arum, boxing leave macau sands china quarterly japanese for hong kong, shanghai profit falls minister Arum was in HK to announce a Sands China announced three-fight deal with Rex Tso. Top fourth-quarter earnings quits over Rank promotes Zou Shiming’s that fell less than analysts’ graft bout tomorrow in Shanghai estimates allegations P2 P6 P13

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“ THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’ ”

WORLD BRIEFS Li Gang ap photo Macau faces challenges,

P2 Vietnam One-party rule adjustment period in communist Vietnam is a far better alternative to

authoritarianism disguised xinhua as democracy, the country’s newly elected leader, Nguyen Phu Trong, said yesterday.

South Korea Samsung Electronics reports a bigger-than-expected decline in fourth quarter earnings as its mainstay smartphone and semiconductor business suffered from weakening global demand for consumer electronics.

Indonesia’s state-owned telecommunications company says its has blocked the Internet video service Netflix in a possible setback to the US company’s expansion in Asia.

Myanmar’s pro- democracy party led by Aung San Suu Kyi announces ethnically diverse choices for leadership of the legislature as it prepares to take over the government from a military-backed party. ap photo

HONG KONG Controversial Critics question comedian Dieudonné has been detained at the Hong Kong International Airport for reasons that ‘One Belt One Road’ are not immediately clear. His production company has said that it is likely that he will be deported. advantages to Dieudonné has previously been convicted in France for anti-semitic remarks. MSAR, Hong Kong More on backpage P5 MDT REPORT INSIDE 29.01.2016 fri

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editorial Boxing Paulo Coutinho Bob Arum promotes bouts in HK, Hypothermia ‘where the people are’ old weather all over the planet is Ckilling hundreds, especially the most de- licate: the old, the sick, the homeless, and the oxing promoter Bob Speaking at a press con- tch with Floyd Maywea- lonely. In greater China and southeast Asia BArum was in Hong ference to announce the ther. But Pacquiao has temperatures have been unusually low with Kong to announce a three- new Hong Kong deal, Mr maintained that he will sudden drops of the mercury. fight deal with Rex Tso. archive photo Arum said that the decli- step away from the ring af- In Macau, we too are having our fair sha- The “Wonder Kid” fights ne in casino revenue in ter the third bout with Bra- re of the chill. Since temperatures reached a promoted by Top Rank Macau has led him to opt dley which is scheduled for record low of 1.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday, in the neighboring region for Hong Kong. “We thank April. four people have died of hypothermia and all should culminate with a Macau for hosting boxing over town people are complaining about the chance at the world title in and bringing it on a tre- extremes of weather and about how difficult December. The unbeaten mendous basis to this part it is to keep their homes and offices warm. super flyweight Rex Tso of the world. But we know zou fights “When one considers the poor quality of will face regional oppo- there is not the same appe- in shanghai the local housing stock, particularly the nents in the first two fights tite for events there as in appalling lack of insulation, it is surprising prior years,” he said, cited tomorrow there are not more deaths. I call upon the by AFP. Government to legislate higher minimum “If you’re not going to get Bob Arum is currently standards of insulation for all upcoming re- Bob Arum that type of support from in Shanghai, where Top sidential construction projects. Double-gla- We know the casinos in Macau, it is Rank is promoting to- zing and ceiling insulation is the bare mini- there is not this year. logical to bring the events morrow’s fight between mum in such a climate as we have in Macau,” Arum is considered a le- to where the people are, China’s Olympic hero reads a comment posted on MDT’s website gendary promoter, and has and that’s Hong Kong,” he and professional boxer the same Zou Shiming and Natan this week. been involved in the career added. Coutinho (12-0, 10 KOs). What our reader – who may as well be into appetite for of major boxing stars like During the press confe- engineering – is alerting us to is a structural The fight will take place at Muhammad Ali. In recent rence, the United States-­ the Oriental Sports Cent- problem. What our reader is proposing is a events there years, he promoted a series based promoter also said solution which demands changing legislation er. Zou returns to fight for [in Macau] of fights at the Venetian that he hopes that Manny the vacant WBO Interna- and ancient practices. I couldn’t agree more Macao’s Cotai Arena, fea- Pacquiao may reconsider with him, and the government should really tional flyweight title after as in prior turing boxers including his decision to retire after losing against IBF world look into it. But we all know those changes are Manny Pacquiao, Zou Shi- the fight against Timothy champion Amnat Ruenro- time consuming. Old habits die-­hard… years. ming and Brandon Rios, Bradley. Arum said that he eng in Macau. But there’re more shocking reasons to be Bob Arum among many others. would “love” to see a rema- “surprised there are not more deaths.” According to the health authorities, the fa- talities so far concerned old and/or bed-rid- den patients. They all arrived at the hospital in precarious states of health – some from Liaison Office: Macau to face challenges in 2016 living alone and/or poor living conditions that the low temperatures dearly aggravated. he director of China’s Liaison to celebrate the forthcoming Lunar

One of the victims, though, came from an TOffice in Macau, Li Gang, says xinhua New Year, which took place at the aged care facility. And that makes me feel that the MSAR will face challenges Macau Tower yesterday and was at- very uneasy. How come she froze?! and obstacles during the year, owing tended by hundreds of invitees. After consulting with medical and welfare to the region experiencing a “a deep The top official highlighted the fact professionals I realized that most of the care financial adjustment.” Li presided that the 85-square-kilometer sea centers’ conditions – heavily subsidized – over the Liaison Office’s reception Edmund Ho, Li Gang and Chui Sai On area to the east and south of Ma- are “simply appalling.” I was told by insiders cau now under local administration that very few institutions, namely Caritas presents “an opportunity to pursue and Obra das Mães, offer conditions beyond the sustainable development of Ma- reproach for the elderly. ONE SHOT NEWS cau.” Li also highlighted the “social Moreover, most of the centers operate wi- stability” of the region, praising the thout resident medical and paramedic staff – local government’s efforts. against international health and welfare re- The Chief Executive Chui Sai On commendations and best practice. Albeit as addressed the crowd during the structural as the bad construction, the aged reception. “Forecasting the next care problem would surely take incompara- [Lunar] year, we can see significant bly less time and effort to amend. opportunities for development but In a city flooded by easy-money, inaction in also major challenges that result this case is not only deplorable, it is criminal. from the coexistence of old pro- The last known victim of hypothermia was blems with an increase of risks and a 105-year-old lady who died yesterday at dangers,” he stated. the central hospital. What an inglorious dea- Before being appointed to the Ma- th for someone who lived to see almost all cau office, Li was deputy director the momentous 20th century and may even and spokesman of the Hong Kong have witnessed the previous lowest tempera- Liaison Office from 2003 to 2012. ture recorded in Macau, in 1949. As part of the reshuffle of officials in Today, in her memory “je suis” old, lonely The unusual weather conditions continue to take their toll. A new case of death by the Special Administrative Regions, and sick. hypothermia was announced yesterday by the Health Bureau, involving a 105-year-old he was assigned to the Macau office woman. It is the fourth death to hypothermia reported in the last few days. in December 2012. PB

