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THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 JAMADA ALTHANI 4, 1438 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Cabinet tasks Bloody Islamic Saudi Arabia, Big Ben finance State video Indonesia ink towers in ministry to set puts China deals as king basketball-mad budget3 ceiling in12 crosshairs starts21 visit Philippines18 Ghanem hopeful of political Min 14º stability, diffusion in tension Max 28º High Tide 01:59 & 14:31 Low Tide Govt to reject Assembly bid to scrap price hikes 08:38 & 21:53 40 PAGES NO: 17155 150 FILS By B Izzak
Trump vows ‘renewal of American spirit’ KUWAIT: National Assembly speaker Marzouq Al- Ghanem said yesterday he was optimistic that certain WASHINGTON: Donald Trump pledged a “renewal of positive moves and efforts would succeed in defusing the American spirit” Tuesday, as he fleshed out his tension and achieving political stability. Ghanem told America-first agenda in a more measured presiden- reporters that he believes these efforts would bear fruit tial tone during a landmark speech to Congress. in the coming week when the National Assembly is Transposing hardline campaign promises into a pres- scheduled to hold regular sessions to debate a number idential key, Trump offered the most restrained and of crucial issues. He said that he was also optimistic that detailed explanation yet of his America-first world there will be some diffusion in tension for the interests view. He criticized threats against Jewish community of the country and citizens. centers and condemned the seemingly racially-moti- The speaker however declined to comment on a vated killing of an Indian immigrant, answering calls threat by MP Youssef Al-Fadhalah to file a grilling for him to speak out. against the prime minister on March 5, saying that the And although the 70-year-old again promised a issue is being followed by the lawmaker himself. Asked hard line on illegal immigration, he outlined his poli- if amendments to the nationality law will be discussed cies in less-inflammatory economic terms, winning by the Assembly next week, Ghanem said he will meet sustained applause from the Republican-dominated with the Assembly’s committee on priority issues and Congress. “By finally enforcing our immigration laws, after that he will prepare the agenda for the session. we will raise wages, help the unemployed, save bil- The Assembly session is also expected to debate a lions and billions of dollars, and make our communi- draft law calling to scrap the hikes in petrol prices and ties safer for everyone,” he said. electricity and water, which was approved by the finan- Putting some policy meat on the bones, he proposed cial and economic affairs committee two weeks ago. MPs introducing an Australian-style merit-based system to have vowed to pass the law, which requires the govern- reduce the flow of unskilled workers - and held out the prospect of a bipartisan compromise with Democrats ment to cancel all the increases in public services and on root-and-branch immigration reform. But he also the planned hike in electricity and water prices in May. stood by his plan to subject travelers from certain coun- According to reports, the government has decided tries to extreme vetting, insisting: “We cannot allow a WASHINGTON: US Vice President Mike Pence (left) and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (right) applaud as US to start increasing electricity charges for government beachhead of terrorism to form inside America.” President Donald Trump delivers his first address to a joint session of Congress from the floor of the House of offices first instead of commercial shops as was ini- Continued on Page 13 Representatives on Tuesday. — AFP tially planned. Continued on Page 13 LOCAL THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017
KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah bids farewell to Bahraini Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Bahraini Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, and Deputy Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. — KUNA First Deputy Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Bahraini Crown Prince concludes Kuwait’s visit
KUWAIT: Bahraini Crown Prince, Deputy Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Saud Al-Sabah, head of protocols at His Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Defense Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al- Highness the Crown Prince’s Diwan Sheikh Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Mubarak Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al- and his accompanying delegation departed Minister of Interior Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Sabah, along with senior officials at the Kuwait yesterday, concluding a two-day offi- Al-Sabah. police, army, Kuwait National Guard (KNG), as cial visit during which he held official talks Also present were Deputy Prime Minister well as state officials, Ambassador of Bahrain with the political leadership. and Minister of Finance Anas Khaled Al-Saleh to Kuwait Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al He was seen off at the airport by His as well as the chief of the accompanying mis- Khalifa, and Ambassador of Kuwait to Bahrain Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al- sion of honor Advisor at His Highness Crown Sheikh Azzam Mubarak Al-Sabah. Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Speaker of the Prince’s Diwan Nasser Abdullah Al-Roudhan, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf met Prince National Assembly Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Salman earlier at the latter’s residence in His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Acting Minister of Information Sheikh Bayan Palace, and they discussed the deeply- Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, First Deputy Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al- rooted bilateral ties between the two broth- His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Hamad Al- Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sabah, head of His Highness the Crown erly nations, and means to boost them on all Sabah bids farewell to Bahraini Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Prince’s Diwan Sheikh Mubarak Al-Faisal Al- possible levels. —KUNA First Deputy Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber His Highness Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah His Highness Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets Al-Sabah meets with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense meets with Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khaled Al- with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Anas Khaled Al-Saleh. Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Jarrah Al-Sabah. —KUNA Crown Prince meets state officials
KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Minister of Defense Sheikh Mohammad Al- also received Deputy Prime Minister and Crown Prince received His Highness the and Minister of Finance Anas Khaled Al- Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace Interior Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al- Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- Saleh as well as Sheikh Salman Sabah Al- met with Deputy Prime Minister and yesterday. His Highness the Crown Prince Sabah. Earlier yesterday, His Highness the Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah. — KUNA European Commission, EU commend Kuwait’s role in combating extremism
BRUSSELS: The European Muslims. The European Commission of Awqaf and Islamic affairs had made Commission and the European Union and the EU expressed desires to coop- its mission to prevent the cyberspace (EU) lauded late Tuesday efforts by erate with Arab and Islamic nations as radicalization of youth in Kuwait. Kuwait in combating radicalism dur- well as organizations to fight against The ministry holds events, semi- ing a seminar on international efforts extremism on all levels especially nars, and courses that denounced the to counter cyber extremism. This within the cyber domain, the commu- extremists views of Islam and came during the conclusion of the nique said. Muslims, said the official who reiterat- seminar, which was attended by rep- Meanwhile, Khulaif Al-Ohtaina, ed Kuwait’s commitment to fighting resentatives from several European Assistant Undersecretary for radicalism in all shapes and forms. and Arab countries including Kuwait. Coordination and International The seminar, organized by the In its final communique, the semi- Relations and Hajj at Kuwait’s Ministry European Commission, European nar said it was important for academ- of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, said that Parliament, and the European Islamic ics, intellectuals, and representatives his country was keen on spreading Conference, was attended by officials of civil societies to debunk the the moderate values of Islam. In a from France, Germany, Britain, Belgium, extreme image of Islam portrayed by paper submitted to the event, the Sweden, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Speaker of the National Assembly Marzouq Al-Ghanem meets with Bahraini Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid bin violent persons claiming to be Kuwaiti official said that the Ministry Morocco, the UAE, and Egypt. —KUNA Abdullah Al Khalifa. Speaker Ghanem meets Malaysian counterpart
KUWAIT: Speaker of the National guests at Sabah Al-Ahmad building in office yesterday the visiting Bahraini Assembly Marzouq Al-Ghanem the presence of several MPs. Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid bin received at his office on Tuesday Separately, Ghanem received at his Abdullah Al Khalifa. —KUNA evening visiting Malaysian Parliament Speaker Pandikar Amin bin Haji and his delegation. The two sides dis- cussed the friendly ties between their two countries, and the explored ways to promote parliamentary coopera- tion coordinate their stances at KUWAIT: Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah receives sharia forum partici- regional and international parliamen- pants. — KUNA tary organizations. They also discussed a range of regional and international issues of Deputy Amiri Diwan Minister common concern. The meeting gath- ered the Assembly’s Secretary MP Awdah Al-Rowai’e, Chief Whip Nayef meets Sharia forum participants Al-Merdas Al-Ajmi, Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee MP Ali KUWAIT: Deputy Minister of Amiri Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Professor of Jurisprudence at King Salem Al-Deqbasi and Secretary- Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al- Affairs also received President of Saud University Dr Abdulaziz Al- General Allam Al-Kandari, as well as Sabah received at Bayan Palace Saudi Arabia’s Imam Mohammed Thuwaihi, along with the partici- Kuwait Ambassador to Malaysia Saad yesterday the head of a state com- bin Saud Islamic University Dr pants of the first forum organized Al-As’ousi and Malaysia Ambassador mittee tasked with handling the Sulaiman Abalkhalil, former head by the Supreme Consultative to Kuwait Ahmad Rozian Abd Ghani. KUWAIT: Speaker of the National Assembly Marzouq Al-Ghanem meets implementation of Islamic sharia of Qatar’s Sharia Courts Committee on the Implementation Later on Ghanem hosted a dinner with Malaysian Parliament Speaker Pandikar Amin bin Haji. - National Dr Mohammad Al-Tabtabie. The Abdulrahman Al-Mahmoud and of Sharia. —KUNA banquet in honor of the Malaysian Assembly’s website THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 LOCAL Opposition lawmakers meet to discuss demands By A Saleh of squandering, especially in some projects where the cost is getting dearer with slug- KUWAIT: Twelve opposition Lawmakers gish pace of achievement. yesterday met outside the parliament to discuss moves against the government if it Couple arrested fails to meet demands they intend to make A bedoon (stateless) man with a long public on Tuesday. Those demands include criminal record and a Gulf woman were returning withdrawn citizenships, can- arrested in Salwa after they raced through celling the law banning blasphemers from a checkpoint and tried to run over a taking part in elections and cancelling the policeman. Security sources said a police fuel and electricity price increases. officer and a policeman were also injured Informed sources said the MPs included when the suspect rammed their patrol car Mohammed Al-Mutair, Waleed Al- off the road and it turned over. The sources Tabtabaei, Jamaan Al-Harbash and Shuaib added that another patrol car chased the Al-Muwaizri, while others who had prom- suspects and stopped them. Drugs were ised to attend the meeting sent regrets. found in their possession and the vehicle The sources added that the MPs agreed they used was found to have been report- KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah chairs the Cabinet’s meeting yesterday. — KUNA on the citizenship issue but failed to reach ed ‘wanted’. an agreement on the necessity of can- celling the blasphemy law, because it is Hajj coordination already seconded by a majority of MPs. The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Cabinet tasks ministry Thus, the lawmakers agreed to amend it started coordinating with Interior Ministry and ban its retroactive implementation. on the issuance of hajj and umrah visas The lawmakers also failed to agree on sup- soon after applying the conditions set by porting MP Yousef Al-Fadhalah’s bid to grill Saudi authorities, including changing the His Highness the Prime Minister over bedoons’ passport code as ‘non-Kuwaitis’ to set budget ceiling alleged corruption at the Ministry of Health instead of ‘Kuwaitis’. The conditions also because it would be constitutionally reject- include mandating all hajj convoys not to ed on grounds that such a motion ought to leave Saudi Arabia until all their pilgrims Ministers review Trump’s letter to Amir be made against the health minister. The leave, in addition to increasing the number added that accordingly, it was agreed to of bedoon pilgrims by 8-10 in each convoy. KUWAIT: The Cabinet yesterday assigned the gratulatory messages to mark Kuwait’s national attend a forthcoming UN Sustainable hold talks with the government to change Meanwhile, as head of this year’s hajj con- Ministry of Finance to oversee measures taken celebrations. Moreover, the Cabinet looked over Development Summit, slated for June 5-9th in some health ministry officials first, then voy, the manager of the the hajj affairs by its economic committee dealing with setting a letter sent to His Highness the Amir by New York city. Meanwhile, His Highness the Prime form a committee to investigate the finan- department Mohammed Nasser Al-Mutairi an expenditure ceiling for the nation’s state Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, thank- Minister briefed the Cabinet on Bahraini Crown cial violations. said that an integrated plan had been set budget. Furthermore, the Cabinet has approved ing His Highness the Amir for his efforts to align Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa’s for the coming season and that CTC had appointing Haya Ahmad Al-Wadani as secretary the views of Arab nations, which in turn, would recent visit to the country, which aimed to ame- State revenues been contacted concerning the hajj con- general of the Central Agency for Public Tenders serve the best interests of the Arab world. liorate long-standing ties between the Gulf Chairman of the parliamentary budgets voys’ services contracts. (CAPT). The ministers approved a draft decree The Cabinet also reviewed a letter sent to His nations. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of and final statements committee MP Adnan appointing Wadani in the post, said Minister of Highness the Amir by US President Donald Defense Sheikh Mohammad Khaled Al-Sabah Abdulsamad said total state revenues in 2 million tons State for Cabinet Affairs and Acting Minister of Trump, which heaped praise on Kuwait as a val- apprised the Cabinet of his participation in a the 2017-2018 budget will be around KD The Egyptian General Petroleum Information Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al- ued partner of the US in the fight against terror- meeting of the US-led Coalition against the so- 13,324,000,000, with a 30 percent increase Corporation (EGPC) offered a tender to pur- Mubarak Al-Sabah ism. In his letter, the US President underscored called Islamic State (IS), held in Belgium. On compared to the previous budget, because chase two million tons of fuel oil (furnace In the onset of its routine meeting at Bayan the need for increased dialogue between both recent regional and international happenings, the of the slight improvement in oil prices. He oil) to be delivered between April and June, Palace, presided over by His Highness the Prime nations to enhance bilateral ties. Cabinet deplored a pair of recent bomb blasts in also noted that total expenditure would be including 1.21 tons to be delivered at Suez Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- Similarly, a letter penned by United Nations Bahrain and Algeria, where scores of people were around KD 20 billion with a five percent and Ain Sokhna ports and 792,000 tons to Sabah, the Cabinet thanked Gulf Cooperation (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres extend- wounded, as it renewed its vehement condemna- increase compared to the previous fiscal be delivered at Alexandria or Dekhailah Council (GCC) nations for the outpouring of con- ing an invitation to His Highness the Amir to tion of all forms of terrorism. —KUNA year’s budget, with a KD 7 billion deficit. ports. The Egyptian Refining Company Abdulsamad added that 10 percent of the (ERC) told agencies that it has been negoti- revenues (KD 1.3 billion) would be deposit- ating with various oil companies including ed in the future generations reserve fund. KNPC, Aramco and Shell to import around Abdulsamad stressed that there was a lot 1.2 million tons of crude oil. Kuwait, Latvia to boost economic ties KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Anas Al-Saleh has stressed the significance of fostering eco- nomic ties with Latvia. Following Al-Saleh’s talks with Latvia’s visiting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economy Arvils Aseradens yesterday, he emphasized the role of the chambers of commerce and industry in both countries to bolster bilat- eral relations and enhance the role of the private sector, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement. The ministry quoted Aseradens as saying that his country hopes for better economic and trade ties with Kuwait. He also pointed to the investment attractions at home. According to the statement, the two sides approved a proposal for developing mecha- nisms for boosting bilateral cooperation. These will include an agreement for eco- KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Anas Al-Saleh meets with Latvia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economy Arvils Aseradens. — KUNA ‘Strange accident’ in Sharq nomic and technical cooperation and the formation of a joint higher committee to be By Hanan Al-Saadoun Tower. No injuries were reported. chaired by the two ministries. Separately, firemen were called to help a KUWAIT: The fire department received a child whose foot got stuck in his bicycle. Slovakia call about a car accident in which one vehi- Mishref fire center responded, cut the met- Meanwhile, Kuwait and Slovakia signed cle ended up on top of the other. The acci- al and freed the boy’s foot, before para- an agreement to bolster economic, techni- dent took place in Sharq across Al-Hamra medics checked it for any injuries. cal, and commercial cooperation, said a statement by the Kuwaiti embassy. According to the Kuwaiti Embassy in Bratislava, Ambassador Essa Al-Shamali Power plant workers thanked Slovakia’s first State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy Vojetch Ferencz and protest unpaid salaries the Kuwaiti side for their efforts in actualiz- ing the agreements, saying that his nation was looking forward for more cooperation By Meshaal Al-Enezi is currently preparing studies on places with Slovakia in the near future. The signing where smoking could be allowed by invit- of the agreements will take Kuwaiti- KUWAIT: A number of contracted employ- ing engineering bureaus and specialized Slovakian relations to the next level and ees working at West Doha power plant consultancies to take part in the study staged a protest outside the Indian within two weeks after publicizing the call. hopefully the deals will meet the expecta- embassy yesterday to demand their unpaid EPA also urged interested engineering tion of people in both countries, said the The Kuwaiti Ambassador Essa Al-Shamali is pictured with Slovakia’s first State Secretary of the salaries. Commenting on the issue, offices to pay the annual fees of KD 5,000 Ambassador. — KUNA Ministry of Economy Vojetch Ferencz. Abdullah Al-Motoutah, Acting Director of to be accredited to design and build smok- the Public Authority for Manpower, con- ing cabins. firmed that the protest was because the employees’ salaries had been delayed. Road project Qatari-Kuwaiti military drill in Motoutah added that the authority’s inves- The Ministry of Public Works’ (MPW) tigators rushed to the scene and advised assistant undersecretary for roads engi- the employees to check with relevant labor neering affairs Ahmed Al-Hassan said that Doha successful: Brigadier Zayed departments to get help in resolving their an exit at Jamal Abdul Nasser develop- problems. Further, Motoutah stressed that ment project will open at dawn tomorrow. KUWAIT: The Qatari-Kuwaiti Amiri Guards tion between Kuwait and Qatar, the military exercise in the near future, adding that the all possible measures would be taken to He added that the exit is 150 meters’ long drill, codenamed ‘Saqer Al-Khalij 2,’ was suc- official said, adding that the exercise dis- drill was in line with both leaderships’ desire protect the employees’ rights and pay them cessful, said chief of Kuwait’s Amiri Guard, played the readiness and professionalism of for more security and peace in the region. the overdue salaries, even if it means liqui- and would serve traffic coming through the recently opened bridge towards Brigadier Fahad Al-Zayed yesterday. The drill both forces. He affirmed that the GCC nations The ‘Saqer Al-Khaij 2’ exercise began on dating the financial guarantee deposited was launched to develop security coopera- were looking forward to the holding of a new February 16. —KUNA by the company. Ghernata. Hassan added that launching this part of the project is part of several Smoking areas others to be completed soon as previously The Environment Public Authority (EPA) announced. NBK-Capital to manage Az-Zour North One share sale: KAPP
KUWAIT: A consortium led by NBK Capital imum 1,500 megawatts of electricity and has been awarded the tender of managing 102-107 million imperial gallons of water the public share sale of 50 percent of the per day. Shamal Az-Zour Al-Oula. Half the shares of The gas-fired combined cycle power Shamal Az-Zour Al-Oula will be offered to and water plant is the first phase of Az-Zour Kuwaitis in an Initial Public Offering (IPO), North Independent Water and Power with a nominal value of 100 fils a share, the Project (IWPP). A consortium GDF SUEZ and Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects Sumitomo has been undertaking the oper- (KAPP) added in a statement yesterday. ation, and maintenance of Shamal Az-Zour Work is underway to obtain approvals of Al-Oula on 50/50 basis. monitoring authorities for the IPO contract, Meanwhile, the KAPP said that another the KAPP added. consortium led by Pricewaterhouse In January, the KAPP received offers Coopers (PWC) has been chosen as a con- from bidders, banks and local financial sultancy house for the entertainment and firms, to provide the consultative and services center in the Fintas Commercial financial services for managing the IPO. and Administrative Center, Egaila, Al- Shamal Az-Zour Al-Oula is the first gas-fired Ahmadi governorate. Approval is being combined cycle power and water desalina- sought from the monitoring bodies to con- tion plant in Kuwait, with a capacity of min- clude the contract of the project.— KUNA THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 LOCAL
SFAX: Scenes from activities held during the Kuwait Cultural Week in Tunisia. — KUNA Kuwait Cultural Week in Tunisia concludes
SFAX: The Kuwait Cultural Week in Tunisia con- art and photo galleries, a lecture on heritage people-to-people relations as well as the cul- tures and seminars all performing under the admiration of the Kuwaiti Cultural Week and cluded Tuesday evening with performing of the and antiquities delivered by Sheikha Farah Al- tural cooperation between countries. “They umbrella of Kuwait’s National Council for its impressive activities. The Kuwaiti Week has ‘Sad Family’ play at Mohamed Jamoussi Cultural Sabah and a play performance, Kuwait Cultural also contribute to the development of human Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL). shown Tunisians the mesmerizing Kuwaiti Center in Sfax. The performance attracted a Week has succeeded in showing part of the civilization,” Thufeiri added. The Kuwait’s Meanwhile, general coordinator of the Sfax popular culture, folklore and arts, she said. large audience including officials, artists and Kuwaiti culture,” Kuwaiti Ambassador in Tunis Cultural Week in Tunisia has coincided with Capital of Arabic Culture for 2016 event Hoda Kasho said that Tunisia is looking forwards to ordinary people who were eager to get a Ali Al-Thufeiri said in a statement. He noted Tunisia’s celebrations marking ‘Sfax Capital of Al-Kasho stressed that the main goal of the launching cultural partnerships with Kuwait glimpse of the Kuwaiti theatric movement. that culture weeks are playing a significant role Arabic Culture for 2016.’ The event, kicked off on cultural weeks is to promote the Arab culture that pave the way for joint cultural and artistic “With a range of musical concerts, formative in promoting cultures of states and cementing February 25th, featured art galleries, plays, lec- with its diversity and richness. She expressed production. — KUNA Embassies abroad continue to celebrate national days
BEIJING: The Kuwaiti Ambassador to China Sameeh Johar Hayat and other diplomats cut the cake during a cere- Ambassador Sameeh Johar welcomes officials during the ceremony. mony celebrating Kuwait’s national days. — KUNA
KUWAIT: Kuwaiti diplomatic missions in and Arab and foreign diplomats who offered Kuwaiti Ambassador Met’ab Saleh Al- the Iraqi invasion in 1991, he said. on the advent of Kuwait’s celebrations. He Sweden, Mexico, and China held ceremonies their congratulations to the Kuwaiti leader- Mutawtah gave a speech praising the strong praised the distinguished Kuwaiti-Chinese celebrating the anniversaries of Kuwait’s 56th ship and people. bilateral relations between Mexico and Kuwait, China bilateral relations which witnesses remarkable National Day and 26th Liberation Day, and the The Ambassador congratulated His which is witnessing a remarkable and distin- In China, the Kuwaiti Ambassador Sameeh cooperating and coordination at all levels. 11th year of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- guished level of cooperation in various Johar Hayat and the diplomatic mission held a Kuwait is the first member of the Gulf Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah assump- Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince domains as propagated by the political leader- ceremony on the national days. In a speech to Cooperation countries to establish diplomatic tion of power. Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, ships of both countries. the reception, Hayat offered his congratula- relations with China back in 1971, he said. The In Sweden, the Kuwaiti Ambassador and the Kuwaiti people on the advent of the He added that such national occasions are tions to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah diplomat recalled China’s support to the reso- Nabeel Rashed Al-Dekheel and members of national occasions. a great chance to express his love and loyalty Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the lutions of the United Nations Security Council the embassy celebrated Kuwait’s national to Kuwait and its political leadership. Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber (UNSC) in favor of the Kuwaiti rights, which occasions. The ceremony was attended by a Mexico will always recall the honorable position of Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Prime Minister resulted in the liberation of Kuwait from the number of local politicians, economic figures, In a similar celebration in Mexico, the Mexico in supporting Kuwait liberation from Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah Iraqi invasion in 1991. — KUNA
MEXICO CITY: The Kuwaiti Ambassador to Mexico Met’ab Saleh Al- STOCKHOLM: The Kuwaiti Ambassador to Sweden Nabeel Rashed Al- Kuwaiti Ambassador to Sweden Nabeel Rashed Al-Dekheel welcomes an Mutawtah and other diplomats cut the cake during a ceremony celebrat- Dekheel (right) and members of the embassy celebrate Kuwait’s official during the ceremony. ing Kuwait’s national days. national days. THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 LOCAL
In Brief E-passports Jarallah meets CBK launches application Sunday UK Minister cultural campaign
KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs KUWAIT: Kuwaiti Deputy Foreign Minister KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) announced yesterday that it will begin to Khaled Al-Jarallah met yesterday with visiting announced yesterday launching its ‘Ya Zain process requests for electronic diplomatic UK Minister of State at the Department for Turathna’ (our beautiful heritage) cultural cam- passports starting from Sunday. The ministry Environment, Food and Rural Affairs George paign for the sixth consecutive year. This year’s noted that non-electronic passports for Eustice. During the meeting, they discussed campaign includes several school visits, competi- diplomats have become obsolete and that a Kuwaiti-UK relations and the latest regional tions and other cultural activities to be special center has been allocated for the and international developments. Several sen- announced soon, said Amani Al-Waraa, Deputy process of e-passport issuance, which wel- ior officials of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign General Manager - Public Relations and Media comes applicants on week days from 5:00 Affairs and UK Ambassador to Kuwait Department. pm to 9:00 pm. — KUNA Matthew Lodge attended. — KUNA Photo of the day
KUWAIT: Al-Hamra Tower (right) and other Kuwait City skyscrapers pictured from Shaheed Park. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat
KFH Participates in Harvard Business First int’l sculpture School Executive Development Program forum opens Sunday KUWAIT: Kuwait National Council for Culture, Art and Letters (NCCAL) will organize the first international sculpture forum between March 5 and 20. The event, to ‘Leading Strategy Execution in Financial Services’ be held on a biennial basis, was approved by the Supreme Council for Planning and Development (SCPD), said Dr Bader Al-Duweesh, NCCAL’s assistant secretary- general and head of the organizing committee. “It will gather imminent sculptors from Kuwait, the Gulf region and beyond as well as academics from the Basic Education College, with a view to polishing up the talents of Kuwaiti artists through sharing experi- ence with world-renowned sculptors,” he added. Meanwhile, Ali Numan, a Kuwaiti sculptor and member of the organizing committee, thanked the SCPD and the NCCAL for approving the long-awaited event. On the technical aspects of the forum, he said the organizing committee approved wood as a main material for sculpture, noting that there are sugges- tions for using the products of the forum as interior decor at government buildings. Mashaal Al-Khalaf, supervisor of the formative arts at NCCAL, said the event will provide a chance for Kuwaiti artists to highlight the advances made by cul- tural movement in the country. He appreciated the efforts made by NCCAL Secretary-General Ali Al-Yuha for lobbying among the country’s cultural institutions for the event and the sideline activities. — KUNA
KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House (KFH) participated in leaders in the banking and finance sector in the GCC coun- Imad Mirza, Executive Manager Talent Management, Harvard Business School Executive Development Program tries. It equips participants with concepts and tools for Mahmoud Wafa, Executive Manager Debt Restructuring, themed ‘Leading Strategy Execution in Financial Services.’ thinking strategically. Mohammad Al-Duwailah, Executive Manager Capital The education program that was held in Oman for six con- The program is viewed as strategic project to be organ- Market, Mohamed Fayad, Executive Manager Credit secutive days focused on two primary themes; strategy ized by the Institute of Banking Studies (IBS). 47 partici- Administration, Khaled Al-Awadhi, Executive Manager Al- and Leadership. pants took part in this program from different banks and Ruwwad Banking, and Ahmad Al-Othman, Manager Retail This program is designed to courageously lead execu- financial institutions in the GCC region. Transition. The program offered international lecturers and tives to drive their organizations forward by superior strat- Participants from KFH were: Lmya Al-Tabtebae, Group professors such as James Dowd, Linda A Hill, Stuart Gilson egy execution and to support the development of senior Deputy General Manager IT Planning and Architecture, and Francesca Gino. THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 FROM THE ARABIC PRESS Crime Report Al-Jarida Amending article 79 Relatives fight and the civil state in Ardiya cafe KUWAIT: Five female citizens who are related engaged in a By Dr Bader Al-Daihani fight with each other in an Ardiya cafe. They were taken to the police station and charged with fighting. The five ccording to its constitution, namely article 6, Kuwait is a women hurled insults at each other before exchanging democratic civil state and any proposal to amend consti- blows, so police were called. Atutional articles should be done for the sake of achieving more liberties, equality and establishing the foundations of a civil democratic state that has room for everyone. Nevertheless, politi- Escapees caught cal Islam blocs do not recognize democratic regimes and values Ahmadi detectives arrested two dangerous suspects such as freedom, devolution of power, pluralism and separation who had escaped from their holding cell. The two, who Law between powers. were found in Hawally, said they opened the cell’s door The ultimate goal of political Islam blocs is to build a religious with a copy of the key and that they had planned the state that is no different from the Islamic State (IS) group except escape for days. A man was waiting for them outside for some slight differences in grades. Political Islam blocs (the the police station. He was also arrested. Muslim Brotherhood and its subdivisions) work according to gradual phases, during which they utilize liberties and democrat- ic tools, such as elections and ballots, only to get to power and Physical assault then monopolize it forever, while IS follows a policy of burning A Syrian man suffered a broken jaw and his friend, a citizen, everything. suffered various bruises and grazes, when six persons beat Therefore, it is no wonder that once in power, their first priori- them for no apparent reason in Zour desert. The two called ty is to try to indirectly cancel the constitution and push towards police, who responded along with paramedics and took them establishing a religious state. This is why they recently asked to to Adan Hospital. Ahmadi detectives are working on the case. amend article 79 of the Kuwaiti constitution after they failed sev-
Al-Jarida eral times (nine to be precise) in amending article 2. If they man- age to achieve this, the other articles of the constitution will be worthless. Notably, this is their second attempt to amend article Reckless driving 79 after His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah had previ- Police brought 150 persons under control who had ously rejected the first attempt in accordance with article 66 of Al-Anbaa gathered in a street near Taima to see reckless drivers the constitution. showing off with their cars. The drivers poured diesel on In case article 79 gets amended as proposed by Kuwait’s the street during their act, endangering other motorists 0 branch of the Muslim Brotherhood - the Islamic Constitutional who drive on the road. Several drivers were arrested and 180 expansion Movement (ICM) and its allies in other Sunni blocs - this would their cars impounded, and legal action is being taken. signal a shift from a civil state into a religious one similar to IS, and we would then have a religious power superior to the legislative power, which is according to article 51 of the constitution, head- By Saad Al-Motesh Pedestrian mugged ed by His Highness the Amir and the National Assembly. This new totally believe that Almighty Allah is capa- ures about the fallen true before or after the power will decide on violations of Islamic sharia laws. A person in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh abducted an Asian man and I wonder who will be its members. Which of the so many robbed him, claiming to be a detective. The victim was walk- ble of changing anything promptly - praise question was asked?! sharia interpretations will they adopt, especially when each of ing at night when a man stopped him telling him he was a I be to Him who cannot be impeded by any- Away from the Syrians’ sufferings and the them claims to know the whole truth? The Muslim Brotherhood’s detective. He asked him to get in his car and handcuffed him. thing on earth or in the skies. I recall a story, Arab billionaire’s wealth, we have seen personal interpretation of some issues is different from those of Salafists. In He then took him to an area in Hasawi and stole KD 300 in although I am not sure if it is authentic or not. accounts of ordinary and economically and addition, we have differences between Sunnis and Shiites. We still cash and his new phone, got him out of the car then drove However, it has been going around among commercially insignificant people expand to remember the disagreement between the Brotherhood and the off. The victim went to Jleeb police station and complained. people, who say that in a astronomical figures. Salafist Ummah Principles Party when the Youth Rising Forum TV interview with a rich So, did this happen was held in Kuwait several years ago, and MP Jamaan Al-Harbash tweeted addressing his fellow MP, urging him ‘not to encapsulate Domestic violence Arab, he was asked after or before they start- about the size of his for- If you ask anybody ed their political careers? sharia in his own interpretations of it.’ This confirms the existence A citizen dropped domestic violence charges against tune, and the billionaire The answer highly of more than an interpretation of sharia. So, which one will the about the real figures of proposed religious power follow after amending article 79?! her husband, saying that issue between them was said: ‘Do you mean its depends on whether resolved. However, she made an emergency call later The slogan of applying Islamic sharia used by political Islam size before or after you those killed and held those accounts multiplied blocs to justify turning against the constitution is nothing more and insisted to lodge a complaint against her husband. asked the question?’ before or after they The woman told police she was beaten by her hus- captive, the number will than an evasive emotional political tactic used to manipulate sim- band, and when a patrol went to the house, the Such an answer means assumed their positions! ple people and win their support. According to our constitution, woman told them the dispute was resolved. Minutes that man’s wealth surely and drastically Notably, the question sharia is ‘the basic source of legislation.’ These blocs are not even later, she called again and insisted that a complaint be changes within seconds does not only include settled on the religious state they intend to establish, and the best lodged. Both were sent to Saad Al-Abdullah police sta- and never stays the change those who had their example of this are the bloody conflicts among them in Syria. tion, and investigations are underway. same! bank accounts enlarged, Last but not least, political Islam blocs that are hindering the I remembered this but also includes all development of the democratic civil regime and look forward to story while listening to some statements about politicians who turned into real estate mer- establishing a religious state get their might and strength from Suicide attempt allying with the political regime since the 1970s, as the latter has the number of casualties among our Syrian chants inside and outside Kuwait. Those who been facilitating their access to power and allowing them to Police and paramedics rescued a young citizen who slashed his brothers, which sounded more like that Arab always claimed owning nothing more than publicly expand, although they have been frankly announcing wrist in an attempt to commit suicide. Police found there was a billionaire’s answer. their salaries and things changed by 180 rejection of liberties and the values of a democratic civil regime. fight between two brothers, which prompted one of them to If you ask anybody about the real figures of degrees after they started their political For them, democracy is nothing more than a tool they use to attempt suicide. The injured youth became enraged in the ambu- those killed and held captive, the number will careers! come to power, then start changing the rules and monopolize it lance and caused extensive damage, while paramedics attempt- surely and drastically change. So, are those fig- —Translated by Kuwait Times forever! —Translated by Kuwait Times ed to help him. —Translated from the Arabic press
A picture from the celebrations in Al-Hamra Tower.
A picture from the celebrations in Shuyoukh office. Kuwaiti flag in an atrium area. Alghanim Industries celebrates National and Liberation days
KUWAIT: On Tuesday, February 21, 2017, porary photo studio, consisting of traditional employees and our customers who are at the tures featuring Alghanim Industries related Alghanim Industries holds engaging Alghanim Industries, one of the largest private sadu woven furniture, giving employees a fun center of our values. We also take opportunities items. The winning photo was of a costa cup and employee activities on a regular basis, including companies in the region, celebrated Kuwait’s place to socialize and take pictures. such as these to emphasize our Kuwaiti talent Kuwait City’s skyline drawn by hand with coffee. blood drives which the company organizes in National and Liberation Days, with employees at Commenting on the event, George Lambros, within Alghanim Industries - we have worked The offices were also decorated throughout collaboration with the Kuwait Central Blood the company headquarters in Al-Hamra Tower Chief Human Resources Officer, said: “At hard to create a collaborative, encouraging and the month of February, featuring a large 3-story Bank (KCBB), Breast Cancer Awareness cam- and its Shuwaikh offices. Alghanim Industries, we strive to engage with challenging environment which we hope brings Kuwaiti flag, which was hung in the headquarter paigns, and charity runs and marathons in The employee engagement featured the our employees, bringing them together around out the potential in all of our employees.” atrium. Decorated cookies were handed out to which the company pays the registration fees local band The Concert which played Kuwaiti important events throughout the year. This year, In addition to the employee engagement employees earlier in the same week, and Kuwait for its employees who are interested in joining, national music to the diverse crowd. Kuwaiti we created a lot of fun activities around Kuwait’s event, the company held a photography compe- flag pins were distributed for employees to in addition to celebrating the national holidays food and desserts were served, alongside a tem- national holidays in order to celebrate with our tition for the employees to share patriotic pic- express nationalistic spirit. in the company. THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 Australia calls 113 ambassadors home to Blackface ban, no Sunday shops: Offbeat ideas in Dutch reshape foreign policy Page 10 Page 12
CALIFORNIA: Smoke rises from a fire after a plane crashed in Riverside, Calif on Monday, Feb 27, 2017. — AP Plane crash ignites horrifying inferno in California
RIVERSIDE: Juan Cortes and his son were installing fencing vivors suffered burns on 90 percent of her body and was when they saw a low-flying plane make an awkward tilt found under debris in a smoke-filled bedroom of a burning and go straight down into a quiet Southern California home and was lifted out a window, fire Capt. Tyler neighborhood of single-family homes. Moments later they Reynolds said. “She was moaning and that is how the fire- and others were confronted with a horrifying inferno. “I fighters found her,” he said. saw the smoke, the black smoke,” said Cortes, 42, who The other survivor also was hospitalized in critical con- raced to the scene in a truck with 19-year-old son Jonathan dition. The tail number of the aircraft was N1246G, accord- and tried to help. People were screaming in the street, and ing to a government official with knowledge of the investi- he saw a woman pulled away from the flames. “She was gation who spoke on condition of anonymity because the alive because she was screaming, ‘My daughter! My daugh- official was not authorized to release the information until ter!” he recalled Tuesday. Traci Zamora, 38, rushed out of next-of-kin have been notified. Federal records show that her home and around a corner to find a house engulfed in number is assigned to a twin-engine Cessna 310 registered flames and then saw a victim emerge. “She just came to Nouri Hijazi of San Jose. Telephone listings for him were crawling right out of it onto the front lawn,” she said. “Her either disconnected or went to voicemail. Moore did not lower body was on fire.” provide the name of the cheerleading competition, but the The crash of the twin-engine Cessna 310 late Monday Jr USA Nationals for girls 15 and under was held at Disney afternoon killed a man, a woman and a teenager, and two California Adventure Park over the weekend. Officials with other women were ejected when it hit the corner of a the competition did not immediately return calls Tuesday. house, authorities said. The women were hospitalized with For many in the neighborhood the crash announced critical injuries. Despite the inferno, no one on the ground itself with a tremendous boom that rattled their houses was hurt, but two houses were destroyed. Two others had like an earthquake. HL Reyes, who lives about a quarter- minor damage. No identities were released, but Riverside mile from the crash site, said she felt the ground shake and Fire Chief Michael Moore said the plane had just taken off saw plumes of black smoke. from Riverside Municipal Airport, less than a mile away, “I thought it was a possible earthquake, and we heard bound for San Jose after a weekend cheerleading competi- all the birds just suddenly react outside, too,” Reyes said. tion staged at the Disney California Adventure Park. “This was just like a nightmare coming true.” Hector Weather in the area 60 miles east of Los Angeles had Jimenez, 19, was playing video games at home when he included rain, but there were no immediate indications of heard a loud boom and saw black smoke. what caused the crash. Investigators with the National “It’s just sad that it happened here,” he said. “It makes Transportation Safety Board were expected to hold a brief- me nervous living around an airport. That’s one of my ing at the scene Tuesday afternoon. One of the women sur- worst fears, having this happen.” — AP Tornadoes hit central US; 2 die
LITTLE ROCK: Tornadoes touched down about 80 miles south of St Louis. Eight to Prediction Center posted tornado watches in the upper Midwest and northern 10 homes near the small town of Perryville late Tuesday for the area from eastern Arkansas on Tuesday, killing at least two were badly damaged and winds were so Kansas and Oklahoma to near Cincinnati. people, as a spring-like storm system strong that several vehicles were blown off It warned that significant tornadoes with posed a risk to 45 million people. Compact of Interstate 55. Perry County Clerk Jared winds above 111 mph were possible until but strong storms known as supercells Kutz said search and rescue crews were 4 am Central time. “Some increase in storm raked parts of the central US, causing going door-to-door and checking the coverage is likely through the overnight damage from Arkansas to Iowa and highway to see if there were other victims. hours,” one of its advisories said. Illinois. Wind-whipped wildfires destroyed Missouri Gov Eric Greitens said in a The Oklahoma-based forecast center homes in Texas. At Ottawa, Illinois, state statement that a tornado was confirmed in said 45 million people from Texas to Ohio Emergency Management Agency spokes- Perry County. Authorities have not faced some risk of bad weather. The high- woman Patti Thompson said a tornado vic- released any information about the person est threat level in effect, warning of a tim was killed by an uprooted tree. killed. Forecasters were particularly con- “moderate risk” for severe weather, cov- Minor injuries were also reported at an cerned that the worst of the weather ered the area from southwestern Missouri Ottawa nursing home, but Thompson said developed after nightfall - and worried it into Indiana. Hundreds of people, includ- the number of those hurt in the twisters would continue overnight and hit commu- ing many school children, took shelter at was not known. Meanwhile, one person nities while people slept. While weather Bald Knob High School in Arkansas after a was killed when an apparent tornado conditions typically improve after night- tornado warning was posted for the area. ripped through Perry County, Missouri, fall, as the atmosphere cools, the Storm The school is hosting a state basketball tournament for smaller schools this week. Moments earlier, the storm caused dam- age in Higginson, a town of 621, the White County Sheriff’s Office said. Photos posted on social media showed basketball fans on the floor in the school’s designated safe area. The Bald Knob storm was part of the same system that produced a wall cloud near Mayflower, Arkansas, which was hit in 2014 by a tornado with winds approaching 200 mph. The storm crossed Interstate 40 between Little Rock and Conway, but there were no reports that a funnel cloud touched down. The Storm Prediction Center had warned that some of Tuesday’s storms would track over long distances. The Arkansas storm held together for more than 100 miles, though it did not produce tornadoes. The Missouri PENNSYLVANIA: Robert Galonis pauses before he begins to chainsaw away Department of Transportation closed debris from a relative’s house after a tornado touched down in the area in Interstate 55 in both directions because of Pittston Township, Pa. — AP storm damage in Perryville. — AP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 Trump administration ‘deeply troubled’ by imbalance US seeks end to UN rights council’s ‘obsession with Israel’
