RAJAB 5, 1439 AH THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018

Max 34º 32 Pages Min 17º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 17487 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Psychometrics: How Facebook American mother in Ghouta Zain supports Kuwait Guinness World Records 6 data helped Trump find his voters 10urges Trump to ‘do something’ 17 Investment Forum 2018 16 honors Kuwaiti policeman

Kuwait plans $6.6 billion Al-Nayeem industrial city

State to launch IPO of Al-Zour water and power project

KUWAIT: The Public Authority for higher value-addition. It will be an innova- Industry (PAI) plans to set up a multipur- tive, green city development powered by pose industrial city in the state with total solar energy, and with smart buildings,” expected investments of $6.6 billion, an Taqi added. official said yesterday during a session of Meanwhile, Kuwait plans to begin selling the Kuwait Investment Forum. PAI Acting shares in its Al-Zour North Independent General Manager Abdulkareem Taqi said Water and Power Project to the public in that the government would put in place three months’ time, an official told Reuters the infrastructure for the city at an esti- on the sidelines of the forum. “We are wait- mated cost of $600 million and would ing for the regulators’ approval of the target around $6 billion in investments prospectus (in a month). Two months after from the private sector to develop the the approval, the subscription will start bulk of the project. according to the law,” said Mutlaq Al-Sane, The Al-Nayeem who heads the Kuwait industrial city, to be Authority for Partnership SEE PAGES 3 & 4 located 70 km west of Projects. the capital Kuwait City, The government will include industrial facilities as well as plans to offer 50 percent of Al-Zour North residential and leisure projects, Taqi said, One, which has a capacity of at least 1,500 adding that the city would be able to house MW, to Kuwaiti citizens. Those shares will 50,000 people. The official said that infra- come out of the 60 percent stake currently structure work for the project is expected owned by sovereign wealth fund, the to be completed by 2021. He said Nayeem Kuwait Investment Authority, the Public will offer easy access to the Mubarak Al- Institution for Social Security, and the Kabeer Port, and the possibility to attract Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects. international expertise in establishing and The remaining 40 percent is owned by managing the city. France’s Engie, Japan’s Sumitomo Corp and “It marks our focus on shifting from cre- Kuwaiti firm AH Al Sagar & Brothers. ating industrial zones to smart integrated Kuwait and other Gulf states are promoting cities that complement the goals of Vision independent power projects, in which com- 2035. The Al-Nayeem industrial city will panies other than public utilities invest in KUWAIT: (From left) Cabinet Affairs Minister Anas Al-Saleh, Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah and KDIPA Director General focus on diversifying our industrial base, and operate power plants, to reduce the Sheikh Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah attend the closing session of the Kuwait Investment Forum yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat bringing high-end technology and creating burden on state budgets. — Agencies

powers and Iran to be changed or eliminated. struction. Syria has denied it was building a Israel admits 2007 US President Donald Trump, who met nuclear reactor. Netanyahu at the White House this month, has “On the night between September 5th-6th, said that the nuclear deal must be “fixed” by 2007, Israeli Air Force fighter jets successfully Syrian ‘nuclear May 12 or the United States will walk away. struck and destroyed a Syrian nuclear reactor After yesterday’s acknowledgement, in development,” the Israeli statement says. reactor’ bombing Netanyahu said “the Israeli government, the “The reactor was close to being completed. (Israeli military), and the Mossad (intelligence The operation successfully removed an JERUSALEM: Israel admitted for the first agency) have prevented Syria from develop- emerging existential threat to Israel and to the time yesterday it was responsible for a top- ing nuclear capability, and they deserve every entire region - Syrian nuclear capabilities.” secret 2007 air raid against a suspected Syrian credit for this”. “Israel’s policy has been and In 2008, less than a year after the strike, nuclear reactor, with Prime Minister Benjamin remains consistent - to prevent our enemies US officials accused Syria of having sought to Netanyahu pledging to prevent enemies from from acquiring nuclear weapons.” build a secret nuclear reactor and acknowl- obtaining atomic weapons. Israel has long been Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz was more edged Israel destroyed it in the raid. The UN assumed to have carried out the raid and had explicit, saying it showed Israel would never atomic watchdog declared in 2011 that the been named by other countries as being behind allow nuclear weapons to be obtained by Syrian site was “very likely” to have been a it, but it had never formally acknowledged the “countries like Iran who threaten its exis- nuclear reactor, adding that information pro- strike or divulged details. The admission along tence”. The declassified material includes vided to it suggested that it was being built with the release of newly declassified material footage of the strike and pictures of secret with North Korean assistance. Israel said in its related to the raid comes as Israel intensifies its army intelligence communiques about the site. new disclosures that secrecy surrounding the warnings over the presence of its main enemy A military statement lays out the case for why strike was necessary due to the sensitive Iran in neighboring Syria. Israel carried out the strike at the desert site security situation, noting there was the possi- Pictures provided by the Israeli army reportedly show an aerial view of a sus- Netanyahu has also repeatedly called for a in the Deir Ezzor region of eastern Syria on bility of it provoking war. pected Syrian nuclear reactor during its bombardment in 2007. — AFP landmark 2015 nuclear deal between world what it says was a nuclear reactor under con- Continued on Page 11

where two people were killed and sever- Texas parcel al others injured in the bombings that began on March 2. The suspect detonat- ed a device in his car and later died, Nod to citizenship bomber blows Austin police chief Brian Manley told an early morning news conference after the for 4,000 bedoons, himself up as dramatic end to the massive manhunt involving hundreds of federal agents and rights commission local police. police move in Police zeroed in on the suspect - By B Izzak AUSTIN: A white man suspected of believed responsible for five explosions - carrying out a series of deadly parcel over the past 24 to 36 hours as evidence KUWAIT: The National Assembly yesterday passed bombings in the Texas state capital came in from video footage and witness two key legislations: The first to grant citizenship for Austin blew himself up early yesterday accounts, Manley said. “The suspect is up to 4,000 stateless people known as bedoons dur- as police closed in - easing tensions in a deceased,” the police chief said. “It has ing 2018, and the second to establish a human rights city that has been on edge for weeks. been a long almost three weeks for the commission. The first law was overwhelmingly passed ROUND ROCK, Texas: Law enforcement officials search for evidence at the Police surrounded the man - identified community of Austin.” Police said the in the first and final readings and was sent to the gov- location where a suspected package bomber was killed in suburban Austin by US media as Mark Anthony Conditt - suspect was 24, but some reports citing ernment amid calls by lawmakers for the government yesterday. — AFP outside a hotel in the suburbs of Austin, Continued on Page 11 to speed up the naturalization of bedoons, especially the 34,000 people whom the government has said qualify for Kuwaiti citizenship. Head of the Assembly’s interior and defense com- Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Issa said in a statement Many members of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood - mittee MP Askar Al-Enezi said the interior minister Saudis revamping yesterday. It also seeks to “ban books attributed to who advocate toppling rulers deemed unjust - sought has pledged to grant citizenship to bedoons who, or the Muslim Brotherhood from all schools and universi- refuge in Saudi Arabia after being persecuted in the their forefathers, were counted in the 1965 census and ties and remove all those who sympathize with the 1960s by then Egyptian president Gamal Abdel others who have contributed excellent services to the school curriculum group”, he added. Nasser. The Islamists were widely employed in the country. MP Riyadh Al-Adasani said the government The statement comes after Crown Prince education and public sectors, putting aside their pros- should grant citizenship to all those who deserve it RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is seeking to purge its school without a law and rejected that the legislation should Mohammed bin Salman told CBS television in an inter- elytism and submitting to Saudi Arabia’s official curriculum of any influence of the Muslim view Sunday that elements of the Muslim Wahhabi ideology that requires obedience to the be applied for political reasons. Brotherhood and dismiss employees who sympathize MP Safa Al-Hashem said citizenship should be Brotherhood, designated as a “terror group” by the ruler. Some of them helped to establish the Sahwa or granted only to those who were part of the 1965 cen- with the banned group, the education minister said. kingdom, had infiltrated Saudi schools. The prince, “Awakening” movement which agitated in the 1990s sus. MP Saadoun Hammad said a number of bedoons The government will “fight extremist ideologies by who has vowed to return the country to “moderate for democracy. The Sahwa mostly fizzled, with some Continued on Page 11 reviewing school curricula and books to ensure they Islam”, has cut back the political role of hardline cler- activists arrested and others coaxed into conformity, are free of the banned Muslim Brotherhood’s agenda”, ics in a historic reordering of the Saudi state. though admirers and its appeal lingered. —Agencies 2 Established 1961 Local Thursday, March 22, 2018 Amir, Crown Prince meet state officials at Bayan Palace Defense Minister, French envoy hold discussions

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with His Highness the His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with National Assembly Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. — KUNA Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday His received Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the coun- Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- try Michael Davenport. Jaber Al-Sabah. His Highness also received National In other news, First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem. His Highness also Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah met with received His Highness the the President of France’ Special Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Envoy Ambassador Bertrand Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- Besancenot and his accompa- Sabah. nying delegation. During the Meanwhile, His Highness Diwan Minister meeting, the two sides dis- the Crown Prince received cussed a number of key issues Ghanem, His Highness Sheikh receives UK and subjects of mutual interest, Jaber Al-Mubarak, as well as in addition to ways of boosting Deputy Prime Minister and ambassador the Kuwaiti-French relationship, Minister of Interior Sheikh the Defense Ministry’s direc- Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah. His torate of moral guidance and Highness Sheikh Nawaf also public relations said in a press met with Kuwait Oil Tanker statement. Besancenot is cur- Company (KOTC) CEO Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Ahmad rently visiting the country to represent French Minister of First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah meets with the Al-Sabah, Director of Environment Public Authority (EPA) Europe and Foreign Affairs at Kuwait Investment Forum President of France’ Special Envoy Ambassador Bertrand Besancenot, in the presence of French Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, 2018. The meeting was attended by French Ambassador to Ambassador to Kuwait Marie Masdupuy. and Engineer Abdulaziz Abdulatif Al-Ibrahim. Separately, Kuwait Marie Masdupuy. —KUNA

tion with its most recent activities and current strate- Kuwaiti, Maldivian gies, Khaled Al-Abdulghafour, the director of SAB’s pre-supervision of economic affairs, was cited as say- ing in a statement by the audit body. auditors Meanwhile, he noted that the Maldivian auditors, during the course of their two-day visit, would attend eye closer ties presentations over supervision and operations manage- ment. The Kuwaiti auditor went on to explain that such visits provide an opportunity for the state audit to KUWAIT: Deputy Chairman of Kuwait’s State Audit share its knowledge with international partners. Earlier Bureau (SAB) Adel Al-Saraawi held talks yesterday yesterday, the visiting Maldivian official met with with the Auditor General of the Maldives Hassan Ziyath, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem focusing on strategies to develop bilateral relations. The and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al- Kuwaiti state audit acquainted the Maldivian delega- Mubarak Hamad Al-Sabah. —KUNA

KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem meets with Acting Chairman for Kuwait’s State Audit Bureau (SAB) Adel Al-Saraawi, accompanied by chief of the Auditor General’s Office in the Republic of Maldives Hassan Ziyath. — KUNA

His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Hamad Al-Sabah meets with Auditor General of the Maldives Hassan Ziyath. Established 1961 3 Local Thursday, March 22, 2018 Plan to increase government spending for science, technology and innovation Interactive session held on second day of Kuwait Investment Forum

By Faten Omar Revolution. We are also focused on strengthening our (Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority) is tar- Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report from 102 to 96, SME sector, with the national fund not serving now as a geting all the critical areas that make a place attractive to while Moody’s has rated the country’s credit rating at KUWAIT: An interactive session on the second day of funding agency but as an incubator. We offer several foreign investment.” AA2 stable, “guaranteeing investors their rights and giv- the Kuwait Investment Forum (KIF 2018) was held at the incentives for youth to drive their entrepreneurship, ing the private sector a stronger role in operations and Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center (JACC) highlighting the including commercial sabbaticals.” Achievements project implementation”. focus of the country to drive digital transformation. In the closing session on “Kuwait Development Path: Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Speakers presented investment opportunities in diverse Kuwait Airport The Vision and the Determination”, Sheikh Meshaal Jaber Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, praised the sectors, ranging from information and communications Ebru Ozdemir, Chairwoman of Limak in Turkey, said Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Director General of KDIPA, provid- effort of KDIPA, and the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce technology (ICT) projects, new city developments, mod- work on the Kuwait International Airport Terminal Phase ed an overview of the achievements made by Kuwait in and Industry (KCCI), adding that this forum will boost ern oil industries, road and transport projects, industrial 2, which the Turkish company is building, is progressing the past year. He said the country has achieved significant Kuwait’s economy and improve its business environment. development, tourism and sports facilities. as per schedule, with several construction milestones milestones in global rankings, improving from a rank of Meanwhile, Anas Khaled Al-Saleh, Deputy Prime Minister Addressing delegates, Dr Adnan Shihab-Eldin - already achieved. She said the forward-looking and 90 to 59 in wastefulness in government spending, from and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, said the govern- Director-General, Kuwait Foundation for the open-development approach of Kuwait is a driver for 75 to 62 in quality of market regulation and from 108 to ment is not only interested in the economy and invest- Advancement of Sciences inward investments, 90 in burden of government regulation, as per the Global ments but also in investing in human assets. “There will be (KFAS), said: “There is an adding her company will Competitiveness Report 2017/18. a workshop in the ministry of education to discuss a new approved plan to work with Kuwaiti enti- He said Kuwait also improved its ranking in the World creative curriculum and this is our priority,” he said. increase government ties and investors to spending for science, Kuwait achieved explore opportunities in technology and innova- new markets. tion to over one percent significant In the fourth session of the total GDP from 0.3 entitled ‘Financing for percent - closer to the milestones in Sustainable Development’, global average, and set global rankings Timothy Keating, ber of the UN Security Council, we highlighted Arab up a national research Executive Vice President Kuwait to host issues, especially the Syrian situation in Eastern and development council, of Government Goutha. Sweden and Kuwait presented a resolution which will also strengthen Operations of Boeing, at the UN Security Council to bring about a cease- the role of the private said: “For more than 50 meeting to discuss fire and end the sieges and attacks against civilians, sector to improve their products, processes and services. years, Boeing has partnered with Kuwait, providing air- guarantee humanitarian access and medical evacua- The human potential and support of the government con- craft to meet both the commercial and military needs of situation in Syria: tion of those most in need in Syria,” he said. “In the tinue to promote these initiatives to building a stronger the country. We have strong relationships with Kuwait political sphere, we do not see any glimmer of hope innovation ecosystem for the welfare of the country and Airways and the Aviation Lease and Finance Company to resolve the situation in Syria and save the Syrians its people.” (ALAFCO), as well as Kuwait’s armed forces. Human capi- Foreign Minister anytime soon. On the issue of the reconstruction of During a session on ‘Investment Opportunities: tal development is a key focus for Kuwait, as it is for many Syria, we will meet in late April to discuss the Syrian Lucrative Options in Dynamic Sectors,’ Dr Khaled Mahdi, countries around the world, and frankly every organiza- By Faten Omar situation and we must take into account the recon- Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Planning tion including Boeing. This is why we believe the private struction of the country.” and Development said: “The New Kuwait plan will sector has a responsibility to contribute by working with KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Regarding the relationship between Kuwait and address all concerns regarding our growth strategy. We the community to ensure a qualified workforce. I am Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- Iraq, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled stressed that Kuwait have tech-savvy young human capital with 82 percent proud to say that Boeing has supported educational pro- Sabah announced during the closing session of has made great progress in the bilateral relationship mobile penetration, strong ratings and the fundamentals grams in Kuwait since 2010.” Kuwait Investment Forum that there will be a meet- with Iraq and achieved many developments. About for a prosperous future. We had a very structured devel- He revealed Boeing’s plans to open its first official ing at the end of April to discuss the situation in Kuwait’s relationship with Iran, he said Iran must opment plan starting with legislative reforms from 2010 office in Kuwait this year. “The Middle East will require Syria. “It is unfortunate that we are attending the respect laws and general principles to improve rela- to 2015, infrastructure building, increased private sector 3,350 new airplanes worth about $730 billion by 2035. Kuwait Investment Forum while violence and suffer- tions. “We seek to have a proper environment for a engagement, building a knowledge-based economy and This means the region will need approximately 63,000 ing in Syria continue. We must cooperate to make lasting relationship between Iran, Kuwait and the building a ‘New Kuwait’. One of our key priorities must pilots and 66,000 technicians, some of whom could be Syria return and participate with us,” he said. Gulf states in all fields,” he added. be to address the gaps relating to human capital develop- trained here in Kuwait in the near future. We believe “After Kuwait assumed the role as an Arab mem- ment to prepare our nation for the Fourth Industrial Kuwait with its Vision 2035 and the creation of KDIPA

stone to sustained development, Ghanem said skills tests which will be conducted KCCI pins hopes in a meeting of the business body. “The 100 Kuwaiti online by specialized institutions that are Kuwaiti economy faces a worsening dilemma accredited in their countries. The for development given how capricious the global economy has engineers to be sources said there will be no exemptions gotten,” Ghanem pointed out. in implementing the latest administrative He went on to reveal that KCCI’s net circular which links the renewal of expat on active income in 2017 stood at around KD 5.5 million trained for engineers’ work permits with passing ($18.15 million), as compared to KD 5.3 million the necessary professional exams and private sector ($17.49 million) the previous year, while total private jobs receiving a “no-objection certificate” expenditure is at KD 3.9 million ($12.8 mil- from the Engineers Society. lion). The non-government institution, which KUWAIT: Kuwait Chamber of Commerce was comprised of 49,000 members last year, By Meshaal Al-Enezi and A Saleh and Industry (KCCI) is examining ways to Summer season has also certified around 369,000 transac- allow the private sector the chance to con- tions in 2017, Ghanem noted. He cited a raft of KUWAIT: Under the auspices of the Ministry of Electricity and Water’s tribute to national development, its chairman Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MEW) assistant undersecretary for economic reforms the chamber has introduced said yesterday, stressing the need to have an to keep the economy afloat, which deal with (MSAL), the first forum to qualify newly water operation and maintenance open and competitive economy. graduated engineers to work for the pri- Khalifa Al-Feraij said the ministry is labor, trade, tax and real estate. As a public KCCI is steadfast in its efforts to regulate utility, KCCI seeks to provide the private sec- vate sector will be launched on Sunday ready for the summer season and the the national economy in a way where the tor the leeway it needs to be able to con- KCCI Chairman Ali Al-Ghanem at the Kuwait National Library, said the expected high consumption of electrici- country’s oil wealth is used as a stepping head of the forum Hanouf Al-Humaidi, ty. Speaking on the sidelines of the tribute to economic growth. — KUNA noting that registration for the three-day ‘GCC Successful Water and Power forum is available on the forum’s web- Conservation Experiences Conference’, site: www.kuwaitengineer.com. Feraij said MEW is keen on maintaining Humaidi said that 80 engineers have both grids before the summer, adding EQUATE sponsors so far registered to take part in the that water consumption is expected to forum, which targets training and quali- increase in the summer by 20-30 million online education fying 100 newly-graduated Kuwaiti gallons compared to last summer. engineers through special lectures, Feraij said the first phase of the Doha workshops and seminars to work for water plant is expected to produce 60 initiative the private sector. She added that a million gallons and thus become one of number of Kuwaiti figures with ample the most important projects ever exe- KUWAIT: Continuing its support for social initiatives experience will take part as trainers, cuted by MEW. He added that the proj- aimed at developing the capabilities and knowledge of such as the manager of the contracting ect is excepted to be concluded by the the youth to arm them with the ability to face global sector Mohammed Al-Thuwaini, end of the year. Commenting on the challenges, EQUATE Petrochemical Company, a global Manpower and Government conference, Feraij said it is vital to producer of petrochemicals, announced its sponsorship Restructuring Program’s (MGRP) legal spread public awareness concerning of the national initiative for the development of online affairs manager Sami Al-Ruwaished, conserving water and electricity, and education (Taaleb). engineer Badra Al-Mutairi, Sara Aman stressed that the conference is a great During a press conference held by Taaleb, EQUATE and a number of engineers and experts. opportunity to exchange ideas, papers Sustainability Committee Member Asrar Mohammad Humaidi said that the forum will brief and studies. MEW’s technical control said: “EQUATE invests in supporting the professional the young engineers on the benefits of department manager Iqbal Al-Tayyar development of the human capital, whether as human working for the private sector as well as highlighted the significance of coopera- resources working at our company or as members of the provide them with training and skills. tion and exchanging expertise with oth- society at large. We are focused on supporting the Separately, acting director of the er GCC states to stop wasting electrici- development of the youth who represent a key pillar in Public Authority for Manpower ty and water. EQUATE’s Sustainability Strategy. Taaleb has gained Mubarak Al-Azmi said the process to tangible success since its inception due to its innovative complete the merger between MGRP Final exams solutions, enabling students to focus on studying and and the authority is still ongoing. He After rescheduling this year’s final achieving excellence. For that, EQUATE is extending its added that the Civil Service exams for all classes except grade 12, support and contributing to the development of our local Commission (CSC) has already well-informed educational sources human capital.” Established in 2010, Taaleb has become approved the new body’s organizational stressed that the start of the summer the internet-based portal for the Ministry of Education, structure, while other financial concerns vacation will remain the same for all serving over half a million students and promoting online are still being discussed. teachers. The sources explained that the communication between students and teachers. Meanwhile, the Public Authority for summer vacation will start on June 7 for Manpower’s professional skills depart- teachers working in kindergartens, ment completed the job description and those working in primary and interme- professional standards for nearly 100 diate schools will start their summer specialized and technical professionals vacation on June 14, and those working the market needs, so that those wanting in secondary schools will start theirs on to come to the country can be tested July 8. “This includes private schools,” before they enter the country, Al-Rai stressed the sources. The sources said reported yesterday. An official source at the decision to reschedule the final the authority said the “job description exams was made following enough will allow bringing in trained workers studies to avoid negative effects on stu- who will play an effective role in dents. Notably, Education Minister advancing Kuwait and contribute to Hamed Al-Azmi recently announced move the wheels of development in the that the final exams for all grades country forward”. except grade 12 will start on May 6 and The source said the issuance of work end on May 17, while those of grade 12 permits will be linked to passing the will be held in the period of May 20-31. 4 Established 1961 Local Thursday, March 22, 2018 Six development projects to complete by Q1 2019: Ministers Premier patronizes campaign on Kuwait development plan

KUWAIT: Six of the projects listed in the State ment spending, which increased in this year’s budget from Development Plan would complete by the first quarter of 17 to 18 percent. He pointed out that the studies conduct- 2019, ministers revealed. This came during the third ses- ed by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Planning sion of the Kuwait Investment Forum 2018 which kicked Council revealed squandering of up to 40 percent of the off Tuesday at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center government spending. He estimated capital expenditure in the presence of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh since the launch of the state development plan in 2010 Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. The ministers said until today at KD 23.6 billion (about $78 billion). Kuwait that the government is committed to transparency with the rankings on various international indexes improved last society about the pace of year, including in the World execution of the state Bank Group’s ease of doing development plan proj- business list, he said. ects to implement the Minister of Industry and vision of His Highness the Commerce, and Minister of Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- As part of State for Youth Affairs Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Khaled Al-Roudhan stated Sabah to raise the effi- Kuwait that a package of legisla- ciency of state institu- tive reforms is on the tions, achieve sustainable Investment pipeline to woo foreign development and have investments. This package developed infrastructure. Forum includes new commercial They identified the six registration law; reorgani- projects as the Kuwait zation of the insurance sec- International Airport’s tor; a law for information Passengers Support Terminal (T4); Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad exchange; a law for bankruptcy and restructuring; a new Bridge; the project of revamping air navigation systems; competition protection law, he said. KUWAIT: Minister of Finance Dr Nayef Al-Hajraf speaks during a Kuwait Investment Forum at the Sheikh Jaber Al- the first stage of the Shagaya renewable energy complex; He added that the Direct Investment Promotion Ahmad Cultural Center on Tuesday. —KUNA the last phase of clean fuel project; and the establishment Authority attracted more than KD 725 million (about $2.4 of a company for entertainment services. billion) in foreign investments in the last three years which Minister of Oil and Minister of Electricity and Water generated more 1,000 job openings. He noted that the government to achieve sustainable and diversified econo- and financial hub so as to highlight its status and to be Bakheet Al-Rashidi said that 84.8 percent of clean fuel number of new limited liability companies increased from my through the encouragement of foreign investments and among the developed countries. He said this was clearly project was finished and the whole project would com- 5261 companies in 2016 to 9682 companies in 2017. an integrated vision to improve business environment. manifested in accomplishments made on ground over the plete in 2019. The project aims to increase Kuwait’s oil Rashidi talked about development and infrastructure last period. production and meet growing demand for oil products on New Kuwait projects under construction. He revealed phases of proj- Holding the campaign reiterates eagerness by the gov- local and global markets, he said. His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al- ects that have been finalized, the deadline of their comple- ernment to brief the Kuwaiti people transparently on the He unveiled that 80 percent of the Shagaya renewable Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on Tuesday sponsored a tion, as well as other schemes to be operated by the end of latest developments of the ambitious plan and its goals energy complex have been done. The nascent project ceremony on the ‘New Kuwait’ initiative to review the the first quarter of next year. Minister of Social Affairs and achieved in this period, mainly building a national staunch would help materialize His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al- national development plan. The plan is based on the Labor and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hind Al- economy which provides a dignified life and bright future Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s vision to produce 15 percent ‘Kuwait 2035’ vision of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabeeh explained the role of government’s effective man- for the next generations, the premier said. Kuwait has of electricity through renewable energy by 2030, he clari- Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on transforming agement as a pillar of its development plan. managed to chalk up several development achievements fied. He disclosed that that shares of Zour North Power Kuwait into an international commercial and financial hub She referred to a strategy for combating corruption and projects that contribute to promoting an investment Plant, which produces 10 percent of Kuwait’s power pro- by this period. In his speech during a dialogue session, and enhancing transparency through the implementation environment and an integrated economic climate, and to duction and 20 percent of the desalinated water, would be Hajraf reviewed pillars, on which the vision is based, that of the integrated strategic plan of e-government. In a enact many legislations and laws to benefit investment in put up for public subscription before the end of this year. include some programs of projects. He referred to the press statement following the session, His Highness the Kuwait, he stated. Finally, the premier commended the Meanwhile, Minister of Finance Dr Nayef Al-Hajraf said improvement witnessed by the State of Kuwait in several Prime Minister affirmed keenness of the government on event’s organizers that aims to support national economy, that the Finance Ministry has set a major goal to stop the financial aspects in accordance with specialized global materializing the vision of His Highness the Amir on the expressing his pride for efforts by the Kuwaiti people to squandering of government funds without affecting invest- institutions. Roudhan touched upon steps taken by the transformation of Kuwait into an international commercial serve their dear homeland. —KUNA

Kuwait plans new Projects to be airport in the completed by north: DGCA chief KUWAIT: Kuwait is considering building a new world-class the first quarter mega airport to meet the rapid growth in air traffic, Directorate General of the Civil Aviation chief Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah has revealed. “The State of 2019 of Kuwait is studying putting up a tender for setting up a new airport with capacity of 25 million passengers a year,” Sheikh Salman said in a speech at the Kuwait Investment Forum 2018 ● Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Causeway - (KIF 2018). “Taking into consideration the basic requirements expected to be the fourth longest bridge in the world, for airport building, security and safety standards and weath- the $3 billion JAS Causeway will link Kuwait City er, the new airport will be located in northern Kuwait.” He with Doha and Subbiyah in the north and a major argued that this site would facilitate the establishment of an transit way for the new Silk City project (Madinat Al- integrated airport that would provide all transport and logis- Hareer). The main part of the causeway will travel tics services. across Kuwait Bay, linking the Shuwaikh Port area on Sheikh Salman stated that the government would allocate the south side to the Subbiyah New Town area to the the land and the private sector would build, operate and man- north. The length of the main causeway is 36 km of age the project. which 27 km is a marine bridge structure. The Doha “Assigning such a mega project to specialized international Link crosses the south of Kuwait Bay and links companies would be an optimal way for achieving partnership Shuwaikh Port with the Doha motorway. The Doha between public and private sectors,” he noted. He forecasted Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Causeway up to $12 billion would be invested in the new airport which link is 13km in length and is predominantly a marine would generate over 15,000 job openings and offer great plat- bridge structure. form for high-qualify training for national cadres by special- ● Kuwait International Airport’s Passengers ized international experts. He underlined that the new project Support Terminal (T4) - T4 will accommodate about would meet the steady growth in air traffic. “Kuwait will wit- 4.5 million passengers annually. The project will ease ness a rapid growth in passenger and cargo movement in the congestion at the existing terminal, and is expected coming 20 years, so we study such projects,” he clarified. to create 2,000 job openings and additional revenues He pointed out that the air traffic at Kuwait International for the State amounts to $60 million. Airport has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years. He ● Shagaya Renewable Energy: Phase 1 - The first stated that the Kuwait International Airport has accommodat- commercial Concentrated Solar Park (CSP) in ed 13.7 million passengers in 2017, an increase of 17 percent Kuwait, Shagaya phase one will include a 50MW compared to 2016 and the volume of its air cargo hit 241,000 solar CSP plant, a 10MW Solar PV plant and a 10 tons in 2017 compared with 195.5 tons in 2016, he disclosed. MW wind plant. The expected total capacity of CSP “To keep pace with this growth, the DGCA has also revamped will be 1150 MW (750 MW Parabolic Trough, 400 the existing airport through a number of projects such as the MW Solar Tower), PV 700MW, and wind 150MW. construction of the new passenger terminal (T2) with a Developed by Kuwait Institute for Scientific capacity of 25 million passengers annually, scheduled to com- Research (KISR), the project signed EPC contract plete by 2022,” he said. ($385 million) with a consortium consisting of He indicated that the project created about 12,000 jobs Spanish EPC company TSK and Kuwait’s Kharafi opportunities, especially for young Kuwaitis and would gen- National in 2015. erate additional annual revenues for the state estimated at ● Clean Fuels Project - The $16 billion upgrade of $300 million. Sheikh Salman added that the DGCA had also Mina Abdullah and Mina Al-Ahmadi Refineries to a started the building new Passengers Support Terminal (T4). combined capacity of 801,000 b/d with the con- “Work in this project is proceeding according to sched- struction of several new refinery units and the refur- ule,” he said, noting that it aims to ease congestion at the bishing of existing ones (29 units at Mina Al Ahmadi existing terminal at the Kuwait International Airport. He not- Kuwait International Airport’s Passengers Support Terminal (T4) and 30 at Mina Abdullah). ed that T4 would accommodate about 4.5 million passengers ● Services and Entertainment Center - The project annually and provide diverse services for travelers, he said. involves the development of a top-notch services and The project is expected to create 2,000 job openings and entertainment center in the Al-Egaila Area. additional revenues for the State amounts to $60 million The primary objective of the project is to meet the annually, he said. The GDCA is also setting up two new run- existing demand for commercial and entertainment ways and a new control tower at the Kuwait International Airport to enhance its traffic efficiency and safety, he stated. outlets in the area surrounding the project site, to He described the construction of the new cargo city at the minimize residents’ need to seek required services in Kuwait International Airport (currently in the first stage) as nearby districts/governorates. The scope of the proj- one of the most promising projects of the State development ect is to design, build, finance, operate, maintain, and plan. The mega city would be built on an area of three million transfer (1) a multi-floor recreational, cultural, com- square meters and is expected to be the largest in the Middle mercial, and sports center with an allowable build-up East, he said. area of 112,400 sqm (spread over four floors: base- Sheikh Salman affirmed that DGCA vision had three main ment, ground, first and sector floors), including pillars: Kuwait’s strategic location in the region which gives the adjoined parking for each level with an overall capac- Kuwait International Airport a privilege that allows it to a ity to accommodate not less than 3,600 parking regional hub for the traffic linking the West and East; Kuwait’s spaces, (2) and a Fresh Food Market with a total area trade history; and the State’s vision to become a regional of 20,000 sqm, in the Al-Egaila area. The term of the financial and commercial hub to diversify its income resources. contract with the Kuwait Municipality is expected to He pointed out that the State is interested in revamping air be 27 years in addition to and added 3 years for the transport sector to achieve His Highness the Amir’s vision of design, construction and finance of all the infrastruc- transforming Kuwait into a financial and commercial hub. This ture assets. requires a qualitative leap in the infrastructure of the air trans- ● The project of revamping air navigation systems port sector and the relevant laws to keep abreast of develop- - Kuwait plans to develop the air navigation systems ments in this industry, he said. He disclosed that Kuwait is around the country. finalizing a new civil aviation law to open the way for the Al-Shaqaya Renewable Energy Complex establishment of new aviation companies to be future incuba- tors and platforms for the international ones. —KUNA Established 1961 5 Local Thursday, March 22, 2018 Man arrested with 125 liquor bottles in Subhan Reckless driver detained at friend’s wedding By Hanan Al-Saadoun and Agencies restaurant and paid him the deposit. The woman could Inmates fight not reach him four days later and his phone was A security source said a bedoon serving a 10-year KUWAIT: An Asian man was arrested in Subhan with switched off. jail sentence was involved in a fight with a Nepalese possession of 112 homebrewed liquor bottles and 13 inmate. The bedoon suffered a swollen face and a bro- imported ones. He was sent to concerned authorities. Under the influence ken left index finger. The case was referred to the A citizen and a Saudi were found under the influence prosecution. Reckless driver of drugs when stopped in Oyoun in Jahra. The two Police arrested a reckless driver who was celebrat- resisted arrest and hurled insults at police. They were Maid’s torture ing his friend’s wedding, and his car was impounded. taken to Taima police station, where it was discovered Ahmadi prosecution charged a citizen at Hadiya Police responded to several calls about the suspect’s the citizen is wanted over a KD 36,000 debt. Both were police station with ‘detaining and torturing’ a person in behavior, and when they arrived, the man refused to sent to the Drugs Control General Department. a case in which he is accused of mistreating his domes- obey their orders and attempted to escape. He was put tic helper. Meanwhile, his sister denied any links with KUWAIT: This photo released by the Interior Ministry shows under arrest after showing fierce resistance. He faces Fight the case. An Indian man had told Hadiya police that his liquor bottles found with a bootlegger who was arrested several charges. Hawally police broke up a fight between three citi- mother is being detained and tortured by her employer. yesterday. zens in Nugra, and one of them was injured in the arm. Police went to the house, where they were met with a Swindling Police responded to a call and were able to control the woman who identified herself as the sponsor’s sister. Car fire A Kuwaiti woman accused a Lebanese man of swin- fighters. The injured man was taken to hospital and the She allowed police to take the victim, who was rushed A car caught fire on Sixth Ring Road near dling her out of KD 4,500 by promising to remodel her other two to the police station. The two said they had to Adan Hospital where doctors said her condition was Farwaniya, causing a huge traffic jam. Police and fire- restaurant in Salhiya. The woman said that she met the financial dispute with the injured man and did not want stable. Police discovered that the victim worked for the men dealt with the incident and no injuries were man and agreed with him to decorate her Italian to settle it. suspect despite him not being her official sponsor. reported.

Legalese Contracts

By Attorney Fajer Ahmed

know that I write about employment law more than any other law, primarily because I have more experi- Ience dealing with commercial laws, but also because I believe that there is a lot of ground for improvement. The law itself is written with many benefits for the employee, making sure that employees cannot be taken advantage of, but there are other issues that go along- side the law. The law has to be accessible - people need to know what they are getting into when they take a bold step of leaving their hometowns to come and work in Kuwait. I hope that one day, the law will be more accessible to all employees working in Kuwait and employers as well.