www.macaudailytimes.com.mo Director and Editor-in-Chief_Paulo Coutinho [email protected] A Macau Times Publications Ltd Publication Managing Editor_Paulo Barbosa [email protected] MDT’s Website has logged over Contributing Editors_Eric Sautedé, Leanda Lee, Severo Portela Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Kowie Geldenhuys [email protected] 120 million page views Design Editor_João Jorge Magalhães [email protected] | Newsroom and Contributors_ Secretary Juliana Cheang [email protected] since January 1st, 2012 up to today. Albano Martins, Annabel Jackson, Daniel Beitler, Emilie Tran, Grace Yu, Irene Sam, Jacky I.F. Cheong, Jenny Lao-Phillips, Address Av. da Praia Grande, 599, Edif. Comercial Rodrigues, 12 Floor C, João Palla Martins, Joseph Cheung, Juliet Risdon, Renato Marques, Richard Whitfield, Robert Carroll (Hong Kong MACAU SAR Telephones: +853 287 160 81/2 Fax: +853 287 160 84 correspondent), Rodrigo de Matos (cartoonist), Ruan Du Toit Bester, Sandra Norte (designer), Viviana Seguí | Associate Advertisement [email protected] Thank You! Contributors_JML Property, MacauHR, MdME Lawyers, PokerStars | News agencies_ Associated Press, Bloomberg, For subscription and general issues: Lusa News Agency, MacauHub, MacauNews, Xinhua | Secretary_Yang Dongxiao [email protected] [email protected] | Printed at Welfare Printing Ltd Like us? facebook.com/mdtimes send newsworthy information and press releases to: [email protected] website: www.macaudailytimes.com.mo fri 29.01.2016

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澳聞 MACAU 5

Analysis Critics perplexed over how ‘One Belt One Road’ can benefit Macau, HK

ong Kong critics of China’s “One Belt One Road” (OBOR) initiative, and those Hskeptical of what benefits the economic arrangement could bring to the territory, were left perplexed on the weekend af- ter the cryptic comments of a member of HKSAR’s Executi- ve Council. In Macau, the policy is being increasingly cited in official documents and has beco- me part of the government’s goals. Chui Sai On said that the region “will actively take part in the One Belt One Road strategy” during yesterday’s reception organized by the Central Liaison Office in Ma- cau (see page 2). Laura Cha, a member of Hong Kong’s Executive Council, reiterated the government’s line, stressing the economic benefits that the “Belt and Road” initiative would bring to the territory. She also war- ned that concerns regarding alleged violations of the “One Country Two Systems” policy should not affect the HKSAR’s economic integration with the mainland. Agnes Lam Larry So “What we can do, really, is promote Hong Kong [through Hong Kong Economic Journal, the Portuguese culture and In reality, many regard Ma- Kong, Chief Executive Leung being a part of the OBOR claims that there are many in language to influence others.” cau’s involvement in the pro- seems decided on pressing agreement] – to elevate our the city that question what the “Our connections soften the gram partly as a “favor” from ahead – that’s if the 48 men- position as an international project could possibly have distance,” she told the Times. the mainland in terms of hel- tions of the “Belt and Road” financial center. There will be to do with Hong Kong, “a city “It’s easier for us to feel closer ping to drive tourism and to initiative in his recent Policy a lot of other countries that with almost no industry and to these countries.” reduce the city’s reliance on Address are anything to go by. would be interested in this, no historical connections to The case of Goa is a good the gaming industry. But while the term was fre- because everybody sees that most of these countries [in the example, Lam says. “I have Agnes Lam goes further in quently mentioned in CY Leu- this will be a new area of eco- scope of OBOR].” never been there,” she admits, suggesting that the Belt and ng’s Policy Address, the refe- nomic development for the “To many [people], CY Leu- “but I feel some sort of con- Road Initiative can be seen in rences involved little material next decade or so,” she told ng’s initiative has more to do nection with them [the people the larger context of an increa- of substance, aside from the TVB Pearl. with politics than economics,” of the enclave], because I have singly interconnected world. intention to create a dedicated “We have always been an in- added O’Neill. researched the area in depth.” She regards it as “the next step office to aid the incorporation ternational financial center, “Hong Kong needs to be a However, with the possible in globalization,” tying coun- of Hong Kong into OBOR. and the reason for that is that part of the arrangement to exception of the former encla- tries in the Central Asian re- Without an accompanying international investors have fully benefit from it,” said ve of Goa, there are no Portu- gion with the capital outflows substance, some were led to confidence in our market, in Larry So, a local scholar and guese-speaking states within and infrastructure projects of believe that CY Leung was our system,” added Cha, who is current affairs analyst, before the current, imagined scope of China and the mature finan- paying “lip-service” to Beijing. also the head of the Financial adding that investors “would OBOR. cial institutions of West. A photo of a newscaster from Service Development Council. still use Hong Kong’s services, The strategy focuses on “the the Hong Kong-based satirical The government official with or without the agreement. remaining part of the world magazine 100Most went viral appeared to be referring to In Hong Kong, they have this that needs development,” Lam last week in response to Leu- Hong Kong’s expected role opportunity already.” told the Times, referring to ng’s Policy Address. The pic- as a facilitator for mainland In Macau, it may be diffi- OBOR is about Central Asia. The UM profes- ture mocked the Chief Execu- enterprises “going global.” In cult to understand why Bei- demonstrating sor did not make mention of tive’s frequent referencing of this sense, Hong Kong’s ex- jing would be so interested in the under-developed areas of the “Belt and Road” initiative pertise in certain professio- expanding the agreement to to Taiwan sub-Saharan Africa. by depicting the news anchor nal services – such as finance, include the casino hub. Ac- “But this is not really what with one nipple covered and law, tax, and risk assessment – cording to official lines, the that the two the Central Government has the other exposed. can provide mainland Chinese region’s unique position as in mind,” Larry So wryly ob- “One Belt, One Road” in investors with the tools and a former Portuguese enclave systems policy served. Cantonese roughly translates knowledge to manage invest- gives it a unique relationship can work – Instead, the involvement of to “Yat Dai, Yat Lo,” but “dai” ment in other countries in- with other Lusophone coun- Macau may have more to do can mean “belt” or “wear”, cluded within the scope of the tries. because it’s not with “demonstrating to Taiwan while similarly, “lo” can mean agreement. Agnes Lam, assistant profes- that the ‘One Country Two “road” or “expose”. However, critics in Hong sor from the Department of working well in Systems’ policy can work – Larry So concluded: “Leu- Kong have said that they don’t Communications, University because its not working well in ng really wants to expand his understand how the strategy of Macau, corroborates this Hong Kong. Hong Kong.” influence […] his critics don’t can benefit Hong Kong. idea by claiming that Macau Larry So Despite criticism from the like it but they will go along Mark O’Neill, writing in the “can use [its] connections with Current affairs analyst Pan-Democracy camp in Hong with it.” Staff Reporter

