SUBSCRIPTION

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 RABI AL-AWWAL 21, 1438 AH www.kuwaittimes.net ‘Cry of Aleppo’ IMF chief Zsa Zsa, US Suarez double, drive shows Lagarde found star famous for Messi magic humanitarian guilty over being famous, hands Barca role of Kuwait tycoon payout dead at 99 derby delight 2Gunman21 kills38 Russian19 Min 09º Max 17º ambassador in Ankara High Tide 03:10 & 17:16 Low Tide Attacker shouts ‘Don’t forget Aleppo’ • Amir condemns murder 10:33 & 22:53 40 PAGES NO: 17086 150 FILS ANKARA: A Turkish policeman crying “Aleppo” and “Allahu Akbar” shot dead Russia’s ambassador to Iran releases Turkey at an art exhibition in Ankara yesterday, in what Moscow termed a “terrorist act”. Andrei Karlov died of four Kuwaitis his wounds after the shooting, which occurred on the eve of a key meeting between the Russian, Turkish and Iranian foreign ministers on the Syria conflict. held in Ahvaz Dramatic television footage showed the man - smartly dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and tie - waving a KUWAIT: Kuwaiti Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al- gun and gesturing in the air at the Ankara exhibition Jarallah yesterday said four Kuwaiti citizens detained hall where the veteran diplomat was opening a show in Iran’s Ahvaz have been released. “The Kuwaiti citi- of Russian photographs. zens have been set free and handed over to the The state-run Anadolu news agency said the gun- Kuwaiti Embassy in Iran. They are expected to return man had been “neutralized” - apparently killed -in a to the country (Kuwait) tomorrow (Tuesday),” Jarallah police operation inside the hall after 15 minutes of said in a press statement. clashes. “Today in Ankara as a result of an attack the The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs had sum- Russian ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov received moned the Iranian ambassador in Kuwait for a meet- wounds that he died from,” Russian foreign ministry ing with the ministry’s officials over the fate of the spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in televised com- detained citizens. Earlier on Saturday, Jarallah com- ments. “We qualify what happened as a terrorist act,” mended Iranian authorities’ cooperation over the detention of the Kuwaitis. she added. “The murderers will be punished. Today An official source at the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign this issue will be raised at the UN Security Council. Affairs also lauded Iranian authorities’ cooperation Terrorism will not win out,” she added. over the release of the Kuwaitis. Iranian authorities HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- have just handed over the four Kuwaiti citizens to the Jaber Al-Sabah strongly condemned the killing of the charge d’affaires at the Kuwaiti Embassy in Tehran, the Russian ambassador yesterday. The Amir, in a cable to source said in a press statement. The source assured Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said this ter- that the released citizens are fine and would be sent rorist act contravened diplomatic norms and moral back to Kuwait today by a Kuwait Airways plane. values. Kuwait strongly rejects all forms of terrorism, Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Rai reported the four were HH the Amir affirmed. HH the Crown Prince Sheikh on a fishing trip when they strayed into Iranian waters Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Prime and were detained on Friday. Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah Continued on Page 13 ANKARA: Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov is seen on the floor after being shot by a gunman (right) sent similar cables. during a public event in the Turkish capital. — AFP Continued on Page 13

Electoral College meets PAGE Yahoo problems story PAGE to confirm Trump win of too little, too late

Govt vows to resolve sports crisis

By B Izzak ference in local sports. In a letter sent to the Assembly yester- News KUWAIT: The government pledged yes- day, the public sport authority said it will in brief terday to resolve the years-old sports cri- issue a new sports law within six months sis that led to international sanctions and that is in line with international sport vowed it will cooperate with the National charters and respects the country’s sover- 9 dead as truck ploughs Assembly to issue new sports legislation, eignty, the constitution and public funds. into Berlin Xmas market MPs said. The government submitted a In the second point, the authority said it BERLIN: A truck ploughed into a crowded Christmas two-point solution aimed at lifting a 14- will invite the IOC and FIFA to Kuwait to market in the German capital Berlin yesterday evening, month suspension on Kuwaiti sports discuss the sports situation with the gov- killing nine people and injuring up to 50 others, police imposed by the International Olympic ernment and the Assembly in order to A worker of Turkish NGO Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) Burak Karacaoglu said. German media, citing police at the scene, said first Committee (IOC) and the world football reach a solution that is agreed by all sides. takes a selfie with seven-year-old Bana Al-Abed in the Rashidin district in Syria indications pointed to an attack on the market, situated body FIFA for alleged government’s inter- Continued on Page 13 after she was evacuated from Aleppo. — AFP at the foot of the ruined Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church, which was kept as a bombed-out ruin after World War Two. The truck careered into the Berlin mar- Miss Puerto Rico lands ket at what would have been one of the most crowded Thousands evacuated times for the Christmas market, when adults and chil- dren would be gathering in the traditional cluster of Miss World 2016 crown from Aleppo after deal wooden huts that sell food and Christmas goods. Police cars and ambulances converged quickly on the scene as OXON HILL, Maryland: Stephanie del Mannuela. Contestants from Kenya and a huge security operation unfolded. The fate of the driv- Valle of Puerto Rico was crowned Miss Catriona Gray of the Philippines also were 7-yr-old blogger heads to Turkey er of the truck was not immediately clear, but Bild news- World 2016 on Sunday, edging out run- in the final five. Canada’s Miss World rep- paper said he was on the run. ners-up from the Dominican Republic and resentative, Chinese-born Anastasia Lin ALEPPO: Thousands of traumatized more than 16 hours” at a regime check- Indonesia, and beauties from around the was embroiled in a controversy when Syrians including children left the rebel point without being allowed off the bus- globe. Del Valle, 19, is a brown-eyed pageant officials reportedly warned her enclave of Aleppo yesterday as the UN es. The government had suspended brunette student who speaks Spanish, against speaking to the press for three Security Council voted to deploy evacuations on Friday, insisting that peo- Three hurt in shooting at English and French, and hopes to get into weeks about human rights abuses in observers to the battered city to monitor ple also be allowed to leave two north- Zurich Muslim prayer hall the entertainment industry. Crowned by China. She was given the green light the evacuations. Families had spent western villages under rebel siege. Miss World 2015 Mireia Lalaguna of Spain, again on Wednesday. Last year, China According to the ICRC and the Syrian GENEVA: Three people were injured by gunfire in hours waiting in below-freezing temper- del Valle called it an “honor and a great blocked Lin from attending the same con- atures, sheltering from the rain in Observatory for Human Rights, around central Zurich yesterday, police said, with local responsibility” to represent her Caribbean test when it was held in the city of Sanya. bombed-out apartment blocks and wait- 500 people left in a dawn convoy out of media reporting the incident occurred in a Muslim homeland. Contestants from more than 100 coun- ing desperately for news on a new wave Fuaa and Kafraya. prayer hall near the city’s railway station. “I can First runner-up was Yaritza Miguelina tries took part in the Miss World beauty of departures. After an agonizing delay, The Observatory said at least 14,000 only confirm that there was a shooting,” a spokes- Reyes Ramirez of the Dominican Republic, pageant, held at National Harbor near the operation resumed yesterday under people, including 4,000 rebels, have left woman for Zurich police told AFP, adding a state- followed by Miss World Indonesia Natasha Washington, DC. — Agencies a complex agreement that will see the opposition sector since the evacua- ment would be released later. Swiss media said regime forces exert full control over tions began on Thursday. At least 7,000 the three wounded people, all adults, were found Syria’s second city. remain, according to the Britain-based in the street where the prayer hall is located. The More than 7,000 people travelled in monitor. A rebel representative said that suspected assailant had fled the scene and police 100 buses out of Aleppo yesterday, while hundreds of people would also be evac- sealed off the area, they said. dozens more vehicles were preparing to uated from Zabadani and Madaya, two leave, said Ingy Sedky, spokeswoman for army-besieged rebel towns near the bor- the International Committee of the Red der with Lebanon, as part of the deal. Saudi officials call to Cross (ICRC). Dbis said the Aleppo evacuees’ departure open jobs for women “We will continue throughout the day was delayed for hours in temperatures RIYADH: A senior Saudi cleric and a health ministry offi- - and however long it takes - to evacuate well below freezing, compounding their cial said women should be allowed to work as para- the thousands more who are still wait- plight from months of siege and bom- medics and opticians, Saudi newspapers reported yes- ing,” Sedky told AFP. The evacuees includ- bardment by the army. terday, part of a push to relax strict labor codes in the ed seven-year-old Bana Al-Abed, whose “They hadn’t eaten, they had nothing ultra-conservative kingdom. “It’s fine (for a woman) to Twitter account had offered a tragic to drink, the children had caught colds, work as a paramedic, provided she’s decent and in the account of Syria’s nearly six-year war, as they were not even able to go to the toi- lawful attire,” a senior member of the state-appointed well as 47 children who had been let,” he told AFP. He described families body of clerics, the ulama, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Manea trapped in an orphanage. wrapped in several layers of coats get- told Okaz daily. Mohammad Bajbair, a senior health offi- Ahmad Al-Dbis, who heads a team of ting off the buses, which then headed cial in the Red Sea commercial hub of Jeddah, told the doctors and volunteers coordinating back to Aleppo to bring out more. A Saudi Gazette that women could work in opticians’ evacuations, saw dozens of buses and young boy bit into an apple as aid work- shops as long as they do not mix with men. “If a com- ambulances arrive at the staging ground ers distributed bottled water to his fami- plaint is received by the health affairs department OXON HILL, Maryland: Miss Puerto Rico Stephanie del Valle reacts after being west of Aleppo. He said the evacuees ly. The UN’s children agency UNICEF said about the mixed environment then the shop might be crowned Miss World during the Miss World 2016 pageant at the MGM National were in “a very bad state after waiting for Continued on Page 13 closed down,” said Bajbair. Harbor on Sunday. — AFP LOCAL TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 Amir sends letter to Algerian President

ALGIERS: Kuwait’s Minister of Amiri Diwan During their meeting, Sheikh Nasser and Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- President Bouteflika discussed bilateral eco- Sabah delivered a letter Sunday from His nomic and development cooperation. The Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- meeting dealt with “friendship relations Jaber Al-Sabah, to Algerian President between the two countries, and other Abdulaziz Bouteflika. Sheikh Nasser, who domains dealing with economy and develop- arrived in the Algerian capital earlier, met with ment, in addition to discussing other issues President Bouteflika and delivered the letter like the situation in the Middle East,” Sheikh which dealt with Arab and regional develop- Nasser said in a statement to Algerian state TV. ments, in addition to bilateral relations. Sheikh Sheikh Nasser said the views of Kuwait and Nasser was received at the airport by Kuwait’s Algeria were “fully identical” over issues he dis- Ambassador to Algeria Mohammad Al-Shabo. cussed with President Bouteflika. — KUNA

KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday Head of the National Security Bureau Sheikh Thamer Ali Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. — KUNA

ALGIERS: Algerian President Abdulaziz Bouteflika (right) reads a letter from His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, delivered by Kuwait’s Kuwait distributes school Minister of Amiri Diwan Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. — KUNA FM in Cairo for Arab bags to displaced Iraqis

meeting on Syria IRBIL: Kuwaiti Consulate General in Irbil has significance to building better generations. He tive to provide school bags and various sup- distributed some 1,000 school bags for dis- added that the campaign includes the distri- plies. Kuwait has been offering humanitarian placed Iraqi students in Irbil. Kuwait’s Consul bution of 20,000 bags and different supplies, aid to the displaced Iraqis in the Kurdistan General in Irbil Omar Al-Kandari said yesterday noting that some 5,000 bags have so far been region, including an educational aid project, in that Kuwait is keen on helping the displaced distributed. addition to 3,000 heaters and food rations as Iraqis in Kurdistan and it has chosen to con- Meanwhile, Hazim Yaseen, a student, thanked part of an aid package earmarked for the war- centrate on the educational side for its great the state of Kuwait for the humanitarian initia- torn nation. — KUNA

KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah prepares to leave to Egypt yesterday. — KUNA CAIRO: Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and His delegation includes Ambassador to Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- Egypt Saleh Al-Thuwaikh, Assistant Foreign Hamad Al-Sabah has arrived in Cairo yesterday Minister for the Arab World Ambassador Aziz Al- to lead Kuwait’s delegation partaking in an Daihani, Deputy Assistant of the Foreign extraordinary meeting of Arab foreign ministers Minister for his bureau affairs Ambassador Saleh upon Kuwait’s request. During their meeting, Salem Al-Loughani, Kuwait’s Permanent the Arab foreign ministers are set to discuss the Delegate to the Arab League Ambassador current situation in Syria amid the tragic condi- Ahmad Abdulrahman Al-Bakr and other min- tions in the Syrian city of Aleppo. istry’s officials. — KUNA IRBIL: Kuwaiti General Consulate distributes school bags for displaced Iraqi students in Irbil. — KUNA ‘Cry of Aleppo’ depicts Kuwait’s major humanitarian role: Officials

KUWAIT: Al-Farwaniya Governor Sheikh Faisal Al-Malek Al-Sabah attends Kuwait Red Director of the technical bureau in Ahmadi People participate in Kuwait Red Crescent Society’s ‘Cry of Aleppo’ fundraising Crescent Society’s ‘Cry of Aleppo’ fundraising campaign. — KUNA Governorate Ibrahim Al-Fodari campaign. KUWAIT: Kuwait Red Crescent Society’s (KRCS) tions were solely given via the K-Net. He also displaced. Two days ago, he added, a batch of Worst conditions receive donors, both Kuwaitis and residents. ‘Cry of Aleppo’ fundraising campaign depicts expressed gratitude to the KRCS, the generous supplies including winter clothes and other Earlier, KRCS’ Vice chairman Anwar Al- Meanwhile, Ahmadi Governor Sheikh the State of Kuwait’s major role at the interna- citizens, the Ministry of Information, the media necessities reached some of the Syrians in the Hasawi said that the campaign will cover the Fawaz Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah stressed tional humanitarian relief levels, a number of and other contributors. north of the country. country’s five governorates. He affirmed that in a press statement the need to join the officials said yesterday. The campaign, Yousef Al-Me’raj, in charge of the emer- Abdullah Al-Mesbah, a donor, said that he it has been organized in solidarity with the regional and international efforts to stop launched yesterday in Farwaniya, Mubarak Al- gency and catastrophes’ affairs at KRCS, con- had chosen the KRCS because it is a veteran people of Aleppo who have been afflicted the Aleppo tragedy, adding that KRCS is Kabeer and Ahmadi governorates in support firmed that the nationwide effort aims at dis- and reliable association. Another donor, with the worst conditions, adding that the ever ready to enhance its leading role, ful- of displaced Syrians from Aleppo, came as a patching humanitarian and relief supplies to Mansour Al-Otaibi, said, “We are following the KRCS has mustered all potential and voluntary filling its human responsibility toward the reaction from the Kuwaiti people, renowned the Syrians. footsteps of His Highness the Amir to scram- cadres to secure its success. displaced Syrians. Also, Secretary of the for good deeds, the officials said in separate The KRCS is conducting the campaign at ble for relieving the afflicted anywhere, partic- The campaign will proceed for two days in Board of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate interviews. They also underlined the key role malls, State departments and Kuwait ularly in Arab and Islamic States.” Other donors each governorate, Hasawi added. He Nabil Al-Hafith said that opening the doors played by the KRCS for those who need sup- University. A delegation from the society will also expressed strong confidence that the expressed gratitude to the governors who of the governorate to receive donations port worldwide. travel to Syria to prepare the supplies that KRCS, as always, would secure delivery of the hurriedly responded to the philanthropic call came upon directions of the Governor This charitable-humanitarian campaign has would be handed to Syrians in need and the necessities to the needy in war-torn Syria. and opened the doors of the governorates to Ahmad Al-Rujaib. — KUNA been launched in line with religious and humanitarian duties, toward the “brothers in Aleppo, which aims to support them following the annihilation of their homeland,” said Sheikh Faisal Al-Malek Al-Sabah, Al-Farwaniya Governor. He also noted the keenness in this respect to bolster the State of Kuwait’s status as a global humanitarian center. Kuwait has always been in the front ranks for “aiding every-one and erecting bridges of relief and offering aid and tackling the hard- ships of the stricken and needy nations; in line with guidelines of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah,” the governor said. Sheikh Faisal Al-Humoud lauded the substantial response from the citi- zens and residents to the campaign, “reflecting genuine traits of the Kuwaiti people and their devotion for giving and hurriedly aiding those in need at times of hardships.”

K-Net only Ibrahim Al-Fodari, the director of the tech- nical bureau in Al-Farwaniya, said the dona- LOCAL TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

Three state departments deny contaminated water allegations

By Meshaal Al-Enezi to be examined and make sure the water pumped to consumers was bacteria-free. KUWAIT: Three state department held a “MEW also used neutral international labs joint press conference yesterday to deny such as those of WHO to verify the results rumors that drinking water in various pub- reached in our labs,” he underlined. In the lic schools in Kuwait was contaminated. meantime, MOH’s assistant undersecretary “The Environment Public Authority (EPA), for general health affairs Dr Majida Al- Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) Qattan expressed regret that an old rumor, and Ministry of Health (MOH) are cooper- which he said was first posted last year is ating together and with other relevant being circulated again, and claiming that authorities that water supplies are safe 90 percent of water in public schools is and of good quality,” said engineer contaminated. “We investigated the matter Mohammed Al-Enezi EPA’s deputy director and proved those claims wrong,” she high- for technical affairs during a press confer- lighted, noting that the same applies to ence held at EPA’s building. He stressed the recent allegations as the water is peri- that contaminated water allegations first odically examined. made by a citizen on his social media account are groundless. Lawmaker hospitalized In other news, MP Khaled Al-Otaibi was Water samples rushed to the chest diseases hospital yes- KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah chairs the Cabinet’s meeting yesterday. —KUNA “We periodically take water samples to terday due to pulmonary embolism, his analyze them,” he stressed, noting that all brother posted on his Twitter account. other bodies take and analyze samples as well and transparently declare the results. Sentence overruled Cabinet urges UNSC to He also noted that EPA invited the com- Separately, the court of appeal yester- plainer twice to visit its building and pres- day suspended a previous verdict which ent evidence to prove his allegations, but sentenced two female citizens who he never showed up. Meanwhile, MEW’s, worked for Ministry of Utilities (formerly Dr Meshaan Al-Otaibi said that MEW fol- Ministry of Communications) to seven stop Syria ‘genocides’ lows standard procedures to make sure years in prison with hard labor and dis- that water supplies are safe, saying that missal from their jobs for embezzling KD the complainer should have been more 520,000. The court also ordered the defen- KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Cabinet has called on the leadership in facing the injustice and the hard- ment will carry out full-scale reform schemes. accurate before making his claims. Otaibi dants’ release, banned them from travel- United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to inter- ships of the Syrian people .. and the Council Such an approach would require cooperation also stressed that water quality in Kuwait is ling and postponed the hearing of the vene promptly and stop the “genocides perpe- urges the Security Council to intervene imme- on part of the National Assembly, and the other one of the best worldwide and that 400 case until further witnesses are sum- trated against the Syrian people.” The cabinet, diately to halt the genocides against the broth- “partners” in the development process; namely samples are taken monthly from 500 sites moned. during its customary weekly meeting yesterday, erly Syrian people.” public and private entities and NGOs. also expressed gratitude to all those who have At start of the session, Minister Sheikh contributed to the relief campaigns for Syria, Mohammad Abdullah said, the ministers Letters to Amir Five held for collecting voiced relief at improvement of His Highness expressed relief at improvement of His The ministers, in the beginning of the ses- the Amir’s health, condemned the terrorist Highness the Amir’s health following the sion, examined letters addressed to His attack in Jordan, the latest bombing in Turkey, setback he suffered last week, imploring His Highness the Amir from the UN Secretary funds for Islamc State congratulated Qatar on the National Day and Almighty to bestow upon him lasting health General Ban Ki-moon on his mandate’s conclu- Lebanon on the new government. and long life so he may continue serving sion, expressing deep gratitude to the State of By A Saleh be more accurate. Azab added that he had In a statement after the weekly session, the country. Kuwait for boosting the “partnership” with the met Chairman Abdul Rahman Al-Namash, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh international organization. Ban, in the second KUWAIT: State security detectives arrested his deputy Riyadh Al-Hajri and Secretary Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah Sustainable development message, expressed eagerness to see greater five Syrian nationals over accusations of General Ahmed Al-Rumaihi, and discussed stated that the ministers affirmed solidarity of The Cabinet examined the government role by Kuwait in technological sector. illegally collecting donations and sending bridging gaps. He added that he would the Kuwaiti people behind the sagacious action plan for the 15th legislative term (2016- They also examined a message to His them to fund the Islamic State (IS) group in accordingly report to the Prime Minister. leadership in facing injustice and the 2017 and 2019-2020), themed “toward sustain- Highness from the Australian premier, express- Syria, said security sources. The sources approach to end the hardships suffered by able development.” They were briefed by ing desire to bolster ties and lauding the added state security authorities had Payments the Syrian people. Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and Minister Government of Kuwait’s donation to building a received information from Western intelli- MP Shuaib Al-Muwaizri yesterday filed The Cabinet, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah of State for Economic Affairs Hind Al-Subaih, mosque and a center after the name of the late gence agencies about funds transferred an inquiry with Deputy Prime Minister and said, called on the UN Security Council to who explained that the program was worked Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Australian from Kuwait to terrorist groups in Syria Finance Minister Anas Al-Saleh asking intervene immediately to halt the “genocides out in light of His Highness the Amir’s Address capital. They were briefed about a message including IS, Fateh Al-Sham (formerly about payments made by the Central Bank perpetrated against the Syrian people.” He at the parliament inauguration session. She not- from the Jordanian king to His Highness the Nusra) and other banned organizations. “By to the Prime Minister, previous or current stated, “The Cabinet has followed up with ed that the government action plan is in harmo- Premier, inviting His Highness to partake in the tracing the information, investigations led Cabinet members, the speaker of the house deep concern on the regretful situation in the ny with sustainable development objectives, world economic forum due in the Dead Sea in to a Syrian living in Sulaibikhat who admit- and current or previous lawmakers other Syrian city of Aleppo, condemning the brutal endorsed by the UN General Assembly for the May, 2017. ted to transferring large sums to these than their salaries and allowances since operations and the massacres committed by coming 15 years. Meanwhile, First Deputy Premier and Foreign groups for months,” explained the sources, July 31, 2016. the regime against the unarmed residents and Priorities outlined in the scheme, the minis- Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- noting that large amounts of money were the innocents. ter said, include public finance sustainability, Sabah informed the executives about the talks also found in the suspect’s house. The sus- Social aid “The Cabinet expresses gratitude to the privatization program, role of the private sector, he held with the British Minister of Middle East pect confessed to transferring the funds MP Thamer Al-Sowait warned the minis- faithful Kuwaiti people for interacting with the developing small and medium enterprise, and North African Affairs Tobias Ellwood during through another Syrian and his three sons, ter of social affairs and labor against her fundraising campaigns, undertaken by the organizing the labor market, setting up a social the latter’s visit to the country-during which an who own an office in Jleeb Al-Shuyiukh, decision to suspend social aid given to Ministry of Information, Kuwait Red Crescent security system, revamping education, health agreement was for criminals’ extradition was who were also arrested. The father con- Kuwaiti women married to non-Kuwaitis. Society and relief societies, as a contribution to services, infrastructure, informatics, communi- inked. fessed that he used to send the money “We strongly reject violating female citi- ending the injustice suffered by the brotherly cation, economic know-how, corporate gover- The Cabinet condemned the terrorist attack with his sons to Deir Ezzour, which is con- zens’ constitutionally guaranteed rights,” Syrian people. nance, environment and renewable energy. in Karak, Jordan, the bombing that targeted mil- trolled by insurgents. he stressed, noting that according to “The Cabinet affirms necessity of the This strategy is to be executed, Minister itary troops in Turkey, congratulated Qatar on records, 1,300 women received social aid Kuwaiti people’s solidarity, bolstering national Subaih added, in light of regional and interna- the National Day and Lebanon on forming a Dismissal rumors according to law 12/2011 amended by law unity and standing in one line behind the wise tional circumstances. Moreover, the govern- new government. —KUNA Minister of Justice and Minister of State number 23/2013. Meanwhile, MP Saleh for Cabinet Affairs Faleh Al-Azab denied Ashour yesterday proposed a bill suggest- that his meeting with the Public Anti- ing granting Kuwaiti women married to Corruption Authority’s board of trustees non-Kuwaitis social, children and rent had resulted in dismissing the chairman, as allowances, in addition to paying claimed on social media. “This is absolutely allowances to those in social care homes untrue,” he underlined, urging bloggers to until they are employed. Ministry to sponsors: Check maids’ residencies regularly By Hanan Al-Saadoun

KUWAIT: The Relations and Security Information Department at the Interior Ministry released a statement yesterday in which they asked citizens and expatriates KFSD workers prepare equipment at the site of the planned ‘ Shamel 3’ exercise. to check the validity of their domestic helpers’ regularly passports and residencies to avoid legal liability. The department noticed an increase in the number of resi- dency law violations lately, and found out that this happened due to sponsors forget- ting to renew the residencies or because of the them being out of the country.

Commercial fraud Assistant undersecretary for commercial supervision and consumer protection sec- KUWAIT: A vehicle damaged follow- tor at the Ministry of Commerce and ing an accident reported near Sabah Industry Eid Al-Rashidi said Al-Siddiq area Al-Ahmad yesterday. emergency team uncovered a major com- Fire station men responded and rescued the mercial fraud involving a liquid soap prod- person. The driver sustained a broken femur KFSD Director General Lt Gen Khalid Al-Mikrad meets with a Firefighters conduct a fire drill at Burgan Secondary School for uct used to clean kitchenware. The opera- and was taken to hospital for treatment. delegation from Al-Sharja information center. Girls in Qurain. tion was carried out in cooperation with Meanwhile, Hawally, Salmiya and technical res- the interior ministry. Rashidi said that an cue centers responded to a fire in a Hawally inspector was placed in a store in Shuwaikh apartment. The building was evacuated, and that has been put under surveillance, and the fire was put out. No injuries were reported. workers were seen placing liquid soap with unknown specifications and origin into Traffic campaigns bottle that carried the trademark of a The Interior Ministry’s Traffic famous and highly-popular brand. The Department carried out several surprise team is preparing to take legal action campaigns in six governorates resulting in against the warehouse officials. issuing 35,795 tickets, impounding 52 vehi- cles and four motorcycles, detaining 26 Motorist injured people for committing grave violations, Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) while seven expatriates were deported for received a call about a vehicle crashing into a driving without a license. Eighteen wanted light post near Sabah Al-Ahmad area. Wafra vehicles were also caught. Firefighters pose for a group photo with officials from Burgan Secondary School for Girls. Thirteen state departments participate in KFSD exercise

By Hanan Al-Saadoun the exercise was given by Lt Col Muath Al- two injured people, before tackling the blaze. Hamadi. KUWAIT: Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) Invitation is set to hold the Shamel 3 exercise, which will Fire drill In other news, KFSD Director General Lt Gen be one of the largest in Kuwait, on December 22 Meanwhile, KFSD’s firefighting sector conduct- Khalid Al-Mikrad received a delegation from Al- with the participation of 13 government bodies, ed a fire drill at Burgan Secondary School for Girls Sharja information center of the government of Deputy Director General Maj Gen Jamal Al- in Qurain, which imitated a fire in the school’s lab- Sharja, the United Arab Emirates. The delegation Bulaihees said. A meeting of participants was oratory. The scenario of the drill saw firefighters invited KFSD to participate in the 4th Sharja award held at the exercise’s grounds, where a brief on successfully evacuating the building and rescuing for governmental communications. Smoke can be seen coming out of an apartment in Hawally. LOCAL TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

In Brief

Amir congratulates CP patronizes Int’l calls tariffs Lebanon’s new PM Awqaf Forum KUWAIT: The Ministry of Utilities (formerly the KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Ministry of Communications) recently approved Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh new tariffs for international calls done from Kuwait sent a cable to Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah will patron- using the ministry’s landline phone service. The new Al-Hariri, congratulating him on the forma- ize the 23rd Awqaf Forum under the slogan fares, which became official after being published in tion of a new cabinet in the country. In the ‘Boosting Islamic Spirit through Awqaf Culture’. the state’s official gazette ‘Al-Kuwait Al-Youm’ cable, His Highness the Amir wished that the His Highness has deputized Minister of Awqaf December 11 issue, stipulate a 15 percent reduction for calls done to the majority of countries world- new government would fulfill the expecta- and Islamic Affairs and Minister of State for wide. The new fees become effective on January 2, tions and hopes of the brotherly Lebanese Municipal Affairs Mohammad Nasser Al-Jabri to 2017. The full list of counties and the new price rates people, and push forward good relations attend the inauguration ceremony today at 9:30 can be found on Kuwait Times’ website at between both nations. —KUNA am at Sheraton Hotel. — KUNA www.kuwaittimes.net. Photo o f t h e d a y

KUWAIT: Sunset as viewed from a beach in Kuwait. — KUNA photo

Kuwait’s trade surplus with Japan down for first time in three months

TOKYO: Kuwait’s trade surplus with Japan shrank 6.6 percent from a year earlier to JPY 27.7 billion ($236 million) in November, down for the first time in three months due to weak exports, the Japanese Finance Ministry said yesterday. But Kuwait main- tained monthly black ink with Japan for eight years and 10 months, the ministry said in a preliminary report. Kuwaiti overall exports to Japan declined 17.5 percent year- on-year to JPY 43.5 billion ($370 million) for the first drop in three months, while imports from Japan fell 31.5 percent to JPY 15.8 billion ($134 million), down for the third month. Middle East’s trade surplus with Japan expanded by 2.7 percent to JPY 374.5 billion ($3.2 billion) last month, although Japan- bound exports slid 11.0 percent from a year earlier. Crude oil, refined products, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other natural resources, which accounted for 95.7 percent of the region’s total exports to Japan, declined 10.0 percent. The region’s overall imports from Japan tumbled 27.7 percent, chiefly due to weak shipments of automobile, steel and electric equipment. The world’s third-biggest econo- my posted a global trade surplus of JPY 152. 5 billion ($1.3 billion) in November, marking a third straight month of black, reflecting lower energy prices and the yen’s appreciation, though both exports and imports declined. Exports edged down 0.4 percent from the year before due to sluggish shipment of such products as vehicles to Saudi Arabia and steel to Italy. Imports fell 8.8 percent, with value of crude oil falling 14.4 percent. Deficit with China, Japan’s biggest trade partner, shrank 35.3 percent to JPY 384.2 billion ($3.3billion). Japan’s currency strengthened against the US dollar by 13.5 percent from a year earlier to an average JPY 104.94, according to the min- istry. The yen’s appreciation pushes down import prices, but it also harms exports by making Japanese products more expensive overseas and cuts the value of repatriated overseas earning. The trade data are measured on a customs-cleared basis before adjustment for seasonal factors. — KUNA KUWAIT: The Ambassador of Japan to Kuwait Takashi Ashiki hosted a reception to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan at his residence over the weekend. Higher officials, diplomats, members of the Japanese community and media persons attended the event. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat LOCAL TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 Oil Minister chairs 97th OAPEC meeting

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Minister of developments of the UN Electricity and Water, and Minister Framework Convention on Climate of Oil Essam Abdulmohsen Al- Change (UNFCCC), and the ensued Marzouq is set to preside over the legal mechanisms after the 2015 97th meeting of the Organization Paris Agreement. of Arab Petroleum Exporting In addition, the Cairo meeting Countries (OPEC), to be held in will review the studies prepared by Cairo, Egypt on December 22, 2016, the General Secretariat during the said OAPEC’s Secretary General second half of 2016, including one Abbas Ali Al-Naqi. on the power mixture in the mem- Ministers of oil and energy from ber states, the present and oppor- the member states will attend the tunities for diversification. KUWAIT: Alaa Toson, President of AbbVie Pharmaceuticals (center) speaks during a joint press conference with the meeting that will discuss OAPEC’s According to Naqi, the ministers Ministry of Health to launch an educational campaign on communicable Hepatitis C yesterday. budget (the General Secretariat and will be briefed on a report on the — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat the Judicial Board) for 2017, besides Minister Essam Al-Marzouq 22nd Conference of the Parties to appointing an audit for the organi- the UNFCCC (COP 22) recently held zation’s 2017 accounts, Naqi said environment affairs and climate in Morocco. Names of winners of Health Ministry educates public yesterday. The ministerial meeting change. The Secretariat, in line with the OAPEC scientific awards for will also review the 2016 activities directives from the OAPEC’s 2016 will be announced during the of OAPEC’s Secretariat, including Executive Bureau, is following up meeting. — KUNA about communicable Hepatitis C ‘Better Test than Regret’

Kuwait’s exports decreased KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health represents the beginning of the eradi- tant to encourage people to undergo (MOH) launched an educational cam- cation of this contagious disease in the necessary tests and treatment paign on communicable Hepatitis C the State of Kuwait in line with WHO until complete recovery.” He further 9.5 percent in July-Sept: CSB during a press conference yesterday, (World Health Organization) objec- added that, with regards to the diag- highlighting the event, which is spon- tives, which aims to eliminate this nostic aspect of the disease, it has sored by AbbVie Pharmaceuticals and virus worldwide by the year 2030.” now become easily accessible and KUWAIT: Kuwait’s exports reached KD Coverage rate was 161.9 percent in million), records for imports range 3.624 billion for the third quarter of July-September 2016, while it was 177 from United States of America (KD held in conjunction with the National Toson stressed the necessity of available by simple tools which only 2016, a decrease of 9.5 percent com- percent in July-September 2015. In 227.2 million), UAE (KD 180 million) Committee for fighting communica- communicating facts about the dis- take a few minutes to obtain highly pared with the same period of 2015, the third quarter of 2016, coverage and Japan (KD 147.2 million), the ble Hepatitis C. The press conference ease to the Kuwaiti community in accurate results, making it possible to said Central Statistical Bureau (CSB). rate (excluding oil) was 16.1 percent statement said. was attended by the sponsoring order to create awareness and to rec- detect the disease. This is an integral Imports were KD 2.239 billion in the compared with 17.8 percent in the As compared with the same quar- patrons and organizers as well as a tify misconceptions about the disease, part of our educational campaign third quarter of 2016 with a one per- third quarter of 2015, it made clear. ter of the previous year, exports to the large number of media representing bringing to light that the biggest bar- about communicable Hepatitis C. cent decrease compared with July- For July-September 2016, the top GCC countries were KD 110.9 million, various media sectors in Kuwait. rier between the patient and seeking It is worth noting that the ‘Better September 2015, the bureau added in categories for exports were “Mineral while it was KD 123.1 million, and The campaign was aimed at edu- the treatment lies in the fact that Test than Regret’ campaign involves a a press statement yesterday. fuels and oils” (KD 3.263 billion) with decreased by 9.9 percent, it said. The cating the public about contagious many patients are not aware that they number of promotional and educa- In July-September 2016, balance of share of 90 percent and then “Organic share of the GCC countries was 3.1 and communicable Hepatitis C and have the disease. He said, “It was time tional functions which also include trade was KD 1.385 billion, while it chemicals” (KD 105.9 million) 2.9 per- percent in July-September 2016, while ways of treating and preventing it. It we helped change the public outlook health exhibitions covering 15 basic was KD 1.741 billion in July- cent, it noted. it was also 3.1 percent in July- also aims at rectifying public miscon- towards communicable Hepatitis C care centers, major and main govern- September 2015 with a 20.5 percent In July-September 2016, the main September 2015. During the same ceptions about the disease and to because diagnosis is now available ment hospitals, as well as addiction decrease, the statement showed. In partner country for non-oil exports period, 27.7 percent of imports prod- confirm that the medication to fight within minutes due to the ministry’s rehabilitation hospitals, prison hospi- the same period, volume of trade was India, reaching KD 58.1 million. ucts were Industrial supplies. As com- the disease is readily available and the care to ensure the most advanced and tals, government institutions and decreased 6.4 percent compared with For exports, India was followed by pared with the same period of the disease can be treated provided the state-of-the-art diagnosis and treat- commercial complexes. Educational the third quarter of 2015. Trade was Saudi Arabia (KD 43.7 billion), UAE (KD previous year; Industrial supplies initiative to start the treatment exists ment tools available to fight conta- bulletins and circulars will also be KD 5.862 billion in July-September 41 million) and China (KD 40.1 mil- increased 5.7 percent and Capital and visit to the government’s health gious diseases. distributed. This is in addition to giv- 2016, while it was KD 6.265 billion in lion), it explained. The top country for goods increased by 19.9 percent, the departments for testing is made. ing health guidelines and informa- July-September 2015, it said. Kuwait’s imports was China (KD 336.8 statement concluded. — KUNA Important step tion about prevention and treatment Responsibility To this effect, Dr Ghalia Al-Mutairi, by using modern health educational Regarding the sponsorship by President of Communication means. A film to educate the public AbbVie Pharmaceuticals, Alaa Toson, Committee at MOH, said, “Educating and to raise awareness about the dis- President of AbbVie said, “Our spon- the public about the disease is ease has been made and will be aired Kuwait Agriculture sorship of the event represents our deemed a fundamental and impor- and shown on the Ministry of commitment and responsibility tant step in preventing communica- Health’s YouTube channel, TV and dis- towards the Kuwaiti society and pub- ble Hepatitis C as there has so far plays at clinics and hospitals. lic entailing our responsibility to take been no vaccination available for the Furthermore, educational messages Company joins Horeca part in educating the public about the virus. Also, promoting awareness about the disease will be communi- prevention and cure.” He added, “We about the virus, its dangers and the cated through the Ministry’s social hope that this informative campaign ways it is communicated is so impor- media accounts. KUWAIT: Preparations for the Horeca Kuwait 2017 exhibition are steadily progressing, and the event is attracting more companies to take part, since it is an event which provides a golden opportunity to exchange expertise to meet the local market’s needs and future expansion plans. In this regard, Kuwait Agriculture Company’s Chairman Jawad Nasser Al-Arbash announced his company’s intention to take part in the exhibi- tion, stressing that it has been taking part as an exclusive agent for so many famous international brands. Arbash added that since its inception in 1968 as a poultry and restaurants’ producer, Kuwait Jawad Al-Arbash Agriculture Company has been working on expanding its operation role in increasing our annual sales Horeca Kuwait 2017 has so far as a major importer and distributer to over $180 million-worth of food, attracted over 70 companies due to of food stuff, relying on its large non-food and retail products, as display their products in the pres- fleet of readily available and fully well as hotel and restaurant food ence of a group of international equipped delivery trucks. services and many others,” he under- experts and chefs and a large group Further, Arbash stressed that lined. Arbash concluded by high- of company and hotel owners. The Kuwait Agriculture Company has lighting his company’s participation exhibition is organized by Leaders specialized sale sections to cover all in Horeca 2017, noting that it targets Group in collaboration with commercial channels and provide enhancing its status and expanding Hospitality Services Company at quality products with reasonable its work through acquiring more Kuwait International Fairgrounds in prices. “This strategy had a great international franchises. Mishref on January 16-18, 2017.

Arab officials Ministry to integrate discuss housing human rights RIYADH: Arab housing and construction principles with policies ministers will hold their 33rd session in the Saudi capital today for talks on KUWAIT: Health Minister Dr Jamal revamping the housing sector in the Arab Al-Harbi stressed yesterday the countries, according to a press release ministry’s keenness on integrating issued yesterday. The ministers, during human rights principles with its the meeting to be chaired by Saudi health care programs and policies Housing Minister Majid Al-Hogail, will dis- on all medical levels, including cuss mutual cooperation for developing precautionary, therapeutic, and the sector. rehabilitant. Harbi made his They will also discuss issues that have remarks in his speech at the open- been followed up by the Arab Housing ing of the Islamic Organization for Council’s Executive Bureau, partly related Medical Sciences (IOMS) confer- to managing housing complexes, cele- ence, billed as “health rights and brating the Arab Housing Day, the duties for patients from an Islamic Dr Jamal Al-Harbi Council’s website service as well as fol- perspective.” lowing up on housing-related resolutions The four-day conference coin- of Arab summits. cides with Human Rights Day and Kuwait’s ongoing celebra- The agenda includes other topics, tions after being chosen as the Islamic Culture Capital 2016, such as cooperation with the United he said, indicating that the conference’s axes and events are in Nations Human Settlements Programme line with the ministry’s priorities and vision. (UN-Habitat), coordination in the field The conference’s discussions will lead to recommendations with regional and international organiza- that would support health and development plans, programs, tions, boosting joint Arab action at this and strategies, transferring the link between health and level and realty funding. human rights from just ambitions and hopes into a tangible Furthermore, the conferees will exam- reality, said Harbi. ine information swap on pioneering The ministry has laid a clear roadmap for integrating housing ventures, matters related to the human rights principles and measures with all its health poli- Arab center for protection against earth- cies, procedures, and care programs in accordance with the quakes and natural catastrophes, amend- 2030 sustainable development plan, Harbi said. He also ing some of the Council’s constituent law, affirmed that IOMS is the ministry’s strategic partner in solidi- to be in tandem with the Arab League fying human rights principles and measures in health and reforms. — KUNA awareness programs and policies. — KUNA TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 FROM THE ARABIC PRESS Crime Report Al-Jarida

Expelling the Russian Yoga trainer’s 2016 Government Umbrella ambassador and parliamentary recklessness Vehicle stolen KUWAIT: A man who works as a yoga trainer reported his By Hamad Al-Derbas vehicle stolen. In his statements to Maidan Hawally police, the Indian man explained that he was approached by a hings are getting very complicated in Syria, woman who accused him of blocking her car and threat- and the crisis seems to be insolvable in the ened to call the cops. Soon afterwards, a man approached Tshort term. The Assad regime used to have him, identified himself as a police officer and asked to step chemical weapons that helped him negotiate, outside of his vehicle and hand over his car keys. He gave especially after the failure of forming a national him the keys, only to stand and watch that person jump Syrian opposition alliance before radical Islamists into the vehicle with the woman and drive away. A case flocked to Syria. was filed and investigations are in progress. In 2012, Assad managed to impose himself as a main player that could be spared on grounds that Attackers arrested keeping chemical weapons under his control would ensure the international community’s Ahmadi detectives identified two out of five persons observation, while deposing him might lead to a who reportedly attacked four citizens in their camp, in vacuum and those weapons might end up in the a case reported recently. One of the victims had told hands of uncontrollable and unobservable radical Ahmadi police that five men in dishdashas attacked militias, especially since those groups have so far them inside their camp, leaving them injured, and also damaged their cars. Police managed to arrest two of exceeded 100 according to Syrian affairs expert the suspects, Jordanian and bedoon (stateless), and Charles Lister. What even helped Assad maintain are searching for the rest. his position is that he got rid of over 90 percent of these chemical weapons over the past four years, although he did retain some in secret. Sexual assault Al-Anbaa With all such complications, and in the absence of a national civilian opposition that A Filipina woman accused her Egyptian sponsor of raping melted and faded away into foreign radical ele- her in his apartment. In her statement to police, the victim ments, it is becoming futile to consider toppling said that three men lured her into an apartment and raped Al-Anbaa Assad, especially since the countries demanding her there. She could not identify the suspects, but gave police the phone number of the person who contacted this are incapable of imposing their vision on the her. Police identified the man and attempted to call him Escaping a madhouse international community, namely on the Russians, several times but he failed to answer their calls. An investi- whose influence covers such a large part of the gation was opened in search for the suspects. world that Germany and entire Europe are inca- pable of confronting the Russian bear in Ukraine, By Thaar Al-Rasheedi because Germany gets 30 percent of its natural Cousin stabbed gas from Russia. Russian-Syrian relations are his- he never-ending problem in this country is that the creating additional ones. Such double-measured mentality A bedoon (stateless) man stabbed his cousin over a majority demand for law enforcement, full democra- only produces emotional and impulsive decisions, making torical and go back to when the former Russian dispute. Police and paramedics rushed to the area and Tcy and freedom of expression as long as those laws this political madness go on forever, and the results we had president Yuri Andropov said Syria is a ‘red line”! took the stabbed man to Jahra hospital, where he was do not affect them. Otherwise, they are pro-democracy in the 2016 elections will be the same as those we will get In view of the magnitude of the Syrian tragedy, admitted inside the intensive care unit. The runaway and are political and legal activists. “Impose the law on oth- in 2116. After all this, we still wonder why we are so sectari- demands to expel the Russian ambassador in suspect was charged with attempted murder and is ers. I will criticize you until your law comes near me, if it an, racial and always taking sides. Some believe that with Kuwait made by some citizens sympathizing with wanted by detectives. does then you are being abusive with me;” that is how they its injustice, the state has forced some to take refuge under the Syrians are reckless and irresponsible. perceive law and democracy. In short, this is our dilemma sects, tribes or doctrines. Unfortunately, those demands were made by law- not only in Kuwait, but throughout the Arab world where Well, this is partially true, but the main reason is that the makers who are supposed to wisely assess the Smuggling foiled people use double measures and view the same situations people themselves use double measures and thus, smaller problem and realize the impact of such demands A passenger was caught trying to smuggle six pieces of with two different perspectives according to the side they tribes and sects were born. The solution to this problem is on Kuwait that could not bear with Saddam hashish through Nuwaiseeb border outlet. The Pakistani are on, rather than judging it on the basis of fixed princi- being realistic. Any solutions presuming that we live in an Hussein’s regime’s aggression and will not toler- man concealed the contraband in an oil shipment, accord- ples. They are all legal and constitutional experts. They are ideal society will only make things worse. We have to real- ate possible Russian and Iranian ravages at a time ing to the police report. He was sent to the Drug Control human right activists until they themselves violate the law ize that it will take us a long time to get rid of this, and only when US foreign policy is retreating. General Department to face charges. and when it is imposed on them, they no longer see any then we can develop and have a parliament that truly rep- Therefore, any activity against Russia ought to laws or constitution. resents the nation. Only then we will stop asking voters for be part of an international movement, especially At some point of time we have to get rid of double whom they have voted. Anybody who claims to be ideal or since regional and international parliamentarian measures in dealing with the law, or else all elections will living in a utopia under our current political situation is organizations are accessible to these lawmakers, Murder investigation still give the same results and we will eventually end up either a liar or has managed to escape from this madhouse. Salwa police held an Indian man on suspicion of killing asking about who voted for whom, who gave up the cause We do have so many liars, especially those calling them- and thus they have a greater chance to play a a Sri Lankan national following a dispute over liquor and why our country does not develop and stay just like a selves ‘political activists.’ We still have some politically sane major role rather than playing that of a sympa- brewing and sale. The victim’s body was recovered by crippled turtle. As long as we are enslaved by our double- people but those wisely prefer to remain silent. thizer with impulsive public opinion. the coroner. —Al-Rai, Al-Anbaa measured ways of thinking, the same problems will exist, —Translated by Kuwait Times —Translated by Kuwait Times

Burgan Bank invites Premier customers to ‘Star Wars’ GUST, EQUATE award winners screening at Grand Cinemas in MEGlobal Case Study 2016 KUWAIT: Stemming from its wide range of two free seats whereby they had the choice valuable privileges specially designated to of reserving to any of the three shows that its Premier Account holders, Burgan Bank, were exclusively available for them on that KUWAIT: Gulf University for Science and in collaboration with Grand Cinemas, day at the “Grand Class VIP” lounge. Burgan Technology (GUST) and EQUATE Petrochemical recently invited its Premier Banking cus- Bank is committed to rewarding its Premier Company, a global producer of petrochemicals, tomers to watch the first screening of ‘Star Banking customers with exclusive offers awarded the winners of the annual MEGlobal Wars - Rouge One’ movie for free, at the that are tailor-made for their own lifestyle Case Writing Competition 2016 to develop the most luxurious VIP movie theatre - Grand and aspirations, and will continue accom- academic and scientific competencies of stu- Class VIP in Al Hamra Luxury Center, on modating optimal customer convenience dents. MEGlobal is a wholly owned subsidiary of Thursday December 15th, 2016. with the provision of added value benefits EQUATE and the competition is part of EQUATE’s Each premier customer was entitled to inside and outside Kuwait. Sustainability Program. This is the fourth time this competition has been conducted with GUST. The judging panel included EQUATE Senior VP and MEGlobal President Dr Ramesh Ramachandran, MEGlobal Vice President of Projects Dr Salman Al-Ajmi, as well as GUST’s Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr Salah Al- Sharhan and Head of Mass Media Department Dr Fahed Al-Sumait. Dr Ramachandran said, “Education and pro- fessional development are key elements in EQUATE’s Sustainability Program. This competi- tion is an opportunity for the students to ana- lyze hypothetical cases that reflect potential challenges they will face in industry and put theories and ideas into real-life practices. Every year, the students have displayed their analyti- cal abilities, strategic abilities and creative think- ing. EQUATE and MEGlobal are proud to be associated with GUST and have always been impressed by the quality and the abilities of stu- Gulf Bank sponsors first annual dents in Kuwait.” Meanwhile, Assistant Professor at GUST exhibition on nutrition and health College of Business Administration Dr John Hayes said, “Strategic thinking and the ability to KUWAIT: Gulf Bank was pleased to be the tion for those with special needs, raise apply it are key competencies within the corpo- gold sponsor for the First Annual Exhibition awareness on ways and means for their rate world. As evident from the high number of on Nutrition and Health entitled ‘Your life is nutrition, and to define the role of a participants in this competition, the students are your health, and your health is your nutri- healthy lifestyle to combat obesity enthusiastic about applying their theoretical were selected for the finals and developed the totaling KD 6,000 that were awarded to the five tion’. The exhibition was held under the aus- amongst the new generation. knowledge to devise real-life solutions for actual case studies. At the beginning of the competi- teams. The awards were KD 3,000 for first place pices of the Ministry of Health, on December Gulf Bank is strongly committed to giv- enterprise-based challenges. GUST firmly tion, MEGlobal provided a number of cases for to one team, KD 2,000 for second place split 18-19 2016, at the Marina Hotel in Kuwait. ing back to Kuwait and society through its believes in encouraging and nurturing the the students to use in the competition. The case between two teams and KD 1,000 for third place With the participation of specialized corporate social responsibility program. strategic direction and original thinking in our studies covered marketing/sales, finance, human divided between two teams. The winning teams companies in Kuwait and Europe, this exhi- The Bank supports numerous events focus- students, which are key elements for pioneering resources and management. The students were were awarded by Petrochemical Industries bition on health and nutrition for the peo- ing on youth, education, health and fitness, corporations, such as EQUATE and MEGlobal.” guided by Dr Hayes, who is a renowned author Company (PIC) CEO Mohammad Al-Farhoud, ple with special needs is considered the helping the underprivileged, women’s The competition included the participation of and researcher, to provide innovation-based EQUATE Chairperson and PIC Deputy CEO for first of its kind. Its main objectives is to empowerment, as well as promoting a number of teams from GUST. Five teams, con- strategic business solutions to actual challenges. Olefins and Aromatics Hosnia Hashim, as well as highlight the importance of a healthy nutri- Kuwait’s heritage and culture. sisting of under-graduate and MBA students, The participants competed for financial prizes Dr Ramachandran. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

Hopeless Afghan Drone seizure a sign of tougher times between US, China struggle to rescue boy sex slaves Page 12 Page 11

AMMAN: Members of the Jordanian Gendarmerie line the road ahead of the funeral of their killed colleague Lieutenant Colonel Saed Al-Maaytah. — AP Suicide belts at Jordan tourist attack spot Tourists were found hiding inside Crusader castle