Probation period Question: My understanding is that the first 100 working days are a probation period, which means I can leave my work at any time. Yet if I can leave within the first 100 days, then how come I cannot transfer my visa in Kuwait? I have been brought in from my country for this job and I believe I deserve 100 days to try the job out, as well as to see if life in Kuwait will suit my needs. Fajer: The visa laws/bylaws in Kuwait are separate from the Kuwait labor law, and unfortunately the visa law does not allow transfers during the probation period, which is something I think the officials should consider. I understand that the reason transfers are not allowed unless a certain period has passed is because many employers lose money bringing non-Kuwaitis into Kuwait and training them. But I also know that the law has placed a three-month notice period for contracts without a period, and for those with a period, there are consequences as well. So for now, unfortunately, you cannot transfer within your probation period if you are coming to Kuwait to work for a certain employer. Also, there is a huge misconception in the public that the probation period is three months or that it is even 100 days - it is actually 100 working days. If you work 22 days a month, your proportion period is then a little under five months.

Common mistakes Question: Since you are a lawyer with experience in commercial and employment law, what are the most common mistakes that people make, or that your clients make, which can be avoided in the future? Fajer: This is a very broad question. Instead of focus- ing on the mistakes one can make (there are too many to enumerate), let us think about what actions an employee can do to protect themselves in the future. Some of the most common are: 1. If you are going to resign, do it in writing. 2. If your boss agrees to your resignation, get it in writing. 3. If your boss makes any statement that can affect you in the future legally, get it in writing. 4. Read your contract carefully. 5. Ask for a copy of your contract. 6. Check your work permit. 7. Always try to figure things out amicably. 8. Research. I have plenty of articles available on the Legalese sec- tion of the Kuwait Times website www.KuwaitTimes.com - please read them. I hope the above helped. If you have a concern, please email us at [email protected] Kuwaitis in US urged to be cautious of hurricanes WASHINGTON: Kuwait’s Embassy to the US warned their nationals enrolled in universities across southern states and other hurricane and thunderstorm-prone areas to be alert and take precautions. In a statement, the embassy said it hoped Kuwaitis would stay safe and secure during the expected extreme weather conditions, urging them to abide by the instructions and directions of US authorities in these circumstances. Kuwaitis were also urged to maintain contact with the embassy in Washington and provide it with any developments that might affect their status as a result of the storms. Contact can be made through these following emergency hotlines, Kuwait Embassy: +1 (202) 262-0758, Kuwait Cultural Office: +1 (202) 364-2104, Kuwait Health Office: +1 (202) 320-2415, Military Affairs Office: +1 (202) 818-0666. —KUNA InternationalEstablished 1961 Thursday, March 22, 2018 Syrian Kurds bitter over West turning Executions, torture, slave markets persist in Libya Page 7 a blind eye to Afrin Page 8

LONDON: Pedestrians pass the shared building which houses the offices of Cambridge Analytica in central London yesterday. Facebook expressed outrage yesterday over the misuse of its data as Cambridge Analytica, the British firm at the centre of a major scandal rocking the social media giant, suspended its chief executive. —AFP Data firm suspends CEO over Facebook scandal App developer says he is scapegoat in Facebook data row

LONDON: The academic behind an app that harvested data out its knowledge. Kogan said CA approached him to do the Lawmakers on both sides of the Atlantic have demanded Republicans asked few questions. “They’re politicians, they’re from millions of Facebook users said yesterday he was being work, but did not know how the firm would use the personal answers in the scandal, which has ratcheted up the pressure on not technical. They don’t understand how it works,” he told an scapegoated in an online privacy row that has rocked the social data collected, leaving him “stunned” by the allegations Facebook-already under fire for allowing fake news to prolifer- undercover reporter. He also outlines the use of a secret self- media giant. British data firm Cambridge Analytica (CA) and against him. ate on its platform during the US presidential election. destructing email system. “There’s no evidence, there’s no Facebook are accused of improperly using the data for US Kogan said he would be paper trail, there’s nothing,” he said of the tool, which deletes President Donald Trump’s election 2016 campaign. The scandal, Pressure on Facebook, CA prepared to appear before emails two hours after they have been read. which has seen the suspension of CA’s chief executive, wiped Kogan said he strongly British or US lawmakers if out $60 billion of Facebook’s market value since the start of the regretted not asking more requested. CA suspended its Facebook ‘outraged’ week, Bloomberg news reported yesterday. questions about the work chief executive Alexander US media reported Tuesday evening that the Federal Trade However, both firms have denied any wrongdoing and he did for CA. “One of the Scandal wipes Nix on Tuesday over the Commission is investigating Facebook over the data scandal. instead blamed the app’s inventor, Aleksandr Kogan, for misus- great mistakes I did here row as recordings emerged Facebook said its top executives were “working around the ing the information. But Kogan hit back yesterday, saying that was I just didn’t ask enough out $60 billion of him boasting that the firm clock to get all the facts”. “The entire company is outraged we CA had assured him his activities were “perfectly legal and questions,” he said. “I had played an expansive role in were deceived. We are committed to vigorously enforcing our within the terms of service” of Facebook. “I’m being basically never done a commercial of Facebook’s Trump’s 2016 election cam- policies to protect people’s information and will take whatever used as a scapegoat by both Facebook and Cambridge project, I didn’t really have paign, doing all of its steps are required to see that this happens,” the firm said. Analytica,” he said. “We thought we were acting perfectly any reason to doubt their market value research, analytics as well as Facebook shares fell 2.6 percent on Tuesday to close at appropriately. We thought we were doing something that was sincerity. He added: “My digital and television cam- $168.15, adding to Monday’s big decline. European Union offi- really normal. “We were assured by Cambridge Analytica that motivation was to get a paigns. In undercover film- cials have called for an urgent investigation while British, US everything was perfectly legal and within the terms of service.” dataset I could do research ing captured by Channel 4 and EU lawmakers have asked Facebook boss Mark The University of Cambridge psychologist behind the per- on; I have never profited television, he is also seen Zuckerberg to give evidence. Andrea Jelinek, chair of the EU’s sonality survey This Is Your Digital Life told the BBC that from this in any way personally.” boasting about entrapping politicians and secretly operating in WP29 data protection regulator, said: “Personal data cannot be around 200,000 people used his app and around 30 million The scandal erupted over the weekend, after a CA whistle- elections around the world through shadowy front companies. used without full transparency on how it is used and with US Facebook users’ details were harvested. The app’s vast blower said the CA was able to create psychological profiles In the footage, Nix slights US representatives on the House whom it is shared. “This is therefore a very serious allegation reach beyond its users happened by scooping up data from on 50 million Facebook users via a personality prediction app Intelligence Committee to whom he gave evidence last year, with far-reaching consequences for data protection rights of their friends on Facebook, which says the data was taken with- developed by Kogan and downloaded by 270,000 people. claiming its Democrats are motivated by “sour grapes” and individuals and the democratic process.” —AFP

know more than perhaps anyone has ever known about Psychometrics: How Facebook users, creating targeted ads and messaging that could play on their individual biases, fears and loves-effec- Facebook data helped tively creating a bond between them and the candidate. 62 regime fighters Psychometric profiling The project was based on the work of a former killed in IS attack Trump find his voters Cambridge scientist, Michal Kosinski, who studies people based on what information they generate on line. Kosinski WASHINGTON: It was one of hundreds of cute question- BEIRUT: A lightning assault by the Islamic State group that and fellow researcher David Stillwell had for several years naires that were shared widely on Facebook and other put the jihadists in control of a southern part of the Syrian tapped into Facebook for psychometric profiling using their social media, like “Which Pokeman Are You?” and “What capital killed 62 regime fighters, a monitor said yesterday in own personality test app, “myPersonality”. The app accu- Are Your Most Used Words?” This one, an app called “thi- a new toll. IS launched the surprise attack on Monday night mulated six million test results, along with users’ Facebook to seize the Qadam neighborhood of Damascus. The Syrian sismydigitallife”, was a personality quiz, asking questions profiles, and their friends’ profiles, in a powerful research Observatory for Human Rights war monitor gave an initial about how outgoing a person is, how vengeful one can be, database. In 2015 they published a study carrying the bold toll on Tuesday of 36 pro-government fighters dead, but whether one finishes projects, worries a lot, likes art, or is NANTES: Photo shows logos of US online social media and title: “Computer-based personality Judgments are more said that loyalists had retrieved additional bodies since. talkative. About 320,000 people took the quiz, designed by social networking service Facebook. —AFP accurate than those made by humans.” They showed, for “The toll has risen to 62, most of them local pro-regime a man named Alexsandr Kogan. example, that they could divine a fairly accurate psychome- fighters,” said the Observatory, a Britain-based monitor Kogan was contracted to do it by a company called tric portrait of a person using only their Facebook “likes”. sion, agreeableness and neuroticism. The test-taker answers which relies on sources inside Syria for its information. Cambridge Analytica, founded by US Republican support- “Computers outpacing humans in personality Judgment a list of statements like “I am someone who tends to be “Regime reinforcements have gathered on the outskirts of ers including Steve Bannon, who would become the strate- presents significant opportunities and challenges in the organized” or “who rarely feels excited” or “has few artistic Qadam, but the operation to recapture it has not yet start- gist for Donald Trump. Because Kogan’s app was circulated areas of psychological assessment, marketing, and privacy,” interests,” using a scale from “strongly agree” to “strongly ed,” said monitor chief Rami Abdel Rahman. via Facebook, it reaped far more than just the information they wrote. Kosinski would not share the database with disagree”. Those basic results were combined with the data IS have maintained a presence in parts of Damascus, on those who took the test. At the time, in 2015, such apps Kogan and Cambridge Analytica, reportedly knowing it raked from Facebook profiles and friend networks, associat- including in the Palestinian camp of Yarmuk and the neigh- could scrape up all the personal details of not only the quiz- would be used for a political campaign. But Kogan created ing longer lists of traits. borhoods of Hajar al-Aswad and Tadamun. It launched its taker, but all their Facebook friends. That ultimately became his own app quiz and, through that, amassed the database For example, to categorize voters, an algorithm could Monday night attack from Hajar Al-Aswad, taking advan- a horde of data on some 50 million Facebook users-their on 50 million people that would be the backbone of Trump’s find links between “agreeableness” or “neuroticism” and tage of a temporary power vacuum in Qadam after Islamist personal information, their likes, their places, their pictures, social media campaign. Facebook now says Kogan did that gender, age, religion, hobbies, travel, specific political and jihadist fighters evacuated the area under a deal with and their networks. illegally. And it has since also restricted apps from such views, and a host of other variables. The data generated an the regime. That agreement saw most of them head to the Marketers use such information to pitch cars, clothes, broad data collection on friend networks. incredible 4,000 or more data points on each US voter, northwestern province of Idlib, which is controlled by a and vacations with targeted ads. It was used in earlier elec- according to Alexander Nix, Cambridge Analytica’s chief group led by Syria’s former Al-Qaeda affiliate. Al-Watan, tions by candidates to identify potential supporters. But for Powerful results executive before he was suspended on Tuesday. The pow- a Syrian daily close to the government, also reported Kogan and Cambridge it was a much bigger goldmine. They But Cambridge Analytica proved that Kosinski’s methods er of psychographic data, experts say, is not in the granu- Wednesday that regime forces had sent reinforcements to used it for psychological profiling of US voters, creating a were powerful. They started with the standard psychologi- larity itself, but in combining data to make significant cor- Qadam, but said IS had only taken “a few buildings in the powerful database that helped carry Trump to victory in the cal profiling test known as Big Five or OCEAN, which relations about people-something with requires powerful district’s east”. —AFP 2016 presidential election. The data let the Trump campaign measures five traits: openness, conscientiousness, extrover- computer algorithms. —AFP Established 1961 7 International Thursday, March 22, 2018 In symbolic victory, Iran conquers dates market Iran’s encroachment undermined Iraqi market

BAGHDAD: It isn’t hard to find signs that Iran is winning a But it is clear Iraq is no longer the king of dates. During its colorful cartons of them in long rows. Some have given up on dates,” said farmer Adnan Jaber, 58. Other complain of cor- proxy war with Saudi Arabia in Iraq. There are the Iraqi heyday, Iraq produced three quarters of the world’s dates. It local dates because they make big profits selling Iranian ruption and bureaucracy. Far removed from regional power Shiite militia who have sworn allegiance to Iran and the now accounts for about five percent of global output and is ones. “We don’t want the government to end the smuggling. struggles, they just want to survive. “The government gives us politicians beholden to Tehran. There are the Iranian compa- only the seventh biggest producer, according to the We are selling,” said market trader Muhammed Hamid. water but it’s not enough. The pesticide plane comes once a nies that make everything from Baghdad’s yellow taxis to the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council Foundation. “Three years ago Iraqi dates sold for 3,000 dinars ($2.5) a year,” said Maitham Kathim, 35. A trade ministry spokesmen refrigerators and air conditioners that flood street markets. “Iranian dates have the lion’s share (of those) being marketed kilo. Now they sell for 1,000 because of competition from said Iraq was doing everything in its power to protect local And then there are the dates. Iraq was once the world’s inside Iraq compared to the Saudi, Emirates and Kuwaiti Iran.” Nearby lay boxes of dates from Saudi Arabia. industry, including subsidies for farmers, but that the country biggest producer of the sweet fruit. But decimated by years dates because Iran has multiple border crossings with Iraq in Many Iraqi farmers can barely make ends meet. In addition had “chosen the path of free markets” since Saddam’s fall. “We of neglect and the 1980-88 war with Iran, production has Kurdistan and the southern provinces,” said Abbas Al- to water shortages and a lack of pesticides, they have to buy want the Iraqi citizen to be able to choose the best product declined to such an extent that imports are now banned to Quraishi, who advises Iraq’s Union of Farmers’ Cooperatives. gas for generators to keep refrigerators going through Iraq’s and in some cases the local product is not the best,” said protect the local industry. Iraqis’ liking of Iranian dates was evident at a sprawling frequent power cuts, a burden Iranian producers do not face. Mohammed Hanoun, adding that farmers “need to depend on That has not stopped smugglers, particularly Iranian pro- market outside Baghdad where traders were busy arranging “We suffer from losses of up to 70 percent because of Iranian themselves” and on the private sector. —Reuters ducers who hide their dates under cartons of other fruit. Saudi Arabia is also a big producer but the Iranians have cornered the market. It’s a blow to national pride which some Iraqis see as emblematic of Iran’s growing hold on their country. “Haqiqat dates are now the best in Iraq,” Mehdi Haqiqat, own- er of Iranian firm Haqiqat Golden Dates, said by telephone. Three years ago, 20 percent of his dates were sold in Iraq, he said. Now that figure has risen to more than 90 percent. “The government is doing nothing. Iran controls Iraqi pol- itics and the economy,” said Qusay Hamdan, a trader at a market outside Baghdad. Iraq is one of multiple proxy battle- fields as Shiite Muslim Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia seek the upper hand in the Middle East. The regional powerhouses back opposing sides in conflicts in Syria and Yemen. They are also rivals in Lebanon, where Iran exerts influence through the Hezbollah political and military movement which Saudi Arabia considers an enemy. Their rivalry and the regional conflicts have deepened instability in the Middle East and stoked fears in Western capitals including Washington of a direct confrontation between Riyadh and Tehran that might draw in their international allies.

Commercial battles Although Iran fought a war with Iraq from 1980 to 1988, it has a big head start over Saudi Arabia. Riyadh and Baghdad began taking steps towards detente only in 2015, after 25 years of troubled relations starting with late dictator Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Iran has been increasing its influence in Iraq since the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam in 2003, and the countries are now close allies. Tehran cemented ties by helping Baghdad to defeat Islamic State, a mutual enemy, and to stifle a push for independence by its Kurdish pop- ulation. The improvement in relations has enabled Iran to forge ties in many areas, including business. “It’s the same ploy. Help the Iraqis, then make sure they help you set up legitimate businesses...,” said a Western diplomat who has followed Iran closely for years. Iran is now Iraq’s top trade partner, with annual turnover of about $12 billion, according to an Iraqi officials. Annual trade between Saudi Arabia and Iraq stands at about $6 billion. Tehran exports foodstuff, live- stock, construction material and plastic products to Iraq. Local traders say Iranian food items and inexpensive vehicles, including the yellow taxis that are everywhere in Baghdad, dominate Iraqi markets. Quality is decisive when it comes to dates, according to deputy Agriculture Minister Mahdi Al- Qaisi, as are marketing and packaging. “It’s a process that we are still unable to match so far,” he told Reuters.

No longer king of dates Iraqi officials say it is impossible to tell how many foreign dates are sold in Iraq because they are brought in illegally.

Executions, slave markets persist in Libya

GENEVA: Armed groups execute and torture civilians in Libya in almost complete impunity seven years after the revolution that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, the United Nations human rights office said yesterday. Libyans and migrants are often held incommunicado in arbitrary detention in appalling conditions, and reports persist of captured migrants being bought and sold on “open slave markets”, it said in a report to the Human Rights Council. Libya is split between rival governments in the east and west while ports and beaches are largely in the hands of armed groups who smuggle mainly African migrants onto boats heading for Italy and Europe. “Extrajudicial and unlawful killings are rampant,” Andrew Gilmour, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, told the Geneva forum. A video emerged on Jan 24 purportedly showing a special forces field commander Mahmoud Al- Werfalli shooting 10 blindfolded men kneeling with their hands tied behind their back, he said. Reuters could not independently confirm the gunman’s identity. Werfalli, a special forces commander attached to Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA), has been indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for allegedly overseeing the summary execution of several dozen prisoners. “In what has become an increasing pat- tern in and around Benghazi over the last two years, more bodies with signs of torture and hands bound were found in the streets,” Gilmour said. Armed groups are “the main perpetrators of grave human rights violations and act with almost complete impunity”, he said. Detention centers run by armed groups, “including those with links to ministries” have the worst record, he said. Adel Shaltut, charge d’affaires at Libya’s mission to the UN in Geneva, said: “Libya is a victim of illegal migration, it is only a transit country and cannot shoulder all responsi- bilities. Our coast guards and border guards do not have capacity to face organized crime and terrorism.” The European Union said that migrants and activists were sub- jected to “unlawful detentions, abductions, torture, forced labor and sexual and gender-based violence”. “We are deeply also concerned about reports of migrants and refugees allegedly being sold as slaves and call on the Libyan authorities to investigate and hold per- sons responsible for those acts accountable,” said EU diplomat Carl Hallergard. Hanan Salah, Libya researcher for Human Rights Watch, denounced “raging impunity”, adding: “A political settlement and any semblance of rule of law seem elusive.” She urged the Council to appoint an independent expert on the country, adding: “Given the gravity of the situation on the ground in Libya, how can this Council justify the lack of a dedicated monitoring and reporting mechanism?”.—Reuters 8 Established 1961 International Thursday, March 22, 2018 Boko Haram returns scores of abducted Nigerian schoolgirls Five girls died in captivity: Freed student LAGOS: Boko Haram Islamists who kidnapped 110 school- during their time in captivity. But she added: “When we girls in Dapchi, northeast Nigeria, just over a month ago were being taken away, five of us died on the way. “They have returned 76 of the students to the town, the govern- brought us back this morning, dropped us outside the ment said yesterday. Information Minister Lai Mohammed motor park and said we should all go home and not go to said the release was “unconditional” and the result of the military because they will claim to have rescued us.” “back-channel efforts” with the help of “some friends of Parents earlier told AFP the girls were brought back to the country”, without elaborating. “The 76 are those who Dapchi in nine vehicles at about 8:00 am. Some of the stu- have been documented so far,” he said, adding that they dents headed to their homes in surrounding villages.Bashir were released at about 3:00 am and that a full head-count Manzo, who heads a parents’ support group in Dapchi, was under way. Nigeria’s said: “These girls were not President Muhammadu accompanied by any secu- Buhari said last week the rity personnel. “Their government had “chosen abductors brought them, negotiation” to secure the dropped them outside the return of the Dapchi girls school and left, without rather than use military Abduction piles talking to anyone.” Parents force. in the remote town said Mohammed said: “For pressure on the the girls had been taken the release to work, the for medical check-ups government had a clear Nigerian leader after their ordeal and that understanding that vio- security was tight in the lence and confrontation town. would not be the way out as it could endanger the Ransom payment? lives of the girls, hence a Boko Haram has used non-violent approach was the preferred option. “Within kidnapping as a weapon of war during its nearly nine-year the period when the girls were being brought back, (an) insurgency which has claimed at least 20,000 lives and operational pause was observed in certain areas to ensure made more than two million others homeless. The Islamic free passage and also that lives were not lost.” Nigeria’s State (IS) group affiliate has not claimed responsibility for presidency said separately that the girls were in the cus- the abduction but it is understood that a faction headed by YOBE, Nigeria: A girl released by Boko Haram walks with his father (left) in Dapchi. Boko Haram tody of the country’s intelligence agency, the Department Abu Mus’ab Al-Barnawi was behind it. In August 2015, IS Islamists who kidnapped 110 schoolgirls in Dapchi, northeast Nigeria, just over a month ago have so of State Services. publicly backed Barnawi as leader of Boko Haram, or far returned 101 of the students to the town, the government said yesterday. —AFP Islamic State West Africa Province, over Abubakar ‘Five died en route’ Shekau, whose supporters carried out the Chibok abduc- military ignored repeated warnings about the movements abduction also triggered a global campaign for their The Dapchi kidnapping on February 19 brought back tion. Analysts have attributed a financial motive to the of Boko Haram fighters before the kidnapping. The military release, spearheaded by the US former first lady Michelle painful memories of a similar abduction in Chibok in April Dapchi kidnapping given government ransom payments rejected the allegation, calling it an “outright falsehood”. Obama. There was no similar campaign for the Dapchi 2014, when more than 200 girls were taken. Aisha Alhaji made to Boko Haram to secure the release of some of the Similar claims were made about the hours leading up to girls. Since May 2016, 107 Chibok girls have escaped, Deri, a 16-year-old student who was among those kid- captives from Chibok. the Chibok abduction, which brought sustained worldwide been found or been released as part of a government-bro- napped in Dapchi, told reporters they were not mistreated On Tuesday, Amnesty International claimed that the attention on the conflict for the first time. The Chibok kered deal with the jihadists.—AFP

News in brief Syrian Kurds bitter Porn video shown briefly over West turning MANILA: The mayor of the major financial hub in the Philippines said yesterday she was investigating after a a blind eye to Afrin pornographic video appeared briefly on a prominent bill- board, startling motorists on one of the bustling city’s major roadways. The video appeared for about half a PARIS: After leading the charge against Islamic State minute on an electronic billboard at a busy intersection jihadists on Syria’s frontlines, Kurds feel betrayed by their on the main road through Makati City, the central busi- Western allies following the seizure of their stronghold ness district of the sprawling capital, Manila, on Tuesday Afrin by Turkish forces. Turkey’s offensive aided by its afternoon. Makati Mayor Abigail Binay immediately Syrian allies including secular rebels and Islamist groups ordered the billboard shut down after the clip of a couple who rampaged through Afrin and triggered a mass exo- having sex was shown, but pictures and videos of it cap- dus-has left Syrian Kurds claiming the world stood by and tured by motorists on their mobile phones were shared watched as “ethnic cleansing” took place. “The silence of widely on social media. — Reuters the international community is complicit in the macabre plan of (Turkish President Recep Tayyip) Erdogan. Silence means acceptance,” a group of Kurds originally from Afrin Killer air pollution and now living in Europe told the French daily Le Monde on Tuesday. “Don’t abandon your allies!” they said. BANGKOK: Asia is a critical battlefield in the global fight The People’s Protection Units (YPG), a Kurdish militia, QAMISHLI, Syria: Syrian-Kurds gather in the northeastern Syrian town of Qamishli as they celebrate Noruz to rein in air pollution, registering about 5 million prema- was driven out of Afrin on Sunday, one the cantons in the (Nowruz), the Kurdish New Year yesterday. For Syria’s Kurds, Nowruz symbolizes the deliverance of Kurdish ture deaths each year, delegates at a United Nations self-proclaimed autonomous administration run by Syria’s people from a mythical tyrant. —AFP conference said yesterday, as urged tougher enforcement Kurds. Turkey considers the YPG “terrorists” allied with of curbs. The World Health Organization (WHO) calls air the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) which has waged a three-decade insurgency inside Turkey. But The loss of Afrin has been a huge blow to the Kurdish Billion, deputy director of the Institute for International pollution the greatest environmental risk to human health. minority in Syria, which has been torn apart by civil war and Strategic Relations told AFP. About 90 percent of related deaths take place in low- Washington and the anti-Islamic State international coali- tion have backed the YPG to spearhead its effort to oust IS since 2011. Around 250,000 civilians have fled the vio- “The Western powers, especially the Americans, were and middle-income countries, most of them in Southeast lence in Afrin and dozens of others have been killed, as very happy to have the Syrian Kurdish troops on the Asia and the Pacific. —Reuters jihadists from Syria. “The same fighters who fought coura- geously against Daesh (the Arabic acronym for IS group) well as around 1,500 Kurdish fighters, according to the ground to fight against IS. But Ankara, a NATO member, are today left to the mercy of the Turkish army,” said Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. will always be more important than Afrin,” the French spe- Policeman surrenders Khaled Issa, the official representative in France of Syria’s But the Kurdish Community of Germany, where about cialist on Turkey said. Washington had on Monday Kurdistan. one million Kurds live, claims that Turkey will face no warned Ankara of its “great concern” over the taking of repercussions for its offensive. “Given that the aggressor Afrin. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed the KARACHI: A senior Pakistani policeman accused of a “There’s a moral responsibility for the international (Turkey) is part of NATO, this violation of international same sentiments and called on Moscow, the Syrian role in police killings surrendered to the Supreme Court community in the face of an unjustified and illegal aggres- law will never be sanctioned,” the group said. “Afrin is the regime’s main ally, “to do all it could to stop the fighting yesterday after two months on the run, media said, in a sion,” Issa said. “What is happening in Afrin is ethnic most brutal expression of what’s called Realpolitik,” Didier and civilian losses”. —Reuters case that has stirred anger about extra-judicial killings. cleansing and the great powers are spectators,” he said. Rao Anwar, senior superintendent of police in the port city of Karachi, was suspended on January 20 after four men were killed in a shoot-out with police. Police initially ... we had no choice.” Prior to the move said the men were suspected Islamist militants but later Bloody scenes back, Um Russil had been living in the suggested the incident may have been an extra-judicial eastern part of Mosul, Islamic State’s main killing. The shoot-out, in which police gunned down base in Iraq which suffered heavy damage aspiring model Naqibullah Mehsud, has also brought to of life under IS from bombing and fighting. the fore the issue of racial profiling of Pakistan’s Pashtuns, who say they are targeted and harassed because many haunt Mosul’s Forced underground militants hail from their communities close to the border Many residents of the Old City were with Afghanistan.- Reuters among the last to leave Mosul. As the fight- returnees ing intensified in the spring of 2017, the mil- itants retreated further inwards, to the Italy’s political deadlock densely packed buildings of the historic MOSUL: For residents of the Old City, quarter. They took over entire homes, turn- ROME: Italy’s parliament reconvenes tomorrow with the returning to Mosul is an exercise in trying ing them into makeshift bases, forcing fami- country looking for solutions to the political stalemate to forget. Its streets bear the scars of the lies underground. “We lived for three that emerged from the March 4 general elections. On horrors they survived - either living under months in the cellar, before they liberated Friday the newly-elected lower house Chamber of Islamic State’s (IS) draconian rule or dur- our areas on July 7,” said Moayad, 45. He Deputies and upper house Senate will begin the process ing nine months of brutal fighting, as the was forced to live - along with his mother, of electing their new speakers. Not until both are chosen US-led coalition battled to recapture the his children and grandchildren - in his small, can consultations start between Italy’s President Sergio MOSUL: Iraqis pass destroyed buildings in the old city of Mosul, eight months city from the jihadists. “This corner is windowless basement by Russian-speaking Mattarella and those vying to form a new government. after the Iraqi government forces retook the city from the control of the Islamic where Daesh whipped my sons for talking Islamic State fighters who took over his The right-wing coalition headed by the far-right League State (IS) group. —AFP out of turn,” said Um Abdullah, using the home in the Zanjili district last spring. gained the largest share of the votes with 37 percent. Arabic acronym for Islamic State, walking “They had everything they needed,” That was just over four points ahead of the anti-estab- around the neighborhood she returned to said Moayad, who declined to give his full ment forces that they say treated them and food for some of the city’s poor. But lishment Five Star Movement (M5S), which won more in January. “And this corner is where they badly, and happier still to get a break from they also imposed a system of oppressive votes than any other single party. —AFP name. He added that without clean drinking killed my father for trying to stop them.” water or food to eat, his family survived on car bombs that had dominated since al religious taxes and issued a series of The spot was meters away from her flour mixed with saline water he stole from Qaeda, Islamic State’s predecessor, decrees covering all aspects of public and Bus plunges off cliff home in the Bab Al-Jadeed district. Though IS fighters’ medical kits. He was jaundiced fomented a years-long insurgency. private life. Punishments ranged from the front door had been blown off its and starving when Iraqi security forces chopped hands to beheadings, a spectrum hinges, the house remained standing unlike Clean streets and brutality of unfettered violence which turned many MANILA: Nineteen people were killed and 21 others cleared his street and evacuated civilians most others on the street. Where there who had been living under intense shelling Islamic State quickly set about building initial supporters away. injured when a passenger bus lost control and plunged were once 40 families living, there are now the apparatus of its so-called caliphate, “You lived in constant fear of getting in off a cliff in the central Philippines, police said yesterday. for months. It wasn’t always like this. When only three. Um Abdullah says she returned including establishing a new local govern- trouble with the religious police or a senior The bus, which was heading to the capital Manila, skid- Islamic State first came to the city, they reluctantly to the area, which has no elec- ment. Some of the city’s employees left fighter walking by,” said Moayad, who said ded off a mountain road on Mindoro island late Tuesday, were mostly welcomed by the predominant- tricity and no running water, because con- Mosul, current municipality head crimes could be as small as smoking to said regional police spokeswoman Imelda Tolentino. ly Sunni residents, some of whom - at least ditions were nevertheless better than the Abdelsattar Al-Hibbu said. But most stayed wearing the wrong clothing. As the war Rescue workers were pulling the dead and injured from at first - were sympathetic to their cause. refugee camp where she had lived before. and were either forced to work for or will- began and later intensified, residents of the the vehicle, which landed at the bottom of a wooded “Nothing really changed at first,” said A few streets away, Um Russil said she ingly joined the new regime. The militants Old City were prevented from leaving, serv- ravine, she added. “Police are investigating why the driver Moayad, a market trader who sells second had also recently returned to the area, ensured streets were cleaned and roads ing as human shields for the dwindling num- lost control-whether there was mechanical trouble or the hand clothes. “We could still move around, where her husband had been wounded in were paved. bers of IS fighters. “They killed four people driver fell asleep,” Tolentino said. Police photos showed go to the market, walk in the streets and an air strike. “Some of our neighbors don’t Some residents said the Islamic State’s who tried to escape the neighborhood right rescuer workers clambering down the cliff to reach the everyone would greet each other and chit- administration, run by a French-Morrocan outside my house,” said Moayad, recalling bus, which lay on its side amongst trees and grass about want to return - they say they are scarred chat, even the new people in their strange jihadi, was more efficient than the previous the scene. “And they did it publicly to scare 15 meters (49 feet) below the road.—AFP by what they went through and can’t come clothes.” Many residents were relieved to back,” she said. “But we had to come back gain reprieve from the Shiite-led govern- regime. The militants subsidized services people into staying. — Reuters Established 1961 9 International Thursday, March 22, 2018 IS bomber kills 26; Kabul marks Persian New Year The fifth suicide bombing in recent weeks

KABUL: A suicide bomber yesterday killed at least 26 war-weary city in recent months as US and Afghan people, many of them teenagers, after detonating a forces ramp up air strikes and ground offensives device among a crowd of people in Kabul who were against the groups. celebrating the Persian new year holiday, officials said. Yesterday’s blast comes days after a Taleban suicide The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attacker blew up a bomb-laden car in Kabul, causing deadly attack-the fifth suicide bombing in the Afghan multiple casualties. Some Western and Afghan security capital in recent weeks-via its propaganda arm Amaq, experts believe the Haqqani Network, a hard-line wing SITE Intelligence Group said. The Taleban earlier of the Taleban, has been behind some of the attacks in denied involvement on Twitter. Kabul in recent months, including those claimed by IS. Another 18 people were wounded in the blast, interi- The Taleban, Afghanistan’s largest militant group, faces or ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said, “all of them growing pressure to take up a recent offer by Afghan civilians”. There were fears the figure could rise, howev- President Ashraf Ghani of peace talks to end the 16- er, with the health ministry giving a higher toll of 29 year war. So far it has given only a muted response. people killed and 52 wounded. Afghan officials often give conflicting tolls in the wake of attacks. The bomber, Little incentive for talks who was on foot, detonated his device in front of Kabul This latest suicide attack underscores the growing University and a hospital that was opposite, Rahimi said. challenge facing Afghan and foreign forces to protect The blast occurred less than 200 meters from Karte the already heavily militarized city. Authorities had Sakhi shrine where many Afghans gather every year to increased security ahead of Nawrooz festivities, which mark Nawrooz, which is the traditional Persian new year militants have previously struck with deadly force. holiday-but had been unable to reach it due to heavy General John Nicholson, who leads US and NATO security for the holiday. So he “detonated himself among forces in Afghanistan, recently told reporters that pro- teenagers returning from there”, Kabul police chief tecting Kabul was a priority for foreign troops. “Kabul Mohammad Daud Amin told Tolo News. Bloodstains is our main effort right now, to harden Kabul, to protect could be seen among scattered belongings on the road the people of Kabul and the international community at the site of the attack. A man who was standing meters that are here because of the strategic impact that has from where the explosion happened told Tolo that he and the importance to the campaign,” Nicholson said. KABUL: Afghan families weep next to dead bodies that were brought to a hospital following a suicide saw “at least four bodies in blood” on the ground. But he acknowledged that preventing further attacks bombing attack in Kabul yesterday. —AFP IS has attacked the same shrine once before, in would be challenging in the sprawling city that is poor- October 2016 when gunmen killed 18 people gathered ly mapped and extremely porous. The latest attack to mark Ashura, an important date for many Muslims, comes as US Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General appears to have few reasons to negotiate. the percentage in 2015, the US government’s office of especially Shiites. President Ashraf Ghani, whose gov- Joseph Dunford visits Afghanistan to assess the military The Taleban has been resurgent since the withdrawal the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan ernment has been repeatedly lambasted for its inability campaign against insurgents-weeks before the start of of US-led NATO combat troops at the end of 2014, tak- Reconstruction said in January. Over the same period, to protect its citizens, condemned the attack in a state- the spring fighting season, which is expected to be par- ing back territory and devastating Afghanistan’s belea- the watchdog said, the number of districts under Afghan ment as a “crime against humanity”. Taleban and ticularly bloody this year. Despite calls for the Taleban guered security forces. In October, insurgents controlled government control or influence fell to its lowest level Islamic State militants have increasingly targeted the to sit down with the Afghan government, the group or influenced nearly half of Afghanistan’s districts-double since December 2015. —AFP

this week when parliament abolished China activists term limits, triggered a rare bout of criti- cism on social media. Censors blocked dozens of phrases such as “I disagree” fear high-tech or “emperor”, in an illustration of their resolve to maintain stability, backed by a crackdown in massive increase in domestic security spending in recent years.