GENEVA: US President Donald Trump’s and expression. “In order for this Council to administration is reviewing its participation in have any credibility, let alone success, it must News the UN Human Rights Council, seeking reform move away from its unbalanced and unpro- in brief of its agenda and an end to its “obsession with ductive positions,” Barclay said. “As we consid- Israel”, a senior US official said yesterday. er our future engagements, my government Washington has long argued that the Geneva will be considering the Council’s actions with Leader of UAE travels forum unfairly focuses on Israel’s alleged viola- an eye toward reform to more fully achieve abroad on ‘private’ trip tions of human rights, including war crimes the Council’s mission to protect and promote DUBAI: The leader of the United Arab Emirates, who has against Palestinian civilians in the occupied human rights.” rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke three West Bank and Gaza Strip. The United States The United States is currently an elected years ago, has left the country on a “private visit” abroad. “remains deeply troubled by the Council’s member of the 47-state Geneva forum where The state-run WAM news agency says Sheikh Khalifa bin consistent unfair and unbalanced focus on its three-year term ends in 2019. There was no Zayed Al Nahyan left yesterday. It did not elaborate. Sheikh one democratic country, Israel”, Erin Barclay, immediate reaction from the UN human Khalifa was born in 1948 and became president after his US deputy assistant secretary of state, told the rights office, but on Tuesday Council father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, died in 2004. He UN Human Rights Council. Barclay said that no spokesman Rolando Gomez told a briefing: is also the ruler of Abu Dhabi, the oil-rich capital of the sev- other nation had a whole agenda item devot- “The US been a very active and constructive en UAE sheikhdoms. Sheikh Khalifa suffered a stroke on ed to it and that “this obsession with Israel” partner in the Council for many years, spear- Jan. 24, 2014, and underwent emergency surgery. He went threatened the council’s credibility. heading a number of important initiatives, abroad for several months last year and made a weeklong Barclay questioned whether focusing on such as DPRK (North Korea), Iran, Syria, LGBT trip abroad in January. The UAE is a strong Western ally and Israel was a sensible priority, adding that rights ... and many issues that are certainly on hosts American troops fighting the Islamic State group. Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s govern- GAZA: In this July 29, 2014 file photo, smoke and fire from an Israeli strike rise over Gaza the agenda today.” He said that any country ment was bombing hospitals while North City. Israel’s official government watchdog says the country was ill-prepared to handle that wished to revoke its membership of the Turkish media mogul Dogan Korea and Iran deny millions of their people the threat of underground tunnels from Gaza during the 2014 war, and the Cabinet was council would have to go through the accused of ‘fuel smuggling’ of freedoms of religion, peaceful assembly not provided enough information to make proper decisions about it. — AP General Assembly in New York. — Reuters ANKARA: The honorary chairman of Turkish conglom- erate Dogan Holding was summoned yesterday to appear in court over accusations of fuel smuggling, a day after Turkey’s president criticized a story published Army controls main roads in the group’s Hurriyet newspaper. Aydin Dogan, 80, who founded and ran media-to-energy conglomerate until 2010, is a prominent figure in Turkey’s secular establishment and has had strained ties with President Tayyip Erdogan and the ruling Islamist-rooted AK Party out of Mosul, trapping IS in the past. His group has faced charges that it ran a fuel-smuggling ring a decade ago and Dogan and Isbank’s Ersin Ozince, 64, face up to 24-1/2 years in prison on charges of setting up a criminal gang, smug- Civilians continue to flee fighting under Islamic State fire gling and fraud. This is the first time, however, that Dogan has been summoned to court in the case, MOSUL: US-backed Iraqi army units yesterday took control rather than being represented by his lawyer. Dogan of the last major road out of western Mosul that had been and Ozince have denied any wrongdoing. The Istanbul in Islamic State’s hands, trapping the militants in a shrink- court ordered that Dogan be compelled to attend the ing area within the city, a general and residents said. The next hearing in the case where 47 defendants are army’s 9th Armored Division was within a kilometer of being tried, state-run Anadolu Agency said. Mosul’s Syria Gate, the city’s northwestern entrance, a gen- eral from the unit told Reuters by telephone. “We effective- ly control the road, it is in our sight,” he said. Mosul resi- dents said they had not been able to travel on the highway that starts at the Syria Gate since Tuesday. The road links Mosul to Tal Afar, another Islamic State stronghold 60 km to the west, and then to Syria. Iraqi forces captured the eastern side of Mosul in January after 100 days of fighting and launched their attack on the districts that lie west of the Tigris river on Feb 19. If they defeat Islamic State in Mosul, that would crush the Iraq wing of the caliphate declared by the group’s leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi in 2014 from the city’s grand old Nuri Mosque. The US-led coalition effort against Islamic State is killing the group’s fighters more quickly than it can replace them, British Major General Rupert Jones, deputy commander for the Combined Joint Task Force said. With more than 45,000 killed by coalition air strikes up to August last year, “their destruction just becomes really a KABUL: Smoke rises from a district police headquarters after matter of time,” he said on Tuesday in London. The US com- a suicide bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan yesterday. — AP mander in Iraq, Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, has said he believes US-backed forces will recapture both Taleban hits military Mosul and Raqqa, Islamic State’s Syria stronghold in neigh- targets, killing three boring Syria, within six months. The closing of the west- MOSUL: The logo of the Islamic State (IS) group is seen in a tunnel that was reportedly used as a training centre by KABUL: Afghan Taleban militants said they attacked police, ward highway meant that Islamic State are besieged in the the jihadists in the village of Abu Sayf, on the southern outskirts of Mosul. — AFP military and intelligence targets in Kabul yesterday and city center, said Lt General Abdul Wahab Al-Saidi, the while men gathered on street corners as helicopters flew carrying an older woman, while another was pushed in a security officials confirmed attacks in at least two areas of deputy commander of the Counter Terrorism Service (CTS), overhead strafing suspected militant positions further wheelchair. Old people asked why there was no cars or the city that killed at least three people and wounded deployed in the southwestern side. north. One of two buses parked nearby had its roof shorn buses to pick them up and take them to the displaced peo- dozens. A resounding explosion was heard across the city Units from the elite US-trained division battled incom- off. Residents buried a 60-year-old woman who was killed ple centers. A man said he spent 11 days hiding in his as a car bomb was detonated near a police headquarters in ing sniper and anti-tank fire as they moved eastwards, on Tuesday when she stepped on an explosive device house with no food, no water and no idea of what was the west of the city, the interior ministry said. The blast was through Wadi Al-Hajar district, and northward, through Al- while trying to flee. Several thousand militants, including happening outside. “The archangel of death would have followed immediately by gunfire between security forces Mansour and Al-Shuhada districts where gunfire and many who traveled from Western countries to join up, are come for us if we stayed any longer,” he said. Aid agencies and an unknown number of attackers. Fighting at the explosions could be heard. These moves would allow the believed to be in Mosul among a remaining civilian popu- put the number of killed and wounded at several thou- police headquarters, not far from a military training school, CTS to link up with Rapid Response and Federal Police lation estimated at the start of the offensive at 750,000. sands, both military and civilians. lasted for several hours with gunmen barricaded inside the units deployed by the riverside, and to link up with the 9th They are using mortars, sniper fire, booby traps and sui- Army, police, CTS and Rapid Response units forces building. Najib Danesh, a spokesman for the interior min- Armored Division coming from the west, tightening the cide car bombs to fight the offensive carried out by a attacking Islamic State in western Mosul are backed by air istry, said the attack was suppressed by late afternoon and noose around the militants. “Many of them were killed, and 100,000-strong force made up of Iraqi armed forces, region- and ground support from a US-led coalition, including security forces were conducting checks of the area. A sepa- for those who are still positioned in the residential neigh- al Kurdish peshmerga fighters and Iranian-trained Shiite artillery. US personnel are operating close to the frontlines rate attack appeared to have targeted an office of borhoods, they either pull back or get killed are our forces Muslim paramilitary groups. About 14,000 people have to direct air strikes. Federal police and Rapid Response Afghanistan’s main intelligence agency, the National move forward,” Saidi said. Two militants lay dead near the been displaced from western Mosul, often under militant units are several hundred meters only from the city’s’ gov- Directorate for Security (NDS), on the eastern outskirts of field command of the CTS, in the Al-Mamoun district which fire, according to government figures. The United Nations ernment buildings. Taking those buildings would be of Kabul. However a senior army official said that attack was looked like a ghost town. A few hundred meters away, a car puts at more than 176,000 the total number of people dis- symbolic significance in terms of restoring state authority quickly suppressed. bomb was hit by an airstrike. placed from Mosul since the offensive started in October. over the city and help Iraqi forces attack militants in the Thousands more streamed out, walking through the nearby old city center where the al-Nuri Mosque is located. Strafing from above desert toward government lines during the day, crossing Military engineers started preparing a pontoon that they White House condemns The few families who remained in Al-Mamoun said they shooting attack, racism over a deep trench which appears to have served as an plan to put in place by the side of the city’s southernmost were too scared to leave as the militants had booby- Islamic State defense, some waving white flags. Among bridge, captured on Monday. Air strikes have damaged all WASHINGTON: The White House has condemned a trapped cars. Women cooked bread over outdoor ovens them a boy shot in the leg was limping alongside a cart of its five bridges. — Reuters shooting attack in a Kansas bar that left one Indian man dead and another wounded as an apparent act of “racial- ly motivated hatred.” After criticism that Donald Trump had not spoken about the attack-which happened a week ago-the White House said president did indeed As Iraqi civilians flee Mosul; condemn the attack. “As more facts come to light and it begins to look like this was an act of racially motivated hatred, I want to reiterate the president condemns these or any other racially or religiously motivated attacks in delicate search for jihadists the strongest terms” said White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders. “They have no place in our country.” Sanders said the president may raise the issue during his AL-SALAM: The Iraqi officer addresses a since Iraqi forces began the push to retake it ties are taken for additional questioning. The gence officer. The officer, who declined to maiden address to Congress later Tuesday. group of men who fled fighting in Mosul, urg- on February 19, trekking through the desert men sit in rows of around ten, most sporting give his name, orders each row to sit once it ing them to admit any affiliation with the during the day and night to escape. As one the uniform-length beard mandated by IS. has been reviewed. Sri Lanka Tamils blast Islamic State group, and turn in collaborators. group arrives in the tiny village of Al-Salam, They are covered in dust, and many look govt over war crimes Second Lieutenant Abdullah Qassem is by they are separated, with women and children exhausted and nervous. After Qassem’s lec- ‘I pledged allegiance’ COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s main Tamil party accused the gov- turns encouraging and reproachful as he talks brought to a shaded area to receive food and ture, the men are ordered to stand and place Then he addresses the group: “If you know ernment yesterday of not lifting a finger to address to the crowd, who fled as Iraqi forces battle to water. The men are investigated nearby. First, their hands on the shoulders of the person in someone who pledged allegiance or who wartime crimes, as the foreign minister asked the UN for wrest west Mosul from the jihadist group. The they are asked informally for their names and front of them. Then a local notable, an older worked with Daesh, don’t be afraid. Daesh is more time to investigate abuses. President Maithripala scene is part of the delicate and sometimes quizzed for information. Afterwards, their man in an immaculate white headscarf lean- finished,” he says. He beckons a young man in a Sirisena had agreed to a United Nations resolution which, tense process by which Iraqi forces are trying identities are run against a database. ing on a carved, varnished walking stick, tracksuit to stand up and come over. “Look at among other things, called for special war crime tribunals to weed out IS members attempting to Those who are suspected of or admit to IS scans each row as he confers with an intelli- this man, he came and he admitted to me that and reparations for victims of the 37-year Tamil separatist escape among civilians. he pledged allegiance, and he was with them conflict that claimed at least 100,000 lives. Sri Lanka was “They made you grow your beards, they for 10 days, and nothing will happen to him,” given 18 months to establish credible investigations into banned cigarettes, they controlled you,” says he says, his arms around the shoulders of the atrocities, but the deadline lapsed without these promises Qassem, dressed in the black uniform of the young man, whose expression is a mixture of being kept. The Tamil National Alliance, a moderate party elite Counter-Terrorism Service and waving a embarrassment and fear. The officer keeps up representing the minority Tamil population, has been stick to emphasize his point. “Islam... is about his pitch, warning that an admission or discov- scathing about the lack of progress and wants Colombo forgiveness, not about killing and fighting. So ery of guilt later will not be so kindly received. held to account. all of you know what the difference is And then a man stands up, clutching a between Daesh and Islam,” he says, using an sack of belongings, and walks out of the Arabic acronym for IS. crowd. “I pledged allegiance, I worked with Tunisia to prosecute six “Anyone who helped them or let them in them in Qayyarah,” he says, referring to an police over beach attack their houses, or gave them women to marry is area south of Mosul. “But I swear it was only TUNIS: Tunisia is to prosecute six policemen over their not honorable,” Qassem says, his voice just for 23 days, then I had a break and I left and response to a 2015 gun and grenade attack on a beach loud enough to carry to the back of the group never went back to them.” resort that killed 38 foreign holidaymakers, a judiciary of around 70 men, sitting in rows in the dust Then another joins him, dressed in a hat spokesman said yesterday. The announcement comes a in a village south of Mosul. The men listen and a leather jacket. And a third follows, day after an inquest into the deaths of the 30 Britons quietly, but the chastisement prompts one to wearing a tracksuit and avoiding eye contact among them found that the response of Tunisian police interject: “But we couldn’t fight them, we had as he makes his way up to the officer at the was “at best shambolic, at worst cowardly”. The six no power.” Calmly but firmly, Qassem turns to front, who smiles. “You see, nothing will hap- policemen, who will remain at liberty pending trial, him, his eyes hidden behind sunglasses: “But pen, you pledged allegiance, you worked have been charged with “failing to come to the assis- how did they enter Mosul in the first place? with them for a week, a month, three tance of a person in danger,” said Sofiene Sliti, That’s the question,” he replies, in a tone that months, it’s nothing. What we need is infor- spokesman for the judiciary’s counter-terrorism sec- does not invite an answer. MOSUL: Iraqi Army soldiers help displaced civilians as they flee their homes due to mation,” he says. “We need to finish with tion. No trial date has yet been set. Thousands of civilians, including many fighting between Iraqi security forces and Islamic State militants, on the western Daesh, they are like a cancer. If it persists, it women and children, have fled west Mosul side of Mosul, Iraq. — AP will consume the body.” — AFP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 Still talking tough, Trump touts immigration compromise
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump suggested a new quarters to tougher general controls. merit-based system to regulate entry to the United States Silicon Valley software giants, with their huge lobby- on Tuesday, as he tried to square his hardline campaign ing reach, rely on recruiting foreign engineers-particularly rhetoric with the goal of broad immigration reform. from the Indian sub-continent-and Republican backers in Addressing Congress, Trump stood by his plan to subject construction and agriculture employ millions of migrants. travelers from certain countries deemed a risk to extreme Federal officers from Immigration and Customs vetting, insisting: “We cannot allow a beachhead of terror- Enforcement and from Customs and Border Protection ism to form inside America.” But-alongside this promise of have set about enforcing existing immigration law with “strong measures to protect our nation from radical Islamic renewed vigor-but their dragnet has triggered popular terrorism”-he held out the prospect of a merit-based immi- protests. Earlier Tuesday, Trump suggested in a meeting gration system that might win cross-party support. with television news anchors that he was open to a deal Arguing that mass immigration by unskilled workers that would legalize millions of undocumented immi- costs the US taxpayer billions of dollars and depresses grants as part of a bipartisan compromise. the wages and job opportunities of the working poor, Trump urged lawmakers to get behind reform.”If we are ‘Build the wall’ guided by the well-being of American citizens then I That would mark a dramatic shift in policy. “The time believe Republicans and Democrats can work together is right for an immigration bill as long as there is compro- to achieve an outcome that has eluded our country for mise on both sides,” Trump reportedly told the anchors. decades,” he argued. A merit-based system-such as those But there is clearly a line that Trump cannot cross if he is in use in Canada and Australia-would, he argued “save to placate his electoral base. Blue-collar crowds in the countless dollars, raise workers’ wages, and help strug- key states that gave him victory cheered his “Build the gling families-including immigrant families-enter the Wall” mantra to the rafters. middle class.” And Trump has firmly tied his pledge to fight illegal immigration to the prospect of jobs and security at home. Path to papers “By finally enforcing our immigration laws, we will raise “It is a basic principle that those seeking to enter a wages, help the unemployed, save billions and billions of country ought to be able to support themselves finan- dollars and make our communities safer for everyone,” he cially,” Trump told lawmakers. “Yet, in America, we do not WASHINGTON: Members of congress attend US President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of said. He said he had given orders to create a special office enforce this rule, straining the very public resources that the US Congress in the House chamber of the US Capitol. Trump’s first address to Congress focused on to assist victims of crime by immigrants: “VOICE”-Victims our poorest citizens rely upon,” he added. US lawmakers, national security, tax and regulatory reform, the economy, and healthcare. — AFP of Immigration Crime Engagement. “We are providing a encouraged by the previous administration under presi- tion from their electoral base to any measure that rapists, Trump gave every appearance of planning a still voice to those who have been ignored by our media, and dent Barack Obama, have long sought to agree a broad- smacked of an “amnesty” for illegal immigrants-a senti- tougher line on immigration. But his attempts to intro- silenced by special interests,” Trump said. He then paid based package to provide roughly 11 million undocu- ment that Trump played up to during his campaign. duce a visa ban on visitors from seven mainly-Muslim tribute to four guests in the audience, who, he said, had mented migrants with a path to legal residency. Vowing to build a wall on the Mexican border to keep countries deemed seedbeds of terror have been halted lost loved ones in violent crimes committed by immi- But Republican members, in particular, faced opposi- out migrants he branded drug-dealers, murderers and by the courts, and he faces opposition from influential grants living in the country illegally. — AFP How could the Pentagon spend extra billions? Easily US President to hike military spending by nearly 10%
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has outlined a goal to hike American military spend- ing by nearly 10 percent, shoveling yet more cash toward a defense budget already greater than that of the next seven nations combined. The proposal faces stiff opposition but if approved, the basic military budget would swell to $603 billion-with billions more available for overseas wars. While critics question Trump’s math, or say a military-industrial spending bonanza is unjusti- fied, the Pentagon insists it is struggling on mul- tiple fronts. Hawkish Republicans say the addi- tional money wouldn’t go nearly far enough. So what, exactly, does the military need billions of dollars extra for? The Pentagon’s short answer: SEATTLE: Asti Gallina (center) a volunteer law student from the University of Washington, Plenty. Military leaders have in recent weeks works at a station near where passengers arrive on international flights at Seattle- warned that aging equipment and underfund- Tacoma International Airport in Seattle. Gallina was volunteering with the group Airport ing have left the Pentagon staving off a crisis in Lawyer, which also offers a secure website and mobile phone app that alerts volunteer “readiness”-the speed at which it can respond. lawyers to ensure travelers make it through customs without trouble. — AP They say the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere have hammered military equipment, Airports and legal volunteers much of which needs urgent upgrading or replacement. And the brass point to a depleted set for new Trump travel ban workforce dealing with constant deployments and low retention rates. “We were out of Iraq, SEATTLE: Airport officials and civil rights administration “is taking strong measures to but we are back in Iraq. We were out of lawyers around the country are getting protect our nation from radical Islamic ter- Afghanistan, but we are not out of Afghanistan,” ready for President Donald Trump’s new trav- rorism” and is working on improved vetting said General Herbert “Hawk” Carlisle, who heads WASHINGTON: Carryn Owens, the wife of slain Navy SEAL William ‘Ryan’ Owens, looks up while el ban - mindful of the chaos that accompa- procedures. “And we will shortly take new the Air Combat Command. “We have Libya, we being acknowledged by US President Donald Trump during his address to a joint session of nied his initial executive order but hopeful steps to keep our nation safe - and to keep have Yemen, we have North Korea still, we have Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. — AFP the forthcoming version will be rolled out in out those who would do us harm,” Trump South China Sea, the Ukraine,” he added. if it had more money. This includes 24 F/A Super Trump’s promise of a “great rebuilding,” his lofty a more orderly way. said. Last week, analysts at the Homeland Carlisle noted that the Air Force has shrunk its fighter squadrons from almost 100 in the early Hornets ($2.3 billion), six more Poseidon mar- pledges are constrained by fiscal reality. One The new order was expected as soon as Security Department’s intelligence arm itime patrol planes ($1.2 billion), another roof on defense spending is a legal budget cap, today. A draft suggested it would target found insufficient evidence that citizens of days of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq down to just 55 today-even though warplanes form amphibious assault ship ($1.83 billion) and so known as sequestration, that was implemented people from six of the original seven pre- the seven Muslim-majority countries pose a on. Neither the Navy nor Trump have described under Barack Obama. And the Republican-held dominantly Muslim countries but would terror threat to the United States. “It’s not the backbone of the fight against the Islamic State group. He urgently wants to get the num- what the additional ships might be, but the Congress will still need Democratic buy-in to exempt travelers who already have visas to enough to just tweak an order and not costs would quickly tot up. A single Virginia class approve the military spending proposal-a tough come to the US. The latest draft in circulation change the nature of why it was issued in ber of squadrons up to 60. Then there’s the development of the Long-Range Standoff nuclear submarine goes for about $2.7 billion. sell considering Trump wants to pay for it by no longer includes Iraq. the first place,” said Rula Aoun, director of The latest aircraft carrier is nearly $12 billion. slashing funding to other federal agencies and Since last month’s ban, which courts have the Arab American Civil Rights League in nuclear cruise missile, the replacement of America’s intercontinental missile fleet, the F-35 As for the Army, Thomas Spoehr, a retired likely will cut taxes. put on hold, a section of the international Dearborn, Michigan, which sued over the lieutenant general and military expert at the Still, for hawkish Republican Senator John arrivals area at Dulles International Airport initial ban and is prepared to do the same stealth plane, a fighter pilot shortage and the goal of swelling the ranks from 317,000 today up Heritage Foundation conservative think tank, McCain, Trump’s proposals are lacking. The presi- outside the nation’s capital has been trans- with the rewrite if necessary. to about 350,000 — to name but a few areas said it needs more than the 476,000 soldiers cur- dent’s request is only $18.5 billion above what formed into a virtual law firm, with legal vol- clamoring for cash. And that’s just the Air Force. rently planned for 2017. Obama had proposed for fiscal year 2018 any- unteers ready to greet travelers from affect- Prepared and willing “That’s still way below where there need to way, he said, urging a spending level of $640 bil- ed countries and ask if they saw anyone In New York, American Civil Liberties Ships and soldiers be. Everybody is in agreement that there need lion. “In other words, President Trump intends to being detained. Similar efforts are underway Union attorney Lee Gelernt said the organi- Trump in January signed an executive order to be at least 500,000 active duty soldiers. That’s submit a defense budget that is a mere three at other airports, including Seattle-Tacoma zation was ready to go to court if the admin- to begin increasing the size of the US military, a fairly costly endeavor (of up to $5 billion) to do percent above President Obama’s defense budg- International, where officials have drawn up istration tries to immediately enforce its new promising new aircraft, naval ships and more that,” Spoehr said. et, which has left our military underfunded, plans for crowd control after thousands order. “The primary focus is being able to resources for the Pentagon. He offered few The Army started to shrink after the with- undersized and unready to confront threats to crammed the baggage claim area to protest respond immediately to any request by the specifics but has said he envisioned a naval fleet drawal of most troops from Iraq and our national security,” McCain said. “With a world the original ban. government to lift any of the injunctions, of 350 vessels, up from the Navy’s current 274 Afghanistan, dropping from a high of 570,000 on fire, America cannot secure peace through “The plan is to be as ready as possible,” before the courts have had a chance to and more than its 310-vessel target. The Navy soldiers. Spoehr added that the Army’s modern- strength with just three percent more than said Lindsay Nash, an immigration law pro- examine the new order,” he said. Activists has a long wishlist of what it could buy this year ization programs for Apaches and Black Hawk President Obama’s budget. We can and must do fessor at Cardozo School of Law in New York and airport officials alike said they hoped it helicopters need to be accelerated. Despite better.” — AFP who has been helping prepare emergency would be phased in to give travelers fair petitions on behalf of those who might be warning, which might preclude any deten- detained. Trump’s initial action, issued Jan tions from arriving flights. “We are prepared Trump’s fans stood by their 27, temporarily barred citizens of Iran, Iraq, and willing,” said Rebecca Sharpless, who Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan and Libya from runs the immigration clinic at the University coming to the US and halted acceptance of of Miami School of Law. “But it’s unlikely to all refugees. The president said his adminis- cause the same kind of chaos of last time.” man despite untruths: Study tration would review vetting procedures At Dulles, Sea-Tac, Minneapolis-St Paul amid concerns about terrorism in those sev- and other airports, legal volunteers have PARIS: Donald Trump supporters remained inflation and crime rates are lower, for example, chance to revise their opinion. Both Republican en nations. greeted arriving travelers in shifts every day steadfast at the voting booth even after when their preferred party is in power. But the and Democrat supporters were willing in many Protesters flooded US airports that week- since the initial ban, wearing name tags or acknowledging that some of his statements recent US election suggested the gap may be cases to change their minds when corrected, the end, seeking to free travelers detained by posting signs in different languages to iden- were untrue, experiments conducted during the even bigger than once suspected. team found. But it didn’t last long. “After a one- customs officials amid confusion about who tify themselves. The legal-services nonprofit US presidential campaign revealed yesterday. A case in point: Trump’s oft-repeated asser- week delay, participants partially ‘re-believed’ in could enter the country, including US per- OneJustice was ready to send email alerts to Republicans were more likely to believe a state- tion that the US murder rate is at its highest level the misinformation, and partially forgot the fac- manent residents known as green-card 3,000 volunteers in California if needed, ment-factual or false - if it was attributed to in 47 years, which continues to be cited by his tual information that was true,” the researchers holders. Attorneys also challenged the order deploying them to San Francisco and Los Trump, while Democrats showed the opposite supporters as fact even though it has been thor- said. “Explanations regarding both fact and fic- in court, including officials from Washington Angeles airports for people affected by any bias, according to a study in the journal Royal oughly debunked. But how people’s brains man- tion seemingly have an expiration date,” they state. That lawsuit, which Minnesota joined, new order, chief executive Julia Wilson said. Society Open Science. age to deal with such disparities between reality noted wryly. resulted in a federal judge temporarily In Chicago, travelers have been signing up That was hardly surprising, the researchers and personally-held views is still poorly under- In the second experiment, seven months lat- blocking the government from enforcing for an assistance program started by the local said. But even when participants of both politi- stood. Researchers led by Briony Swire at the er, nearly 1,000 different volunteers were pre- the travel ban, a decision unanimously Council on American-Islamic Relations office cal persuasions changed an erroneous view Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) sented with true and false statements Trump upheld by a panel of the 9th US Circuit to ensure swift legal help if they’re detained. after being confronted with the correct answer, designed twin experiments to explore how had made on the campaign trail, and asked to Court of Appeals. Groups urged those arriving at 17 other air- they often quickly gravitated back to their orig- much people rely on the credibility of a source in rate their veracity on the same scale. This time, ports, including Miami, Atlanta and San Diego, inal view. The experiments, conducted in deciding whether something is true or not. In however, all the statements were attributed to A new order to register with Airport Lawyer, a secure web- November 2015 and July 2016, provide scientif- the first test, they presented 2,000 volunteers the candidate, and the same explanations as to Many civil rights lawyers and activists site and free mobile app that alerts volunteer ic evidence for something that became obvious with eight statements-four true, four false-made why they were valid or not were alternately attributed to one of three sources: Republicans, have said they don’t believe a new order lawyers to ensure travelers make it through after Trump gained the White House, the study by Trump during the campaign. concluded: “spreading falsehoods does not dis- Democrats or a “non-partisan fact-checking would cure all the constitutional problems of customs without trouble. Asti Gallina, a third- credit character”. ‘An expiration date’ website”. Volunteers were again asked whom the original, including the claim that it was year student at the University of Washington Trafficking in “misinformation did not hinder The same items were sometimes attributed they would vote for. “Trump supporters did not motivated by anti-Muslim discrimination. Law School, volunteered at Sea-Tac for the first [Trump’s] candidacy, and even if misinformation to Trump, and sometimes presented as an change their voting intentions even if they Trump has said he singled out the seven time Tuesday. It was quiet, she said. “An essen- was exposed, this did not reduce voting prefer- unsourced fact: “Donald Trump said that vac- altered their beliefs about the truth of his state- countries because they had already been tial part of the American narrative is the ability ence or positive feelings”, the study found. A cines cause autism” or “Vaccines cause autism,” ments,” the study found. “This study contributes deemed a security concern by the Obama to come to America,” Gallina said. “Any wealth of research shows that people disagree for example. The participants graded each state- one further piece of the puzzle as to why administration. In his first address to infringement of that is something that needs on what is true or not depending on their politi- ment as true or false on a scale of one to ten, Trump’s success has been sustained,” the Congress on Tuesday night, Trump said his to be resisted.” — AP cal loyalties. Many people think unemployment, before being told the right answer and given a researchers concluded. — AFP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 Blackface ban, no Sunday shops: offbeat ideas in Dutch polls
THE HAGUE: Legalizing all drugs, banning a blackface Party (SGP). There is also the evangelical JezusLeeft children’s character, scrapping Sunday shopping and (Jesus Lives), which on its home page says it is a “party introducing mobile apps to tell MPs how to vote are which does not add water to its wine”. Currently with some of the unorthodox ideas being peddled by three seats in the lower house, the SGP wants to ban Dutch political parties. Twenty-eight parties-a post- all Sunday shopping so citizens can “go to church.” World War II record-are vying for the 150 seats in the The party, which has never had a woman in parlia- centuries-old parliament when The Netherlands goes ment since its founding in 1918, also advocates a “no to the polls on March 15. The country’s newest party, work” Sunday, unless the work is an act of charity or an Artikel 1, founded late last year by former TV host essential service. Sylvana Simons to fight racism, has floated perhaps It also vows to close all 600 so-called “coffee shops” one of the most controversial ideas. It entails banning in The Netherlands which sell cannabis, and to ban all a traditional Christmas-time character called Zwarte advertisements featuring alcoholic drinks. The Piet (Black Pete) from public spaces. The beloved jolly Libertarian Party on the other hand, which strives for character accompanies Dutch Saint Nicolas in early maximum freedom and little or no government inter- December to hand out sweets to kids. ference, wants to legalize the production, trade and But foreigners are often shocked to see dozens of possession of all drugs. Founded in 1993, it also wants blackface men and women in gaudy costumes with The Netherlands out of the European Union, NATO and red lips and afro wigs parading city streets. Artikel 1 the United Nations, which exist “solely to help politi- would ban Black Pete figures from public spaces, and cians further their careers.” proclaim July 1 as a national holiday to mark the abo- lition of slavery. Meanwhile, should they get their say, Toilets on all trains the techno-savvy StemNL Party (VoteNL) proposes The 50Plus party, set up to defend the rights of the that all citizens should weigh in on draft legislation THE HAGUE: Dutch far-right Freedom Party leader (Partij Voor De Vrijheid - PVV) Geert Wilders (2nd over 50s, already has one seat in parliament. Apart before the Dutch lower house via a mobile phone right) walks as he arrives at the Senate in The Hague. The Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders from serious proposals on pensions and retirement app. After receiving an alert that MPs are about to cast and his populist Freedom party have suspended all public campaigning for next month’s parliamen- age, it also has a more pressing matter - that toilets ballots, the issue would be put up for a “citizens’ vote” tary elections following an alleged security leak. — AFP should be added to all trains. Initially 81 parties via the app. kind of democracy it deserves,” the party said on its the voice of non-voters heard. From now on, non-vot- enrolled with the Dutch Election Council in mid- website. At the other end of the spectrum, the Non- ers will also get seats in parliament,” the party said, December to field candidates on March 15, but only 28 Party for non-voters Voter Party (NietStemmers) has no political program hoping to cash in on disillusionment among some finally met the criteria to participate. Parties which did StemNL’s lawmakers will then rely on the outcome and plans “not to vote for anything” in the lower 12.9 eligible Dutch voters. not make it included the Kleptocrat Party-which wants of the citizens’ poll to decide which way to vote. In house. “Political parties pretend that non-voters don’t The Netherlands has a plethora of Christian-based to scrap anti-tobacco and anti-smoking laws-and the the 21st century “we don’t need a new government, exist,” the party says. parties from the centre-right Christian Democratic “HHH Party” which in Dutch translates to the “Ha Ha Ha we need a new system to give The Netherlands the “We are going to end that. We are going to make Appeal to the deeply conservative Reformed Political Party”, as well as the Politically Correct Party. — AFP Norway mass killer Breivik ‘not treated inhumanely’ in prison Oslo Appeals Court overturns lower court judgment
OSLO: Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik has not been treated “inhumane- ly” by being held in isolation in prison, an Oslo Appeals Court ruled yesterday, overturning a lower court judgment. “Breivik is not, and has not, been subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment,” it said. The 38-year-old rightwing extremist, who killed 77 people in 2011, will file an appeal against the verdict to Norway’s highest court, the Supreme Court, his lawyer Oystein Storrvik announced immediately after the ruling was published. In April 2016, an Oslo district court stunned survivors and families of the victims when it found the Norwegian state guilty of treating him “inhumanely” and in “degrading” fashion, in breach of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The lower court judge had noted in particular Breivik’s lengthy isolation regime. He has been held apart from other inmates since his arrest on the day of the attacks, and his lawyers have argued that has been detri- mental to his mental health. The Norwegian state appealed against that ruling and yesterday it won its case. “There are no clear indications that Breivik has been sub- jected to isolation damage during his prison Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik making a Nazi salute. — AFP sentence,” the appeals court found. “The court is was compensating for the strict regime by pro- ‘VIP inmate’ of the opinion that there is a high risk that viding him with three well-equipped cells, as During the appeals hearing the lawyer repre- Breivik will resort to violence in the future,” it well as extra interaction with guards and a senting the state, Attorney General Fredrik PARIS: French presidential election candidate for the right-wing Les Republicains added. The appeals court also upheld the lower prison visitor, among others. “The compensating Sejersted, described Breivik as a “VIP inmate”, in (LR) party Francois Fillon touches a cow as he visits a stall at Paris’ International court’s ruling that Breivik’s right to privacy, as measures are well adjusted to Breivik’s needs. good physical and psychological health, and Agriculture Fair yesterday in Paris. — AFP guaranteed by Article 8 of the Convention, had The court notes, however, that restricted sociali- who was holding up well under his prison condi- not been violated. He had argued the strict con- sation with other inmates is under consideration tions. In prison, he has three cells measuring French candidate Fillon faces trols on his correspondence with the outside and will possibly be tested soon,” it said. more than 10 square metres (107 square feet) world breached his rights. each, some of which have views of nature out- charges but stays in campaign The appeals court noted that Breivik No sign of remorse doors, and where he can play video games, remained a dangerous man who was still trying Breivik said he killed his victims because they watch television and exercise. PARIS: French presidential candidate Francois Recent surveys suggest that far-right leader to spread his extreme rightwing ideology and valued multiculturalism. Convicted of the bloodi- “His prison conditions are better than those of Fillon announced yesterday that judges had Marine Le Pen and centrist candidate build up a network of followers. In July 2011 est crimes in Norway since World War II, he was other prisoners,” argued Sejersted, calling them summoned him to press charges over an Emmanuel Macron are the two most likely to Breivik, disguised as a police officer, tracked and sentenced in August 2012 to 21 years in prison, downright “cosy”. “No other prisoner can discuss expenses scandal but vowed to continue his progress from the first round of the election gunned down 69 people, most of them which can be extended indefinitely. The extremist and play games with prison staff for two hours a campaign. The 62-year-old conservative for- on April 23. Macron is currently shown as the teenagers, at a Labor Party youth camp on the has never expressed remorse for his actions, and day,” he stressed, rejecting the notion of isolation. mer premier was favorite at the start of the winner of a run-off vote scheduled for May 7. island of Utoya, shortly after killing eight people at the opening of his appeals hearing in January But Breivik claimed his isolation has radicalized year to win the French presidency after in a bombing outside a government building in he provoked the court’s ire by making a Hitler-like him, and his lawyer argued it was affecting his clinching the nomination for the Republicans Political assassination Oslo. In January, during the appeals hearing held salute. However nowadays, his actions and state- client’s psychological state. “Is this man healthy in party in November. But he has since been hit Fillon campaigned as a sleaze-free inside Skien prison where the self-proclaimed ments elicit little reaction in Norway, a tranquil a general sense?” Storrvik asked in his final by a series of allegations that he paid his wife reformer ready to administer a “radical” eco- neo-Nazi is incarcerated, the state’s lawyers and prosperous country that is trying to close this remarks to the court. “His mental health doesn’t Penelope and his children hundreds of thou- nomic overhaul and cut public spending. He argued the strict regime was justified because painful chapter of its history. Survivors and fami- seem good, in my opinion.” He cited as proof the sands of euros over decades for allegedly fake postponed a visit to a key farm show yester- he was dangerous. lies of the victims most often try to ignore the man inappropriate content of his letters and his per- parliamentary jobs. day morning and announced the press con- The court accepted the state’s claim that it they simply refer to as “the terrorist”. sistent insensitivity to his crimes. — AFP Fillon said the charges were “entirely calcu- ference, sending the rumor mill into overdrive lated to stop me being a candidate for the amid speculation he would withdraw. Though presidential election.” “I won’t give in, I won’t employing a family member is not illegal in Brexit looms large; Northern surrender and I won’t withdraw,” he told a France, Fillon has not provided evidence pub- press conference yesterday. French prosecu- licly of Penelope’s work beyond her contracts tors launched a full judicial inquiry into the which show various periods of employment. claims last week, increasing pressure on “From the start, I have not been treated like Ireland holds snap elections Fillon’s campaign which has been in crisis anyone else facing the justice system,” Fillon since allegations first surfaced in January. said in his statement to reporters, claiming he BELFAST: Northern Ireland holds snap elections was “absolutely disgusting”. “I think it is disappoint- Union may reduce the prospect for further co- Fillon has been defiant throughout, insist- was the victim of a “political assassination”. “It’s today in a bid to resolve a political crisis precipitat- ing and disgraceful that the DUP have taken a operation,” he told Sky News on Sunday. ing publicly that the facts would exonerate not just me they are killing, but the French ed by Brexit as bad blood and allegations of cor- stance against the majority of the people here,” she The last opinion poll ahead of the vote, of 1,580 him and reminding his party that they have presidential election,” he said. British-born ruption threaten to rock a delicate peace in the said. In Northern Ireland, 55 percent voted Remain people surveyed online by LucidTalk between few attractive alternatives to him. He has Penelope, or Penny as she is known, and two province. Long-simmering tensions boiled over in in the June EU referendum. Across the UK as a Friday and Sunday, put the DUP on 26 percent and accused the media of trying to “lynch” him of their five children were paid around January when deputy first minister Martin whole, 52 percent voted Leave. “Brexit sped into Sinn Fein on 25 percent. In terms of seats, the DUP and believes Socialist President Francois 900,000 euros ($950,000) from public funds McGuinness of the Sinn Fein party quit, saying he the political crisis because Brexit is a highly divisive is expected to win 29 or 30, with Sinn Fein on 26 or Hollande has encouraged the investigations from Fillon’s office budget, the Canard could no longer work with First Minister Arlene issue between unionists and (Irish) nationalists,” 27 in a new 90-seat assembly configuration, to discredit him, which would be illegal. Enchaine newspaper has reported. — AFP Foster from the rival Democratic Unionist Party said Jonathan Tonge, a politics professor at according to Tonge. — AFP (DUP). That triggered fresh elections to the Liverpool University and an author of several publi- Northern Ireland Assembly, a semi-autonomous cations on Northern Irish politics. Russia Orthodox Church fuels body that has powers devolved from London over “Brexit is a disaster for Northern Ireland on so matters such as health, education and the local many levels,” said Tonge. “The most disastrous a powerful pro-life movement economy. If fences cannot be mended between thing would be the return of a border... which will MOSCOW: When Anna Kuzeva became preg- Studenikina said, sitting under an icon of the Sinn Fein and the DUP after the elections, the greatly offend nationalists.” The open frontier nant with her second child, she was terrified. Virgin Mary. Russia’s abortion policies have assembly’s executive could be suspended and the between Northern Ireland and the Republic of With no home, money or family in Moscow, she changed drastically several times in the past province fully governed from London. Ireland is the UK’s only land border with EU territo- saw no way of keeping the baby. So she sched- century. After the Bolshevik Revolution, the In the May 2016 assembly elections, the ry. Border checkpoints are a memory of Northern uled an abortion. But then she met an activist Soviet Union became the world’s first country Protestant, conservative and pro-British DUP won Ireland’s violent past-a time known as “The from an Orthodox NGO, who took her in to a to legalize abortion in 1920. Stalin then 38 seats in the 108-seat assembly. Sinn Fein- Troubles” of three decades of strife in which more shelter in central Moscow for expectant moth- banned the practice for nearly two decades. Catholic, socialist and Irish Republican-won 28 than 3,500 people were killed. With Britain seeking ers, and changed her mind. Sitting in her small, Later, it became the primary method of family seats. Polls and experts predict this week’s election to pull out of the European single market some cosy room, 33-year-old Kuzeva cradles her baby planning, until contraception and information will produce a result mirroring the 2016 outcome, worry about customs posts being installed, damag- boy Ilya as four-year-old Antonina plays with became widely available in the 1990s. In 1993, meaning deadlock. McGuinness resigned in protest ing cross-border trade and weakening the relative her doll. “We are taking you in, but you won’t be the abortion rate was one of the highest in the over a botched green heating scheme, the break- stability of the last 20 years. having the abortion,” Kuzeva recalls being told. world, at 235 per 100 live births, but had ing point after months of tensions with the DUP. The elections and the border issue are being The Mother’s House shelter takes in 10 plunged to less than 44 by 2015, according to Foster had instigated the scheme when she was closely watched. Yesterday Britain’s Northern women and their children for up to a year. state statistics agency data. the province’s economy minister. Ireland minister James Brokenshire traveled to Opened in 2012, it was its director, Maria Nevertheless, with the Church holding Brussels, where European Commission head Jean- Studenikina, who persuaded Kuzeva not to more sway in decision-making, and the gov- Brexit in volatile mix Claude Juncker last week stressed the importance abort. “The Orthodox Church and the public ernment keen to increase the birth rate, abor- While deeply-engrained historical enmity per- of the 1998 peace deal. “The Irish and British have are very concerned about abortions today,” tions are still portrayed by the authorities as a sists between the parties, they have also been worked hard to have it and in no way should it said Studenikina. Across Russia, the pro-life growing problem. Lawmakers last year sought divided by Brexit. The DUP backed the United become under risk,” he said, after talks with Irish movement, which espouses nationalist and to remove abortions from the list of services Kingdom leaving the European Union, while Sinn Prime Minister Enda Kenny. George Mitchell, a for- Orthodox values, is growing in influence and is covered by state health insurance. That bill was Fein wanted the UK to stay within the bloc. During mer US senator who chaired the talks that led to embraced both by religious groups and gov- rejected but another one, requiring clinics to ernment agencies. “The security of our state obtain additional certification to perform abor- a televised debate on Tuesday, Michelle O’Neill, the Good Friday agreement, said the EU had WEST BELFAST: A woman walks past a Sinn depends on what sort of population we have,” tions, was passed. — AFP who replaced McGuinness as the head of Sinn Fein helped to bring Britain and Ireland to the negotiat- Fein poster opposing Brexit on the Falls road in Northern Ireland said the DUP’s pro-Brexit view ing table. “I think the UK being out of the European in West Belfast, Northern Ireland. — AP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 Beijing’s shanties: Towns of hope and despair
BEIJING: A nerve centre for migrant workers Black Bridge Village-known as money. Ms Yang works as a maid for foreign who stream in from around the country in Heiqiaocun in Chinese - is one such place. families, travelling to central Beijing to clean search of a better life, Black Bridge Village is Looped by a railroad the government uses and cook in roomy apartments. Her husband a place of industry and desperation. Posters to test trains, the whole village has found works in construction, earning 10,000 yuan on the wall offer easy money for blood itself on the wrong side of the tracks. Access ($1,500) a month for carpentry, a good wage donations: 400 ml-almost one US pint-earns to health care and schooling is limited. in a country where the average salary in between 400 and 500 yuan, enough to pay Creature comforts are few: Families huddle major urban areas was 6,000 yuan in 2015. the rent for a small room. in unheated, one-room apartments with no Many migrant workers in the village have Ramshackle structures of brick, corrugat- running water. Even on the occasions when tried to create a taste of home to help them ed iron and wood have mushroomed every- Beijing’s often smoggy skies are blue, the air navigate the tough living conditions they where with little thought or design, the jobs here can be thick with smoke as many use endure to earn a better, regular wage. on offer are often menial and low paid. Red old-fashioned coal braziers for heat. A Groceries sell exotic ingredients for making lights illuminate beauty parlors, where woman surnamed Yang and her husband spicy dishes from southwest Sichuan women, sometimes offering more than just live in a typical one-room apartment off a province, which many of the town’s residents haircuts, wait to entertain the many lonely dusty alley. call home. Steam billows from the windows of men who have come from around the coun- It has no toilet or shower. Families stir fry tiny carry out restaurants, where cooks make try to work in Beijing’s thriving construction dishes from home in a simple shared kitchen dumplings and hardy white bread called industry. China’s capital relies on migrant in the hallway, the smell of ginger and garlic mantou for workers who hail from China’s labor to keep its economy humming, but mixing with the coal smoke. Back in their frozen north. For all the hardship, many earn high real estate prices and China’s restrictive hometown in eastern Jiangsu province, the wages they could not hope to match in their residence registration system, known as couple lived in a roomy two-storey home. home region. And for those who would rather hukou, have driven many into shanty towns They chose such modest accommodation in BEIJING: An elderly man sits on the back of a tricycle ridden by an elderly woman put their faith in lady luck, a small betting par- on Beijing’s periphery. this village close to the capital to save more in the Heiqiaocun migrant village in Beijing. — AFP lour sells lottery tickets. — AFP Forced smiles mask pain of HK trafficked bar girls Girls forced to sell sex for Mama-san in Hong Kong
HONG KONG: As she smiles at customers and the girls. “They are great actresses because like one of Women Lawyers, said the best way to tackle makes small talk with regulars in a Hong Kong bar, of them said, ‘I need to show that I am happy and forced prostitution was to target buyers of sex. Kat’s every move is being watched by an older OK even when I am not’. This to me kills a soul,” said “Despite the police’s commitment and constant woman, a pimp who answers to the name “Mama- Marcela Santos, an advocate for trafficking victims efforts in combating vice establishments, many san”. The 23-year-old from the Philippines has been who did not want to give her real name, saying it operate in broad daylight and through the cracks in forced to sell sex for Mama-san and her organized may put at risk her work helping survivors with the legal system and evade arrest by police,” she crime network since December when she was jobs, training and sometimes a flight home. told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. moved to Hong Kong under a recruiter’s promise of Investigating forced prostitution takes a long time a well-paying job and easy working conditions. Identifying victims with many victims unwilling to come forward as A single mother, whose own mother is too sick Last year, the US State Department downgraded witnesses, she said. “If we don’t stop the source of to work, Kat jumped at the chance to earn a high Hong Kong in its annual Trafficking in Persons demand, there will always be someone who will salary but soon after arriving in Hong Kong, Mama- report to its Tier 2 Watch List, just one rank above provide the supply by hook or by crook,” Wong said, san confiscated her passport and sent her to work countries like North Korea. The report criticized adding that Hong Kong should consider adopting a in the bar alongside other trafficked women. Clients Hong Kong for not doing more to identify victims of version of Sweden’s 1999 law which criminalizes the pay up to 5,000 Hong Kong dollars ($650) to have sex and labor trafficking among vulnerable groups purchase of sex. MANILA: People look at a photograph exhibit of victims of extra-judicial killings in President sex with Kat but payment goes directly to her pimp. such as foreign migrants, domestic workers and Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war on the grounds of a church in Manila yesterday. — AFP Without any money, she said she cannot escape or women and children in prostitution. Drugs fly home - and besides, her traffickers know where In 2016, the police identified a total of 16 traf- Some victims blame police corruption for inac- her family lives. “I’m depressed. The other bar girls ficking victims who were foreign women forced tion over human trafficking in Hong Kong. One of More bodies on the streets; are depressed. They have to force themselves to be into prostitution. Hong Kong’s Security Bureau, in the Philippine women Santos helped to rescue, Jean, happy and make jokes,” said Kat, sobbing. “The charge of law and order as well as immigration, said said she was brought to Hong Kong on a two-month Philippines drug war rages Chinese bar owner gets angry with me because I the police officers had been provided with regular tourist visa in 2014 by an organized crime group in look so sad.” training on identifying victims of human trafficking. the Philippines with Triad links. Her traffickers then MANILA: Jomar Palamar and his girlfriend not possible to verify their comments. The “vigi- Kat, who declined to give her real name, is one of Recognizing the need for more training, the used fraud to organize a two-year domestic helper Juday Escilona were killed in the early hours of lante-style” killings of drug suspects slowed, hundreds of women who are trafficked to Hong Immigration Department and Hong Kong Police visa for her as part of an arrangement with a bar in yesterday, cut down in a hail of bullets fired by down to about 400 in February, but it was Kong from mainland China, Southeast Asia, Europe Force introduced new and revised procedures for Hong Kong co-owned by a police officer - where she unknown gunmen in a rundown backstreet of unclear how many were drugs-related. On and South America for forced prostitution in the identifying potential trafficking victims including a was immediately put to work. the Philippines capital Manila. Described by a Tuesday, Duterte said he needed more men to family member and community leaders as drug fight drugs, and had no choice but to put some city’s brothels, bars, spas and pornography industry, checklist for danger signs. “Of course it’s like torture to pay back the debt. users, the couple appeared to be the latest vic- police back in the campaign. He said the PDEA rights activists say. Many victims do not speak out for The list of vulnerable trafficking victims has also The agent doesn’t care. They don’t know how tims of the deadly war on drugs launched by would remain in charge of the crackdown, with fear of being punished by their traffickers, some of been expanded to sex workers, illegal workers and clients treat you badly,” she said by telephone from President Rodrigo Duterte in which over 8,000 the support of the police and the military. them linked to the powerful Triad organized crime illegal immigrants. “It’s often challenging for law Manila where she now lives. “Life was hell. The most people have died. However, authorities have not spelled out when group. Others are afraid of being deported home or enforcement personnel and service providers to traumatic thing is you have to do a lot of drugs. Most have been small-time dealers and police are likely to return to the campaign. criminalized for being in the possession of fake identify potential victims. In most situations, victims Clients ask you to buy drugs like cocaine, ice, mari- users killed in police operations or shot dead by papers arranged by their pimps, campaigners say. cannot escape from the traffickers,” said Nurul juana ... (They) make you take it with them.” She said unknown gunmen. Duterte said on Tuesday he Death lists “I take a risk every time I go out with a male cus- Qoiriah, head of the Sub-Office of the UN the pimps always knew when the police planned to would recall some police to anti-drugs opera- In one of a series of investigative reports last tomer,” said Kat, who also shudders at the parties International Organization for Migration (IOM) in come to the bar to check the women’s papers tions to provide fresh impetus to the campaign. year into the war on drugs, Reuters found that she is made to attend where cocaine, marijuana Hong Kong. Sandy Wong, chair of the Anti-Human because their passports would be returned to them He had suspended police from operations a low-level officials in poor neighborhoods helped and other drugs are used by clients and forced on Trafficking Committee of the Hong Kong Federation temporarily. — Reuters month ago after which the killings slowed but police assemble “watch lists” of alleged drug did not end. users and pushers that were effectively hit-lists, Police said they did not know who killed with many of the people named ending up dead. Palamar, 22, and Escilona, 20. “They were on a Authorities strenuously deny that, and dismiss watch list, because they were users,” said Nestor allegations that police are behind thousands of del Rosario, the deputy leader of the local these shadowy killings, either pulling the trigger barangay, or community, who was huddled themselves, or paying hit men to do it. along with dozens of neighbors behind a police National police chief Ronald dela Rosa warned cordon at the crime scene. Police and barangay on Monday that lawlessness and narcotics were officials said the two died in shots fired by gun- returning to the streets and gains in the drug war men on motorcycles as they stepped out of a would soon be lost unless police were allowed to ramshackle convenience store in the Pasong tackle the problem. In another part of Manila after Tamo area of Manila. At least a dozen shots midnight on Tuesday, the body of a man was were fired, they said, going by spent bullet cas- pulled out of a swamp behind a labyrinth of slums ings on the street. in the city’s Malabon area. The victim, Jonathan Palomar died on the spot, shot in the head. Lapuz Valles, 28, was shot through the side of the His body was lying on the street when a Reuters head. Police at the scene declined to give details. team arrived at the scene, his face covered in “Still under investigation,” said the lead offi- blood. Escilona was taken to hospital but didn’t cer. Funeral home workers hauled his black make it there alive. No one in the crowd body bag awkwardly through winding, narrow claimed to have witnessed the shooting. Del alleys, repeatedly dropping it and as they stum- Rosario said four security cameras on the street bled on planks of wood and rocks sunken into could have captured the killing. But none were the mud. His girlfriend howled as the body was working. Duterte suspended the national police loaded into a van on a stretcher in front of from his war on drugs in late January after crowds of onlookers and taken to the funeral rogue officers kidnapped and killed a South parlor before it was laid out on a table. One of Korean businessman and handed charge to the the workers at the parlour said the victim was a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). small-time seller of drugs. “He had no job. I More than half a dozen drug users and deal- don’t know if he was into drugs,” said Valles’s ers in some of Manila’s toughest areas told younger brother, Julius, his next of kin, who Reuters that the drugs trade had come out in showed no emotion as identified the body. “I the open after the suspension, although it was didn’t know him so well.”— Reuters India top politician nabbed