AMMAN: Jordanian police said yesterday Jordan is a leading member of the US-led without heavy losses,” he said. “A year ago more than $4 billion in October 2015 to they found suicide belts and other explo- coalition fighting IS jihadists in Iraq and we were talking about a current of sympa- $3.1 billion in the same month this year. Pakistan cinemas sives in the hideout of suspected Islamic Syria. It has carried out air strikes targeting thy in Jordan for the jihadists.” But “today Tourists from Canada, Britain and State group jihadists behind an attack that IS, and also hosts coalition troops on its terri- that current has turned into groups of Malaysia were hiding inside a Crusader cas- quietly show Indian killed 10 people including a Canadian tory. Maaz Al-Kassasbeh, a Jordanian fighter youth who feel they’re an integral part of tle during armed clashes between Jordan tourist. The shooting spree in Karak, home pilot, was captured by the jihadists when his Daesh”, Abu Rumman said, using an Arabic troops and gunmen at the site, Jordan’s films as tensions ease to one of the region’s biggest Crusader cas- plane went down in Syria in December 2014, acronym for IS. Jordan has struggled to interior minister said Monday, denying that tles, is another blow to tourism in a country and he was later burned alive in a cage. revive a tourism sector dampened by the foreigners had been held hostage at any KARACHI: Pakistani movie theatres began screening already grappling with the spillover of the Karak is Kassasbeh’s hometown. In June, a 2011 uprisings across the Arab world, as point. “Inside the castle, there was a group Bollywood films again yesterday, ending an 11-week boy- wars in neighboring Syria and Iraq. suicide bombing claimed by IS killed seven well as conflict in Iraq and Syria. The Karak of tourists,” he said, adding that he did not cott in response to political and military tensions with Another 34 people including a second border guards near the Syrian frontier. citadel, described by Jordan’s Tourism Board believe the attackers were aware of the India, theatre officials said. Some theatre owners said the Canadian were wounded in Sunday’s as a “maze of stone-vaulted halls and end- presence of the tourists during the standoff. restoration was because tension was easing, but others assault in the city around 120 kilometers Hit to tourism less passageways”, dates back to the 12th “There were some foreigners that we can’t said it was because audiences had dropped so sharply south of the capital Amman. Four gunmen According to sources close to Islamists, century and has withstood many sieges. say were taken hostage, but they were hid- since the boycott that began on Sept 30. were shot dead by police during the course almost 4,000 Jordanians have joined Shaher Hamdan, the head of Jordan’s ing,” he said. In Karachi, the Atrium Cinema started with a of a siege lasting several hours. “The four jihadist groups in Iraq and Syria, and an esti- association for tourist and travel agencies, Hammad did explain how the Canadian screening of the Indian sports romantic comedy dead militants are Jordanian members of a mated 420 have been killed since 2011. said Sunday’s attack “will certainly have woman, later identified as 62-year-old “Freaky Ali”. Still, the screenings were kept low key, terrorist cell suspected of belonging to IS,” a King Abdullah II said in a statement Jordan negative consequences” on tourism. retired elementary school teacher Linda with no publicity posters and scant attendance in the- security source told AFP. would stand up “to anyone who tries to Jordan’s tourism sector “is already affected Vatcher, was killed. atres visited by Reuters. Interior Minister Salama Hammad told attack or violate the security and safety of by any event in the world or in the region, Vatcher’s adult son, Chris, was injured in Relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors and reporters there was no information about its citizens”. so imagine a terrorist event inside the coun- the jaw and is being treated at a hospital in foes have been more fraught than usual since a crack- any militants still at large and there had “Jordan is strong and able to stamp out try”, he said. the Jordanian capital of Amman, the minis- down by Indian security forces on dissent in Indian-con- been no arrests. He refused to give the terrorism and its criminal gangs,” he said. Tourism accounts for 14 percent of ter said. The minister said a Malaysian trolled Kashmir began in July. — Reuters nationality of the gunmen. Prime Minister But Mohammed Abu Rumman, of the Jordan’s gross domestic product (GDP) and tourist was able to escape the castle during Hani Al-Malki, who was addressing parlia- Centre of Strategic Studies at the University is its second highest source of foreign the standoff, while two British tourists got ment at the time of the shootings, had spo- of Jordan, was less optimistic. “No security exchange earnings after remittances. out after the four gunmen were killed by ken of as many as 10 gunmen. measures can take on this kind of terrorism Revenues from the sector dropped from Jordanian security forces. — Agencies Troops deploy in tense DR Congo

KINSHASA: People stayed home across In the volatile east, torn by two decades second city, Lubumbashi, in the southeast, divide the two sides. Democratic Republic of Congo yesterday, of armed conflict, five rebels, a South with most shops closed and very little traf- Negotiations are due to resume on leaving troops to patrol ghost cities as ten- African peacekeeper and a Congolese fic. Social networks have been cut or fil- Wednesday when Catholic bishops acting sion peaked hours before President Joseph police officer were killed when militia fight- tered since midnight Sunday on orders as mediators return from a long-planned Kabila’s mandate ends, but with no election ers attacked several buildings in Butembo, from the authorities and police at the trip to Rome-a day after the 45-year-old in sight. Kabila’s second term expires at including the prison. Kabila, who has been weekend banned gatherings of more than Kabila’s term ends. A democratic handover midday on December 20, but he has shown in power for 15 years, is constitutionally 10 people. would break ground for Congo’s 70 million no sign of stepping down and talks on a barred from seeking a third term but under people who since independence from pre-election transition have failed, sparking a recent constitutional court order he may Talks to resume Belgium in 1960 have never witnessed fears of fresh political violence in the min- stay on until a successor is chosen. An AFP journalist saw police disperse a political change at the ballot box. eral-rich but unstable nation. The ruling party and some opposition group of eight young people chatting on And in the last few years hundreds of Normally teeming Kinshasa, the megaci- leaders have agreed to schedule an elec- the street in Goma, in the east, where busi- people have died in political violence in the ty capital of 10 million people, was a shad- tion in April 2018, leaving Kabila in office ness too was at a standstill. In a last-ditch capital, Kinshasa, including 53 in anti- ow of itself yesterday, with barely any traffic until the vote. But the main opposition bloc bid to achieve a peaceful transfer of power, Kabila protests in September. The president on the main roads, public transport at a rejects this. In Kinshasa, journalists were talks took place last week between the rul- has been in power since his father Laurent minimum, and soldiers and police outnum- prevented from entering the university ing party and fringe opposition groups Kabila was assassinated in 2001. He was bering passers-by. Shops were shuttered in grounds by security forces and irate stu- allied against a mainstream opposition elected in 2006, and again in 2011, in a poll the main square and there were tense dents, but students reached by telephone coalition led by 84-year-old Etienne the opposition decried as rigged. scenes at Kinshasa University, where said they had been planning “to march Tshisekedi. But despite more than a week Tshisekedi’s opposition grouping has dozens of police and troops held back hun- peacefully” to parliament to demand Kabila of mediation they broke up on Saturday, threatened to bring people into the streets dreds of students, AFP journalists said. step down. Security was also tight in the with no progress on the main issues that from Monday if the talks failed. — AFP INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 Iraqis create market in mud of displaced camp

KHAZIR: Mobile phones, cartons of ciga- in the battle to recapture Mosul-if they flimsy shoes and examining improvised day, savvy young entrepreneurs are ask- Seating his clients in front of a mirror, he rettes and fresh mutton are all on sale have the money. In the Khazir camp, buy- market stalls on the ground between ing for the equivalent of around 40 US uses his new gear to trim their beards or inside a camp for Iraqi civilians displaced ers trudge in the mud, skidding around in tents that shelter thousands of people. cents for an hour of power from the roar- snip away at their hair. His customers “pay Behind his makeshift display of mobile ing machine. Khalaf has only been selling what they want as nobody has work”, he phones and USB cables, 28-year-old Waad his phones for three days but Farhan says, plastic comb in hand, bags of veg- Khalaf grins. Buyers are permanently Yassin says he was one of the first sales- etables left behind on his small table as flocking to his stall, he says. Under the men at the improvised market. It hap- payment. Islamic State jihadist group, “having a pened “just like that”, he says. “We never The 26-year-old history graduate was mobile meant prison so now everybody spoke to each other but somehow we all unable to work as a teacher under IS as needs to buy one,” he says, his hands ended up here.” the group set up its own schools, says the stuffed into the pockets of his fake leather young man, whose head is wrapped jacket to warm them. The former laborer Snipping skills tightly in a scarf under a hood to keep escaped his home town of Gogjali on the For 12 days, Yassin has been selling out the bitter cold. When he could not outskirts of Mosul in northern Iraq in cigarettes as a way of returning to nor- find work at a camp school either, he November as fighting raged there mality after living under the jihadists. He again resorted to his snipping skills to between Iraqi forces and IS fighters. lost his shop in Mosul after IS closed it support his young daughter “who needs Selling phones for up to around down and made him pay the equivalent diapers and powder milk”. 130,000 Iraqi dinars ($100) each allows of around $1,300 for selling cigarettes, he Not far from where he cuts hair, pow- him to buy warm winter clothes and says, which were just as sinful as mobile der milk is on sale next to sanitary pads, shoes for his daughter and son, says the phones under their ultra-conservative underwear, metal cutlery and fizzy drinks father-of-two. Khalaf and his wife can rule. He now sells each packet of ciga- for those with money. Cash is in rare sup- then also afford to buy medicine from rettes for around 500 dinars (around 40 ply among the roughly three million peo- Arbil in Iraqi Kurdistan several dozen kilo- US cents) after buying them in bulk in ple displaced by fighting in Iraq. But one meters to the east, he says. Arbil. Ammar, a barber, also left Mosul last couple has found a solution. They slip Not far away in the improvised market, month when anti-IS forces arrived at the bags of rice and lentils they have Khalaf’s clients can charge their new gates of Iraq’s jihadist-held second city. received as aid through the fence sur- MOSUL: In this Sunday, Dec 18, 2016 photo, Iraqi children look at the phone by plugging it in to a multi-socket He was only able to smuggle a pair of rounding the camp to people on the oth- body of a half-buried Islamic State militant while talking to an Iraqi sol- extension cord linked to a generator. In a scissors into his bag as he fled and had to er side who buy them for a few precious dier in the Al-Barid district. —AP camp with just four hours of electricity a buy all the rest of his equipment in Arbil. bank notes. —AFP Turkey border crossing becomes central hub in Aleppo evacuation Already home to some three million refugees

CILVEGOZU: Clogged daily by Aleppo evacuated to the neighboring province to accommodate up to But in practice, access has now dozens of aid trucks, a Turkish border Idlib province. 80,000 Syrian refugees fleeing Aleppo. become much harder with Ankara crossing has become a key hub in Every day, dozens of aid trucks According to Turkish officials, three preferring to see Syrians looked after efforts to get help to those who have from the Turkish Red Crescent and possible sites have been identified in inside Syria. One of the aims of fled the devastation in the war-rav- the Humanitarian Relief Foundation Idlib province. Turkey’s ongoing military incursion aged Syrian city of Aleppo. The (IHH) charity head into Syria, not to “We are ready for any scenario,” said inside Syria is to create a “safe area” Cilvegozu border crossing in Turkey’s Aleppo itself but to camps that are a Turkish official. “Turkey in the past that could house Syrian refugees. southern Hatay province just east of accommodating thousands of peo- managed such humanitarian opera- Heavily injured are nonetheless being its main city Antakya is in a peaceful ple just inside the border. The Turkish tions with success. There’s no problem transferred into Turkish hospitals for area, with little sign of the horror that Red Crescent has so far dispatched there.” While Turkey is clearly keen to treatment. lies just a few dozen kilometers 216 trucks and the IHH 381 trucks, all ensure most Syrians stay on their side beyond to the south. loaded with humanitarian aid, since of the border, it is also setting up a ‘Demanding job’ Already home to some three mil- the start of the month. smaller 1,000-person tent city-the pre- Since the evacuations began last week, 131 injured Aleppo people — 46 of them children-have been taken JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, attends the to Turkey yesterday morning, a Turkish weekly cabinet meeting. —AP official told AFP. Five of them have died in hospital. Funeral cars from Turkey have also been seen bringing Survey: Israelis increasingly the dead back to the Turkish border. A vocal critic of Syrian President Bashar losing faith in government Al-Assad’s regime, Turkey has champi- oned itself as the broker with Russia of JERUSALEM: A leading Israeli think tank yes- strong standing was the Israeli military, a ceasefire deal opening the way for terday said it has found that Israelis are which is trusted by 90 percent of the Jewish civilians and rebel fighters to be evacu- increasingly losing faith in their government public and 82 percent when the Arab minor- ated from eastern sections of divided and most Israeli public institutions - findings ity is factored in. city of Aleppo in a stuttering but ongo- that mirror the global trend of dissatisfaction ing process. and cynicism that helped propel Britain’s exit Global trends Turkish trucks cannot cross into from the European Union and the victory of While Hermann cited “global trends” for Syria directly but load their humani- President-elect Donald Trump. the sentiments in the poll, Israel has been tarian aid to Syrian trucks on the bor- The Israel Democracy Institute also found a undergoing its own process of rising national- der, IHH’s board member Izzet Sahin continuing nationalistic streak among the ism in recent years, driven by failed peace said. “This is a demanding job,” Sahin country’s Jewish majority, with more than half efforts with the Palestinians, a yearlong wave told AFP at the NGO’s logistics centre of respondents in a nationwide survey of violence in Israel and the West Bank, three at Bab Al-Hawa around 1 kilometer opposed to allowing Arab political parties into wars against Hamas militants in Gaza and the from the Turkish border. “The crossing the governing coalition. Tamar Hermann, an growing political power of religiously moti- of Turkish trucks into the Syrian terri- Israeli professor who led the research, said the vated West Bank settlers in the government. tory is still considered a security prob- study found a “value shift” away from Israel’s The survey, for example, found that 71 per- lem,” he said. traditional liberal democratic roots that should cent of Jewish respondents believe that On Saturday, thousands arrived in concern its leadership. human rights groups, which have been harsh- bus and car convoys from across the “Israelis are shifting away from the cosmo- ly criticized by Prime Minister Benjamin country under the slogan “Open Road politan point of view to a more communitari- Netanyahu’s coalition, cause damage to the RASHIDIN: A young Syrian child evacuated from the embattled Syrian city of Aleppo during the to Aleppo” close to the border gate. an, nationalistic, ethnic, religious point of view, state. That was up from 56 percent a year ear- much like is happening in other countries,” lier. Likewise, it found that 59 percent of Jews ceasefire arrives at a refugee camp. —AFP The IHH, a pro-government Islamic charity, is playing a large role in the said Hermann, academic director of the oppose having Arab parties as part of govern- lion mainly Syrian refugees, Turkey has ‘80,000 person tent city’ ferred official term rather than refugee transport of aid for Aleppo and press- Guttman Center for Public Opinion and Policy ing coalitions, and 52.5 percent of Jews in recent months focused efforts on “I have come all the way from camp-in its border town of Reyhanli. ing for greater access. It gained inter- Research, which compiles the annual Israeli believe that those who refuse to accept Israel looking after victims of the conflict Konya” in central Anatolia, a truck driv- This will house “disadvantaged Syrians” national prominence in 2010 when a Democracy Index. The study found a “signifi- as the nation state of the Jewish people inside Syria, rather than encouraging er told AFP while waiting his turn to including the injured, the disabled and ship it had chartered to break the cant drop” in the public’s trust in Israeli politi- should be stripped of their right to vote. more to come in. But there is full cross into the buffer zone. “I am carry- their families. blockade in Gaza was stormed by cal institutions. Trust in the Knesset, or parlia- Hermann said that Netanyahu should be mobilization at the Cilvegozu crossing ing food, baby diapers and clothes to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Israeli commandos in a raid that left ment, fell to 26.5 percent from 35 percent last “very worried” about the shrinking level of that faces Syria’s Bab Al-Hawa, with be delivered for Syrians,” he said. since the start of the Syrian civil war 10 Turks dead and caused a crisis in year. Similarly, trust in the government fell to public trust in the government, but that overall Turkish NGOs playing a key role in pil- Turkey has also stepped up efforts to championed an “open door” policy to relations that has only just been 27 percent from 36 percent, and three quar- he might be pleased by the growing national- ing aid for desperate civilians from set up a huge “tent city” in Idlib allow all Syrians inside the country. healed. —AFP ters of respondents now feel their politicians ist tide in the country. “He’s not going to cry are detached. over the result,” she said. The Guttman Center is Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said the a division of the Israel Democracy Institute, an IS suicide bomber kills findings were troubling and required nation- independent nonpartisan think tank. The sur- Middle Eastern al soul searching, adding that “at this vey interviewed 1,531 adults, broken down moment of trial for democracies, we have to between Jewish and Arab respondents, last eight Libya troops make an effort so that our democracy will be May and had a margin of error of 2.9 percent- Christians facing vital, strong and committed to all it citizens.” age points for the Jewish sample, and 6.6 near Benghazi ‘tragedy’: Church The only institution that maintained its points for its smaller Arab sample. —AP BENGHAZI: A suicide bomber has ending any near-term ambitions to JERUSALEM: A leading church figure in the Middle East said killed eight Libyan army troops expand their self-styled caliphate. yesterday Christians across the region were facing a Turkey denies claims of a near the eastern city of Benghazi, But that victory has opened the “tragedy,” and accused the international community of fail- an attack that showed the Islamic door for multiple armed factions to ing to act. “The situation of Christians, especially in Syria and ‘Syria bargain’ with Russia State group is still able to strike out potentially turn on each other in a Iraq, is a tragedy,” said Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, in the North African country scramble for control of Libya’s vast apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, in ISTANBUL: Turkey yesterday denied it more impatient to see more results,” despite recent battlefield losses, oil wealth, the country’s only a press conference ahead of the Christmas holidays. had forged any secret “bargain” with said the official. “It is difficult but it will Libyan security and health officials source of real revenue. A UN-bro- The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem heads the Roman Russia over the future of Syria ahead of continue.” said yesterday. kered peace deal was reached a Catholic Church in the Holy Land. He said up to two-thirds of a key ministerial meeting including Iran, The comments came as Turkish The Sunday bombing in the year ago, trying to establish a unity Christians have left in those two countries, citing in particu- despite improving cooperation that led Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, his besieged Ganfouda area was a government to end the chaos that lar Aleppo-the previously mixed city in northern Syria which to a deal for evacuations from war- Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, and counterattack on the advancing has plagued Libya since the ouster has been devastated by more than five years of civil war. “In wrecked Aleppo. Turkey and Russia saw Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad troops that also wounded another and death of longtime strongman Aleppo, before the war there were 300,000 (Christians),” he relations plunge to their worst levels Zarif of Iran, Assad’s other key ally, are since the Cold War last year when a due to hold unprecedented tripartite eight soldiers, the officials said, Moammar Gadhafi in a 2011 civil said. “Now it is about 50,000 maximum.” He accused world governments of failing to act to help Turkish jet shot down a Russian war talks on the Syria conflict in Moscow on speaking on condition of anonymi- war. Instead, Libya remains divided plane over Syria. Tuesday. “The Russians suggested stabilize the region, instead resorting to “slogans.” “The inter- ty because they were not author- between east and west, with no But a reconciliation deal was signed Turkey, Russia and Iran come together national community now limit themselves to slogans and ized to talk to the media. IS effective government and rival fac- earlier this year and despite being on for a solution, initially over Aleppo, to some economical support. Nothing more than that-it is very claimed responsibility for the tions and militias - each side with opposing sides in the Syria conflict-with be maybe further enlarged to the other bombing in a statement circulated backing from different foreign weak.” While he said attacks on Christians killed specifically Ankara backing rebels trying to topple parts of Syria,” said the Turkish official, online, releasing images of an countries. due to their religion were relatively rare, there have been Moscow ally President Bashar Al-Assad- expressing hope the talks would pro- explosion hitting parked vehicles This month an escalation of vio- examples of persecution by the Islamic State group in Iraq the rhetoric has warmed considerably. vide an “impetus”. and buildings it said was taken lence between armed groups in and Syria. This has led to suggestions that Turkey “It is not a miracle meeting,” said the from a drone. the capital, Tripoli, prompted the Earlier this month 23 people were killed in a bombing at a agreed to Russia helping Assad to official. “It will give a good opportunity Coptic Christian church in Egypt, while in September a “The fighting in Ganfouda is in UN Security Council to urge the retake all of Aleppo, while Moscow to understand what is happening.” The prominent Christian writer was shot dead in Jordan. As a its last stage, and terrorist group parties to cease fighting, as fears vowed not to interfere in Turkey’s own official insisted that Ankara was sticking region, the Middle East has the highest levels of religious military operation in northern Syria. to its position that Assad must go for leaders are besieged inside,” army grow that fresh conflict could hostilities in the world, according to research this year by the spokesman Ahmed Al-Mosmari erupt around the oil fields. Libya is “That’s not how we see it,” a senior there to be a solution in Syria. “No way Pew Research Center. Christians were harassed in 16 out of Turkish foreign ministry official said. “It we can have any contact with the Syrian said. Ganfouda is one of the last split into two governments, with a 20 countries in the region, Pew found. In Israel, Pizzaballa is not like we make a kind of a bargain. regime,” said the official, denying there two extremist-held areas in Libya’s parliament in the east that has said he was opposed to a government-backed plan to force We don’t see any connection.” In a mili- had been any secret talks with Assad east, besieged by Libyan army refused to approve the UN-bro- mosques to quieten their calls to prayer which is currently tary operation that began in August, representatives. “Someone who is the troops that answer to Field Marshal kered government in Tripoli. Hifter going through the Israeli parliament. “I think it is a danger- Turkish forces and rebel allies are now culprit in the death of 600,000 people Khalifa Hifter. Earlier this month, backs Libya’s last elected parlia- ous precedent,” he said. “I wish this bill won’t proceed. There pressing on the Syrian town of Al-Bab cannot be the partner for a solution. the Islamic State group lost control ment, which is based in the east, are other ways to solve the problem of acoustic pollution,” he where they have encountered stiff With the Russians we agree to disagree the city of Sirte, the militants’ main against rival militias loyal to the said. —AFP resistance from jihadists. “People are on this matter.” —AFP stronghold in Libya, essentially Tripoli government. —AP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 INTERNATIONAL US school an antidote to transgender complaints ATLANTA: Inside a sunny classroom at a church federal authorities have suspended investigation or school are a far cry from his former public school, brochure once focused on bullying protection. decorated with rainbow flags, two transgender monitoring in 35 pending cases of alleged discrimi- where classmates called him “tranny” and “fag.” “I “We have evolved to, ‘You absolutely should not teenagers exploded into giggles during a dance nation, court documents show. They are appealing don’t wake up scared to go to school,” he said. be sent to the nurse’s bathroom,’” said Dru break from math at Pride School Atlanta. They are restrictions that were imposed by a US judge in Still, Josh and his mother, Stacia Oberweis, said Levasseur, transgender rights project director for among a handful of lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans- Texas amid building backlash to the Obama admin- his public school was relatively accommodating, Lambda Legal, referring to the unisex bathrooms gender (LGBT) youth who have found a haven at istration’s policies promoting transgender bath- with teachers adapting to his new name and “he” commonly offered in schools that block transgen- the school, which opened this fall at a time when room rights. Amid the wrangling, a transgender and “him” pronouns. “The teachers can follow a poli- der students from their preferred bathroom. As of the number of discrimination complaints from high school student in Volusia County, Florida, has cy but you can’t make the kids get on board,” late October, there were 32 open civil rights inves- transgender students has been soaring across the been failing a gym class, often late or improperly Oberweis said. “And we all know kids are terrible to tigations into transgender discrimination com- nation. The non-profit private Pride School Atlanta dressed due to complications about where he must each other.” Even opponents of transgender bath- plaints at elementary and secondary schools in 21 is seen as the first school in the American South change clothes. room access see benefits in the Pride School model, states, Education Department data shows. The focused on the LGBT community and one of few Despite having a mustache and goatee, he can- which is serving a small group of full- and part-time agency did not disclose details. addressing similar concerns in the nation. not change alongside the other boys in the locker students in a multi-age classroom. “We might dis- One involves the student in Florida who filed his “They don’t have to fight for the right to exist room, said his mother, Jennifer, who asked to be agree with the content but the notion of local solu- complaint alleging discrimination in his school dis- here,” Christian Zsilavetz, the school’s transgender identified by only her first name to protect her son’s tions and school choice ... is probably a good thing,” trict, said his lawyer, Asaf Orr, at the National Center co-founder and director, said in an interview. Court identity. He is increasingly angry after already wait- said Gary McCaleb, senior counsel at the conserva- for Lesbian Rights. Now in his first year of high records and data reviewed by Reuters show a 12- ing for two years on a pending civil rights com- tive Alliance Defending Freedom. school, his mother says he feels stigmatized on the fold surge in transgender student-related civil plaint. “It’s hard to look at him and say, ‘Yeah, what long walk to the media center to change clothes for rights complaints lodged with the US Department you are going through is unfair. But there’s nothing Growing backlash physical education, which in his opinion was the of Education - from seven in 2014 to 84 in 2016. we can do about it,’” she said. Stories like Josh’s increasingly have alarmed best of the options offered to him. He once found Many complaints involving bathroom and locker officials at the US Department of Education. In himself locked out of the gym upon return. His room access are going unaddressed following court Safe haven school court records, the department says its research of school district said in a statement that its policies developments, and there is uncertainty over the At Pride School, where transgender students are transgender issues led to a 2013 landmark resolu- are not discriminatory under current law and that it direction the administration of President-elect the majority of its inaugural class, Josh Farabee, 14, tion of a civil rights complaint out of Arcadia, works with transgender students on a case-by-case Donald Trump will take on the issue. feels comfortable showing off his spunky pink and California. The agreement recognized a transgen- basis. “Things take time,” said Thomas Krever, chief The inaction has shut down a process that lime hair and long mauve nails. Under the gender- der boy’s right to use gender-specific facilities, executive officer of the Hetrick-Martin Institute increasingly had provided recourse to students neutral restroom policy students voted for, he tried including the boys’ cabin on a class trip. The gov- helping LGBT youth in New York City. “This is time fighting for access to facilities, names and pronouns the men’s restrooms but discovered he still prefers ernment soon saw an outpouring of complaints. that this current generation of young people just matching their gender identities. In recent months, the women’s. The transgender student’s days at the The advocacy group Lambda Legal rewrote a doesn’t have.” — Reuters Electoral College meets amongst effort to deny Trump presidency ‘The letters are actually quite sad’ WASHINGTON: And you thought members, with the number allocat- Election Day was in November. ed to each state based on how Electors are set to gather in every many representatives it has in the state to formally elect Donald House plus one for each senator. Trump president even as anti- The District of Columbia gets three, Trump forces try one last time to despite the fact that the home to deny him the White House. Protests Congress has no vote in Congress. are planned for state capitals, but To be elected president, the winner they are unlikely to persuade the must get at least half plus one - or Electoral College to dump Trump. 270 electoral votes. Most states An Associated Press survey of elec- give all their electoral votes to tors found very little appetite to whichever candidate wins that vote for alternative candidates. state’s popular vote. Maine and Republican electors say they have Nebraska award them by congres- Senator John McCain been deluged with emails, phone sional district. The AP tried to reach calls and letters urging them not to all of the electors and interviewed McCain sees Russia hack as support Trump. Many of the emails more than 330 of them, finding are part of coordinated campaigns. widespread aggravation among threat, at odds with Trump “The letters are actually quite Democrats with the electoral sad,” said Lee Green, a Republican process, but little expectation WASHINGTON: President-elect Donald saw Russia as a threat and responded to elector from North Carolina. “They Trump would be derailed. Trump is the business titan who has spoken Putin’s annexation of Crimea with tough are generally freaked out. They appreciatively of Russian President Vladimir sanctions. “I think reality is going to intercede honestly believe the propaganda. Democratically undemocratic Putin. Republican Sen John McCain is the at one point or another,” McCain said Sunday They believe our nation is being Some Democrats have argued taken over by a dark and malevo- that the Electoral College is unde- PASADENA: Rex Teter, a member of the Electoral College, holds two tough-talking national security hawk who on CNN’s “State of the Union,” on the eve of days of delivered mail at his home. — AP warns that Russian interference in the US the Electoral College vote expected to for- lent force.” Wirt A Yerger Jr, a mocratic because it gives more election threatens to “destroy democracy.” malize Trump’s victory. Trump, McCain sug- Republican elector in Mississippi, weight to less populated states. electors to vote for the candidate their pledge to vote for the candi- McCain, chairman of the Armed Services gested, “will very quickly understand what said, “I have gotten several thou- That is how Hillary Clinton, who got who won their state. Some states date who won their state, regard- Committee, on Sunday joined Democrats in the Russians are all about.” sand emails asking me not to vote more than 2.6 million more votes require their electors to vote for the less of how they feel about Trump. calling for a special select committee to for Trump. I threw them all away.” nationwide, lost the election to winning candidate, either by law or Still, some anti-Trump activists investigate foreign cyberattacks, putting Blue bird stays mute A joint session of Congress is Trump. Some have also tried to dis- through signed pledges. But no have been getting creative in trying him at odds not only with the incoming GOP The Twitter-loving Trump did not immedi- scheduled for Jan 6 to certify the suade Trump voters by arguing that elector has ever been prosecuted to persuade electors to dump president but with Senate Majority Leader ately respond to McCain’s remarks. But the results of the Electoral College vote, he is unsuited to the job. Others for failing to vote as pledged, Trump. In addition to thousands of Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, who favors allowing president-elect’s incoming chief of staff with Vice President Joe Biden presid- cite the CIA’s assessment that according to the National Archives. emails, Republican elector Charlie the Intelligence committee to take the lead refused Sunday to say that the president- ing as president of the Senate. Once Russia engaged in computer hack- Those laws are rarely tested. Buckels of Louisiana said he on the inquiry. elect trusts the CIA’s conclusion that Russia the result is certified, the winner - ing to sway the election in favor of More than 99 percent of electors received a FedEx package with a “We need a select committee. We need to hacked the Democratic National Committee likely Trump - will be sworn in on Jan the Republican. But despite the through U.S. history have voted 50-page document that the sender get to the bottom of this. We need to find in a bid to help the real estate mogul defeat 20. The Electoral College was devised national group therapy session for the candidate who won their said “had absolute proof that the out exactly what was done and what the Democrat Hillary Clinton. “They haven’t been at the Constitutional Convention in being conducted by some state. Electors are selected by Russians hacked the elections.” implications of the attacks were, especially if totally up front and transparent in their opin- 1787. It was a compromise between Democrats, only one Republican state parties, and so are often “From the tenor of these emails, they had an effect on our election,” McCain ion as to who, what, where and how this all those who wanted popular elections elector told the AP that he will not insiders who can be trusted to you would think these people are said. “There’s no doubt they were interfering happened,” Reince Priebus said of the intelli- for president and those who wanted vote for Trump. vote for the party’s candidate. curled up in a corner in a fetal posi- and no doubt that it was cyberattacks. The gence community on “Fox News Sunday.” no public input. There is no constitutional provi- Many Republican electors said tion with a thumb in their mouth,” question now is how much and what dam- Republican Sen. Richard Burr of North The Electoral College has 538 sion or federal law that requires they feel duty-bound to honor Buckels said. — AP age and what should the United States of Carolina said Friday that his Intelligence panel America do? And so far, we have been total- “will follow the intelligence wherever it leads.” ly paralyzed.” Trump calls reports of Russian McCain at Armed Services and Sen. Bob hacking “ridiculous” and his transition team Corker, chairman of Foreign Relations, also dismissed the CIA assessment, saying it was plan inquiries. McCain joined Republican Sen the work of the same people who claimed Lindsey Graham and Democratic Sens. Chuck Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. Schumer and Jack Reed in pressing for a CIA Director John Brennan has said the select committee in a letter released Sunday. intelligence community is in agreement that An aide to McConnell said he would review Russia tried to interfere in the US presiden- the letter. McCain and Trump have clashed tial election, though there’s no evidence throughout the campaign. Trump bashed Moscow succeeded in helping Trump win. McCain as a “loser” and “not a war hero” But the charge, along with Trump’s selection because he was shot down and captured of a potential secretary of state with busi- during the Vietnam War. McCain criticized ness ties to Russia, has divided a GOP riven Trump for making disparaging remarks by a fierce presidential primary and Trump’s about NATO, immigrants, Muslims and a refusal to single out Moscow for criticism. “Gold Star” family that lost a son in Iraq - and The fractures within the Republican Party for refusing to say he’d accept the presiden- will test longstanding GOP orthodoxy that tial election results unless he won. — AP Trump aides say Democrats’

complaints are sour grapes BEDMINSTER, New Jersey: In this Nov 20, 2016 file photo, President-elect Donald Trump talks to media as he stands with National Security Adviser-designate, retired Marine Gen John Kelly at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse. — AP WASHINGTON: Sour grapes. That’s how America as a flawed champion of democ- Donald Trump’s closest advisers see racy - potentially weakening it on the Democrats’ complaints that Moscow world stage. Cabinet selections signal hacked their private emails this election “I would characterize it as a thinly dis- season in a bid to sow discord among guised, covert operation intended to dis- their supporters and sway the election credit the American election and to basi- toward Republicans. The pushback comes cally allow the Russians to communicate pointed shift post Obama ahead of the Electoral College vote, which to the rest of the world that our elections was expected to make official Trump’s are corrupt, incompetent, rigged, whatev- election win and pave his way to take er - and therefore no more honest than WASHINGTON: Propelled by populist energy, CEO Rex Tillerson as secretary of state means the chief to have been out of the military for at least office on Jan 20. anybody else’s in the world including President-elect Donald Trump’s candidacy broke department could be run by a lifelong oil execu- seven years to uphold the commitment to civil- “Let’s assume it’s true,” Reince Priebus, theirs,” said Robert Gates, who was long-standing conventions and his incoming tive with deep ties to Russia and no government ian control of the military. The law was last Trump’s incoming chief of staff, said defense secretary under Presidents Cabinet embodies a sharp turn from the outgo- experience. Outgoing Secretary of State John waived for George Marshall in 1950. Trump has Sunday of Russian interference in the elec- George W. Bush and Barack Obama. ing Obama administration. Trump, a Republican Kerry, a former senator who was chairman of the praised Mattis’ effectiveness at “thank you” rallies tion. “There’s no evidence that shows that who pledged major changes after eight years of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spent around the country and has promised a major the outcome of the election was changed Weakening Clinton a Democratic White House, has assembled nomi- much of his tenure seeking agreements to fight buildup of the country’s defense capabilities. because of a couple dozen John Podesta Gates, who is no longer in government nees for a Cabinet that includes many business climate change, restrain Iran’s nuclear program emails that were out there.” The number of but has met privately with Trump, said he executives who have never served in govern- and pressure foreign adversaries through finan- Treasury department leaked emails by Podesta, Hillary Clinton’s couldn’t confirm that Russia was trying to ment, and military leaders are in line to oversee cial penalties. But if Tillerson wins Senate confir- Obama’s Treasury Department was in crisis campaign manager, was actually closer to help Trump win. But “I think it clearly was defense and homeland security. In one case, mation, he would have a big say over whether mode from the moment he took office, dealing tens of thousands. And it’d be difficult to aimed at discrediting our elections and I Trump has named someone who once called for the Trump administration withdraws from the with massive job losses and the meltdown of the prove exactly what influenced voters. But think it was aimed certainly at weakening dismantling the agency he’d lead. Paris climate treaty and the Iran nuclear pact, housing market. Eight years later, Trump has Democrats said it was a personal attack Mrs Clinton,” he said. Trump’s transition A change of political parties at the White along with the future of US relations with Russia. nominated Steven Mnuchin to lead the depart- and a threat to democracy. team and loyalists on Capitol Hill weren’t House almost always brings policy adjustments. ment, turning to a former Goldman Sachs execu- “The emails were weaponized,” said buying it - at least not on the eve of But Trump’s Cabinet expects to carry the out- Defense department tive who invested in a bank that foreclosed on Donna Brazile, interim chair of the Monday’s Electoral College vote. “Where’s sider flair of his campaign, a role reversal com- James Mattis retired from the Marine Corps as thousands of homeowners after the housing cri- Democratic National Committee. “The the evidence?” asked Kellyanne Conway, pared with more conventional teams under a four-star general in 2013 and had been a bat- sis. Democrats are expected to press Mnuchin release of stolen, hacked emails caused a another close Trump adviser. Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama tlefield commander for most of his career. on his role in IndyMac, which was rebranded lot of confusion and of course it disrupted On Obama’s vow to retaliate against that were heavy on former lawmakers, gover- Compare that with current Defense Secretary OneWest, and the deal that left the Federal our daily campaign life.” Foreign policy the Russians for hacking, Conway said: “It nors and veterans of past administrations. A look Ash Carter, who worked for years at the Deposit Insurance Corporation responsible for experts say part of Russia’s calculation was seems like the president is under pressure at the expected shift in the federal government: Pentagon and in academia but never served in taking as much as 80 percent of the losses on likely a desire for payback for years of US from Team Hillary, who can’t accept the uniform. To take the defense secretary job, former IndyMac assets. Mnuchin has promised criticism of its own elections and to paint election results.” — AP State department Mattis needs Congress to pass a law allowing “the most significant middle-income tax cut” Trump’s decision to nominate Exxon Mobil him to serve. Current law requires a Pentagon since President Ronald Reagan. —AP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 INTERNATIONAL Italy’s tireless coastguard on busiest migrant year ‘As soon as someone calls for help, we become conductors’

ROME: It has been a record year for Italy’s video of past rescues playing on a loop on a er at sea. And the smugglers have upped their coastguard, with nearly 180,000 people res- giant screen in the corridor. game, sending more of their smaller boats-and cued in the Mediterranean, longer days than Spread up and down the 8,000 kilometers of dinghies rather than wooden vessels-and dis- ever before and, despite their efforts, thou- Italian coastline, the 11,000 members of the patching lots at the same time. This year saw a sands of victims. In a small room in a soulless coastguard are charged with ensuring maritime 40-percent rise in the number of boats rescued. ministry building in the south of Rome, red safety, protecting the ecosystem and regulat- “The smugglers used to send bigger boats, telephones ring and operatives juggle with ing the fishing industry. They traditionally sur- each with a satellite phone” to call for aid, said maps on giant screens on the walls as they vey an area of 500,000 square kilometers off Sergio Liardo, the centre’s head. “Now they set coordinate all rescue operations off Libya. “As Italy’s shores. But an underperforming coast- off four boats out with one phone.” Patrolling soon as someone calls for help, we become guard in crisis-hit Libya means the Rome vessels can easily find the dinghy with the conductors,” directing any nearby vessels-be Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) actually phone but have to look out for the other three, they coastguard, military, private or commer- has authority over most of the international which can deflate and take water quickly. cial-to detour to the rescue zone, spokesman waters between both countries. Drowning is not the only killer here: overcrowd- ZAVIDOVCI: A picture taken on December 2, 2016, shows Bosnian Roma, Redzo Filippo Marini told AFP. ing, hypothermia or fuel burns can also finish Seferovic posing with his firefighter uniform at the firefighter station. — AFP In the gloom of the operations centre, SOS More boats, fewer phones off in a few hours people weakened by terrible calls are reduced to little more than coordi- The seas teem with activity. Around conditions endured trying to get this far. Roma shatters glass ceiling in nates, handled with military precision. But the 170,000 people were rescued from migrant As well as the thousands of migrants lost in cries of desperate migrants, faces numbed by boats in 2014, with another 153,000 picked up seconds to the waves-sometimes as the rescue fear and hands outstretched for help as they in 2015 and nearly 180,000 this year-including crews look helplessly on-the coastguard’s near- Bosnia but challenges remain slip off sinking dinghies, are not far off, with a 4,000 just last week, despite worsening weath- daily press releases this year have provided a ZAVIDOVICI: Five years ago a bar owner ployment rate has hit 67 percent, according running tally of corpses discovered aboard refused to serve him but today Redzo to mayor Hasim Mujanovic. dinghies. Seferovic is the first Roma elected to head a The town’s 750 Roma are the poorest of municipal council in Bosnia. The October the poor and live separately in three dis- Stalwart duty vote is an “historic event”, said Predrag tricts. In the area where Seferovic lives, chil- The NGO-led rescue vessels patrolling the Prastalo, head of the Bosnian branch of the dren in rags play in the middle of iron area have testified to how difficult it can be to European Movement non-governmental scrapyard among small dilapidated houses, spot a dinghy in the immense blue and regular- organisation which tries to promote EU val- some made of wood. “Around 75 percent of ly warn some may be sinking without a trace. ues. But the way ahead is long and the first Roma in Zavidovici have no social security “We cannot rule that out,” Liardo admits. And session that Seferovic presided over in and only 28 children go to school, com- while in the past each day of calm seas would Zavidovici in central Bosnia was proof of that. pared to 127 in 2011,” Seferovic said, saying see a handful of boats set off, this year saw a Lacking experience and ignorant of pro- the plummeting numbers were because series of mass departures. More than 13,000 tocol, he had to be guided to open or close the Roma had got increasingly poorer and people were rescued in one week at the end of debates, prompting sarcasm and jibes. “I could not afford to buy school books and May, some 14,000 others in five days of good am asking you to help me. I am doing this educational material. weather in August-with a record hit with 7,000 for the first time, there will be mistakes,” The HRW warned that due to lack of a people on 53 boats picked up in one day-and Seferovic, who is in his fifties, told the coun- free and universal birth registration system, 6,000 more on October 3 alone. cil. Some deputies posted videos of the ses- many Roma do no figure on the national In Italy, where reception centers are at burst- sion online to ridicule him. “That hurt me,” public registry that records births, deaths, ing point, the figures have stirred up a storm, Seferovic told AFP. “But I have learned to and marriages. “This impedes their access with the anti-establishment Five-Star face such challenges in life.” Human Rights to public services, including healthcare.” Movement and anti-immigrant Northern Watch said in its 2016 annual report that League insisting it is not Rome’s job to rescue “Roma remain the most vulnerable group Education is priority foreigners off Libya and house them here. The in the country, facing widespread discrimi- “I always tell my Roma that education government says rescue ops at sea will have nation in employment, education, and should be the foundation,” Seferovic said, cost 1.5 billion euros this year, with an extra 2.3 political representation.” adding that he has always wanted “to be billion euros spent on reception. “We have a someone.” He became a firefighter after duty not to let these people die. If we ignored ROME: This file photo taken on May 28, 2015 shows Italian officer Gianluca D’Agostino of the ‘No drinks for Roma’ completing military service in the Yugoslav it, we would have to answer to the Italian jus- Seferovic has had his share of insults army in 1988. During Bosnia’s 1990s inter- Italian Coast Guard, looking at a map of the Mediterranean Sea, in the control center at the tice system,” Marini said. “It’s also a question of headquarter of Italian Coast Guard. — AFP like other Roma throughout the Balkans, ethnic war, Seferovic fought alongside human kindness,” he added. — AFP including some 50,000 to 75,000 in Bosnia Muslims. Seferovic said that it was in the out of a total population of 3.5 million. In Yugoslav army that he had learned how to 2011 a waiter refused to serve him and his tie a tie. “I knew that one day I would need three cousins. He “explained me that the it,” Seferovic said at his fire station while Poland president in crisis owner had said ‘No drinks for Roma’,” changing into civilian clothes and tighten- Seferovic remembered. ing his tie. Seferovic’s neighbor Saban Bajric Rejected by two courts, his complaint is recently returned to Zavidovici after spend- talks as sit-in continues now before a third, he said. Seferovic is an ing three years in Germany with his wife atypical Roma-he is a professional fireman and three children. He told AFP that his asy- while 95 percent of his fellow Roma in Bosnia lum request was rejected “like to the majori- WARSAW: Polish President Andrzej Duda scram- Kaczynski who died in a plane crash in Russia in which led to a standoff with the European Union. are unemployed, according to a 2015 study ty of some 30 families from the neighbor- bled yesterday to defuse a political crisis as 2010. Duda, who has appealed for calm, Yesterday marks that last day in office of the of the Sarajevo-based Atlantic Initiative non- hood.” “Redzo is a good man. We gave him a opposition lawmakers occupied parliament for a launched mediation talks with opposition lead- outgoing president of the constitutional court, governmental organisation. His three sons chance by voting for him. We would like fourth day to protest at an “illegal” budget vote ers on Sunday. The president scheduled further Andrzej Rzeplinski, a symbol of resistance to the are jobless. Seferovic said he was the only that he gives us a job,” said Bajric. and plans to restrict media access to the cham- meetings yesterday with Kaczynski and parlia- government. The question of his successor has Roma in Zavidovici to have a job. Another neighbor, Meho Jusic, said the ber. Thousands of demonstrators have taken to ment speaker Marek Kuchcinski. become another bone of contention between In 2009, the European Court of Human Roma lived on the fringes of society. “But the streets since Friday in Warsaw and other Opposition leaders told the media following the court and the PiS-dominated parliament. Rights condemned Bosnia for its discrimi- he alone cannot help us. I’m 60 years old, I parts of the country in the latest popular action the talks with Duda they had demanded the The latest opposition outcry was triggered by natory constitution that reserves the tripar- do not work nor can I can retire. I cannot against moves deemed anti-democratic by the proposed media limits be dropped. Kaczynski PiS plans to grant access to the parliament’s tite presidency only for Croats, Muslims and cure myself as I do not have social security,” governing rightwing Law and Justice party (PiS) has indicated that his party is ready to discuss press gallery to only two journalists for every Serbs and has not yet been modified. In Jusic said. “My grand-daughter does not since it took office after October 2015 elections. the new rules with journalists, and the official media outlet, and ban them from shooting still Zavidovici the discrimination is obvious. have it either. Her parents do not work. Dozens of opposition MPs seized parliament’s news agency PAP quoted an unnamed member pictures or video. Poverty is endemic in this industrial town “How to send her to school without rev- main chamber and protesters blocked the exits of the government as saying he is “not happy” The moves prevent the media from recording of some 36,000 residents where the unem- enues?” he said. —AFP to the building on Friday in a defiant show of with the measures. images of lawmakers when they break the rules, anger against the government. Thousands of for example by voting for an absent colleague. protesters-grouped in a popular movement ‘Illegal’ budget vote The PiS has defended the measure, saying it was called the Committee for the Defence of The opposition lawmakers also called for re- seeking to ensure a comfortable working envi- 25 years of independence Democracy-rallied outside parliament in support run of a parliament vote on next year’s budget, ronment for both lawmakers and journalists. of the opposition MPs until late Sunday. which they claim was approved illegally when it Duda yesterday also approved a law lowering bittersweet for Cen Asia A smaller pro-government rally took place was held in another area of parliament after the the retirement age to 65 for men and to 60 for outside the presidential palace. In Krakow on opposition takeover of the main chamber. Since women. The former centrist government had ARKALYK, Kazakhstan: In 1991, as one Central Asia’s secular governments Sunday, police removed protesters who laid on taking office, the PiS has come under fire over a raised the limit for both sexes to 67. The new provincial Kazakh town embarked on a have been quick to take credit for the the ground to block the car of influential PiS string of controversial measures including tight- law-which the opposition says would harm the journey through independence that majority-Muslim region’s relative stability. leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who was visiting the ening its control over the media and pushing economy-was among the promises made by the would see it transformed into a state-of- But that achievement is at least partly due grave of his twin brother, former president Lech through changes to the constitutional court PiS during its electoral campaign. — AFP the art capital, another hurtled towards to “the astonishing effectiveness of Soviet collapse. Arkalyk, a Soviet-built mining state-building”, says John Heathershaw, a town is a 13-hour train ride from Central Asia expert at the University of Kazakhstan’s glittering capital Astana, and Exeter in Britain. Regimes in both the last stop on a spur of railway that bur- Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have wit- rows west and then south into the vast nessed a stable transfer of power follow- country’s mineral-rich heartland. ing the deaths of autocrats that began As the Soviet Union crumbled, their reigns during the communist era. demand for the bauxite mined in Arkalyk Tajikistan endured a civil war, which that made up a fifth of the bloc’s output cost tens and thousands of lives and end- plummeted. So too did the town’s popu- ed with victory for the central govern- lation, now less than half of its commu- ment and leader Emomali Rakhmon in nist-era high of over 60,000 people. On 1997. Comparatively democratic Arkalyk’s outskirts, abandoned apartment Kyrgyzstan is the only country in the blocks spring up from the snow-sprinkled region to have see governments over- steppe that extends as far as the eye can thrown, in 2005 and 2010 respectively, see. The roads leading out of the town are and host genuinely competitive elections. deeply rutted. “All these rulers preside over deeply cor- Comparisons with glitzy Astana, rupt systems of graft and many oversee whose population has roughly quadru- security services that torture political pled since it replaced Almaty as opponents,” Heathershaw told AFP. Kazakhstan’s capital in 1997, rankle with many Arkalyk inhabitants.”We see millions Uncertain future spent on the EXPO (international event Kazakhstan’s leader Nursultan Astana hosts in 2017) and sporting Nazarbayev, 76, is now the most senior events, while our own town lacks quali- across the five countries after Uzbek fied doctors,” says Dana Zheksembayeva, neighbor Islam Karimov died aged 78 in a student in Astana who splits her time September. His popularity, resting in part between the two cities. “Maybe for the on impressive economic growth that country’s image these events mean some- coincided with rising oil prices has been thing but people living in towns like tested by their sudden collapse in 2014. In Arkalyk have other concerns.” April and May this year, thousands took part in nationwide protests over a pro- Stability and corruption posed land reform that Nazarbayev later Energy-rich Kazakhstan is the wealthi- shelved in order to quell the unrest. est of the five ex-communist Central Asian But many analysts said popular dissatis- WARSAW: People attend the anti-government demonstration of opposition parties’ supporters and Committee for the Defense of Democracy countries and was the last to declare inde- faction was rooted less in land and more in movement (KOD) the day after parliament crisis in front of building of Polish Parliament. — AFP pendence, on December 16, 1991. But the economic slump in a country where complaints of an ever-widening gulf freedoms are habitually restricted. “All the between capitalism’s winners and losers time we were told how great things were. 49 dead in Siberia after drinking bath essence and the mismanagement of state funds Now things look less than great and ques- echo throughout the graft-riddled region. tions have piled up for the government,” MOSCOW: Forty-nine people have died in through vending machines “an absolute dis- tions imposed on alcoholic drinks. Those who In Kazakhstan’s gas-rich neighbor Rinat Balgabayev, an Astana-based PR spe- Siberia after drinking bath essence containing grace”. Fifty-four people were taken to hospital in buy them to drink are usually the most socially Turkmenistan, international rights groups cialist famous for his political jokes on social methanol, a toxic substance used in anti-freeze, the Siberian city of Irkutsk after consuming the disadvantaged. Searches were being conducted say the government is forcibly evicting media, told AFP. In the capital that a quarter Russian authorities said yesterday. The toxic substance, and 49 died, a spokeswoman for at markets where the deadly product was being citizens from their homes as it prepares to of a century ago was just a provincial steppe Investigative Committee has launched a probe the regional branch of the Investigative sold, investigators said, and a total of 500 liters of host the 2017 Asian Indoor Games in the town of 250,000 people, independence was into the deaths caused by drinking a liquid Committee told AFP. Authorities said the product the toxic liquid confiscated. capital Ashgabat. In Tajikistan, the region’s celebrated with the pomp typical in coun- labeled as hawthorn-scented bath essence, and contained methanol and carried a label warning Homemade spirits and household products poorest country, the capital Dushanbe tries of the region. On Friday Nazarbayev has detained two people. that it was unsuitable for consumption, but the containing alcohol are popular throughout the stands as an ode to megalomaniac archi- opened a 46-metre high white marble mon- Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev ordered his mixture was nonetheless “consumed like alcohol”. former Soviet Union as a cheap alternative to tecture, even as most of the country ument he said “symbolizes Kazakhstan’s cabinet to “sort out” the counterfeit alcohol issue, Cheap perfumes and facial toners containing standard brands but are also blamed for a large endures rolling winter power cuts. upward aspirations”. — AFP calling the widespread sale of such liquids alcohol are sold without the same trading restric- number of alcohol-related deaths. — AFP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 INTERNATIONAL Deaths in Indian police custody go unpunished: Rights group CHENNAI: Senthil Kumar’s mother saw tody in 2015 alone, and there was not a essary action”. The report examines “When I saw my son in the hospital, expected to prepare a memo of arrest him being dragged off by policemen on single known case in the past five years investigations into 17 deaths in custody there everything changed,” Valdaris was with the date and time of arrest, ensure a charges of extortion. Standing outside in which a police official had been con- between 2009 and 2015. In each case, quoted as saying in the report. “There I medical examination is carried out on the Vadamadurai police station in India’s victed for a custodial death. the police did not follow proper arrest saw the reality. He had been beaten the accused, inform the family of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, she heard “In almost all cases, the police passes procedures, making the suspect more black and blue with a belt.” Forms of tor- arrest and present the suspect before a him scream for mercy. The next day she off these deaths as suicide or a heart vulnerable to abuse, Bajoria said. ture recorded in the report include magistrate within 24 hours. was told her son was dead. “He didn’t attack,” said Jayshree Bajoria, author of severe beatings with boots and belts and According to government records, in die, he was killed,” she told the Thomson HRW’s report. “And the brotherhood Forms of torture sometimes suspending people from 67 of the 97 deaths in custody in 2015, Reuters Foundation, recalling the events kicks in to shield the guilty, who are their Leonard Valdaris trusted the police- their wrists. Autopsy reports examined police failed to present the suspect of April 2010. “And I know the name of own colleagues. The entire system col- men who wanted to talk to his son about by HRW show injuries consistent with before a magistrate or the suspect died every policeman who did it.” laborates to protect the guilty policemen a theft in the neighborhood in April blunt force trauma. India has ratified the within 24 hours of arrest. “If police fol- Kumar is one of the 591 people who instead of taking action against them.” 2014. But when he walked into the International Covenant on Civil and low the rules designed to deter torture have died in police custody in India since K S Dhatwalia, spokesman for the Wadala railway police station in Mumbai Political Rights and signed the and mistreatment, deaths in custody 2010, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi, the next day, the report said, his son was Convention against Torture and Other could be prevented,” said Meenakshi Monday, calling for the strict implemen- the government department responsible “crying bitterly” and told him the police Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment Ganguly of Human Rights Watch. “India tation of existing laws on arrest and for police, told the Thomson Reuters had beaten him all night and would kill or Punishment. can only boast of rule of law when detention. Citing government data, the Foundation on Monday the ministry him. Three days later, Agnelo Valdaris, 25, According to the Indian Code of those charged with enforcing it are held report said 97 people died in police cus- would “look into the report and take nec- died, HRW said. Criminal Procedure policemen are accountable.” — Reuters Myanmar pressured over Rohingya crisis ‘Widespread, systematic attack on a civilian population’ YANGON: Malaysia’s top diplomat turned the screws on Aung San Suu Kyi at emergency talks in Myanmar yesterday, warning that an army crackdown on the Rohingya minority could spark a regional migrant crisis. More than 27,000 Muslim Rohingya have fled northwestern Myanmar for Bangladesh since the start of November to escape a military counter-insur- gency operation. Myanmar’s army says it is hunting militants behind deadly raids on police posts in October. But Rohingya survivors have described rape, murder and arson at the hands of soldiers- This photograph taken on October 31, 2016 shows an Afghan boy, who was held as a accounts that have raised global alarm and gal- child sex slave, sitting at a restaurant in an unidentified location in Afghanistan. — AFP vanized protests around Southeast Asia. The exodus has sparked a rare dispute within the Hopeless Afghan struggle Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the 10-member bloc that prides itself on consen- to rescue boy sex slaves sus diplomacy and non-interference. Yesterday, ASEAN foreign ministers held talks LASHKAR GAH: Quivering with quiet rage, wore a bejewelled skull cap. Sardarwali was in Yangon on the crisis. Muslim-majority Shirin holds a photo of his teenage brother- desperate to reach out to his son, to hold Malaysia called for an independent ASEAN-led in-law, who now lives as the plaything of him-but did not dare approach the bevy of investigation into the allegations of army abuse. policemen, just one victim of a hidden epi- policemen that surrounded him. Foreign Minister Anifah Aman also urged full demic of kidnappings of young boys for “I watched him disappear into the dis- humanitarian access to the locked-down area, institutionalized sexual slavery in tance,” Sardarwali said. “His mother is crazed where more than 130,000 people have been Afghanistan. Shirin is among 13 families with grief. She cannot stop crying: ‘We have without aid for two months. He warned the YANGON: Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (L) and Myanmar State Counselor and AFP traced and interviewed across three lost our son forever.’” Parents’ agony of los- crackdown could trigger a repeat of last year’s Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi (C) attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Afghan provinces who said their children ing a child to sexual slavery is compounded boat crisis, when thousands of starving (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ meeting. — AFP were taken for the pervasive practice of by concerns that in captivity their boys will Rohingya were abandoned at sea by traffickers particularly in Malaysia, where tens of thousands hands are tied because of the military, but she “bacha bazi”, or pedophilic exploitation, in become addicted to the opiates some are as they tried to flee southwards to Malaysia. of Rohingya eke out lives as undocumented has to shoulder her responsibility as a leader of Western-backed security forces. given to make them submissive. Worse still, “We believe that the situation is now of a workers. This month Malaysian Prime Minister Myanmar,” said the diplomat, who asked not to Their testimonies shine a rare spotlight many fear they could be taken to reinforce regional concern and should be resolved togeth- Najib Razak accused Suu Kyi of allowing “geno- be named. on the anguished, solitary struggles to free frontlines, where police are suffering record er,” he told the meeting, according to a statement cide” on her watch-an unusually strong rebuke Suu Kyi has pleaded for time and internation- sons, nephews and cousins from a tradition casualties in their fight against the Taleban. from Kuala Lumpur. “Myanmar must do more in by one ASEAN state of another. al understanding over the incendiary issue. The of culturally-sanctioned enslavement and Or-as one Helmand family shockingly dis- trying to address the root causes of this problem.” Myanmar, which has vehemently denied the Rohingya are reviled in Buddhist-majority rape. Shirin recalled how his 13-year-old covered-get killed in the crossfire as insur- Yesterday Amnesty International joined the con- allegations of abuse, angrily summoned Myanmar, denied citizenship and widely tagged brother-in-law screamed and writhed as he gents over-run the checkpoints where they demnation, saying the army’s “widespread and Malaysia’s ambassador and banned its workers as “Bengalis”-or illegal immigrants from was taken from his home earlier this year by are held. Still, some families take grim solace systematic attack on a civilian population” may from going to the country. Suu Kyi also held Bangladesh. In a statement after yesterday’s meet- a police commander in southern Helmand. in the knowledge they are not alone. Their amount to crimes against humanity. Myanmar’s talks with mainly Muslim Indonesia this month ing Suu Kyi said talks were “candid and transpar- “When I begged for his release, his men villages are full of bacha bazi victims, many more than one million Rohingya have been after cancelling a visit following protests and an ent” but also “emphasized the importance of pointed their guns and said: ‘Do you want discarded when their beards begin to show. described as among the most persecuted people attempted attack on the Myanmar embassy. strengthening ASEAN unity and resolving the dif- your family to die? Forget your boy’,” Shirin in the world. More than 120,000 were driven by At yesterday’s talks ministers warned of the ferences between ASEAN family members”. told AFP in Lashkar Gah. ‘Unconscionable’ bloody sectarian clashes in 2012 into displace- risk of a “spillover effect on Myanmar’s neighbors Myanmar has faced a cascade of criticism from “Our boys are openly abducted for Bacha bazi has seen a chilling resur- ment camps, where they live in conditions many in terms of security and stability” from the outside the region over the Rohingya crisis, includ- bacha bazi. Where should we go for help? gence in post-Taleban Afghanistan, where it have likened to apartheid. Rakhine violence, a diplomat told AFP. Ministers ing from the United States and the United Nations. The Taleban?” The heart-wrenching stories, is not widely perceived as homosexual or also took aim at Nobel laureate Suu Kyi for not Last week, UN rights commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al mostly from Helmand but also from neigh- un-Islamic behavior. Young boys dressed New wave of anger doing more to rein in the military, which still has Hussein criticized the government’s “callous” han- boring Uruzgan and northern Baghlan, effeminately have an ornamental value in a The latest crackdown in Myanmar’s Rakhine a quarter of parliament seats and controls key dling of the crisis, describing it as “a lesson in how were revealed after AFP reported in June society where the genders are tightly cor- state has generated a fresh wave of public anger, levers of power in her elected government. “Her to make a bad situation worse”. — AFP how the Taleban are exploiting bacha bazi ralled. Their possession is a mark of social in police ranks to mount deadly insider status, power and masculinity. The practice attacks. The report, denied by the insur- has spurred a violent culture of one-upman- gents, prompted an Afghan government ship within police ranks, as officers jealously investigation. AFP is withholding the names compete to snatch the most beautiful boys, of the victims and the accused police com- said a former top Helmand security official. manders as many of the boys are still being “Often the only escape for enslaved held captive. bachas is to make a deal with the Taleban: ‘Liberate me and I will help you get my ‘Crazed with grief’ abuser’s head and weapons’,” the official A common theme in the testimonies said, referring to insider attacks. The Afghan collected from stricken families was that of government has said it has zero tolerance helplessness. Their boys were mostly for child abusers in security ranks. But abducted in broad daylight; from their Uruzgan government spokesman Dost homes, opium farms and playgrounds. Mohammad Nayab acknowledged nearly Once taken captive, they can be shuffled every provincial checkpoint had a bacha. He among police checkpoints, complicating fears any move to extricate them could see efforts to trace them. angry policemen abandoning their posts, Sometimes they emerge into the open paving the way for the Taleban. as policemen flaunt their spoils. For fathers “It is difficult to separate policemen like Sardarwali, the crushed hope of such an from their bachas in this security situation,” encounter is almost too much to bear. After Nayab said, explaining that police serve as months of fruitless searching, he caught a a pivotal first line of defence against insur- glimpse of his kidnapped son in a crowded gents. But for campaigners like Charu Lata marketplace in Helmand’s Gereshk district. Hogg, a London-based fellow at the The child-a slight boy who loved nothing Chatham House think-tank, citing security better than playing with his siblings-was as an excuse for inaction is uncon- dressed in a fine embroidered tunic and scionable. —AFP India charges Pakistan-based militants over air base attack NEW DELHI: India’s top counter-terrorism neighbors has risen over the course of a agency yesterday charged Pakistan-based year marked by protests and cross-border ALLAHABAD: In this photograph taken on December 14, 2016, Indian policemen stand as traffic passes through the Civil Lines area of militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), clashes in the disputed region of Kashmir. Allahabad. According to local newspaper reports, the northern Indian cities of Varanasi and Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh state had zero good air and its top leader, with perpetrating a Investigators in New Delhi said the charge- quality days in 2015, said a report released by the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) that uses the government’s air quality data to con- deadly attack on an Indian air force base in sheet and evidence would be offered to clude smaller cities have the most toxic air in India. — AFP January. The National Investigation Agency Pakistani authorities to take action against (NIA) stated that all four gunmen who the perpetrators of the attack. “We want stormed the air base on Jan 2 were Pakistan to arrest Maulana Masood Azhar Pakistani nationals and that Maulana and he should be deported to India,” said a Pakistan’s national carrier Masood Azhar, the top leader of JeM, was senior Indian home ministry official who is the mastermind behind the attack. “All the overseeing the investigation. terrorists are accused of waging war The charge-sheet cited DNA samples, mocked for goat sacrifice against India. This was a criminal conspira- food packets from Pakistan found in wood- cy to attack our security infrastructure,” said lands near the air base, a walkie-talkie set a senior official at the NIA in New Delhi. and a note found in a car used by the mili- ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s embattled national car- the carrier was forgoing safety standards in favor Gilani said. PIA grounded its 10 remaining ATR The presentation of a charge-sheet to a tants to drive to the base. India has long rier has been widely mocked for sacrificing a of superstition. “This is no joke: #Pakistan invents planes in the wake of the disaster pending trial court wraps up India’s investigation accused Pakistan of using Jaish-e- goat next to a plane to ward off bad luck, weeks a new safety measure for its crashing air carrier detailed inspections. The airline’s chairman into the 18-hour siege at the Pathankot air Mohammad as a proxy to mount attacks on after one of the country’s worst air disasters. A #PIA,” tweeted user Asim Yousafzai. Muhammad Azam Saigol last week tendered his base in which seven Indian security person- Indian soil and had earlier given what it Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) turboprop Another user Rahoon Rashid said: “(Black resignation citing “personal reasons”. Before nel and the four assailants were killed. The called “actionable intelligence” to Pakistan, plane built by European manufacturer ATR goats) don’t keep the planes up and flying, effi- December 7 PIA had been crash-free for 10 attack, which came a week after Indian including telephone intercepts. Pakistan plummeted into a mountain in a northern ciency does”. Leading newspaper Dawn ran a years, and received a 7 out of 7 rating on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an briefly held Azhar, an Islamist hardliner region on December 7, bursting into flames and front-page story yesterday headlined “PIA: on a highly-cited AirlineRatings.com, which launched impromptu visit to his Pakistani counter- who was blamed for a 2001 attack on killing all 47 people on board. wing and a prayer”. The sacrifice was confirmed its annual listing in 2013. But a 2014 analysis by part, Nawaz Sharif, derailed a tentative India’s parliament, after the air base attack. The animal slaughter, which took place on by PIA spokesman Danyal Gilani, who said it was US statistician Nate Silver based on data from thaw between the nuclear-armed rivals. Its investigators later found no evidence Sunday at Islamabad airport and was captured a “gesture of gratitude” by some employees 1985-2014, found the airline to have had a con- A joint investigation into the attack against either Azhar or Jaish-e- in a photograph which went viral, was met with before the resumption of flights of the airline’s sistently high number of what he termed “near- went nowhere and tension between the Mohammed. — Reuters derision by many social media users-who said ATR fleet. It was not sanctioned by management, misses”-an indicator of risk.— AFP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 INTERNATIONAL Ex-N Korea diplomat fled due to ‘reign of terror’ SEOUL: A high-profile North Korean Pyongyang later called him “human Korean accusations and saying he Friday, said he’ll try to publicly raise the Jong Il, in late 2011. He’s since orches- defector told South Korean lawmakers scum” who embezzled official funds decided to defect after realizing the North’s situation, Lee’s office said. trated a series of high-profile execu- yesterday that he fled because of disil- and committed other crimes. North’s “horrific” reality. He was quoted South Korean media said that Thae will tions, purges and dismissals in what lusionment with what he describes as Thae, who has been under the pro- as saying he learned about South be under a police protection program outside analysts have said was an a “tyrannical reign of terror” by leader tection of the National Intelligence Korean democracy by watching South after his release into society. attempt to bolster his grip on power. Kim Jong Un, according to one of the Service, met with South Korean law- Korean dramas and movies. Thae is the most senior North More than 30,000 North Koreans have lawmakers who attended their private makers yesterday together with NIS He told lawmakers that North Korean diplomat to defect to South defected to South Korea since the end meeting. Seoul announced in August officers, according to Lee Cheol Woo, Koreans are suffering “slavery” under Korea. In 1997, the North Korean of the 1950-53 Korean War, according that Thae Yong Ho, No 2 at the North’s one of the lawmakers. The NIS, South Kim’s dictatorship and that higher-level ambassador to Egypt fled but resettled to the South Korean government. embassy in London, had come to Korea’s main spy agency, said it officials are subject to more intense in the United States. Kim, believed to Many defectors have said they wanted South Korea with his family because of couldn’t confirm the meeting. Lee’s state surveillance. Thae, who is to be be in his early 30s, took power upon to leave North Korea’s harsh political his disgust with North Korea. office cited Thae as denying the North released into South Korean society on the death of his dictator father, Kim system and poverty. — AP Trial starts for confidante of impeached Korean president First public appearance in weeks