Xi’s ‘new era’ High-tech specs Last month, some police began to don BEIJING: As Xi Jinping embarks on a high-tech sunglasses that can spot sus- potentially lifelong presidency, activists pects in crowded areas, the newest use fear that the Chinese leader’s promise of of facial recognition technology that has a “new era” sounds the death knell for drawn concerns among human rights human rights under an increasingly digi- groups. The glasses send people’s tal-savvy police state. The Chinese gov- images to a database that checks their ernment has severely reduced space for personal information. It is part of China’s civil liberties since Xi took power in efforts to build a digital surveillance sys- 2012, and authorities are developing new tem able to use a variety of biometric technologies to keep the vast population data - from photos and iris scans to fin- in check. gerprints to keep close tabs on the They include facial recognition soft- movements of the entire population. A ware as well as a “social credit” system group of legislators suggested during for good behavior-eerily similar to an the parliament session that iris recogni- episode of Netflix’s sci-fi hit “Black tion be added to the country’s national Mirror” that depicted a dystopian socie- identity system, including for passports, ty governed by such scores. Ye Du, a according to state-run media. poet and activist who lives in southern On the web, China has further tight- Guangdong province, warned that China ened its “Great Firewall” with new is entering a stage of “high-tech totali- restrictions on what can be said and tarianism” in which most citizens will feel shared on social media-all in the name of the psychological impact. protecting national security. Some “The Chinese Communist Party has begun to pay more and more attention 13,000 websites have been shut down or to cloud technology, monitoring technol- stripped of their licenses since 2015 for ogy and other tools, trying to integrate violating the rules. Dozens of Chinese the most cutting-edge technology for internet users have been imprisoned for the monitoring of the behavior and crimes linked to their social media posts thoughts of the people,” Ye said. Xi’s including “inciting subversion of state move to stay in office beyond the end of power” or “provoking quarrels and stir- his second term in 2023, rubber-stamped ring up trouble” in recent years. —AFP

But the Damascus hospital’s corridors Grief and were covered in blood on Tuesday night, as the dead and wounded were rushed in. Inside one room, forensic doctors exam- stitches at ined bodies laid out on two dozen beds after they were unable to fit in the hospi- Damascus tal’s mortuary. Outside, women wailed and hugged each other as they waited to hear confirmation that their loved ones hospital after had died or to see their faces for a last time. The hospital’s ground floor had been turned into an emergency unit, with rocket attack a large number of doctors tending to the DAMASCUS: Inside a hospital in Syria’s wounded. A doctor looked after a half- capital, Ilham slaps her head in grief naked man, covered in bloody bandages, after her daughter stepped out to buy as his relatives watched on. her a Mother’s Day present but never came back. Ilham’s daughter was among ‘Lifeless corpse’ 35 people killed in a rebel rocket attack Nearby was a skinny young boy in a on a shopping area in a Damascus sub- red tracksuit, with his head and knee urb on Tuesday, the eve of Mother’s Day. swathed in white gauze. A father tried to “I don’t want a present. I don’t want any- hold his child still as a member of the thing,” cried the woman in her 50s, medical staff stitched his wound. In the dressed in a long black robe. courtyard, a throng of civilians had clus- “O Lord, I just want to hear back from tered, panicked and looking for the miss- her,” she said, surrounded by mourning ing. Umm Hisham was out shopping with relatives. The rocket was fired on a busy her son and daughter when the rocket shopping area in Jaramana known for its ploughed down. “May God never for- stores selling affordable clothes and food. give them. The rocket fell as we were It was one of the deadliest rebel rocket shopping... We were standing in front of attacks to hit the capital in Syria’s seven- the sweets shop,” she said. She still year war. It came as government forces remembers what her son said as they press a deadly assault to retake control headed out to the shops: “I want to make of the last rebel bastion on the capital’s you happy,” he had said. But the shop- doorstep. Mother’s Day falls on March 21 ping trip soon turned into a nightmare, in Syria like other parts of the Arab world as she had her leg amputated and has to coincide with the start of spring. heard no news from her children. —AFP 10 Established 1961 Analysis Thursday, March 22, 2018

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China stays on the sidelines as Venezuela spirals downward hina is likely to extend an agreement proving crisis-stricken Venezuela with favorable loans Crepayment terms but will not lend fresh funds to President Nicolas Maduro’s government, accord- ing to sources in Caracas and Beijing familiar with the situation. During a decade, China plowed more than $50 billion into the OPEC member’s coffers through oil-for-loan agreements that helped Beijing secure energy supplies for its fast-growing economy while bolstering an anti-Washington ally in Latin America. But the flow of cash halted nearly three years ago when Venezuela asked for a change of payment terms Ghouta US mom urges Trump to ‘do something’ when a fall in oil prices and declining crude output pushed its state-led economy into a hyperinflationary n the United States, her children could children that in America you can play under collapse. Though unwilling to throw Venezuela a have “played under the sun”. But the sun. You can climb trees. You can have financial lifeline, the state-run China Development Itrapped in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta, fun. You can go to a playground and be Bank (CDB) will likely extend next month a grace Michigan native Deana Lynn and her eight safe,” she says. Not so in Ghouta, says Lynn, period begun in 2016 that allows Venezuela to make children are living out a nightmare under- where “if you go outside, you just worry only interest payments on its loans, the sources said. ground. At 44, US-born Lynn has spent that maybe a bomb will fall.” However, China has ignored several requests for nearly half of her life in Douma, a sprawling new funding. “Given Venezuela’s falling oil production, town at the heart of the now-infamous ‘Our home now’ it’s natural for Chinese banks not to renew loans,” said Ghouta suburbs, east of the Syrian capital. Syrian troops have recaptured more than one Chinese oil industry source who asked not to be Air raids and rocket and artillery fire have 80 percent of the one-time rebel bastion in identified. A second oil industry source, asked if the pounded Ghouta for more than a month as a blistering air and ground assault that has conditions would be tightened, cited a Chinese Syrian troops, their Russian ally and loyalist killed more than 1,500 civilians, according proverb, saying China would not “drop stones on militia battle to capture the last rebel bas- to the Syrian Observatory for Human somebody who has fallen into a well”. tion on the doorstep of Damascus. Rights. More than 300 of them have been Venezuela still owes China $19.3 billion, according Douma, where Lynn lives with her Syrian children. “We’re being bombed day and to one Venezuelan finance industry source who has husband, children, and grandchildren, has night. By shells, by missiles, by anything you tracked the information via contacts in both countries. been hit hard. “Now, we’re living under can think of. We spend the day and the Some $10.4 billion of that is owed under the $20 bil- bombardment daily, every day. My children night in our basements,” Lynn says. lion Large Volume Long Term fund signed in 2010. A are in a state of hysteria,” she tells AFP in During rare moments of calm, she comes further $8.4 billion remains outstanding under the her living room, where thick green curtains upstairs with her children to use the bath- Joint China Venezuela Fund via three tranches of $4 block out sunlight and the boom of bom- room and cook whatever simple meals they US-born English teacher Deana Lynn holds her passport as she sits in her living billion to $5 billion each, according to the source. bardment can be heard. “The children are can scrounge up - sometimes just boiled room in Douma, the main town of Syria’s rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta, on China’s policy is not to lend new funds until old loans screaming. The parents are screaming. cauliflower. “I do think about America and I March 17, 2018. —AFP have been paid off - which cannot happen under the When the bomb comes close, it’s just terri- think about the children of the free world interest-only scheme created in April 2016 because ble,” says Lynn, in a traditional overcoat and everywhere. I think to myself, why can’t the the outstanding balance does not change. dark brown headscarf. children here be a part of that free world? which residents can flee into government- hunger, bombing and starvation.” CDB President Zheng Zhijie, asked by Reuters if Lynn met her Syrian husband at the Why do they have to be oppressed like held territory. Lynn is a prolific Twitter user, firing off the bank was having second thoughts about financing University of Michigan. They married and this?” Lynn says. strings of tweets on the humanitarian situa- Venezuela given its situation, said: “We’ve done our had five children in the United States She imagines taking her children to visit ‘Trump doesn’t care’ tion in Douma and elsewhere with the assessment of its political and economic situation. before moving to his native Ghouta just her native United States, where her brother An estimated 70,000 have used these hashtag #SaveGhouta. On her account, she We’re just monitoring now.” However, one Beijing- before 2000 - the year Bashar Al-Assad still lives, but insists that Ghouta is their real corridors in recent days, bringing whatever has criticized the US administration for not based diplomatic source familiar with Chinese think- rose to the presidency. She remained in home. “I don’t want to leave a place that they can carry and arriving shaken and acting more forcefully to stem the violence ing on Venezuela said China increasingly sees Douma as protests against Assad erupted we’ve made our home now for 18 years, a exhausted at collective shelters. “When you in her hometown and says she has even Maduro as similar to former Zimbabwe President in 2011, when rebels captured it in 2012, place my children know, a place that I’ve see thousands of people coming out, that’s reached out to the American president. Robert Mugabe, who was pushed out after 40 years and after regime troops completely encir- grown up in,” Lynn says. “It’s not right for us because they’re fleeing. Their homes have “I’ve sent to Mr Donald Trump several in power that dragged his once-prosperous country cled it in 2013. to leave. It’s not right for it to be bombed. been bombed to the ground - they have messages. Actually, I think he doesn’t care, into hyperinflation and economic crisis. China would Lynn says her children, five of whom are This is where they grew up. Their family is nothing left,” Lynn says. “They’re not evac- because I haven’t heard him speak about have no concern about abandoning Maduro as it did American citizens, have been traumatized here,” she adds. As Syrian troops eat away uating. You evacuate for a flood and then the Eastern Ghouta at all,” Lynn says. “I Mugabe when he was ousted, the source said, but by a half-decade of siege and strikes that at rebel territory in Ghouta, they have you come back. They’re kicking them out of wish he would listen and hear. I wish he does not expect China to take an active role in push- have hit hospitals and schools. “I tell my opened several “corridors” - routes through their homes. They’re fleeing from the could do something.” —AFP ing him out. “China looks at Venezuela as another Zimbabwe: A poor return on its investment,” he said.

China eyes ‘pragmatic cooperation’ Venezuela’s Information Ministry did not reply to First, Brazilian a request for comment. China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that bilateral cooperation was pro- ceeding smoothly at present, adding that: “China will activist is shot - continue to carry out pragmatic cooperation with Venezuela.” Prominent Chinese ratings agency Dagong Global Credit Rating Co in November put then the lies start Venezuela’s sovereign debt on negative watch in a irst, Marielle Franco was gunned down in an apparent scathing review that warned of high default risks on organized hit, prompting tens of thousands of bonds, which are not linked to financing arrange- FBrazilians to protest. Then came the character assassi- ments with Beijing. “Venezuela lacks the ability to nation. The immediate reaction to the killing March 14 of the create wealth on its own while debt repayment Rio de Janeiro city councilwoman was raw and sponta- sources are highly fragile, thus a low solvency,” neous. Huge crowds took to the streets in Rio and in Sao Dagong wrote. Paulo, with smaller demonstrations in cities around Brazil Sanctions levied by the government of US and the world. Franco was held up as an example of a black President Donald Trump have left Venezuela unable Brazilian who overcame racism and poverty, inspiring mil- to refinance its crippling debt burden and left it lions with her courageous stand for human rights in Rio’s struggling to import basic goods such as food. dangerous favela neighborhoods. She was a political martyr. Beijing has also declined to renew financing to state Or was she actually a drug user? Could it be she’d once oil company PDVSA that is tied to oil industry married a drug gangster called Marcinho VP? Had her investment, according to Venezuelan finance industry much vaunted election to the city council been funded by sources, in contrast to other loans that are used for a Rio’s terrifying narco group Red Command? It took a blink broader range of expenditures. PDVSA in December of the social media eye for the narrative around Franco to Anielle Silva (center) takes part in a demonstration against the murder of her sister, Brazilian councilwoman paid off a $1.5 billion loan that it received in 2014, but switch direction. Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp - all and activist Marielle Franco, in front of Rio’s Municipal Chamber on Tuesday. —AFP was unable to renew it. The loan is paid off in cash hugely popular in Brazil - lit up with claims that the 38- rather than in oil, which made it less attractive, the year-old was not the saintly figure claimed. source said. “Check out the left’s latest myth, Marielle Franco. brutality in the favelas. Some, for example, asked angrily ried or involved with Marcinho VP, Marielle never was a Venezuela has in recent months proposed different Pregnant at 16, ex-wife of Marcinho VP, she used marijua- why Franco and her supporters were not more concerned drug user, and Marielle was not financed by any gang.” arrangements under which China would put in new na..., was elected by the Red Command, had just fired six about the astonishing number of police officers killed in The post was liked by 140,000 people. cash, including renewing part of the $20 billion Large employees,” tweeted congressman Alberto Fraga, from the Rio - more than 100 last year. Franco’s family also built a page on the late council- Volume Fund, according to Venezuelan finance industry small, rightwing DEM party. The story about Franco’s deep So the attempt to transform her from rights campaigner woman’s website called “The truth about Marielle,” care- sources. Those requests have been ignored, the criminal past flooded the Internet, often expressed in furi- to criminal sympathizer fell on fertile ground. “This was an fully rebutting each item of fake news. And the traditional sources said. But despite China’s discontent, halting the ous language, but lent gravitas by the likes of Fraga. A Rio orchestrated campaign, not just one or two people saying media, which Costa says has “the tools to check rumors grace period would have little practical benefit because appeals’ court judge called Marilia Castro Neves warned bad things,” said Cristiane Costa, coordinator at the very quickly,” also joined the cause. Globo newspaper, it would most likely lead Caracas to get behind on pay- on Facebook that Franco “wasn’t just a fighter.” No, she Federal University of Rio de Janeiro’s journalism school. part of Brazil’s dominant media conglomerate, ran a full ments - something it has done in the past. “was involved with bandits” and was killed because “she Yet the reaction to the backlash was even more powerful, page Tuesday to shoot down the rumors, under the head- In order to enforce its claims, China would have didn’t carry out her promises.” Startling stuff. Shocking. showing how the fake news virus can be fought. line: “Lies cannot stop justice.” to open a cumbersome commercial dispute and And totally fake. Lawyers with Franco’s leftist PSOL party have Fraga deleted his tweet. “The regret, perhaps, is having engage in an unfriendly process of forcibly collect- appealed online for tips on fake news posts, which they put something that I didn’t check,” said Fraga. “I am a ing on the loans, embarrassing a government that it Setting the record straight then identify and refer to the police. By the start of this police officer, a military colonel, I should have had better actively supported for years. Venezuela as of last The rumor mill works at lightning speed in Brazil, one of week, they’d got more than 15,000 emails in response, G1 information and from an appropriate source.” As for the year had fallen behind on oil shipments to China as the world’s most social media-addicted countries. It’s also news site reported. Others are responding directly. “Let judge, she says she wishes she had decided “to wait for the well as Russia, another ally that has been providing a country deeply divided between left and right, and richer me say a few more things,” Franco’s sister Anielle Silva, end of the investigation, so as to be able, as a citizen, to financing, according to internal documents seen by whites and poorer blacks. Franco had made plenty of ene- wrote on her Facebook page. “Marielle was not a bandit give my opinion.” Just what a manual on combating fake Reuters. —Reuters mies on the right with her prominent accusations of police and much less a defender bandits. Marielle was never mar- news might have advised. —AFP Established 1961 11 News Thursday, March 22, 2018

our business,” another jewelry shop owner said, showing At Riyadh gold souq, AFP a pile of resumes of recruited Saudis. The best among them, he said, lasted only two days. Some shops are holding foreign workers in reserve and ‘Saudization’ spells continue to pay their salaries as they stay home in the hope the government will reverse its decision. But that appears increasingly unlikely. “When I go hunting for a scarcity of salesmen job, shop owners say ‘we only want Saudi, Saudi, Saudi’,” said a Yemeni worker in Tiba market, claiming he was let RIYADH: A Riyadh gold souq festooned with glittering go from his previous job there. jewelry has run short of salesmen after a government edict Saudization is part of a major retooling of the king- to replace foreign workers with Saudis, part of contentious dom’s lagging oil economy, aimed at jump-starting private efforts to tackle high unemployment. The oil-rich kingdom sector jobs in order to wean citizens off government has long relied on foreign labor for jobs in sales and serv- largesse and decrease the public wage bill. Saudi media ices, both for skills and cost, but these positions are frequently laud a new crop of nationals who are for the increasingly being reserved for Saudi workers. The prob- first time working as car mechanics, Uber drivers and gas lem is that many Saudis, long accustomed to a generous station workers, jobs that were long deemed worthy only cradle-to-grave welfare system that has been scaled back, for blue-collar foreign workers. Some observers liken the regard such jobs as degrading. Saudi struggle to adapt to an age of austerity to that of an In the capital’s labyrinthine Tiba gold market, the obese man, disfigured from decades of gluttony and idle- widening policy known as Saudization has upended busi- ness, who is forced to go on a crash diet. nesses. Some gold shops have shut down and others are But adapt it must. In a country where half the popula- struggling amid a shortage of skilled Saudi labor after the tion is under 25, government statistics show the youth government enforced “100 percent Saudization” in unemployment rate hovers around 40 percent - a potential December. “Saudis are new to this kind of job and they powder keg. Nearly two-thirds of all Saudis are employed need to gain experience,” said Saudi shop owner Fayez Al- by the government, and the public sector wage bill and Hardi, who has brought in male relatives to temporarily allowances account for roughly half of all government replace a handful of skilled Yemeni salesmen he was forced expenditure. Authorities are seeking to change that and RIYADH: A Saudi jeweller attends to a client in a shop in the Tiba gold market in the Saudi capital on Feb rein in its ballooning budgetary deficit by expanding to let go. 27, 2018.— AFP Multiple shopkeepers in Tiba and another Riyadh gold Saudization across multiple sectors. souq visited by AFP are struggling to recruit nationals In January, the government added vendors of auto amid what they call a misplaced sense of entitlement. parts, electronic appliances, medical equipment and home Many Saudis are unwilling to work long hours and early furniture to its growing list of Saudi-only jobs - despite car rental outlets have shut down in Riyadh as the govern- tional training programs, did not respond to requests for shifts and even those without experience demand more warnings the move could decimate businesses. The pro- ment starts Saudization of the sector this week. The policy, comment. Saudization has stirred heated debates on social than double the wage of skilled foreigners. “This is killing government Okaz newspaper has reported that multiple along with a hike in expat levies and fees for dependents, media, with supporters of the policy demanding a fair has triggered an exodus of foreign workers - who make up chance to compete with non-Saudis while bitterly attack- a third of the population - from the once tax-free haven. ing online job postings that seek skilled workers from Government statistics show that more than 300,000 blue- South Asia and elsewhere. But aggressive Saudization is acknowledged that 34,000 of the bedoons qualify for citi- collar workers lost jobs in Saudi Arabia in the first nine not driving down joblessness among nationals, experts say, Nod to citizenship zenship, although authorities have done nothing to grant months of 2017 alone. despite government assurances that it will create thou- them their right. MP Adel Al-Damkhi, who heads the The Saudi labor ministry, which has stepped up voca- sands of jobs. — AFP Assembly’s human rights panel, said the central agency for for 4,000 bedoons... bedoons has informed it that it has already studied the files of 90 percent of the 34,000 bedoons and their naturaliza- tion awaits the approval of this legislation by the Assembly. her children. “I officially graduated Mark from High Continued from Page 1 MPs however differed on the second law for the estab- Texas parcel School on Friday. 1 down, 3 to go. He has 30 hrs of col- lishment of the National Commission for Human Rights. A lege credit too, but he’s thinking of taking some time to were pressured to take up citizenships of other coun- number of MPs demanded that the commission should be figure out what he wants to do ... maybe a mission trip,” tries and these people should not be excluded from con- independent from any government influence, especially bomber blows... she said in the photo caption. sideration for Kuwaiti nationality. Bedoons, who currently with regards to the appointment of the commission’s chair- Residents of Austin have lived under siege for three number around 120,000, claim they are Kuwaiti citizens man and his deputy. But other lawmakers raised some con- Continued from Page 1 weeks. They placed more than 1,200 calls to police to and are entitled to the country’s nationality. The govern- stitutional objections, and the Assembly voted 41-16 to report suspicious activities and items since investiga- ment insists that they or their ancestors had entered allow the government to make the office bearers’ appoint- public records said he was 23. While the search for tors first realized last week that they were dealing with Kuwait and then destroyed their identification papers to ments. Several MPs protested that this will undermine the the bomber is now at an end, authorities warned that he a serial bomber. “I think everybody is taking a deep claim the right to Kuwaiti citizenship. commission’s independence and work. The Assembly then may have planted other explosives before his death. breath this morning. It’s a little tempered by the fact During the past two decades, the government adopted refused to hold a second round of voting to give time for And the motive behind the attacks remains unknown. that the investigation is not over yet,” Adler said. a string of measures against bedoons to force them to pro- more discussions on the draft law. The Assembly session “The investigation continues because there’s still duce their original identifications. But the government has Miguel Alvarado, who was heading to a park with his was then adjourned prematurely for a lack of quorum. outstanding questions,” city Mayor Steve Adler told son in Austin, told AFP: “People are a little shaken up.” CNN. “We don’t know where the suspect has been the Ben Burroughs, who lives near the FedEx store where Israeli armed forces chief of staff Lieutenant General last 24 hours.” the suspect mailed the last two explosive packages, Israel admits 2007 Gadi Eisenkot, northern commander at the time, recalled Manley noted it was still unclear whether the man said he was concerned about what police may yet find. in a video in the material meeting with his officers short- was acting alone or with accomplices. Fred Milanowski, “I’m also nervous about the devices that may still be ly before the raid. “I don’t give them the exact details of a senior officer at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, out there,” he told AFP. Syrian ‘nuclear... the target and its essence, but I say that there’s going to Firearms and Explosives (ATF), warned that the danger As life in Austin, a city of nearly one million people, be a significant attack in the upcoming 24-48 hours, an was not yet over. “We want to make sure that if people was likely to return to normal in the coming days, some Continued from Page 1 event that in low likeliness could lead to war,” he said. see suspicious packages or bags, that they continue to families and neighborhoods have been permanently “Low, to me, is even 15 or 20 percent, which is a lot.” call 911 so that we can respond and deal with them,” altered. The first explosion on March 2 killed Anthony In defending the strike, it notes that Islamic State Syria and Israel have fought in repeated wars since Milanowski said. Stephan House - a 39-year-old who grew up in the city group militants later overran much of Deir Ezzor during the Jewish state’s founding in 1948. The two countries President Donald Trump offered his congratulations and the father of an eight-year-old girl. House had Syria’s civil war, while also saying that Syrian President are still technically at war. Israel has sought to avoid to police, writing on Twitter: “AUSTIN BOMBING started a money management company and worked as Bashar Al-Assad “in the past used chemical weapons direct involvement in the Syrian civil war that broke SUSPECT IS DEAD. Great job by law enforcement and a project manager for two Texas-based firms. against his own citizens”. “The nuclear reactor being out in 2011, but it acknowledges carrying out dozens of all concerned!” The second blast on March 12 killed 17-year-old held by Assad would have had severe strategic implica- air strikes there to stop what it says are advanced arms CBS affiliate KEYE in Austin published what it said Draylen Mason and critically injured his 41-year-old tions on the entire Middle East as well as Israel and deliveries to Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah. were photos taken from security cameras of the sus- mother. Mason was a high school senior and a young Syria,” it said. Hezbollah is fighting alongside Assad’s regime, like Iran pect, wearing a blue baseball cap, gloves and possibly a musician, who played in a youth orchestra and was While Israel’s admission will come as little surprise, and Russia. Israel has expressed growing concern over wig of long, straw-blond hair as he dropped off pack- headed to college. “There’s a sense of grief about what the declassified material provides details on what is what it sees as Iran’s attempts to entrench itself militar- ages Sunday at a FedEx office in Austin. One of the happened,” said one Austin resident who did not want widely known as Operation Orchard. The material ily in Syria. bombs went off early Tuesday at a FedEx sorting facili- to be identified. “It changes your sense of safety.” speaks of an ultra-secretive operation, with few know- It also accuses Iran of seeking to build factories to ty in Schertz, south of Austin. A contingent of law As the investigation proceeded, police said that the ing details and a cover story provided. Israeli intelli- construct precision-guided missiles in Syria and enforcement officers were seen yesterday morning at a bombs were growing increasingly sophisticated. The gence had picked up on what it determined was the Lebanon that could be used against Israel. Beyond that, home in the Austin suburb of Pflugerville. Television first three were hand-delivered to the doorsteps of construction of the nuclear reactor and followed its Netanyahu has warned that Israel will “never let Iran station KXAN reported that the property may be the people’s houses. The fourth featured a trip wire, and the development, it says. develop nuclear weapons”. Eisenkot spoke of the “mes- residence of the suspected bomber. fifth was sent via the FedEx delivery chain. In the end, Four F-16s and four F-15s were involved in the sage” of the 2007 strike, while also making reference to Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the suspect is police had offered a reward of $115,000 for information strike, with the operation beginning at 10:30 pm on a 1981 Israeli raid against a nuclear reactor in Saddam believed to have lived with two roommates, who are not leading to an arrest. FedEx officials provided “key evi- Sept 5 and the planes returning at 2:30 am the follow- Hussein’s Iraq. “The message from the 2007 reactor currently considered suspects, and was not a military dence” that led to the suspect’s identification, the com- ing day. Grainy footage of the strike included in the attack was that Israel won’t accept the construction of veteran. Public records showed that Conditt lived with pany told employees in an internal memo seen by material shows a target locking on to a building that is abilities that could constitute an existential threat to the his parents, William and Danene Conditt, until 2017, Reuters yesterday. Trump had weighed in on the “terri- blown apart shortly afterwards. Israel determined that state of Israel,” he said in the video. “That’s the message when he moved into a house about a mile away. In 2013 ble” wave of bombings for the first time on Tuesday, the alleged reactor was “totally disabled, and that the from ‘81, that’s the message from 2007 and that’s our Danene Conditt posted a photo of a man she referred saying “a very, very sick individual or maybe individu- damage done was irreversible”. future message to our enemies.” — AFP to as Mark on Facebook and said she home schooled als” were behind the explosions. — Agencies

Established 1961 13

Sports Thursday, March 22, 2018 Driven to perfection: Can anyone stop F1 champ Hamilton?

‘The only way to beat Lewis is to be 100 percent with everything’

MELBOURNE: A refreshed and hungry Lewis Maya Angelou poem, as his personal motto, hit a bump Hamilton has declared he’s ready to take the new in the road when he was criticised for mocking his Formula One season by the scruff of the neck-which is nephew for wearing a dress, prompting him to withdraw bad news for his long-suffering rivals. The Mercedes from social media and delete years of posts. But after his driver is the man they all have to beat again, but at 33 self-imposed silence Hamilton resumed posting in it seems that Hamilton, the four-time world champion January, writing bullishly on Instagram: “I will never and now a veteran of the sport, wants to speed up stop, I have no finish line.” rather than slow down. Hamilton, who has Juan Manuel Fangio’s five F1 titles ‘HE IS UNBELIEVABLY FAST’ in his sights, gave a glimpse into his mindset when he Worryingly for Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and the Red revealed that even after a Bull drivers, Daniel record 72 pole positions, Ricciardo and Max he feels he’s never driven Verstappen, Hamilton also the perfect lap. has the benefit of what “I have never done the looks like an improved perfect lap, ever,” he said, Wants to speed Mercedes this season as according to British sets out to retain his world broadcaster Sky Sports. up rather than championship. “The perfect lap? No, and Technical chief James that is what is so great slow down Allison says the Mercedes about this sport: you never W09 would “blow away” get perfect.” last year’s model, and the Hamilton added: “You car showed no obvious get close, maybe. But weaknesses as it completed imagine if in those 30,000- more laps than any other odd laps, I did 1,000 or 10,000 perfect laps. That during pre-season testing. Former Mercedes team-mate would really be boring. “If you played the perfect game Nico Rosberg, the only man to deny Hamilton a sweep Lewis Hamilton time and time again, you would lose motivation of the last four F1 titles, said the other drivers needed to because it is easy. You always have to move on to make the most of the Briton’s moments of inconsistency. something more difficult. “He has these periods when he is just not on it... you with everything, do the perfect season. Otherwise there hand: securing world title number five. He told ESPN: “But there is no other class better than Formula 1 so if have to make the most of it, absolutely, and Sebastian is no chance.” At last year’s season-opener, Hamilton “That hunger that I had when I was eight years old; I was to perfect it, it would suck.” Formula One’s only did that pretty well last year,” the 2016 champion said, finished second behind Vettel and it wasn’t until after the when the teachers said that I was never going to amount black driver comes from humble roots in Britain’s according to Sky. “When Lewis has his good weekends mid-season break that he hit his stride, turning a 14- to nothing; when the other racing drivers’ dads said I Stevenage, a town outside London, and appears to he is almost unbeatable, he is unbelievably fast and point deficit into a title victory by 46 points. was never going to amount to nothing; when the kids thrive on adversity. maybe the best guy out there. This year, the 62-time grand prix-winner seems to shouted abuse at the race track to me and my family. Hamilton, who has adopted “Still I Rise”, the title of a “The only way to beat Lewis is to be 100 percent have travelled to Melbourne fully focused on the job at “That still powers me on through the races.” — AFP

McLaren car is ‘100 percent’ ready: Alonso KSSC to conclude season with late Sabah Al-Salem MELBOURNE: Fernando Alonso has played down reliability concerns about the new Al-Humoud tourney Renault-powered McLaren, saying problems that arose during pre-season testing have By Abdellatif Sharaa more efforts been fixed and the car will be “100 percent” towards mak- ready for the season-opening Australian KUWAIT: President of Kuwait and ing more Grand Prix. Arab Shooting Federations Eng Duaij achievements After switching to the Renault power unit Khalaf Al-Otaibi thanked, on behalf of in the name of after three gloomy years with Honda, the Kuwait Shooting Sport Club Kuwait. McLaren’s MCL33 suffered more glitches and (KSSC) board of directors, HH the Engineer completed fewer laps on the test track than Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Duaij Al-Otaibi any other team. However, double world cham- Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Crown Prince said, as we pion Alonso, who considered quitting Formula Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- conclude our Duaij Khalaf Al-Otaibi One last year as McLaren slumped to ninth in Fernando Alonso Sabah and the government for their season, we are the constructors’ championship, said the car’s care, encouragement and support of proud of the gremlins had been banished in time for shooters, which took them to Olympic achievements of Kuwait Shooting and Sunday’s race at Albert Park. split last September. The striking papaya Bull, we have Ferrari and definitely McLaren and international achievements that the new records our shooters made “Well, I think we should be optimistic,” the orange and blue MCL33 is the team’s first to has to the next team on that order.” we all are proud of. both locally and internationally, adding 36-year-old Spaniard told Reuters at a be powered by Renault, whose engines took With Mercedes having dominated the past Al-Otaibi said KSSC is happy to that the Asian Championship that was Melbourne event held by McLaren sponsor Red Bull to three race wins last season. four seasons, sweeping both the drivers’ and conclude its season with the tourna- held in Kazakhstan was a bright Chandon. “I think we had some reliability constructors titles, Alonso agreed that the ment of late Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem moment among the achievements and issues in testing but all of them are fixed now TOP FOUR TARGET Silver Arrows’ rivals needed to lift their game Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, thanking the Kuwait won the first mixed competi- and the team did an amazing job in the past Since crossing to McLaren, Alonso has to keep fans interested in a series that has family of the late Sheikh for continuing tion gold medal through shooters two or three weeks to have the car 100 per- been stuck on 97 podium finishes, his last with been criticised for becoming predictable. to support this annual event. Abdelrahman Al-Faihan and Sarah Al- cent for Australia. Ferrari at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2014. He “It’s always important to have some compe- Eng Al-Otaibi said the honorary Awal, who compared with very well “I think being in the points, being close to was bullish about his chances of reaching the tition in any sport,” he said. “I think competi- president of KSSC Sheikh Salman established shooters around the world. the top five, I think that will be the best thing milestone 100th podium during the coming tions and close fights will attract more people Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah laid down Al-Otaibi said the shooting com- we can do to start the season. “We need this season and felt the team should also have big and will make the championship more interest- the foundations that placed Kuwait munity appreciates the support HH the good result to motivate the team and to keep ambitions in the constructors’ championship. ing but I don’t think that’s any problem with shooting on the right track and took it Amir is giving to shooters, and the working for the rest of the season.” “I think so. I think top four is definitely a Mercedes’ dominance. They did a better job to success, and he is still giving advice construction of the Sabah Al-Ahmad McLaren, dominant in the late 1980s and target for us and we know that Mercedes is a than the others in the last couple of years and encouraging shooters to exert Olympic Shooting Complex. early 1990s with Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, little bit ahead of everyone and is dominating because they deserve (it). have not won a race since 2012. The fallen the sport for the last four years,” said Alonso, “So it’s up to us to improve and to race our giants’ last title was with Lewis Hamilton, who who will also race for Toyota at the Le Mans game and hopefully beat them very soon. And has won three world championships since at 24 Hours in June and in the full World McLaren is probably one of the teams that last week. And I’ll hopefully continue to Mercedes, in 2008. Endurance championship. can do that in the future, in the near future. have that feeling for a while.” McIlroy The Honda engine’s struggles with power “And they are the big favourites again to “And hopefully that near future is soon and McIlroy hopes said that winning was his main goal and and reliability led to McLaren announcing the start the new season. But then we have Red even this year.” — Reuters dismissed the notion that silencing his Bay Hill ascent critics gave him extra motivation. “I don’t care because people don’t Hamilton-led Mercedes’ domination. The opti- Ricciardo on race points last year, regularly can lead to know the full story,” he added. “They Opportunity mism comes from winter testing in Barcelona topped the Australian in qualifying. Ricciardo make comments and they speculate but when Ricciardo consistently registered fast lap said both of them desperately wanted to win. they don’t have the facts 100 percent so times, suggesting Red Bull may have overcome “You need that in a way and it’s not being Augusta joy they never really know. It’s all specula- knocks for the teething issues of last year. a bad sport, it’s not cheating; it’s just that tion.” McIlroy faces Peter Uihlein in his “It feels like we are in a better place than ruthless streak that every winner has in AUGUSTA: Rory McIlroy believes opening group contest at the WGC-Dell Ricciardo in we have been the last few seasons,” he said them. I think Max and all the top guys in the Sunday’s Arnold Palmer Invitational tri- Match Play in Texas later on Wednesday, ahead of the new season. “We seem solid. sport have that in them.” umph provided vindication to his asser- two weeks before the Masters tees off on Soon we’ll know on one-lap pace where we Ricciardo will become a free agent in tion that he was close to his best as the April 5. A victory in Augusta would give new F1 season are, but I don’t think we are far off.” Reliability 2019, raising speculation about where he will Northern Irishman hopes to carry that the Briton a career grand slam of major will be crucial if they are to mount a serious be next season given the contracts of Valtteri form to a maiden U.S Masters victory at titles. The 2015 winner has been handed MELBOURNE: Daniel Ricciardo faces a piv- challenge to Mercedes and Ferrari. Bottas at Mercedes and Kimi Raikkonen at Augusta next month. a favourable Group 6 draw that includes otal year in his Formula One career with Red Bull had lifted four straight drivers’ and Ferrari are also due to expire at the end of McIlroy entered last week’s tourna- Americans Uihlein and Brian Harman, expectations of a much-improved Red Bull constructors’ world titles when the Australian the year. ment in patchy form after missing the cut who will be making their tournament performance and mounting speculation over was promoted from Toro Rosso in 2014, but in two of his four PGA Tour starts this debuts, and Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas where he will drive next season. have not claimed another since with Ricciardo ‘So much hype’ year but the 28-year-old produced a at the Austin Country Club. The 28-year-old Australian, who embarks winning five races for the senior team. “It’s nice to be in a position to plan my next spectacular final round at the Bay Hill British Open champion Jordan Spieth, on his eighth F1 season under the suffocating two or three years to see what I want in the Golf Club to win a first title since 2016. who is also competing at the Match Play pressure and hype of competing at a home Intoxicating mix sport and where I plan on pitching it,” he said. “I have even more optimism now,” event, believes four-time major champion Grand Prix in Sunday’s opener in Melbourne, “We’re certainly relying on the reliability to “It will be interesting, I will go through McIlroy told reporters. “It was just more McIlroy is the player to beat at any tour- endured a frustrating 2017 campaign. improve, and we have made a pretty good some conversations that will be new to me and validation that what I’ve been doing has nament provided the Northern Irishman He retired from three races with engine- step with that,” Ricciardo said. “I think we are I’m kind of looking forward to that experience. been correct. It all sort of just came can maintain his fitness. related problems-including the misery of fail- obviously still not going to be on Mercedes’ “I think they (Red Bull) are keen to keep me, together. “...I’m optimistic not just the “Whether he won last week or not, ing to finish in last year’s Melbourne race-and level. “But in any case, to win a championship obviously they’ve got Max but I think they are next few weeks but the whole season. It’s he’s always a force,” Spieth said. “He just amassed 70-places-worth of grid penalties you need to be finishing races, let alone win- keen to keep me and Max together. But yeah, great to get a win early. I’ve got all that needs to be healthy. And I think most of stemming from the unreliability of the team’s ning, and once we can finish we can start tak- we’ll see.” great stuff to fall back on, how I handled last season, it was a struggle for him. “So Renault engines. ing points away and do our thing.” Ricciardo is seeking to become the first Sunday. just being rested, healthy and on the right But Ricciardo is considered a championship Adding to the intoxicating mix is the threat home driver to win the Australian Grand Prix “I’ve always been able to turn nega- path meant this year and going forward, threat with Red Bull’s new RB14 car expected, from ambitious 20-year-old Dutch teammate since it became part of the world champi- tives into positives... I went with the feel- Rory is Rory. And so he should always be along with Ferrari, to threaten the Lewis Max Verstappen, who while outscored by onship calendar in 1985. — AFP ing that felt quite comfortable going into a favourite at any event.” — Reuters 14 Established 1961 Sports Thursday, March 22, 2018 Captains Du Plessis and Smith clash over Rabada decision Australia to field an unchanged team for eighth Test in a row