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Daniela Wei and Christopher Palmeri goldstein: ‘we Adelson: Market stabilizing after are a little more illionaire casino mo- Bgul Sheldon Adelson said conservative’ Macau’s gambling market has Sands China profit falls 19pct stabilized after Las Vegas Sands During the 4Q 2015 Corp.’s unit in the city announ- Bank AG. narrowed. It rose as much as 4.9 conference call, Rob Gold- ced fourth-quarter earnings that “I thought we had either hit bo- percent to HKD25.75 in Hong stein, president and chief operat- fell less than analysts’ estimates. ttom in the mass market or were Kong trading, reaching the hi- ing officer of Las Vegas Sands bloomberg Sands China Ltd. posted adjus- bottoming out,” Adelson said ghest intraday level since Jan. 6. Corp, commented on other gam- ted earnings before interest, ta- on a post-earnings conference Sands China’s earnings have ing operators efforts to diversify xes, depreciation and amortiza- call. “Some of the numbers put “handsomely” beat consensus, their offer: “A lot of people have tion fell 19 percent to USD581.2 out and experienced through said Karen Tang, an analyst at taken on the entertainment and million in the fourth quarter, its December and January” among Deutsche Bank AG. “We ex- other issues. We used to run first parent said in a statement. The other materials he has read, “in- pect Macau stocks to see a six to in Macau [but] we are happy to figure beat the market estimate dicate to me that that’s the case.” eight week short-term bounce cede control of those areas and of $555 million, according to Ka- Macau is facing headwinds as Sheldon Adelson into the seasonally strong Chine- be a ticket buyer versus an en- ren Tang, an analyst at Deutsche China’s crackdown on corrup- se New Year, and our top pick is tertainment purchaser. We are a tion and a slowing economy have Sands China.” little more conservative.” scared away high-end gamblers Las Vegas Sands, the world’s from the world’s largest gam- largest casino operator, earlier future, certainly in 2016.” 4Q2015 highlights bling market. While the city’s posted fourth-quarter sales and Sands, which has the most ca- casino takings dropped 21.2 per- profit that missed analysts’ es- sinos among other foreign ope- * Sands’ adjusted earnings in Singapore fell 35 percent to $338.2 million. cent in December - falling for the timates as gambling revenue in rators, plans to open later this 19th straight month - that repre- the key markets of Macau and year the $2.7 billion Parisian * In Las Vegas, adjusted earnings rose 25 percent to $97.4 million. sented the smallest year-on-year Singapore declined. Macao, its fifth project featu- The higher dividend could sig- ring a half-size replica of the * Profit excluding some items fell to 62 cents a share, lower than the av- decline since last January. erage analyst estimate of 64 cents Sands China has seen its share nal management’s confidence in Eiffel Tower. Macau govern- price slump 30 percent in 2015. the outlook for Macau. Investors ment has urged gaming houses * Sales slumped to $2.86 billion, while it raised its quarterly dividend to Still, the stock gained 14 percent are looking for signs of a recovery to build more non-gaming en- 72 cents a share for 2016. in the fourth quarter as the decli- after Adelson in December pre- tertainment facilities to attract ne in mass-market revenue has dicted a turnaround “in the near tourists. Bloomberg

Asian Air jet banned from Cinematheque Passion to taking off to Macau hold first film-themed talk

n Asian Air jet has been refused take off series of film-themed the film industry. Afrom U-Tapao airport in Rayong, Thai- Atalks is set to be held Cinematheque Passion land, after the Central Bankruptcy Court or- at the Cinematheque Pas- began the new experi- dered a freeze on the airline’s assets, aviation sion. The first talk, entit- mental phase of manage- authorities revealed. led “Film X Critique X ment earlier this month, The aircraft was scheduled to leave the Audience: A Film’s Trian- and has continued to run navy-owned­ airport at 9 a.m. on Wednes- gular Relationships,” will the a temporary venue day and was due to pick up 200 passengers be held tomorrow from 3 booking program, which in Macau, to then fly back to the Philippines, nance service provider for bankruptcy. p.m. to 5 p.m. Joyce Yang is open for applications according to the acting director of the Civil According to the Centre for Aviation, Asian Joyce Yang, an active from members of the film Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), Air is a Thai carrier “providing both char- film critic in Hong Kong ch include planning and industry, filmmakers and Chula Sukmanop. ter and scheduled services from its base at and a member of Hong coordinating a film festi- film associations. The CAAT issued the ban after it received notifi- Bangkok Don Mueang Airport. The airline Kong Film Critics Society, val, film marketing, film program commenced cation from the bankruptcy court. Sukmanop launched its inaugural service on March 15, will discuss topics based editing, cinematic sound last September, and aims stated that no passengers were left stranded, 2014, flying from Bangkok to Narita Airport on the need for and role effects, film arts, film cos- to continually utilize the as it was due to fly empty to Macau. He said in Tokyo, Japan. Asian Air has further plans of film critique. Other up- tumes and film directing, resources of the three-­ the agency has discovered that the airline has to expand services to other destinations in coming talks will feature all in the hope of familia- storey building located at unpaid debts and is being sued by its mainte- Japan and North Asia in the future.” a variety of topics, whi- rizing participants with Travessa de Paixão.

corporate bits ‘the hiddens’ announced vins d’alsace presents turbojet launches at press conference in conrad france’s winemaking ‘garden tuen mun-macau route of eden’ to hk market TurboJet’s Tuen Mun Ferry A press release is- different aromas, and Terminal commenced services sued yesterday by therefore pair excep- yesterday. At the same time, two Vins d’Alsace noted tionally well with Asian new routes towards the Macau that Le Conseil Inter- dishes. Alsace’s vi- Maritime Ferry Terminal and professionel des Vins neyards are among Shenzhen Airport Fuyong Ferry d’Alsace (CIVA), the the most northerly, Terminal, have also been laun- official organization not only in France, but ched. that represents its wi- also in Europe, and According to a press release nemakers, is set to are situated in 119 issued by the company, “the new introduce the best of communes in Bas-­ cross-boundary routes represent Supported by The Venetian Ma- to share their experiences both on the region to the Hong Rhin and Haut-Rhin. the company’s strategic step to cao, “The Hiddens” is a brand-new and off the set with members of Kong market. Known A distinctive climate enhance its service network by drama production from the well-­ the media. for its white grape and exposure – which harnessing Tuen Mun’s geogra- known producer Mr Gary Tang. A The production of “The Hiddens” varieties - Riesling, notably features hot phical advantage as the centre press conference was held at the is fully supported by the Macau Gewürztraminer, Pi- days and cool nights - of the Pearl River Delta, driving Conrad Macao in Cotai Central. Government Tourism Office and not Blanc, Pinot Gris, allows for a long, slow visitations to Macau and facilita- Actors and actresses from “The The Venetian Macao, the latter Muscat and Sylvaner – period of ripening and ting exchanges in the region, so new routes “also provide a time- Hiddens,” including Lawrence Ng, of which has provided suites, the Alsace wine can be the development of that Macau can further tap into saving choice for Macau outbou- Jessica Hsuan, William So, Dun- outdoor lagoon area, the Vene- enjoyed on all occa- complex aromas, vivid the market potentials of Hong nd travelers departing from the can Lai, Lui Jing Jing, Wylie Chiu tian Theatre and Italian restaurant sions. Alsace wines acidity and a rich fruity Kong’s Northwest New Territo- Hong Kong International Airport,” and Felix Lok, were in attendance Portofino as shooting locations. can hold up to 1,000 flavour. ries and mainland China.” The the press release adds. fri 29.01.2016

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8 business 分析

Real Estate Matters What Will Influence Property Prices In 2016? This three part article explores the different factors that affecting the market

Juliet Risdon is a Director of JML Property and a property investor. Having established the company in 1994, JML Property offers Investment Property & Homes. It specializes in managing properties for owners and investors, and providing attractive and comfortable homes for tenants.

www.JMLProperty.com Juliet Risdon [email protected]

