe capabilities and when the tournament started, Afghanistan last week. They were on target to in their World Cup opener against South Africa they had South Africa in trouble at 83-4. overhaul Afghanistan’s 308-9 when they reached that should not be a problem when they play But then David Miller and JP Duminy shared 234-3 in the 40th over before the innings col- the UAE. an unbroken stand of 256 and South Africa lapsed. The positives they took from the game Against South Africa on Sunday Zimbabwe reached 339-4. Zimbabwe’s chances ended on were an 86 by Khurram Khan, at 43 one of the were beaten by 62 runs in what was still a credi- 277 in the 49th over. oldest players in the tournament, and ble showing against one of the tournament “We wanted to be positive. But whether respectable figures of 4-39 by medium pacer favourites and they will be much more settled bowling, batting, even in our fielding, overall Amjad Javed. with that game out of the way. The pressure of everyone was afraid,” captain Elton Chigumbura Mohammad Tauqir, another 43-year-old and playing one of the top-ranked sides in Pool B admitted. a rarity in the side as a native while most of the eases as they front a UAE side who have have Hamilton Masakadza cracked 80 against squad are expats from India and Pakistan, will been written off in many quarters as rank out- South Africa, Chamu Chibhabha scored 64 and captain the UAE with assistance from former siders. But how Zimbabwe handle the imbalance Brendan Taylor made 40 but the confidence was leader Khurram. will indicate how serious a threat they will be of lacking as the last five wickets fell for 41 runs. Tauqir said they are targetting the Zimbabwe qualifying for the quarter-finals. But as an experienced World Cup entrant, game as “a challenging but a realistic target. They are in the three-way battle with Ireland having played all nine tournaments since debut- These players are capable of causing an upset.” and the West Indies for the fourth spot in a pool ing in 1983, Zimbabwe should have too much But experience could be a factor with the 15- where South Africa, India and Pakistan are likely experience of the big occasion than the UAE. man UAE squad having a combined 71 matches to fill the top three places. The UAE are making a Cup comeback 19 between them, with 15 played by Tauqir and With Ireland having already beaten the West years after their one and only previous appear- Khurram. —AFP Fielding coach drawn into Pakistan turmoil

CHRISTCHURCH: Pakistan’s World Cup cam- paign was rocked by fresh allegations of unrest yesterday when reports claimed that fielding coach Grant Luden was involved in a heated row with senior players. Even before the tour- nament started, eight members of Pakistan’s 15-man squad-including Shahid Afridi and NEW ZEALAND: Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor plays a shot during the Pool B 2015 Ahmed Shehzad-were fined $300 each by team Cricket World Cup match. —AFP management for breaking a curfew. Days later Pakistan suffered a 76-run defeat by defending champions India in their tournament opener in ‘Shining light’ Taylor is Adelaide, the team’s sixth successive loss to their arch-rivals at the World Cup. proving doubters wrong Initial reports in the Pakistan media on Tuesday said Luden had resigned after an argu- ment with Afridi, opener Shehzad and bats- SYDNEY: If there was one thing pretty through that and towards the end he man-cum wicketkeeper Umar Akmal following much the whole cricketing community started to show how he could expose any- Sunday’s Pool B loss. agreed upon on the first weekend of the body with his quality to hit the ball to dif- “Luden had a serious argument with some World Cup, it was that James Taylor ferent places,” England coach Peter senior players and out of frustration resigned,” deserved better than to be robbed of a Moores told ecb.co.uk. a source in the Pakistan camp told AFP. “It was a really good innings. It’s a century by a dodgy umpiring decision. Luden, a member of Pakistan coach Waqar The diminutive English batsman had shame he didn’t get the hundred in the Younis’s backroom staff, was hired as fielding confirmed his rich vein of form by scrap- end of it but he’ll take a lot of confidence coach in May last year on a two-year contract. ping his way to 98 as his team mates fell from it because (it was a) very big occa- But the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) denied victim to Australian bowlers at the other sion and he fronted up and played very Luden had resigned after the India match. end, only to be denied his maiden one- well.” “Reports stating that there has been a tiff LAHORE: In this photograph taken on July 18, 2014, Pakistani cricket team batting coach Grant day hundred in farcical fashion. between three players, Afridi, Shehzad and Flower (right) arrives with fielding coach Grant Luden (left) for a news conference. —AFP Reprieved from an lbw dismissal on SIZE MATTERS Akmal and fielding coach Luden and that the appeal to the third umpire, Taylor was It was to fill the vacancy at number six latter has resigned because of it, are absolutely nonetheless denied the chance of reach- in the batting order left by the retirement false and that nothing of the sort has hap- ing the milestone when match officials of Paul Collingwood that Taylor was first pened,” said a PCB statement issued on Sammy warns Windies erroneously ruled James Anderson run out mooted as an international player after Wednesday. to end the England innings. making his name with a torrent of runs for “The entire team trained together in of early World Cup exit Neither the procedural error, acknowl- Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. Christchurch on Tuesday under the supervision edged by tournament organisers straight The nod went to Eoin Morgan instead, of head coach Waqar Younis with each of the after the match, nor England’s 111-run though, and Taylor had to wait until 2011 NELSON: Few teams loom larger in the history of including Sammy who scored 89 against Ireland, other coaches, where some players were put the Cricket World Cup than the West Indies — have repeatedly stated that they are a united defeat to the co-hosts will put much of a to make his one-day debut, only sealing through their paces by all coaches, with Luden dent in Taylor’s burgeoning reputation, himself a slot in the World Cup side with a winners of the first two tournaments — but the team and all questions of selection and leader- putting in an extra hour on both days with a current team, under the untested captaincy of ship are in the past. But they looked disorganized though. Described by former skipper Ian strong series in Sri Lanka last December. select group of players,” the statement added. Botham as the “shining light” of English Throughout his career, Taylor has had to young Jason Holder, is struggling to uphold that and unmotivated at times on Monday and Nevertheless, the PCB also admitted Luden legacy. The West Indies were beaten by four wick- Sammy said they face an early exit from the World batting in the World Cup opener, the 25- battle against those-Geoffrey Boycott and had offered to resign before the World Cup year-old came into the tournament on the Kevin Pietersen among them-who feel ets in their opening Pool B match on Monday by Cup unless they find form. “If we continue to play started. “A few days prior to the start of the minnows Ireland and need a major form improve- like that, we won’t be here for long, for sure,” back of two fine performances against that at 5ft-6in (1.68m), he is just too small World Cup 2015, Luden had expressed his India in the Tri-series. for the international game. “A big thing ment when they play Pakistan in Christchurch on Sammy said. “So we still believe that the World desire that for personal reasons, he would want Saturday to prevent their campaign dissolving Cup isn’t just one game. Batting at number three, Taylor scored that spurs me is proving people wrong, as to be relieved of his duties sometime in May an unbeaten 56 to help England over the with my size, naturally I’m going to have into chaos. Monday’s loss to a non test-playing “You win four out of five matches or some- 2015,” the board statement said. nation is only likely to increase speculation about times even four out of six and then you can still line in Brisbane and followed that with a plenty of doubters and I’ve proved them “Subsequently, as his issues were resolved, brilliant 82 in a match-winning partner- wrong over the years and I’ll prove more internal discord within the West Indies squad get into the quarters. So, yeah, we’re not going to he took his resignation back. The PCB and the after contentious selections and the appointment keep our heads down, but we still believe we ship of 125 with Jos Buttler in Perth. people wrong in the coming months,” team management as well as the boys hold the of the 23-year-old Holder as captain. could make it into the top four in this group.” Shifted down the order to number six Taylor told Cricinfo last November. job he is doing in high esteem, and are keen The young fast bowler had played only 26 Sammy hinted at problems of motivation and to allow for the recall of Garry Ballance at “I can hit the ball just as far as anybody that he continues to serve in his present role.” one-day internationals before Monday’s clash focus in the loss to Ireland. While it seems unlikely first drop for last weekend’s tournament and as cleanly as most, so definitely in my Pakistan also has former Zimbabwe bats- with Ireland and faces the difficult task of secur- any team would underestimate the Irish, who opener, he amply displayed his versatility eyes it’s never proved a problem. “Height I man Grant Flower as its batting coach. ing the respect and co-operation of his senior have beaten Pakistan and England at previous and street smarts in an impressive 90-ball hope has never been an issue. There’s a lot Pakistan continue their World Cup campaign teammates, notably Darren Sammy, whose cap- World Cups, Sammy suggested the West Indies knock. of guys out there that aren’t very tall. I can against the West Indies in Christchurch on taincy he has usurped. The West Indies players, lacked intensity on Monday.—AP “It was tough at the start, he got pack a good punch.”—Reuters Saturday.—AFP THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

No dream debut for Afghans as Bangladesh clinch victory

CANBERRA: Afghanistan never recovered from a horror start as Bangladesh overpowered the World Cup newcomers by 105 runs at Canberra’s Manuka Oval yesterday. The Afghans marked their World Cup debut by holding Bangladesh to 267 all out after losing the toss but crumbled to three for three in the opening three overs of their reply. Their chaotic start with the bat meant Afghanistan were never likely to repeat their win over Test nation Bangladesh at last year’s Asia Cup one-day tournament. Bangladesh, cheered on by their passionate fans, must now beat at least one of the big four in Pool A-co-hosts Australia and New Zealand, Sri SCOREBOARD Lanka and England-and also win against Scotland to keep their quarter-final hopes alive. The Tigers ne- ball attack, spearheaded by skip- CANBERRA: Final scoreboard in the World Cup Pool A match between Afghanistan and per Mashrafe Mortaza (three for 20), proved too Bangladesh at Canberra’s Manuka Oval yesterday: much for Afghanistan to handle, even on a placid Bangladesh Afghanistan batting pitch, and they were dismissed for 162 with Tamim Iqbal c Asfar b Mirwais 19 Javed Ahmadi c and b Mortaza 1 more than seven overs left. Anamul Haque lbw b Mirwais 29 Afsar Zazai lbw b Hossain 1 Javed Ahmadi was out for one on the last ball of Soumya Sarkar lbw b Shapoor 28 Nawroz Mangal c Hossain b Mahmudullah 27 the opening over after a leading edge to a short- Mahmudullah c Afsar b Shapoor 23 Asghar Stanikzai c Mahmudullah b Mortaza1 pitched delivery from Mortaza saw him caught and Shakib Al Hasan b Hamid 63 Samiullah Shenwari run out (Sabbir) 42 bowled. Afsar Zazai followed next ball in the fol- Mushfiqur Rahim c Shenwari b Nabi 71 Mohammad Nabi c Soumya b Mortaza 44 lowing over by Rubel Hossain, leg before for one, Sabbir Rahman b Hamid 3 Najibullah Zadran lbw b Shakib 17 and Asghar Stanikzai made it three for three when Mashrafe Mortaza b Aftab 14 Mirwais Ashraf c Mortaza b Shakib 10 he edged Mortaza to Mahmudullah, who held a Mominul Haque run out (Asfar) 3 Aftab Alam not out 14 juggled chance at first slip. Nawroz Mangal and Rubel Hossain not out 0 Hamid Hassan c Anamul b Taskin 0 Samiullah Shenwari stabilised the innings with a Taskin Ahmed b Aftab 1 Shapoor Zadran run out (Mushfiqur) 2 62-run stand before Nawroz was out for 27 slog- Extras (b3, lb4, w6) 13 Extras (lb1, w2) 3 sweeping Mahmudullah to Rubel at deep square Total (all out; 50 overs) 267 Total(all out; 42.5 overs) 162 leg. Hossain injured his knee in making the tum- Fall of wickets: 1-47 (Tamim), 2-52 (Anamul), 3- Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Javed), 2-2 (Afsar), 3-3 bling catch but there was more damage to 102 (Soumya), 4-119 (Mahmudullah), 5-233 (Stanikzai), 4-65 (Nawroz), 5-78 (Shenwari), 6- Afghanistan who slumped to 65 for four. (Shakib), 6-241 (Sabbir), 7-247 (Mushfiqur), 8- 136 (Najibullah), 7-136 (Nabi), 8-154 (Mirwais), Shenwari was run out for 42 going for a second 263 (Mominul), 9-263 (Mortaza), 10-267 9-154 (Hamid), 10-162 (Shapoor) run by Shabbir Rahman’s throw from fine leg even (Taskin) Bowling: Mortaza 9-2-20-3; Hossain 6-0-27-1 though he dived to make his ground. Bowling: Hamid 10-0-61-2 (1w); Shapoor 7-1- (1w); Taskin 7-0-23-1; Shakib 8.5-0-43-2; Najibullah Zadran went leg before wicket to 20-2; Aftab 9-0-55-2 (3w); Mirwais 9-3-32-2 Mahmudullah 8-1-31-1; Soumya 3-0-13-0; Shakib for 17, skipper Mohammad Nabi spooned a (1w); Nabi 9-0-58-1 (1w); Javed 4.5-0-32-0, Sabbir 1-0-4-0 catch to Soumya Sarkar off Mortaza for 44 and Shenwari 1.1-0-2-0; Result: Bangladesh won by 105 runs. Mirwais Ashraf was taken by Mortaza at long-off CANBERRA: Nawroz Mangal of Afghanistan bats during the Pool A 2015 Cricket World Cup from Shakib for 10 as the Afghan resistance suc- match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh. —AFP cumbed. Earlier, Bangladesh were indebted to World Cup results and standings man-of-the-match Mushfiqur Rahim, who top- scored with 71 off 56 balls, while star all-rounder ground. Shakib slammed paceman Hamid Hassan Medium-pacer Mirwais claimed the honour of Shakib Al Hasan chipped in with 63 off 51 balls. for four and six and went for another big heave getting Afghanistan’s first wicket at the World Cup Pool A Mushfiqur and Shakib lived up to their reputa- only to be bowled off an inside edge. when he had Tamim Iqbal caught superbly by div- At Canberra tion as Bangladesh’s best batsmen with a defiant The ICC’s top-rated allrounder, Shakib put on ing wicketkeeper Zazai. Bangladesh 267 all out (Mushfiqur Rahim 71, Shakib Al Hasan 63) v century stand to kick along their team’s dawdling 114 runs for the fifth wicket with Mushfiqur. It was Mirwais followed up by dismissing the other Afghanistan 162 all out. Bangladesh won by 105 runs early scoring rate. the fourth hundred stand the pair had shared and opener, Anamul Haque, lbw for 29 after a bats- They raised a hundred partnership off 14.4 they have now scored 1,725 runs together at 39.20. man’s review to leave Bangladesh 52 for two. Played won lost tied N/R points run rate overs to thrill their excitable green and red-clad However, wickets tumbled in the final overs Bangladesh struggled to take control and were just Pool A fans, who made for a lively atmosphere inside the with Hamid, Shapoor Zadran, Mirwais Ashraf and 119 for four before Mushfiqur and Shakib revived New Zealand 2 2 0 0 0 4 +2.62 Aftab Alam all taking two apiece. their innings. —AFP Australia 1 1 0 0 0 2 +2.22 Bangladesh 1 1 0 0 0 2 +1.55 Afghanistan 1 0 1 0 0 0 -1.55 Sri Lanka 1 0 1 0 0 0 -1.96 England 1 0 1 0 0 0 -2.22 Scotland 1 0 1 0 0 0 -3.04

Pool B India 1 1 0 0 0 2 +1.52 South Africa 1 1 0 0 0 2 +1.24 Ireland 1 1 0 0 0 2 +0.62 West Indies 1 0 1 0 0 0 -0.62 Zimbabwe 1 0 1 0 0 0 -1.24 Pakistan 1 0 1 0 0 0 -1.52 UAE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Already played Pool A Pool B Feb 14 Feb 15 At Christchurch At Hamilton New Zealand 331-6 (Corey Anderson 75, South Africa 339-4 (David Miller 138 not out, JP Brendon McCullum 65, Kane Williamson 57) v Duminy 115 not out) v Sri Lanka 233 all out (Lahiru Thirimanne 65). Zimbabwe 277 all out (Hamilton Masakadza New Zealand won by 98 runs 80, Chamu Chibhabha 64).South Africa won by 62 runs Feb 14 At Melbourne Feb 15 Australia 342-9 (Aaron Finch 135, Glenn At Adelaide Maxwell 66, George Bailey 55; Steven Finn 5- India 300-7 (Virat Kohli 107, Suresh Raina 74, 71) v England 231 all out (James Taylor 98 not Shikhar Dhawan 73; Sohail Khan 5-55) v out; Mitchell Marsh 5-53). Australia won by 111 Pakistan 224 all out (Misbah-ul-Haq 76). India runs won by 76 runs CANBERRA: Bangladesh batsman Mohammad Mahmudullah plays a shot during the pool A 2015 Cricket World Cup match against Afghanistan. —AFP Feb 17 Feb 16 At Dunedin At Nelson Scotland 142 all out in 36.2 overs (Matt West Indies 304-7 (Lendl Simmons 102, Darren Machan 56, Richie Berrington 50) v New Sammy 89) v Ireland 307-6 (Paul Stirling 92, Ed We didn’t do ourselves justice, Zealand 146-7. New Zealand won by three Joyce 84, Niall O’Brien 79 not out). Ireland won wickets by four ickets.— AFP says Afghanistan coach Moles

Afghans travel from CANBERRA: Afghanistan coach Andy Moles sloppiness crept into our fielding and our bowling with the newcomers eventually going down by the lamented his team didn’t give a true reflection of wasn’t quite as focused as it had been and then it large margin of 105 runs. the way they play their cricket after a comprehen- got a little bit worse. We didn’t hit the heights that Ahmad Shoaib had been optimistic the Afghans far and wide sive first up World Cup defeat to Bangladesh yes- we expected of ourselves.” would cap their fairytale rise to the World Cup with terday. The World Cup newcomers lost by 105 runs Moles said Afghanistan had moved past the a win. “I am at loss for the words. I could smash the CANBERRA: The Afghan diaspora in ing the game on TV today.” after being dismissed for 162 in pursuit of a 268- excitement and thrill of playing at their first World TV. After all those stunning achievements, we were Australia came from far and wide to see Roman Sadath, 31, flew from run target at Canberra’s Manuka Oval. Cup tournament. “I think we’ve moved past the hoping for a better performance against their country’s proudest moment in a short Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city, Their hopes of chasing down the target were excitement part. We’re here to compete in the Bangladesh,” he told AFP. history of cricket — its World Cup debut. for the game. He waited at the gate to torpedoed by a clatter of three wickets in the games of cricket,” he said. “We have the opportuni- “How did we lose to Bangladesh? I can’t believe While they appeared far outnumbered meet his friends who made the 800-kilo- opening three overs exposing their middle order ties coming up to play against other countries in it, we had beaten them before!”, he added in a ref- by the green and red of Bangladesh sup- meter (500-mile) journey by road. batsmen to the new ball. ODIs. We’re in the shop window here and in the erence to Afghanistan’s one-day win over the Test porters in the streets of the Australian capi- “Hopefully Afghanistan is going to win It was an opening setback that Afghanistan nev- first 30 overs we gave a good account of ourselves. nation during last year’s Asia Cup. tal, the fans in blue matched it for enthusi- the game, but we’ll see how it goes,” said er overcame against the Test-playing nation, who “Tonight we got lost and we just didn’t get out In the eastern city of Jalalabad, near the border asm. The earliest Afghan immigrants came Sadath, who migrated to Melbourne 18 they beat at last year’s Asia Cup one-day tourna- of the blocks with our batting. “Our feet weren’t with Pakistan, there was, perhaps, the biggest con- to Australia in the 19th century to drive the years ago. ment. “We genuinely thought this was a game we moving, we were in a fog. We just didn’t get going, centration of fans, with the streets and government pioneering camel trains that helped open “The most important thing is that they could win tonight,” Moles told reporters. “I still didn’t get any freebies up front and before we offices deserted during the match. up the country’s arid interior. But many qualified for 2015. If they win any games, believe that if we had applied ourselves better then knew we were three down and then we were Humayun, who like many Afghans uses only Afghans in Australia are refugees of recent that’s good,” he added. The rivalry between we would have given a better account. treading water.” one name, had bought 15 kilos of oranges to dis- wars who live in the largest cities on the the two camps of cricketing supporters was “The Bangladesh boys have got far more experi- tribute among the crowd at a restaurant if the team coast. largely friendly, with everyone recognizing ence than us. “We haven’t disgraced ourselves, but DEFLATED FANS had won. But as Afghanistan’s chances ebbed Many, such as Naqib Akbrai, 30, drove the match as a momentous occasion. The that wasn’t a true reflection on the work we do in Cricket fans across Afghanistan generated a par- away, he left the restaurant, taking the oranges the 300 kilometers (190 miles) from Sydney, Afghan team has come a long way quickly preparation and the way we play our cricket.” ty mood for their team’s World Cup debut yester- with him. Some fans took a more philosophical Australia’s largest city, to support the in the face of many challenges including Moles, who can lay claim to being the holder of day, but there were long faces as their side crum- approach. Afghanistan team in Canberra. security threats, ruined infrastructure and possibly the sport’s most dangerous job-coach of bled to a big defeat by Bangladesh. “This is one match, there is always the chance of “It’s a big game. It’s a dream come true,” persistent poverty. war-weary Afghanistan-said his team had to take In towns and villages across the country, crowds winning or losing. Today luck was not on our side,” he said as he waited with friends for the Hassan Raaquid, 45, flew from Dhaka to the loss on the chin and prepare for their next gathered round TVs in restaurants, cafes and even said Baryalai, aged in his 30s, in Kandahar. And Manuka Oval gates to be opened to a sell- support Bangladesh. He explained the tough assignment against 1996 champions Sri in the street to watch the game. Hundreds huddled there was confidence among some that the side out crowd of 12,000. more obvious presence of Bangladesh sup- Lanka in Dunedin on Sunday. together in front of a big-screen TV outside a wed- would learn from their emphatic loss. For Akbrai, Afghanistan’s debut match in porters as a symptom of Bangladesh being “One of the issues we’ve had is that we do well ding hall in the southern city of Kandahar, once the “This was the first match and we lost, but there the most prestigious event in limited-overs better established as a cricketing nation with bat and ball for 35 overs and it’s that extra 15 heartland of the Taliban. is still hope,” said Hashem Yousufzai in Kandahar. cricket was a victory for his war-weary with the sport more entrenched in overs where we need to work on our concentration The excitement grew as the Afghan fast bowlers “Our team can recover, can retaliate, can make a homeland, regardless of the result. Bangladeshi culture. levels, our discipline, our execution and it’s some- tied Bangladesh down during the early overs in the strong comeback. I pray for it and I know my “Afghanistan playing in a World Cup, it’s “Definitely Bangladesh will win,” Raaquid thing we have spoken about regularly,” Moles said. Australian capital of Canberra, and each wicket was prayers will come true!” Afghanistan face a tough all we could ask for,” he said. “We’re really said of yesterday’s match, adding that “In the first 30 overs today we were very good, greeted with deafening cheers. challenge in their next match, when they take on positive. Hopefully we should win. I’m sure Bangladesh would also defeat host nation bowled well with discipline and we had control But the mood turned glum as the Afghan the mighty Sri Lanka, 1996 World Cup-winners and about 80 percent of Afghanistan is watch- Australia on Saturday.—AP and we fielded well. “Then one or two little bits of innings began with the loss of three quick wickets, beaten finalists in the last two editions.—AFP THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 SPORTS Luiz midfield option a success for PSG

PARIS: Paris St Germain coach Laurent Fabregas and Costa. Blanc’s decision to field David Luiz in an Blanc, often criticised for his lack of tac- unusual midfield position largely paid off tical sense when France, then PSG coach, on Tuesday in their 1-1 draw with Chelsea faced a barrage of injuries before the game in the first leg of their Champions League and it prompted him to shuffle his cards. Round of 16 tie. With holding midfielders Thiago Motta It was when he went back into the and Yohan Cabaye ruled out injured, Blanc defence that PSG suffered.PSG fell behind decided to field Luiz instead of the less in the 36th minute after Branislav Ivanovic experienced Adrien Rabiot, while escaped from Luiz’s attention to head Marquinhos paired up with fellow Brazilian Chelsea in front, but Edinson Cavani lev- Thiago Silva in central defence. elled early in the second half as the hosts “It was a great idea. In my humble opin- played higher up the pitch. ion, he is better here than in central The Brazil international had no problem defence, where he sometimes lacks con- imposing himself on the game either, with centration,” Ivory Coast coach Herve Renard muscular challenges on Cesc Fabregas and told sports daily L’Equipe yesterday. Diego Costa among others as well as hav- Renard’s verdict was spot on as Luiz was ing the audacity to wipe out the vanishing indeed not perfect letting Ivanovic run off spray line before Zlatan Ibrahimovic took a of him in the box to score Chelsea’s goal first-half free kick, moving it a short dis- after Gary Cahill had cleverly flicked John tance to the left. He also delivered some Terry’s free kick into his path. Luiz played long accurate pin-point passes from his conservatively in the first half, close to the holding role and seemed to thoroughly central defence, before bringing the ball enjoy playing against his old team. forward after the break. PSG beat Chelsea 3-1 in Paris in the last He may not get a chance to shine in this eight last April when one of their goals was position for the return leg, however, as an own goal from Luiz-before losing 2-0 at Cabaye could be fit after a foot injury for Stamford Bridge to go out on the away the trip to Stamford Bridge, where PSG goals rule. A few months later Luiz was out believe they will have their chances. “We of Chelsea too, moving to PSG for a stag- still have a 50 per cent chance of progress- gering 50 million pound ($76.87 million) ing, especially if we play like we did fee which helped fund the acquisitions of tonight,” said Thiago Silva. —Reuters BERN: (In front) Everton’s players Seamus Coleman (left), Romelu Lukaku (center) and Phil Jagielka (right) practice during a training session. Everton will face Young Boys Bern in a UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg soccer match today. —AP Red cards, fireworks mar Libertadores Cup Celtic, Inter rematch

BUENOS AIRES: The Libertadores Cup fol- FLARES AND FIRECRACKERS lowed a familiar script on the opening Ecuadorean champions Emelec had two tops Europa League night of the group phase on Tuesday with players sent off in their Group Four match eight players sent off and Universidad de away to Universidad de Chile in Santiago Chile fans putting their team at risk of sanc- but held on for a 1-0 victory thanks to strik- PARIS: The hotly-anticipated rematch between level. “It will be a challenge for us. To win the tie well and face Fiorentina, with the first leg at tions for using fireworks. er Miller Bolanos’s 64th minute goal. old rivals Celtic and Inter in Glasgow tops the bill we will have to play very well in both games but White Hart Lane. Referee Raul Orozco brandished his red Defender John Narvaez and Paraguayan in the Europa League last 32, with the first legs we are more than capable of that.” Having scored seven goals in seven games in card at five players in Montevideo, where midfielder Fernando Gimenez were both to be played today. Inter will be able to call upon Xherdan the competition this season, all eyes will again Wanderers rallied to beat Venezuelan dismissed in the final nine minutes for sec- The clubs famously met in the 1967 European Shaqiri, the Swiss international signed last be on Harry Kane for Spurs, but a Fiorentina side champions Zamora 3-2 at Parque Central in ond bookings. Cup final in Lisbon, when Celtic triumphed 2-1 month from Bayern Munich. However, Lukas who are unbeaten in eight games and lie fourth Group Five. Fans of “La U” lit flares and set off fire- to become the first British club to be crowned Podolski, brought in from Arsenal, is not eligible in Serie A will provide stiff opposition. Zamora defender Angel Faria was crackers with the club likely to be punished champions of Europe. in Europe. Celtic, meanwhile, are waiting to see if Meanwhile, Everton will be hoping to once shown a straight red in the 20th minute by tournament organisers CONMEBOL, Inter then gained a measure of revenge by Kris Commons will recover from a hamstring again produce their best form in Europe as they and the Uruguayan side had midfielder who ordered holders San Lorenzo to play winning on penalties when the sides clashed in problem in time. go to Switzerland to take on Young Boys. Adrian Colombino dismissed for his second their first home match behind closed doors the semi-finals of the same competition in 1972, After dropping out of the Champions League The Toffees have won just once in their last 11 booking after half an hour. after fans used fireworks during last year’s and they have not met since. group stage, Liverpool take on Besiktas with the matches but were impressive in the Europa Level at 1-1 at halftime after teenager final. Neither club is the force they once were, but first leg at Anfield a repeat of their meeting in League group stage, notably beating Wolfsburg Jhon Murillo had put the visitors ahead and “Unfortunately, this has happened there will still be a sell-out 60,000 crowd at Celtic the Champions League in 2007, when Liverpool home and away. Gaston Rodriguez equalised, Zamora took despite all our efforts (to prevent it)... We Park as the Scottish champions look to record won 8-0, inflicting a record European defeat on Wolfsburg, who lie second in the Bundesliga, the lead again with Arles Flores’s fine long- have images and we’re going to show them another memorable win against a Nerazzurri the Turks. will fancy their chances against Sporting Lisbon, range shot in the 54th minute. However, through all media to be able to identify the side now coached by Roberto Mancini. Besiktas, coached by former Everton defend- who are in Germany for the first leg. Wanderers turned the match around in the people who harmed the club,” Felipe De “We will be judged after the two games. But er Slaven Bilic, come into this game on top of the Borussia Moenchengladbach are Germany’s final 12 minutes from a penalty by Nicolas Pablo, assistant manager of club owners we know we are playing well and with confi- Turkish league and buoyed by a 3-2 win against other contenders, although they must take on Albarracin and substitute Leandro Azul Azul, was quoted as saying in El dence,” said Celtic assistant manager John Bursaspor at the weekend, in which leading the holders Sevilla. The Spanish side are bidding Reymundez’s headed winner. Mercurio (www.emol.com). South Collins ahead of the game, with the return leg in scorer Demba Ba netted a late penalty to secure to successfully defend the trophy and thereby Three more players were sent off in the America’s top club competition has been Milan on February 26. the points. repeat their feat of 2006 and 2007, when they closing minutes with Zamora’s Panamanian marred over the years by indiscipline and Celtic have won their last eight matches but Liverpool must do without Lazar Markovic, won the UEFA Cup in consecutive years under defender Luis Ovalle the next to go for a violence on and off the pitch. their limitations have been exposed in Europe who has been given a four-match ban from Juande Ramos. second yellow card in the 78th. In another Group Four match, Brazil’s this season and they must be wary of an Inter European competition following his sending-off “We want to make history just like that team. Three minutes into stoppage time, man- Internacional were beaten 3-1 by The side who are fresh from recording handsome in the Reds’ final Champions League group This competition is very important for Sevilla,” of-the-match Murillo and Wanderers for- Strongest of Bolivia at high altitude in La wins in their last two games. Collins added: “We game against FC Basel in December. Besiktas pointed out Portuguese defender Daniel Carrico. ward Juan Mascia clashed off the ball after Paz and had striker Nilmar sent off two are not playing against another Scottish team took four points from two games against Other notable ties include Trabzonspor a tackle and Bolivian Orozco, his patience minutes from time for a foul on defender but one full of internationals and a hugely-expe- Tottenham Hotspur in the group stage but the against Napoli in Turkey and another Serie A exhausted, showed them both straight red Diego Wayar. Argentine champions Racing rienced manager who has won things at the top north London club advanced to the last 32 as side, Roma, up against Feyenoord.—AFP cards. Club crushed Venezuela’s Deportivo Tachira 5-0 away in Group Eight.—Reuters Bayern: We have only ourselves to blame