over illegal adoption ring KABUL: An Afghan man carries a bag of dirt to repair the mud roof of his house and prevent rain from leaking inside, on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan. — AP KOLKATA: Indian police said yesterday centre where children were sold abroad they had arrested a senior regional official to couples for as much as 1.5 million from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rul- rupees ($23,000). “At least 17 children Kabul’s thirsty residents dig deep ing party over alleged links to a traffick- were sold, with the children reportedly ing scandal that saw children sold to for- sent to France, the United States, Spain eign couples. Investigators said children and Singapore,” Kumar said. Investigators aged between six months and 14 years said they had been monitoring the chari- to combat drought and overuse were sold in illegal adoptions to couples ty since June when child welfare authori- from Europe, America and Asia for ties found discrepancies in their records KABUL: A growing population is straining water nearly 2,500 square kilometers, according to the more scarce water is exploited. “Unfortunately between $12,000 and $23,000 and taken and relocated all the children from one of supplies in Afghanistan’s capital, forcing those World Bank, with some of the poorest arrivals there hasn’t been any serious attention to this,” out of the country. Police said they arrest- the homes. One said the accused ran who can afford it to dig unregulated wells ever perched in homes on rocky hills around the city, said Hamidullah Yelani, director general of the ed Juhi Choudhury, a general secretary of health camps to identify poor and unmar- deeper to tap a falling water table. Finding water where wells are generally non-existent. At the base government’s Urban Water Supply and the Bharatiya Janata Party in the eastern ried pregnant women and persuaded in arid Afghanistan is virtually always a challenge, of the hills, children cluster around hand-operated Sewerage Corporation. state of West Bengal, late on Tuesday and them to give up their babies for adoption but a drop in the groundwater level in Kabul pumps, filling buckets and cans before climbing In the past, residents have been banned from charged her in connection with the case. after paying them. caused by overuse and drought is making it even back up to their homes. “We have lots of problem digging wells within 100 meters of each other, “She has been charged under several It is unclear how the alleged sales more difficult for residents, especially the poor. in getting water,” said 15-year-old Mohammad but wells are now routinely dug 5 to 10 meters sections of the Indian penal code includ- escaped official notice. India has an esti- Modern Kabul was originally planned to support Jaweed, bent under a load for his family. apart, sucking ever more water from the ing cheating, trafficking and exploitation,” mated 30 million orphans, but the rules about 1 million people, but is now home to more aquifers, said Khan. said Rajesh Kumar, a director-general governing international adoptions are than 4.6 million, according to US government ‘No serious attention’ Yelani said the government was looking to from the state’s Criminal Investigation strict and domestic adoptions remain rel- estimates, with people fleeing violence and seek- People who can afford it usually dig a well implement a licensing system. The ministry of Department. The head of the adoption atively rare. Experts say desperate cou- ing jobs thronging into urban centers. rather than depending on the city’s limited water and power did not respond to requests centre at the heart of the scandal, ples wanting to adopt in India are often Several unseasonably dry winters, with little water system, but they are having to go ever for comment. Poor residents are not opti- Chandana Chakraborty, told investigators frustrated by lengthy bureaucratic delays rain and a dusting of snow, have exacerbated deeper to reach the receding water. The depth mistic authorities will get a grip on the prob- that Choudhury had been involved in and complex rules, pushing them the problem. Heavy rain and snow this year has of a well varies across the city, but Khan said lem, at least in a way that will help them get child trafficking for several years. Police towards the thriving illegal adoption mar- raised hopes that groundwater can be replen- many residents are being forced to dig 10 to 20 better access. “The government mustn’t allow arrested Chakraborty, a retired school ket. The latest scandal comes roughly four ished, at least for a while. “The increase in popu- meters deeper than in the past. In some cases, people to dig deep wells because it has principal, and her deputy Sonali Mondal months after police arrested 18 people lation and drought has resulted in a shortage of wells have to go down 150 meters or more to caused many problems,” said Mohammad last month after a tip-off from the federal over a racket that saw gangs steal new- water in Kabul, so more people are demanding reach clean water, at a cost of more than $5,200, Karim, 60, who said he was too old to carry adoption agency. born babies from nursing homes with the deeper wells to get it,” said Aslam Khan, who he said, a price out of reach of many people. water up to his home on a hill. “The poor can’t The pair ran the Bimala Sishu Griha intention of selling them. — AFP runs a well-digging business. Officials say well digging has spiraled out of con- dig deep wells, but that doesn’t mean they Since 2001, Kabul’s sprawl has expanded by trol, with little or no regulation of how the ever should die of thirst.”— Reuters THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 INTERNATIONAL ‘Meet to Kill’ admits murdering Cambodian critic Gunman claims the hit was in revenge for an unpaid debt
PHNOM PENH: An unemployed for- accused now said he “felt regret” for family to have amassed huge wealth. mer Cambodian soldier who calls the killing. The killer’s motive has been ques- himself “Meet to Kill” admitted to the Throughout, Oeuth Ang insisted tioned by Kem Ley’s wife, who has brazen murder of a renowned gov- the court address him by his nick- since fled to Thailand fearing for her ernment critic yesterday, saying the name Chuob Samlab, which in safety, as well as friends of both the hit was in revenge for an unpaid Khmer means “meet to kill”-a victim and his killer. debt. Doubt was immediately cast moniker given to him during his Am Sam Ath, from local rights over his apparent motive by Kem years as a soldier. He faces life in group Licadho, questioned why the Ley’s supporters in a country with a prison. Tens of thousands turned out court had not made more effort to long and dark history of political for Kem Ley’s funeral in scenes that explore where the apparently poor assassinations. Oeuth Ang, a former rattled the government of ruling killer got hold of so much money to soldier who had little steady work, strongman Hun Sen. The prime min- lend the victim. “I believe that Chuob shot Kem Ley in the head while his ister’s more than three decade rule Samlab alone could not kill Kem Ley,” victim was having a morning coffee has seen multiple critics murdered in he said. Oeuth Ang said the cash he at a Phnom Penh gas station in July. rarely solved cases, especially in the gave to Kem Ley came from the sale He told the court that he gave 1990s and early 2000s. of a plot of land he owned. He added $3,000 to the outspoken activist for he spent an additional $1,400 on the a property deal that went bad-more Acted alone? gun used to kill Kem Ley. Cambodian than double Cambodia’s average Kem Ley was an eloquent and media reports have suggested the annual wage. Pleading guilty at a charismatic critic of Cambodia’s accused lived precariously since four-hour trial in the capital, the 44- politicians in both the ruling govern- leaving the army, see-sawing year-old said he acted alone after ment and its opposition. He set up a between gambling and moving into PHNOM PENH: In this file photo, prominent political analyst Kem Ley following Kem Ley for days to find new grassroots political movement, Buddhist temples when he ran out of smiles as he celebrates the 67th anniversary to commemorate the the right moment to strike. “I shot although it has now abandoned cash. While the court accepted Kampuchea Krom territory’s return to Vietnam by the French govern- twice,” he told the court. “The first plans to field candidates in upcom- Oeuth Ang’s guilty plea, none of the ment. A Cambodian man has confessed in court yesterday to killing bullet struck his head but I was ing local elections this year. In the other nine witnesses-including Kem Ley over an unpaid loan, but the victim’s family says he’s a scape- afraid he would not die, so I fired days before his death, he gave inter- police-were called to testify about goat in a political assassination. —AP another shot at him.” But the views on a report alleging Hun Sen’s his finances. —AFP Australia calls 113 ambassadors home to reshape foreign policy US, China relationships to be examined after strains
SYDNEY: Australia will call home all of its China have been strained recently by a push- ambassadors will meet in Canberra for two overseas ambassadors for a meeting, Foreign back against foreign investment by an increas- days with Turnbull, Bishop, and Trade Minister Minister Julie Bishop said yesterday, as it ingly conservative parliament in Canberra. It Steven Ciobo, with the white paper scheduled reshapes its foreign policy to balance ties also hit a low point in its relationship with the to be delivered around the middle of the year. with long-time ally the United States and United States after a rancorous phone call Alexandra Oliver, lead researcher on China, its largest trading partner. It is the first between Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Australia’s white paper at Sydney-based think time Australia has brought together all of its new US President Donald Trump, during which tank the Lowy Institute, said a global political top diplomats from their 113 missions around the pair clashed over a planned refugee swap. shift had challenged traditional foreign policy- the world. The aim is to draw up a “white Kim Beazley, Australia’s former ambassador making. “Concerns about immigration, about paper” to guide Australian diplomacy for the to the United States and a former leader of the terrorism, about globalization, about global next decade, the first document of its kind opposition Labor Party, said the US relation- free trade - all of those assumptions that we since 2003. ship was vital, not only because of their long- have held to be for the common global good “At a time of significant global uncertainty, standing strategic alliance but also because of are in question now,” Oliver said. “It would be it is vital that Australia harness the experience the amount of investment ploughed into foolish to say it is just the Trump presidency and intellect of our most senior diplomats,” Australia. “I am more worried in economic that’s caused this, these are broader social Bishop said in a statement. She said the meet- terms about Trump discouraging American movements that are evident in developments HETIAN: Chinese military police getting off a plane to attend an anti-terror- ing later this month would focus on a broad investment globally than I am about the possi- like Brexit and in the way that Europe appears ist oath-taking rally in Hetian, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uighur reset of Australia’s approach to international bilities of a trade war between the US and to be fracturing at the edges, if not at the cen- relations and trade. Australia’s relations with China,” Beazley told Reuters by telephone. The tre,” she said.—Reuters Autonomous Region. —AFP Bloody Islamic State video Hong Kong rebel MPs puts China in crosshairs
BEIJING: Islamic State militants from China’s Show of force Uighur ethnic minority have vowed to return China maintains tight security in Xinjiang fight parliament ban home and “shed blood like rivers”, according to but a drumbeat of deadly unrest has contin- a jihadist-tracking firm, in what experts said ued. A knife attack last month left eight dead, marked the first IS threat against Chinese tar- including three attackers, police said. The video HONG KONG: Four rebel Hong Kong er happen in a democratic society,” for Hong Kong. All four altered their “You have the government attacking gets. The threat came in a half-hour video was released on the same day China staged the lawmakers were in court yesterday to said one of the four targeted law- oaths during the swearing-in, which some of the legislators.” Lee argued released Monday by a division of the Islamic latest in a series of mass rallies by armed police fight a government bid to disqualify makers, Leung Kwok-hung, known as requires lawmakers to repeatedly that the only justification for forcing State in western Iraq and featuring militants in Xinjiang meant to indicate Chinese resolve in them from parliament, a move criti- “Long Hair”, as he entered Hong describe Hong Kong as a “special them out of their seats would be if from China’s Uighur ethnic group, said the US- crushing security threats. cized as an attack on democracy Kong’s High Court. Two pro-inde- administrative region of China”. they had outright refused to take the based SITE Intelligence Group, which analyzed More than 10,000 officers gathered Monday under pressure from Beijing. Hong pendence lawmakers have already Unlike the pro-independence pledge. But prosecutor Johnny Mok the footage. in the regional capital Urumqi-the fourth such Kong’s unpopular leader Leung been banned from office by the High activists, they were allowed to take questioned whether their oaths met China has for years blamed exiled Uighur show of force this year in Xinjiang. Chinese Chun-ying and the justice depart- Court after they inserted expletives up their seats. But the government requirements, including “solemnity “separatists” for a series of violent attacks in its authorities also have strengthened controls ment have brought the case against and draped themselves with “Hong is now seeking to remove them ret- and sincerity”. western Xinjiang region-the Uighur homeland- and anti-terrorist rhetoric. In one violence- the pro-democracy legislators who Kong is not China” flags during the rospectively. Mok said lawmaker Nathan Law, and warned of the potential for militants to link wracked corner of Xinjiang, authorities are they accuse of failing to properly swearing-in. who led massive pro-democracy ral- up with global jihadist groups. In the video, a offering rewards of up to 5 million yuan take their oaths of office during their That decision followed a special ‘Political case’ lies in 2014 and is the city’s Uighur fighter issued the threat against China ($730,000) to those who expose terror plots or swearing-in last October. “interpretation” of the city’s consti- Defense lawyer Martin Lee-himself youngest ever legislator, made an just before executing an alleged informant. “kill, wound, or subdue” any attackers. The It comes as fears grow that Beijing tution by Beijing that effectively a respected democracy campaigner- “invalid” oath. Law quoted Gandhi “Oh, you Chinese who do not understand what Islamic State video showed fighters, including is increasingly interfering in semi- prevented them from taking up said there had been unorthodox read- before making the pledge, saying: people say! We are the soldiers of the Caliphate, heavily armed children, giving speeches, pray- autonomous Hong Kong, sparking their seats because of the way they ings of oaths in the past without dis- “You will never imprison my mind”, and we will come to you to clarify to you with ing, and killing other “informants”. calls by some activists for self-deter- took their oaths. The four legislators qualifications, and that lawmakers and used intonation to make his the tongues of our weapons, to shed blood like It also featured images of Chinese riot police mination or even independence for in court yesterday are not staunchly “could not have imagined” that they oath sound like a question. rivers and avenging the oppressed,” according guarding mosques, patrolling Uighur markets, the city which have angered China. pro-independence but two of them could lose their seats. “This who case Legislator and former protest leader to SITE’s translation. and arresting men in what appears to be west- “What’s happening today would nev- have advocated self-determination is very political,” he told the court. Lau Siu-lai read her pledge at a A traditionally Muslim group, many Uighurs ern China. The Chinese flag is pictured engulfed snail’s pace, which Mok said “cannot complain of cultural and religious repression in flames. Clarke said the hints of a Uighur split be said to be sincere”. Veteran anti- and discrimination by China. It appears to be could “intensify the threat to China” as it indi- China lawmaker Leung raised a yel- the Islamic State’s “first direct threat” against cates Uighur militants may be able to tap into low umbrella-a symbol of the China, Dr Michael Clarke, an expert on Xinjiang the capabilities of both the Islamic State and Al- democracy movement-during his at the National Security College of Australian Qaeda. Overseas experts have up to now pledge, which Mok said he turned National University said. “It is the first time that expressed doubts about the strength of Uighur into a “theatrical performance”. Uighur-speaking militants have claimed alle- militants, with some saying China exaggerates The fourth defendant, Edward Yiu, giance to IS,” he added. the threat to justify tough security. A US think added lines to his oath, saying he The video showed China is now “very firmly tank said in July that Chinese religious restric- would “fight for general universal suf- a target of jihadist rhetoric,” Clarke said, mark- tions on Muslims may have driven more than frage”, which Mok described as a con- ing a shift from years past when it rarely figured 100 to join the Islamic State. scious decision to alter the pledge. in statements by global jihadist groups. But Authorities have banned or strictly con- Hong Kong is governed under a Clarke said it also could indicate a possible split trolled the observance of certain Muslim prac- semi-autonomous “one country, two among Uighur fighters, as it includes a warning tices, such as growing beards, wearing head- systems” deal after being handed to those fighting with the al Qaeda-aligned scarves, and fasting during Ramadan, calling back to China by Britain in 1997. The Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP) in Syria. China’s for- them symbols of “Islamic extremism”. “When framework is supposed to safeguard eign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said we see the government involved in a very the city’s freedoms and way of life. yesterday that he had not seen the video but heavy crackdown, it hasn’t really ever solved But there are growing concerns that HONG KONG: Two women hold an umbrella as they protest in support of elected pro-democracy noted that “East Turkestan terrorist forces have the problem, it hasn’t made it go away,” said its liberties are disappearing in a been posing a severe threat to China’s security,” Raffaello Pantucci, director of International lawmakers Edward Yiu, ‘Long Hair’ Leung Kwok-hung, Nathan Law, and Lau Siu-lai outside the range of areas, from politics to referring to Xinjiang militants. He called for Security Studies at the UK-based Royal United High Court before they face a judicial review into whether they should be disqualified from media and education, as Beijing international cooperation “to combat such ter- Services Institute. “In some cases it has made it their Legislative Council seats, in Hong Kong yesterday. —AFP tightens its grip. —AFP rorist forces.” worse.” —AFP Tight security as Malaysian court charges women with Kim murder
SEPANG: A tightly-guarded Malaysian court yesterday after the killing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport the claims. Neither woman was asked to enter a plea charged two women with murdering the estranged on February 13, which Malaysia said was carried out yesterday and their trial is not expected to begin for half-brother of North Korea’s leader, who was killed with a nerve agent so deadly that the UN terms it a several months. with a powerful nerve agent, and warned them they weapon of mass destruction. However, Huong’s lawyer S Selvam said she told the face the death penalty if convicted. The handcuffed CCTV footage shows two women approaching him court: “I am not guilty.” Selvam added his client was suspects were brought to court surrounded by as he prepared to fly to Macau and seemingly push “nervous as she is facing a murder charge”. Huong was masked and heavily armed police and Special Forces something into his face. Kim suffered an agonizing seen wearing a bulletproof vest as she was escorted for their first public appearance since they were arrest- death within 20 minutes of being attacked. Siti, wear- out of the building and looked tired as she was led ed two weeks ago. ing a red T-shirt, was brought in first to hear the mur- away. Indonesia’s acting ambassador to Malaysia At least one wore a bulletproof vest on leaving the der charge read out before being taken away. Huong, Andreano Erwin said he had met Siti in court and she court. South Korea says the government of North dressed in a yellow top, then heard the charge in was “calm”. “We told her to take care of her health as it Korean leader Kim Jong-Un ordered the killing of Kim Vietnamese. They were accused of murdering Kim with will be a long trial process,” he said. Jakarta’s foreign SEPANG: Vietnamese national Doan Thi Huong (left), 28, is escorted with a Jong-Nam, who had lived overseas for years but had four others still “at large”. Four North Korean suspects ministry said later that defense lawyers had been heavy police presence after a court appearance with Indonesian national voiced criticism of the regime, and engaged two out- fled Malaysia on the day of the murder, police have granted a request for a “gag order” to prevent details of Siti Aisyah, 25, at the magistrates’ court in Sepang yesterday for their siders to carry it out. Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, and said. Both female suspects say they thought they were the investigations being disclosed “so there is no inter- alleged role in the assassination of Kim Jong-Nam, the half-brother of North Doan Thi Huong, 28, from Vietnam, were held just days taking part in a prank video but police have dismissed ference in the ongoing legal process”. —AFP Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. —AFP NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017
A man performs on a flyboard at the Dubai International Marine Club during the Gulf emirate’s international Boat Show on Tuesday — AFP French artist rocked by Ghanem hopeful of political stability... Continued from Page 1 laws passed by the Assembly, but lawmakers can over- ride the rejection with a fresh two-thirds majority. his week inside boulder The several-fold rise in electricity charges is expected Meanwhile, opposition MP Riyadh Al-Adasani said yes- to trigger massive increases in the prices of commodi- terday that one of the lawmakers who were charged of PARIS: A French artist emerged “a little stunned” yesterday inside a stuffed bear, had earlier told AFP through a crack in ties and services, eventually leading to a rise in inflation accepting millions of dinars in bribes from the govern- from a week entombed inside a 12-tonne rock and thanked the limestone boulder that his confinement had been “like and the cost of living. ment has received fresh cash deposits in his bank it for having made him feel “so welcome”. Abraham tripping”. “I am travelling in this rock without moving, like an MPs have vowed that they will not let the govern- account totaling KD 250,000. Two weeks ago, Adasani Poincheval, 44, had difficulty walking as he was helped astronaut,” he said, buoyed up by the fact that he had “got ment touch the income of citizens to finance the budget revealed the names of 13 present and former MPs who from the stone onto a chair before being taken away for a into people’s heads”. Dubbed France’s most extreme artist, deficit resulting from the sharp fall in oil revenues. They received around KD 51 million in bribes, which were medical examination. “It is normal that I should feel a little he will attempt to become a human hen later this month demanded that the government should first stop squan- deposited in their bank accounts. The lawmaker said he is stunned after spending a week inside a rock,” he told and hatch a dozen eggs by sitting on them for weeks on dering public funds before it resorts to raising prices. But prepared to provide the details about the new deposits. reporters half an hour later. “I would like to thank it,” end. Lack of sleep rather than claustrophobia was his the government has insisted that it will not accept any The head of the Assembly’s budgets committee MP Poincheval added. “It made me so welcome.” biggest worry inside the darkness of the rock, he said. legislation passed by the Assembly because it will have Adnan Abdulsamad said yesterday that the panel will He had carved out a hole inside the rock in his own far-reaching negative consequences on the national invite the prime minister to discuss resolving extended image, just big enough for him to sit up in, with a niche to Living with his excrement hold supplies of water, soup and dried meat. Poincheval’s Without a watch - and with only an emergency phone economy. Under Kuwait law, the government can reject overlapping between government institutions. extreme performance in a Paris art museum has become line - he had no way to tell the time. The artist could only something of a sensation in the French capital. Crowds move his feet and hands a few inches, and had to store his thronged the Palais de Tokyo to watch him inside through excrement around him. But he assured AFP at the weekend Trump vows ‘renewal of American spirit’ an infra-red camera. that there had been “no accidents” peeing into his empty Hundreds tried to talk to him through a crack in the water bottles. Emotionally, however, his time inside was Continued from Page 1 cautious praise from Democrats for his call for unity. rock, with the artist telling AFP that some had read him something of a rollercoaster, he said. “It’s very complex. You “This was far less dark than the inaugural speech. poetry, played guitar or told him about their dreams and pass from one feeling to an another. Like you are being car- His remarks were made amid expectations that a And he has made an attempt to reach out,” said nightmares. But the artist, no stranger to bizarre and ried away on a raft,” he said. “It’s like tripping. I am trying to new executive order on immigration could be rolled out Democrat John Larson of Connecticut. “But the devil is death-defying feats, admitted there were moments when explain (the feelings) in language but it is very difficult to within the coming days. Trump’s initial attempt to bar in the details.” According to a CNN instant poll, 57 per- the experience “shook” him - with “some huge moments put down in black and white.” when I lost myself. “I had the feeling that I was just a parti- Poincheval is no stranger to bizarre performances. He the entry of visitors from seven Muslim-majority coun- cent of Americans who tuned in had a very positive cle inside this mineral world,” he said. Sometimes he even ate worms and beetles while living inside the stuffed bear, tries has been halted by the courts. Trump’s maiden reaction to the speech. Pressing his domestic agenda - felt he and the rock were one and the same. “I felt I was a was buried under a rock for eight days and sailed France’s address to a chamber of lawmakers, Supreme Court and pleasing mainstream Republicans who reluctantly stone at the side of a path and at night I was a much Rhone river inside a giant plastic corked bottle. He has Justices, ambassadors and generals, was delivered as embraced him - Trump promised to provide “massive” wilder rock.” crossed the Alps in a barrel, and last year spent a week on the president grapples with multiple crises and faces tax relief for the American middle class and to repeal his Poincheval, who previously spent a fortnight sewn-up top of a 20-m pole outside a Paris train station. — AFP historically-low approval ratings. predecessor’s landmark Obamacare health reform. Hailing what he called the “new national pride” The billionaire’s populist economic message was cru- sweeping the country, he sought to use the pomp of cial in his November victory over Democrat Hillary the occasion and the presidential pulpit to reclaim Clinton - helping him sway voters in crucial Rust Belt authority and correct course after 40 difficult days. states Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Now his chal- Discussing trade, Trump even enlisted the help of lenge is translating that into tangible policy steps. He Abraham Lincoln, echoing what the first Republican outlined plans for rebuilding America’s creaking infra- president described as “protective policy”. “Lincoln was structure and for high-stakes tax and healthcare reform. right - and it is time we heeded his words,” Trump said. “I But on all three issues, Trump faces a difficult balancing am not going to let America and its great companies act with fellow Republicans, who control both the and workers be taken advantage of anymore.” Senate and House of Representatives. Looking abroad, Trump softened his criticism of To succeed, Trump - the consummate political out- NATO partners and vowed to work with allies in the sider - may have to embrace Washington deal-making. Muslim world. But he offered no apologies for empha- Conservatives are desperate to uproot Obamacare, but sizing a world order centered on the nation state. “My party pragmatists are wary of dismantling a system that job is not to represent the world. My job is to represent helped some 20 million Americans obtain health insur- the United States of America,” he said. “But we know ance. Tensions between the executive branch and the that America is better off when there is less conflict - Republican-led Congress are also simmering over not more,” he said, promising to “find new friends, and Trump’s 2018 budget proposal. to forge new partnerships, where shared interests align”. Trump wants to hike defense spending by $54 billion, In Trump’s longest presidential speech to date, he offsetting that with cuts in foreign assistance and other remained largely on message, reading his planned non-military spending. On all these issues, Trump offered address almost verbatim. Some women Democratic law- little detail about how to meet his promises without makers had dressed in white for the occasion, a nod to worsening the country’s nearly $20 trillion national debt. the suffragette movement and an echo of the substan- “This plan doesn’t add up. A third-grade math student tial opposition the president’s policies face. But Trump can see that you’re going to blow a huge hole in the PARIS: People open the 12-tonne boulder where French artist Abraham Poincheval was entombed inside for a struck a compassionate tone at times, embracing family- deficit if you do the things the president is talking about,” week at the Palais de Tokyo yesterday. — AFP friendly policies like paid parental leave, and even won Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen said. — AFP THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 ANALYSIS
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Focus Emir of Kano tries to shake up family law
s a traditional ruler, the Emir of Kano is expected to dispense sage advice in matters temporal Aand spiritual to his legions of followers across Muslim-majority northern Nigeria. Like his counter- parts dotted across the vast country of 180 million, he is the proud guardian of the past and the customs that define his people. But Muhammad Sanusi II has also set himself up as a progressive social reformer, shaking up long-held views and practices on marriage, includ- ing polygamy, to make unions fairer - and safer. For more than a year, a team of clerics and experts assembled by the 55-year-old emir has been working to end abuse in family life, he revealed last Sunday. Trump tries to turn from divisive to dealmaker The 670-page document seeks to codify all aspects of family life including marriage, divorce, child custody, S President Donald Trump showed a might not like this deal, but I need you for wills and inheritance, specifically to enforce and pro- different side in his first address to three other deals.” tect women’s rights. The report recommends stiff UCongress. This Trump was part deal- Trump pivot pleases penalties for domestic violence, early and forced mar- maker, part salesman, asking for unity and try- Skeptical riages, child begging and “the humiliation of women” ing to repackage his populist message in Despite the softer tone, Trump’s divisive in homes, he added. more palatable terms. He was less combative, policies and months of hostile rhetoric will not GOP, but will it last? less thin-skinned and more inclusive. And be forgotten by his adversaries. Senate Means to marry where five weeks ago at his inauguration, he Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, in a round onald Trump finally gave Republicans Still, he arrived at the Capitol in a blaze of Before being appointed emir in June 2014, Sanusi slammed Washington’s politicians as out-of- of television interviews on Wednesday morn- what they’ve spent months begging accusations, enraging his opponents before he was governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and a uni- touch elitists who prospered at the expense of ing, dismissed Trump’s speech as detached Dhim to deliver: a pivot to presidential even entered the building. In the 24 hours versity lecturer. In that regard, he is one of a new gen- the public, his message on Tuesday night was from reality, saying the softer tone did not behavior. The question now is how long it lasts. before his address, he blamed former President eration of younger, more worldly traditional rulers in different: I need you, Republicans and match the administration’s hardline agenda Days, weeks, months - or simply until the next Barack Obama for town hall protests and secu- Nigeria along with the Oba of Benin in the south, and Democrats alike. presented so far. “His speeches are populist. tweet? Just a little more than a month into his rity leaks, called House Minority Leader Nancy the Ooni of Ife in the southwest. But Sanusi’s attempts Always a showman, the reality TV star- They’re aimed at the working folks who sup- presidency, Trump clearly wanted to use his Pelosi “incompetent” and said his generals, not to break with the past have met resistance in royal cir- turned-politician laid out plenty of promises: ported him. But his governing and what he first speech to Congress to reset a chaotic start the commander in chief, were responsible for a cles. Last month he cancelled plans to put a cap on the A massive infrastructure and public works pro- does is hard right, favoring special interests to his administration. Gone was the dark tone military raid in Yemen that killed a Navy SEAL. cost of marriage, calling it oppressive against women gram; tax cuts for the middle class; immigra- over the working class,” Schumer told CBS. that marked his inaugural address, replaced by In his speech, he called on Washington to as it did not provide any measures to make it harder tion reform; a healthcare overhaul; an educa- Nancy Pelosi, the leading Democrat in the optimism and pleas for bipartisan support. “work past the differences of party”. for men to divorce wives. tion bill. All of it would require congressional US House of Representatives, told MSNBC that Standing before lawmakers, Supreme Court The candidate who won the White House Polygamy is widely practiced in northern Nigeria, action, likely by different coalitions of conser- Trump gave a good sales pitch but has offered justices and military leaders, the famously by taking a hardline stance on immigration, as Islam allows a man to take up to four wives. Sanusi vatives, moderates and Democrats. “This is our little in the way of concrete proposals: “All unrestrained politician was softer, sober and seemed to express openness to a bipartisan himself has three wives and a number of children. But vision. This is our mission,” Trump said. “But we they have is rhetoric. We don’t have any reality verged on diplomatic. immigration bill. The president whose under his plans, anyone without the financial where- can only get there together.” in terms of any legislation.” Congressional “I am here tonight to deliver a message of administration spent much of its first weeks withal would not be able to add a wife, given that Trump, a Republican who has taunted Democrats said they liked Trump’s infrastruc- unity and strength, and it is a message deeply in office battling with the media, intelligence many men marry and divorce at will. Former wives Democrats over his 2016 election victory and ture program, his childcare tax credit, his call delivered from my heart,” he said, in the open- community, federal judiciary and even and children from those unions are abandoned and publicly fumed as they held up his Cabinet to reduce the prices of prescription drugs, and ing of his hour-long speech. But while his Hollywood celebrities asked for an end to with no social safety net, are forced to fend for them- nominees, did not criticize them this time. his vow to preserve some key elements of for- prime-time address to Congress and the nation “trivial fights”. And after questioning the selves in Kano city, which has been in economic Repeatedly, he asked for their help, arguing mer President Barack Obama’s signature 2010 wrapped his nationalistic politics in prose that authenticity of a wave of bomb threats decline since the 1980s. “If you father a child, you are that the country’s problems call for bipartisan health insurance law. was more presidential, it is unlikely to over- against Jewish community centers, he con- responsible for his upkeep and if you know you don’t solutions. After weeks of attacks on the media, Democrats remain troubled, among other come the deep divisions created by his first few demned the flood of anti-Semitic attacks and have the capacity to cater for him, then don’t bring political rivals and the judges who ruled things, by Trump’s desire to slash domestic weeks in office. For a candidate who sold him- other racially motivated crimes. him to the world,” said Sanusi. against his executive order to temporarily ban programs to increase military spending, his self as a master dealmaker, Trump has shown For House GOP leaders, Trump came tanta- travel from seven Muslim-majority countries, plans to reduce taxes for the wealthy and cor- little inclination to get deeply involved with the lizingly close to backing their plan to overhaul ‘No turning back’ Trump finally eased off, although his propos- porations, as well as his aggressive policy to kind of nitty-gritty negotiating that defines the the tax code by imposing a new tax on imports High rates of begging have been blamed on the als were short on specifics. deport illegal immigrants. To be sure, the legislative process. while exempting exports. He appeared to lend widespread belief in predestination among Muslims in “It was a softer tone and he gave a speech more foreboding elements of Trump’s cam- That’s left the Capitol reeling. Republicans support to the House Republican leaders’ plan northern Nigeria, who expect God to provide for them and not a tweet and that’s more suitable paign rhetoric were still present, albeit slightly have united control for the first time in decades for Obamacare, by embracing “tax credits” and and their families, no matter how big. Campaigners when you’re president of the United States,” dialed-down. As he did during the campaign, but no agreement over the specifics of long- health savings accounts. But on other issues, have warned that children especially are put at risk said Democratic Representative Peter Welch. he portrayed a country in ruinous economic promised plans to repeal “Obamacare” and Trump offered barely a blueprint for his initia- from traffickers, drugs, sexual abuse and indoctrination “The challenges are going to be the details on shape and plagued by terrorism, drugs, gangs, revamp the tax code. The federal civil service is tives. He repeated his campaign pledge to by extremists such as Boko Haram. his policies.” “He was presidential tonight in a and illegal immigrants. in not-so-subtle revolt. And weeks of protests make a $1 trillion investment in infrastructure, Sanusi has criticized those who defend the practice way he has not been before this,” said In coming days, the White House is likely to and raucous town halls are putting fresh politi- adding no new details to a proposal that’s sure as “tradition” and vowed to end the impunity of those Republican consultant Matt Mackowiak. The release a revised version of its travel ban, cal pressure on lawmakers from both parties to to face fierce resistance from budget hawks. men who force their former wives and offspring onto address appeared to show some recognition reigniting a controversy that overshadowed resist his agenda. The stakes are high not only Big promises to make childcare more afford- the streets. Some men have criticized the proposed by the White House that Trump’s bombastic the first weeks of Trump’s presidency. Trump in terms of policy but politics: If the GOP is able, ensure paid family leave, invest in law, saying it will curb their rights to marriage and fam- go-it-alone style has its limits. After a parade came into the address struggling with public unable to make good on years of election women’s health and a major education bill ily. But the emir, who has the backing of the state gov- of executive orders, Trump must now turn his opinion. In an interview with Fox News he promises, they could enter the midterm elec- were mentioned merely in passing. ernor Umar Ganduje, was unmoved. “Change is always attention to the big-ticket items on his agen- acknowledged that he and his staff had not tions in a far weaker position than expected. There was no discussion of how his admin- difficult to effect and people may not necessarily be da requiring legislative action. “He’s done all been effective communicators. The most Trump, meanwhile, faces record low istration would fund any of the new - and willing to accept and appreciate change,” he said. “But he can unilaterally,” said Bradley Blakeman, a recent Reuters/Ipsos tracking poll found approval ratings - just 44 percent of Americans expensive - programs, putting him in direct people should be ready for the family code, there is no former aide to President George W Bush. “Now about 48 percent of Americans disapproved of approve of his job performance, according to a conflict with a Republican Party that’s long turning back on this.” he needs to pass bills.” Trump’s performance, with 46 percent back- new NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey. He’s focused on cutting the deficit. On foreign poli- Even though Republicans control ing him, poor numbers for a new president. nearing the end of big achievements he can cy, he promised a massive expansion in mili- Mass weddings Congress, Blakeman said Trump needs Mackowiak said Trump’s address could enact by executive order, forcing him to rely tary spending, even as he made no mention of Efforts have been made to address the impact in Democrats to build a majority that would reverse his fortunes in a “crucial moment” on Congress to turn the bold promises of his Iraq or Afghanistan, where American troops are Kano of the highest divorce rates in Nigeria, includ- allow conservative Republicans to oppose for his presidency. “His public support will campaign into actual achievements. Trump still stationed. And he avoided commenting on ing mass weddings initiated by the sharia or Islamic some of his more centrist proposals, such improve from this speech,” he said. But needed to use his prime-time address to show US-Russia relations, an area where he’s sparked law police, the Hisbah. Couples have to sign an as hefty infrastructure spending and talks John Geer, a public-opinion expert at he could steady his flailing White House and major controversy even within his own party, undertaking to explore all avenues if they are con- on immigration reform. “The president is as Vanderbilt University, was not convinced. focus on the difficult work required to pass his making only a nebulous reference to an sidering breaking up, and a man risks jail for divorc- transactional a person as we’ve ever seen,” “He’s going to have to do more than give legislative agenda. America “willing to find new friends”. —AP ing without the consent of the Hisbah. The “morality Blakeman said. “He understands that you a speech.” —Reuters police” also ensure the men have the means to sup- port a wife and any children, while the state pays the marriage expenses. To counter Turkey, Damascus sidles up to Kurds Attine Abdullahi, head of the Voice of Widows, Divorcees and Orphans Association of Nigeria orried over Turkish advances in Syria’s southern edges of the town, but had been southeast Turkey. But the SDF has a head start. Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy (VOWAN), said they were “very happy” with Sanusi’s north, the Damascus regime has ordered by their ally Russia not to enter Al-Bab Since November, it has been battling to encir- (EDAM) in Istanbul. proposals. “We have been fighting for an end to the Wformed an alliance of convenience after Moscow struck a deal with Ankara. cle Raqqa with the help of US-led coalition air While the SDF and Syria’s regime have a exploitation and dehumanization of women and chil- with the country’s Kurds to prevent their com- Instead, regime fighters headed east, sweep- strikes and is much closer to the city than the shared interest in countering Ankara’s influ- dren in the name of marriage,” she said. “The institution mon enemy from gaining ground. President ing across previously IS-held villages to link up Turkish-backed fighters. ence, the alliance is not foolproof. Regime of marriage has been flagrantly abused by men in our Bashar al-Assad’s government has repeatedly with the SDF south of its stronghold in Manbij. The regime’s recent advance has boxed forces and Kurdish fighters have clashed sever- society out of sheer ego and I believe this law will criticised Turkey’s operation in Syria, which saw Turkey in, according to the Syrian Observatory al times across the northeastern province of check such excesses when it comes into effect.” She Ankara in late August send troops across the ‘Surrounded on all sides’ for Human Rights monitoring group. “They’re Hasakeh, and government officials frequently added: “If the emir succeeds in enacting the family law border where they are working with local In just 15 days, Assad’s army seized nearly surrounded on all sides. The Kurds are to the criticize a Kurdish announcement last year of a we will have solved half the social ills confronting our rebels. Turkey’s invasion has also been fiercely two dozen villages, including Taduf south of east, southeast, and west. The regime is south,” “federal system” to run affairs in northern Syria. society today. The law will certainly tackle the endemic opposed by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Al-Bab, gaining approximately 600 sq km of said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman. “The regime is against Kurdish independence, social problems in our society from their roots, which is Forces, which is dominated by Kurdish fighters. territory in Aleppo province. The advance “They don’t have a single road to Raqa except but it doesn’t have the means to retake the family.” —AFP “For the government, just as for the Syrian brought Syrian troops to territory just south- via territory controlled by the Kurds or the Kurdish territory,” Balanche said. Kurds, the enemy is (Turkish President Recep west of Manbij and adjacent to SDF forces Syrian army,” Abdel Rahman said. “If they really A high-level security source in Damascus Tayyip) Erdogan. They want to counter his there, said US-based Middle East expert want to go, they only have two options: open- insisted that “Syria does not recognize the SDF project of invading the border territory,” said Fabrice Balanche. By sealing off that territory, ing up a front with the army or the Kurds, or because the constitution stipulates that the All articles appearing on these pages are Waddah Abed Rabbo, editor-in-chief of Syria’s Balanche added, the regime has stemmed striking a deal with them.” only military presence in Syria is the Syrian the personal opinion of the writers. Kuwait Al-Watan daily. “It’s completely normal that Turkish ambitions of heading further east. “The army.” “But really, there are several legitimate Times takes no responsibility for views the forces present on the ground would ally road to Raqa via Al-Bab is now cut for the ‘Regime has not changed’ and illegitimate organizations involved in the with each other to block any Turkish advance Turks. They also can’t attack Manbij from the Such a deal would require the mediation Syrian conflict,” the source conceded. Leading expressed therein. Kuwait Times invites in Syrian territory. Now, Turkish forces are total- south,” Balanche added. of either Russia - who has long backed the SDF adviser Nasser Al-Hajj Mansour denied readers to voice their opinions. Please send ly encircled,” said Abed Rabbo, whose paper is Erdogan has insisted that Ankara wants to Syrian regime and has recently developed that his group had struck a deal with the submissions via email to: opinion@kuwait- close to the government. work with its allies to capture Raqqa, the de closer cooperation with Turkey on Syria - or regime, but acknowledged that the current sit- times.net or via snail mail to PO Box 1301 With help from Turkish air strikes, artillery, facto Syrian capital of IS’s so-called “caliphate”, the United States, an ally to Ankara and SDF uation is an incentive for cooperation over and soldiers, Syrian rebels last week overran without the SDF. Turkey considers the SDF’s backer. “The risk of confrontation is there. confrontation. “The regime has not changed. Safat, Kuwait. The editor reserves the right the town of Al-Bab, the Islamic State group’s biggest component - the Kurdish People’s But if the Turkish army heads towards Raqa, When it can, it will attack us. But today, local to edit any submission as necessary. last bastion in the northern province of Protection Units (YPG) - as “terrorists” because it will only be after a deal with the United and international dynamics will not allow it to Aleppo. Syrian troops had advanced to the of their links to an outlawed Kurdish militia in States,” said Sinan Ulgan, who heads the do so,” he said. —AFP THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 SPORTS
Svitolina pulls Chinese Milan buyout Sharapova handed out in Malaysia could hit new delay Rome wildcard MILAN: The sale of AC Milan to a Chinese consortium, sched- ROME: Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova has KUALA LUMPUR: Top seed and defending champion Elina Svitolina withdrew uled to be finalised on March 3, could be delayed until the end been given a wildcard to play in the Italian Open in from the Malaysian Open with a lower leg injury yesterday, bringing her 13- of the month, a source close to the deal told AFP yesterday. May, organisers said yesterday. The former world match winning streak to a halt. The Ukrainian world number Milan’s media tycoon owner Silvio Berlusconi agreed in August number one makes her return to the circuit in 10, who beat Caroline Wozniacki in Dubai last week to lift 2016 to sell the club to Sino-Europe Sports (SES) in a deal that Stuttgart in April after completing a 15-month her second straight trophy, pulled out before her second- values the Serie A giants at 740 million euros ($825.4 million). ban for doping. “We officially announce the wild round match against Japan’s Nao Hibino. Svitolina, 22, had But the takeover has been postponed on several occasions as card for the 3-time Rome champion needed treatment during her 6-2, 6-3 first-round win over the financial details are ironed out. “The Chinese consortium @MariaSharapova into the main draw ... “ organ- Jang Su-Jeong of South Korea-her 250th victory on the WTA has asked to postpone the signing by a month,” the source said. isers announced on Twitter. Sharapova hasn’t tour. “I was looking forward to coming back to Kuala “That should be possible with the payment of a new instalment played on tour since testing positive for meldo- Lumpur to defend my title and I was excited to play here but, of 100 million euros.” Italian media has reported that the nium at the 2016 Australian Open. An initial two- unfortunately, I have to withdraw because of a lower leg Chinese consortium, which has already paid out 200 million year ban by the International Tennis injury,” she said, according to the WTA website. “I was euros, was encountering difficulties after the withdrawal of one Federation was reduced to 15 struggling in my final match in Dubai and I was hoping to of its investors. La Repubblica newspaper confirmed that one of months by the Court of recover but... I need to make sure I take care of my body the Chinese investors due to have paid out 80-100 million euros Arbitration for Sport. The Rome for the rest of the season.” Svitolina’s unbeaten streak, had withdrawn because it failed to obtain permission to move tournament runs from May 15 which has pushed her into the top 10 for the first time, funds out of China. “It’s like a joke, one of those that doesn’t to May 21. She has also been also included a run to the Taiwan Open title and two make you laugh,” opined Gazzetta dello Sport. Milan’s neigh- handed a wildcard for the May Fed Cup wins against Australian opposition. — AFP bours Inter Milan are already under Chinese ownership. — AFP 6-13 Madrid Open. —AFP
BARCELONA: Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland exits a curve while performing a race simulation during a Formula One pre-season testing session at the Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, outside Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday. — AP Rosberg has no regrets on return to F1 paddock
BARCELONA: Formula One champion Nico thought ‘Oh, damn I should be sitting in that car’,” to the Circuit de Catalunya. “It’s good to be back, its and we might even see drivers losing race ing into the team. “He’s a good driver so we Rosberg returned to the paddock yesterday for declared the 31-year-old German, who said he first of all to see my racing family again. And it’s wins because of just being game over physically. need to expect that he will be challenging the first time since his retirement and said he was enjoying family life and exploring potential such a massive hype at the moment so I want to And that’s what we need.” Lewis,” he said. “It’s difficult to predict exactly had absolutely no regrets about his decision to new challenges. “That was interesting for me to see it first hand as well and see the new cars. Rosberg said he had been interested to hear how they are going to compare. “We all know quit at the top. With Finnish replacement Valtteri realise, and perfect of course.” Rosberg They look absolutely monstrous,” Rosberg told from Bottas how it felt to drive the new car, Lewis is a massive benchmark so it’s never Bottas putting the Mercedes through its paces announced his retirement in December, shock- television reporters. “Very, very aggressive and wider and lower and with bigger tyres, and going to be easy against him but sure there’s on the third day of pre-season testing, Rosberg ing the sport just five days after taking the title everybody’s excited and that’s great to see. The expected the Finn to settle in well at a team going to be a battle.” The season starts in said the new cars looked ‘monstrous’ and a real from team mate and triple champion Lewis drivers are loving it and I think this year they will that has dominated for the past three years. He Australia on March 26. Mercedes have so far physical challenge. Hamilton in Abu Dhabi. He spoke to Bottas but be proper gladiators out there. added that the Finn needed no advice from done more laps in testing than any other team, “There was not one single moment where I said he had not seen Hamilton on his brief visit “The cars will take them to their physical lim- him, other than some tips to help with integrat- with no reliability problems. — Reuters
MOTOR RACING Kuwait’s junior soccer team wins bronze in Qatar F1 may re-introduce a ‘Jeem Cup3’ International Football Tournament non-championship race By Nawara Fattahova
BARCELONA: Formula One could re-introduce a KUWAIT: Football is Kuwait’s most popular non-championship race to experiment with new sport, but the national team cannot participate formats and ideas if such an event can be made in international competitions due to the sus- commercially viable, motorsport head Ross pension imposed by the International Olympic Brawn has suggested. Committee. This is very disappointing, but the “It might be rather optimistic,” the former people of Kuwait finally celebrated a victory. Honda, Brawn and Mercedes team principal told Recently, the junior Kuwaiti team won the Reuters during pre-season testing at the Circuit bronze medal at the ‘Jeem Cup3’, an interna- de Catalunya yesterday. tional football tournament for young boys “But you can imagine if we had a non-champi- held in Qatar. This was the third edition of this onship race there’d be a lot more capacity to look tourney, with 20 teams from various countries participating. It began as a 10-team competi- at different formats and approaches and see if tion before expanding to 16 teams in its sec- the fans take to it with much less risk or exposure ond iteration. Organizers plan to expand it than we would if we were doing something in even further. the championship.” “This is the first time a Kuwaiti team won in The last non-championship race was held at this mini-cup, and it has participated since the Brands Hatch in 1983 and won by Keke Rosberg, first tourney,” coach Ali Falah told Kuwait the father of 2016 world champion Nico, in a Times. “The teams were divided in four groups, Williams. Silverstone also held the International each containing five teams. In our group, we Trophy from 1949 to 1978. Such races saw drivers won against Brazil 3-1, then against Chile 6-0, compete for prize money but not points towards Sudan 11-0 and finally Russia 3-1. We qualified the world title, with teams using them for extra for the quarterfinals and beat the UAE 2-1. testing. “We often had non-championship races Unfortunately, we lost against France on in the old days but getting it all to work is anoth- penalties and ranked third after beating er matter,” said Brawn. “It needs to be commer- Bahrain 4-2. France stood first and Morocco second,” he said. Kuwait’s team consisted of 15 cially viable of course, and that’s the challenge. players between the ages of 12 and 13 study- Again, it couldn’t just be ‘pick ideas out of a hat’. ing in the seventh grade. “The matches are It needs to be properly thought through, but shorter than regular adult games. Each half is maybe an opportunity.” only of 20 minutes, instead of the regular 45, Brawn was appointed in January, following and halftime is only for five minutes. Also, only the takeover of the sport by Liberty Media, and nine players play in the field and six are substi- the Englishman reports to the new chairman tutes,” Falah explained. Chase Carey who has taken over from Bernie The players study at both public and pri- Ecclestone. vate schools. “We chose the players from differ- Sean Bratches, who was in the paddock on ent schools. There was a league held including Monday as testing started, is the managing direc- schools in all governorates,” Falah said. “We tor for the commercial side. then chose the best players from the many Speaking separately to Sky television on teams and formed our team. In this team, 11 Tuesday, Brawn said he was nervous about players were from public schools and four changes to the race weekend format. from private schools.” The school world cup is supervised by the “You can’t take the risk of swapping a format Ministry of Education. “This cup is not related in a championship race and not getting it right,” to the Olympics or FIFA, so we could partici- he said. He also said 2017 rule changes with pate under the Kuwaiti flag. The organizers in faster and wider cars and fatter tyres could Qatar corresponded with the undersecretary unwittingly benefit his former Mercedes team, of the Ministry of Education, so we formed this the dominant world champions for the past team,” he pointed out. three years. The players trained at one of the schools “We expose ourselves whenever we make equipped with artificial turf. “They trained for changes like this. Fingers crossed, it is going to 17 days before participating in the champi- work out but l think it is a good example of onship. The training took place after school where we didn’t go through the right principles hours four days a week,” Falah said. “I’m the to begin with,” he said. “And if this was a principle coach, and we have an administrative assistant to stop Mercedes winning, you could argue the and the head of our delegation Dr Ahmad Al- exact contrary. A team that strong and with that Fayez. We are proud of our achievement, and various institutions held honoring ceremonies resource will relish change. It was naive to think for the team, especially now that our sporting it would destabilise Mercedes. If anything it gave activities are suspended. I hope that we them an advantage.” — Reuters achieve first place in the future,” he concluded. THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 SPORTS
NFL NFL players preparing for this week’s ‘Underwear Olympics’