In last week’s article we explored client centric instead of sharehol- hassle of having tenants in a pro- just one of the factors that will in- der focused. perty. This is of course reduces fluence property prices this year. Do you see a rebound in the ga- supply, in turn pushing new rents In the second part of this article ming industry growth? even higher. we look at another three factors, A rebound may not be as impor- As rental prices rise, it is not long and remind readers that Macau tant as a stabilization of the reve- before the cost of renting is high property prices are influenced by at nues. Steady revenue allows com- enough to warrant purchasing ins- least seven variables and may po- panies and governments to plan tead, and selling prices start to rise tentially be affected by many more. and budget accordingly. again. As a reminder, the more variables The new projects and attractions So will the government interfe- there are, the more complex the due to open this year may just re with the free market? Based equation. The more complex the have a stabilizing effect. on past observations, our guess equation, the higher chance of is that they probably cannot help inaccuracy. Macau Government Policy themselves. In no particular order and car- It seems that the Macau govern- rying on from last week; ment is under increasing pressu- China Government Policy re to interfere in the free housing As we can see from this past year, Gaming & Related Growth market. Macau is dependent upon the visi- As we are all aware, the state of the They will attempt to implement po- tor traffic and revenue from main- Gaming sector is the fuel for the licies that may be designed to either land China visitors. Macau economy. Diversification? slow down or speed up the housing China government policy and tra- Not happening. market such as rent control or the vel permits to Macau are at the As growth slows and related pro- supply of low cost housing. heart of the numbers, and if the jects are delayed, budgets are cut These attempts to influence the tap is turned down, gaming grow- and there are less new people ar- market rarely work out as plan- th is adversely affected. riving that require housing. Tho- ned, and often have an opposite If policy is relaxed the numbers se that are here already are faced effect. are affected in a positive manner. with tighter purses and less ur- Why? Because there are too many So the question becomes, what gency. variables to be able to predict the will China do this year? General However, when a decrease slows outcome. speculation says that 2016 will be down and stabilizes, the drop in For example, rent control policy similar to 2015 in terms of govern- revenue will usually have had a will cause landlords who are alrea- ment policy. positive effect on the business. dy reluctant to rent their proper- A lot of the ‘fat’ will have been cut ties to take them off the market. Next Week: The other three fac- away, and companies are forced Since rental yields are incredibly tors that will influence what you to become more competitive and low, many owners don’t want the pay for your apartment in 2016. FORUM

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分析 BUSINESS 9

advertorial Facebook posts strong 4Q as company closes gap with Google ap photo

acebook is users during the final Fgrowing at an excep- three months of last year tional pace as it enters to expand its worldwide adolescence, propelling it audience to 1.59 billion into a better position to users. challenge Google as the “I’m excited about our Internet’s most powerful progress and the chance company. to build something great Facebook’s fourth-quar- for the future,” Facebook ter report Wednesday CEO Mark Zuckerberg provided the latest gauge told analysts yesterday of the company’s impres- (Macau time) in a confe- sive strides. rence call. It marked the first time Google, now a part of the that Facebook’s quarter- recently created Alphabet ly revenue has surpassed Inc., is thriving too, with USD5 billion — more than more than 1 billion users fading Internet star Yahoo on its search engine as now generates in an entire well as its YouTube video year. Facebook’s earnings site and its Android sof- also more than doubled to tware for mobile devices. $1.56 billion, even as the That makes it unlikely Menlo Park, California, that Facebook will topple company invests heavily Google anytime soon. in virtual reality, artifi- Powered by the world’s cial intelligence, Internet dominant Internet search access in remote parts of engine, Google still sells the world and a mobile ad the most digital adver- network for services other tising by a wide margin. than its own. Just how much more will The performance lif- be disclosed Monday, ted Facebook’s stock by when Alphabet is sche- $11.37, or 12 percent, to duled to announced its $105.82 in extended tra- fourth-quarter earnin- ding after the report came gs. Alphabet is expected out. to report fourth-quarter Although Google re- revenue of nearly $17 mains three times larger billion, after subtracting by revenue, Facebook has ad commissions, nearly been closing the gap as it triple what Facebook ge- sells more mobile adver- nerated during the same tising on its addictive so- three-month period. cial-networking app. And But consider this: Fa- it’s just beginning to mine cebook will be turning 12 revenue from its trendy years old next week and Instagram service and a it just posted revenue of rapidly expanding video $5.8 billion in its latest library. quarter. At the same sta- This spring’s debut of the ge of its existence in Sep- Oculus Rift headset, part tember 2010, Google’s of the virtual-reality tech- net revenue stood at $5.5 nology that Facebook bou- billion. ght for $2 billion in 2014, What’s more, Facebook’s could open another lucra- revenue is climbing at a tive market. Google is now more rapid clip than Goo- hiring more virtual-reality­ gle’s was at a comparable specialists, a sign that is stage. Facebook’s reve- trying to catch up with Fa- nue in the past quarter cebook in a still-nascent represented a 52 percent field that could transform increase from the same computing. time a year ago. When it Social networking re- turned 12 years old, Goo- mains Facebook’s foun- gle’s quarterly net revenue dation. The service picked rose 25 percent from the up another 46 million previous year. AP 29.01.2016 fri

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10 CHINA 中國

Market falls again, ap photo defying gains in other emerging countries ap photo

A man looks at an electronic board displaying stock prices at a brokerage house in Beijing, after Asian stock markets sank on Tuesday led by a plunge in the Shanghai index