LVIV: Dominant in the first half but scrappy and months, and closed the corridors which their one of them. ineffective in the second, Bayern Munich blamed opponents repeatedly tried to use for counter- Coach Pep Guardiola’s decision to field both themselves for failing to score in their 0-0 draw attacks. proved correct until 25 minutes before the end at Shakhtar Donetsk for their Champions League Bayern, chasing their sixth European Cup, are when the midfielder was dismissed. Round of 16 first leg on Tuesday. still the odds-on favourites to advance against Guardiola, looking to win the Champions The Bavarians had the best scoring chances the Ukrainians, forced to play in the western city League in his second season at Bayern, conced- and allowed only one shot on goal from their of Lviv with their home town a hotspot in the ed his team was not lethal enough and would opponents but did not make their dominance military conflict with Russia. The Bavarians, how- need to work harder in the return leg in Munich count, lacking the final pass in front of goal. ever, again failed to replicate their form from next month. “Now it is clear. We have to win in Munich. earlier this season or even Saturday’s 8-0 demoli- “We played for a long time with 10 men and Nothing else will do,” said Dutch winger Arjen tion of Hamburg SV in the league and will take that was difficult,” said the Spaniard, who knows Robben. “We had a good first half and we had on Shakhtar without holding midfielder Xabi the European title is Bayern’s big prize this sea- our chances. You need to use them when you Alonso, sent off with a second booking. son with the league title well in their sights have them.” His start along with fellow holding midfielder already. “It is a shame because it would have been Bastian Schweinsteiger had been a contentious “We had three or four chances in the first half. easier. We did it all ourselves,” said Robben. The issue even before the game with some asking We did control the game but then we only German champions were effective in shutting whether the pair needed to be on the pitch or carved out few more. Now we have to win the CHILE: Universidad de Chile’s footballer Gonzalo Espinosa (right) vies for the ball out Shakhtar, playing their first game in two whether the team was more effective with just return leg and we will do that.”—Reuters with Ecuadorean Emelec’s Angel Mena (left) during their Copa Libertadores football match. —AFP

Al Sadd eye another ACL title

SINGAPORE: Former winners Al Sadd believe in the ensuing shootout as the Qataris a second AFC Champions League title is possi- advanced 5-4 to take a place in Group C along- ble after another penalty shootout success saw side Uzbeks Lokomotiv Tashkent, Foolad of the Qatari side edge past Emiratis Al Wadha Iran and Saudis Al Hilal. and into the group stages following a dramatic “I’m extremely happy with the exciting win 4-4 draw. as we gave our best tonight and we had great The painful defeat capped a bad Tuesday determination to make a good comeback and night for United Arab Emirates clubs, with win the match,” Al Sadd coach Lhoussaine domestic league leaders Al Jazira losing 2-1 to Ammouta said. “We were behind tonight but Uzbeks Bunyodkor to also miss out on a group we came back stronger and we should have stage berth. sealed the match before the penalty shootout. Al Sadd, winners in 2011 and also of the “We want to have a good performance in Asian Club Championship in 1989, initially the group stage and compete for the title.” Al appeared to be heading out after Mohammed Sadd’s victory followed their 11-10 penalty Al Shehhi had put the home side 3-2 ahead in shootout win over Bahrain’s Al Riffa in the pre- the 92nd minute. vious qualifying round. There was no room for A scuffle then broke out, leading to Damian a third Qatari side, however, as El Jaish suffered Diaz and Adil Hermach being sent off for the a narrow 1-0 away defeat to Iran’s Naft Tehran, hosts and Mohammed Kasola of Al Sadd who will play in Group B with Pakhtakor of before Khalfan Ibrahim snatched a dramatic Uzbekistan, Saudis Al Shabab and Emiratis Al- equaliser in the eighth minute of stoppage Ain. Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia, runners-up in 2012, time to force extra time. required a 85th minute penalty to force extra Former AFC Player of the Year Khalfan com- time at home to Al Qadsia before Mustafa Al- pleted his hat-trick in the first period of extra Bassas’s 115th minute effort saw off the time but despite being numerically disadvan- Kuwaits 2-1. taged, Al Wahda grabbed an equaliser through They will play in Group D along with the Ismail Matar’s 108th minute free kick. UAE’s Al Ahli, Tractor Sazi of Iran and Nasaf However, Hussain Fadhel’s effort was Qarshi of Uzbekistan. The eight groups of four blocked by Al Sadd goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb teams get underway next week. —Reuters LVIV: Referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco shows a yellow card to Bayern Munich’s Rafinha in this file photo. —AFP Venus put out No dream of orbit in debut for Dubai Open Afghans

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 201516 18 Celtic, Inter rematch tops Europa League Page 19

GERMANY: Schalke’s Atsuto Uchida (left) fights for the ball with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match. — AP Real move towards last eight

GERMANY: Holders Real Madrid have one foot in the Real won 6-1 at the Veltins Arena. safety. But on 27 minutes the visitors hit the front with Kevin-Prince Boateng. Boateng was booked as a Champions League quarter-finals after beating The home team had employed a compact 5-3-2 for- a remarkably simple goal. Aogo backed off Dani result of the foul, meaning he will be suspended for Schalke in the last 16, first leg, in Germany for a sec- mation in the hope of avoiding a repeat of that result Carvajal, allowing the Real full back to deliver a left- the return leg on March 10. ond year running. and they enjoyed a solid start. footed cross from the right side of the box. Ronaldo continued to threaten but Schalke sur- A Cristiano Ronaldo header gave the visitors a With the home fans and players growing in belief, Ronaldo was left completely unmarked and timed vived until the interval. In the second half, Boateng deserved lead at the break and Marcelo rifled home a Schalke wing back Dennis Aogo blazed over from the his run well to head over the advancing twice tried his luck from distance and Isco side-footed superb second goal with 11 minutes left as the edge of the box after being well set up by Eric Maxim Wellenreuther. It nearly got worse for the home team over from inside the box for Real before Schalke came Spanish league leaders stretched their winning streak Choupo-Moting and Marco Hoeger. just past the half hour when Toni Kroos played in desperately close to an equaliser. Atsuto Uchida ran in the competition to 10 games. And there were howls of derision when a wild Karim Benzema but 19-year-old Wellenreuther made on to a long ball after 74 minutes and cleverly teed up Ronaldo’s goal, his first in four matches, was his effort from Ronaldo almost went out for a throw-in as just enough contact to prevent the ball squirming the impressive Platte, who saw his fierce strike hit the 73rd in the Champions League. The Ballon d’Or win- Real, playing in unfamiliar pink, struggled to test into the net. bar. Uchida got on the end of the rebound but his ner now sits only two behind Barcelona’s Lionel Messi Schalke goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther on his Schalke’s hopes of coming back looked bleak when effort lacked the power to beat Casillas. in the all-time scorers list. Champions League debut. Huntelaar hobbled off through injury and was And Real ensured they would return to Spain with Schalke’s Champions League debutant Felix Platte Soon after that, former Real striker Klaas-Jan replaced by 19-year-old Platte. Wellenreuther then a commanding advantage when Brazilian left-back had struck the bar before Marcelo’s goal, as the Huntelaar followed up a bustling run with a long- flung himself to his right to keep out a free kick from Marcelo drove a sublime right-footed strike to the top German side fared much better than last season when range strike that Real ‘keeper Iker Casillas pushed to Ronaldo after the Real attacker was scythed down by corner from the edge of the penalty area. — AFP Porto come good at the end to hold Basel Chelsea fans spark BASEL: FC Porto were unfortu- from the right and fired a left- new racism storm nate not to come away from footed show low into the right- Switzerland with more than a 1-1 hand corner but Vaclik got down draw in Basel in their Champions smartly to turn it round the post PARIS: French and British police yes- es,” said a New Scotland Yard state- League last 16, first leg tie yester- for a corner. terday launched a hunt for self-pro- ment. The images shocked the football day after failing to convert their Then, having struggled on for claimed “racist” Chelsea football fans establishment. In a statement, Chelsea superiority into goals. For a long a further 10 minutes, Gonzalez who pushed a black man off a Paris called the incident “abhorrent” and time it appeared that Basel would finally hobbled off and was duly metro train. said it had “no place in football or soci- make home advantage and a fair replaced by Davide Calla three A new storm of controversy over ety”. amount of luck count after taking minutes later. racial abuse in the sport after amateur “We will support any criminal action an early lead and holding out Porto were playing some neat- video emerged showing the fans against those involved, and should evi- until the closing stages. ly controlled football and chanting: “We’re racist, we’re racist, and dence point to involvement of Chelsea Outplayed for long periods by thought their superior possession that’s the way we like it!” season-ticket holders or members, the a mobile and swift visiting side at had been rewarded on 35 min- English Premier League leaders club will take the strongest possible St Jakob-Park, Basel, had goal- utes when Cristian Tello appeared Chelsea called the affair “abhorrent”. action against them, including ban- keeper Tomas Vaclik, some poor to spring the offside trap running International football leaders also con- ning orders.” Porto finishing and two referee- on to a ball from Hector Herrera demned the incident in the centre of European football’s governing body ing decisions to thank for the and scooped the ball over Vaclik the French capital ahead of Chelsea’s UEFA said it was “appalled” by the slender lead they clung to against but the assistant referee stood Champions League game against Paris behaviour, but because the incident the run of play until a late penal- firm and called it offside. Saint Germain on Tuesday night. had occurred outside a stadium, it was ty. With both sides showing a The British supporters repeatedly “outside UEFA’s remit” to act upon it. Basel drew first blood in the muscular determination in the pushed back the man each time he Sepp Blatter, president of world 11th minute as Paraguayan Derlis tackle, English referee Marc SWITZERLAND: Basel’s Swiss forward Breel Embolo (center) vies tried to get on the packed carriage, governing body FIFA, wrote on Twitter: Gonzalez shrugged off a chal- Clattenburg ended the half with with Porto’s Brazilian midfielder Casemiro (left) and Porto’s according to film obtained by The “I also condemn the actions of a small lenge from Alex Sandro running four names in the book, Frei and Spanish defender Ivan Marcano during the UEFA Champions Guardian newspaper. group of Chelsea fans in Paris. There is on to a long defence-splitting ball Mohamed Elneny for Basel and League round of 16 first leg football match. — AFP French prosecutors said they have no place for racism in football!” through the middle from Fabian Casemiro and Oliver for Porto. a corner after Vaclik parried an have finally levelled in the 65th opened an investigation into “deliber- England’s Football Association said: Frei and squeezed it past the Five more followed in quick suc- initial header but again it was minute when he ran through and ate racial violence on public transport.” “The FA, like the club, completely con- onrushing Fabiano in the Porto cession in the second half, with ruled out by Clattenburg after a fired point-blank at Vaclik who “We will work with British police, these demn such disgraceful behaviour, goal. Basel’s Walter Samuel, Shkelzen long discussion with the assis- somehow got his body in the way people must be known,” a French which is a criminal offence, and those But in his over-exuberant cele- Gashhi and Marek Suchy, along tant, apparently for a foul on the and helped the ball loop up over police source told AFP. London police responsible should face the strongest brations, Gonzalez appeared to with Porto’s Alex Sandro and ‘keeper. the bar. confirmed that they would assist the possible punishment.” The footage was hurt himself and had to have Danilo also seeing yellow for ill- Ricardeo Quaresma, surpising- In the end, it took a penalty French investigation. filmed by Paul Nolan, a Briton living in treatment to a calf before he timed tackles. It looked as though ly missing from Porto’s starting from Danilo 11 minutes from the “We will examine the footage with a Paris. He told The Guardian he was could continue. Porto were finally back on level line-up, finally got a run out on end after Walter Samuel had han- view to seeing if we can apply for foot- “completely appalled” by what he saw On 20 minutes, Porto’s Danilo terms within three minutes of the the hour, replacing Brahimi.But it dled his cross in the area to bring ball banning orders, preventing peo- at Richelieu-Drouot station in central served notice of the visitors’ restart as Casemiro scooped the was fellow-striker, Colombian Porto a deserved share of the ple from travelling from future match- Paris. — AFP attacking intent when he cut in ball home in a crowded area from Jackson Martinez who should spoils. — AFP Saudi Aramco seeks $10bn loan from banks Page 22

Indian companies turn Business back on bank loans, issue bonds instead THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 Page 24 Sony outlines 3-year recovery plan, Qatar Airways’ B787 Dreamliner debuts in Tunisia targets $4.2bn earnings Page 25 Page 23

LONDON: People use ATM machines outside a branch of HSBC in London, yesterday. The chief political commentator for The Daily Telegraph newspaper, Peter Oborne has resigned over the British newspaper’s coverage of the HSBC scandal, alleging it was part of an effort to downplay critical coverage of the bank to preserve lucrative advertising contracts. —AP Swiss raid HSBC in money laundering probe Files provide details on over 100,000 HSBC clients GENEVA: Swiss authorities yesterday raided containing $119 billion (104 billion euros). the data theft in 2008 and we continue to than a week ago, HSBC’s Swiss banking arm said last week that the media reports on the the offices of British banking giant HSBC’s The files provided details on over 100,000 cooperate.” insisted it has undergone a “radical transfor- documents’ contents were based on just a Swiss unit as part of a money laundering HSBC clients, including people targeted by US According to Swiss law, a bank can be held mation” since the period referred to in the files. fraction of the files he handed over to French probe into the bank that has been accused of sanctions, suspected arms dealers and drug responsible for “aggravated money launder- HSBC now has “strong compliance controls authorities. helping clients to dodge millions of dollars in traffickers. ing” if it does not take all the necessary meas- in place”, Franco Morra, the head of HSBC’s “This is only the tip of the iceberg,” the 43- taxes. A wide range of celebrities, politicians and ures to ensure such infractions do not take Swiss unit, told AFP in an email, adding that year-old Franco-Italian told France’s Le Parisien The investigation comes just days after business leaders were also named in the files, place within its institution. the revelations are “a reminder that the old newspaper. HSBC Switzerland found itself at the centre of although their inclusion does not necessarily The prosecutor general Olivier Jornot in the business model of Swiss private banking is no Falciani remains wanted on data theft a global scandal following the publication of imply wrongdoing. Geneva canton and another top prosecutor, longer acceptable”. charges, but France and Spain have offered secret documents claiming it assisted many of The documents, which were originally Yves Bertossa, were heading the HSBC investi- The SwissLeaks documents were obtained him protection by refusing to extradite him to its wealthy clientele in thwarting the taxman. stolen by former HSBC IT worker Herve Falciani gations. by French newspaper Le Monde and shared Switzerland. “A search is currently under way in the in 2007, alleged that billions of dollars transit- They said the probe initially only targeted via the International Consortium of The SwissLeaks files have already been bank’s offices,” Geneva’s top prosecutors said ed through the bank as customers from the bank itself, but warned that “depending on Investigative Journalists with more than 45 used by the French government to track down in a statement. The search and money laun- around the world tried to dodge taxes in their the evolution, the investigation might be media organisations worldwide. tax evaders and shared with other states in dering investigation were launched “following home countries or laundered dodgy procedes broadened to include physical persons sus- As soon as the documents were made pub- 2010, leading to a series of prosecutions. the recent revelations related to HSBC Private through offshore shell corporations. pected of committing or participating in acts lic on February 9, calls arose for a Swiss probe In London, chief political commentator Bank (Switzerland),” they added. of money laundering”. against HSBC Switzerland, which is already fac- Peter Oborne announced his resignation from The cache of files, made public in the so- Risks five years prison Anyone found guilty of such crimes could ing prosecution in the United States, France, the Daily Telegraph as he accused the broad- called SwissLeaks case, claimed HSBC’s Swiss Following the raid, HSBC Switzerland said: face up to five years behind bars as well as Argentina, Spain and Belgium. sheet of suppressing negative stories about private banking arm helped clients in more “We have cooperated continuously with the large fines. Switzerland had so far only launched an HSBC to keep the valuable advertiser happy. than 200 countries evade taxes on accounts Swiss authorities since first becoming aware of Following the SwissLeaks revelations more investigation against Falciani. Falciani himself The Telegraph denied the accusations. — AFP Europe shares rise on Greek deal prospects Wall Street edges back from NEW YORK: Stocks in Europe marched to multi- record, investors await Fed year highs yesterday as investors shrugged off uncertainty over Greece’s negotiations with its NEW YORK: US stocks were modestly low- government confirmed it would ask for an creditors. er yesterday, a day after the S&P 500 end- extension of its loan agreement. Shares in Wall Street, meanwhile, was held in check ed above 2,100 for the first time, as Greek banks rose 5.7 percent. ahead of the release of minutes of the Federal investors looked ahead to comments from Still, the situation in Greece remained Reserve’s January meeting at 2 pm (1900 GMT) the Federal Reserve. uncertain, with the government in Athens as investors await clues on the US central bank’s Minutes from the January meeting of also looking to renegotiate Greece’s debts. plans to raise interest rates. the Federal Open Market Committee will US-listed shares of the National Bank of The Greek government said it will request a be released soon, and market participants Greece fell 5.8 percent to $1.54. loan extension for up to six months on Thursday will scour them for hints about whether Exxon Mobil fell 1.8 percent to $91.36 a but Germany said no such deal is on the table the central bank might change the lan- day after Warren Buffett’s Berkshire and Greece must stick to the terms of its bailout. guage of its next policy statement to flag Hathaway Inc disclosed that it had shed a The European Central Bank, meanwhile, faces a possible increase in interest rates, which $3.74 billion investment in the oil major resistance from Germany to allowing any extra could come as early as June. amid weaker commodity prices. Berkshire emergency lending for Greek banks, people Investors also continued to watch also disclosed a 5 percent stake in Deere & familiar with the matter said. whether a debt deal would be reached Co, sending shares up 2 percent to $91.75. “A lot of people are focused on the Fed min- with Greece. While the United States has Crude oil fell 2 percent to $52.46 per utes but that issue is kind of interwoven with the little direct exposure to the country, mar- barrel, snapping a three-day streak of situation in Europe,” said David Lebovitz, global ket participants are concerned that, with- gains of more than 1 percent. Oil is up market strategist at J.P. Morgan Funds in New out a deal, volatility could spread through almost 19 percent from a recent closing ATHENS: Greece’s Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, second left, leaves the Presidential Palace after York. the euro zone. low, but remains down more than 50 per- his meeting with Greek President Karolos Papoulias in Athens, yesterday. — AP “The massive amounts of monetary stimulus “A lot of people are focused on the Fed cent since June. that have been deployed abroad are continuing 2.1238 percent after touching a high of 2.164 The FTSEuroFirst 300 index of leading minutes, but that issue is kind of interwov- “While things look fairly valued in to put upward pressure on the US dollar, and I percent. European shares rose 0.7 percent to a fresh sev- en with the situation in Europe,” said David aggregate, it’s too late to sell the energy think that will make it hard for the Fed to raise Producer price data for January indicated US en-year high of 1,516.81. Greek stocks recovered Lebovitz, global market strategist at J.P. sector and too early to buy it,” Lebovitz rates.” inflation remained subdued, which could boost some of this week’s losses to trade 1.1 percent Morgan Funds in New York. said. The flip side of investors’ appetite for risk saw the argument against a rate hike by the Fed, higher. “The massive amounts of monetary Fossil Group Inc sank 18 percent to increased selling of core government bonds, while other economic data pointed to a slowly Brent crude oil was down 1.4 percent at stimulus that have been deployed abroad $80.96 after the fashion accessory maker pushing the yield on benchmark 10-year US. accelerating US economy. $61.68 a barrel after rallying earlier in the week are continuing to put upward pressure on reported quarterly earnings and revenue Treasuries to its highest since the first trading The Dow Jones industrial average fell 46.16 amid threats to Middle East production and a the US dollar, and I think that will make it below expectations. Garmin Ltd fell 10 day of the year. points, or 0.26 percent, to 18,001.42, the S&P 500 falling US rig count. Brent is up around 35 per- hard for the Fed to raise rates.” percent to $50.70 after the navigation MSCI’s all-country world stock index edged lost 6.17 points, or 0.29 percent, to 2,094.17 and cent from its low of near $45 a barrel barely a European shares rose 0.7 percent, hit- device maker gave an earnings outlook up 0.04 percent, while benchmark 10-year US the Nasdaq Composite dropped 8.09 points, or month ago. US crude was off 0.9 percent to ting a seven-year high after the Greek below estimates. — Reuters Treasury notes were up 6/32 in price to yield 0.17 percent, to 4,891.18. $53.04 after weekly inventory data. — Reuters BUSINESS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 Saudi Aramco seeks $10bn loan from banks

DUBAI: State oil giant Saudi Aramco is talking to Aramco also has a $4 billion existing loan due facility, giving Aramco flexibility to opt when it Riyadh last month that it was “even more commit- banks about taking a $10 billion loan for general to mature later this year, and has been linked with wants to withdraw cash. ted today to diversifying and investing in new sec- business purposes, according to two banking acquiring a minority stake in German synthetic A potential use is to fund an acquisition of a tors” despite the impact of oil price declines. sources aware of the matter, with one saying the rubber firm Lanxess. stake in Laxness, which has a market value of $4.7 Oil prices hit an almost six-year low of $45.19 in deal could close by the end of the month. The sources who confirmed the talks, taking billion, according to Thomson Reuters data. January, but have since rebounded to trade at News of the talks comes at a time when place with local and international banks, spoke on Aramco is competing with Russia’s NKNK for the around $61 a barrel yesterday. Another potential Aramco, the world’s biggest oil exporter, is adapt- condition of anonymity as the information isn’t deal, sources told Reuters on Feb. 9. use for the proceeds is to refinance the $4 billion ing to much lower crude prices than have been public. Aramco has been seeking to make inroads into loan due to mature towards the end of this year. It experienced in recent years, with the firm saying Aramco didn’t immediately respond to a more advanced chemicals to diversify away from was originally signed in 2010 and was provided by last month it will renegotiate some contracts and request for comment. One of the sources said the its oil and basic petrochemicals businesses, and 28 banks including Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, BNP postpone some projects due to falling oil prices. loan would be structured as a revolving credit Chief Executive Khalid al-Falih told a conference in Paribas and Riyad Bank. — Reuters Kuwait: December saw modest growth in credit NBK ECONOMIC REPORT KUWAIT: Credit growth closed 2014 below age in 2015, albeit at a slowing pace. expectations, with December’s gain coming in All remaining credit rose by a small KD 32 at the monthly average during the year. Growth million, with growth rising to 4.8% y/y. Lending came in at 6.2% year-on-year (y/y)in December, for the purchase of securities was the main with the month seeing a KD 152 million gain in source of the gain adding KD 137 million; this lending. Still, credit growth was slower in 2014 was followed by public services, with a net gain compared to 2013, held back by the acquisition of KD 36 million, and real estate, which added of Family Fund loans and the pay down of lega- KD 26 million. Meanwhile, construction, indus- cy debt by some corporates. December’s gain try, and trade all saw declines. Growth in credit was largely in household debt and lending for to “productive sectors” (i.e. excluding real estate the purchase of securities while business sec- and securities) eased to 6.1% y/y, down from a tors continued to show weakness. Deposits reg- peak of 10% in March 2014. istered a flat month in December, which further confirmed the slowing trend in money supply Money supply growth eases growth during 2014; interest rates eased on the The real estate, oil and “other” sectorswere month. 2014’s largest business sector contributors The household sector remained a strong adding KD 690 million of all remaining credit’s driver of credit growth. Household debt saw a KD 905 million net gains. Credit to the trade sec- net gain of KD 110 million in December, though tor performed modestly during the year, while growth eased slightly to 12.7% y/y. Growth in credit to industry and construction saw a con- lending to consumers was faster if adjusted for traction in 2014. Money supply (M2) growth the Family Fund loans; these loans were eased in December to 2.9% y/y on a flat month acquired and removed from banks’ balance for deposits. Private deposits were up by a mere NEWARK: In this Jan 23, 2015 file photo, Sonu Singh pumps gas for a motorist at a Delta gas station in downtown Newark, N.J., where the cash price for sheets during 2014. Installment loans, support- KD 15 million. There was a large move to KD regular unleaded was listed at $1.71. The lowest gas prices in five years had given people more spending money, and hiring was surging. And yet — to ed by a healthy economic environment, rose by time deposits,which rose by KD 532 the surprise of analysts — consumers have held their wallets closely. — AP a net KD 1.1 billion during the year, accounting million,most of it from KD sight (down by KD for 60% of 2014’s net credit growth. 422 million). As a result, M1 growth fell to 5.3% Credit to non-bank financials saw another y/y, its slowest pace since mid-2012. Average For many in US, cash saved at small increase of KD 10 million during customer deposit rates on dinar time deposits December, the second consecutive month of were unchanged. The average rates onthe 1- increase. Still, the sector remained in deleverag- month, 3-month, 6-month and 12-month time ingmode in 2014 with credit shrinking by 12.4% deposits declined by 2-4 bps to 0.60%, 0.79%, gas pump staying in pockets y/y. The sector is likely to continue to delever- 0.97% and 1.20%, respectively. WASHINGTON: In recent months, the stage an earlier estimate of about 3 percent. Cheaper gas is saving Jon Woll and his wife seemed set for American consumers to do what In the meantime, many Americans are finding about $30 a week. Yet they aren’t splurging. they’ve traditionally done best: Spend money - more money in their pockets. In January, the Instead, they’re using the extra cash to pay off and drive the economy. national average gas price fell to $2.03 a gallon, credit card debt. They do plan to spend more The lowest gas prices in five years had given according to AAA, the lowest since 2009. this summer on a longer vacation. people more spending money. Employers Though the average has since risen to $2.24, it’s Woll, 44, and his wife live just outside added over 1 million jobs from November still nearly $1.10 cheaper than 12 months ago. Minneapolis with their 8-year-old daughter. through January, the best three-month pace in As a result, the typical household will have $750 Though gas prices have fallen steadily since fall, 17 years. Businesses even raised pay in more in hand this year, according to an estimate they are only now feeling the benefit. December. Economists had forecast that last by the government’s Energy Information “We’re starting to notice in our bank account week’s retail sales report for January would Administration. that the money just seems to be there, more show a healthy rise. than in the past,” Woll said. And yet - to the surprise of analysts - con- Why aren’t Americans spending more? Economists say it can take three to six sumers have held their wallets closely. Even One key reason: The deep damage to months for consumers to spend “found money,” though Americans spent $6.7 billion less at gas Americans’ finances from the recession has con- such as a tax rebate or savings from cheaper gas. stations in January than they had two months tinued to leave households more frugal than If that trend holds true, US spending, and eco- earlier, the extra cash didn’t get spent anywhere many economists had expected. Americans nomic growth, could pick up in coming months. else: Retail sales, excluding gas, fell slightly from have shrunk their debt loads but still aren’t “I have no doubts that money will be spent November to January. ready to spend as freely as they did before. over the next couple of quarters,” said Andrew The unexpected pullback provided evidence “Even more than five years after the end of Labelle, an economist at TD Bank Group. that drivers had used their extra money to fur- the Great Recession, the U.S. consumer is still Auto sales provide an encouraging example. ther rebuild their savings and reduce their debts exhibiting a degree of caution,” Michael Feroli, Americans put off replacing their cars during the - a trend that began after the financial crisis and an economist at JPMorgan Chase, said in a note recession and in the first several years of the recession. to clients. sluggish economic recovery. By early 2013, the In the long run, deeper savings and shrunken Americans saved 4.9 percent of their income average age of a car on U.S. roads had reached a debts benefit individual households - and, even- in December, up from 4.3 percent in November, record high of nearly 12 years. tually, even the economy as a whole, because according to government data. Feroli estimates But eventually, as hiring increased and eco- they supply fuel for a sustained flow of future that the savings rate rose again last month to 5.3 nomic growth strengthened, more consumers spending. percent. That would be the highest rate in nearly replaced their old clunkers. Auto sales reached For now, though, the slowdown in consumer a year and a half. their highest level in eight years last year. spending likely means the economy will grow Some economists note, too, that people Lynn Franco, an economist at the Conference more slowly in the first quarter of the year than accrue savings from lower gas prices only gradu- Board, expects greater hiring and rising con- economists had previously envisioned. Their ally and, if they do step up spending, tend to do sumer confidence to soon lift spending and forecast now is for annualized growth of 2.5 per- so slowly at first. Many Americans also may not growth. Greater savings now “frees up money for cent from January through March, down from feel sure that the low gas prices will last. more spending down the road,” she said. — AP

EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Syrian Pound 2.565 Philippine Peso 0.006589 0.006869 Nepalese Rupees 3.975 Sierra Leone 0.000066 0.000072 Malaysian Ringgit 83.445 Singapore Dollar 0.215690 0.221690 ASIAN COUNTRIES CURRENCIES TELEX TRANSFER PER 1000 South African Rand 0.019455 0.027955 Japanese Yen 2.527 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 47.870 Australian Dollar 227.72 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001885 0.002465 Indian Rupees 4.798 Thai Bhat 10.060 Canadian Dollar 243.15 Taiwan 0.009314 0.009494 Pakistani Rupees 2.918 Turkish Lira 120.790 Swiss Franc 322.91 Thai Baht 0.008748 0.009298 Srilankan Rupees 2.217 Euro 341.15 Nepali Rupees 3.002 US Dollar 296.50 Arab Singapore Dollar 219.200 Sterling Pound 458.91 Bahrain Exchange Company Hongkong Dollar 38.133 Bahraini Dinar 0.780011 0.788011 Japanese Yen 2.53 Bangladesh Taka 3.793 Egyptian Pound 0.035956 0.039056 Bangladesh Taka 3.811 Philippine Peso 6.706 CURRENCY BUY SELL Iranian Riyal 0.000082 0.000083 Indian Rupee 4.766 Thai Baht 9.101 Europe Iraqi Dinar 0.000191 0.000251 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.221 Irani Riyal transfer 61.555 Belgian Franc 0.007726 0.008728 Jordanian Dinar 0.414149 0.421649 Irani Riyal cash 121.740 Nepali Rupee 2.980 British Pound 0.450567 0.459567 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Pakistani Rupee 2.930 Czech Korune 0.004264 0.016264 Lebanese Pound 0.000147 0.000247 GCC COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 80.57 Danish Krone 0.041466 0.046466 Moroccan Dirhams 0.022000 0.046000 Saudi Riyal 78.811 Bahraini Dinar 786.95 Euro 0.332804 0.340804 Nigerian Naira 0.001210 0.001845 Qatari Riyal 81.270 Egyptian Pound 38.76 Norwegian Krone 0.035168 0.040368 Omani Riyal 0.764111 0.769791 Omani Riyal 768.650 Jordanian Dinar 421.29 Romanian Leu 0.085049 0.085049 Qatar Riyal 0.080730 0.081943 Bahraini Dinar 785.700 Omani Riyal 768.93 Slovakia 0.008733 0.018733 Saudi Riyal 0.078430 0.079130 UAE Dirham 80.561 Qatari Riyal 81.65 Swedish Krona 0.031279 0.036279 Syrian Pound 0.001269 0.001389 Saudi Riyal 78.98 Swiss Franc 0.313438 0.323638 Tunisian Dinar 0.150684 0.158684 ARAB COUNTRIES Turkish Lira 0.118730 0.125730 Turkish Lira 0.118730 0.125730 Egyptian Pound - Cash 39.065 UAE Dirhams 0.079745 0.080894 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 38.822 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Australasia Yemeni Riyal 0.001339 0.001419 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.381 Australian Dollar 0.222280 0.233780 Tunisian Dinar 153.610 New Zealand Dollar 0.215554 0.225054 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Jordanian Dinar 417.130 Al Mulla Exchange US Dollar 296.250 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.985 America Canadian Dollar 240.710 Syrian Lira 2.108 Canadian Dollar 0.233203 0.241703 Sterling Pound 457.775 Morocco Dirham 31.291 US Dollars 0.292400 0.297100 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Euro 340.055 US Dollars Mint 0.292900 0.297100 US Dollar 295.600 Swiss Frank 275.655 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Euro 334.700 Bahrain Dinar 788.025 US Dollar Transfer 295.700 Asia Pound Sterlng 450.800 UAE Dirhams 81.035 Euro 336.800 Bangladesh Taka 0.003508 0.004108 Canadian Dollar 236.700 Qatari Riyals 82.195 Sterling Pound 445.692 Chinese Yuan 0.046133 0.049633 Indian Rupee 4.765 Saudi Riyals 79.190 Canadian dollar 234.870 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036143 0.038893 Egyptian Pound 38.710 Jordanian Dinar 418.150 Turkish lira 121.540 Indian Rupee 0.004462 0.004863 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.219 Egyptian Pound 38.750 Swiss Franc 321.410 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.222 Bangladesh Taka 3.796 Australian Dollar 231.090 Japanese Yen 0.002418 0.002598 Indian Rupees 4.763 Philippines Peso 6.685 US Dollar Buying 294.500 Kenyan Shilling 0.003285 0.003285 Pakistani Rupees 2.923 Pakistan Rupee 2.925 Korean Won 0.000260 0.000275 Bangladesh Taka 3.806 Bahraini Dinar 787.100 GOLD Malaysian Ringgit 0.079324 0.085324 Philippines Pesso 6.692 UAE Dirham 80.450 20 gram 238.100 Nepalese Rupee 0.003031 0.003201 Cyprus pound 727.170 Saudi Riyal 79.000 10 gram 121.740 Pakistan Rupee 0.002698 0.002978 5 gram 61.560 Japanese Yen 3.495 *Rates are subject to change BUSINESS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 Japan Post makes $5.07 billion bid for Australia’s Toll

SYDNEY: Australia’s Toll Holdings on Wednesday Toll is the largest independent logistics group in the A solid move sheets and, given the two-way trade between recommended shareholders accept a US$5.07 bil- Asia-Pacific. “Together, this will be a very powerful The government of former Prime Minister Australia and Japan, this is a solid move,” he said. lion takeover offer from Japan Post to create one of combination and one of the world’s top five logis- Junichiro Koizumi split the state-owned Japan Post Shamu’s IG Markets colleague Chris Weston added the world’s largest logistics companies. tics companies.” A shareholder meeting to vote on into four units in 2007, to handle deliveries, savings, that “no-one was expecting a bid and if they were The Japanese behemoth, a state-owned global the offer will be held in May, with the deal also insurance and counter services at each of its post they weren’t expecting that sort of magnitude”. postal and logistics player, unexpectedly offered requiring approval from Australian Treasurer Joe offices. The government retained full ownership of Toll, which was founded in 1888 as a horse-and- Aus$9.04 a share for Toll, a 49 percent premium to Hockey under the nation’s foreign investment laws. the group at first, with plans for the bank and insur- cart coal haulage business in the Australian port the company’s closing price on Tuesday, valuing it Toll has a global network spanning road, air, sea, ance units to go fully private by 2017. town of Newcastle, said the merger would enhance at Aus$6.49 billion ($5.07 billion). and rail routes with significant operations in Asia, But the plan was stalled after the long-ruling its service to existing and new customers. Few had been anticipating an acquisition. Under and Takahashi said it was a perfect fit for Japan Post Liberal Democratic Party lost power to the “The proposed combination is a reflection of the the proposal, the Melbourne-based transport logis- as it looks to expand its global footprint. Democratic Party of Japan between 2009 to 2012. strategic value of our business and our strong foot- tics giant will be run as a division within Japan Post “We believe the combination of Japan Post and After returning to power in 2012, the current print throughout the Asia-Pacific region,” said and retain the Toll name, with the company’s chief Toll will be a transformational transaction for both LDP-led government resumed the privatisation Kruger. “The great Toll culture built on safety and executive Brian Kruger reporting to his counterpart our companies and we are very pleased we have project with Japan Post in December confirming it operational excellence will work well alongside Toru Takahashi. “We are delighted to recommend been able to reach agreement,” he said. will list its shares in Tokyo this year. Japan Post’s established values. I am delighted to to shareholders that Toll joins with Japan Post,” said “In partnership with Toll we are starting a new IG Markets strategist Stan Shamu said the deal have been invited to lead this powerful new divi- chairman Ray Horsburgh. “Japan Post is one of the chapter of looking outward and becoming a lead- was a good one for Toll. “Japanese companies hold sion of Japan Post and look forward to working with world’s leading postal and logistics companies and ing global player.” an enormous amount of cash on their balance the rest of the group.” — AFP Sony outlines 3-year recovery plan, targets $4.2bn earnings

TOKYO: Money-losing Sony will spin off its long-term damage from the cyberattack that video-and-sound business into a separate became public in December, over a Sony company and shrink its headquarters as part Pictures movie called “The Interview” which of a three-year turnaround plan to speed up spoofs an assassination of North Korean decision-making and become profitable leader Kim Jong Un. again. The film has been released in independent The company is targeting an operating theaters and through Internet outlets. Once profit of 500 billion yen ($4.2 billion) and a 10 an icon of Japan Inc. praised for introducing percent return on equity for the fiscal year products such as the Walkman portable through March 2018, but it won’t target sales, music player, Sony has run into serious trou- highlighting its new approach of valuing ble in recent years as it fell behind in areas profitability and not going after size. “The including smartphones and flat-panel TVs. Sony spirit is about doing what others didn’t Hirai acknowledged the company had dare to do” Chief Executive Kazuo Hirai said failed to keep abreast of changing times. Wednesday in outlining the company’s strate- Splitting out divisions will help make it more gy. Sony must not be afraid to change if it nimble, making each operation more hoped “to grow in a Sony-like way,” Hirai told accountable for results, he said. reporters at the Japanese electronics and Sony spun off its TV unit last year and exit- entertainment company’s Tokyo head office. ed the personal computer business. Sony is Hirai pointed to image sensors that are expecting a loss of 170 billion yen ($1.4 bil- used in devices such as smartphones and lion) for the fiscal year through March. It had self-parking cars, entertainment operations a 40 billion yen loss last fiscal year. such as TV programming and the PlayStation While encouraging autonomy in its divi- game business as potential areas for growth. sions, Sony must still work as one, and keep- The video-and-sound unit will become ing that balance is critical, Hirai said. When more independent by October, he said. Other asked about his responsibility after leading parts of Sony’s sprawling empire may also be the company for three years, a question com- spun off, such as computer chips and batter- mon for chiefs of embattled Japanese compa- ies, but details were not yet decided, said nies, Hirai acknowledged he had won some TOKYO: A pedestrian walks past a share prices board in Tokyo yesterday. Tokyo stocks gained 1.18 percent to close at a seven-year high on Hirai. Sony will also invest in innovative areas, and lost some. But he made it clear he wasn’t hopes for an end to Greece’s debt stand-off, while a weak yen supported exporters. — AFP including through acquisitions and partner- about to step down. “My responsibility lies in ships, although he didn’t announce specific taking my company to the next stage of deals, according to Hirai. growth,” he said. Sony shares have more than Asia stocks boosted by doubled in price on the Tokyo Stock Driver of growth Exchange over the past year on hopes of a Sony said it still sees its film division as a recovery. Sony closed Wednesday at 3,174.5 driver of growth. It has said it does not expect yen, up 1.6 percent. — AP Greek debt deal hopes Most markets closed for Lunar New Year holiday

HONG KONG: Asian markets rallied and the enough stability so that we can negotiate a new to $53.16 while Brent eased 35 cents to $62.18. euro held up yesterday on hopes of a settlement agreement between Greece and Europe.” Gold fetched $1,205.48 an ounce, against in Greece’s debt stand-off after it emerged that The news will come as a relief after two euro- $1,220.88 on Tuesday. the country will ask for an extension to its zone finance ministers’ meetings in the past bailout and avoid a painful eurozone exit. week both collapsed without agreement, as In other markets: Another record close on Wall Street also pro- Athens refused to continue with the bailout that Mumbai rose 0.63 percent, or 184.38 points, to vided support, although trade was thin with imposed swingeing spending cuts and tax hikes. end at 29,320.26 points. Housing Development some markets closed and others winding down The apparent change of face also comes days Finance Corporation rose 2.96 percent to for the Lunar New Year holiday. before its financial lifeline package expires, 1,326.20 rupees, while motorbike major Hero Tokyo rallied 1.18 percent, or 212.08 points, which would leave the country without any cash Motocorp fell 5.09 percent to 2,663.45 rupees. to 18,199.17, while Hong Kong ended up 0.14 and unable to pay its bills, leading it to default Bangkok climbed 0.97 percent, or 15.39 points, to percent, or 47.20 points,at 24,832.08. Singapore and almost certainly an exit from the eurozone. 1,603.14. Supermarket operator Big C added 0.58 percent, or 19.75 points, to 3,435.66 Investors bought up the euro on the reports Supercenter rose 3.06 percent to 236.00 baht, in abbreviated trading. and it held the gains in Asia.The single currency while Airports of Thailand gained 1.95 percent to Sydney rose 0.98 percent, or 57.5 points, to fetched $1.1407 and 135.80 yen Wednesday, 313.00 baht. Jakarta ended up 0.99 percent, or TOKYO: Sony Corp Chief Executive Kazuo Hirai speaks about its turnaround strategy close at 5,915.7, with logistics firm Toll Holdings down from $1.1413 and 136.13 yen in New York 52.95 points, at 5,390.45. Lender Bank Rakyat during a press conference at the company’s headquarters in Tokyo yesterday. — AP surging almost 50 percent on news Japan Post afternoon but well above the $1.1357 and Indonesia gained 3.96 percent to 12,475 rupiah, offered to buy the firm in a deal worth more 134.70 yen quoted in Tokyo earlier Tuesday. while coal miner Bukit Asam slipped 1.81 percent than $5 billion. Shanghai, Seoul and Taipei were The dollar fetched 119.00 yen from 119.29 to 10,875 rupiah. Kuala Lumpur’s main stock 2015 Mustang earns vehicle closed for public holidays. yen in New York and 118.55 yen in Tokyo on index lost 0.12 percent, or 2.22 points, to close at Greek public television said Tuesday that the Tuesday. US shares resumed their record-break- 1,807.87. Public Bank eased 1.29 percent to 18.30 safety rating from NHTSA new government would apply for further aid ing run Tuesday after they were closed Monday ringgit, Sime Darby dipped 0.32 percent to 9.47 from its European partners, but would not sign for a public holiday. The S&P 500 climbed 0.16 while Malayan Banking added 0.22 percent to DUBAI: The 2015 Ford Mustang received a driver assist features. The 2015 Mustang up to the painful austerity measures imposed on percent to a second straight all-time high, while 9.22 ringgit. Wellington fell 0.15 percent, or 8.85 top safety rating from the National has a myriad of standard safety features the country. And in an interview with German the Dow added 0.16 percent. The Nasdaq was up points, to 5,741.36. Fletcher Building slumped Highway Traffic Safety Administration aimed at protecting drivers and occupants, public broadcaster ZDF Greek Finance Minister 0.11 percent. Oil prices, which have enjoyed a 5.03 percent to NZ$8.30 after a disappointing (NHTSA). The 2015 Mustang earned a five- as well as semi-autonomous and driver Yanis Varoufakis said: “We should extend the small recovery over the past week, eased. US half-year result, while Air New Zealand edged star Overall Vehicle Score in NHTSA’s New assist features that are new to the vehicle. credit programme by a few months to have benchmark West Texas Intermediate fell 37 cents down 0.19 percent to NZ$2.62. —AFP Car Assessment Program (NCAP) testing. Features on the 2015 Mustang include The New Car Assessment Program is the an all-new inflatable airbag restraint National Highway Traffic Safety design, double the number of airbags in BoJ holds fire on stimulus Benefit from exciting Administration’s evaluation program for the vehicle, a robust package of peripheral discounts on KIA new vehicle designs established to test for crash sensors and enhanced exterior light- despite weak GDP figures performance against safety threats. The all- ing. The 2015 Ford Mustang also offers vehicles with Gulf Bank new 2015 Mustang received five stars in innovative semi-autonomous technologies TOKYO: The Bank of Japan yesterday held He added: “The BoJ does not seem to be the frontal crash test, five stars in the side including Adaptive Cruise Control. Driver off launching fresh stimulus, even as weak fully convinced over the strength of the crash test and five stars in the rollover crash assist features include BLIS and Cross-Traffic growth figures earlier this week aggravate economic recovery, and we still think that test. “The new Mustang was built from the Alert. The sleek new design of Mustang concerns about the strength of a recovery policymakers will announce more stimulus ground up,” said Carl Widmann, Mustang fastback and convertible is backed up by in the world’s number three economy. in late-April.” Markets were now looking to chief engineer. “It is more refined, more world-class performance from a range of Policymakers said Japan was seeing a BoJ governor Haruhiko Kuroda’s regular powerful and it has everything people have available engines, including a new tur- “moderate recovery trend”, after wrapping post-meeting press briefing later in the day. come to love about Mustang for the past bocharged 325 hpEcoBoost(r) 2.3-liter and up a two-day meeting, but they further cut 50 years.” an upgraded 5.0-liter V8 with more than back on their inflation expectations, in a Inflation target The all-new 2015 Mustang is currently 420 hp. In addition to state-of-the-art con- sign that the BoJ’s price targets look Last month, the bank slashed its infla- arriving in Ford dealerships across the nectivity systems, Mustang features avail- increasingly out of reach. tion outlook as plunging oil prices dent Middle East. Safety, semi-autonomous and able track apps, launch control and more. The central bank’s decision to keep its efforts to slay years of deflation, although already massive stimulus unchanged was policymakers still boosted their growth widely expected, but analysts have said forecasts and said the economy was that weak growth figures may force the rebounding. On Wednesday, the BoJ’s post- BoJ’s hand on further easing later this year. meeting statement said inflation, excluding On Monday, official data showed that the effects of the tax hike, was hovering Japan’s economy limped out of recession in around 0.5 percent, down from an earlier KUWAIT: National Agencies Group, KIA Motors is hav- the last quarter of 2014, with a weaker- range of 0.5-1.0 percent that the bank used ing exclusive discounts, free service offers, voucher than-expected 0.6 percent expansion last month. The price downgrades under- giveaways and chances to enter a monthly draw on between October and December-or 2.2 score how reaching the BoJ’s 2.0 percent gold in cooperation with Gulf Bank. percent on an annualised basis. inflation target by early next year looks Customers will benefit from exclusive discounts on That followed two consecutive quarters unlikely, and it may ramp up expectations selected KIA models. Also, customers who finance KIA of contraction that came as an April sales for another round of monetary easing. Sorrento’s and KIA Optima’s will enjoy free service for tax rise hammered consumer spending. But The BoJ’s inflation target is a corner- up to 2 years or 40,000 KM whichever comes first. economists had expected a stronger 0.9 stone of Tokyo’s wider bid to turn around That’s not all, new KIA owners will receive vouchers percent expansion on-quarter, and over the years of tepid growth by generating price plus get a chance to enter a monthly draw on Gold. full year the preliminary data showed zero rises and prompting firms to boost their These exclusive discounts are available until March growth, compared with 1.6 percent in hiring and expansion plans. 31, 2015 and car selection is subject to terms and con- 2013. “As was widely expected, the Bank of But the sales tax hike-aimed at bringing ditions. To take advantage of these exclusive discounts Japan left policy settings unchanged at down Japan’s massive national debt- made available for Gulf Bank Customers, kindly visit us today’s meeting,” said Marcel Thieliant from slammed the brakes on consumer spend- in the KIA Showroom in Al Rai. Gulf Bank is committed Capital Economics. ing, briefly plunging the economy into to providing customers a constantly expanding selec- “Board members upgraded their assess- recession and throwing the success of tion of new and exclusive promotions, in addition to its ment of industrial production and exports, Tokyo’s growth blitz into question. exceptional range of financial products and banking which they now see picking up. But they The BoJ surprised markets in October services. To find out more about our financial products also acknowledged the disappointing Q4 when it announced an expansion of its and banking services, customers are encouraged to GDP data released on Monday by noting huge asset-buying programme-similar to contact the Customer Contact Center or go to the that the recovery in private consumption the Fed’s now wound-up quantitative eas- bank’s bilingual website at www.e-gulfbank.com/loans has been sluggish in some areas.” ing plan. —AFP BUSINESS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 Indian companies turn back on Gold slips to six-week low LONDON: Gold eased towards six-week despite all the current obstacles,” Saxo lows yesterday, extending the previous Bank’s head of commodity strategy Ole bank loans, issue bonds instead day’s 1.8 percent drop, as hopes for a suc- Hansen said. cessful resolution to Greece’s debt talks “Failure will attract buying of gold, but MUMBAI: Indian corporate bond issuance this rate last month to 7.75 percent from 8.00 percent. 8.58 percent at the end of last year. Yields have boosted assets seen as higher risk, such as for now traders are reluctant to get year looks set to surpass 2013 and 2014 as expen- Only three out of 45 domestic commercial banks dropped on a fall in inflation, expectations of stocks. involved. Main attention today should be sive bank loans force companies seeking funding have lowered rates, with most arguing they can- more RBI cuts and a surge in buying from foreign The market is awaiting further direc- the FOMC minutes, considering the con- to try their luck in capital markets. So far, they not cut costs for borrowers as they are facing investors. “The current spread between corporate tion from the minutes of the US Federal tinued dislocation between where the haven’t been disappointed. tight cash conditions. The central bank is loath to bond yields and base rates is the maximum in at Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) policy market and where the FOMC have indict- Indian firms have raised 335.9 billion rupees inject more funds into the overnight money mar- least the last few years,” said Sandeep Bagla, asso- meeting later, but looked vulnerable to ed rates will go.” ($5.40 billion) via short- and long-term corporate ket, saying it is providing sufficient funding, and ciate director at Trust Group, a brokerage and further losses with the absence of Chinese Gold has come under pressure from debt in a little over a month and a half this year, that banks are simply not managing their cash wealth management company. The low yields buyers during the Lunar New Year break. expectations the Fed will raise interest Spot gold was down 0.1 percent at rates as early as June this year, potentially well on their way to matching the total of 2.3 tril- well. have attracted new - and rare - issuers, which fur- $1,207.21 an ounce at 1014 GMT, while US lifting the dollar and boosting the oppor- lion rupees raised in each of the previous two The average base rate of 10.25 percent at ther bodes well for issuance this year. Among gold futures for April delivery were down tunity cost of holding non-yielding assets, years, according to Thomson Reuters data. state-run banks is 100-150 basis points higher them in recent months have been Reliance Jio $1.20 an ounce at $1,207.40. Spot prices such as bullion. Bank loans are relatively expensive even after than the Reuters 10-year benchmark corporate Infocomm Ltd, Jindal Steel and Power Ltd and hit their lowest since early January on The dollar rose 0.2 percent against the the Reserve Bank of India reduced its key policy bond rate, which has fallen to 8.33 percent from Nuclear Power Corp of India Ltd. — Reuters Tuesday at $1,203.30. euro on Wednesday ahead of the minutes. “Greece remains the joker, and from European shares were up 0.6 percent as looking at all markets from stocks to investors hoped that Greece will resolve bonds and the euro the market firmly debt negotiations with its creditors by the believes that a solution will be found end of the week. — Reuters

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Lower oil prices pose no threat to bank creditworthiness

MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE REPORT

NEW YORK: We do not see any immi- nomic activity. Also, lower oil prices fundamental creditworthiness. Banks ronment for banks. Nevertheless, a North America Europe nent threats for rated banks from the will weigh on net oil exporters’ growth, have seen broad improvements in prolonged period of depressed oil * In Canada, we expect credit costs * In the current challenging eco- recent precipitous decline in oil prices. which will broadly offset the income asset quality and capitalization, which prices would reduce surpluses, weak- associated with banks’ consumer port- nomic environment, we expect the On balance, lower oil prices will broad- gains from lower oil prices. should provide them with sufficient en investor confidence and economic folios to rise, although this pressure positive impact of lower oil prices to ly support bank creditworthiness On balance, lower oil prices will resources to absorb any oil-price-dri- activity and exert pressure on the could be offset somewhat by increased be small, even though most globally given lower input costs and broadly support bank creditworthi- ven loan quality deterioration.That GCC governments to rationalize exports due to the depreciation of the European countries are net improved debt-service capacity for ness across our global rated portfolio said, the low interest-rate environment expenses. Canadian dollar. We also expect rising importers of oil. The drop in oil corporate and household borrowers. given the following: and lingering low-growth conditions The initial pinch for banks will like- credit costs for loan exposures to oil- prices is adding to the hurdles poli- Nonetheless, direct and indirect expo- * Consumer exposures - lower continue to constrain many banks’ ly be on the liability side, with related corporates, which account for cymakers face in addressing already sures to the drop in oil prices pose the household spending on oil will sup- profitability, which could be further reduced deposit inflows from govern- 2% to 3% of total loans, while revenues low price inflation and attendant potential for asset quality and earn- port consumer debtservice capacity, eroded by knock-on effects of sus- ment-related depositors. Loan from underwriting and other capital impacts on growth. Two countries, ings deterioration for several banking all else being equal. tained low oil prices. growth and profitability are also likely markets-related activities will suffer. The Norway and Austria, have more par- systems (particularly in those coun- * Corporate exposures - lower This report provides an overview of to suffer, although a material impact direct effects on US banks will be limit- ticular concerns. For Norway, oil and tries that are net oil exporters) the input costs should reduce production the degree and direction (positive or on asset quality is unlikely in the near ed primarily to specialized regional gas account for more than one fifth longer prices remain depressed. and operating negative) of oil-related impacts across term. Among the GCC banking sys- lenders, while the macroeconomic of economic output and two-thirds Further, banks in the Gulf Cooperation expenses and improve profitability. our portfolio of rated banks, through tems, Oman and Bahrain are the most effects of lower oil prices will be sup- of exports. In addition, many Council region could face pressure on * Capital markets-related the key consumer, corporate and capi- vulnerable to sustained lower oil portive of the operating environment Norwegian companies supply the oil funding liquidity in the event that his- activity/exposures - increased oil-relat- tal markets channels discussed above, prices given high break-even prices, for banks more broadly. and gas industry, meaning that a sig- torically high deposit inflows from ed market volatility could provide which we will cover in more detail in tighter fiscal positions and relatively nificant portion of non-hydrocarbon government and government-related investment banks with higher returns the regional snapshots that follow. low government reserves. Latin America exports are linked to the perform- entities decline. from trades that have been less prof- Our observations for regions and * The fall in oil prices joins a more ance of the sector. However, the Several factors might mitigate the itable in the last four years owing to countries whose economies and, by Russia generalized decline in commodity country’s banks have among the effect of lower oil prices, including the stable oil prices. extension, banking systems are more * The country’s economy and prices, adding to pressures on region- lowest nonperforming loan and time it will take for lower prices to sensitive to oil market. banking system already face numer- wide growth. Venezuela, Ecuador, highest capital ratios in the region. undermine corporate creditworthi- Slowdown in economic growth ous challenges on top of the fall in oil Colombia and Mexico are large oil For Austria, the primary source of ness and the potential for govern- The ultimate direction and dimen- GCC prices. Russia is entering a sharp and exporters and a proracted economic risk derives from the banks’ expo- ments to support specific sectors and sion of these factors will vary across * Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) long-lasting recession, with a weak- slowdown will negatively affect these sures to Central and Eastern the broader economy. However, these regions, countries and individual countries are among the most reliant ened currency, and is facing rising countries’ banks. In addition, Brazil, European (CEE) countries, and Russia. will only partially offset the exposure banks. A generalized slowdown in on oil-related exports and revenues, capital outflows and geopolitical risk. which imports as much as it exports, Indeed, the largest Austrian banks of banks in those systems noted in this economic growth, more challenging which are critical to sustaining public We expect a continued deteriora- could face greater pressure on growth derive a considerable share of their report as being most at risk. conditions for energy-related credits expenditures and economic growth tion in the banks’ financial fundamen- due to the slowdown of large infra- earnings from the region, represent- The nearly 50% decline in oil prices and lower demand for banking servic- in a government-dominated econo- tals; however, the banks’ direct expo- structure investments undertaken over ing almost 30% of their banking sys- since mid-June 2014 should, if sus- es will mean that the potential for neg- my. While oil prices are currently sures to the oil and gas industry vary the past few years to boost oil explo- tem assets and Austrian bank claims tained, provide a boost to the global ative pressure on credit quality will be below most GCC countries’ fiscal widely. For example, the four largest ration. The credit quality of companies in Russia represent around 4% of GDP. economic growth rate. However, we greatest for firms in jurisdictions that break-even point, governments gen- banks (accounting for 60% of bank- directly and indirectly engaged in these Therefore, a longer and/or deeper have not updated our G20 forecast, as are net oil exporters. At this point, erally have the resources to help miti- ing system assets) report exposures project will likely deteriorate given the economic slowdown in the CEE headwinds from the euro area, China, however, we do not expect immediate gate the immediate impact and that range from 2% to 17% of total relatively high cost of offshore explo- region will exacerbate pressure on Brazil and Japan hold back global eco- material negative effects on banks’ maintain a supportive operating envi- loans. ration. Austrian banks’ financial condition.