INDIANAPOLIS: The 330 players arriv- opportunity and it’s all about how at the combine: The 40-yard dash, the basic program because they’ll be doing things that you need to change and I’m ing at the league’s annual combine have well you perform at that moment with three-cone drill that measures agility the same tests at the combine. But the able to get coached up on all of them. been preparing for this week’s high levels of stress and some fatigue and the 225-pound bench press. training is also personalized by position. It’s just continuing to improve those lit- “Underwear Olympics” like a prize fight- on you.” Now everybody targets this week in “I’ll talk to the agents and from the tle things and it makes a huge difference er gets ready for his big night, pumping That’s why they’ve been training Indy like Mamula did all those years ago. agents’ perspective, I’ll say, ‘What are the in the numbers.” iron and cutting carbs. with such single-minded focus since Today’s prospects train six days a scouts telling you that they want to see This training isn’t cheap. It can cost They’ve been following strict pro- their bowl games. “It’s a lot of just try- week for eight weeks or more all so they from your player? Do they want to see tens of thousands of dollars, although grams designed to help them get ing to improve all the funky drills that can impress NFL executives who will test them heavier, lighter?” Landow said. the pricing structure changes for draft stronger, run faster and jump higher in they have you doing at the combine their speed, strength, skills and brain “At the end of the day, I don’t think wannabes and sure bets. “If an athlete is anticipation of getting poked and prod- that you know aren’t necessarily things power while also checking out their you ever go wrong in providing a little an NFL combine invite, the agent will ded, measured and treasured. that we practice as a football player on medical background and any off-field bit more mobility, flexibility to an ath- pay for everything,” Landow said. “If you “The hardest thing for these kids to a daily basis,” said Wyoming offensive history for any red flags. lete and getting them stronger. More have a kid who may be a bubble guy really understand when they get to the lineman Chase Roullier, who trained “I feel like it’s definitely getting us explosive is always the key in this short who didn’t get the combine invite but combine and the pro day is they get one with Landow. That’s been the formula ready for the combine as far as all the window so they can really show their you know can play, the agents will typi- shot at all these drills,” said Loren ever since Mike Mamula absolutely guys we’re competing against each oth- best in all their ‘measureables.’” cally foot the bill. Some guys if they’re a Landow , who trained Stanford star killed it at the 1995 combine and rocket- er,” said Air Force receiver Jalen These players have all undergone priority free agent maybe at best, some- Christian McCaffrey among more than ed into the first round, where the Robinette , who led the nation in yards mock combines, too, where they put all times it’s coming out of their own pock- two dozen NFL hopefuls at Landow Philadelphia Eagles traded the 12th per catch in 2016. “Because it’s a real big their training together for dry runs to et.” For a combine invitee, the cost can Performance in suburban Denver over overall pick and two second-round interview/competition there at the com- give them a taste of what this week will run into the tens of thousands of dollars. the last two months. selections to Tampa Bay so they could bine. And being able to break down the bring. “I think it makes the hugest differ- “I know with housing and food and all “Whereas your strength coach in col- move up five spots and get the Boston drills and mentally be practicing every- ence,” Roullier said. “If I were to go in that it ends up being like 10, 20 grand lege used to let you do it over and over College defensive end at No. 7. thing, it’s awesome. Literally every day I there and do this stuff cold, I mean, I’d that my agent’s dropping just in these until you got your best time, now that’s hear new stuff about the combine that have an idea of what I’d be doing few months up to the combine. So, it’s a not the case when you’re being evaluat- TARGETS they teach me here. “Preparation is because it’s all stuff that I’ve done in the lot,” said Roullier, who’s out to ensure ed in a time crunch,” Landow said. Mamula was among the first players everything.” past. But my technique would be just this week that the training pays big divi- “They’re going to give you one to train specifically for the tests he’d face They pretty much follow the same awful, you know, it’s just all these little dends. — AP
S Africa: Commonwealth Games a no-go unless costs cut
DURBAN: The South African city of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Durban’s hosting of the 2022 “The Minister further indicated that if Commonwealth Games was in serious both parties fail to find common ground on doubt on Tuesday after the sports ministry cost cutting measures, the South African said the country won’t stage it unless costs government will not host the games.” are reduced. The 2022 Commonwealth Games were Liverpool in England immediately put set to be the first international multi-sport itself forward as a replacement host. event hosted in Africa. Preparations in Durban have been trou- Following its widely-praised staging of bled ever since it was awarded the games the 2010 soccer World Cup, South Africa as the only candidate in September 2015. was also viewed as a possible future host of At the time, the east coast city of the Olympics, with the Commonwealth Durban failed to get a financial guarantee Games seen as a stepping stone. from the government and also didn’t make A South African Olympic bid looks less other commitments required by the and less likely any time soon. Should Commonwealth Games Federation. Durban back out of the Commonwealth The impending cost of the games, esti- Games, it would likely hurt the country’s mated by Durban bid committee chief future Olympic prospects. executive Tubby Reddy at $670 million, Soon after the statement from Mbalula’s remains the problem. Reddy, who made his office, the English city of Liverpool said it estimate in 2015, said Durban needed $470 was willing to step in, with Liverpool’s may- million of that from the government. or sending a letter to the British govern- In its statement on Tuesday, the office of ment indicating its willingness. Group picture of Women’s Sports Committee members and Kuwaiti athletes. sports minister Fikile Mbalula said it was in “Liverpool is interested in hosting the discussions with event owners the games in 2022,” the city council said. “We Commonwealth Games Federation, but had heard Durban might be unable to costs had to be cut. deliver the Commonwealth Games in 2022 Female athletes to set action plan “The Minister reiterated South Africa’s and have already indicated to the readiness to host the games within its Government that we are very willing to available means,” Mbalula’s office said. “It is host them instead.” The next to develop women’s sports in Kuwait against this background that the depart- Commonwealth Games are on the Gold ment and the CGF are having talks ahead of Coast in Australia next year. — AP By Faten Omar Kuwait. She noted that the Women’s Sports German coach and made an agreement with to Committee is trying now to put the right person establish training centers for girls in all gover- KUWAIT: The Women’s Sports Committee of the in the right place by selecting professional norates along with four women referees and 20 Budapest assembly passes motion Kuwait Olympic Committee organized a discus- women from each sport to lead. “We have heard Kuwaiti female coaches,” Hayat said. sion titled “Together we can make a change” on a lot of promises, but we will never accept mere Rabaa Al-Hajri, a member of the Women’s to withdraw 2024 Olympic bid Tuesday at the multipurpose hall in Al-Shaheed promises - we insist on turning them into action,” Sport Committee, pointed out that the commit- Park. Female athletes gathered to set an action she said. Hayat said there have been suggestions tee is communicating with private companies to plan to reform and develop women’s sports in to dissolve the Women’s Sports Committee participate in the development of women’s BUDAPEST: Budapest’s assembly abroad with this circus surrounding the Kuwait and discuss the obstacles hindering the because it contravenes local and international sports. “Our goals are to rebuild and develop the approved a motion yesterday to with- Olympics.” The opposition said the city development and growth of women athletes. rules where the committee is considered sexist organizational structure of women’s sport to draw the city’s bid for the 2024 government was letting down voters by “This is our second meeting to discuss the dif- for mentioning ‘women’s sport’. “We also sug- international standards and in line with the reali- Olympics. The decision leaves Los preventing them from expressing their ficulties that players face. Kuwait is still marginal- gested letting women to be in the general ty of women’s sports in Kuwait. We are going to Angeles and Paris as the only remaining opinions about the bid. izing female players, and 90 percent of the assembly and have the right to vote,” she said. organize a national awareness campaign to pro- candidates. The International Olympic “If over a quarter of a million Budapest Kuwaiti society does not even know anything She assured that there will be three upcom- mote women’s sports and create sports aware- Committee will choose the host city in citizens have determined that they want about these players. We have to bring women ing initiatives “We are forming a women’s com- ness in the community to encourage girls,” Hajri September. to decide in a referendum about the back into the picture because young girls mittee at the Kuwaiti Tennis and Squash Union. explained. She added that the committee is aim- Budapest’s decision to withdraw Olympics, it is only right if we give them deserve to have a Kuwaiti athletic role model,” We have been communicating with specialized ing to prepare for Olympic football in coopera- came after a new political group this opportunity,” said Antal Csardi of the said Fatima Hayat, Chairperson of the Women’s sports companies to design campaigns that will tion with the women’s football committee to appeared to have successfully gathered Politics Can Be Different party. Sports Committee and Olympic Committee of be announced shortly. We also negotiated with a participate in the 2024 Olympics. enough signatures to force a city-wide The Momentum Movement, a new referendum on the bid. Prime Minister political association, gathered more than Viktor Orban’s government said the 266,000 signatures in 30 days in favor of BASEBALL change of heart by opposition politi- holding a vote. Some of the other oppo- cians who earlier supported the bid had sition parties helped collect the signa- shattered consensus on the issue. tures, far more than the 138,000 mini- The withdrawal of the bid was decid- mum needed. Political analysts said Tanaka goes two hitless ed with 22 votes in favor and six against, holding the referendum and keeping with support coming mostly from coun- the issue on the agenda for months did cilors from Orban’s governing Fidesz not favor Orban’s plans to seek a fourth party. “Everything that is going on is no term in elections scheduled for April innings in spring debut longer about sports,” Mayor Istvan Tarlos 2018. Hamburg, in 2015, and Rome last said during a heated debate at the year also withdrew their bids. The IOC extraordinary session of the assembly. said last week it would review its bid TAMPA: Masahiro Tanaka’s first pitch of spring 4 with a 3.07 ERA in 31 starts, throwing a career- in three seasons with the Yankees. He was limit- “The saddest thing ... is what kind of process because it now produces “too training was a wild one, sailing all the way to the high 199 2-3 innings. ed to 44 starts over his first two seasons due to image the country is creating itself many losers.” —AP backstop. Then, the New York Yankees ace quick- “Right now I think I’m on the right path,” injuries. Tanaka’s $155 million, seven-year con- ly settled in. Tanaka said. “As far as my body goes, it’s in good tract allows him to terminate the deal after this Tanaka struck out two over two hitless shape. So it’s been good.” season, give up a $23 million annual salary from innings during his initial exhibition start Tuesday Tanaka is 39-16 with a 3.12 ERA over 75 starts 2018-20 and become a free agent. — AP in the Yankees’ split-squad 9-5 win over the Detroit Tigers. The right-hander’s opening pitch soared over the head of Tigers leadoff hitter Ian Kinsler. “I liked everything except the first pitch,” Tanaka said through a translator. “I’m not really sure (what happened).” Tanaka did say that the angles of the bullpen mound and the slope of the main hill were dif- ferent. Kinsler reached on an infield error but was erased when Omar Infante hit into a double play. Tanaka ended the first by striking out Nicholas Castellanos. Tanaka struck out Steven Moya during a per- fect second. He reached 92 mph in a 25-pitch outing that included 16 strikes. “Overall I thought everything was good,” Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. “It was good to see him stay within his delivery and execute the pitches he needed to execute, and come out of it and feel good.” Both strikeouts came on split-finger pitches. “The split was really good, and the slider (too)” Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez said through a translator. “The location of the fastball was a lit- tle off. But it’s the first start, so I know he can locate better.” Four of the six batters Tanaka faced hit the ball on the ground. “It means that the batter is off balance, you’re getting the batter to be off- balance,” Tanaka said. “I think it’s a good sign.” Tanaka is scheduled to start on opening day BUDAPEST: In this Feb. 24, 2017 file photo cars line up in front of a poster with an April 2 at Tampa Bay. Tanaka was a concern at advertising campaign for the 2024 Olympic bid with Hungarian Olympic fencer Aron the start of spring training last year after arthro- Szilagyi in Budapest. Yesterday Budapest’s assembly has approved a motion to with- scopic surgery in October 2015 to remove a TAMPA: New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka pitches during the second inning draw the city’s bid for the 2024 Olympics. — AP bone spur from his throwing elbow. He went 14- of a spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Tuesday, in Tampa, Fla. — AP THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 SPORTS Red Wings, Canucks trade away vets during game
VANCOUVER: The Detroit Red Wings and it meant a lot to my family to be ager Jim Benning) called and let me playoffs for the first time since 1990. Nielsen scored his second of the and Vancouver Canucks got much the able to play in front of friends and fami- know I was being traded. It’s a lot of Hence the team is selling at the trade night at 11:41 while on the power play. same result on Tuesday night - a ly every single night as a Red Wing. unknowns that you have zero control deadline, sending defenseman Brendan Zetterberg found Nielsen alone in the farewell to a veteran teammate after “I’m heading to a good team with over.” Abdelkader got the winner by Smith to the New York Rangers earlier in slot and the center put it away for a 2-0 the game. Justin Abdelkader scored another great heritage, so it’s very excit- dropping to his knees just outside the the day in exchange for draft picks. lead. Under two minutes into the sec- 2:31 into overtime and Detroit beat ing now to know that I have a chance in crease to one-touch a precise pass from “It’s unfortunate to see guys move ond, Daniel Sedin received a pass off Vancouver 3-2 while both teams dealt the playoffs.” The Canucks also Henrik Zetterberg. on,” Abdelkader said. “You wish them the boards from Henrik Sedin, then away players ahead of Wednesday’s announced a trade, sending Jannik Frans Nielsen scored twice in the first luck and hope they are successful, but dished to Granlund in the slot to cut the trade deadline. Hansen to San Jose for prospect Nikolay period for Detroit and Zetterberg had at the same time we are not going to lead to 2-1. It was Granlund’s 16th of Detroit announced during the game Goldobin and a conditional draft pick. two assists. Petr Mrazek made 25 saves. lay down, we are going to try to win the year. Fransen almost had the hat that it had traded forward Steve Ott to Hansen was also scratched. Reid Boucher tied it at 2 with 2:46 and get points each and every night.” trick in the second, going 1-on-1 with Montreal for a sixth round pick in the “It was a lot of waiting around. I was- left in the third period for Vancouver, Detroit opened the scoring less than Miller, but the goalie made the stop to 2018 draft. Ott was scratched from n’t told anything,” Hansen said of the and Markus Granlund also scored. Ryan five minutes into the game, as Andreas keep it a one-goal game. Boucher tied it Tuesday’s game. “It’s obviously tough, mid-game trade. “I was sitting around Miller made 25 saves. Facing very long Athanasiou made a nice feed from the with 2:46 left to play, as he wheeled but it’s part of the business,” Ott said. for the first and second period still wait- odds to capture the second wild card in boards to a streaking Nielsen, who lift- around the defense and scored his first “That Red Wing jersey meant a lot to me ing for something, then (general man- the East, Detroit is likely to miss the ed the puck over Miller’s shoulder. as a Canuck to ignite the crowd. — AP
GOLF Lydia Ko keen for 2020 Olympic venue to allow women members
SINGAPORE: Lydia Ko has undergone golf was to be a men’s game. And I think some major changes in the off-season in especially on the LPGA, you see the her quest to remain at the top of the world amount of talent level in the women’s rankings and the New Zealander is also game is immense,” the 19-year-old told hoping that the golf venue for the next reporters on Wednesday ahead of this Olympics makes changes to its policy of week’s HSBC Women’s Champions event at barring female members. the New Tanjong Course in Singapore. “Courses that in the past have been only men-only member ones have slowly changed, and you can see that not only in golf, but in everything that happens around us,” added the two-time major win- ner. “Golf in Japan is pretty big. I played a JLPGA event before and obviously the TOTO LPGA Classic last year. The fans we had were incredible. “The support and how popular women’s golf is in Japan, I think maybe around the time of the Olympics or hopefully in the future, they will be able to change that rule,” she added. “When I go to Japan, I realise how popular golf, especially women’s golf is. I think slowly those things hopefully will change in the future.” Ko won five events in 2016, including her second major at the ANA Inspiration, Lydia Ko but rather than rest on her laurels, she opt- MONTREAL: Montreal Canadiens’ Alexei Emelin is checked by Columbus Blue Jackets’ Boone Jenner during the second period of an NHL hockey ed to change her coach, caddie and clubs game, Tuesday in Montreal. — AP The International Olympic Committee and is, so far, delighted with her new tools (IOC) has urged the private Kasumigaseki of trade, having finished eighth at last Country Club in Saitama prefecture to week’s Honda LPGA Thailand event. NHL allow women full membership or the 2020 “Obviously changes are really big and Tokyo Games organisers will be asked to when you like the clubs that you’re trying, find a new venue. Ko, who won a silver it’s always nice I think to change it up a lit- Galchenyuk scores in OT as medal at the Rio Games last year, said the tle bit,” she said of her new PXG clubs after sport is gradually improving in terms of switching from Calloway. “It gives your equality and that the standard of women’s mind some, I guess, breath of fresh air, and I play on the major tours would only help just heard so many great things about it Canadiens beat Blue Jackets speed up that process. and that’s why I wanted to try and that’s “I think especially in past generations, what I have experienced, too.” — Reuters MONTREAL: Alex Galchenyuk scored in overtime and Jake Guentzel in the second. Brett Ritchie FLYERS 4, AVALANCHE 0 for the second straight night while Carey Price scored the Stars’ first goal at 3:40 of the third. Jason Wayne Simmonds scored a pair of first-period made 26 saves as the Montreal Canadiens beat the Spezza tied the game at 9:41 with a shot that was goals and Steve Mason made 33 saves as Golf unveils modern Columbus Blue Jackets 1-0 on Tuesday night to deflected high and off Penguins defenseman Brian Philadelphia beat Colorado. Jakub Voracek and extend their winning streak to three games. Price Dumoulin into the net. Just 55 seconds later, Jordan Weal also scored for the Flyers, who won for set of rules to make got his third shutout this season while Sergei Roussel put a wrist shot past goalie Matt Murray just the third time in their past 10. Philadelphia had Bobrovsky stopped 29 shots for the Blue Jackets. from the left faceoff circle. Stars goalie Antti Niemi just eight goals in those seven losses. Mason Montreal’s Max Pacioretty thought he had scored made 18 saves. returned to the net after serving as the backup for it easier to play 1:11 into overtime after a beautiful pass by Andrei Michal Neuvirth for the past seven games and Markov. The puck crossed the line on Pacioretty’s BRUINS 4, COYOTES 1 earned his second shutout of the season and 32nd MEXICO CITY: Golf’s two governing bod- rebound, but the play was whistled dead first, and Riley Nash scored a short-handed goal after of his career. The NHL-worst Avalanche lost their ies released a draft of modern rules yester- MAKING THEM MORE MODERN a lengthy video review did not overturn the call. Colin Miller was ejected for a bone-rattling hit that 18th in the past 22 games to drop to 17-41-3. day aimed at bringing common sense to “I think golf’s emphasis on the rules can With Columbus’ Seth Jones in the box for holding, sent Arizona’s Alexander Burmistrov to the hospital what can be a complicated sport. The Royal sometimes turn people away from it,” Galchenyuk scored with a slap shot from the point as Boston pulled away with a three-goal second PANTHERS 3, HURRICANES 2, SO & Ancient Golf Club and the U.S. Golf McIlroy said. “To modernize and make it that soared into the roof of the net at 3:53 of the period. Miller was given a five-minute major and Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau Association spent more than five years try- simple is a good thing. With what’s hap- extra period. game misconduct for knocking Burmistrov out of scored in the shootout as the Florida Panthers got ing to simplify the Rules of Golf without pened in the last couple of years, with the game in the second period. The Coyotes center a much-needed win over the Carolina Hurricanes. some rulings and high-profile things that remained motionless on the ice for several minutes stripping the centuries-old game of its tra- CAPITALS 4, RANGERS 1 Roberto Luongo stopped all three Carolina skaters ditions and fundamentals of fair play. The have happened at crucial stages in tourna- Marcus Johansson had two goals and an assist but gave a thumbs-up with both hands as he was in the shootout after making 23 saves. Jaromir Jagr result figures to be the most comprehen- ments, people who look at that and might to help Washington beat New York in Kevin wheeled off on a stretcher. The Coyotes said he was scored his 761st career goal. Vincent Trocheck also sive overhaul since the first set of rules was want to get into the game say: ‘You know Shattenkirk’s first game with the Capitals. Brett taken to a hospital for further evaluation. Tuukka scored for the Panthers. Sebastian Aho and Lee published in 1744. what? It’s too complicated.’ “Making them Connolly and Nicklas Backstrom also scored and Rask stopped 22 shots for the Bruins. Mike Smith Stempniak scored for Carolina and Cam Ward But in this case, the Rules of Golf actual- more modern to move with the times is Braden Holtby stopped 29 shots as the NHL-best stopped just 10 of Boston’s 14 shots in the first two stopped 29 shots. ly shrunk. The proposal, which now faces good.” Depending on the six-month public Capitals gave Barry Trotz his 700th career victory. periods. He was replaced at the start of the third by six months of public feedback, reduces the comment period, the proposal would be Evgeny Kuznetzov and Matt Niskanen had two Louis Domingue, who had 11 saves. number of rules from 34 to 24. In many cas- finalized in 2018 and become effective in assists each. Shattenkirk, acquired from St. Louis on RED WINGS 3, CANUCKS 2, OT es, penalties have been rescinded. Players 2019. One of the proposed rules would Monday night, had four shots on goal in 17:57 of OILERS 2, BLUES 1 Justin Abdelkader scored 2:31 into overtime as no longer will be assessed a one-shot penalize caddies who stand behind their ice time. Brady Skjei scored in the first period and Milan Lucic and Mark Letestu scored and Cam Detroit beat Vancouver. Abdelkader got the winner penalty if their golf ball accidentally moves, players until right before the shot, to help Henrik Lundqvist finished with 34 saves for the Talbot made 25 saves to lead Edmonton over St. by dropping to his knees just outside the crease to if their club touches the ground while in a them with alignment. That is most promi- Rangers. Louis. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins assisted on both goals one-touch a precise pass from Henrik Zetterberg. hazard or even if a putt strikes a flagstick nent on the LPGA Tour. If the modern rules for the Oilers. Paul Stastny scored for St. Louis and Frans Nielsen scored twice in the first period for that is not being tended. are adopted, caddies would have to move WILD 6, JETS 5 Jake Allen stopped 23 of 25 shots. Detroit and Zetterberg had two assists. Petr Mrazek Remember when Jeff Maggert’s shot as soon as their players take their stances. Jason Zucker scored with 2:10 left in the third made 25 saves. Reid Boucher tied it at 2 with 2:46 from a fairway bunker caromed off the lip “This is one we stepped back and said, period to lift Minnesota over Winnipeg. Erik Haula FLAMES 2, KINGS 1, OT left in the third period for Vancouver while Markus and hit him in the chest? That cost him a ‘Aligning yourself is just fundamental to set up Zucker’s 20th goal of the season by racing TJ Brodie scored on a breakaway 1:47 into over- Granlund also scored. Ryan Miller made 25 saves. two-shot penalty in the 2003 Masters. playing the game,’” Pagel said. “It’s not that after a loose puck and sending a backhand pass time, lifting Calgary in goalie Ben Bishop’s first Under the proposed rules, it wouldn’t be a caddies can no longer help the player. But across the slot. Zucker scored right as a Winnipeg game with Los Angeles. Brodie was sprung free PREDATORS 5, SABRES 4, OT penalty. “The primary objective was, ‘How when a player goes to set up to the ball, power play ended. Haula, Mikael Granlund, Tyler from the blue line by a 100-foot pass by Mikael Filip Forsberg scored his second goal of the do we make the rules easier to understand that challenge is the player’s.” Graovac, Ryan White and Marco Scandella also Backlund and made a nifty play to beat Bishop for game 2:45 into overtime as Nashville came back to and easier to apply around the world,’” said Another significant proposal, which got scored for the Wild, and Granlund while Winnipeg’s his fifth goal of the season. Red-hot Micheal beat Buffalo for its fourth straight win. Forsberg Thomas Pagel, the USGA’s senior director of McIlroy’s attention, was how to drop. The Joel Armia and Mark Scheifele scored in the third Ferland also scored for Calgary. The Flames climbed had a goal and an assist in the final nine minutes of rules and amateur status. goal was to get the ball back in play quick- period to erase a two-goal deficit before Zucker’s within two points of the Anaheim Ducks for third the third period to lead the Predators back from a “I think what you’ll see is that part of this ly. Modern rules would more easily identify winner. Scheifele and Mathieu Perreault each had a place in the Pacific Division. They currently hold the 4-2 deficit. Forsberg has 10 goals and four assists process is to evaluate all the outcomes and where to drop, and players would only goal and two assists for the Jets. Rookie Patrik first wild-card spot in the Western Conference. during a six-game point streak. Ryan Johansen, identify outcomes that are more reason- have to hold the ball above the ground Laine scored his 31st goal of the season and added Bishop made 28 saves two days after being Colin Wilson and Mike Fisher also scored for the able and common-sense based.” Rory without it touching anything. The recom- acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 30 Predators. Kyle Okposo, Brian Gionta and Jake McIlroy has been informed of the changes mendation is at least 1 inch above the an assist. Adam Lowry also scored. and liked what he heard. ground or grass.—AP year-old had a few superb stops, especially during McCabe each had a goal and an assist for the SHARKS 3, MAPLE LEAFS 1 a challenging second period. Tanner Pearson got Sabres. Evander Kane also scored and Robin Tomas Hertl scored the tiebreaking goal with his team-leading 21st goal for Los Angeles. Lehner made 36 saves. —AP 1:24 remaining as San Jose beat Toronto for the ninth straight time. Patrick Marleau started the winning play when he skated in alone on three NHL results/standings defenders. Marleau fed Hertl, who then beat Frederik Andersen with a quick shot to the short Detroit 3, Vancouver 2 (OT); Calgary 2, Los Angeles 1 (OT); Dallas 3, Pittsburgh 2; Edmonton 2, St. Louis 1; Minnesota side for his eighth goal of the season. Brenden 6, Winnipeg 5; Montreal 1, Columbus 0 (OT); Florida 3, Carolina 2 (SO); Boston 4, Arizona 1; Nashville 5, Buffalo 4 Dillon also scored and Joe Pavelski added an emp- (OT); Washington 4, NY Rangers 1; Philadelphia 4, Colorado 0. ty-netter off Joe Thornton’s 999th career assist to Western Conference Ottawa 33 22 6 161 162 72 help the first-place Sharks remain five points ahead Central Division Boston 33 24 6 176 166 72 of second-place Edmonton in the Pacific Division. W L OTL GF GA PTS Toronto 28 21 13 190 185 69 Minnesota 41 14 6 209 147 88 Martin Jones made 20 saves. Rookie Auston Florida 29 23 10 158 174 68 Chicago 39 18 5 187 159 83 Matthews scored his 31st goal for the Maple who Tampa Bay 28 25 8 171 171 64 have a one-point lead over Florida and the Nashville 32 22 9 188 177 73 Buffalo 26 26 11 156 181 63 Islanders for the final playoff spot in the Eastern St. Louis 31 26 5 173 179 67 Winnipeg 28 30 6 189 205 62 Detroit 25 26 10 153 180 60 Conference. Andersen made 34 saves. Dallas 25 28 10 176 203 60 Metropolitan Division Colorado 17 41 3 121 203 37 Washington 42 13 7 207 134 91 STARS 3, PENGUINS 2 Pacific Division Antoine Roussel capped Dallas’ three-goal third San Jose 37 18 7 173 146 81 Columbus 39 16 6 199 146 84 period as the Stars rallied for a win over Pittsburgh. Edmonton 34 22 8 183 167 76 Pittsburgh 38 15 8 213 171 84 The loss dropped second-place Pittsburgh seven Anaheim 32 21 10 162 161 74 NY Rangers 40 21 2 207 168 82 points behind Eastern Conference and Calgary 34 26 4 171 178 72 NY Islanders 29 22 10 180 182 68 Los Angeles 30 27 6 155 158 66 Philadelphia 29 26 7 161 187 65 Metropolitan Division leader Washington. Dallas Vancouver 26 29 7 145 179 59 New Jersey 25 25 12 145 180 62 DUBAI: In this Friday, Nov. 18, 2016 file photo, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays entered nine points behind the second wild card in Arizona 22 33 7 149 200 51 a shot during the second round of the DP World Tour Championship golf tournament the West and in a selling mode that had sent three Eastern Conference Carolina 25 25 9 148 171 59 at the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. McIlroy returns this veteran players to contenders in trades. Pittsburgh Atlantic Division Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the week at the Mexico Championship, and this is no time for a siesta. — AP led 2-0 on goals by Evgeni Malkin in the first period Montreal 35 21 8 177 163 78 standings and are not included in the loss column (L). THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 SPORTS PSL final tickets precious for cricket-starved fans
ISLAMABAD: Cricket-starved fans in of fans around the city of Lahore yester- are not going to get disheartened, all and hopefully in the future the safety travel to Lahore. The two finalists could Pakistan aren’t too worried about which day went from bank to bank looking for there are still three days to go and we will not be in doubt to come play there.” pick up four players each for Sunday’s foreign players are coming to Lahore for tickets. “We went to at least five branch- hope to get the ticket for the Sunday’s But for Pakistani fans it mattered lit- final. The provincial government has Sunday’s Pakistan Super League final. es but couldn’t find even one ticket,” final,” said Tasleem, whose favorite team tle who is coming for the final or not. promised security for the Sunday’s final They just want to know where they can said Faiza Tasleem, a university student. Quetta Gladiators qualified for the final. “Whosoever plays for Quetta we will despite a recent wave of terrorist buy tickets. Tasleem was accompanied by her nine But Quetta will be without all its key support them,” Tasleem said. “We want attacks that killed dozens of people “I came to the bank as early as 6:30 university friends, but none of them foreign cricketers after Kevin Pietersen, to show the world that we are sports- around the country. At least 13 people a.m. and after seven hours I got hold of was successful in getting a ticket. The Luke Wright and Tymal Mills all flew loving people and we want cricket back were killed in Lahore when a bomber a ($5) ticket,” Ali Hussain, a 22-year-old organizers have also made it mandatory back to England soon after winning home on our own grounds.” targeted police escorting a rally by businessman told The Associated Press for every buyer to produce his or her their playoff against Peshawar Zalmi by Peshawar will have another chance pharmacists. yesterday. original National Identity Card at the one run on Tuesday night. at the Sunday’s final when it meets the Several former cricketers like Imran PSL organizers claimed that 10,000 time of buying a ticket. “It’s with a heavy heart I will not be winner of Thursday’s match between Khan, Javed Miandad and Aamir Sohail tickets at the 27,000-capacity Gaddafi As a security precaution, entry to the coming to Lahore. I have a young family Karachi Kings and defending champion have criticized PCB’s decision to organ- Stadium will be sold for $5 for the final. stadium will only be made once the and for me a game of cricket is just not Islamabad United. ize the PSL final in Lahore with thou- The remaining tickets were priced at spectator shows his or her ID at various worth the risk,” Wright tweeted. “I’m sor- PSL organizers have shortlisted 60 sands of security officials being $38, $76 and $114. However, hundreds security checkpoints on Sunday. “We ry as I know how much it means to you foreign players who have agreed to deployed around the stadium. — AP Big Ben towers in basketball-mad Philippines
MANILA: “Big Ben” cuts an imposing fig- like a godfather, someone backing you up... ure, dominating college basketball in the unluckily I didn’t have anyone so I just did hoops-crazy Philippines as the best of a everything on my own. Things didn’t go my wave of African imports on unlikely Asian way,” he said. So he headed to the journeys in search of their NBA dreams. Philippines instead, starting initially at a lit- Cameroon’s Benoit Mbala scooped up tle-known school in the central city of MVP honours as he led one of Manila’s top Cebu. But at an invitational tournament, colleges to last year’s University Athletic Mbala shot the lights out against La Salle, a Association of the Philippines champi- wealthy, Catholic Church-run Manila school onship. financially backed by several billionaire To the 22-year-old, who played only alumni, and he was quickly recruited. The football until a tremendous growth spurt Philippines’ university basketball scene forced him from pitch to hardcourt as a resembles the American system in terms of teenager, the fervour of a nation that treats popularity and importance, with games basketball almost as a religion has been broadcast on national television and overwhelming. “I never expected myself attracting crowds of more than 10,000. going to a basketball game, (with the Mbala was among the early African recruits crowds) super full and packed with people to the Philippines. Now, nearly every uni- almost spilling onto the court. That’s really versity has filled their quota of one foreign something crazy. The Filipinos are really student with an African. “They (African fanatics,” Mbala told AFP in an interview. imports) raised the standards of the game In an Asian nation where few people because of that talent. And the local play- grow taller than 1.81 metres (6ft), the ers are learning to adapt to bigger oppo- 2.07m (6ft 7in), 109kg (240lb) Cameroonian nents as well,” Ayo said. is a scoring and rebounding machine for Manila’s De La Salle University team, where LATE STARTER he averaged double digits for both statisti- Despite his achievements, Mbala WASHINGTON: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles around John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards in the second half at cal categories in his first year. remains a work in progress. He struggled to Verizon Center on Tuesday, in Washington. — AFP “He’s a big (forward) who can run, he’s execute a spin dribble, a must-have skill for fast, he’s agile, physically strong and men- Filipino players, during the La Salle practice tally he’s sharp, and he has a good attitude,” witnessed by AFP. BASKETBALL his coach, Aldin Ayo, told AFP. With better ball-handling skills, his “He’s the best player right now in terms coach believes Mbala could be at the level of how he dominated the league last sea- of a top-calibre level collegiate player in son... he intimidates other players.” Mbala’s the United States, which is one step away Warriors lose Durant to exploits earned him a call-up this month to from the NBA. “There are some aspects of the Cameroon men’s basketball team pool, his game that he has to improve. But physi- alongside NBA stars Joel Embiid of the cally, talent-wise, he can play,” Ayo said. Philadelphia 76ers and Luc Mbah a Moute “Had he started playing basketball at an injury and game to Wizards of the Los Angeles Clippers. The youngest early age all of his skills would have devel- in a middle-class family, the burly Mbala oped by now. But since he started with took a strange route to basketball’s oldest football that affected it somewhat.” WASHINGTON: Kevin Durant injured his left knee rebounds, while Tony Allen had 11 points as HORNETS 109, LAKERS 104 Asian outpost and home to one of the Mbala, who idolises NBA legend Michael and departed after only 93 seconds before Golden Memphis shot 56 percent, including 12 of 25 from Kemba Walker scored 30 points and hit the go- world’s oldest professional leagues. Jordan and LeBron James of the Cleveland State’s Stephen Curry missed a potential go-ahead outside the arc. The 130 points were a season ahead 3-pointer with 1:55 to play as Charlotte Cavaliers, makes no secret of his own 3-pointer late in the game as the Washington high for Memphis, which won its second straight. rallied late for a victory over struggling Los AFRICAN INFLUX dream of playing in the world’s top pro Wizards beat the Warriors 112-108 on Tuesday Conley was 10 of 19 from the field. Gasol shot 10 Angeles. Frank Kaminsky had 24 points and 12 In 2011 he won African MVP honours at league. But Mbala is putting as much effort night. Durant hyperextended his knee and will of 16 and Randolph was 10 of 15 as Memphis rebounds for the Hornets, who won for just the a South Africa camp organised by into his business management course as have an MRI exam after teammate Zaza Pachulia shot a season-best percentage from the field. Eric third time in 16 games. Julius Randle had 23 Basketball Without Borders, a global devel- his basketball career. He said he was aware was pushed into him by Washington center Bledsoe had 20 points for the Suns, while TJ points, 18 rebounds and six assists for the Lakers opment programme for teenagers co-run basketball was a “gamble” and an NBA Marcin Gortat. The 2014 NBA MVP and Golden Warren finished with 17 and Alex Len had 12. (19-42), who have lost five straight and clinched by the NBA. career was no certainty, citing woeful sto- State’s leading scorer and rebounder exited with Devin Booker, the Suns’ second-leading scorer at four consecutive losing seasons for the first time A few months short of 17 at the time, ries of promising young men whose careers zero points, ending his streak of 562 regular-sea- 21.1 points a game, was limited to nine points on since 1961, the franchise’s first year on the West Mbala had hoped it would land him a US were prematurely ruined by injury. son games with at least 10 points. John Wall got a 3 of 11 from the floor. Coast. — AP college basketball scholarship, but visa “Unluckily, they didn’t get to finish college career high-tying 19 assists for the Wizards while problems wrecked his dream. “It’s bizarre, for backup... I want to have a degree just in Bradley Beal scored 25 points and Markieff Morris going to the States you need something case,” he said. —AFP added 22, including a pair of free throws after NBA results/standings Curry’s 3 was off-target in the final 10 seconds. Charlotte 109, LA Lakers 104; Denver 125, Chicago 107; Memphis 130, Phoenix 112; Oklahoma City 109, Utah 106; THUNDER 109, JAZZ 106 Detroit 120, Portland 113 (OT); Washington 112, Golden State 108. Russell Westbrook scored 12 of his 43 points in Eastern Conference Western Conference the final 2:05 to help Oklahoma City beat Utah. Atlantic Division Northwest Division Westbrook also had 11 rebounds and 10 assists W L PCT GB Utah 37 23 .617 - for his 30th triple-double of the season and 67th Boston 38 22 .633 - Oklahoma City35 25 .583 2 of his career. Doug McDermott scored 16 points Toronto 36 24 .600 2 Denver 27 33 .450 10 and Enes Kanter added 15 points and nine NY Knicks 24 36 .400 14 Portland 24 35 .407 12.5 rebounds for the Thunder, who trimmed Utah’s Philadelphia 22 37 .373 15.5 Minnesota 24 36 .400 13 Northwest Division lead to two games. Westbrook Brooklyn 9 49 .155 28 Pacific Division scored and was fouled on a transition layup with Central Division Golden State 50 10 .833 - 15.5 seconds to play. He completed the three- Cleveland 41 17 .707 - point play to give the Thunder a 108-106 lead. Indiana 31 29 .517 11 LA Clippers 36 23 .610 13.5 After Jerami Grant hit one of two free throws with Chicago 30 30 .500 12 Sacramento 25 35 .417 25 a second left, Gordon Hayward missed a 3-pointer Detroit 29 31 .483 13 LA Lakers 19 42 .311 31.5 at the buzzer that could have forced overtime. He Milwaukee 26 32 .448 15 Phoenix 18 42 .300 32 led the Jazz with 19 points. Southeast Division Southwest Division Washington 35 23 .603 - San Antonio 45 13 .776 - NUGGETS 125, BULLS 107 Atlanta 33 26 .559 2.5 Houston 42 19 .689 4.5 Nikola Jokic had 19 points, 16 rebounds and Miami 27 33 .450 9 Memphis 36 25 .590 10.5 10 assists for his third triple-double of the sea- Charlotte 26 34 .433 10 Dallas 24 35 .407 21.5 son as Denver rode a second-half surge to beat Orlando 22 38 .367 14 New Orleans 23 37 .383 23 Chicago. Danilo Gallinari scored 22 points and Wilson Chandler added 20 as Denver, which MANILA: This picture taken on January 24, 2017 shows Cameroon’s Benoit Mbala (C, entered the game fourth in the NBA in scoring in black) listening to coach Aldin Ayo (3rd R) during a basketball practice session at (110.6 points per game), posted a 70-48 advan- De La Salle University’s gym in Manila. “Big Ben” cuts an imposing figure, dominat- tage in the second half to erase a halftime ing college basketball in the hoops-crazy Philippines as the best of a wave of African Djokovic returns deficit. Gary Harris and Will Barton had 15 imports on unlikely Asian journeys in search of their NBA dreams. — AFP points apiece for the Nuggets. Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo had 19 points apiece for Chicago, which had its four-game winning with a victory streak snapped. Jimmy Butler finished with just Two uncapped players eight points on 3-for-13 shooting. MEXICO CITY: Novak Djokovic beat Slovakia’s who needed 2:31:19 to defeat American Martin Klizan 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the opening round Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (1). PISTONS 120, TRAIL BLAZERS 113, OT in S Lanka Test squad of the Mexican Open on Tuesday. The win was It will be the first match between them Marcus Morris scored a career-high 37 points, Djokovic’s first since his shocking loss in the since the first round of the Olympic tourna- including Detroit’s first seven in overtime, as the second round of the Australian Open. ment in Rio 2016, when Del Potro, the 2009 US Pistons rallied from a 13-point, third-quarter COLOMBO: Sri Lanka yesterday named two board has not ruled him out of the three “It’s always tough to win the first match but Open winner, ousted Djokovic 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2) deficit to beat Portland. Ish Smith had 12 points, uncapped players in a 15-member squad one-day internationals and the two I’m happy with my game, especially in the first in the first round. Djokovic, who skipped seven assists and seven steals for the Pistons. The led by spinner Rangana Herath for the two- Twenty20 games. The first Test starts in set, hopefully I can keep playing like that,” Dubai for the first time in seven years, is the backup point guard was scoreless heading into Test home series against Bangladesh start- Galle on March 7. Djokovic said. “I have not played since first favorite in Mexico. The second is Spaniard the fourth quarter but gave Detroit a huge lift ing next week. Mathews returned home in January, Australia and I felt out of rhythm out there. Rafael Nadal, who had a comfortable 6-4, 6-3 down the stretch. Damian Lillard had 34 points All-rounder Malinda Pushpakumara, 29, halfway through the South African tour, Klizan is an aggressive player and he’s not win over Mischa Zverev. and 11 rebounds for Portland while falling an was brought into the squad after he led Sri after twisting his ankle. Herath filled in for afraid and I needed to give my best to win it.” Nadal, a two-time winner in Acapulco, will assist shy of his first triple-double. He had only Lanka A to a three-wicket victory over Mathews during Sri Lanka’s tour of The 29-year-old Serbian, ranked No. 2, play Italian Paolo Lorenzi in the next one assist after the start of the fourth, however, England Lions in an unofficial Test on Zimbabwe in November, when he led his played his first tournament since Jan. 19, round.The Spaniard has an 11-0 record in and the Trail Blazers were eventually done in by Monday, the Sri Lankan board said. side to victory in both Tests. when he suffered an unexpected loss to Mexico. Earlier, third-seeded Marin Cilic their inability to take care of the ball. C.J. Fast bowler Vikum Sanjaya Bandara, 25, Sri Lanka squad: Rangana Herath (capt), Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin. Djokovic, making reached the second round with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 McCollum scored 25 points for Portland. was called up for a second time. He was Dimuth Karunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, his debut in Acapulco, saved four break points win over Alexandr Dolgopolov, a wild-card first named into the Test squad in Upul Tharanga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal to take the first set Tuesday, struggled in the entry. The 28-year-old Cilic is struggling this GRIZZLIES 130, SUNS 112 December for the South African tour, but Mendis, Asela Gunaratne, Dinesh second set and needed a tiebreaker to take year with a 4-4 record. He was beaten in the Mike Conley scored 29 points and Marc Gasol did not play. Chandimal, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru down Klizan in about 1 1/2 hours. second round in the Australian Open and added 28 while making all five of his 3-point Sri Lanka’s regular skipper Angelo Kumara, Nuwan Pradeep, Vikum Sanjaya Djokovic, the top seed in Mexico, will play Montpellier and reached the quarterfinals in shots to lead Memphis past Phoenix. Zach Mathews has been left out of the two Tests Bandara, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan against Argentinian Juan Martin Del Potro, Rotterdam.—AP against Bangladesh, but the Sri Lankan Sandakan, Malinda Pushpakumara. —AFP Randolph finished with 23 points and eight THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 SPORTS
Guardiola says Man City owner wants him to stay for ‘long’ time
LONDON: Manchester City manager The Spaniard met Sheikh Mansour They will be happy if we win. I know the return leg in France on March 15. Claudio,” Guardiola added. “We are Pep Guardiola has said the club’s own- for the first time during City’s recent we have to win but I’ve handled that in The manager said he would wait going to talk about (Hart’s future) at er, Arab billionaire Sheikh Mansour bin warm-weather training break in Abu the past and I will in the present.” until the season is over before taking a the end of the season.” “I trust a lot in Zayed Al Nahyan, wants him to stay in Dhabi. “He would like that I stay here City are third in the Premier League, call on the future of several of his play- both and we’ll decide - not just the charge of the club beyond his current for a long, long, long, long time. But of 11 points behind leaders Chelsea, who ers, including goalkeeper Joe Hart. goalkeepers, the midfielders, wingers, three-year contract. course it depends on the results,” have played one game more, and face Hart, who is England’s first-choice strikers, full-backs - we are going to Guardiola, who took over at City Guardiola told British media. “If not, second-tier Huddersfield Town in an keeper, has joined Italian side Torino decide at the end of the season.” before the start of the season, won they would say: What happened? What FA Cup fifth-round replay on on loan, with Guardiola signing Caballero is out of contract in June two Champions League, three La Liga can we do? What do we need to Wednesday. Guardiola’s men also hold Claudio Bravo from Barcelona as a along with midfielders Jesus Navas and two King’s Cup titles as Barcelona improve? That’s the process. To finish a 5-3 advantage from their Champions replacement. Guardiola has rotated and Yaya Toure. So are defenders Gael coach. Two domestic doubles followed the process, they are going to help us. League last-16, first-leg tie against between Bravo and Willy Caballero this Clichy, Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary at Bayern Munich. “We didn’t speak about targets. French side Monaco, who they face in season. “I’m so happy with Willy and Sagna. —Reuters Napoli furious after controversial defeat
TURIN: Juventus came from behind to beat Napoli 3-1 with the help of three favorable penalty decisions in a controversial first leg of their Italian Cup semifinal on Tuesday. Napoli had broken the deadlock with a well- worked team goal in the 36th minute. Lorenzo Insigne and Arkadiusz Milik played a rapid one- two and the former crossed into the box for Jose Callejon to volley in at the back post. But the momentum changed after the break with two contentious penalties awarded to Juventus - and one denied to the visitors. Napoli, which had been in a self-imposed media blackout for more than a week, decided to break its silence after the match. “We haven’t decided to interrupt our media silence, but it seemed right to us to congratulate the lads, who had a great game,” Napoli’s sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli said. “We lost tonight because of decisions that weren’t just debatable, but were shameful and hurt Italian football. “The first penalty shouldn’t have been given, and the second was even less of a penalty because (Napoli goalkeeper Pepe) Reina got the ball ... Ours was a penalty. This referee is shame- ful. Congratulations to the team.” BRIGHTON: Brighton and Hove Albion Goalkeeper David Stockdale (13) during the Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly was judged to Sky Bet Championship Match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle have tripped Paulo Dybala shortly after halftime United at Amex Stadium on Tuesday. —AFP and the Argentina forward dusted himself off before firing the resulting spot-kick into the bot- tom left corner, sending Reina the wrong way. SOCCER Juve’s second penalty came five minutes after former Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain had made it 2-1. Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina appeared to Newcastle late show get the ball but also brought down Juan Cuadrado following a swift counterattack. Dybala converted into the same corner. boosts promotion bid Napoli’s players were also angered by the ref- eree ignoring their claims for a penalty moments earlier for what appeared to be a foul on Raul LONDON: Newcastle moved a step closer gled in the area as they awaited a corner. TURIN: Juventus’ Stephan Lichtsteiner , left, and Napoli’s Lorenzo Insigne vie for the ball dur- Albiol, which led to the counterattack. to the Premier League after staging a dra- Referee Bobby Madley ruled in Murray’s ing the Italian Cup first leg semifinal soccer match between Juventus and Napoli, at the “The result changed only because of the ref- matic fightback to clinch a crucial 2-1 win favour and the striker coolly dispatched the Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy, Tuesday. — AP over Championship promotion rivals penalty. Although Brighton had won all 18 ereeing decisions,” Reina said. “What should I Brighton on Tuesday. of the previous matches in which they had have done on Cuadrado? Disappear? If I get the Higuain by Koulibaly and the forward slotted it “It’s bar talk,” Chiellini said. “After Roma’s win Rafael Benitez’s side climbed above scored first this season, Newcastle always ball I get the ball, it’s not a penalty. in from a tight angle. at Inter on Sunday, everyone talked about refer- Brighton into first place in the second tier looked capable of coming back. “And no one’s talking much about the penalty Higuain, who had netted the winner when eeing decisions and not about Roma’s great per- table thanks to a two-goal burst in the final After spurning a series of chances, the on Albiol,” the Napoli keeper added. “That was the two sides met in the league earlier this sea- formance. And it’s the same thing tonight. We’re nine minutes at the Amex Stadium. visitors luck changed as they drew level in more a penalty than the other... Tonight the son, joined Juventus for an Italian-record 90 mil- used to it, we’re thinking about the actual foot- Trailing to Glenn Murray’s first half the 81st minute. Christian Atsu’s miscued result was decided by refereeing mistakes, the lion euros ($100 million) after scoring a league- ball and the mistakes we made, we will have to penalty, the Magpies equalised through shot spun off Diame and looped into the whole of Italy saw it.” record 36 goals for Napoli last campaign. sweat hard in Naples.” Mohamed Diame’s fortuitous effort before air, eluding Brighton goalkeeper David Higuain’s goal came shortly after the hour. A Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini later The return leg will be played on April 4. The Ayoze Perez bagged the winner just a Stockdale as it went into the top corner. corner was played out to Cuadrado and his brushed off the controversy surrounding the winner will meet either Lazio or Roma, which minute before full-time. Atsu was the catalyst for a more conven- cross into the box was inadvertently headed to penalty decisions. play the first leg of their cup derby later. — AP A 12th win in their last 17 away games tional Newcastle when he got clear down puts Newcastle firmly on course for promo- the left in the 89th minute and crossed for tion. Benitez’s men are two points ahead of Perez to side-foot home from 10 yards. second placed Brighton and eight in front of third placed Huddersfield as they look to JEERED Real Sociedad concedes late secure an immediate return to the Premier Jonathan Kodjia went from zero to hero League following last season’s relegation. against his former club as Aston Villa eased “A lot of things are against us, but the their relegation fears with a 2-0 win over equalizer in draw with Eibar reaction of the team was good,” Benitez Bristol City at Villa Park. said. “Watching the replay of the penalty he Kodjia joined Villa from City last year was pushing our player, you can’t give a and the striker was jeered by the away fans MADRID: Real Sociedad conceded an equalizer Spanish league and establish itself as a top con- evaded a defender before firing a low shot penalty in this type of game. after crashing a first-half penalty against in the final minute of stoppage time to draw 2-2 tender for a Champions League spot. beneath goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli. “But I think we created a lot of good sit- the crossbar. However, the Ivorian scored against Eibar on Tuesday, missing a chance to The hosts were only a few seconds from vic- Instead of earning a fourth win in five match- uations before we got a little bit lucky. And Villa’s 54th minute opener and then set up take fourth place from Atletico Madrid in the tory when Pedro Leon seized on a loose ball and es, the disappointing draw left fifth-place Real Ayoze was calm and composed for the win- Conor Hourihane’s first goal for the club in Sociedad level on 45 points with Atletico, which ner.” It was a bitter blow for Brighton, who the 59th minute as Villa put nine points plays at Deportivo La Coruna on Thursday. are eyeing a place in the top-flight for the between themselves and a struggling City “We were in control and had the match in our first time since 1982-83 after missing out in side now without a win in their last five. hands,” Real Sociedad coach Eusebio Sacristan the play-off semi-finals last season. Struggling Blackburn marked new man- said. “But we let it escape from us at the end.” But despite the frustrating setback, ager Tony Mowbray’s first home game with Juanmi put Real Sociedad in front with a header Brighton boss Chris Hughton, who led a 1-0 win over Derby that improved their in the 14th minute and Gonzalo Escalante lev- Newcastle to the Championship title in survival prospects and dented their visitors’ eled with another header in the 26th. Carlos Vela 2009-10, knows his team still control their play-off push. restored the hosts’ lead by converting a 67th- own destiny in the battle for automatic Former Celtic and West Bromwich minute penalty, with both teams then down to promotion. Albion boss Mowbray was named as Owen 10 men at Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian. “Was it a sickener? Yes, and I don’t think Coyle’s successor last week and has now Eibar defender Florian Lejeune was shown a it was a result we deserved,” Hughton said. taken four points from two games. second yellow card in the 46th and Juanmi was “I generally felt we would go on and win Blackburn’s winner came via a Craig sent off in the 59th, also with a second yellow. the game. Murray had only one goal in his Conway penalty in the 58th minute, mov- Eibar coach Jose Luis Mendilibar was also dis- last nine Championship outings, but it did- ing them level on points with 21st-placed missed, apparently for complaining about the n’t take long for the veteran striker to net Bristol City. Derby, now without a goal in penalty decision. Eibar’s equalizer came after his 17th of the season. three games, have ended a winless Real Sociedad’s defense failed to fully clear a The breakthrough came in the 14th February languishing 10 points behind the long cross. Leon broke into the area and cleared minute when Ciaran Clark and Murray tan- top six. — AFP a defender before striking his left-foot shot. “You have to pay attention to these details that can decide a match,” Real Sociedad defend- er Raul Navas said. Real Madrid leads the league Infantino promises with 55 points, one more than Barcelona. The Catalan club hosts Sporting Gijon on Wednesday. Madrid hosts Las Palmas later on Africa World Cup dream the same day.