lobal stocks held analysts surveyed by Bloom- Gsteady after the Federal berg are targeting a bottom of Reserve’s policy statement 2,500, compared with 2,656 acknowledged global risks, reached yesterday. US Secretary of State John Kerry speaks to journalists on Jan. 17 about his negotiations with Iran. As part of a prisoner swap reducing the chances of a Since the Shanghai Compo- deal, seven Iranians in custody won their freedom and the US dismissed charges against 14 others, including Jamili March rate hike to 18 per- site Index reached a record cent, according to Bloom- high on June 12 it has plum- berg data, compared with 25 meted 48 percent. It remains percent on Tuesday. Since the world’s worst performing the Fed tightened policy on major equity index in 2016. Lawyer criticizes US December 16 the MSCI All Emerging market stocks and Country World Index has currencies gained outside of fallen 7 percent. China as investors stepped up China’s Shanghai Composi- bets the Fed will refrain from for Chinese, Iranian te Index fell to its lowest level raising U.S. interest rates at since November 2014, taking its March meeting. They have its decline for the year to 25 rebounded 4.4 percent from double standards percent, the most since 2008. an almost seven-year low last Authorities continue to take week on Thursday. measures to stabilize the na- Today’s best performing Denise Lavoie, Boston thdraw his guilty plea. U.S. and Iran charged with tion’s financial markets. emerging market currency Siegmann said Cheng admit- using a company he owned This week’s net injection is Malaysia’s ringgit. It rose lawyer for a Chinese natio- ted he knew he was supplying in San Marcos, California, to of RMB590 billion (USD90 for a fifth day, the longest Anal who supplied Iran with parts to an Iranian company purchase electronic test equi- billion) into the money winning streak since Septem- U.S.-made devices that can be the U.S. had designated as pment and components from markets ahead of the start of ber. Prime Minister Najib Ra- used to convert uranium for a proliferator of weapons of U.S. companies and arran- the Lunar New Year was the zak announced a revised 2016 nuclear weapons is criticizing mass destruction. ge for them to be exported biggest since February 2013. budget to take into account the U.S. government for dro- “It’s clear that he’s not inno- to Malaysia and then sent to Further declines in the equi- the slump in oil revenue for pping charges against his Ira- cent,” she said. Iran; Amin Ravan, indicted in ty benchmark could be on the Asia’s only major net oil ex- nian co-defendant as part of a Washington, D.C., for allege- way. Strategists and technical porter. MDT/Bloomberg breakthrough U.S.-Iran deal. dly attempting to obtain mili- The criticism was leveled Cheng’s tary antennas for shipment to during a sentencing hearing for Iran; and Behrouz Dolatzadeh, 800-year-old town sees Sihai Cheng, who pleaded guilty lawyer charged in Phoenix, Arizona, in December to supplying pres- with conspiring to purchase sure transducers to an Iranian objected to the hundreds of M-4 assault rifles tourism overthrow local company. Cheng was sentenced recommended to export from the U.S. to Iran. to nine years in prison. Prosecutors said Cheng set culture Cheng’s lawyer, Stephen 15-year up shell companies in China Weymouth, objected to the to receive pressure-measuring 15-year sentence recommen- sentence, sensors known as pressure ded by prosecutors, calling transducers from the Shanghai ap photo it unfair because his Iranian calling it unfair subsidiary of MKS Instrumen- co-defendant, Seyed Abolfa- because his ts Inc., based in Andover, Mas- zl Shahab Jamili, won’t face sachusetts. The transducers prison time. Iranian co- have commercial applications, Weymouth called Jamili the but are strictly controlled un- In this August 23, 2006 file photo, tourists look at the World Cultural Heritage “main actor” in the case and defendant der federal law because they city, Lijiang Old Town in Yunnan. An influx of commercial tourism has said he would have sought the can be used in gas centrifuges threatened to degrade the town’s cultural heritage dismissal of charges against won’t face to convert natural uranium Cheng if he had known prosecu- prison time into a form that can be used in he 800-year-old town of newcomers profiting by the tors would drop charges against nuclear weapons. Tof Lijiang in China’s sou- mass influx, while today the Jamili. Weymouth asked U.S. Cheng was accused of conspi- thern province of Yunnan town is considered to be one District Judge Patti Saris to for- Saris rejected the defense re- ring with Jamili to send hun- faces a number of major of the country’s top domestic ce prosecutors to drop the char- quest, but said she may consi- dreds of transducers to Eyvaz challenges if it is to preserve tourist destinations. ges or allow Cheng to withdraw der fairness among co-conspi- Technic Manufacturing Co., a the cultural heritage that saw Annual visitors swelled from his guilty plea. rators in sentencing Cheng. Tehran company that has su- the location bestowed as a some 150,000 before the he- “In this case, it has been ou- As part of the deal announced pplied parts for Iran’s develop- UNESCO World Heritage Site ritage designation to 2.8 trageously unfair as far as Mr. earlier this month, four Ame- ment of nuclear weapons. in 1997. million three years later and Cheng is concerned,” Wey- ricans detained in Iran were Prosecutors said Jamili told After its designation, out- some 16 million last year. Lo- mouth said. sent home and seven Iranians Cheng that the Iranian end-­ siders with more capital and cal culture has been adulte- Assistant U.S. Attorney Ste- in U.S. custody won their free- user of the transducers was skills moved in, sparking ten- rated in a complete tourism-­ phanie Siegmann said the fact dom. The U.S. also dismissed Kalaye Electronic Co., which sions with mostly ethnic mi- oriented make-over. that prosecutors dismissed the charges against 14 Iranian na- the U.S. designated as a pro- nority residents who felt they The charming houses are indictment against Jamili — tionals, including Jamili. liferator of weapons of mass were “losing their town.” actually reproductions as vir- “someone we couldn’t extra- The other Iranians who had destruction for its work with By the early 2000s, many tually the entire old town was dite anyway” — does not mean charges dropped include: Jalil Iran’s nuclear centrifuge pro- streets of the old quarter were razed by an earthquake in Cheng should be allowed to wi- Salami, a citizen of both the gram. AP up to 90 percent in the hands 1996. MDT/AP fri 29.01.2016

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中國 CHINA 11

Ralph Jennings, Christopher Bodeen aiwan’s president, Taiwan leader presses claim defying a rare criticism from key ally the Uni- ted States, visited an is- Tland in the disputed South Chi- to South China Sea in isle trip na Sea yesterday to emphasize Taiwan’s sovereignty claims in the increasingly tense region. of compatriots on both sides” Accompanied by about 30 of the Taiwan Strait, Ma Xiao- staff members, Ma Ying-jeou ap photo guang told reporters. spoke at a national monument China and Taiwan hold iden- on Taiping Island, also known tical claims to the South China as Itu Aba, and reiterated his Sea, aligning with Beijing’s “one call made last year for peace- China principle” that considers ful coexistence and joint deve- the two part of a single Chinese lopment with other claimants. nation. Beijing has threatened The island is part of the Spratly to retaliate to any formal chan- archipelago, where China, Viet- ge in Taiwan’s legal status with nam, Malaysia, the Philippines military force. and the city-state of Brunei Coming near the end of his have overlapping claims. eight years in office, Ma’s visit Roughly 2,000 kilometers is the second by a Taiwanese south of Taiwan and 46 hecta- leader. Former president Chen res in size, Taiping is the largest Shui-bian visited in 2008 when naturally occurring island in he delivered a similar message. the area. It has recently been Ma, who has been criticized at eclipsed in size, however, by home as weak on foreign poli- man-made islands created by cy, must step down in May due China out of reefs and shoals. to term limits and analysts said China has built housing, por- he considers the island visit a ts, airstrips and other infras- In this Nov. 7, 2015 file photo, Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou speaks during a press conference at the Shangri-la Hotel in capstone to his time in office. tructure on the newly created Singapore. Ma visited an island in the South China Sea yesterday, defying criticism from Taiwan’s key ally, the US Opposition party president-­ elect Tsai Ing-wen declined an islands, drawing accusations Ma said. tions on the basis of internatio- invitation to go on the trip. from the U.S. and others that it The Philippines expressed nal law. Tsai won a decisive victory is exacerbating tensions in the concern over the trip, and U.S. Taiwan stations about 200 over the candidate from Ma’s We disagree strategically vital region. State Department spokesman coast guard personnel, scientis- China-friendly Nationalist Par- Ma cited infrastructure de- Mark Toner said yesterday ts and medical workers on Tai- ty in this month’s election while with this velopments, including a 10- (Macau time) that the United ping Island. It occupies a num- leading her independence-lea- particular bed hospital and a lighthou- States was disappointed, saying ber of other islets in the South ning Democratic Progressive se, saying they reinforced it could exacerbate tensions. China Sea, including the Pratas Party to a majority in the legis- action. We view Taiwan’s claim of sovereignty “President Ma Ying-jeou has island group to the north. lature, casting new uncertain- and granted it rights over the every right to make his position There was no immediate res- ty over the future of Taiwan-­ it as raising surrounding waters. Taiwan is clear on the South China Sea. We ponse to Ma’s visit from China, China relations. spending more than USD100 just disagree with this particular although a spokesman for the “President Ma... views advan- tensions rather million to upgrade the island’s action. We view it as, frankly, as Cabinet’s Taiwan Affairs Office cing [Taiwan’s] maritime inte- than what we airstrip and build a wharf ca- raising tensions rather than what yesterday (Macau time) repea- rests as part of his legacy,” said pable of allowing its 3,000-ton we want to see, which is de-esca- ted Beijing’s claim to “indispu- Bonnie Glaser, senior adviser want to see, coast guard cutters to dock. lation,” Toner said. table sovereignty” over the Sou- for Asia at the Center for Stra- “All this evidence fully de- During a visit to Beijing, U.S. th China Sea islands. tegic and International Studies, which is de- monstrates that Taiping Island Secretary of State John Kerry “Safeguarding national sove- a think tank in Washington. is able to sustain human habita- encouraged all parties in the reignty and territorial integrity “His visit to Taiping will further escalation. tion and an economic life of its South China Sea to clarify their and the overall interests of the incite nationalistic fervor in the Mark Toner own. Taiping Island is categori- territorial claims, exercise res- Chinese nation are the common claimant countries and increa- US State Department spokesman cally not a rock, but an island,” traint and engage in negotia- responsibility and obligation se tensions.” AP