SEOUL: The jailed confidante of by Choi. When directly asked by a the 2014 court appearance of the Jae-hwan. Before her arrest, Choi impeached South Korean judge about the extortion charges, crew of a ferry that sank and killed said that she received some of President Park Geun-hye denied she denied the charges. “I’m sorry more than 300 people, mostly Park’s speeches in advance, but on the first day of her trial yester- for causing trouble. I’ll faithfully teenagers. Choi last appeared in that she didn’t know if they includ- day that she used her ties to Park engage in (my) trial,” Choi said. public on Oct 31, when, after losing ed confidential information. She to extort money from big compa- The court reviewed the charges a Prada shoe in a crush of journal- denied the other allegations. nies. The hour-long hearing at the against Choi, who prosecutors say ists and protesters, she told Prosecutors allege that Choi Seoul Central District Court was manipulated state affairs and reporters at the Seoul prosecutors’ helped pressure 16 companies to the first public appearance in extorted businesses, and the argu- office that she had “committed a sin donate a total of 77.4 billion won weeks for the woman at the heart ments by her lawyer. The trial that deserves death.” ($65.6 million) to create two non- of a scandal that led to Park’s resumes again on Dec 29, but it’s profit foundations, Mir and K- impeachment after millions took not clear how long it will last. Abuse of power Sports. According to the prosecu- VANCOUVER: In this June 27, 2016 file photo provided by the Royal Canadian to streets in protests. Courts normally issue a verdict Lee, Choi’s lawyer, said yesterday tion, Park first brought up the Mounted Police, members of the RCMP go through a decontamination procedure in idea of launching the founda- Vancouver after intercepting a package containing approximately 1 kilogram of the tions and ordered her senior sec- powerful opioid carfentanil imported from China. — AP retary for policy coordination at the time, Ahn Jong-beom, to ask companies to finance their estab- China disputes US claim it’s a lishment while letting Choi han- dle the appointment of founda- top source of synthetic drugs tion officials. Another ex-presidential aide, BEIJING: US assertions that China is the top for fentanyls along with precursor chemi- Jung Ho-sung, has been charged source of the synthetic opioids that have cals and pill presses that are being exported with passing on confidential infor- killed thousands of drug users in the US and from China to the US, Canada and Mexico,” mation to Choi. Jung didn’t appear Canada are unsubstantiated, Chinese offi- said Russell Baer, a DEA special agent in at Monday’s hearing, but his lawyer cials told the Associated Press. Both the US Washington. said Jung has largely acknowl- Drug Enforcement Administration and the Beijing is concerned enough about inter- edged that he transferred such White House Office of National Drug Control national perceptions of China’s role in the documents at Park’s instructions. Policy point to China as North America’s opioid trade that after AP published investi- main source of fentanyl, related drugs and gations highlighting the easy availability of Park’s representatives have the chemicals used to make them. fentanyls online from Chinese suppliers, the questioned the legality of her Such statements “lack the support of suf- narcotics commission made a rare invitation impeachment by the country’s par- ficient numbers of actual, confirmed cases,” to a team of AP journalists to discuss the liament and said no serious crime China’s National Narcotics Control issue at the powerful Ministry of Public was committed. The Constitutional Commission told DEA’s Beijing field office in Security, a leafy complex just off Tiananmen Court is reviewing Park’s impeach- a fax dated Friday. In its letter to the DEA, Square at the historic and political heart of ment. If it rules against her, she’ll which the commission also sent to AP, Beijing. They also provided responses, in be formally unseated and must Chinese officials urged the US to provide writing, to AP’s questions. undergo a direct investigation. more evidence about China’s role as a US-China cooperation is essential for Choi, 60, is a daughter of the late source country. It’s a point the state-run mounting an effective global response to Choi Tae-min, a purported cult China Daily newspaper drove home pub- an epidemic of opioid abuse that has leader who served as Park’s men- licly in an article this month stating that killed more than 300,000 Americans since tor. Park, 64, is the daughter of Park made-in-China carfentanil was not the 2000. The presence of fentanyl, a prescrip- Chung-hee, a dictator who ruled cause of overdose deaths in the US. tion painkiller up to 50 times stronger South Korea for 18 years until his DEA officials said their casework and than heroin, and related compounds in 1979 assassination. investigations consistently lead back to the US drug supply began to rise in 2013, The two women became friends China. DEA data also shows that when after dealers learned they could multiply in the 1970s, around the time when China regulates synthetic drugs, US seizures profits by cutting the potent chemicals Park Geun-hye began serving as plunge. “China is not the only source of the into heroin, cocaine and counterfeit pre- first lady after her mother was problem, but they are the dominant source scription pills. — AP killed during a failed 1974 assassi- SEOUL: Choi Soon-Sil (C), who has been dubbed Korea’s “female Rasputin” for the influence she wielded nation attempt on Park Chung-hee. over the now-impeached president Park Geun-Hye, arrives at a courtroom for her trial. — AFP Park Geun-hye once headed a patri- otic group set up by the elder Choi, Drone seizure sign of tough Choi Soon-sil, Park’s friend of 40 within six months of an indict- that prosecutors violated Choi’s while Choi Soon-sil served as head years, wore white prison clothes ment, so Choi will likely get a ver- rights by illegally investigating her of its college unit. Park has immuni- times between US and China and bowed deeply to the three dict by May if prosecutors don’t after she had been indicted. ty from prosecution for most BEIJING: China’s seizure of an American editorial said. “Trump is not behaving as judges before her lawyer, Lee bring new charges. Prosecutors denied that. Choi is crimes while in office. She has underwater drone is the latest sign that a president who will become master of Kyoung-jae, denied that Choi con- Ten other people swept up in charged with abuse of power, acknowledged that she got help the Pacific Ocean’s dominant power and the White House in a month. He bears no spired with Park and her presiden- the scandal also face trial. Choi is extortion and attempted fraud. If from Choi for editing speeches and its rising Asian challenger are headed for sense of how to lead a superpower.” tial aide to pressure companies to also known as Choi Seo-won, which convicted on all charges, she could unspecified “public relations” issues, more confrontation once US President- Trump had tweeted Saturday that donate tens of millions of dollars is how she was referred to in court. receive up to 15 years in prison, but has denied any other legal elect Donald Trump takes office, analysts despite China’s assurances that it would last year to foundations controlled It is South Korea’s biggest trial since according to court spokesman Shin wrongdoing. —AP said yesterday. return the drone, the US should “let them Chinese political experts said China keep it!” Earlier in the day, he misspelled seized the glider in the South China Sea “unprecedented,” saying: “China steals last week to send a strong warning to United States Navy research drone in Trump not to test Beijing’s resolve over the international waters - rips it out of water sensitive issue of Taiwan, the self-ruled and takes it to China in unpresidented island Beijing considers part of its territory. act.” He later sent a corrected tweet. Meanwhile, smaller countries in Southeast Editorials and tweets aside, Trump will Asia are watching the back-and-forth confront as president an increasingly closely for signs that US naval dominance assertive China that wants to extend its might be diminishing, others said. reach in the South China Sea, a strategi- Trump’s Dec 2 phone call with cally vital area through which about $5 Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen was the trillion in global trade passes each year. first time an American president or presi- Several of China’s smaller neighbors have dent-elect has publicly spoken to protested China’s territorial claims there Taiwan’s leader since Washington broke and are closely watching Trump’s han- off its formal diplomatic relationship in dling of the disputed sea. 1979 at China’s behest. Trump later said “These are small countries that realize he did not feel “bound by a one-China that the best way to survive and prosper policy” unless the US could gain trade or is not to side with any of the great pow- other benefits from China. ers,” said Richard Heydarian, an analyst Beijing regards any acknowledgement and consultant in the Philippines. that Taiwan has its own head of state as a “They’re all bracing not only for unpre- grave insult. The drone seizure “is a kind dictability, but also for stormy waters of response from China to Trump’s recent involving US and China primarily,” he provocations on the issue,” said Ni said. China claims almost the entire Lexiong, a military expert at the Shanghai South China Sea as its own with a rough- University of Political Science and Law. “It ly drawn border known as the “nine- can be regarded as a warning to coun- dash line” running along western tries such as the US and Japan on their Philippine islands. Even as an interna- attempts to challenge China’s core inter- tional tribunal in June largely rejected ests.” The Pentagon said a Chinese ship China’s expansive claims, the Chinese seized the US drone Thursday afternoon military continues to run naval patrols in an area about 92 kilometers northwest and training flights over disputed of Subic Bay near the Philippines. Several islands in the area as well as the adjoin- US.analysts say the seizure occurred ing East China Sea. inside the exclusive economic zone of the Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Philippines, which would appear to vio- Lorenzana said yesterday that the drone late international law. incident, which happened near his coun- China’s defense ministry said its navy try’s territorial waters and within its inter- seized the underwater glider to ensure nationally recognized Exclusive Economic BINH DINH: This picture taken on December 18, 2016 shows a man wading through floodwaters in front of his home in the central province of the safety of passing ships and that it Zone, “is very troubling.” “I believe that Binh Dinh. — AFP would turn over the device using unspec- the United States and China can reach an ified “appropriate means.” Chinese foreign amicable resolution to prevent any fur- ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on ther incidents from taking place,” Floods kill 24 in Vietnam Monday reiterated the defense ministry’s Lorenzana said in a statement. objections to what she called US “recon- Collin Koh, a research fellow on naval naissance and surveys in Chinese waters.” affairs at the S Rajaratnam School of HANOI: Days of unseasonably torrential rains biggest death toll with 16 people killed since colonial trading houses, were submerged International Studies in Singapore, said have killed at least 24 people in central Vietnam, heavy rains began on December 12, according under water. ‘Unpresidented’ the drone incident was “not something authorities said yesterday, inundating swathes of to an official online report from the national “It is strange for our town to be hit with flood- State media have continued to point- that will be taken lightly by the interna- the region including the tourist draw town of flood and storm control committee. At least two ing in December,” Nguyen Thi Hon, a restaurant edly attack Trump, with the Communist tional community.” America’s naval domi- Hoi An. Vietnam regularly experiences tropical more are missing in the province with hundreds owner in Hoi An, told AFP adding some tourists Party-controlled Global Times publishing nance was “slowly being undermined by storms and heavy downpours but it is unusual of houses in remote areas currently under water. had taken to seeing the sights by boat. The an editorial Monday headlined, China,” Koh said, citing the growth in for the country to see so much rain in December, The report said damage totaled $32 million with floodwaters have receded in the last few days, “‘Unpresidented’ Trump adds fuel to fire.” China’s naval technology and its moves in during the cooler dry season that is popular with more than 32,000 hectares of crops destroyed. she added. But local forecasters have warned of “He seemed emotionally upset, but no disputed waters. “This is a symptom of a tourists. Parts of the central town of Hoi An, a World further rains to come in the region at the end of one knows what he wanted to say,” the great power rivalry,” he said. — AP Coastal Binh Dinh province reported the Heritage site that boasts picturesque pre- the week. — AFP NEWS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 Duterte eyes daily executions, critics slam plan as ‘barbaric’

MANILA: Philippine Catholic leaders and rights groups “Setting a quota for executions is just too much. One yesterday condemned as “barbaric” President Rodrigo death is too much because we are talking about lives,” Duterte’s plan to restore the death penalty and execute Amnesty International Philippines vice chairman “five or six” criminals daily. Duterte, 71, has made reviv- Romeo Cabarde told AFP. Catholic leaders and rights ing the death penalty in the mainly Catholic nation his defenders have instead urged the government to top legislative priority as part of a brutal war on crime reform a slow and corrupt justice system which they that has killed 5,300 people. “There was death penalty said was likely to send innocent people to death row. before but nothing happened. Return that to me and I Secillano said bishops planned to dissuade lawmakers would do it every day: five or six (criminals). That’s for from voting for the death penalty and would attend real,” Duterte said Saturday. congressional debates next month. An official at the influential Catholic Bishops’ Duterte’s crime war has drawn international criticism Conference of the Philippines said the Church “totally from the United States and United Nations over con- opposed” Duterte’s plan. “The Philippines will be cerns about alleged extrajudicial killings and a break- viewed as very barbaric,” Father Jerome Secillano, exec- down in the rule of law. Duterte won May elections in a utive secretary at its public affairs office, told AFP. “It’s landslide on a promise to eradicate drugs in society - a going to make the Philippines the capital of death mandate he often cited to defend his controversial cam- penalty in the world.” paign. A survey by Social Weather Stations released yes- The Philippines abolished the death penalty in 2006 terday showed while a majority backed Duterte’s drug Extreme cold conditions cause ice accretions to cover the St Joseph lighthouse and pier, on the southeastern following fierce opposition to the penalty from the war, 78 percent of Filipinos were worried that they or shoreline of Lake Michigan, yesterday in St. Joseph, Michigan. — AP Catholic Church, the religion of 80 percent of Filipinos. someone in their family would be a victim of extrajudi- Before assuming office in June, Duterte vowed to intro- cial killings. duce executions by hanging, saying he did not want to The survey also showed 71 percent said it was “very Thousands evacuated from Aleppo... waste bullets and believed snapping the spinal cord important” that police keep drug suspects they arrested was more humane than a firing squad. Duterte said he alive. Police have repeatedly said they only shot at crim- Continued from Page 1 quent delays. “Dear @MevlutCavusoglu & @RT_Erdogan please please viewed the death penalty not as a means to deter crime inals who fought back but the nation’s rights agency some of the children rescued from the orphanage had please make this ceasefire work & get us out now. We are but for retribution. His allies in the House of has questioned this argument and has begun investi- been in critical condition because of injuries and dehydra- so tired. - Fatemah #Aleppo.” Responding in a tweet yester- Representatives quickly pushed for the bill and said gating cases. Yesterday, Philippine National Police chief tion. “Many vulnerable children - including other orphans day, Cavusoglu wrote: “Difficulties on the ground won’t they would vote on it by January. Ronald dela Rosa apologized for police killings of crimi- and children separated from their families - still remain in deter us sister. Rest assured that we are doing all to get you The United Nations’ human rights chief, Zeid Ra’ad Al nal suspects but insisted these were done in self- east Aleppo and need immediate protection,” it said in a and thousands of others to safety.” Cavusoglu said yester- Hussein, said in a letter to the Philippine congress this defense. statement. day that a total of 20,000 people had been evacuated so far month that reviving the death penalty would violate the “Lord, I hope you forgive us even if the ones we kill The Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH), a Turkish and efforts were continuing. country’s international obligations. But on Saturday Duterte are bad people,” Dela Rosa said during the police’s NGO working in Syria, said seven-year-old blogger Bana In an 11th-hour deal, regime ally Moscow and rebel had arrived at a camp for displaced persons in the north- supporter Ankara agreed on the evacuation of thousands insisted executions were necessary to fight the drug Christmas party. “If the life of a policeman will be lost west province of Idlib. The Turkish news agency Anadolu of civilians and fighters from the last remaining opposition- scourge which he said was “destroying” the nation. While just to preserve the life of a criminal, that’s a great injus- later posted a short interview with Bana after her arrival, held pocket in Aleppo. Moscow, which has carried out an his aides dismiss his incendiary statements as hyperbole, tice.” Dela Rosa added Duterte gave police hefty bonus- dressed in a warm coat and hat against the winter chill. “In air war in support of the Damascus regime since rights advocates said Duterte’s remarks were alarming. es for leading the crime war. — AFP Aleppo the shelling was all over the place. We got out from September last year, had threatened to veto a UN Security the ruins because our house was bombed,” she said shyly in Council draft resolution calling for monitors to oversee the Arabic, before turning towards her mother. protection of civilians. But yesterday, the council unani- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu - who had mously adopted the French-drafted resolution in the first Gunman kills Russian ambassador... already interacted with Bana on Twitter - said later that show of unity in months among world powers grappling she would be brought to Turkey with her family, Anadolu with the Syria crisis. Continued from Page 1 He stumbles and then crashes to the ground after said. For her 330,000 followers, Bana is a symbol of the The measure tasks the UN with carrying out “adequate, being shot, lying flat on his back as the besuited tragedy unfolding in Syria, although Syrian President neutral monitoring and direct observation on evacuations The mayor of Ankara Melih Gokcek identified the attacker brandishes the gun at terrified onlookers. The Bashar Al-Assad’s regime has slammed her and her moth- from eastern Aleppo and other districts of the city”. It attacker as a Turkish policeman. The Yeni Safak daily man shouts “Allahu Akbar” (“God is Greatest”) and then er’s nearly daily tweets as propaganda. Bana’s account has remained uncertain, however, whether the Syrian govern- said on its website that the attacker - named as M M A talks about pledging allegiance to jihad in Arabic, the posted pictures of the destruction in Aleppo including her ment would give the observers access to the city and allow - worked with anti-riot police in Ankara. Gokcek, images showed. Switching to Turkish, he then says: rubble-littered street, while people have tweeted mes- operations there to come under international scrutiny. The known for his outspoken comments, speculated on his “Don’t forget about Syria, don’t forget about Aleppo. sages of support and concern, notably fearing for her life foreign and defense ministers of Russia, Turkey and Iran are official Twitter account that the policeman may be All those who participate in this tyranny will be held when tweets became less frequent. due to meet in Moscow today to discuss Syria. linked to the group of Fethullah Gulen blamed for the accountable”. Tarakji Ahmad, president of Syrian American Medical The measure tasks the UN with carrying out “adequate, July 15 coup aimed at toppling Erdogan. Society, also posted a picture of Bana, with an aid worker. neutral monitoring and direct observation on evacuations Protesters in Turkey have held Moscow responsible “@AlabedBana and many children arrived to #Aleppo from eastern Aleppo and other districts of the city”. It The incident came after days of protests in Turkey for human rights violations in Aleppo with thousands countryside. @sams_usa@UOSSM and partners are coordi- remained uncertain, however, whether the Syrian govern- over Russia’s role in Syria, although Moscow and turning out for protests outside the Russian consulate nating the response plan there.” In her last tweet with her ment would give the observers access to the city and allow Ankara are now working closely together to evacuate in Istanbul. But political relations have warmed, with mother Fatemah before the evacuation, Bana made an operations there to come under international scrutiny. The citizens from the battered city of Aleppo. The United intense contacts between the two sides in recent days appeal to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and foreign and defense ministers of Russia, Turkey and Iran are States condemned the attack, while British ambassa- to ease the situation in Aleppo. Turkey and Russia saw Cavusoglu to put a fragile ceasefire back on track after fre- due to meet in Moscow today to discuss Syria. — Agencies dor Richard Moore paid tribute to a “quietly spoken, relations plunge to their worst levels since the Cold hospitable professional”. Erdogan phoned Putin to War last year when a Turkish jet shot down a Russian brief him about the attack, presidential spokesman war plane over Syria. They stand on opposite sides of Iran releases four Kuwaitis held in Ahvaz Ibrahim Kalin said. the Syria conflict with Ankara backing rebels trying to The shooting took place at the Cagdas Sanatlar topple Moscow ally President Bashar Al-Assad. Continued from Page 1 Iran following attacks on the kingdom’s missions. A Kuwaiti Merkezi, a major art exhibition hall in the Cankaya dis- But the rhetoric has warmed considerably since a and an Iranian were sentenced to death in January by a trict of Ankara where most foreign embassies are reconciliation deal was signed earlier this year and a Kuwait recalled its ambassador from Tehran in January court in Kuwait for spying for Iran and Lebanon’s after relations were broken off between Saudi Arabia and Hezbollah group. — Agencies located including Russia’s mission. Karlov was several Russian and Turkish-brokered accord has helped the minutes into his speech at the embassy-sponsored evacuation of citizens from Aleppo in the last days. The exhibition when the gunman fired at least eight shots, attack comes a day before Turkish Foreign Minister according to an AP photographer in the audience. The Mevlut Cavusoglu, Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, Govt vows to resolve sports crisis attacker also smashed several of the photos hung for and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif of Iran, Continued from Page 1 sanctions. The lawmaker said that based on the new the exhibition. There was panic as people ran for cover. Assad’s other key ally, were to hold unprecedented tri- developments, there will be no need for the emergency “It happened during the opening of an exhibition,” partite talks on the Syria conflict in Moscow. The government however wants IOC and FIFA to lift session demanded by opposition MPs tomorrow. Hurriyet correspondent Hasim Kilic, who was at the The Syrian foreign ministry in Damascus denounced the suspension temporarily to allow Kuwaiti athletes to Babtain said the government’s pledge will be sent to scene, told AFP. “When the ambassador was delivering the murder as a “despicable crime”, state news agency participate in international events. MP Abdulwahab Al- international sports organizations in order for them to lift a speech, a tall man wearing a suit, fired into the air SANA said. Cavusoglu learned of the news while on Babtain said the pledge was submitted yesterday by the suspensions on a temporary basis until the new legis- first and then took aim at the ambassador,” said Kilic. the plane to Moscow, Turkish television said. A Turkish Minister of Information and Youth Sheikh Salman Al- lation is issued within the stipulated six months. The law- “He said something about Aleppo and ‘revenge’. He official yesterday denied Ankara had forged any secret Humoud Al-Sabah in a meeting with Assembly Speaker maker said the Assembly will cooperate with the govern- ordered the civilians to leave the room. When people “bargain” with Moscow over the future of Syria, despite Marzouq Al-Ghanem. ment, and warned that if it does not fulfill its pledges, MPs were fleeing, he fired again,” he added. the improving cooperation that led to the deal for Babtain said on his Twitter account that the minister will use their constitutional tools. As a result of the inter- Images showed the ambassador standing up to evacuations from Aleppo. Born in 1954 in Moscow, said the Cabinet accepted a recommendation passed by national sanctions, Kuwaiti athletes were barred from tak- speak at a lectern at the opening of the photo exhibi- Karlov was a career diplomat who began his career the Assembly in its opening day calling on the govern- ing part in the Rio Olympics earlier this year under the tion called “Russia from Kaliningrad to Kamchatka” under the USSR in 1976. He was Russian ambassador ment to do whatever is necessary to end the international Kuwait flag and participated under the Olympic flag. showing images from Russia’s far west to its far east. to North Korea from 2001-2006. — Agencies TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 ANALYSIS

THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961

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

Focus To Russia with love: Trump’s dreams of Kremlin might

n 2013, Donald Trump appeared poised to conquer a new frontier: Russia. His Miss Universe beauty contest was tak- Iing place in Russia’s capital and he thought it would seal a connection with its president, Vladimir Putin. “Do you think Putin will be going to The Miss Universe Pageant in November in Moscow - if so, will he become my new best friend?” the now US-president elect tweeted. The meeting never took place, though Putin sent a close aide with a gift for the American. It was just another false start in three decades of efforts by Trump to crystallize ties with a country that has long captivat- ed him - for its real estate development potential, but also for its steely, no-nonsense leaders. Trump wrote in his book, “The Art of the Deal”, that his attraction to the then-Soviet Union Modi seeks support from Muslim women began in 1986, when a lunch with Soviet ambassador Yuri Dubinin turned into an investment opportunity. hen Narendra Modi stood before faithful those traditional divorce practices, they can win in “Dubinin’s daughter, it turned out, had read about followers in October, on a stage swathed two ways. The move will appeal to the Hindu Multiple crises promise Trump Tower and knew all about it,” Trump recalled. “One Win the saffron colors of his Hindu nation- majority, by emphasizing the need to counter thing led to another and now I’m talking about building a alist movement, the Indian leader made an unex- Islamic influence in society, while at the same time large luxury hotel, across the street from the Kremlin.” He pected overture. “It is the responsibility of the gov- splintering off Muslim voters. stormy 2017 for Brazil traveled with his then-wife Ivana to view potential sites in ernment and people of the country to give justice That may help Modi curb electoral damage from Moscow the following year. “It was an extraordinary experi- to Muslim women,” the prime minister declared. another big political gambit - the recent abolition of power struggle coupled with the Odebrecht, the huge construction company ence,” he wrote. “I was impressed with the ambition of the Modi’s public political career took off as chief min- high value banknotes that has led to cash shortages most far-reaching corruption probe at the heart of the Petrobras embezzlement Soviet officials to make a deal.” ister of Gujarat state in 2001, just before rioters and dented key sectors of the economy. It is difficult Brazil has ever seen means the coun- scheme, have been completed and leaks killed about 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, leading to tell on the streets of Uttar Pradesh, a poor state A try’s democracy is in for a stormy 2017. One from the testimony indicate that scores more ‘Tough and cold’ to accusations that he turned a blind eye to the where water buffalos trudge through wheat fields side of the increasingly complex crisis in Latin politicians will be accused of corruption. Nothing came of it, and over the next decade Trump was murder and rape going on around him. and traffic alike, how much traction Modi and his America’s biggest economy pits the corrup- President Michel Temer, who took over this bogged down in the bankruptcies of his Atlantic City casinos. Modi denies involvement in the 2002 riots, but Hindu supporters will get from the initiative. tion-riddled political class in Brasilia against year after the impeachment of Dilma But by 1997, he was back on the Russia file, bonding with ris- his rise to national power in 2014 was accompa- His coalition won 10 percent of the Muslim aggressive prosecutors running the so-called Rousseff, has reportedly been named as hav- ing political star General Alexander Lebed. The two met at nied by groups of hardline Hindus attempting vote in Uttar Pradesh during 2014 national elec- Carwash probe of embezzlement at state oil ing received suspicious donations. So have Trump Tower, where, according to a New Yorker article, Lebed mass conversions of Muslims and cases of beating tions, according to a post-election survey by the company Petrobras. Another sees the several of his closest allies and advisers. lauded Trump’s Moscow hotel plans as “a litmus testing paper” and whipping of Muslim men in broad daylight. non-partisan Centre for the Study of Developing Supreme Court fighting with members of But powerful voices are arrayed against for American capital flowing to Russia. Basking in the praise, Now, his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is chal- Societies. A separate survey covering 10 other Congress who are trying to hobble what they the Carwash prosecutors. Romero Juca, a Trump gave Lebed, a former boxer, a copy of his book. After lenging an Islamic practice, known as “triple talaq”, states found last year that 92 percent of Muslim view as a threatening judiciary. Temer confidant who represents the govern- the meeting, the New York tycoon said what he really liked that allows a man to divorce his wife simply by women supported a ban on the immediate triple The mostly under-the-carpet struggle ment in Congress and is also a suspect in the about the Russian. “Does he look as tough and cold as you’ve uttering the word “talaq” three times. talaq divorce, raising the possibility that some, in has started to erupt into the open. This Carwash probe, lashed out at media leaks of ever seen? This is not like your average real-estate guy who’s The proposal is a bold ploy to win approval and the moment of pushing a voting machine button, month, one Supreme Court justice tried to the sealed testimony in the plea bargains. rough and mean,” Trump said. “This guy’s beyond that. You see votes from Muslim women and chip away at an might defy their community and choose the space force the scandal-tainted Senate president, “These leaks will weaken the country’s stabili- it in the eyes.” important bloc of voters - there are around 170 mil- next to the BJP’s lotus flower. Renan Calheiros, to step down, only to be ty. In this atmosphere of unrest, of the lynch Trump’s trip to Moscow that year again came up dry, but lion Muslims in India - that has thus far viewed Modi The chairwoman of the Muslim women’s advo- rebuffed by Calheiros and eventually over- mob, of a French Revolution, we’ll never he was smitten with the country and its hard-nosed leaders with suspicion. The outreach could help decide the cacy group that did the national survey, Zakia ruled by the rest of the court. Congress, attract investors,” he said in the newspaper more than ever. Entertaining his first White House run in 2000, outcome of a bellwether state election early next Soman, ran children’s schools in the relief camps meanwhile, is trying to push through laws Estado de Sao Paulo. he wrote in a new book of his fascination with Russian power. year. Uttar Pradesh, with nearly 40 million Muslims for victims of the 2002 riots in Gujarat. “It is true that would target prosecutors and judges On the other side of the political aisle, “What I don’t understand is why American policymakers are out of 200 million people, is a key test of Modi’s that Muslims can’t trust him (Modi) after the for “abuse of authority” and even to grant former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, always so timid in dealing with Russia on issues that directly popularity as he prepares to seek a second term in Gujarat riots, but triple talaq is a separate issue,” themselves immunity for past crimes of cor- who likely will face trial in 2017 as part of involve our own survival,” he said, pointing to his experience 2019. Some Muslim women there have said they Soman said in a telephone interview. “Muslims will ruption. Ivar Hartmann, a law professor at the Carwash prosecution, claims he is the of Lebed, “a really tough guy” who he predicted would one support Modi’s proposal, although they are less sure have to compartmentalize each issue for their own the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Rio de victim of persecution. Cepik, the foreign day lead Russia. Trump backed out of the 2000 race, and about him. There is fierce opposition, meanwhile, wellbeing ... if the prime minister does the correct Janeiro, calls this “pure revenge.” affairs specialist, says that the turmoil could Lebed died in 2002 in a helicopter crash. By then, ex-KGB offi- from influential Muslim elders and teachers. “They thing and thinks of (the) greater good, then it is lead to a new Brazil “with low tolerance for cer Putin was the country’s president, and Trump’s eyes turned are using this tactic to attack Islam, to attack natural for him to win votes from Muslim women.” ‘Lynch mob’ atmosphere corruption”. But if opponents of Carwash to the vast sums of money newly rich Russians were moving Muslims,” said Abul Qasim Nomani, vice chancellor Underlying the crisis is the Carwash succeed in closing down the investigation, it out of the country. of the Darul Uloom Deoband madrassa, the largest ‘Don’t Interfere With Quran’ probe, which has uncovered extensive, will be “the end of Brazil.” Islamic seminary in India, located in Uttar Pradesh. The idea of expanding an existing article of the high-level involvement in a scheme that ‘Look at Putin’ “Muslim women are being used as showpieces to nation’s constitution that calls for a “uniform civil saw politicians take bribes to help contrac- A sharper memory In 2005, he went into business with New York developer fight a battle against Islam,” added the 70-year-old, code” to one that explicitly bans polygamy and the tors win inflated contracts from Petrobras. Meanwhile, Brazil’s leaders have a long to- Bayrock Group, led by two immigrants from the former Soviet his face framed by a white beard and prayer cap. A use of triple talaq in the Muslim community has Big names have already fallen, including the do list if the country is to escape a profound Union. They signed a deal to develop a Trump Tower in the madrassa official sitting beside him muttered: “This been debated for decades. As it stands now, that once-powerful speaker of the lower house economic recession. Temer is supposed to Russian capital that went nowhere. Meanwhile, they built the is like a wolf advocating for the rights of goats.” section of the constitution says a code should exist of Congress, Eduardo Cunha, who is in jail rule to the end of 2018 and has a goal of 46-floor Trump Soho luxury apartment tower in New York City, but does not describe its parameters. Modi’s gov- awaiting trial for allegedly taking millions of reversing more than a decade of leftist poli- and other Trump-brand developments in Florida. The primary Mixed Reactions ernment, though, has signalled that it wants to dollars in bribes. And there is no end in cies, using austerity measures to restore fiscal financing source and the marketing target, were both Russian Triple talaq is banned in some Muslim coun- change the status quo. A senior BJP leader in Uttar sight. “Carwash has a life of its own. No one responsibility. Congress has approved the money, including an Iceland-registered investment firm iden- tries, including India’s neighbor and rival Pakistan, Pradesh said the party planned to highlight triple can control it,” said Marcos Cepik, a foreign first part of the program, a 20-year spending tified in later lawsuits as “in favor” with Putin. but is allowed under Indian rules designed to pro- talaq during election campaigning there. The gov- affairs specialist at the University of Rio cap, but has yet to vote on pension and other Trump was not implicated in the lawsuits, but in a deposi- tect religious communities. The BJP and its ideo- ernment filed a motion in support of a Supreme Grande do Sul. reforms. Recent polls show Temer has rock- tion he bared his view of the situation. “Russia is one of the logical surrogates are betting that by confronting Court case this year in which a Muslim woman Plea bargains by 77 executives at bottom popularity. —AFP hottest places in the world for investment. We will be in divisions within India’s Muslim population about opposed triple talaq. —Reuters Moscow at some point,” he said. Again eyeing the White House in 2007, Trump began singing Putin’s praises. “Look at Putin - what he’s doing with Russia,” he told CNN. “Whether you like him or don’t like him - he’s doing a great job in Jet makers eye China, but obstacles loom rebuilding the image of Russia and also rebuilding Russia, period. Forget about image.” After Trump sold the Palm Beach, ew rules governing Chinese airline startups are fueling Embraer called it an “insightful ... new policy to promote regional just two planes to launch customer Chengdu Airlines so far, lead- Florida estate Maison de L’Amitie to Russian billionaire Dmitry hopes at Embraer SA, Bombardier Inc and other regional aviation.” Russia’s Sukhoi Civil Aircraft said the company started ing analysts to question the feasibility of the Chinese regional jet. Rybolovlev for a record $95 million in 2008, his name became Njet makers for a spike in orders next year, but local compe- regular talks this year with potential Chinese customers for its Development of the ARJ21 was delayed by nearly a decade, bigger inside Russia, and he entertained journalists from tition and doubts about size restrictions still loom as major obsta- recently introduced Superjet regional aircraft. Others, such as dogged by flawed designs for wings, wiring and computer sys- Moscow. “I really like Vladimir Putin. I respect him. He does his cles. The new policy is aimed at encouraging fledgling carriers to Japan’s Mitsubishi Aircraft, are keeping a lid on expectations, tems, according to a 2012 Reuters investigation. The aircraft has work well. Much better than our Bush,” Trump told them. By boost domestic flights serving secondary markets in China rather wary of competition from the ARJ21, China’s first homegrown yet to be certified by US authorities. “The ARJ21 is not a function- 2011, Trump began planning a serious White House chal- than focusing exclusively on big cities. The three-month old poli- passenger jet, which COMAC put into service this year. ing aircraft,” said Richard Aboulafia, vice president of analysis at lenge. For him, comparing President Barack Obama to Putin cy has still not been published in its entirety, leaving the industry “We think in general China has a huge potential,” said Yugo aviation consultancy Teal Group, who publishes widely cited was a way of standing out. guessing on some key details. Fukuhara, a vice president for sales of Mitsubishi Aircraft, a unit of global aerospace forecasts. But provisions include scaling back access to major hubs Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, which is developing another ‘So weak’ and a requirement that new regional carriers operate at least 25 newcomer to the regional jet market. “At the same time, we have Size Limits In his new political tract, “Time to Get Tough: Making smaller city-hopper jets before graduating to bigger aircraft, competition from the ARJ21, developed by China themselves, Regardless of the ARJ21’s prospects, labor disputes in the America #1 Again,” he praised Putin for “his intelligence and according to three industry sources familiar with the policy. and also some political barriers,” Fukuhara said, alluding to diplo- world’s largest regional market also have regional planemakers no-nonsense way.” “I respect Putin and the Russians, but can- That could translate into Chinese demand for more than 250 matic tensions between Japan and its neighbor across the East pinning bigger hopes on new Chinese demand. US pilots are not believe our leader allows them to get away with so much,” new regional jets in the next two years, said one source familiar China Sea. resisting pressure to allow heavier aircraft to be outsourced to he wrote. “Hats off to the Russians.” By 2013, the year of the with a planemaker’s outlook, providing a shot in the arm for a regional affiliates, effectively protecting jobs at the mainline Miss Universe contest in Moscow, Trump had another deal to new generation of aircraft that has suffered a string of setbacks. Unclear Demand, Competition operations of Delta Air Lines Inc, American Airlines Group Inc and build a Trump Tower by the Kremlin. It didn’t happen, but his Another source familiar with the market called the prospects Analysts say the Civil Aviation Administration of China United Continental Holdings Inc. The standoff could lock out praise of Putin stepped up. He lauded Putin’s op-ed in The more limited. (CAAC) wants to encourage a more diffuse network after most Mitsubishi’s MRJ90 and Embraer’s next-generation E175 aircraft New York Times telling Washington how to make peace in China is seen as anxious to prevent carriers from using niche airlines launched in the past three years focused on busier in coming years. Syria. “He is lecturing to our President. Never has our Country markets as a back door to the main airline business by grabbing mainline routes, leaving secondary markets underdeveloped. Those size limits, along with low fuel prices, have also slowed looked so weak,” Trump tweeted. —AFP licenses to set up small regional or cargo airlines and then quickly But the regulatory changes in the country may also make it new orders to replace aging U.S. aircraft this year. The size issue defecting to the more lucrative big-city segment, dominated by harder for new airlines, as feeder routes are often less prof- could haunt manufacturers in China too. Aviation regulator CAAC Airbus and Boeing. On paper, that should boost demand for itable and face stiff competition from China’s fast expanding has been slow to make public details of the new requirements, regional jets including China’s delayed ARJ21, developed by the high-speed rail network. known as Rule 96. In particular, they are keeping mum on the All articles appearing on these pages are state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). China had 57 airlines at the end of 2015, only 12 of which specific seat count and weight limits for the loosely defined the personal opinion of the writers. Kuwait The support for regional aviation in China should also encour- were regional carriers, according to a report from the Shanghai regional segment. Times takes no responsibility for views age foreign market leaders such as Bombardier and Embraer, Aircraft Design Research Institute. Embraer has made the most Embraer’s head of commercial aviation, John Slattery, said at expressed therein. Kuwait Times invites according to Yang Yang, a director at COMAC’s Shanghai Aircraft progress among foreign planemakers with those airlines, deliver- an industry event in October that Chinese size limits would pre- Design Research Institute. “This will potentially give them a big ing 91 aircraft of 123 firm orders through September - about vent the company’s 120-seat E195 and rival Bombardier’s 110- readers to voice their opinions. Please send market to target,” he said. Regional jet makers have been recover- twice Bombardier’s tally, according to the companies’ latest quar- to 130-seat CSeries from qualifying as regional jets. Bombardier submissions via email to: opinion@kuwait- ing from development hitches in recent years, only to find that terly reports. However, Chinese order books for both companies disagrees. “We are confident that all aircraft with five-abreast times.net or via snail mail to PO Box 1301 demand has now slowed in their main markets in the United are dwarfed by the ARJ21, which has racked up more than 400 seating or less qualify within the framework of CAAC Rule 96 Safat, Kuwait. The editor reserves the right States and Europe as predictions of robust orders from Asia have orders since the program was launched in 2002. and we are working with a number of Chinese carriers in that yet to materialize. Comac says the ARJ21 holds advantages such as its domestic context,” said public affairs director Bryan Tucker. CAAC did not to edit any submission as necessary. A spokesman for Canada’s Bombardier said the new policy service network and performance standards tailored to the coun- respond to requests for comment on specific requirements for offers regional airlines “many new opportunities” and Brazil’s try’s hot and high-altitude western plateau. But it has delivered regional airlines. —Reuters TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 SPORTS

Juventus’s Bonucci NBC ready to launch Patrick Hickey back in extends contract all-Olympic channel Ireland after Rio arrest