CAPE TOWN: South African captain Faf du Plessis Town with the series locked at 1-1. “He wasn’t charged. yesterday hit back at his Australian counterpart Steve If he was charged he probably would (have been) Smith’s criticism of the decision to overturn a ban on asked. KG (Rabada) was charged, he was defending South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada. Rabada’s himself and the judge has to decide if he sees that it punishment of three demerit points for deliberate phys- was intentional.” ical contact with Smith in the second Test in Port Elizabeth was reduced to one point, overturning a two- ‘CONTACT WAS HARDER THAN IT LOOKED’ match ban that would have Asked whether he thought seen him ruled out of the Rabada had made deliberate series. Smith claimed in an contact, Smith said: “It’s not overnight interview with my place to make that judg- Australian journalists that the I don’t see a ment. It’s been handed down contact with Rabada in the now and it is what it is. “I second Test in Port Elizabeth problem with said yesterday the contact had been “a little bit harder was harder than it actually than it actually looked on the having a fair system looked on the TV, whether it footage”. The Australian was intentional or not is not captain said he was sur- for me to decide.” Smith prised he had not been asked denied there was a deliber- his opinion before the ruling ate attempt to goad Rabada was made and also claimed as had been suggested in that a “line in the sand” had been drawn regarding reports of a pre-tour interview he had given in physical contact. Australia. “For us it is about playing the game the way “The ICC have set the standard, haven’t they? There we’ve always played it,” he said. “We’ll speak out in the was clearly contact out in the middle,” said Smith. “I middle, we won’t do anything I guess to antagonise him certainly won’t be telling my bowlers to go out there into making the sorts of mistakes he’s been (making). and after you take a wicket go and get in their space. I That’s up to him if he wants to make those errors.” don’t think that is on and part of the game. But the Smith said Australia would field an unchanged team standard has been set.” for the eighth Test in a row and said both Mitchell Starc Du Plessis, though, praised the appeal process, say- and Mitchell Marsh had overcome injury concerns with ing it was good for cricket. “I don’t see a problem with a “good hit-out” at practice on Tuesday. Du Plessis having a fair system where a neutral guy sits and listens said two positions were being debated in the South to both parties,” he said. African camp with a fit-again Temba Bavuma challeng- “I was there and I said to our people that even if we ing for a batting place ahead of Theunis de Bruyn and didn’t win the case I was very impressed with the judge fast bowler Morne Morkel possibly replacing Lungi and how he listened to both sides. He was very fair with Ngidi, who had a “toe niggle”. the questions he asked. I think that process is really Both captains said they had discussed with new PORT ELIZABETH: File photo shows Australia’s captain Steve Smith (C) leads his team including David Warner good.” Du Plessis dismissed Smith’s comment about not match referee Andy Pycroft about the spirit in which (R), off the field after their defeat on the fourth day of the second Test cricket match between South Africa in Port being called to testify, ahead of the third Test in Cape the game should be played. — AFP Elizabeth. —AFP

England guarded over Ben bowling in Test comeback

AUCKLAND: England were guarded over whether injury-hit Ben Stokes would bowl against New Zealand when he makes his Test comeback from suspension today. Speaking yesterday, ahead of the first day-night Test to be held in New Zealand, captain Joe Root said the all-rounder would “play a part” but would not discuss what role he would fill. “There’s still stuff that needs to come out of today to be very sure of that,” Root said, when asked whether Stokes, 26, had recovered suffi- ciently from a back strain to bowl normally. “But I’m quite happy that Ben will play a part in the game.” Stokes, suspended after a nightclub Girls’ training incident last September which left him facing a charge of affray, was sorely missed by England in their 4-0 trouncing by Australia in the Ashes series. centers project He returned to international cricket in the recent limited-overs series against New Zealand, to get a boost which England won 3-2, but has been hampered by back stiffness. Meanwhile, New Zealand cap- tain Kane Williamson said senior batsman Ross Taylor, who has a Test average of 48.04, had By Abdellatif Sharaa been passed fit after recovering from a groin injury and stomach bug. KUWAIT: The girls sports festival basketball and table “He’s good to go so that’s great news for us,” tennis concluded under the patronage of Public Williamson said. “Roscoe has played beautifully Authority for Sports (PAS) in the presence of its every time he’s walked out to the crease, the calm- Director General Dr Humoud Fulateh and Director of ness at the crease, the confidence. “It’s reflected in Clubs Department at PAS Suad Hakem, and other offi- how much success he’s had this year. It’s important cials at the Falat Sports Club. for us as a team that he’s there.” Dr Fulaiteh said it is good that clubs and schools from various governorates participate in the festival ‘DEFINITELY SOME UNKNOWNS’ and wished that the participation be in more games. He The clash at Auckland’s Eden Park will be the said this gives girls a chance to spend their energy, as ninth day-night Test but the first to be played in he appealed to the finance ministry to increase the New Zealand. Williamson described it as a “slightly budget to include all schools and centers, so a true rise unique and an exciting opportunity”, but was in girls sports can be achieved. aware the teams were heading into the unknown. Dr Fulaiteh thanked the education ministry for its “There is probably a danger of over complicating cooperation and the success of the girls training cen- some of the finer parts of the pink-ball game,” he ters project. said, pointing to variable characteristics at different Supervisor General of Training Center Dr Yusra Al- stages of the ball and times of day. Otair said the education ministry was keen on sports to “There’s definitely some unknowns. There’s a lot discover talents, adding that the idea behind the train- physical education and support for the girls sporting centers and hope such centers increase in number of talk about the evening session and the condition ing centers project that is organized by PAS in cooper- club. Director of Clubs Department at PAS Suad Hakem adding that she appreciated the efforts made during the of the ball in that time. “There’s heaps of different ation with the ministry as a supporting activity for said she was happy with the success of sports training project and look for more projects to come. stats but there’s still unknowns. The sample size of pink-ball cricket is fairly small but it’s important that you adapt as a change of conditions may hap- pen coming into different stages of the day.” New track and field, bowling and bocce. The special four matches will be registered under the official FIFA Zealand are likely to make two changes from their Kuwait wins Olympics IX MENA Games and Special Olympics calendar, underlined the official, and will provide last Test, against the West Indies. World Games Abu Dhabi 2018 are part of the UAE’s Kuwait’s national side with points under FIFA’s global Williamson said Todd Astle would replace National Vision 2021 that highlights full integration of world rankings. Mitchell Santner as the spinner in the side and BJ silver in Bocce people of determination into everyday society. Regarding player selection, he said the national Watling would return as wicketkeeper. Watling has • Meanwhile, Kuwait will face Jordan in their first squad would include a 23-man combination of older recovered from the hip injury which sidelined him competition competitive football match, after a two-year interna- and young players, mentioning the importance of the from the West Indies’ Tests in December. tional ban was lifted by world governing body, FIFA, new generation’s need to gain international experience. New Zealand have played only one pink-ball late last year. The friendlies will offer all players the opportunity to Test, when they lost the inaugural day-nighter ABU DHABI: Kuwaiti athletes with intellectual disabili- The FIFA-appointed “normalisation committee”, make their mark ahead of selecting a final squad as the against Australia in 2015. England have played ties added a silver medal to their tally at the Special tasked with running Kuwait Football Authority affairs, nation looks to build a team ready to compete on the under lights twice in the past year, beating the Olympics IX MENA Games Abu Dhabi 2018. Kuwaiti made sure to arrange the first match - a friendly - with global stage after a two-year absence, he added. West Indies at Edgbaston before losing to athletes Abdulalh Al-Hajri and Hamad Al-Shegy won a neighbouring Arab nation, the committee’s chief The Serb head coach of local outfit Al-Tahamon, Australia in Adelaide. “Having experienced both the silver medal in the double Bocce competition. Mishal Al-Rabeea told KUNA. The Amman-hosted Radi, has been placed in charge of the national side for sides of it I think we’re a better side for it,” Root This takes Kuwait’s total tally in the competition up clash will be followed by another three friendlies, the upcoming fixtures. The squad arrived in Amman on said. “We know generally what to expect to 20 medals: eight gold, four silver and eight bronze. including a home game with Cameroon next week, and Monday and is currently training at the King Abdullah throughout the five days at different times Kuwait is represented in the event by 50 athletes com- an away fixture with Palestine in the occupied territo- Sports City ahead of their anticipated encounter at the throughout each day.” — AFP peting in football, basketball, table tennis, swimming, ries and a home encounter with Egypt, both in May. All facility’s main stadium. — KUNA Established 1961 15 Sports Thursday, March 22, 2018 Red Wings end 10-game skid with shootout victory over Flyers Vegas roll past visiting Vancouver

DETROIT: Dylan Larkin notched his first multi-goal with his foot. The early exit led to the end of a 15-game game of the season, and the Detroit Red Wings ended a scoring streak in which Laine collected 18 goals and 26 10-game losing streak with a 5-4 shootout victory over points. Winnipeg goalie Eric Comrie made 16 saves and the visiting Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night. to earn a second victory in his first three NHL starts. Egveny Svechnikov scored his first career goal and Luke Glendening added a goal for the Red Wings. PANTHERS 7, SENATORS 2 Detroit, 0-9-1 in the previous 10 games, broke its Florida won its second consecutive road game, rout- longest drought since losing 14 straight from Feb. 24- ing Ottawa to improve to 18-5-1 since Jan 30. Colton March 25, 1982. Frans Nielsen scored the only goal in Sceviour, Keith Yandle, Evgenii Dadonov, Jared the shootout. Jimmy Howard stopped all three Flyers McCann, Frank Vatrano, Nick Bjugstad and Jamie attempts in the shootout after making 27 saves in regu- McGinn scored for the Panthers. Florida backup goalie lation and overtime. Sean Couturier, Matt Read, Shayne James Reimer earned the victory with 33 saves. He has Gostisbehere and Travis Konecny scored for won his past three starts while allowing a combined Philadelphia. Claude Giroux recorded two assists. total of three goals. The Senators played without star defenseman Erik Karlsson after it was announced that LIGHTNING 4, MAPLE LEAFS 3 he and his wife lost their unborn son. Ottawa goalie Alex Killorn scored the winner midway through the Craig Anderson was chased 7:19 into the second peri- third period, and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 27 saves as od, having allowed four goals on just 17 shots. Tampa Bay scored four unanswered goals-three in the third period-to beat vis- AVALANCHE 5, iting Toronto. Vasilevskiy BLACKHAWKS 1 won for the 41st time this Alexander Kerfoot season, a Lightning scored two goals, and record. Victor Hedman, Florida goalie Semyon Varlamov Ryan McDonagh and stopped 44 shots as Nikita Kucherov scored James Reimer Colorado won at in the comeback. James Chicago. Mikko van Riemsdyk scored earned victory Rantanen, Tyson Barrie LAS VEGAS: Bo Horvat #53 of the Vancouver Canucks takes a shot on goal as Brayden McNabb #3 of the twice and Zach Hyman and Erik Johnson added Vegas Golden Knights defends in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday in Las Vegas, added a goal for the with 33 saves goals for the Avalanche, Nevada. The Golden Knights won 4-1.— AFP Maple Leafs. and Nathan MacKinnon notched two assists. SHARKS 6, DEVILS 2 Brent Seabrook scored NHL results/standings Barclay Goodrow had for the Blackhawks, who a goal and an assist, and Brent Burns furnished three got 35 saves from Anton Forsberg. NY Islanders 4, Pittsburgh 1; Columbus 5, NY Rangers 3; Washington 4, Dallas 3; Edmonton 7, Carolina 3; Florida 7, Ottawa 2; helpers as San Jose hammered visiting New Jersey. Eric Detroit 5, Philadelphia 4 (SO); Tampa Bay 4, Toronto 3; Winnipeg 2, Los Angeles 1 (OT); Colorado 5, Chicago 1; Las Vegas 4, Fehr, Joe Pavelski, Jannik Hansen, Logan Couture and BLUE JACKETS 5, RANGERS 3 Vancouver 1; San Jose 6, New Jersey 2. Mikkel Boedker also scored for the Sharks, who posted Artemi Panarin recorded his second career hat trick their fifth consecutive win. Brenden Dillon supplied two and added an assist as Columbus stretched its winning Eastern Conference Western Conference helpers and extended his points streak to five games. San streak to nine games with a road victory over New Atlantic Division Central Division Jose goaltender Martin Jones made 26 saves on 28 shots York. Alexander Wennberg and Markus Nutivarra also W L OTL GF GA PTS Nashville 48 14 10 236 178 106 for his 26th victory of the season. Devils starting netmin- scored for the Blue Jackets, and Sergei Bobrovsky Tampa Bay 50 19 4 264 205 104 Winnipeg 44 19 10 242 190 98 der Cory Schneider blocked 10 of 14 shots in 30:31 during made 29 saves. Kevin Hayes scored a short-handed Boston 45 17 9 239 184 99 Minnesota 41 24 8 227 210 90 his first start after four games as a backup. Keith Kinkaid goal while Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider scored Toronto 43 23 7 246 208 93 Colorado 40 25 8 236 210 88 replaced him, finishing with nine saves on 11 shots. power-play goals for the Rangers. Florida 37 27 7 219 218 81 Dallas 38 28 8 212 201 84 Detroit 27 35 11 189 228 65 St. Louis 39 28 5 201 193 83 GOLDEN KNIGHTS 4, CANUCKS 1 CAPITALS 4, STARS 3 Montreal 26 35 12 182 232 64 Chicago 30 35 9 209 228 69 Vegas rolled past visiting Vancouver despite losing John Carlson scored the tiebreaking goal with 4:59 Ottawa 26 35 11 199 251 63 Pacific Division goalie Marc-Andre Fleury to an apparent injury. left, leading host Washington past Dallas, which took its Buffalo 23 37 12 172 236 58 Las Vegas 47 21 5 248 200 99 Jonathan Marchessault, Cody Eakin, Pierre-Edouard sixth straight loss. The Capitals got a goal and two Metropolitan Division San Jose 41 23 9 225 201 91 Bellemare and Tomas Tatar scored goals for Vegas, assists from Alex Ovechkin, plus a goal and an assist Washington 42 24 7 229 217 91 Los Angeles 40 27 7 212 186 87 which improved to 26-9-2 at home. Malcolm Subban apiece from Carlson and T.J. Oshie. Matt Niskanen Pittsburgh 41 27 5 238 222 87 Anaheim 37 24 12 206 197 86 and Fleury combined to stop 29 shots for the Golden scored a goal, and Eller had two assists. Alexander Columbus 41 28 5 210 206 87 Calgary 35 29 10 204 222 80 Knights. Fleury, who made his 10th straight start and Radulov and Jamie Benn each had a goal and an assist Philadelphia 37 25 12 222 220 86 Edmonton 32 36 5 208 234 69 21st over 22 games, left after making seven saves in for Dallas. Tyler Seguin also scored, and John Klingberg New Jersey 37 28 8 219 221 82 Arizona 24 37 11 175 230 59 the first period, one of them coming on a Brandon registered two helpers. Carolina 31 31 11 197 232 73 Vancouver 25 39 9 187 240 59 Sutter shot that caromed off his mask midway through the period. ISLANDERS 4, PENGUINS 1 NY Rangers 32 33 8 211 236 72 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the stand- Mathew Barzal’s goal early in the first period provid- NY Islanders 31 32 10 235 263 72 ings and are not included in the loss column (L) JETS 2, KINGS 1 (OT) ed reeling New York a lead it would never relinquish in Rookie Kyle Connor scored his second goal of the a victory over visiting Pittsburgh. Adam Pelech, Anders night 97 seconds into overtime as Winnipeg completed a Lee and Jordan Eberle also scored for the Islanders, a concussion, made 36 saves. Aberg, Yohann Auvitu and Jesse Puljujarvi also scored comeback to beat visiting Los Angeles. The news wasn’t who snapped a three-game losing streak and won for for the Oilers, who are 5-2-1 in their past eight games. all good for the Jets, though. Second-year sniper Patrik just the third time in their past 14 games (3-7-4). OILERS 7, HURRICANES 3 Despite all the offense, Edmonton’s scoring leader, Laine, whose 43 goals on the season trail only the 44 Christopher Gibson earned the win by recording 36 Leon Draisaitl scored a goal and supplied three Connor McDavid, had only two assists. Brock McGinn, netted by Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, left saves. Conor Sheary scored for the Penguins. Goalie assists as Edmonton rolled to a road win over Carolina. Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen produced the the game in the second period after he blocked a shot Matt Murray, who missed the previous nine games with Drake Caggiula, Matt Benning, Ryan Strome, Pontus Carolina goals. — Reuters

From non-league to World Cup, Clock ticking for Pope dreams of injured Neuer as keeping for England World Cup looms

BURTON-ON-TRENT: Burnley goalkeeper Nick DUSSELDORF: The clock is ticking down for Pope once had to get up at 4am to drive a milk float, Manuel Neuer to return from a fractured foot, but now the Burnley goalkeeper is hoping his dreams of the Germany camp is hopeful he will be ready for being England’s number one at the World Cup are not their World Cup defence. Germany host Spain disturbed. tomorrow in Duesseldorf and Brazil in Berlin next Pope, 25, has worked his way up through England’s Tuesday in high-profile friendlies, but will again be football pyramid, playing in the fifth tier with Aldershot without their captain and goalkeeper. as recently as four seasons ago. When released by his In the 31-year-old’s absence, Barcelona’s Marc- boyhood club Ipswich at 16, Pope felt “lower than a Andre ter Stegen, Kevin Trapp of Paris Saint- snake’s belly”, believing his dream of a professional Germain and Bayer Leverkusen’s Bernd Leno will career was over. be vying for Germany’s number one shirt. However, after restarting at Bury Town in the sev- Neuer has not played since fracturing his foot enth-tier Isthmian League, Pope fought his way to the last September-the second time he suffered the top via Charlton and a host of loan spells in the lower same injury in 2017. His club Bayern Munich have divisions before joining Burnley in 2016. not set a date for his return, but the countdown is “Coming up through the leagues, some cold dark on before Germany announce their World Cup ones... you think the national team is too far away,” he squad on May 15. said at England’s state-of-the-art St. George’s Park “There is no pressure from our side, it’s a deci- training camp on Tuesday, with preparations for World BURTON-ON-TRENT: England’s goalkeeper Nick Pope (R) speaks with England Football staff at St George’s sion for him and the doctors,” said Germany team Cup warm-up friendlies against the Netherlands on Park in Burton-on-Trent on Tuesday, ahead of their international friendly football matches against the manager Oliver Bierhoff yesterday. “Of course, we Friday and Italy on March 27 well underway. Netherlands on March 23 and Italy on March 27. — AFP hope he will be 100 percent ready and fit by the Pope wasn’t even a regular with Burnley until Tom time we nominate (the World Cup squad).” Heaton suffered a dislocated shoulder in September to Neuer has not played for Germany since hand him his top-flight debut. Yet in just six months, number one jersey is up for grabs”. first time. October 2016, and the defending world champions Pope has kept 11 clean sheets to help Burnley up to Long-time number one Joe Hart’s place is under “It’s always an ambition but you need to get to a are desperate for him to be ready for their opening seventh in the Premier League on a club-record 43 threat as he has featured in just one of West Ham’s last particular position just to be recognised as an English World Cup match against Mexico in Moscow on points with eight games still remaining. 16 Premier League games. Everton’s Jordan Pickford player,” said Tarkowsi. “It wasn’t until a few weeks into June 17. Neuer was voted the world’s best goal- “It’s a big opportunity, it’s one of the best moments and Stoke’s Jack Butland also have more Premier the season when I started to do okay and the club keeper for four years running up until 2016. His of my life to be here,” added Pope. “I want to prove League experience than Pope. started to do well that I thought ‘maybe I’ve got a six-month absence and lack of match practice is a myself amongst my peers that I’m here with now, and But he isn’t content with just receiving a call-up he chance here’.” cause for worry in football-mad Germany. Thomas obviously the manager as well.” once believed impossible and wants to start England’s Southgate hailed the work done by Burnley boss Mueller understands the concern but is backing his World Cup opener against Tunisia on June 18. Sean Dyche when he announced his squad last week, Germany and Bayern team-mate to get fit. STARTING SPOT ‘UP FOR GRABS’ “It’s every man for himself. I want it to be me,” Pope and Tarkowsi backed Dyche to be a future England “I see ‘Manu’ a bit more than most and he Once upon a time, England could rely upon goal- added. “It’s a massive honour. To represent your coun- manager. “I don’t see any reason why not in the future,” always give the impression that everything is keeping greats like Peter Shilton, Gordon Banks and try first of all, and go to a World Cup.” Pope isn’t the said Tarkowski. okay,” said Mueller. I am not privy to what the David Seaman at major international tournaments. only beneficiary of Burnley’s fantastic season to gain “There are always rumours about him. Maybe it is a medical situation is, but I haven’t heard anything to However, just three months out from the showpiece in international recognition as centre-back James surprise (he hasn’t moved), but I’m quite happy. I’m not suggest things aren’t going to plan.—AFP Russia, manager Gareth Southgate has admitted “the Tarkowski is also included in the England squad for the going to complain about that.” — AFP Established 1961 Sport

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018

Driven to perfection: Can Captains Du Plessis and Smith From non-league to World Cup, Pope 13anyone stop F1 champ Hamilton? 14 clash over Rabada decision 15 dreams of keeping for England

PORTLAND: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. — AFP Rockets shoot down red-hot Blazers Morris drills game-winner as Celtics stun Thunder

LOS ANGELES: James Harden poured in 42 points to assists to lead Oklahoma City, but his streak of games Orleans top visiting Dallas. Rajon Rondo added 19 on 16-of-28 shooting, and Dewayne Dedmon added lift the visiting Houston Rockets to a 115-111 victory with a triple-double ended at five. Jayson Tatum scored points, 14 assists and nine rebounds, Ian Clark scored 15 points and 15 rebounds to help Atlanta snap Utah’s over the Trail Blazers on Tuesday night, ending a team-high 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and 19 points, E’Twaun Moore had 14 and Cheick Diallo 10 nine-game winning streak. Taurean Prince added 11 Portland’s 13-game winning streak. Chris Paul added 22 Morris added 21 points for the Celtics, who won for the for the Pelicans. New Orleans guard Jrue Holiday, the points for the Hawks, who swept the season series points, including a pair of free throws with 1.3 seconds fourth time in eight March games. It was Tatum’s first- team’s second-leading scorer, did not play because of with the Jazz. Donovan Mitchell scored 24 points and left, as the Rockets won their sixth in a row and earned career game with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. the flu. Dirk Nowitzki and Harrison Barnes scored each Ricky Rubio added 23 to lead Utah. Joe Ingles tallied their 23rd victory in 24 outings. Al-Farouq Aminu scored 19, and Yogi Ferrell had 15 points for the 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and Rudy scored 22 points and Jusuf Nurkic had 21 points and 11 RAPTORS 93, MAGIC 86 Mavericks. Gobert chipped in 15 points and 16 rebounds. rebounds for the Trail Blazers. Portland had won 18 of Kyle Lowry scored 25 points, and Toronto rallied in its previous 19 home games. Portland’s top two scorers the fourth quarter to knock off host Orlando. The TIMBERWOLVES 123, CLIPPERS 109 PISTONS 115, SUNS 88 on the season, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, com- Raptors trailed by eight entering the fourth quarter but Minnesota completed its first season-series sweep of Blake Griffin had 26 points, 10 assists and nine bined for 28 points on 9-for-32 shooting, including 0 of surged past the Magic with a 16-2 run, fueled by visiting Los Angeles thanks to Karl-Anthony Towns’ rebounds, and Andre Drummond added 10 points 12 from 3-point range. Lowry. The Raptors, who bounced back after having game-high 30 points. Andrew Wiggins (27 points), Jeff and 10 rebounds as Detroit handed Phoenix its their 11-game winning streak snapped by the Oklahoma Teague (20) and Jamal Crawford (20) made it four ninth loss in a row. Pistons point guard Reggie CELTICS 100, THUNDER 99 City Thunder on Sunday. Shelvin Mack came off the Timberwolves with 20 or more points. DeAndre Jordan Jackson had seven points and two assists in 15 min- Marcus Morris made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1.2 bench to score 17 points, and Aaron Gordon had 16 recorded an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double for the utes in his return from a serious ankle injury. Alex seconds remaining as host Boston snapped Oklahoma points for Orlando, which has dropped seven of eight. Clippers, who lost their fourth straight for Los Angeles. Len had 19 points and 12 rebounds, Josh Jackson City’s six-game winning streak. Thunder star Russell had 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Troy Daniels Westbrook missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer. PELICANS 115, MAVERICKS 105 HAWKS 99, JAZZ 94 had 18 points for the Suns. Phoenix has lost 19 of Westbrook had 27 points, eight rebounds and nine Anthony Davis scored 37 points to help New Dennis Schroder scored a career-high 41 points 20 and 24 of 26. —Reuters

Jet-skier awarded for breaking world record

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

KUWAIT: Captain Mohammad Burabee from the traffic department was honored for entering the Guinness Book of World Records after winning 21 gold medals over 11 years from the International Jet-Ski Association (IG SPA). The honoring took place in the presence of Interior Ministry Undersecretary Lt Gen Mahmoud Al-Dousary, State Ministry for Youth’s Undersecretary Sheikha Al-Zain Sabah Al-Nasser Al-Saud Al-Sabah, Public Authority for Sports’ Director General Dr Humoud Fulaileh, Head of the Kuwait Sea Club Maj Gen Fahd Al-Fahd, and Assistant Director General of the Relations and Security Information Department Brig Tawheed Al-Kandari. Captain Mohammad Burabee (right) Captain Mohammad Burabee seen with top officials. Established 1961

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 Business

France braces for travel misery EU proposes online turnover Egypt’s middle class faces 18ahead of public sector strike 19 tax for big tech companies 21 hardship as austerity bites

Zain supports Kuwait Investment Forum 2018

We will continue to contribute to the development of national economy: Al-Kharafi

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Investment Forum 2018 (KIF 2018) was held under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah between March 20-21.

KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunications network on topics such as: Investing for the Future of Kuwait; in Kuwait supported the Kuwait Investment Forum 2018 Trade Facilitation: A Driver For Development; An Update (KIF 2018), that was held under the patronage and in the on Kuwait 2035 Vision: New Kuwait; Investment presence of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Opportunities - Lucrative Options In Dynamic Sectors; Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace and Jaber Al- Financing For Sustainable Development; Dialogue On Ahmad Cultural Center (JACC), between March 20-21. “Kuwait Development Path: The Vision & The The two-day forum, co-organized by the Kuwait Determination”. Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), and the Zain considers itself a key partner of the community, Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), especially for initiatives and projects that are in favor of reaffirmed the Kuwait government’s interest in promot- supporting the national economy, as the company is keen ing and facilitating value-added investments in the coun- to consolidate its commitment to sustainability programs try’s dynamic economy. in the economic-socio development of the country. Zain officials participated in the KIF 2018 inaugura- tion ceremony at Bayan Palace, which provided an interactive platform for high-ranking government offi- Al-Kharafi praises Zain to support KCCI Chairman, the Vision Kuwait KDIPA’s DG 2035 - New KUWAIT: Bader Al-Kharafi, Zain Vice Chairman and Group CEO, praised the efforts exerted by the Kuwait Chairman of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Ali Thunayan Al-Ghanim, which enhances the role of the private sector in contributing to the achievement of the country’s development goals especially that the KCCI is very cials, local and foreign investors as well as industry KUWAIT: Bader Al-Kharafi, Zain Vice Chairman and Group CEO (Center), with Al-Roudhan and Al-Othaina during the leaders, executives, and consultants from various glob- active and keen to improve the level of cooperation al institutions. The gathering showcased the progress with the private sector and support the holding of such prominent investment forums. that is being achieved in Kuwait’s business environ- the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak to the con- project that will be carried out by local and international Also, Al-Kharafi commended the efforts exerted ment, and investment opportunities, with a view on ference audience emphasized the State of Kuwait lead- investment entities, “will further stimulate the confidence by KDIPA and its Director General, Sheikh Dr emerging trends. ership’s interest to invest directly and create the right of private sector institutions in the country, given their Meshaal Al-Jaber, in maximizing and strengthening Zain’s support of the Forum is in line with its strategy legislative and economic atmosphere to attract local and vital role in supporting the public sector in the execution the country’s strategic directions aimed at restor- to contribute to the further progress of the national foreign investment. This is further reconfirmed by the of this prominent development project in north of the ing Kuwait to its position as a financial and com- economy and in support of the vision Kuwait 2035 - keen personal interest and attendance of HH the Amir country. The area will become a fertile environment for mercial center in the region. “The holding of this New Kuwait. The event provided an opportunity to fur- Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad at the event. investment and housing and we look forward to playing a forum and bilateral dialogues are very important to ther highlight the role of the private sector in supporting Al-Kharafi welcomed the economic vision significant role in developing the infrastructure of the highlight the State of Kuwait as an attractive incu- the country’s major developmental projects and the announced at the opening session by the First Deputy islands and smart cities.” bator for businesses, thus attracting and stimulat- importance of both public-private partnerships and for- Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Kharafi noted the significant role that the intro- ing foreign investment. With KDIPA’s involvement, eign investment. Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who revealed a national duction of modern technology through foreign invest- Kuwait has a long list of major and sustainable Bader Al-Kharafi, Zain Vice Chairman and Group plan to develop the Kuwaiti Islands in the north that will ment will play in further bolstering economic growth. development projects, sound infrastructure, a CEO, said “The State of Kuwait is diversifying its efforts create more than 200,000 non-oil jobs and generate This is further supported by the country’s growing and favorable corporate tax rate, and an open business on multiple fronts to achieve HH the Amir’s desire to revenues exceeding $35 billion annually. This vision dynamic youth population, and the determination of environment with a distinctive cultural appeal.” Al- diversify the country’s sources of income through came within the ongoing feasibility study to merge the state institutions who have in recent years enacted Kharafi recognized and applauded KDIPA’s role in streamlining the business environment and improving Islands project with Kuwait’s Silk City enterprise that favorable legislative environment to attract local and recently attracting $2.5 billion in foreign investment competitiveness, as well as attracting foreign investment will create an international free trade investment zone foreign investment, moving away from a narrow-mind- and creating over 1,000 direct jobs for Kuwait into the country, with the aim of transforming Kuwait that will act as a launchpad for more cooperation with ed local economic perspective to an international eco- nationals and its prominent future role in achieving into a financial and commercial center.” neighboring countries. nomic perspective. the Kuwait vision 2035 - New Kuwait. Al-Kharafi noted that the message conveyed by HH Furthermore, the Zain Group CEO added the Islands The two-day forum saw various sessions being held 18 Established 1961 Thursday, March 22, 2018 Business France braces for travel misery ahead of public sector strike One-day strike today against low pay and reform

PARIS: French rail operator SNCF and aviation authori- strike by Air France pilots and cabin crew Friday seeking a ties warned of major disruptions today as public sector six-percent raise. Teachers are also striking today, mainly employees and their supporters carry out a one-day at primary schools, as are hospital workers and some civil strike against low pay and President Emmanuel Macron’s servants in the biggest test for Macron since a wave of reform drive. demonstrations last September and October. Only 40 percent of high-speed TGV services will be running, and just one in four regular trains across the Warning by rail workers country, SNCF chief Guillaume Pepy told RTL radio. More than 140 protests are planned across France, the Outside Paris, just one biggest at the Bastille in three SNCF trains serv- monument in central ing the outlying suburbs is Paris where unions expected as unions protest expect 25,000 demon- an overhaul that would strators. Public servants strip new hires of a special Rail workers are angry over pay that status that guarantees ear- has not kept up with ly retirement and other issue stern inflation, while unions benefits. accuse Macron of want- Four Eurostar trains warning ing to take a sledgeham- between London and Paris mer to the public sector. have already been can- Macron has pledged to celled. “We’re going to do cut 120,000 public jobs everything possible to help during his five-year term passengers,” Pepy said, and his government has adding that the SNCF’s national headquarters and regional raised the prospect of voluntary redundancies, prompting offices would be closed in order to free up personnel. fears that the quality of services will take a hit. In Paris itself, metro and bus services are set to run nor- Plans to use more contractors and increasingly offer mally, but some suburban commuter lines will be affected, pay based on merit, rather than on experience, are seen by with just two out of three trains scheduled during rush unions as attacks on traditional job security. hours on the heavily used RER A and B lines. France’s civil On the railways, plans to strip new recruits of a guaran- ROISSY, France: This file photo taken shows passengers reading a departure board at Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle air- aviation authority said a third of flights into and out of the teed job for life and other benefits have riled unionists who port, during a nation-wide strike to protest against job cuts. —AFP main Paris airports of Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Beauvais also fear that a restructuring of the SNCF could eventually would be cancelled Thursday because of a strike by air see it privatized. They have announced a three-month were preparing more severe disruptions. “The disarray to anything,” making it impossible to accurately warn users at traffic controllers. wave of intermittent strikes to try to force the government operations will also affect the days when we’re working,” 1600 GMT of disruptions for the next day, as the SNCF Air France said shorter flights would be the most affect- to back down, vowing two days of strikes every five days. since trains and agents often won’t be where they are sup- has promised. Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne ed, while all long-haul flights were currently expected to But a leaked letter from an official at the hardline CGT posed to be, according to the letter, obtained today. responded on RMC radio: “I cannot believe rail workers operate. Those cancellations come ahead of a separate union, the biggest at the SNCF, suggested that workers “Management will be totally lost and unable to anticipate would support such methods.”—AFP