Xinhua Insight Mainland denies capping number xinhua of tourists to Taipei

he Chinese main- agencies and tourists. Across the Taiwan Strai- The flight transfer plan Tland earlier this week Ma made the remarks ts (ARATS) and Taiwan’s is a result of the mee- denied setting a cap on while answering a ques- Straits Exchange Founda- ting between President In this Dec. 30, 2015, file photo, Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson with the the number of tourists tion on whether the Chi- tion (SEF) are coordina- Xi Jinping and Ma Ying- State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, speaks at a press conference in Beijing that can visit Taiwan, ins- nese mainland will tigh- ting on the issue and will jeou, two leaders from the tead pointing to market ten the quota of tourists implement it when it is mainland and Taiwan, in mainland and Taiwan on leader-elect Tsai Ing-wen behavior as the reason for to Taiwan. prepared. early November. Facebook, the spokes- with anti-independence a recent change. The office spokesper- Flight transfers through “Whether more cities person said young people messages, though the Ma Xiaoguang, spokes- son said that he hoped Taiwan’s Taoyuan Inter- will be allowed to ope- from both sides should page cannot be accessed person of the State Cou- Taiwan’s inbound tou- national Airport will be rate transfer flights will strengthen exchanges in on the Chinese mainland. ncil Taiwan Affairs Of- rism can be developed the first limited flights depend on the pilot pro- order to develop a better Tsai, the candidate for fice, told reporters that and rights of mainland to or from the cities of gram and the develop- understanding of cross-­ the pro-independence De- the quota for tourists tourists can be safeguar- Nanchang, Kunming and ment of the cross-Strait strait relations and tighten mocratic Progressive Par- was made by Taiwan and ded. Chongqing. The three situation,” Ma Xiaoguang their national sentiment. ty (DPP), won the recent is a unilateral approa- In terms of the flight cities are popular ou- added. Tens of thousands of four-year election earlier ch. Taiwan-bound tou- transfer programs, Ma tbound tourist departure When commenting on mainland web users bom- this month, beating rival rists from the mainland said the mainland’s As- cities in central and wes- the fight between Inter- barded the official Fa- Kuomintang candidate vary depending on travel sociation for Relations tern China. net commentators in the cebook page of Taiwan Eric Chu. Xinhua 29.01.2016 fri

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12 ASIA-PACIFIC 亞太版

Australian accused of Philippine growth short of target at 5.8 planning to pack kangaroo percent in 2015 with bomb on ANZAC Day Teresa Cerojano, Manila

teenage suspect discussed he Philippine economy grew 5.8 percent in 2015, short of with a British accomplice pa- even lowered government expectations after being ham-

A ap photo T cking a kangaroo with explosives pered by a weak world economy, El Nino and slow govern- before setting it loose on Austra- ment spending in the first half of the year. lian police officers, prosecutors The government initially forecast growth of 7-8 percent for alleged yesterday. 2015 but later lowered its projection to 6-6.5 percent. Sevdet Ramadan Besim was or- “Though this is lower than what we targeted for the year, dered in the Melbourne Magis- this growth is respectable given the difficult external environ- trates Court yesterday to stand ment,” Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said trial in the Victoria state Su- yesterday. preme Court on charges that he The Philippines has been one of the fastest growing econo- planned an Islamic State grou- mies in Asia for several years. Despite increased government p-inspired terrorist attack at a In this file April 25, 2014, file photo, a pipe band marches during the ANZAC Day parade efforts to raise living standards, the country of more than 100 Veterans’ Day ceremony that in- in Sydney. Almost a year later, five Australian teenagers were arrested on suspicion of million still faces considerable challenges including its vulne- cluded targeting police officers in plotting an Islamic State-inspired terrorist attack rability to typhoons and other natural disasters, poverty, cor- April last year. ruption and poor infrastructure. Besim, 19, pleaded not guilty to Besim and four alleged conspi- planning to use a car to run over, Balisacan said growth has averaged 6.2 percent in the past four charges relating to a plot to rators were arrested in Melbour- then behead, a police officer. He six years, which is the best performance since the late 1970s. attack commemorative services in ne a week before ANZAC Day. allegedly said in online communi- The growth has not been due to unsustainable borrowings Melbourne or the neighboring city He has been in custody since and cations he was “ready to fight the- like in the 1970s and short-lived portfolio capital but fueled of Dandenong to mark ANZAC now faces a potential life senten- se dogs on there [sic] doorstep.” by investments that create jobs and increase incomes, he said. Day, the annual April 25 com- ce in prison if convicted. “I’d love to take out some cops,” He said last year’s growth was driven by much stronger do- memoration of the 1915 Gallipoli Prosecutors alleged in court Besim is alleged to have written. mestic demand and government spending that grew 9.4 per- landings in Turkey. The campaign documents that Besim discussed “I was gonna meet with them cent compared to the previous year’s 1.7 percent. Growth in was the first major military action with a British-based accomplice then take some heads.” public and private investments more than doubled, primarily fought by the Australian and New in online conversations that a Police allege Besim was motiva- led by public construction. Zealand Army Corps during World kangaroo could be packed with ted by an extremist ideology and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said the Philippines was War I and hundreds of thousands explosives, painted with “the IS had expressed support for terro- well-positioned to withstand turbulence in financial markets attend commemoration services symbol” and set loose on police. rist organizations, particularly caused by uncertainty about the strength of the global eco- around Australia. Besim was also accused of the Islamic State movement. AP nomy. AP