NEW YORK: NBC is bringing year-round Olympic program- DUBLIN: Olympic official Patrick Hickey is back in Ireland, four months after TURIN: Looking to become “even more of a legend” at Juventus, Leonardo ming to the United States. After years of trying, the US and being arrested in Brazil during the Rio de Janeiro Games on ticket scalping Bonucci extended his contract with the Italian club yesterday until 2021. The International Olympic Committees have agreed with NBC on charges. Hickey, who returned to Dublin on Sunday night, says he “will do Italy defender joined Juventus from Bari in 2010 and has made 291 appear- a package that will offer year-round Olympic programming, everything possible to clear my name.” The 71- ances - more than any other outfield player at Juventus in the past six years. “I focused on US athletes, the parties announced Thursday. year-old Hickey was allowed to leave Brazil to am happy and proud of this decision to continue this glorious and ever more NBC will launch a new US television network branded receive medical treatment. The Association of victorious journey until 2021,” Bonucci said. The 29-year- “Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA” in the second half of National Olympic Committees loaned Hickey old Bonucci has won five Serie A titles with Juventus, 2017. Scott Blackmun, the CEO of the USOC, calls the part- the $430,000 in bail money so he could be two Italian Cups and three Italian Super Cups. He nership “a wonderful way to turbocharge one of fastest- released from legal custody in Brazil. In a was also a key part of the team which reached the growing fan bases that’s out there.” That channel will com- statement, Hickey says the past few months Champions League final in 2015. “I feel an integral plement the IOC’s Olympic Channel, which launched on a have been “extremely traumatic” and “I am part of a great family,” Bonucci said. “You achieve worldwide digital platform after the Rio Games. The pro- totally innocent of all charges against me.” this by working hard and always being there for gramming will include archival footage and documentaries, Hickey has temporarily stepped down from all your teammates, helping out when the going gets along with original Team USA programming contributed by of his Olympic positions. He was president tough and celebrating all together in moments of the USOC. Mark Parkman, general manager of the Olympic of the European Olympic Committees, joy and happiness. “We’ve won so much in the past Channel, said the IOC is planning on producing 250 hours of head of Ireland’s Olympic Committee, a few years and we know that going forward it will be original programming per year. That programming will be member of the International Olympic always more difficult to get results but life would be available to the NBC network, and the USOC will also pro- Committee, and vice president of dull if you didn’t have something to fight for.” —AP duce US-focused content. —AP ANOC. — AP Refereeing error ‘hugely disappointing’: Wasps

LONDON: Wasps formally expressed their injury. It is thought Connacht captain John disappointment yesterday over the referee- Muldoon told Raynal his team were ing blunder that saw them beaten 20-18 by allowed to kick for touch from the penalty Connacht in the European Champions Cup and then take a line-out despite it being in at the weekend. overtime. Substitute referee Mathieu Raynal erro- But a trial permitting that rule change neously allowed Connacht to take a line- does not come into force until January 1 in out after kicking to touch from a penalty the southern hemisphere and August 1 in awarded on full-time, from which the Irish the north. Naulia Dawai crossed from the province scored a decisive converted try. line-out before Jack Carty’s conversion Competition organisers European secured a victory that left Connacht level Professional Club Rugby admitted Raynal with Wasps and Toulouse on 13 points in had made an error after the match, but Pool Two. allowed the result to stand. “We all under- “Wasps’ pitch-side officials immediately stand referees are only human and mis- stressed to the fourth official that Connacht takes do occasionally happen,” Wasps said could not take the line-out, as the referee in a statement. had indicated time had gone beyond 80 “However, for a referee and fourth offi- minutes,” Wasps added. cial to get the laws of the game wrong at a “Wasps’ players on the pitch also crucial stage of a big match is hugely disap- emphasised to the referee that time was pointing. “The error made could have seri- up. Despite several protests, the line-out ous repercussions in terms of Wasps’ quali- was still allowed to be taken. fication hopes or the prospect of securing a “EPCR have stated that the result stands. home quarter-final.” We congratulate Connacht after a hard- Raynal took over in the 74th minute at fought contest and we will now move on to Galway’s Sportsground on Saturday, having the final rounds, after tough Premiership started the match as an assistant, when ref- games against Bath, Newcastle and eree Jerome Garces suffered a hamstring Leicester Tigers.” — AFP

PARIS: Denny Solomona fails to gather the ball cleanly under close attention from Saracens’ Chris Wyles during his debut for Sale. — AP Saracens equal European Cup record with Sale win

PARIS: Defending champions Saracens defeat- their experience and history, too often,” said carded for charging into a ruck. Three-time ed Sale 24-10 for a record-equalling 13th con- Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac. champions Leinster lead the pool, five points secutive European Cup victory on Sunday to “It would have been pretty cruel if we had ahead of Montpellier and seven in front of virtually wrap-up a quarter-final spot. lost it at the death.” In Pool 4, Castres edged fel- Castres, after handing Northampton a record The English side have 18 points from four low French side Montpellier 29-23 in a game European Cup defeat in a nine-try, 60-13 demo- Pool 3 matches, eight ahead of three-time where the losing side had Paul Willemse red- lition on Saturday. — AFP champions Toulon. They are the only unbeaten side left this year even if Sunday’s win was nowhere near as convincing as their 50-3 rout of Sale in the teams’ first meeting last weekend. Patience runs out this The game’s three tries all came in the last eight minutes with England fly-half Owen Farrell going over from close range after a one- time of year in the NFL Gulf Insurance joins handed offload by Will Skelton. Farrell also kicked 14 points although he LOS ANGELES: The demise in less than a week thought it would be best to do it immediately uncharacteristically missed two straightforward of Jeff Fisher and Gus Bradley as coaches of after today’s result so Gus can step away, relax forces with Pro-Vision penalties. Nathan Earle added Saracens’ second their respective teams provided examples. and regroup with his family during the try three minutes from time for a 24-3 lead Rams owner Stan Kroenke and Jaguars boss Christmas and holiday season.” Sport management firm before Bryn Evans scored a consolation try in Shad Khan grew tired of waiting for the on- Thanks for the thinking of me so kindly, the last minute for a Sale side who have lost all field product to match their successes away boss. In truth, though, Khan showed remark- four games and remain without a point. The from football. able patience this season with Bradley, whom KUWAIT: Gulf Insurance Group, a lead- ed by Circuit +, one of Pro-Vision many win allowed Saracens to equal the record of 13 Those two firings, even though Fisher led he considered firing in October. The Jags ing company in the field of rendering reputable partners, which gathered ath- wins in a row held by Munster since 2007 while the Rams through a difficult transition from St. spent big money in free agency and thought the insurance services in Kuwait and the letes from around the Middle East to Sale fans had the consolation of seeing Kiwi Louis to Los Angeles and Bradley was well- they could contend for the weak AFC South’s Middle East, has teamed up with a compete in a two-day Cross Fit sporting winger Denny Solomona make his debut after liked by Khan and his organization, might be crown. Instead, they’re ahead of only Kelly’s renowned company Pro-Vision Sport competition. We look forward to many his controversial switch from Super League’s just the beginning. Consider some of these lowly 49ers and Jackson’s winless Browns in Management Co. Since 2007, Pro-Vison more events that are as successful on Castleford. men in charge to be either in the endangered the entire league. has specialized in organizing sporting our journey with Pro-Vision. Sale’s challenge wasn’t helped by having species class or approaching it: Marvin Lewis, Khan’s approach over the past four-plus events and their goal has been to raise Khaled Al Sanousi, Corporate three players sin-binned. “Across the board, it Mike McCoy, Rex Ryan, Todd Bowles, John Fox years should be commended. He looked the health awareness and sport practice Communications & Investor Relations was the kind of game you can get frustrated-it and Chuck Pagano. It’s not inconceivable that around at Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh, Tom among our society by creating various Manager, said: “We are extremely hope- seems to change from one week to the next,” Chip Kelly and Hue Jackson could wind up on Coughlin in New York until the end of the 2015 exciting events. This goal collerates with ful for our future endeavors with Pro- said Saracens coach Mark McCall. “I think we the cutting room floor, despite what their season, and John Harbaugh in Baltimore and Gulf Insurance’s priority to promote and Vision and have been pleased with our need referees to use judgement but you’re rely- backers, uh, owners have said in recent weeks. recognized the need for continuity. empower our society to establish a progress thus far.” Ahmed Al Majed, Pro- ing on the opinion of the referee on the day. It might hardly seem fair for some of those But when that continuity manifests itself in healthy lifestyle, especially for our youth. Vision CEO, said: “Gulf Insurance Group That’s potentially a dangerous thing to do.” men and, frankly, in many cases it isn’t. Fox, so many losses, with hefty signs of regression, Over the years, Pro-Vision has partici- has helped us to maintain international Clermont took revenge on Ulster as a five-try, Bowles and Ryan deserve more than two years it’s time to move on. That’s why Jackson, a very pated in events like triathlons, safety standards in sporting events.” He 38-19 win propelled the Top 14 leaders to the at the helms of their current teams. Lewis and popular coach in Cleveland, might not be back marathons and F1 racing events that also expressed his thanks for their brink of the quarter-finals. Pagano have brought consistent winning to if the Browns match the 2008 Lions at 0-16. It’s have gathered massive recognition and efforts during the recent sporting events The French side were beaten 39-32 in Belfast their franchises at various times in their why Kelly, despite his massive contract and turnover. We match their admiration for and including Flying Start Triathlon, last week, but after surviving a scare in the sec- regimes and probably could do so again. only minor rumblings about change even as innovation and advancing our country Battle of the East, Gulf Bank 642 ond half on Sunday, they stretched their lead in As a wise scribe once wrote, the most his 49ers have lost 13 in a row, could go. for the better, even through sports. Marathon and Gulf Run Karting and the Pool 5 to 17 points, eight ahead of Bordeaux important position on any NFL team is owner. It must be remembered, though, that can- Further, most recently we collaborat- impact of their contribution to the suc- and Ulster. Clermont scored three tries in the When that owner has the last name of Rooney, ning both of them after they were saddled ed on the “Battle of the East” event host- cess of these events. first 25 minutes through Isaia Toeva and a brace Mara, Allen, Kraft or Bisciotti, panic doesn’t set with such undertalented rosters - and then hit from English full-back Nick Abendanon. in. They tend to choose the correct coach for hard by injuries - means starting over with a their team and then let him coach. new coach. And still with a low number of HALFPENNY FALLS SHORT The rewards have been Super Bowl tro- high-level players in those two cities. Nigeria minister orders The bonus point was assured just after the phies for all of them under coaches given the Owners contemplating coaching changes interval thanks to an interception try from fly- opportunity to build a team and help it grow also should look at the standings first. The probe of FA finances half Camille Lopez as Clermont swept to 28-0 into a champion. division leaders in half of the eight divisions lead. But Ulster rallied with three tries of their Khan tried that approach with Bradley, who have long-tenured coaches. Of the other Nigerian Sports Minister Solomon promote transparency, build credibility and ABUJA: own through Tommy Bowe, who scored two, helped put together some great Seattle teams in strong contention to get to the post- Dalung has ordered a probe into the enhance your market value,” the minister told and Franco van der Merwe to cut the deficit to defenses under Pete Carroll. The arrangement season, four more of those have guys who finances of the country’s football federation the NFF. The NFF however insisted its 28-19. Clermont steadied the ship with a Lopez flopped and the ugly end came Sunday when have been in place a while. after FIFA suspended further grants to the accounts were in order. “The audited account penalty after 69 minutes before a penalty try the Jaguars blew a 21-20 lead at Houston and And just because their clubs are struggling body. Dalung said at the weekend it was of the Federation for the year, as audited by was awarded three minutes from the end. fell to 2-12, with nine straight defeats. this season doesn’t mean Ron Rivera, Bruce worrying that FIFA had halted development PricewaterhouseCoopers, an internationally “It’s a good victory but at 28-0 ahead we Bradley’s 14-48 record was the worst winning Arians and Sean Payton don’t know what grants to Nigeria pending explanation on reputable audit firm, was presented and should not have let them back in the game,” percentage (.225) of any NFL coach with at they’re doing. — AP how a previous $1.1 million (1.05 million adopted at the General Assembly,” it said. admitted Clermont scrum-half Morgan Parra, least 60 games. euros) was utilised. Dalung has always accused the NFF of who converted all five of his team’s tries. “I thanked Gus Bradley today for his com- “This is a very serious issue that must be poor planning ahead of major international Toulon suffered their second defeat in four mitment to the Jacksonville Jaguars over the given urgent attention to avoid another events. He recalled how the government had games, going down 22-21 to the Scarlets. Welsh past four seasons,” Khan said in a statement. international embarrassment, more so that to release 100 million naira ($317,000, full-back Leigh Halfpenny kicked all of Toulon’s “As anyone close to our team knows, Gus gave the present administration... has zero toler- 304,000 euros) at the last minute to ensure points on his return to South Wales with seven his staff and players literally everything he ance for any act of mis-appropriation, mis- the Super Eagles honour a 2018 World Cup penalties. had. Our players competed for Gus and I know application, embezzlement or fraud in any qualifier in Zambia. “We must improve on the However, his last-minute attempt from long they have great respect for him, as do I. guise,” said the minister. “To this end, the NFF way we do things. We cannot be writing distance missed the target as Scarlets kept their is directed to immediately provide my office emergency memos to the President. quarter-final hopes alive. Centre Scott Williams REMARKABLE PATIENCE with detailed information of receipt, dis- Personally, I’m not too comfortable (with scored the only try of the match for the Welsh “Gus also represented the Jaguars, the bursement and application of the FIFA devel- that),” he said. The national women’s team, region in the first half with Rhys Patchell kick- Jacksonville community and the NFL in noth- opment grant accordingly.” the Super Falcons, staged a two-week ing the remainder of the Scarlets’ points. ing less than a first-class manner as our head He called on the NFF to appoint a rep- protest recently in Abuja before their bonus- “The boys will enjoy this. We don’t get coach. That counts for a lot. It is unfortunately utable audit firm to look into its books. “The es for winning the women’s Africa Cup of opportunities to play a side like Toulon, with evident that we must make a change. I Shad Khan audit report must be made public so as to Nations were paid. — AFP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 SPORTS

Four months after Olympics, organizers unable to pay some bills

RIO DE JANEIRO: Almost four months tract employees. Spence said the unpaid empty seats, organizational setbacks, the Paralympic opened, saying “there city committed 150 million reals ($45 after the Olympics ended, Rio de Janeiro travel expenses were damaging national and pea-green water in a diving and was no money to do the Paralympics.” million) with the federal government organizers are unable to pay some of Paralympic committees, particularly swimming venue. The cash-flow problems continue, promising another 100 million reals ($30 their bills, including $3.7 million owed to those with tiny budgets. As the Olympics opened on Aug. 5, even as the committee is downsized and million). Andrada said the city had paid the International Paralympic Committee. “Some of our smaller national organizers needed millions in a bailout will cease to exist later next year - save only 30 million reals ($9 million) so far, IPC spokesman Craig Spence told The Paralympic committees, who took out from the city and federal governments for lawyers to handle lawsuits. though organizers have billed the city Associated Press yesterday that the loans to pay for their travel for the to fund the subsequent Paralympics. Spence said Rio organizers have told for at least twice that much. money is owed for travel grants, which is Games, are now in serious danger of This broke a promise to use only private him that money that should have gone Paes has been in the unwanted spot- part of the contractual agreement to defaulting on their repayments,” Spence money to fund the $2.8 billion operating to pay the travel grants was seized by light recently. A state court froze his host the Olympics and Paralympics. said. Cash-flow problems, budget cuts budget. “We told everybody before the other creditors - through a lawsuit and assets last week as a public prosecutor “Never have we faced an issue like and cost overruns dogged organizers in Paralympics that we were short for the court injunction - demanding payment. investigates whether he failed to assess this with an organizing committee being the run-up to South America’s first Paralympic Games because of lack of Spence said he was told these credi- an environmental fee to the company so late paying travel grants,” Spence told Olympics. Despite this, International sponsorship and ticket sales,” Rio tors included security and cleaning com- that built the Olympic golf course. This AP. The default is the latest for embattled Olympic Committee officials last week spokesman Mario Andrada said. panies The issues have put the spotlight adds to suspicion about overbilling and Rio organizers, who have also been late described the Rio games as “the most Spence said Rio CEO Sidney Levy on Rio’s city hall and out-going mayor favoritism in infrastructure built for the paying hundreds of creditors and con- perfect, imperfect games,” discounting shocked officials just four weeks before Eduardo Paes. In the bailout pledge, the Olympics and the 2014 World Cup. —AP Britain’s Mo Farah has marathon in his sights

DUBAI: Mo Farah has unfinished business years to be able to get there. And same with the marathon but accepts it will take thing on the road. time to master the distance when he steps “My first marathon was two hours eight, away from the track after next season’s it was okay but it wasn’t great. To be able to world championships. mix with the guys I’ll need to run a lot Farah’s back-to-back Olympic 5,000 and faster than that.” 10,000 metres gold medals and five world By the time Farah, now 33, does turn his titles make him one of the greatest dis- attention to the classic distance he might tance runners of all time. find that 2.02 is no longer enough. The Briton plans to bow out after the Talk of a sub-two hour marathon has world championships in London next year been a staple among athletics fans for and will then turn his attention to the years but gained new impetus last week roads. Farah ran a relatively disappointing 2 with Nike’s announcement of its hours, eight minutes and 21 seconds in his “Breaking2” project for a focused attack on only marathon, in London in 2014. the mark, albeit in a controlled environ- That time, still behind Steve Jones’s ment somewhat at odds with the tradition- 1985 British record of 2:07.13, is almost six al road race format. minutes outside Dennis Kimetto’s 2:02.57 Farah, a Nike ambassador, said he was world record and considerably slower than intrigued to see what they might achieve. the times being run by the leading Africans “It’s good in a way to see what they can to win the big-money Marathon Majors. do and that they’re looking that far ahead “I do have a lot of plans to run the because I believe that if you do get ready marathon,” Farah told Reuters on Monday. for it, it’s possible,” he said. “My aim is to get the world champs out of “I don’t know how long it will take - a the way then see what I can do on the road. year, two years, three years, but if you try “I believe I have to learn about the hard then it’s possible and it’s great that event, I have to understand what it takes. Nike have put a massive investment into it “I’m good on the track but it’s taken me and let’s see what they can do.” — Reuters

NEW YORK: Jean-Gabriel Pageau #44 of the Ottawa Senators misses the net during the third period against Jean-Francois Berube #30 of the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on Sunday in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Senators defeated the Islanders 6-2.—AFP Jones leads Blue Jackets past Canucks in OT for 9th in a row

VANCOUVER: Seth Jones scored 46 seconds into overtime to lead Columbus to a 4-3 vic- NHL results/standings tory over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday, giving the Blue Jackets their ninth straight NY Rangers 3, New Jersey 2 (SO); Chicago 4, San Jose 1; Ottawa 6, NY Islanders 2; Columbus 4, Vancouver 3 (OT); win and coach John Tortorella the 500th of Winnipeg 4, Colorado 1; Boston 1, Los Angeles 0. his NHL career. Brandon Saad had two goals and Cam Atkinson added a goal and an assist Western Conference Ottawa 18 11 3 82 85 39 Central Division for Columbus, which has earned points in 11 Boston 17 13 3 78 79 37 WLOTLGFGAPTS Tampa Bay 15 14 3 91 91 33 straight games (10-0-1). Alexander Wennberg Chicago 22 8 4 98 80 48 Florida 14 13 5 77 87 33 Mo Farah had two assists and Sergei Bobrovsky fin- Minnesota 18 8 4 89 60 40 ished with 14 saves for his league-leading St. Louis 17 11 4 91 93 38 Detroit 14 14 4 78 89 32 19th win. Brandon Sutter, Daniel Sedin and Winnipeg 15 16 3 90 100 33 Toronto 12 11 7 85 91 31 Jannik Hansen scored for Vancouver, while Dallas 13 14 6 84 101 32 Buffalo 12 11 7 66 7931 Wiggins package was medical, Nashville 13 12 5 87 88 31 Metropolitan Division Ryan Miller stopped 21 shots. Jones scored Colorado 11 18 1 65 97 23 NY Rangers 23 10 1 113 75 47 his fifth of the season on a 2-on-1 break with Pacific Division confirms Team Sky’s Sutton Atkinson in the extra period after Vancouver’s San Jose 19 12 1 80 72 39 Pittsburgh 20 7 5 109 90 45 Ben Hutton hit the post at the other end. Anaheim 16 11 5 91 90 37 Columbus 20 5 4 98 61 44 LONDON: Team Sky coach Shane Sutton to take banned anti-inflammatory drug tri- Edmonton 16 12 5 97 90 37 Washington 19 8 3 81 66 41 confirmed yesterday that a mysterious amcinolone before the 2011 Tour de SENATORS 6, ISLANDERS 2 Los Angeles 16 13 2 79 78 34 Philadelphia 19 11 3 106 100 41 Calgary 16 15 2 85 96 34 package delivered to Bradley Wiggins’s France, the 2012 Tour, which he won, and Carolina 13 11 7 82 87 33 Mark Stone had a goal and two assists, Vancouver 13 16 3 80 100 29 doctor during the 2011 Dauphine Libere the 2013 Giro d’Italia. Zack Smith scored twice and Ottawa won its New Jersey 12 12 7 74 93 31 contained medical substances. Five-time Olympic champion Wiggins, Arizona 11 15 5 70 97 27 second straight. Bobby Ryan, Derick Brassard Eastern Conference NY Islanders 11 14 6 81 99 28 UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) is probing Cope, Brailsford and British Cycling have all and Tom Pyatt also scored for the Senators. Atlantic Division Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the alleged wrongdoing at Team Sky and strongly denied breaking anti-doping rules. Montreal 20 7 4 96 69 44 standings and are not included in the loss column (L) British Cycling, who share headquarters, Sutton, who stepped down from his role Andrew Hammond started and stopped all and the package, delivered by British as British Cycling team director over sexism seven shots he faced before leaving with 3:15 Cycling coach Simon Cope, forms part of its allegations earlier this year, said he had lit- left in the first period due to injury. Mike Patrick Kane scored in the third period as investigation. tle contact with Team Sky’s medical team. Condon replaced him and had 18 saves the Chicago won its fifth straight. The division JETS 4, AVALANCHE 1 Team Sky boss Dave Brailsford has “My role in all of this was to be part of rest of the way. Anders Lee and Anthony leaders in the Western Conference were tied Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice to lead refused to clarify exactly what the package Brad’s coaching team, not Brad’s medical Beauvillier scored for New York, which has at 1 when Hinostroza won a faceoff for Winnipeg past Colorado. Patrik Laine had a contained, but Sutton confirmed it was team,” he said. lost five straight and sits in last place in the Chicago and Hartman whipped the puck goal and two assists and Blake Wheeler also medicine that would have been adminis- “Knowing the kid (Wiggins) for many, Eastern Conference at 11-14-6. Only Colorado right by Martin Jones on the stick side at 6:59. scored for the Jets. Mark Scheifele had two tered by team doctor Richard Freeman. many years, as far I’m concerned he never (23) and Arizona (27) have fewer points. Jean- It was Hartman’s first goal since Nov. 25 at assists and Connor Hellebuyck stopped 27 “I believe (Freeman) administered the worked outside any rules. Francois Berube made 27 saves in his second Anaheim, ending an 11-game drought. shots to improve to 12-10-1 this season. medication,” Sutton told the British govern- “Given the fact Dave Brailsford was straight start for the Islanders. Hinostroza then got his third of the season Jarome Iginla had a power-play goal for ment’s Culture, Media and Sport commit- probably the pioneer behind clean cycling when he shot it through Jones’ legs at 17:40 Colorado, and Calvin Pickard had 26 saves tee during a hearing about doping in sport and created what is probably the cleanest RANGERS 3, DEVILS 2, SO on a break with Marian Hossa. Hinostroza while making his first career NHL start in his in central London. team in the world-he set up a zero-toler- Kevin Hayes scored the deciding goal in the also scored in Chicago’s 6-4 win at St. Louis hometown. Laine got his 18th early in the “Obviously there was a medical supply ance programme-there was no wrongdo- shootout, lifting New York past rival New Jersey. on Saturday night. Kane added an empty- second period, and Wheeler and Ehlers he (Cope) delivered. I don’t know what was ing there. “I can’t state strongly enough Henrik Lundqvist then stopped Damon netter as Chicago improved to 13-2-3 at scored 1:09 apart early in the third to make it in the package. there was no wrongdoing on any part of Severson to secure the Rangers’ sixth win in home. Duncan Keith scored his first goal of 3-0. After Iginla pulled the Avalanche within “Whatever it was, he (Freeman) would Brad and Team Sky.” Australian Sutton seven games and second against the Devils at the season in the second, and Scott Darling two with 2:01 remaining, Ehlers had an emp- have administered. When the ingredients appeared to become frustrated as the ses- home in eight days. Lundqvist finished with 29 of the package comes out, everybody will sion progressed and at one point said he made 33 saves. ty-netter with 30 seconds to go. — AP saves through overtime and tied Dominik be clear. I’m quite sure, 100 percent, there’ll was “quite upset” Team Sky’s integrity was be no wrongdoing.” being questioned. Hasek for the most wins by a European-born The Daily Mail has reported the package Earlier, British Cycling president Bob goalie. Mats Zuccarello also scored in the was delivered on the day Wiggins won the Howden said he did not know what was in shootout, and Chris Kreider and Derek Stepan Dauphine Libere stage race in France, giv- the package in question. George Gilbert, had goals in regulation. PA Parenteau and Miles ing him the biggest victory of his career at chair of British Cycling’s ethics commission, Wood scored and Cory Schneider stopped 24 that point. It has emerged Wiggins was said the package might have contained shots as the Devils lost their sixth straight. granted therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) “pedals” or “spare shoes”. —AFP Michael Cammalleri had a shootout goal.

BRUINS, 1, KINGS 0 Jimmy Hayes scored early in the first peri- od and Tuukka Rask made 18 saves for his fourth shutout of the season to lead Boston. Hayes’ goal was his first in seven games and only his second in 28 games this season. Rask recorded his 34th career shutout for the Bruins, who improved to .500 at home (8-8-0) after losing two straight games and five of six coming in. Boston was without leading scorer David Pastrnak, who had right elbow surgery Friday. Pastrnak’s 19 goals rank second in the NHL behind Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby (21). Peter Budaj had 29 saves for the Kings, who won their previous two games. VANCOUVER: Vancouver Canucks defenseman Alex Biega (55) looks on as Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Brandon Saad (20) celebrates his goal past Vancouver Canucks goalie Ryan BLACKHAWKS 4, SHARKS 1 Miller (30) with teammate Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) during the second Bradley Wiggins Ryan Hartman, Vinnie Hinostroza and period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, in Vancouver, British Columbia. — AP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 SPORTS Run out ends thriller as Australia beat Pakistan

BRISBANE: After a tense and lengthy innings that was shaping as one of the great- est chases in test cricket, Pakistan’s bold bid to beat Australia in the series-opening day- night Test was wrapped up in five balls yes- terday. Asad Shafiq marshalled the Pakistan tail- enders from 173-5 to 449-8 in pursuit of the improbable target of 490, scoring 137 from 207 balls before he was caught at gully, fend- ing off a Mitchell Starc short ball. Four balls and one run later, skipper Steve Smith threw down the stumps from second slip to run out Yasir Shah for 33. That ensured Smith’s young lineup held off Pakistan by 39 runs, maintained Australia’s unbeaten at the Gabba since 1988 and avoided the embar- rassment of losing the unlosable. After frustrating Australia on an extended, rain-interrupted fourth day, Pakistan started day five needing 108 to win while Australia needed two wickets. Fewer than 1,000 peo- ple were in the crowd when play started under overcast skies, including a small but vocal group of expats cheering every run and chanting “Pakistan Zindabad” - or long live Pakistan. Shafiq and Shah kept the pressure on Australia in a 71-run partnership that went close to giving Pakistan an unlikely world- record victory. After Shafiq’s departure, the responsibility moved to Shah, who earlier CHENNAI: England’s captain Jos Buttler (R) greets India’s Karun Nair (C) after scoring had an lbw decision overturned on review. a triple-century (300 runs) during the fourth day of the fifth and final Test cricket He dug out a yorker from Starc, steering it BRISBANE: Pakistan’s Asad Shafiq plays a shot during play on the final day of the first cricket match between India and England. —AFP toward the slips, but moved out of his crease Test between Australia and Pakistan in Brisbane, Australia, yesterday. — AP and Smith swooped. The Australian captain had dropped two catches at second slip, Nair triple ton puts India including Shafiq on 72, and admitted he was SCOREBOARD relieved he got to end the game. in command against England BRISBANE, Australia: Scoreboard after the final day of the day-night first Test between Australia and Pakistan at the Gabba yesterday. CHENNAI: Karun Nair’s scintillating triple Monday-during his marathon knock. MORE RUTHLESS New Zealand’s 451 chasing 550 against Australia first innings 429 (S. Smith 130, P. Handscomb M. Amir c Wade b Bird 48 century yesterday put India in command of “After I crossed 250, the team manage- 105; W. Riaz 4-89, M. Amir 4-97) W. Riaz c Smith b Bird 30 the final Test as England faced the uphill ment had certain plans of going after the England in Christchurch in 2002 remains the record for the highest fourth innings total to Pakistan first innings 142 (S. Ahmed 59 not out; J. Y. Shah run out (Smith) 33 task of surviving on a fifth day wicket in bowling and declaring,” said Nair, who Hazlewood 3-22, J. Bird 3-23, M. Starc 3-63) R. Ali not out 1 Chennai. Right-handed Nair, who finished became India’s second triple centurion lose a test, but this was a closer call. Australia second innings 202 for 5 declared (U. Extras (lb5, w2) 7 on 303 not out, reached the landmark with after batting great Virender Sehwag, who “The pleasing thing for me, first of all, is Khawaja 74, S. Smith 63; Rahat Ali 2-40) Total (all out, 145 overs) 450 a boundary before India declared their first has hit two. “So I think within the space of we got across the line and won the game,” Pakistan second innings (382 for 8 overnight) Fall of wickets: 1-31 (Aslam), 2-54 (Azam), 3-145 (Azhar), innings on 759-7, their highest ever Test five overs I got to 280-285, that’s when I Smith said. “I’m very pleased with that. But I S. Aslam c Renshaw b Starc 15 4-165 (Misbah), 5-173 (Younis), 6-220 (Ahmed), 7-312 score. started thinking and Jaddu (Ravindra guess last night, sort of showed we’re still A. Ali c Wade b Starc 71 (Amir), 8-378 (Wahab), 9-449 (Shafiq), 10-450 (Yasir) India amassed a lead of 282 runs while Jadeja) kept egging me on to not throw it not the finished product. B. Azam c Smith b Lyon 14 Bowling: Starc 38-10-119-4 (1w), Hazlewood 42-11-99-0, Y. Khan c Smith b Lyon 65 Bird 33-6-110-3 (1w), Lyon 29-3-108-2, Maddinson 3-0-9-0. England ended the day on 12 without loss, away and get to 300 easily,” he added. We’ve got to continue to work hard, and M. ul-Haq c Wade b Bird 5 Result: Australia won by 39 runs with skipper Alastair Cook (three) and His 181-run sixth-wicket partnership keep the foot on the throat when we’ve got A. Shafiq c Warner b Starc 137 Series: Australia 1-0 Keaton Jennings (nine) at the crease. with Ravichandran Ashwin stood out as them in that position. We’ve got to be a little S. Ahmed b Starc 24 Man of the match: Asad Shafiq (PAK) “We are 3-0 up (in the five-match series), India registered their highest-ever innings more ruthless and get the job done.” so I think they are, you know, already out of score of 759, surpassing their 726 against Smith praised Pakistan’s pluck, with Azhar the game,” an ecstatic Nair told reporters Sri Lanka in December 2009. the classiest innings I have seen. In the con- Australia since 1995 and has never won a Ali (71) and Younis Khan (65) contributing at text of the game, the way he handled the test at the Gabba, where Australia is unbeat- after his epic knock. “It (pitch) is slowly the top of the order before Shafiq took deteriorating. And there are footmarks BAYLISS ‘CONFIDENT’ pressure playing with (the) tail, he made a en since 1988, but Misbah said they’d travel charge to ensure no repeat of the collapse in match out of nothing.” to Melbourne full of confidence ahead of the there so I think we just have to bowl well The visitors have three sessions to sur- the first innings, when the visitors lost 7-24 and get the wickets. Good bowling does vive and secure a draw. “It’s never easy Pakistan has lost 10 consecutive tests in second Test starting Dec 26. — AP and were all out for 142 in reply to Australia’s get you wickets on any surface,” said Nair. when it happens, you got to give credit to Nair, 25, was playing in just the third Test the Indian team and their batters. They 429. “Things got a little bit close for my lik- match of his career. He recorded his maid- played extremely well. We just weren’t in ing,” said Smith, admitting he was nervous en century in the morning session before the game today,” said England coach Trevor when Pakistan got within 60. “It was an Kumara takes three expertly converting it into a double and Bayliss. amazing game of cricket. Credit to Pakistan, then a triple in the evening. However Bayliss said he was confident they scored 450 in the last innings of a pink He became only the third batsman to that his batsmen would stand up to the ball test match - no doubt pink ball test crick- wickets for Sri Lanka covert a maiden Test hundred into a triple challenge on the final day on a good bat- et is here to stay.” century, joining the elite company of West ting wicket. “As confident as I can be. They Australia ended a five-test losing streak POTCHEFSTROOM: Teenage fast bowler because the Sri Lankans were able to use Indies’ Garry Sobers (365 not out) and are in a pretty good place. We have been in last month with a win over South Africa in a Lahiru Kumara took three wickets as Sri all 15 members of their touring squad. Du Australia’s Bob Simpson (311). a tough position in the seven Tests (includ- day-night test in Adelaide, narrowing the los- Lanka looked set to take a first innings lead Plooy eventually fell to Kumara, who Nair’s knock came off 381 balls and was ing two in Bangladesh) and have come out ing margin to 2-1 in that series. Smith then on the second day of a three-day match earned his first two Test caps in a recent laced with 32 fours and four sixes. He and played well the next day. led Australia to a 3-0 sweep of New Zealand against a South African Invitation XI at series in Zimbabwe. reached the feat with a cut shot off Adil “We were out there to win this-the last in a limited-overs series, before the opening Senwes Park yesterday. Captain Angelo Mathews and off-spin- Rashid and raised his helmet to a standing couple of Test matches-so they (England test against Pakistan - the first-ever day- Kumara had figures of three for 36 as ner Dilruwan Perera both took two wickets. ovation. The triple ton came a day after players) don’t want to get on the plane night test at the Gabba. Pakistan won the the Invitation team reached 285 for eight Du Plooy was the only South African bats- teammate Lokesh Rahul missed 200 by a with a loss,” said Bayliss. The Australian- second ever day-night test - beating the at the close, still 88 runs behind the man to shine, with no other player making single run after getting out to Rashid on born Bayliss also kept himself out of the West Indies in the United Arab Emirates in tourists’ first innings of 373. Left-hander more than 25. 199 in the final moments of play on England captaincy debate, saying the skip- October - but the conditions were vastly dif- Leus du Plooy was responsible for almost Earlier, fast bowler Duanne Olivier took Sunday. Nair though survived two dropped per Alastair Cook “deserves” to make his ferent with more swing in humid, subtropical half the Invitation team’s total, stroking 142 three of the last four wickets as the Sri chances-on 34 on Sunday and 216 on own decision. —AFP Brisbane. off 159 balls with 25 fours. Du Plooy, 21, is Lankans could only add 45 runs to their Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq praised a product of the same Pretoria school that overnight total of 328 for six. Olivier fin- his batsmen, particularly Shafiq, who produced South African captains AB de ished with four for 54. It is the only warm- SCOREBOARD equaled his highest test score with his 10th Villiers and Faf du Plessis. He has made up match for Sri Lanka, who start a three- century. “It set the tone for the series. I can’t three first-class centuries but Monday’s Test series against South Africa in Port CHENNAI, India: Scoreboard at stumps on the fourth day of the fifth and final Test between India and effort will not have first-class status Elizabeth on December 26. — AFP England in Chennai yesterday. explain how happy I am for all the guys, especially Asad,” Misbah said. “That is one of England 1st innings 477 (M. Ali 146, J. Root 88; R. (Ashwin), 7-754 (Jadeja) Jadeja 3-106) Bowling: Broad 27-6-80-2, Ball 23-2-93-0, Ali 41-1- India 1st innings (overnight 391-4; K. Nair 71, M. 190-1, Stokes 20-2-76-1, Rashid 29.4-1-153-1, Vijay 17) Dawson 43-4-129-2, Root 2-0-12-0, Jennings 5-1- Cricket Australia calls off player pay talks until new year L. Rahul c Buttler b Rashid 199 20-0. P. Patel c Buttler b Ali 71 Did not bat: A. Mishra, I. Sharma C. Pujara c Cook b Stokes 16 SYDNEY: Cricket Australia has broken off pay talks with its players, saying ongoing negotiations could V. Kohli c Jennings b Broad 15 England 2nd innings K. Nair not out 303 A. Cook not out 3 be a distraction to players at a busy time of the sea- Smith most relieved after M. Vijay lbw b Dawson 29 K. Jennings not out 9 son. Informal meetings between the governing body R. Ashwin c Buttler b Broad 67 and the ACA were due to take place this week but R. Jadeja c Ball b Dawson 51 Extras 0 Australia’s great escape U. Yadav not out 1 Total (0 wickets; 5 overs) 12 Cricket Australia has called a postponement until the Extras (b2, lb4, w1) 7 Bowling: I. Sharma 1-0-2-0, R. Ashwin 2-0-7-0, R. new year. BRISBANE: The relief was palpable in all of found themselves in such a perilous posi- Total (7 wickets dec; 190.4 overs) 759 Jadeja 2-0-3-0 In a statement on Monday a spokesman said Australia’s players yesterday after they sur- tion on day five in the first place. Fall of wicket: 1-152 (Patel), 2-181 (Pujara), 3-211 To bat: J. Root, M. Ali, J. Bairstow, B. Stokes, J. Cricket Australia “will not take part in a process which vived a huge scare to defeat Pakistan by 39 Pakistan were skittled for 142 early on (Kohli), 4-372 (Rahul), 5-435 (Vijay), 6-616 Buttler, L. Dawson, A. Rashid, S. Broad, J. Ball. seeks to draw its players into a public dispute.” It runs in the first test, but none would have day three, 88 runs short of avoiding the fol- appeared to be referring to the ACA’s move last week felt it more than captain Steve Smith. low-on, but Smith chose not to enforce it to make public its concerns about a pregnancy clause A bundle of nervous energy at the best and instead opted to bat the tourists out of in contracts offered to female players. of times, Smith grew increasingly fidgety the game. With victory secured, it would Cricket Australia says the ACA misrepresented the as man-of-the-match Asad Shafiq and Yasir be unfair to say the tactic backfired but nature of the clause, which requires players to declare Shah marched quickly toward an improba- Misbah-ul-Haq’s side may take more out of they are not pregnant before they sign a contract. ble victory target of 490 in the first day- the match, having won back belief in their The ACA described the clause as “outdated at best night test at the Gabba. batting and resilience, and restored confi- Well might he have. Smith dropped two dence lost by a 2-0 thrashing in New and rather condescdening.” Cricket Australia chief simple catches in the slips late on day four, Zealand. executive James Sutherland condemned the players’ the second letting Shafiq, Pakistan’s last The final total of 450 was Pakistan’s association stance on the clause, saying the current specialist batsman, off the hook when he highest ever fourth innings tally, the high- negotiation was a chance to develop a policy “that was on 72. Shafiq survived to stumps after est ever in Australia and the equal third keeps the health and safety of women, and their raising an impressive 100 and lifted highest of all time. babies, first and foremost.” Pakistan’s hopes of closing out a famous Australia, however, seemed plagued by In yesterday’s statement Cricket Australia came victory before being dismissed for 137 by a doubt and inertia on the final day at the close to suggesting the ACA was not negotiating in pearl of a short-pitched delivery by pace- Gabba and Smith’s initially conservative good faith. “Cricket Australia is committed to a nego- man Mitchell Starc. field settings were roasted by former cap- tiation that is conducted in good faith between the That Pakistan were able to get so close tains Michael Clarke and Mark Taylor as two parties, but will not take part in a process which to completing a record run chase took the they called the game on television. seeks to draw its players into a public dispute,” the gloss off another outstanding batting “The Australian captain’s tactics this spokesman said. effort by Smith, who top-scored for morning has been nothing short of ridicu- “Players deserve the opportunity to focus on the Australia with 130 in the first innings and lous,” tweeted former England skipper backed it up with 63 in the second. Michael Vaughan. game rather than being distracted by a negotiation He also wrapped up the match in some Smith may undertake extra catching that should be conducted in a professional and confi- style, throwing down the stumps from the practice during training before the Boxing dential manner. slips to run out Yasir after the stocky Day (Dec. 26) test but had no regrets about “In the period that will see tens of thousands of legspinner inexplicably wandered out of not enforcing the follow-on. “I think I CHENNAI: India’s Karun Nair plays a shot during the fourth day of the fifth and final fans enjoy (Big Bash League) matches and the cricket his crease after a mis-hit behind the wick- would go the same plan,” he said. “Our Test cricket match between India and England at The M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in community prepare for another Boxing Day test that et. But those fine efforts may be drowned bowlers had bowled a lot. I’m just happy Chennai yesterday. Karun Nair smashed an unbeaten 303 as India declared their first cannot be assured if discussions continue under cur- out in the debate as to how Australia we got over the line.” — Reuters innings on 759 for seven on day four of the fifth and final Test against England. —AFP rent arrangements with the ACA.” — AP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 SPORTS British teams fined for poppy war tribute

ZURICH: FIFA fined England 45,000 won 3-0. The qualifier was staged on ner across FIFA’s 211 member associa- In Belfast, Northern Ireland held a and will take further legal advice Swiss francs ($43,850, 42,000 euros) Armistice Day, when Britain traditional- tions”. He added: “The display, among minute’s silence, laid wreaths and dis- before deciding on a future course of yesterday for wearing a poppy tribute ly pays tribute to all of the country’s others, of any political or religious sym- played a poppy mosaic ahead of their action.” The Football Associations of to British war dead during their war dead. England’s Football bol is strictly prohibited. In the stadium 4-0 win over Azerbaijan. England and Wales did not immediate- November 11 World Cup qualifier Association has already said it will con- and on the pitch, there is only room for The Scottish Football Association ly respond to requests for comment against Scotland. test any fine and believes its “legal sport, nothing else.” said it was “disappointed” by FIFA’s from AFP. British Prime Minister Theresa Scotland were fined 20,000 Swiss position is right and our moral position FIFA rules ban “political, religious or decision and would “await the written May has branded FIFA’s stance “outra- francs, while Wales and Northern is right”. FIFA disciplinary committee personal slogans, statements or reasons from the committee before geous”. The Republic of Ireland, mean- Ireland were given 20,000 and 15,000 chairman Claudio Sulser stated it was images” on player kits. Wales and considering the appropriate next while, were fined 5,000 Swiss francs Swiss franc fines respectively for mak- not their “intention to judge or ques- Northern Ireland opted against allow- steps”. The Irish Football Association, after their players wore symbols com- ing their own tributes. FIFA rules ban tion specific commemorations as we ing their players to wear black arm- responsible for Northern Ireland, said it memorating the Easter Rising on their “political” symbols on shirts during offi- fully respect the significance of such bands with poppy symbols. would seek legal advice on the matter. shirts during a March friendly against cial games, but the British nations moments in the respective countries, “The Irish FA is disappointed that the Switzerland. denied they had breached the ban. each one of them with its own history IRISH ‘DISAPPOINTED’ FIFA disciplinary committee has repri- The Easter Rising, which took place Both sets of players and England’s and background”. Instead, Wales laid a wreath beside manded the association and issued a in April 1916, was an Irish rebellion manager Gareth Southgate wore black But in a statement he explained the pitch and fans held up a poppy fine,” the IFA said in a statement. against British rule. The Football armbands bearing red poppy motifs at they had issued the fines as “rules need mosaic prior to their 1-1 World Cup “The Irish FA will examine the full Association of Ireland is not expected the Wembley game, which England to be applied in a neutral and fair man- qualifying draw with Serbia in Cardiff. written submission when it is released to contest the fine. — AFP Guardiola pins hopes on Chelsea wobble

MANCHESTER: Manchester City manager when a team can make 11 victories in a Pep Guardiola said his side will be ready to row, you just can say congratulations. pounce if Premier League leaders Chelsea “But at least to be there as much possi- falter following their impressive 2-1 come- ble, and waiting if the opponent fails some- back victory over title rivals Arsenal. times, and waiting until the last part of the Chelsea have streaked clear at the sum- season to be there, to fight for the title.” mit thanks to a storming run of 11 consecu- Since Guardiola’s arrival in England, fol- tive victories. lowing stellar stints at Barcelona and City trail Antonio Conte’s side by seven Bayern Munich, there has been huge inter- points, having climbed to second place by est in whether his passing principles will coming from behind to beat Arsenal at the prevail in the pell-mell Premier League. Etihad Stadium on Sunday, and Guardiola The City manager triggered his team’s says the leaders are in their sights. comeback by moving Kevin De Bruyne up Asked if the win, secured by second-half front at half-time and switching Sterling to goals from Leroy Sane and Raheem the right flank, but he played down the sig- Sterling, would give City a psychological nificance of the decision. boost, Guardiola nodded and replied: “A lot. “Because we won, now the trainer is a “Seven points is a huge distance and genius!” said Guardiola, who faced criticism following recent one-sided losses to Chelsea and Leicester City. Guardiola said he had apologised to John Stones after benching the centre- back, a £47.5 million ($59.3 million, 56.8 million euros) recruit from Everton, for the second game running. But he hailed Yaya Toure, who has become an increasingly vital cog in City’s midfield despite Guardiola initially freezing him out. Asked if Toure’s form might earn the 33- year-old an extension to his contract, which expires at the end of the season, Guardiola replied: “No answer to that question. “I know he finishes his contract. Now we have time to discuss about that. What I am impressed most (by) is his huge quality. “He looks like a boy. He played awesome. It is not in terms of when he has the ball, it’s the personality. “When we are in trouble, he goes there, asks for the ball, pass, pass. When Yaya plays at that level, because he is fit and focused, he is an exceptional, exceptional PHILADELPHIA: Brooklyn Nets’ Brook Lopez, top, tries to dunk against Philadelphia 76ers’ Robert Covington during the first half of an NBA bas- Pep Guardiola player.”—AFP ketball game, Sunday, in Philadelphia. —AP

The Premier League’s Beal’s 41 points lead longest winning streaks LONDON: Premier League leaders league title appeared destined to Wizards past Clippers Chelsea set a new club record at the come to an end as a team spearheaded weekend by registering an 11th con- by Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge secutive league win within the same rattled off a series of thrilling victories season for the first time. Here are the in the English spring of 2014. Their vic- WASHINGTON: Bradley Beal scored 41 points Antonio paid tribute to Tim Duncan on his Boston built a huge early lead on the way to longest winning streaks since tims included Arsenal (5-1), while Markieff Morris had 12 of his 23 points jersey retirement night with a fundamentally beating Miami. Al Horford had 17 points, England’s top flight was relaunched as Manchester United (3-0) and title rivals in the fourth quarter as the Washington strong performance. San Antonio won its eight rebounds and seven assists for the the Premier League in 1992: Manchester City (3-2). But Brendan Wizards beat the Los Angeles Clippers 117- fourth straight overall and fourth consecutive Celtics. They led by 22 in the first half and Rodgers’s side were to come unstuck in 110 in the NBA on Sunday. John Wall added at home after a slow start at the AT&T Center. beat Miami for the fifth consecutive time. 11 wins: Chelsea a 2-0 home defeat against Chelsea, 18 points and 11 assists for the Wizards. They The Spurs retired Duncan’s jersey after the Miami turned the ball over 23 times, and (April-September 2009) with Steven Gerrard’s unfortunate slip closed with a 22-8 run to win their third game. The franchise cornerstone retired in Boston converted those into 24 points. And The 2008-09 season was a tumul- gifting Demba Ba a goal that opened straight game and fifth in six. Blake Griffin the offseason after winning five champi- the Heat, the worst free-throw shooting team tuous one for Chelsea, with Luiz Felipe the door for City to claim the title. scored 26 points for the Clippers, but was onships and two MVPs in 19 seasons, all with in the NBA, went 6 for 14 from the line in the Scolari sacked as manager in February held scoreless during a fourth quarter in San Antonio. Duncan’s style of play led to the fourth quarter. Goran Dragic led all scorers after only seven months in charge. But 11 wins: Manchester City which coach Doc Rivers was ejected. nickname “The Big Fundamental,” and the with 31 points for Miami. Hassan Whiteside the team recovered form under interim (April-September 2015) DeAndre Jordan added 13 points and 17 Spurs honored him with their own rather finished with 23 points and 17 rebounds, all manager Guus Hiddink and finished City lost their title to Chelsea the rebounds, and Chris Paul had 13 points and seamless performance against the Pelicans. but one of those rebounds coming in the sec- the season with a run of five successive following season, but they finished 12 assists. Los Angeles had won four in a row. ond half. Thomas was ejected with 3:02 left wins. Scolari’s permanent successor, that campaign like a train, winning Washington shot 80 percent (12 of 15) from RAPTORS 109, MAGIC 79 for elbowing Justise Winslow in the face, Carlo Ancelotti, picked up where their last six fixtures. Manuel the floor in the fourth after already coming DeMar DeRozan scored 31 points and bloodying the Heat forward and being Hiddink had left off, overseeing six Pellegrini’s men began the subsequent back from an 11-point deficit in the third. Jonas Valanciunas added 16 points and 13 assessed with a flagrant-2 after a lengthy straight wins at the start of a season campaign in equally impressive fash- rebounds, helping Toronto beat Orlando. review. that would end with a free-scoring ion, winning their first five games with- 76ERS 108, NETS 107 DeRozan has scored at least 30 points in four Chelsea team crowned league champi- out conceding a goal, but would ulti- Joel Embiid scored 17 of his career-high 33 straight games and 15 times overall this sea- MAVERICKS 99, KINGS 79 ons and FA Cup winners. mately finish fourth. points in the third quarter and hit a pair of son. Toronto exploded in the third quarter to Rookie Dorian Finney-Smith scored a sea- free throws with 12.5 seconds left to lead open a 20-point lead and has scored 100 son-high 17 points, leading six Dallas players 11 wins: Chelsea 12 wins: Manchester United Philadelphia over Brooklyn in a matchup of points in 14 consecutive games, the longest in double figures. After losing to Sacramento (September-December 2016) (March-August 2000) two of the league’s worst teams. Embiid active streak in the NBA. Toronto outscored by 31 points at home 11 days ago, the The seeds for Chelsea’s current run United roared to the finish line in added 10 rebounds and Ersan Ilyasova had the Magic 29-13 in the third quarter to break Mavericks started fast. They made 11 of their of wins were sown during a 3-0 defeat the 1999-2000 title race, winning their 22 points for the 76ers, who snapped an open a four-point halftime advantage. Evan first 15 shots and never trailed. Deron at Arsenal in late September, when final 11 games and ending the cam- eight-game home losing streak while win- Fournier led the Magic with 15 points but Williams, Harrison Barnes and Wesley new manager Antonio Conte switched paign with a record 18-point advan- ning for the third time in 13 games. A leading was plagued by foul trouble trying to guard Matthews each scored 15 for Dallas. to his preferred 3-4-3 formation. The tage over nearest rivals Arsenal. They Rookie of the Year candidate, Embiid was 12 the more physical DeMarre Carroll. DeMarcus Cousins scored 33 for west London club have since been scored 37 goals in the process, includ- for 17 from the field, including 2 for 3 from Sacramento. The Kings were minus second- unstoppable, notably beating ing seven in a 7-1 demolition of West beyond the arc, and 7 for 8 from the free- CELTICS 105, HEAT 95 leading scorer Rudy Gay, who missed his Manchester United (4-0), Tottenham Ham United in which Paul Scholes throw line. Brook Lopez had 22 points, nine Isaiah Thomas scored 23 points before get- third consecutive game because of a Hotspur (2-1) and Manchester City (3- claimed a hat-trick. The following sea- rebounds and eight assists for the Nets, who ting ejected and Avery Bradley added 20 as strained right hip flexor.—AP 1), moving seven points clear at the son began with a 2-0 win over lost their ninth in a row on the road. league summit. Newcastle United and would once NBA results/standings again end with United top of the pile. JAZZ 82, GRIZZLIES 73 Gordon Hayward scored 22 points and 11 wins: Manchester United San Antonio 113, New Orleans 100; Utah 82, Memphis 73; Philadelphia 108, Brooklyn 107; Toronto 109, Orlando 79; (December 2008-March 2009) 14 wins: Arsenal Rudy Gobert had 21 points, 12 rebounds and Boston 105, Miami 95; Dallas 99, Sacramento 79; Washington 117, LA Clippers 110. Beginning with a 1-0 victory at (February-August 2002) three blocks, helping Utah win a defensive Stoke City on Boxing Day, Alex Arsenal set a record for the most battle. The win -Utah’s fourth straight and Eastern Conference Western Conference Ferguson’s United went on a run of 11 wins within a single Premier League seventh in the last eight - came after the Jazz Atlantic Division Northwest Division W L PCT GB consecutive wins that shot them to the season (13) and the most successive broke open a close game with about four Utah 18 10 .643 - Toronto 19 8 .704 - Oklahoma City 16 11 .593 1.5 top of the table. They kept clean sheets wins in the history of the English top minutes remaining. Boris Diaw, Hayward and Shelvin Mack connected on a trio of 3-point- Boston 15 12 .556 4 Portland 13 16 .448 5.5 in the first nine games, won six match- flight (14) as they romped to a second NY Knicks 14 13 .519 5 Denver 11 16 .407 6.5 es 1-0 and only conceded two goals league and FA Cup double under ers, turning a 66-all tie into a Jazz win. Diaw Brooklyn 7 19 .269 11.5 had 11 points and Mack had 10. Mike Conley Minnesota 7 19 .269 10 over the entire run. The sequence Arsene Wenger. Fourth in the table in Philadelphia 7 20 .259 12 Pacific Division Central Division came to a juddering halt in a 4-1 home early February, Arsenal tore to the led Memphis with 14 points, while Zach Golden State 24 4 .857 - Cleveland 19 6 .760 - Randolph had 12 points and 11 rebounds. LA Clippers 20 8 .714 4 defeat by Liverpool, which was fol- front with a run of 11 wins on the spin Milwaukee 13 12 .520 6 JaMychal Green added 10 points and 11 Sacramento 10 17 .370 13.5 lowed by a 2-0 loss at Fulham. But a before securing the title with a 1-0 suc- Indiana 14 14 .500 6.5 subsequent burst of seven wins carried cess at the home of title rivals rebounds. Memphis managed only 30 per- Chicago 13 13 .500 6.5 LA Lakers 11 19 .367 14 Cristiano Ronaldo and his team-mates Manchester United. They finished the cent shooting on the night against the Detroit 14 15 .483 7 Phoenix 8 19 .296 15.5 to a third consecutive title. season by beating Everton 4-3 at aggressive Jazz defense. That included the Southeast Division Southwest Division San Antonio 22 5 .815 - Highbury and opened their title Grizzlies converting only 2 of 23 shots from Charlotte 15 13 .536 - outside the arc. Atlanta 13 14 .481 1.5 Houston 21 7 .750 1.5 11 wins: Liverpool defence with a 2-0 win over Washington 12 14 .462 2 Memphis 18 11 .621 5 (February-April 2014) Birmingham City before drawing 2-2 at Orlando 12 17 .414 3.5 New Orleans 9 20 .310 14 Liverpool’s 24-year wait for the West Ham.—AFP SPURS 113, PELICANS 100 Miami 9 19 .321 6 Dallas 7 20 .259 15 LaMarcus Aldridge had 22 points and San TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 SPORTS ‘FIFA are not world doping police’: Infantino