Qatar Airways’ B787 Dreamliner debuts in Tunisia

DOHA: Qatar Airways has extended proud to introduce the 787 Class is configured in a 1-2-1 layout Kuala Lumpur and more, with rapid its Boeing 787 Dreamliner route net- Dreamliner to Tunisia, which will not with 22 seats, while Economy has a transits being facilitated via Doha’s work to Tunisia with the launch of only offer an increase in capacity to 232 seating capacity in a 3-3-3 layout. Hamad International Airport, the services to capital city Tunis on the route but will also redefine the in- All seats in Business Class are reclin- world’s newest aviation hub and a February 17, 2015. flight experience of our passengers able with fully-flat beds. state-of-the-art facility that sets new The increase in demand in the travelling to Doha and beyond,” said The airline’s 787s are the world’s airport benchmarks and redefines the region and the airline’s steadfast com- Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive first fully connected Dreamliners with passenger and transit experience. mitment to the Tunisian market has Officer, Akbar Al Baker. wireless facilities for passengers to Positioned at the edge of the resulted in the introduction of the “Our 787s provide a superior expe- remain in touch with friends and col- Arabian Gulf, Hamad International state-of-the-art Dreamliner on the rience with specially designed interi- leagues on the ground through the Airport’s tranquil waterside setting daily flights between Doha and Tunis ors, spacious cabins and custom- internet and SMS mobile texting serv- provides a perfect backdrop for its bringing an additional capacity of made seats in both Business and ice available across both Business and stylish architectural elements, under- more than92% compared to the Economy Class. We are confident that Economy cabins. The 787 Dreamliners pinned by advanced airport systems. A320 which was being operated on our passengers flying to and from complement the ultra-luxurious cus- It features two runways, among the the route. Qatar Airways’ daily seat Tunis will luxuriate in the enhanced tomer service and experience Qatar longest in the world, a state-of-the- capacity to Tunisia has grown from travel experience onboard the Qatar Airways promises to its passengers. art air traffic control tower, a stunning 132 seats on the A320 to 254 seats on Airways Dreamliner.” Daily flights from Tunisia connect passenger terminal with an initial the 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Qatar Airways has 254 custom- via Doha to popular business and design capacity of 30 million passen- Qatar Airways is the first airline to made seats across its 787 Business leisure cities in Qatar Airways’ global gers per year and, over 40,000 square commence with a scheduled 787 and Economy Class cabins with spe- network including Doha, Dubai, meters of combined retail, food and Dreamliner service to Tunisia. “We are cially designed interiors. Business Guangzhou, Shanghai, Bangkok, beverage facilities.

Aftersales service team. Jayesh best in Vehicle Delivery - NISAC. Nissan Kuwait - aftersales team achieves top positions at Nissan ME annual Regional Skills contest in Dubai

KUWAIT: Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al-Babtain Co Wll., the sole distributors of Nissan vehicles in Kuwait, had its Aftersales Service team excel to win 1st (GOLD) & 2nd (SILVER) Awards in NISTEC category. One Special performance award in Engine Diagnosis category and another Special Performance award in NISAC category. Nissan Middle East Regional office , Dubai conducted the Annual Regional Contests year 2014-15 at Dubai from 2015 February 2 - 4 amongst teams from ten differ- ent country in the region, where each country fields its finest sales executives and service technicians to participate in the contest and rewards ceremony. Nissan Regional Skills Contests comprises of four competitions i.e. Nissan Service Technical Excellence Competency Award (NISTEC), Nissan Service Advisor Excellence Competency Award (NISAC), Nissan Parts Executive Excellence Competency Award (NIPEC) and Nissan Sales Executive Excellence Competency Award (NISEC). Contest is held amongst the Majith - Silver award - NISTEC. Darwin - Champion of NISTEC. engineers, technicians, sales staff, and service with the ultimate aim to serve our customers. “ ting a smile on the customers face and build- Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al-Babtain Co was evaluated for customer handling skills and to advisors with the objective of discovering their He further added “Skilled and professional staff ing loyalty for the Nissan brand every day. The represented by Mr. Darwin George and Majith assess how Nissan trained Service Advisor capabilities and potential, and advancing their are main factors in meeting customer’s con- tremendous results achieved by our teams sig- Komath. The NISTEC consisted of three exercis- treat their valued customers. Jayesh K.P skills. The awards span every aspect of the venience and expectations. Peak performance nifies the high level of proficiency of the staff, es, each 25 minutes long and evaluates adher- received a Special performance award in business - from knowledge of Nissan genuine in these contests reaffirms that we are geared which will be reflected on the high quality of ence to Nissan Way of Diagnosis, Speed & “Vehicle Delivery” category task. parts to service advice to sales acumen to tech- up to deliver, Customer Experience Excellence, service provided to Nissan customers at all Accuracy. In this tightly contested event “The team performance of Abdulmohsen nical expertise. The participating candidates a top priority for Al-Babtain group in the com- Nissan service centers. Customer Satisfaction Darwin George Won the GOLD medal and Abdulaziz Al-Babtain Co. was at its peak, as who have already won in their categories in petitive market conditions. is a prime factor in all our activities. Today with Majith Komath bagged the SILVER medal. they presented an outstanding performance in respective countries are up for a healthy and Elaborating on the subject, Mohammad these achievements, AABC is surging ahead in Additionally the Best Performance trophy in all the categories. It was a great moment for intense competition for this much awaited Shalaby, COO, Al Babtain group added all their activities to set a mark as the Best ECCS (Engine Management Diagnosis & the Al-Babtain team, when they emerged as Annual contest. “”Nissan invests heavily in customer care and Recognized NSC in the GCC region. Our Repair) was also won. Each winner received a winners amongst all the NSC’s participants. We On this occasion Saleh Al-Babtain, CEO, Al- focuses on providing the highest standards of unequalled team is vitally important as we trophy, medals, cash awards, and a certificate. thank all the participants and those who sup- Babtain group, noted that he feels proud for sales and after-sales services. Customer satis- drive the Nissan brand forward. Our employ- NISAC (Nissan Service Advisors Contest) ported them,” concluded Abdulmohsen the tremendous success and achievement of faction is not enough, we all have to deliver ees are raising the standards of customer care had total of 17 Service Advisors from 10 NSC’s Abdulaziz Al Babtain, General Manager - Group the Al-Babtain teams in this contest. “This suc- industry-best customer experience, and that’s not just at Nissan but in the industry as a where Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al-Babtain Co HR and Administration, Al-Babtain Group. cess was a result of hard work, dedication and excellence,” He noted “Nissan strives to provide whole.” was represented by Majo Thomas and Jayesh. Presentations to the award winners took continuous intensive training received by par- best-in-class interface with customers, and our NISTEC (Nissan Service Technicians Contest) K.P. The NISAC consisted of three tasks, each place at a function at Hotel Waldorf Astoria, ticipants to insure their optimum performance, frontline staff play such a critical role in put- had total 18 technicians from 10 NSC’s and 20 minutes long, where Service Advisors are Palm Jumeirah Dubai. BUSINESS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 Flydubai adds five new cities to Iran network KUWAIT: Dubai-based flydubai today months ago, Tehran and Mashhad confident that passengers will enjoy our announced the launch of flights to joined the flydubai network, and we Business Class, award-winning In-Flight Ahwaz, Esfahan, Hamadan, Shiraz and have seen strong demand from trav- Entertainment and the ability to con- Tabriz in Iran. The announcement will ellers between these two cities and nect to our growing network or beyond, see flydubai’s Iranian network grow to Dubai. The addition of flights to the five through the Dubai hub,” said Jeyhun seven points, adding to the launch of points increases our frequency to the Efendi, Senior Vice President flights to Tehran and Mashhad in 2014. Republic to 22 flights weekly, allowing Commercial (UAE, Middle East, Europe, Flights to Shiraz, Esfahan and Ahwaz more people to travel conveniently and CIS), flydubai. will commence on 8, 11 and 14 of March between UAE and Iran.” Last year, flydubai launched 23 new respectively. Hamadan and Tabriz will flydubai’s Business Class will be avail- destinations. The airline now operates join the flydubai network on 16 March. able to the five new destinations, offer- more than 1,400 weekly flights to an Commenting on the announcement, ing passengers a more comfortable and expanding network of 94 destinations Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer personalised travel experience. within a six-hour flying radius from of flydubai, said: “We look forward to “We look forward to showcasing our Dubai. 57 points on the flydubai net- starting flights to these new destina- product offering to passengers travel- work were previously underserved with tions in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Six ling to the seven Iranian cities. We are few or no direct flights from Dubai. Ghaith Al Ghaith Jeyhun Efendi Mindshare sweeps MENA Cristal Festival Named ‘Media Network of the Year’

DUBAI: Mindshare, which is part of WPP, is a shows and regularly recognizes Mindshare global media agency network helping MENA for excellence in advertising and clients to make collaborative and adaptive communications. “I am thrilled at Mindshare decisions across their paid, owned, and MENA’s exceptional performance at MENA earned marketing in real-time. The agency Cristal Festival,” said Samir Ayoub, Mindshare led the pack with a staggering 17 awards at MENA CEO. “We are happy to be recognized this year’s MENA Cristal Festival 2014-2015, for such a diverse range of campaigns, and including the prestigious title of “Media particularly excited to be selected as the Network of the Year 2015.” ‘Media Network of the Year.’ This achieve- Mindshare MENA was recognized across ment would not be possible without the the board for the team’s outstanding accom- hard work and innovative spirit of our entire plishments and creative campaigns span- regional team as well as the support of our ning the Middle East and North Africa region clients.” and representing a broad array of industries. Hosted in Dubai this year for the event’s The agency’s 17 awards put Mindshare 10th anniversary edition, the MENA Cristal MENA ahead of their competition with sev- Festival draws in large crowds of notable en Cristal (Gold), seven Sapphire (Silver), and agency representatives every year. The three Emerald (Bronze) prizes across seg- awards show brought together the region’s ments like cultural, integrated, launch, most renowned agencies and respected branded, and environmental campaigns. experts in the marketing and advertising The judges’ panel honored Mindshare industry not only for the awards show but MENA for work representing a broad list of also for a special anniversary dinner and par- clients including Tunisie Telecom, Egypt’s ty. Since it was founded in 2005, MENA National Initiative for Energy Conservation, Cristal Festival has celebrated agencies that Infiniti, Nissan, Dubai Shopping Festival, execute work that is relevant, thought-pro- Sancella Tunisie and Gandour. voking, and cutting edge - characteristics The festival is widely esteemed as one of that Mindshare MENA embodied in this the industry’s most prestigious awards year’s award-winning campaigns. Lu&Lu Hypermarket felicitated as Best Supermarket in Kuwait again

KUWAIT: Lu&Lu Hypermarket, the largest lifestyle shopping destination in the country and the leading regional retailer, for the second consecutive year won the prestigious Service Hero 2014 Customer Service Assessment Award for Best Supermarket in Kuwait. Following closely on the heels of opening their new hypermarket in Kuwait at Salmiya, which witnessed record crowds, the Service Hero Award for Lu&Lu Hypermarket is a further

Peter Frank Burgan Bank hosts client treasury event

KUWAIT: Burgan Bank’s Investment debasement?”, “US Dollar: Safe-haven presence. Service Hero’s 2014 Customer tomer satisfaction in each service category, Banking and Treasury Group recently solidity and macro superiority, but for Services Assessment Awards Ceremony, which which met the minimum vote requirements, organized an important and timely event how long?”, and “Turkish Lira: Economic took place at the Hotel Symphony - Kuwait, on were then awarded pole-position prizes. focusing on global foreign exchange Outlook”. February 16, also awarded winners from 16 oth- Speaking on the occasion, Faten Abu- markets for its private and corporate Commenting on this occasion, Robert er industry categories. Lu&Lu Hypermarket’s Ghazaleh, Service Hero President, said, “I would clients at the bank’s headquarters. Frost, Burgan Bank’s Group Chief Regional Director Mohamed Haris and Regional like to congratulate the winners of the Service The event entailed an in-depth pres- Investment Banking and Treasury Officer Manager Sreejith K. S. were on hand to receive Hero 2014 Customer Service Assessment entation revolving around the recent cur- said: “We are very pleased to have hosted the Service Hero 2014 Customer Service Awards and the companies that have worked rency trends and an analysis of possible a professional foreign exchange expert attestation of the retailer’s popularity among Assessment Award for Best Supermarket. towards maintaining their leading position over future outcomes, which was delivered by to our event. Burgan Bank has been con- customers in the country. The awards were announced following rigor- the years. These companies have been able to Peter Frank, Global Head of Foreign- stantly dedicated to provide its clients Lu&Lu Hypermarket won the award follow- ous authentication of data from 19,583 validat- maintain a high-level of focus and belief in the Exchange Strategy at Banco Bilbao with the latest updates and recent trends ing in-depth and stringent evaluation proce- ed assessments of online customers on 17 importance of service excellence despite day to Vizcaya Argentaria SA (BBVA); a global in the financial world, and we believe dures that assessed the retailer’s record across industry categories. day pressures such as market share and sales. financial services group. that Peter Frank’s 25 year plus experience eight different service dimensions. These includ- Each industry category was measured across Launched in 2010, the Service Hero Awards Abdullah Marafie, Burgan Bank’s in global currency markets served as an ed quality of their products, reliability and eight service metrics that included product are the only national index which awards prizes Deputy Treasurer, mentioned in his wel- ideal platform with regards to the topics speed of service delivery, staff attitude, conven- quality, reliability, value for money, location, based solely on consumer feedback. The assess- come speech that not only is Frank high- discussed during the event. We look for- ience of location and value to price, as well as speed, staff quality, call center and website ment is overseen by an independent advisory ly respected internationally but he con- ward to hosting similar events for our the usefulness and functionality of their online quality. The top scoring brands on overall cus- council. tinues to be consistently ranked first in clients in the future.” his field by Bloomberg, Reuters, and FX Burgan Bank has recently been named Week surveys going back to when he the ‘2015 Best Treasury and Cash joined BBVA in 2012. Management Provider in Kuwait’ by Ooredoo announces second The event served as an ideal platform Global Finance Magazine, the world’s offering an opportunity to network with leading and most respected financial peers, share best practice with the indus- publication. The latest recognition comes Corvette Stingray winner try, and learn from an industry expert like to demonstrate Burgan Bank’s outstand- Peter Frank. During the event, Peter ing performance and leading position in Frank discussed three important topics of the field of treasury services that are Rewarding customers for their loyalty foreign exchange, namely “Euro: Spiraling managed and provided in line with the down and facing Quantitative Easing highest international standards. KUWAIT: Ooredoo Kuwait, a member of Ooredoo Group, announced yesterday that Mohammad Subhi Al-Sayyed is the winner of the second Corvette Stingray 2015. The announcement concludes the activities of Ooredoo draws campaign, a promotional event aiming to reward customers for their loyalty. The draw gives customers one chance to enter for every 1 KD they spend paying their bills or recharging their lines. Ooredoo customer Al-Sayyid received his Corvette Stingray 2015 at the Chevrolet Showroom in Shuwaikh yesterday. Al-Sayyid is the second winner for this draw; the first winner was announced in January. Ooredoo Draw announced winners of smartphones weekly, tal- lying up to a total of 60 smartphone winners throughout the campaign. Ooredoo stated: “We congratulate our loyal customer Mohammed Subhi Al-Sayyid, and we congratulate all of our winners this year. The aim of this campaign was to show our customers how special they are for being part of Ooredoo customers’ family.” The winner, Al-Sayyid, expressed his happiness and extended his thanks to all employees working on the innovative products that meet and exceed the to care, connect, and challenge, which are the Abdullah Marafie addressing the audience. Ooredoo draw campaign. expectations of its customers. This promise driving force in its continuous efforts to give cus- Ooredoo promises to continue delivering stems from the company’s deep-rooted values: tomers products that enhance their lives. technology THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 China’s Web giants battle over ‘hong bao’ ahead of New Year BEIJING: The Chinese tradition of giv- Thursday, is an opportunity to relive the between several recipients. For its part, Alipay has promised to Xingliang, chairman of Hongmai ing gifts of money in red envelopes at childhood magic of the lunar holiday at This year, Alipay Wallet, the payment give out $95 million in envelopes as well Software, a Beijing-based Internet data Lunar New Year has turned into big busi- any age, according to Wang. system run by online retail giant Alibaba, as coupons and discounts totalling sev- analysis company. ness for Web giants Alibaba and “I loved getting red envelopes when I is ready to take on the competition. It is eral billion yuan as part of its publicity “In China, people traditionally send Tencent, which now both offer electron- was little, but it was only my older rela- allowing its 190 million users to send quest. red envelopes to celebrate the new year, ic “hong bao”. tives who would give them, and only digital gifts, notably via the Twitter-like “It’s great. I never thought that at my so it’s quite an easy way to attract the At the end of each lunar year, it is around the new year,” he said. Sina Weibo, of which Alibaba is a share- age, I’d be able to ‘reap without sowing’ public,” he said. customary in China to give children “With electronic red envelopes, you’re holder. like this,” said Wang, who frantically According to market research group hong bao-small sums of money in not limited by your identity or the time For the past few weeks a digital battle checks his phone each morning to see iResearch, Alipay controls 82.6 percent of envelopes that are red, the colour of of year. It’s a new, fresh way of playing has been raging, with Tencent banning the flood of hong bao coming in. the Chinese mobile phone payment prosperity. But now the age-old practice the game.” Alipay from sending red envelopes via Tencent and Alibaba are not just play- market, compared to 10 percent for is going high-tech. WeChat, saying they posed a “security” ing Santa Claus, however-the publicity Tencent’s Tenpay. It is now possible to exchange “red Lotteries and low blows threat. Recently, WeChat also blocked surrounding the lotteries has garnered However, Tenpay only controlled four envelopes” via smartphone, which is The idea was introduced in 2014 by Alibaba’s music app Xiami. the web giants many more new users. percent of the market before the red proving a popular trend in China and has WeChat, a mobile messaging system To compete for the public’s favour, envelope campaign debuted on WeChat sparked a battle for the lucrative market with over 400 million users and operated the two rivals have launched lotteries ‘Pearl Harbour-like attack’ in 2014. between the two companies providing by Tencent, China’s largest Internet serv- through which they award red It’s easy to send and receive hong bao Alibaba founder Jack Ma has dubbed the service, Tencent and Alibaba. ice portal. It was immediately successful. envelopes to users in an online game. or participate in the lotteries: you simply WeChat’s red envelope campaign a “You don’t have to pay the same fees Within ten days, some eight million Tencent agreed to give out 800 mil- need to register your bank details. “Pearl Harbour-like attack” on Alipay. The or wait as long as you would for a tradi- users had exchanged 40 million virtual lion yuan (about $127 million) in Once users have signed up, they are stakes are high. In 2014 in China, mobile tional bank transfer. It’s more conven- envelopes. The minimum amount that envelopes on its WeChat and QQ mes- more likely to make spontaneous elec- payment transactions reached 7.77 tril- ient, simple and fun,” Wang Le, a 28-year- can be exchanged is modest-one yuan, saging apps over a ten-day period, with tronic payments, “especially given lion yuan ($1.24 trillion), six times the old Beijing resident, told AFP. or 16 cents of the US dollar-and there’s each one worth as little as several cents Chinese people’s tendency to make amount the previous year, according to The Year of the Sheep, which begins also the fun option of splitting a sum or as much as $800. impulse buys,” according to Liu research group Analysys. —AFP Sony steps up in wearable space with SmartEyeglass SmartEyeglass connects with smartphones

SAN FRANCISCO: Sony on cases, and it hopes to tap into the Google Glass sidelined Google X lab working on inno- Tuesday began taking orders for ingenuity of developers to Google in January halted vations such as self-driving SmartEyeglass Internet-linked eye- improve upon the user experience sales of its Internet-linked eye- cars, the Glass team became a wear, moving ahead in the market that the SmartEyeglass provides.” wear Glass but insisted the separate unit. as Google steps back to revise its Sony said it sees a wide range technology would live on in a Microsoft last month intro- LAS VEGAS: In this Jan. 6, 2015 file photo, an employee demonstrates the Glass strategy. of uses for the eyewear, beyond future consumer product. duced HoloLens eyewear that Samsung Gear S smartwatch at the Samsung booth during the International The offering from the Japanese the obvious display of information The technology titan put may hit a sweet spot between CES in Las Vegas. —AP consumer electronics comes amid at eye level without having to turn brakes on an “explorer” pro- Google Glass and virtual reality growing interest in wearable com- attention to another device. gram that let people interested headgear, immersing users in a puting, but also questions about It sees “considerable implica- in dabbling with Glass buy eye- mesmerizing world of aug- Did NSA plant spyware in whether consumers will warm to tions for AR (augmented reality), wear for $1,500 apiece. mented reality holograms. connected eyewear. computers around world? SmartEyeglass connects with smartphones and then superim- SAN FRANCISCO: Did the National Security company is “in the process of reviewing the poses text, images or other infor- Agency plant spyware deep in the hard report from Kaspersky Labs.” mation onto whatever real scene is drives of thousands of computers used by Seagate Technology said it “has no specif- in view. foreign governments, banks and other sur- ic knowledge of any allegations regarding A version of the eyewear tai- veillance targets around the world? third parties accessing our drives.” The com- lored for software developers will A new report from Russian cybersecurity pany said in a statement it’s committed to be available in Japan, Germany, firm Kaspersky Lab said its researchers iden- security and takes steps to prevent tamper- Britain, and the United States on tified a new family of malicious programs or ing or “reverse engineering” of its products. March 10. The price in the US will worms that infected computers in multiple Toshiba said it had no knowledge of the be $840. In Europe it will be 670 countries, primarily overseas. Targets malware and declined further comment. plus applicable taxes. appeared to be specifically selected and While some of the malware was transmit- SmartEyeglass for enterprises included military, Islamic activists, energy ted over the Internet, Kaspersky said one will also be available in March in companies and other businesses, as well as worm spread through infected USB thumb France, Italy, Spain and elsewhere. government personnel. drives, allowing it to collect information Along with the hardware, Sony will Without naming the United States as the from computers that are “air-gapped” or dis- release an upgraded software source of the malware, the report said one connected from the Internet. Air-gapping is development kit “to tap into the of the programs has elements in common a security practice used at nuclear plants ingenuity of developers to with the so-called Stuxnet worm, which the and other sensitive facilities. improve upon the user experience New York Times and Washington Post have Kaspersky also said it uncovered “classic that the SmartEyeglass provides.” said was developed by the US and Israeli spying methods” in which scientists who Sony is encouraging software governments to disrupt Iranian nuclear facil- attended an international conference in makers to develop fun, hip, or which holds great potential in the Glass became available in Microsoft executives said the ities. Based on their similarities, the creators Houston were later sent a CD of conference functional applications for domain of professional use as well, the United States in early last holographic capabilities built of both programs “are either the same or materials from the event’s sponsor. The SmartEyeglass so people will be such as when giving instructions year to anyone with the money into Windows 10 operating working closely together,” Kaspersky’s report sponsor apparently didn’t know that the enticed to buy the eyewear on to workers at a manufacturing site and desire to become an software-to be released late said. disc also contained malware which spread track for commercial release in or when transmitting visual infor- “explorer.” The Glass test pro- this year-would open doors for The malware was not designed for finan- into certain attendees’ computers, the 2016 Sony said that it “has its eyes mation to security officers about a gram was later expanded to developers to augment tasks cial gain but to collect information through researchers said. set on the future of wearable potential breach,” the Sony state- Britain. from complex surgery to “pure cyberespionage,” added Kaspersky Kaspersky said it found signs the mal- devices and their diversifying use ment said. Instead of being part of the motorcycle design. —AFP researcher Vitaly Kamluk. In its report, the ware infected computers in more than 30 firm said the malware was extremely sophis- countries, with the heaviest concentrations ticated and “expensive to develop.” in Iran, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and NSA spokeswoman Vanee Vines declined China. There were relatively few targets in Tighter online controls in China comment Tuesday, but cited a 2014 presi- the US and Britain, said Kamluk, who charac- dential directive that instructed US intelli- terized them as individuals living or visiting gence agencies to respect Americans’ priva- in those countries rather than companies or point to wider clampdown cy while continuing to conduct overseas institutions based there. operations necessary to guard against ter- Though it’s less well-known in the United rorism or other threats. States, Kaspersky is respected in the cyber- BEIJING: Working out of a Beijing office full of best university has nothing to do with how many landscape in a much-publicized anti-corruption Kaspersky researchers said some of the security industry and its reports are general- video game designers from around the world, high-rises you have and how many good dining campaign that’s netted thousands of government spyware was designed to burrow into the ly viewed as reputable. While some critics Chinese-born Pin Wang and his startup Substantial halls you have,” said Rowena He, a Harvard officials, said prominent China scholar Perry Link. essential software that comes pre-installed have suggested the firm has close ties to Games should be the face of the innovative, for- University lecturer. “The most important thing at The strategy echoes back to the political purges of on a computer’s disk drive, known as Russian authorities, several experts said ward-looking China that the country’s leaders say the core is the intellectual freedom that makes up Mao Zedong, the founding father of the People’s firmware. Once there, it was difficult to Tuesday that it’s plausible the United States they want to build. life in a university and academia,” she said. “But Republic of China, Link said. detect and virtually impossible to remove, is behind the malware identified in the Pin and his team are attracting investors from instead of opening up to reforms, we see the “Since Xi Jinping has come in, the clampdown and it could gain access to vital codes, such report. across China while launching online games full of opposite.” has been stronger and more unidirectional than as the keys to deciphering encrypted files. “A lot of nation-states are involved in swords and sorcery that they hope will dazzle glob- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua anything since the Mao era,” Link said. Professor Xia Kamluk said compromising firmware is a dif- these activities. Russia, China and the US are al eyeballs. But for several weeks, Pin’s team has Chunying responded to the concerns of foreign Yeliang was among the first to feel the conse- ficult technical challenge that likely requires in a great cyberarms race,” said David struggled with a decidedly down-to-earth problem businesses by pointing to a U.N. report showing quences when the economics faculty of presti- knowledge of the manufacturer’s source DeWalt, chief executive of the Silicon Valley that’s hit countless companies nationwide: They’re China became the world’s top destination for for- gious Peking University voted to expel him in code - normally a closely guarded secret. cybersecurity firm FireEye. He noted that unable to access their email, shared documents and eign direct investment in 2014. October 2013. Xia had long been an advocate for The report named several disk drive man- China has been implicated in attempts to other online services blocked by China’s Internet Hua also echoed previous government argu- democratic reforms in China and helped draft ufacturers whose products were compro- steal source code and other information censors. ments that people online needed to first obey Charter 08, a bold call for sweeping changes to mised, from US companies, for example, while “Something that should take 15 seconds takes Chinese regulations on “healthy” Internet use. China’s political system. including Seagate Technology, Western Russian authorities have been linked to three or five minutes, and it screws with the way “As long as foreign companies in China observe Xia said more than 20 professors in China have Digital Corp., Toshiba and IBM Corp. While some hacking efforts. you flow or you work,” Pin said. “We don’t have the the Chinese law and refrain from undermining been expelled or otherwise disciplined for their some did not Some warned that US efforts could have resources to move because we’re a startup. But we China’s national security and consumers’ interest, political teachings since Xi came to power. immediately respond to requests for unintended consequences: Foreign cus- talk about it all the time.” China will protect their legal rights and welcome “Through my colleagues, I can sense that the ideo- comment, three companies said the report tomers could become more leery of US tech Chinese controls on information have tightened their business expansion,” Hua said. logical controls are getting much tighter,” said Xia, came as news to them. products if they’re suspected of being used and loosened over the years, but Pin and others are The tighter controls reflect instability within the now a visiting fellow at the libertarian US think “We take such threats very seriously,” for spying. And other hackers may be able to feeling what many say is China’s most severe crack- party as President Xi Jinping shakes up the political tank the Cato Institute. —AP Western Digital spokesman Steve Shattuck exploit the same vulnerabilities, said cyberse- down in decades on how people learn about the said Tuesday, adding in a statement that the curity expert and author Bruce Schneier. —AP world around them, talk to each other and do busi- ness. On the Internet, in college classrooms and in corporate offices, the Chinese Communist Party has raised the virtual wall separating the most popu- lous country from the rest of the globe. Experts say it reflects a distrust of outside influences that the party thinks could threaten its control on society. Companies that have depended for years on vir- tual private networks, or VPNs, to get around Chinese online censors and access business tools have seen those channels squeezed or shut down since the start of the year. Academics who have long helped Chinese authorities distill foreign ideas into public policy have been told to watch what they say, especially about so-called Western ideas that clash with party doctrine. And many foreign companies that were welcomed into China’s booming economy have seen their offices raided by investigators and been forced to pay record fines in antitrust investigations. Despite Chinese government pledges to create an innovation economy that leads the world, China PITTSBURGH: In this Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013 file photo, a person inserts a ranked 22nd out of 50 countries, between Ireland debit card into an ATM in Pittsburgh. Security experts say consumers still and Spain, in a global innovation index released TOKYO: NTT employees carrying robots demonstrate the company’s “Monoshiri need to keep a close eye on their checking and savings, as epic computer this month by Bloomberg financial news service. Nuigurumi,” or “knowledgeable stuffed animal” during the NTT R&D Forum 2015 “To have the best educational system and the breaches are becoming all too common. —AP exhibition in Tokyo yesterday. —AFP THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Lithuanian gets life-changing bionic arm