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亞太版 ASIA-PACIFIC 13

Elaine Kurtenbach, Tokyo

apan’s economy mi- nister resigned yester- Japan economy minister quits day as he fended off corruption allegations, Jin a setback for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s effort to rev up over graft allegations growth in the world’s third-lar- gest economy. Akira Amari choked back election in the summer. tears as he announced his re- Political donations and their Amari signation in a televised news ap photo handling are perennial weak conference. He denied wrong- spots for Japanese lawmakers. apologized for doing but apologized for cau- The allegations against Amari undermining sing “concern and trouble” and have become fodder for attacks for undermining public trust by Communist Party, Demo- public trust in in the government with a “very cratic Party of Japan and other embarrassing situation.” members of the opposition, the government The corruption scandal surfa- who otherwise are unable to ced last week after the magazi- effectively challenge the ruling ne Weekly Bunshun reported Liberal Democrats’ overwhel- but that it was “very heavy.” that Amari and his aides ac- ming majorities in the lower His resignation comes amid cepted at least 12 million yen and upper legislatures. mounting signs Japan’s eco- (USD103,000) in cash and During questioning in par- nomic recovery is faltering, hospitality from the unnamed liament, Amari said he did raising pressure on its central construction company. not recall clearly the details of bank to inject still more cash As economy and fiscal minis- meetings in his office with the into the economy on top of its ter since late 2012, Amari has construction company. already massive monetary sti- been one of the most trusted Shukan Bunshun said that on mulus. members of Abe’s Cabinet. He one occasion, a construction Data released yesterday also served as Japan’s top nego- company employee met with showed weak retail sales in De- tiator for the 12-nation Trans- Amari in his office in Novem- cember. Other major monthly Pacific Partnership trade pact. ber 2013, handing him an en- data are due for release today. Amari, 66, is a career politician velope containing 500,000 yen Abe apologized over the scan- and son of a lawmaker who was in cash and an expensive Japa- dal and said Amari’s resigna- first elected in 1983. nese sweet called “yokan.” tion was “very regrettable.” With Amari’s departure, Abe Japanese Economy Minister Akira Amari bows before answering questions at the Asked about the gift, Amari He said Nobuteru Ishihara, a has lost a key ally as he is gea- upper house of the parliament in Tokyo, yesterday. He later said that he intends to said yesterday that he wasn’t former environment minister, ring up for an upper house resign due to allegations he accepted bribes from a construction company sure what was inside the bag, would take on Amari’s posts. AP

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分析 WORLD 15

Julie Pace, Iowa

epublican presi- dential candidates took Trump looks to grab attention to the debate stage this morning (Macau time) Rabsent their front-runner, billio- naire Donald Trump, who is ins- as Republican rivals debate tead seeking to starve his rivals of attention at a critical juncture in the campaign by holding a com- peting event of his own. Trump’s Trump’s abrupt decision to boy- ap photo cott the final debate before Mon- absence is day’s Iowa caucuses has added a likely to turn new layer of uncertainty to a race that has defied political conven- attention tion. He cited “unfair” treatment from debate host Fox News as his to Cruz, a reason for skipping the contest firebrand and holding a rally instead. “I don’t like being taken advan- conservative, tage of,” Trump said in an inter- view earlier this week on Fox, and Rubio, who signaling he wasn’t boycotting the highly rated network com- is hoping for pletely. a third-place On Monday, Iowa residents will gather in schools, churches and finish in Iowa even private homes to choose among the Republican and De- ver, polls suggest he’s locked in mocratic candidates battling to a tight race with Texas Sen. Ted be their party’s 2016 presidential Cruz, a favorite of the conserva- nominee — the first in a series of tives and evangelical Christians This file photo combination made from August 6, 2015, shows Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (left) and Fox state-by-state contests to choose who hold significant sway in the News host and moderator Megyn Kelly during the first Republican presidential debate in Ohio delegates to each party’s presi- state’s Republican caucuses. dential nominating convention. Given Trump’s unpredictable tes, they have had minimal appa- mary will jumpstart their White in the past at women. Some Republican candidates nature, some campaigns were rent impact on Trump’s stan- House hopes. Bush, Ohio Gov. Trump had threatened to boy- saw Trump’s move as a welco- preparing for the possibility he ding. He’s preferred to make his John Kasich and New Jersey cott the debate if Fox stuck with me opportunity to emerge from could reverse course and take the case to potential voters in natio- Gov. Chris Christie have all de- plans for Kelly to moderate the long shadow the billionaire stage in Des Moines, Iowa after nal television interviews and on voted the bulk of their campaign again, but said it was a sarcastic has cast over the race, while also all. Still, Trump moved forward Twitter, and has often faded into resources to New Hampshire. statement from the network that hoping it might damage his stan- with plans to host a rally just a the background in the debates. Also on the main debate stage was the final straw. ding with Iowa voters. few miles away that his cam- Trump’s absence is likely to this morning (Macau time) was That statement said the leaders “I think it’ll hurt him that he’s paign said would raise money for turn attention to Cruz, a fire- retired neurosurgeon Ben Car- of Iran and Russia “both intend not showing up in the Iowa de- wounded warriors. brand conservative disdained by son, who has a loyal following in to treat Donald Trump unfair- bate four days before the Iowa With Fox carrying the debate, many in his party, and Rubio, Iowa, and Kentucky Sen. Rand ly when they meet with him if caucuses,” former Florida Gov. other cable channels were likely who is hoping a third-place finish Paul, who was relegated to the he becomes president” and that Jeb Bush told CNN. to show Trump’s event, stealing in Iowa could help him establish undercard event in the last de- “Trump has his own secret plan to Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said away at least some viewers who himself as the choice of more tra- bate. replace the Cabinet with his Twi- Republicans “don’t have time for would have otherwise watched ditional Republicans. Trump’s Fox feud dates back tter followers to see if he should these kinds of distractions.” the contest. Others on the debate stage will to the first Republican primary even go to those meetings.” Trump has led the Republican While earlier debates have been have their eye on New Hampshi- debate, when moderator Megyn Trump and his campaign ma- race nationally for months, to the instrumental in the rise and fall re, where they’re hoping a strong Kelly took Trump to task over de- nager slammed the statement as surprise of many. In Iowa, howe- of several Republican candida- showing in the February 9 pri- rogatory statements he’d made taunting and juvenile. AP

Car-making deals, protests greet Iranian president in Paris

rance welcomed countries should forget he and Valls pledged to those tests, too, the Fren- Iranian President past rancor. “France is turn the page on past ten- ch government is also

F ap photo Hassan Rouhani yes- available for Iran,” he sions. hoping to draw in Iran’s terday with a long-term said. “Iran can count on Rouhani, speaking to help in peacemaking in its car-making agreement France.” French executives, urged region, notably in Syria and pledges to boost tra- Rouhani’s visit was also efforts to unblock -finan and Yemen, and easing de now that a diplomatic met with protests, no- cing for resumed trade tensions with regional ri- deal is easing nuclear ten- tably over executions in now that sanctions over val Saudi Arabia. sions. Iran. A nearly naked wo- Iran’s nuclear program Rouhani said the pro- Yet clouds hung over man hung from a fake have been lifted. tracted, complex — but the historic outreach trip. noose off a Paris bridge Sanctions were lifted on ultimately successful — France has asked its Eu- yesterday next to a huge Tehran on January 16 in nuclear negotiations cou- ropean Union partners banner reading: “Welco- exchange for U.N. certifi- ld serve as an example for to consider new sanc- me Rouhani, Executioner cation that Iran had scaled solving multiple crises in tions on Iran for its re- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (right) inspects an honor guard of Freedom.” back its nuclear programs. the Middle East. cent ballistic missile tes- during a welcome ceremony yesterday at the Invalides in Paris. But the thrust of the trip Iran maintained those Rouhani, in a speech to ts, officials have told The The trip is an effort to usher in a new era after the landmark accord was about improving eco- programs were peaceful French think tank IFRI, Associated Press. That signed in November nomic and diplomatic re- but critics feared it wanted said that for such diplo- highlights continued sus- lations after years of iso- to build nuclear weapons. macy to work, both sides picions between Iran and Rouhani arrived in Pa- yesterday morning at the lation for his country of But Iran’s latest ballistic must “lower our preten- the West despite the re- ris earlier this week from gold-domed Invalides 80 million people. missile tests prompted sions.” cent agreement curbing Rome, where billions monument that houses Rouhani said his coun- new U.S. sanctions. Speaking through a Iran’s nuclear program of euros’ worth of tra- Napoleon’s tomb. try is “favorable terrain” While France has asked translator, he said: “Each that prompted the lifting de deals were reached, French Prime Minis- for resumed trade be- EU partners about pos- side must feel it is a win-­ of earlier sanctions. and was formally greeted ter Manuel Valls said the tween East and West, as sible new sanctions over win agreement.” MDT/AP 29.01.2016 fri