BERLIN: FIFA president Gianni Infantino more than 1,000 athletes in several Spiegel, which alleged tax evasion by fers in the wake of last week’s Football of people, and therefore also those has ruled out taking the 2018 World Cup sports, including football. high-profile stars including Cristiano Leaks revelations. involved in the transfer system, are hon- from Russia in the wake of the latest Infantino says FIFA are still waiting for Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho, Infantino “We need to start a huge job of reflec- est,” added Infantino. findings of the McLaren report. the ‘relevant information’ from the said it’s a matter for individual national tion including all parties: players, clubs, “In any case, I hope that’s the case. “FIFA is not the world police and cer- McLaren reports which mentions 31 federations. intermediaries, but also the authorities, That being said, it’s not a reason not to tainly not the world doping police,” the tampered doping samples from foot- “It is naive to believe that FIFA can notably the European Commission,” try, incessantly, to increase and improve head of world football’s governing body ballers. The Swiss says “if measures need know everything from Zurich which Infantino said in the same interview to a the control mechanisms we have in told German magazine Der Spiegel. to be taken, they will be”, but he pointed goes on during every transfer in the a group of European media, including place. “But we are not an authority “Our disciplinary bodies will take care to the work FIFA is already doing to com- world,” said Infantino. France’s Mediapart. charged with enforcing the law... of anything in the McLaren report which bat doping. “Testing was not implement- “So it makes sense to give the respon- “With that in mind we have, at FIFA, Although we must do more.” has anything to do with football. ed by Brazil in 2014 or by South Africa in sibility to the unions and federations. put in place a committee to gather all The Football Leaks report claimed “Boycotts and bans have never solved 2010 and won’t be carried out by Russia “They should check the transfers, which those interested parties. They will meet that Doyen Sports had attempted to any problems,” Infantino added as he in 2018, but by FIFA,” he added. If some- take place in their own country.” He for the first time at the beginning of next facilitate the transfer of Frenchman ruled out stripping Russia of the 2018 thing goes wrong, “that will be our added “when someone hasn’t paid their year.” Last week Mediapart published a Geoffrey Kondogbia to Real Madrid by World Cup finals. responsibility, our fault,” said Infantino, taxes, drives too fast or is drunk behind report alleging that Doyen Sports, a offering prostitutes. The report also The McLaren report, the second part “but we are confident our anti-doping the wheel, then FIFA is not responsible major transfer market dealer, had accused the Kazakh-Turkish owned com- of which was announced ten days ago, measures will work.” When asked about for that.” Infantino also said FIFA will lead ploughed funds into prostitution, kick- pany of transferring at least 10.8 million revealed systematic doping in Russia the recent ‘Football Leaks’, reported by a meeting of football representative backs and tax evasion schemes. euros ($12 million), earnt through kick- between 2011 and 2015 which involved several publications including Der bodies early next year to discuss trans- “I generally believe that the majority backs, into tax havens. — AFP Bayern under pressure for ‘electric’ showdown

BERLIN: Bayern Munich face an acid test of Hertha. Centre-backs Orban and Ilsanker will their status as Bundesliga leaders in tomor- be tasked with containing Bayern’s Thomas row’s crunch showdown when they host sec- Mueller and Robert Lewandowski, while ond-placed RB Leipzig, who know they have Leipzig’s top scorer Timo Werner, who has nothing to lose. nine league goals, will face Germany’s Mats The Bavarian giants have won the Hummels. Bayern will be missing his centre- Bundesliga title at a canter in each of the last back partner Jerome Boateng, who needs a four seasons, but Leipzig, who were only shoulder operation. founded in 2009, have torn up the form book Head coach Carlo Ancelotti says he in their first season in Germany’s top flight. already knows his line-up and it’s more than Just like Bayern, they have won 11 of their likely Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery will 15 league games, with three wins and a sin- start on the flanks. gle defeat. Both clubs have 36 points, but While Leipzig impressed against Hertha, Munich are top on goal difference. A shock 1- Bayern were lacklustre in Sunday’s 1-0 win at 0 defeat to Ingolstadt ten days ago is the only Darmstadt which was settled by a superb blot on Leipzig’s record having so far beaten goal from Douglas Costa. the likes of Dortmund, Leverkusen, Schalke “We took three very important points, and now Hertha Berlin, following Saturday’s without which it would have been difficult on 2-0 home win. Wednesday against RB Leipzig,” said Bayern “Quick, compact and greedy-they are the goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. best opponent we have faced so far,” was “But we can’t be satisfied with the per- Hertha coach Pal Dardai’s appraisal of Leipzig, formance-that wasn’t FC Bayern today and who had gone a record 13 matches unbeaten Wednesday will be a duel between equals.” at the start of their debut Bundesliga season. An unthinkable defeat would mean The Bundesliga breaks for winter after this Bayern go into the winter break with the round of mid-week matches and the Allianz German media inevitably asking all sorts of Arena showdown is the standout tie. Having uncomfortable questions of Ancelotti’s star- led for three weeks until early December, studded squad.—AFP Leipzig knocked Bayern off the summit for 24 BARCELONA: Barcelona’s Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez (L) celebrates his goal during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs RCD hours after their impressive win over Hertha Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on Sunday. — AFP before Munich’s 1-0 victory at bottom side Darmstadt put them top again on Sunday. Matches on TV “We’re proud to have a game on (Local Timings) Suarez double, Messi magic Wednesday against Bayern Munich which will electrify the whole of Germany and will cer- tainly inspire across the borders,” said Italian Calcio League Serie Leipzig’s Austrian coach Ralph Hasenhuettl. Atalanta v Empoli 22:45 hands Barca derby delight Last month, Bayern’s president Uli beIN SPORTS 4 HD Hoeness dubbed Leipzig their “second ene- MADRID: Lionel Messi put on a show in Deportivo La Coruna defeated last-place hosts, which lie 15th in the 20-team standings. It my” in Germany alongside Borussia German Bundesliga 1st Div Dortmund before withdrawing the comment, Barcelona’s final Spanish league game of the year, Osasuna to move four points clear of the relegation was the sixth straight loss for promoted Osasuna, but the Bavarians clearly feel threatened by Dortmund v Augsburg 22:00 scoring once and mesmerizing with his dribbling zone ahead of the break. First-half goals by Florin which stayed with only seven points from 16 Leipzig. RB are one of the few German clubs beIN SPORTS 5 HD skills to set up two other goals in a 4-1 win against Andone and Ryan Babel secured victory for the games. — AP who have deep pockets like Bayern with the Eintracht Frankfurt v Mainz 22:00 Espanyol in the city derby on Sunday. Luis Suarez financial weight of Austrian drinks giants Red beIN SPORTS 6 HD struck the first two goals and Jordi Alba added Bull behind them. Hamburger v Schalke 22:00 another in a victory that left Barcelona three points behind leader Real Madrid ahead of the winter Mertens hits 4 as Napoli Their team has an average age of just over beIN SPORTS 10 HD 23 and there is little fear ahead of their his- break. Madrid, which won FIFA’s Club World Cup in Monchengladbach v Wolfsburg 22:00 toric first Bundesliga match against Bayern. Japan this weekend, has a game in hand. “We want to, we can, but we don’t have to,” beIN SPORTS 9 HD Messi dazzled the crowd at Camp Nou for the win eight-goal thriller said defender Stefan Ilsanker when asked first time when he cleared four defenders outside about the pressure to win in Munich. Spain Copa del Rey the area - including by rolling the ball between the MILAN: Dries Mertens scored four goals, placed Torino with a penalty. Leipzig are set to be without injured Villarreal v Toledo 21:00 legs of one of them - before having his shot par- including a nine-minute first-half hat-trick, as Keita Balde and a Lucas Biglia penalty put defensive midfielder Naby Keita (thigh) and beIN SPORTS ried. Suarez pounced on the loose ball to score his Napoli forgot their scoring problems with a 5-3 Lazio 2-0 ahead at halftime against Fiorentina win over Torino in Serie A on Sunday. before the visitors hit back. Fiorentina’s Josip defender Marcel Halstenberg (hip), but Real Sociedad v Real Valladolid 22:00 second goal in the 67th minute. “That was a PlayStation play by Messi,” Suarez It was a second successive hat-trick for the Ilicic missed a penalty before Mauro Zarate Leipzig’s young guns are relishing the test of beIN SPORTS their mettle. said. “I wish he had ended it with the goal, it would Belgian, who is playing as an improvised cen- pulled one goal back only for Stefano Radu to Atletico de Madrid v Guijuelo 23:00 “The anticipation is huge. We’ll put every- have been one of the best in the last few years.” A tre-forward following Arkadiusz Milik’s long- wrap it up for Lazio in the final minute. thing into it and I can hardly wait,” said cen- beIN SPORTS 2 HD minute later, Messi used his pace and clever drib- term knee injury, and took Napoli’s goal tally to Two goals from Giovanni Simeone, the son tre-back Willi Orban, who scored against bles to get past four defenders again, and then 13 in their last three league matches. of Atletico Madrid coach Diego, helped Genoa passed for Alba to find the net from inside the area. Napoli’s win lifted them to third with 34 to take a 3-1 lead over Palermo before the After nearly scoring following a neat feint that points, one behind AS Roma and eight adrift of Sicilians rallied to move off the bottom of the fooled two defenders inside the area, Messi fin- leaders Juventus. table. Edoardo Goldaniga headed one goal ished the night in style by finding the net from Lazio later pulled level on points with Napoli back in the 69th minute, Andrea Rispoli levelled close range after a pass by Suarez in the 90th. For by beating Fiorentina 3-1 while Palermo ended in the 88th minute and Aleksandar Trajkovski the second time of the night, the crowd got to its a run of nine successive league defeats by scor- scored a last-minute winner. feet and chanted “Messi, Messi.” “In the second half ing twice in the final three minutes to win 4-3 at Genoa’s frustration boiled over when goal- we saw the most spectacular version of our players Genoa. Mertens became the first Serie A player keeper Mattia Perin was sent off for pushing an up front, especially Messi,” Barcelona coach Luis to score successive hat-tricks for 22 years and opponent. Antonio Candreva’s second-half goal Enrique said. “We shouldn’t stop praising some- the first to score four times in a game since gave an unconvincing Inter Milan a 1-0 away thing just because it happens so many times that it Sassuolo’s Domenico Berardi in January 2014. win over Sassuolo, who had 10 players on the looks routine. We shouldn’t get used to it, it’s It was hard to believe that Napoli had strug- injured list. Seventh-placed Inter had midfielder unique.” Suarez, the league’s leading scorer with 12 gled for goals immediately after Milik was Felipe Melo sent off in stoppage time for a sec- goals along with Messi, had opened the scoring in injured playing for Poland in early October. ond bookable offence. the 18th, while David Lopez netted Espanyol’s lone Mertens opened his account in the 13th Bottom club Pescara had Valerio Verre given goal in the 79th. minute, sending his shot through a crowd of a straight red card for a dangerous tackle after Messi started the remarkable move that led to players following a corner, and added the sec- only 16 minutes as they slumped to a 3-0 home Suarez’s second goal after a superb run by Andres ond from a penalty five minutes later. Torino defeat against Bologna. Iniesta, who had to get past three defenders him- were all over the place and Mertens complet- Bologna, already leading from Adam self before being able to feed Messi outside the ed his hat-trick in the 22nd minute after Jose Masina’s header, added further goals with a area. Iniesta had also unleashed a spectacular long- Callejon’s shot was stopped by Joe Hart and Blerim Dzemaili shot which took a huge deflec- range pass to set up Suarez’s first goal on the the Belgian’s first attempt was cleared off the tion and a Ladislav Krejci penalty. break. “When we are all playing well as a group, it line. The second half was a different story as Cyril Thereau scored twice to give Udinese a makes it easier for the individual players to make Andrea Belotti pulled one back for the visitors 2-0 win over lowly Crotone, their third win a things happen,” Iniesta said. “Leo is crucial for us.” just before the hour, Vlad Chiriches scored row, while the promoted side’s unhappy after- BOGOTA: The players of Santa Fe celebrate with the trophy after winning their Neymar didn’t find the net but was still impres- Napoli’s fourth and Luca Rossettini replied for noon was completed when goalkeeper Alex Colombian Football League final match against Deportes Tolima and becoming sive, creating scoring opportunities and entertain- Torino after Pepe Reina failed to hold Adem Cordaz was sent off in the 86th minute for han- champions at Nemesio Camacho “El Campin” stadium in Bogota, on Sunday. — AFP ing the crowd with his play. The Brazil striker start- Ljajic’s free kick. dling outside the penalty area. ed the move that led to Barcelona’s third goal. “We Mertens then produced his best goal of the First-half goals from Riccardo Meggiorini played well,” Espanyol’s Lopez said, “but when you game with a delightful chip past Hart before and Sergio Pellissier set up a 2-1 win for Chievo Stuart Armstrong goes from make a small mistake and give them as much as a Iago Falque pulled another back for ninth- over Sampdoria in Verona.— Reuters meter, they will score against you.” The result ended supporting role to Celtic star Espanyol’s nine-game unbeaten streak in the league, leaving it in ninth place after 16 rounds. It GLASGOW: Brendan Rodgers says Stuart of the Scottish Premiership. had defeated Barcelona’s reserves 1-0 in October to Armstrong is a shining example for all His rebirth at Celtic was complete on win the Catalan Super Cup, a competition played the players in his squad for the way the Saturday when he was handed the cap- by Catalonia’s top two clubs. midfielder has rejuvenated his Celtic tain’s armband in the absence of the sus- Espanyol’s starting goalkeeper Diego Lopez had career. pended Scott Brown for the win against to be substituted in the 53rd minute after sustain- The 24-year-old enjoyed a good start Dundee. ing a severe cut to his right when he collided with to his time at Celtic Park after signing Brown will return for the match Suarez while making a sliding save inside the area. from Dundee United in February 2015, against Partick Thistle today but Rodgers but then a dip in form saw him endure a says handing Armstrong the temporary LEGANES 1, EIBAR 1 torrid time last season under former captaincy was reward for his efforts this Portuguese substitute Tiago “Bebe” Correia manager Ronny Deila. season “I think it was a symbol for Stuart scored six minutes after coming on to give Eibar a Following the arrival of Rodgers in the and the other players,” Celtic manager 1-1 draw at 10-man Leganes. summer, Armstrong drifted in and out of Rodgers said. Bebe equalized in the 76th minute with a shot the squad and it appeared as if his time “This was a guy who was one of the that deflected off a defender and fooled substitute at Celtic could be coming to a close. real stand-out players I felt when I was goalkeeper Diego Barrios. Starting goalkeeper Iago However, the midfielder has now assessing the squad, yet when he came Herrerin was sent off in the 26th for a bad foul out- started the past 12 matches and has back in after the summer it probably was side the area while trying to stop a counterattack. GENOA: Genoa’s Armando Izzo, right, tackles Palermo’s Robin Kwamina Quaison during been a pivotal part of the side that has in doubt whether he would play for me. Playing in the first division for the first time, the Serie A soccer match between Genoa and Palermo at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in won 11 league matches in a row to hold Early in the season, he wasn’t even in a Leganes has drawn three in a row and hasn’t won Genoa, Italy, Sunday. — AP an 11-point lead over Rangers at the top couple of my squads.—AFP in four rounds. Britain’s Mo Run out ends Farah has thriller as marathon Australia in his16 sights beat17 Pakistan TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

British teams fined for poppy war tribute Page 18

ARLINGTON: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys runs after catching a pass during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium on Sunday in Arlington, Texas. — AFP Elliott, Cowboys bounce back, top Bucs 26-20

ARLINGTON: Ezekiel Elliott celebrated a short touchdown run by move the Bolts (5-9) to the Los Angeles area after failing to get a when it was 2 degrees with a minus-13 wind chill.The Packers to delight replay fanatics, the defense turned in another stifling jumping into an oversized Salvation Army red kettle and the big public subsidy to help him replace aging Qualcomm tied the NFL’s oldest rivalry for the first time since 1933 at 94-94-6. performance and the Giants inched closer to their first playoff Dallas Cowboys closed in on home-field advantage in the play- Stadium. The Raiders could be on the move, too, with owner berth since 2011. NFC North-leading Detroit (9-5) had won five in offs with a 26-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Mark Davis eyeing Las Vegas, although they’d still play in Oakland BILLS 33, BROWNS 13 a row. The win was the eighth in nine games for the Giants (10-4) NFL on Sunday night. The Cowboys (12-2) bounced back after until a new stadium is built in Sin City. The bumbling Browns are two losses short of becoming the and it gave them their best record through 14 games since 2008, their franchise-record 11-game winning streak ended, hanging NFL’s second team to go 0-16 in one season. LeSean McCoy had a when they were 11-3. The formula was the one the team has fol- on after what looked to be a festive night following Elliott’s antics TEXANS 21, JAGUARS 20 season-best 153 yards rushing and scored twice, and the Bills kept lowed in Ben McAdoo’s first season: just enough offense and a turned tense when Jameis Winston rallied the Bucs from a 17-3 Tom Savage threw for 260 yards after Brock Osweiler was their slim playoff hopes alive. The Browns dropped to 0-14, match- tough stingy, pass-rushing defense. That unit has come up with deficit to a 20-17 lead. Making his debut in the Sunday night benched in the second quarter, and Lamar Miller scored ing the second-worst start to a season set by the 1976 Tampa Bay big back-to-back performances against two division leaders in spotlight, Winston threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns but Houston’s only touchdown with less than three minutes remain- Buccaneers and 1980 New Orleans Saints. The 2008 Detroit Lions Dallas (11-2) and Detroit, giving up 13 total points. Eli Manning had four turnovers, including an interception that led to Dan ing. The win was Houston’s 10th straight in the division and left are the NFL’s only team to go without a win in a 16-game season. (20 of 28 for 201 yards) threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Bailey’s 38-yard field goal that gave Dallas a 23-20 lead early in the Texans (8-6) tied with Tennessee for the AFC South lead. But Cleveland has also lost 17 straight dating to last year, moving into Sterling Shepard on a 75-yard opening drive. He then iced the the fourth quarter. Houston controls its playoff future with a 5-0 mark in the division. a tie with the St. Louis Rams (2008-09) and Houston Oilers (1982- game with a 4-yarder that Beckham caught with his left hand Tampa Bay (8-6) had its five-game winning streak snapped Osweiler threw interceptions on consecutive drives in the second 83) for the league’s sixth-longest skid. The Browns have now gone and then pranced into the end zone for an 11-point lead with and fell a game behind Atlanta in the NFC South. Dallas stayed quarter to help Jacksonville build a 13-0 lead. Coach Bill O’Brien a calendar year since their last win, a 24-10 victory over San 5:20 to play. two games ahead of the New York Giants in the NFC East and had insisted all season he hadn’t thought about benching Francisco on Dec. 13, 2015. The Browns have been so bad they needs a win without any help to clinch the home field through- Osweiler, but he’d seen enough after that and brought in Savage. haven’t had a lead in 17-plus quarters, dating to a 7-6 edge in the FALCONS 41, 49ERS 13 out the NFC playoffs. Elliott, the NFL’s rushing leader, had a The move was met with a huge ovation from the home fans, third quarter of a 28-7 loss at Baltimore on Nov. 10. Devonta Freeman ran for three touchdowns, Matt Ryan career-high 159 yards, including a 42-yard run to set up Bailey’s who’d been booing Osweiler most of the day. The Jaguars got the passed for two more and the Falcons clinched their first winning fourth field goal for the six-point lead. ball back twice after falling behind, but failed on a fourth-down STEELERS 24, BENGALS 20 season since 2012. Freeman rushed for 139 yards and capped his Fellow rookie Dak Prescott bounced back from his worst conversion the first time and Blake Bortles was intercepted the Chris Boswell tied the club record with six field goals, and Ben big day with a 34-yard touchdown run. Ryan completed 17 of 23 game as a pro, going 32 of 36 for 279 yards a week after complet- second time. Bortles threw for 92 yards and ran for a touchdown Roethlisberger threw a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. The passes for 286 yards, including a pair of 9-yard scoring tosses to ing less than 50 percent of his passes in a 10-7 loss to the New for the Jaguars (2-12), who dropped their ninth straight. Steelers (9-5) have won five straight and can clinch the AFC North Taylor Gabriel and Austin Hooper. Aldrick Robinson, stepping up York Giants. Elliott had NFL career rushing leader and former title with a victory at home next Sunday against Baltimore (8-6). with Atlanta star Julio Jones missing his second straight game Dallas star Emmitt Smith and plenty of other people laughing PATRIOTS 16, BRONCOS 3 As a first step, they rallied from a 14-point deficit - kick by kick - with a toe injury, had a career-best 111 yards on four receptions. when he jumped into the kettle and disappeared when he Tom Brady overcame a slow start to lead the Patriots to a rare and eliminated Cincinnati at a place where they’re right at home. The Falcons (9-5) made sure they didn’t overlook the 49ers (1-13), crouched down following a 2-yard touchdown in the second win in Denver, dealing a crushing blow to the Broncos’ playoff They beat the Bengals (5-8-1) in the opening round of the playoffs moving a step closer to getting back to the playoffs after a three- quarter. He drew a 15-yard penalty. hopes. Brady missed his first six passes for just the second time in 18-16 last January, getting the winning field goal with the help of season absence. his career; the first was way back on Oct. 12, 2003, against the penalties on Vontaze Burfict and Adam “Pacman” Jones. Burfict The 49ers have fallen apart since that trip to the Super Bowl. TITANS 19, CHIEFS 17 Giants. But he came back to lead the Patriots (12-2) to a record and Jones each got a personal foul on Sunday - Pittsburgh’s They extended a franchise record with their 13th straight loss, Ryan Succop kicked a 53-yard field goal into the wind as time eighth consecutive division title and a first-round bye. Brady Marcus Gilbert had one as well - as the animosity continued. So keeping the heat on first-year coach Chip Kelly. expired Sunday to give the Tennessee Titans a victory on a frigid returned to the site of his worst beating, a 20-18 loss in the AFC did the Steelers’ dominance at Paul Brown Stadium, where they’ve afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium. Succop, who spent the first championship 11 months ago when he was hit a career-high 23 won four in a row. Boswell accounted for Pittsburgh’s first 15 SAINTS 48, CARDINALS 41 part of his career with Kansas City, came up short on his first try at times. This time, he brought a power run game and a much- points with kicks from 45, 49, 49, 40, 49 and 30 yards. In the end, Drew Brees snapped out of a two-game funk to throw for 389 the winner, but Chiefs coach Andy Reid had called a timeout just improved O-line with him. The result was just his third win in there was another Bengals meltdown. They had penalties on four yards and four touchdowns in the highest-scoring game in the before the snap. Given a second chance, Succop knocked it Denver in 10 tries, and it was the Broncos’ hopes of defending consecutive plays - including Pat Sims’ personal foul - that set up NFL this season. Brees, who had no TDs and six interceptions his through with a couple of feet to spare as the Titans poured off their Super Bowl title that took a beating. The Broncos (8-6) lost Roethlisberger’s 24-yard touchdown pass to Eli Rogers for a 24-20 previous two games, completed 37 of 48 with no picks. Brandin the bench to celebrate. Tennessee rallied from a 17-7 hole, and for the third time in four games and were supplanted by the lead. Cooks caught seven passes for a career-best 186 yards for the Derrick Henry’s second touchdown got the Titans (8-6) within 17- Dolphins for the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC race with Saints (6-8), including touchdown plays of 65 and 45 yards. David 16 with just over three minutes left. But Titans coach Mike two weeks remaining. RAVENS 27, EAGLES 26 Johnson rushed for 53 yards and caught four passes for 55 yards Mularkey went for the 2-point conversion and the lead. Marcus The Ravens survived a desperate comeback bid by the Eagles, for Arizona (5-8-1). The second-year back became the first player Mariota was pressured immediately and his pass never reached PACKERS 30, BEARS 27 stopping a 2-point conversion with 4 seconds left. On a wet and in NFL history to have at least 100 yards from scrimmage in the the end zone. But the Chiefs (10-4), trying to clinch a playoff spot, Aaron Rodgers hit Jordy Nelson with a 60-yard pass to set up windy day, the Ravens maintained control of their playoff possibil- first 14 games of a season. Johnson rushed for two touchdowns, were unable to run out the clock and Tennessee got the ball back Mason Crosby’s 32-yard field goal as time expired in one of the ities. If Baltimore defeats Pittsburgh on Christmas Day and giving him 17 TDs this season and 30 in the first 30 games as a pro. with a minute left. With no timeouts, Mariota calmly found coldest games ever played in Chicago. Wide receiver-turned-run- Cincinnati in the regular-season finale, the Ravens will enter the The teams amassed 913 yards, 488 by New Orleans, 425 by Rishard Matthews for 19 yards and Delanie Walker twice to set up ning back Ty Montgomery ran for a career-high 162 yards and postseason as AFC North champions. Baltimore (8-6) led 27-17 Arizona, which finished 4-3-1 at home. Succop’s field-goal attempt. Tennessee is tied for the AFC South two touchdowns, and the Packers (8-6) earned their fourth with just over six minutes left when Joe Flacco threw an intercep- lead with Houston. straight victory despite blowing a 17-point lead in the fourth tion inside the Philadelphia 10 to give the Eagles (5-9) another VIKINGS 34, COLTS 6 quarter. They also moved ahead of Minnesota for second place in chance. Rookie Carson Wentz directed a drive that produced a Andrew Luck threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns, Robert RAIDERS 19, CHARGERS 16 the NFC North and pulled within a game of division leader field goal with 2:22 remaining. The Eagles got the ball back at their Turbin rushed for two touchdowns, Mike Adams forced a fumble Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 44-yard field goal with 2:40 left, Detroit. The Bears (3-11) tied it on a field goal by Connor Barth 41 with 1:39 to go. A 24-yard completion to Zach Ertz and a pass and added an interception for the Colts (7-7). Frank Gore rushed his fourth of the game, as the Raiders beat the Chargers in the with 1:19 left. The Packers took over at their 27, and on third interference call against rookie Tavon Young set up a 4-yard for 101 yards and Indianapolis won on the road for the fourth time Relocation Bowl to clinch a playoff berth for the first time since down at the 26, Rodgers unleashed a deep pass down the mid- touchdown run by Wentz that got Philadelphia within a point. this season, dominating a Vikings defense that has been among 2002. Playing before what looked like a home crowd at 70,000- dle of the field to Nelson, who got behind Cre’Von LeBlanc. With First-year coach Doug Pederson went for the win. Wentz threw the best in the league. Adrian Peterson had just 22 yards on six seat Qualcomm Stadium, the visiting Raiders (11-3) earned a no timeouts, the Packers downed the ball before Crosby booted over the middle to Jordan Matthews, who couldn’t get his hands carries and lost a fumble in his first game back from a knee injury playoff nod on the same field where they made their last post- his winner. The game-time temperature was 11 degrees with a on a ball that appeared to be tipped. Philadelphia has lost five for the Vikings (7-7). The Vikings believed they needed to win the season appearance, an embarrassing 48-21 loss to Tampa Bay in minus-4 wind chill. Chicago hosted the Packers in 3-degree tem- straight and seven of eight. final three games to make the playoffs. Sam Bradford threw for 291 the Super Bowl on Jan. 26, 2003. There was a surreal atmosphere perature and a minus-15 wind chill - the lowest ever for a Bears yards with one interception and one lost fumble for Minnesota. to the game, which might be the Chargers’ second-to-last in San home game - on Dec. 18, 1983. The Bears’ coldest home game, GIANTS 17, LIONS 6 After a critical home loss to Houston last week, the Colts trail the Diego. Team chairman Dean Spanos seems almost certain to temperature-wise, was against Green Bay on Dec. 22, 2008, Odell Beckham Jr. made another one-hand touchdown catch Texans and Titans by one game in the AFC South. — AP Oil prices edge higher on more balanced market Page 22

Ukraine leader urges calm Business after big bank nationalized TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 Page 23 Mercedes-Benz V-250 AvantGarde displayed Nissan introduces driverless towing system at The Avenues Page 26 Page 25

PARIS: Patrick Maisonneuve (centre), lawyer of International Monetary Fund head Christine Lagarde (inset), speaks to journalists yesterday at the Court of Justice of the Republic in Paris following the decision in his client’s trial for negligence over a massive state payout to a tycoon when she was French finance minister. — AFP IMF chief found guilty over tycoon payment Board meets to discuss fallout of guilty verdict against Lagarde

PARIS: A French court yesterday found IMF tration panel, and then failing to challenge the Group of Eight country before becoming IMF Strain on family Europe-dominated institution to reflect head Christine Lagarde guilty of negligence result. The court cleared her of negligence chief in 2011, was not in court for the ruling. Lagarde’s voice cracked with emotion on China’s growing global leverage. over a massive state payout to a tycoon when over her decision to refer the matter to arbitra- Her lawyer Patrick Maisonneuve told reporters Friday as she said the trial had put her family- Lagarde succeeded her disgraced compa- she was French finance minister but spared tion but upheld the charge over her failure to she was in Washington. Maisonneuve wel- she is the mother of two sons-through a “test- triot Dominique Strauss-Kahn as IMF manag- her a fine or prison sentence. The Court of contest the award. comed the absence of a punishment but said ing” time. Prosecutor Jean-Claude Marin had ing director after he resigned to fight sexual Justice of the Republic found against Lagarde The first woman to head the IMF, Lagarde he “would have preferred that she be simply said he believed the evidence was “very weak” assault charges. over her handling of a dispute between the presided over some of the worst of the fallout cleared”. Lagarde was put on trial over her 2007 and was opposed to convicting Lagarde. The Another former IMF head, Rodrigo Rato of state and flamboyant businessman Bernard from the 2008 financial crisis and is in her sec- decision to allow the dispute over Tapie’s sale payout to Tapie raised eyebrows, given his Spain, is currently standing trial on charges of Tapie, which ended in a 404-million-euro ond term as managing director after she was of the Adidas sports brand to the state-owned vocal support for Lagarde’s then boss, ex-pres- misusing funds when he was head of Spanish ($422 million) award for Tapie. reappointed in February. If the board decides Credit Lyonnais bank to be resolved by a pri- ident Nicolas Sarkozy. lender Bankia. The IMF was expected to meet shortly to she must leave, it will create a race to search vate arbitration panel, and then failing to chal- It was subsequently cancelled by the There is a longstanding agreement among discuss the implications of the guilty verdict for a replacement, who according to an agree- lenge the result. The court cleared her of negli- courts. Tapie sold Adidas to Credit Lyonnais for the advanced economies after World War II against IMF chief Christine Lagarde in a French ment should come from a developing nation. gence over her decision to refer the matter to the equivalent of 315.5 million euros in 1993. that the head of the IMF is always a European- court, a spokesman for the organization said In a blow to her otherwise stellar career, the arbitration but upheld the charge over her fail- The bank sold it on the following year for 701 five of the 11 have been from France-while the yesterday. “The Executive Board has met on court rapped Lagarde for failing to contest the ure to contest the award. million euros, prompting claims from Tapie leader of the World Bank is always an previous occasions to consider developments massive payment. Crucially, however, the Paris Lagarde told the court last week she had that he had been cheated. American. related to the legal proceedings in France. It is court said exempted her from any penalty. It acted in good faith and that her sole aim had Lagarde told her trial she had trusted the However, in the early 2000s there was a expected that the Board will meet again short- was not clear what impact the finding will have been “to defend the general interest”. The advice of her subordinates in the process. move to increase representation in the so- ly to consider the most recent developments,” on her position at the International Monetary Court of Justice of the Republic, which is Another of her lawyers, Bernard Grelon, said called Bretton Woods institutions, especially fund spokesman Gerry Rice said in a state- Fund, which has so far given Lagarde its full staffed by judges and members of parliament, her fault was “not one of negligence. It is the IMF, to give less weight to small European ment. Lagarde was put on trial over her 2007 backing. The IMF board was to meet in hears cases against ministers accused of having taken a decision which turned out economies, and to select a leader from among decision to allow a dispute over sale of the Washington in the wake of the court’s decision. wrongdoing in office. The punishment for neg- badly”. As IMF chief, Lagarde has been a key the large emerging market economies like Adidas sports brand to the state-owned Credit The 60-year-old former corporate lawyer, who ligence theoretically carries a one-year prison player in bailout negotiations for Greece and Mexico and the so-called BRICs countries- Lyonnais bank to be resolved by a private arbi- was the first ever female finance minister of a sentence and a 15,000-euro fine. has also worked to reform the US- and Brazil, Russia, India and China. — AFP Iran to land first Airbus India puts fresh curbs on jet soon under new pact PARIS: Iran expects to get its first new jet within nomic problems in South America and else- cash, compounding crisis weeks under a multi-billion-dollar deal with where, analysts say. Airbus, which has revised Airbus for 100 planes, a senior official said yes- up its forecasts for Iranian domestic demand, NEW DELHI: India’s central bank yesterday queues to become smaller,” the opposition “black”, or undeclared, money back into the for- terday, as Tehran and Western firms race to said it was still negotiating the IranAir deal. The imposed fresh restrictions on deposits of banned Congress party spokesman Randeep S Surjewala mal system. “I said this at the start, and will repeat reopen trade almost a year after sanctions were airline sees itself as a future rival to Gulf-based currency notes into bank accounts, days before told reporters in Delhi. “This new rule shows that again today, these difficulties that you have been lifted. The first of the Airbus jets should be deliv- super-carriers due to its geographical position. the December 30 deadline to swap old rupee bills Modi government has no direction or clear poli- facing will start easing after December 30,” he ered in mid-January, part of plans to buy or lease Initial plans to buy a dozen A380 superjum- for new ones. Prime Minister Narendra Modi cy”, he added. Modi has repeatedly defended the said yesterday, addressing a political rally in the 200 planes to renew IranAir’s decaying fleet, bos were dropped after criticism from Iranian unleashed chaos last month with his shock move scheme, saying it will bring billions in so-called northern state of Uttar Pradesh. — AFP against a backdrop of conservative criticism in hardliners. Kashan said the deal with Airbus will to withdraw high-denomination 500 ($7.50) and both Washington and Tehran of last year’s inter- be split roughly equally between narrow-body 1,000 rupee notes from circulation, in an effort to national sanctions deal to allow such business. jets including the A320 and A321 and wide- tackle widespread corruption and tax evasion. Sanctions were lifted in January but were fol- body jets including the A330 and A350. The decision triggered a cash crisis, with long lowed by months of regulatory delays, and Iran queues materializing outside banks across the has only just finalised a deal to buy 80 jets from Pact ‘violation’ warning country as people tried to get rid of their old Airbus’ US rival Boeing. “We have finalised nego- Such deals are also under fire from US notes some 86 percent of all bills in circulation- tiations with Airbus and any day we will be able Republicans. President Barack Obama’s outgo- ahead of next week’s deadline. to sign the deal in Tehran,” Deputy Roads and ing administration has granted licences to allow Yesterday the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said Urban Development Minister Asghar Fakhrieh the sales, a step required by both Airbus and that people would now only be allowed to make Kashan told Reuters in a telephone interview. Boeing due to the use of US parts, but analysts a single deposit amounting to more than 5000 “We are expecting some final clearances and say completing them depends in part on rupees ($75) before the deadline, and would be expect to sign today or tomorrow.” The first Washington’s new political climate. required to explain why they hadn’t deposited Airbus A321 could arrive before the Jan. 20 inau- Asked whether either deal could be derailed the money earlier. guration of USPresident-elect Donald Trump, if Trump imposes new restrictions on trade with “Tenders of Specified Bank Notes (SBNs) in who has opposed the deal to lift most sanctions Iran, Kashan said: “We are not concerned, excess of rupees 5,000 into a bank account will be on Iran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear although we should not ignore such a possibili- received for credit only once during the remain- activities, and well ahead of Iranian presidential ty. “The fact is that Mr Trump may impose cer- ing period till December 30,” the RBI said. elections in May next year. tain new sanctions, but we would consider that Opposition parties attacked the move, which That could provide a boost to the govern- to be a violation of the JCPOA (nuclear accord), comes as many Indians are already facing a short- ment of President Hassan Rouhani and allow which explicitly provides for the possibility for Airbus to find a home for some jets abandoned the purchase of aircraft and their sale by manu- age of cash with ATMS running dry as thousands or deferred by other customers due to eco- facturers.” — Reuters throng to them. “There are elderly, housewives, poor and students who were waiting for the long NEW DELHI: An Indian man sits outside a cashless ATM machine in New Delhi Yesterday. — AFP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 BUSINESS Australia wards off rating downgrade SYDNEY: Australia avoided a (US$27 billion) in 2016-17 — as Standard and Poor’s warned feared downgrade of its coveted announced in the May budget-to Australia’s rating could be lowered AAA credit rating yesterday after Aus$36.5 million. if Canberra did not improve its sticking to its ambition of return- But it forecast widening deficits budget balances and deliver on ing the budget to surplus in 2020- in the next three years before a surplus plans. 21 despite softer growth forecasts. return to surplus. “The govern- It said Monday the update had The country’s resources-driven ment’s plan to restore the budget no immediate effect on its stance but warned the “government’s worsening forecast fiscal position... further pressures the rating”. S&P said it would continue to monitor the situation and was “pessimistic about the govern- ment’s ability to close existing budget deficits and return to sur- plus by the year ending June 30, 2021”. Australia is one of only a handful of countries to hold the top AAA rating from all three major agencies, having dodged a reces- sion during the global financial cri- sis. Moody’s and Fitch also kept their ratings on hold, for now. Generally, losing the AAA means the nation would be forced to pay higher interest on its debt. Capital CANBERRA: Australia’s Treasurer Scott Morrison speaks to the SYDNEY: Women sit on a bench in a park overlooking the city of Sydney yesterday. Australia avoided Economics’ chief Australia econo- media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra a feared downgrade of its coveted AAA credit rating on December 19 after sticking to its ambition of mist Paul Dales said “it probably yesterday. — AP returning the budget to surplus in 2020-21 despite softer growth forecasts. — AFP won’t be long before one or two of economy has enjoyed more than to balance remains on track,” the ratings agencies withdraw their the rating agencies want, has dence with repercussions for the percent the following year. 20 years of growth but it is now Treasurer Scott Morrison said in a AAA rating”. become even less likely.” economy, which contracted 0.5 Westpac chief economist Bill transitioning out of an unprece- statement. “The treasurer has admitted The conservative government percent in the September quarter. Evans called the revised forecasts dented mining investment boom, Higher iron ore and coal prices that in the four financial years does not have a majority in the Given the poor quarterly number, “optimistic”. “We see downside risks and the going has been bumpy would help support tax revenues, starting 2016-17 the budget deficit upper house Senate, meaning it the update changed the govern- to these forecasts. Real GDP with revenues under pressure. In a the update said, but this would be will be around $10 billion higher has struggled to pass some spend- ment’s forecast for annual growth growth of 2.0 percent for 2016-17 mid-year fiscal update, the govern- more than offset by weaker wages than forecast in May’s budget,” he ing cuts. This has stymied efforts to to two percent in 2016-17 rather looks a stretch and the medium- ment revised down the nation’s and non-mining company profits. said. “The chances of the budget rein in debt and deficits, undermin- than 2.5 percent as previously pre- term projections err on the opti- cash deficit of Aus$37.1 billion After knife-edge elections last year, being balanced by 2020-21, which ing business and consumer confi- dicted, before rebounding to 2.75 mistic side,” he said. — AFP News i n b r i e f Oil prices edge higher on US dollar stable against KD at 0.306 KUWAIT: The exchange rate of the US dollar against the more balanced market Kuwaiti dinar was stable at 0.306 while the euro went up to KD 0.320, said the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) yesterday. The CBK said that the rate of the Sterling Pound was down to KD 0.381, whereas the Swiss Franc stabilized at KD 0.298. OPEC, rivals announced cuts of almost 1.8m bpd The Japanese Yen stood firm at KD 0.002. LONDON: Oil prices rose yesterday as a weaker dollar and had reopened a long-blockaded pipeline leading from the yesterday. Despite this, there were factors that cast a shad- the delay of new Libyan oil exports boosted benchmarks, oilfields of Sharara and El Feel, but a separate group had ow on markets, preventing prices from rising more. OPEC oil price up amid expectations of tighter crude supply going into 2017. prevented a production restart at El Feel. Additionally, the In the United States, which did not participate in the to $51.29 pb Brent crude futures traded at $55.47 per barrel at 0946 US dollar fell back against a basket of other currencies since output-reduction deal, drilling for new oil has increased for VIENNA: The Organization of Petroleum Exporting GMT, up 26 cents from their last close. US West Texas hitting 2002 highs last week. A strong dollar makes oil more seven straight weeks. Drillers added 12 oil rigs in the week Countries (OPEC) daily basket price rose by 33 cents to Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 30 cents at $52.20 expensive for holders of other currencies. to Dec. 16, bringing the total count to 510, the highest $51.96 per barrel (pb) last Friday, compared with a barrel. Analysts said the increases, which built on gains of Some expected the strength in oil prices to continue since January, though still below 541 rigs a year ago, ener- $50.96 pb on Thursday, the organization said yester- around 2 percent on Friday, were driven by a delay in crude into early 2017 due to a deal between the Organization of gy services firm Baker Hughes said on Friday. day. The OPEC bulletin added that the monthly rate of oil supplies from Libya. “It looks like the Libyan story and the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producers to “Since its trough on May 27, 2016, producers have its basket price for November was $43.22 pb, while the weaker US dollar are counterbalancing” bearish factors, cut almost 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) in oil output added 194 oil rigs (+61 percent) in the US,” US bank October rate was 47.87. The bulletin also added that said Tamas Varga, analyst with PVM Oil Associates. “We from January. “With investors now expecting a relatively Goldman Sachs said. As a result, US. oil production is edg- the annual rate of its basket price was $49.49 pb. should expect higher prices in the near-term future.” Late high level of compliance with the production-cut agree- ing up, rising from below 8.5 million bpd in July to almost During a recent meeting, OPEC members agreed to cut last week, a group guarding oil infrastructure in Libya said it ments, prices should be well supported,” ANZ bank said 8.8 million bpd by mid-December. — Reuters down production by 1.2 million barrels per day as of early January 2017, while non-OPEC members vowed to curb their output by 600,000 bpd, including 300,000 bpd from Russia. Sri Lanka bans fake Mubadala to hold Abu

Food prices push Saudi cinnamon to Dhabi’s 2% stake in BP inflation down to year-low DUBAI: State investment fund Mubadala with previous investments made by Abu RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Central Department of Statistics Development Co will control a 2 percent stake Dhabi, for the strategic benefit of the emirate,” released the following November consumer price data yes- protect spice image in BP sold to Abu Dhabi in exchange for a Mubadala spokesman Brian Lott told Reuters. terday, showing inflation at its lowest level this year. COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has banned the holding in Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore When asked if Mubadala would seek rep- Transport costs rose 7.7 percent from a year earlier in import of cinnamon substitutes in a bid to Petroleum Operations (ADCO), a spokesman resentation on BP’s board, Lott said it was “too said yesterday. The firm became the second early to say”. The ADCO concession, including November after the government increased gasoline prices safeguard the reputation of its legendary last December as an austerity measure. Prices of housing Western oil major to renew a 40-year onshore the Bab, Bu Hasa, Shah and Asab fields, has spice “Ceylon cinnamon,” a government concession in Abu Dhabi on Saturday after total resources of between 20 billion-30 bil- and utilities climbed 6.4 percent after utility fees were raised minister said yesterday. in December, but food and beverage prices fell 2.6 percent. almost two years of negotiations to improve lion barrels of oil equivalent over the term of Primary industries minister Daya terms to help operate the United Arab the concession. Gamage said the cabinet had ratified his Emirates’ biggest oilfields. The fields produce 1.6 million barrels per Egypt’s Banque Misr signs proposal to outlaw the import of a cheaper In exchange for the 10 percent stake in day (bpd) and are expected to reach 1.8 mil- variety known as “cassia cinnamon.” He said ADCO, BP agreed to issue new ordinary shares lion bpd from 2017. Mubadala is currently MOU with Chinese lender he took the step after several container CAIRO: Egypt’s second-largest state-owned lender, to Abu Dhabi worth 1.76 billion pounds ($2.20 being merged with fellow state investment loads of the fake cinnamon that had been billion). “The investment will sit within fund International Petroleum Investment Banque Misr, signed a memorandum of understanding imported from Madagascar were found. Mubadala and will be managed, as we have Company. — Reuters with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China “Cassia looks similar to the real thing, (ICBC) for a $500 million loan aimed at boosting dollar but it is inferior in quality and cheaper than liquidity and financing joint Egyptian-Chinese projects, Ceylon cinnamon,” the minister said in a it said on Sunday. The bank also signed a framework statement. “When it is re-exported as real Egypt’s pound weakens agreement worth $500 million with the China Export cinnamon, it damages our reputation.” The and Credit Insurance Corporation (SINOSURE), a state- aromatic spice-used in both savoury dishes This file photograph taken on August 28, to around 19 per dollar funded insurance company that promotes China’s for- and desserts-was native to Sri Lanka. Dutch eign trade and economic cooperation. Banque Misr 2014, shows a bundle of cinnamon, CAIRO: The Egyptian pound weakened yester- its,” said one banker. Banks in Egypt have been invaders grew it on a commercial scale in ready for sale at a farm in Sri Lanka’s day as demand for dollars spiked amid a short- raising the price to buy dollars from clients in has received permission from the People’s Bank of the 17th century for export. China to open an office representing it in China, it said. Hikkaduwa region. — AFP age in banks, bankers told Reuters. The dollar order to attract inflows and cover requests from The commodity which brought in over was being bought for over 19 pounds at most other clients seeking to buy dollars. Egypt and China concluded an 18 billion yuan ($2.62 $150 million in the first 10 months of this Top-grade cinnamon oil, extracted from billion) three-year bilateral currency swap earlier this banks, up from around 18.8 earlier in the day. Egypt’s central bank abandoned its currency year is known by the country’s colonial era the bark, fetches over $510 a kilogram Banks were paying clients up to 18.95 pounds peg of 8.8 pounds to the US dollar on Nov 3, month, a move that importers and economists said name “Ceylon.” Sri Lanka’s cinnamon indus- ($232 a pound). Cinnamon oil is used in per dollar. “There are plenty of dollar requests as hoping to unlock currency inflows and bring would facilitate trade and improve foreign currency try, which supplies about 85 percent of the fizzy drinks as well as in the manufacture of the year comes to an end and companies are back foreign investors who were driven away liquidity in cash-strapped Egypt. world market, is enjoying high earnings. high-end perfumes. — AFP closing their books or seeking to repatriate prof- after a 2011 uprising. — Reuters EXCHANGE RATES

Canadian dollar 233.940 Malaysian Ringgit 69.340 Indian Rupee 0.000263 0.005519 Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Turkish lira 88.310 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 31.240 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024 Swiss Franc 304.480 Thai Bhat 9.535 Japanese Yen 0.002527 0.002707 ASIAN COUNTRIES Australian Dollar 231.030 Turkish Lira 87.725 Kenyan Shilling 0.003157 0.003157 Japanese Yen 2.657 US Dollar Buying 304.800 Korean Won 0.000248 0.000263 Indian Rupees 4.541 Malaysian Ringgit 0.064809 0.070809 Pakistani Rupees 2.919 GOLD Bahrain Exchange Company Nepalese Rupee 0.002910 0.003080 Srilankan Rupees 2.062 20 Gram 238.39 Pakistan Rupee 0.002648 0.002938 Nepali Rupees 2.843 10 Gram 122.12 CURRENCY BUY SELL Philippine Peso 0.006100 0.006400 Singapore Dollar 215.490 5 Gram 61.90 Europe Sierra Leone 0.000068 0.000074 Hongkong Dollar 39.453 British Pound 0.377822 0.387822 Bangladesh Taka 3.831 Singapore Dollar 0.207639 0.217639 Czech Korune 0.003881 0.015881 South African Rand 0.016354 0.024854 Philippine Peso 6.150 Danish Krone 0.039143 0.044143 Thai Baht 8.626 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001649 0.002229 Euro 0. 315745 0.324745 Taiwan 0.009514 0.009694 Norwegian Krone 0.031458 0.036658 GCC COUNTRIES Thai Baht 0.008258 0.008808 US Dollar 306.550 Romanian Leu 0.085058 0.085058 Saudi Riyal 81.654 Canadian Dolla 230.500 Slovakia 0.009215 0.019215 Qatari Riyal 84.101 Arab Sterling Pound 384.385 Swedish Krona 0.028798 0.033798 ani Riyal 795.218 Bahraini Dinar 0.807488 0.815986 Euro 322.080 Swiss Franc 0.293170 0.304170 Bahraini Dinar 813.070 Egyptian Pound 0.013871 0.023124 Swiss Frank 300.105 Turkish Lira 0.084259 0.094559 UAE Dirham 83.356 Bahrain Dinar 812.640 Iranian Riyal 0.000085 0.000086 UAE Dirhams 83.855 Australasia Iraqi Dinar 0.000181 0.000241 ARAB COUNTRIES Qatari Riyals 85.080 Australian Dollar 0.216445 0.228445 Jordanian Dinar 0.427814 0.436814 Egyptian Pound - Cash 20.500 Saudi Riyals 82.675 New Zealand Dollar 0.208493 0.217993 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 16.819 Jordanian Dinar 433.540 Lebanese Pound 0.000149 0.000249 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.229 Egyptian Pound 16.830 America Moroccan Dirhams 0.020232 0.044232 Tunisian Dinar 133.920 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.060 Canadian Dollar 0.225053 0.234053 Nigerian Naira 0.001274 0.001909 Jordanian Dinar 431.200 Indian Rupees 4.530 Georgina Lari 0.138615 0.138615 Omani Riyal 0.790721 0.796401 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.040 Pakistani Rupees 2.924 US Dollars 0.302800 0.307500 Qatar Riyal 0.083486 0.084936 Syrian Lira 2.182 Bangladesh Taka 3.887 US Dollars Mint 0.303300 0.307500 Saudi Riyal 0.080753 0.082053 Morocco Dirham 30.909 Philippines Pesso 6.143 Syrian Pound 0.001302 0.001522 Cyprus pound 168.345 Asia EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Tunisian Dinar 0.128712 0.136712 Japanese Yen 3.600 Bangladesh Taka 0.003527 0.004111 US Dollar Transfer 306.000 Turkish Lira 0.084259 0.094559 Syrian Pound 2.435 Chinese Yuan 0.042685 0.046185 Euro 327.110 UAE Dirhams 0.082133 0.083833 Nepalese Rupees 3.825 Hong Kong Dollar 0.037484 0.040234 Sterling Pound 389.080 Yemeni Riyal 0.001016 0.001096 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 BUSINESS AUB launches PIN number issuance service via ATMs