MOCISKAI: Martynas Girulis cannot stop moving. He improvements in terms of increasing the ability to con- for more than a year and which was also reviewed by a forks a few potatoes onto his plate, pours himself a glass trol hand prostheses and to gather sensory feedback,” university ethics committee. Before Aszmann could per- of water, drinks it through a straw, then gets right back said Silvestro Micera, a neuroengineer at Switzerland’s form the elective amputation, he had to transplant up. This is new. The 21-year-old Lithuanian was born with Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne who devel- nerves into Girulis’s shoulder for him to be able to con- a neuromuscular disease that left him unable to use his oped the “feeling” limb. “This opens up very promising trol his new limb. Girulis also had to train his shoulder arms. But just last year he got a bionic arm, which he opportunities to improve the quality of life of disabled muscles for a year and had muscle transplanted from his controls with his brain, after undergoing surgery his people,” he said. thigh. “Maneuvering this hand is like flying a helicopter,” Austrian doctor calls the first of its kind. he said, smiling. Pre-surgery, both his arms were bent at the elbow ‘I found a hand!’ To get the hang of it, he practiced with a virtual hand and inert. Now he is taking things out of the fridge, put- Girulis was born with arthrogryposis, a neuromuscu- on the computer. He would move it mentally with the ting them back in, placing a vase on the table and pick- lar disease preventing him from rotating and flexing the help of electrodes, all while controlling his muscle activi- ing up a box of chocolates. “He’s the first patient with a muscles in his arms and, to a lesser extent, in his legs. He ty on another screen. birth defect to undergo bionic reconstruction,” said only learnt to walk at the age of six after undergoing six Every time he moved his arm, he would hear a beep Oskar Aszmann, who performed the operation in Vienna major surgeries in Lithuania and Sweden and has always meant to make him fully aware of the motion he was in November and is a world expert in reconstructive sur- needed someone to help him throughout the day. “He making. “What I enjoy these days is being able to do gery. “This has never been done before,” said the Medical was always an active kid. He could even ride a bike, by small things: to pick up a fork, raise a glass, grab a hand University of Vienna surgeon. leaning against the handlebars with his whole upper rail on the bus,” said Girulis, who is finishing up high Bionic arms and hands are not new. Aszmann himself body,” said his mother Danguole Giruliene. His life school via distance learning and thinking about studying carried out the first bionic hand operation in 2010. But changed on February 28, 2011, she said: “He ran down psychology. The Lithuanian government covered 80 per- unlike previous recipients, who were amputees, Girulis the stairs yelling: ‘I found a hand, I found a hand!’” Thanks cent of the cost of the 92,000-euro ($113,000) bionic arm had a useless limb from birth. His case takes the use of to the Internet, Girulis had discovered Aszmann and his and 5,000-euro amputation. Aszmann plans to publish PAGEGIAI: Photos shows Lithuanian man bionic transplants an important step further, because he work. Three and a half years later he got a prosthesis of an article on the case this year, after making sure Girulis’s Martynas Girulis with his new bionic prosthetic had never used the limb and so had to train his brain on his own. Making room for it required amputating Girulis’s bionic arm continues to work well over the long term. He arm and hand as he eats at his home in Pagegiai, how to operate it. “In the very recent past we saw many inert right arm-a decision he mulled over with his family has already received similar surgery requests. — AFP Lithuania. — AFP Australia ponders tougher food screening measures Berries from China linked Hepatitis A infections

SYDNEY: Tougher food screening measures en. “The health ministers (of states and territo- poisoning their customers,” he said. could be introduced in Australia with frozen ries) are discussing this issue right now,” he told Hepatitis A is a viral disease that affects the berries from China linked to a growing number the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Joyce liver, causing abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, of hepatitis A infections, Agriculture Minister also called for a strengthening of Australian fatigue and jaundice. It has an incubation peri- Barnaby Joyce said yesterday. Nanna’s and labeling laws on food products and urged con- od of up to 50 days. Australian regulators cur- Creative Gourmet brand raspberries and mixed sumers to buy local produce. rently consider imported frozen berries ‘surveil- berries have been recalled after they were linked “We have stronger laws, we do have stronger lance foods’-meaning they are tested at a rate of to four infections in New South Wales and oversight to make sure we have a cleaner, green only five percent of all consignments for 49 agri- Victoria states, with poor hygiene and contami- product than what comes in from overseas,” he cultural chemical residues, as well as packaging nated water at their packing factory thought to said. “That’s why you pay a premium for and labeling requirements. The recalled prod- Dr Peter Pronovost talking on Patient Safety at the World Innovation Summit for be responsible. Australian product ... I want to make sure that ucts were packed in China and contained rasp- Health. Since then more infections have emerged in when you pick up something, you can look at the berries, strawberries and blackberries grown Queensland and Western Australia, with the gov- can and say ‘this is Australian’. It’s slightly dearer there, and blueberries from Chile. The Hospitals ‘often harm’ ernment confirming at least 13 cases nationally but by gosh it’s safer.” However, Prime Minister Department of Health said the source of the so far. Asked whether the scare demanded more Tony Abbott was cool on labeling changes, warn- hepatitis A virus was still unconfirmed, but controls on imports, Joyce said: “That might be a ing it could impose more regulation on business. added: “The berries are the only common expo- instead of help: expert consequence of a review that is being undertak- “The bottom line is that companies shouldn’t be sure for all cases.” — AFP DOHA: It’s the third biggest killer in the US and it is clear that what is missing is a systematic, sec- costs $1trillion a year. Errors in patient safety rank tor-wide approach, underpinned by sound princi- third only to heart disease and cancer claiming ples in safety science. In their current state, 400,000 lives each year - the equivalent to two healthcare systems too often harm rather than jumbo jets every dayπ. Patient Safety is clearly a help.” “In our WISH report we advocate for a holis- serious global public health issue and yet is often tic system solution to eliminate preventable harm over-looked in national policy and global agen- in healthcare. Patient safety is - or should be - one das. A report published today by the World of the fundamental building blocks of every Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), a global healthcare system.” initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, With the appointment of DrPronovost as Science and Community Development, aims to Patient Safety Forum Chair, WISH aims to examine change this by identifying reasons for the on- how incidences of avoidable harm could be going heartbreak of preventable harm in health- reduced. Through their research different care and offering solutions to bridge the gaps approaches to improving patient safety were prevalent in today’s approach to Patient Safety. reviewed providing recommendations to enable Failure to address the growing concern of policy makers to better prioritize changes that Patient Safety contributes to waste in the health- will improve safety, experience and outcomes for care system and sky-rocketing costs, world lead- patients, crucially saving lives and reducing the ing experts said today. It is estimated that as much burden on healthcare budgets. as one-third of all US healthcare spending was The issues addressed in WISH’s Patient Safety consumed by waste in 2011. WISH’s global experts report include an exploration of how a systems identified key issues such as a lack of regulation, integration approach can improve patient safety; understanding and integration as well as offering how health systems can be designed, procured a range of innovative solutions that will provide and delivered to enhance patient safety, experi- recommendations to global policy makers. ence and outcomes; the human and economic costs of safety failings; and learning from other Too many incidents of harm high-risk sectors such as aerospace and defense. Patient Safety has historically been recog- Professor The Lord Darzi of Denham, Executive nized as a significant area for improvement in Chair of WISH, said: “Estimates show that in devel- healthcare systems around the world but despite oped countries as many as one in 10 patients is decades of evolving practice and trillions of dol- harmed while receiving hospital care. Our report lars in investment there are still too many inci- reveals that patient safety is not just a personal dents of harm and even deaths. Intensive care responsibility for patients and doctors to tackle units, operating rooms, emergency rooms and themselves, but it is also a major policy issue. The clinics are packed with an ever-increasing num- work undertaken by Dr Pronovost and his team ber of devices that do not talk to each other. on behalf of WISH provides solid evidence and Now, more than ever, Patient Safety could truly new perspectives that will support the efforts of benefit from a more holistic approach both in policymakers trying to improve their healthcare developed and less-developed regions; initiatives system’s safety record and patient experience.” in the UK have reduced MRSA by 90% whilst the Patient Safety is one of eight reports being pre- current Ebola outbreak required the new thinking sented at the 2015 WISH Summit taking place in around challenge of waste disposal and protec- Qatar, where leading international health experts MEYRIN: A worker walks near the CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) Cavern at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Meyrin, tion of workers in under-resourced regions. are joining an influential community of heads of near Geneva. — AFP state, government ministers, academics, clini- Patient Safety and Quality cians, policy makers and business leaders to dis- In an effort to improve patient safety through cuss innovative solutions to some of the most Searching for Susy: Collider an holistic, sector-wide perspective, Dr Peter pressing global health challenges. As well as Pronovost, Senior Vice President for Patient Safety Patient Safety, WISH will publish reports on and Quality, and Director of the Armstrong Communicating Complex Health Messages, Institute for Patient Safety and Quality at John Diabetes, Delivering Affordable Cancer Care, to push the physics frontier Hopkins Medicine in the United States, oversaw a Dementia, Universal Health Coverage, Mental team of distinguished international experts, Health and Wellbeing in Children, and Maternal GENEVA: Excitement is mounting at the world’s ticle which could help to explain what this mys- ple. Scientists believe the LHC must now be drawn from every field of patient safety to inform and Newborn Health. WISH is spearheaded by largest proton smasher, where scientists are terious dark matter is,” said Landua. Ordinary, vis- powerful enough to find supersymmetric parti- and produce today’s unique report. Dr Pronovost Qatar Foundation to inspire and diffuse health- close to launching a superpowered hunt for par- ible matter comprises only about four percent of cles, if they exist. said: “For too long in healthcare, the mind-set has care innovation and best practice. It remains ticles that may change our understanding of the the known Universe. There is believed to be five been that patient harms are inevitable, that silos closely aligned to the vision and mission of QF to Universe. Physicists and engineers are running to 10 times more dark matter, which together Higgses galore? are natural, and that heroism rather than unlock human potential and reinforces Qatar’s thoughtful design keeps patients safe. Through pioneering role as an emerging center for health- the final checks after a two-year upgrade that with equally mysterious dark energy accounts “Susy is super beautiful and would fix the the work undertaken behind today’s WISH report care innovation. nearly doubled the muscle of the Large Hadron for 96 percent of the cosmos. Standard Model in many ways,” said Rebeca Collider (LHC), which in 2012 unlocked the puta- Suarez of the LHC’s Compact Muon Solenoid tive Higgs boson and, with it, a Nobel Prize. Now ‘Fixing’ the Standard Model (CMS) experiment. “But honestly, the hopes of it has its sights on finding exotic new particles in Fresh from its Higgs exploit, the LHC was shut supersymmetry are really low at the moment... ‘Medicine cabinet’ a previously-inaccessible realm that can some- as scheduled in 2013 to boost its collision capac- we have really looked. Lighter particles of super- times resemble science fiction. “The most excit- ity to 13 teraelectronvolts (TeV) - 6.5 TeV for each symmetry should have been accessible already. fights bee disease ing thing is we really don’t know what we are of the two counter-rotating beams that zip “We are losing hope more every day about it. going to find,” said Rolf Landua of the European around the ring. “Thirteen TeV will be a new But there were also those losing hope of finding PARIS: Floral nectar contains a bouquet North American plant called white turtle- Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), which record, which will open the door hopefully for the Higgs and in the end we found it!” of natural chemicals that may help fight head (Chelone glabra), with 61 percent. hosts the LHC. new physics, new discoveries,” operator Mirko The Higgs boson, theorized to confer mass on parasite infection in bumble bees, a “The results suggest that growing plants Experiments at the collider seek to unlock Pojer said at the bustling CERN control centre. matter, was the last undiscovered particle pre- study said yesterday. The findings throw high in these compounds around farm clues as to how the Universe came into exis- “LHC Run 2 will certainly help the physicists dicted by the Standard Model. Supersymmetry up clues for helping honey bee colonies fields could create a natural ‘medicine tence by studying fundamental particles, the to better explain our Universe.” The collider’s pre- postulates there must be additional types of battling mysterious but catastrophic cabinet’ that improves survival of dis- building blocks of all matter, and the forces that vious highest power was 8 TeV reached in 2012. Higgs. “Something very important will be to decline. Biologists in New England tested eased bees and pollination of crops,” control them. During its next run, researchers “I am pretty sure now with the new energy in measure really well the Higgs boson that we eight nectar compounds on North Dartmouth College in New Hampshire will look for evidence of “new physics”. They will the accelerator we will discover something,” said have, to finally characterise it as a Standard American bumble bees-Latin name said in a statement. probe ‘supersymmetry’-a theoretical concept Frederick Bordry, CERN director for accelerators Model particle,” said Suarez. “Any tiny deviation Bombus impatiens-that had been infect- Further experiments will show informally dubbed Susy, seek explanations for and technology. “By increasing the energy, the that we may find in the properties of the Higgs ed in the lab with an intestinal parasite whether the compounds also benefit enigmatic dark matter, and look for signs of potential of discovery is higher by... maybe two boson or any other Standard Model particle that called Crithidia bombi. Four of the eight honey bees, which have been hit in extra dimensions. In late March, beams contain- orders of magnitude,” or a hundred-fold, he said. does not follow the predictions could be a clear were effective against Crithidia, which is North America and Europe by a phenom- ing billions of protons travelling at 99.9 percent During its second three-year run, the LHC will sign of new phenomena.” spread by bee faeces and lowers winter enon called colony collapse disorder, said the speed of light will shoot through the collid- seek to fill gaps in the “Standard Model”-the With the upgrade, the LHC can potentially be survival rates and reproductive success. Leif Richardson, who headed the study. er’s 27-kilometre ring-shaped tunnel straddling mainstream theory of how our visible Universe is cranked up to a maximum 14 TeV, but even this The most impressive impact came Parasites have been fingered, but insecti- the Franco-Swiss border. constructed. The model doesn’t explain dark may not be enough to find explanations for the from an alkaloid called anabasine, found cides and intensive monoculture, which By about the end of May or early June, the matter or dark energy-and seems incompatible strange phenomenon of dark matter, she said. A in a species of wild tobacco called destroys the bees’ habitat, have also been mighty machine should be calibrated and start with the theory of gravity. Leading the pack of further, anticipated update may be required for Nicotiana glauca, which reduced the par- cited as possible causes. “Bumble bees its long-awaited proton collisions-brief but additional theories, “Susy” postulates the exis- that. “To find extra Higgses would be nice, to asites by 81 percent. and honey bees are both in the family super-intense smashups recorded in four labs tence of a more massive, “supersymmetric” sib- find extra anything would be really great,” said It was followed by thymol (67 percent) Apidae and are relatively closely related, dotted around the ring. Physicists scour the ling for every known Standard Model particle. Suarez. “If there is nothing, also it is interesting,” found in the common lime tree (Tilia so it is possible that these results will also europaea), nicotine (62 percent), also be found for honey bees,” Richardson debris for clues of new, hopefully exotic, sub- This may explain dark matter, which is observ- she added, adding in all earnestness: “But of found in tobacco, and catalpol, found in a told AFP by email. —AFP atomic particles. “The most important thing able only through its gravitational effect on visi- course to me, that is the worst-case scenario... It which we would like to find is a new type of par- ble matter-holding galaxies together, for exam- would be the worst thing to happen.”— AFP THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Despite ban, fox hunts still thrive and divide, in Britain

IBSTONE: The horses wait in the farmyard, hunting dogs to death and lead to a plague tails braided and manes gleaming, while of foxes. huntsmen in brightly colored coats marshal the eager hounds, straining to chase the Trail hunting scent of a fox. To some, the start of a fox hunt Those dire predictions have not come is a quintessentially English scene, steeped in true. The hunting ban has had relatively little tradition. To others, it’s a barbaric rite pre- impact on fox numbers, since the animals can served for the rich. Oscar Wilde dubbed fox still be trapped, shot or gassed by farmers. hunting “the unspeakable in full pursuit of And the sport has adapted. Like many other the uneatable,” and a decade ago lawmakers hunting clubs, the Kimblewick Hunt now banned the centuries-old blood sport, which practices trail hunting: Hounds and riders fol- has many opponents in Britain’s cities, and low a scent trail of fox urine laid out in deep roots in its countryside. advance. Trail hunting keeps the dog packs “People who live in the country support active and allows riders the experience of hunting,” said Mike Murray, who has come to hunting without the climactic act of a fox see off the hounds and riders of the being ripped apart by dogs - or at least that’s Kimblewick Hunt in Ibstone, a village tucked the theory. In practice, the dogs sometimes into the wooded Chiltern Hills an hour out- encounter foxes, and kill them. side of London. “It’s as simple as that.” When “Our intention is to go out and trail hunt hunting with hounds was banned, pro-hunt- and work within the act as best we can, but ing groups feared the sport could disappear, obviously that becomes very difficult,” said endangering thousands of rural jobs, from hunt master Gerald Sumner. “We’re riding dog breeders to stable hands to blacksmiths. around the countryside, there’s foxes about, a But hunting has survived, and even pros- fox jumps up and suddenly we’re criminals.” pered, by adapting to the new rules - or, The number of foxes still being killed by opponents claim, by flouting the law. hounds is unknown. The League Against Thousands of people still attend organized Cruel Sports claims kills are a regular occur- hunts each week throughout the winter, and rence and accuses hunters of using “under- only a handful of hunters have been convict- handed methods” - such as claiming that SATYANARAYANPUR: Villagers help a fisherman couple push their boat to the water at Satyanarayanpur village in the Sundarbans, India. — AP ed of breaching the ban. intentional kills were accidental - to circum- vent the law. Bonner, of the pro-hunting Opponents of hunting Countryside Alliance, agrees that foxes are Millions at risk from rapid sea Some opponents of hunting say that’s evi- still being killed by hounds, though he denies dence that there is one law for the rich and it’s deliberate. “Given the fine lines between one for the poor. Hunt supporters say it’s the what is and isn’t an offense, people aren’t too rise in swampy Sundarbans result of a bad law motivated by social hostili- ready to advertise when they do have an ty. Sooner or later, all debates about fox hunt- unintentional pursuit,” he said. “But it does ing come to the c-word: class. Tim Bonner of happen.” Clamping down on illegal hunting is rural lobby group the Countryside Alliance not a police priority. Official figures show that Sundarbans could be underwater in 15 to 25 years said the ban was motivated by “a class-war 341 people were prosecuted under the agenda.” “It has nothing to do with animal Hunting Act between 2005 and the end of BALI ISLAND: The tiny hut sculpted out of mud at the Most struggle on far less than $1 a day. With 5 mil- large number of people into destitutes.” welfare,” he said. “It was about politics. This is 2013 - but the vast majority of them had edge of the sea is barely large enough for Bokul lion people on the Indian side and 8 million in West Bengal is no stranger to mass migration. the chosen battleground of those who want nothing to do with fox hunting. Most of the Mondol and his family to lie down in. The water has Bangladesh, the Sundarbans population is far greater Kolkata, its capital, has been overrun three times by to dismantle the rural way of life.” cases involved poaching or illegally hunting taken everything else from them, and one day it than any of the small island nations that also face dire panicked masses fleeing violence or starvation: during almost certainly will take this, too. Saltwater long ago threats from rising sea levels. Losing the 26,000- Many rural people reacted with fury when hares. The Countryside Alliance says that only a 1943 famine, the 1947 partition and the 1971 war engulfed the 5 acres where Mondol once grew rice square-kilometer region - an area about the size of that created today’s Bangladesh. India, however, has then-Prime Minister Tony Blair - whose 12 hunt members have been convicted, out and tended fish ponds, as his ancestors had on Bali Haiti - would also take an environmental toll. The no official plan either to help relocate Sundarbans res- Labour Party is strongest in urban areas - of about 45,000 people who hunt regularly Island for some 200 years. His thatch-covered hut, Sundarbans region is teeming with wildlife, including idents or to protect the region from further ecological announced plans to outlaw hunting. with almost 200 registered groups. built on public land, is the fifth he has had to build in the world’s only population of mangrove forest tigers. decline. “We need international help. We need nation- Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators Anti-hunting groups agree that fox the last five years as the sea creeps in. “Every year we The freshwater swamps and their tangles of mangrove al help. We need the help of the people all over the marched through London, some clashing hunters account for a very small proportion have to move a little further inland,” he said. forests act as a natural buffer protecting India’s West world. We are very late” in addressing the problem, with riot police outside Parliament. Protesters of prosecutions under the act. They say the Seas are rising more than twice as fast as the glob- Bengal state and Bangladesh from cyclones. said West Bengal state’s minister for emergencies and even stormed onto the floor of the House of low number of convictions means the law is al average here in the Sundarbans, a low-lying delta disaster management, Janab Javed Ahmed Khan. Commons. Blair later said the hunting ban not being enforced strongly enough. “The region of about 200 islands in the Bay of Bengal where Polar ice melting He said West Bengal must work urgently with the was of the few acts he regretted. He said he government, when they passed the act, didn’t some 13 million impoverished Indians and With the warming climate melting polar ice and Indian and Bangladeshi governments to take action. had failed to understand that for many rural say who they wanted to enforce it,” said David Bangladeshis live. Tens of thousands like Mondol have rising temperatures expanding oceans, seas have Bangladesh is supporting scientists “trying to find out people, “this was a fundamental part of their Bowles of the Royal Society for the Prevention already been left homeless, and scientists predict been rising globally at an average rate of about 3 mil- whether it’s possible to protect the Sundarbans,” said way of life.” of Cruelty to Animals. “There were illegal much of the Sundarbans could be underwater in 15 to limeters a year - a rate scientists say is likely to speed Taibur Rahman, of the Bangladesh government’s plan- British fox hunting - a form of pest control activities in the countryside and nobody was 25 years. That could force a singularly massive exodus up. The latest projections suggest seas could rise on ning commission. “But we are already experiencing that became a sport - traditionally involves taking any enforcement actions.” The RSPCA of millions of “climate refugees,” creating enormous average up to about 1 meter this century. That would the effects of climate change. The people of the groups of riders following a pack of hounds and charities stepped in to fill the gap by challenges for India and Bangladesh that neither be bad enough for the Sundarbans, where the highest Sundarbans are resilient and have long lived with trained to track and kill foxes. The Hunting mounting prosecutions for illegal hunting. country has prepared for. “This big-time climate point is around 3 meters and the mean elevation is hardship, but many now are leaving. And we are not Act, which came into force on Feb 18, 2005, For evidence, they rely on volunteers - hunt- migration is looming on the horizon,” said Tapas Paul, less than a meter above sea level. But sea rise occurs yet prepared.” bans using dogs to kill the animals, though ing supporters call them vigilantes - who film a New Delhi-based environmental specialist with the unevenly across the globe because of factors like A network of concrete dykes and barriers, like World Bank, which is spending hundreds of millions of wind, ocean currents, tectonic shift and variations in there are loopholes: up to two hounds can hunts in a bid to record dogs killing foxes. those protecting the Netherlands, offers limited pro- dollars assessing and preparing a plan for the the Earth’s gravitational pull. The rate of sea rise in the tection to some of the islands in Bangladesh’s portion chase foxes into open ground so they can be Bands of saboteurs also sometimes try to dis- Sundarbans region. Sundarbans has been measured at twice the global of the Sundarbans. The World Bank is now spending shot. Hunting supporters feared a ban would rupt hunts by making a racket, laying false rate or even higher. some $200 million to improve those barriers. Experts increase rural unemployment, condemn trails and other direct-action tactics. —AP Largest-ever migration In addition, dams and irrigation systems upstream worry that politicians will ignore the problem or con- “If all the people of the Sundarbans have to are trapping sediments that could have built up the tinue to make traditional promises to build roads, migrate, this would be the largest-ever migration in river deltas that make up the Sundarbans. Other schools and hospital clinics. This could entice more the history of mankind,” Paul said. The largest to date human activities such as deforestation encourage ero- people to the region just when everyone should be occurred during the India-Pakistan partition in 1947, sion. A 2013 study by the Zoological Society of moving out. when 10 million people or more migrated from one London measured the Sundarbans coastline retreat- country to the other. Mondol has no idea where he ing at about 200 meters a year. The Geological Survey Making urbanization attractive would go. His family of six is now entirely dependent of India says at least 210 square kilometers of coast- “We have 15 years ... that’s the rough time frame I on neighbors who have not lost their land. Some days line on the Indian side has eroded in the last few give for sea level rise to become very difficult and they simply don’t eat. “For 10 years I was fighting with decades. At least four islands are underwater and population pressure to become almost unmanage- the sea, until finally everything was gone,” he says, dozens of others have been abandoned due to sea able,” said Jayanta Bandopadhyay, an engineer and staring blankly at the water lapping at the muddy rise and erosion. science professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University in coast. “We live in constant fear of flooding. If the island New Delhi who has studied the region for years. is lost, we will all die.” World Wildlife Fund Bandopadhyay and other experts say India and On their own, the Sundarbans’ impoverished resi- Many scientists believe the only long-term solu- Bangladesh should be creating jobs, offering skills dents have little chance of moving before catastrophe tion is for most of the Sundarbans population to leave. training, freeing lands and making urbanization hits. Facing constant threats from roving tigers and That may be not only necessary but environmentally attractive so people will feel empowered to leave. crocodiles, deadly swarms of giant honeybees and beneficial, giving shorn mangrove forests a chance to Even if India musters that kind of political will, plan- poisonous snakes, they struggle to eke out a living by regrow and capture river sediment in their tangled, ning and funds, persuading people to move will not farming, shrimping, fishing and collecting honey from saltwater-tolerant roots. “The chance of a mass migra- be easy. the forests. Each year, with crude tools and bare tion, to my mind, is actually pretty high. India is not Most families have been living here since the early hands, they build mud embankments to keep saltwa- recognizing it for whatever reason,” said Anurag 1800s, when the British East India Company - which ter and wild animals from invading their crops. And Danda, who leads the World Wildlife Fund’s climate then governed India, Pakistan and Bangladesh for the IBSTONE: Gerald Sumner huntsman and master of the hounds of Kimblewick Hunt, each year swollen rivers, monsoon rains and floods change adaptation program in the Sundarbans. “It’s a British Empire - removed huge mangrove forests to leads off the hunt in Ibstone, England. — AP wash many of those banks and mud-packed homes crisis waiting to happen. We are just one event away allow people to live on and profit from the fertile agri- back into the sea. from seeing large-scale displacement and turning a cultural land. —AP WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

Mulla Exchange organizes appreciation dinner for media representatives

s part of its annual celebrations, the thanked them for their contributions that all further success and a bright future.” Manager of Al Mulla Exchanges, Rajesh provides fast and safe money exchange servic- leading money remittance company in helped make 2014 a successful year, and will In his speech, Joshi welcomed the guests, Gairola, was also present at the function. es from home or the office online at AKuwait, organized its annual dinner at continue to maintain the success in 2015. and highlighted the media’s role in conveying The media representatives spent a great www.amxremit.com. Mais Al-Ghanem restaurant, to honor media Rakesh Joshi, General Manager, said on this the company’s message. He expressed his time in Mais Al-Ghanem restaurant, where The company also has recently launched representatives for their support during the occasion: “This annual celebration is an oppor- gratitude on behalf of all staff at Al Mulla they enjoyed oriental dishes while Al Mulla the Payit app; a smartphone app that is avail- past year. More than 50 guests representing tunity for Al Mulla International Exchange International Exchange Company to press and International Exchange Company’s team pro- able on Android and iOS. It allows clients to media outlets and Al Mulla International Company’s family to gather and celebrate the media representatives, adding that he is look- vided a brief presentation on the company’s make payments easily at any time, as well as Exchange Company staff and management achievements that we accomplished together ing forward for further cooperation between services, its network of 60 branches, in addi- transfer money easily and safely based on the attended the event. so far. I would like to seize this opportunity to the company and media representatives. Joshi tion to the insurance and loyalty point services best exchange rates. Al Mulla International The celebration started with a warm wel- thank our work team and media outlets for also expressed his appreciation to the active that are provided free of charge on every Exchange Company is the first company in its come from the company management, who their great efforts that helped elevate the role that the local press plays in supporting transaction. The company also provides SMS field to release the Payit app that provides an welcomed the guests upon their arrival, and company’s name to new horizons. I wish them the company’s efforts. The Divisional General verification for remittance operations, and advanced level of service to its clients.