NOUAKCHOTT: FIFA president Gianni the World Cup, passed by the FIFA Council VALENCIA 1, LEGANES 0 Infantino promised to come good on a in January, comes into effect for the 2026 France defender Eliaquim Mangala scored a promise to hike Africa’s World Cup finals tournament. The Infantino proposal will 29th-minute winner from a corner to give berths to nine or ten during a visit to the feature 16 first-round groups from which Valencia its third win in four matches. The result impoverished West African state of winners and runners-up qualify for the left the hosts in 12th place with 29 points, com- Mauritania this week. knockout phase. — AFP fortably away from the relegation zone. Promoted “We want everyone to have the right to Leganes, which was coming off a surprising 4-0 dream and how better to do that that tak- rout of Deportivo La Coruna, remained 16th, only ing part in a major event such as a World four points from the relegation zone. It was Cup,” Infantino told a press conference. Leganes’ fifth loss in its last six games. During last year’s hotly contested FIFA Matches on TV elections Infantino promised African feder- (Local Timings) MALAGA 1, REAL BETIS 2 ation chiefs that if elected he would Real Betis scored twice in the second half increase the continent’s meagre five World SPANISH LEAGUE through Jonas Martin and Antonio Sanabria to defeat Malaga and rebound from a home loss to Cup berths in a new look competition fea- Deportivo v Atletico de Madrid 22:45 turing 48 nations rather that the current city rival Sevilla at the weekend. The result ended format of 32. beIN SPORTS the team’s six-game winless run and moved it to “Of the 48 teams scheduled for the 2026 Sevilla v Athletic de Bilbao 23:30 14th place, 10 points above the relegation zone. World Cup nine or ten will be African. We’ll beIN SPORTS SAN SEBASTIAN: Real Sociedad’s defender Alvaro Odriozola (L) vies with Eibar’s defender Ivan Malaga, which has lost two matches in a row, be working on that,” the Swiss head of Ramis (R) during the Spanish league football match Real Sociedad vs SD Eibar at the Anoeta dropped one point behind Betis. Pablo Fornals world football promised. The expansion of stadium in San Sebastian on Tuesday. — AFP scored for the hosts in the first half. — AP Female athletes Napoli furious to develop women’s after controversial sports16 in Kuwait defeat19 to Juventus
THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017
Golf unveils modern set of rules to make it easier to play Page 17
HAMILTON: Martin Guptill of New Zealand bats as South Africa’s Quinton de Kock (L) watches during the one-day international (ODI) cricket match between New Zealand and South Africa at Seddon Park in Hamilton yesterday. — AFP Guptill leads NZ to 7-wicket win over SA
HAMILTON: Opening batsman Martin Guptill returned lievable,” saying it was “probably the best one-day willing for that reason to defer to Guptill, who was so nership that allowed Guppy to play with that freedom.” from injury to score an unbeaten 180 and lead New innings I’ve ever seen on a wicket that wasn’t that easy.” clearly in the zone. But while he took 83 balls to reach Guptill was Man of the Match as his innings sur- Zealand to a seven-wicket win over South Africa in the Guptill, more subdued, said he was simply glad to be his 50 - one more than Guptill needed for his century - passed all achievements in the match and series to date. fourth ODI yesterday, tying the five-match series at 2-2. in the middle again after a long battle with hamstring he reached that milestone with a flourish, striking a No South African batsman has reached a century in the Guptill has been sidelined for the past month with injuries. “It was one of those innings where it all went to towering six off Chris Morris. On his way he passed series so far and De Villiers’ 85 in the last match in hamstring injuries and was making his first ODI appear- plan and Ross and I were able to take it deep,” Guptill Brendon McCullum to place himself third behind Wellington is still their best in four matches. ance since Jan. 30 when he scored 61 against Australia said. “That partnership set it up really nicely. Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle on New Zealand’s De Villiers made a superb unbeaten 72 from 59 balls in Auckland. He shrugged off that enforced layoff, dash- “I had a couple of good nets the last couple of days all-time list of run-scorers in one-day internationals. yesterday to lead South Africa to 279-8 as it batted first ing to his 12th ODI century from 82 balls on a tricky but it’s always nice to go out to the middle and hit a few Many of Guptill’s scoring shots were memorable and after winning the toss. Faf du Plessis fulfilled Taylor’s pitch at Seddon Park. out of the screws.” included two sixes off Morris, one over mid-wicket and subordinate role, scoring 67 from 97 balls, and Hashim Guptill’s 180 from 138 balls contained 15 fours and another over the bowler’s head, which flew almost out Amla made a return to form with 40 from 38 balls, lead- 11 sixes and was the highest score by a New Zealand MILESTONE of the ground. ing the Protea’s recovery after the loss of Quinton de batsman against South Africa, and his unbroken part- Guptill raced to 50 from only 38 balls with six fours Through his Taylor’s efforts the series remains alive Kock in the first over. De Kock’s first-ball dismissal, as nership with Ross Taylor (66) was the highest for all and three sixes. His century contained 12 fours and four and will be decided in the final match in Auckland on New Zealand opened the bowling with spinners for the wickets for New Zealand against the Proteas. sixes and his 150, from 123 balls, had 14 fours and nine Saturday, in which New Zealand has the chance to first time in an ODI at home, ended his run of five con- In partnership, the pair guided New Zealand to their sixes. His total of 180 was the highest percentage of a extend its winning streak in ODI series at home to nine. secutive centuries in one-day internationals, a South winning total of 280-3, surpassing South Africa’s 279-8 winning total for New Zealand in the second innings of “We probably would have liked to restrict them to African record he shares with Jonty Rhodes. with five overs to spare. South Africa captain A.B. de a one-day match. less than that total but for Martin to come out and play Amla contributed 40 of a 65-run second innings part- Villiers called Guptill “unstoppable” and New Zealand Taylor was very much the junior partner in the stand, a hand like that, it was a special knock,” Williamson said. nership with du Plessis, who then steered the South captain Kane Williamson described his innings as “unbe- struggling for much of his innings to find his timing and “Also the way Ross stuck at it. They put together a part- African innings through its middle stages. — AP
SOCCER Alex Teixeira double sparks Jiangsu in Asia
NANJING: Alex Teixeira’s double strike put China’s deep- headed for a shock defeat in South Korea before Alan pocketed Jiangsu Suning on top of their AFC Champions slammed home a loose ball on 81 minutes to keep the League group with a 2-1 win over Adelaide United yes- two-time Asian champions top of Group G. terday. As Chinese rivals Guangzhou Evergrande scram- In pouring rain at Suwon World Cup Stadium, bled a 2-2 draw with Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Evergrande’s Ricardo Goulart had cancelled out Santos’s Teixeira scored an early tap-in and a brilliant solo effort early opener with a stunning half-volley on 25 minutes. late on in Nanjing. Suwon’s Johnathan made it 2-1 shortly afterwards before The match-winning performance by the former Alan, the game’s fourth Brazilian scorer, secured an impor- Liverpool target, a 50-million-euros signing from Shakhtar tant away point for Evergrande with his late equaliser. Donetsk last year, put Jiangsu top of Group H with a maxi- In Group H, Yasuhito Endo’s own goal triggered a col- mum six points. Jiangsu, bankrolled by the Suning group lapse by Gamba Osaka as the first-week table-toppers which also controls Inter Milan, were runners-up to slumped to a 4-1 home defeat to South Korea’s Jeju Evergrande in last year’s Chinese Super League but the United. Japan international Endo nodded the ball into his Asian title looms as a much bigger prize. own net on 44 minutes before Lee Chang-Min doubled They were quickly on top against Adelaide when Jeju’s advantage in first-half injury time. After the break, Teixeira snapped up a rebound from former Chelsea man Marcelo Toscano’s strike and a long-range rocket from Lee Ramires on 14 minutes. Adelaide were threatening to made it 4-0, before Ademilson grabbed a consolation goal equalise but on 72 minutes, Teixeira set off on a run from with one minute remaining. the left, drifting past a defender before nutmegging goal- In Hong Kong, debutants Eastern flirted with their first keeper Daniel Margush. Champions League win before drawing 1-1 with 10-man Substitute forward Eli Babalj grabbed a goal for Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale. Manuel Bleda’s 14th- Adelaide in injury time but there was to be no miracle minute penalty-after Tatsuki Nara’s straight red card-gave comeback for the 2008 Asian finalists and reigning Eastern hope of a morale-boosting win after last week’s Australian champions. Earlier, Brazilian forward Alan crushing, 7-1 defeat to Evergrande. But Eastern, led by struck late to spare Evergrande’s blushes 2-2 against their trailblazing female coach Chan Yuen-ting, had to set- NANJING: Roger Beyker Martinez (L) of China’s Jiangsu FC fights for the ball with Michael Marrone of Australia’s Suwon, just a week after the Chinese giants hammered tle for their first point in the competition after Ko Itakura’s Adelaide United during their AFC Champions League group stage football match in Nanjing, east China’s Hong Kong’s Eastern 7-1. Luiz Felipe Scolari’s team were second-half equaliser. — AFP Jiangsu province yesterday. — AFP Cadillac Alghanim launches 2017 XTS in Kuwait Page 25
Zain, VIVA partner Business to launch first VoLTE interconnection in MENA THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 Page 26 Zain Group enters MoU Boursa Kuwait continues bearish trend with Myca Health Inc Page 22 Page 23
BOGOR, Indonesia: Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo (center right) and Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz (center left) holding hands after their meeting at the presidential palace in Bogor, West Java province. — AFP Saudi announces huge Indonesia investments Countries sign 11 deals as King Salman visits
BOGOR, Indonesia: Saudi Arabia pledged $1 gling, terrorism and drug trafficking. our countries should continue to improve billion in development finance for Indonesia Salman is on a tour of Asian countries to cooperation both in bilateral and internation- and expanded cooperation in other areas, advance the kingdom’s economic and busi- al contexts.” deepening ties with Southeast Asia’s biggest ness interests. On his first stop in Malaysia, Jokowi said he appreciated that Indonesia’s economy as the Saudi king and a huge Saudi Aramco signed a $7 billion deal to take a Hajj quota, which was reduced in the after- entourage arrived yesterday for a 9-day visit. 50 percent stake in a Malaysian oil refinery. math of the 2015 Hajj disasters, had been Enthusiastic crowds lined the route of King Salman will also visit Brunei, Japan, China and restored and expanded for 2017 with 221,000 Salman’s heavily guarded motorcade as it the Maldives, the official Saudi Press Agency pilgrims allowed from Indonesia. arrived in Bogor, near the capital Jakarta, has reported. The first visit of a Saudi monarch The Indonesian government said Salman’s where official events were held at an imposing to Indonesia, the world’s most populous entourage and related delegations number presidential palace. Muslim nation, in nearly a half century gener- about 1,500 people. They have booked out He was earlier welcomed at Jakarta’s Halim ated blanket media coverage. four hotels in a posh Jakarta neighborhood for airport by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Live broadcasts showed the octogenarian the week and about 10,000 police and soldiers the minority Christian governor of Jakarta, Salman exiting his plane at Halim using a have been deployed for security, including for Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who is fighting gold-colored escalator sent from Saudi Arabia Salman’s Bali trip. a tough election battle after being charged for the visit, with a portable lift carrying him Indonesia has said it hopes for $25 billion with blasphemy. the final meter or so to the ground. Salman of new investments from Saudi Arabia. The At a joint news conference, the countries’ will spend six of his nine days in Indonesia two leaders discussed possibilities including foreign ministers affirmed Saudi Aramco and vacationing on the resort island of Bali, a pre- three oil refineries, a power plant and infra- Indonesian oil company Pertamina’s plans for dominantly Hindu part of the Indonesian structure such as roads, housing and sanita- a $6 billion refinery joint venture in Cilacap in archipelago. tion. Aside from the two countries having a central Java. The two countries also signed 11 “As the world’s biggest Muslim nation, common faith, Saudi Arabia employs hun- agreements that included a Saudi commit- Indonesia will always have a special bond dreds of thousands of Indonesians despite a ment to provide $1 billion of financing for eco- with Saudi Arabia,” said Jokowi. “Indonesia government ban on sending domestic work- BOGOR: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz (third left) attends a bilateral meeting nomic development and cooperation to com- and Saudi Arabia are two big countries that ers there following the execution of an at the presidential palace in Bogor yesterday. — AFP bat transnational crime such as people smug- have important influence in the region, and Indonesian maid in 2011. — AP
Uber CEO apologizes US consumer spending slows; inflation ticks up after video shows WASHINGTON: US consumer spending PCE price index jumped 1.9 percent. That December. The core PCE is the Fed’s pre- overnight interest rate last December by him berating driver rose less than expected in January as the was the biggest year-on-year gain since ferred inflation measure. 25 basis points to a range of 0.50 percent largest monthly increase in inflation in October 2012 and followed a 1.6 percent Prices for US Treasuries fell, with the to 0.75 percent. The dollar rose against a WASHINGTON: Uber chief Travis Kalanick has apologized, four years eroded households’ purchasing increase in December. Excluding food and yield on the interest-rate sensitive 2-year basket of currencies, while US stock index acknowledging that “I must fundamentally change as a power, pointing to moderate economic energy, the so-called core PCE price index note rising to its highest level since August futures pared gains slightly. leader and grow up,” after a video showed him verbally growth in the first quarter. rose 0.3 percent in January. That was the 2009. Fed funds futures were pricing in a abusing a driver for the service. The surge in inflation raises the possi- biggest increase since January 2012 and 65 percent chance of an interest rate hike Real spending In a message to Uber employees late Tuesday, Kalanick bility of an interest rate increase from the followed a 0.1 percent gain in December. at the Fed’s March 14-15 policy meeting. Rising price pressures, however, sug- cited the widely circulated video and said he “treated an Federal Reserve this month. While still The core PCE price index increased 1.7 The US central bank has forecast three rate gest that consumer spending will proba- Uber driver disrespectfully.” The incident which circulated below the US central bank’s 2 percent tar- percent year-on-year after a similar gain in increases this year. The Fed hiked its bly not provide a big boost to gross on social media was the latest hit for the image of the get, inflation is now in the upper end of domestic product in the first quarter. global ridesharing giant, which faces accusations of sexu- the range that Fed officials in December When adjusted for inflation, consumer al harassment and a lawsuit contending it misappropriat- felt would be reached this year. The spending fell 0.3 percent in January, the ed Google’s self-driving car technology. Commerce Department said yesterday first drop since August and the biggest in In the dashcam video, Kalanick responded to a driver’s that consumer spending, which accounts three years. Real consumer spending complaint by saying, “Some people don’t like to take for more than two-thirds of US economic increased 0.3 percent in December. responsibility for their own shit. They blame everything in activity, increased 0.2 percent after rising Builders cut back on construction spend- their life on somebody else.” 0.5 percent in December. Economists ing in January by the largest amount in In the message to employees later, Kalanick wrote “To polled by Reuters had forecast consumer nine months, with weakness stemming say that I am ashamed is an extreme understatement.” He spending gaining 0.3 percent in January. from the biggest reduction in government added: “My job as your leader is to lead ... and that starts Consumer spending is likely to remain activity in nearly 15 years. with behaving in a way that makes us all proud. That is supported amid promises by the Trump not what I did, and it cannot be explained away.” administration of sweeping tax cuts and Construction Kalanick also offer his apology to the driver and said increased infrastructure spending. In a The Commerce Department says that the incident shows he needs to work on his leadership. speech to Congress on Tuesday night, construction spending fell 1 percent in “It’s clear this video is a reflection of me-and the criticism President Donald Trump said his econom- January. It was the first decline since we’ve received is a stark reminder that I must fundamen- ic team was working on a “historic tax September and the biggest drop since a tally change as a leader and grow up. This is the first time reform that will reduce the tax rate on our 2.9 percent dip in April. Residential con- I’ve been willing to admit that I need leadership help and I companies” and promised a “massive” tax struction showed a modest gain, while intend to get it.” relief for the middle class. Trump offered private nonresidential activity was flat. Uber is one of the largest investor-backed start-ups no further details. However, spending on government proj- with a valuation estimated at $68 billion, and has opera- Consumer confidence has surged fol- ects tumbled 5 percent, the largest one- tions in dozens of countries and hundreds of cities, even lowing Trump’s election victory, hitting a month drop since March 2002. President as it battles regulators and an established taxi industry. 15-1/2-year high in February. In January Donald Trump wants to sharply increase Kalanick also faced criticism for agreeing to be part of a the personal consumption expenditures spending on government infrastructure business advisory panel for President Donald Trump, but (PCE) price index increased 0.4 percent - projects over the next decade. But his pro- then quit the panel amid a campaign by Trump oppo- the largest gain since February 2013 - after posal is expected to face hurdles winning nents to delete the application. — AFP rising 0.2 percent in December. MIAMI: In this Feb 9, 2016 file photo, shoppers are shown in Miami. US consumer approval in Congress at a time of rising In the 12 months through January, the spending rose at only a sluggish pace in January 2017. —AP budget deficits. — Agencies THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 BUSINESS
Boursa Kuwait continues bearish trend
Bayan Investment Monthly Market Report KUWAIT: Boursa Kuwait ended daily sessions of the month, despite Estate sector was second on the los- January in the red zone. The Price its decline on the monthly level, ers’ list, which index declined by 4.38 Index closed at 6,783.08 points, down where it was able to realize gain in 11 percent, closing at 1,058.38 points, by 0.72 percent compared to the clos- days out of 19 trading day of the followed by the Consumer Services ings of the month before, the month, as it initiated the month with sector, as its index closed at 971.52 Weighted Index decreased by 0.79 a slight increase in the first session, points at a loss of 2.91 percent. The percent after closing at 424.02 points, to be able to reach its highest level Oil & Gas sector was the least declin- whereas the KSX-15 Index closed at during the month at 6,847.96 point. ing as its index closed at 946.12 964.08 points decreasing by 2.16 per- The Index witnessed thereafter a points with a 1.33 percent decrease. cent. Furthermore, last month’s aver- fluctuated performance with a down- On the other hand, last month’s age turnover decreased by 15.36 per- ward direction in general, to end the highest gainer was the Health Care cent, compared to the preceding 9th February session at 6,582.75 sector, achieving 17.79 percent month, reaching KD 45.60 million, point, its lowest level of the month, growth rate as its index closed at whereas trading volume average was down by 3.65 percent compared with 1,398.05 points. Whereas, in the sec- 466.16 million shares, recording a January’s closing. The Index was able ond place, the Basic Materials sector’s decrease of 25.99 percent. in the next few sessions to compen- index closed at 1,308.70 points The three indices of Boursa Kuwait sate a large part of its losses through recording 4.31 percent increase. The recorded limited losses by the end of a fluctuated performance, within the Banks sector was the least growing the month, except for KSX-15 Index that positive range however, but could as its index closed at 977.67 points recorded relatively large losses, as it was not realize growth on the monthly with a 0.68 percent increase. subject to the selling pressures which level until the end of the month, included many traded stocks, especially where its its monthly losses reached Sectors’ Activity the leading and operational ones, the 0.72 percent. The Real Estate sector dominated most declining during the month, a total trade volume during the last which was reflected on the Weighted Weighted Index Performance month of 3.44 billion shares chang- and KSX-15 indices’ performance, the The Weighted Index’s perform- ing hands, representing 38.81 per- most losing indices compared to the ance did not much differ than the cent of the total market trading vol- Price Index. Also, the market witnessed Price Index, as it was able to increase ume. The Financial Services sector at sometimes a fluctuated performance, in 11 sessions out of 19 sessions held was second in terms of trading vol- due to the speculative operations that during the month, where the Index ume as the sector’s traded shares were not absent from affecting the mar- witnessed during the first half of the ing. The Weighted Index returned increase of 0.19 percent to close at price index ended last week record- were 31.86 percent of last month’s ket performance, and concentrated on month a fluctuated performance, after to the red zone and recorded 987.30 point, its highest level during ing 18.01 percent annual gain com- total trading volume, with a total of the small-cap stocks of the market. with a downward trend in general, to losses during most of the second half the month, while it witnessed there- pared to its closing in 2016, while the 2.82 billion shares On the other On the other hand, the Boursa end the session of 13th February at of the month’s sessions, to lose by after a fluctuated performance until weighted index increased by 11.56 hand, the Banks sector’s stocks were Kuwait lost during February around KD 419.05 point, its lowest level of the this all its gains and end the month’s it reached on 13th February its low- percent, and the KSX-15 recorded the highest traded in terms of value; 324.16 million of its market value, as it month, where its losses reached sessions with loss of 0.79 percent. est closing level of the month and 8.93 percent growth. with a turnover of KD 211.09 million reached by the end of the month since the beginning of the month closed at 952.12 point, where its loss- or 24.36 percent of last month’s total about KD 28.17 billion, down by 1.14 1.95 percent. However, the Index was KSX-15 Performance es reached 3.38 percent compared to Sectors’ Indices market trading value. The Financial percent from its value at end of last able thereafter to compensate all its The KSX-15 Index ended the January’s closing. The Index was able Six of KSE’s sectors ended last Services sector took the second January, where it reached then around month’s losses through realizing con- month of February’s trading with loss however in the second half of the month in the red zone, while the oth- place as the sector’s last month KD 28.49 billion. secutive gains during the next cou- of 2.16 percent, despite its ability to month to compensate a part of its er six recorded increases. The turnover of KD 200.86 million repre- ple of sessions, recording its highest record gains in 12 sessions out of 19 losses, through a fluctuated perform- Telecommunications sector headed senting 23.18 percent of the total trading session during the last ance between up and down, to end the losers list as its index declined by Price Index Performance closing during the month on 15th market trading value.-Prepared by The Price Index witnessed a posi- February, with an increase of 0.37 month. The Index was able in the first the month’s trading at 964.08 point. 4.58 percent to end the month’s the Studies & Research Department, tive performance during most of the percent compared to January clos- session of the month to realize an For the annual performance, the activity at 663.30 points. The Real Bayan Investment Co. In India, a new banking system seeking to reach the masses
GREATER NOIDA, India: At a furniture store outside ed to 100,000 rupees (around $1,500) per account- place, like telecom and e-commerce companies. cent growth in the amount of money added to its India’s capital, a salesman scans the manager’s ID and but unlike traditional banks are prohibited from Airtel Payments Bank, owned by India’s largest system and a doubling of daily transactions on its takes her fingerprint on a biometric device attached offering loans and issuing credit cards. telecom service provider Airtel, was the first to app to five million. Having built a massive customer to his cellphone. Within minutes, Meenakshi Sharma They also offer services like ATMs, debit cards and launch. It has enrolled two million people so far base, Paytm is now signing up merchants in small becomes eligible for an account with Paytm, joining online banking. Another problem was not just that through the mom and pop stores in its network towns and rural India. the hundreds of thousands who have signed up to a people did not have bank accounts, but that those where customers top up their phones. At these out- payments banking system that is revolutionizing who did were not using them. lets customers can make deposits for free and with- Targeting tea vendors India’s retail sector. According to a recent report by the McKinsey draw cash for a nominal amount. Other services like It has thousands of employees walking the Before the government’s shock decision in Global Institute, Indians lose more than $2 billion a transfers can be conducted on cell phones. streets signing them up — 3.7 million merchants November to withdraw high-value bank notes from year in income simply because of the time it takes “The affluent, high net-worth person is over- across 1,000 cities and small towns so far-and small circulation, around 90 percent of everyday transac- travelling to and from a bank. banked and always has access to a credit card or an entrepreneurs like tea and vegetable vendors to tions in India were in cash. The sudden cash short- “It is no wonder that because of the time and cost ATM... but the situation at the bottom of the pyramid accept payments through the Paytm wallet. “We age forced millions to join the formal banking sec- required to interact with a bank, many poor and rural is diametrically opposite,” Shashi Arora, chief of Airtel want to bring half-a-billion people into the formal tor for the first time, helping Prime Minister individuals opt instead to use cash for transactions,” Payments Bank, told AFP. “This is digital and paper- economy by 2020,” Deepak Abbot, a senior vice presi- Narendra Modi meet a long-term goal. A country of the report said. less and at a bare minimum cost to that part of socie- dent at Paytm, said. 1.25 billion people, India has only about 132,000 ty that needs it the most.” Digital transactions should also boost govern- bank branches and 218,000 ATMs-just a fraction of ‘Bottom of the pyramid’ Paytm is working on joining Airtel and looking at ment revenues, say experts. “The move to digitiza- which are in rural areas. Those most impacted by the cash ban were the a summer rollout of its payments bank. tion means transactions are now formally record- In this photograph taken on February 27, So in 2015, India’s banking regulator offered same group of people that the payments banks are It has the largest mobile wallet in the country and ed instead of being done in cash like in the past 2017, a customer scans a bar code sign of licenses for what are known as payments banks to supposed to reach-the poor and those in rural areas. its 200 million active users are potential customers and that means the revenue collection will cellphone-based payment system Paytm stop people putting their money under a mattress. To fill that gap, regulators have offered licenses to for its new bank. In the days after the cash ban, it saw absolutely go up,” said Mumbai-based tax consult- at a parking area in New Delhi. —AFP This new model can accept deposits-currently limit- firms that already had large distribution networks in a 700 percent increase in overall traffic, a 1,000 per- ant Uday Ved. —AFP
EXCHANGE RATES
Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Canadian dollar 234.780 Nepalese Rupees 3.860 Hong Kong Dollar 0.037387 0.040137 Turkish lira 83.310 Malaysian Ringgit 69.675 Indian Rupee 0.002651 0.004748 Swiss Franc 307.460 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 44.920 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024 ASIAN COUNTRIES Australian Dollar 237.110 Japanese Yen 0.002636 0.002816 Japanese Yen 2.689 Thai Bhat 9.730 US Dollar Buying 304.950 Turkish Lira 84.230 Kenyan Shilling 0.003019 0.003019 Indian Rupees 4.571 Korean Won 0.000260 0.000275 Pakistani Rupees 2.919 GOLD Malaysian Ringgit 0.065185 0.071185 Srilankan Rupees 2.034 20 Gram 252.060 Bahrain Exchange Company Nepalese Rupee 0.002995 0.003165 Nepali Rupees 2.866 10 Gram 128.950 Pakistan Rupee 0.002672 0.002962 Singapore Dollar 216.060 5 Gram 65.320 CURRENCY BUY SELL Philippine Peso 0.006016 0.006316 Hongkong Dollar 3.946 Sierra Leone 0.000068 0.000074 Bangladesh Taka 3.831 Europe British Pound 0.373797 0.383797 Singapore Dollar 0.212728 0.222728 Philippine Peso 6.132 South African Rand 0.017519 0.026019 Thai Baht 8.756 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Czech Korune 0.003981 0.015981 Danish Krone 0.039532 0.044532 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001682 0.002262 Euro 0. 318472 0.327472 Taiwan 0.009862 0.010042 GCC COUNTRIES Rate for Transfr Selling Rate Norwegian Krone 0.032551 0.037751 Thai Baht 0.008428 0.008978 Saudi Riyal 81.694 US Dollar 306.000 Qatari Riyal 84.142 Romanian Leu 0.084847 0.084847 Canadian Dolla 230.415 Arab Omani Riyal 795.608 Slovakia 0.009181 0.019181 Sterling Pound 380.090 Swedish Krona 0.029732 0.034732 Bahraini Dinar 0.805497 0.813997 Bahraini Dinar 813.470 Euro 324.470 Egyptian Pound 0.013819 0.023072 UAE Dirham 83.408 Swiss Franc 0.296906 0.307906 Swiss Frank 310.255 Turkish Lira 0.079521 0.089821 Iranian Riyal 0.000085 0.000086 Bahrain Dinar 811.180 Iraqi Dinar 0.000188 0.000248 ARAB COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 83.705 Australasia Jordanian Dinar 0.426143 0.435143 Egyptian Pound - Cash 20.450 Qatari Riyals 84.925 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 17.537 Australian Dollar 0.226891 0.238891 Saudi Riyals 82.525 New Zealand Dollar 0.213710 0.223210 Lebanese Pound 0.000158 0.000258 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.230 Jordanian Dinar 432.760 Moroccan Dirhams 0.020153 0.044153 Tunisian Dinar 134.810 Egyptian Pound 19.522 America Nigerian Naira 0.001269 0.001904 Jordanian Dinar 431.290 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.025 Omani Riyal 0.788774 0.794454 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.041 Canadian Dollar 0.226823 0.235823 Indian Rupees 4.580 Georgina Lari 0.138275 0.138275 Qatar Riyal 0.083280 0.084730 Syrian Lira 2.183 Pakistani Rupees 2.918 Saudi Riyal 0.080553 0.081853 Morocco Dirham 30.924 US Dollars 0.302050 0.306450 Bangladesh Taka 3.853 US Dollars Mint 0.302550 0.306450 Syrian Pound 0.001298 0.001518 Philippines Pesso 6.086 Tunisian Dinar 0.130305 0.138305 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Cyprus pound 168.040 Turkish Lira 0.079521 0.089821 US Dollar Transfer 306.150 Asia Japanese Yen 3.695 Bangladesh Taka 0.003532 0.004116 UAE Dirhams 0.081929 0.083629 Euro 327.180 Syrian Pound 2.430 Yemeni Riyal 0.000995 0.001075 Sterling Pound 384.680 Chinese Yuan 0.043091 0.046591 THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 BUSINESS Zain Group enters MoU with Myca Health Inc Partnership to roll out world-class mobile health platform
BARCELONA: Zain Group, a leading monitoring of remote patient care mobile telecom innovator in eight mar- management as needed. kets across the Middle East and Africa, Commenting on the MoU, Bader Al- announces entering a Memorandum of Kharafi, Zain Group Vice-Chairman said, Understanding (MoU) with Myca Health “This collaboration represents the very Inc. (Myca), an innovative Canadian- best of our efforts, combining technolo- based leader in the development of gy and innovation, with the tangible unique proprietary software for scala- improvement of people’s health and ble IT web based platforms. Myca’s well-being and ultimately, their lives. We expertise extends to mobile telephone believe the state-of-the-art digital solu- networks, permitting cost effective and tions offered by Myca complemented by time efficient management of access our local knowledge and strong cus- and delivery of health and medical tomer base in the region will make for services to its users. an extremely impactful interaction.” The MoU between the two organi- Leonard B C Schlemm, Myca Health’s zations provides for the development Chairman, stated, “We are very excited and implementation of a world-class about the prospect of being able to mobile electronic medical health work with the innovating and dynamic record (EMR) platform across Zain’s net- leadership of Zain’s management and work, powered and customized by the technical teams. We strongly believe telco for each specific market. The serv- that the unique product that Myca has ice is in alignment with Goal 3 (Good to offer, developed and refined over Health and Well-Being) of the UN’s many years of extensive research and Global Goals for Sustainable development, will adapt very well to the Development and is planned to be Zain mobile platform and secure Zain’s gradually rolled out across Zain mar- continued leadership in the region in kets in the second-half of 2017. the delivery of mobile telephone servic- Once fully implemented, the project es and applications. We expect that this will allow Zain to offer to its users a con- will also add greatly to improving health trolled and secured mobile interface for outcomes of the region’s population.” access to physician services, scheduling Zain is a leading telecommunications of appointments, non-face to face operator across the Middle East and mobile consultations, and access to Africa providing mobile voice and data electronic prescriptions, among other services to over 47 million active cus- services. The Zain mobile health inter- tomers as of 31 December, 2016. With a face (patient portal) will also include commercial presence in 8 countries, Zain secure storage of all health records on a operates in: Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, BARCELONA: Myca’s representative in Kuwait, Kamran Lari (2nd Left) shakes hands with Bader Al-Kharafi, user’s mobile device, together with Saudi Arabia, Sudan and South Sudan. In health and wellness applications that Lebanon, the Group manages ‘touch’ on Zain Group Vice-Chairman, flanked by Emre Gurkan, Zain Group Chief Strategy & Business Development track nutrition and exercise, and allow behalf of the government. Officer (L) and Jennifer Suleiman, Zain Group Head of Corporate Sustainability (R). Gulf Bank offers prime concierge services for its priority customers A world of bespoke services welcomes premium cardholders
KUWAIT: Gulf Bank offers a wide nance check (service) or paying bills, off by to Kuwait International Other Hospitality Management: array of prime concierge services for renewing license, processing gov- Airport. Valet Parking: Free Valet Planning your special events, secur- its priority customers, through one ernment and legal documents. Parking at select venues around ing a Personal Shopper, Booking of a of Kuwait’s leading concierge Concierge Limo: Luxuriously tai- Kuwait among which is Marina Mall. restaurant, sending flowers or gifts providers, Peacock Concierge. lored Concierge Limo aims to sup- Airport meet-and-assist services: to your loved ones on your behalf, Valued customers can enjoy a series port all of clients’ personal and pro- A fast track service through immi- amongst other. of top-notch facilities when using fessional travel and transportation gration and assistance in issuing Road-side assistance: A 24/7 their premium credit cards needs including pick-up and drop- visas and luggage collection. vehicle recovery service and mobile Through Peacock Concierge, workshop service. holders of Gulf Bank’s VISA Infinite, Peacock Concierge was estab- VISA Signature and MasterCard lished in 2011 within our Kuwait World premium credit cards will office. Peacock Concierge has since benefit from a selection of made rapid and fruitful expansions concierge services, in Kuwait or within our surrounding GCC neigh- PARIS: French Economy and Industry minister Emmanuel Macron (center) even abroad. bors, with global reach. speaks with a farmer as he visits Paris’ international agriculture fair, Dedicated concierge services: A As of 2015, Peacock Concierge Yesterday. —AFP 24/7 Qualified and Bilingual (English offices can now be found in Kuwait, & Arabic) personal assistant reach- Bahrain, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. able on the dedicated line 22969955 As leaders in the region, Peacock Weaker euro helps propel is at the client’s service, to handle Concierge is among the most pro- their requests, finding last-minute fessionally optimized, culturally ori- eurozone factory growth event tickets to concerts, exhibi- ented lifestyle management power- tions, securing high-end dinner houses. They have a keen under- BRUSSELS: Eurozone manufacturing time, clearly suggesting the economy is reservations or making full holiday standing of the daily needs and growth accelerated to a six-year high in gaining is little more traction compared and travel plans in the hotel and air- demands of clients, along with the February as a weaker euro helped drive to where we have been over the course of line of their preference. quality expertise. strong demand for its exports, with recent months,” said Peter Dixon, econo- Messenger service: A speedy and To use Peacock Concierge Visa inflationary pressure showing further mist at Commerzbank. friendly messenger service to han- Infinite, Visa Signature or signs of recovering, a business survey “The other thing I would say is the dle clients’ everyday tasks with MasterCard World cardholders showed. While the upturn in eurozone strength of the sentiment indicator in utmost confidentiality, and efficien- should first activate it by calling the factory activity was not shared by all recent months has probably outstripped cy. Those tasks could be car mainte- dedicated number 22969955 major economies, particularly France, the actual strength of the economy. So prices rose faster across most countries there are lots of positives-but we have to in the region. be a little bit cautious.” The IHS Markit euro zone manufactur- Mixed signals for British economy ing Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to Weaker euro helps 55.4 in February-the highest reading since Renewed optimism about the region’s LONDON: Britain’s factories have started 2017 first three months of 2017. Export order growth fell for two months in a row. The rise in borrow- April 2011 — from 55.2 in January, economic outlook in recent weeks has strongly but consumers are turning more cau- picked up after a dip in January - something ing in the three months to January, while still been buoyed by a weak euro, which although it inched down from a flash esti- tious about borrowing to spend, according to likely to please finance minister Philip strong at nearly 10 percent, was its weakest in mate of 55.5. That reading is well above makes the currency bloc’s exports rela- data which suggested the economy will slow Hammond, who told lawmakers on Tuesday over a year. the 50 mark denoting growth and sug- tively cheap on world markets. The latest after defying the Brexit shock in 2016. The that he hoped stronger net trade and invest- BoE Governor Mark Carney said last month gests a solid pickup in activity. Optimism PMI survey’s new export orders sub-index among euro zone manufacturers about rose to its highest since April 2011 at 55.5, pound’s slump after June’s vote to leave the ment would compensate for weaker consumer he was watching to see if consumers kept up future business is also surging. up from 55.2 in January. European Union helped demand for British demand in 2017. their borrowing to bridge the gap between ris- An index measuring output, which “Euro area manufacturers are reporting exports, but it is unlikely to outweigh the hit to That said, manufacturing only accounts for ing inflation and sluggish growth in their feeds into a composite PMI due out on the strongest production and order book households as the cost of imports rises. about 10 percent of the British economy - far wages, or instead reined in their spending. The Friday, jumped to 57.3, which was also growth for almost six years, in what’s The picture of Britain’s economy given by a less than the roughly two thirds of spending in BoE has shown it is in no rush to raise record the highest in nearly six years. The flash looking like an increasingly robust monthly survey of the manufacturing sector the economy which is driven by consumers. low interest rates as it waits to see how the composite PMI suggested economic upturn,” said Chris Williamson, chief busi- and separate Bank of England data on borrow- Markit said the real Brexit test had yet to economy copes with uncertainty about Brexit. growth of 0.6 percent in the first quarter. ness economist at IHS Markit. “This year ing hinted at a slight shift in the drivers of the come. “The big question remains as to whether The housing market has shown fewer Separate data showed German unem- has seen firms more optimistic about the country’s surprisingly strong growth since the robust growth can be sustained or whether it signs of a slowdown. The BoE said mortgage ployment fell more than expected in future than at any time since the region’s referendum. will continue to wane in the coming months,” approvals - a gauge of future activity - rose February, with the jobless rate holding at debt crisis. Companies are reporting Despite a bigger-than-expected slip in Rob Dobson, an economist at IHS Markit, said. to an 11-month high in January and mort- 5.9 percent, the lowest since German stronger demand in both home and February in its measure of manufacturing, The BoE’s credit data added to recent signs gage lender Nationwide reported an unex- reunification in 1990. export markets, with the weakened euro Markit said the sector looked on track for one that consumer demand is softening. pected pick-up in price growth, though it “Certainly if you look at eurozone man- providing an accompanying tailwind to of its best performances of the past seven For the first time since mid-2012, year-on- still expected growth to slow to 2 percent ufacturing, it is the highest for quite some help drive sales.” years with growth of 1.5 percent likely in the year growth in unsecured consumer borrowing this year. —Reuters
ABK announces winners of 43rd Japan will tell US to respect WTO rules, says Abe aide ‘Double Your Salary’ weekly draws TOKYO: Japan will tell the United States in work for economic dialogue to discuss trade Japan’s hopes to avoid trade friction by KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) weekly draws to double their salaries. their economic talks that any border tax and infrastructure investment. The two coun- reminding Trump that the trade relationship held its 43rd ‘Double Your Salary’ Existing customers who are already the US government imposes on imports tries have not set a schedule for their talks. has changed a lot since the 1980s, Nishimura. weekly draw on 20th February, 2017 transferring their salary to ABK are should not break World Trade Organization Trump has spoken positively about a 20 Japanese automakers now produce a lot of at the Bank’s Head Office in the pres- entered into a separate draw. rules, an adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo percent border adjustment tax being pushed cars in the United States, which dovetails with ence of a representative from the For more information about Al Ahli Abe said yesterday. by Republicans in Congress as a way to boost Trumps repeated pledges to create more jobs, Ministry of Commerce, announcing Bank of Kuwait please visit eahli.com Yasutoshi Nishimura also said Japan exports, but it is still uncertain if he will fully Nishimura said. Japan is interested in using the names of the winners for this or contact a customer service agent would not rule out a bilateral trade agree- endorse the proposal. Trump, who has lashed the new dialogue with the United States to week. The promotion includes weekly via ‘Ahlan Ahli’ at 1899899. ment with the United States, but talks may out at US companies for moving operations talk about infrastructure investment, boosting draws, with two winners per draw. not start soon because Washington is put- and jobs to countries such as Mexico, had other types of direct investment and US shale The campaign will run until 27th ting a higher priority on renegotiating the previously sent mixed signals on the border gas imports, Nishimura said. June, 2017. North America Free Trade Agreement. “We adjustment tax. Some economists and policymakers are don’t want any border tax to violate WTO Some Japanese policymakers grew con- worried that the United States could use the The winners this week are: rules by becoming a tax system intended to cerned about US protectionism and a return dialogue framework to criticize Japan’s cur- • Ohoud Jaafar Essa AlMusawey, promote exports,” Nishimura told Reuters in to 1980s trade friction after Trump criticized rency policy and its aggressive monetary eas- Qurain Branch an interview. Japanese auto imports shortly after taking ing Nishimura expressed confidence that • Siju Vayalamannil Chacko, Jleeb “Our position is WTO rules and multilater- office in January. Trump has since softened Japan could avoid such criticism, saying Al-Shyoukh Branch alism are important and we want to lobby for his rhetoric on Japan following a summit Japan needs easy monetary policy because it New customers who transfer their that.” Abe and US President Donald Trump meeting with Abe where the two leaders is still in deflation and that foreign exchange salary to ABK receive KD 100 and will agreed last month to establish a new frame- agreed to hold the economic dialogue. levels are determined by markets. —Reuters automatically be entered into the THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 BUSINESS Dollar firms on Fed rate talk, Trump spending pledge
LONDON: The dollar rose yesterday after two even if detail was distinctly lacking,” said structure spending and tax cuts would fire day as attention turned to President private infrastructure spending and top Federal Reserve officials suggested US Mike van Dulken, head of research at up the world’s top economy. However, his Donald Trump’s speech to Congress for “massive” tax cuts for the middle class. interest rates could rise this month, while Accendo Markets. lack of clarity in recent weeks has led to clues on what might be ahead for “There was no surprise and nothing Donald Trump’s speech to Congress boosted “A stronger US dollar, after hawkish com- some uncertainty, trade, regulations and taxes. Tokyo concrete,” Tomohiro Nishida, dealer at European stocks. ment from the Fed’s Dudley is also offering while there are also concerns the presi- shares rose in early afternoon trading Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, said of the In Washington, President Trump’s much- helpful weakness in the pound and euro to dency has been enveloped with controversy yesterday, in a muted reaction to US remarks. “But there was also no disap- anticipated address to both houses of boost the FTSE and DAX.” Investors shifted that has caused division in the country. President Donald Trump’s congression- pointment as he touched upon his key Congress was short on detail but provided into the US unit after New York Fed president Sydney stocks shed 0.1 percent as traders al speech which offered few fresh economic policies.” Japan’s benchmark enough to keep traders mainly upbeat. The William Dudley said there was a strong case brushed off news Australian growth hit 1.1 details on his economic growth plans. Nikkei 225 gained 0.5 percent in morn- tycoon pledged $1.0 trillion in public-private for borrowing costs to rise, while his San percent in the October-December quarter, Dealers were keen to see if Trump ing trading to 19,222.56. Australia’s infrastructure spending and “massive” tax Francisco counterpart John Williams averting a technical recession of two- would offer a more specific blueprint on S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.6 percent at cuts for the middle class, but he did not say expects such a move to get “serious consid- straight quarters of contraction, thanks to a what he has described as a “phenome- 5,676.90. But Hong Kong’s Hang Seng how any of it would be paid for. eration” when the bank meets this month. pick-up in exports and household spending. nal” tax-cut plan and big infrastructure added 0.4 percent to 23,824.17, while In European trade, London stocks rallied There was little reaction to Chinese fig- spending, promises that stoked a global the Shanghai Composite rose 0.5 per- to stand 0.9-percent around the half-way ‘Trump rally’ ures showing manufacturing activity grew equities rally. But the wide-ranging cent to 3,257.53. South Korea’s markets stage, while Frankfurt and Paris each scored The greenback’s rally also provided fresh more than expected last month. The remarks offered little new on Trump’s were closed for a holiday. Australia’s gains of approximately 1.5 percent in value impetus for Tokyo stocks, but Asia’s region- improvement in the purchasing managers proposals for the world’s top economy. S&P ASX/200 fell 0.5 percent to compared with Tuesday’s closing levels. al markets were subdued despite forecast- index follows a series of upbeat readings He pledged $1.0 trillion in public- 5,685.00. —Agencies “Equities are embracing a more Presidential beating readings on Chinese factory activi- from Beijing that suggest the world’s num- Trump whose congressional address ty and Australian growth. Markets have ber two economy may have turned a corner offered just enough to rekindle bullishness- surged since Trump’s November election after years of slowing growth. infrastructure, defense spend, tax breaks- victory on expectations his plans for infra- Asian markets were mostly higher yester-
TOKYO: A postman looks at an electronic stock indicator of a securities firm in Tokyo yesterday. Global markets were mostly higher yesterday after US President Donald Trump delivered a relatively upbeat speech to the US Congress. —AP THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 business Cadillac Alghanim launches 2017 XTS in Kuwait XTS delivers the space, elegance and dramatic presence
KUWAIT: The Cadillac XTS is one of the most Like the exterior, the XTS’s cabin extolls a technologically advanced production cars in multidimensional philosophy in a bold, ele- the brand’s history, delivering the space, ele- gant design that is also very efficient in the gance and dramatic presence that are brand ways it encompasses passengers and cargo. signatures, all in a unique package tuned for It represents Cadillac’s expression of luxury a new generation of luxury customers. also in its use of authentic materials and Tailored to provide roominess in a more unprecedented connectivity. Vsport efficiently sized package. It offers more inte- Collection models feature a fully wrapped rior space than midsize luxury cars and is leather interior with microfiber sueded head- comparable to full-size sedans, particularly in liner, as well as premium wood trim on the the rear seat area, where it has 1,016 mm (40 steering wheel, console, center stack, instru- inches) of rear legroom. That’s about four ment panel and door panels. more inches than competitors. Seating trim is offered with Soleil Keisel And when it comes to trunk space, the leather seating surfaces or premium Opus XTS is in a league of its own, with 509 L (18 full leather - both with perforated detailing. cubic feet), exceeding both midsize and full- Heated and ventilated seats are also offered. size competitors. For XTS customers, the car- At the heart of CUE, the vibrant, eight- go advantage means room for five or more inch-diagonal LCD multi-touch sensitive suitcases. screen - with proximity sensing and haptic XTS’s hardware and spatial dimensions are feedback - is seamlessly integrated in the top the foundational layers that support excep- of the central instrument panel. It displays tional surface detail. Multidimensional ele- CUE’s home page, which resembles a smart- ments, including the grille, headlamps and phone screen, with large, easy-to-target accent lighting, coalesce to give the XTS a icons that execute commands. Capacitive presence and attention to detail unlike any technology on the screen and faceplate Cadillac that has come before it. enables consumers to use the same “swipe,” The Cadillac Twin-Turbo 3.6L V-6 head- The XTS’s surface details also convey a “pinch” or “spread” gestures common to most lines the XTS’s powertrain lineup and is stan- more nuanced design philosophy, bringing popular smartphones and tablets. dard on Vsport models, delivering SAE-certi- elegance with refined, graceful forms and CUE also provides phone integration tech- fied 410 horsepower (306 kW) and 369 lb-ft surfaces working harmoniously with estab- nology with Apple CarPlay, which allows of torque (498 Nm) - making it one of the lished Cadillac linear forms. smartphone users to connect with applica- most power-dense six-cylinder engines in Nine exterior colors are offered: Red tions such as navigation, hands-free text the segment. The XTS’s standard 3.6L V-6 is Passion Tintcoat, Dark Adriatic Blue Metallic, messaging, entertainment and news directly rated at 304 horsepower (226 kW) and 264 Crystal White Tricoat, Radiant Silver Metallic, through the display screen. Inductive wire- lb-ft of torque (355 Nm). Lightweight fea- Black Raven, Stellar Black Metallic, Phantom less charging is also new and allows users to tures help reduce overall weight for greater Grey Metallic, Deep Amethyst Metallic and charge their compatible smartphone with- efficiency and a more favorable front-to-rear Bronze Dune Metallic. out the need to plug it in. weight balance.