Skoda also planting more trees so we can harvest Nestle provides more,” she said, standing amid newly ditches UK vehicle planted seedlings provided by the Nestle agency over Brexit lifeline for project, which she joined three years ago. Multiple effect struggling Since Kenya’s production peaked at uncertainty 129,000 tons in 1988/89 it has dropped Kenyan steadily due to poor management and LONDON: Skoda is at least the second global price swings. Farmers have automaker to stop approving its cars with switched crops or sold their land. Britain’s Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) due coffee farmers Nestle, which is counting on growth in to uncertainty over its post-Brexit powers, in an its coffee business as it overhauls its busi- ness to improve performance, works with a example of the steps firms are taking to fill a KIRINYAGA, Kenya: When Nestle exec- void of uncertainty. local milling and marketing company, utive Stephan Canz attended the German Coffee Management Services (CMS), to The VCA can for now sign off on models to school in Nairobi in the early 1980s, it was be used in the whole of the EU, like national train farmers regularly on fertilizer applica- surrounded by lush coffee farms. Today, tion, pest and disease control. It provides equivalents across the 28-member bloc, and is LONDON: Skoda became the second automaker to stop approving its cars with Britain’s the trees have long since been uprooted used by the likes of Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan seedlings for farmers wishing to plant more. Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) due to uncertainty over its post-Brexit powers, in an exam- and replaced by a shopping mall and “People didn’t know how and when to and Aston Martin. ple of the steps firms are taking to fill a void of uncertainty. upmarket homes, driving a sharp drop in Its powers after the Brexit transition period, apply fertilizer properly. Nestle has production of Kenya’s premium beans. taught us a lot,” said William Njeru, a which ends in December 2020, remain unclear “The coffee has disappeared,” said farmer who harvested 7,600 kg last year, and are likely to be determined as part of the Canz, who co-manages Swiss-based facturing success stories since the 1980s, Flewitt told Reuters. “There may be a route up from around 1,200 kg a year before he final agreement due to be decided this autumn. Nestle’s partnerships with coffee farmers employing over 800,000 people and generating there. I don’t want to walk away from the VCA if joined the project five years ago. “If we Carmakers can spend years on the approvals globally. “You have to go almost to the turnover of 77.5 billion pounds ($110 billion). I can possibly help it,” he said. can have other partners who are doing process at significant expense. Many like Skoda, slopes of Mount Kenya to find coffee.” Britain’s transport ministry, which oversees But it can take up to 18 months to obtain a what Nestle is doing, the multiplier effect which does not build in Britain, have picked the Kenya accounts for just 1 percent of the VCA, did not offer an immediate comment licence and carmakers often begin discussions on productivity in Kenya can be very VCA in recent years due to its expertise. the global crop, but its high-quality arabi- when contacted by Reuters. It turned down a with regulators three to ten years beforehand, high,” said Peter Kimata, deputy head of However, quintessentially British brand Aston ca beans are sought-after for blending Reuters request to interview the head of the according to Britain’s car industry body the Nestle’s partner CMS. Martin, famed for being James Bond’s car of with other varieties. Alarmed by a steep choice, told Reuters this month it had no choice VCA, Pia Wilkes, or anyone else from the organ- Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders A half hour drive up the road from his ization. The ministry has previously said: “We (SMMT). It said in October that due to con- drop in the country’s production, Nestle, but to stop using the VCA for its latest models which buys 10 percent of the world’s cof- office sits an abandoned coffee factory with with Skoda taking a similar approach. “As long- are committed to securing the best deal for cerns that licenses granted by the VCA may be fee and has the leading packaged coffee rusting machinery. Farmer Moses Wachira term certainty is required for developing and Britain, and will work hard to ensure the UK deemed invalid in the future, some carmakers business, is working with farmers to guar- says it was closed in 2013 after its manage- manufacturing new models, as well as making motor industry and authorities continue to were already going to other regulators, without antee its supplies. ment embezzled farmers’ money. That ongoing changes and modifications to them, it thrive following EU exit.” naming specific brands. In a $1 million project, begun in 2010, forced 500 farmers to start selling their has become necessary for SKODA to find a type Several executives who spoke to Reuters at it says it is boosting bean production and coffee to brokers who offer lower prices. approval authority who will have authority to European partner? the Geneva Motor Show said it would make no quality. Mary Wanja, with 350 coffee “These problems are causing produc- function within the European Union,” a Losing carmakers would be a blow to both sense for a different regulatory system to devel- trees on her plot in rural Kirinyaga at the tion to fall because nobody watches to spokesman said. the VCA’s finances and prestige. But at the op in Britain compared with the rest of Europe. foot of Mount Kenya, is one of more than ensure managers do not misappropriate Skoda has used the VCA for all its recent Geneva Motor Show earlier this month, the chief “It only adds costs for admin and red tape,” 40,000 of Kenya’s 600,000 coffee farm- farmers’ money,” said the white-bearded models except the Karoq, Kodiaq and Citigo executive of McLaren Automotive - which uses Ralf Speth, the boss of Britain’s biggest carmak- ers participating in the project. farmer. Kenya’s harvest fell 12 percent in and will now use the Czech ministry of transport the VCA- suggested the regulator may be look- er Jaguar Land Rover, told Reuters. “It doesn’t She harvested 1,200 kg of coffee last the 2016/17 season to 40,700 metric for all future vehicles, the spokesman at the ing to find a European partner for future work. bring civilization forward, it doesn’t give us new year, double the previous year, and saw tons, according to government data. Volkswagen-owned Czech brand said. At stake “We are in discussions actually with the VCA solutions for technology, it doesn’t help us in her annual earnings rise to 100 shillings Government efforts to revive the sector is the future of a key regulator for Britain’s car at the moment who are considering having a making the environment better. Sorry, I’m an ($0.99) per kg, from 70 shillings. “We are have faltered. —Reuters industry, which has been one of the few manu- partnership with a European agency,” Mike engineer.”— Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Turkish lira 77.130 Malaysian Ringgit 77.545 Chinese Yuan 0.045984 0.049484 Swiss Franc 316.630 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 47.905 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036249 0.038999 Australian Dollar 232.970 Thai Bhat 10.610 Indian Rupee 0.004176 0.004817 ASIAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Buying 299.600 Turkish Lira 76.850 Japanese Yen 2.827 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024 Indian Rupees 4.618 Japanese Yen 0.002739 0.002919 Pakistani Rupees 2.720 GOLD Bahrain Exchange Company Korean Won 0.000270 0.000285 Srilankan Rupees 1.925 20 Gram 260.520 Malaysian Ringgit 0.072850 0.078850 Nepali Rupees 2.901 10 Gram 133.180 Nepalese Rupee 0.003001 0.003171 CURRENCY BUY SELL Singapore Dollar 229.090 5 Gram 67.430 Pakistan Rupee 0.002486 0.002776 Hongkong Dollar 38.348 Europe Philippine Peso 0.005667 0.005967 Bangladesh Taka 3.598 British Pound 0.415560 0.423060 Philippine Peso 5.789 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Czech Korune 0.006476 0.015776 Singapore Dollar 0.222754 0.232754 Thai Baht 9.654 Danish Krone 0.045410 0.050410 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001606 0.002186 Euro 0. 363073 0.370573 Taiwan 0.010180 0.010360 GCC COUNTRIES Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Georgian Lari 0.122590 0.122590 Thai Baht 0.009278 0.009828 Saudi Riyal 80.267 US Dollar 300.450 Hungarian 0.001091 0.001281 Canadian Dollar 231.490 Qatari Riyal 82.671 Norwegian Krone 0.034824 0.040024 Arab Omani Riyal 781.705 Sterling Pound 422.560 Romanian Leu 0.062039 0.078889 Bahraini Dinar 0.791205 0.799705 Bahraini Dinar 799.260 Euro 369.955 UAE Dirham 81.973 Swiss Frank 288.555 Russian ruble 0.005219 0.005219 Egyptian Pound 0.014088 0.019806 Bahrain Dinar 799.005 Slovakia 0.008932 0.018932 Iranian Riyal 0.000083 0.000085 ARAB COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 82.205 Swedish Krona 0.032581 0.037581 Iraqi Dinar 0.000202 0.000262 Egyptian Pound - Cash 19.600 Qatari Riyals 83.435 Swiss Franc 0.308340 0.319340 Jordanian Dinar 0.419642 0.428642 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 17.054 Saudi Riyals 80.015 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.208 Jordanian Dinar 425.040 Australasia Lebanese Pound 0.000148 0.000248 Tunisian Dinar 127.190 Egyptian Pound 17.123 Australian Dollar 0.223107 0.235107 Moroccan Dirhams 0.022694 0.046694 Jordanian Dinar 423.690 Sri Lankan Rupees 1.928 New Zealand Dollar 0.209427 0.218927 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.005 Indian Rupees 4.613 Omani Riyal 0.774981 0.780661 Qatar Riyal 0.078332 0.083272 Syrian Lira 0.000 Pakistani Rupees 2.687 America Saudi Riyal 0.079127 0.080427 Morocco Dirham 33.311 Bangladesh Taka 3.605 Canadian Dollar 0.225554 0.234554 Philippines Pesso 5.775 US Dollars 0.296700 0.301120 Syrian Pound 0.001274 0.001494 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Cyprus pound 17.885 US Dollars Mint 0.297200 0.301120 Tunisian Dinar 0.121624 0.129624 US Dollar Transfer 300.800 Japanese Yen 3.820 Turkish Lira 0.071396 0.081696 Euro 370.440 Syrian Pound 1.585 UAE Dirhams 0.080471 0.082171 Sterling Pound 422.920 Nepalese Rupees 2.886 Asia Canadian dollar 231.920 Bangladesh Taka 0.003191 0.003775 Yemeni Riyal 0.000977 0.001057 Established 1961 19 Thursday, March 22, 2018 Business EU proposes online turnover tax for big tech companies

Google, Facebook and Amazon set to foot a large chunk of bill

BRUSSELS: The European Commission proposed investigating the business practices of Amazon, rules yesterday to make digital companies pay their Google and Apple, leading to accusations, which the fair share of tax, with US tech giants such as Google, Commission denies, that it is targeting Silicon Valley. Facebook and Amazon set to foot a large chunk of the bill. Under the Commission’s plan, companies Deep divisions with significant digital revenues in Europe will pay a The Commission said that top digital firms, 3 percent tax on their turnover on various online whose average revenue growth of 14 percent far services in the European Union, bringing in an esti- exceeded that of other multinationals, faced an mated 5 billion euros ($6.1 billion). effective tax rate of 9.5 percent, less than half the If backed by EU states and lawmakers, whose level of traditional companies. The proposals support is far from certain, the tax would apply to require backing from the European Parliament and large firms with annual the 28 EU countries, worldwide revenue but they are divided on above 750 million euros the issue. EU tax ($920.9 million) annual reforms need the back- “taxable” EU revenues ing of all member above 50 million euros. EU countries states to become law. The tax, designed as a split over issue, Large EU states short-term measure have accused the tech before the EU finds a but backing firms of paying too lit- way to tax profits tle tax in the bloc by based on where they do required routing some of their business, could also profits to low-tax mem- BRUSSELS: European Commssioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs Pierre encompass other high- ber states such as Moscovici addresses a press conference at the European Union in Brussels yesterday. —AFP profile US firms such as Ireland and Airbnb and Uber. Luxembourg. It is designed to apply to activities in which users US.tech companies themselves have said they are smaller ones set to lose. The tax would to apply to online advertising play a role in value creation - whether via online paying tax in line with national and international Smaller countries also fear becoming less attrac- sales, which would bring in companies such as advertising, such as in search engines or social media, laws and, in some cases, that the tax should be paid tive to multinational firms. Ireland has warned that Google and Facebook, to platforms offering services via online trading or in the sale of data about users. in the United States on profits repatriated there. the proposals risk merely re-slicing the tax cake, such as interaction with other users or online sales The legislation comes as the United States unsettles The proposal is to tax companies according to rather than actually taxing more. Some countries and to those selling data generated from users. Europe with its own tax reform and the threat of a where their digital users are based. A senior EU also believe that smaller companies should also face The tax would be collected in countries where the trade war along with reports that Facebook user data diplomatic predicted it would be hard to push a bill. Commission Vice President Valdis users are located. Tech industry groups have com- was accessed by a consultancy to help President through the legislation, among the most important Dombrovskis said that the EU would prefer globally plained that it is wrong to tax revenues as that Donald Trump win the 2016 election. for the bloc, because of deep divisions between agreed rules, but that the amount of profits currently would unduly hit companies, such as Amazon, with EU antitrust authorities have also been busy larger countries set to gain more tax income and going untaxed was unacceptable. thinner margins. —Reuters

Asian business sentiment edges British jobs data up to 7-year high strengthens rate SYDNEY: Business confidence among Asian companies rose in the first quarter to the highest level in seven years, a Thomson Reuters/INSEAD survey showed, as hike prospect a fresh surge by the Chinese economy offset concerns LONDON: British wages growth is catching up about rising trade barriers. The Thomson with overall inflation and UK unemployment has Reuters/INSEAD Asian Business Sentiment Index, rep- hit a 1975 low, official data showed yesterday, resenting the six-month outlook of 67 firms, advanced increasing expectations of an interest rate hike, one notch to 79 for the January-March quarter com- analysts said. pared with three months before. The data, published on the eve of the Bank of A reading above 50 indicates a positive outlook. England’s latest monetary policy decision, helped “The improvement is not dramatic but with a historical push the pound back above $1.40 as it recovers perspective this is a good reading,” said Antonio Fatas, from a Brexit-fuelled slump. a Singapore-based economics professor at global busi- However it was accompanied by gloomier ness school INSEAD. Thailand, the Philippines and news from Britain’s struggling retail sector. Malaysia saw robust jumps in sentiment, showing that many countries in Asia continue to benefit from accel- Average weekly earnings growth, excluding erating global growth. In particular, China has seen bonuses, accelerated to 2.6 percent in the three months to January compared with a year earlier, exports soar, up 45 percent in February to mark their PANAJI: This picture shows an Indian man laying out mackerel fish to dry at a fishing harbor in Agonda fastest growth in three years. the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed. village in South Goa district. Business confidence among Asian companies rose in the first quarter to the That followed 2.5-percent expansion in the “China ... has escaped the fear of a crisis that start- highest level in seven years. —AFP ed back in 2016 and that’s why you see strong confi- three months to December. Nevertheless, wages dence. Imbalances persist but there is no real threat of growth is still lagging annual inflation which stood at 2.7 percent last month. a crisis over the short term,” said Fatas. tariffs on steel and aluminum, and is expected to con- from 83, but the number of respondents was low at The combination of rising wages and slowing The subindex for Thailand surged to 100 from 85 sider additional tariffs targeted specifically at China. four companies. overall inflation means that many Britons will and the Philippines saw a climb to 83 from 70 while He has also repeatedly said the US free-trade deal Increasing trade friction and higher interest rates sentiment in Malaysia improved five notches to 75. with South Korea is “unfair” and has threatened to were cited as the biggest concerns in the Thomson have more cash in their pockets. Owing to the “The tourism and export sector expansion will help scrap it altogether on multiple occasions. Reuters/INSEAD survey. pick-up in wages growth, markets expect the drive growth (in Thailand) this year,” said Rattham That has battered sentiment in South Korea, with By industry, the technology, construction, energy Bank of England (BoE) to deliver a quarter-point Somboonchareon, a planning manager at survey the country’s subindex plunging to 50 from 83. and metals sectors expressed concern about trade rise to its main interest rate. respondent Thai Airways, adding that government “There is a sense among Korean businesses that friction, showed the survey, which was conducted But it won’t occur at this week’s meeting, ana- spending was also a key driver of growth. Trump will continue to be aggressive against their March 2-16. lysts said. Rather the BoE is set to raise borrow- Australia’s subindex dropped to 80 from 92, country,” said Fatas. Singapore’s subindex declined to Sectors which identified rising interest rates as a ing costs to 0.75 percent at its May gathering. although the figure is relatively high when compared 75 from 79. The country’s exports took a surprise dip risk included the energy, real estate, retail and tech- with its historical average of 69. While the in February as tech product shipments continued to nology sectors. The energy sector also showed con- Laying ground for hike International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have retreat from the hot pace of recent months. cern about the potential for a sudden asset price EY ITEM Club economist Howard Archer said raised their global growth forecasts for this year due Japan, where consumer spending numbers have correction. The auto sector matched its highest he expected the BoE to use this week’s “meeting to strong trade, consumer spending, and investment in been subdued, recorded its lowest reading in a year, at subindex reading posted seven years ago, while the to lay the ground for a May rate hike”. Britain’s many major economies, intensifying rhetoric in favor 67 compared to the fourth-quarter’s 70. India also retail and leisure sector recorded its best ever annual inflation rate slowed to 2.7 percent in of protectionism has become a major concern. experienced a decline in sentiment, falling to 72 from reading. Healthcare had its highest score in two February from 3.0 percent in January, as food US President Donald Trump has announced import 79. The index for sentiment in China increased to 88 years. —Reuters and transport costs rose by less than one year ago, ONS data showed Tuesday. “Wage growth still is not quite beating inflation, but both pay newly-installed Chairman Jerome Powell will and prices now appear to be moving in the right US Fed interest hold his first quarterly press conference and direction for UK consumers,” said Laith Khalaf, his words will be closely scrutinized for hints analyst at stockbrokers Hargreaves Lansdown. about the central bank’s thinking and the likely Inflation had jumped last year and remains at rates hike pace of interest rate increases. an elevated level after Britain voted to leave the Ian Shepherdson of Pantheon European Union in 2016. The Brexit referendum looks certain Macroeconomics said markets already accept- pushed down the pound, in turn hiking the cost ed the coming Fed rate hike, so the comments of imported goods. WASHINGTON: The Federal Reserve was and the updated quarterly forecasts will be of The ONS yesterday added that Britain’s job- widely expected to announce the first of at more interest. less rate-or the proportion of the workforce that least three interest rate hikes this year as the “After a widely-anticipated central bank is unemployed-stood at 4.3 percent in the three central bank works to head off inflation. policy move, what really matters is what poli- months to the end of January. Though US central bankers admitted to being cymakers say about their actions and inten- That was slightly down from 4.4 percent in the befuddled by the absence of inflation last year tions,” he said in a client note. quarter to December 2017, which had been the despite the economic recovery and strong job But Powell seeks to avoid sending ripples first increase in 16 months. Yesterday’s data “will market, they now see signs of rising price pres- through markets by criticizing the $1.5 trillion come as a huge relief to the consumer who has sures. Despite a shutdown of federal govern- tax cuts, even though they are expected to bal- suffered months and months of elevated inflation ment offices in Washington due to a snow- loon the government deficit and stimulate an and falling wages in real terms”, said City Index storm blanketing the nation’s capital, the Fed economy already at full employment, analyst Fiona Cincotta. “The easing of pressure said on Twitter it would continue its meeting Shepherdson said. “as planned.” Policymakers reconvened at 9:00 on households as they no longer experience falling wages in real terms should, in theory am for the second day of the meeting. Carefully chosen words So far, the Fed has been moving gradually “No matter how hard the press push him, NEW YORK: Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is monitored from the floor of the New encourage more spending on non-essential items, to tighten monetary policy to prevent the he’s not going to say that the fiscal easing is a York Stock Exchange earlier this year. something which had declined dramatically world’s largest economy from overheating. But mistake,” he said. First-quarter economic across the end of last year and the beginning of a host of factors-including the massive tax cuts forecasts have dimmed in recent weeks on a sumer sentiment, low unemployment and decision to impose punishing duties on steel this year. enacted by Congress, a weaker dollar and batch of mixed economic data, including a signs of rising inflation, even dovish Fed offi- and aluminum imports. Tariffs could raise “Suddenly the return of ‘good’ inflation is a robust job creation-have markets on the look- widening trade gap, weak sales of housing, cials have indicated their support for tighter prices for key inputs and consumer products, real probability, as opposed to the ‘bad’ pound- out for signs the Fed could become more autos and durable goods, as well as soft retail monetary policy. Meanwhile, industry groups and spark tit-for-tat retaliatory measures by induced inflation which has plagued the UK since aggressive, and boost rates four times this year and construction spending. But with very and markets have been badly rattled this trading partners, factors that move the infla- the Brexit referendum,” she added. —AFP instead of three. Following the Fed’s decision, strong jobs markets, record business and con- month by President Donald Trump’s sudden tion needle higher. —AFP 20 Established 1961 Business Thursday, March 22, 2018 Shares slip as jitters build on Fed, trade LONDON: World shares fell yesterday and the dollar cent, its early weakness accelerating after the WSJ might squeeze in a fourth, triggering a bond and equi- the world economy or US growth accelerated further. eased off three-week highs as markets awaited a likely report on China and a tech shares index reversing an ty selloff. “To get the dollar higher, we will need a combina- increase in US interest rates and guidance on how early bounce. The yen, typically bought during times The 1800 GMT announcement will also be the first tion of the Fed being more aggressive and signalling many more to expect for this year. of stress, rose to the day’s high versus the dollar under new Fed chair Jerome Powell. “We might have more changes for 2019,” he said. Markets were also spooked by signs of a brewing around 106.26. significant changes in communication compared with global trade war - a Wall Street Journal report saying “So far, we have seen low-level (trade) skirmishes, what we’ve seen under (previous chair Janet) Yellen,” Trade war fears China was planning counter-measures against US which are not material enough to affect the world said Chris Scicluna, head of economic research at The WSJ report on potential Chinese tariffs comes trade tariffs. European shares fell and investors scur- economy. But if we see retaliation, and significant Daiwa Capital Markets. as US President Donald Trump prepares to announce ried for the safety of German government bonds and trade disruptions, it’s a different order or magnitude, “The economic situation post-tax cuts also justifies on Friday up to $60 billion in import duties on the Japanese yen. And equity futures indicated that could begin to affect global growth forecasts,” said a significant shift upwards in the dot plot,” he added, Chinese goods. He imposed tariffs on imported steel US stocks, which have been roiled by a hefty selloff Andrew Milligan, head of global strategy at Aberdeen referring to fears the Fed’s de facto policy forecast and aluminum earlier this month. in technology shares this week, are set for another Standard Investments. The tech selloff is a serious set- chart will signal four rate rises rather than three This week’s meeting of finance ministers and cen- weak session. back to markets just as they recover from an early- because of the effects of US tax reforms. tral banks of the world’s 20 biggest economies failed The selloff wiped some $50 billion off the value of February selloff, Milligan said, noting tech had been Those expectations had sent the dollar to nearly to diffuse tensions, with the G20 said only it “recog- social media giant Facebook, leaving investors on “the leading light of US and Asian equity markets for three-week highs on Tuesday, but it eased back a nized” the need for more “dialogue and actions”. edge as the Federal Reserve prepares to raise US over a year.” MSCI’s all-country equity index flatlined quarter percent against a basket of currencies on The currencies of export-heavy nations such as the rates for the first time this year. and is now 6 percent off January’s record highs, pres- Wednesday, having lost almost half a percent this Australian, New Zealand and Canadian dollars and most The Facebook losses, caused by uproar over the sured by the trade war fears and the possibility that month. emerging currencies fell. The Aussie traded near three- alleged misuse of user data, have filtered through the the Fed will tighten policy more than expected. The dollar’s weakness-it fell 10 percent last year-is month troughs against the dollar of $0.7679 and the tech sector, with shares in Twitter falling more than 10 The US central bank has raised borrowing costs at least partly down to U.S. capital seeking to invest Kiwi hit its lowest since early January. The Canadian percent on Tuesday. five times since late 2015. Markets are pricing in three overseas amid robust world growth. Milligan said that dollar held at $1.3029 after dropping to $1.3124 on A pan-European equity index fell almost 0.3 per- rate increases this year, but some reckon policymakers would continue unless trade skirmishes started hurting Monday, its weakest since mid-2017. — Reuters Established 1961 21 Business Thursday, March 22, 2018 Egypt’s middle class faces hardship as austerity bites

Middle class savings devoured

CAIRO: Teacher Abdelrahman Ali wonders if he will be 30 percent last summer as energy prices soared. That able to afford diapers for the second child his wife is compared with an increase in wages of about 15 to 20 expecting. He can no longer put meat on the dinner table percent over the past year, according to economists. and has to borrow money from his mother-in-law as People like Ali, who could once afford a car and hard times bite in Egypt. Ali and other middle class vacations abroad, are still having to cut costs and man- Egyptians - the social backbone of successive govern- age one financial crisis after another as they become ments - are bracing for more hardship after an election ever poorer. His family’s combined income of 4,000 next week widely expected to give President Abdel pounds ($228) a month will amount to 33 pounds per Fattah Al-Sisi a second term. “With our first pregnancy, day per person when his second child is born - less we bought all we needed to prepare ... but this time than $2. Beef is too expensive and the only chicken Ali around, we’re leaving it in the hands of God. It’s very dif- can afford is inedible. “After it was boiled, the chicken ficult,” said Ali, who teaches Arabic at a private school. would turn blue,” he said. “We bought it once and were Sisi’s only challenger in the election leads a party scared to buy it again.” that has expressed support for the president, while other candidates have dropped out, complaining of No signs intimidation. The election commission has promised a Since Egypt signed the IMF agreement and intro- free and fair vote. Sisi duced reforms, foreign has repeatedly urged reserves have doubled, Egyptians to be foreign investment has patient and make sac- slowly returned and eco- rifices for their country nomic growth begun to while the economy Sisi wins recover. IMF and World recovers. But political Bank economists praised analysts say he has to IMF praise the government for the be careful in dealing reforms and for shielding with the middle class, for reforms the poorest from the fall- whose savings have out, but that has not ABOU SHOSHA, Egypt: Cattle traders gather at a livestock market yesterday in this village in Qina governorate, been devoured by sky- helped middle-income some 550 km south of the capital Cairo. — AFP rocketing prices during Egyptians. A simple home his four years in office. repair can cost Ali’s family ship,” said Timothy Kaldas, non-resident fellow at the had four PlayStations and six or eight computers and a It was the middle class that invaded Cairo’s Tahrir more than half its monthly income. “The hardest thing Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy. Sisi has prom- pool table. I sold everything two months before things Square in 2011, triggering the protests that toppled at the moment is when something happens at home, ised that cuts in state subsidies will help revive the became expensive, so I lost a lot of money,” said Ali. President Hosni Mubarak. Middle-income Egyptians suddenly, like a problem with plumbing,” said Ali. “In economy, promote long-term growth and attract for- “We’ve had to give up a lot of things. You know also staged mass demonstrations that ended with the that case, I have to borrow money to fix it.” eign investment. But that comes with a price. “As with things - what does Sisi call them? Luxury,” said Ali’s army, led by Sisi, toppling Muslim Brotherhood Shopping also has it problems. “When I used to go any austerity package, things are expected to get wife Sarah, who works at a nursery school. “Like we President Mohamed Mursi in 2013. Their votes then to the nearby market with 50 pounds, I’d buy every- worse before they get better,” said Amr Adly, a used to buy certain shampoos or oils. These were spe- helped Sisi become president the following year, but his thing I needed, and they could last maybe two to three researcher with the Middle East Directions Program at cific things that I can no longer afford.” Ali is paying popularity has waned. weeks. But now I take 150 pounds and spend it and feel the European University Institute. “The IMF will remain scant attention to an election with only one serious like I didn’t buy anything,” Ali said. There are no signs in charge of Egypt’s economic policies for the coming candidate. He worries more that soaring prices mean Reforms that the middle class is about to stage demonstrations, four to five years.” his second child will have to be less pampered than the Faced with the need to fix Egypt’s public finances, but some analysts say Sisi’s government knows current No relief is in sight for Ali and his relatives. The fam- first. A pack of diapers for their daughter Talia cost 57 Sisi agreed to economic reforms under a $12 billion conditions could push people onto the streets again. ily used savings to invest in a small videogame lounge Egyptian pounds when she was born two years ago. International Monetary Fund loan package. Egypt “While I doubt the middle class will protest in large that generated some cash. But as austerity started to Now, with the new baby imminent, the price is 135 floated the pound in November 2016, and the currency numbers in the near future, their main grievance that bite last year, they had to shut down the business pounds ($7.68). “If it’s a girl, she can take Talia’s lost half its value, pushing inflation to record highs over would drive them to do so would be economic hard- because customers could no longer afford to visit. “I clothes,” said Ali. — Reuters

regulations and also makes NBK salary portal the process easier to track, reducing errors or incon- sistencies. Processing via makes paying the portal saves both time 44 African nations sign and money. The fee is KD 1 staff salaries per salary as opposed to a pact to set up free trade area KD 2 process fee using the salaries unit. easy, convenient NBK offers a variety of products and services KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait provides customers specifically designed for Faisal Al-Fulaij with the most convenient and efficient products and solu- local Small and Medium tions especially tailored to suit their personal and busi- Enterprises (SMEs) and multinationals doing business- ness banking needs. NBK’s innovative salary portal serv- es in Kuwait. ice provides a simple, easy and secure solution for busi- NBK Business Banking also offers point of sale, busi- ness owners to pay salaries and comply with all Ministry ness credit cards, online banking, insurance, business of Social Affairs and Labor reporting requirements. loans, letters of credit and guarantee and local bills. “NBK is always looking for simple and convenient Additionally, NBK has 13 dedicated Business Banking solutions to make banking easier and more efficient for hubs at branches around the country including: Head our customers,” said Faisal Al-Fulaij, Deputy Head of Office, Surra, Shuwaikh, Al-Tadamoun, Mubarak Al- Business Banking National Bank of Kuwait, “We take a Kabeer, Jabriya, Arraya Tower 2 (fifth floor), Fintas, Salwa, lot of time to know our customers’ needs and create Sharq, Al-Ghazzali, Ras Salmiya and Hawally. Specialized innovative, easy-to-use products to that end.” relationship officers are dedicated to serving the needs of The NBK Salary Portal is simple and straightforward. Business Banking clients. Clients will also have access, via Companies can transfer monthly allowances or salaries their relationship manager, with experts in Credit, each month with the click of a button from the comfort Investment Banking, Trade Finance and Treasury. of their own home or office. The salary portal processes Customers can complete all their necessary busi- the salaries and creates a record of the payments which ness banking transactions in a seamless, efficient and is then automatically reported to the Social Affairs and convenient way. Visit NBK.com to learn more about Labor Ministry. This reduces the monthly hassle for NBK’s Salary Portal service and other Business businesses to maintain compliance with government Banking products and services. KIGALI: The African Heads of States and Governments pose during African Union (AU) Summit for the agree- ment to establish the African Continental Free Trade Area in Kigali yesterday.— AFP

KIGALI: Forty-four African countries have signed agreement is not yet available, however Nigeria is a Oncost Cash & an agreement establishing a free trade area seen as notable absentee after President Muhammadu Buhari vital to the continent’s economic development, the pulled out of this week’s launch in Rwanda saying he head of the African Union said yesterday. needed more time for consultations at home. Carry to open “The agreement establishing the CFTA (African Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest markets, hesitated Continental Free Trade Area) was signed by 44 after objections from business leaders and unions-a countries,” said Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson sign that getting the deal through scores of national fourth branch of the AU commission. The creation of a free trade parliaments may face several hurdles. area-billed as the world’s largest-comes after two “Some countries have reservations and have not in Kuwait years of negotiations, and is one of the AU’s flagship finalized their national consultations. But we shall projects for greater African integration. However, the have another summit in Mauritania in July where we Saleh Al-Tunaib T.A. Remesh KUWAIT: Oncost Cash & Carry, the first wholesale agreement will still have to be ratified at a national expect countries with reservations to also sign,” membership retail store in Kuwait, is slated to open its level, and is only due to come into force in 180 days. said Albert Muchanga, the AU Commissioner for 4th outlet in the country in Shuwaikh next week. The nity to enjoy wholesale shopping in an ambiance that is The full list of countries which did not sign the Trade and Industry. — AFP new outlet will not only be the largest Oncost store in unparalleled in the wholesale market sector. Kuwait, but also the brand’s first wholesale outlet in the In early 2018, ONCOST launched its first and the Capital Governorate. only retail Membership Program that offers a cash-back will be held on 27 June and the 3rd quarterly draw for the prize Adhering to its high international standards, Oncost’s reward of up to four percent, for those who register and Six days left for of KD 500,000 will be held on 26 September. The final Al- new branch offers customers the unique ambiance of shop at Oncost Cash & Carry outlets, with registration Danah draw for KD 1 million will be held on 10 January 2019, wholesale shopping in a modern retail environment, being absolutely free. where the Al-Danah millionaire will be announced. Gulf Bank while ensuring significantly discounted prices to its cus- As part of its expansion drive, Oncost plans to open first Al-Danah encourages you to increase your chances of winning with Al- tomers. Commenting on the upcoming opening of the 4th a new branch in Farwaniya governorate in the immedi- Danah by depositing more into your Gulf Bank account using the new ePay (Self-Pay) service, which is available on Gulf Oncost outlet, the company’s CEO Saleh Al-Tunaib said, ate future, with more branches slated to open shortly in the Hawally and Jahra governorates. The expansion Bank’s online and mobile banking. “Keeping our customers as a priority, we made the deci- quarterly draw Al-Danah also offers many unique services including the sion to open our largest branch in the Capital is in line with the company’s strategy of extending its reach across Kuwait, while providing affordable prices Al-Danah Deposit Only ATM card, which helps account hold- Governorate so they can benefit from the Oncost con- ers deposit their money at their convenience, as well as the to customers in all governorates. Oncost Cash & Carry, KUWAIT: Gulf Bank announced that the first quarterly Al- cept of wholesale prices, quality, and variety.”The COO Danah draw, for a cash prize of KD 200,000, will be held on Al-Danah calculator to help customers calculate their chances of Oncost, T.A. Remesh, added “the voluminous area of established in 2011, opened its first branch in Sulaibiya, of becoming an Al-Danah winner. within the central fruits and vegetables market. Its suc- 28 March 2018 and will be aired live on the “Diwaniyat Al- the new store and its easy accessibility from surrounding Yaqout and Al-Ansari” program on Kuwait Pulse (88.8 FM) at Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah account is open to Kuwaiti and non- areas will provide a convenient shopping environment to cess led to the opening of second and third outlets in 1.30pm. The Al-Danah draw, which celebrated its tenth Kuwaiti residents of Kuwait. Customers require a minimum of families, while also catering to discerning shoppers who Hawally and Fahaheel respectively in 2016. anniversary of the KD 1 million grand prize earlier this year, is KD 200 to open an account and the same amount must be are both quality and price conscious”. The outlet will pro- In January 2017, ONCOST entered the online shop- internationally recognized by the Guinness Book of World maintained for customers to be eligible for the upcoming Al- ping market with the launch of its online store. The Records as the acclaimed largest prize linked to a bank Danah draws. If the customer’s account balance falls below vide shoppers with an amazing variety of products at the easily accessible and interactive Oncost website allows KD 200 at any given time, a KD 2 charge will be made month- best value-for-money prices all under one-roof. account in the world. The grand prize of this internationally shoppers to browse and pick from a vast inventory of renowned draw was claimed last year by the draw’s youngest ly to the account until the minimum balance is met. Customers Wholesale shopping in a retail environment is a new and products, and to have their selections delivered winner, 11-year old Obaid Saad Al-Rashidi. who open an account and/ or deposit more will enter the daily unique model that provides customers with the opportu- straight to the shoppers’ homes at no extra charge. Al-Danah’s 2nd quarterly draw for the prize of KD 250,000 draw within two days. 22 Established 1961 Technology Thursday, March 22, 2018 Microsoft offers useful insights to Kuwaiti cyber-security pros at executive Summit Renowned experts gather to discuss cyber security trends and best practices