Honda Alghanim sponsors Kuwait Riders Bike Show

onda Alghanim was a major spon- bikes in addition to accessories and mer- Honda Alghanim has pledged that it ty in Kuwait, and will continue to be sor of the fifth annual Kuwait Riders chandize. will continue to honor its responsibility involved with, and support the community HBike Show 2015 which took place Honda Alghanim’s participation was towards society and its clientele by spon- in the future. Honda Alghanim, the sole from February 11-13 by Safir International not limited only to a sponsorship role - the soring and partaking in all occasions, distributor of Honda automobiles, motor- Hotel on the Arabian Gulf Road. The event company lived up to its customers’ expec- events and activities in Kuwaiti society cycles, power products, and marine prod- was organized by Kuwait Riders - Kuwait’s tations of providing the best possible that involve all different groups and seg- ucts in Kuwait, is dedicated to providing biggest motorbike club and a member of service as well as its commitment to a safe ments. customers with flexible payment solutions the international ‘Riders’ network present riding environment. Honda Alghanim set Honda products were in full force and efficient and cost-effective services. in the Gulf and the MENA region - with up a mobile service center throughout the throughout the exhibition - the Honda Customers are welcome to visit the hundreds of motorbike enthusiasts partic- exhibition period to cater to the riders’ Pilot was showcased at the venue, while Honda motorcycle showroom in Shuwaikh, NITCAA holds ipating from Kuwait and all over the Gulf service and repair needs. Additionally, a the Gold Wing F6B and Gold Wing F6C opposite to the Historical, Vintage and region. The show is recognized as the series of exclusive deals were offered at motorbikes were displayed prominently Classic Cars Museum, from 8:30 AM until Middle East’s bigger motorbike riders’ Honda Alghanim booth including deep on the main event stage. 8:30 PM, Saturday to Thursday, and from MahaQuizzer event and played host to the region’s discounts on the entire range of motor- Honda Alghanim is committed to the 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM on Fridays. For finest classic and contemporary motor- bikes, accessories and merchandize. safety and welfare of the riding communi- more information, please call 1822777. ahaQuizzer ME - Kuwait 2015, the solo open general written quiz contest, was organized by the Alumni Association of MNational Institute of Technology, Calicut (NITCAA) on January 30, 2015. This was an extension of the Mahaquizzer, con- ducted simultaneously across various Indian cities, by Karnataka Quiz Association, Bangalore. The quiz was open to all above 10 years of age as on 1st February 2015 who registered online, irrespective of their nationality or affiliation.The 90 minutes MahaQuizzer ME con- ducted in Kuwait was attended by 238 people in the age range from 10 to 70 years. Salmiya Indian Model School (SIMS), Fahaheel Al Watanieh Indian Private School (DPS), Ahmadi and United Indian School (UIS), Jleeb Shuyoukh were the venues at which the quiz was conducted from 2:00 to 3:30 pm. The winner with the maximum score shall be conferred the title “MahaQuizzer ME - Kuwait 2015,” fol- lowed by 2nd and 3rd places as well. To promote quizzing culture in all walks of life, special prizes are also given to ladies and students (junior and senior) and for the youngest participant. The winners will be intimated personally and the list of winners will be published in the NITCAA website within a month. For details, log on to http://nit- caakuwait.org/wp/?page_id=1021

What’s On - Submission Guidelines All photos submitted for What’s On St Stephens Indian Orthodox Harvest Festival concludes should be minimum 200dpi. Articles must be in plain text and he second Harvest Festival of St Ahmedabad by lighting the traditional Thomas and Fr Reji C Varghese, Playback souvenir on the occasion was released by should include name and phone Stephen’s Indian Orthodox lamP The ceremony was graced by the singer KG Markose, Parish trustee Laji His Grace by handing over a copy of the TCongregation Kuwait was held at the presence of the Vicar of the parish Fr Saju Joseph, Secretary Shaju P John, Harvest same to Fr Raju Thomas. numbers. Articles and photos that Indian Community School, Khaitan on Philip, Roy Yohannan on behalf of the Fest Convener Alex P George and Jt The public function was followed by a fail to meet these requirements will Friday the 13th of February, 2015. The cele- National Evangelical Church of Kuwait Convener Suby George spoke on the occa- variety of programs including dances, skits bration commenced at 10:00 am with a (NECK), AK Srivasthava, 1st Secretary of the sion. and plays by the members of the parish. not be published. variety of entertainment programs by Indian Embassy, Shaji Abraham, Managing His Grace Yulios as being one of the 3 The devotional concert by the distin- Sunday School children and various spiritu- Committee member of the Church, junior most bishops of Malankara guished play back singers KG Markose and Please send them to al organizations of the parish. The public Varghese Puthukulangara, member, NOR- Orthodox Syrian Church exhorted in his Sicily Abraham was followed. The musical [email protected] meeting related to the same was inaugu- KA-Roots, Vicars of the Apostolic Churches speech that the zenith of thanksgiving to session was added color by songs by the rated by Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios, the Fr CV Simon, Fr Aby Paul, Vicar and Assoc. God’s love is what we practice by living parish member Binoy KJ and the chorus by diocesan metropolitan of the Diocese of Vicar of ST Gregorios Mahaedavaka Fr Raju good as advocated by God Almighty. A the Church members. WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

Winner of the mega KD 500 gold voucher.

Joyalukkas picks final ‘Festival of A Million’ winners

he mega winning opportunity at campaign was announced on 1 February against every purchase worth KD 50 at any cash back on every purchase of diamond and Tower branch Kuwait City. Joyalukkas Festival of A Million has 2015, received gold coins and gift vouchers. Joyalukkas Jewellery showrooms. In addition polki Jewellery. “It’s a pleasure to see such an overwhelm- Treceived an overwhelming response The Joyalukkas Festival of A Million offered to this some attractive offers where being The lucky winners were picked by Abdul ing response for Joyalukkas Festival of A from customers across GCC, Singapore and shoppers the chance to win AED One Million offered to customers at Joyalukkas like, Aziz Ashkanani in the presence of Joyalukkas Million. It’s the season of giving and in addi- Malaysia. The final set of winners of the 60 day in gift vouchers and 100,000 gold coins exchange old gold Jewellery for new and 10% officials and various customers at Panasonic tion to our special designs for the festive spirit we are also offering a bouquet of winnings and exciting offers to reward our customers. We had planned a big mix of offers so that there is something for all types of Jewellery buyers,” said Joy Alukkas, Chairman and MD, Joyalukkas Group. Bashar was elated with the winnings and said “I am glad to win this 500 KD Gift vouch- er. I would also like to thank Joyalukkas on being a part of this grand initiative that is giv- ing so many opportunities to win and hence- forth Joyalukkas will be my favorite destina- tion to win”. John Paul Joy Alukkas, Executive Director, Joyalukkas Group congratulating the winners on this occasion said, “During the 60 day duration of the Joyalukkas Festival of A Million in addition to getting the big win opportunity, shoppers also got an attractive exchange of old gold Jewellery for new and 10% cash back on every purchase of diamond and polki Jewellery”.

KUWAIT: Farwaniya Governorate launched celebrations for Kuwait’s 54th Independence and 24th Liberation anniversaries at the Farwaniya Popular Café recently. Farwaniya Governor Sheikh Faisal Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah, senior officials, diplomats and other dignitaries attended the inauguration ceremony. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 TV PROGRAMS

16:50 How It’s Made 02:00 Mega Factories: Supercars 16:00 Emmerdale 04:30 Eleanor’s Secret 17:15 How It’s Made 03:00 Swamp Men 16:30 Coronation Street 06:00 Back To The Sea 17:40 Alaska: The Last Frontier 04:00 Rescue Ink 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 08:00 The Legend Of Sasquatch 18:30 Street Outlaws 05:00 Science of Stupid 18:00 Unforgettable 10:00 Khumba 19:20 Street Outlaws 05:30 Science of Stupid 19:00 Suits 11:30 The Happy Cricket 2 00:50 Voodoo Shark 20:10 The Liquidator 06:00 Sea Patrol 20:00 The Flash 13:00 Hatching 01:45 Animal Cops Houston 20:35 Auction Hunters 07:00 Animal Intervention 21:00 American Idol 14:30 Luke And Lucy: The Texas 02:40 Tanked 21:00 Street Outlaws 08:00 Dangerous Encounters 22:00 24: Live Another Day Rangers 03:35 The Lion Queen 21:50 American Muscle 09:00 Rebuilding Titanic 23:00 The Client List 16:15 Barbie Presents: Thumbelina 04:25 Animal Cops Houston 22:40 Hellriders 10:00 Mega Factories: Supercars 18:00 Khumba 05:15 Roaring With Pride 23:30 Alaska: The Last Frontier 11:00 Caught In The Act 20:00 Catch That Kid 06:02 Call Of The Wildman 12:00 Prehistoric Predators 21:45 Luke And Lucy: The Texas 06:25 Call Of The Wildman 13:00 The Indestructibles Rangers 06:49 The Lion Queen 13:30 The Indestructibles 23:30 Barbie Presents: Thumbelina 07:36 The Wild Life Of Tim 14:00 Animal Autopsy Faulkner 15:00 Outback Wrangler 01:00 Good Morning America 08:00 The Wild Life Of Tim 16:00 Big, Bigger, Biggest 05:00 Good Morning America Faulkner 17:00 Inside Combat Rescue 10:00 Emmerdale 08:25 Too Cute! 18:00 Last War Heroes 00:00 Violetta 10:30 Coronation Street 09:15 The Lion Queen 19:00 Outback Wrangler 00:45 The Hive 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 10:10 Call Of The Wildman 20:00 Big, Bigger, Biggest 00:00 Last Vegas-PG15 00:50 Art Attack 15:00 Live Good Morning America 10:35 Call Of The Wildman 21:00 Inside Combat Rescue 02:00 Peeples-PG15 01:15 Art Attack 19:00 Drop Dead Diva 11:05 Gator Boys 22:00 Last War Heroes 04:00 Haywire-PG15 01:40 Jungle Junction 20:00 Royal Pains 12:00 Too Cute! 23:00 Caught In The Act 05:45 Monsters University-PG 01:50 Jungle Junction 12:55 The Lion Queen OSN FIRST COMEDY HD 07:45 Salmon Fishing In The 02:05 Jungle Junction 13:50 Roaring With Pride 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Yemen-PG15 02:15 Jungle Junction 14:45 Animal Cops Houston Stewart 09:45 Transformers-PG15 02:30 Violetta 15:40 Tanked 01:00 Modern Family 12:15 Haywire-PG15 03:10 The Hive 16:35 Mermaids: The New 01:30 Parks And Recreation 00:00 Europa Report 14:00 Muppets Most Wanted-PG 03:20 Art Attack Evidence 02:00 Curb Your Enthusiasm 02:00 Immortals 16:00 Salmon Fishing In The 03:45 Art Attack 17:30 The Lion Queen 02:30 The Boondocks 04:00 Shanghai Noon Yemen-PG15 04:10 Jungle Junction 18:25 Roaring With Pride 06:00 American Warships 18:00 47 Ronin-PG15 04:20 Jungle Junction 19:20 The Beauty Of Snakes 08:00 Recoil 20:00 The Colony-PG15 04:35 Jungle Junction 20:15 Tanked 09:45 Star Trek Into Darkness 21:45 Hit And Run-18 04:45 Jungle Junction 21:10 The Lion Queen 12:00 Shanghai Noon 23:30 Transformers-PG15 22:05 Roaring With Pride 05:00 Art Attack 14:00 Europa Report 23:00 The Beauty Of Snakes 05:25 Art Attack 16:00 Recoil 23:55 Swamp Brothers 05:50 Mouk 00:00 Dangerous Encounters 18:00 The Cold Light Of Day 06:00 Kim Possible 01:00 Rebuilding Titanic 19:45 Star Trek Into Darkness 06:25 Austin & Ally 02:00 Mega Factories: Supercars 01:00 Inside The PGA Tour 06:50 Girl Meets World 03:00 Swamp Men 02:00 Champions Tour Highlights 07:15 Liv And Maddie 04:00 Rescue Ink 03:00 Super Rugby 07:40 Jessie 05:00 Science of Stupid 05:00 PGA Tour 07:00 Golfing World 00:40 The Weakest Link 08:05 Dog With A Blog 05:30 Science of Stupid 08:30 Good Luck Charlie 06:00 Sea Patrol 00:00 Immortals-PG15 08:00 European Tour Weekly 01:25 Eastenders 08:30 Live PGA European Tour 01:55 Doctors 08:55 Good Luck Charlie 07:00 Animal Intervention 02:00 Shanghai Noon-PG15 09:20 Sonny With A Chance 08:00 Dangerous Encounters 04:00 American Warships-PG15 11:00 Golfing World 02:25 Lark Rise To Candleford 12:00 Live PGA European Tour 03:15 Rev. 09:45 Sonny With A Chance 09:00 Rebuilding Titanic 06:00 Recoil-PG15 10:10 Suite Life On Deck 10:00 Mega Factories: Supercars 07:45 Star Trek Into Darkness- 15:00 Golfing World 03:45 Saxondale 17:00 Total Rugby 04:15 The Weakest Link 10:35 Suite Life On Deck 11:00 Caught In The Act PG15 11:00 That’s So Raven 12:00 Prehistoric Predators 10:00 Shanghai Noon-PG15 17:30 Live Dubai World Cup 05:00 The Green Balloon Club Carnival 05:25 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 11:25 That’s So Raven 13:00 The Indestructibles 12:00 Europa Report-PG15 11:50 A.N.T. Farm 13:30 The Indestructibles 14:00 Recoil-PG15 21:30 Sevens World Series 05:45 Me Too! Highlights 06:05 Garth And Bev 12:15 A.N.T. Farm 14:00 Animal Autopsy 16:00 The Cold Light Of Day-PG15 12:40 Hannah Montana 15:00 Outback Wrangler 17:45 Star Trek Into Darkness 22:00 Golfing World 06:15 The Green Balloon Club 23:00 Champions Tour Highlights 06:40 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 13:05 Hannah Montana 16:00 Big, Bigger, Biggest 20:00 Alex Cross-PG15 07:00 Gigglebiz 13:30 Wizards Of Waverly Place 17:00 Inside Combat Rescue 22:00 Shaft-18 07:15 The Weakest Link 13:55 Wizards Of Waverly Place 18:00 Last War Heroes 08:00 Rev. 14:20 Austin & Ally 19:00 Outback Wrangler 08:30 Dad’s Army 15:00 Dog With A Blog 20:00 Big, Bigger, Biggest 01:00 Super Rugby 09:00 Eastenders 15:20 Dog With A Blog 21:00 Inside Combat Rescue 03:00 Live NHL 00:00 Freeloaders-18 09:30 Doctors 15:45 Liv And Maddie 22:00 Last War Heroes 07:00 Total Rugby 01:45 Held Up (1999)-PG15 10:00 Lark Rise To Candleford 16:10 Violetta 23:00 Caught In The Act 09:30 Golfing World 03:45 Mental-PG15 10:50 The Weakest Link 17:00 Austin & Ally 10:30 HSBC Sevens World Series 06:00 Life Happens-PG15 11:35 Rev. 17:25 Jessie 13:30 Live Snooker Welsh Open 08:00 Run For Your Wife-PG15 12:05 Dad’s Army 17:50 Liv And Maddie 19:00 WWE NXT 10:00 Fred 2: Night Of The Living 12:35 One Foot In The Grave 18:15 Girl Meets World 20:00 WWE SmackDown Fred-PG 13:05 Eastenders 18:40 Dog With A Blog 22:00 Live Snooker Welsh Open STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD 12:00 Hope Springs-PG15 13:35 Doctors 19:05 Dog With A Blog 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 14:00 Article 99-PG15 14:05 Lark Rise To Candleford 19:30 Violetta Stewart 16:00 Run For Your Wife-PG15 08:55 Brides Of Beverly Hills 17:10 How Do They Do It? 21:20 The Will: Family Secrets 14:55 The Omid Djalili Show 20:20 Austin & Ally 01:00 Modern Family 18:00 It’s A Disaster-PG15 09:20 Brides Of Beverly Hills 17:35 How Do They Do It? Revealed 15:25 Rev. 20:45 Austin & Ally 01:30 Parks And Recreation 20:00 Scary Movie 5-PG15 09:45 Cake Boss 18:00 Through The Wormhole 22:10 Who On Earth Did I 15:55 Dad’s Army 21:10 Austin & Ally 00:00 Golfing World 02:00 Curb Your Enthusiasm 22:00 National Lampoon’s 10:10 Sister Wives 18:50 How It’s Made Marry? 16:25 The Weakest Link 21:35 Austin & Ally 07:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 22:00 Suite Life On Deck 02:30 The Boondocks European Vacation-PG15 10:00 World Cup of Pool 11:00 What Not To Wear 19:15 How It’s Made 22:35 Who On Earth Did I 17:10 Eastenders 03:00 New Girl 11:50 Oprah’s Master Class 19:40 Food Factory Marry? 17:40 Doctors 22:25 A.N.T. Farm 11:00 World Cup of Pool 22:50 Shake It Up 03:30 The Michael J. Fox Show 12:00 World Pool Masters 12:40 Secret Eaters 20:05 Food Factory 23:00 Deadly Affairs 18:10 Lark Rise To Candleford 04:00 Men At Work 13:30 Bakery Boss 20:30 Magic Of Science 23:50 Deadly Sins 19:00 Dad’s Army 23:10 Wolfblood 13:00 Super Rugby 23:35 Wolfblood 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 17:00 Golfing World 14:20 Little And Looking For Love 20:55 Magic Of Science 19:30 Getting On Jimmy Fallon 15:10 Cake Boss 21:20 Ben Earl: Trick Artist 20:00 Stella 01:30 Old Stock-PG15 18:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 06:00 The Goldbergs 22:00 Live Premier League Darts 15:35 Little People, Big World 22:10 How Do They Do It? 20:45 Waking The Dead 06:30 Better Off Ted 03:00 Inescapable-PG15 16:00 Hoarding: Buried Alive 22:35 How Do They Do It? 21:35 Waking The Dead 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 05:00 The Glass Man-PG15 16:50 Say Yes To The Dress 23:00 Magic Of Science 22:25 Lead Balloon 08:00 Men At Work 07:00 The Good Witch’s Wedding- 17:15 17 Kids And Counting 23:25 Magic Of Science 22:55 Zen 09:00 New Girl 09:00 The Sapphires-PG15 17:40 Sister Wives 23:50 Ben Earl: Trick Artist 00:00 House Of DVF 11:00 The Glass Man-PG15 09:30 Community 18:30 What Not To Wear 00:10 Zou 00:55 Extreme Close-Up 13:00 Inescapable-PG15 00:00 NHL 10:00 Hot In Cleveland 19:20 Oprah’s Master Class 00:25 Mouk 01:25 Kourtney And Khloe Take 15:00 Dawn Rider-PG15 07:00 Monster Jam 10:30 Better Off Ted 20:10 Secret Eaters 00:35 Jungle Junction The Hamptons 17:00 The Sapphires-PG15 08:00 Monster Jam 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 21:00 90 Days To Wed 00:50 Art Attack 02:20 Kourtney And Khloe Take 19:00 The Trouble With Bliss-PG15 09:00 The World’s Strongest Man Jimmy Fallon 21:50 Brides Of Beverly Hills 01:15 Julius Jr. The Hamptons 21:00 Out Of The Furnace-PG15 12:00 NHL 12:00 The Goldbergs 22:15 Brides Of Beverly Hills 01:25 Calimero 03:15 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 23:00 Killing Season-18 14:00 WWE Superstars 00:00 DIY SOS: The Big Build 03:40 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 12:30 Men At Work 15:00 WWE Vintage 22:40 Extreme Couponing 01:40 Henry Hugglemonster 00:50 Nordic Cookery With Tareq 04:10 THS 13:30 Better Off Ted 16:00 WWE Raw 23:05 Body Bizarre 01:50 Zou Taylor 05:05 THS 14:00 The Michael J. Fox Show 19:00 NHL 23:55 Oprah’s Master Class 02:05 Mouk 01:15 Bill’s Kitchen: Notting Hill 06:00 Keeping Up With The 14:30 Community 22:00 WWE NXT 00:40 Scorned: Crimes Of 02:15 Jungle Junction 01:40 Baking Mad With Eric Kardashians 15:00 Hot In Cleveland 23:00 WWE Smackdown Passion 02:25 Art Attack 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 01:30 LA: City Of Demons Lanlard 06:55 Keeping Up With The 01:30 Charlie Wilson’s War-18 02:50 Julius Jr. Stewart 02:20 Police Women Of 02:05 Masterchef: The Kardashians 03:30 The Insider-PG15 03:00 Calimero 16:00 Modern Family Memphis Professionals 07:50 Style Star 06:30 Robot & Frank-PG15 03:15 Henry Hugglemonster 03:00 Bargain Hunt 08:20 The E! True Hollywood Story 16:30 The Goldbergs 03:10 True CSI 03:25 Zou 08:30 Tales Of The Night-PG 00:40 How It’s Made 04:00 Solved 03:45 Come Dine With Me 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 01:00 Live ICC World Cup: UAE v 03:40 Mouk 10:30 Yellow Rock-PG15 01:05 How It’s Made 04:45 Scorned: Crimes Of 04:05 The Good Cook 10:15 Giuliana & Bill 18:00 New Girl ZIM 03:50 Jungle Junction 12:30 The Insider-PG15 01:30 Alien Mysteries Passion 04:35 DIY SOS: The Big Build 11:10 House Of DVF 18:30 The Michael J. Fox Show 04:00 Live ICC World Cup: NZ v 04:00 Art Attack 15:30 The Prestige-PG15 02:20 Through The Wormhole 05:30 LA: City Of Demons 05:25 Nordic Cookery With Tareq 12:05 Fashion Police 19:00 Black-Ish ENG 04:25 Julius Jr. 18:00 Texas Killing Fields-PG15 03:10 How Do They Do It? 06:20 Solved Taylor 12:35 Extreme Close-Up 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 12:30 ICC World Cup H/L: UAE v 04:35 Calimero 20:00 Sense And Sensibility-PG 03:35 How Do They Do It? 07:10 True Crime With 05:50 Bill’s Kitchen: Notting Hill 13:05 Extreme Close-Up Jimmy Fallon ZIM 04:50 Henry Hugglemonster 22:30 Lincoln-PG15 04:00 Food Factory Aphrodite Jones 06:15 Baking Mad With Eric 13:35 THS 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 16:30 ICC World Cup H/L: AUS v 05:00 Zou 04:24 Food Factory 08:00 Nightmare Next Door Lanlard 14:30 Style Star Stewart ENG 05:15 Mouk 04:48 Magic Of Science 08:50 Fatal Encounters 06:40 Masterchef: The 15:00 Keeping Up With The 21:30 Modern Family 19:00 ICC World Cup H/L: IND v 05:25 Jungle Junction 05:12 Magic Of Science 09:40 Murder Shift Professionals Kardashians 22:00 Family Guy PAK 05:35 Art Attack 05:36 Ben Earl: Trick Artist 10:30 I Was Murdered 07:35 The Good Cook 16:00 Keeping Up With The 22:30 Curb Your Enthusiasm 01:00 Devil’s Knot-PG15 23:00 ICC Cricket 360 06:00 Julius Jr. 08:00 Bargain Hunt Kardashians 23:00 The Boondocks 03:00 Snitch-PG15 06:24 Weird Connections 10:55 Stalked: Someone’s 06:10 Calimero 08:45 Come Dine With Me 17:00 Christina Milian Turned Up 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 05:00 The Mortal Instruments: City 06:48 How Tech Works Watching 06:25 Henry Hugglemonster 09:10 DIY SOS: The Big Build 17:30 Christina Milian Turned Up Of Bones-PG15 07:12 Food Factory 11:20 Forensic Detectives 06:35 Zou 10:00 Nordic Cookery With Tareq 18:00 E! News 07:15 Seven Days In Utopia-PG15 07:36 How Do They Do It? 12:10 Solved 06:50 Mouk Taylor 19:00 Beyond Candid With 09:00 Percy Jackson: Sea Of 08:00 Weird Connections 13:00 Disappeared 07:00 Jungle Junction 10:25 Bill’s Kitchen: Notting Hill Giuliana Monsters-PG 08:25 How Tech Works 13:50 True Crime With 07:10 Art Attack 10:50 Baking Mad With Eric 20:00 House Of DVF 00:00 Covert Affairs 11:00 Snitch-PG15 08:50 Mega Builders Aphrodite Jones 07:35 Julius Jr. 01:00 The Killing 09:40 Food Factory 14:40 Who On Earth Did I Lanlard 21:00 House Of DVF 13:00 Red Sky-PG15 00:45 Body Bizarre 07:45 Calimero 02:00 Legends 10:05 How It’s Made Marry? 11:15 Masterchef: The 22:00 E! News 15:00 The Pretty One-PG15 01:35 Extreme Couponing 08:00 Jungle Junction 03:00 The Client List 10:30 Magic Of Science 15:05 Who On Earth Did I Professionals 23:00 The Soup 17:00 Percy Jackson: Sea Of 02:00 Body Bizarre 08:10 Zou 05:00 Marvel’s Agent Carter 10:55 Magic Of Science Marry? 12:10 The Good Cook 23:30 Fashion Bloggers Monsters-PG 02:50 Say Yes To The Dress 08:25 Henry Hugglemonster 06:00 Covert Affairs 11:20 Ben Earl: Trick Artist 15:30 Solved 12:35 Bargain Hunt 18:45 Pacific Rim-PG15 03:15 Little People, Big World 08:35 Julius Jr. 07:00 Witches Of East End 12:10 Mythbusters 16:20 I Was Murdered 13:20 Come Dine With Me 21:00 Rage-PG15 03:40 What Not To Wear 08:50 Mouk 08:00 Unforgettable 13:00 Weird Connections 16:45 Stalked: Someone’s 13:45 DIY SOS: The Big Build 23:00 Pain & Gain-18 04:30 Cake Boss 09:00 Calimero 10:00 Marvel’s Agent Carter 13:25 How Tech Works Watching 14:35 Nordic Cookery With Tareq 05:00 Sister Wives 09:15 Art Attack 11:00 Witches Of East End 13:50 Mega Builders 17:10 Murder Shift Taylor 06:00 17 Kids And Counting 09:40 Henry Hugglemonster 12:00 Emmerdale 14:40 Food Factory 18:00 Disappeared 15:00 Bill’s Kitchen: Notting Hill 23:15 Emmerdale 06:25 Secret Eaters 09:50 Doc McStuffins 12:30 Coronation Street 15:05 How It’s Made 18:50 Fatal Encounters 15:30 Baking Mad With Eric 23:45 Murdoch Mysteries 07:15 Say Yes To The Dress 10:05 Special Agent Oso: 3 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 15:30 Magic Of Science 19:40 Forensic Detectives Lanlard NAT GEO CHANNEL HD 01:00 Barbie Fairytopia 07:40 Little People, Big World Healthy Steps 14:00 Unforgettable 15:55 Magic Of Science 20:30 True Crime With 15:50 The Good Cook 00:00 Dangerous Encounters 02:45 Hatching 08:05 Sister Wives 10:10 Special Agent Oso 16:20 Masterchef: The 01:00 Rebuilding Titanic 15:00 Covert Affairs 16:20 Ben Earl: Trick Artist Aphrodite Jones 10:20 Special Agent Oso: 3 Professionals Healthy Steps 17:15 Bargain Hunt 10:25 Special Agent Oso 18:00 Come Dine With Me 10:40 Special Agent Oso: 3 18:25 DIY SOS: The Big Build Healthy Steps 19:15 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 10:45 Special Agent Oso 20:00 Food & Drink 11:00 Sofia The First 20:25 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen 11:25 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West Notebook: London 11:50 Calimero 20:50 Rachel’s Favourite Food For 12:05 Jake And The Never Land Living Pirates 21:15 Nigel Slater’s Simple 12:30 Julius Jr. Cooking 12:40 Henry Hugglemonster 21:40 Masterchef: The 12:55 Handy Manny Professionals 13:05 Justin Time 22:35 Bargain Hunt 13:20 Sofia The First 23:20 Come Dine With Me 13:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 23:45 Planet Cake 14:10 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 14:35 Henry Hugglemonster 14:45 Zou 15:00 Special Agent Oso: 3 Healthy Steps 15:05 Special Agent Oso 00:20 Fast N’ Loud 15:15 Special Agent Oso: 3 01:10 The Carbonaro Effect Healthy Steps 01:35 The Carbonaro Effect 15:20 Special Agent Oso 02:00 The Big Brain Theory 15:35 Special Agent Oso: 3 02:50 You Have Been Warned Healthy Steps 03:40 Auction Hunters 15:40 Special Agent Oso 04:05 The Liquidator 15:55 Handy Manny 04:30 Auction Hunters 16:05 Justin Time 05:00 How It’s Made 16:20 Sofia The First 05:30 How It’s Made 16:45 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 06:00 Marooned With Ed Stafford 16:50 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 06:50 Bike Battles 17:15 Lilo & Stitch 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 17:40 Adventures Of The 08:30 Auction Hunters Gummi Bears 08:55 The Liquidator 18:05 Chip n Dale Rescue 09:20 Auction Hunters Rangers 09:45 How It’s Made 18:30 Ducktales 10:10 How It’s Made 18:55 Art Attack 10:35 The Carbonaro Effect 19:20 Sofia The First 11:00 The Carbonaro Effect 19:45 Calimero 11:25 The Big Brain Theory 20:00 Doc McStuffins 12:15 You Have Been Warned 20:10 Jake And The Never Land 13:05 Auction Hunters Pirates 13:30 The Liquidator 20:25 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 13:55 Auction Hunters 20:35 Zou 14:20 Marooned With Ed Stafford 20:50 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 15:10 Bike Battles 20:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 16:00 Fast N’ Loud PAIN & GAIN ON OSN MOVIES HD Classifieds

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (19/02/2015 TO 25/02/2015)