The engines are matched with six-speed where in the Middle East for four years (unlim- automatic transmissions with tap-shift control. ited miles) plus a courtesy transportation and a replacement vehicle upon availability. Premium Care Program Adding to the luxury experience, Cadillac Yusuf Ahmed Alghanim & Sons offers its customers in Yusuf Ahmed Alghanim Automotive’s showcases the company’s com- the highest quality of services. The service mitment to enhance customers’ unique center is equipped with a large variety of the Cadillac experience by offering customers most advanced equipment operated by a peace of mind with a comprehensive insur- team of skilled professionals and effective ance program. In addition, all Cadillac owners consultants who ensure timely service. will enjoy service and maintenance for four Visit Cadillac Alghanim showroom today years or 100,000 km, warranty for 4 years or at the Fourth Ring Road next to Safat 100,000 km, 24-hour roadside assistance any- Alghanim. NBK awarded ‘Best Private Bank for 2017 in Kuwait’ Euromoney recognition for ninth year in a row
KUWAIT: For the ninth year in a row, National financial centers, NBK has always maintained a ment. For more information on this award Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has been awarded the dominant and advanced position to provide the please visit www.euromoney.com; “Best Private Bank for 2017 in Kuwait” in best banking and investment solutions that cov- NBK continues to enjoy collectively the high- Euromoney’s Annual Survey surpassing global ers a wide range of international markets, taking est credit ratings in the region from the three banks in wealth management and private into consideration the specific profile of each international rating agencies Moody’s, Fitch banking services. NBK topped the list of nomi- and every customer,” noted Ezzedine. Ratings and Standard and Poor’s. The Bank’s rat- nees, outmatching renowned international “I take this opportunity to express my sin- ings are supported by its high capitalization, banks in the field of Private Banking Services. cere thanks and gratitude to both the trust of prudent lending policies, and its disciplined BARCELONA: Visitors check the new Nokia 3310 at the Mobile World Congress Euromoney’s Annual Survey data is com- NBK clients as well as the invaluable efforts of approach to risk management, in addition to its in Barcelona yesterday. The Mobile World Congress that started on 27 Feb will piled from the industry’s experts and analysts the Private Banking team at NBK that enabled highly recognized and very stable management end today. — AP worldwide. NBK’s Best Private Bank award the bank to win such a prestigious title,” said team. NBK was also named among Global include: “Best Private Bank in Kuwait”. Ezzedine. Finance’s list of the 50 safest banks in the world Phonemakers chase niche Mahmoud Ezzedine, NBK’s Deputy General Euromoney is a leading British Financial for the eleventh consecutive time. Manager, Private Banking Group, received the magazine that organizes annually this event. NBK enjoys the widest banking presence markets with key features awards at a glittering dinner and awards cere- The Private Banking Awards event covers over with a local and international network reaching mony recently held in London. 60 countries each year. The results are voted by 4 continents. NBK’s international presence BARCELONA: Phones rugged enough to Help for seniors “Awarding NBK the prestigious title of “the experts and analysts worldwide. The results are spans many of the world’s leading financial survive falling from the sky or resistant to Bullitt released a Kodak smartphone in Best Private Banking Services in Kuwait” for also based on other major criteria such as the centers including New York, Europe, GCC, foaming hand soap-just some of the spe- December that features a retro design another year, surpassing renowned global services provided, asset management, wealth Middle East, Singapore as well as China cial features mobile phonemakers are and a high-powered camera and software banks and financial institutions, reflects the management and client relationship manage- (Shanghai). offering to appeal to niche markets. with exceptional tools to edit images. constant confidence the customers vest in NBK “The smartphone market is so enor- “We have got a huge list of niches that and their appreciation of the outstanding quali- mous that even having a phone that is you could enter,” said Stephens. Swedish ty of its services and products,” said Ezzedine. targeting a niche can still sell hundreds telecoms firm Doro began focusing on “This award is another testimony of NBK’s lead- of thousands, if not millions of units over creating easy-to-use phones for the elder- ing position as the highest-rated bank in the its life,” said Ian Fogg, head of mobile ly a decade ago and is now the market Middle East and among the 50 safest banks in research firm IHS. “1.5 billion smart- leader in Europe in this segment. The the world.” phones will ship in 2017. Even a compa- devices feature large icons, easy menus He added “the excellent, strong and durable ny that is targeting a fraction of a percent and loud, clear sound as well as an alarm relationships NBK has always maintained with can still have a product with very signifi- button that can be used to alert relatives its high net-worth customers, enabled the bank cant volumes.” in case its user needs help. to assume a unique and leading position in the Several “niche phones” were on dis- The company also makes it possible to field of wealth management and private bank- play at the four-day Mobile World manage its smartphone’s settings ing on both local and regional markets. NBK Congress in Barcelona which wraps up through a web service so more tech-savvy also succeeded in maintaining the highest serv- today seeking to attract markets ranging friends or family can help users add con- ice quality standards while consistently from adventure sport enthusiasts to busy tacts or adjust the device’s volume from endeavoring to provide the most innovative mothers. Bullitt Group, a small British miles away. “We realised that there was a spectrum of investment and wealth manage- firm, showcased its extremely rugged segment in the market that nobody was ment products and solutions to satisfy the phones that carry the branding of US really focusing on and that has a real increasingly changing needs of customers.” construction giant Caterpillar which can need. Seniors feel lost, they feel aban- “Thanks to its largest local and international withstand heat up to 120 degrees Celsius doned,” said Doro’s marketing manager network strategically located in the major world (248 degrees Fahrenheit) and tempera- Caroline Kristensson Helin. Smartphones tures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius. with extra strong security measures to The devices are also waterproof and prevent hacking were also on display that come with a thermal imaging camera. target financial sector employees. Cars of the future to become ‘mobile phones on wheels’ Bullitt sells over a million Caterpillar phones a year. They are popular with ski Reaching customers BARCELONA: The car of the future will let you pay cybersecurity perspective,” said Jeff Massimilla, centre, a group of 200 engineers, to update its instructors, builders and others with Japan’s Kyocera launched a new smart- for petrol or parking directly from your vehicle head of cybersecurity at General Motors, during a connected software. rugged jobs or who like outdoor activi- phone last month that is resistant to and receive traffic alerts and restaurant recom- discussion at the MWC. This is the industry’s ties. The phones have an ardent fan base. foaming hand soap and includes an app mendations from your onboard digital assistant. biggest worry: hacking. A hacker could easily take ‘Bandwidth issues’ Videos posted on YouTube by satisfied that allows users to scroll through recipes Connected cars-or “mobile phones on wheels”- over a car’s network and disable brakes, the trans- The success of connected vehicles will also customers show the devices surviving using just hand gestures. The features are will be able to do those things and more, includ- mission, or simply shut the car down. hinge on the ability of an internet network to falls into fresh cement, falling down a convenient “for people like busy mothers,” ing communicate with each other on the road And that worry is hardly unfounded: enable lightning-quick downloads or support flight of stairs or being run over by a car. said the company’s general manager for and with the infrastructure around them through Connected cars were hacked in 2015 during test- split-second activities, such as the automatic traffic “We have even had one of our phones strategic business planning, Takashi their computer networks. ing. According to data presented Monday by movement of driverless cars. The current 4G stan- fall out of someone’s backpack when Nohara. However, reaching customers And they will, of course, be able to drive them- Masayoshi Son, chief executive of telecoms giant dard enables fast broadband access via mobile they were parachuting and land and who may be interested in a niche phone selves. Prototypes, fitted with the next generation SoftBank, cyberattacks against connected smart phones, but government and manufacturers work afterwards. It got banged up on the can be a challenge, said David Eberle, the 5G wireless communications network, turned objects-objects with internet connectivity-have see the next generation enabling connection way down but it was still working,” said vice president of French firm Crosscall heads at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in multiplied by four and five times between 2015 speeds of up to 1,000 times faster than current Bullitt’s chief executive Peter Stephens. which makes phones geared for outdoor Barcelona.But as the excitement and novelty over and 2016. To mitigate the risks, telecom and vehi- ones. “When there will be many (connected) cars Bullitt plans to launch a Land Rover- activities. “Most users do not know that connected cars grows, vehicle, tech, and telecom cle firms have teamed up to enhance collabora- on the roads, there will be flow and bandwidth branded phone later this year that tar- something else exists in the market,” he firms are struggling with how to handle the tion. “We cannot do it alone,” said tech executive issues to make the system work,” said Guillaume gets adventurers. The company is reluc- said. The company sells its phones in inevitable legal and ethical issues. Add to that the Ogi Redzic, who heads the connected vehicles Crunelle, an automotive analyst at Deloitte. The tant to reveal details but Stephens said it sporting goods stores. “The real challenge risk of cyberattack and reliability issues surround- services at Renault-Nissan. Renault-Nissan part- new, fifth generation of mobile networks is expect- will “have elements that appeal to some- for these small brands, these small niche ing a fast and stable internet connection and con- nered with Microsoft last September, and its cars ed to enable communications between cars and one who is away from energy sources for products, is finding what volumes do they nected cars face many obstacles before they can plan to use Microsoft Cortana as a digital assistant. infrastructure, automated manoeuvres such as a very long time”. need to be profitable,” said Fogg. — AFP ever be set loose. Three years ago, Volkswagen acquired overtaking and braking, and emergency warning “Connected cars pose a significant risk from a Blackberry’s European research and development and call systems, among others. — AFP THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 business
Zain, VIVA partner to launch first VoLTE interconnection in MENA
KUWAIT: Zain and VIVA, Kuwait’s leading telecom Kuwait Telecommunications Company VIVA, com- operators, jointly announced the successful estab- mented: “We believe it is vital to foster close partner- lishment of the first Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) intercon- ship with “Zain” and “Huawei” in the Kuwaiti telecom nection in the Middle East and North Africa region in market, to continue providing unique services and partnership with Huawei, a leading global ICT solu- products that satisfy the aspirations of our cus- tions provider. The announcement was made during tomers. At VIVA, we have pledged to enrich the lives the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2017 held in of our customers through our innovative strategy Barcelona, Spain in the presence of executive man- and vision not only as a technology leader, but also agement representatives from Zain, VIVA, Huawei, as a truly customer-centric company. and the GSMA. Lan Yun, Vice president of Huawei ME region, The GSMA led initiative, a first in the MENA commented: “It is a valuable step forward to enrich region, will allow a seamless and direct VoLTE-to- the lives of Kuwait’s people. We hope that Huawei VoLTE HD voice experience between Zain and VIVA can have more contributions to the Kuwaiti tele- customers. The connectivity was established in a com industry in the coming future and build a bet- record time of five months, surpassing previously ter connected Kuwait.”. established records. The contribution of Huawei’s “This is a positive step for the region and will pro- highly-flexible infrastructure and expertise was key vide subscribers of all networks with enhanced call- to the success of the interconnection and the record ing and messaging experiences,” said Alex Sinclair, time achieved. Chief Technology Officer, GSMA. “In particular, all par- Nabeel Mohammed, Chief Technical Officer of ties are to be congratulated for completing a compli- Zain Kuwait, commented: “Zain’s strategic vision is cated process in an incredibly short time frame. We BARCELONA: Nabeel Mohammed, Chief Technical Officer of Zain Kuwait, and Eng Zarrar Khan, Chief centered around innovation and technological hope this example will encourage other markets and Technology Officer at VIVA, with Huawei and GSMA officials at Barcelona. advancement, being the leading telecom company regions around the world to follow suit.” in Kuwait. Every investment we make is based on the Voice over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE) is a stan- voice and meets the rising demand for richer, more improve customers’ experience. Additionally, cus- prospect of improving customer experience, now dard for high-speed wireless communication for reliable and clear voice services. tomers making connections on the LTE network and into the future. This latest agreement, in partner- mobile phones and data terminals. Voice calls over VoLTE brings users a number of significant while on a phone call will be able to do so in a ship with VIVA and Huawei is a prime example of LTE are recognized as the industry-agreed progres- improvements. The service enhances the overall user smooth manner without any time lag on the existing innovation and collaboration in the Kuwaiti telecom sion of voice services across mobile networks, experience without interrupting their LTE Internet phone call. The VoLTE advancement technology sector on a regional level.” deploying LTE radio access technology as it provides experience. Connection times will be significantly offers users the chance to perform a clear phone call Eng. Zarrar Khan, Chief Technology Officer at a more efficient use of spectrum than traditional shorter, which will come to complement and while surfing the internet in full speed capacity.
Jazeera Airways building new generation of Kuwaitis for Aviation Industry
KUWAIT: Jazeera Airways, the first private Resources, Flight Operations Ground airline in Kuwait and the Middle East, Handling, Flight Control, among others - to recently announced the launch of its obtain a 360 degree view on the airline Graduate Development Program (GDP), business and hands-on experience. In the aimed at growing the Kuwaiti talent in the final phase, the graduates receive technical aviation industry. GDP consists of a six- training on the operating procedures in the month training program across various aviation industry. divisions in Jazeera Airways. At the end of Upon successful completion, all high the program, graduates will have a full potential participants are offered the understanding of the commercial aviation opportunity to be part of Jazeera Airways business and technical fields and expand career progression scheme. their employment opportunities in the pri- This program serves as a testimony to vate sector. the Jazeera Airway’s trust in the young This pioneering, ambitious program is generation and its drive to continuously open to fresh graduates from a wide range inject new energy to its remarkable of disciplines seeking hands-on profession- work-force. al experience working with best-in-class Commenting on the GDP, Dr. Rami Al- companies committed to providing the Semaani, VP Human Capital at Jazeera young generation with opportunities to Airways, said: ‘We are committed to help- deepen their knowledge and skills in a ing shape the future of the Kuwaiti youth competitive environment. It also serves as and this dynamic training program is an a mandatory passage of all entry level ideal vehicle to achieve this. Since its incep- employees at Jazeera Airways. tion, the program has attracted thousands Thirty successful candidates were of candidates demonstrating the willing- selected to join the GDP program, who ness of our country’s graduates to acquire now are part of Jazeera’s Human Capital. new skills and their trust that Jazeera The program runs through three different Airways is their partner in growth.’ Nissan launches its all-new crossover ‘Kicks’ across the Middle East phases - each providing a unique learning The Graduate Development Program opportunity. During the first month, the falls under the Jazeera Airways Corporate participants are introduced to Jazeera’s Social Responsibility strategy, which places Nissan launches its all-new policies and procedures, code of conduct, great importance on promoting education, employee manual and management princi- innovation and creativity. The airline ples. The second phase, which runs over 4,5 remains committed to supporting value- crossover ‘Kicks’ across ME months, sees the participants rotate across adding projects in the future as it seeks to the various departments - Engineering, create positive change and remain an Sales, Marketing, Finance, Safety, Human inspiration to its society. Crossover to redefine segment with class leading innovation, style and practicality
KUWAIT: Nissan has launched the first models to realize the concept Using four cameras, placed at computer, audio system and naviga- all-new Nissan Kicks compact of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, ini- the front and rear of the car and in tion systems, as well as displaying crossover in the Middle East, its lat- tially presented at the Geneva Auto both door mirrors, AVM creates a warnings. Vehicle settings can be est addition to the crossover seg- Show in 2016. bird’s eye 360-degree view of the easily adjusted using the four-way ment. The all-new Nissan Kicks was car which can be displayed on the selector on the steering wheel. first rolled out in Rio de Janeiro, Intelligent mobility central monitor and used as a Among a host of comfort and Brazil during the 2016 Summer Nissan Intelligent Mobility uses parking aid. safety technologies included in Olympics held there, and is poised smart, relevant technology to make When the MOD system detects a Kicks, its chassis control, supported to add a whole new dimension to the driver’s life easier while also moving object - a pedestrian, for by advanced electronic systems the compact end of the crossover making advances towards Nissan’s example - a warning is sounded to known as Active Trace Control, field in more than 80 countries. long term goal of zero emission alert the driver to the hazard and Active Ride Control and Active Samir Cherfan, Managing and zero fatality motoring. Nissan prevent a potential accident. Engine Brake, is a truly outstanding Director of Nissan Middle said: “The Kicks targets young people who are Technology-loving Kicks owners feature. all-new Nissan Kicks was developed Active Trace Control is an inno- with the modern urban commuter vation that intervenes during driv- in mind, with the aim of delivering ing through corners to ensure the the most innovative, stylish and intended trajectory is maintained functional crossover in its class. by discreetly applying brakes to These commuters will appreciate wheels individually. This has the the car’s ability to deal with the effect of preventing a sudden loss rough and tumble of the urban jun- of grip or stability. gle courtesy of its advanced chassis Similarly, Active Ride Control, control technology. They will also applies the brakes for a split-second love the ease of parking thanks to after the car has encountered large Burgan Bank will soon announce the Around View Monitor and the undulations in the road, to reduce amazing functionality of the 7-inch the “bounce” effect on the suspen- Al-Thuraya account draw winner color touchscreen. From the cosset- sion. This simple, effective solution is ing interior to the bold styling to the lighter and less complex than KUWAIT: Burgan Bank will soon be features range from the option to hold advanced technology, everywhere expensive and heavy adaptive announcing the lucky winner of its Al- money in Kuwaiti dinar and any other you look on the car there is evidence damping systems. Thuraya Salary Account. The winner will major currencies, access to account-relat- to back up our belief that Kicks will To counter the “coasting” effect be granted a Nissan Patrol SUV. The draw ed services such as standing orders, be a big hit with young people all often associated with automatic and rewards new and existing customers loans and credit cards and much more. over our region.” early adopters of such technology will relish the convenience and sim- CVT gearboxes, Kicks is equipped who transfer their salary to Burgan bank The account has been further developed The newcomer is aimed square- and who appreciate and embrace plicity of the suite of systems that with Active Engine Brake. When the a chance to win a Nissan Patrol SUV in response to offering more benefits ly at urban driving environments the way it can both simplify urban are accessible via the centrally accelerator is released, typically every month. and increasing chances to win. and combines a robust exterior driving and connect them more mounted 7-inch colour touchscreen. approaching a corner, engine brak- The draw is part of Burgan Bank’s Customers’ wishing to open an Al- and elevated driving position with easily to what matters. The These functions include navigation, ing is applied to stabilise the speed. approach of rewarding loyal customers Thuraya account can do so by simply vis- compact dimensions for agile per- Intelligent Mobility technology audio, and Bluetooth phone con- In terms of its visual appeal, Kicks with higher chances of winning while iting the nearest Burgan Bank branch formance and manoeuvrability. present in Kicks aims to reduce nections. Complementing the features established Nissan design encouraging new customers to benefit and obtain all the necessary details, or The body features an advanced stress for drivers through innova- touchscreen, and ideally located in signatures such as the V-motion from the bank’s unique offerings. With simply call the bank’s call center on aerodynamic design, which opti- tions such as the Around View front of the driver, a further screen in grille which dominates the car’s the monthly draw, every KD 10 available 1804080. For further information, cus- mizes fuel consumption and mini- Monitor (AVM) and the Moving the main cluster of dials relays infor- front end. Also present are the in the account provides the customer a tomers can also visit the bank’s website mizes noise. Kicks is also one of the Object Detection system (MOD). mation from the on-board drive boomerang head and taillights, and chance to win. The Al-Thuraya Account’s on www.burgan.com. the “floating” coupÈ-style roof with a “wrap-around visor” look to the windscreen and side glass. The spa- cious interior too, is instantly recog- nizable as a Nissan design thanks to the “gliding wing” shape stretching the width of the dashboard. Underlining the car’s crossover stance and inherent strength is its generous ground clearance (200mm), which helps provide a commanding driving position and a high eye point for excellent all round visibility. Nissan Kicks has class-leading fuel efficiency thanks to its advanced 1.6-liter engine and lightweight platform. Power is rat- ed at 88kW (118HP) and torque of 149Nm. technology THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017
Entrance to Huawei booth at the venue Huawei highlights growth opportunities GDTF outlines digital transformations’ role in business success
KUWAIT: During its participation at the world’s biggest ICT Huawei officials, along with industry experts, also dis- exhibition its growth plans, business models and latest show, Huawei hosted its Global Digital Transformation cussed connectivity’s impact on business success, and developments in themed areas: ‘Maximizing Network Forum (GDTF), which saw keynote speeches and address defined the key themes and trends affecting technology Value’, ‘All Cloud to Support 5G’, ‘Agile Digital Operations’ from Huawei officials and a host of industry players from growth. Themes discussed during the session covered 5G and ‘Cloud-based Digital Services’, including a complete around the world. Innovation, Huawei’s ROADS to New Growth, Network range of All Cloud solutions (All Cloud core/wireless/bear- During the one-day event, officials from Huawei high- Value Maximization and Operations Transformation. The er network solutions etc.). lighted the ICT sector’s role in advancing economic and sessions provided a platform for operators to share indus- Also ahead of MWC, Huawei and DLR (Deutsches Zentrum social development, during this year’s edition of Mobile try-wide challenges, strategies, and best-practice digital f¸r Luft- und Raumfahrt) have tested 5G for cooperative auto- World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. In his keynote solutions. “The ROADS (Real-time, On-demand, All-online, mated driving in Munich. The results show the practical address, William Xu, Executive Director of the Board and DIY, and Social) experience at the heart of transformation applicability of 5G V2X to achieve a reliable and ultra-low- Chief Strategy Marketing Officer of Huawei, focused on requires support for both an agile, automated operating latency connection between vehicles for collision avoidance. growth opportunities in Emerging Market and highlight- system as well as development of the network infrastruc- Currently, Huawei and DLR investigate the application of 5G ed Huawei’s commitment to creating value for communi- ture,” said Vice-president of Huawei’s Global Technical V2X (Vehicle to Everything) for more complex cooperative ties by collaborating with operators to help them maxi- Services, Dr. Leroy Blimegger. maneuvers, starting with 5G-enhanced platooning. mize network assets, deploy home broadband and On the sidelines of GDTF, Huawei released the industry’s Huawei’s NFV solution was awarded Best Technology indoor digitalization, and drive connectivity to enhance first 5G network slicing router. Offering 50GE base station Enabler during this year’s edition of MWC. The award came the user experience, while promoting economic and access and seamless compatibility with 100GE, the slicing in recognition of Huawei’s leading capabilities and outstand- social growth. router achieves physical isolation of port channels based on ing performance in NFV architecture, technology, commer- William Xu, Executive Director of the Board and Chief innovative Flexible Ethernet technology to provide differen- cial application, and the evolution toward Cloud Native. Strategy Marketing Officer of Huawei, outlined opportuni- tiated SLA guarantee. Organized by the GSMA, Mobile World Congress is the ties for growth in emerging markets. “As we enter a fully world’s most influential event in the mobile communica- connected era, digital infrastructure is facilitating econom- Growth plans tions sector, and the GSMA Global Mobile Awards are con- ic growth and emerging markets are on the cusp of a major On the day before Mobile World Congress (MWC) in sidered the highest honor within the industry. transition towards digital economies. Barcelona, Huawei releases the world’s first 5G core solu- Huawei is a leading global information and communica- tion for commercial use case, known as Service-Oriented tions technology (ICT) solutions provider. Our aim is to enrich Impact on businesses Core 2.0 (SOC 2.0). At the 2016 MWC, Huawei introduced life and improve efficiency through a better connected “The Global Connectivity Index (GCI) published by the world’s first 5G core prototype, known as SOC 1.0, and world, acting as a responsible corporate citizen, innovative Huawei in 2016 reported that for each GCI score point verified its multi-service slicing technology. SOC 2.0 will enabler for the information society, and collaborative con- Huawei’s NFV solution was awarded Best Technology increase a country improved its innovation capacity by 2.2 show the commercial 5G capabilities of the solution and tributor to the industry. Driven by customer-centric innova- Enabler during this year’s edition of MWC. percent, competitiveness by 2.1 percent, and productivity enable all access to 5G networks and all services in 5G. It tion and open partnerships, Huawei has established an end- operators, enterprises, and consumers. Our innovative ICT by 2.3 percent. Operators around the world are in a unique will not only provide connectivity for a multitude of termi- to-end ICT solutions portfolio that gives customers competi- solutions, products, and services are used in more than 170 position to invest in these emerging markets to capitalize nals from various industries, but also on-demand services tive advantages in telecom and enterprise networks, devices countries and regions, serving over one-third of the world’s on huge ICT industry potential, untapped demographics, for all vertical industries. and cloud computing. Huawei’s 180,000 employees world- population. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a private company and national ICT strategies”, Xu concluded. During one of MWC, Huawei showcased at its main wide are committed to creating maximum value for telecom fully owned by its employees. Sophos launches Sophos Mobile 7 Cisco boosts DNT with new virtualization enterprise management solution and security technologies DUBAI: According to a newly released IDC study, organizations DUBAI: Sophos (LSE:SOPH), a global ment of mobile devices while increasing around the world are expected to triple the adoption of mod- leader in network and endpoint security, security across the entire organization,” ern, automated networks over the next two years. To accelerate yesterday announced Sophos Mobile 7, commented Dan Schiappa, general manag- the journey to these digital-ready networks, Cisco is introducing the latest version of its Enterprise Mobility er and senior vice president of Sophos new technologies that allow customers to virtualize and secure Management (EMM) solution. This new Endpoint and Network Security Groups. their networks. version extends containerization support “The introduction of IoT device manage- Today, businesses demand a lot from their networks. However, for Android Enterprise (formerly “Android ment will enable IT organizations to realize the vast majority of today’s networks were only designed to pro- for Work,”) enables IT administrators to the value of IoT projects and help reduce vide fast, reliable connectivity. These legacy networks are strug- manage IoT devices, strengthens security the additional resources required to effec- gling to combat sophisticated cyber-threats, or keep up with the features and will be available through the tively manage and secure these devices. requirements of today’s mobile workforce and their use of IoT Sophos Central cloud-based manage- The development team at Sophos wanted devices and new cloud applications. A new approach is required. ment platform. to lead the industry by offering the first With its Digital Network Architecture (DNA), Cisco is ushering in a Sophos Mobile 7 security enhancements steps towards an integrated protection new era of networking that rips up the playbook for how compa- include anti-phishing technology to protect strategy for all devices - mobile and IoT.” nies build and manage network infrastructure. users from malicious links in emails and The new IoT functionality will provide Network virtualization and integrated security are founda- documents and improvements to Sophos’ basic management features to organizations tional elements of Cisco DNA. Cisco is introducing a new hard- Android security and anti-malware app. that are designing and deploying solutions ware platform and virtual network services to extend virtualiza- There are also usability enhancements to at scale using low-cost Android Things or tion to branch locations, as well as a new solution that allows the Secure Workspace and Secure Email app Windows 10 IoT devices. This includes man- customers to virtualize their network perimeter and extend it to where users now can open, view and even Dan Schiappa agement tasks such as applying policies, colocation centers. Cisco is also the first in the industry to deliver edit encrypted and secure Office format Protection, Sophos Encryption and Sophos checking the online device status, monitor- software-defined segmentation across the entire network-from documents and attachments without leav- Phish Threat. “Today, a mobile device is just ing battery levels or confirming or updating the network to the endpoint to the cloud - with complete appli- ing the secure and encrypted container. another endpoint yet businesses still strug- firmware. Sophos will be one of the first cation visibility. • Software-defined Segmentation: Cisco TrustSec provides Sophos Mobile 7 is the latest in an gle to manage them within a comprehen- security companies to provide organizations software-defined segmentation to isolate attacks and restrict increasing number of products that are sive endpoint security strategy due to a with a cost-efficient way to add manage- Deploying Services in Minutes movement of threats in the network. This dynamic segmenta- available through the integrated Sophos lack of integration with traditional end- ment and security capabilities to their IoT Over the past decade, IT teams have changed how they tion makes security policy changes 98 percent faster than tradi- Central management platform, including point protection. The availability of Sophos projects, offering a communication and design and deploy data centers to help their organizations tional methods, with an 80 percent reduction in operational the next-generation XG Firewall, Sophos Mobile 7 alongside other Sophos endpoint, management framework that can be built take advantage of virtualization and cloud computing. Now efforts. TrustSec 6.1 is now available across Cisco’s entire enter- Endpoint Security, Sophos Intercept X, network and encryption protection in into industrial and commercial IoT solutions enterprise networks are going through a similar change. With prise networking portfolio and integrates with Cisco ACI. With Sophos Email Security, Sophos Server Sophos Central will streamline manage- such as POS/retail or connected classrooms. Cisco DNA, organizations can now extend network services, these advancements, TrustSec enables dynamic segmentation like routing or security, to a diverse set of platforms across anywhere on the network, from the edge to the data center branch, campus, colocation centers and the public cloud. By and cloud. 24/7 IT support by your MSP decoupling hardware from software, Cisco DNA allows for greater speed and flexibility. IDC Study Highlights Cisco is building on the industry’s broadest set of network vir- Cisco also unveiled the results of a major global study into the is not an option but a must tualization solutions with innovations in two key areas: adoption rates of digital-ready networks. Conducted by IDC and • Enterprise Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) Platform is commissioned by Cisco, the research surveyed 2,054 global By Sachin Bhardwaj department with the services of an exter- tions, the losses and damage that can an emerging technology that boosts flexibility and agility for organizations across 10 countries to determine the digital readi- nal entity cannot simply be driven by result from delays in service far outweigh remote locations by virtualizing branch networks. Cisco is intro- ness of their networks. f you are a business, looking to stream- reduced costs, they must also be gained such benefits and expose the enterprise to ducing a new, purpose-built branch platform, Cisco Enterprise line your operations and to benefit from without losing the advantages of a legacy avoidable and grave risks. Network Compute System (ENCS 5400 Series), to help customers Key findings include: cost savings - while enhancing your system. While advantages gained through Several Managed Service Providers in accelerate their Enterprise NFV deployments. ENCS allows cus- • Organizations clearly recognize the need to evolve their net- I works: Over the next two years, 45 percent of organizations functional efficien- optimizing returns on investment and the Dubai and the UAE have realized that, the tomers to extend routing, security, WAN optimization and other cy at the same time outsourcing of specialized functions does presence of innumerable multinational network services to their branch environments. expect to achieve digital-ready network capabilities. That repre- - the option to indeed increase the viability of most busi- businesses in the location they are servic- • Virtualizing the Network Perimeter: The network perimeter sents three times the current adoption rates. engage a Managed nesses manifold, it cannot be an effective ing, comes with the presupposition and is an organizations’ gateway to the Internet. But traditional, • Modern networks are delivering real, tangible benefits: Services Provider strategy without round-the-clock support expectation of the highest standards of static network perimeters are struggling with the new realities Companies that have invested in modern network capabilities (MSP) must, surely, that reduces the threat of downtime and service, available anywhere in the world. of the digital era. The new Cisco Secure Agile Exchange solution are experiencing 2-3 times the rate of growth in revenue, cus- have come up for operational disruptions. An inherent and inevitable benchmarking virtualizes the network perimeter and extends it to colocation tomer retention and profit. They have also deployed twice as your consideration. A state-of-the-art and best-in-class of Managed Service Providers in the UAE, centers. This allows organizations to dynamically connect cus- many digital transformation initiatives compared to companies It seems every- Managed Services Provider in Dubai must against the best practices in the world, tomers, employees and partners using on-demand, virtualized with legacy networks. where one looks, commit to providing a round- the-clock therefore, means that there is now no network services. • Adoption rates comparable across company size and industry Managed Service Providers in the UAE are service that includes the ability to monitor, shortage of such services in the UAE mar- vertical: It turns out that network maturity levels are comparable stepping in to augment the core strengths diagnose and troubleshoot issues as they ket. It is advisable that any business, opting Boosting Threat Visibility and Enforcement across market segments, with minimal variation between mid-mar- of enterprises, by taking on the critical but arise - without such concerns being for a Managed Services company in Dubai The network can provide deep visibility into network traffic ket (500-999 employees) and large (1000+) organizations. tedious IT tasks associated with the every- deferred to a specific period of the week and the UAE, consider such a standard of patterns and rich threat intelligence. With Cisco DNA, the net- • Emerging countries to leapfrog developed nations: The real day working of a modern business. being identified as “working hours”. Given service par for course, rather than a premi- work can be used to quickly detect cybersecurity threats and variance occurs when comparing countries. The most significant However, there are some critical things for the availability of Managed Service um service. A slightly higher ongoing cost - then automatically take action to stop them. jump in maturity is expected to occur in emerging economies. business to consider in choosing the right Providers in the UAE who conform to the that still retains advantages over legacy To help customers navigate the complex journey to a digital- Managed Services Company in Dubai, as in highest standards of uninterrupted service, systems - is a small price to pay for the New security features introduced include: ready network, Cisco is introducing a series of new tools and servic- any other part of the world. it is incumbent upon enterprises to partner peace of mind from being assured of a con- • Visibility and Control: Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) pro- es. Network assessment tools will help customers understand One of the most crucial aspects of a with such service providers, rather than stant and uninterrupted service that man- vides visibility and control of users and devices on the network. ISE where they are on the journey, plot a roadmap and understand the contract with a Managed Services Provider expose themselves to unnecessary risks in ages the Cloud and IT infrastructure of a 2.2 offers much deeper visibility into applications on endpoints, business benefits of continuing on their path to digital network is whether or not their services are avail- order to cut costs. While it may superficially business. Note: By Sachin Bhardwaj is including detection of anomalous behavior. It also offers more maturity. Cisco is also introducing new DNA Advisory Services that able 24/7, all 365 days of the year. After all, appear that the viability of a business mod- Director, Marketing & Business granular control with the ability to define “DEFCON” policy sets will offer in-depth consulting to help enterprises formulate a the benefits of substituting an in-house el is largely predicated by cost considera- Development eHostingDataFort that allow customers to escalate their response to prolific threats. unique strategy that maps directly to their digital aspirations. THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 HEALTH & SCIENCE Shanghai expands public smoking ban
SHANGHAI: Shanghai widened its ban on public since 2014, still have not been put into effect. smoking yesterday as China’s biggest city steps Anti-smoking measures pose a dilemma for up efforts to stub out the massive health threat China. On one hand, smoking has created an despite conflicts of interest with the state-owned enormous burden on the public health system- tobacco industry. Nearly a quarter of adults in leading to as many as one million deaths in 2010, the commercial hub of 24 million people are according to a 2015 study in medical journal The smokers, according to the state-run People’s Lancet. On the other, the state-run tobacco indus- Daily newspaper, citing data from the Chinese try provides the government with an enormous Association of Tobacco Control. Shanghai has had source of income: 1.1 trillion yuan ($160 billion) in a limited ban on public smoking since 2010, but taxes and profits in 2015, according to the most the regulation covered only certain spaces such recent figures, up 20 percent year-on-year. China’s as schools and libraries. The new rule expands tobacco regulator shares offices and senior offi- the restrictions to all public indoor areas and cials with the state-owned China National Tobacco some outdoor ones. Corp-a near-monopoly and by far the world’s In June 2015 Beijing municipality adopted the biggest cigarette producer. toughest anti-smoking legislation in the country, The China representative of the World Health banning smoking in offices, restaurants, hotels and Organization, Bernhard Schwartlander, said hospitals. The southern city of Shenzhen intro- Tuesday in a statement that “the tobacco economy duced similar rules in 2014. China has long said it has all but stopped progress on a national smoke- plans to ban smoking nationwide. In November, free law”. “Largely because the tobacco industry in government health spokesman Mao Qunan indi- China, which has a vested interest in maintaining cated measures would be rolled out across the an economy based on the production and use of country by the end of last year. But the measures, tobacco, dominates the official government body SHANGHAI : In this photo a man smokes a cigarette on the streets in Shanghai. — AFP photos which have been available for public comment meant to curb tobacco use,” he said. — AFP
Those with blurry close-up US military marches forward vision get some new help on green energy, despite Trump WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump of electricity - while the other forces are and his top advisors have often scoffed at on track to meet their targets. The pro- government support of green energy. His grams have their opponents. The conser- ‘Everything is very clear and getting better every day’ chief strategist called it “madness.” But the vative Heritage Foundation, for example, largest US government agency - the has railed against the military’s support of WASHINGTON: Squinting while texting? Always Department of Defense - plans to forge renewable power and biofuels. “The losing your reading glasses? An eye implant that ahead under the new administration with administration right now needs to focus takes about 10 minutes to put in place is the a decade-long effort to convert its fuel- specifically on combat power,” said Rachel newest in a list of surgical repairs for the blurry hungry operations to renewable power, Zissimos, a Heritage researcher. “Investing close-up vision that is a bane of middle age. But senior military officials told Reuters. The money on optional initiatives right now I who’s really a good candidate to toss their specs? reasons have nothing to do with the think is problematic.” “It’s not bringing anybody back to being 20 again,” white-hot debate over climate change. In cautioned Dr Shilpa Rose, a Washington ophthal- combat zones, green energy saves lives High stakes for military suppliers mologist who tests whether patients’ eyes are by, for instance, reducing the need for eas- Solar companies such as SunPower healthy enough to qualify. “But it decreases the ily attacked convoys to deliver diesel fuel Corp and utilities including Sempra need to rush to get that pair of reading glasses to generators at US bases. Mobile solar- Energy and Southern have won utility- every time you want to send a text or read an power units allow soldiers to prowl silent- scale renewable energy contracts worth email.” Nearly everybody will experience presby- ly through enemy territory. hundreds of millions of dollars in recent opia at some point, usually starting in the mid-40s. At sea, gas-electric hybrid battleships years, according to the companies and At first you may notice yourself holding restaurant save fuel and allow for fewer stops - mak- Department of Defense documents menus at arm’s length. Eventually, even in good ing them less vulnerable to attacks like the reviewed by Reuters. Southern, for exam- light, reading becomes a blur. bombing of the USS Cole in 2000, when al- ple, has 11 solar projects totaling 310 How well you see has to do with how light is Qaeda militants killed 17 US soldiers dur- megawatts on bases in states including directed through the natural lens to the back of ing a refueling stop in Yemen. The mili- Georgia and Alabama. In December, the eye. That lens stiffens with age, losing its abili- tary’s zeal for renewable power has already Sempra completed the 150-megawatt ty to shift and bend light so that it becomes more had broad impacts on energy contractors, Mesquite Solar 3 in Arizona to provide difficult to focus close-up. The usual options are WASHINGTON: Dr Mark Whitten performs a short eye surgery procedure on patient generating hundreds of millions in con- about a third of the power needed at 14 magnifying drugstore reading glasses or, for peo- Christianne Krupinsky in Washington, to insert a Raindrop inlay, a disc implanted in the tracts for solar companies and helping to Navy and Marine bases in California for ple with other vision problems, bifocals, multifocal cornea to reshape it for better close-up focus. — AP photos reduce fuel consumption by the world’s 25 years. contact lenses or what’s called monovision, cor- largest single petroleum buyer. SunPower has already landed a major recting for distance vision in one eye and near See at a distance tered the Raindrop inlay over her pupil and low- The armed forces nearly doubled deal under the Trump administration - a vision in the other. “I have glasses everywhere - the “The most you’re going to feel is pressure,” ered the flap to seal it in place. Minutes later, renewable power generation between $96 million contract finalized on Feb. 3 to bedroom, the office, the kitchen,” said Christianne promised Washington refractive surgeon Dr Mark Krupinsky read lines on an eye chart she previously 2011 and 2015, to 10,534 billion British provide power to Vandenberg Air Force Krupinsky, 51, of Marriottsville, Maryland, who’d Whitten, applying numbing drops to her left eye. couldn’t make out without glasses, albeit still a lit- thermal units, or enough to power about base in California until 2043, according to never needed them until presbyopia struck. A gel-like device that looks like a miniature con- tle blurry. She’ll need eye drops for several months 286,000 average US homes, according to a a Pentagon database. Sempra and “Getting ready in the morning, even to put on jew- tact lens, the Raindrop is smaller than the eye of as her cornea heals so vision can sharpen. Maker Department of Defense report. The num- Southern said they were committed to elry I can’t see the clasp. It’s so frustrating.” a needle. It’s the first implant to treat presbyopia ReVision Optics Inc. is gradually training eye sur- ber of military renewable energy projects serving their customers but declined to And while surgery always carries some risk, by changing the cornea’s shape, making it steep- geons to use the Raindrop properly, after the Food nearly tripled to 1,390 between 2011 and comment on whether they were dis- corneal inlays that are implanted into the eye’s er to alter how light passes through. It’s placed in and Drug Administration approved it last summer 2015, department data showed, with a cussing new contracts with the military. clear front surface are getting attention because only one eye; both eyes still see at a distance. based on a study of 373 people whose only vision number of utilities and solar companies SunPower did not comment. Last year, the they’re removable if necessary. “It’s not magic. It’s Patients can test-wear a single contact lens to be problem was moderate presbyopia. Two years lat- benefiting. Many of those projects are at Navy began outfitting Arleigh Burke surgery. People have to remember this is not one sure they’ll like the effect before choosing sur- er, 92 percent had good near vision, 20/40 or bet- U.S. bases, where renewable energy destroyers with gas-electric hybrid and done,” but requires post-surgical exams and gery. Rose, the ophthalmologist, checked for dry ter without glasses, in the implanted eye. allows the military to maintain its own engines developed by L3 , which won a care, said Dr Deepinder K Dhaliwal of the eye, underlying diseases like glaucoma, and independent source of power in case of a $119 million contract in 2013. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, a corneal whether the corneas were thick and healthy Pre-surgical vision natural disaster or an attack - or cyber Tesla, which produces electric cars and specialist who is watching studies of the inlays. enough to implant before turning Krupinsky over Potential side effects include infection, dry eye, attack - that disables the public grid. batteries, is another company that ana- Krupinsky was a little nervous while lying on the to her surgical partner. glare, or corneal problems such as scarring. About The White House did not respond to lysts say could benefit from military con- operating table to receive the new Raindrop near “Just look straight up,” Whitten said as he used a 7 percent of study participants had the implant Reuters requests for comment on the mili- tracts. A Tesla spokesman said the compa- vision inlay. laser to slice a flap in Krupinsky’s cornea. He cen- removed, mostly because they weren’t satisfied tary’s use of green energy. Although ny is “supportive” of the military’s interest with their vision or experienced a haze or clouding Trump has blasted solar subsidies, vowed in clean energy but declined comment on of the cornea. Most returned to their pre-surgical to boost fossil fuel development and whether it was pursuing Defense vision, although one had lingering haze. questioned the science behind climate Department contracts. The US military’s Other surgical options: change, military leaders remain confident use of oil, meanwhile, fell by more than 20 • Another FDA-approved corneal inlay, the that the president won’t halt their march percent between 2007 and 2015. The bulk Kamra, is a doughnut-shaped device, also used in toward renewable power. “We expect that of the decline likely stems from declining one eye and removable. It works like a pinhole it’s going to continue during the Trump combat operations rather than rising effi- camera, improving vision by focusing light administration,” said Lt. Col. Wayne Kinsel, ciency and use of renewable energy. But through the center of the pupil. head of the infrastructure unit of the Air traditional military fuel suppliers - such as • A more invasive operation replaces the natu- Force Asset Management Division for Exxon Mobil, BP, and Shell - nonetheless ral lens in each eye with an artificial one, named Logistics, Engineering and Force have a lot at stake if the military acceler- Symfony, that can focus both near and far. Protection. “It’s really not political.” ates its move away from fossil fuels. Approved for cataract surgery, it also is being Other senior officials in the Navy, Air The military’s average annual oil bill offered as a presbyopia fix for the middle-aged Force and Army also told Reuters that was about $14.28 billion between 2007 who don’t yet have cataracts. Unlike inlays, artifi- they expected their renewable energy and 2015. BP is constantly reviewing its cial lenses can’t simply be removed. Insurance programs to continue. Lt Col. J.B. Brindle, marketing strategies to ensure growth, a doesn’t cover elective presbyopia surgery. Rose a Defense Department spokesman, said spokesman said. “As fuel slates change, we said the inlays average about $4,000 to $5,000, the agency “spends very little appropriat- will adapt, and continue to provide our while the artificial lens in both eyes can cost twice ed funding” on renewable energy proj- customers with the products they as much. Patients should consult a surgeon expe- ects, but declined to give any figures or demand,” he said in response to questions rienced with all the options who can determine WASHINGTON: Dr Mark Whitten, left, shows Christianne Krupinsky that almost immediate- to answer additional questions about about the potential impact of the mili- which best suits their eyes, advised Pittsburgh’s ly she can begin reading without glasses following a short eye surgery procedure in such efforts. Trump’s Secretary of tary’s increased use of renewable fuels. Dhaliwal. — AP Washington. Defense, Jim Mattis, has long supported efforts to reduce troop dependence on Solar-powered soldiers petroleum. He saw first-hand the vulner- Hauling fuel to the battlefield has been ability of diesel convoys to attacks by mil- a hazard for militaries since at least World itants while serving as Commander of War I and continues to take a grim toll. One Obese couples may take longer to conceive the Marine Corps Combat Development in nearly 40 fuel convoys in Iraq in 2007 Command in Afghanistan and Iraq in the resulted in a death or serious injury, NEW YORK: Couples who are obese may take that height would weigh at least 203 pounds authors note. It also focused on couples in the early 2000s. As far back as 2003, he according to a study commissioned by the longer to achieve pregnancy than partners who and have a BMI of 30 or more. general population, not people undergoing urged Navy researchers to find innova- Defense Department. In Afghanistan the aren’t as overweight, a recent US study sug- treatment for infertility, so the results might not tive ways to unleash the military from the same year, one in 24 fuel convoys suffered gests. Previous studies in women have linked Normal weight reflect what would happen for all couples trying “tether of fuel.” casualties. Marines in Afghanistan began obesity to difficulties getting pregnant. In the Researchers categorized individuals into two to conceive, the researchers point out. carrying solar panels in 2009 to forward current study, neither male nor female obesity subgroups: obese class I, with a BMI from 30 to Launched by a republican bases in battles with Taliban fighters. They alone was linked to taking a longer time to con- 34.9, and obese class II, with a BMI of 35 or From testosterone to estrogen The military’s push into alternative used them to power batteries for commu- ceive, but when both partners were obese, the greater. Overall, 27 percent of the women and 41 However, unlike many other studies of obesity energy started under Republican nications, GPS and night-vision goggles. couple took up to 59 percent longer to conceive percent of the men were obese class I or heavier. and fertility, the current analysis used height and President George W Bush in 2007, when The panels not only reduced the need for than non-obese counterparts. “If our results are Then, the researchers compared the average weight measured by clinicians instead of relying he signed a law requiring the Pentagon to convoys, they allowed marines to shut off confirmed, fertility specialists may want to take time to conceive for couples where neither part- on participants to report this information them- get 25 percent of the electricity for its generators, hushing operations and mak- couples’ weight status into account when coun- ner was obese to couples where both fell into the selves, which may make the findings more accu- buildings from renewable energy by 2025. ing them harder for enemies to detect. seling them about achieving pregnancy,” said obese class II group. Couples in the obese class II rate. Obesity can influence fertility by altering The effort accelerated under President Arotech subsidiary UEC has sold $25 lead study author Rajeshwari Sundaram of the group took 55 percent longer to achieve preg- hormone levels in both men and women, con- Barack Obama, who required the Army, million worth of the solar arrays and Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of nancy than their normal weight counterparts, verting testosterone to estrogen, said Dr Jeffrey Air Force and Navy to each deploy 1 expects a bigger business in systems Child Health and Human Development in the study team calculated. After accounting for Goldberg, section head of reproductive gigawatt of renewable power and direct- working with batteries and solar to slash Bethesda, Maryland. other factors that influence fertility such as age, endocrinology at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. ed the Army to open a lab developing dependence on generators, said business “The benefits of a healthy weight are well smoking status, exercise and cholesterol levels, “If you have more fat there is more conver- energy technologies for combat vehicles. manager Nancy Straight. Col Brian known: obesity increases the risk for diseases obese class II couples took 59 percent longer to sion from testosterone to estrogen,” Goldberg, In an apparent nod to Obama’s efforts Magnuson, the head of the Marines’ expe- such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and can- get pregnant. who wasn’t involved in the study, said. It makes to curb global warming, the Pentagon ditionary energy office, established in cer,” Sundaram added by email. Sundaram and About 40 percent of the men and 47 percent sense that obese couples would take longer to also reported to Congress in 2015 that the 2009, said his office aims to replace diesel- colleagues focused on the relationship between of the women also had enough excess fat around conceive because excess weight doesn’t just droughts and floods caused by climate powered generators on the battlefield pregnancy and body mass index (BMI), a ratio of the midsection to potentially influence fertility. In impact fertility in women. “For women extra change pose a security threat - contribut- with solar power, and to reduce energy weight to height. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is addition, 60 percent of the women and 58 per- weight impairs ovulatory function,” Goldberg ing to foreign political and economic use with efficiency measures such as insu- considered a healthy weight, while 25 to 29.9 is cent of the men said they exercised no more said. “For guys, having lower testosterone and instability that could require substantial lated tents and the deployment of overweight, 30 or above is obese and 40 or high- than once a week, the researchers report in higher estrogen impairs sperm production and troop deployments. Former Defense advanced batteries. “These technologies er is what’s known as morbidly obese. An adult Human Reproduction. Beyond its small size, having a lot of fat around the scrotum, fat Secretary Ash Carter said in his parting are a way to become more effective in who is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 160 another limitation of the study is that it wasn’t a thighs and fat around the abdomen raises the memo in January that the Navy has combat,” Magnuson said. “This is about pounds, for example, would have a BMI of 23.6, controlled experiment designed to determine scrotal temperature and that can also have an already met its goal, producing 1 gigawatt war-fighting capability.” —Reuters which is in the healthy range. An obese adult at whether obesity directly causes infertility, the adverse effect.” — Reuters THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 HEALTH & SCIENCE Zimbabwean struggling health system leans on unsung heroines
BULAWAYO: As Zimbabwe’s health service Prolonging life buckles amid low levels of public funding Despite the huge challenges to provid- and a government freeze on hiring medical ing adequate care in a country where the staff, volunteers have stepped in to take the health ministry’s budget has been cut by strain. Home-based carers can be found over half since 2000, community volun- across Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second teers are providing some relief. In largest city, where they work with local clin- Bulawayo, the local government helps the ics to monitor tuberculosis (TB) and HIV teams of volunteers by providing them patients, making sure they take their med- with surgical gloves and other protective ication as prescribed. clothing, and occasionally gives them food Led by local religious organizations such packs to thank them for their efforts. as the Roman Catholic Church, Seventh Day “Patients tend to ignore medication once Adventists and Brethren in Christ, the vol- they feel they are better, and some stop unteers - almost all women - work in groups coming for their check-ups altogether, but to attend patients who need support. we have these volunteers who follow up “Some of the patients stay alone, and it is the patients, making sure they at least pro- easy for them to just stop taking their med- long their lives,” said Tabeth Nkomo, a sen- ications,” said Silibaziso Moyo, a 41-year-old ior municipality nurse who has worked volunteer. “Others cannot even bathe them- with volunteers for more than a decade. selves. We make sure they are clean and the “They have helped a lot in managing HIV- places they live in are also clean.” related mortality.” A Bulawayo municipality spokesperson The city has 19 clinics, each of which can said volunteers had worked with the city register up to 200 TB and HIV patients at council since the early 1990s under the any given time, Nkomo said, highlighting Community Participation for Health the need for back-up care. Simon Bhebhe, a Initiative, but the need had grown over the pastor who coordinates 15 volunteers from years with the spread of HIV and oppor- his local church, said they were doing tunistic infections such as TB. In 2015, the “God’s work”. “It is not easy - but for anyone World Health Organization said Zimbabwe to be found doing this kind of work, it had failed to meet its Millennium means they have compassion for the sick, Development Goal target to reduce TB which is a basic Christian ethos,” he said. KABUL, Afghanistan: In this photo, an Afghan first aid nurse with Bridge Hope Health Organization (BHHO) right, dresses the wounds of a drug prevalence, noting that this was largely due According to the Home-based Care addict in Kabul, Afghanistan. —AP photos to an increase in new infections since 2000. Alliance, located in the Netherlands, there Meanwhile, UNAIDS says Zimbabwe is are more than 44,000 healthcare volunteers among the countries in sub-Saharan Africa spread across 11 countries in Africa, but this Former addicts try to help worst-affected by the HIV and AIDS epi- may not be enough as some communities demic, and has around 1.4 million people are failing to cope with the number of TB living with HIV, although prevalence rates and HIV patients. have dropped steadily since the late 1990s. The National AIDS Council of Zimbabwe, drug users in Afghanistan In their 2001 Abuja Declaration, African a government agency, estimates there are Union governments pledged to allocate at around 3,000 volunteers across the country, least 15 percent of their annual budgets to and Irish Aid, which runs Ireland’s develop- ‘When I gave up addiction, I decided to devote my life to serving these people’ improve the health sector. But in 2015, ment assistance, has supported 15 home- cash-strapped Zimbabwe earmarked just 6 based care programs in Zimbabwe since KABUL, Afghanistan: Raheem Rejaey was a rehabilitation center as police brought in several which have been waging war against the percent of its budget for that purpose. This 2005. “It wasn’t easy at first to have drug addict for 17 years. He lived under bridges hundred addicts for treatment. There are Afghan government since 2001, are heavily January, the ministry of health announced strangers coming to my house to assist me, in Kabul or in the ruins of buildings. His clothes believed to be at least 40,000 intravenous drug involved in poppy growing. The militants’ grow- it would not be hiring any more doctors, but I thank these women for my recovery,” reeked. In his misery, he tried suicide several users in Afghanistan, making them vulnerable to ing control over the poppy fields in the south while the recruitment of nurses was sus- said Jacob Conjwayo, a TB patient conva- times, he said, once intentionally overdosing HIV and other infections. The UN estimates that meant government eradication efforts almost pended last year. lescing at his home in Bulawayo. — Reuters and lying unconscious in a street for two days, around 7,000 people in the country live with HIV completely halted, while cultivation of the undiscovered. So he can feel the pain of other and believes the epidemic is mainly centered flower grew by 10 percent. addicts as he searches for them in the streets of among those injecting drugs. As a result, Afghanistan’s potential opium the Afghan capital. Clean for six years, the 54- production increased 43 percent to 4,800 tons in UK zoo faces closure for animal year-old Rejaey volunteers for the Bridge Hope Decent salary 2016, according to Salamat Azimi, Afghanistan’s Health Organization, a group made of up of for- Non-governmental organizations are as counter-narcotics minister. Atiqullah, a 28-year- cruelty after hundreds die mer addicts like himself who help get care and overwhelmed as the government. The Bridge old in Kabul, was once a well digger with a counseling to drug users. It is an overwhelming organization has a very small budget. Its volun- decent salary. But over the course of 11 years of LONDON: A British zoo is facing closure a leopard tortoise died from cold. challenge: Afghanistan has one of the highest teers take public buses in their neighborhood addiction, his life and health fell apart. He now and its owner prosecution after nearly rates of drug use in the world, with an estimated tours to cut costs, Rejaey said. Reza Gul Jan, lives under a bridge in western Kabul, unable to 500 of its animals died of poor nutrition, ‘This zoo has failed’ 3 million addicts, around 10 percent of its popu- another volunteer, became an addict while liv- walk. “If I find money to buy food, I won’t be able cramped conditions and hypothermia Keepers told the inspecting team lation of 30 million. The government struggles to ing in Iran. He stopped taking drugs six years to buy drugs. If I have money for my drugs, I over four years, it emerged yesterday. A they had been informed to dispose of provide services, but can’t keep up as the num- ago and says his heart breaks when he now sees won’t be able to have food,” he said, weeping. “I damning report into the South Lakes the animals’ bodies and not tell anyone bers of addicts grow in the country, which is the addicts. “But a sense of humanity drives me to am tired of this life and even God is not ending Safari Zoo in Cumbria, northwest about them. Inspectors also flagged the world’s main source of opium and heroin. come here to help them,” he said. The Taleban, my life so I can at least rest in peace.” — AP England, found that 486 animals had owner’s poor duty-of-care towards its Authorities have established treatment cen- died in the past four years, putting most staff. It was fined £255,000 ($316,000, ters, and police with health officials often round of the blame on its owner David Gill. The 299,500 euros) last June for health and up addicts from the streets and bring them to zoo had over 1,600 animals in 2016. safety reasons following the 2013 death the centers. Billions of dollars have been spent Describing the conditions as “appalling”, of one of its zookeepers, Sarah McClay. on counter-narcotics campaigns in the past inspectors reported finding poor levels She was mauled by a Sumatran tiger. decade, including encouraging poppy farmers of veterinary care, cleanliness and pest Gill is currently applying for a fresh to switch to other cash crops. Still, officials say control, as well as inadequate food. license for the zoo after the local coun- the number of drug users is growing. Most “The conditions that these animals cil, Barrow and Furness, rejected his addicts come from the millions of Afghans who are being held in, is quite frankly application for an extension of his previ- work in neighboring Iran and Pakistan, where appalling, and has led directly to the ous license back in July 2016. narcotics are even more of a problem. The 10 death of a number of them,” they wrote Applying for a new license allows the volunteers at Bridge tour Kabul districts where in the report. They recommended Gill zoo to remain open until the application addicts are most plentiful and provide basic help be prosecuted under the Animal is processed. Inspectors are recom- to 15-30 a day, such as counseling and referrals Welfare Act. In 2016, 123 animals died mending the council reject his applica- to drop-in centers where they can get screened including a West African giraffe which tion and close the zoo stating that the for HIV. They often find old friends. was euthanized a day after collapsing. standards maintained by Gill “fall far “My health was really bad when I was an Post-mortem images raised concerns below the standards required in a mod- addict, I was hoping to die,” Rejaey told The over nutrition. A red kangaroo also ern zoo”. The animal welfare charity Associated Press. “When I became healthy and died following a head trauma and six Captive Animals’ Protection Society gave up addiction, I decided to devote my life to lion cubs were euthanized because the applauded the recommendation. “We serving these people, because ... I knew there is facility was not big enough to house feel that the many instances of suffering no one who will care for them.” The ranks of them. The report notes they were and unnecessary deaths of animals go Afghanistan’s addicts include more than 1 mil- “healthy cubs and nothing wrong with to show that this zoo has failed and will lion women and more than 100,000 children, them”. An African spurred tortoise was continue to fail the animals in their care,” said Abdul Manan Azadmanish, director of drug electrocuted on an electric fence, while it said in a statement. —AFP demand reduction for the Public Health Ministry. KABUL, Afghanistan: Afghan drug addicts wait for registration at a rehabilitation center dur- “It is a big disaster,” he said, speaking at a Kabul ing a campaign to help drug users in Kabul. WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 X-cite wins Service Hero Electronics Store of the Year Award
-cite by Alghanim Electronics, Kuwait’s largest electronic retailer, won the first place in the XService Hero Awards 2016 for the Electronics cat- egory, for the third year in a row. The award ceremony was held in Dubai on Wednesday, February 22, 2017. It is of no coincidence that X-cite won this presti- gious award for three consecutive years, given the company’s continuous efforts towards service excel- lence and positive consumer engagement. The award also demonstrates X-cite’s ongoing commitment to deliver a world-class shopping experience throughout its strategically located showrooms and online store with great customer service throughout the year. X-cite by Alghanim Electronics would like to thank its customers and fans as this award was only made possible by the customers’ trust that was instilled in the company, a trust that the company prides itself on and strives to maintain. The company’s main goal is to meet and exceed customer satisfaction by continuously improving its services and providing value to the customer.