KUWAIT: Ahli United Bank (AUB) dard and robust security measures. Channels said, “We are committed to announced today the launch of its new This service is in line with the Bank’s developing our products and services in smart service for its telebanking platform, continuous effort to create secure, easy line with enhancing the way how we con- enabling all customers, including those to use and efficient services across all duct our banking transactions. The aim with Special needs, to issue their tele- alternative channels in order to serve all here is to provide the best possible service banking PIN numbers through the Bank’s customers; including those with special to our customers, one that satisfies their ATMs. The new initiative adds more value needs. By thoughtfully applying a mix of banking requirements and ensures the to the already existing service the bank technology including enhanced con- integrity and security of their transactions.” offers through its customer service 24/7. trols, the Bank is committed to serving In addition, Huda Al-Madani while AUB’s latest service is part of its under- all areas of society, especially those commenting on the ongoing efforts at lying efforts to consolidate electronic requiring special assistance ensuring the Bank said, “as an organization we are banking services to provide a comprehen- always that they enjoy the same level of committed to serving all sectors of socie- sive catalogue of services at all customer service and can benefit from all products ty, especially those that require special touchpoints in line with the Bank’s com- and services. assistance and we are fully committed to mitment to delivering quality services The objective is to drive a strong this goal. This launch today is part of a using ground breaking, safe technology technology based communications comprehensive effort across technology, that facilitates customer’s banking needs. channel that delivers products and serv- processes and people to ensure that all Customers can now enter their ATM card, ices for all customers while ensuring that customers can fully enjoy our award win- their secure PIN and issue their telebank- speed, reliability and safety measures are ning line of products and services while ing PIN through simple onscreen instruc- never compromised. maintaining the quality and integrity of tions. As with all electronic transactions, Huda Al-Madani, AUB’s Assistant transactions which are the hallmark of these transactions also have industry stan- General Manager- Alternative Distribution our business.” Ukraine leader urges calm after big bank nationalized Got seeks to avert rapid financial meltdown

KIEV: Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko urged people not to panic yesterday after his government nationalized the country’s largest private bank to try and avoid a rapid financial meltdown. The former Soviet republic’s cabinet on Sunday took over PrivatBank-a lender that held one-third of Ukrainians’ savings and had branches in the Baltic states. The bank was owned by Poroshenko’s politi- cal foe Igor Kolomoyskiy. The billionaire was reportedly heavily burdened by debt because of dubious loans the lender made to his cronies. MANILA: A group of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) employees wash- Kiev’s decision falls in line with the International ing dishes following a communal lunch as traffic is seen past Manila’s financial dis- Monetary Fund’s demand for Ukraine to clean trict in the background. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has tapped a China- up and stabilise its murky financial sector and backed multilateral lender to help fund his government’s “unprecedented infrastruc- seek sustainable growth. ture buildup”, the finance minister said yesterday. —AFP The IMF welcomed the government’s action. But the nationalization has created public Philippines taps China-backed unease about people’s holdings and whether the country might enter another economic crisis AIIB to fix infrastructure similar to when Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula in March 2014. MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte attacked Washington for deferring A subsequent 31-month war with pro-Russia Duterte has tapped a China-backed multi- aid because of human rights concerns over insurgents in the separatist east claimed nearly lateral lender to help fund his government’s his anti-crime crackdown. 10,000 lives and seen the economy shrink by “unprecedented infrastructure buildup”, the “Eat your aid and we will survive. I’ll go about 17 percent in 2014-15. Inflation soared to finance minister said yesterday, as he seeks to China,” he said. Jin said the AIIB would just under 50 percent last year. Poroshenko, a closer relations with Beijing. provide loans for a Manila flood manage- pro-Western leader, said in a statement that the The Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure ment project and a bus rapid transit system situation was under his full control. Investment Bank (AIIB) has been viewed by in the capital, according to the statement. “I appeal to you, dear PrivatBank clients-keep some as a rival to the World Bank and the The 23 billion peso ($470 million) Manila calm,” he said. “The new (state) administration is KIEV: Clients walk out the office of the PrivatBank in the center of Kiev yesterday. — AFP Philippines-based Asian Development Bank flood control project would be co-financed already taking over the levers of power right government of the United States,” the finance Sunday called the government’s decision a con- (ADB). Duterte has vowed to boost spend- with the World Bank, while the 37 billion now, this very hour and minute.” minister said. IMF chief Christine Lagarde hailed sequence of “media attacks” led by political ing to address crumbling infrastructure, say- peso ($756 million) bus system, which the Ukrainian government’s actions as “an powerbrokers who opposed Kolomoyskiy. “The ing he would seek funds from China as he includes construction of 63 stations, would IMF heaps praise important step in their efforts to safeguard decision to voluntarily and peacefully hand over pivots his nation’s foreign policy away from be partly funded by the ADB, the statement Ukraine’s central bank had wanted financial stability”. “This decision was taken to the bank to the government was taken at the traditional ally the United States. added. “We are all very eager to finalise the Kolomoyskiy to refinance his bank with billions ensure the smooth operations of the bank given very moment that we understood that these Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez infrastructure projects ... This time, we are of dollars if he wanted to remain its owner. There its systemic role in Ukraine’s financial system,” media attacks-which we could survive-could said he met with AIIB president Jin Liqun in very happy we can really talk about some- were fears that PrivatBank’s fall could have ignit- Lagarde said in a statement. Ukrainian Central endanger our clients,” its IT director wrote on Manila last week, who confirmed the lender thing to do in your country,” the statement ed a wider crisis in the financial system akin to Bank chief Valeria Gontareva told reporters that Facebook. would fund two projects. “The Philippines’ quoted Jin as saying. The Philippines under the turbulence in the United States in 2008. PrivatBank had miserably failed a series of stress But some political analysts hailed the govern- membership to the AIIB would provide the the government of then president Benigno But the tycoon never came up with the mon- tests and was in a $4.2-billion (4.0-billion-euro) ment’s step as an overdue show of power over government another source of long-term Aquino joined the AIIB last year despite ey and Kiev’s patience snapped on Sunday. hole in April 2015. She said 97 percent of the tycoons who have wielded outsized influence in funding ... for the Duterte administration’s conflicting territorial claims with Beijing Finance Minister Oleksandr Danyluk said the bank’s loans at the time had been issued by corruption-riddled Ukraine for decades. unprecedented infrastructure buildup,” over the South China Sea. government’s decision “will help preserve the Kolomoyskiy to his business partners who “This may have been the very first time that Dominguez said in a statement yesterday. Duterte signed the treaty in October and savings of nearly 20 million PrivatBank clients”. might either have not paid them back or had the Ukrainian government took an actual hard Duterte, 71, increasingly turned to China the Senate this month approved its ratifica- “All of our international partners support this done so on preferential conditions. Gontareva decision,” Dragon Capital investment bank’s for loans and aid as he took exception to tion. The Philippines is among 57 members move, including the International Monetary said the bank’s debts grew to $5.6 billion by economist Sergiy Fursa wrote on Facebook. United States criticism of his drug war that of the AIIB, with China the largest share- Fund (IMF), the European Bank for December 1. Kolomoyskiy himself has yet to “Nationalization is a bad decision,” he said. “But it has killed thousands. Over the weekend holder with 30 percent. — AFP Reconstruction and Development, as well as the comment. But one PrivatBank manager on is better than all the other alternatives.” — AFP Trump’s infrastructure Egypt stock index rises, splurge would collide with US labor crunch Gulf markets diverge

WASHINGTON: President-elect Donald Trump’s drive to rebuild US roads, bridges, ports and other public MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS works projects with a $1 trillion infrastructure invest- ment plan would come as the country faces a shortage of skilled laborers. Before any dirt can be moved, DUBAI: Egypt’s stock index surged 3.1 per- a public holiday on Sunday, rose 0.5 percent Trump would have to get approval from Congress. But cent in heavy trade yesterday as the but finished well below its intra-day high. with Democratic support and a push from business Egyptian pound depreciated against the US Qatari Investors Group was the top per- groups, there is some optimism that Trump could win dollar, prompting more buying by foreign former, jumping 9.9 percent. On Thursday over skeptical Republicans who control Congress, if funds, while Gulf bourses diverged. Twenty- Qatar published a 2017 state budget that the plan does not add significantly to federal debt. seven of the 30 most liquid Egyptian shares projected a deficit of 28.3 billion riyals ($7.8 More than two-thirds of US roads are in less than rose, taking the index to a fresh eight-year billion), much smaller than the originally good condition and nearly 143,000 bridges need high, with Telecom Egypt and Global projected 2016 deficit, and total spending repair or improvement, the Transportation Telecom Holding each jumping to their 10 of 198.4 billion riyals, down from 202.5 bil- Department estimates. At the same time, construction percent daily limits. The Egyptian pound lion. Although that is slightly contrac- contractors have reported tight labor conditions in the was being bought for 19 pounds per dollar tionary, it is less so than the 2016 budget, South, Midwest and Southwest, causing project delays, against around 18.8 earlier in the day on the and the government plans to increase capi- the Federal Reserve noted last month. back of higher demand for the greenback tal spending next year. It did not announce Earlier this year, the National Association of Home amid a shortage at banks, bankers told any major new austerity measures; the bud- Builders estimated there were around 200,000 unfilled Reuters. get’s conservative oil price assumption of construction jobs in the United States, an 81 percent Foreign investors were net buyers of $45 a barrel suggests the government has increase in the last two years. Egyptian stocks by a modest margin, bourse plenty of room to meet its targets next year. Infrastructure projects need highly trained workers, data showed. Overall, many investors con- In Saudi Arabia, the index was dragged such as heavy equipment operators and iron special- sider currency weakness a positive for the 0.9 percent lower by a 3.7 percent drop in ists. But as a result of the 2007-2008 recession, which stock market in the short term because it the largest listed stock, Saudi Basic caused an estimated 25 percent of construction jobs makes prices more attractive for foreign Industries, after the company announced a to vanish, their ranks have thinned. Many of these investors, and may drive local funds into lower cash dividend for the second half of workers went back to school, joined the military or got stocks as a hedge against inflation. “The dol- this year compared to a year earlier. The lower-paying jobs in retail, services and other sectors. lar rate is keeping up the appetite” for stocks negative sentiment spilled into some other Some just got too old for the rigors of construction. among foreign funds, said Wafik Dawood, blue chips, with National Commercial Bank “They wandered off into other careers,” said Leonard portfolio manager at Compass Capital. Also declining 1.4 percent. Toenjes, president of Associated General Contractors boosting sentiment was news that Banque But builder Abdullah Al-Khodari was the of Missouri, which represents contractors in the state. Misr had signed a memorandum of under- top performer, surging 9.3 percent in Undocumented immigrants, who otherwise might standing with Industrial and Commercial unusually heavy trade. The company, which help replenish those ranks, are unlikely candidates Bank of China for a $500 million loan aimed has many projects with the government, however, since companies do not want to invest in at increasing dollar liquidity and financing may benefit from increased work in the training people with an uncertain status, especially joint Egyptian-Chinese projects. coming year if the kingdom’s 2017 budget given Trump’s anti-immigrant bent. The labor shortage Allen Sandeep, director of research at includes an increase in construction expen- is driving up construction costs, according to govern- Cairo’s Naeem Brokerage, said the diture, as many analysts expect. Saudi Cable ment and industry experts, which could cut into the International Monetary Fund’s three-year, Co, which rose 2.5 percent on Sunday after scope of any new Washington investment scheme. $12 billion bailout program for Egypt, saying its Turkish subsidiary had won a $50 In response to the construction “skills gap,” the US finalised in early November, was continuing million order, climbed a further 3.3 percent. Department of Labor and Federal Highway to buoy the stock market. “Historically, any Dubai’s main index lost 0.6 percent to Administration are aiming to expand help to localities time an emerging market won an IMF 3,532 points in a second consecutive day of training workers for road and bridge building, accord- ing to a FHWA spokesman. Even if the scope of work is bailout, stock markets soared - one case thin trade, retreating further from technical not as grandiose as Trump originally envisioned, it study could be India’s bailout in 1991, resistance on the August peak of 3,624 would benefit a range of businesses, from steel maker because structural change on both the points, which it tested and failed to break Nucor Corp and concrete firm US Concrete Inc to con- monetary and fiscal level will eventually be decisively last week. Emaar Properties lost struction machinery companies such as Caterpillar Inc. prosperous for the economy.” 0.9 percent. Blue chips were weak in Abu More infrastructure spending would boost trade Dhabi, where the index slipped 0.4 per- unions, too, which appeals to Democrats. — Reuters Gulf mixed cent; telecommunications operator The index in Qatar, which was closed for Etisalat lost 1.6 percent. — Reuters BUSINESS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 Dollar, yields, stocks all cool their jets

LONDON: Stocks, the dollar and bond yields all widely expected to keep rates on hold. Bank Europe’s index of leading 300 shares retreat- at OANDA. “Of course, in very quiet periods Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike last drifted lower yesterday as investors cashed in on stocks were among the biggest fallers in Europe ed from Friday’s 11-month high and was down such as this, these things can often be week, have pushed the dollar sharply high- some of their recent bets that the anticipated following two weeks of strong gains on the back 0.1 percent, while banks were down 0.9 percent. increasingly difficult to predict,” he said. er of late. fiscal boost from the incoming Trump adminis- of rising bond yields. Their decline pushed the Shares in Italy’s Monte dei Paschi fell 9 percent MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific The dollar’s index against a trade- tration will support riskier assets at the expense broader indices into the red, while Asian stocks as it made a last-ditch attempt to raise 5 billion shares outside Japan fell for the third weighted basket of six major currencies of bonds. Wall Street hit record highs and the slipped to a four-week low. euros by year-end and avoid a state bailout. straight day, shedding 0.3 percent to a jumped to a 14-year high of 103.56 last dollar rose to a 14-year peak last week, tempting Investors are sitting tight as they watch for Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC were down four-week low. It has lost 3.7 percent since week although it gave up some gains yes- investors to cash in and book some pre-holiday the outcome of the Bank of Japan’s final mone- 0.1 and 0.2 percent, respectively, while Britain’s Trump was elected. In addition, investors terday. The index last stood at 102.93. profit as the last full trading week of the year got tary policy meeting of the year, which wraps up FTSE 100 was up 0.1 percent. and US stock turned cautious after China’s top leaders The euro traded at $1.0435, its bounce underway. today. Central bankers may revise their outlook futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Wall said over the weekend they would stem back from last week’s 14-year low of The Japanese yen bounced back strongly for Asia’s second biggest economy based on Street. “The Trump rally has stalled a little in asset bubbles in 2017 and place greater $1.03665 helped by surprisingly strong from last week’s mauling, helped by strong recent data, including import and export figures recent sessions but so far, I’m seeing few signs importance on the prevention of financial German business morale data, while the Japanese export data, as the Bank of Japan released yesterday that showed a surplus for the that we’re going to see the year out on a nega- risk. Japan’s Nikkei, which has benefited dollar fell 0.6 percent against the yen to began a two-day policy meeting at which it is third month in a row. tive note,” said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst from the yen’s sharp fall against the dollar, 117.30 yen. snapped its nine-day winning streak, dip- “The dollar is acting as a brake on the ping 0.1 percent from Friday’s one-year extent of Fed tightening and the extent of high. Financial markets briefly turned “risk- the bond sell-off,” Societe Generale curren- off” in late US trade on Friday following cy analysts wrote yesterday. “Mr Forex is news that a Chinese Navy warship had hyper-sensitive to these bouts of self- seized a US underwater drone in interna- doubt by Mr Bond, and the dollar has tional waters in the South China Sea. backed off a little on this Monday morning,” The diplomatic incident appears to have they said. At its two-day policy meeting the been resolved for now after the two coun- BOJ is widely expected to hold policy, tries said on Saturday that China would including its twin targets of minus 0.10 per- return the drone. cent interest on a part of excess reserves and the zero percent 10-year government MR FOREX, MR BOND bond yield. In bonds the 10-year US Treasuries yield Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index stood at 2.58 percent in Europe on slipped 0.1 percent to end at 19,391.60 Monday, down almost two basis points on while South Korea’s Kospi edged 0.2 per- the day but still close to its two-year high cent lower to 2,038.39. Hong Kong’s Hang of 2.641 percent touched on Thursday. Seng shed 0.9 percent to 21,832.68 and the It has risen almost 100 basis points from Shanghai Composite index dipped 0.2 per- the low in the hours immediately after the cent to 3,118.08. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Nov 8 US election. That surge, and the rose 0.5 percent to 5,562.10. — Agencies TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 BUSINESS

Mercedes-Benz V-250 AvantGarde showcased at The Avenues, Kuwait

KUWAIT: Following its arrival in Kuwait, the ure and safety. Whether out and about with mium touches, high-class appeal and an automatic 7G-TRONIC PLUS, the high- Sliding open the electrically-operated side Mercedes-Benz V 250 AvantGarde was dis- the family or travelling in style on business unparalleled comfort, and we encourage peo- torque 4-cylinder petrol engine impresses doors reveals a classy and vast interior, with played in Dome Three of the Avenues Mall on with a full complement of passengers, the ple to visit the display at The Avenues mall with its superior handling characteristics, comfortable and supportive seats swathed in Thursday 15th and Friday 16th December, multi-purpose vehicle offers a luxurious spa- and experience the vehicle first-hand for low consumption and supreme ride com- soft black nappa leather and an inviting Abdul Rahman Albisher and Zaid Alkazemi ciousness without compromising on style. themselves - premium people-moving fort. The AGILITY CONTROL suspension with atmosphere rounded off by subtle ambient Company, the Authorized General Distributor “Since its launch, the V-Class has proved doesn’t come much better.” selective damping system strikes the per- lighting in three colours. of Mercedes-Benz in Kuwait, have announced. itself internationally successful, with people With several technical innovations on fect balance between driving comfort and Sales consultants and promoters will be on The largest member of the passenger car around the world appreciating its versatility board, all components of the V-250 are opti- agility, while the combo of a powerful and site providing information, answering ques- family from Stuttgart, the V-Class combines a and quality of design,” said Michael Ruehle, mally coordinated with each other and offer economical 2 litre engine and seven-speed tions and offering visitors the opportunity to flexible seating concept for up to eight peo- Chief Executive Officer, Abdul Rahman ride comfort, agility and efficiency at a high auto makes this large people mover equally register for test drives. Visit Dome Three of the ple with comfort, exemplary functionality, Albisher and Zaid Alkazemi Company. “The V- level. The driver sets the speed, and the enjoyable whether at the wheel or occupy- Avenues Mall, near Dean and Deluca from 15- advanced technology, efficient driving pleas- 250 AvantGarde offers unbridled luxury, pre- engine does the rest. With the 7-speed ing the seats behind. 16 December to see the V-250 AvantGarde. German outlook clouded by Trump, Greece, Brexit Upbeat business morale signals Q4 rebound

BERLIN: German business morale rose in December, hitting its high- est level since February 2014 and supporting expectations that Europe’s largest economy will rebound in the fourth quarter. The upbeat reading was wel- comed by economists as a sign of KUALA LUMPUR: A screen displaying various foreign currency exchange economic resilience in the face of rates including the US dollar (top L) against the Malaysian ringgit is seen at a uncertainties that are clouding the outlook for Germany, includ- money changer in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. —AFP ing Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, unpredictable Malaysian ringgit at lowest US policy under president-elect Donald Trump, and financial con- since Asia financial crisis cerns over Greece and Italy. The Munich-based Ifo economic insti- KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s ringgit hit its priced in. “It is a confluence of the relative tute said on Monday its business lowest level against the dollar since the Asian decline in cash metric, high foreign holding of climate index, based on a month- financial crisis as emerging-market curren- bonds sold off, investors’ trepidation about FX ly survey of some 7,000 firms, rose cies are hammered by a flight of capital controls and the underlying political or head- to 111.0 after from 110.4 in fuelled by an expected rise in US interest line risks,” Vishnu Varathan, a senior economist November. rates next year. The greenback has soared at Mizuho Bank in Singapore, told Bloomberg The December reading com- since Donald Trump won the US election last News. Malaysia’s central bank assistant gover- pared with a Reuters consensus month, with traders betting his plans for big nor Adnan Zaylani last month poured water on forecast for a value of 110.7. “The German economy is making a infrastructure spending and tax cuts will fan the possibility of capital controls-similar to BERLIN: This file photo taken on June 6, 2016 shows a worker walking up a scaffolding at a con- inflation, forcing the Federal Reserve to tight- measures imposed during the financial crisis in strong finish to the year,” Ifo chief en monetary policy. the late 1990 — to shield the ringgit, calling Clemens Fuest said in a statement. struction site in Berlin. German businesses rounded off 2016 with a stronger-than-forecast But while his plans have bets that the US speculation “baseless”. The ringgit has weak- He added that both the manufac- increase in confidence, a closely-followed survey showed yesterday. —AFP economy will take off, there are fears over his ened by around six percent since Trump’s victo- turing and wholesaling indices protectionist rhetoric. This in turn has put ry, while most other emerging market units rose and manufacturers were and government spending - will President-elect Trump on trade situation index reached its highest trade-reliant nations under pressure with have also tumbled, with India’s rupee hitting a planning to ramp up production lose momentum because interest and economic policies, the level since February 2012. their currencies feeling the strain. In early record low at the end of last month. in the months ahead. rates are unlikely to drop further, ongoing Brexit uncertainty and But exports and industrial trade yesterday the Malaysian ringgit fell to South Korea’s won, the Thai baht and The upbeat reading came after inflation will edge up and the renewed political tensions in output rose less than expected 4.4805 per dollar, its worst reading since Indonesian rupiah have also suffered sharp Ifo said on Friday the German unemployment rate stagnate. Europe due to several elections in October, tapering expecta- 1998 during the Asian meltdown. The ringgit selling, while even the Australian and New economy will rebound more “Unfortunately, as with so or a new flaring up of the Greek tions for a strong rebound in the had already been among Asia’s worst-per- Zealand dollars are also under pressure. The strongly than previously expected many good things, the current crisis are in our view the biggest fourth quarter after the growth forming currencies over the past two years country relies on energy exports and other in the fourth quarter and this positive growth cycle is also risks for 2017.” pace halved to 0.2 percent over owing to a plunge in oil prices and political trade to drive its economy but growth has growth momentum will carry coming to an end. Gradually, not The economy has been send- the summer months. Ifo’s busi- upheaval stemming from a corruption scan- been slowing steadily in recent years. through into 2017. ING economist abruptly,” he wrote in a note to ing mixed signals. A jump in ness climate index for wholesal- dal linked to Prime Minister Najib Razak. Economic growth came in at 4.3 percent Carsten Brzeski said growth next clients. He added: “Real risks to industrial orders and upbeat senti- ing rose to its highest level in The latest fall comes after the Fed raised in the third quarter, snapping a string of five year will be weaker than in 2016, the German outlook mainly ment surveys have indicated a almost three years, reflecting the rates, as expected, but indicated three more straight quarters in which the pace of expan- as the three main economic driv- seem to stem from the outside. rebound in the last three months economy’s shift to consumption next year, rather than the two that traders had sion slowed. —AFP ers - construction, consumption The still unknown impact from of the year. Ifo’s current business for growth. —Reuters Japan to enhance pay for contract workers

TOKYO: Japan’s government has placed a high ment sometime next year, he said. A panel The government, at the behest of large genially welcomed. The debate has taken on differ per industry. priority on narrowing the gap in pay and ben- that Kato leads will compile guidelines on nar- companies, began promoting contract and an added significance after the suicide of a Improving working conditions has been a efits between regular and contract employees rowing the pay gap today, which is a central non-regular worker status in the 2000s as a recent college graduate who worked more long-overdue task because the working-age as this will raise productivity and consumer plan of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s labour way to lower personnel costs and preserve than 100 hours of overtime at the country’s population is shrinking and Japan’s productiv- spending, said Katsunobu Kato, minister for reforms to end decades of stagnant growth jobs during a prolonged economic slump. top advertising agency preceding her death. ity in the services sector is low by most inter- labor market reform. Companies can afford to and deflation. Since then, the number of contract workers The government’s minimum threshold for national comparisons. narrow the pay gap without cutting salaries for “Wages are a big motivating factor. People has swelled to around 37 percent of the work- death by overwork is 80 hours of overtime per Abe’s labor reforms have already raised regular workers, because companies have want to feel they are being evaluated for their force, and critics say this has created a two- month, which is excessive and contributes to the minimum wage and made companies enough profits and reserves to increase labor’s work and rewarded based on their work,” Kato tiered labor market because contract employ- long working hours, Kato said. more accountable for improving condi- share of profits, Kato told Reuters. said. “On a macroeconomic level, improving ees receive considerably less pay and benefits. It is too early to put an exact number on tions for working mothers. Abe is also The government will tackle Japan’s notori- pay gives more people the chance to work Abe turned his attention to labor market the overtime limits the government will set, looking at encouraging more telecommut- ously-long working hours by setting limits on and improve their pay, which feeds into high- reform earlier this year to revive his structural but Kato hopes to reach a conclusion by ing and at attracting more high-skilled for- overtime that could be submitted to parlia- er consumption.” reform agenda, a move which economists March and said it is possible that limits could eign labor. —Reuters TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 BUSINESS

Nissan introduces driverless towing system at Oppama Plant

DUBAI: Nissan Motor Co, Ltd has announced markings, curbs and potential obstacles or Since trial operations of the system began the introduction of Intelligent Vehicle Towing hazards around the vehicle. By cross-referenc- roughly a year ago, more than 1,600 test runs (IVT), a fully automated vehicle towing system, ing this information with map data, the tow- have been carried out at the plant. The data at its Oppama Plant. ing car calculates its own location, negotiating acquired has been utilized to ensure that the Nissan has worked on making the relation- the route to its destination unaided. The tow- system can operate reliably within the plant’s ship between people, cars and society more ing car travels within the speed limits of the premises. A safety system and a fail-safe sys- exciting under its Intelligent Mobility vision, a factory, and automatically stops if it detects an tem have been developed to counter poten- framework for how cars will be driven, pow- obstacle or hazard ahead, before setting off tial risks or unexpected conditions the IVT sys- ered, and integrated into society. This new again when it has determined that the road tem may face during autonomous driving, project, which utilizes mapping and communi- including adverse weather and low light con- cation technologies to link an intelligent and ditions. Nissan will continue to test the system all-electric car to infrastructure, is a step at its Oppama Plant, and will examine the pos- towards the realization of Nissan Intelligent sibility of implementation at other manufac- Integration. turing facilities both in and outside Japan. Nissan has been developing autonomous About the technology driving technology for decades. In August, the The IVT system uses a modified Nissan company launched ProPILOT, an award-win- LEAF to autonomously tow trollies carrying ning single-lane autonomous driving technol- finished vehicles between designated loading ogy for highway use. IVT further showcases and unloading points at the plant. tral traffic control system, which can monitor Background of development Nissan’s holistic approach to mobility, expand- Unlike conventional automatic guided the location, driving speed, remaining battery The Oppama Plant’s existing logistics sys- ing the advantages of driverless technologies vehicle systems for transporting parts, which and operational status of each vehicle. When tem requires finished vehicles to be transport- beyond personal usage. often require the installation of rails or exten- two driverless towing cars meet at an intersec- ed from the end of the production line to the The data and know-how obtained through sive use of magnetic tape, this system does ahead is clear. The towing route can easily be tion, the control system’s algorithm deter- facility’s dedicated wharf by a team of drivers, this project will help to enable broader adop- not need any special infrastructure to operate. altered to accommodate changes in produc- mines which car should be given right-of-way, at which point they are loaded onto ships. tion of autonomous driving technology, in The towing car is equipped with an array of tion processes or vehicle transport routes. All and in case of emergency, the system can stop Introducing IVT will allow Nissan to improve order to provide new solutions to our cus- cameras and laser scanners that detect lane driverless towing cars are connected to a cen- the vehicles remotely. production efficiency. tomers, and to our society. Al Nasser winter sale KPMG continues growth momentum, KUWAIT: As always, Al Nasser is back in a wide variety of foot wears and acces- campaign with special amazing prize sories for everyone. A huge variety that reductions on winter collection for men, fits for all ages and satisfies all your needs. invests across Mideast, South Asia women and kids apparel, footwear, Al Nasser is always with you in all accessories, sports wears, games, and seasons throughout the year, and now gym equipments on a huge collections don’t miss the chance to avail our winter Recording double digit growth for third consecutive year and unique variety. special offer with amazing prices and Al Nasser offer is back this winter sea- best styles. As always Al Nasser is creat- KUWAIT: KPMG in the Middle East & South Asia Insurance Review’s Insurance Awards - 2016, the son, starting from December 15, 2016. Al ing and providing all the customer needs (MESA) region reported a 10.7 percent growth in Accounting Firm of the Year at the CFO Middle East Nasser, one of the leading companies in in different ways. Visit us, in your nearest aggregated revenues of member firms across the Awards earlier in the fiscal year and continued to trading sectors of apparel and footwear, branch (Al Nasser) to make your shop- MESA region for the fiscal year ended 30 be ranked as a ‘Top Tier Firm’ in the Gulf which fulfills all your needs, from everyday ping an enjoyable experience. With your September 2016. This was the third consecutive Cooperation Council (GCC) region according to the clothing, school uniform, sportswear, and trust, we continue to grow. year for the region to record double digit growth, International Tax Review since 2015. placing it among the fastest growing regions with- In addition, a number of KPMG’s global initia- in the KPMG network. tives took place in the MESA region during FY16 China’s 2017 economic During the year, KPMG across the MESA region including KPMG’s flagship global recruitment initia- had over 2,500 new joiners including 12 new tive - the KPMG International Case Competition, Partners. A further 15 Partners were appointed KPMG’s Global Building, Construction & Real Estate growth to slow to 6.5% through internal promotions. By the year end, Conference and KPMG’s Europe, Middle East & BEIJING: China’s economic growth will slow leaders vowed to fix the problems ailing the KPMG’s resource pool within the region had Africa Partners’ Conference. Abdullah Al-Fozan to 6.5 percent next year and the yuan will partially-planned economy, taking aim at expanded to nearly 7,000 professionals and associ- MESA and Member of KPMG’s Global Board said: concluded his comments by saying: “Today, KPMG continue falling against the dollar, a top sclerotic state-owned enterprises and proper- ates with member firms present in 14 countries “Throughout FY16 we have continued to aggres- is one of the most resourced professional service Chinese think-tank said yesterday. The predic- ty speculation that has raised fears of a mas- and covering 30 office locations. sively invest in areas such as strategy and opera- networks in the region with a vast clientele com- tion follows a raft of positive data earlier this sive bubble about to burst. “KPMG’s strong FY16 results, in what remains a tional consulting, digital and customer experience, prising public sector institutions, multinationals, month that raised hopes of an end to the Last year CASS predicted the economy slow-growth global environment, are a testament to oil & gas and chemical sector capabilities, indirect regional and local companies, enterprise business- slowdown. But the economy-the world’s sec- would grow at a rate of 6.7 percent. So far, that the passion and innovative thinking we bring to our taxation with a specific focus on VAT as well as sen- es as well as other organizations. We also continue ond largest-still “faces increasing downward prediction has been spot on: the economy work. In today’s volatile business climate, our strate- ior recruitments to enhance capabilities in transfer to work alongside some of the largest economic pressure”, the Chinese Academy of Social expanded 6.7 percent for three consecutive gic investments in technology, alliances, and our pricing, trade and customs, technology transforma- transformation programs, assisting the institutions Sciences (CASS) warned, according to a tran- quarters this year, the slowest pace since the people, are fuelling our growth across our geogra- tion, risk, cyber security, financial services sector driving these initiatives in working towards achiev- script on the official china.org.cn website. global financial crisis. This year’s prediction of phies and service lines. In FY16, thousands of capabilities and data & analytics among a broader ing macro level objectives.” It also predicted that the yuan, currently 6.5 percent plumbs the lower depths of the extraordinary people were hired across the KPMG set of regional growth initiatives.” In the wider Global context, KPMG International hovering around eight-year lows would lose national goal of between 6.5-7.0 percent. network, and we continued our relentless focus on “As part of our strategy, we have also increased announced aggregated network revenues of another three to five percent against the dol- It would be the lowest annual figure since providing high-quality, excellent service.” said John investments in Audit with a number of Partner US$25.42 billion for the fiscal year ended 30 lar. The government-linked think-tank made 1990 when it clocked in at 3.9 percent. The Veihmeyer, Chairman, KPMG International. appointments and added more than 300 people to September 2016 (FY16), representing an 8.0 per- the forecasts at an annual press conference, country’s five-year plan for economic and “We continued to prioritize strategic invest- our audit teams across the region. By developing cent increase in local currency terms. three days after Chinese leaders wrapped up social development pledged average growth ments in new services and technologies in FY16, and empowering our people across all functions, In FY16, more than 37,000 new graduates and a key economic meeting known as the of at least 6.5 percent a year over the 2016- focusing on the areas where we see businesses fac- we are better able to offer practical insight that other entry-level professionals joined KPMG mem- Central Economics Work Conference. At the 2020 period-implying that at times it could ing the greatest challenge and disruption. We are assist our clients to operate more effectively in ber firms, and more than 300 new external part- conclave, attended by President Xi Jinping, be lower. — AP also working closely with a number of the world’s changing business environments.” he added. ners and more than 600 promoted KPMG partners leading technology companies, in alliances that Highlighting the significance of KPMG’s impact were welcomed into the leadership ranks. KPMG’s bring together world-class innovation, business in the marketplace, KPMG member firms in the global workforce grew by more than 8 percent to expertise and leading edge technology.” he added. region received a number of accolades including almost 189,000 partners and staff, the highest Rasameel Investment House Commenting on developments across the the Best Audit Services Award at MENA Fund number of individuals ever employed across the arranges acquisition of region, Abdullah Al-Fozan, Chairman of KPMG Manager Fund Services Awards and at the MENA network. $41 million property in US Nissan Al Babtain celebrates year-end DUBAI: Rasameel Investment House, a investment is expected to generate an company supervised by Dubai Financial annual net cash yield in excess of 8 per- Services Authority, has announced that cent, and an internal rate of return above with ‘port prices-back again’ campaign it has successfully arranged the acquisi- 13 percent. During the five-year invest- tion of a multi-family residential proper- ment hold period, the return on invest- Promotional discounts across entire Nissan fleet ty in the United States, in accordance ment is expected to exceed 80 percent. with an Islamic Sharia compliant struc- Furthermore, the deal is expected to ture in a deal worth US$ 41 million. attract an improved leveraged position KUWAIT: Wouldn’t it be an amazing treat to start following implementation of a $5.2 mil- the new year with a fantastic deal on a new car? lion capital improvement program With the new year just around the corner, which is expected to result in investors Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al Babtain Co (AABC), receiving over 55 percent of their origi- the authorized agent of Nissan vehicles in the nal capital back midway through their State of Kuwait is all geared up to offer exciting investment. year-end promotional discounts and attractive He added “We are very pleased with benefits on the entire Nissan fleet; sedans, sports the success of this deal, which we were cars, SUVs, and commercial vehicles. keen to conclude due to the favorable Commencing on December 18 till December local market conditions, the property’s 21, the four-day year-end campaign, ‘Port Prices- proximity to major employment centers Back Again!’ as the company calls it is being cele- and the potential to drive up the proper- brated across the two Nissan Al Babtain show- ty’s investment and rental values rooms presenting customers with a golden through a carefully crafted and proven opportunity to strike unbeatable deals on their value-add strategy. favorite Nissan models. The ‘Port Prices-Back Feroz has also pointed out that the Again’ “Nissan Al Babtain is always keen to deliv- property’s unique characteristics includ- er superior value to Nissan enthusiasts and con- Shahid Feroz ing, its unrivalled spacious unit sizes and tinues to roll out offers that brings together priv- its unobstructed southern panoramic ileges and benefits carefully chosen to reward The deal was structured through a view of Mount Rainer, gave it a competi- and delight our customers.” A new car purchase joint venture between Rasameel tive advantage in the market. qualifies as an amazing New Year’s gift that the Investment House and The Meter Group, He said that the value-add strategy entire family can enjoy and we urge all cus- an experience local operator with over would also strive to create operational tomers currently looking to buy a new vehicle to 5,000 units under current management efficiencies, reduce operating costs and take advantage of the ‘Port Prices-Back Again’ campaign please visit Nissan Al Babtain’s show- years, Al Babtain Group has experienced contin- in nearby areas to the acquired property. improve the property’s net operating campaign and experience the brand’s unparal- rooms located in Al-Rai and Al-Ahmadi. ued success and a large measure of this success Property Income Advisors. Inc. had been income in order to distribute higher divi- leled Japanese engineering and Nissan Al Al Babtain Group was founded in 1948, to came from the Group’s advanced flexible man- appointed to oversee the property in a dends to investors. Babtain’s customer care service. present a model of honesty, integrity and total agement style and long-term vision. These supervisory asset management capacity. Feroz stressed that despite the diffi- Nissan Al Babtain urges all customers to avail dedication, gaining a solid reputation in the astounding results were achieved due to a versa- Shahid Feroz, vice president of cult economic condition, Rasameel this wonderful opportunity as the campaign runs State of Kuwait and the Middle East area. Today, tile strategic formula focusing on growth Alternative investments at Rasameel would continue to look for attractive during a short four days and treat themselves to Al Babtain Group has licensing rights for some of amongst its sphere of activities; including auto- Structured Finance Company said this investment solutions for its clients. an unforgettable gift from Nissan Al Babtain. To the world’s leading brands stretching the globe motive, technology, investment, information learn more about the ‘Port Prices-Back Again!’ from the USA to the Far East. For more than 60 technology, industrial and Finance. technology TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 Yahoo security problems a story of too little, too late

SAN FRANCISCO/BOSTON/WASHING- Yahoo’s failure to move away from ity to burrow deeper than we thought TON: In the summer of 2013, Yahoo Inc MD5 in a timely fashion was an example into a system and remain for years,” he launched a project to better secure the of problems in Yahoo’s security opera- said. Reuters could not determine how passwords of its customers, abandoning tions as it grappled with business chal- many companies besides Yahoo were the use of a discredited technology for lenges, according to five former employ- using MD5 in 2013. Google, Facebook encrypting data known as MD5. ees and some outside security experts. and Microsoft Corp did not immediately It was too late. In August of that year, Stronger hashing technology would respond to requests for comment. hackers got hold of more than a billion have made it more difficult for the hack- According to another former security Yahoo accounts, stealing the poorly ers to get into customer accounts after veteran at Yahoo, even when the compa- encrypted passwords and other informa- breaching Yahoo’s network, making the ny was growing quickly, security some- tion in the biggest data breach on attack far less damaging, they said. Competing priorities from 1999 to 2001. “When business is times took a back seat as the company record. Yahoo only recently uncovered “MD5 was considered dead long The former Yahoo security staffers, bad, you expect to see security get cut.” focused on system performance to keep the hack and disclosed it last week. before 2013,” said David Kennedy, chief however, told Reuters the security team To be sure, no system is completely up with the growth. Then, when growth The timing of the attack might seem executive of cyber firm TrustedSec LLC. was at times turned down when it hack-proof. Hackers have managed to stalled, senior security staff left for other like bad luck, but the weakness of MD5 “Most companies were using more requested new tools and features such break into passwords that were encrypt- companies and the chances of getting had been known by hackers and security secure hashing algorithms by then.” He as strengthened cryptography protec- ed using more advanced technologies approval for expensive upgrades experts for more than a decade. MD5 can did not name specific firms. tions, on the grounds that the requests than MD5. Other Internet companies, dropped further, the person said. be cracked more easily than other so- Yahoo, which has confirmed it was would cost too much money, were too such as LinkedIn and AOL, have also suf- “Any changes to the user database called “hashing” algorithms, which are still using MD5 at the time of the attack, complicated, or were simply too low a fered security breaches, though none took forever because they were under- mathematical functions that convert data disputed the notion that the company priority. Partly, that reflected the internet nearly as large as Yahoo’s. “This could staffed, and it’s an ultra-critical system - into seemingly random character strings. had skimped on security. pioneer’s long-running financial strug- happen to any large corporation,” said everything depends on it,” said the former In 2008, five years before Yahoo took “Over the course of our more than 20- gles: Yahoo’s revenues and profits have Tom Kellermann, a former World Bank Yahoo employee. Yahoo declined to com- action, Carnegie Mellon University’s year history, Yahoo has focused on and fallen steadily since their 2008 peak security manager and security industry ment on details of its security practices, Software Engineering Institute issued a invested in security programs and talent while Alphabet Inc’s Google , Facebook executive. but said it routinely conducted drills to public warning to security professionals to protect our users,” Yahoo said in a Inc and others have come to dominate Kellermann, now CEO of investment test and improve its cyber defenses and through a US government-funded vul- statement to Reuters. “We have invested the consumer internet business. “When firm Strategic Cyber Ventures, said he highlighted campaigns such as a “bug nerability alert system: MD5 “should be more than $250 million in security initia- business is good, it’s easy to do things was not surprised that it had taken bounty” program in which it pays hackers considered cryptographically broken tives across the company since 2012.” like security,” said Jeremiah Grossman, Yahoo several years to identify the mas- to find security flaws and report them to and unsuitable for further use.” who worked on Yahoo’s security team sive attacks. “Hackers often have a capac- the company. — Reuters Bulwark signs distribution agreement with Mimecast Email security, archiving continuity services across Middle East DUBAI: Bulwark, the UAE based and special- ized value-added distributor, announced that they have signed a distribution agreement with Mimecast Limited, a recognized leader in enterprise email archiving, to provide one-stop shop for email archives and data security solu- Simon Howells tions across Middle East. According to the agreement, Bulwark will promote and distrib- ute Mimecast’s full portfolio of services in the Xerox appoints new GCC region. Mimecast’s cloud services deliver compre- hensive email risk management in one-fully Regional Manager integrated subscription service. Mimecast reduces the risk, complexity and cost associat- DUBAI: Xerox announced yesterday the Services business for Xerox Middle East and ed with on premise email management whilst appointment of Simon Howells as the enable organizations to transition from providing business email continuity through- Regional Manager for the Middle East paper-based tasks to streamlined digital out the cloud adoption journey. The company’s region. Howells will oversee all Xerox workflows. Most recently, Simon Howells best-of-breed services protect the emails of Partner Operations and work with the was Head of Alliances and Managed Print millions of users worldwide against targeted Account Management Team, Sales and Services for Xerox ME, expanding the com- attacks, data leaks, malware and spam. Technical Specialists to support a Partner pany’s Managed Print Services division to Securing customers’ mailboxes is a core focus network of over 300 across the region. address the needs of all businesses in the for Mimecast and being a cloud based business “I am excited to be leading a talented Middle East, including partners across the ensures that they are able to quickly and easily and dedicated team to drive our Go To region selling Xerox Partner Print Services. evolve their security services, like Targeted Market (GTM) strategy for the Middle East. In his new role, Howells will focus on Threat Protection, to counter spear phishing This coupled with the expertise and focus maximizing coverage and the return of the and whaling cyberattacks. of our Partner network will deliver a win- Partner Operations in the Middle East, and ‘’We are delighted to introduce Mimecast to ning partnership, leveraging a best in class grow the team to ensure that Xerox our reseller channel and it complements and value proposition,” Howells said. Partners are leveraging significant expert- completes our existing product portfolio spe- Simon Howells joined Xerox in 2003 at ise and support to drive their business for- cializing in the Information Security domain. its UK operations as a Strategic Account ward. Simon Howells will ensure that Xerox The Bulwark and Mimecast partnership will Manager in the division responsible for ME will continue to lead with Managed ensure that customers receive secure and com- Xerox’s publishing and Graphic Arts busi- Print Services and Solutions, whilst also pliant email archives and continuity cloud serv- ness. In 2008, Howells moved to Dubai, UAE maximizing an exciting Ink Jet opportunity ices and highly confidential business informa- Brandon Bekker - Mimecast MEA and Jose Thomas Menacherry - Bulwark Technologies. to build and drive the Managed Print in the region. tion. With a highly trained and competitive for Enterprise Information Archiving. Speaking ferent verticals and market segments in this team of sales, marketing and technical experts, on the partnership, Brandon Bekker, Managing region, and we look to achieve this through a we aspire to deliver fast, consistent value- Director, Mimecast MEA, says, “Bulwark, being focused go-to-market strategy with Bulwark.” added services to our customers in the region,” one of the pioneers in Security distribution in Bulwark has established an excellent track says Jose Thomas Menacherry, Managing the Middle East, is a perfect partner for record in delivering world-class products and Director, Bulwark Technologies. Mimecast in this region. By joining forces, we excellent customer service, and Value Addition Mimecast is a recognized leader in informa- can deliver a complete and comprehensive val- has been at the very core of Bulwark’s opera- tion email archiving. The company was named ue added proposition to the Middle East tions since its inception in 1999 resulting in the a ‘’Leader’’ in the 2015 Gartner Magic Quadrant region. Our aim is to grow our reach across dif- company growing from strength to strength. California tries again to thwart prison cellphone smuggling

SACRAMENTO: California is installing nearly inmates who want to conduct illegal activities on inmates, visitors and employees in all 35 1,000 sophisticated metal detectors, scanners using an unmonitored cellphone, said Mitch adult prisons and three juvenile facilities by July. and secret security cameras at its prisons in its Volkart, a Global Tel-Link product manager. latest attempt to thwart the smuggling of cell- “There is no magic bullet,” he said. “You can’t try Too soon phones, thousands of which continue to flood to address the demand because the demand is Corrections department spokeswoman Vicky the prisons despite previous efforts. always going to be there.” Waters said it is too soon to say if the scanners Officials say the phones can be used to coor- So it’s better to control the supply, Volkart will replace body cavity searches or a controver- dinate everything from attacks in prison to said, not only by capturing illicit phones but ana- sial process known as contraband surveillance JACKSONVILLE: In this Thursday, Dec 1, 2016, photo, University of North Florida stu- crimes on the street, yet they have thus far been lyzing their calls and contents. That analysis has watches - or more informally, “potty watches.” dents, Garrett Baumann, right, Chris Martin, center, and Jason Pavichall, work to cus- unable to prevent even high-security inmates at times led to investigators uncovering Inmates suspected of swallowing or concealing tomize a toy car so that it can be used by a girl with cerebral palsy at the university in like cult killer Charles Manson from repeatedly weapons or drugs within prisons, he said. The contraband in body cavities are isolated and Jacksonville, Florida. — AP getting the devices that are illegal behind bars. company has similar programs with other states their hands restrained for several days or until Corrections officials told The Associated Press including Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and they complete at least three bowel movements. Holiday cheer: Students build a year ago that they were halting the expansion Oklahoma, he said. Smugglers are getting tricki- “Why can’t they do X-rays or something ... like of a now 5-year-old program designed to make er: In April, they attempted to use a drone to fly the airports do to us now?” asked Irma Cooper, hi-tech toys for disabled kids unauthorized cellphones useless by capturing two cellphones into Ironwood State Prison, 130 who had to leave her bra in the car when she their signals before calls are connected. Officials miles east of Los Angeles, though the drone went to visit her son because it contained metal. JACKSONVILLE: Because of her cerebral Shriver National Institute of Child Health fear the call-intercepting devices may not be crashed before it could deliver the goods. “I just think that’s ridiculous in this day and age, palsy, 4-year-old Scarlett Wilgis has trouble and Human Development, said the agency able to keep up with increasingly sophisticated And all the state’s previous efforts haven’t when they can do those scans.” opening her hands and can’t get around funded the program because it forces stu- cellphones. prevented Manson, the 82-year-old cult leader, She was further dismayed when her son told without help. Her parents have scoured dents from different fields to collaborate So Virginia-based Global Tel-Link, the nation’s from being caught with cellphones three times - her he had to undergo a digital rectal exam each store shelves and websites looking for toys and solve a problem in the community. largest prison phone company, is heading a new most recently in February, but also in 2009 and time he left the visiting room at High Desert State for her, but have mostly been disappointed. “This program is getting students in the approach funded by a projected $17 million a 2011. Authorities say a visitor was thwarted in Prison, to make sure he wasn’t smuggling contra- “Finding the toys at Walmart or Target, early phases of their training thinking year from California inmates and their families 2013 when he was caught trying to bring band. Waters said inmates are strip-searched and they’re pretty much non-existent,” said mom about ordinary objects, toys, and how to who use landlines to make phone calls that are Manson a phone concealed in a boot heel. The scanned with metal detectors, but are not rou- Dezaraye Wilgis, sitting with Scarlett in front of adapt those toys so that children with limi- monitored for security reasons. Those range new detection devices are expected to be used tinely subjected to rectal exams. — AP their twinkling Christmas tree in St. Augustine. tations can use and play with them like from 10 cents per minute for local calls to 25 “Or if you get them through a medical suppli- children without limitations,” she said. cents per minute for collect interstate calls, in er they’re extremely expensive.” keeping with rates set by the Federal While major toy makers have changed Customized cars Communications Commission. GTL has been with the times and sell dolls with wheel- On a recent day, the school’s small lab accused by inmates and their families of charg- chairs and crutches, those designed to be buzzed with the sound of tools and chatter ing exorbitant rates for phone calls, prompting used by children with severe disabilities like as students customized cars for their new some to join a class-action lawsuit against the Scarlett are still difficult, if not impossible, to owners. Chris Martin, an electrical engi- company. The Department of Corrections and find. Because they have to be customized neering student, had removed the hood of Rehabilitation is installing 272 more metal for each child, the cost can skyrocket. Scarlett’s car, exposing its wires. A large detectors, 68 X-ray machines to scan packages, This conundrum gave two University of push button replaced the steering, and 103 low-dose X-ray scanners, 170 hidden surveil- North Florida professors an idea: mix engi- light sensors mounted underneath the car lance cameras, 34 devices to decrypt and ana- neering and physical therapy students in a will allow it to follow a line of tape along lyze cellphones, and 272 scanners that detect lab with the goal of converting toys from the floor whenever Scarlett hits the button. magnetic signals. store shelves into custom-made fun for Now, Scarlett’s parents can design routes Removing illegal cellphones can force disabled children. The Adaptive Toy for the car with tape, or use a remote-con- inmates to use the prisons’ phone system, said Project is now in its third year, and has trol mode for family walks. Jim Viscardi, vice president of global security for drawn a 5-year grant from the National When Martin first met Scarlett’s mother, Illinois-based Metrasens, which is providing the Institutes of Health. It is helping families “she actually cried, and it just made me magnetic-signal detectors. The sensitive scan- like Scarlett’s while giving the students a want to work harder,” Martin said. “I just ners can detect tiny metal objects even if they dose of community service and real-world want to make it as perfect as possible for are inside a body cavity, a common way of experience that will stick with them long her.” The cars retail between $250 and $500; smuggling phones and weapons inside prisons. after graduation. the customization makes them worth well VACAVILLE: In this April 10, 2009, file photo, Correctional Officer Jose Sandoval inspects one of Dr Alison Cernich, a neuropsychologist over $1,000. The families, about 18 so far, Unmonitored cellphone the more than 2,000 cell phones confiscated from inmates at California State Prison, Solano in and director at the NIH’s Eunice Kennedy get the cars free. — AP The latest crackdown is unlikely to deter Vacaville, California. — AP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 HEALTH & SCIENCE Anti-abortionists, buoyed by Trump, get new wind in US WASHINGTON: Emboldened by Donald percent of abortions in the US are cur- abortion may resort to desperate, clan- cal Christians opposed to abortion are one or more others likely to come due to Trump’s imminent arrival at the White rently carried out after 20 weeks, accord- destine measures that had not been holding out hopes for the kind of change the advanced age of some justices. House, abortion opponents are mobiliz- ing to the pro-choice Guttmacher prevalent for decades. they want to see under a Trump adminis- ing, taking severe measures that some Institute. But available data does not On the other side of the debate, anti- tration. Trump’s Vice president-elect Mike Cremating, burying fetal remains say threaten constitutional freedoms. seem conclusive on how many abortions abortion activists feel wind in their wings Pence, and his pick to head the Justice Ever since the Roe v. Wade decision Pro-choice activists, who support a after 20 weeks take place for birth with conservative Trump set to take Department, Jeff Sessions, both oppose was handed down in 1973, conservative woman’s right to choose to use contra- defects or other reasons. power January 20. The Americans United abortion rights. activists have repeatedly sought to raise ception or have a legal abortion, suffered for Life group published a report of more And incoming Health Secretary Tom barriers for women seeking an abortion. setbacks in several US states in recent ‘Heartbeat bill’ than 200 pages detailing the “horrific Price is expected to lead a crusade Oklahoma state’s high court on Tuesday days. In Ohio, Republican Governor John As alarming as the measure may be abortion clinic conditions,” finding that against family planning and health care rejected a new law that required abor- Kasich signed Tuesday a law banning for abortion backers, it could have been 227 abortion providers in 32 states were plan reimbursements for contraception. tion clinic doctors to have admission abortion after the 20th week of pregnan- worse. A separate, so-called “heartbeat cited for more than 1,400 health and Trump himself has vowed to nominate rights for their patients at a local hospital cy, making no exception for rape, incest bill” would have banned abortions as safety “deficiencies” between 2008 and Supreme Court justices strongly opposed within 30 miles (48 kilometers). Earlier or fetal anomaly. early as six weeks into a pregnancy-even 2016, and had violated hundreds of state to abortion, which he claims would “auto- this month in Texas, a judge suspended a The bill makes only limited conces- though women are often unaware they laws. The study aims to provide state matically” overturn the high court’s land- law that required abortion clinics to cre- sions in cases where the pregnancy are pregnant at that time. But Kasich lawmakers, ahead of 2017 legislative ses- mark Roe v. Wade decision of 1973. mate or bury fetal remains after abor- could harm the woman’s health. The vetoed the measure. sions, with “an important tool for There is nothing automatic about tions. But the US Supreme Court had move is a risky bet. The US Supreme In Tennessee, a woman who tried to explaining the critical need for enhanced Supreme Court reversals, which are not strongly reaffirmed in June women’s Court has already ruled that states can- abort her fetus at 24 weeks using a metal health and safety standards,” said Denise common. But Trump stands a solid rights to an abortion, a hot-button issue not prevent a woman from having an clothes hanger was recently slapped Burke, an AUL vice president and the chance of pushing through a conserva- that has incessantly torn at the US social abortion before the fetus is viable- with bolstered criminal charges. For the report’s author. Supporters are encour- tive agenda at the most powerful court fabric. That ruling could be the last major experts say that threshold occurs around pro-choice camp, the case illustrates the aged to help pass anti-abortion bills. in the land, with one seat on the nine- victory for the pro-choice camp for a 24 weeks of pregnancy. Just over one growing fear that women denied an Conservative Republicans and evangeli- member panel currently left vacant and long time. —AFP Plants closed, cars stopped as China faces smog ‘red alert’ Air pollution surpasses WHO guideline by 100 times BEIJING: Engulfed in choking smog, some illnesses. China’s long-standing air pollution is Wednesday. Authorities in Jinan, south of Tianjin, northern Chinese cities limited the number of blamed on its reliance on coal and emissions raised that city’s alert to the second-highest lev- cars on roads and temporarily shut down facto- from older cars.”If you are tracking back to the el Sunday after the city “basically disappeared” in ries yesterday to cut down pollution during a first day of this episode, you can see that the lay- the haze, the newspaper Jilu Evening News national “red alert.” er of the smog (in Beijing) is moving slowly from reported. Photos on its website showed down- More than 700 companies stopped produc- the south to the urban area in Beijing and then town office towers as ghostly silhouettes at mid- tion in Beijing and traffic police were restricting to the north,” said Dong Liansai, a climate cam- day. Beijing and other cities have tried to improve air quality by switching power plants from coal to natural gas and rolling out fleets of electric buses and taxis.