SHARQIA-1 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 1:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:45 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 3:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 9:30 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 2:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 6:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:05 AM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 4:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 8:15 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 5:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 10:30 PM 360º 2 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:45 AM DRAGON BLADE 1:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 10:00 PM DRAGON BLADE 3:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:30 AM FANAR-5 DRAGON BLADE 6:30 PM SONG ONE 12:00 PM DRAGON BLADE 9:15 PM SHARQIA-2 HOUSEBOUND 2:00 PM DRAGON BLADE 12:15 AM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 11:45 AM HOUSEBOUND 4:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 1:30 PM SONG ONE 6:45 PM 360º- 3 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 3:45 PM HOUSEBOUND 8:45 PM HOUSEBOUND 11:30 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 6:00 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 9:00 PM HOUSEBOUND 1:45 PM SITUATION WANTED REQUIRED YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 8:15 PM SONG ONE 11:00 PM YELLOWBIRD 4:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 10:30 PM HOUSEBOUND 1:00 AM HOUSEBOUND 6:15 PM We are in need of YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:45 AM HOUSEBOUND 8:30 PM 12 years experienced pro- MARINA-1 HOUSEBOUND 10:45 PM fessional looking for senior masseurs’ men and ladies SHARQIA-3 DRAGON BLADE 12:30 PM HOUSEBOUND 1:00 AM position in finance / Asian nationality YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:30 AM DRAGON BLADE 3:15 PM accounts. Qualification: CFA DRAGON BLADE 1:45 PM HOUSEBOUND 5:45 PM AL-KOUT.1 Level1/CMA (IMA-USA), for our Spa must be 18 DRAGON BLADE 4:15 PM DRAGON BLADE 8:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:45 PM DRAGON BLADE 6:45 PM HOUSEBOUND 10:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 3:00 PM BCom. Oracle Financials, transferable visa. DRAGON BLADE 9:15 PM DRAGON BLADE 12:45 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 5:15 PM Microsoft Dynamics GP. If interested YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:30 PM Contact: 60320220. MARINA-2 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 9:45 PM (C 4932) Contact: 22610588 or MUHALAB-1 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:05 AM 18-2-2014 DRAGON BLADE 1:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 3:00 PM 66563081 / 60713459 THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 1:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 5:30 PM AL-KOUT.2 THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 3:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:45 PM DRAGON BLADE 11:30 AM Need job for a Bachelor THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 5:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 10:00 PM HOUSEBOUND 2:15 PM degree holder with com- (C 4931) DRAGON BLADE 7:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:15 AM DRAGON BLADE 4:30 PM 18-2-2015 TEMPER (Telugu) 7:00 PM HOUSEBOUND 7:00 PM puter diploma with 8 years DRAGON BLADE 10:00 PM MARINA-3 DRAGON BLADE 9:15 PM experience in Kuwait look- I, Vidya Sam, holder of DRAGON BLADE 12:30 AM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 11:30 AM DRAGON BLADE 11:45 PM ing for job as Admin/ Sales Indian Passport No. KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 1:30 PM executive (Indian license MUHALAB-2 THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER (3D) 4:00 PM AL-KOUT.3 F3899195, Malayatoor KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:30 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER (3D) 5:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 1:00 PM only). Please contact: House, Kozhencherry P.O., KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 3:15 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER (3D) 7:30 PM SONG ONE 1:30 PM 66894543, Pathanamthitta Dist., HOUSEBOUND 5:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 9:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 3:30 PM (C 4916) Kerala, India, hereby KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 8:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:45 PM SONG ONE 6:00 PM 14-2-2015 change my name to Vidya HOUSEBOUND 10:30 PM SONG ONE 8:00 PM Thomas. (C 4928) KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:45 AM AVENUES-1 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 10:00 PM YELLOWBIRD 11:45 AM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:30 AM 15-2-2015 MUHALAB-3 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 1:45 PM CHANGE OF NAME YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 4:15 PM AL-KOUT.4 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 3:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 6:45 PM HOUSEBOUND 12:30 PM Thiru Ganesan (Hindu), FOR SALE YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 5:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 9:15 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 1:30 PM son of Thiru Rengaiah, born YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:45 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 3:15 PM on 10th August 1982 For sale car Ssangyong - YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 10:00 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 5:00 PM Corando 2015, white color YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:15 AM AVENUES-2 THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 6:45 PM (native district: HOUSEBOUND 12:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 8:30 PM Pudukkottai), residing at with golden color inside, FANAR-1 HOUSEBOUND 3:00 PM HOUSEBOUND 10:45 PM No. 674, Kummankulam, 130 kilometer used only, KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:30 AM HOUSEBOUND 5:15 PM HOUSEBOUND 1:00 AM Pudukkottai Veduthi, price with Agency: KD KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:15 PM HOUSEBOUND 7:30 PM Alangudi Post, Pudukkottai- 6,500. Required price KD Plan B (ARABIC) 4:45 PM HOUSEBOUND 9:45 PM BAIRAQ-1 622301, holder of Indian 4800. Tel: 66052541. KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 6:45 PM HOUSEBOUND 12:05 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:30 AM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 9:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 1:45 PM Passport No. F6077280, has (C 4929) KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:05 AM AVENUES-3 THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER (3D) 4:00 PM converted to Islam with the 16-2-2015 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 1:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 6:15 PM name of Abdul Rahman. FANAR-2 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 3:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 8:30 PM DRAGON BLADE 12:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 6:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 10:45 PM DRAGON BLADE 2:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 8:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 1:00 AM DRAGON BLADE 5:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:15 PM 112 DRAGON BLADE 7:30 PM BAIRAQ-2 DRAGON BLADE 10:00 PM AVENUES-4 DRAGON BLADE 11:45 AM DRAGON BLADE 12:30 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:15 PM DRAGON BLADE 2:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 2:45 PM DRAGON BLADE 4:45 PM Prayer timings FANAR-3 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 5:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:30 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:45 PM DRAGON BLADE 9:45 PM Fajr: 05:05 THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 1:45 PM Special Show “KINGSMAN: The Secret Service” 7:45 PM DRAGON BLADE 12:15 AM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 3:30 PM SUN- 22.02.2015 Shorook 06:24 THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 5:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 10:15 PM BAIRAQ-3 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:45 AM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 12:45 PM Duhr: 12:02 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 9:30 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 2:45 PM Asr: 15:15 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:45 PM 360º 1 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 4:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:30 AM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 7:00 PM Maghrib: 17:40 FANAR-4 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 2:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 9:00 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER (3D) 11:45 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 4:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:30 PM Isha: 18:57

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

Arrival Flights on Thursday 19/2/2015 AGY 680 Alexandria 14:15 AGY 684 Sohag 23:20 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 Airlines Flt Route Time THY 766 Istanbul 14:20 THY 764 Istanbul 23:35 JZR 134 Bahrain 13:30 KAC 502 Beirut 00:05 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:25 PIA 205 Lahore 23:40 QTR 8647 Doha 13:45 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 JZR 239 Amman 00:25 FDB 057 Dubai 14:30 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 KAC 538 Sohag 14:50 Departure Flights on Thursday 19/2/2015 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 KNE 470 Jeddah 14:55 Airlines Flt Route Time KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 KLM 411 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:40 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 KAC 617 Doha 15:00 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:10 BBC 044 Dhaka 00:40 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 FDB 8061 Dubai 15:20 FDB 072 Dubai 00:45 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 RBG 555 Alexandria 01:00 OMA 645 Muscat 15:25 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 AGY 685 Sohag 15:15 QTR 1084 Doha 01:00 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 RBG 556 Alexandria 01:40 THY 767 Istanbul 15:20 RJA 642 Amman 01:05 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 KLM 411 Amsterdam 01:55 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:20 KAC 546 Alexandria 01:10 MPH 951 Amsterdam 15:50 DLH 637 Frankfurt 02:15 JZR 188 Dubai 15:40 DLH 637 Dammam 01:15 KNE 460 Riyadh 16:00 SAI 442 Lahore 02:30 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 SAI 441 Lahore 01:30 FDB 051 Dubai 16:00 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 KNE 471 Jeddah 15:50 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:35 JZR 779 Jeddah 16:10 THY 773 Istanbul 02:55 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 JZR 535 Cairo 16:10 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25 SVA 505 Jeddah 16:00 MSC 403 Sohag 02:30 NIA 251 Alexandria 16:15 MSC 404 Sohag 03:30 FDB 8062 Dubai 16:00 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 KAC 562 Amman 16:20 KAC 381 Delhi 03:40 KAC 501 Beirut 16:15 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 JZR 135 Bahrain 16:25 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 OMA 646 Muscat 16:25 JZR 553 Alexandria 02:45 JZR 257 Beirut 16:30 FDB 068 Dubai 03:55 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 02:50 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 KAC 613 Bahrain 16:35 FDB 067 Dubai 02:55 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 KNE 481 Taif 16:50 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:55 KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:10 FDB 052 Dubai 17:00 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 OMA 644 Muscat 04:25 KAC 741 Dammam 17:00 KKK 6507 Istanbul 03:20 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 QTR 1085 Doha 04:30 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 OMA 643 Muscat 03:25 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 MSC 406 Sohag 05:05 NIA 252 Alexandria 17:15 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 UAL 982 IAD 17:55 JZR 560 Sohag 05:10 MPH 951 Dubai/SIN 17:20 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:05 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 JZR 156 Dubai 17:35 JZR 503 Luxor 05:25 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 THY 765 Istanbul 05:40 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 KAC 118 New York 18:30 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 AFG 415 Kabul 18:30 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 06:35 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 BAW 157 London 06:40 ABY 121 Sharjah 18:40 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:50 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:10 FDB 063 Dubai 18:40 RJA 643 Amman 07:05 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 TAR 327 Tunis 07:45 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:45 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 JZR 240 Amman 07:15 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 KAC 618 Doha 19:15 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 IRA 673 Ahwaz 07:50 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:15 KAC 537 Sohag 08:20 JZR 238 Amman 18:50 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:55 AXB 393 Kozhikode 19:15 FDB 054 Dubai 08:25 UAL 982 Bahrain 19:15 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 TAR 327 Dubai/Tunis 08:35 JZR 512 Sharm el-Sheikh 19:15 IRA 667 Esfahan 08:10 KAC 542 Cairo 19:25 BAW 156 London 08:45 ABY 122 Sharjah 19:20 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 IRA 672 Ahwaz 08:50 AFG 415 Jeddah 19:30 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 KAC 176 Geneva/Frankfurt 19:45 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 UAE 876 Dubai 19:40 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:30 KAC 104 London 19:55 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:55 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 KAC 614 Bahrain 20:00 JZR 256 Beirut 09:05 FDB 064 Dubai 19:55 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 KAC 742 Dammam 20:00 IRA 668 Mashhad 09:10 AXB 393 Kozhikode 20:15 KAC 284 Dhaka 08:50 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:00 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 KAC 283 Dhaka 20:30 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 OMA 647 Muscat 20:05 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:25 KAC 361 Colombo 20:50 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 JZR 189 Dubai 20:15 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 ABY 129 Sharjah 09:45 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 KAC 101 London/New York 09:50 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:00 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 ABY 123 Sharjah 20:35 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 OMA 648 Muscat 21:05 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:50 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:20 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:05 UAE 873 Dubai 11:00 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 KAC 561 Amman 10:25 JZR 554 Alexandria 21:05 IZG 4161 Mashhad 11:10 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 ABY 120 Sharjah 10:30 KAC 331 Trivandrum 21:10 RBG 553 Alexandria 11:15 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 JZR 778 Jeddah 10:30 ABY 124 Sharjah 21:15 MSC 405 Sohag 11:25 FDB 073 Dubai 21:35 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 KAC 351 Kochi 21:15 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 JZR 561 Sohag 11:45 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:15 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 QTR 1074 Doha 21:55 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 SYR 341 Damascus 12:00 KNE 480 Taif 22:00 RBG 554 Alexandria 11:55 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 ABY 901 Sharjah 12:15 JZR 157 Dubai 22:10 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:15 QTR 8646 Doha 12:30 KLM 417 Amsterdam 22:15 IZG 4162 Mashhad 12:10 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 KAC 203 Lahore 22:20 JZR 241 Amman 12:55 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:25 FDB 074 Dubai 22:30 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 AIC 981 Chennai/Hyderabad/Ahmedabad 22:30 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 KAC 382 Delhi 13:45 BBC 043 Dhaka 23:10 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 UAL 981 Bahrain 23:10 ABY 902 Sharjah 12:55 KNE 461 Riyadh 22:50 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 SYR 342 Damascus 13:00 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:55 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

CROSSWORD 820 STAR TRACK

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

This is a day where much can be accomplished. Your instinctive orien- Business dealings may be particularly fruitful now. There could be an tation at this time is toward getting down to the basics. An important opportunity for a round-table discussion in the workplace today. Your clue into new investments may be worth your review. Ask questions, give this some viewpoint will be heard-patience. Expect a sense of support and goodwill from those time and you will benefit from your own choices. Something electric is in the air and around you. While your ability to detect your partner’s true feelings is great, you your charisma shines! It is time for a fling! You need a break from routine matters should not let your high idealism cloud your judgment of other people’s abilities and and may seek out stimulating new friends. They in turn will be attracted to you. Any talents. Try to see people for who they truly are-your intuition will guide you. For some new association made today should last-and could revolutionize your life-enjoy. You reason, the family scene this evening is a busy one. This is a good time to try and fos- are interested in all family matters, particularly about the general living environ- ter a sense of togetherness and team play among family members. Team play can also ment in the home. Having a party or a family get-together could be most enjoyable be enjoyed in some team sports or some fitness program-you could be leading this at this time. group.

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

This is a good time to lead the way on a project, for your originality Mental stimulation from others is key for you right now. It is a good idea is unusually heightened. Your attitude may be that you would rather switch than to make every effort to cooperate and compromise when needed. A fight-a pushover. Ego, energy and self-assertiveness may be a bit low, so if there project today should gain a great deal of progress. This is a high-energy day, and is some issue brewing where you really should speak up, save it for another day. when you finish one project, you will be ready and willing to move on to other proj- At this time, you may actively be concerned about the welfare of others in your ects that need your special touch. Friendships are great pleasure and you, in turn, business or people who work under you. Try listening to their needs before should be quite popular. This harmony should be very useful in easing past tensions, deciding for yourself how best to help them. If you give your best effort now, particularly in a relationship or in concluding some difficult financial matters. considerable success will certainly follow. Socializing is probable. So is overindul- Expressing affection is easy for you and this evening your loved ones reciprocate and gence-avoid the smorgasbord table and watch the calories. Companionship is may have some fun surprises set aside for you or at the least have a few suggestions most rewarding. for some entertainment activities.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) A business-related talk will go much better than expected. All sorts of Progressive people and concepts play a more important role in your weird feelings and emotions may be gurgling up from your subcon- life, as a new cycle begins. Additionally, this is a time when your pow- scious today. Like mud in a pond, these feelings may be obscuring your view of what ers of creativity are great. A couple of different situations put you in a place to meet is going around you. You may not be very objective today and may say things you lots of new people. Your feelings may be so intense today that you might think you could cut them with a knife. You may want to deal with everything. Relax, you will ACROSS 3. An impure form of quartz consisting of band- could regret later. If you relax and think about what you are saying before you say it, you can overcome any difficulties this day. If you can chuckle over a tough situation, know just what to do in these situations and can rise above the rest of the office. 1. Brief episode in which the brain gets insuffi- ed chalcedony. the energies of this day will have served a purpose or two. Ask for help if you need it This should be a good time for dealing with the public. Refurbish your enthusiasm cient blood supply. 4. A nucleotide derived from adenosine that but keep in mind that the help you receive would be need to be returned in like kind. and do not keep someone waiting this evening-good surprises are waiting. Warm 4. A language spoken by the Atakapa people of occurs in muscle tissue. Try to keep some sense of reality in your interactions with friends. Tonight would be a memories and familiar surroundings happen this evening as you visit with old the Gulf coast of Louisiana and Texas. 5. A beverage made by steeping tea leaves in good movie night. friends. Enjoy a little poetry. 12. A federally chartered savings bank. water. 15. Hormone produced early in pregnancy by 6. A television broadcast. the placenta. 7. A blue dye obtained from plants or made syn- 16. Being of the age 13 through 19. thetically. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 17. South American wood sorrel cultivated for its 8. Covered or protected with or as if with a case. Problems in the workplace can be solved easily-look at the technical side. edible tubers. 9. Small terrestrial lizard of warm regions of the You have an increase in personal magnetism that makes it a good time for business dealings. This is one of those great days when you will be able to Outside interest in a current project of yours can bring you some extra 18. The 7th letter of the Greek alphabet. Old World. funds. Use the confidence you feel today to get the most pressing projects at work com- 19. Fortification consisting of a strong fence accomplish just about anything you set out to do. A business associate from your past 10. A tricycle (usually propelled by pedalling). may return today. Give him or her a full-scale update of what is going on and spring for pleted, for this could bring considerable recognition. Your fertile mind will be picking up made of stakes driven into the ground. 11. A sweetened beverage of diluted fruit juice. lunch. If you must go shopping, leave those credit cards at home. Your warmth will reflect new concepts and inspirations all day like a radio receiver. The air is electric and your 20. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle 12. Having or localized centrally at a focus. back from your loved ones and everyone will enjoy your company. This may be a time of mind is ready. Others’ ideas, once illogical to you, may now seem quite logical. You have a where driver sits. 13. Someone who works (or provides workers) sudden personal growth that corresponds to changes in your romantic life. Indeed, this is greater appreciation for things of value-and the idea of value itself is in order. Finances 21. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake during a strike. a good day to be available for others. Consider collecting family histories by asking are not great but not bad either-try comparison pricing. You may be encouraged to solve Chad. 14. A small cake leavened with yeast. grandparents to make tape recordings of some of their own life experiences. a relationship problem this evening. Try to relax, anxiety can be paralyzing. 23. Fragrant resin obtain from trees of the family 22. With the mouth wide open as in wonder or Burseraceae and used as incense. awe. 25. Resembling or characteristic of or appropri- 24. Relating to or associated with or comprising Aquarius (January 20- February 18) ate to an elegy. a convolution of the brain. Leo (July 23-August 22) 28. A metrical unit with stressed-unstressed- 26. Being nine more than forty. It is important during this time to effectively communicate your ideas to co- First impressions are important today and if you are not determined unstressed syllables. 27. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in workers and those who work around you. Your creative intellect and com- to make a good impression a friend or someone close to you may 30. Primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly Turkey). munication skills are enhanced. You may feel a renewed interest in art, literature and need your advice. Your career skills are of central importance to you and you are aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true 29. A hard gray lustrous metallic element that is nature. Your eloquence today will enhance your influence over others. Before the day is good at what you do, which may mean that you are hiring people at this time. stems and roots and leaves. highly corrosion-resistant. over, however, you may feel you need a vacation from people in general. Somehow you There is a revolution within the workplace where there is established order. There 32. A river in north central Switzerland that runs 31. The persistence of a sound after its source just cannot stomach having to deal with people, being on display, or putting up a front. are new ideas and ways to do and use things. You are a big part of this progress. You would be far more comfortable at home, surrounded by family and loved ones, where You are organized and deliberate in your decision making. Your reputation and northeast into the Rhine. has stopped. image are a source of concern and you do everything you can to make them solid. 35. A collection of objects laid on top of each 33. A hand tool for lifting loose material. you can just be yourself. If possible, relax alone this evening to refurbish your energies. You need the rest and relaxation-perhaps a few fragrant candles will help. Lightning fast when it comes to a business deal, you gain much for you and your other. 34. Draw back from an agreement, contract, company-celebrate! 38. United States writer (born in Poland) who statement, etc.. wrote in Yiddish (1880-1957). 36. Leave or strike out, as of vowels. 40. United States tennis player who was the first 37. (of complexion) Blemished by imperfections Black to win United States and English sin- of the skin. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) gles championships (1943-1993). 39. Thigh of a hog (usually smoked). 42. Genus of erect herbs of the Middle East hav- 41. Minute floating marine tunicate having a Concern yourself with health matters, not because you are ill, but to keep You become a big influence in the workplace today. Others need guid- ance and just automatically flock to your side. If this is part of your job- ing showy flowers. transparent body with an opening at each your mind and body in the best working condition for your life enjoyment. This time may forecast the successful end to an ambitious project. Small chores are accomplished stay focused. Although you can be very influential, you may choose to turn a few 44. Of or relating to or characteristic of Thailand end. quickly with your determination. The power of attraction and desire for love is great and people away this afternoon, especially if you are trying to get something accom- of its people. 43. Naked freshwater or marine or parasitic pro- you should exercise caution before entering a new relationship that may come about plished for yourself. Artistic inspiration may manifest itself in creative work or just 46. A mountainous landlocked communist state tozoa that form temporary pseudopods for during this time. Other people love your optimism. A friend may be having a special day the urge to experience the beauty of nature. Whether you are listening or participat- in southeastern Asia. feeding and locomotion. today and you will want to be available to help participate in his or her day. A child ing-music can be a source of inspiration-or possibly have a healing effect. Your good 47. A loud harsh or strident noise. 45. Realistic Norwegian author who wrote plays needs your attention this evening, and you will be pleased at the results when you cheer enhances your social life and may intensify romance. A new love interest is 48. Informal terms for a mother. on social and political themes (1828-1906). teach this child to treat others as the child would want to be treated by others. available today. If needed, this is a good time to use the home as a vehicle for enter- 50. The executive agency that advises the 49. Before noon. taining. President on the federal budget. 51. An Indian side dish of yogurt and chopped 52. Being six more than fifty. cucumbers and spices. 53. A benign epithelial tumor of glandular ori- 54. 100 ngwee equal 1 kwacha. Word Search Yesterday’s Solution gin. 55. The blood group whose red cells carry both 56. A thin straight surgical knife used in dissec- the A and B antigens. tion and surgery. 59. A city in western Germany near the Dutch 57. A projecting ridge on a mountain or sub- and Belgian borders. merged under water. 60. A bachelor's degree in religion. 58. A very young child (birth to 1 year) who has 63. A New England state. not yet begun to walk or talk. 65. Italian violin maker in Cremona. 61. Fermented alcoholic beverage similar to but 66. A federal agency established to coordinate heavier than beer. programs aimed at reducing pollution and 62. Blood cells that engulf and digest bacteria protecting the environment. and fungi. 68. A set of tags and rules (conforming to SGML) 64. (biology) Of unlike parts or organs. for using them in developing hypertext doc- 67. Of or relating to ground water. uments. 71. The capital and largest city of Mozambique. 69. United States pathologist who discovered 75. A member of the Siouan people inhabiting viruses that cause tumors (1879-1970). the valleys of the Platte and Missouri rivers in 70. Wading birds of warm regions having long Nebraska. slender down-curved bills. 76. God of wealth and love. 72. An instinctive motive. 79. An Arabic speaking person who lives in 73. A member of the Pueblo people living in Arabia or North Africa. northern New Mexico. 80. Any of various systems of units for measur- 74. A slender double-reed instrument. ing electricity and magnetism. 77. Used of a single unit or thing. 84. Any thick messy substance. 78. Primitive predaceous North American fish 85. A master's degree in library science. covered with hard scales and having long 86. Any plant of the genus Gesneria. jaws with needle-like teeth. 87. The compass point midway between east 81. A soft white precious univalent metallic ele- and southeast. ment having the highest electrical and ther- mal conductivity of any metal. DOWN 82. A chronic inflammatory collagen disease 1. 100 thebe equal 1 pula. affecting connective tissue (skin or joints). 2. Of or relating to a seizure or convulsion. 83. (Akkadian) God of wisdom. Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 information

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Gossip

felt like everyone was ‘against’ her

he ‘Heart Wants What It Wants’ hitmaker, who split from the 20- for me. “There were a few months where I was a little depressed, where year-old singer in October after almost five years of dating, I wouldn’t leave [my house] as much. “I think I drove myself crazy for a Tadmits getting over her “first love” wasn’t easy, but she now feels little bit. My response was to stay in, which sucked. That’s what I was better than ever. Asked about their relationship, the 22-year-old singer trying to fix this past year; I’m finally getting a little bit more comfort- said: “When you’re young and you’re being told so many different able. It’s a process.” Despite being linked to music producer and DJ things...it almost felt like all we had was each other, like the world was Zedd recently, Selena insists she won’t be in a serious relationship against us, in a way. It was really weird but it was incredible. I would again “any time soon.” But she added: “I think this year is going to be never take it back in a million years. You live and you learn, you know?” incredible, I feel the best I’ve ever felt in my life, but I mean, your 20s, The brunette beauty, who sought treatment in rehab in January 2014, good God. I’m super stoked that I’ve got some bumps on me, some admits fame caused her “a lot of anxiety” at the time. She told her scars, some bruises. I actually really love that.” ‘Spring Breakers’ co-star James Franco in V magazine: “There was so much going on. You can’t help but have some troubles here and there. I don’t think it’s a smooth process for anyone, and it definitely wasn’t

Gaga ‘glowing’ at engagement dinner Lively and Reynolds he 28-year-old singer, whose boyfriend of four years, Taylor Kinney, proposed on Valentine’s Day on was enjoys ‘lovely dovey’ weekend T“very excited” as they toasted the occasion with her parents at their restaurant, Joanne Trattoria, in Manhattan. Eyewitness and Times-Herald Record executive editor Barry he couple, who welcomed a baby girl into Lewis said he immediately “knew something was up” when the world in December, were spotted on a he spotted the ‘Applause’ hitmaker entering the eatery Trare dinner date at The Inn at Pound Ridge with two bodyguards. He told E! News: “Suddenly, she puts restaurant in upstate New York just one day after out her hand and starts showing off her ring, just the way Valentine’s Day. A source said the duo, who are any newly engaged woman would. She wasn’t loud, but regulars at the upscale farm-to-table eatery, she was very excited. I would say she was glowing.” Taylor were “super lovely dovey” and they sat side-by- appeared nervous when he arrived at the restaurant hours side at an L-shaped banquet table in the main after presenting the ‘Poker Face’ singer with a heart-shaped dining room. The insider told PEOPLE.com they diamond ring. Lewis said: “Her parents hugged her while were both dressed casually for the occasion. The he looked on. He was a little sheepish, the way any guy ‘Deadpool’ actor, 38, wore a T-shirt and newsboy would be in front of his future in-laws. I heard him talking hat, while the blonde beauty was wrapped up in about how they had waited four years and how hard he a scarf. The heartthrob and his 27-year-old wife, had been looking for the right ring.” Another eyewitness, who got married in 2012, later returned home to Vlad Panov, added: “Everyone was very happy, but I didn’t their new baby in their Tesla. Ryan recently realize what was going on until I hear Gaga’s mother say, ‘I admitted that he is more in love with former have a son now!’ Then it was clear, they had gotten ‘Gossip Girl’ star Blake than ever since she gave engaged.” The blonde beauty - whose real name is Stefani birth to their first child. He said: “I’m not one for Germanotta - started dating the ‘Chicago Fire’ actor, 33, in vomiting declarations of sentiment out across 2011. the airwaves, but when we had that baby, I fell more in love with my wife than I’d ever been in my entire life. I couldn’t even believe it.”