Deputy Director of the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) Engineer Hajraf Al-Hajraf hosted a dinner at the Hajraf Diwan in Jahra, and that to celebrate the selection of Dr Mohammad Al-Faris and Engineer Abdurrahman Al-Mutawa as Minister of Education and Minister of Public Works respectively.
Delegation from Council of Saudi Chambers visits AOU Training Center
delegation from the National Committee for Training at the Council of Saudi AChambers, paid a visit to the Training Center of the Arab Open University (AOU). Dr Sami Khalifa, Manager of the Training Center, welcomed the delegation headed by Dr Ahmad Sultan Nasser and expressed his pleasure for the visit, cherishing the efforts of the commit- tee in the areas of training and human resource development. The delegation was briefed on the AOU’s mis- sion and vision as well as its programs across its branches that operate in eight Arab countries. They were also introduced to the Center’s train- ing and counseling services, and the agreements and protocols that the AOU has signed with vari- ous Arab and international bodies. Meanwhile, Dr Khalifa Hassan expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and valued the AOU’s role in training and research. He pointed out that the visit is one of the visits paid to a number of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in order to consider the best practices of training and development in the GCC coun- tries, and to reach an agreement and a strategic about the important issues of training and Gulf and Arab levels. partnership on training for serving labor markets development were addressed, such as the possi- The meeting was also attended by Naif Al- and developmental tracks in the GCC countries. bility of cooperation, coordination and exchange Fadli from the Department of Training, It was a wonderful moment as family, friends and well-wishers gather to cel- During the meeting, both parties were ready of experiences to achieve the goals of both the Development and Community Service, the AOU ebrate with Fatiha Ayomide on her Quran Recitation Graduation ceremony. to cooperate for the common good and the pro- Center and the committee and to promote the Headquarters, and Engineer Misherf Al-Royali May Allah guide and protect you as you continue to be a blessing to our fam- grams of sustainable developmental plans in environment of business management and the and Hanan Al-Atas from the visiting delegation. ily. Greetings from mom, dad, friends and well-wishers Arab countries. In addition, numerous ideas programs of training and development at the Kadapa Islamic Welfare Society marks national days with picnic
he Kadapa Islamic Welfare Society, in existence for more than Sanaullah Umri, another eminent Arabic scholar and preacher, 30 years under the patronage of the Islamic Presentation spoke about the 400-year-old history of Kuwait since 1613. TSociety (IPC), held a picnic to celebrate National Day on Feb Historically, this land was known as Qurain and Al-Kut (fort). The Al- 25 at Lulu Masjid, organizing sports, games, an Islamic quiz, awards Sabah family struggled for freedom from Portuguese rule and over- and prayers. threw the Ottomans with the help of Britain in 1899. The British (on Eminent Arabic scholar and preacher working for IPC, Sifat Alam, whose empire the sun never set) left Kuwait in 1961. He said Kuwait who hosts a question and answer session on Islamic monotheism and India enjoy very good commercial and economic relations on Radio Kuwait, delivered a message on respecting and abiding by throughout the ages. national laws, customs and conventions of Kuwait. He said this is a Abdul Quader Umeri, another noted Arabic scholar and preacher moral duty of all Indians in the diaspora, to sincerely work hard for at IPC, highlighted the importance of immortal life and cautioned the unity, integrity and solidarity of Kuwait. to save ourselves and our families from the hellfire, whose fuel is men and stones, according to the Holy Quran. IYS presents 'Phir Wohi Shaam'
ndian Youth Society (IYS) a leading youth organization in Kuwait, will present a musical tribute to the legends of Indian Imusic titled ‘PhirWohiShaam' on 3 March at Salmiya Indian Model School (SIMS) at 6:30pm. The concert features talented playback singers Paresh Pewekar and Minakshi, who will render popular ghazals from the repertoire of legendary Indian singers. WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017
Hilton Kuwait Resort organizes festival at Bayt Abdullah Children’s Hospice
n commemoration of Kuwait National and Liberation days, Hilton Kuwait Resort organized a fun-filled festival at Bayt Abdullah Children’s Hospice Iinvolving a number of families. Designed to entertain both children and their parents alike, the day involved face painting, a magician and cartoon char- acters. The program also included a competition between the children and Hilton Kuwait team, creating an exciting and interactive ambiance, before Kuwait flags where distributed to the children to mark the occasion of National and Liberation days. Hilton Kuwait Resort has always considered supporting the children an essential part of its social and philanthropic outreach,” said Yasmine Adel, Hilton Kuwait Marketing and Public Relations Manager. “We take great pride in cele- brating with our children at Bayt Abdullah Hospice.” As part of the day, Hilton Kuwait provided the families with delicious lunch meals prepared by Hilton’s talented chefs and distributed valuable gifts to all children, helping to paint a smile on to each of their faces and ensure they had a fantastic day. Hilton Kuwait Resort was pleased to make a wish for one of Bayt Abdulla children comes true, who wanted to stay by the beach for a night with his fami- ly. Consequently, Hilton Kuwait invited the child and his parents for a two night stay in one of its Presidential villas, much to the child’s delight who claimed, “Hilton Kuwait is the perfect distension in Kuwait to unwind and relax.” Bayt Abdullah is the first children’s hospice in the Middle East, offering a comprehensive pediatric palliative care service free of charge to children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. Services include pediatric pain management and symptom control at home and hospice, respite for the family, end of life care and bereavement support.
Gulf Bank sponsors National and Liberation Days celebrations of Ideal Education School
ulf Bank was proud to be a sponsor of the needs of mild and moderate levels of intellectual National and Liberation days’ celebrations of and multiple disabilities in the age range of 6 to 21 GIdeal Education School, which provides edu- years. The school aims to develop and improve the cation, and support services for students with spe- maximum potential and independence of students cial needs. The celebrations took place on through individual education programs that Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at the school prem- include vocational training, community awareness ises in Sharq. and advocacy. It believes that everyone has the The event included a play about Kuwait featur- right to be educated in a safe, caring and enjoyable ing the story of the 1990 invasion and liberation. environment that provides intercultural and inter- Attendants were amazed by performance that spe- national experiences. The core curriculum, extracur- cial needs students carried out on stage. The stu- ricular activities as well as the improvement pro- dents who were able to perform expressed their grams provides an opportunity for each of students emotional attachment and pride towards their to reach their maximum potential and beyond. nation with significant depth that touched all the The school has an excellent panel of profession- spectators. The event also featured national al educators, teacher assistants, paramedical as well anthems and songs performed by the students as administrative staff. These staff, with their strong who were delighted to raise Kuwaiti flags on the sense of responsibility, is there to ensure a persist- entire stage adding moments of happiness and joy. ing and appropriate progress of students’ academ- Khairan Resort hosts National Day festival The day was concluded by a competition around ic, emotional, physical and vocational skills, includ- Kuwait’s history and local proverbs. ing activities for daily living (ADL). They great pride he Touristic Enterprises Company hosted a Commenting on this occasion, Esra Al-Habib, in providing a safe and secure learning environ- national festival titled ‘Most Precious Home’ at Manager of External Communications at Gulf Bank ment while at the same time leading the students TAl-Khairan Resort during the period between said: “We are happy to take part in such a joyous towards overall growth and development in an the 23rd and 26th of February. The festival was event. Gulf Bank conveys its best wishes to the environment which is conductive of learning and organized by Ahmad Al-Ali and Q8 team and Ideal Education School and thanks them for invit- enhance therapeutic progress. included several activities such as a car parade, ing us to be part of this event. It was inspiring to Gulf Bank is strongly committed to giving back Smurfs show, and Yemeni Hadhramaut band per- see how happy the students were and the level of to Kuwait as it supports numerous events and ini- formance, which took place during the first day. attention they receive from the teachers and staff tiatives focusing on youth, education, health and Films for children, a classic cars’ display as well as at the school.” fitness, helping the underprivileged, women’s heritage and folkloric shows were performed dur- The Ideal Education School provides education empowerment, as well as promoting Kuwait’s her- ing the second day. and support services for students with special itage and culture. The dogs’ training team ‘Kuwait K9’ participated as well, in addition to a performance by singer Yousuf Al-Omani which concluded the second day of events. Kuwait Medical emergency teams participat- ed by offering lectures on first aid. The third and last day saw concerts by Anwar Al-Shami, performance of heritage Ardha dances and a fireworks show.
Ideal Education School Students perform on stage.
Gulf Bank representatives receive an award from Ideal Education School. THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 TV PROGRAMS
02:40 Broad City 14:15 Gravity Falls 14:55 Storage Wars Canada 08:30 The Pioneer Woman 03:05 South Park 14:40 Hank Zipzer 15:20 Alaska: The Last Frontier 09:00 Siba's Table 03:30 South Park 15:05 Star Darlings 16:10 The Island With Bear Grylls 09:30 Siba's Table 04:00 The Daily Show With Trevor Noah 15:10 Austin & Ally 17:00 Deadliest Catch 10:00 Anna Olson: Bake 04:25 Catch A Contractor 15:35 Jessie 17:50 Fast N' Loud 10:30 Anna Olson: Bake 01:00 Ironclad: Battle For Blood 05:15 Lip Sync Battle 16:00 Bunk'd 18:40 Misfit Garage 11:00 The Kitchen 03:00 I Am Number Four 05:40 Ridiculousness 16:25 Kirby Buckets 19:30 How It's Made: Dream Cars 12:00 The Pioneer Woman 05:00 Legendary: Tomb Of The Dragon 06:05 Ridiculousness 16:50 Rolling To The Ronks 19:55 How It's Made: Dream Cars 12:30 The Pioneer Woman 07:00 Tekken: Kazuya's Revenge 06:30 Lip Sync Battle 17:20 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug And 20:20 The Island With Bear Grylls 13:00 Siba's Table 08:45 Last Action Hero 07:20 Framework Cat Noir 21:10 Storage Wars Canada 13:30 Siba's Table 11:15 I Am Number Four 08:10 Catch A Contractor 17:45 Elena Of Avalor 21:35 Storage Wars Canada 14:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 13:15 Con Air 09:00 Disaster Date 18:10 Stuck In The Middle 22:00 So You Think You'd Survive? 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 15:15 Seventh Son 09:25 Ridiculousness 18:35 Descendants Wicked World 22:50 Legend Of Croc Gold 15:00 Chopped 17:00 Harlock: Space Pirate 09:50 Ridiculousness 18:40 Girl Meets World 23:40 Manhunt With Joel Lambert 16:00 The Kitchen 19:00 King Arthur 10:15 Key And Peele 19:05 Bizaardvark 17:00 Anna Olson: Bake 21:15 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay 10:40 Disaster Date 19:30 Bunk'd 17:30 Anna Olson: Bake Part I 11:05 Ridiculousness 19:55 Best Friends Whenever 18:00 Chopped 23:30 Universal Soldier: The Return 11:30 The It Crowd 20:20 Disney Mickey Mouse 19:00 Guy's Grocery Games 11:55 Sweat Inc. 20:25 The Next Step 20:00 Private Chef 12:45 Idiotsitter 20:50 Austin & Ally 20:30 Private Chef 13:10 Lip Sync Battle 21:15 Star Darlings 00:00 Programmes Start At 6:00am KSA 21:00 Patricia Heaton Parties 13:35 The It Crowd 21:20 Shake It Up 07:00 Danger Mouse 21:30 Patricia Heaton Parties 14:00 Catch A Contractor 21:45 Backstage 07:25 Gravity Falls 22:00 Rev Run's Sunday Suppers 14:50 Ridiculousness 22:10 Liv And Maddie 07:50 Atomic Puppet 22:30 Rev Run's Sunday Suppers 00:00 Insane Pools: Off The Deep End 15:15 Catch A Contractor 22:35 Cracke 08:15 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 23:00 Iron Chef America 00:55 Gator Boys 16:05 Idiotsitter 22:40 Dog With A Blog 08:25 Counterfeit Cat 01:50 River Monsters 16:30 Ridiculousness 23:05 Best Friends Whenever 08:40 Supa Strikas 02:45 Bondi Vet 16:55 Ridiculousness 23:30 Jessie 09:10 K.C. Undercover 03:40 Yankee Jungle 17:20 Disaster Date 23:55 Tsum Tsum Shorts 09:35 Star Wars Freemaker Adventures 04:35 Tanked 17:45 Lip Sync Battle 10:00 Lab Rats 05:25 In Too Deep 18:10 Key And Peele 10:25 Lab Rats 00:15 Coronation Street 05:50 In Too Deep 18:35 Coaching Bad 10:50 Danger Mouse 00:40 Coronation Street 06:15 Gator Boys 19:25 The It Crowd 11:20 Supa Strikas 01:10 The Chase 07:02 River Monsters 19:50 Comedy Central Presents Comedy 11:45 Supa Strikas 02:00 Emmerdale 07:49 Insane Pools: Off The Deep End 3alwagef 00:00 Miles From Tomorrow 12:10 Counterfeit Cat 02:30 Coronation Street 08:36 Going Ape 20:20 Comedy Central Presents Comedy 00:30 Miles From Tomorrow 12:35 Pair Of Kings 03:00 Coronation Street 09:00 Going Ape 3alwagef 00:55 PJ Masks 13:00 Pair Of Kings 03:30 The Jonathan Ross Show 09:25 Cats 101 20:50 Disaster Date 01:20 Henry Hugglemonster 13:30 Future-Worm! 04:25 Tina & Bobby 10:15 Yankee Jungle 21:13 Ridiculousness 01:35 The Hive 13:55 Lab Rats 05:20 Autopsy: The Last Hours Of... 11:10 In Too Deep 21:37 I Live With Models 01:45 Loopdidoo 14:20 Lab Rats 06:15 The Syndicate 11:35 In Too Deep 22:00 The Daily Show With Trevor Noah 02:00 Henry Hugglemonster 14:45 Atomic Puppet 07:15 The Chase 12:05 Tanked 22:30 Broad City 02:15 Calimero 15:10 Disney Mickey Mouse 08:05 The Jonathan Ross Show 13:00 Cats 101 22:54 The Half Hour 02:30 Art Attack 15:15 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 09:00 Tina & Bobby 13:55 Bondi Vet 23:18 Tosh.0 02:55 Zou 15:40 Supa Strikas 10:00 Autopsy: The Last Hours Of... 14:50 Yankee Jungle 23:42 Tosh.0 03:05 Loopdidoo 16:05 Lab Rats 11:00 The Syndicate 15:45 Gator Boys 03:20 Henry Hugglemonster 16:30 Gamer's Guide To Pretty Much 12:00 The Chase 16:40 In Too Deep 03:35 Calimero Everything 12:50 The Jonathan Ross Show 17:05 In Too Deep 03:50 Zou 16:55 Right Now Kapow 13:45 Emmerdale CYRUS ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY HD 17:35 Tanked 04:05 Art Attack 17:25 K.C. Undercover 14:15 Coronation Street 18:30 River Monsters 04:30 The Hive 17:50 Future-Worm! 14:45 Coronation Street 09:05 Car Hunters 05:40 Unlikely Animal Friends 06:35 Puma: Lion Of The Andes 19:25 Gangland Killers 00:15 Destroyed In Seconds 04:40 Loopdidoo 18:15 Gravity Falls 15:15 The Chase 09:30 Pawn Stars 07:30 Bearhood 20:20 The Vet Life 00:40 Ultimate Survival 04:55 Henry Hugglemonster 18:40 Lab Rats Elite Force 16:10 The Jonathan Ross Show 09:55 Pawn Stars 08:25 Ultimate Animals 21:15 Tanked 01:30 Unchained Reaction 05:10 Art Attack 19:05 Disney Mickey Mouse 17:00 Don't Tell The Bride 10:20 Storage Wars: Best Of 09:20 Unlikely Animal Friends 22:10 In Too Deep 02:20 Wildest Africa 05:35 Loopdidoo 19:10 Supa Strikas 18:00 5 Star Family Reunion 10:45 Storage Wars: Best Of 10:15 Dr. Oakley: Yukon Vet 22:35 In Too Deep 03:10 Lost & Found With Mike & Jesse 05:50 Calimero 19:35 Right Now Kapow 18:50 The Syndicate 11:10 American Pickers 11:10 Rescue Ink 23:05 Gangland Killers 04:00 Destroyed In Seconds 06:05 Art Attack 20:00 Atomic Puppet 19:50 Emmerdale 12:00 Alone 12:05 World's Weirdest 04:25 Destroyed In Seconds 06:30 Henry Hugglemonster 20:25 Gamer's Guide To Pretty Much 20:15 Coronation Street 12:50 Time Team 13:00 Orca Killing School 04:50 Ultimate Survival 06:45 Zou Everything 20:45 Coronation Street 13:40 Swamp People 13:55 Intimate Enemies 05:40 How It's Made 07:00 Art Attack 20:55 K.C. Undercover 21:10 The Jonathan Ross Show 14:30 Ax Men 14:50 Polar Bear Invasion 06:05 How It's Made 07:30 Henry Hugglemonster 21:20 Kickin' It 22:00 Don't Tell The Bride 15:20 Mountain Men 15:45 Zoo Confidential 06:30 Dirty Jobs 07:45 Loopdidoo 21:45 Mighty Med 23:00 5 Star Family Reunion 16:10 Shipping Wars 16:40 Unlikely Animal Friends 00:40 Doctors 07:20 Mythbusters 08:00 Zou 22:10 Danger Mouse 23:50 Emmerdale 16:35 Shipping Wars 17:35 Safari Brothers 01:10 Eastenders 08:00 Kids vs Film 08:15 Calimero 22:40 Disney Mickey Mouse 17:00 Counting Cars 22:45 Marvel's Avengers Assemble 17:25 Counting Cars 18:30 Dr. K's Exotic Animal ER 23:10 Marvel Ultimate Spider-Man vs The 17:50 Pawn Stars 19:25 World's Weirdest: Animal Taboo Sinister 6 18:15 Pawn Stars 20:20 Zoo Confidential 23:35 Boyster 18:40 Forged In Fire 21:10 Unlikely Animal Friends 00:00 Ancient Top 10 19:30 Counting Cars 22:00 Safari Brothers 01:00 The Universe: Ancient Mysteries 19:55 Car Hunters 22:50 Dr. K's Exotic Animal ER Solved 20:20 Mountain Men 23:40 World's Weirdest: Animal Taboo 02:00 Blood And Glory: The Civil War In 21:10 American Pickers Color 22:00 Outlaw Chronicles: Hells Angels 00:00 E! News 03:00 Ancient Discoveries 22:50 Search For The Lost Giants 00:15 Mariah's World 04:00 Missing In Alaska 23:40 Hunting Hitler 01:05 Mariah's World 04:50 Ancient Aliens: The Ultimate 01:55 Mariah's World Evidence 02:50 E! News 05:40 Ancient Top 10 00:00 Charlotte's Web 03:50 Dash Dolls 06:30 The Universe: Ancient Mysteries 02:00 Man Of The House 04:45 Dash Dolls Solved 04:00 Emma's Chance 05:40 Dash Dolls 07:20 Blood And Glory: The Civil War In 00:00 Poh & Co 06:00 Inspector Gadget 06:30 Fashion Bloggers Color 00:25 Dog Whisperer 08:00 Meet The Robinsons 07:00 EJ NYC 08:10 The Universe 01:15 Sara's Australia Unveiled 10:00 Oliver & Company 07:55 E! News 09:00 Ancient Discoveries 01:40 Grandma's Boy 11:30 Charlotte's Web 08:10 EJ NYC 10:00 Missing In Alaska 02:05 Ariana's Persian Kitchen 13:15 Inspector Gadget 09:10 E! News 11:00 Ancient Aliens: The Ultimate 02:30 This Is Brazil 14:45 Oliver & Company 10:10 Mariah's World Evidence 03:20 Glamour Puds 16:15 Frozen 11:05 Mariah's World 12:00 Ancient Top 10 03:45 Tripping Out With Alie & Georgia 18:00 Peter Pan 12:00 Mariah's World 13:00 The Universe: Ancient Mysteries 04:10 Valentine Warner Eats Scandinavia 20:00 Mary Poppins 13:00 E! News Solved 04:35 Maximum Foodie 22:30 The Odd Life Of Timothy Green 13:15 Revenge Body With Khloe 14:00 The Universe 05:00 Confucius Was A Foodie Kardashian 15:00 Ancient Discoveries 05:50 Rustic Adventure Argentina 14:10 Revenge Body With Khloe 16:00 Missing In Alaska 06:20 Charlie Luxton's Homes By The Kardashian 17:00 Ancient Aliens: The Ultimate Sea 15:05 Revenge Body With Khloe Evidence 07:15 Glamour Puds Kardashian 18:00 Ancient Top 10 07:40 Andy And Ben Eat The World SEVENTH SON ON OSN MOVIES ACTION 16:00 E! News 19:00 The Universe: Ancient Mysteries 08:10 Ariana's Persian Kitchen 01:00 Cyrus 16:15 Rob & Chyna Solved 08:35 This Is Brazil 03:00 Baby's Day Out 09:30 Glamour Puds 05:00 Father Of The Bride 01:45 Poldark 08:25 Awesome Adventures 08:30 Loopdidoo 17:10 Rob & Chyna 20:00 The Universe 10:00 Tripping Out With Alie & Georgia 07:00 National Security 02:40 Last Tango In Halifax 08:50 Bondi Vet 08:45 Henry Hugglemonster 18:05 Rob & Chyna 21:00 Ancient Discoveries 10:25 Valentine Warner Eats Scandinavia 09:00 Baby's Day Out 03:35 Ripper Street 09:40 How It's Made 09:00 Minnie's Bow-Toons 19:00 Fashion Police 22:00 Missing In Alaska 10:55 Maximum Foodie 11:00 Father Of The Bride 04:25 Orphan Black 10:05 How It's Made 09:05 Sheriff Callie's Wild West 20:00 E! News 23:00 Ancient Aliens: The Ultimate 11:20 Confucius Was A Foodie 13:00 National Security 05:10 Doctors 10:30 Unchained Reaction 09:15 Jake And The Neverland Pirates 21:00 Mariah's World Evidence 12:15 Rustic Adventure Argentina 15:00 Coneheads 05:40 Eastenders 11:20 Mythbusters 09:30 Miles From Tomorrow 22:00 Mariah's World 12:45 Charlie Luxton's Homes By The 17:00 Father Of The Bride Part II 06:10 New Tricks 12:10 Bondi Vet 09:45 Goldie & Bear 23:00 Fashion Police Sea 19:00 The Rewrite 07:00 Doctors 13:00 Ultimate Survival 09:55 The Lion Guard 13:40 Tripping Out With Alie & Georgia 21:00 Edtv 07:30 Eastenders 13:50 How It's Made 10:20 PJ Masks 14:05 Dog Whisperer 23:00 The Bronze 08:00 Holby City 14:15 How It's Made 10:35 Jake And The Neverland Pirates 15:00 This Is Brazil 08:55 Father Brown 14:40 Dirty Jobs 10:50 Doc McStuffins 15:55 Valentine Warner Eats Scandinavia 09:45 The Coroner 15:30 Mythbusters 11:00 Goldie & Bear 00:30 American Pickers 16:25 Maximum Foodie 10:35 New Tricks 16:20 Unchained Reaction 11:15 PJ Masks 00:00 Chopped 01:20 Time Team 16:50 Confucius Was A Foodie 11:30 Doctors 17:10 Kids vs Film 11:30 Minnie's Bow-Toons 01:00 Food Network Star 02:10 Counting Cars 17:45 Rustic Adventure Argentina 12:00 Eastenders 17:35 Awesome Adventures 11:35 The Lion Guard 02:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 02:35 Car Hunters 18:15 Charlie Luxton's Homes By The 00:45 Titli 12:35 Father Brown 18:00 NASA's Greatest Missions 12:00 Sofia The First 02:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 03:00 Forged In Fire Sea 03:00 The Water Diviner 13:25 The Coroner 18:50 NASA's Unexplained Files 12:30 Doc McStuffins Toy Hospital 03:00 Man Fire Food 03:50 Forged In Fire 19:10 The Best Job In The World 05:00 Gone With The Bullets 14:15 New Tricks 19:40 Destroyed In Seconds 12:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 03:30 Man Fire Food 04:40 American Pickers 19:35 Andy And Ben Eat The World 07:00 Quiz Show 15:15 Doctors 20:05 Destroyed In Seconds 13:20 My Friends Tigger & Pooh 04:00 Chopped 05:30 Pawn Stars 20:05 Valentine Warner Eats Scandinavia 09:15 The Truth About Emanuel 15:45 Eastenders 20:30 How It's Made 13:50 Sheriff Callie's Wild West 05:00 Guy's Grocery Games 06:00 Mountain Men 20:30 Maximum Foodie 11:00 Experimenter 16:20 Father Brown 20:55 How It's Made 14:15 Gummi Bears 06:00 Barefoot Contessa: Back To Basics 07:00 Counting Cars 21:00 Confucius Was A Foodie 12:45 Trash 17:10 The Coroner 21:20 Mythbusters 14:40 Sofia The First 06:30 Barefoot Contessa: Back To Basics 07:50 Shipping Wars 21:55 Rustic Adventure Argentina 14:45 Ironweed 18:05 New Tricks 22:10 NASA's Greatest Missions 15:10 Little Mermaid 07:00 The Kitchen 08:15 Shipping Wars 22:20 Charlie Luxton's Homes By The 17:15 Escobar: Paradise Lost 19:00 Doctors 23:00 NASA's Unexplained Files 15:35 PJ Masks 08:00 The Pioneer Woman 08:40 Counting Cars Sea 19:15 Bulworth 19:30 Eastenders 23:50 Destroyed In Seconds 16:00 My Friends Tigger & Pooh 20:05 Father Brown 16:30 The Lion Guard 23:10 The Best Job In The World 21:15 Manglehorn 21:00 Holby City 16:55 Unbungalievable 23:35 Andy And Ben Eat The World 23:00 Boys Don't Cry 22:00 Mum 17:00 Miles From Tomorrow 22:30 Uncle 17:30 Jake And The Never Land Pirates 23:00 The Detectorists 17:55 The Lion Guard 23:30 The Detectorists 18:20 Goldie & Bear 01:15 Wild Horses 00:00 Kirby Buckets 18:50 PJ Masks 03:00 Twister 00:25 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 19:15 Sofia The First 00:20 World's Creepiest Killers 05:00 Barefoot Witch 19:40 Doc McStuffins Toy Hospital 01:10 Dog Whisperer 07:00 Barely Lethal 00:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 20:05 Jake And The Never Land Pirates 02:00 Miracle Hospital 09:00 Words And Pictures Witch 20:30 Little Mermaid 02:30 Miracle Hospital 11:00 The Lovely Bones 00:00 My Crazy Ex 01:10 Hank Zipzer 21:00 Miles From Tomorrow 03:00 Cradle To Grave 13:15 Skyfall 01:00 My Ghost Story: Caught On 01:35 Binny And The Ghost 21:30 Miles From Tomorrow 04:50 Dog Whisperer 15:45 A Beautiful Mind Camera 02:00 Violetta 22:00 Unbungalievable 05:45 Ancient X-Files 18:00 Goosebumps 02:00 My Haunted House 02:45 The Hive 22:05 Goldie & Bear 06:40 Yukon Gold 19:45 Cradle 2 The Grave 03:00 I Was Possessed 02:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 22:35 Miles From Tomorrow 07:35 Ultimate Airport Dubai 21:30 The Taking Of Pelham 123 04:00 My Crazy Ex Witch 23:00 My Friends Tigger & Pooh 08:30 Megastructures 23:30 Swordfish 05:00 My Ghost Story: Caught On 03:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 23:25 Gummi Bears 09:25 Mega Factories: Supercars Camera Witch 23:55 Minnie's Bow-Toons 10:20 Ancient X-Files 06:00 My Haunted House 03:40 Hank Zipzer 11:15 Ghosts Of Pearl Harbor 07:00 I Was Possessed 04:05 Binny And The Ghost 12:10 Bugging Hitler's Army 08:00 Deadly Wives 04:30 Violetta 13:05 Locked Up Abroad 09:00 Deadly Wives 05:15 The Hive 14:00 Mega Factories: Supercars 00:00 How The Earth Works 10:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 05:20 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 15:00 Megastructures 00:50 Kings Of Construction 11:00 Homicide Hunter Witch 00:30 Fast N' Loud 16:00 Ultimate Airport Dubai 01:40 Mythbusters 12:00 Crime Stories 05:45 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 01:20 Misfit Garage 17:00 Hitler The Junkie 02:30 How Do They Do It? 13:00 Crime Stories Witch 02:10 Made By Destruction 17:30 Hitler And The Occult 02:55 Food Factory 14:00 Crime Stories 06:10 Hank Zipzer 02:35 Made By Destruction 18:00 Human Lampshade: A Holocaust 03:20 How The Earth Works 15:00 Crime Stories 06:35 Binny And The Ghost 03:00 How Do They Do It? Mystery 04:10 Close Encounters 16:00 Deadly Wives 07:00 Violetta 03:25 How Do They Do It? 19:00 Locked Up Abroad 04:35 Close Encounters 17:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 07:45 The Hive 03:50 Impossible Engineering 20:00 Taboo USA 05:00 Kings Of Construction 18:00 Homicide Hunter 07:50 The 7D 04:40 Fast N' Loud 21:00 Hitler The Junkie 05:48 Mythbusters 19:00 Nightmare In Suburbia 08:00 Jessie 05:30 Storage Wars Canada 21:25 Hitler And The Occult 06:36 How Do They Do It? 20:00 It Takes A Killer 08:25 Jessie 06:00 How It's Made: Dream Cars 21:50 Human Lampshade: A Holocaust 07:00 Food Factory 20:30 It Takes A Killer 08:50 Tsum Tsum Shorts 06:30 How It's Made: Dream Cars Mystery 07:24 How The Earth Works 21:00 The First 48 08:55 Rolling To The Ronks 07:00 Deadliest Catch 22:40 Locked Up Abroad 08:12 Close Encounters 22:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 09:20 Elena Of Avalor 07:50 Misfit Garage 23:30 Taboo USA 08:37 Close Encounters 23:00 Deadly Wives 09:45 Bunk'd 08:40 Fast N' Loud 09:00 How Do They Do It? 10:10 Stuck In The Middle 09:30 Running Wild With Bear Grylls 09:26 Kings Of Construction 10:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 10:20 Storage Wars Canada 10:14 Mythbusters 11:00 Wizards Of Waverly Place 10:45 How It's Made: Dream Cars 11:02 Close Encounters 11:25 A.N.T. Farm 11:10 How It's Made: Dream Cars 11:27 Close Encounters 11:50 A.N.T. Farm 11:35 Made By Destruction 00:30 Manta Mystery (Aka Project Manta) 11:50 How Do They Do It? 00:05 Another Period 12:15 Good Luck Charlie 12:00 Made By Destruction 01:20 Brutal Killers 12:14 Food Factory 00:30 The Daily Show With Trevor Noah 12:40 Good Luck Charlie 12:25 How Do They Do It? 02:10 Dangerous Encounters 12:38 How The Earth Works 01:00 Inside Amy Schumer 13:05 Shake It Up 12:50 How Do They Do It? 03:00 Puma: Lion Of The Andes 13:26 Kings Of Construction 01:25 South Park 13:30 Shake It Up 13:15 Impossible Engineering 03:50 Bearhood 14:14 Mythbusters 01:50 South Park 13:55 Disney Mickey Mouse 14:05 How It's Made: Dream Cars 04:45 Ultimate Animals 15:02 How Do They Do It? 02:15 Ugly Americans 14:00 Welcome To The Ronks 14:30 Storage Wars Canada SKYFALL ON OSN MOVIES HD Classifieds
THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017
KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (02/03/2017 TO 08/03/2017)
SHARQIA-1 HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 8:30 PM LOGAN 8:15 PM LOGAN 11:30 AM HIDDEN FIGURES 10:00 PM LOGAN 11:00 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 2:15 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 12:45 AM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 3:45 PM AVENUES-1 HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 5:15 PM FANAR-2 THE DEVIL’S CANDY 11:30 AM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 6:45 PM KIKORIKI. Legend of the Golden Dragon 1:00 PM A DOG’S PURPOSE 1:30 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 8:30 PM KIKORIKI. Legend of the Golden Dragon 2:45 PM THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE 3:45 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 10:00 PM KIKORIKI. Legend of the Golden Dragon 4:30 PM A DOG’S PURPOSE 6:00 PM LOGAN 11:30 PM ELOISE 6:15 PM THE DEVIL’S CANDY 8:15 PM MERCURY PLAINS 8:15 PM THE DEVIL’S CANDY 10:15 PM SHARQIA-2 ELOISE 10:15 PM THE DEVIL’S CANDY 12:15 AM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 12:00 PM ELOISE 12:15 AM LOGAN 1:30 PM AVENUES-2 LOGAN 4:15 PM FANAR-3 LOGAN -2D -4DX 1:30 PM LOGAN 7:00 PM MERCURY PLAINS 12:00 PM LOGAN -2D -4DX 4:15 PM LOGAN 9:45 PM COMMANDO 2-Hindi 2:00 PM LOGAN -2D -4DX 7:00 PM LOGAN 12:30 AM ELOISE 5:00 PM LOGAN -2D -4DX 9:45 PM COMMANDO 2-Hindi 7:00 PM LOGAN -2D -4DX 12:30 AM SHARQIA-3 MERCURY PLAINS 10:00 PM ELOISE 1:15 PM MERCURY PLAINS 12:05 AM AVENUES-3 ELOISE 3:15 PM ELOISE 1:00 PM LOGAN 5:15 PM FANAR-4 ELOISE 3:00 PM LOGAN 8:00 PM LOGAN 1:30 PM ELOISE 5:00 PM ELOISE 10:45 PM LOGAN 4:15 PM ELOISE 7:00 PM ELOISE 12:45 AM LOGAN 7:00 PM ELOISE 9:00 PM LOGAN 9:45 PM ELOISE 11:00 PM MUHALAB-1 LOGAN 12:30 AM ELOISE 1:00 AM ELOISE 12:30 PM SITUATION WANTED ELOISE 2:30 PM FANAR-5 AVENUES-4 ELOISE 4:30 PM LOGAN 12:30 PM LOGAN 1:00 PM Art director, Jordanian, BA ELOISE 6:30 PM LOGAN 3:15 PM LOGAN 3:45 PM graphic design, 13 years MERCURY PLAINS 8:30 PM LOGAN 6:00 PM LOGAN 6:30 PM experience with international ELOISE 10:30 PM LOGAN 8:45 PM LOGAN 9:15 PM ELOISE 12:30 AM LOGAN 11:30 PM LOGAN 12:05 AM agencies (Dubai, Riyadh, Kuwait & Amman) in graphic MUHALAB-2 MARINA-1 360º- 1 skills, web design, story LOGAN 12:15 PM ELOISE 12:00 PM ELOISE 12:00 PM boarding, creative solutions & LOGAN 3:00 PM ELOISE 2:00 PM ELOISE 2:00 PM mobile design, proficient in HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 5:45 PM ELOISE 4:00 PM ELOISE 4:00 PM Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, ELOISE 6:00 PM ELOISE 6:00 PM LOGAN 7:15 PM Indesign. Seeks job in Kuwait, HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 10:00 PM HIDDEN FIGURES 8:00 PM ELOISE 8:00 PM LOGAN 11:30 PM ELOISE 10:45 PM ELOISE 10:00 PM please call 00965 98773900 ELOISE 12:45 AM ELOISE 12:05 AM or email: MUHALAB-3 [email protected] PRAYER TIMINGS LOGAN 1:15 PM MARINA-2 360º- 2 (C 5277) 28-2-2017 HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 2:30 PM LOGAN 1:00 PM HIDDEN FIGURES 1:00 PM Fajr: 04:54 LOGAN 4:00 PM THE DEVIL’S CANDY 1:45 PM HIDDEN FIGURES 1:30 PM LOGAN 3:45 PM FRI LOGAN 6:45 PM Shorook: 06:13 LOGAN 9:30 PM LOGAN 6:30 PM HIDDEN FIGURES 4:00 PM LOGAN 12:15 AM LOGAN 9:15 PM HIDDEN FIGURES 6:45 PM LOGAN 12:05 AM HIDDEN FIGURES 9:30 PM 112 Duhr: 12:00 FANAR-1 HIDDEN FIGURES 12:15 AM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 12:00 PM MARINA-3 Asr: 15:19 HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 1:30 PM LOGAN 11:30 AM 360 º- 3 Automated enquiry HIDDEN FIGURES 3:00 PM LOGAN 2:15 PM JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 1:45 PM about the Maghrib: 17:48 HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 5:00 PM JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 4:30 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 5:30 PM Civil ID card is HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 7:00 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 6:45 PM ABY- Malayalam 7:00 PM 1889988 Isha: 19:05
Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw) DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION
Arrival Flights on Thursday 2/3/2017 KAC 614 Bahrain 13:30 Departure Flights on Thursday 2/3/2017 JZR 786 Riyadh 13:45 Airlines Flt Route Time KAC 564 Amman 13:40 Airlines Flt Route Time JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 KLM 411 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:20 KAC 788 Jeddah 13:45 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 KAC 155 Istanbul 13:50 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 FEG 931 Alexandria 13:55 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:30 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 KNE 231 Riyadh 13:55 PIA 240 Sialkot 00:40 FDB 076 Dubai 14:05 KAC 102 London 00:55 QTR 1078 Doha 14:10 FDB 072 Dubai 00:40 AXB 394 Kozhikode 14:10 THY 772 Istanbul 00:55 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:15 BBC 044 Dhaka 01:30 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 MSC 411 Asyut 01:00 FDB 059 Dubai 14:20 KLM 411 Amsterdam 01:35 KAC 561 Amman 14:20 KAC 521 Al Najaf 14:45 RJA 642 Amman 01:05 KAC 692 Muscat 14:30 MSC 412 Asyut 01:55 KNE 382 Taif 14:50 QTR 1086 Doha 01:15 KAC 414 Bangkok 14:35 KAC 417 Manila 02:00 FEG 932 Alexandria 14:55 THY 773 Istanbul 02:25 SAI 441 Lahore 01:30 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:40 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 SAI 442 Lahore 02:30 THY 764 Istanbul 01:50 KAC 672 Dubai 14:50 FDB 060 Dubai 15:10 DLH 635 Doha 01:55 KNE 529 Jeddah 14:55 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:55 KAC 785 Jeddah 15:15 PGT 858 Istanbul 02:00 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:15 AXB 396 Kozhikode 02:55 PAL 669 Dubai/Manila 15:20 AXB 395 Kozhikode 02:00 FDB 8053 Dubai 15:15 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 03:05 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:25 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 02:05 OMA 645 Muscat 15:35 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:35 QTR 1079 Doha 15:40 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 JZR 188 Dubai 15:40 UAE 853 Dubai 02:30 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:50 KKK 6505 Istanbul 03:55 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 OMA 643 Muscat 02:55 KAC 154 Istanbul 15:55 OMA 644 Muscat 03:55 KNE 530 Jeddah 15:55 KKK 6506 Istanbul 02:55 SAW 705 Damascus 16:00 THY 765 Istanbul 04:00 FDB 8054 Dubai 16:05 FDB 069 Dubai 03:05 KAC 542 Cairo 16:05 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:20 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 KNE 531 Jeddah 16:05 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:10 KAC 357 Kochi 16:20 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 JZR 535 Cairo 16:10 KAC 167 Paris 04:25 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:30 QTR 1076 Doha 03:30 JZR 779 Jeddah 16:10 QTR 1077 Doha 04:40 OMA 646 Muscat 16:35 KAC 546 Cairo 03:55 QTR 1072 Doha 16:10 LMU 511 Cairo 05:00 SAW 706 Damascus 16:55 LMU 510 Cairo 04:00 FDB 051 Dubai 16:25 MSC 502 Alexandria 05:05 KNE 532 Jeddah 16:55 KAC 675 Dubai 17:00 MSC 501 Alexandria 04:05 KAC 662 Abu Dhabi 16:35 QTR 1087 Doha 05:50 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 KAC 418 Manila 04:25 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 FEG 954 Asyut 06:00 JZR 240 Amman 17:15 JZR 560 Sohag 06:05 FEG 933 Sohag 05:00 KAC 118 New York 17:00 FDB 052 Dubai 17:25 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 JZR 503 Luxor 05:10 JZR 787 Riyadh 17:00 KAC 615 Bahrain 17:35 JZR 529 Asyut 05:15 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 KAC 354 BLR 05:20 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 KAC 153 Istanbul 06:50 KAC 343 Chennai 17:40 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:20 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:45 KAC 165 Rome 06:55 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 KAC 332 Trivandrum 05:45 NIA 251 Alexandria 17:55 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 THY 770 Istanbul 05:55 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 RJA 643 Amman 07:05 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 KAC 364 Colombo 06:05 FDB 063 Dubai 18:10 JZR 238 Amman 07:10 KAC 331 Trivandrum 18:00 KAC 206 Islamabad 06:20 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 KAC 346 Ahmedabad 06:25 KAC 522 Al Najaf 18:25 KAC 773 Riyadh 07:30 KAC 353 BLR 18:15 BAW 157 London 06:40 MSR 620 Cairo 18:30 KAC 787 Jeddah 07:45 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 QTR 8511 Doha 07:00 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 FDB 5062 Dubai 07:55 KAC 283 Dhaka 18:30 PAL 668 Manila/Dubai 07:00 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:25 KAC 563 Amman 08:00 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 KAC 204 Lahore 07:15 KAC 502 Beirut 19:30 KAC 411 Bangkok 08:20 NIA 252 Alexandria 18:55 FDB 5061 Dubai 07:15 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 BAW 156 London 08:40 JZR 554 Alexandria 18:55 KAC 284 Dhaka 07:35 KAC 674 Dubai 19:45 KAC 541 Cairo 08:40 FDB 064 Dubai 19:05 JZR 124 Bahrain 19:15 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 FDB 057 Dubai 19:50 FDB 054 Dubai 08:55 UAE 876 Dubai 19:30 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 KAC 166 Rome 19:55 KAC 117 New York 09:00 MSR 621 Cairo 19:30 QTR 8512 Doha 09:00 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 KAC 168 Paris 19:55 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 KAC 382 Delhi 08:45 KNE 381 Taif 19:55 KAC 691 Muscat 09:00 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:05 IRA 667 Esfahan 09:00 KAC 562 Amman 20:00 KAC 743 Dammam 09:00 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:05 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 KAC 383 Delhi 20:30 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 OMA 647 Muscat 20:10 KAC 101 London 09:35 FDB 058 Dubai 20:35 KAC 352 Kochi 09:10 JZR 189 Dubai 20:15 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 KAC 361 Colombo 20:35 QTR 1070 Doha 09:30 QTR 1088 Doha 20:35 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 KAC 775 Riyadh 20:45 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:45 IRA 668 Mashhad 10:00 KNE 232 Riyadh 20:55 SVA 512 Riyadh 10:00 FDB 5053 Dubai 20:50 KAC 671 Dubai 10:05 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:05 AVV 653 Sohag 10:10 KAC 616 Bahrain 20:50 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:10 OMA 648 Muscat 21:10 IRA 673 Ahwaz 10:10 KAC 786 Jeddah 21:15 KAC 613 Bahrain 10:10 KAC 619 Doha 21:20 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:20 JZR 778 Jeddah 10:30 QTR 1089 Doha 21:35 SYR 341 Damascus 11:00 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 DLH 634 Doha 21:35 KAC 774 Riyadh 11:05 ALK 229 Colombo 21:25 QTR 1071 Doha 10:40 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 RBG 553 Alexandria 11:15 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 SVA 513 Riyadh 11:00 FDB 5054 Dubai 21:50 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:00 MSC 403 Asyut 11:15 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 IRA 672 Ahwaz 11:10 KAC 351 Kochi 22:00 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 KAC 676 Dubai 21:45 AVV 654 Asyut 11:10 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 FDK 801 Damascus 11:45 QTR 1082 Doha 22:00 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 RBG 554 Alexandria 11:55 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 KLM 417 Amsterdam 22:05 ALK 230 Colombo 22:25 KAC 744 Dammam 12:10 JZR 125 Bahrain 22:05 KAC 501 Beirut 11:55 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 KAC 286 Dhaka 12:25 NIA 151 Cairo 22:10 VIZ 201 Baghdad 12:00 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:45 FEG 953 Asyut 12:35 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 SYR 342 Damascus 12:00 KAC 381 Delhi 22:45 JZR 561 Sohag 12:40 AIC 981 Ahmedabad 22:25 KAC 661 Abu Dhabi 12:05 KAC 1543 Cairo 22:45 JZR 239 Amman 12:45 JZR 241 Amman 22:45 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:05 UAE 860 Dubai 22:55 FDB 075 Dubai 12:50 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:00 MSC 404 Asyut 12:15 KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:05 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 JZR1 85 Dubai 23:15 DK 802 Damascus 12:45 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:05 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 KAC 156 Istanbul 23:25 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 NIA 152 Cairo 23:10 AXB 393 Kozhikode 13:10 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 FEG 934 Sohag 13:35 QTR 1083 Doha 23:20 stars34 THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017
CROSSWORD 1535 STAR TRACK
Aries (March 21-April 19) Libra (September 23-October 22)
Avoid burnout by scheduling time for exercise. Make it a point to tell a If there are not strong weather changes present, unnecessarily high emo- joke! You face many responsibilities in your professional life and it would tions may be the stirring you feel. Consider the facts and nothing else this day. You will be good to keep your body running smoothly. You are compassionate and giving to be very happy by the end of your workday as you look back to discover that the word all around you, people love to work with you and the people that are over you in this unnecessary opens a whole new perspective. Travel sets you apart, giving you a new workplace are pleased. Now we just have to convince you that you are doing a good and in some sense revolutionary perspective. Contact with faraway people and places job. Step back and view your work after the completion date and you will see that all soon plays a bigger role for you this spring. If you are not engaged in traveling just is in order. If something doesn't turn out the way you think it should, it is most certain- now, you will be soon. Good things are happening in your life. You will soon become ly not because you do not put in all your effort. Your devotion and selflessness will involved with a whole new group of friends. Allow yourself to grow and be open to reap unexpected rewards. Leave with a smile, your smile is contagious. change. Higher education or philosophy has a part in making good things happen.