WHO limits Concentrations of airborne pollutants in a major northern Chinese city exceeded a World This handout from the WWF taken by Alexandre Teynie on May 11, 2013 and Health Organization (WHO) guideline by 100 released on December 19, 2016 shows a new species of snake called parafimbrios lao times yesterday as north China battled with in Laos. —AFP poor air quality for the third straight day. In Shijiazhuang, capital of northern Hebei province, levels of PM 2.5, fine particulate mat- ter, soared to 1,000 micrograms per cubic metre, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported yester- day. That compares with a WHO guideline of an annual average of no more than 10 micrograms. In nearby Tianjin city, authorities grounded dozens of flights for the second day and closed all highways after severe smog blanketed the port city, one of more than 40 in China’s north- east to issue pollution warnings. PM 2.5 levels hit 334 micrograms per cubic metre in Tianjin as of 4 p.m. local time, according to local environmental protection authorities. In Beijing, PM 2.5 levels were at 212 micrograms per cubic metre. On Saturday, 22 cities issued BEIJING: A woman puts on a mask for protection against air pollution while walking on a red alerts, including top steelmaking city pedestrian overhead bridge in Beijing as the capital of China is shrouded by heavy smog yes- Tangshan city in Hebei and Jinan in coal-rich terday. —AP Shandong province. A red alert is the highest possible air pollution warning. drivers by monitoring their license plate num- paigner with Greenpeace in Beijing. “You can Red alerts are issued when the Air Quality bers, state media reported. Dozens of cities easily find the large deployment (of smog) in the Index (AQI) is forecast to exceed 200 for more closed schools and took other emergency meas- regions south of Beijing.” than four days in succession, 300 for more than This handout from the WWF taken by Jodi Rowley on October 3, 2013 and released ures after a “red alert” was issued from Friday Dong said emissions from factories in nearby two days or 500 for at least 24 hours. The AQI is a yesterday shows a new species of frog called the leptolalax isos in Virachey National night to Wednesday for much of northern China. provinces were the main cause of the smog different measure from the PM 2.5 gauge. Park, Cambodia. —AFP “The smog has serious repercussions on the choking the capital. The smog had earlier Pollution alerts have become increasingly com- lungs and the respiratory system, and it also grounded flights in some cities and closed high- mon in China’s northern industrial heartland, Rainbow snake and tiny frog influences the health of future generations, so ways due to low visibility. On Sunday, news web- especially during winter when energy demand - under a red alert, it is safer to stay at home sites said the number of children being taken to much of it met by coal - skyrockets. among new Mekong species rather than go to school,” said Li Jingren, a 15- Beijing hospitals with breathing trouble soared. AQI readings at some monitoring stations year-old high school student in Beijing. Photos showed waiting rooms crowded with in seven cities in Hebei peaked above 400 BANGKOK: A rainbow-headed snake, a tiny less Golden Triangle area where the latter Authorities in the northern province of Hebei parents carrying children who wore face masks. yesterday, with Shijiazhuang and two other frog and a lizard with dragon-like horns are three meet. ordered coal and cement plants to temporarily Members of the public closely watch levels of cities breaking above the 500 limit, Xinhua among more than 150 new species con- “Many collectors are willing to pay thou- shut down or reduce production. Elsewhere, PM2.5, particles measuring 2.5 microns across said. Anything above 300 is considered haz- firmed by scientists last year in the ecologi- sands of dollars or more for the rarest, most hospitals prepared teams of doctors to handle that are easily inhaled and damage lung tissue. ardous by the US Environmental Protection cally diverse but threatened Mekong unique and most endangered species,” an expected surge in cases of pollution-related The alert, this winter’s first, lasts through Agency. —Agencies region, researchers said yesterday. Winding Borah said. In total, scientists described 163 its way from the Tibetan plateau through new species in 2015 including nine the mountains and jungles of Southeast amphibians, three mammals, 11 fish, 14 Africa at highest risk of Asia, the Mekong river helps sustain one of reptiles and 126 plants. Among the most major economic blow the most diverse regions on the planet. eye-catching are parafimbrios lao, a snake Each year scientists announce new found in the limestone karsts of northern from climate threats species, after an often lengthy identifica- Laos whose scales reflect rainbow-like tion process, highlighting how much more colours around its head. On the Thai tourist ROME: Countries most dependent on agriculture are there is to learn about the region. But island of Phuket, which has seen huge also at high risk of experiencing changes in climate there are fears many species may die out development in recent decades, scientists over the next 30 years and face the biggest costs in before even being discovered in an area of found a lizard (acanthosaura phuketensis) dealing with the effects of extreme weather, accord- the world that is rapidly developing, where with a fearsome-looking ridge of horns ing to a global climate index published yesterday. rule of law is notoriously shaky and wildlife down its head and back. Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 17 of the 20 countries smuggling rampant. And in the country’s northern Chiang Rai most economically reliant on agriculture in the world. “The Greater Mekong region is a magnet province researchers found a newt (tylo- Of the 17, all but two are at “high” or “extreme” risk for the world’s conservation scientists totriton anguliceps) with dazzling red and of experiencing changes in temperature and rainfall, because of the incredible diversity of black markings that they likened to a and extremes such as drought and floods, according species that continue to be discovered Klingon’s head from the Star Trek franchise. to the Climate Change Exposure Index. here,” Jimmy Borah, from WWF’s Greater In Cambodia and Vietnam, a new frog These are typically countries whose governments Mekong team said. “They are racing against species that could fit on a finger tip was also lack the financial or technical resources to plan 20 or time to ensure that these newly discovered discovered. At 3cm long, leptolalax isos, 30 years in advance, said Richard Hewston, principal species are protected.” can fit on a fingertip. It was first spotted in environmental analyst at Verisk Maplecroft, a UK- The Greater Mekong region-which 2006 but peer-reviewed confirmation that it based risk management company which compiled the includes southwestern China, Vietnam, was indeed a new species took nearly a index. “They’re dealing with droughts now, they’re Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar-is decade. Between 1997 and 2015 there have dealing with food security issues now, they don’t have under intense pressure from dam and road been 2,409 new species described in the that capacity to be looking 30 years down the line,” he building as well as a thriving illegal wildlife Greater Mekong, the equivalent of two new told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in a telephone trade, much of it centred around the law- discoveries a week. — AFP interview. The majority of farmers in these countries are smallholders using traditional farming methods, who do not have the financial safety nets to invest in new crops which may improve yields in years to come, Hewston said. They also lack the technology which allows farmers in northwestern Europe and North America to monitor temperature and even the chloro- phyll in plants to decide when to plant, harvest or MELBOURNE: This handout from Snake Catcher Victoria taken yesterday shows a water their crops. Agriculture comprises 31 percent of tiger snake attempting to disguise itself as tinsel on a Christmas tree in a Melbourne the economy in east Africa and 22 percent of the west home. — AFP African economy - both regions rated “high risk”, according to Verisk Maplecroft. Snake disguises itself as tinsel Central America is another region where farmers are at great risk of the impacts of climate change, but on Australia Christmas tree these economies are less dependent on agriculture. Globally, countries categorised as “high” or “extreme” MELBOURNE: It may be trying to disguise Barry Goldsmith, who removed the reptile, risk in the index derive on average 16.7 percent of itself as tinsel, but look more closely and told AFP yesterday. their economic output from agriculture. This figure is this is a deadly tiger snake which climbed “It probably came in through an open almost twice that of countries categorized as “medi- up a Christmas tree in Australia. A woman door, but Cheryl was very sensible about it. um” or “low” risk (8.9 percent). called Cheryl noticed the uninvited and “She didn’t panic, she just took a photo and Countries which are most exposed to climate highly venomous guest in her Melbourne sent it to the snake-catcher, me, and 20 min- change are also those projected to experience the home on Sunday but kept her cool-making utes later I had the little bugger in a bag.” greatest growth in population between 2015 and a cup of tea while she waited for a profes- Australia is home to 20 of the world’s 25 most 2050, Verisk Maplecroft said. This year, for the first time, sional snake-catcher to arrive. venomous snakes, including the tiger snake the index looked at seasonal changes in temperature KARACHI: A Pakistani health worker administers polio vaccine drops to a child during “It was a tiger snake. They are very dead- which can grow up to 2.9 metres (10 feet) and and rainfall, as well as annual changes. — Reuters a door-to-door polio campaign in Karachi yesterday. Pakistan is one of only two coun- ly but only if you hurt them,” snake-catcher is usually found in coastal areas. —AFP tries in the world where polio, a crippling childhood disease, remains endemic. — AFP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 HEALTH & SCIENCE Beijing denies US claim that China is synthetic drug king Concerns over easy availability of fentanyls online BEIJING: US assertions that China is the top source of the synthetic opioids that have killed thousands of drug users in the US and Canada are unsubstantiated, Chinese officials told the Associated Press. Both the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy point to China as North America’s main source of fentanyl, related drugs and the chemicals used to make them. Such statements “lack the support of sufficient numbers of actual, confirmed cases,” China’s National Narcotics Control Commission told DEA’s Beijing field office in a fax dated Friday. In its letter to the DEA, which the commission also sent to AP, Chinese officials urged the US to provide more evidence about China’s role as a source country. It’s a point the state-run China Daily newspaper drove home publicly in an arti- cle this month stating that made-in-China car- fentanil was not the cause of overdose deaths in the US DEA officials said their casework and investigations consistently lead back to China. DEA data also shows that when China regulates synthetic drugs, US seizures plunge. “China is not the only source of the problem, This June 2016 file photo provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police shows printer ink but they are the dominant source for fentanyls bottles containing carfentanil imported from China, in Vancouver, Canada. US assertions that along with precursor chemicals and pill presses China is the top source of the synthetic opioids that have killed thousands of drug users in the that are being exported from China to the US, US and Canada are unsubstantiated, Chinese officials told the Associated Press. —AP Canada and Mexico,” said Russell Baer, a DEA special agent in Washington. base on drug seizures overseen by DEA does not many appear legitimate and are diverted to the Beijing is concerned enough about interna- require reporting by source country and may black market upon arrival, Baer said. Mexican tional perceptions of China’s role in the opioid not accurately reflect seizures of all fentanyl- officials, speaking on condition of anonymity Medicare outpatients risk trade that after AP published investigations related compounds. Baer said it didn’t even have because they were not authorized to be quoted, highlighting the easy availability of fentanyls a “fentanyl” category until around two years ago. said fentanyl and its precursors were coming higher bills for procedures online from Chinese suppliers, the narcotics It also takes time for forensic chemists to from China. Only two labs trying to produce fen- commission made a rare invitation to a team of identify drugs seized from the field, which tanyl from scratch have been located in Mexico WASHINGTON: You pay less for outpatient should be aware that how their hospital AP journalists to discuss the issue at the power- means fentanyl-related samples may get incor- in recent years, with others apparently taking treatment than for a hospital admission, stay is classified can affect what they pay ful Ministry of Public Security, a leafy complex rectly logged as other drugs. “The field agent simpler steps to turn precursors into fentanyl, right? Not necessarily in the topsy-turvy and also their access to coverage for inpa- just off Tiananmen Square at the historic and may not, and I think it’s fair to say usually does the officials said. world of Medicare billing, according to a tient rehabilitation. But patients and fami- political heart of Beijing. They also provided not, revise or amend the initial seizure,” Baer Mexican authorities did not immediately government report. lies may not be able to do much to influ- responses, in writing, to AP’s questions. said. He added that DEA is trying to improve its respond to requests for data on fentanyl and People entitled to benefits under ence such clinical decisions. US-China cooperation is essential for mount- data-collection methods. fentanyl precursor seizures by country of origin. Medicare who had heart stents inserted as As the government’s premier health ing an effective global response to an epidemic The White House Office of National Drug Still, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence indi- outpatients faced hospital bills that were insurance program, Medicare serves an esti- of opioid abuse that has killed more than Control Policy declined to comment or to pro- cating that China plays an important role in the $645 higher on average than those who mated 57 million older and disabled peo- 300,000 Americans since 2000. The presence of vide data that would back up the US assertions. fentanyls trade and, despite disagreements had the same kind of procedure as inpa- ple. Most of the cases covered by the fentanyl, a prescription painkiller up to 50 times US Customs and Border Protection said it had about data, Chinese authorities have been tients, the Health and Human Services inspector general’s report stemmed from stronger than heroin, and related compounds in data on fentanyl seizures by country of origin proactive in trying to stop their manufacture inspector general has found. Stents are tiny emergency-room visits. The billing discrep- the US drug supply began to rise in 2013, after only for 2015: Nearly two-thirds of the 61 kilo- and export. mesh cages that prop open narrow or ancies stem partly from Medicare’s compli- dealers learned they could multiply profits by grams (134 pounds) of fentanyl seized last year It is easy to find Chinese companies online weakened arteries. They usually are inserted cated design. Beneficiaries pay a deductible cutting the potent chemicals into heroin, came from Mexico. The rest, 35 percent, came offering to export synthetic opioids, the AP through a tube that’s threaded through an for inpatient care, currently $1,288 per stay. cocaine and counterfeit prescription pills. from China. found in investigations published in October artery in either the groin or the arm. Outpatient care is billed differently, with Even as the US Congress considers legislation DEA officials say Mexican cartels are key bulk and November . In response to that reporting, The beneficiary’s share of costs averaged beneficiaries responsible for 20 percent of that would punish opioid source countries, no suppliers of fentanyl to the US, but portray China’s narcotics commission said it was scruti- $1,667 for an outpatient stent, compared the cost of services, after a small deductible. government agency has produced comprehen- Mexico primarily as a transshipment point. US nizing 12 opioid vendors the AP identified , with $1,022 for an inpatient stent, the Sometimes 20 percent of the cost of a sive data on seizures of fentanyl-related sub- authorities have tracked shipments of fentanyl along with other companies that advertise fen- report found. Investigators looked at hospi- battery of outpatient services can add up stances by country of origin. The national data- precursors from China to Mexico and the US, but tanyl analogs. — AP tal billing for 2013-2014. to more than the inpatient deductible. In a formal response to the report Many people purchase private “Medigap” released yesterday, Medicare said it has tak- insurance to deal with Medicare’s out-of- en steps to protect people from such dis- pocket costs. For most of the procedures Poultry culled in Germany after parities. Nonetheless, the inspector general scrutinized by the inspector general, the is recommending that Medicare take anoth- Medicare program and beneficiaries both er look at how its billing rules distinguish paid less when services were provided on bird flu found on two farms between inpatient and outpatient hospital an outpatient basis. But inserting a heart stays. Overall, there’s a gray area between stent - a common procedure - was not the HAMBURG: About 30,000 turkeys and ducks of H5N8 bird flu in the past few weeks and some in 2014 and 2015 before being brought under short inpatient stays and long outpatient only kind of medical care for which outpa- were culled in Germany over the weekend ordered poultry flocks be kept indoors to pre- control. The ministry said H5N8 was also dis- stays, a problem that the agency has been tients wound up paying more. after bird flu was found on two farms, authori- vent the disease spreading. France has widened covered this month in the faeces of migratory working on for years, with mixed results. Investigators said the next three most ties said yesterday. high-risk restrictions to the entire country after birds but has not been seen at poultry farms. Not only do hospital billing decisions common service categories for which out- Some 21,600 turkeys were culled on a farm the detection of several cases of the H5N8 strain In Japan, authorities on the northern island affect how much people pay for a proce- patients wound up paying more were car- in Soest in North Rhine Westfalia and 9,500 in farms. A case of H5N8 bird flu was also report- of Hokkaido said at the weekend that about dure, they can also determine whether diovascular procedures without stents, car- ducks were culled on a farm in Moeser in ed on a farm in Britain on Friday. 210,000 chickens were being culled after bird patients get Medicare coverage for inpa- diac defibrillator implants and cardiac Saxony-Anhalt after the virulent H5N8 bird flu flu was discovered at a poultry farm in the tient rehabilitation. Generally, Medicare pacemaker implants. Heart disease is still strain was discovered on both farms, regional South Korea, Japan town of Shimizu. It is the fifth reported out- beneficiaries must stay in a hospital for at the nation’s top killer. authorities said. The contagious H5N8 strain South Korea and Japan have ordered fresh break in the country since the end of least three nights to qualify for inpatient In its written response to the report, has been found in about 540 wild birds in culls of poultry stocks to contain outbreaks of November. Nearly 800,000 chickens have been rehab coverage. The report says Medicare Medicare agreed that the billing issue needs Germany in recent weeks but few cases were avian flu, authorities in the two countries said. culled since then. Parts of Europe and Israel should consider also counting the length of more work. The agency advises hospitals found on farms as the crucial Christmas season The South Korean Agriculture Ministry said have also been hit by the H5N8 virus. About time someone spends as an outpatient. “An that stays spanning two midnights or longer for poultry sales starts. yesterday it had ordered the cull of an addi- 30,000 turkeys and ducks were culled in increased number of beneficiaries in outpa- should be billed as inpatient. Medicare said The German government has introduced tional 2.4 million birds, taking the total number Germany over the weekend while France has tient stays pay more and have limited it is doing what it can within existing laws to tougher sanitary rules to prevent infection by to a record 18.4 million since the first outbreak widened high-risk restrictions to the entire access to (inpatient rehab) services than protect people from paying more for similar wild birds including orders to keep poultry of avian flu was reported at a farm on Nov 18. It country after the detection of several cases of they would as inpatients,” the report con- services as outpatients. It has reclassified indoors in high-risk regions plus immediate has called the outbreak of the highly patho- the H5N8 strain in farms. A case of H5N8 bird cluded. “Medicare - and beneficiaries - may payment for many procedures to limit what culling of birds on infected farms. A series of genic H5N6 strain of bird flu more severe than flu was also reported on a farm in Britain on be paying differently for similar care,” inves- outpatients can be billed. Stent procedures European countries and Israel have found cases the H5N8 strain that spread across the country Friday. — Reuters tigators added. Advocates say beneficiaries are on that list. — AP WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

SACGC holds French-Kuwaiti exhibition emale students from Sabah Al-Ahmed Center for Giftedness and Creativity (SACGC), of Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science (KFAS), recently took part in the 11th French-Kuwaiti Exhibition held under the title of “What Do You Know About Ants?” at Roqayya Bint Mohammed school in Farwaniya from the 12th to the 15th of December. Gifted eight graders, Yara Mohammed Ameen Al-Sayegh and Fatima Mansour Al-Qarashi won the first place with a research titled ‘A FJourney Into An Ant’, which was supervised by science teacher, Fatima Al-Jou’an.

Omayya Bint Al-Qais workshop cience department at Omayya Bint Al-Qais intermediate School for girls, Ahmadi, recently organized a workshop that was attended by the school director, Hoda Al-Sadhan, the Science Supervisor general, Mariam Mansour and the head of the Sdepartment, Manal Abul.

AIP Meritorious Awards Nite 2016

ssociation of Indian Professionals (AIP), Kuwait will organize a mega event to honor Ameritorious Indian students on December 30, 2016 (Friday) at 5.30 pm at the Indian embassy audi- torium, Kuwait. Awardees have been selected based on CBSE examinations results of class XII declared for the academic year 2015 - 2016 from all Indian schools in Kuwait which are affiliated to CBSE system of education of India. AIP awards have become a synonym of excellence and parents of meritorious students eagerly look forward to this event. Indian Ambassador Sunil Jain will be the chief guest. AIP is a non-profit, non-religious, non-political and non-governmental organization in Kuwait engaged in service of the Indian community through many ways. AIP awardees are presented with gold, silver and bronze medallion each one with a certifi- cate of merit. AIP started Running (rolling) trophy for the Best Performing School in 2010 for class X & XII in Renowned German duo perform in Kuwait order to recognize the efforts and contributions of the teaching staff of the School. Best Performing ianist Dagmar Hartmann and cellist Reinhard YCC on the evening of 11 December, while performing for School is calculated on the basis of Weighted Armleder, known as Karlsruhe Concert Duo, about one hour. The audience was delighted by the care- Average System. All Indians are cordially invited to Prenowned for its many international awards, per- fully selected program featuring masterpieces by Ludwig attend. Prior confirmation of attendance will help us formed in Kuwait for the third time after visits in 2008 and van Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Robert to make suitable arrangements accordingly. You may 2012. This event was made possible by the well-estab- Schumann, Frédéric Chopin, Franz Liszt and Richard register through AIP website www.aipkuwait.com. lished cooperation between the Embassy and Dar Al-Athar Strauss. The attending classical music aficionados thanked Al-Islamiyyah. the duo afterwards with standing ovations. And like that, a The musical duo, famous far beyond the borders of wonderful concert evening came to an end, leaving the Germany for its classical chamber music concerts and at audience with a lasting impression and a “want for more” home on stages all over the world since 1997, shone in thanks to their profound interpretation and brilliant tech- front of a competent audience in an excellently equipped nique. New leadership for Mavelikara Association

avelikara Association Thomas and auditor Jerry John. sented the financial report of the Kuwait held the general 35 executive members were also year 2016 respectively. The new Mbody meeting on 16th elected. office-bearers were elected December, 2016. The main agen- Dhanya Lekshmi as chairper- unanimously among the mem- da of the meeting was the elec- son and Tiji mathew as general bers of Association. The election tion of new office-bearers for the secretary for Ladies Wing were procedures for the year 2017 year 2017. New office bearers are also elected. Association nomi- were controlled by Sunny President Binoy Chandran, Vice nated AI Kurian as advisory Pathichira, Patron Mavelikara President Pournami Sangeeth, board member. The meeting Association. Chandran stated General Secretary Ninan John, was presided over by the presi- that this financial year, associa- Joint Secretary Mathew Philip, dent Binoy Chandran. General tion will focus more on charity, Treasurer Sabu Mavelikara, Joint secretary Biju Kandyoor present- social, art and cultural activities Treasurer Girish Kumar, Arts and ed the annual report while the and sought full cooperation Cultural Secretary Philip C V treasurer Pramod Chellapan pre- from all the members. WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

Ooredoo gives aid to Aleppo at Souq Murouj

oredoo, the fastest network in Kuwait in the safety and wellbeing of our brothers and 2016, held a number of humanitarian sisters affected by the crisis in Aleppo.” Oinitiatives at Souq Murouj on Friday The Murouj Souq includes local farm pro- aimed to help the displaced people of Aleppo. duce, artisanal food products and crafts, with a The initiatives, organized in association with the ‘street food’ section aimed at highlighting the Kuwait Red Crescent Society and Abdullah Al- culinary diversity of Kuwait’s local food com- Nouri Charity Organization, included a donation munity. The market also offers a section dedi- box for winter clothes and blankets, in addition cated for children’s activities. It will be held on to the “Tree of Life” initiative, where visitors can weekends, once a month until March 2017. tie a message with a ribbon to the branches of a In a statement about this participation, tree, and Ooredoo donates KD 1 for each mes- Ooredoo Kuwait stressed its commitment to sage to the cooperating charity organizations. supporting local businesses and entrepre- Commenting on these initiatives, Ooredoo’s neurs, especially through this engaging proj- Corporate Communications Senior Director ect. This sponsorship comes in tandem with Mijbil Alayoub said: “Our strategy in Ooredoo is the company’s social responsibility strategy, based on deep-rooted values of caring and which in turn is based on the core values of connecting. We are always fortunate to be Ooredoo, of caring, connecting and challeng- working with esteemed organizations such as ing. Ooredoo is a strategic partner of this the Kuwait Red Crescent Society and Abdullah event. Updates about the market can be found Al-Nouri Organization, both of whom have on Murouj’s official Instagram account welcomed the opportunity of collaboration @muroujkw as well as our Instagram account and joined hands with us promptly. We pray for @OoredooKuwait

Kuwait Cricket: IDP inaugurates Juniors Tournament in grand style

he rejuvenated and revamped sors, Mr Mahmoud Abdullah of MGA Salmiya Strikers securing an exciting that has not been seen in this competi- a real boost to the cricket of young- coming from the grass roots himself Juniors and Schools Under-19 and Mr Hafiz of Al Hafiz Printing & finish to win the opening game against tion for several years, and a general sters. Our aim is to build a tournament under Kuwait Cricket U-15 levels, Mr TCricket Tournament was inaugu- Design Centre. Young Stallions. The second game saw excitement that bodes well for the that will help the next generation ben- Vora emphasized on the need of rated in spectacular style this Saturday The official controlling body of the clash of Maahas CC Vs Prosports future of Kuwait Cricket. efitted from the facilities we have reviving juniors cricket like never December 10th by Kuwait Cricket, in cricket in Kuwait, took to the fantastic Dark Knights, where Maahas showed With a huge amount of preparation these days. He also emphasized on the before in order to assist Kuwait in per- partnership with IDP (official IELTS Test Doha Entertainment City turf ground great skill and discipline to gain a com- going on behind the scenes to bring in fitness and discipline which is must in forming better in international junior Centre) and MGA in association with with four teams playing on the day and fortable win by 8 wickets. live scoring, player profiles, statistics, making of a cricketer”. tournaments. indiansinkuwait.com. coaches from many teams present for Harshith Vora, the newly appointed scorecards and team standings now Mr Mahmoud Abdullah in his Mr Sajid Ashraf, Director Domestic Sandwiched between two league the inauguration. The morning saw the director of Junior Cricket and architect available on the KC website speech emphasized that “it is indeed a and Marketing concluded the inaugu- games on Saturday morning and return of a buzzing atmosphere of the revamped tournament, has (www.kuwait-cricket.com); and with joy watching young clubs participat- ration ceremony with an expectation blessed by the presence of the newly around juniors cricket that has not been brought in to reinvigorate the the finals expected to boast a guest DJ, ing and showcasing their skills utiliz- of full focus on discipline from the appointed chairman of the Kuwait been witnessed for many years and the Juniors and Grass Roots setup and has food, music, fun festivities and a special ing the best of facilities provided by juniors and thanked all council mem- Cricket Executive council, Mr festivities were contagious with the been working backstage to bring the guest appearance from a cricket Kuwait Cricket. Friendship through bers and sponsors for their presence Mahmood Bastaki; the inauguration cold and windy morning doing noth- country’s academies and youth teams celebrity; Grass Roots cricket in Kuwait cricket is the clear message for the including the Manager of logistics Mr. and opening ceremony was conducted ing to dampen the spirits of all to participate and expand the tourna- looks set for a much needed boost. youngsters”. Robert Dsouza , match officials, tour- by Kuwait Crickets Director of involved. ment’s reach. The Early signs are Mr Mahmoud Bastaki addressing Mr Harshith Vora ensured full sup- nament coordinator Mr. Ghayoor Domestic & Marketing, Mr Sajid Ashraf, There was a refreshing spark around encouraging; with this first edition the clubs during the inauguration said: port to all the participating clubs as Ahmed for their hard work and sin- in the presence of KC patron and spon- the ground as the day kicked off with kicking off with 10 teams, a number “The U-19 club format cricket will give the Director of Juniors cricket and cere efforts. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 TV PROGRAMS

08:05 Impractical Jokers 07:55 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug And 19:20 Deadliest Job Interview 15:00 America's Book Of Secrets 08:30 Ridiculousness Cat Noir 20:10 Storage Hunters UK 16:00 Ancient Discoveries 08:55 Tosh.0 08:20 Elena Of Avalor 20:35 The Liquidator 17:00 Patton 360 09:20 Key And Peele 08:45 Star Darlings 21:00 Still Alive 18:00 Monster Quest 09:45 Workaholics 08:50 Liv And Maddie 21:50 Kings Of The Wild 19:00 Ancient Aliens 00:00 Waist Deep 10:10 The It Crowd 09:15 Jessie 22:40 Running Wild With Bear Grylls 20:00 America's Book Of Secrets 02:00 Mercy 10:35 Ridiculousness 09:40 Jessie 23:30 Fat N' Furious: Rolling Thunder 21:00 Ancient Discoveries 04:00 In The Name Of The King: The 11:00 Catch A Contractor 10:05 Jessie 22:00 Warriors Last Mission 11:25 Frankenfood 10:30 Cloud 9 23:00 In Search Of Aliens 06:00 Fast & Furious 6 11:50 Idiotsitter 12:10 Austin & Ally 08:15 Six Days Seven Nights 12:15 Workaholics 12:35 Austin & Ally 10:00 Memorial Day 12:40 The It Crowd 13:00 Liv And Maddie 12:00 Jurassic Hunters 13:05 Disorderly Conduct: Video On 13:25 Liv And Maddie 13:45 Fast & Furious 6 Patrol 13:50 Shake It Up 06:00 Supa Strikas 16:00 Six Days Seven Nights 13:55 Ridiculousness 14:15 Shake It Up 06:25 Supa Strikas 18:00 Memorial Day 14:20 Catch A Contractor 14:40 Dog With A Blog 06:50 Counterfeit Cat 00:20 Aussie Pickers 20:00 Sabotage 14:45 Frankenfood 15:05 Dog With A Blog 07:00 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 01:10 Storage Wars 22:00 Ironclad: Battle For Blood 15:10 Idiotsitter 15:30 Good Luck Charlie 07:15 K.C. Undercover 01:35 Storage Wars 15:35 Ridiculousness 15:55 Good Luck Charlie 07:40 Atomic Puppet 02:00 Storage Wars: Best Of 16:00 Impractical Jokers 16:20 Girl Meets World 08:10 Lab Rats 02:25 Storage Wars: Best Of 16:30 Workaholics 16:45 Girl Meets World 08:35 Danger Mouse 02:50 Leepu And Pitbull 16:55 Tosh.0 17:10 Elena Of Avalor 09:00 Saving The People Who Save 03:40 Lost In Transmission 17:25 Workaholics 17:35 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug And People 04:30 Pawn Stars Best Of 00:50 River Monsters 17:50 Tattoo Disasters Cat Noir 09:50 Kirby Buckets 05:00 Billion Dollar Wreck 01:45 Bondi Vet 18:15 Tattoo Disasters 18:00 The Next Step 10:20 Kirby Buckets 06:00 Swamp People 02:10 Bondi Vet 18:39 The It Crowd 18:25 Descendants Wicked World 10:45 Gravity Falls 06:50 Ax Men 02:40 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet 19:03 Catch A Contractor 18:30 Liv And Maddie 11:10 Gamer's Guide To Pretty Much 07:40 Ice Road Truckers 03:35 Tanked 19:27 Frankenfood 18:55 Star Darlings Everything 08:30 Storage Wars Texas 04:25 Ten Deadliest Snakes With Nigel 19:50 Idiotsitter 19:00 Jessie 11:35 Gamer's Guide To Pretty Much 08:55 Alaska Off-Road Warriors Marven 20:13 Impractical Jokers 19:25 Disney Mickey Mouse Everything 09:45 Alaska Off-Road Warriors 05:15 Gator Boys 20:37 Ridiculousness 19:30 Austin & Ally 12:00 Counterfeit Cat 10:35 Shipping Wars 06:02 River Monsters 21:00 The Daily Show With Trevor Noah 19:55 Descendants Wicked World 12:30 K.C. Undercover 11:00 Shipping Wars 06:49 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet 21:30 The Jim Gaffigan Show 20:00 Backstage 12:55 K.C. Undercover 11:25 Billion Dollar Wreck 07:36 Swamp Brothers 21:54 The Jim Gaffigan Show 20:25 Tsum Tsum Shorts 13:20 Star Wars Freemaker Adventures 12:15 Ice Road Truckers 08:00 Swamp Brothers 22:18 Key And Peele 20:30 Elena Of Avalor 13:45 Lab Rats 13:05 Ice Road Truckers 08:25 Groomer Has It 22:42 Tosh.0 20:55 Best Friends Whenever 14:10 Disney Mickey Mouse 13:55 Inside Hitler's Reich Chancellery 09:15 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet 23:05 Inside Amy Schumer 21:20 Jessie 14:15 Lab Rats 14:45 Aussie Pickers 10:10 Biggest And Baddest 23:30 The Daily Show With Trevor Noah 21:45 Jessie 14:40 Counterfeit Cat 15:35 Pawn Stars 11:05 Tanked 22:10 Jessie 14:50 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 16:00 American Pickers 12:00 Groomer Has It 22:35 H2O: Just Add Water 15:05 K.C. Undercover 16:50 Storage Wars: Best Of 12:55 Bondi Vet 23:00 Binny And The Ghost 15:30 Atomic Puppet 17:15 Storage Wars: Best Of 13:20 Bondi Vet 23:25 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 15:55 Lab Rats 17:40 Swamp People 13:50 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet Witch 16:25 Danger Mouse 18:30 Billion Dollar Wreck 14:45 Gator Boys 23:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 16:50 Future-Worm! 19:20 American Pickers 15:40 Biggest And Baddest 00:30 World's Toughest Jobs Witch 17:15 Mighty Med: There Is A Storm 20:10 Pawn Stars 16:35 Tanked 01:20 Don't Drive Here Coming 20:35 Pawn Stars Best Of 17:30 Ten Deadliest Snakes With Nigel 02:10 David Baddiel On The Silk Road 18:05 Disney Mickey Mouse 21:00 Mountain Men Marven 03:00 Destroyed In Seconds 18:10 Supa Strikas 21:50 Forged In Fire 18:25 River Monsters: Lair Of Giants 03:25 Destroyed In Seconds 18:35 Supa Strikas 22:40 Ozzy & Jack's World Detour 19:20 Lone Star Law 03:50 Ultimate Survival 19:00 Star Wars Freemaker Adventures 23:30 Sean Bean On Waterloo 20:15 Tanked 04:40 How It's Made 19:25 Gamer's Guide To Pretty Much SUPERFAST ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY HD 21:10 The Beauty Of Snakes 05:05 How It's Made 00:00 Doc McStuffins Everything 22:05 Biggest And Baddest 05:30 World's Toughest Jobs 00:30 Minnie's Bow-Toons 19:55 K.C. Undercover 15:00 Live Free Or Die 10:00 Prison Break 23:00 Lone Star Law 06:20 Mythbusters 00:35 Zou 20:20 Counterfeit Cat 16:00 Years Of Living Dangerously 11:00 Bones 23:55 Gator Boys 07:00 Kenny The Shark 00:50 Loopdidoo 20:45 Mighty Med 17:00 Continent 7: Antarctica 12:00 Shark Tank 07:25 Awesome Adventures 01:05 Art Attack 21:10 Pickle And Peanut 18:00 Air Crash Investigation 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 07:50 Bad Dog 01:30 Henry Hugglemonster 21:40 Disney Mickey Mouse 00:10 Home Strange Home 19:00 Live Free Or Die 14:00 Drop Dead Diva 08:40 How It's Made 01:45 Calimero 21:45 Guardians Of The Galaxy 01:00 This Is Brazil 20:00 Years Of Living Dangerously 15:00 Live Good Morning America 09:05 How It's Made 02:00 Zou 22:10 Ultimate Spider-Man 01:50 Around The World In 80 Dishes 20:50 Continent 7: Antarctica 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 09:30 What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 02:15 Loopdidoo 22:35 Boyster 02:40 Food Lover's Guide To The Planet 21:40 Air Crash Investigation 18:00 Castle 22:30 Live Free Or Die 10:20 Mythbusters 02:30 Art Attack 23:00 Programmes Start At 6:00am KSA 03:05 Wineroads 19:00 Once Upon A Time 00:05 Death In Paradise 23:20 Cruise Ship Diaries 11:10 Playhouse Masters 03:00 Calimero 03:30 Miguel's Tropical Kitchen 20:00 C.S.I. Cyber 01:00 The Collection 12:00 Playhouse Masters 23:45 Cruise Ship Diaries 03:15 Zou 03:55 The Food Files 21:00 Pitch 01:55 Sherlock 12:50 Playhouse Masters 03:30 Loopdidoo 04:20 The Food Files 22:00 Supergirl 03:30 Orphan Black 13:40 Playhouse Masters 03:45 Art Attack 04:45 Places We Go 23:00 The Strain 04:15 Death In Paradise 14:30 Playhouse Masters 04:10 Henry Hugglemonster 05:10 My Dubai 05:10 Doctor Who 15:20 Playhouse Masters 04:25 Calimero 00:00 Mystery Diners 05:35 What's For Sale? 00:30 Mystery Diners 06:00 What's For Sale? 01:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 06:25 Hook, Line And Sisters 01:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 06:50 This Is Brazil 00:20 Cougar vs Wolf 02:00 Man Fire Food 07:40 Around The World In 80 Dishes 01:10 Man V. Monster 02:30 Man Fire Food 08:30 Food Lover's Guide To The Planet 02:00 Attack Of The Big Cats 01:00 Mostly Ghostly: Have You Met My 03:00 Chopped 08:55 Wineroads 02:50 Savage Kingdom Ghoulfriend 04:00 Guy's Grocery Games 09:20 Miguel's Tropical Kitchen 03:45 Ultimate Animal Countdown 03:00 Little Man Tate 05:00 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 09:45 The Food Files 04:40 Wild 24 05:00 The Good Dinosaur 05:30 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 10:10 The Food Files 05:35 Attack Of The Big Cats 06:45 Peter Pan Live! 06:00 Chopped 10:35 Places We Go 06:30 Savage Kingdom 09:00 Alone For Christmas 07:25 Ultimate Animal Countdown 07:00 12 Chefs Of Christmas 11:00 My Dubai 11:00 The Good Dinosaur 07:30 12 Chefs Of Christmas 11:25 What's For Sale? 08:20 Wild 24 09:15 Cameramen Who Dare 13:00 The Unbeatables 08:00 The Kitchen 11:50 What's For Sale? 15:00 Santa Claws 09:00 Anna Olson: Bake 10:10 Monster Fish 12:15 Hook, Line And Sisters 17:00 Santa's Little Helper 09:30 Anna Olson: Bake 12:40 Around The World In 80 Dishes 11:05 Ultimate Predators GPU 19:00 American Girl: Grace Stirs Up 10:00 Chopped 13:35 Around The World In 80 Dishes 12:00 Shark Kill Zone 11:00 Denise Van Outen's Christmas 14:30 Food Lover's Guide To The Planet 12:55 Croc Invasion Success 11:30 Spicy Christmas With Thomasina 14:55 Wineroads 13:50 Savage Kingdom 21:00 Marvel Super Hero Adventures: Miers 15:25 Miguel's Tropical Kitchen 14:45 Ultimate Animal Countdown Frost Fight 12:00 Cooking Christmas With Matt And 15:50 The Food Files 15:40 World's Wildest Encounters 23:00 Santa Claws Lisa 16:20 The Food Files 16:35 Cameramen Who Dare 12:30 Cooking Christmas With Matt And 16:45 Hook It, Cook It 17:30 Monster Fish Lisa 17:15 My Dubai 18:25 David Attenborough's Rise Of 13:00 12 Chefs Of Christmas 17:40 What's For Sale? Animals 13:30 12 Chefs Of Christmas 18:10 What's For Sale? 19:20 Ultimate Animal Countdown 01:45 Mortdecai 14:00 Holiday Baking Championship 18:35 Hook, Line And Sisters 20:10 World's Wildest Encounters 03:30 My Old Lady 15:00 The Kitchen 19:05 Wineroads 21:00 Cameramen Who Dare 05:15 The Good Lie 21:50 Monster Fish 16:00 Anna Olson: Bake 19:30 Miguel's Tropical Kitchen 07:15 Ride 16:30 Anna Olson: Bake 20:00 The Food Files 22:40 David Attenborough's Rise Of Animals 09:00 In The Heart Of The Sea 17:00 Chopped 20:25 The Food Files 11:00 Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation 18:00 Holiday Baking Championship 23:30 Shark Kill Zone 20:50 Hook It, Cook It 13:15 Spooks: The Greater Good 19:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 21:15 My Dubai 15:00 Spectre 19:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 21:40 What's For Sale? 20:00 Man Finds Food 22:05 What's For Sale? 17:30 The Rewrite FAST & FURIOUS 6 ON OSN MOVIES ACTION 20:30 Man Finds Food 22:30 Hook, Line And Sisters 19:15 Krampus 21:00 Man v Food 22:55 Around The World In 80 Dishes 21:00 Mad Max: Fury Road 06:00 Eastenders 16:10 Kenny The Shark 04:45 Loopdidoo 21:30 Man v Food 23:45 Around The World In 80 Dishes 23:15 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay 06:30 Eastenders 16:35 Awesome Adventures 05:00 Art Attack 22:00 Iron Chef America 01:15 The Returned Part II 07:00 Casualty 17:00 Playhouse Masters 05:25 Henry Hugglemonster 23:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 03:00 The Yellow Handkerchief 07:50 Death In Paradise 17:50 Incredible Food Race 05:35 Calimero 23:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 05:00 Before I Go To Sleep 08:45 Father Brown 18:40 What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 05:50 Zou 07:00 Boychoir 09:30 Call The Midwife 19:30 How It's Made 06:00 Loopdidoo 09:00 Love Under The Stars 10:25 Doctor Who 19:55 How It's Made 06:15 Art Attack 11:00 The Yellow Handkerchief 11:10 Death In Paradise 20:20 Mythbusters 06:35 Henry Hugglemonster 13:00 Before I Go To Sleep 00:00 Borat 12:05 Father Brown 15:00 Invasion Day 21:10 Playhouse Masters 06:50 Calimero 00:10 The Border 02:00 Superfast 12:50 Call The Midwife 17:00 Love Under The Stars 22:00 Incredible Food Race 07:00 Zou 01:00 Big Fix Alaska 04:00 A Madea Christmas 13:45 Doctor Who 22:50 Destroyed In Seconds 19:00 Cake 07:20 Loopdidoo 00:00 In Search Of Aliens 02:00 Dirty Rotten Survival 06:00 Win A Date With Tad Hamilton! 14:35 Death In Paradise 23:15 Destroyed In Seconds 07:35 Art Attack 21:00 We Gotta Get Out Of This Place 01:00 Ancient Aliens 02:55 Continent 7: Antarctica 08:00 Baby Mama 15:30 Father Brown 23:40 Ultimate Survival 08:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 02:00 America's Book Of Secrets 03:50 The Border 23:00 Fort Bliss 10:00 A Madea Christmas 16:15 Call The Midwife 08:30 Sheriff Callie's Wild West 03:00 Ancient Discoveries 04:45 Born To Ride 17:10 Doctor Who 09:00 Goldie & Bear 03:50 Patton 360 05:40 Cruise Ship Diaries 12:00 Superfast 18:00 Doctors 09:30 PJ Masks 04:40 Monster Quest 06:05 Cruise Ship Diaries 14:00 Caveman 18:30 Doctors 10:00 PJ Masks 05:30 In Search Of Aliens 06:35 Live Free Or Die 16:00 Baby Mama 19:05 Father Brown 10:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 06:20 America's Book Of Secrets 07:30 Big Fix Alaska 18:00 The Bad News Bears (2005) 20:00 Ripper Street 11:00 Sofia The First 07:10 The Universe 08:25 Two Tales Of China 21:00 Ripper Street 00:40 Six Degrees Of Murder 11:30 The Lion Guard 08:00 Ancient Aliens 08:50 Two Tales Of China 00:00 Superstore 21:55 Orphan Black 01:30 A Crime To Remember 12:00 Doc McStuffins 09:00 America's Book Of Secrets 09:20 Born To Ride 00:30 Cougar Town 22:45 Silent Witness 02:20 Killer Instinct With Chris Hansen 12:30 Little Mermaid 10:00 Ancient Discoveries 10:15 Years Of Living Dangerously 01:00 Cougar Town 23:40 Doctors 03:10 Las Vegas Law 13:00 Sofia The First 11:00 Patton 360 11:10 Continent 7: Antarctica 01:30 The Grinder 04:00 Six Degrees Of Murder 13:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 12:00 Monster Quest 12:05 Air Crash Investigation 02:00 Togetherness 20:00 Burying The Ex 04:48 I Almost Got Away With It 14:00 Jake And The Never Land Pirates 13:00 In Search Of Aliens 13:00 Bad Trip 02:30 It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia 22:00 Forgetting Sarah Marshall 03:00 Last Man Standing 05:36 Deadline: Crime With Tamron Hall 14:30 Doc McStuffins 14:00 Ancient Aliens 14:00 Big Fix Alaska 01:00 Atlas Shrugged Part 2: The Strike 03:30 The Simpsons 06:24 Beauty Queen Murders 15:00 The Lion Guard 03:00 Finding Forrester 07:12 Blood Relatives 04:00 Better With You 15:30 Sofia The First 05:30 War Horse 08:00 I'd Kill For You 16:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy 08:00 The Fold 00:00 Robbie Coltrane's Critical Evidence 08:50 I Almost Got Away With It 16:30 Doc McStuffins Fallon 01:00 Britain's Biggest Heists 09:40 Deadline: Crime With Tamron Hall 17:00 The Lion Guard 05:30 10 Items Or Less 10:00 WarGames 02:00 I Escaped My Killer 10:30 Beauty Queen Murders 17:30 PJ Masks 06:00 The Grinder 12:00 Finding Forrester 03:00 Tbc 11:20 Blood Relatives 18:00 The Adventures Of The Disney 06:30 Men At Work 14:30 Half Of A Yellow Sun 04:00 Robbie Coltrane's Critical Evidence 12:10 Momsters: When Moms Go Bad Fairies 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 16:30 The Fold 05:00 Britain's Biggest Heists 12:35 Momsters: When Moms Go Bad 18:30 Goldie & Bear 08:00 Better With You 18:30 Changeling 06:00 I Escaped My Killer 13:00 I'd Kill For You 19:00 Jake And The Never Land Pirates 08:30 10 Items Or Less 21:00 A Beautiful Mind 07:00 The First 48 13:50 I Almost Got Away With It 19:30 Little Mermaid 09:00 Last Man Standing 23:15 The Hi-Lo Country 08:00 Nightmare In Suburbia 14:40 Deadline: Crime With Tamron Hall 20:00 PJ Masks 09:30 Truth Be Told 09:00 Homicide Hunter 15:30 Beauty Queen Murders 20:30 Sofia The First 10:00 Dr. Ken 10:00 It Takes A Killer 16:20 Blood Relatives 21:00 The Great Never Sea Conquest 10:30 Men At Work 10:30 It Takes A Killer 17:10 Dead On Arrival 22:00 Sofia The First 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy 11:00 When Life Means Life 18:00 I'd Kill For You 22:30 Sofia The First Fallon 12:00 When Life Means Life 12:00 The Grinder 18:50 I Almost Got Away With It 23:00 The Adventures Of The Disney 01:15 Dixie And The Zombie Rebellion 13:00 When Life Means Life 12:30 Better With You 19:40 Tabloid With Jerry Springer Fairies 02:45 Harriet The Spy 14:00 When Life Means Life 20:30 Beauty Queen Murders 13:00 10 Items Or Less 23:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 04:30 Blackie And Kanuto 15:00 The First 48 21:20 Blood Relatives 13:30 Men At Work 16:00 Fred Dinenage: Murder Casebook 22:10 Disappeared 14:00 The Simpsons 06:00 Marco Macaco 17:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 23:00 Las Vegas Law 14:30 Truth Be Told 07:45 Bamse And The City Of Thieves 18:00 Deadly Wives 23:50 I Am Homicide 15:00 Dr. Ken 09:15 Baby Geniuses And The Mystery 19:00 Nightmare In Suburbia 15:30 Cougar Town Of The Crown Jewels 20:00 Homicide Hunter 16:00 Cougar Town 11:00 The Heart Of The Oak 21:00 It Takes A Killer 00:20 Wheeler Dealers 16:30 The Grinder 12:30 Harriet The Spy 21:30 It Takes A Killer 01:10 Gold Rush 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 14:15 Columbus In The Last Journey 22:00 The First 48 02:00 Deadliest Catch 18:00 Last Man Standing 16:00 When Marnie Was There 23:00 The Jail: 60 Days In 02:50 Catching Monsters 18:30 Baby Daddy 18:00 Baby Geniuses And The Mystery 00:10 Hank Zipzer 03:40 Fat N' Furious: Rolling Thunder 19:00 Truth Be Told Of The Crown Jewels 00:35 Binny And The Ghost 04:30 The Liquidator 19:30 Dr. Ken 20:00 Tom And Jerry: Spy Quest 01:00 Violetta 05:00 How Do They Do It? 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy 21:45 Columbus In The Last Journey 01:45 The Hive 05:30 How Do They Do It? Fallon 23:30 When Marnie Was There 01:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 06:00 Deadliest Catch 21:00 Cougar Town Witch 06:50 Wheeler Dealers 21:30 Cougar Town 00:00 The Half Hour 02:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 07:40 Fat N' Furious: Rolling Thunder 22:00 Family Guy 00:25 Chappelle's Show Witch 08:30 Diamond River Hunters 22:30 Family Guy 00:50 Tosh.0 02:40 Hank Zipzer 09:20 The Liquidator 23:00 It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia 01:15 Tosh.0 03:05 Binny And The Ghost 09:45 How Do They Do It? 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 01:40 The Daily Show With Trevor Noah 03:30 Violetta 10:10 How Do They Do It? 01:30 All She Wishes 02:05 Kyle Kinane: I Liked His Old Stuff 04:15 The Hive 10:35 Gold Rush 03:15 Spare Parts Better 04:20 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 11:25 Deadliest Catch 05:15 Madoff Part 1 03:00 Workaholics Witch 12:15 Catching Monsters 06:45 Madoff Part 2 03:25 Disorderly Conduct: Video On 04:45 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 13:05 How Do They Do It? 08:15 Risen Patrol Witch 13:30 Storage Hunters UK 00:00 The Last Kingdom 10:15 Manny 04:15 Key And Peele 05:10 Hank Zipzer 13:55 The Liquidator 01:00 Bones 12:00 Stonehearst Asylum 04:40 Impractical Jokers 05:35 Binny And The Ghost 14:20 Edge Of Alaska 02:00 Game Of Silence 14:00 Girl Missing 05:05 Ridiculousness 06:00 Violetta 15:10 Diamond River Hunters 03:00 Tyrant 16:00 Risen 05:30 Catch A Contractor 06:45 The Hive 16:00 Deadliest Catch 04:00 Good Morning America 18:00 The Face Of An Angel 05:55 Tattoo Disasters 06:50 Mouk 16:50 Fat N' Furious: Rolling Thunder 06:00 Prison Break 20:00 Identity Thief 06:20 Catch A Contractor 07:00 Drop Dead Diva 07:00 Dog With A Blog 17:40 Wheeler Dealers 22:00 Vacation 07:15 Disorderly Conduct: Video On 08:00 Castle 07:25 Dog With A Blog 18:30 How Do They Do It? THE GOOD LIE ON OSN MOVIES HD 00:40 Prototype This Patrol 07:50 Tsum Tsum Shorts 18:55 How Do They Do It? 09:00 Game Of Silence Classifieds

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (15/12/2016 TO 21/12/2016)