KUWAIT: Microsoft yesterday hosted the third A live survey of Kuwait-based PCs, conduct- tinue to strengthen those capabilities on behalf edition of its popular CISO Executive Series in ed by Microsoft in the first quarter of 2017, of our customers, as we progress with forums Kuwait, where industry experts and Chief revealed that 12.9% of computers experienced like The CISO Executive Series, where security Information Security Officers gathered to share malware of some kind, compared with a world- professionals can hear from seasoned White Hat and discuss current trends in cybersecurity. The wide average of about 7.8%. Another research experts and likeminded CISOs.” event, held at the Radisson Blu hotel in Kuwait conducted by Microsoft among Chief Along with Microsoft’s security experts, oth- City, was titled “Insights for the Progressive Information Security Officers in the Gulf region er industry leaders also addressed attendees at CISO”, and allowed the region’s security profes- in 2017, revealed that 60% of regional organiza- the event. Megha Kumar, Research Director at sionals to engage in candid exchanges with tions still use usernames and passwords to IDC, presented “The Evolving Security some of the world’s most renowned experts, in a authenticate users to corporate networks. Only Landscape’. “There are malicious parties out day of insights, networking and learning. 30% use two-factor authentication (2FA) - the there that seemingly never sleep; so CISOs need Microsoft released the 23rd edition of its combination of username-password with SMS to take a 24-7, 360-degree view of cyber secu- Security Intelligence Report, a bi-annual publi- or some other form of mobile notification. About rity. The challenge has always been to find a cation that the company creates for customers, 5% said they used facial recognition. workable middle ground between the rigidity of partners, and the industry to educate organiza- IT policy and the flexibility needed to be an tions about the current state of threats, recom- ‘The intelligent cloud’ agile, digital business,” said Megha. mended best practices, and solutions. The analy- Dr Erdal Ozkaya, Cybersecurity Architect at The Microsoft Gulf CISO survey also sis on threat intelligence gathered from a global Microsoft, spoke on the pressing need for revealed that 24% of CISOs said their users had customer base across 100+ countries and mil- “Intelligent Security”, as GCC CISOs continue clicked on links within emails and discovered lions of computers revealed three important to battle against increasingly sophisticated they led to websites of unknown origin. Only trends in 2017. First, the impact of Botnets, and threats. “An alarming number of regional organi- 21% reported having a data-classification solu- how they continue to impact millions of comput- zations are still using outdated strategies and tion in place, with almost half (47%) saying they then you need to consider what happens next. confident that the Microsoft cloud is a safe ers globally, infecting them with old and new authentication models, even as international were still in the process of acquisition and 32% What do you do? Who do you call? How do you home. The Azure cloud platform is built from the forms of malware. The second most notable headlines continue to illustrate the intensity of saying they had yet to make progress. get back on your feet? Never forget that busi- ground up with industry-leading, AI-driven pro- trend was low-cost attack methods being used the ongoing battles against bad actors,” said “Cyber strategies need to be holistic,” said ness continuity is as important as the protection tection built into every layer. Data is encrypted by Hackers for potentially higher returns. Third Ozkaya. “The good news is that the intelligent Mohammed Arif, Regional Director, Modern of intellectual property.” at rest and in transit, and 24-hour event-remedi- and still trending was Ransomware, which is still cloud is armed with weapons that can match the Workplace and Security, Microsoft Gulf. “You Microsoft invests around US$ 1 billion annu- ation services are provided by a dedicated team does not seem to be slowing down. sophistication of the attacks. Microsoft will con- need to consider that you will be breached. And ally in cyber security, so that customers can be of experts.

and jewelry that can be shipped for free or cheaply within India, are especially appealing In India, digital to young Indians. In the past, even those with US ban. The US allegations were the “trig- Europe and the United States but did not an enduring affinity for gold have needed to ger” for setting up the Swiss data center, provide details. The new Swiss facility is wait until they have saved enough to build gold sellers hope Kaspersky Lab said the person familiar with Kapersky’s dubbed the Swiss Transparency Centre, holdings. Joe Jacob, a 29-year-old entrepre- Switzerland plans, but not the only factor. according to the documents. neur in the southern city of Bengaluru, “The world is changing,” they said, speaking recently bought 5 rupees (8 cents) worth of plans Swiss trickle will on condition of anonymity when discussing Data review digital gold as a “trial investment.” “Physical internal company business. “There is more Work in Switzerland is due to begin gold is a hassle in terms of storage, and I don’t balkanisation and protectionism.” “within weeks” and be completed by early become a rush wear gold, but understand it is an asset to data center The person declined to provide further 2020, said the person with knowledge of the hold. Digital gold is better than storing the MUMBAI: A digital revolution is reshaping MOSCOW/TORONTO: Moscow-based details on the new project, but added: “This matter. The plans have been approved by actual metal at home, worrying about its safe- India’s $34 billion gold market, with smart- Kaspersky Lab plans to open a data center is not just a PR stunt. We are really changing Kaspersky Lab CEO and founder Eugene ty,” he said. Security experts said that phones, e-wallets and flexible investment in Switzerland to address Western govern- our R&D infrastructure.” A Kaspersky Kaspersky, who owns a majority of the pri- because the gold, guaranteed to physically schemes drawing new buyers into a business ment concerns that Russia exploits its anti- spokeswoman declined to comment on the vately held company, and will be announced exist in an MMTC PAMP vault, was insured, dominated by traditional, face-to-face trans- virus software to spy on customers, accord- documents reviewed by Reuters. In a state- publicly in the coming months, according to there was little risk of fraudulent sales. And actions. Digital payment systems have bal- ing to internal documents seen by Reuters. ment, Kaspersky Lab said: “To further deliv- the source. “Eugene is upset. He would digital wallet providers expect interest to looned in popularity in India since the gov- Kaspersky is setting up the center in er on the promises of our Global rather spend the money elsewhere. But he grow. Paytm leads the crowded e-wallet ernment scrapped large-value bank notes in response to actions in the United States, Transparency Initiative, we are finalising knows this is necessary,” the person said. It space in India and announced two new gold 2016. Among these offerings are applications Britain and Lithuania last year to stop using plans for the opening of the company’s first is possible the move could be derailed by the gift and savings plans this month after launch- that enable smartphone users to buy, sell or the company’s products, according to the transparency center this year, which will be Russian security services, who might resist ing its first digital gold product in April 2017. store gold - even in small amounts - kept in documents, which were confirmed by a per- located in Europe.” moving the data centre outside of their juris- The company, backed by Japan’s SoftBank secured vaults operated by MMTC-PAMP son with direct knowledge of the matter. “We understand that during a time of diction, people familiar with Kaspersky and Group and China’s Alibaba, sources its 24- India Pvt Ltd, a joint venture between MMTC The action is the latest effort by geopolitical tension, mirrored by an increas- its relations with the government said. carat gold from MMTC PAMP. Ltd, the largest national trading firm, and Kaspersky, a global leader in anti-virus soft- ingly complex cyber-threat landscape, peo- Western security officials said Russia’s FSB “There is no ‘season’ for this product; it is Swiss gold refiner PAMP. Although online ware, to parry accusations by the US gov- ple may have questions and we want to Federal Security Service, successor to the running twenty-four seven. Sitting in their ernment and others that the company spies address them.” Kaspersky Lab launched a Soviet-era KGB, exerts influence over gold purchases have been growing globally offices, homes or wherever they want, they for years, they are a relatively recent phenom- on customers at the behest of Russian intel- campaign in October to dispel concerns Kaspersky management decisions, though can easily access, buy sell or redeem,” said ligence. The US last year ordered civilian enon in India, where jewelry and bars of the Gaurav Singh, deputy general manager of about possible collusion with the Russian the company has repeatedly denied those precious metal tend to be kept in hand and government agencies to remove the government by promising to let independent allegations. The Swiss centre will collect and marketing at MMTC PAMP. Gold trading tra- Kaspersky software from their networks. given as gifts. ditionally peaks around festival and wedding experts scrutinize its software for security analyze files identified as suspicious on the “In India, the action is really starting now. vulnerabilities and “back doors” that govern- computers of tens of millions of Kaspersky seasons, experts say. But Singh added that ‘The world is changing’ The digitization of the economy will certainly because digital gold lowers the minimum ments could exploit to spy on its customers. customers in the United States and lead to digitization of gold,” said Kaspersky has strongly rejected the The company also said at the time that it European Union, according to the docu- price needed to buy gold - from about 3,000 accusations and filed a lawsuit against the Somasundaram PR, managing director of rupees previously, enough to buy roughly 1 would open “transparency centres” in Asia, ments reviewed by Reuters. — Reuters World Gold Council’s (WGC) India opera- gram of gold at current prices - and boosts tions. “It is poised for significant growth, pos- market transparency via live pricing, there has sibly in the next 12-24 months.” The WGC been a rise in the frequency of gold purchases estimated total Indian gold demand at 727 at other times of the year. tons in 2017, and could be up to 800 tons in Nitin Misra, senior vice president at Paytm Made in China: 2018. In China, the top consumer, 2017 confirmed a similar trend, noting “about 40 demand was 953.3 tons. percent of sales” happen during the “off-sea- It is difficult to gauge how many new buy- son” for buying gold in India. He said more How the iPhone ers are entering the market because of online than half of the company’s users were repeat access. The digital payments firm Paytm said customers, and 70 percent were younger than that in the first six months after it began offer- 35. As of December 2017, about 1.4 million of skews US ing digital gold last April, it facilitated about its customers held some gold balance in their $18.4 million worth of sales - a tiny fraction of e-accounts. “We have stumbled upon a brand trade deficit the Indian gold market. With the vast majority new segment,” he said of younger users buy- of purchases made in the traditional way, ing gold. “What we have done, is not canni- SHANGHAI: US President Donald Trump demand for physical gold isn’t abating, “espe- balize the existing market, but grown it.” often tweets from his iPhone about pressuring cially when physical gold plays an important The company said last year it planned to China to address its $375 billion trade surplus role at Indian weddings,” said Naeem Aslam, sell $200 million worth of gold in the 2017 fis- with the United States. But a closer look at the chief market analyst at Think Markets UK Ltd. cal year, which ended March 1. But its report- Apple smartphone reveals how the headline ed sales in 2017 appeared to be headed far figure is distorted. The big trade imbalance - Newly attractive short of that number. Its rival e-wallet at the heart of a potential trade war, with Besides convenience, Indian consumers are provider PhonePe was upbeat. “The gold con- Trump expected to impose tariffs on Chinese attracted to competitive pricing and ability to sumption market is expected to grow by 35 imports this week - exists in large part make purchases in tiny increments. Gold- percent from 2015 to 2020, and customers because of electrical goods and tech, the based financial offerings, including Gold are exploring digital options for purchase,” it biggest US import item from China. Accumulation Plans (GAPs), allow users to said in an emailed statement. For Bangalore- Apple Inc’s iPhone, however, illustrates buy and store gold in fractions as small as 0.1 based P Vinoth, a logistics consultant who still how a big portion of that imbalance is due to household goods the US imported from China. intellectual property value Apple adds grams - an amount that would be an uneco- prefers buying ornaments and jewelry from imports of American-branded products - “With an iPhone, where China is just the through engineering and design work done in nomical to trade physically because of the retail stores, e-wallets now offer an alterna- many of which use global suppliers for parts final assembler, most of the value (contributed its headquarters in Cupertino, Calif., as well as associated handling costs. tive. “For long term, I previously invested in but are put together in China and shipped by China) is just the labour rather than the margins taken by distributors. These accumulation plans, along with exchange-traded funds. Now I am using around the world. Take a look at the iPhone X. components themselves,” said John Wu, an The iPhone X has a manufacturing cost of gold-backed bonds and websites selling coins Paytm gold,” he said. — AFP IHS Markit estimates its components cost a economic analyst with a US-based think tank, about $400, an $800 wholesale cost, and a total of $370.25. Of that, $110 goes to the Information & Innovation Foundation. $1,200 retail unsubsidised cost, according to Samsung Electronics in South Korea for sup- Louis Kuijs, head of Asia economics research analysts. Siri, Apple’s “digital assistant,” plying displays. Another $44.45 goes to at Oxford Economics, notes that US compa- reflects the challenge of knowing exactly Japan’s Toshiba Corp and South Korea’s SK nies’ using global supply chains to manufac- where the value of an iPhone comes from - Hynix for memory chips. ture products in China means other even if it’s put together in China. If users ask Other suppliers from Taiwan, the United economies would be caught in the crossfire of Siri where she is from, the response is: “Like it States and Europe also take their portion, a trade war. says on the box... I was designed by Apple in while assembly, done by contract manufactur- “That is an important reason why US- California.” The closely intertwined manufac- ers in China like Foxconn, represents only an China trade friction will cause ‘collateral dam- turing ecosystem has led to warnings that a estimated 3 to 6 percent of the manufacturing age,’ especially in other Asian economies,” he trade war would be painful for all sides. Forty- cost. Current trade statistics, however, count said, adding that in value added terms, the US five US trade associations representing some most of the manufacturing cost in China’s trade deficit with China was only $239 billion of the largest US companies urged the presi- export numbers, which has prompted global last year, 36 percent lower than the headline dent on Sunday not to impose tariffs on China, bodies like the World Trade Organization to number. For its part, Apple has responded to warning it would be “particularly harmful” to consider alternative calculations that include Trump’s concerns with a pledge to bring some the US economy and consumers. Retailers and where value is added. The impact on export suppliers to the United States. It said in shoemakers, including Wal-Mart Inc and Nike data of just the iPhone could be major. January it planned to pay $55 billion to US Inc, also sounded the alarm on Monday over suppliers this year. concerns the plans would result in higher con- ‘Final assembler’ sumer prices. A 10 percent tariff levied on Apple shipped 61 million iPhones to the Designed in California Chinese electronics imports would slow the United States last year, data from researchers Over the last decade, Apple shipped 373 growth of US output by $163 billion over the Counterpoint and IHS Markit show, spending million iPhones, worth $101 billion by manu- next 10 years, and a 25 percent tariff would $258 on average to make each iPhone 7 and 7 facturing value, in the United States, accord- slow output by $332 billion, according to the Plus. Using a rough calculation, that implies ing to researcher StrategyAnalytics. The Information Technology & Innovation the iPhone 7 series added $15.7 billion to the iPhone’s contribution to US trade deficits is Foundation. Kuijs wrote that both sides would US trade deficit with China last year, about 4.4 almost certain to have grown sharply along- likely show restraint. All-out economic war, MUMBAI: A salesperson attends to a customer (not pictured) inside a jewelry percent of the total. That’s also about 22 per- side higher retail prices and shipments. But he added, “would cause major economic dam- showroom, during Akshaya Tritiya, a major gold-buying festival. cent of the $70 billion in cell phones and the manufacturing value does not include the age globally.” — Reuters Established 1961 23 Health Thursday, March 22, 2018 Mishref Co-Op Society launches the Health and Beauty Festival

Nasser Maarafi: We strive to provide the best quality products

KUWAIT: Mishref Co-Operative Society inaugurat- and cleansing, free consultancy from beauty experts, ed the Health and Beauty Festival in the presence of special offers and discounts on the biggest collection the Board Member and Chairman of Finance and of brands and medical products.” Administration Committee, the Co-Op and He went on to say, “We are keen to choose the Pharmacy Team, Mr Nasser Maarafi and the best quality products, best prices and the latest Secretary Mr Waleed Rashdan. offerings in the market, in cooperation with The launch ceremony took place in the presence renowned companies, which we consider as key of VIP guests and media delegates, where attendees partners in our success, and our executive manage- enjoyed various offers on renowned international ment that has constant strive to develop and provide brands, as well as 50% discount on a wide range of the best marketing services throughout the year” cosmetics brands, medical products and appliances, Maarafi stated. “We attempt to provide the best other than skin care, health and children products. quality, lowest prices and special offers that generate Not forgetting the food supplements and many better value to our shareholders.” more that satisfy the needs of every family member. He pointed out that the Board of Directors is The festival runs till end of March giving the oppor- planning to organize ongoing activities, festivals and tunity to everyone to benefit from the amazing promotions that play an integral role in improving offers and surprises. sales and customer service as well as adding value to On this occasion, Mr Nasser Maarafi said “This shareholders and Mishref residents. He concluded by year we will be planning and releasing various offers saying that Mishref Co-Op will always be a role in the Co-Op, as well many promotions and dis- model in delivering service excellence and not-to- counts on products and goods”. He added “The miss promotions, in addition to other social initia- Health and Beauty Festival in Mishref Co-Op phar- tives like the distribution of monthly food baskets at macy is one of these initiatives that we are proud to affordable prices, and the allocation of surplus prof- introduce to shoppers as they can benefit from the its to enrich the marketing plan and support various amazing offers; including but not limited to, skin care promotions and offers. 24 Established 1961 What’s On Thursday, March 22, 2018 TEC holds viewings of ‘The Golden Age’ for students with disabilities

he Touristic Enterprises Company (TEC) The Golden Age Circus is a contemporary cir- ing the final few weeks of the show with a special create a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience. held two exclusive viewings of The Golden cus spectacle created exclusively for the people 30% off on all tickets prices. The show includes more than a dozen international TAge Circus, for a special audience com- of Kuwait, developed in partnership with the A unique and artistic circus show, The Golden circus performance acts, from clowns and acro- prised of young students and children with disabil- internationally renowned Cirque Madona Age Circus seamlessly blends together the classi- bats, to stunt bikers and various equestrian dis- ities on March 14 and 15. The shows included more Bouglione and currently taking place at cal arts of the traditional circus with innovative, plays, featuring a team of more than 75 artists and than 1,000 students from more than 12 schools Entertainment City in Doha. With the final show modern acts - combining acrobatics, music, dance, crew members from more than ten countries from across Kuwait. set to take place on March 31st, TEC is celebrat- drama, comedy, horse shows, and much more to around the world.

Al-Islamiya in the scientific experiments McDonald’s Science program held on Saturday, March 17, 2018. In this regard, TSC manager, Rana celebrates moms program held at Al-Naibari stressed that cooperation with Dar Al-Athar reinforces the center’s role in simplifying sciences and spread- at Avenues Mall Scientific Center ing environmental awareness in a most joyful manner. She added that the pro- gram included several activities and his Mother’s Day, McDonald’s Kuwait he Scientific Center, an affiliate of workshops for children. Notably, TSC celebrated the most important person Kuwait Foundation for the visitors can check various programs and Tin every family with some great family TAdvancement of Science (KISR) activities schedule by visiting its website fun, as the company took part in the 6th Love recently cooperated with Dar Al-Athar at: www.tsc.org.kw. Your Mum Festival, which was held at the Avenues Mall from March 15-17. Over the course of the three days, McDonald’s was present at the festival with an interactive booth, that featured a diverse program of crowd-pleasing games, activities and compe- titions for kids, mothers and the whole family. Additionally, there was a special activation that took place at the booth featuring the innovative and highly engaging Happy Studio dren throughout the festival. activity, we wanted to bring the whole family app from McDonald’s. “At McDonald’s we have always celebrated together to pay tribute to mothers, giving Moreover, McDonald’s gave children the families and the importance of feel good fam- children especially the chance to thank their opportunity to get creative and showcase ily moments- and mothers are undoubtedly mothers with small tokens of love and appre- their love for their mothers with a beautiful, the heart and soul of every family, and the ciation. Our goal is to always draw smiles on personalized gift: a customized mug that they biggest source of those feel good moments,” people’s faces - and I can’t think of anything can craft themselves at the booth. There were said Sherif Coutry, Marketing Director at better to make people smile than celebrating also giveaways and special prizes for the chil- McDonald’s Kuwait. “With this fun, family the joy of motherly love,” concluded Coutry.

KIB sponsors the 6th Ideal Mother Award

KUWAIT: For the fourth consecutive year, Kuwait International Bank (KIB) announced its sponsorship of the 6th Ideal Mother Award honoring mothers of disabled children. The award is organized annually by Al-Kharafi Activity Kids Center, under the patronage of the President of the Kuwait Foundation for Disabled Children, Sabeeka Al-Jasser. Awards will be presented on April 7, honoring the hard work and dedication of mothers of chil- dren with mental disabilities. A press conference was recently held to announce the winners of this year’s award, with winners from Kuwait, the GCC and the Arab region. The press conference was attended by the Secretary General and the President of the organizing committee for the Ideal Mother Award, as well as a diverse group of participating parties and sponsors. On this occasion, Fahad Al-Sarhan, Team leader of the Corporate Communications Unit at the Bank, commended all mothers on the occasion of Mother’s Day and also congratu- lated the winners of the 6th Ideal Mother Award. He continued by saying: “We believe in the importance of this award, which recog- nizes the pivotal role parents play in the lives of children with mental disabilities. This is especially true of mothers, who not only nur- ture their children but also push them to overcome their disabilities, helping them channel these very disabilities into positive action for the benefit of themselves and their community. For that reason, KIB continues to lend its support to this event every year, reflecting the Bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting persons with disabilities in the local community.” Sarhan also pointed out that this sponsor- ship came as part of KIB’s strategy to support people with disabilities. Accordingly, the Bank of customers with special needs, including an award, wishing all parties involved success n collaboration with the History Department at Kuwait University, the has recently redesigned six of its branches in those who are visually impaired and deaf. in their ongoing efforts. He also noted that Department of Antiquities and Museums recently started excavating the order to provide for more easily accessible At the end of his statement, Sarhan lauded KIB will continue to be a supporter of their Khairan area. banking services that accommodate the needs the efforts of all organizers of this humanitari- various impactful activities and initiatives. I Established 1961 25 TV Thursday, March 22, 2018

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News 04:00 Miracle Hospital 08:43 Blaze And The Monster 11:10 Chloe And Theo 17:10 Shanghai Noon 03:55 Henry Hugglemonster 20:00 Keeping Up With The 05:00 Engineering Connections Machines 12:35 Mothers And Daughters 19:00 Mission: Impossible - Rogue 04:10 Art Attack Kardashians 06:00 Ultimate Survival Alaska 09:04 Paw Patrol 14:10 Bicentennial Man Nation 00:30 Kids Do The Craziest Things 04:35 Loopdidoo 21:00 Keeping Up With The 07:00 Science Of Stupid 09:27 Shimmer And Shine 16:30 Dreamgirls 21:10 The Rock 00:55 Kids Do The Craziest Things 04:50 Calimero Kardashians Compilations 09:49 Nella The Princess Knight 18:40 We Bought A Zoo 23:30 Ben-Hur 01:20 The Know It All Guide To... 05:05 Art Attack 22:00 Keeping Up With The 07:30 Science Of Stupid 10:10 The Day Henry Met 20:45 Due Date 01:45 Outrageous Acts Of Psych 05:30 Henry Hugglemonster Kardashians Compilations 10:15 The Day Henry Met 22:25 Taxi Driver 02:10 The Quick And The Curious 05:45 Henry Hugglemonster 23:00 E! News Middle East 08:00 Fish Tank Kings 10:21 Paw Patrol 02:35 The Quick And The Curious 06:00 Art Attack 23:15 WAGs Atlanta 09:00 Engineering Connections 10:44 Rusty Rivets 03:00 Nextworld 06:30 Henry Hugglemonster 10:00 Hitler’s Death Squad 11:08 Wallykazam! 03:50 Ultimate Survival 06:45 Loopdidoo 11:00 Apocalypse: The Second 11:31 Bubble Guppies 00:50 Untamed & Uncut 04:40 Tanked 07:00 Henry Hugglemonster World War 11:54 Team Umizoomi 01:45 The Jeff Corwin Experience 05:30 How It’s Made 07:15 Calimero 12:00 Dog Whisperer 12:17 Kid-E-Cats 00:40 Mythbusters 02:40 My Tiny Terror 05:55 How It’s Made 07:30 PJ Masks 13:00 The Power Of Clean Water 12:22 Shimmer And Shine 01:30 How Do They Do It? 03:35 Predator’s Prey 06:20 Kids Do The Craziest Things 08:00 Trulli Tales 00:10 Who’s Doing The Dishes? 14:00 Fish Tank Kings 12:45 Sunny Day 01:55 Food Factory 04:00 Predator’s Prey 06:40 Kids Do The Craziest Things 08:30 Jungle Junction 01:00 Emmerdale 15:00 Science Of Stupid 13:07 Max & Ruby 02:20 Secrets Of The Underground 04:25 Pet Nation Renovation 07:00 Ultimate Survival 08:50 Handy Manny 01:30 Coronation Street Compilations 13:29 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom 03:10 Redesign My Brain 05:15 The Pool Master 07:50 How It’s Made 09:10 PJ Masks 02:30 The Chase 15:30 Science Of Stupid 13:40 Kiva Can Do! 04:00 How We Invented The World 06:02 Wildest Indochina 08:15 How It’s Made 09:30 Vampirina 03:25 Victoria Compilations 13:51 The Day Henry Met 04:48 Mythbusters 06:49 Untamed & Uncut 08:40 Kids Do The Craziest Things 10:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 04:20 Broadchurch 16:00 Hitler’s Last Year 13:57 Blaze And The Monster 05:36 How Do They Do It? 07:36 Escape To Chimp Eden 09:05 Kids Do The Craziest Things 10:30 Mickey And The Roadster 05:15 Don’t Tell The Bride 17:00 Apocalypse: The Second Machines 06:00 Food Factory 08:00 Escape To Chimp Eden 09:30 Tanked Racers 06:15 Who’s Doing The Dishes? World War 14:19 Blaze And The Monster 06:24 Secrets Of The Underground 08:25 Predator’s Prey 10:20 Nextworld 11:00 Puppy Dog Pals 07:10 The Chase 18:00 Chain Of Command Machines 07:12 Redesign My Brain 08:50 Predator’s Prey 11:10 Strip The Cosmos 11:30 Puppy Dog Pals 08:05 Victoria 19:00 Science Of Stupid 14:41 Paw Patrol 08:00 How Do They Do It? 09:15 The Jeff Corwin Experience 12:00 Man v The Universe 12:00 The Lion Guard 09:00 Broadchurch Compilations 14:53 Kid-E-Cats 08:26 How We Invented The World 10:10 My Tiny Terror 12:50 How It’s Made 12:30 The Lion Guard 09:55 Don’t Tell The Bride 19:30 Science Of Stupid 14:58 Kid-E-Cats 09:14 Mythbusters 11:05 Wildest Indochina 13:15 How It’s Made 13:00 Sofia The First 11:00 Who’s Doing The Dishes? Compilations 15:03 Shimmer And Shine 10:02 Redesign My Brain 12:00 Predator’s Prey 13:40 Kids Do The Craziest Things 13:30 Sofia The First 11:50 The Chase 20:00 Hitler’s Last Year 15:24 Nella The Princess Knight 10:50 How Do They Do It? 12:28 Predator’s Prey 14:05 Kids Do The Craziest Things 14:00 PJ Masks 12:45 Emmerdale 20:50 Apocalypse: The Second 15:36 Paw Patrol 11:14 Food Factory 12:55 Pet Nation Renovation 14:30 Tanked 14:30 PJ Masks 13:15 Coronation Street World War 15:59 The Day Henry Met 11:38 Secrets Of The Underground 13:50 The Pool Master 15:20 Ultimate Survival 15:00 P-King Duckling 14:15 Who’s Doing The Dishes? 21:40 Chain Of Command 16:05 Max & Ruby 12:26 How We Invented The World 14:45 My Tiny Terror 16:10 Nextworld 15:30 Tangled 15:10 The Chase 22:30 Science Of Stupid 16:27 Dora The Explorer 13:14 Mythbusters 15:40 Wildest Indochina 17:00 Space Dealers 16:00 Sofia The First 16:00 Cannonball Compilations 16:51 Sunny Day 14:02 How Do They Do It? 16:35 Untamed & Uncut 17:50 Secret Space Escapes 16:30 Elena Of Avalor 16:55 The Jonathan Ross Show 22:55 Science Of Stupid 17:12 Nella The Princess Knight 14:26 Food Factory 17:30 O’shea’s Big Adventure 18:40 Kids Do The Craziest Things 17:00 PJ Masks 17:50 Don’t Tell The Bride Compilations 17:34 Shimmer And Shine 14:50 Redesign My Brain 18:25 Whale Wars 19:30 How It’s Made 17:30 Mission Force One 18:50 Emmerdale 23:20 Fish Tank Kings 17:57 Wallykazam! 15:38 How We Invented The World 19:20 North Woods Law 20:20 Tanked 18:00 The Lion Guard 19:15 Coronation Street 18:21 Zack & Quack 16:26 Secrets Of The Underground 20:15 Bad Dog 21:10 Space Dealers 18:30 Puppy Dog Pals 19:45 Coronation Street 18:32 The Day Henry Met 17:14 Mythbusters 21:10 Predator’s Prey 22:00 Secret Space Escapes 19:00 Trulli Tales 20:10 The Chase 18:38 Blaze And The Monster 18:02 Redesign My Brain 21:38 Predator’s Prey 22:50 Nextworld 19:30 Mickey And The Roadster 21:00 Cannonball Machines 18:50 How We Invented The World 22:05 Whale Wars 23:40 Ultimate Survival Racers 21:55 The Jonathan Ross Show 19:00 Rusty Rivets 19:40 Mythbusters 23:00 North Woods Law 20:00 Sofia The First 22:50 Emmerdale 19:13 Paw Patrol 20:30 Street Science 23:55 Wildest Indochina 20:30 The Lion Guard 23:15 Coronation Street 19:37 Dora The Explorer 20:55 Street Science 21:00 Vampirina 23:40 Coronation Street 00:20 Night Of The Lion 20:00 Nella The Princess Knight 21:20 How Do They Do It? 21:30 PJ Masks 01:10 Monster Fish 20:21 Kiva Can Do! 21:45 Food Factory 22:00 Trulli Tales 02:00 When Crocs Ate Dinosaurs 20:32 Kiva Can Do! 22:10 Redesign My Brain 22:30 Tangled 02:50 Monster Croc Wrangler 20:43 Blaze And The Monster 23:00 Street Science 00:50 True Conviction 23:00 Sofia The First 03:15 Monster Croc Wrangler Machines 23:25 Street Science 00:40 The Durrells 01:45 House Of Horrors: Kidnapped 23:30 Elena Of Avalor 03:45 World’s Weirdest: Animal 21:04 Paw Patrol 23:50 How We Invented The World 01:30 Death In Paradise 02:40 Evil Lives Here 00:00 Dogfights Taboo 21:28 Shimmer And Shine 02:25 Our Girl 03:35 Married With Secrets 01:00 Cities Of The Underworld 04:40 Building Penguin Paradise 21:50 Nella The Princess Knight 03:20 The Durrells 04:30 True Conviction 02:00 Brad Meltzer’s Lost History 05:35 When Crocs Ate Dinosaurs 22:11 The Day Henry Met 04:10 Holby City 05:25 Swamp Murders 03:00 The Universe 06:30 Monster Croc Wrangler 22:16 The Day Henry Met 05:10 Doctor Who 06:20 I Almost Got Away With It 03:50 Ancient Aliens 06:55 Monster Croc Wrangler 22:21 Paw Patrol 06:00 Doctors 07:10 Blood Relatives 04:40 Pirate Treasure Of The 07:25 World’s Weirdest: Animal 22:45 Rusty Rivets 01:20 Pink 06:30 EastEnders 08:00 California Investigator 00:15 Alaskan Bush People Knights Templar Taboo 23:08 Wallykazam! 03:00 Pink 07:00 Doctor Who 08:25 Deadline: Crime With Tamron 01:05 Gold Rush 05:30 Dogfights 08:20 Building Penguin Paradise 23:32 Bubble Guppies 03:55 Koffee With Karan 07:50 Doctors Hall 02:35 Junkyard Empire 06:20 Smartest Guy In The Room 09:15 America The Beautiful 23:55 Team Umizoomi 05:00 Koffee With Karan 09:20 EastEnders 09:15 Swamp Murders 03:20 Extreme Engineering 06:45 Smartest Guy In The Room 10:10 Wild Case Files 06:05 Hum Tum Shabana 09:50 EastEnders 10:10 Blood Relatives 04:05 Flying Wild Alaska 07:10 The Universe 11:05 Dr. K’s Exotic Animal ER 08:25 Life Mein Kabhie Kabhiee 10:20 Death In Paradise 11:05 The Perfect Murder 04:50 Dirty Jobs 08:00 Cities Of The Underworld 12:00 Manta Mystery 11:05 Om Jai Jagadish 11:15 Doctor Who 12:00 The Perfect Murder 05:35 How Do They Do It? 09:00 Brad Meltzer’s Lost History 12:55 Man V. Lion 14:20 Ghazab 12:05 Stella 12:55 Deadline: Crime With Tamron 06:00 The Caravan Show 10:00 The Universe 13:50 Monster Croc Wrangler 01:00 Planes 17:15 Bol Bachchan 12:55 Doctors Hall 06:23 Chaos Caught On Camera 11:00 Ancient Aliens 14:15 Wonderfully Weird 03:00 The Sorcerer’s Apprentice 20:00 Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne 14:25 EastEnders 13:50 I Almost Got Away With It 06:45 How Do They Do It? 12:00 Pirate Treasure Of The 14:45 World’s Weirdest Pets 05:00 Toy Story 3 Lage 14:55 EastEnders 14:45 Blood Relatives 07:10 How Do They Do It? Knights Templar 15:40 Baby Animals In The Wild 07:00 Alice Through The Looking 23:10 Ekk Deewana Tha 15:25 Death In Paradise 15:40 The Perfect Murder 07:35 Flying Wild Alaska 13:00 Dogfights 16:35 America The Beautiful Glass 16:20 Doctor Who 16:35 Blood Relatives 08:20 The Caravan Show 14:00 Cities Of The Underworld 17:30 Wild Case Files 09:00 Planes 17:10 Stella 17:30 Deadline: Crime With Tamron 08:45 Chaos Caught On Camera 15:00 Brad Meltzer’s Lost History 18:25 Dr. K’s Exotic Animal ER 11:00 The Sorcerer’s Apprentice 18:00 Doctors Hall 09:10 Dirty Jobs 16:00 The Universe 19:20 World’s Weirdest Pets 13:00 Beauty And The Beast 18:30 EastEnders 18:25 Swamp Murders 09:55 Gold Rush 17:00 Ancient Aliens 20:10 Baby Animals In The Wild 15:00 The Parent Trap 19:00 Death In Paradise 19:20 I Almost Got Away With It 11:30 Junkyard Empire 18:00 Pirate Treasure Of The 21:00 America The Beautiful 17:30 101 Dalmatians 2 01:30 Tadpole 20:00 Hold The Sunset 20:15 Blood Relatives 12:20 The Caravan Show Knights Templar 21:50 Wild Case Files 19:15 High School Musical 3: Senior 03:00 The Upside Of Anger 20:30 Mum 21:10 Obsession: Dark Desires 12:43 Chaos Caught On Camera 19:00 Cities Of The Underworld 22:40 Dr. K’s Exotic Animal ER Year 05:00 Heartbreakers 21:00 Holby City 22:05 I Am Homicide 13:05 How Do They Do It? 20:00 Brad Meltzer’s Lost History 23:30 Manta Mystery 21:15 Beauty And The Beast 07:00 Adventureland 22:00 Death In Paradise 23:00 The Perfect Suspect 13:30 How Do They Do It? 21:00 The Universe 23:15 The Parent Trap 08:45 Her 23:00 Doctors 23:55 Murder Book 13:55 Dirty Jobs 22:00 Ancient Aliens 11:00 Gangs Of New York 23:30 EastEnders 14:40 Alaskan Bush People 23:00 Clash Of The Gods 13:45 Hesher 15:30 Gold Rush 15:30 Tadpole 17:05 Junkyard Empire 16:45 The Singing Detective 17:50 Flying Wild Alaska 00:12 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 00:00 DC’s Legends Of Tomorrow 18:30 On The Line 18:40 Dirty Jobs 00:36 Rabbids Invasion 00:55 Secret City 20:00 All Good Things 19:25 Alaskan Bush People 01:00 Rabbids Invasion 01:50 Claws 21:45 Frank 00:10 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 20:15 Extreme Engineering 01:24 Sanjay And Craig 02:40 The Voice 23:30 Terminus 00:00 Homicide Hunter Witch 21:00 Impossible Engineering 00:20 Swamp People 01:48 Sanjay And Craig 03:30 Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D 01:00 Psychic Kids 00:35 Binny And The Ghost 21:50 Fire In The Hole 01:05 Swamp People 02:12 Winx Club 04:20 DC’s Legends Of Tomorrow 02:00 My Ghost Story: Caught On 01:00 Hank Zipzer 22:40 What On Earth? 02:00 American Pickers 02:36 Winx Club 05:20 The Unit Camera 01:25 Alex & Co. 23:30 Flying Wild Alaska 02:50 Counting Cars 03:00 Harvey Beaks 06:10 Emerald City 03:00 Jo Frost On Britain’s Killer 01:45 Disney Mickey Mouse 03:15 Car Hunters 03:24 Harvey Beaks 07:00 Good Morning America Kids 01:50 Evermoor Chronicles 03:40 Ultimate Wheels 03:48 The Loud House 09:00 The View 04:00 Homicide Hunter 02:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 04:30 Swamp People 04:12 The Loud House 10:00 Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D 00:00 Cedar Cove 05:00 Psychic Kids Witch 05:15 Swamp People 04:36 Breadwinners 11:00 The Unit 01:00 Cedar Cove 06:00 My Ghost Story: Caught On 02:40 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 06:00 Mountain Men 05:00 Breadwinners 12:00 Emerald City 02:00 Grey’s Anatomy Camera Witch 06:00 Marvel’s Spider-Man 06:50 Forged In Fire 05:24 Get Blake 13:00 Chicago Fire 03:00 Married At First Sight 07:00 Cold Case Files 03:05 Binny And The Ghost 06:25 Milo Murphy’s Law 07:40 Counting Cars 05:48 SpongeBob SquarePants 14:00 The Flash 04:00 Three 08:00 The First 48 03:30 Binny And The Ghost 06:50 Right Now Kapow 08:05 Car Hunters 06:12 SpongeBob SquarePants 15:00 The View 05:00 House Of DVF 09:00 It Takes A Killer 03:55 Hank Zipzer 07:15 Mech-X4 08:30 Pirate Treasure Of The 06:36 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 16:00 Live Good Morning America 06:00 Cedar Cove 09:30 It Takes A Killer 04:15 Disney Mickey Mouse 07:40 Disney Mickey Mouse Knights Templar 07:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 18:00 Famous In Love 07:00 Cedar Cove 10:00 When Life Means Life 04:20 Hank Zipzer 07:45 Walk The Prank 09:20 Mountain Men 07:24 Rabbids Invasion 19:00 The Unit 08:00 Grey’s Anatomy 11:00 When Life Means Life 04:45 Alex & Co. 08:10 Walk The Prank 10:10 Ax Men 07:48 Get Blake 20:00 Chicago Fire 09:00 Married At First Sight 13:00 The First 48 05:10 Alex & Co. 08:35 Right Now Kapow 11:00 Forged In Fire 08:12 Harvey Beaks 21:00 Marvel’s Inhumans 10:00 Three 14:00 Homicide: Hours To Kill 05:35 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 09:00 Right Now Kapow 11:50 Counting Cars 08:36 Sanjay And Craig 22:00 Lethal Weapon 11:00 House Of DVF 15:00 Homicide Hunter Witch 09:25 Mighty Med 12:15 Car Hunters 09:00 SpongeBob SquarePants 23:00 S.W.A.T. 12:00 Cedar Cove 16:00 Homicide Hunter 06:00 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 09:50 Mighty Med 12:40 Pirate Treasure Of The 09:24 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 13:00 Cedar Cove 17:00 Cold Case Files Witch 10:20 Star Wars: The Freemaker Knights Templar 09:48 Henry Danger 14:00 Grey’s Anatomy 18:00 Homicide: Hours To Kill 06:25 Binny And The Ghost Adventures 13:30 Mountain Men 10:12 Game Shakers 15:00 Married At First Sight 19:00 It Takes A Killer 06:45 Disney Mickey Mouse 10:45 Star Wars: The Freemaker 14:20 American Pickers 10:36 Regal Academy 16:00 Three 19:30 It Takes A Killer 06:50 Rolling With The Ronks Adventures 15:10 Mountain Men 11:00 Winx Club 17:00 House Of DVF 20:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 07:00 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 11:10 Gamer’s Guide To Pretty 16:00 American Pickers 11:24 SpongeBob SquarePants 00:25 Scouts Guide To The Zombie 18:00 Mistresses 21:00 Crimes That Shook Britain & Cat Noir Much Everything 16:50 Counting Cars 11:48 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Apocalypse 19:00 Mistresses 22:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 07:25 Hotel Transylvania: The Series 11:35 Gamer’s Guide To Pretty 17:15 Car Hunters 12:12 The Loud House 02:05 The Hot Chick 20:00 Grey’s Anatomy 23:00 Homicide Hunter 07:50 Tsum Tsum Shorts Much Everything 17:40 Hoard Hunters 12:36 Rabbids Invasion 03:55 The Brady Bunch 21:00 Married At First Sight 07:55 Tangled: The Series 12:00 Kid vs. Kat 18:30 Mountain Men 13:00 Breadwinners 05:40 Mystery Date 22:00 Three 08:20 Stuck In The Middle 12:25 Two More Eggs S2 19:20 Forged In Fire 13:24 Massive Monster Mayhem 07:25 The Tiger Hunter 23:00 House Of DVF 08:45 K.C. Undercover 12:30 Kid vs. Kat 20:10 American Pickers 13:48 I Am Frankie 09:00 Deck The Halls 09:10 Bunk’d 12:55 Kirby Buckets 21:00 The Curse Of Oak Island 14:12 The Thundermans 10:35 Mystery Date 00:05 Dl Hughley: The Endangered 09:35 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 13:20 Kirby Buckets 21:50 Hoard Hunters 14:36 Sanjay And Craig 12:20 The Tiger Hunter List & Cat Noir 13:45 Supa Strikas 22:40 Forged In Fire 15:00 Rabbids Invasion 13:55 Deck The Halls 00:55 Kumail Nanjiani: Beta Male 10:00 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 14:10 Disney Mickey Mouse 23:30 Mountain Men 15:24 Harvey Beaks 15:30 A Date With Miss Fortune 01:45 Tosh.0 & Cat Noir 14:15 Supa Strikas 15:48 SpongeBob SquarePants 17:10 Made In America 02:10 The Opposition With Jordan 10:25 Lolirock 14:40 Right Now Kapow 16:12 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 19:05 Welcome Home Roscoe 00:20 Ambulance Klepper 11:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 15:05 Right Now Kapow 16:36 The Loud House Jenkins 01:05 My 3000-Lb Family 02:35 Real Husbands Of Hollywood Witch 15:30 Milo Murphy’s Law 17:00 Massive Monster Mayhem 21:00 The House Bunny 01:50 Botched Up Bodies 03:00 The Daily Show With Trevor 11:40 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 15:55 Two More Eggs S2 17:24 I Am Frankie 22:45 Deuce Bigalow: European 02:35 Oprah: Where Are They Noah Witch 16:00 The Suite Life Of Zack & 00:15 Chasing The Sun 17:48 Hunter Street Gigolo Now? 03:25 Tosh.0 Cody 12:05 Hank Zipzer 00:45 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of 18:12 Henry Danger 03:20 Hodges Half Dozen 03:50 The Opposition With Jordan 12:30 Alex & Co. 16:25 Lab Rats Australia 18:36 Nicky, Ricky, Dicky And Dawn 04:05 My Big Fat Fabulous Life Klepper 12:55 Alex & Co. 16:50 Walk The Prank 01:10 Miguel’s Tropical Kitchen 19:00 School Of Rock 04:15 Idiotsitter 13:20 Lolirock 17:15 Mech-X4 01:40 Chasing Time 19:24 Game Shakers 04:50 Sweet 15: Quincea?era 04:40 Key And Peele 13:45 Lolirock 17:40 Marvel’s Spider-Man 02:05 Chasing The Sun 19:48 The Thundermans 00:00 Carrington 05:35 Say Yes To The Dress 05:05 Detroiters 14:10 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 18:05 Kickin’ It 02:35 Andy And Ben Eat Australia 20:12 Harvey Beaks 02:10 Love On The Slopes 06:00 Say Yes To The Dress UK 05:30 Disaster Date & Cat Noir 18:30 Randy Cunningham: 9th 03:00 Sinful Sweets 20:36 SpongeBob SquarePants 03:50 I Believe In Miracles 06:22 Say Yes To The Dress UK 05:55 Ridiculousness Arabia 14:35 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug Grade Ninja 03:30 Gok’s Chinese Takeaway 21:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 05:35 Dare To Be Wild 06:45 Little People, Big World 06:20 Comedy Central Presents & Cat Noir 18:45 Kickin’ It 04:25 Miguel’s Tropical Kitchen 21:24 Sanjay And Craig 07:25 Coming Through The Rye 08:15 Hodges Half Dozen Comedy 3alwagef 19:10 Mini Ninjas 15:00 The Zhuzhus 04:50 Miguel’s Tropical Kitchen 21:48 Rabbids Invasion 09:10 The Age Of Innocence 09:00 Cake Boss 06:55 Bondi Ink. 15:15 Bunk’d 19:25 Walk The Prank 05:20 George Clarke’s Amazing 22:12 Breadwinners 11:35 Reign Over Me 09:25 My Big Fat Fabulous Life 07:45 I Live With Models 15:40 K.C. Undercover 19:50 Marvel’s Rocket And Groot Spaces 22:36 Harvey Beaks 13:50 Far From Men 08:10 Key And Peele 16:05 Disney Mickey Mouse 19:55 Mech-X4 06:15 Cool Spaces 23:00 SpongeBob SquarePants 15:40 Waiting For Superman 10:10 Say Yes To The Dress UK 08:35 Disaster Date 16:10 Elena Of Avalor 20:20 Penn Zero: Part Time Hero 07:10 Chasing Time 23:24 SpongeBob SquarePants 17:40 Lawrence Of Arabia 10:32 Say Yes To The Dress UK 09:00 Workaholics 16:35 Bizaardvark 20:45 Gamer’s Guide To Pretty 07:35 Chasing The Sun 23:48 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 21:15 Meadowland 10:55 Sweet 15: Quincea?era 09:25 Idiotsitter 17:00 Tangled: The Series Much Everything 08:05 Andy And Ben Eat Australia 23:00 Two Lovers And A Bear 11:40 Oprah’s Master Class 09:50 I Live With Models 17:25 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 21:10 Kid vs. Kat 08:30 Sinful Sweets 12:25 Say Yes To The Dress 10:15 Detroiters & Cat Noir 21:35 Marvel’s Rocket And Groot 09:00 Gok’s Chinese Takeaway 13:10 Diva Brides 10:40 Friends 17:50 Raven’s Home 21:40 Disney Mickey Mouse 09:55 Miguel’s Tropical Kitchen 11:05 Key And Peele 18:15 Stuck In The Middle 21:45 Lab Rats 10:20 Miguel’s Tropical Kitchen 13:55 My Big Fat Fabulous Life 14:40 Outdaughtered: Busby Quints 11:30 Disaster Date 18:40 Hotel Transylvania: The Series 22:10 Lab Rats 10:50 George Clarke’s Amazing 00:16 Kid-E-Cats 11:55 Ridiculousness Arabia 19:05 K.C. Undercover 22:35 Phineas And Ferb Spaces 15:25 Promzillas 00:21 Shimmer And Shine 00:30 The Apple & The Worm 12:20 Friendszone 19:30 Bunk’d 23:00 Programmes Start At 6:00am 11:45 Cool Spaces 00:44 Sunny Day 16:10 Cake Boss 12:45 Key And Peele 19:55 Descendants Wicked World KSA 12:40 Food Lover’s Guide To The 01:06 Max & Ruby 01:55 DC Superhero Girls: Hero Of 16:35 Cake Boss 13:10 Friends 20:00 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug Planet 01:29 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom The Year 17:00 Oprah’s Master Class 13:33 Friends & Cat Noir 13:05 Chasing The Sun 01:40 Kiva Can Do! 03:20 Emilie Jolie 17:50 Say Yes To The Dress UK 20:25 Liv And Maddie 13:35 Maximum Foodie 04:40 The Wish Fish 13:55 Disaster Date 01:50 The Day Henry Met 18:20 Say Yes To The Dress UK 14:20 Workaholics 20:50 Jessie 14:00 Sinful Sweets 06:05 The Apple & The Worm 01:56 Blaze And The Monster 18:50 Say Yes To The Dress 14:45 Detroiters 21:15 Disney Mickey Mouse 14:30 Gok’s Chinese Takeaway Machines 07:30 The Wheelers 19:15 Promzillas 15:10 Friends 21:20 Tangled: The Series 15:25 Miguel’s Tropical Kitchen 02:18 Blaze And The Monster 09:00 Dinofroz - An Island In The 15:35 Key And Peele 21:45 Bizaardvark 00:10 Botched 15:50 Miguel’s Tropical Kitchen Machines Sky 20:10 Cake Boss 16:00 Idiotsitter 22:10 Hotel Transylvania: The Series 01:00 Botched 16:20 George Clarke’s Amazing 02:41 Paw Patrol 10:20 Twigson Ties The Knot 20:35 Cake Boss Spaces 16:30 Friendszone 22:35 Bunk’d 01:50 E! News 02:52 Kid-E-Cats 11:45 Legend Of The Sea 21:00 Say Yes To The Dress 23:00 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 17:15 Cool Spaces 16:55 Friends 02:50 WAGs 02:57 Kid-E-Cats 13:10 Emilie Jolie 21:50 90 Days To Wed 17:20 Friends & Cat Noir 03:40 WAGs 18:10 Eat Street 03:03 Shimmer And Shine 22:40 90 Days To Wed: Before The 23:25 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 18:35 Chasing The Sun 14:30 The Wish Fish 17:45 Disaster Date 04:35 WAGs 03:24 Nella The Princess Knight 90 Days 18:10 Bondi Ink. & Cat Noir 05:30 Celebrity Style Story 19:05 Maximum Foodie 03:36 Paw Patrol 15:55 Hocus Pocus Alfie Atkins 19:00 Friends 23:50 Lolirock 06:00 So Cosmo 19:30 Sinful Sweets 03:59 The Day Henry Met 17:20 Twigson Ties The Knot 23:30 90 Days To Wed 26 Established 1961 Stars Thursday, March 22, 2018