Taurus (April 20-May 20) Scorpio (October 23-November 21)
A new person in the workplace may try your patience today and you may You may feel restricted today. Perhaps this is not the time to try to solve wonder if you were the same when you were new. A sense of humor and a little patience any serious problems or make important decisions. Taking care of the necessary work may be needed. There is a yearning for the stimulation of new ideas this afternoon. Since at hand becomes a greater preoccupation of your mind. You may find that any little you have not quite reached your long-term goal, it might be fun to plan your path to distraction makes it hard for you to concentrate. Real estate or home and family proj- completion-create some short-term goals as well. This way, you will stay motivated. Fun ects take on a greater importance later today. There is a great deal of conversation at with friends this afternoon may mean a lot of laughter and talk of new ideas for enter- the dinner table tonight, surrounding the subject of future plans regarding the home. tainment as well as ideas of ways to be useful. Two of you may end up signing up to vol- You are coming into a time of experimenting with styles and fashion and tradition. unteer at a hospital or some other similar institution. You are happy and pleased with Planning a garden or some other project may also be enjoyed this evening. More than your decision to volunteer. Shopping may happen later this afternoon. one person may wonder if they can see results from planting seeds.
Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You could be at the attention of your superiors this day. You may find Any confusing problem can be cleared away now. Your activity level is yourself more than a little acquisitive. Your current appreciation for just high and your energies will promote positive results-all day long. Your wishes materi- about everything may lead you to overspend or indulge too much. You will make alize through sheer will. Reward yourself for progress rather than punishing yourself career gains by your ability to sense quality and choose accordingly. Look for ways in for any imperfections. Choose an activity that you consider fun and soothing this ACROSS 81. A public place in ancient Greece or Rome which to rid yourself of the things that do not carry you forward. A fun and unexpect- afternoon-like visiting an amusement park, bicycling, skating, etc. You may be sought ed conversation may give you some ideas of new and exciting adventures. Do the 1. A defensive missile designed to shoot down devoted to the training of wrestlers and after for your guidance regarding very personal and emotional issues surrounding a things that really bring the family together. Volunteer work for humanitarian causes incoming intercontinental ballistic mis- other athletes. friend. You will be able to be understanding and handle this situation most success- or community concerns done as a family can be just what is needed to bring the siles. 82. A loose sleeveless outer garment made fully when you create opportunities for this friend to find his or her own answers. You family close. In many cases, when a family works or plays together, everyone benefits. 4. (anatomy) Of or related to an ampulla. from aba cloth. encourage a positive attitude from yourself as well as those around you. 12. A label made of cardboard or plastic or metal. DOWN 1. By bad luck. 15. Of or relating to a member of the Buddhist Capricorn (December 22-January 19) people inhabiting the Mekong river in 2. Any of numerous local fertility and nature Cancer (June 21-July 22) Laos and Thailand. deities worshipped by ancient Semitic Today you work harder than usual and feel great about the amount of 16. British statesman who as Prime Minister peoples. Someone unexpected confronts you this morning and your reaction is 3. Relating to principles of right and wrong. work you can accomplish. There is an urge to push for success when it comes to the surprising. You may not appreciate their very different perspective or attitude but you bought controlling interest in the Suez 4. A rapid bustling commotion. world of high finance. Careful-you might get a bit reckless when it comes to the han- respect his or her fortitude and opinion. Sometimes it would be nice, you think, if you Canal and made Queen Victoria the 5. Submersible vessel for one or two persons. dling of some financial proposal. Do the regular review and research. A domestic chal- could have the same type of strength. You remember that you are working on your Empress of India (1804-1881). 6. A genus of Stromateidae. lenge can be settled today and will free you for a more creative expression. Your tact is ability to become more skillfully communicative. Look for the good and the negative 17. A run that is the result of the batter's per- 7. In or relating to or obtained from urine. improving. Learning more about you is becoming an important ongoing investigation. will dissipate-speak truthfully. Other people tend to be lucky for you today. You are formance. 8. Remove with or as if with a ladle. In learning more about your real self, you learn more about humanity. Coming to grips able to value your own life circumstances. You may find yourself guiding a young per- 18. A river in north central Switzerland that 9. (horseshoes) The throw of a horseshoe so as with the past or getting in touch with the mystical and the spiritual gives you a sense of son with homework, even though you would rather not repeat a particular school les- runs northeast into the Rhine. to lean against (but not encircle) the stake. satisfaction and completeness. Many new ideas are waiting for you to assimilate. son. A visitor in your home this evening may compliment you on your tastes. 19. A member of the Iroquoian people former- 10. A silvery ductile metallic element found ly living east of Lake Ontario. primarily in bauxite. 20. A territory in southwestern Germany for- 11. Of wines, fruit, cheeses. Aquarius (January 20- February 18) merly ruled by the counts palatine. 12. A device in which something (usually an Leo (July 23-August 22) 21. Speaking a Slavic language. animal) can be caught and penned. Get rid of the things in your life that slow you and keep you from accom- 23. A substance that produces a fragrant odor 13. (usually followed by `to') Having the neces- This is a time of introspection and evaluation of goals. You may feel lonely and self-critical at this time, but do not be too hard on yourself. Focus your energy on plishing your goals. Consolidate your efforts and eliminate some of those scattered when burned. sary means or skill or know-how or times in your life that leave you exhausted. You will be learning to streamline your ener- authority to do something. self-discovery instead. For the duration of the morning you may desire peace and quiet 25. Seed of a pea plant. in the family setting. Parental instincts may come to the forefront now as you see plenty gy by focusing on one thing at a time. You could receive unexpected backing and, in 26. A mistake resulting from inattention. 14. An ancient Egyptian city on the west bank of opportunities to help others. You are appreciated for your thoughtful consideration general, your efforts throughout this day are successful. There is a feeling that anything 28. An inactive volcano in Sicily. of the Nile opposite Cairo. of others and your ability to lead and teach. A small, social get-together is possible this is possible if you set your sights high enough. Your creativity is strong and with your 30. North American republic containing 50 22. Roman scholar (116-27 BC). evening, perhaps an early dinner in a restaurant. One topic of conversation is hobbies love of antiques, you could take a class or study the art of refinishing furniture. It may states - 48 conterminous states in North 24. What you can repeat immediately after and how each person got started with a hobby. This evening you may begin thinking even be possible that a very good friend would enjoy taking the class with you. You America plus Alaska in northwest North perceiving it. about an herb garden or a vegetable garden hobby for your own place. discover a new book this evening and may spend much time in reading. America and the Hawaiian Islands in the 27. Any of a class of weakly acidic organic Pacific Ocean. compounds. 29. A hard copal derived from an African tree. 32. Deciduous or evergreen shrubs and shrub- 31. A river that rises in central Germany and Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) by trees of temperate and subtropical flows north to join the Elbe River. North America, South Africa, eastern Asia 33. The elementary stages of any subject (usu- Everything points to your taking the initiative now. Sacrifices may be There are lots of things on your mind this morning but the most impor- and northeastern Australia. ally plural). the first thing to consider this morning. Your appointment calendar is overflowing and tant thing is to become focused and set in what you want to accomplish. 37. The capital of Croatia. 34. Of or relating to or characteristic of Ireland you will need to cancel one or two of your appointments in order to be with unexpect- Before you know it the projects and general work chores are behind you and the work- 39. A song or hymn of mourning composed or or its people. ed company. You may later discover that there is a possibility to travel out-of-town day is successfully completed. If you are lucky enough to be able to leave work early, it performed as a memorial to a dead per- 35. Bright with a steady but subdued shining. soon. A business trip may be the reason you get to travel to a distant place and visit would be of benefit to list your personal chores so that you can get them done quickly. son. 36. English admiral who defeated the French with long-lost but not forgotten friends. Careful, if there is too much talk about the trip This afternoon you may be working on a secret project at home. The completion of 40. A nobleman (in various countries) of vary- fleets of Napoleon but was mortally before you go, you may have to take out a loan when you discover how many people your new invention or project is exciting and you will get to do the unveiling this ing rank. wounded at Trafalgar (1758-1805). from the family want to go with you. A social event this evening may find you enjoying evening. You have finally put together some fun new game or gizmo that you had 43. A plant consisting of buildings with facili- 38. A hard coarse-grained siliceous sandstone. the company of a new friend-someone who seems to have similar goals. been thinking about for some time. Socializing is the best happening this evening. ties for manufacturing. 41. English theoretical physicist who applied 44. American prizefighter who won the world relativity theory to quantum mechanics heavyweight championship three times and predicted the existence of antimatter Word Search Yesterday’s Solution (born in 1942). and the positron (1902-1984). 45. A religious belief of African origin involving 42. A village of huts for native Africans in witchcraft and sorcery. southern Africa. 47. Any of 12 kings of ancient Egypt between 46. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali 1315 and 1090 BC. earth group. 50. A general anesthetic (not a barbiturate) 48. An honorary arts degree. that is administered intravenously or intra- 49. Informal terms for a mother. muscularly. 51. According to the Old Testament he was a 53. 10 hao equal 1 dong. pagan king of Israel and husband of Jezebel (9th century BC). 54. A Buddhist who has attained nirvana. 52. Informal terms for clothing. 57. A hard brittle gray polyvalent metallic ele- 55. A rapid series of short loud sounds (as ment that resembles iron but is not mag- might be heard with a stethoscope in netic. some types of respiratory disorders). 58. (Old Testament) The second patriarch. 56. Fallow deer. 62. A town in southeastern New Mexico on the 59. Any of various thermoplastic resins used to Pecos River near the Mexican border. make things. 65. One of a family of granular intrusive rocks. 60. Cause to be embarrassed. 67. A brittle silver-white metalloid element 61. (of something seen or heard) Clearly that is related to selenium and sulfur. defined. 68. Having a woven pattern. 63. A coffee cake flavored with orange rind 71. A self-funded retirement plan that allows and raisins and almonds. you to contribute a limited yearly sum 64. The capital and largest city of Bangladesh. toward your retirement. 66. A law passed by US Congress to prevent 72. (Babylonian and Assyrian) Goddess of love employees from being injured or contract- and fertility and war. ing diseases in the course of their employ- 75. An indehiscent fruit derived from a single ment. ovary having one or many seeds within a 69. Someone who works (or provides workers) fleshy wall or pericarp. during a strike. 76. The state of matter distinguished from the 70. God of love and erotic desire. solid and liquid states by. 73. Goddess of the dead and queen of the 77. Female sheldrake. underworld. 74. A groove or furrow (especially one in soft 79. A rotating disk shaped to convert circular earth caused by wheels). into linear motion. 78. A hard brittle blue-white multivalent 80. Antibacterial drug (trade name Nydrazid) metallic element. used to treat tuberculosis.
Yesterday’s Solution
Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 information
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Afghanistan 0093 Lithuania 00370 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Albania 00355 Luxembourg 00352 Algeria 00213 Macau 00853 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Andorra 00376 Macedonia 00389 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Angola 00244 Madagascar 00261 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Anguilla 001264 Majorca 0034 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Antiga 001268 Malawi 00265 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Argentina 0054 Malaysia 0060 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Armenia 00374 Maldives 00960 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Australia 0061 Mali 00223 Austria 0043 Malta 00356 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Azerbaijan 00994 Marshall Islands 00692 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Bahrain 00973 Mauritania 00222 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Rawda 22517733 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Adaliya 22517144 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Kaifan 24849807 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Shuwaikh 24814507 Burundi 00257 New Caledonia 00687 Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Nuzha 22526804 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Qadsiya 22515088 Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 Dasmah 22532265 Chad 00235 N. 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FASHION Top Paris label sacks agency over 'sadistic' abuse of models ashion brand Balenciaga said yesterday it had sacked its discontinuing the relationship with the current casting casting agency amid a furore over the "sadistic" mistreat- agency". "Balenciaga took notice of issues with the model Fment of models at Paris fashion week. The label, the castings carried out on that day (Sunday). The house reacted hottest on the Paris catwalk, said it had sent a written apology immediately," a statement added. "Balenciaga condemns this to the 150 women who were forced to wait in a cramped stair- incident and will continue to be deeply committed to ensure well for three hours at the casting for its show on Sunday. the most respectful working conditions for the models." The Some were shut inside in the dark while the casting directors fashion house-whose show is on Sunday-has become the went off for lunch, according to James Scully, a US casting hottest ticket on the Paris catwalk since the Georgian wun- director who took to Instagram to brand their treatment as derkind Demna Gvasalia took the helm last year. "sadistic and cruel". Scully, whose post garnered support from supermodels He claimed the directors involved were "serial abusers". "In Joan Small, Helena Christensen and Carolyn Murphy, also their usual fashion they shut the door, went to lunch and accused the French label Lanvin of discrimination against turned off the lights to the stairs leaving every girl with only black models. "I have heard from several agents, some of the lights of their phones to see," he added. "Not only was this whom are black, that they have received (a) mandate from sadistic and cruel it was dangerous and left more than a few of Lanvin that they do not want to be presented with women of the girls I spoke with traumatized." Scully also accused a major colour," he wrote. The brand, whose designer Bouchra Jarrar's Paris fashion house, which he did not name, of trying to family comes from Morocco, used two black models among "sneak in" 15-year-old models for its show. "It's inconceivable nearly 50 women who walked in its last Paris womenswear to me that people have no regard for human decency or the show. No one was available to comment at Lanvin but a lives and feelings of these girls, especially when too, too many spokeswoman told Women's Wear Daily that the "allegations of these models are under the age of 18 and clearly not are completely false and baseless". — AFP equipped to be here." This file photo shows models presenting 'No women of colour' creations for Balenciaga during the Balenciaga confirmed to AFP it was "making radical 2016 Spring/Summer ready-to-wear col- changes to the casting process" after the incident, "including lection fashion show in Paris. — AFP
Models present creations by Yves Saint-Laurent during the Women's Fall-Winter 2017-2018 fashion week in Paris. — AP/AFP photos Saint Laurent designer gives bold, VIP-filled sophomore show
ate Moss hid under a hat, Eva Herzigova shiv- black leather came alongside exposed breasts. While ered in the cold, Catherine Deneuve and A$AP uber-mini dresses - the staple silhouette - teased the eye KRocky sat poker-faced, while only Charlotte with knee-high-, and sometimes stripper-, boots. Still, Gainsbourg managed a smile. Fashion crowds do not there were some nice creative twists, like a leg of mut- usually brave a cold, elemental construction-site at ton sleeve made literally out of mutton. Elsewhere, there night in Paris unless there's a very good reason. And were some skillful abstract plays on leather ruffles - and this was it: Anthony Vaccarello's highly-anticipated the ruched boots will fly off the shelves. sophomore collection for the iconic house of Saint Laurent. Here are some highlights from Tuesday, the Vaccarello has loyal friends first day of fall-winter 2017 shows. Actress Gainsbourg, 45, who attended the Saint Laurent show in a black leather mini with tousled hair, Saint Laurent under construction spoke of her friendship with the French-Italian designer. The Saint Laurent show venue - a near-derelict site "I love what he does - he's a friend and I like to support on the Left Bank that's undergoing construction and him. I knew him before he started at Saint Laurent, so I renovation - was a clear metaphor. Vaccarello is continu- was already wearing Anthony Vaccarello - his brand. And ing his creative reconstruction of the Parisian house so to switch to Saint Laurent is chic," she told The since Hedi Slimane's departure. As smoke - or was it Associated Press. Model Herzigova, 43, who braved the dust? - wafted from the sides of the set scaffolding, the elements in a revealing LBD that plunged to her midriff, myriad looks began to file by. They mixed the shimmer- also was effusive in praise for her friend for whom she ing disco-dresses from the Slimane years with the has modeled in the past. "Saint Laurent, it's audacious... peaked, tuxedo shoulders associated with the late (for) a woman sure of herself and sexy. That's why house founder Yves Saint Laurent. (Anthony) was chosen as it's a good match," she said, But beyond this, the exhaustive collection seemed before running off. "I'm cold," she added, laughing. less to do with Saint Laurent than Vaccarello himself like last season- in all his brazen, provocative glory. Plunging necklines met slashed asymmetry. Patent fetish-like
Models present creations by Maison Margiela during the women's Fall-Winter ready-to-wear collection fash- ion show in Paris. THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 lifestyle
FASHION
Vera Wang gets decorated Ecology escapes Paris fashion One of the biggest names at New York Fashion Week The art of the chic invite is still very much a staple of Paris switched allegiance this season - forgoing a runway show in fashion. Houses compete to produce the most eye-catching, February in her native land in favor of a trip to the City of inventive, and often plain wasteful, show invitations delivered Light. There was good reason. On Tuesday to kick off Paris often by gas-guzzling courier to each guest's personal resi- Fashion Week, Vera Wang was presented France's top civilian dence. The little works of art often provide a hint as to what award, the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, for her services to the collection has in store. Eccentric Rick Owens sent out thick the fashion industry by France's Ambassador to the United panels of black leather embossed with the show information States, Gerard Araud. wrapped with a wacky surgical bandage. Chloe, meanwhile, The 67-year-old New York-born designer was celebrated at had a shimmering "golden ticket"-style card - to mark designer the official ceremony at a lunch at the Hotel des Invalides."This Clare Waight Keller's final show as the house' designer. is an unimaginable honor, both as an American and a design- But so far, it was Saint Laurent's invite that was the chicest - er, to be presented with this most prestigious award from the a beautifully-constructed beige leather wallet with a gold pan- French Republic," Wang said. el with the house name embossed. In other countries like in Speaking of the award, Araud said that "French culture has Brazil, fashion invites are often sent by plain-old email. been a strong inspiration throughout her life, and has influ- enced her work as both a designer and an accomplished and State of emergency independent business woman." The designer opted to present With the state of emergency extended across France follow- her fall-winter collection by means of a short online film - ing a spate of deadly extremist attacks, Paris Fashion Week has instead of a runway show - released Tuesday. not escaped the tightening of security. Fashionistas have been advised to be extra vigilant. Designer bags are frisked and Anrealage's off-kilter couture searched at the entry point of each show - with armed guards It could be called techno-couture. The fashion-forward and sniffer dogs often policing the famed venues including the house of Tokyo designer Kunihiko Morinaga has built up a huge Louvre and the Grand Palais. Passports and official identifica- fan base in Japan for its intellectual designs and original use of tion is also required in addition to the show invite, or else VIPs - techno-fabrics. This was on full display Tuesday in a collection in however important - are refused access. — AP which Morinaga explored eclectic, often-trapeze silhouettes in shimmering fabrics that encased the models' bodies in three- dimensions. Looks tiered and cascaded, a little like the figura- tive blue sea runway around which the models strutted. Sharp frills, sharply cut horizontal segments and bands of satin - had a nicely off-kilter 1950s vibe. Some looks even resem- Models presenting creations for Lanvin bled a modernized version of the Duster Coats popular in that during the 2017 Spring/Summer ready-to- era, with high ruff-necks evoking the nostalgia of 1900s' styles. wear collection fashion show in Paris. A dusty palette of burnt sienna, blue, and umber - mixed with a splashing of black - produced a very pleasing display.
New Look Spring/Summer 2017
his season, for ladies more than teamed with retro tailoring in Cuban ever, colour and print are key. Acid colours are key. Printed summer darks Tbrights lead the way as the go to and black base florals are dressed palette- bright prints as well as block down to give a relaxed feel to the vin- colours and 80s rave graphics adorn tage inspired collection. some of the most statement seasonal Urban culture is evident throughout pieces. Gingham reigns supreme as our the range. The return of the Crombie go to print for spring and is seen across jacket, tracksuit and polo neck lend dresses, separates and outerwear. themselves to the 90s East London hip- Sleeve details are statement - from over ster scene, whilst customised tops and stated ballooned shaped to exaggerat- denim give the collection a real edge. ed cuffs on deconstructed tailoring. Layering plays an important role for Layering aids the spring/summer transi- New Look Men this season. Washed out, tion - studded and embroidered tulle is neutral colours provide a clean minimal- worn over denim and printed tees keep- ist feel with fabrications and lose fitting ing things casual and fresh. silhouettes key for SS17.Tailoring has Grunge is back but with a folk evolved with a nautical influence, pin- inspired twist. Multi frills, mismatched stripes give the collection a fresh mod- ditzy prints and cutwork details are ern feel. The Spring Summer Collection seen on blouses and dresses and worn is available at all New Look stores against ripped denim and lace. For throughout Kuwait at The Avenues, Al men 1950s Sin City inspires one of the Bairaq Mall, Al Salam Mall and main trends this season; revere shirts Promenade Mall. lifestyle THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017
MUSIC & MOVIES Lady Gaga steps in for pregnant Beyonce at Coachella
ady Gaga has stepped in to replace the preg- Beyonce had been due to headline Coachella intense performance in February during halftime nant Beyonce at Coachella, ensuring that the each Saturday alongside British experimental rock- of the Super Bowl-the most widely watched televi- Lpremier music festival has a woman headliner ers Radiohead on Fridays and acclaimed rapper sion event each year in the United States. A week for the first time in a decade. Coachella, one of the Kendrick Lamar on Sundays. But Coachella last later she took an entirely new approach as she most lucrative music events in the world, late week said Beyonce had been obliged to cancel on transformed into a metalhead at the Grammy Tuesday posted an updated lineup with Lady Gaga doctors' orders as she is expecting twins with her Awards for a performance with Metallica. Lady now the headliner on April 15 and April 22. "Let's husband, rap mogul Jay Z. Coachella would have Gaga is set to start a world tour on August 1 in party in the desert," Lady Gaga, who will offer a been the sole concert this year by Beyonce and Vancouver, with dates scheduled across North glimpse of her upcoming world tour, wrote on ticket resale prices for the sold-out festival had America and Europe through the end of the year. Instagram as she shared Coachella's new poster. slumped immediately after her cancellation. While Coachella has not had a woman as one of the Coachella takes place over two consecutive week- Beyonce has been increasingly experimental in the nights' headliners since Icelandic pop diva Bjork in ends with identical lineups in the desert of south- past year, Lady Gaga-famous for her attention- 2007. — AFP ern California, where up to 200,000 people flock grabbing outfits-turned to a more classic pop Lady Gaga performs with Metallica onstage during the 59th Annual Grammy music each year for an extravaganza of music, fashion sound on her latest album "Joanne." Awards on February in Los Angeles, California. — AFP and partying. Lady Gaga put on a well-received, acrobatic-
Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa performing during a This file photo shows singer Magos concert in Quito, Ecuador.—AFP photos Herrera attending the 3rd Annual Cinema Tropical Awards at The New York This undated image shows protagonist Jesuit Sebastiao Rodrigues, left, played Times Headquarters in New York City. by Andrew Garfield, and Japanese villager Kichijiro played by Yosuke Kubozuka in a scene from Martin Scorsese’s latest film Silence. — APphotos Japan actor in Scorsese's 'Silence' Pussy Riot branches into drawn to recurring theme theater at New York festival iolence pulsates in Shinya Fortunately, Tsukamoto was already in Tsukamoto's early films, driving sto- character for the role. He had just finished Vries into nightmarish fantasies like his own 2014 movie, "Fires on the Plain," a ussian punk provocateurs Pussy Riot are presidency of Donald Trump, Prestini said the festi- in the award-winning 1989 "Tetsuo," brutally solemn and grotesque tale about branching into theater to tell their story as val was inevitably "deeply reflective of the time which ridicules middle-class conformity World War II, which he directed and Rthey headline a New York festival that we're living in." The festival opens Wednesday as with a man-becomes-machine metamor- starred in as a near-starving soldier. explores women's empowerment. Spring avant-garde cellist Amanda Gookin performs seven phosis. His more recent works still depict He got the guidance of a professional Revolution, which opened yesterday at Brooklyn's commissioned works that take up issues that affect Russian activist Maria Alyokhina of Russian feminist violence, though the Japanese director Hollywood nutritionist to further lose year-and-a-half-old experimental music hub women or girls. punk rock protest group Pussy Riot addressing the says the nature of the violence has weight to play Mokichi, ending up some National Sawdust, will also feature a jazz interpreta- crowd at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, changed - from whimsical "cyberpunk" 22 pounds (10 kilograms) under his usual tion of Argentina's celebrated protest singer New take on protest singer South West England. horror to horrifying reality. That's why he weight. Throughout "Fires on the Plain," Mercedes Sosa. Pussy Riot became an irritant to Magos Herrera, one of Mexico's leading jazz identified so closely with Martin the soldiers are fighting nothing other President Vladimir Putin and an international cause singers, will on Thursday lead a tribute to Sosa, the Scorsese's grueling epic, "Silence," which than their own hunger. They fear each celebre when the female rockers performed a noisy Argentinian folk artist revered by much of Latin portrays the persecution of Christians in other as much as the enemy. The film car- "punk prayer" on the altar of a Moscow church near America's left. Sosa, who died in 2009, went into samurai-era Japan. Tsukamoto plays ried stunning references to cannibalism, the Kremlin in 2012. exile after rattling the military junta that ruled Chance the Rapper added Mokichi, a poor villager and martyr. "In which some historians say really hap- Maria Alyokhina, who was imprisoned along Argentina from 1976 to 1983. "Everything that she any era, regular people are kept down pened. That kind of no-holds-barred sto- with fellow key member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, represents gives a nostalgia for what Latin America with violence. There is such sadness about rytelling is signature Tsukamoto. Over the has turned the Pussy Riot experience into an auto- aimed for in those days," Herrera told AFP. "We are to Essence Festival why violence is perpetually involved," decades, his scenes have abounded with biographical theatrical work entitled "Revolution." definitely in a different moment in history today Tsukamoto said in an interview with The squirming maggots, metallic rock- The piece, which will take the stage at National but still the values of her singing were so strong hance the Rapper is bringing his Associated Press at a Tokyo hotel. "This inspired banging, blood-sputtering beat- Sawdust on March 17 after stops on the US West and so meaningful that they still resonate with us, Grammy-winning music to the same theme came at the same time." ings, dizzyingly jagged camerawork and Coast, combines video footage and features especially these days," said Herrera, who has been CEssence Festival. The rapper won three masochistic but titillating erotica. Alyokhina herself among performers who include active in UN campaigns for women's equality. trophies at this year's Grammy Awards His Kafka-esque characters inhabit fellow Russian punk act Asian Women on the While Sosa was foremost known as a protest including best new artist. He is the latest sterile concrete apartments, lost in wind- Telephone. singer, Herrera noted that one of her signature performer to join the annual music event as ing alleys, escalators and stairways, all The composer Paola Prestini, who is National songs, "Gracias a la Vida" ("Thank You to Life"), cele- a headliner. Others that were previously seemingly on the verge of collapsing, like Sawdust's executive and creative director, said the brates more than just a political cause. The show announced include Diana Ross, John Legend a stage set, into another darker reality. venue had been open to any sort of performance will also feature Pedro Aznar, a prominent and Mary J Blige. Also yesterday, Essence And the language of his films juxtaposes by Pussy Riot and found the turn to theater "really Argentinian rocker who had recorded with Sosa, as said that there will be a No Limit reunion of the obsessive and deranged with the exciting." "It seems like a natural evolution for an well as the Venezuelan jazz pianist Edward Simon. sorts as Mystikal, Mia X and Silkk will join childlike and lyrical. Maggie Lee, film critic artist who deals with highly political themes," she "There have been many tributes to Mercedes Sosa Master P, who already was announced. The for Variety, calls Tsukamoto "an eccentri- said. A new work by Prestini for cello and electron- but I wanted to give a perspective from the jazz New Orleans unit was making hits in the cally versatile and sometimes visionary ics will premiere as part of the festival on March 5 field with someone who could understand emo- 1990s and early 2000s. Other added per- director, who expanded international fan- alongside works of Philip Glass and John Zorn, two tionally what Mercedes Sosa represents," Herrera formers include Elle Varner, BJ the Chicago dom for Japanese horror before they'd leading composers who serve as artistic advisors to said. The festival, in its second season, will also look Kid and Emily Estefan. The Essence Festival even heard of Sion Sono," referring to the National Sawdust. at the meaning of spring with a celebration of will be held June 30 to July 2 in New director of "Himizu" and "Cold Fish," who The Spring Revolution festival, which runs Nowruz, the Persian New Year which coincides with Orleans.-- also has a reputation as subversive and throughout the month, focuses on the empower- the equinox. — AFP fiercely independent. ment of women as well as cultural exchanges more This undated image distributed by 2016 broadly and coincides with International Women's FM Films, LLC, shows Japanese Christian Claustrophobic film Day on March 8. Taking place a month into the villager Mokichi, right, performed by Tsukamoto shot to stardom with Japanese director Shinya Tsukamoto "Tetsuo," which launched a prize-amass- and protagonist Portuguese Jesuit ing career in what he dubs "cult enter- Sebastiao Rodrigues, left, played by tainment," meaning that he strives for Beatty urges academy president Andrew Garfield in a scene from Martin fun, along with the experimental. Three Scorsese’s latest film Silence. years ago, he won the lifetime achieve- ment award at the Festival du Nouveau Cinema at Montreal, which screened to clarify Oscar fiasco Tsukamoto, 57, is a prolific actor as "Fires on the Plain." The work is based on well as director, with a cameo as a scien- an anti-war novel by Shohei Ooka, and tist in the latest Japanese Godzilla film. He was made into a film in 1959, by Kon arren Beatty says Academy of Motion to publicly clarify what happened as soon as the mistakes that were made during the pres- went to an audition for "Silence," not Ichikawa. Tsukamoto had been planning Pictures President Cheryl Boone Isaacs possible," said Beatty. Representatives for the entation of the best picture category during counting on landing a role but hoping to to make the film for two decades but Wshould "publicly clarify" what hap- academy didn't immediately comment Tuesday. last night's Oscar ceremony," it read. "We apolo- get close to a director he has admired decided the time was now. He fears pened during Sunday night's best picture pres- Since Sunday's broadcast, the academy has gize to the entire cast and crew of 'La La Land' since he was a teenager. He has watched Japan, peaceful after its defeat in World entation "as soon as possible." Beatty released a largely left the explaining to PwC, the account- and 'Moonlight' whose experience was pro- "Taxi Driver" dozens of times, and finds War II, may be starting to forget the les- statement Tuesday to The Associated Press in ing firm that has taken the blame for the "La La foundly altered by this error. We salute the something new each time. He was sur- sons of its past. He was determined to which he declined to comment further on the Land" mistakenly being read as the best picture tremendous grace they displayed under the cir- prised and flattered when Scorsese recog- make the film, even if it meant he had to debacle that led to him and co-presenter Faye winner by Beatty and Faye Dunaway. PwC, which cumstances. To all involved? - ?including our nized him right away and told him he do it practically alone, he said, setting up Dunaway mistakenly reading "La La Land" as is in charge of tabulating the winners, has said presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, admired Tsukamoto's films. In the audi- a camera in the jungle and then acting in best picture winner rather than "Moonlight." partner Brian Cullinan mistakenly handed them the filmmakers, and our fans watching world- tion, a dialogue scene, Scorsese played front of that camera. Instead, he urged the academy to answer ques- the wrong envelope. wide? we apologize." the part of the missionary to his Mokichi. His 2011 "Kotoko," which won the tions. "I feel it would be more appropriate for the The film academy didn't release a statement On Monday, the academy said it has spent It was so natural, easy and perfect, Horizons award for innovative works at president of the Academy, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, of its own until late Monday. "We deeply regret Sunday night and the following day "investigat- Tsukamoto recalled happily. the Venice International Film Festival, is a ing the circumstances" and "will determine what The film, which had an Oscar nomina- more claustrophobic film, both poetic and actions are appropriate going forward." Neither tion for the cinematography by Rodrigo heart-breaking. Cocco, a Japanese pop PwC or the academy has commented on Prieto, is based on a novel by Shusaku singer, is excellent as a fragile self- whether Cullinan's use of social media was a fac- Endo, inspired by the true history of tor- destructive woman, tormented by her tor in the error. The PwC partner tweeted a ture used by the shogunate on European hallucinatory fears of people around her, behind-the-scenes photo of best-actress winner missionaries and their Japanese follow- as well as of the urge to murder her own Emma Stone moments before the best picture ers, purposely to degrade and discredit baby. Tsukamoto plays a novelist, who announcement. The tweet was later deleted. As them. Mokichi, a forlorn and ragged fig- becomes her lover and endures her beat- per protocol, Cullinan and PwC colleague ure of angelic purity, dies a grisly but glo- ings to win her trust and help her over- Martha Ruiz toted briefcases to the awards via rious martyr's death drowning on a cross come her psychosis. the red carpet, each holding an identical set of as the waves engulf his rail-thin body, Tsukamoto said the March 11, 2011 envelopes for the show's 24 categories. The again and again. Some scenes of the cru- earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters accountants are also supposed to memorize the cifixion were shot on a beach, but close- in northeastern Japan gave special mean- winners. During the telecast, the accountants ups of the drowning were shot in a pool ing to "Kotoko," as he witnessed how were stationed in the Dolby Theatre wings, one with computer graphics for the land- many mothers worried for the safety of stage left and one stage right, to give presenters scape, and it required near-drowning their children. "It is a world in which it has their category's envelope before they went on exertion by Tsukamoto. become so difficult to protect those we stage. Most presenters entered stage right, love," said Tsukamoto. He has many ideas where Cullinan was posted and where he hand- Grotesque tale for his next movie, maybe a samurai film, ed Beatty and Dunaway the errant envelope. Yet He was impressed with the uncompro- a genre he has never made, maybe ani- the previous award, best actress, had been pre- mising scale and artistic grandeur of mation, or a film about childhood. "Those sented by Leonardo DiCaprio, who entered Scorsese's movie-making, but also how who must go to war are the children. And stage left and received the envelope from Ruiz. positive Scorsese was toward his actors, we fear for our children," he said. — AP That left a duplicate, unopened envelope for being open to their ideas - while demand- best actress at stage right. — AP ing take after take. "He would say, 'Excellent,' get the actors motivated, and shoot again and again," he said. ‘La La Land’ producer Jordan Horowitz, left, presenter Warren Beatty, center, and host Jimmy Kimmel right, look at an envelope announcing ‘Moonlight’ as best picture at the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. — AP lifestyle THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017
FEATURES
Fishermen pull their nets on a beach outside the small coastal town of Ouidah, some 40km from Cotonou. — AFP photos A picture shows the Museum of History of the small coastal town of Ouidah, some 40km from Benin's capital Cotonou. Tiny Benin looks to tourism to boost economy
ith its palm tree-lined beaches, unique heritage and West African slave port to the New World. Under the govern- wildlife parks, Benin can hold its own against the ment's new plan, it will be the country's tourist hub. The town Wbest African holiday destinations. But tourism rev- has the same Portuguese colonial architecture as Salvador de enue accounts for just 0.7 percent of gross domestic product Bahia in Brazil, but it is more worn. Ouidah's beaches, howev- and there were only 240,000 visitors in 2014, according to er, stretch for miles and there are villages dotted around the World Bank figures. That compares to an average of one mil- lagoon, colonial-era forts as well as a strong culture of the lion visitors a year in Senegal, which is one of the most popu- voodoo tradition. It is also the home of sub-Saharan Africa's lar destinations in West Africa. Now Benin's government wants first museum dedicated exclusively to contemporary African to change the situation. "We've got 200,000 people without art. Groups of Germans, Belgians, Italians and French come to doing anything. Imagine what we could do with a bit of Ouidah to take photos of themselves with pythons wrapped effort? We could double that," said the head of the national around their necks, unclear whether they should be terrified tourism agency, Jose Pliya. or enjoying it. The agency, which was set up several months ago, is the "Don't worry," says the guide. "They're sacred. They won't focus of President Patrice Talon's new drive to boost tourist do you any harm!" The head of the town's tourist office, numbers and as a result the wider economy. "Our aim Modeste Zinsou, described the town as "a living museum". between now and the end of (Talon's) five-year term is to "Tourism has a direct economic impact on the population. It reach 700,000 tourists," Pliya told AFP. Some 600 billion CFA pays for hoteliers, but also villagers, canoe drivers and fisher- francs ($968 million, 913 million euros) will be pumped into men. The problem is that Benin is not very well known." One Tourists arrive to visit the Pythons Temple in the small A general view of the Basilica of the Immaculate the sector over five years, notably through a World Bank loan. of the main problems facing Benin is getting there in the first coastal town of Ouidah, some 40km from Benin's capital Conception in the small coastal town of Ouidah. In his small office in the former Portuguese fort of Ouidah, the place. The government has in response lifted visa restrictions Cotonou. head of the town's museum, Bertin-Calixte Biah says it is an for citizens of 30 African countries to encourage business trav- "unprecedented effort" and is happy that the state is finally el from across the continent. "As a general rule Africans don't putting in the money. "We've got to take stock of our heritage, do leisure tourism, which is a lot more Western," said Pliya. train guides, put in place a policy of cultural promotion... It "Now our aim is change the situation, so those who are busi- costs a fortune," he said. Nevertheless, he said he was "waiting ness travellers will spend a day or two at leisure. We want to to see the pledges become a reality". create new tourists." — AFP
Business tourism Ouidah is a small town on the Atlantic coast and a former
Palm trees on a beach outside the small coastal town of Ouidah. Tourists arrive to visit the Pythons Temple in the small coastal town of Ouidah, some 40km from Benin's capital Cotonou. The rise of Benin's devil-hunting female pastor n the Very Holy Church of Jesus Christ of Baname, the 25- founded the church in 2009. Since then, her influence has Odile-de-Baname in 2009. "Perfect" was not yet 20 and had year-old founder calls herself God, her business partner is grown rapidly across the country. come to be exorcised. But it was the young woman who Ia self-styled Pope and devotees pledge to end the reign "Just by walking up this hill, you are delivered and cured captivated the man of the cloth, whom she would later of the Devil. Its charismatic theology and clashes with other of many ailments," she proclaims on her website, which install as "Pope Christopher XVIII". The religious odd couple religions have caused it to be expelled from Benin's commu- shows videos of her in a cassock and her signature cherry- built up their own congregation and to the chagrin of the nity of churches, and repeated scandals keep the sect in the red cloche hat addressing cheering crowds. Her story is a Catholic church, Vigan started wearing all-white outfits simi- public eye. The latest episode occurred in January, when five take on immaculate conception: Tchranvoukinni claims she lar to papal regalia-ornate mitre and all. Tchranvoukinni followers suffocated to death after they were told to lock fell from the sky in northern Benin and was found by a meanwhile called herself God. By 2013, the Episcopal themselves inside sealed rooms with burning incense and Fulani shepherd in the bush. Conference of Benin-the country's assembly of bishops- pray for deliverance. expelled Tchranvoukinni and Vigan, and condemned the Religious 'warriors' new church as a cult. West Africa is no stranger to larger-than-life pastors and "Of all the dioceses of our country, and even beyond... mega-churches, and Benin itself is a tumultuous hub of our uninformed faithful with a thirst for the sensational and mystical religions and animism. But despite her cherubic illusion of the new come in large numbers to Baname," the appearance, Tchranvoukinni stands apart for her vitriolic conference said. In January 2014, the Benin government condemnation of other beliefs-notably voodoo, which is launched an investigation into the church after receiving an official religion here. Critics accuse her of fanning what it said were "numerous complaints" from religious hatred between normally peaceful co-existing communi- communities, political and traditional leaders. Benin's for- ties of different faiths. On January 8, violent clashes broke mer president, Thomas Boni Yayi-himself a member of a out between her followers and residents in the southern pentecostal church-summoned "Perfect" for talks but it had town of Djime, who said they "insulted and offended" tra- little effect and no legal action was taken against her. ditional leaders during an "evangelization mission", one local official said. 'End the reign of Beelzebub' Local media said two people were killed, several others The Church of Baname's spokesman, "cardinal" Cesaire were injured and a number of vehicles were torched. Agossa, insists that Tchranvoukinni is a divine messenger. There was no official death toll but Benin's government People do not understand that the Holy Spirit Creator of said it regretted the "loss of life". According to daily news- Heaven and Earth uses the body of Perfect as its temple," paper La Nouvelle Tribune, the "warriors of the Church of he told AFP. Her mission? "To end the reign of Beelzebub, Baname" came dressed in grey, armed with guns, to succeed in exterminating sorcery and all evil spirits that machetes and clubs. It wasn't the first time church follow- prevent mankind from developing," he said. Agossa, a for- ers had turned violent. In 2014, clashes broke out at one mer government advisor and the head of a media group, Priests of the Very But it seems no amount of bad press can dent the Very of its rallies in Cotonou after youths from the Kpondehou maintained the church had "never orchestrated violence" Holy Church of Jesus Holy Church's soaring popularity, or eclipse the fire-and- area refused to leave their sports field. Several people and its success had "aroused jealousy and hatred". In the Christ of Baname brimstone appeal of its leader. On special Sundays, thou- were seriously injured. Violence broke out again the fol- meantime, Tchranvoukinni's sphere of influence keeps arrive at the Nazareth sands of followers climb up a hill in the Zou district in lowing year in the central town of Save between church growing. She publicly endorsed President Patrice Talon, church in Djidja. Baname, 130 kilometers (about 80 miles) north of the com- devotees and Roman Catholics. who was elected in March 2016. He has yet to say a word Vicentia Tadagbe Tchranvoukinni (right) mercial capital Cotonou, to witness one of the country's about the Church of Baname. — AFP stands next to Mathias Vignan, alia Pope most seductive pastors. Vicentia Tadagbe Tchranvoukinni, Expelled Christopher XVIII of the Very Holy Church who calls herself "Perfect" and "God's Holy Spirit", promises Tchranvoukinni started the church after meeting a of Jesus Christ of Baname, at the Nazareth to "drive out demons". The round-faced young woman Catholic priest, Mathias Vigan, from the parish of Sainte- church in Djidja, Benin. — AFP photos Lady Gaga steps in for pregnant Beyonce at Coachella
THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 38
A reveler in disguise, with a mask of the Matlacihua Arte gallery, is pictured during carnival in San Martin Tilcajete, Oaxaca state, Mexico. — AFP
You can explore Dubai while changing planes 'Dubai has only two seasons - hot and hotter'
ubai International Airport recently sur- people seated shoulder to shoulder. Scores of the half-day, late evening outings to pseudo Bedouin People listen to curators at the Metropolitan Museum of Art February 24, 2017 as passed London's Heathrow as the world's boats work the Creek daily, taking about five min- encampments featuring buffets set around camp- ten-minute gallery talks are given in the permanent collection created in the lands Dbusiest international air travel hub. If you utes to cross from Bur Dubai to the Deira district fires. Entertainment varies from camel rides and that are now Iraq, Syria, Iran and Yemen, four of the seven countries affected by can arrange it, Dubai is a great place for long lay- with its souks or small markets selling everything belly dancing to falconry. One operator offers an the recent travel ban Museums across New York are waging a cultural war on prej- overs between long-haul flights. Dubai sits in from gold and spices to perfumes and belly dancer exceptional after-dinner treat simply by turning udice in Donald Trump's America, flexing the soft power of art and photography desert country but that's part of its appeal. It outfits. Hone your haggling skills. Few things are out the lights. Stargazing in the unpolluted dark of to compound the city-wide climate of protest. — AFP makes a handy stopover point for lazing on a sold at listed prices. Take a wharf walk to soak up a desert night is an unforgettable experience. beach, doing wheelies in the sand with a dune the many fascinating street scenes. Buy a bottled buggy, bargaining with merchants at a traditional beverage along the way to hydrate. NY museums wage cultural souk or taking high tea in the world's tallest build- ing. But beware: "Dubai has only two seasons - hot Book a desert safari war against Trump prejudice and hotter," my for-hire driver said with a shrug and Consider taking a trip into the surrounding Burj Khalifa: Head for the lower level of The a smile while taking me on a private tour of the city desert if you have a lengthy layover in Dubai. Tour Dubai Mall near the food court and walk to the useums across New York are wag- In Midtown, the Museum of Modern Art (about $125 US). options range from wildlife watching and sand-ski- Burj Khalifa ticket counters. Book online in ing a cultural war on prejudice in replaced seven Western works on display, Temperatures had already reached 91 degrees ing to dune bashing - racing four-wheelers up and advance to avoid the long lines of daily visitors. MDonald Trump's America, flexing including art by Picasso and Matisse, with Fahrenheit at 5 am on a mid-September day as my down the many steep sandy slopes. Another That also may earn you a discount; the soft power of art and photography to pieces by Iranian, Iraqi and Sudanese artists plane arrived in Dubai from Johannesburg. I had desert-trek alternative is sunset safaris. These are http://www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/ the- compound the city-wide climate of protest. a week after the travel ban went into effect. scheduled two days between destinations en route tower/ObservationDecks.aspx . Access the At. From talks about Islamic art to a Muslim On the Upper West Side, the Children's home from South Africa to Seattle via the polar Mosphere Web site to make a dinner reserva- exhibition, swapping Picasso and Matisse Museum of Manhattan extended by anoth- route. Here are a few suggestions for things to see tion, http://www.atmosphereburjkhalifa.com . for Iranian, Sudanese and Iraqi artists and er year the run of its "America to Zanzibar" and places to go while pausing in Dubai: extending a children's exhibition, muse- Muslim culture exhibition already seen by Abra rides: Make your way to any of these ums have dreamt up multiple ways to pro- more than 350,000 visitors. Next year ,it will Visit Burj Khalifa, departure points: Deira Old Souk Abra Station, mote art and education in the wake of tour to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the the world's tallest building Bur Dubai Abra Station, Sabkha Abra Station. Trump's short-lived travel ban. Building on FBI said a 2015 shooting was inspired by The Burj Khalifa is the icon of Dubai's fast-grow- Ticket prices are minimal: 1 dirham or about the city's culinary diversity, foodies are radical Islamist propaganda, and then to ing vertical cityscape. It's the world's tallest struc- 27 US cents per person per trip. No reserva- offering tours of Syrian, Yemeni and Iranian Philadelphia. "Any exhibit you're hoping ture at 2,717 feet (828 meters), making it nearly tions are required. Simply pay the abra opera- cuisines, and have introduced curious New you've hit the mark and for us, seeing this twice as tall as New York's Empire State Building. tor and board. The boats leave when both Yorkers to the perhaps lesser known culi- and seeing the families in it, and the chil- The building was completed in 2010 and houses a benches are full. nary delights of Somalia. dren playing, it has been incredibly reward- luxury hotel, residential apartments, corporate "We wanted to be out here," explains ing," said the exhibit's curator, Lizzy Martin. offices and suites. It takes a little over a minute by Desert tours: Find a tour package in any of Sheila Canby, head of Islamic art at the high-speed elevator to reach the observation the local guidebooks at airport magazine stands Metropolitan Museum of Art, "showing our 'Revolutionary' decks (124th, 125th and 148th floors). Splurge by or from sales reps stationed in nearby hotels. If public what a deep resonant important con- Amy Bandolik is one of those introduc- reserving a window table at the building's 122nd you're flying Emirates airline, you can arrange a tribution these cultures make to who we ing people to Middle Eastern cuisine. Her story At. Mosphere restaurant. Prices aren't cheap variety of stopover tours via its website: are." The Met, one of the largest museums in first Iranian-themed night sold out in days, but then it's all about rooms with grand views. http://www.emirates.com/english/ destina- the world, is running its first monthlong pro- and tickets for the second one in early Fronting the building is the Dubai Fountain. It has tions_offers/dubai_stopovers/ dubai- gram of two 10-minute talks each Friday to March are flying off the shelves. Food, she quickly become popular for its choreographed, stopovers.aspx . explore Islamic and Near Eastern art specifi- explained, was a "wonderful hook" to cap- multi-colored displays - especially at night. cally. "It's a brilliant idea," said retiree Barbara ture people's attention, appetite and their Sullivan, among those who attended emotion. A portion of the ticket price goes Ride an abra across Dubai Creek Canby's recent talk on paintings from Syria to an organization that helps refugees. to bargain at the gold and spice souks and Iran. "I would hope that more parents "This is quite revolutionary at least for any- Getting to the most popular of the city's tradi- Photo shows the needle-like exterior of the Burj Khalifa, will bring their children, so if they don't learn thing I've seen," said the director of opera- tional souks is more than half the fun when you it in school, it will still pique their interest." tions for Foods of New York Tours. "The ride across Dubai Creek on a motorized abra. These in downtown Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The thrust of Canby's remarks? To under- speed at which people are organizing and small wooden water taxis can squeeze in 16 to 20 score the debt Western civilization owes the demonstrating and coming together, and Islamic world, and how an Arabic manu- genuinely not just protesting but actually script, translated from Greek and then into taking action." Latin, passed on knowledge. A parallel initiative-Breaking Bread NYC- has already garnered more than 1,000 likes 'Without Baghdad' on Facebook, done three sold-out food "Without Baghdad in the ninth and 10th tours in three weeks and organized restau- century, we wouldn't know any of these rant nights. "For anyone who doesn't agree things and so it's all a chain, and we should- with the way politics are moving in America, n't forget that." A 10-minute bus ride up the all we can think about is how can we be road, the Museum of the City of New York effective, what can we do?" said Scott mounted in under three weeks an exhibi- Wiener, one of the organizers. But if the ini- tion of photographs chronicling Muslim life tiatives are preaching to the converted in in the city, which dates back at least to the one of America's most liberal cities, painter 1620s, the diversity of the communities and Sayan Ben Bady, 34, said any gesture, how- their contribution to daily life. "Educating ever small, is worthwhile. A Canadian visit- and informing, that is one major role that ing from Paris, he attended two Met talks, our institutions play," chief curator Sarah drawn in as a "half Muslim" who knows Henry told AFP. "Knowledge and under- "almost nothing" about Islamic art. "I won- standing is always a good antidote to preju- der how this affects anything," he said. "I dice and irrational fears." While Henry is not think even if there was only one person it attributing it to a single installation, muse- does... things don't really need to have a um attendance for the exhibition's inaugural large number to make a difference." — AFP This photo taken in Dubai at Dubai Creek, which is fed by waters from the This photo taken in Dubai, shows goods overflowing from a souk or weekend was up 80 percent compared to Arabian Gulf, shows people packed shoulder-to-shoulder as they take in small market that specializes in antiques of many kinds. — AP photos the same time last year. the sights of the historic Bur Dubai and Deira districts.