SHARQIA-1 ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 11:15 PM MOANA -3D- 4DX 4:15 PM MOANA 1:00 PM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY -3D- 4DX 6:45 PM MOANA 3:15 PM FANAR-3 ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY -3D- 4DX 9:45 PM MOANA 5:30 PM TAHT AL TARABEZA 12:00 PM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY -3D- 4DX 12:30 AM MOANA 7:45 PM TAHT AL TARABEZA 2:15 PM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY -3D- 4DX 11:30 AM TAHT AL TARABEZA 10:15 PM INTO THE FOREST 4:30 PM MOANA -3D- 4DX 2:15 PM COLLATERAL BEAUTY 12:30 AM MISS SLOANE 6:30 PM MOANA -3D- 4DX 4:45 PM INTO THE FOREST 9:30 PM MOANA-3D- 4DX 7:15 PM SHARQIA-2 INTO THE FOREST 11:45 PM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY -3D- 4DX 9:45 PM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 12:30 PM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY -3D- 4DX 12:30 AM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY-3D 3:30 PM FANAR-4 ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 6:30 PM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 1:00 PM AVENUES-3 ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 9:30 PM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 3:45 PM MANTAQH MAHZOURAH 12:00 PM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 12:30 AM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 6:30 PM MANTAQH MAHZOURAH 2:00 PM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 9:15 PM MANTAQH MAHZOURAH 4:00 PM SHARQIA-3 ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 12:05 AM MANTAQH MAHZOURAH 6:00 PM MOANA 12:00 PM MANTAQH MAHZOURAH 8:00 PM COLLATERAL BEAUTY 2:30 PM FANAR-5 ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 10:00 PM MANTAQH MAHZOURAH 4:45 PM THE LAST KING 11:30 AM THE LAST KING 1:00 AM COLLATERAL BEAUTY 7:00 PM MISS SLOANE 1:45 PM MANTAQH MAHZOURAH 9:15 PM MISS SLOANE 4:15 PM AVENUES-4 ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 11:30 PM MANTAQH MAHZOURAH 7:00 PM COLLATERAL BEAUTY 11:30 AM MANTAQH MAHZOURAH 9:00 PM COLLATERAL BEAUTY 1:30 PM MUHALAB-1 MANTAQH MAHZOURAH 11:00 PM MOANA 3:45 PM COLLATERAL BEAUTY 12:45 PM THE LAST KING 1:00 AM Special Show “MOANA” 3:45 PM COLLATERAL BEAUTY 3:00 PM MOANA 6:15 PM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 5:15 PM MARINA-1 COLLATERAL BEAUTY 8:45 PM MANTAQH MAHZOURAH 8:15 PM COLLATERAL BEAUTY 11:45 AM COLLATERAL BEAUTY 11:00 PM MANTAQH MAHZOURAH 10:15 PM MANTAQH MAHZOURAH 2:00 PM COLLATERAL BEAUTY 1:15 AM TAHT AL TARABEZA 12:15 AM TAHT AL TARABEZA 3:45 PM CHANGE OF NAME COLLATERAL BEAUTY 6:00 PM AVENUES-5 MUHALAB-2 MANTAQH MAHZOURAH 8:15 PM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 12:00 PM MOANA 11:45 AM MANTAQH MAHZOURAH ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY -3D 3:00 PM I HATIM S/o MANSUR, hold- 112 MOANA 2:00 PM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 12:30 AM Special Show “ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY” 2:00 PM er of Indian Passport No. MOANA 4:15 PM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 6:00 PM K8514434 and Civil ID No. MOANA 6:30 PM MARINA-2 Special Show “ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY” 6:00 PM 291072601473 has COLLATERAL BEAUTY 8:45 PM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 11:30 AM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY -3D 9:00 PM COLLATERAL BEAUTY 11:00 PM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 2:30 PM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 12:05 AM changed my name to COLLATERAL BEAUTY 1:15 AM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 5:30 PM HATIM MANSUR NAJMI, ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 8:30 PM AVENUES-6 hereinafter in all my dealing MUHALAB-3 ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 11:30 PM COLLATERAL BEAUTY 12:30 PM and documents I will be ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 12:00 PM COLLATERAL BEAUTY 2:45 PM known by name of HATIM ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 3:00 PM MARINA-3 COLLATERAL BEAUTY 5:00 PM MANSUR NAJMI. ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY-3D 6:00 PM MOANA 12:30 PM COLLATERAL BEAUTY 7:15 PM (C 5249) ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 9:00 PM MOANA 2:45 PM COLLATERAL BEAUTY 9:30 PM 17-12-2016 ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 12:05 AM MOANA 5:00 PM COLLATERAL BEAUTY 11:45 PM MOANA 7:15 PM FANAR-1 COLLATERAL BEAUTY 9:30 PM AVENUES-7 SITUATION WANTED COLLATERAL BEAUTY 1:30 PM COLLATERAL BEAUTY 11:45 PM MOANA 1:00 PM COLLATERAL BEAUTY 3:45 PM MOANA 3:30 PM COLLATERAL BEAUTY 6:00 PM AVENUES-1 INTO THE FOREST 6:15 PM Purchase Manager experi- PRAYER TIMINGS COLLATERAL BEAUTY 8:15 PM MOANA 12:30 PM INTO THE FOREST 8:30 PM ence 20 years in construc- COLLATERAL BEAUTY 10:30 PM LAF WA DAWARAN 2:45 PM INTO THE FOREST 10:45 PM tions field, seeking for job Fajr: 05:12 COLLATERAL BEAUTY 12:45 AM MOANA 5:00 PM INTO THE FOREST 1:00 AM in one of the leading Co. Shorook 06:37 ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY 7:30 PM Tel: 99061637. (C 5248) FANAR-2 TAHT AL TARABEZA 10:30 PM AVENUES-8 Duhr: 11:45 MOANA 11:30 AM TAHT AL TARABEZA 12:45 AM FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM 12:15 PM 18-12-2016 MOANA 1:45 PM TROLLS 3:00 PM Asr: 14:35 MOANA 4:00 PM AVENUES-2 DEAR ZINDAGI -Hindi 5:15 PM MOANA 6:15 PM MOANA -3D- 4DX 11:30 AM Special Show “ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY” 5:15 PM Maghrib: 16:53 ROGUE ONE:A STAR WARS STORY-3D 8:30 PM MOANA -3D- 4DX 1:45 PM THE NEIGHBOR 8:15 PM Isha: 18:16

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

Arrival Flights on Tuesday 20/12/2016 KAC 564 Amman 13:40 Departure Flights on Tuesday 20/12/2016 AXB 394 Kozhikode 14:10 Airlines Flt Route Time KAC 788 Jeddah 13:45 Airlines Flt Route Time UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 MSC 405 Sohag 00:05 KAC 792 Madinah 13:50 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 JZR 324 Al Najaf 14:25 KAC 776 Riyadh 00:20 QTR 1078 Doha 14:10 FDB 072 Dubai 00:40 BON 102 Sarajevo 14:55 KLM 411 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:20 FDB 059 Dubai 14:20 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:50 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 KAC 692 Muscat 14:30 MSC 406 Sohag 01:00 KAC 561 Amman 15:00 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 BBC 144 Chittagong/Dhaka 01:30 FDB 060 Dubai 15:10 THY 772 Istanbul 00:55 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:40 KLM 411 Amsterdam 01:35 KAC 785 Jeddah 15:15 MSC 411 Asyut 01:00 KAC 542 Cairo 14:45 MSC 412 Asyut 01:55 PAL 669 Dubai/Manila 15:20 QTR 1086 Doha 01:15 KAC 762 Dubai 14:50 KAC 417 Manila 02:00 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:25 KAC 102 London 01:25 KNE 529 Jeddah 14:55 THY 773 Istanbul 02:25 KAC 513 Tehran 15:25 QTR 1079 Doha 15:40 THY 764 Istanbul 01:50 KAC 618 Doha 15:00 KAC 285 Dhaka 02:25 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 DLH 635 Doha 01:55 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:15 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:55 KNE 530 Jeddah 15:55 AXB 395 Kozhikode 02:00 KAC 286 Dhaka 15:20 AXB 396 Kozhikode 02:55 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 03:05 KAC 777 Riyadh 16:00 PGT 858 Istanbul 02:00 OMA 645 Muscat 15:35 KAC 745 Dammam 16:00 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:35 ETH 620 Ababa 02:05 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 JZR 554 Alexandria 16:10 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:50 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:20 KKK 6505 Istanbul 03:55 UAE 853 Dubai 02:30 KAC 154 Istanbul 15:55 KAC 357 Kochi 16:20 OMA 643 Muscat 02:55 QTR 1072 Doha 16:10 OMA 644 Muscat 03:55 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:30 KKK 6506 Istanbul 02:55 FDB 051 Dubai 16:25 THY 765 Istanbul 04:00 OMA 646 Muscat 16:35 FDB 069 Dubai 03:05 CLX 784 Luxembourg 16:30 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 RJA 644 Amman 03:05 KAC 662 Abu Dhabi 16:35 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:10 JZR 240 Amman 17:15 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 KAC 167 Paris 04:25 FDB 052 Dubai 17:25 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 KAC 118 New York 17:00 QTR 1077 Doha 04:40 KAC 615 Bahrain 17:35 KAC 358 Kochi 03:30 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 QTR 1087 Doha 05:50 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 QTR 1076 Doha 03:30 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 JZR 560 Sohag 06:05 KAC 343 Chennai 17:40 KAC 1544 Cairo 03:55 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:45 DHX 173 Bahrain 06:20 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 KAC 418 Manila 04:25 JZR 325 Al Najaf 17:50 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 THY 6376 Istanbul 05:05 NIA 251 Alexandria 17:55 THY 6376 Dubai/Istanbul 06:35 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 JZR 529 Asyut 05:15 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 KAC 331 Trivandrum 18:00 KAC 354 BLR 05:20 FDB 063 Dubai 18:10 KAC 153 Istanbul 06:50 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:20 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 KAC 344 Chennai 05:35 MSR 620 Cairo 18:30 RJA 645 Amman 07:05 CLX 713 NBO 18:30 KAC 332 Trivandrum 05:45 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 THY 770 Istanbul 05:55 KAC 746 Dammam 19:10 KAC 541 Cairo 07:15 NIA 252 Alexandria 18:55 KAC 384 Delhi 06:05 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:25 KAC 773 Riyadh 07:30 FDB 064 Dubai 19:05 JZR 124 Bahrain 19:15 KAC 364 Colombo 06:05 KAC 502 Beirut 19:30 KAC 787 Jeddah 07:45 UAE 876 Dubai 19:30 KAC 206 Islamabad 06:20 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 KAC 171 Frankfurt 07:55 MSR 621 Cairo 19:30 KAC 346 Ahmedabad 06:25 KAC 778 Riyadh 19:35 KAC 563 Amman 08:00 KAC 674 Dubai 19:45 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 BAW 157 London 06:40 KAC 679 Dubai 08:10 KAC 514 Tehran 19:50 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:05 PAL 668 Manila/Dubai 07:00 BAW 156 London 08:40 FDB 057 Dubai 19:50 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 FDB 054 Dubai 08:55 KAC 168 Paris 19:55 FDB 058 Dubai 20:35 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 KAC 117 New York 09:00 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05 KAC 791 Madinah 09:00 KAC 361 Colombo 20:35 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 OMA 647 Muscat 20:10 KAC 691 Muscat 09:00 KAC 1543 Cairo 21:00 KAC 382 Delhi 08:45 DHX 172 Bahrain 20:20 KAC 101 London 09:35 MSR 607 Luxor 21:05 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 QTR 1088 Doha 20:35 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 OMA 648 Muscat 21:10 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:05 KAC 562 Amman 20:40 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 KAC 205 Islamabad 21:25 QTR 1070 Doha 09:30 KAC 345 Ahmedabad 21:30 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:45 KAC 671 Dubai 10:05 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 QTR 1089 Doha 21:35 FDB 5053 Dubai 20:50 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:10 AVV 651 Asyut 10:10 DLH 634 Doha 21:35 KAC 616 Bahrain 20:50 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:55 QTR 1071 Doha 10:40 IRA 675 Lar 10:40 FDB 5054 Dubai 21:50 KAC 786 Jeddah 21:15 AVV 652 Sohag 11:10 RSB 7862 ISU 11:00 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:55 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:20 KAC 617 Doha 11:10 SYR 341 Damascus 11:00 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 KAC 351 Kochi 22:00 KAC 501 Beirut 11:15 KAC 783 Jeddah 22:10 KAC 774 Riyadh 11:05 ALK 229 Colombo 21:25 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 RBG 553 Alexandria 11:15 KAC 172 Frankfurt 21:35 IRA 674 Lar 11:40 KAC 203 Lahore 22:15 MSC 403 Asyut 11:15 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 RBG 554 Alexandria 11:55 KAC 413 Bangkok 22:15 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 SYR 342 Damascus 12:00 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 QTR 1082 Doha 22:00 KAC 661 Abu Dhabi 12:05 QTR 8511 Doha 12:00 ALK 230 Colombo 22:25 JZR 125 Bahrain 22:05 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:05 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 MSC 401 Alexandria 12:30 KLM 415 Amsterdam/Dammam 22:10 MSC 404 Asyut 12:15 KAC 381 Delhi 22:45 JZR 561 Sohag 12:40 NIA 151 Cairo 22:10 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:45 FDB 075 Dubai 12:50 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 QTR 8512 Doha 13:30 UAE 860 Dubai 22:55 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 AIC 987 Chennai/Hyderabad 22:25 MSC 402 Alexandria 13:30 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:05 KAC 680 Dubai 12:55 PIA 239 Sialkot 22:35 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 NIA 152 Cairo 23:10 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 JZR 241 Amman 22:45 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 QTR 1083 Doha 23:20 AXB 393 Kozhikode 13:10 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 RSB 7863 XQC 14:00 KLM 415 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:20 BON 101 Sarajevo 13:30 JZR 555 Alexandria 23:20 FDB 076 Dubai 14:05 PIA 240 Sialkot 23:35 stars34 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

CROSSWORD 1466 STAR TRACK

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

Gentleness is a very important asset that you present to others. This is Insight into your inner self or psychology could come to the surface today, almost a gracefulness that is regal. You may not seem disturbed by any diffi- and in a form that you can manage. You may find yourself in the mood for penetrating cult events that may occur around the office, but you could take a few frustrated feelings conversations or thoughts. Solving problems or making important decisions should be home with you. If you notice this happening, slow down, take a deep breath and direct easy for you today. You will find a way around just about any obstacle that you might your thinking to a most positive place. This positive place could be a memory of a vacation come across. You will, however, be in control and be able to guide yourself with ease. Your or the birth of a child. Then let go of the day and create a healing place for you and your sense of inner direction is good and may lead to good opportunities. Wanting to expand family in your home. This is your castle against the slings and arrows of the world, so to your horizons and trying to be the very best that you can be could have you exploring speak; create a good place. Others should see you as rather elegant just now, especially in some interesting places. This evening, your attention may be sparked in areas such as pol- social circles. You are genuinely pleased to share what you know with others. itics, education, travel, religion or law.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Scorpio (October 23-November 21) You are most persuasive and can be quite charismatic in speech and your approach to things. You may find yourself lecturing or guiding others. You are a natural for There is a good possibility of a career turning point that may require some self-expression. You enjoy guest appearances, or writing professionally or just simply a careful thought and good judgment on your part. The current flow of events may dictate a sales job-however, whatever you do, you go all the way. If you are in sales, you will soon path that runs against your best talents and abilities. Do not sell yourself short. Hang in find yourself in the competition for the best salesperson this year. An import or export there. Appreciating things of value is easy for you now, even the idea of value itself. You business may be of interest-particularly if it allows you more time at home. Exercise is may find yourself gaining materialistically at this time, as it is certainly a time when materi- important to you and you may want to grab a friend or loved one and enjoy a bike ride al things have a great deal of importance for you. Your practical side is showing and you near your home this afternoon. Tonight you may be asked to join a planning committee could be recognized for your vision of ways to create a better business. Remember to add for the next celebration planning committee in your neighborhood. people to your holiday list that are easily forgotten. This is the season to show your appre- ciation to the people that bring you comfort: service people.

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

Your ability to take action and get things accomplished is appreciated-as Going out and about to gather and exchange information becomes a more long as you are not too passionate in expressing yourself. Working out ways to organize enlightened part of your life, a very educational experience. Neighbors or projects and people is liable to become a topic of special interest-and a challenge. You will family have a big impact on your goals and make a big impression. This is a very socially do well. Your health and work improve and profits are good. You are happy when you can active period. Emotional support comes from your good friends, ideals and social interac- ACROSS DOWN live on a royal scale. However, your generous nature and your love of fine possessions tion now. Your life may be due for some important changes to take place. There is a need 1. A bachelor's degree in naval science. 1. Divulge information or secrets. could have you in trouble soon if financial plans are not made. You must put aside funds, to break away from old-fashioned ideas that you may carry from your past, to something 4. Type genus of the Coraciidae. building up the amount a little at a time in order to have a sense of security. Before you totally new, different and unique. Allowing yourself to trek into the future with new con- 2. Kamarupan languages spoken in northeast- cepts and leaving some of the old patterns behind will benefit you in many exciting ways. 12. A health resort near a spring or at the sea- know it you will have a nice nest egg. Get your tax papers in order for next year. Any ern India and western Burma. opportunity to work on this ahead of time is a good thing. Dare to be different and allow your aesthetic and perceptive side to emerge. side. 3. Someone who works (or provides workers) 15. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac during a strike. insects. 4. A tight-fitting headdress. 16. Using a pronoun or other pro-word instead Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 5. Lake in northwestern Russia near the border of repeating a word. with Finland. You are great at coordinating events. Any entertainment group or business 17. A rotating disk shaped to convert circular that depends on bookings would be at an advantage with you on staff. A business of your Your conservative mind should put you in a good position to take the 6. Not widely known. into linear motion. own will give you a different type of freedom and this is where you seem the happiest. responsibility for a special project requiring your talent. Being with others and working together should be a productive experience. Someone in authority may seek you out for a 18. Title for a civil or military leader (especially 7. The capital of Western Samoa. Organizing projects and people is a high now. If you are not working for yourself, you particular job. Your management ability should serve you well. Your power seems to be in could consider working for a hotel or a catering group or a theme park, etc. When organiz- in Turkey). 8. An event that occurs when something pass- your words and you do rather well today in persuading others to work toward your advan- 19. Around the anus. es from one state or phase to another. ing a lecture, have more material prepared than you can use in the time required. This will tage. There are some monetary rewards marked for you now. Money matters are a prob- give you some sort of safety net. An elderly person in your life may need more attention lem for a relative. You provide patience, understanding and the names of several good 20. A loose sleeveless outer garment made 9. An electrically charged particle. than in the past. Remember that there is always enough time for the important things-if it from aba cloth. accountants. You show a great deal of sensitivity, although you know this may be a repeat 10. A member of a widespread group of is important, you will find time for it. problem. A loved one may agree with you. 21. A small cake leavened with yeast. Amerindians living in northeastern South 23. Wild or seedling sweet cherry used as stock America. for grafting. 11. Food mixtures either arranged on a plate 24. (India) Usually in combination. Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) or tossed and served with a moist dress- 26. Aircraft landing in bad weather in which Your feelings are much more reflective than expressive just now-but there ing. are places to go, people to see and business over which to be productive. Your superiors Things are really moving in the direction of helping you to bring out your the pilot is talked down by ground control unique and unusual qualities. You may find that someone close to you understands and is 12. A burn cause by hot liquid or steam. praise your work and your keen eye for detail. Be realistic with your ideas for the length of using precision approach radar. supportive of your eccentricities. Opportunities keep appearing mysteriously to aid in your time you think it will take you to finish a project. You and your team are feeling good 27. Arranged in a sequence of grades or ranks. 13. A metabolic acid found in yeast and liver climb up the corporate ladder. This could all be beneficial toward a better business pro- about the accomplishments of late. You have already accomplished quite a lot and it will gram. You may find yourself inventive and enterprising. Everything suggests that you will 29. A framework that holds the panes of a win- cells. not be long before you will be able to enjoy a celebration of completion. The relationship dow in the window frame. 14. A woman hired to suckle a child of some- be taking the initiative. You have been working very, very hard. Enjoy socializing or plan to between you and a boss or superior has improved. You discover that a personal checking socialize as a host or a guest this week in some fun gathering. This afternoon you can plan 36. A name that has been assumed temporari- one else. or savings balance is starting to look good due to your efforts to keep the budget under a proper and sophisticated gathering with people that enjoy the same things you enjoy. ly. 22. Title for a civil or military leader (especially control. Everything in your life is coming together well. Keep a notepad handy to jot down a few ideas. 38. A white metallic element that burns with a in Turkey). brilliant light. 25. A subsidiary proposition that is assumed to 39. An iconic mental representation. be true in order to prove another proposi- Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 41. Small rounded bread either plain or sweet. tion. Besting others in the heat of competition and taking on a leadership role 42. Having help. Others may see you as a bit reserved; it should, however, work to your 28. A hooked hand tool used to prepare the means more to you now than in the past-second best just will not cut it with you at this 45. An Arabic speaking person who lives in advantage. Someone in authority recognizes your talent. You may want to seams of a boat for oakum. time. You may have been waiting for some time to take on a new job. The only thing attend some sort of schooling to fine-tune your craft. What is expressed by others today Arabia or North Africa. standing between you and a new position at this time is your attention to a distraction. 30. Scale-like structure between the base of may be based on fact, but you seem determined to check the facts for yourself. This action 46. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part You have to decide the steps to success. This is where you find your ability to achieve and may be necessary to your profession but harmful to the psyche of a co-worker, depending of an organism. the wing and the halter of a two-winged rise above the distraction. You do very well at remaining calm under fire. You are mentally on your insight. Commit to a financial deal with a club, group or organization. Avoid being 47. A woman sahib. fly. strong. This afternoon you need to make an extra effort to hang on to your wallet; you the one who does all the work by compromising with others. It may be your turn to cook watch the spending spree of a friend and may be tempted to follow along. Why not just 48. A benevolent aspect of Devi. 31. A mountain peak in the southern Sinai this evening and if so, others will stay around to reap the benefits. If you walk with your offer to help hold the packagesyou won't have to make the payments. sweetheart after the evening meal tonight, there will be rewards. 49. A port in northwestern Israel on the Bay of Peninsula (7,500 feet high). Acre. 32. A fraudulent business scheme. 51. Highly excited. 33. A fractional monetary unit in Bangladesh Word Search Yesterday Solution 53. Harsh or corrosive in tone. and India and Nepal and Pakistan. 56. Quietly in concealment. 34. Small terrestrial lizard of warm regions of 57. German organist and contrapuntist (1685- the Old World. 1750). 60. Large bamboo having thick-walled culms. 35. Bar temporarily. 61. A sudden short attack. 37. Wood of a sumac. 65. City recognized by the United States as the 40. Wild sheep of northern Africa. capital of the Ivory Coast. 43. (Irish) Chief god of the Tuatha De Danann. 67. Usually elongate cluster of flowers along 44. A laborer who digs. the main stem in which the flowers at the 50. King of Saudi Arabia since 1982 (born in base open first. 1922). 69. Above average in size or number or quanti- 52. Spanish poet and dramatist (1898-1936). ty or magnitude or extent. 54. A hostel for pilgrims in Turkey. 70. Wild sheep of semidesert regions in central 55. A Chadic language spoken in Chad. Asia. 58. A promontory in northern Morocco oppo- 74. Pertaining to or constituting a base or site the Rock of Gibraltar. basis. 75. Leaf or strip from a leaf of the talipot palm 59. A roll of tobacco for smoking. used in India for writing paper. 62. (Norse mythology) The chief race of gods 76. A mere wish, unaccompanied by effort to living at Asgard. obtain. 63. Any of a class of organic compounds that 78. An agency of the United Nations affiliated contain the divalent radical -CONHCO-. with the World Bank. 64. Coffee with the caffeine removed. 79. An implement used to propel or steer a 66. An island in Indonesia south of Borneo. boat. 68. Make amends for. 80. A drug (trade name Atabrine) used to treat 71. A white linen liturgical vestment with certain worm infestations and once used sleeves. to treat malaria. 72. (Irish) The sea personified. 81. (sports) The chief official (as in boxing or American football) who is expected to 73. Being one more than two. ensure fair play. 77. A state in east central United States.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 information

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

Afghanistan 0093 Lithuania 00370 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Albania 00355 Luxembourg 00352 Algeria 00213 Macau 00853 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Andorra 00376 Macedonia 00389 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Angola 00244 Madagascar 00261 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Anguilla 001264 Majorca 0034 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Antiga 001268 Malawi 00265 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Argentina 0054 Malaysia 0060 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Armenia 00374 Maldives 00960 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Australia 0061 Mali 00223 Austria 0043 Malta 00356 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Azerbaijan 00994 Marshall Islands 00692 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Bahrain 00973 Mauritania 00222 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Rawda 22517733 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Adaliya 22517144 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Kaifan 24849807 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Shuwaikh 24814507 Burundi 00257 New Caledonia 00687 Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Nuzha 22526804 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Qadsiya 22515088 Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 Dasmah 22532265 Chad 00235 N. Ireland (UK) 0044 Chile 0056 North Korea 00850 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 China 0086 Norway 0047 Shaab 22518752 Colombia 0057 Oman 00968 Comoros 00269 Pakistan 0092 Qibla 22459381 Congo 00242 Palau 00680 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Cook Islands 00682 Panama 00507 Costa Rica 00506 Papua New Guinea 00675 Mirqab 22456536 Croatia 00385 Paraguay 00595 Sharq 22465401 Cuba 0053 Peru 0051 Cyprus 00357 Philippines 0063 Salmiya 25746401 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Poland 0048 Jabriya 25316254 Czech Republic 00420 Portugal 00351 Denmark 0045 Puerto Rico 001787 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Diego Garcia 00246 Qatar 00974 Bayan 25388462 Djibouti 00253 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Mishref 25381200 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Rwanda 00250 W Hawally 22630786 Ecuador 00593 Saint Helena 00290 Sabah 24810221 Egypt 0020 Saint Kitts 001869 El Salvador 00503 Saint Lucia 001758 Jahra 24770319 England (UK) 0044 Saint Pierre 00508 New Jahra 24575755 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Saint Vincent 001784 Eritrea 00291 Samoa US 00684 West Jahra 24772608 Estonia 00372 Samoa West 00685 South Jahra 24775066 Ethiopia 00251 San Marino 00378 Falkland Islands 00500 Sao Tome 00239 North Jahra 24775992 Faroe Islands 00298 Saudi Arabia 00966 North Jleeb 24311795 Fiji 00679 Scotland (UK) 0044 Finland 00358 Senegal 00221 Ardhiya 24884079 France 0033 Seychelles 00284 Firdous 24892674 French Guiana 00594 Sierra Leone 00232 French Polynesia 00689 Singapore 0065 Omariya 24719048 Gabon 00241 Slovakia 00421 N Khaitan 24710044 Gambia 00220 Slovenia 00386 Georgia 00995 Solomon Islands 00677 Fintas 23900322 Germany 0049 Somalia 00252 Ghana 00233 South Africa 0027 Gibraltar 00350 South Korea 0082 Greece 0030 Spain 0034 Greenland 00299 Sri Lanka 0094 PRIVATE CLINICS Grenada 001473 Sudan 00249 Guadeloupe 00590 Suriname 00597 Guam 001671 Swaziland 00268 Guatemala 00502 Sweden 0046 Ophthalmologists Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Endocrinologist Guinea 00224 Switzerland 0041 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Guyana 00592 Syria 00963 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Haiti 00509 Serbia 00381 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Taiwan 00886 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Honduras 00504 Tanzania 00255 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Hong Kong 00852 Thailand 0066 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Hungary 0036 Togo 00228 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Tonga 00676 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Iceland 00354 Tokelau 00690 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 Dermatology Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288 Trinidad 001868 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians Dr. Mohammed Salam India 0091 Rheumatologists: Indian Ocean 00873 Tunisia 00216 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581 Bern University 23845955 Indonesia 0062 Turkey 0090 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dentists Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Iran 0098 Tuvalu 00688 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Iraq 00964 Uganda 00256 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 Ireland 00353 Ukraine 00380 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226 Internist, Chest & Heart General Practitioners Italy 0039 United Arab Emirates 00976 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444 Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Ivory Coast 00225 United Kingdom 0044 Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557 General Surgeons Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid Jamaica 001876 Uruguay 00598 Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Japan 0081 USA 001 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148 Assistant Professor Of Medicine Jordan 00962 Uzbekistan 00998 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 Head, Division of Cardiology Internists, Chest & Heart Kazakhstan 007 Vanuatu 00678 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Neurologists Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital 25339667 Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Kenya 00254 Venezuela 00582 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Consultant Cardiologist Kiribati 00686 Vietnam 0084 Urologists Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 Kuwait 00965 Virgin Islands UK 001284 Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Gastrologists MD, PH.D, FACC Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Virgin Islands US 001340 Dr. Sami Aman 22636464 Inaya German Medical Center Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Laos 00856 Wales (UK) 0044 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Te: 2575077 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3 Latvia 00371 Yemen 00967 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135 Fax: 25723123 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Lebanon 00961 Yugoslavia 00381 Zambia 00260 Soor Center Liberia 00231 Psychologists [email protected] Tel: 2290-1677 Kaizen center Noor Clinic William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Libya 00218 Zimbabwe 00263 /Psychotherapists www.soorcenter.com Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 25716707 23845955 Lesotho 00266 lifestyle TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

GOSSIP Katy Perry takes Orlando Bloom to a karaoke party

he raven-haired beauty and her Hollywood actor boyfriend Allen and Mia Farrow - also posted pictures of the event. He captioned attended her actress pal Shannon Woodward's bash, and the two photos of the group: "When your friends commit to the Karaoke. T'Lord of the Rings' star got fully involved with the singing, belt- (sic)" Katy recently praised Orlando for being so "kind" and admitted ing out a version of Avril Lavigne's 2002 hit 'Complicated.' Katy, 32, he has taught her a lot about being a UNICEF ambassador. She said: shared a Snapchat image of Orlando, 39, bellowing out the big pop "He's been a UNICEF ambassador for over 10 years and I've only been a tune complete with the caption: "This is what the holidays looks like. few years so he's kind of shown me some of the ropes. "Everyone is a (sic)" Other stars at the event included Shannon's 'Raising Hope' co- teacher in a relationship, that's how I see it now. We've taught each star Kate Micucci and TV personality Ronan Farrow, who shared an other a lot." Instagram video of Katy leading the group in a version of Alanis Morissette's 'You Outta Know.' He wrote: "@agreenersean and @katyperry killing it on the Alanis. (sic)" Ronan - the son of Woody

Tony Bennett thinks Blac Chyna's Lady Gaga has a 'gift' he 90-year-old singer has praised life changed so much putting out those the 'Million Reasons' hit maker for records. It was so hard to get a grasp on mother thinks she Ther unique talent. He told The all of it. Yeah I took some time away from Sunday Times' Culture magazine: "Gaga pop music but acting and singing jazz is different from anybody else I have met that stuff was like being a teenager recently. She has the gift, she can do the again." And the blonde beauty is only whole thing - she can perform, she com- happy to take Tony's advice after he and Rob will get poses and plays piano, she had good encouraged her to give up smoking. She personal training at NYU and Juilliard. said: "I know it's terrible. I have been Education makes a difference." yelled at by Elton, Stevie Wonder, Tony Meanwhile, the 30-year-old singer - who Bennett, the list could go on of amazing, back together has been close to Tony since they great people who are like, 'You need to released their joint album 'Cheek To stop smoking.' But I don't smoke ciga- Cheek' in 2014 - previously admitted rettes. I smoke clove cigars." he couple - who have four-week-old Tony "restored her passion" for daughter Dream together - were music. She shared: "He Trevealed to have split at the weekend, restored my passion, my and though Tokyo Toni has branded the reclu- sive sock designer "Mr. Insecure", she still believes he and her daughter will be able to resolve their differences - if Rob seeks help. She wrote on Instagram: "I have spoken to Rob and asked him to get therapy he said that he would but yet he does not seek it yet. "At the end of the day they will still be together I promise you. Rob just have to get Mr. Insecure off of his back! Everything will be fine.(sic)" Toni also lashed out at fans who questioned the drama Blake Shelton has been between her 28-year-old daughter - who also has four-year-old son King Cairo with ex- boyfriend Tyga - and her 29-year-old on/off shopping for diamond partner, and insisted Chyna isn't a gold digger. She wrote: "Chyna had hers long before Rob K.. He is just emotionally disturbed by all means. jewelery for Gwen "Chyna don't need to dig for gold [when] gold he 40-year-old singer has sparked Blake the hint that he should ask soon is given to her after every argument ! "Please, speculation he could pop the because she is more than ready for it to you should not be asking me why did Rob and question to the 'Make Me Like You' happen". While the blonde beauty may Chyna break up or why Chyna leave Rob the T hit maker over the festive period as he is be hoping for a proposal soon, Gwen question should be where is my daddy and said to be in the market for a ring for his understands she could be waiting a why did he leave my mama!!! It's absolutely lover. A source told HollywoodLife.com: while as the pair have busy work sched- nothing about the relationship then I don't "Blake is just as generous when is comes ules. The source added: "During Wango know!! (sic)" to Gwen. He really loves to spoil her. He Tango she didn't talk to anyone about won't say if he's going to propose or not, actually being engaged because she is but he's definitely been shopping for dia- not yet, but she talked about how things mond jewellery." There were also rumors were going great with Blake and how she the pair could be engaged back in May was looking forward to the future. "She when Gwen was seen flaunting a dia- knows they both have their albums and mond piece on her ring finger during her their tour to worry about, and he has to performance at the Wango Tango music deal with a few more weeks of The Voice festival. A source said: "As far as the ring but if he is ready to pop the question she is concerned that was worn at Wango is ready to say yes!" Tango, it is not an engagement ring from Blake but it is Gwen's attempt at giving

Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx take a private trip

he 'Batman Begins' actress and the 49-year-old actor flew to the Mexican resort city on Friday for a "quick Ttrip" to see in the brunette beauty's milestone. A source said of their trip: "Katie and Jamie took a private jet to Cabo on Friday morning from Van Nuys Airport. "It was a quick trip in honor of Katie's birthday. It was only them and two pilots on the plane." The pair - who have kept their rela- tionship private - didn't do things by halves during their stay, as they then took a limousine to the resort where they were staying, the luxury Las Ventanas al ParaÌso. The source added to Us Weekly magazine: "They stayed in one of the most pri- vate suites at the hotel, separate from other guests and entered by a small path. "They wanted to be very discreet and had everything delivered to their room and taken care of by a personal butler." The insider also claims that while the 'Dawson's Creek' star's birthday was not until Sunday, the pair jetted back to their home in Los Angeles on Saturday night. According to the source, Katie's 10-year-old daughter Suri - who she shares with ex-husband Tom Cruise - was not with them. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 lifestyle

GOSSIP Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna fought over 'ridiculous' things

he 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians' star was left "heartbroken" after the 28-year-old model walked Tout with their one-month-old daughter Dream. A source said: "He has absolutely been the instigator in most of their past fights. His emotional problems takes over and he lashes out at Chyna over ridiculous stuff. Chyna just had a baby and he keeps fighting with her over ridiculous things. It's like he just can't help himself. "Whenever he gets along with Chyna, he finds a way to ruin it. He is crazy suspicious and doesn't trust her at all ... Now he keeps fighting with her over issues that his family had from the beginning. He doesn't trust that she actually loves him and that their relationship is only about money to her." And things are reportedly a "crazy mess" between Chyna and the 29-year-old sock design- er at the moment. An insider added to People maga- zine: "But it just seems it's kind of too late to have these issues now. Rob is a dad and that should be his focus. "He cries now that he misses his baby, but he isn't mature enough to not start fights with Chyna in the first place. It's just a crazy mess. A very sad crazy mess. It's Mariah Carey asks just sad that he treats the mother of his child like this. Rob and Chyna are like oil and water. They just bicker for endangered animals constantly. It's not healthy." at her wedding Paul Rudd tells Jennifer he 46-year-old singer jokingly can't believe you guys thought I would pleaded with her agents to hire do that. That's really sick!" During the Twhite tigers and elephants for her episode, Mariah's rumored boyfriend Lawrence they 'would nuptials to James Packer - which didn't Bryan Tanaka declared his love for the happen as they split before walking star and admitted she has been a huge down the aisle - because she wanted to help during his back-up dancing career. raise awareness of their plight. During a He said: "I love Mariah. She's been actu- always be friends' phone conversation with her people, ally one of the most amazing, supportive she said: "I think that by really putting people in my career. "Because I've he 'Hunger Games' star quipped that she them up on a pedestal that way it will worked with her for so long, I've been "changed" when the 'Ant-Man' actor said he get more press for them and then more able to see the most real, authentic thought they'd always be pals. Speaking to people will donate money. "The scien- Mariah Carey. She is extremely thought- T Chelsea Handler on 'Chelsea', she said: "When Paul Rudd tists are working hard, hard day and ful. She is extremely caring. "There's told me he thought we would always be friends. "I was night trying to get them to not go something so unique about her. This like, 'When people look back and wonder what hap- extinct and all I'm trying to do is be tour has been crazy. "I haven't even pened, when she changed, when it all got destroyed,' it involved. Can you help?" But it tran- been able to talk to MC on a real conver- will be right here, at this moment. Because I have always spired the star was playing a prank on sation. I'm looking forward to that looked at Paul Rudd and thought we'd be friends." her agents and she eventually came because we have a lot to catch up on." However, the 26-year-old beauty generally finds it awk- clean. Speaking on the latest episode of ward meeting new people and recently admitted she her E! show 'Mariah's World', she said: "I gets "really overwhelmed" at parties. She said: "I get really overwhelmed by the amount of people, then I find two people and I imprison them and I trap them and I'm like 'It's you and me.' ... "One year for the Oscars, I think it was the 'American Hustle' year, I juice cleansed and then got really, really wasted. Then something was smoking and then I barfed, at Guy Oseary's house. I vomited, cheers Guy. I remember going up to Ellen Page Kim Kardashian West 'seemed and saying, 'I need to get in my car,' and she was like, 'Not my problem.' And I was like, 'Take me home Ellen!'" And Jennifer - who is thought to be dating director happy' attending a family party Darren Aronofsky - previously admitted she "works very hard" to keep her life private. he 'Keeping Up With The port. It's not isolated to just him and Kardashians' star seemed in Kim." And being a father to North, Tgood spirits as she attended three, and Saint, 12 months, has Kourtney Kardashian's sons Mason, "completely changed" Kanye. The six, and Reign, two, 'Fast and Furious' insider added: "Being a father com- birthday celebration but husband pletely changed Kanye's life and who Kanye West was not present. A source he was. He's an incredibly proud, dot- told People magazine: "Kim spent ing, involved and loving father. He several hours at the birthday party loves playing with his kids, he loves with her kids. She looked very pretty talking to his kids, he loves teaching and also seemed happy. Kanye [West] his kids. He and North have an amaz- was not with them." Meanwhile, the ing relationship. She's very attached 36-year-old television personality is to him, "If you really listen to what he reportedly "very focused" on sup- says in interviews and from the stage, porting Kanye after he was hospital- obviously he's got a lot to say and ized last month with exhaustion. A there's a lot to wade through, but a source said: "Kanye and Kim had a lot of the stuff he talks about is the stressful few months. It's been a future - for his kids. He wants to make tense time. But Kim is happy he's get- a contribution through art to make ting help. She's very focused on the world a better place. He talks being supportive and managing the about education and how one day he crisis that is going on. "She is super wants the Yeezy brand to provide focused on him and is being the duti- school uniforms. He's very focused on ful, responsible, loving spouse that the future, in terms of economic and one would expect. He has a huge racial equality." support group. They are incredibly loyal to him and have been around him since day one. He has their sup-

Lily-Rose Depp steals Emma Stone enjoyed sharing her 'traumatic audition' her mother's make-up he 28-year-old actress was only back to when she got the role in 'Super he 17-year-old model - whose par- tell and hoop earrings. I wear hoops happy to open up about some of bad' and spoke of how the casting direc- ents are Vanessa Paradis and every day." And Lily has also admitted Tthe "horror stories" from her first tor helped her career progress. She told TJohnny Depp - has confessed she she steals her father Johnny Depp's hair few years in Hollywood with her co-stars Canada's The Globe and Mail newspaper: nicks her mother's cosmetics and high ties. Asked if she ever borrows any of her in the romantic comedy film. She said: "It didn't directly remind me of any single heels. She said: "I love my mum's style. father's make up, she told The Sunday "With 'Birdman', my character was out- audition I went on where I was, 'Wow, Everyone looks up to their mum and Times' Style magazine: "I actually haven't, side the actor's mind really - she was just that might be the one!' But what it did wants to dress like her, especially when no. He hasn't asked. We'll borrow each his daughter, not totally involved in that remind me of was the casting director they are growing up. I stole all her make- other's hair ties, but that's it. No, I stick to world. But with 'La La Land', I had a little who put me in 'Super bad'. "She just had up, her shoes, her high heels, when I was my mum's make-up - it's what I trust." more trepidation playing an actress in a feeling about me, and she kept bring- a baby. I was the worst! ... "I love Jane Lily-Rose previously confessed her par- Los Angeles who was auditioning over ing me in for things over three years. If it Birkin, I love Brigitte Bardot ... But I don't ents were never that strict. She said: "My and over. It's pretty close to my exact weren't for her, I don't know what try to dress like anybody. I think the best parents weren't very strict. They've appearance when I first moved there. It would've happened. But the audition for thing to do is wear what you are com- always trusted me to be independent was scary - like, is this going to be too 'Super bad' was pretty different than fortable in. When I'm at home, I'll wear a and make my own decisions. There was- much? But then it quickly became fun here - I wasn't singing a ballad, but, well, T-shirt or a tank top and jeans and sneak- n't really anything to rebel against." because we were all sharing horror sto- there was improvising with Jonah [Hill]. I ers every single day. "But I also love state- However, Lily-Rose finds it "delicate" ries and dramatizing our little traumatic guess that's kind of similar." ment stuff and the more out-there pieces growing up in the spotlight. auditions." And whilst starring as Mia in that you don't see all the time. I love a lot 'La La Land' didn't remind Emma of one of jewellery, especially rings, as you can audition in particular, it did cast her mind lifestyle TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

FEATURES

In this file photo, Zsa Zsa Gabor, she appears in the Paquin’s sequence in In this file photo, actress Zsa Zsa Gabor and Herbert Hutner arrive for the New York pre- In this file photo, Zsa Zsa Gabor arrives at London Airport from Paris, in a the role of Jane Avril in director John Huston’s 1952 Technicolor produc- mier of the film ‘The Ugly American.’ Crimson dress and a straw hat. tion ‘ Moulin Rouge’ — AP Photos Zsa Zsa Gabor: A rare, unforgettable celebrity

ou didn’t have to know exactly who she was to appreci- She was a symbol, from the 1950s on, of European style and Studebaker Lark, kittenishly calling this midlevel compact “so “Naked Gun 2 1-2” and various other cameo appearances. ate Zsa Zsa Gabor. She belonged to a rare, hard-to-cata- flair, of material and romantic extravagance. She was rich in nice, so chic.” The car featured newfangled disc brakes, and in Dahling, the Zsa Zsa legend cannot die, even in a culture with Ylog vintage of celebrity, not only the great-aunt of Paris more ways than one. She was playful and outspoken. She was her fractured English, Gabor purrs to the audience, “My friend short memories where attention-seekers jostle for camera Hilton, but a true ancestor of Hilton’s jet-set flamboyance. For blessed with a ritzy, come-hither name: Zsaahhhh Zsaahhhh! says I would be in jail from coast to coast if I wouldn’t have time. She lives on, unchallenged, in the cultural ether. such a flashy member of the leisure class, she did plenty, Some of the heavy lifting that helped sustain the Gabor brand them.” In 1989, she hit the brakes and had a celebrated brush Meanwhile, it’s not hard to imagine her in heaven right now, appearing in a number of films, including Orson Welles’ “Touch was courtesy of Zsa Zsa’s lookalike sister Eva, who shared the with the law while driving not a Lark, but her own Rolls-Royce tricked out with wings and a Blackglama mink, advising St. of Evil”; logging enough husbands to field a baseball team; and Gabor pizazz. Eva’s star turn in the 1960s as a sitcom socialite Corniche convertible. She slapped the face of a Beverly Hills, Peter that the Pearly Gates clash with her diamonds. — AP flaunting sex appeal, excess glamour and an exotic accent into on “Green Acres” has guaranteed her immortality in the pop- California, police officer who had the effrontery to stop her for her senior years. But none of this fully accounts for the endur- culture pantheon — and, by association, given Zsa Zsa status a traffic violation. ing recognition she enjoyed and cultivated. Maybe she just beyond her own accomplishments. The officer was rude, she testified at the trial where she was knew how to work it. Maybe it happened above and beyond But Zsa Zsa could be funny, too. In a TV commercial from subsequently found guilty of assault. Her arrest became just her control. It certainly helped that she was in on the joke. 1963, a begowned, bejeweled Gabor extols the virtues of the another sparkling career move. She spoofed the incident in

In this photo, a sign in front of a decorated house warns visitors to keep off the In this photo, Dyker Heights resident Lucy Spata, whose elaborate Christmas dec- premises in the Dyker Heights neighborhood of New York. orations along with those of her neighbors, draw thousands of onlookers to the Brooklyn Borough neighborhood each holiday season, stands in front of her home in New York. NYC Christmas displays draw some bah-humbugs

t's a neighborhood Christmas display with New York she set out some orange traffic cones. "I don't want to use a flash. "Let's go folks. You can't hold up traffic," an City attitude: Big, brash, loud and over-the-top. sound like a Scrooge," she says, "but it's horrible." officer inside a police van shouted at drivers stopped in IBlazing lights, giant toy soldiers, angels, snowmen, the street. "I like it when they take pictures," says Angela wise men, Santas and piped-in Sinatra caroling form an 'Merry Christmas' Peralta, whose display includes a candy cane arch over all-out barrage on the senses from nearly every house in To that, residents like 30-year-old Vinny Privitelli the driveway, a "Merry Christmas" banner and a waving, the heart of Brooklyn's Dyker Heights neighborhood, an respond: lighten up. This year, he spent all of November inflatable snowman. In this photo, a giant animatronic Santa Claus towers over tourists taking annual extravaganza that draws thousands of tourists and thousands of dollars to install strings of red and "People are very respectful. They say it's beautiful." By photos at the elaborately-decorated Polizotto mansion in Dyker Heights every evening by the car and busload. But all of it has white lights on his roof and around every window and most accounts, the light displays became a neighbor- neighborhood in the Brooklyn Borough of New York. — AP Photos some residents just wishing for a silent night. "As pretty adorn his lawn with reindeer, a trio of dancing elves and hood activity in the 1980s, and buses began bringing in as it can be, it's difficult," says Linda Rebmann, 72, who a nativity scene. Privitelli admits part of the fun is trying tourists from Manhattan about a decade ago. Some bus has lived in Dyker Heights all her life and has only an to outdo his neighbors, some of whom hire professionals tours play up the area's Italian-American heritage, unlit cranberry wreath on her home. "It's a little out of to do their displays. And he has no problem with the including stops at a nearby bakery for cannolis and hot hand. It's gotten to be a bit much." throngs of visitors who come to check it out. "It's nice to chocolate. Among the bus visitors this year was Jeanne Nobody is talking about pulling the plug on the dis- see them enjoying it, that's what we get out of it," he Andrews, 66, who traveled from Vincennes, Indiana, to plays, which are still a source of neighborhood pride. But says. "Everything in the news is negative, so at least we experience Christmas in the Big Apple. She went to see there has been extra grumbling this season, especially get one positive thing." the tree in Rockefeller Center and the windows at after some parking spots usually used by residents were Around the corner, a crowd of 35 people stopped at Macy's, but this was different. "I like this because it's so blocked off for rows of tour buses. "This close to another house, where every inch of the stoop and patio personal. Every family has something different," she says. Christmas you can't walk. It's like Manhattan," says Joyce was packed with glowing nutcrackers, snowmen, rein- "I love it. I just think it's spectacular." — AP Arpino, 55, a resident for three decades. She says she deer and plastic angels. On another lawn, a 13-foot-tall, stopped decorating inside her windows because gawk- animatronics Santa Claus sat between a pair of giant toy ers would peer inside and rap the glass. Tourists used to soldiers and two carousels ablaze with lights. It was all so park in front of her house or even in her driveway until bright that the selfie-snapping crowds didn't need to

In this photo, visitors to the Dyker Heights neighborhood of the Brooklyn In this photo, a sign warning spectators not to come onto the property is hung in Borough of New York gather in front of Lucy Spata’s house. front of a lighted creche display in the Dyker Heights neighborhood of the In this photo, a private home in the Dyker Heights neighborhood of the Brooklyn Borough of New York. Brooklyn borough of New York is elaborately decorated for Christmas. lifestyle TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

FEATURES XXVII Cart festival

Participants in costumes go downhill in the XXVII Cart festival in a homemade cart in the Santa Elena Municipality, near Medellin, Antioquia department, Colombia. — AFP Photos Zsa Zsa Gabor: A rare, unforgettable celebrity

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 38

A surfer dressed in a Santa Claus outfit surfs on Kuta beach on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali. — AFP After techno and street art, Berlin tackles graphic novels

etter known for its electronic music and street art, An East Berlin-born author who goes by the name avant-garde and went on to have a powerful impact "growing, not spectacularly, but it's growing"."Now I Berlin is now also home to a budding graphic Mawil told the story of the fall of the Berlin Wall through on younger generations of graphic novelists. Mazas, have 10 people working on their books who are all from Bnovel scene in a country that has treated illustrat- the eyes of a schoolboy in "Kinderland". In who like Mawil and Eshrat were all trained at the Germany," he said. Nevertheless, publishers acknowl- ed stories as children's literature. Hardly seen in book- "Madgermanes", Birgit Weyhe depicts the fate of school, said that "it has for a long time been a very edged that the industry is in its early stages and far off stores just a few years ago, German-produced graphic Mozambican workers sent to East Germany, while political place". At around the same time, Swiss pub- the scale of French or US equivalents. Experts estimate novels now have their dedicated shelves, as not only Reinhard Kleist describes the horrors of the Nazi-run lisher Edition Moderne began producing German the German market to be only one-tenth the size of the homegrown artists but also foreign ones find inspira- death camp Auschwitz in "The Boxer". "The number of translations of foreign graphic novels, including from French. A strong title can sell between 3,000 and 4,000 tion in Berlin. "It was when I moved here that I felt a authors who are politically engaged has exploded. The France and the United States where the market is far copies in Germany, Ulrich said. He recognized however need to write," said Spanish author Alberto Madrigal, new generation likes to deal with these intelligent sub- bigger and more mature. that "while we reach out to a more diversified reader- who moved to the German capital in 2007 and has since jects," said Sylvain Mazas, who made Germans laugh Germans, many who were raised on a diet of Mickey ship of 25 to 80 years, we hardly sell anything to those produced three graphic novels including his most with "This book helps me to resolve the Middle East Mouse and Tintin comics, began to turn their attention who are younger." recent, "Berlin 2.0". conflict, get my degree and find a wife". to these graphic novels as well. Berlin publishers have Mathieu Diez, who heads the Lyon graphic novel fes- The key reason drawing artists and musicians to steadily emerged, including Reprodukt in 1991, Avant- tival, said that even though the German market has Berlin apply too to graphic novelists-the cost of living East German avant-garde Verlag in 2001 and Jaja-Verlag in 2011. Initially, these "everything in place, there still isn't great interest from is lower than in most other European capitals. But Prior to the last decade, Germany's homegrown illus- also produced German translations, but later moved on the public abroad." Next year, however, the festival will Berlin's tormented history-from the excesses of the trated book scene was largely made up by just a hand- to homegrown titles. German graphic novelists slowly host a delegation of German authors who will showcase Weimar era to Nazism to the stark division between ful of authors. Among the best known is Ralf Koenig, "found recognition at home and abroad, while until their works in two exhibitions. But Diez also cautioned democracy and communism-also serves as a gripping who tickled generations at home and abroad with his 2005, there were only one-way translations," said that the graphic novel market is tough going, as "quali- backdrop for any novel. It is no accident therefore that gay-themed comics, or Walter Moers, who poked fun at Vincent Ovaert, cofounder of "Our Taste"-the first gallery ty publications run up against the flood of French publi- graphic novels produced here are less in it for a chuck- Hitler. But the fall of the Wall brought a group of East dedicated to graphic novels in Berlin. cations" which appear in the thousands a year. --AFP le than aimed at making a political statement. Hamed German artists, who were trained in techniques that Eshrat describes in "Tipping Point" his family's flight to had been abandoned by art colleges in the West, to 'It's growing' Germany after Ayatollah Khomeini took power in his teach at the Berlin-Weissensee art school. Avant-Verlag's co-founder Johannes Ulrich noted homeland Iran in 1979. The group became known as Germany's comic that the proportion of German-produced works is now

A sign reading ‘Comics from Berlin’ hangs on a shelf in comic bookstore German cartoonist and comics author Mawil (Markus Witzel) is interviewed View of German cartoonist and comics author Reinhard Kleist’s desk in his Modern Graphics in Berlin. — AFP Photos in his studio in Berlin. studio in Berlin.