Cumberbatch Cyrus’ boyfriend involved in car accident hates family name atrick Schwarzenegger, who is the son of actor Arnold he ‘Imitation Game’ star thinks his fam- Schwarzenegger and ex-wife Maria Shriver, was report- ily surname sounds like a “fart in a Pedly driving in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Tbath” and didn’t think it would catch Angeles when an another driver came up and threw a full on if he became famous so he used his mid- bottle of water at him before fleeing the scene. A law dle name Carlton, which is also his grandfa- enforcement source said the 21-year-old University of ther’s moniker, until his agent convinced Southern California student allegedly started chasing the him to go with his real last name. He said: “I other car because he was angry. But the insider told gossip started off as Benedict Carlton, which is my website TMZ.com that at some point the other driver per- middle name, my grandfather’s name. formed a U-turn and ended up ramming into Patrick’s vehi- “Cumberbatch sounds like a fart in a bath ... cle, causing minor damage. The culprit then fled the scene again. Patrick called the police to report the incident after It is even funnier in an English accent. But an meeting up with Miley, 22, for lunch at a nearby restaurant agent who was wiser than me told me it was and officers have now launched an assault with a deadly a good name. “People have had fun with it weapon investigation. The couple started dating in October and they continue to!” As well as using his after being introduced by mutual friends and insiders previ- real last name, the 38-year-old actor - who ously claimed Maria was worried the ‘Wrecking Ball’ hitmaker recently married wife Sophie Hunter - admit- would be a bad influence on her son. But a friend recently ted his interest in Buddhism has also paid a said: “He knows what he signed up large part in helping him to be so successful. for dating Miley. She wouldn’t like Speaking to film critics in Los Angeles, him if he didn’t accept her for where he is promoting his latest movie ‘The who she is and he is totally Imitation Game’, he is quoted by The Sun OK with what she does to newspaper as saying: “I did teach in Tibet express herself. “He is with when I was younger. I was teaching English her on everything she to Tibetan Buddhist monks at a monastery. “I does, as long as she does- was in quarters with spiders. I was interested n’t get hurt he is totally in Buddhism and I am still ... very much so. It down with everything.” is very helpful.”

wants children to Garner have ‘Southern values’

he ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ actress, who has two daughters, come by. I grew up with such an excess of it that now wherever I Violet, nine, and Seraphina, six, and two-year-old son go, the first thing I do is build my group. I feel so fortunate to TSamuel with husband Ben Affleck, thinks it’s important that have grown up in a place where people look out for each other.” they realize how lucky they are. The 42-year-old actress, who Meanwhile, the ‘Juno’ star claims she never thought about her grew up in Charleston, West Virginia, said: “It’s really important for looks until she moved to New York City in the early ‘90s. She told my kids to see that everyone doesn’t have the lives they see in the March issue of Southern Living magazine: “What my mom did Los Angeles. That doesn’t reflect the rest of the world. I want that I valued so much was to not place beauty high on the list of them to grow up with the Southern values I had - to look at peo- priorities. It was a shock when I got to college to hear people say I ple when they say hello and to stop and smell the roses.” Asked was pretty.” what she misses most about her hometown, she said: “Community is the one thing people crave most, and it’s hard to lifestyle THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

My favorite makeup products

very now and then we all tend to change up our makeup coverage. What’s cool about this is that you get to play around over and adding Myth to the centre of your lips. Another combo routine, depending on our moods, whether it was the with the mix having it more matte and heavy or light and is using Stone lip pencil with Blankety lipstick and then going Esummer or winter and sometimes you just get a hold of glossy- depends on what you’re going for. back with the liner in the edges to give you a deeper color. new products that you absolutely fall in love with. Regardless of the reason, there will always be products you cannot give up on Face Primer Eye shadows nor throw out. Here are some of my favorites that I just cannot Laura Mercier Primer: Ever since I started using this primer I Personally, I don’t like going crazy with the colors of my eye let go off. was obsessed. I’m not a huge fan of primers that close off your shadows. I’m more into earthy colors, from browns to dark pores nor the primers that leave a “silicone-like” layer behind. oranges and reds, and of course a little of black goes a long way. Foundations This primer has no color and is very light, it also keeps my make My two current favorite eye shadow palettes are Anastasia Make Up Forever HD Foundations in shades 123 (to up on longer if I had a long and busy day. Beverly Hills Tamanna Eyeshadow Palette which has all the color highlight) and 135: I use this foundation almost on a daily that I love, from browns, gold, deep purples and blues. My sec- basis. It’s buildable, meaning you can add more coverage Contour and Highlight Products ond favorite palette is the Meet Matte Nude palette from The by adding more foundation. I like to use the lighter shade Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Palette: You can highlight Balm- this palette is all nude and it actually has one of my on areas that I would like to highlight, such as the area and contour with the powders in this palette. I loved how the favorite white eye shadows. They eye shadows are highly pig- under my eyes, on my chin and the middle of my fore- contours vary from giving a tan/bronze finish to a deeper grey mented and extremely easy to blend. head. The darker shade I use all over my face (on the shade of powder that is usually used for a heavier contour on areas where I don’t use the lighter shade). photo shoots. Eyeliner I remember when I couldn’t leave the house without my Armani Silk Foundation: This is a heavier Mac Prep & Prime Pen in Light Boost and Radiant Rose: wings! I love having winged eyeliner, it always took the look to a foundation that I use sometimes on special This is more of a liquid/cream that I use under my eyes and whole new level! My two favorite liners are Inglot #77, which is a occasions like shoots and weddings and sometimes to correct my contour lines on my cheeks. gel and the newest pen eyeliner I liked is from Gucci’s new so on. It’s very matte so it tends to dry makeup line. The applicator is just super easy to use. So far up within a few hours, so priming Eyebrows those are the products I love using, the colors and products are and moisturizing is a must before Wet & Wild Eyebrow Kit: Contains a powder that I use to fill more basic for anyone to use, but of course it depends on what using this product! Another lit- out my brows then I like to go in with Anastasia Beverly Hills’s you prefer. Let me know which ones you liked the most and if tle mix that I actually liked Eyebrow Gel to lighten up the color of my brows. there are any better products for me to check out! using is mixing Mac Face and Body Foundation; which Lips Till next week! Xo is very light weight, with It’s no secret that I love coming up with new nude lippies by Mac Prolong wear concealer; mixing two or more nude lipsticks and liners. My favorite com- which is very matte and full bos are Mac lipliner Stone or Stripdown with velvet teddy all

Small book publishers thrive in Spain’s crisis

pecializing in forgotten literary gems and lit- Guerrilla publishing tle-known writers, small independent pub- With revenues from book sales down to 20- Slishers are flourishing in Spain while the big year lows, Blackie Books is one of numerous houses are forced to merge to survive. In one of upstarts thriving in Spain. Others include the paradoxes of Spain’s recent economic crisis Periferica, Libros del Asteroide, Errata Naturae, and the digital revolution, small “guerrilla” pub- Nordica and Alpha Decay. “Very small companies lishers are sprouting in the gaps as the big guns are using guerrilla business tactics to establish maneuver. themselves in the publishing sector,” said Javier Among the new players is Jan Marti, a 33-year- Aparicio, head of the publishing master’s course old philosophy graduate who founded Blackie at Barcelona’s Pompeu Fabra University. Books in late 2009 in Barcelona, the hub of “They do not compete directly but seek out Spanish publishing. That was just when the crisis small foreign authors, big writers’ lesser-known was at its height and the rise of e-books was shak- works or particular genres such as fantasy.” ing up the traditional publishing industry. “At first Spanish-language publishers have hundreds of people said we were crazy or suicidal,” he said millions of potential readers in various countries, with a smile. “They would invite me to book fairs but face a challenge from online giants such as so they could see the weirdo who still believed in Google and Amazon. The rise of electronic for- the future of print.” mats of books as well as the economic crisis that From a roomy attic overlooking the Bohemian hit Spain from 2008 forced big publishers to Gracia district, he has so far published 70 books, branch out. from US counterculture novels to children’s sto- The world’s biggest Spanish-language pub- ries to self-help guides. Marti was working for lisher Planeta bought Catalan firm Grup 62 and another publisher when he fell in love with a French group Editis. The international group manuscript. He secured the rights to publish it Penguin Random House now owns more than 30 himself and his publishing venture was born. That Spanish-language publishing companies, having first title was “Things the Grandchildren Should acquired the multinational Santilla Ediciones in Know”, a memoir by Mark Oliver Everett, the lead June. “Since they are so big, those groups left singer of US rock group Eels. It sold 30,000 copies- holes in the market that others know how to fill in not bad for a small, first-time publisher. Martin order to subsist,” said Antonio Maria Avila, head of took on four more staff. They now publish about the Spanish Publishers’ Federation. - AFP 30 books a year, marked out by their hard covers, fine paper and eye-catching cover art. The designs go down well with traditional booksellers Jan Marti poses in the office of Blackie Books in Barcelona, a small and independent keen to lure back buyers with elegantly produced Spanish publisher he founded in 2009. — AFP Photos editions that digital publishers cannot offer.

OSN appoints new creative and digital agencies to support growth in 2015

SN, the region’s leading pay-TV network, has appoint- el this year through our new partnerships.” Hamad Malik, Chief Kareem Monem, Managing Director of Flip Media, said: ed new digital and creative partners to support its Marketing Officer of OSN, added: “We were seeking partners “We are thrilled to be joining forces with OSN, the industry Ostrategic growth across key markets in Middle East and who could assure us a strong balance of creativity and strate- leader in broadcasting. The digital landscape in the MENA North Africa during 2015. Flip Media comes on board as gy to meet our market-specific growth objectives. We called region today is an ever-evolving, fast-growing digital sphere Digital Agency while Leo Burnett is the new Creative Agency. for agencies with a definite understanding of the market and that is rife with opportunity and by selecting Flip as their digi- Starcom will continue to serve as the Media Agency for OSN our target audience, as well as clearly innovative and fresh tal agency of record, OSN have confirmed their commitment for the current year. perspectives on how to further strengthen our subscriber to digital excellence and to reaching a whole new audience While Flip will drive all digital activities, Leo Burnett will engagement and new growth. via multiple digital channels.” support OSN in the strategic planning and development of “With OSN focusing on social media engagement, Flip, as Kamal Dimachkie, Executive Regional Managing Director, creative market-specific campaigns covering print, television, our new digital agency, brings domain knowledge on pay-TV Leo Burnett added: “We are delighted to be collaborating with out-of-home, radio, retail and below-the-line platforms. David and a strong regional network. Leo Burnett, likewise, has an OSN, the number one premium entertainment provider in the Butorac, Chief Executive Officer of OSN, said: “Our strategy for impressive network in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, two of our fast- region. This high profile win underscores Leo Burnett’s leader- 2015 is to strengthen the growth we achieved during 2014 growing markets, which was underlined by the evidence- ship position - as a full-service, integrated advertising net- across all key markets in the MENA region, through a focus on based insights they shared on how we could maximize our work. More importantly, it is a strong testament to our innova- providing exclusive and premium content, and leveraging reach. Starcom has executed some exceptional work for us in tive HumanKind philosophy and ability to craft powerful, cre- advanced technology platforms to offer ‘anytime, anywhere’ the past, complementing our marketing and business goals. ative ideas that truly move the needle of influence. We are TV experiences. By working with our partners, we aim to define 2015 as one of excited at the prospects that lie ahead.” “The potential for pay-TV to make further growth strides in the milestone years for OSN.” the region is tremendous, especially with the audience being In a tightly contested pitch for digital agency, Flip Media increasingly discerning about their television consumption emerged as the preferred partner for their significant opera- preferences. Flip and Leo Burnett presented strategies that are tions in Saudi Arabia, advanced reporting and monitoring aligned to our organizational growth goals. We are confident solutions, and strong strategic support. Flip Media will man- of taking our subscriber outreach in the region to the next lev- age all the digital activities of OSN across the region in 2015. lifestyle THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 DS Podium GMT Chronograph - Aluminum Light, bright and delightfully sporty

ith a case sculpted in aluminum-a material almost scratch-resistant anodization surface treatment. The perfect twice as light as titanium, the new DS Podium GMT colors to match the discerning preferences of every watch WChronograph brings colorful new options to the lover. Certina line of sporty, original timepieces. Dressed in bright Behind the black bezel with green tachymeter scale and the Certina green and light enough to accompany the most active resistant, sport-ready sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coat- of lifestyles, it carries the well-known, supremely accurate ETA ing on both faces, the black dial wears chronograph hands in Precidrive movement with GMT function (for a second time contrasting green. The hour, minute and 24 h/GMT hands are zone) and full 12-hour, 60-minute and 60-second timing. treated with Superluminova, as are the timepiece’s indices and The DS Podium GMT Aluminum unites the finest in both Arabic numerals. The protected crown is monogrammed with original design and cutting-edge technology. Its highly-precise the letters “DS”, also in green, for a stylish touch that underlines ETA Precidrive GMT quartz movement is housed inside a light- Certina’s well-known attention to detail. weight 42 mm aluminum case which, thanks to an innovative The DS Podium GMT Aluminum is water-resistant to a pres- surface-finishing process, wears the bright new Certina green sure of 10 bar (100 m) and is equipped with the Certina DS color. Inside, the GMT movement offers tracking of a second Concept, for maximum reliability. Its ETA Precidrive movement time zone, standard timing functions such as 60 minute and 60 carries a practical EOL (end-of-life) warning system. Both the second, as well as full 12-hour timing with Start-Stop and green and red models come equipped with a molded black Add/Split functions. A date window is placed at 6 o’clock for rubber strap with pin clasp, while the sand-colored version is optimal legibility. delivered with a white strap. An aluminum case is not only extremely lightweight but it opens up new and exciting design options. The primary model in this product line is bright green but red and sand-colored versions are also available, with the same highly-durable, Fact vs fiction: Can doubts ‘Birdman’, ‘Into torpedo an Oscar movie?

the Woods’ o filmgoers care if a movie takes liberties rival in the crucial final stages of an Oscars cam- with facts? More critically in awards season, paign. “Your competition is often responsible for Dcan doubts about the truth of a film torpe- pulling the tapestry out from under your feet,” he top Costume do Academy hopes? Or do Oscars voters not really told AFP. Tom O’Neil, of the award season ranking mind as long as they get a good story? For several and analysis website Goldderby.com, is more of the pictures eyeing Oscars glory on Sunday, in nuanced. Members of the Academy of Motion Designers Guild theory based on real events, those are vital ques- Picture Arts and Sciences “are very tolerant of liber- tions. ties screenwriters take and of the fact that a role Director Ava DuVernay’s Martin Luther King Jr can get sanitized,” he said. “I don’t think the Awards movie “Selma” is accused of misrepresenting presi- ‘American Sniper’ controversy could hurt Bradley dent Lyndon Johnson as an enemy of the civil Cooper,” its main star, he added, saying: “It could rights icon. Some critics have slammed “American even help him. Voters might want to help an Sniper,” Clint Eastwood’s movie about elite US American hero if they feel he’s under attack.” sharpshooter Chris Kyle-credited with killing at least 160 people in Iraq-for allegedly glorifying a mass murderer. Other recent films which generated ‘Help viewers escape’ Mindy Kaling arrives at the polemics included “Zero Dark Thirty,” which com- “The Theory of Everything,” about British astro- 17th Costume Designers Guild peted for the Oscars in 2013. Some accused it of physicist Stephen Hawking, is another accused of Awards at the Beverly Hilton making a heroine out of a CIA agent who practiced taking liberties-this time with chronology and mis- Hotel. — AP torture, while others said it helped re-elect portraying his relationship with his first wife Jane. President Barack Obama. That was the year that the O’Neil said: “It’s a love story that’s being told, peo- Best Picture Oscar went to “Argo,” about a bold CIA ple are rooting for this story,” so it probably didn’t he Costume Designers Guild Awards may come costume designers: We’re all pretty full of ourselves, operation to rescue six US diplomats trapped in impact the movie’s awards season prospects. But too late to influence the Oscars race, but they we think we can do everything, but I don’t know one Iran by the 1979 hostage crisis. he added: “The controversy over Lyndon Johnson Tmanaged to confirm what already seems to be director who thinks he can be a costume designer. in ‘Selma’ may have hurt that film. clear: “Birdman” is the film to beat. Albert Wolsky won We’re in awe of your talents.” He finished with a thank American hero attacked “They can tinker with facts but you need to know the contemporary film category for Alejandro you to his regular costume designer, Kari Perkins, not- The film, directed by Ben Affleck, was accused of who’s the hero and who’s the villain.” Oscars voters Gonzalez Inarritu’s backstage tale, while legends ing that “Boyhood” was a period story that was con- playing fast and loose with the facts, notably failing don’t like it when a character’s historical role or per- Colleen Atwood and Milena Canonero took prizes for temporary when it was shot. “It’s a very inexpensive to give credit for the major role Canada had in sonality is transformed from one to the other, he “Into the Woods” (fantasy film) and “The Grand way to do a period piece,” he quipped. “You just shoot securing the US diplomats’ freedom. In earlier years said. But Nunan said that some playing with the Budapest Hotel” (period film). it and wait a long time.”Deborah Nadoolman Landis Oliver Stone’s “JFK” in 1991 and Ron Howard’s 2001 facts-though not too much-was inevitable. “A “Birdman” has a broad swath of awards support received the inaugural Edith Head Award for the movie “A Beautiful Mind” also fueled controversy. motion picture has to take some liberties, otherwise from numerous guilds, but “The Grand Budapest Advancement and Education of the Art of Costume “It doesn’t help a movie to have controversy it won’t win the viewers emotionally,” he said. “The Hotel” is hot on its heels among design orgs. In the TV Design. Her husband of 40 years, director John Landis, over it,” said Tom Nunan, who produced the Oscar cinema experience is meant to entertain and help categories, oft-honored “American Horror Story: Freak introduced her and recounted how in 1997 she invit- Best Picture “Crash” and who teaches at the UCLA viewers escape the real world,” he added. — AFP Show” took honors for made-for/miniseries. “True ed a group of designers to their home and suggested School of Theatre, Film and Television. Moreover, “it Detective” was honored as top contemporary TV an annual dinner for costume designers, reasoning is not a coincidence that those controversies are series, and Michele Clapton won for “Game of costume designers rarely see each other and the happening now,” when it could help to eliminate a Thrones” in the period/fantasy TV series category. event would build solidarity. That was the genesis of Colleen Atwood, winner for “Into the Woods” in the the CDGA Awards banquet. fantasy film category, recounted a fitting the day Before the show, Deborah Landis told Variety she before where an actor was complaining in front of the relished the chance to see old friends such as “The mirror, saying “I was thinking it would be more color- Grand Budapest Hotel” designer Milena Canonero, ful.” “I told him ‘I was thinking it would be for a 32-inch who spends much of her time in Europe nowadays. waist, not a 38,’” she said, sending the audience into a Said Landis, “It’s really about having a drink and a roar of laughter-and approval. But she also thanked good laugh with your friends and professional col- her director Rob Marshall for making her feel appreci- leagues.” At the podium, she thanked a long list of ated and valued on the film-something that doesn’t supporters and influencers, including “Angie Jones at always happen. the NBC costume department. who co-signed a car Harrison Ford gave a heartfelt presentation of San loan one week after I started because I’d be working Francisco-based designer Aggie Guerard Rodgers, the somewhere in three years.” She reminded the gather- 2015 career achievement honoree, with whom he did ing that Edith Head was a founder of the Guild, and five films. He quoted her saying “I am very interested said “When you are negotiating for your next project, in the common man.” “As a common man, I am very be brave. Consider: What would Edith do?” glad for that interest,” said Ford. “She said ‘My movies Naomi Watts, Lacoste Spotlight honoree, was the last do look like me.’ So it’s not surprising her movies have to the podium. “Just watching the clips,” she quipped, “I such genuine beauty and resonance.” Ford recounted am really glad I have it in my contract I get to keep all the how on “The Conversation,” he didn’t get the part he clothes. There are so many good outfits in there.” She auditioned for, but Francis Coppola wrote in a part of recalled her mother sewing clothes at home, then “Young Man” for him, with two scenes. “Aggie and I becoming a costume designer herself. “That had to have conspired to put me in a $900 billiard green Brioni suit fueled my passion to become an actress, because I saw it and a $500 pair of fancy-ass Italian shoes.” On set, so close-up,” she said. — Reuters Coppola asked to see him in his costume. “Francis looked at his investment,” said Ford, “And I had four more scenes.” “That’s what you people do,” he said. “You do what cannot be done.”

‘In awe of your talents’ Receiving the Distinguished Collaborator Award, Bradley Cooper and director Clint Eastwood on the set during the making of the Oscar nominated film Richard Linklater said “I’m here as a director to tell all ‘American Sniper’.

HBO renews ‘Pirates’ and ‘X-men’ Oliver for 2 get production boosts more seasons ’Days’ and ‘Ahoys’ were probably exchanged aplen- again producing, with Espen Sandberg and Joachim BO says it has picked up two more sea- ty today on the set of Disney’s “Pirates of the Ronning (the team behind “Kon-Tiki”) directing a script by sons of John Oliver’s “Last Week Tonight,” ‘G Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” which has Jeff Nathanson (“Catch Me If You Can”). “Pirates of the which puts to rest any thought that commenced production in Queensland, Australia. The fifth Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” is slated to bow in the- H film in the franchise brings Johnny Depp and Javier Bardem aters July 7, 2017. Oliver would return to Comedy Central to replace Jon Stewart on “The Daily Show.” Oliver down under for plenty of swashbuckling. Shooting will take Kodi Smit-McPhee has been cast as Nightcrawler in just began the second season at HBO of his crit- place both on location in Queensland and in the Village Bryan Singer’s “X-Men: Apocalypse” opposite Jennifer ically acclaimed comedy show. HBO said it has Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast. Depp returns to the Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult and Michael Fassbender. “Excited agreed to air 35 new episodes each in 2016 and role of Captain Jack Sparrow, who in this film will be targeted to welcome @kodismitmcphee to the cast of 2017. by the villainous Captain Salazar (Bardem) as Sparrow #XmenApocalypse as young #Nightcrawler,” Singer said in a Michael Lombardo, president of HBO pro- searches for Poseidon’s trident in hopes of fending off “dead- posting to his Instagram account on Tuesday night.Smit- gramming, said Tuesday that Oliver’s “unique ly ghost pirates,” per a press release from the studio. McPhee’s credits include “The Road,” the lead voice in the ability to deliver socially significant commen- Orlando Bloom returns to the series to shiver more tim- animated “ParaNorman” and “Dawn of the Planet of the tary week after week, along with his innate bers after skipping the fourth installment, “Pirates of the Apes.” In the X-Men universe, Nightcrawler is a mutant with comedic brilliance, puts John in a class by him- Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.” Bloom will reprise his role as adhesive hands and feet and the ability to teleport. self.” Oliver came to HBO’s attention when he Will Turner, and Turner’s relationship with his son (played by newcomer Brenton Thwaites) is rumored to loom large in subbed for Stewart at “The Daily Show” during Kodi Smit-McPhee the summer of 2013. Stewart announced last the plot of “Dead Men Tell No Tales.” Jerry Bruckheimer is week he was leaving “The Daily Show.” — AP lifestyle THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

New York Fashion Week Mourning becomes Browne, Wang mum on Oscars

he Oscar de la Renta luxury label held its first materials. Copping, who previously was artistic direc- not sadly but with a sense of caring, for some 30 fashion week show since the designer’s death tor at the Nina Ricci fashion house, featured a num- minutes before the show actually started. Then, a Tin October, with his successor, Peter Copping, ber of those, but also showed an affinity for shorter chord in the music signaled the doctors to begin sending a bevy of luxurious, ultra-feminine looks lengths and daytime attire. His final garment down their transformation. They removed their medical down the runway Tuesday on what he called “an the runway was not a ballgown but a short cocktail coats to reveal jackets with angel’s wings on the emotional day for the house.” dress, in black and peridot green, paired with elbow- backs. As snow started to fall, the angels slowly De la Renta’s widow, Annette, as well as his many length gloves in lilac leather. escorted their corpses, now sitting up and facing clients and fans - among them, singer Taylor Swift For daywear, Copping favored multi-patterned heaven - these women had died of broken hearts, and supermodel Karlie Kloss - packed into the late tweed suits - he has said he got the idea from look- you see - out of the theater. designer’s showroom to see Copping’s debut collec- ing outside his office window. Both day and evening And then came their fashionable friends, one by tion. They applauded it warmly at the end, though it wear featured vivid colors like violet, magenta and one, in their mourning attire: capes, coats, jackets was clear that all missed the familiar sight of de la Bordeaux, though there was lots of navy and black, and cardigans, skirts and dresses - in lace, cashmere, Renta emerging from the wings, on a model’s arm, too. Jewelry included colorful chunky necklaces. One mohair, flannel, silk, satin and everything else you with a huge grin on his face. De la Renta died of can- striking navy cocktail dress was made with ribboned could think of, with intricately detailed embroidery cer at age 82, ending a career in which he dressed organza for a beaded effect. and Browne’s impeccable tailoring, of course. first ladies, socialites and Hollywood stars for more Browne is known for huge theatrical productions like than four decades. Only days earlier, he had hired Browne mourning this, and perhaps his best was his recent spring/sum- Copping as artistic director, and a week before that, If you’re going to be in mourning, you might as mer collection, featuring a fairytale (by Browne) nar- first lady Michelle Obama had worn one of his dress- well wear something to die for. That was the theory rated by Diane Keaton. Monday evening’s show es for the first time. behind Thom Browne’s darkly beautiful fashion could have perhaps used just a bit of narration or “It obviously was a tough situation,” Copping told show, and we do mean dark - every item was black. explanation, but the craftsmanship on view needed reporters backstage Tuesday after tak- And if you were close enough to see the intricate none at all. To die for, indeed. ing a shy bow, “but Oscar is a design- fabric work and tailoring on his 40 mourning outfits, er that I really respected, and we you knew instantly that no funeral could possibly be Wang’s world of black share a lot in terms of aesthetic.” He this exquisite. And that’s even before you got to the Vera Wang is known for a lot of things. Black added that the fact that de la models’ heads, which bore the audaciously creative clothes are one of them. So how does she keep the Renta had personally chosen him handiwork of star milliner Stephen Jones. mainstay color fresh? “I don’t think it’s challenging to “gave me a certain amount of But before the mourning came the death. Browne make black contemporary,” Wang said Tuesday back- confidence.” Particularly, Copping placed his story in an old-fashioned, wood-paneled stage after her show of mostly, you guessed it, black. has said he shares his predeces- operating theater, perhaps in the 18th century. The “I think there’s too much black in contemporary, and sor’s romantic sensibility. audience, which included singer Nicki Minaj, sat in I love black. ... but I think to make black look elevat- In a note distributed with the pro- what felt like church pews, looking down. On three ed is a much bigger challenge because there is so gram, Copping, who is British, gurneys lay three young women, all in white. Each much black clothing, particularly for fall. So to try wrote that he was was attended by two doctors, who examined them, and create black on a more, you know, couture level “immensely proud” to of sewing and detailing, and that it be visible and be in his new position. representational of that level of sewing, is a chal- “Unfortunately things lenge. No question.” She wasn’t the only designer to did not go according lean heavily on black. Thom Browne and Alexander to our plans,” he said, Wang went to the dark side as well. On Vera Wang’s “and I never had the runway, details did make the difference. She sent out chance to work with both useful rain boots and towering high heels, used Oscar, which is some- a flash of under-white at the seam of a long dress thing I deeply regret.” and put hand-sewn petals on vinyl, corset lace-ups He spoke of beginning on several pieces and canvas straps on a velvet “a new chapter for the gown. house” while still honor- Vera’s world of black included an oversized cash- ing de la Renta’s legacy. mere fisherman’s sweater, a cotton men’s shirt with The Dominican-born big felted wool sleeves and silver sequins, and a de la Renta was best vinyl wrap miniskirt with black sequin flowers. It also known for glam- came with a touch of ivory, including a crepe shift orous gowns featur- dress with asymmetrical draped sleeves that carried ing intricate into other pieces. Like other designers, Wang would- embroidery n’t discuss the upcoming Oscars red carpet, because and made she doesn’t know anything yet! But, after all these of the years, she still sweats out celebrity dressing. “Yes. I most stress about everything. There’s pretty much noth- luxuri- ing I don’t stress about, you know, but that kind of ous comes with the turf, I think, for us designers today because everything that you show reflects on your brand.” — AP

Models present the designers creations at the Oscar De La Renta fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2015 in New York. — AFP Photos Fact vs fiction: Can doubts torpedo an Oscar movie?

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 38

A woman takes a selfie in front of a multi colored sheep installation displayed in a shopping mall for the Chinese New Year celebrations in Hong Kong yesterday. The Chinese Lunar New Year of the Sheep begins today. — AFP Chinese New Year makes cultural waves around world

ecades ago the Chinese New Year holiday, also known as Spring Festival, had little impact outside of China. DBut as the country gained outsized economic influ- ence, the holiday, which has enormous cultural significance in the Chinese-speaking world, has become more prominent. This is how it ripples around the world.

Factory freeze Chinese factories shut down for the holiday and then some, with hundreds of millions of migrant workers heading to their hometowns, part of the world’s largest mass move- ment of people. In the lead up to the holiday, factories run flat out to fill orders before shutting. The holiday itself runs from Feb 18 to 24 this year, but workers start setting off as much as two weeks earlier on packed trains and buses. After the holi- day they may take the same amount of time to return, or not. The holiday is a prime occasion to switch jobs. It all means an A performer looks out from the head of a lion dance cos- annual headache for retailers and importers overseas who rely tume during the opening of Ditan Temple Fair on the on China. Shipping companies warn customers that China’s Lunar New Year’s Eve in Beijing. — AP photos transport and logistics networks are at capacity and their ship- off, said Lee. “We can’t follow China’s system because the cost ments must be at ports two weeks ahead of the holiday to of shutting down for many days here is a lot higher than in stand a chance of getting on a boat before the country shuts China,” he said. Lee said many grocery stores and other shops down. This year, shipping delays are compounded by a slow- close for two or three days but a handful remain open to tend down at US West Coast ports. to the tourists who flock to the downtown neighborhood for a glimpse of China. The festivities have also embraced foreign Quiet markets culture. For example, the traditional red envelopes, usually Stock market trading shudders to a halt as mainland China decorated with gold Chinese letters, are sold by Chinatown shuts for an entire week and financial hubs such as Hong abroad. That translates into big business for global luxury February, mostly on luxury jewelry, watches and designer merchants with pictures of Pokemon and Disney characters. Kong and Singapore take a break as well, albeit shorter. brands. Many British department stores, for example, are clothes. Numerous other countries including South Korea and Vietnam pulling out all the stops to woo mainland Chinese shoppers. Holiday surprise also observe Lunar New Year holidays. Muslim majority (Designer handbags, watches and jewelry can be up to 30 per- Chinese Abroad Just because it’s a holiday doesn’t mean there won’t be any Malaysia and Indonesia, with large Chinese minorities, take cent cheaper in Europe because of high luxury taxes in The holiday is celebrated by Chinese communities around major surprises. Chinese officials are notorious for releasing holidays too. Trading volumes “drop off considerably” about China.)Harrods is selling its own brand of red envelopes tradi- the world. In San Francisco, where about one in five residents big news during important holidays, unexpected announce- three working days before the start of the holiday, said tionally used to give “lai see,” or lucky money. Selfridges and is of Chinese descent, the celebration is stretched over a few ments that “hit you with your pants down unprepared,” said Andrew Sullivan, managing director at Haitong Securities in luxury brand Burberry are each offering cards and envelopes weeks, with fairs, beauty queens, bazaars, lion dances and Francis Lun, CEO of GEO Securities. The timing may be an Hong Kong. This year, Friday was “the last day that you can sell personalized with Chinese calligraphy. Designer label Vivienne deafening firecrackers in Chinatown. The festivities culminate attempt to reduce the impact on financial markets, or for the in Hong Kong and get your money before Chinese New Year” Westwood has launched a collectors’ necklace featuring a in the San Francisco Chinatown Chinese New Year Parade, more skeptical, to bury bad news. In 2011, the central bank under trading settlement rules, he said. Foreign investors also sheep pendant. Shoppers at Fortnum & Mason paying with complete with feisty 270-foot-long (82 meters) dragon. It’s raised interest rates at the tail end of Chinese New Year. — AP tend to wind down trading in Asia as the holiday nears, UnionPay cards - China’s homegrown payment network - will such a big deal that schools close for the holiday. Sullivan said. get bonus gifts. Pius Lee, chairman of the city’s Chinatown Neighborhood Chinese spending in Britain last February jumped 23 per- Association, said its Chinese New Year celebrations resemble Global Shopping cent over the same month in 2012, said Gordon Clark, manag- those in Hong Kong and Shanghai, especially the parades and The festival is traditionally the most important time of the er at Global Blue, a Switzerland-based firm that tracks luxury family reunions where food is abundant and children get red year for family reunions, but as China has become prosperous, retail spending worldwide. Chinese shoppers spend an aver- envelopes filled with crisp “lucky” dollar bills. But unlike in an increasing number of wealthy Chinese are opting to travel age 739 pounds ($1,137) per transaction in Britain each China, San Francisco workers will take just two or three days

Chinese performers dressed in traditional costumes participate in a cultur- Performers dressed as imperial guards march during a recreation of a sacri- People buy decorations at a store to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. al dance during the opening of Ditan Temple Fair. fice ceremony at the Altar of the Earth, in Ditan Park.