CROSSWORD 1864 STAR TRACK

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

Aries, you may be approached by someone who s in a very harsh situation; Libra, someone makes it clear that your ways aren’t the right ways. You resist you figure out where the problem started and help resolve it. Domestic and work fronts confrontation because you realize it s just not worth it; this person isn’t an important part of are fiery, supporting volatile energy within both; sit back and watch as this plays out with- your life. Your down to earth logic works well to solve a problem friends ask you to help out you in it. A hobby could take on a serious, professional role; a hobby that creates rev- with. You’re overwhelmed with being thankful for your life and home, the simple things in enue is indicated here. A revealing discussion with like-minded people lends power to life mean a great deal to you. You could find it hard to control your urge to splurge on thoughts and theories. The stars are aligned to create acceptance of your quirks and unhealthy food; a day off sometimes does more good than harm! If you encounter blocks in unique perspective; constructive progress is made as you open your mind to more effec- working with others, you could manage the project on your own with ease. The evening tive methods of operating. A material surprise arrives this evening that you didn’t expect; brings a visit from someone you love; this could be a special dinner with a person you have take your time with this and figure out how to use it for the best, Aries. not seen in a very long time, Libra.

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

Taurus, opportunities to make money are abundant now; this is connected Scorpio, your priority and focus is your family and other close relationships. to real estate or other things relating to domestic items. By watching closely, you figure You re committed to creating prosperity and a legacy for down the road; thoughts of life out what people want and get it for them, thus creating happiness for them and income for and death seem to be top of mind just now. New bonds are formed, others strengthened yourself. This is a good time to keep your eyes open for new, organic additions to your and others, still, are broken; this is all for the best and creates what you need to move for- diet. You get a pat on the back from those around you; enjoy the well deserved praise! ward. Someone important makes their feelings known and you agree. You’re more com- You feel connected to those you work and live with and there is a strong sense of tran- fortable in your skin; this will continue if you allow it. Some partnerships work, others don t quility indicated. Your comfort and peace of mind is grounded in those you are closely but you re on the road to finding someone new to make money with. A definite need to associated with; hopes, dreams and wishes fuel your activities. You enjoy something new break away and have fun is full force; romance is indicated here. The best of food and this evening when you shop in a place you have never visited, Taurus. desert is yours tonight as you join friends visiting from out of town, Scorpio.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

Gemini, you’ve entered a phase of change and movement; questioning the Sagittarius, against your will, you find yourself the center of attention when beliefs and memes you were raised with could be strongly indicated. This is a tough project is completed. Financial gain is strongly indicated and could a good time to discard and let go of anything that doesn t create productive forward be a result of this finished project; there could also be another assignment from this same ACROSS DOWN progress. You re more concerned with what is at the core of your being than all the frills. client. The energy feels right at work and you could be up for a promotion and salary 1. A former monetary unit in Great 1. indicate by signs. Tendencies to be controlling could be present; this could be apparent with a desire for increase; an earlier inquiry you made about another job could bring results now. You speak Britain. 2. (informal) Being satisfactory or in sat- sexual activity. Your interests lie in the healing arts and organic growing where you could your mind without hesitation or fear. An angry person could try to make you seem wrong later today; your work is meticulous and in perfect order. An opportunity for a quick get- 4. Bearing the signature of a witness isfactory condition. find investment opportunities. Memories of someone on the other side is heavy on your heart. Make an effort to stay on the positive side as the energy for this is available. A nice away presents itself. Your natural tendency to put everyone else first is changing; you now attesting to something's legality. 3. A confusion of voices and other consider the protection and consideration of your well-being, Sagittarius. 12. A periodic paperback publication. sounds. evening with beloved animals could bring joy and perhaps surprises, Gemini. 15. A Turkish unit of weight equal to 4. The jurisdiction or office of an abbot. about 2.75 pounds. 5. Grow teeth. 16. Avitaminosis caused by lack of thi- 6. A just detectable amount. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) amine (vitamin B1). 7. After a negative statement used as an Capricorn, an unusual mood is prevalent today. Something unexpected pro- 17. An artificial language that is a revi- intensive meaning something like `like- Cancer, your mind is clear and focused on finding answers to a puzzling sit- uation; getting to the heart of the matter is easy as you know the right vides a surprise you like very much. You could find yourself far away from sion and simplification of Esperanto. wise' or `also'. 18. A light touch or stroke. inquiries to make. You’re not shy today as you pull back the layers of a secret; take time to work today as you succumb to the lure of fun and games. Someone secretly wishes you 8. The compass point that is one point would give them a second chance at being friends. You finally understand something that s 19. Decisively defeated in combat. come to the correct conclusions. You hate conflict but you don’t run from it later when east of due south. someone asks sensitive questions regarding someone you love. You have entered a cycle been a thorn in your side for a long time; this knowledge sets you free! Energy flows 20. Any of various thermoplastic resins 9. Small often spiny insectivorous mam- of feeling like a fit within your living or work situation after struggling with this for some smoothly among the team as you work to get an assignment off the ground. Your tendency used to make things. mal of Madagascar. time. You could see an opportunity to prosper in a surprising area of endeavor; revisit to daydream threatens to take over but duties demand that you keep your thoughts 22. A protective cloth covering for an 10. A trivalent metallic element of the your decisions at a later date as things unfold. You have just exactly the right words when focused and your feet planted firmly on the ground; great results are just around the cor- injured eye. rare earth group. you address a group that could represent a charity or governmental effort, Cancer. ner. Do what you know is right when push comes to shove later this evening, Capricorn. 24. An ancient city in northern Portugal. 11. Remove from the bar. 25. Chinese tree cultivated especially in 12. French revolutionary who was promi- Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Philippines and India for its edible fruit. nent in the early days of the French Leo (July 23-August 22) 26. A bed supporting a road. Revolution (1749-1791). Leo, the energy of enjoyment and entertainment is prominent; dancing, Aquarius, your wants and not your needs tempt you; focus on what you 28. A silvery malleable metallic element 13. A condensed but memorable saying that resists corrosion. drinking, eating or perhaps shopping, spas and gambling are indicated. have committed to and just do it. Daydreams of future and possibly past events keep you embodying some important fact of expe- 30. A strong solution of sodium or potas- Single lions, you’re interested in finding chemistry and sexual compatibility. Married or disconnected and fighting a mid-week slump. Your desire for an active sexual life could be rience that is taken as true by many peo- related to needing to feel that you have control over things or you are wanting to be loved. sium hydroxide. attached leos desire more warmth and intimacy in your current relationship and do what- ple. This could also be referring to strong interest in real estate or monetary investment. Your 31. Be in accord. ever it takes to create this result. Fiction in books or film could be just the thing to help 14. A gland in which gametes (sex cells) you escape the pressure of the day. You ponder what the world would be like without curiosity about the cosmos and the energy generated by the planets increases. You take 32. Freedom from difficulty or hardship disease and war, wondering what you could do about this. A friend asks for your help in center stage in a professional setting; your job and the attention it requires bring great sat- or effort. are produced. 21. A unit of dry measure used in Egypt. unraveling a very intimate, upsetting situation; you may not be of any help with this. Keep isfaction. Doing something fun later with enjoyable people could find you at a restaurant 36. The Tibeto-Burman language spoken an eye on yourself as you step out with friends for some fun this evening, Leo. you have been wanting to try for quite some time, Aquarius. in the Dali region of Yunnan. 23. A collection of objects laid on top of 39. How long something has existed. each other. 27. The cardinal number that is the sum 42. A Russian river. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 43. North American republic containing of seven and one. 50 states - 48 conterminous states in 29. Shrub bearing oval-fruited kumquats. Pisces, your people skills soar as you work with teams or groups to organ- 33. Big-eyed scad. Virgo, a strong sense of family and belonging begins with the new cycle North America plus Alaska in northwest you’ve entered. You have a desire to be taken care of and, in return, you long to take care ize a certain event. There could be passionate clashes with someone regard- North America and the Hawaiian Islands 34. An esoteric or occult matter that is of others. Memories of long ago seem to linger and you could feel melancholy. A strong ing a very delicate topic; this issue may represent a strong challenge to something you in the Pacific Ocean. traditionally secret. interest in real estate could lead to a new investment in this area for personal or business have always believed. You may feel uncomfortable with a certain circumstance, as though 44. Strong lightweight wood of the balsa 35. A clear oily brown solution of cresols purposes. An intimate, close relationship is on the way; be wise in your decision regarding someone has put you in a bad position you disagree with. It is possible to comprehend tree used especially for floats. in soap. this and any other new connections you may decide to make. This is a good window of what someone is saying; guard against over analyzing and tearing apart things you can’t change and focus on where you can make a positive difference. Strong efforts to create 46. An oil port in southern Iraq. 37. (Old Testament) The second patri- time to reconsider and re-evaluate the associations and affections you share. You’re arch. empathic to those around you; this evening could reveal a secret admirer you would never harmony and fairness goes a long way this evening; share yourself and your true feelings 49. A radioactive element of the actinide with several close people who are good listeners with fairness in mind, Pisces. series. 38. A hidden storage space (for money or have dreamed of, and you should take care not to hurt feelings, Virgo. 50. Italian violin maker in Cremona. provisions or weapons). 40. A port in northwestern Israel on the 51. The fluid (red in vertebrates) that is Wordsearch Puzzle Yesterday’s Solution pumped by the heart. Bay of Acre. 52. A woman hired to suckle a child of 41. A metric unit of volume or capacity someone else. equal to 10 liters. 54. Type genus of the Giraffidae. 45. Resistant to change of position or 56. A white soft metallic element that tar- condition. nishes readily. 47. Edge of a way or road or path. 58. Any of numerous local fertility and 48. A family of Sino-Tibetan languages nature deities worshipped by ancient spoken in southeastern Asia. Semitic peoples. 53. Type genus of the family Mustelidae. 59. Remove gas from. 55. (Norse mythology) The Norse drag- 61. The granite-like rocks that form the on that guarded a treasure and was slain outermost layer of the earth's crust. by Sigurd. 64. The syllable naming the fourth (sub- 57. (astronomy) The reappearance of a dominant) note of the diatonic scale in celestial body after an eclipse. solmization. 60. An upright tripod for displaying 68. Of or relating to or characteristic of something (usually an artist's canvas). Hades or Tartarus. 62. The villain in William Shakespeare's 71. A graphical recording of the cardiac tragedy who tricked Othello into murder- cycle produced by an electrocardio- ing his wife. graph. 63. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind. 72. Title for a civil or military leader 65. Thin and fit. (especially in Turkey). 66. Someone who works (or provides 73. A genus of Picidae. workers) during a strike. 75. The syllable naming the sixth (sub- 67. Title for a civil or military leader mediant) note of a major or minor scale (especially in Turkey). in solmization. 69. (usually followed by `to') Naturally 76. The federal department responsible disposed toward. for safeguarding national security. 70. (Australian and New Zealand) A dis- 77. A restraint that confines or restricts paraging term for English immigrants to freedom (especially something used to Australia or New Zealand. tie down or restrain a prisoner). 74. A white metallic element that burns 78. A loose sleeveless outer garment with a brilliant light. made from aba cloth.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution Classifieds Thursday, March 22, 2018

Automated enquiry about the Civil ID card is Sabah Hospital 24812000 1889988 Amiri Hospital 22450005 DAAYY: ::HHGQHVGD\  99DDOLG )URP  $0 7R  30 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Airlines Expected WeWeather for the Next 24 Hours Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Chest Hospital 24849400 %< '$$<< 5HODWLYHO\ KRW  ZLWK  OLJKW  WR PRGHUDWH  YDULDEOH  ZLQG  WR VRXWK  HDVWHUO\  ZLQG  ZLWWKK VSHHG  RI    NPK   Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 American Airlines 22087425 %< 1,*+7 )DLU ZLWK  OLJKW  WR PRGHUDWH  YDULDEOH  ZLQG  FKDQJLQJ  WR QRUUWWK  ZHVWHUO\W  ZLQG  ZLWK  VSHHG  RI  NPKK  Adan Hospital 23940620 22087426 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Kuwait Airways 171 :($7$7+(5:$:$51,1* 1R&XUUHQW ::DDUQLQJV Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Jazeera Airways 177 STTAAATTION 0$;(;33 0,1 5(& 6)& &+$57   87& Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Jet Airways 22924455 .8::$$,7 &,7<  ƒ&  ƒ& FlyDubai 22414400 .8::$$,7 $,5325577  ƒ&  ƒ& Qatar Airways 22423888 $%'$//<<  ƒ&  ƒ& Kaizen center 25716707 KLM 22425747 %8%<<$$$11  ƒ& ƒ& Rawda 22517733 Royal Jordanian 22418064/5/6 -$+55$$  ƒ&  ƒ& Adaliya 22517144 British Airways 22425635 ))$$,/$.$ ,6/$$11'  ƒ&  ƒ& Khaldiya 24848075 Air France 22430224 6$/0,<<$$+  ƒ&  ƒ& Kaifan 24849807 $+0$',  ƒ&  ƒ& Emirates 22921555 Shamiya 24848913 18::$$,6,%  ƒ&  ƒ& Air India 22438184 ::$$)5$  ƒ&  ƒ& Shuwaikh 24814507 Sri Lanka Airlines 22424444 6$/0<  ƒ&  ƒ& Abdullah Salem 22549134 Egypt Air 22421578 Nuzha 22526804 4 DAAYYS FORECAST Swiss Air 22421516 Temperatures Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Saudia 22426306 DAAYY DAATTE WEAATTHER Wind Speed MAX. MIN. Wind Direction Qadsiya 22515088 Middle East Airlines 22423073 7KXXUUVGD\  5HODDWWLYHO\ KRW  ƒ&  ƒ&1:      NPK Dasmah 22532265 Lufthansa 22422493 )ULGD\  5HODDWWLYHO\ KRW ƒ&  ƒ& 1:95%      NPK 5HODWLYHO\KRW DQG VRPH  VFDWWHUHG FORXGVZ LOO Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 PIA 22421044 6DWWXXUGDD\\  DSSHDU ODWHU RQ  ƒ&  ƒ& 95%6(      NPK 5HODWLYHO\KRW FDXVLQJ  ULVLQJ GXVW  RYHU  RSHQ 6XQGD\  DUHDV DQG VRPH  VFDWWHUHG  FORXGV  ZLOO DSSHDU  ƒ&  ƒ& 6(6      NPK Shaab 22518752 Bangladesh Airlines 22452977/8

PRAAYYER TIMES RECORDED YESTERDAAYY AATT KUWWAAIT AIRPORT Qibla 22459381 Indian Airlines 22456700 Fajr MAX. Temp. °C   Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Oman Air 22958787 Sunrise  MIN. Temp.  °C Turkish Airlines 22453820/1 Zuhr  MAX. RH  % Mirqab 22456536 Asr MIN. RH %   Sharq 22465401 Aeroflot 22404838/9 Sunset  MAX. Wind 6(  km/h Isha TOTTAALL RAINFFAALLL IN 24 HR.  mm Salmiya 25746401

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw) DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Arrival Flights on Thursday 22/3/2018 JZR 903 Baku 13:30 Departure Flights on Thursday 22/3/2018 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 Airlines Flt Route Time KAC 774 Riyadh 13:40 Airlines Flt Route Time JZR 176 Dubai 13:40 JAI 572 Mumbai 00:05 IAW 157B Al Najaf 13:55 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 FEG 932 Alexandria 13:40 SAI 441 Lahore 00:15 PAL 668 Manila 14:00 JZR 528 Asyut 00:15 FDB 076 Dubai 13:45 KAC 504 Beirut 00:30 KNE 231 Riyadh 14:10 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:30 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:15 FDB 072 Dubai 00:35 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 KAC 102 London 00:50 KAC 618 Doha 14:15 PIA 240 Sialkot 00:40 AXB 394 Kozhikode 14:15 JZR 539 Cairo 00:50 FDB 059 Dubai 14:20 MSC 412 Asyut 01:00 JZR 124 Bahrain 14:30 PGT 858 Istanbul 00:55 QTR 1078 Doha 14:20 JAI 571 Mumbai 01:05 KNE 382 Taif 15:00 THY 772 Istanbul 00:55 KAC 516 Tehran 14:20 JZR 502 Luxor 01:30 KAC 661 AbuDhabi 15:00 RJA 642 Amman 01:05 KAC 672 Dubai 14:25 JZR 142 Doha 01:45 KAC 673 Dubai 15:05 DLH 625 Bahrain 01:45 KAC 412 Bangkok 14:35 KAC 677 Dubai 01:50 FDB 060 Dubai 15:10 UAE 853 Dubai 01:45 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:40 KAC 417 Manila 02:00 KAC 691 Muscat 15:20 THY 764 Istanbul 01:50 JZR 239 Amman 14:40 THY 773 Istanbul 02:30 KAC 785 Jeddah 15:25 FDB 8065 Dubai 14:45 TRQ 230 KRT 02:00 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:30 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:25 AXB 395 Kozhikode 02:00 KNE 529 Jeddah 14:55 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:10 SAI 442 Lahore 02:30 QTR 1079 Doha 15:30 JZR 555 Alexandria 02:15 DLH 625 Frankfurt 02:45 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 QTR 1086 Doha 02:20 KAC 304 Mumbai 15:10 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:15 AXB 396 Kozhikode 02:55 KNE 530 Jeddah 15:45 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 KAC 351 Kochi 03:05 KAC 775 Riyadh 15:50 KLM 446 Bahrain 02:30 JZR 787 Riyadh 15:30 ETH 621 AddisAbaba 03:05 KAC 743 Dammam 16:05 OMA 643 Muscat 02:55 KAC 502 Beirut 15:30 UAE 854 Dubai 03:40 PAL 669 Manila 16:10 KKK 1268 Istanbul 02:55 KAC 562 Amman 15:30 KAC 619 Doha 16:10 MSR 606 Luxor 03:05 OMA 645 Muscat 15:35 QTR 1087 Doha 03:40 KAC 563 Amman 16:10 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 KLM 446 Amsterdam 03:55 ETD 304 AbuDhabi 16:20 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 QTR 1072 Doha 15:55 KKK 1269 Istanbul 03:55 QTR 1076 Doha 03:50 SAW 705 Damascus 16:00 OMA 644 Muscat 03:55 JZR 188 Dubai 16:30 LMU 510 Cairo 04:00 ABY 127 Sharjah 16:00 THY 765 Istanbul 04:00 OMA 646 Muscat 16:35 KAC 382 Delhi 04:15 KAC 118 New York 16:00 MSR 607 Luxor 04:05 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:40 UAE 873 Dubai 04:25 KNE 531 Jeddah 16:05 ETD 306 AbuDhabi 04:05 KAC 615 Bahrain 16:40 KAC 544 Cairo 04:25 JZR 535 Cairo 16:05 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 SAW 706 Damascus 16:55 KAC 418 Manila 04:25 JZR 779 Jeddah 16:25 LMU 511 Cairo 05:00 KNE 532 Jeddah 16:55 KAC 784 Jeddah 04:35 FDB 051 Dubai 16:40 QTR 1077 Doha 05:30 KAC 675 Dubai 17:00 KAC 284 Dhaka 04:50 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 FDB 070 Dubai 05:45 QTR 1073 Doha 17:15 FDB 069 Dubai 04:55 KAC 542 Cairo 17:05 KAC 303 Mumbai 06:05 JZR 240 Amman 17:15 JZR 609 Hyderabad 05:10 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 JZR 560 Sohag 06:25 JZR 266 Beirut 17:15 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:20 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 DHX 172 Bahrain 06:50 KAC 503 Beirut 17:15 THY 770 Istanbul 05:25 JZR 125 Bahrain 17:35 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 KAC 283 Dhaka 17:30 JZR 143 Doha 05:25 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:40 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 FDB 052 Dubai 17:40 KAC 332 Trivandrum 05:40 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 RJA 643 Amman 07:05 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 KAC 344 Chennai 05:50 FDB 063 Dubai 18:10 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 KAC 357 Kochi 17:45 KAC 302 Mumbai 06:10 JZR 177 Dubai 18:15 KAC 167 Paris 07:35 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 KAC 362 Colombo 06:25 MSR 620 Cairo 18:30 JZR 902 Baku 07:50 KAC 331 Trivandrum 18:00 KAC 678 Dubai 06:30 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 KAC 501 Beirut 08:00 KAC 343 Chennai 18:00 KAC 744 Dammam 19:10 WAN 338 Alexandria 06:40 KAC 413 Bangkok 08:10 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 JZR 529 Asyut 06:50 KAC 776 Riyadh 19:20 JZR 538 Cairo 18:15 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:25 KAC 791 Madinah 08:35 KAC 206 Islamabad 06:50 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 RBG 555 Alexandria 19:25 FDB 054 Dubai 08:35 BAW 157 London 07:10 JZR 184 Dubai 18:30 KAC 662 Abu Dhabi 19:25 KAC 787 Jeddah 08:40 KAC 204 Lahore 07:10 BAW 156 London 08:55 JZR 608 Hyderabad 18:40 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 KAC 381 Delhi 18:50 QTR 8511 Doha 07:35 KAC 156 Istanbul 19:30 KAC 613 Bahrain 08:55 FDB 053 Dubai 07:35 WAN 133 Doha 09:00 FDB 064 Dubai 19:10 DLH 8456 Frankfurt 19:35 UAE 876 Dubai 19:30 KAC 354 Bengaluru 07:35 NIA 361 Alexandria 19:40 KAC 117 NewYork 09:00 JZR 503 Luxor 07:45 QTR 8512 Doha 09:05 MSR 621 Cairo 19:30 KAC 674 Dubai 19:45 QTR 1081 Doha 20:00 KAC 384 Delhi 08:00 FDB 057 Dubai 19:50 JZR 534 Cairo 09:10 KAC 358 Kochi 08:05 KAC 561 Amman 09:40 TZS 357 Tbilisi 20:00 KAC 616 Bahrain 19:55 RBG 556 Alexandria 20:05 UAE 855 Dubai 08:35 KNE 381 Taif 20:00 KAC 741 Dammam 09:45 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:05 IRA 667 Esfahan 09:00 JZR 189 Dubai 20:10 KAC 101 London 09:45 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:05 KAC 620 Doha 20:15 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 KAC 671 Dubai 09:45 FDB 058 Dubai 20:35 QTR 1070 Doha 09:10 QTR 1088 Doha 20:45 KAC 515 Tehran 10:00 NIA 162 Cairo 20:40 KAC 345 Ahmedabad 20:40 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 DLH 624 Frankfurt 20:45 UAE 856 Dubai 10:00 KNE 232 Riyadh 20:50 IAW 157A Al Najaf 10:00 ALK 229 Colombo 21:20 IRA 668 Mashhad 10:00 KAC 301 Mumbai 20:50 FDK 803 Damascus 10:00 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 KAC 541 Cairo 10:00 SVA 512 Riyadh 10:00 KAC 353 Bengaluru 20:55 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:20 ETD 302 AbuDhabi 10:10 IRA 673 Ahwaz 10:10 DLH 8456 Sarajevo/Hong Kong 21:05 KAC 168 Paris 21:20 KAC 773 Riyadh 10:10 WAN 342 Sohag 10:15 KAC 78 Jeddah 21:25 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 KAC 617 Doha 10:15 KAC 1543 Cairo 21:20 UAE 859 Dubai 21:35 QTR 1071 Doha 10:20 SYR 341 Damascus 11:00 KAC 676 Dubai 21:40 DLH 624 Bahrain 21:30 WAN 114 Bahrain 11:00 KAC 155 Istanbul 10:25 JZR 554 Alexandria 21:45 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 MSC 403 Asyut 11:15 KLM 445 Amsterdam 21:50 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 QTR 1074 Doha 11:20 JZR 778 Jeddah 10:40 QTR 1089 Doha 22:00 WAN 116 Bahrain 21:50 RSB 7867 IQA 11:00 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 KAC 564 Amman 22:00 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:05 SVA 513 Riyadh 11:00 NIA 161 Cairo 11:35 QTR 1082 Doha 22:05 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:10 WAN 134 Doha 11:55 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 FDK 804 Damascus 11:00 KAC 203 Lahore 22:10 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 AIC 981 Chennai/Ahmedabad 22:25 IRA 672 Ahwaz 11:10 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 KAC 614 Bahrain 12:10 JZR 241 Amman 22:40 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 ALK 230 Colombo 22:25 FEG 933 Sohag 12:40 JZR 185 Dubai 23:10 JZR 786 Riyadh 12:00 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 JZR 561 Sohag 12:45 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:15 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:00 KAC 783 Jeddah 22:35 KAC 742 Dammam 12:50 WAN 836 Sarajevo 23:25 SYR 342 Damascus 12:00 KAC 383 Delhi 22:40 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 MSC 405 Sohag 23:30 MSC 404 Asyut 12:15 KLM 445 Bahrain 22:50 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 BBC 043 Dhaka 23:30 VIZ 202 IQA 12:30 UAE 860 Dubai 23:00 AXB 393 Kozhikode 13:15 KAC 546 Cairo 23:40 QTR 1075 Doha 12:30 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:05 KAC 792 Madinah 13:20 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 NIA 362 Alexandria 12:35 QTR 1083 Doha 23:20 28 Established 1961 Thursday, March 22, 2018 Lifestyle Music & Movies

In this file photo, a man walks on the land at Ha Mampho village, Lesotho. In this file photo, local Ethiopian farmers and their camels walk past the Obelisk In this photo, Johannesburg’s skyline is shown under the clouds in South Africa. — AP photos steles area in Axum. ‘Black Panther’ fans can find glimpses of Wakanda in Africa

ant to go to Wakanda? The blockbuster Johannesburg success of “Black Panther” has created a In South Africa, Johannesburg is a good place to Wnew, compelling vision of Africa as a con- start. “Joburg” is a dynamic, cosmopolitan African city, tinent of smart, technologically savvy peo- full of commerce, high-rise architecture and nightlife ple with cool clothes living in a futuristic city amid that is redolent of Wakanda. The high-speed Gautrain stunning landscapes. The hidden, high-tech kingdom is can whisk you from O.R. Tambo International Airport to fictional, of course. But the movie successfully weaves Johannesburg’s shiny financial center Sandton, with its together many different aspects of the continent to modern skyscrapers. The train is quick, clean and depict Wakanda. For fans who long to visit, there are pleasant. many real places to consider. Joburg’s Braamfontein district is hip, edgy and fun. In this file photo, a rainbow forms in a cloud of University students and hipsters frequent the coffee mist over the Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

distinctive are the woven, cone-shaped hats and the also like their reputation as the place where coffee was brightly colored Basotho blankets worn over the shoul- first grown and served, which you can appreciate with ders of many in Lesotho. Those blankets feature promi- an Ethiopian coffee ceremony. A lot of different nently in the movie. Victoria falls, Kenya and more Ethiopia Victoria Falls, where the Zambezi River spectacularly African cultures With historic towers and churches dating back to plummets 350 feet to make one of the world’s largest the fourth century, Ethiopia has many sites that suggest waterfalls, is located on the border between Zambia and Wakanda. The country was never colonized and its Zimbabwe. The awe-inspiring falls throw up a perpetual and tribes people are very proud of that, just as the people of mist that supports a lush rainforest. The indigenous Wakanda are proud of their history of independence. Tonga people called the falls “Mosi-oa-Tunya” which The obelisks of Axum and the churches of Lalibela, means “Smoke That Thunders.” It’s a fabulous place to carved out of rock, speak of ancient traditions. visit and may bring to mind the waterfall fight scene from shops, restaurants and boutiques. By night there are fun Ethiopians wear flowing embroidered cotton robes and the movie. bars and jazz clubs. The striking Nelson Mandela sus- Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, is another city that is remi- pension bridge leads to gritty downtown Johannesburg. niscent of “Black Panther.” Perhaps the place that best Braamfontein has come up in the past 10 years from a captures the juxtaposition of modern and rural Africa is derelict, dangerous spot to a great place to visit. Nairobi National Park, just 4 miles from the city, where Rocky Street in Yeoville is a bustling, hustling strip full you can see rhinos, giraffe and elephants, and look over of people selling their wares. South Africans, as well as their shoulders to see the office towers of the city in the Zimbabweans, Congolese and people from all parts of background. East Africa’s expansive savannas, with flat- Africa are there. Security is a concern in Johannesburg, In this file photo, pedestrians cross the Nelson Mandela top acacia trees, seen in Maasai Mara park and but if you are alert and careful, don’t flash your cell Bridge into downtown Johannesburg. Tanzania’s Serengeti park, look like they are right out of phone or cash, it can be a manageable city. a sweeping movie scene. But maybe the best place to get that Wakanda feeling “The movie references a lot of different African cul- Lesotho is the Wits University campus in Johannesburg. To be tures and tribes,” says Meruschka Govender, a “Black “Black Panther” highlights the contrast between surrounded by smart, opinionated, articulate students, Panther” fan who blogs about travel and calls herself an Africa’s cityscapes and the landscapes of the country- fashionably dressed in colorful, sharp clothes, full of hope “African travel activist.” “I loved the Afro-futurist cos- side. The tiny mountain kingdom of Lesotho has that and plans for themselves, their country and their conti- tumes, production and black consciousness themes. I rural, traditional, spiritual side of Africa, where the Border nent is to feel the heart of the Afro-optimism of “Black really hope that it changes the narrative of African travel Tribe in “Black Panther” resided. Lesotho has dramatic Panther.”—AP and inspires people to travel more the continent,” she mountain scenery and picturesque rondavels, the round, In this file photo, Lesotho women draped in blankets, walk added. thatched dwellings where many rural families live. Most towards a polling station in the village of Machache.

S Korea musicians to Olivia de Havilland defamed by play first concert in North since 2007 ‘lies’ in FX miniseries, US court told -pop stars will play the first concerts by South ollywood veteran Olivia de Havilland was Deep respect financially from the use of De Havilland’s name. Korean artists in the North for more than a defamed by the “lies” in FX’s “Feud: Bette and “The show simply does not portray Ms. De The actress rose to fame in the 1930s playing decade, officials said Tuesday, as the dramatic HJoan,” a court heard Tuesday, as the star pur- Havilland as a vulgarian,” Klaus said, noting that while ingenue roles alongside Errol Flynn, but moved on to K sued a lawsuit over how she was portrayed in the the actress may never have called her sister a “b***h” more challenging fare, winning Academy Awards for thaw in relations kicked off by the recent Winter Olympics gathers pace. Seoul will send a total of 160 show. The 101-year-old two-time Oscar winner, who in real-life, she had once referred to her as a “dragon the 1946 film “To Each His Own,” and four years later performers to Pyongyang for a four day visit from March came to embody the elegant glamour of Golden Age lady.” “Docudramas are understood not to be a literal for “The Heiress.” Legendary director Victor Fleming 31 to April 3, according to a statement issued after inter- Hollywood, says she did not consent to the use of her retelling of history, that’s the role of documentaries,” chose her for the role of Melanie Hamilton in the US Korean talks at the border truce village of Panmunjom. likeness in the hit 2017 miniseries, nor receive pay- Klaus said. In the September ruling under appeal, Civil War epic “Gone With the Wind,” (1939) and other The group will include local pop legends Cho Yong- ment. Kendig found that De Havilland had demonstrated that notable films included “My Cousin Rachel” in 1953 pil and Choi Jin-Hee, five-member K-pop group Red “Feud” focuses on the famous rivalry between the network either knew that aspects of the series with Richard Burton, and “Hush... Hush Sweet Velvet and Seohyun, a member of the famous K-pop Bette Davis, performed by Susan Sarandon, and Joan were false, or did not care whether they were. Charlotte” in 1965 with Bette Davis. group Girls’ Generation. They will stage the first per- Crawford, as portrayed by Jessica Lange. British The judge cited four examples, including a depic- “A key reason for the public’s deep respect for formances by South Korean acts in the North since 2007. actress Catherine Zeta-Jones portrays De Havilland- tion of a 1978 Academy Awards interview in which De Olivia de Havilland is that in her 80-plus year “It was not easy to select songs that are wanted by both Davis’s friend-in the show. Of the stars of yore seen Havilland disparaged Davis and Crawford. Kendig said career, she has steadfastly refused to engage in sides,” Yoon Sang, South Korea’s chief delegate to the in the miniseries, only De Havilland is still alive. the evidence showed the interview never took place, typical Hollywood gossip about the relationships talks, told a press briefing Tuesday. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Holly Kendig adding that De Havilland had been falsely portrayed as of other actors,” her complaint reads. The case Seoul said the North had invited the art troupe “in ruled in September that the actress could move for- someone who was a “gossip” who had bad-mouthed continues.—AFP order to keep the momentum for peace and reconcilia- ward with her “right-of-publicity” lawsuit, but the net- Fontaine and made disparaging remarks about Frank tion”, which was galvanised by the Winter Olympics and work is challenging the decision in a state appeals Sinatra’s drinking habits. Kendig said she disagreed built on when South Korean special envoys met North court in Los Angeles, claiming the producers’ right to with the defense that the series was “transformative” Korean leader Kim Jong Un earlier this month. The freedom of expression is protected by the First and said there was evidence the network benefited North sent its own art troupe to South Korea to cele- Amendment. De Havilland-who under the law is a pub- brate the Olympics last month, with 140 members of the lic figure-contends that the series put her in a bad Samjiyon Orchestra staging two performances. light, violating her right to privacy, by showing her fic- Despite the misgivings of some South Koreans, tickets tional version describing her sister, Joan Fontaine, as a were in high demand, with 156,000 people applying for “b***h.” 530 pairs of available seats. The South Korean troupe The star’s attorney Suzelle Smith described the will give two concerts, at the 1,500-seat East Pyongyang word as a “vulgarity,” telling the appeals panel: “In my Grand Theatre and the Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong household, if you say b***h, you get your mouth Gymnasium, which can accommodate some 12,000 spec- washed out.” Smith argued that allowing producers to tators, Yonhap news agency reported. take such liberties with characters would leave public The concerts come ahead of an inter-Korean summit figures unable to “control their identity.” She said she slated for late April at Panmunjom. In 1985, South Korean had no problem with docudramas, but added that musicians held their first concert in Pyongyang as part of “what we need to have are docudramas that don’t cultural exchanges. Following a historic summit between defame, that don’t tell lies.” FX attorney Kelly Klaus Seoul and Pyongyang in 2000, various Korean singers, argued, however, that the show portrayed De Havilland including Cho Yong-pil, performed in the North.—AFP in a positive light, painting her as a fiercely loyal friend. Established 1961 29 Lifestyle Features Thursday, March 22, 2018

‘4 Maghz’ Mobile Library bus Children read story books inside 4 Maghz Mobile Library Bus, Internal view of ‘4 Maghz’ Mobile Library bus in Kabul, Karte 4, Kabul, Afghanistan — Reuters Afghanistan. Climb onboard: Afghan woman brings stories to Kabul’s children

ndeterred by the risk of suicide bombers, 25-year- 2001 ouster and control large parts of the country. While ally did it to provoke the people’s thought whether we day about the mobile library and when will it come to our old Freshta Karim travels around Afghanistan’s the education system has made significant gains since the mean a walnut or four minds,” said Karim, who went to area,” he said. Karim said she has not approached any Utroubled capital every day in a big, blue bus to Taliban era - when girls were excluded from formal edu- school as a refugee in Pakistan and then won scholar- international donors for support, preferring to rely on share the magic of reading with children. After graduat- cation altogether - worsening security has forced many ships to study abroad. donations from friends and relatives, and plans to charge ing from Britain’s prestigious University of Oxford, she school closures. users. “No matter how small, but I would like them to pay set up Kabul’s first mobile library to let some of After decades of war, more than four in 10 Afghan Climb on board something,” she said. Afghanistan’s 3.5 million out-of school children - mostly children are not in school, government data shows, with Residents of Kabul have welcomed the library on “By putting a fee for the service, I encourage the chil- girls - listen to stories and pore over picture books. many working to support their families. Karim set up the wheels, which stops for three or four hours at a time in dren to value their time they spend in the library.” “When I was a child, I did not have the opportunity to Charmaghz - meaning walnut in Dari - mobile library different parts of the city so that children can climb on Streetchildren who cannot pay can donate a drawing or go to a library and read the storybooks I wanted to with three friends in January in a bus rented from the board to read hundreds of fiction and non-fiction books. painting, she said. It is not yet clear whether locals will read,” she said. “My goal is to enable them not only to government, and painted it with colorful symbols, stars, “I loved the mobile library,” said Farid, a 9-year-old be able to keep the mobile library running, but Karim is think critically, but also to be able to question the wrong- balloons and footprints to attract children. shoeshine boy who is his family breadwinner and, like optimistic. “The other day an army officer brought his doing they see.” Afghanistan has one of the world’s low- They installed bookshelves above the windows and many Afghans, goes by one name. young son into the bus and read him a book,” she said, est literacy rates, with only three in 10 adults able to chairs and desks for children and adults to sit and read - “I was there with another 10 children and the boy adding that he donated 20 afghanis. “We decided to keep read, according to the United Nations cultural agency, a luxury in a country where four in 10 schools do not read a story to us. I really enjoyed my time there.” that money and frame it because this is very first dona- UNESCO. even have a building, according to Human Rights Watch. Naweed Hamidi, who lives in northern Kabul, heard tion that we got from the community.”—Reuters The Taleban have been waging an insurgency to over- A sign over the windscreen reads “4 Maghz”, or four about the mobile library from relatives in the west of the throw Kabul’s Western-backed government since their minds, to spark the interest of passers-by. “We intention- city. “My 12-year-old son keeps asking me almost every

Superheroes to the rescue of storm-battered Puerto Rico

omic book superheroes are coming to coordinator of the comic book, Edgardo acters for free. the rescue of hurricane-ravaged Miranda-Rodriguez. The cover features La Borinquena and CPuerto Rico. There’s Batman, and All the proceeds from sales will go Wonder Woman holding the Puerto Rican Wonder Woman, of course, and also a towards buying supplies for people on the flag. In one of the stories, these two heroes Puerto Rican-inspired female hero named island, such as flashlights. To this day, 30 team up to save an endangered species-a La Borinquena. Their mission is to help percent of the island’s electrical grid is still parrot called the Puerto Rican amazon-few reconstruct the US island territory wrecked down. “These are all traditional superhero of which survived the storm. The administra- This photo shows the check-out counter at This photo shows Nathan Shafer, a life-long by Hurricane Maria six months ago. The stories. But they are not fighting villains in tion of President Donald Trump drew sting- the indie bookseller Newtonville Books in book collector, posing in front of his book- 200-page book-entitled “Ricanstruction: any of them. They are helping people on the ing criticism for what was seen as its slow Newton, Massachusetts. — AP photos shelf in Arvada, Colorado. Reminiscing & Rebuilding Puerto Rico”-will island, bringing food and water and rescuing response to the hurricane.—AFP be launched in May at Puerto Rico Comic animals,” Miranda-Rodriguez said. He got Con, said the creator of La Borinquena and permission from DC Comics to use its char- Books placed backward: Art or nonsense? Today’s houseplants do ooking for an easy way to organize a The books used in the display were ones messy bookshelf? You might consider Shane had no plans to re-read. “I couldn’t Lturning all the spines backward. Yes, the tell you what books they are,” she said. On backward bookshelf is one of the easiest the other hand, Nathan Shafer, a life-long more than look pretty ways - albeit, not too functional - to clean reader and book collector, has filled his up a hodgepodge of texts. It’s also an interi- Arvada, Colorado, home with hundreds of ouseplants have been a mainstay of newer trends is multi-functioning house- or design craze that’s about as culturally books, none of which face backward. indoor decor item for generations, plants, Pennisi said. “Herbs, for example, are divisive as national politics in America. “They’re entities, and when you turn them all Hbut their selection and use has nutritious. They can go directly from planter Advocates tout the simplistic texture of backward it renders them one anonymous changed over time, particularly with to plate.” the pages, while opponents argue that the mass,” Shafer said. And an anonymous mass, urbanization. People no longer are wedded Some houseplants can clear the air in idea is just plain stupid since you can’t see Shafer said, defies the purpose of books. to placing a few potted African violets on enclosed surroundings. They absorb which books are which. Generally speaking, “They’re for the unique words, the sunny window sills to add color and tex- pollen, bacteria and molds while taking in you love it or hate it. The backward book- unique ideas, the unique characters inside ture to small spaces. Instead, they’re carbon dioxide to process into oxygen. shelf began to trend in the mid-aughts, them,” he said. “Part of the reason for hang- choosing less demanding houseplants, like These air-cleaning houseplants include mostly as an artistic styling tool in photo- ing onto books is so you can go back and succulents and cacti, or those offering spider plants, ficus, Boston fern, snake graphs on small-scale design blogs or book- find something. You can’t do that if you’re utility, like herbs and strawberries. plants, aloe, English ivy and philodendron. shop websites. Now, big-box retailers such hiding every identifying mark.” There are Young folks new to independent living Houseplants also can be therapeutic. as West Elm and The Container Store have occasions, however, when art is executed often lack the means or time to raise pets or “The mental health benefits of plants are incorporated backward bookshelves into just right, at least according to the cus- children, so they find living substitutes like obvious,” Pennisi said. “We’re linked with their product displays. tomers of Newtonville Books, an independ- houseplants. The plants become part of the nature. Plants are part of us, whether we A Google search for “backward books” ent bookseller in Newton, Mass. The store is household. “People give their houseplants notice it or not. They give us something to will bring back millions of results, from sites known around the area for its visually names and talk to them,” said Bodie Pennisi, nurture.” The DIY movement has also including social-media mainstays like intriguing counter, which is filled with back- an Extension horticulturist with the embraced plants, she added, whether Pinterest and Instagram, various women’s ward books in different sizes and colors. The University of Georgia. “They also play through macrame hangers, decorated pots, magazines and some interior design staples shop’s owner, Mary Cotton, saw the styling music for their plants so they’ll grow better. or the popularity of terrariums, miniature like Apartment Therapy. “I can see the tool on the website of an Australian book- I don’t know if that kind of reaching out is fairy gardens and bonsai. appeal because a lot of times, if there’s a lot store six years ago. scientifically proven to work but it certainly Houseplants are durable, but that doesn’t of books in a room, people find it distracting “We wanted to do something that was shouldn’t hurt.” make them easier to grow than ornamentals or overwhelming,” said Sarah Cole, a really beautiful and interesting, some sort of Houseplants do require care, but they or vegetables, said Beth Berlin, an Extension Boston-area interior designer. “But it’s not book art project,” she said. An architect don’t need early morning walks or shuttling educator with the University of Minnesota’s super-functional, and unless the books are helped design and execute the plan. to and from soccer games. They aren’t St. Cloud office. “Selection is important,” purely decorative, it just seems challenging.” Customers ask what books were used to banned by condo boards, as pets might be. Berlin said. “Look at the natural environ- Backward books, Cole said, do align make the counter, but Cotton said they nev- They are inexpensive and calming. And ment in which they thrive and then look at with the neutral, monochromatic look that er wrote down the titles. And, since the they’ve been enjoying a revival, Pennisi said. your own. Plants have special needs inside is popular now in design. Achieving a sim- books are glued into place, there’s no way of “Back in the ‘70s, the Green Revolution was your home and you have to find them.” ple, stylish look is exactly why Cari Shane moving them. “We had a lot of old used a time when a huge push was made to grow That includes deciding which potting soil turned her books backward. Four years books that hadn’t sold, and others we got things indoors,” Pennisi said. “The more to use, watering and feeding them properly, ago, the public relations executive was ren- from library sales and the covers were dam- plants in planters the better. and providing enough humidity and light. ovating a 1914 row house in Washington, aged,” Cotton said. “I like it. It gives them “But times change,” she said. “Growers “Light is the big deal,” Berlin said. “Leaves DC, when her teenage daughter suggested another life. People seem to like it.”—AP are selecting different plants. They’re going are the first symptoms to tell you if you’re the idea. “I had these beautiful orange for smaller plants. Mobile plants. Succulents, overwatering or underwatering.”—AP chairs for the living room and I needed orchids and cacti are being used to acces- something to set them off,” Shane said. “I sorize table settings and entries.” One of the needed something that was going to let the chairs be the focal point.” 30 Established 1961 Thursday, March 22, 2018 Lifestyle Feattures

In this photograph, a waitress carries dishes to customers next to the glass-encased table where former US President Barack Obama sat at for a meal with chef Anthony Bourdain at Bun Cha Huong Lien restaurant, now dubbed ‘bun cha Obama’, in Customers enjoy a meal at Bun Cha Huong Lien restaurant. Hanoi’s old quarter. — AFP photos Eternal noodles: Obama ‘bun cha’ table encased in Vietnam

he table where former US president Barack Obama ing the busy lunch rush. Pictures of Obama and Lien wouldn’t say whether the dishes on display are famously slurped noodles in downtown Hanoi has Bourdain’s budding bromance over dinner-filmed for the the ones used by Bourdain and Obama, who she Tbeen preserved-chopsticks and all-under a glass chef’s CNN series “Parts Unknown”-quickly went viral, described as “modest and friendly”. The transparent It’s appropriate box for eternity, in a move that has attracted legions of and now plaster the walls of the simple joint in Hanoi’s box is a form of preservation, and reverence, familiar bemused diners to the once low-key eatery. Bun Cha leafy Old Quarter. to Hanoians: Vietnam’s much-praised revolutionary Huong Lien restaurant, since dubbed “bun cha Obama”, Business has boomed ever since the presidential leader Ho Chi Minh is embalmed and encased in glass to preserve shot to stardom in 2016 when the then-US leader took a pork dinner. But the owner insists she isn’t dining out on at his mausoleum in central Hanoi. Still, not all of break from official duties on a Hanoi visit to enjoy a $3 the Obama fame and has resisted offers from customers Lien’s customers welcomed the stunt with open arms. the memory bowl of pork noodles with fried spring rolls with globe- wanting to buy the table, instead freezing the dinner- “Not sure how I feel about this,” Bourdain said on trotting chef Anthony Bourdain. time tableau for posterity. “I think it’s appropriate to Instagram under a photo of the table at which he Now customers are thronging to the hotspot for a preserve the memory of Mr Obama,” owner Nguyen Thi apparently once sat.—AFP of Mr Obama taste of that famous evening. “I’m very happy to sit near Lien said, as amused tourists snapped selfies with the the table where President Obama once sat because I love encased table, set with clean bowls, plates, chopsticks Obama very much,” office worker Tran Dinh Ha said dur- and condiment jars.

In Somalia, women defy strict rules to play football

hortly after sunrise, a group of young women arrives at a football pitch in Mogadishu, where Sthey shrug off their hijabs-some changing underneath the billowing veil-to reveal their team kit. Young Somali men stand nearby, some disapproving but all watching closely, as the women jog up and In this file photo, Olive Ridley sea turtles return to down, dribble a worn-out ball between colorful the sea after laying eggs on Rushikulya Beach, some cones and do sit-ups, less than 200 meters from a 140 kilometers southwest of Bhubaneswar in India’s heavily guarded security checkpoint. eastern Odisha state. — AFP photos The sight of young women playing football is highly unusual in Somalia, due to societal pressures as well as fear of Al-Shabaab. The Al-Qaeda linked Islamist group launches regular attacks in Mogadishu and considers forms of entertainment, such as football, to be evil, worse still if women are India’s turtle warriors involved. “It is obvious that we are scared despite the fact that we put on heavy clothes over our shorts and T- shirts (until) we get to the pitch. It is very difficult to walk normally with sports clothes-we never wear embrace mission to save sports clothing in society,” said Hibaq Abdukadir, 20, one of the footballers. She is among 60 girls, who have signed up to train at the Golden Girls Centre in Mogadishu, Somalia’s first female soccer club. threatened species Think differently Mohamed Abukar Ali, the 28-year-old co-founder of the centre, said he was inspired to create the club ince he was a boy, Soumyaranjan Biswal has kept a females come back to this same beach to lay eggs, helped In Somalia, it is taboo for women to appear in night vigil at the beach near his coastal Indian vil- by the alignment of moon and stars,” he said. after he realized that Somalia had no female foot- public dressed in shorts, trousers or T-shirts, with lage where tens of thousands of tiny olive ridley There was a time when two million turtles would ballers. “We are... trying to make these girls the first Islamic scholars saying sports clothing is not appro- S Somali female football professionals,” he said. priate Islamic dress for women. turtles gather to lay their eggs. Fishing communities in emerge from the sea at Odisha for the mass nesting phe- Odisha protect this threatened species from harm as they nomenon known as “arribada”, or arrival. But their num- However this is not an easy task. “When the girls The players wear tights underneath their baggy return year after year to nest, a unique ritual for both tur- bers have sharply declined, with environmental pressures, have to attend training sessions, we have to organize shorts, and cover their hair, but still face criticism for tles and their custodians that stretches back decades. coastal development and overfishing meaning many do to pick them up and bring them here and back home their dress. “I come to watch them train but frankly Olive ridley turtles navigate thousands of miles of not survive the journey to their ancestral nesting ground. after the session because they are girls and we think speaking, I would not be happy to see my sister open ocean to reach the eastern state, where they come Hundreds can wash ashore dead every year. about their security,” said Ali. doing it, this is not good in society’s eyes because ashore in numbers not seen anywhere else in the world. It In 2014 and 2016, for reasons still unknown, no turtles “There are so many challenges, from security to they look naked,” said Yusuf Abdirahman, who lives is familiar territory for the females, who hatched on these arrived at all, spooking villagers who consider their fate lack of resources... but that will not deter our ambi- near the football field. Mohamed Yahye, another same sands many years ago. “We have seen them coming intertwined with their ocean visitors. “For us, turtles are tion to establish female football clubs in this coun- onlooker, is happy to see women playing football but to these beaches right from our childhood,” Biswal said an incarnation of (Hindu God) Vishnu. If they die or don’t try,” he said. “We believe it is the right time and we is also concerned about how they are dressed. on a moonlit night, as tiny white ocean crabs wriggled come we feel we have missed out on their blessing,” said should have the courage to think differently.” “I think there is nothing wrong with women play- across his feet. “The turtles are just like our friends now.” one volunteer, Bichitranal Biswal. ing football, the only thing they should change is the The turtles arrive under the cover of darkness, trudg- ‘They look naked’ dress code, they need to wear something that is not ing ashore to dig shallow pits with their flippers where Turtle love Many of the girls who have joined the club said slim-fitting. But as long as their body is not seen, they they deposit dozens of eggs. Their work done, they However, the union between fishermen and turtles has they had always wanted to try playing football but are in line with the Islamic dress codes,” he said. return to the ocean. But their eggs are vulnerable to not always been peaceful. In 1997, the coastal regions never had the opportunity. “I have been playing foot- However the Golden Girls are not fazed. “My ambi- predators like dogs and vultures during the 50-odd day off Odisha were declared a marine wildlife sanctuary and ball for seven months, but my family has only known tion is so high that I aim for the same progress as incubation period beneath the sand, and high tides can fishing was barred in shallow waters for more than half about it for two months,” said Sohad Mohamed, 19. “I those female footballers who play for Barcelona,” wash away an entire nest. the year slashing incomes in one of India’s poorest used to dodge my mother about where I was going said Abdukadir.—AFP regions. “For seven months a year the fishermen are left because she would not allow me to play football, but jobless,” said Sumanth Bindumadhav, wildlife campaign at least my mum is okay with it now, even though the manager with Humane Society International, an NGO. rest of my family is not happy.” “It’s natural for them to feel that it’s because of the turtles.” Bindumadhav said it had been a “Herculean task” motivating fishermen to protect the turtles during lean times when other work was scarce. One approach is to remind them that the turtles eat jellyfish, which prey on the sealife the villagers eat and sell. Ultimately, conserva- tion efforts have succeeded in Odisha in large part due to the special relationship between turtles and locals. “People here feel a personal connection with the tur- tles and have developed a sense of ownership. This has helped in our conservation effort,” Bindumadhav said. The state government provides 25 kilos of subsidized rice every month to families affected by fishing laws Unpaid job under the World Bank-funded Integrated Coastal Zone Fishermen along this stretch of east Indian coastline Management Program. But the villagers say they would have been intervening to give the unborn turtles a shot at rather learn new skills than depend on handouts. life. Biswal, equipped with a flashlight and a bamboo Bijaya Kumar Kavi is director of the local Action for pole, identifies nests at risk and carefully digs up the Protection of Wild Animals, which has been helping spongy eggs. They are relocated to freshly dug hatch- women set up self-help groups where each member con- eries a safe distance away, ringed with fencing and tributes 60 rupees a month. “We teach them how each marked with a flag-an arduous process that can be olive ridley lays around 100 eggs, but of more than 10 repeated hundreds of times in a single nesting season. million eggs laid in an arribada, only around 0.2 percent Keeping a watchful eye over the brood is no easy task. survive,” he said. “We also tell them how to handle eggs. The job is unpaid, usually following a long day at work. If done the wrong way the embryo will drown in its own There is the added danger of scorpion bites and nipping yolk. “When the fishermen learn about these fascinating Somali football players of Golden Girls Football Centre, Somalia’s first female soccer club, attend their training session crabs in the sand. But Biswal knows safe passage for the characteristics, their attitude changes and they become at Toyo stadium in Mogadishu. — AFP photos turtle hatchlings to the sea is crucial for their survival. turtle-friendly.”—AFP “Their journey back to the sea is very important. The Established 1961 31 Lifestyle Fashion Thursday, March 22, 2018

Models present creations by Chinese-born designer Viviano Sue for his 2018 autumn/winter collection at Tokyo Fashion Week in Tokyo. — AFP photos

he head of the Italian Fashion Chamber says the body is working becomes esoteric.” Capasa said the chamber is looking into issues Italian fashion chamber working toward creating clear criteria of what it means for the fashion including creating guidelines on chemical use and industrial discharge, Tindustry to be environmentally sustainable. Noting that fashion is and how to ensure supply chains can be traced. Italy produces 40 per- the second-largest polluting industry behind oil production, Carlo cent of all clothing, accessories and footwear made in Europe. That Capasa said part of the challenge is communicating to consumers rises to 70 percent when only luxury is considered.—AP toward sustainability goals because “they love sustainability but they love to buy cheap clothing.” He told a forum Tuesday that without clear criteria, “sustainability Established 1961 Lifestyle

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018

A snowman stands near The Eiffel Tower in Paris. — AFP Afghan street artists haunt warlords with graffiti campaign

or days Hamida Barmaki’s smiling face stared out over hopes to pressure warlords to acknowledge their past traffic in Kabul, painted in a towering mural near the actions and apologize, said Sharifi, 31. Barmaki’s portrait Fhome of the warlord blamed for her death, until it was was near the home of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, one of the mysteriously covered over in white. most notorious warlords in Afghanistan’s history. The short-lived image on a concrete blast wall marked His group claimed involvement in the 2011 suicide the beginning of a provocative campaign by social activist attack on a Kabul supermarket that killed Barmaki-a group ArtLords, whose artists are calling out Afghanistan’s prominent law professor and human rights activist-as well This handout from the Afghan social activist group ArtLords shows artists painting a mural of Hamida Barmaki, who, along most powerful by depicting people killed by warlords in as her husband and their four children. The Taliban also with her husband and children, was killed in a 2011 suicide attack on a supermarket, on a blast wall near the home of warlord giant murals in public places. claimed responsibility for the attack. Conflicting claims Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, whose followers had carried out the attack, in Kabul. — AFP photos They have been threatened on social media, branded have long been a feature of the 16-year war. Hekmatyar, infidels and told by gunmen and mullahs to stop painting- whose spokesman declined to comment on the mural, is artists, who are paid for their efforts. Sharifi said he rarely but are unrepentant. “This was a warning shot to every- one of several infamous warlords whom Kabul has sought goes out and is careful to use different routes when he one that we will not let you sleep at night, we will come to reintegrate into the mainstream political system in the does. “The threat is very real. At any moment anything can after you, we will paint in front of your homes,” ArtLords post-Taleban era. happen, a bomb can go off,” Sharifi said. “Despite all these co-founder and president Omaid Sharifi said at his studio A two-time prime minister, he is accused of responsi- We will paint challenges... we have to take responsibility. Somebody has in the Afghan capital. bility for the death of thousands of people during to do it.” Rather than seek justice for the countless victims- Afghanistan’s 1992-1996 civil war. Other such figures something that is not realistic given the huge number of include General Abdul Rashid Dostum, a powerful ethnic Courage and guts them and the country’s weak judicial system - the group Uzbek linked to multiple human rights abuses in in front of The mural of Barmaki has changed the “narrative of street art in Afghanistan” and people were now recogniz- ing art as a “powerful tool” for social change, he said. It your homes has also galvanized other socially conscious artists around the country to use street art to send “very harsh messages to these people”. While ArtLords receives widespread Afghanistan who is now the country’s first vice president, support from Afghans and the international community for and Atta Mohammad Noor, the former governor of Balkh its work, reaction on social media to the Barmaki mural has province. Noor is seen as a potential presidential con- been mixed. tender but has been accused of links to people involved in Some have applauded the group’s “courage and guts” kidnapping and other crimes. while others have accused them of bias and exacerbating discord in the country. “Use your art to promote unity and ‘You’re not going to heaven’ serve Afghanistan, do not use it to spread division,” The murals-which typically cover several square Facebook user Yaser Baburi wrote. Sharifi admits the new meters-will put faces to the victims, Sharifi says, and send campaign will upset people “because we will remind them a message to warlords that “we have not forgotten... what of all these crimes”. they did in this country”. Over the past four years “But I think this is the way to continue this discussion ArtLords has turned Kabul’s grey maze of concrete barri- and force these people to come out and apologize for cades-shaped like a wide-based inverted ‘T’ to provide what they’ve done.” With the help of the public, ArtLords protection from bomb blasts-into a canvas to tackle issues is compiling a list of warlords and of people allegedly such as rampant corruption and abuse of power. killed by them, who will be the faces of the next murals. With permission from local authorities, businesses and “We will have faces of these victims in front of their (war- institutions, the group’s artists have painted more than lords’) houses or the streets they are passing by,” Sharifi 400 murals on blast walls and other prominent places in said, without disclosing who will be targeted. “There are a around half of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. Sharifi said the lot of names that come to mind.”—AFP latest campaign would also target the violence of the Taliban and other militant groups now terrorizing the country. “There will be murals that say ‘you’re not going to In this photograph, Artlords co-founder and president Omaid Sharifi takes part in an interview with AFP in Kabul. heaven’,” Sharifi said. It is risky work for the group’s 45