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16 INFOTAINMENT 資訊／娛樂

TV canal macau cinema this day in history Friday cineteatro 13:00 TDM News (Repeat) 28 Jan - 04 Feb 13:30 News (RTPi) Delayed Broadcast 14:30 RTPi Live 17:30 Castle S.5 18:10 Trail of Lies (Repeated) 19:00 TDM Talk Show (Repeated) 19:30 Soap Opera 20:30 Main News, Financial & Weather Report 21:15 Documentary Serie 21:45 Miscellaneous 22:10 Trail of Lies 23:00 TDM News 23:30 Portuguese Movie 01:40 Main News, Financial & Weather Report (Repeated) the 5h wave_ room 1 Saturday 2.30, 4.45, 7.15, 9.30 pm 10:30 Boonie Bears - Sr.2 Director: J Blakeson Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, Young Adult 11:35 Maika Monroe 12:00 Miscellaneous Language: English (Cantonese) 13:00 TDM News (Repeat) Duration: 112min 13:30 News (RTPi) Delayed Broadcast 14:30 Soap Opera 1959 Fog brings 18:30 Contest transport chaos 19:20 Miscellaneous Dense fog - the worst for seven years - has brought 19:55 Documentary Serie road, rail and air transport in many parts of England 20:30 Main News, Financial & Weather Report and Wales to a virtual standstill. 21:00 Drama London has been worst affected - but many areas 21:50 Documentary of the Midlands, East Anglia, southern England and east and south Wales have also been shrouded in 23:00 TDM News fog and frost for most of the day. 23:30 Movie In 1952, London suffered from what became known 01:15 Main News, Financial & Weather Report (Repeated) as The Great Smog - fog intensified by thick smoke. More than 2,000 people died in the week ending 6 December mostly from chest and lung-related ill- Sunday nesses. The Meteorological Office is predicting the latest 10:30 Young Children “smog” will persist during the next 24 hours in the 11:00 Sunday Mass London area and possibly in some parts of South 12:00 Miscelllaneous Wales, Birmingham and the industrial Midlands. the last women standing_ An AA spokesman said 28 hours of fog in the capi- 13:00 TDM News (Repeat) room 2 tal had left a nil-visibility ring around London. 13:30 News (RTPi) Delayed Broadcast 2.30, 4.30, 7.30, 9.30 pm Director: Luo Lu He said: “It is a motorist’s nightmare as rush-hour 14:30 Zig Zag Starring: Shu Qi, Eddie Peng Yuyan, Hao Leie drivers grope their way through nil visibility in the 16:15 Young Adult Language: Mandarin (English/Cantonese) Hendon, Finchley, Northolt, Wandsworth, Bromley Duration: 100min and Sidcup districts.” 17:40 Miscellaneous Traffic patrols have reported nose-to-tail jams and 18:50 Action vehicles travelling at a crawl from all parts of the 19:40 Comedy capital. At least six people were injured in three collisions 20:30 Main News, Financial & Weather Report on the ice-covered Kingston by-pass in Surrey. 21:00 Contraponto Thirty-five­ vehicles were involved in a collision in 22:00 Every Breath We Take - Understanding our Atmosphere dense fog at Hampton Hill in Middlesex. A London Transport spokesman said many buses 23:00 TDM News had been unable to leave their garages because 23:30 Non-Daily Portuguese News crews could not get to work on time. 23:45 Miscellanous London airport was closed with visibility down to 00:30 Main News, Financial & Weather Report 20 yards. Many flights were diverted into Gatwick. Many long-distance trains from London were can- celled. Suburban services were also seriously dis- rupted. There are some businesses benefiting from the offbeat smog. One Birmingham travel agent has reported the big short_ bookings up 10% on last year and the number of urn ilence of the ambs room 3 inquiries has gone up since the fog descended. US: T ‘S L ’ 2.30, 4.45, 9.30 pm Chemists are also reporting a boom in the sale of house into animal museum Director: Adam Mckay smog masks. One chemist in the centre of Manches- Starring: Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling An animal rights group ter had sold out of masks by 1000 this morning. Language: English (Cantonese) wants to convert the wes- Duration: 130min Courtesy BBC News ap photo tern Pennsylvania house used in the film “The Silen- Ip man 3_ ce of the Lambs” into an room 3 In context empathy museum, where 7.30 pm visitors could wear the Director: Wilson Yip Wai Shun In response to the smog of December 1952, the Clean Air Act skins of slain and abused Starring: Donnie Yen, Lynn Xiong, Max Zhang was introduced in 1956. animals. Language: Cantonese (English/Cantonese) It restricted the burning of domestic fuels in urban areas with The group People for Duration: 110min the introduction of smokeless zones, but fogs continued to be the Ethical Treatment of smoky after the act as residents and operators were given time Animals (PETA) says in a release that it has written to the real macau tower to convert. estate agent handling the sale and wants to create a museum. The act was revised in 1968 when industries burning coal, gas 14 Jan - 10 Feb or other fuels were ordered to use tall chimneys. In 1974 the The building was home to psychotic killer Buffalo Bill in the first Control of Air Pollution act introduced regulations on the 1991 film. the 5h wave_ composition of motor fuels. PETA says by wearing animal skins, people would be remin- 2.30, 4.45, 7.15, 9.30 pm By the 1980s and ‘90s the increasing use of the motor vehicle ded that animals also are “made of flesh, blood and bone.” Director: J Blakeson led to a new kind of smog caused by the chemical reaction of Scott and Barbara Lloyd listed the Layton home for sale last Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, car pollutants and the sunshine. summer. It’s located about 28 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Maika Monroe The 1995 Environment Act introduced new regulations for air The asking price dropped from USD300,000 to $250,000 ear- Language: English (Cantonese) pollutants. lier this month. Duration: 112min fri 29.01.2016 th Anniversary

資訊／娛樂 INFOTAINMENT 17

YOUR STARS The Born Loser by Chip Sansom Aries Taurus

Mar. 21-Apr. 19 April 20-May 20 Do you need a new phone — or some Your mind is racing, and you other, more esoteric gadget? Now is are torn between two or more an ideal time to get a great deal, so alternatives for today’s action. look around for something suitable That means you could flip a coin, and then see what you can do to but it’s better to wait for the right drive the price down. information to come your way.

Gemini Cancer

May 21-Jun. 21 Jun. 22-Jul. 22 Your mental energy is topping out Nobody seems able to tell you what today, so find a way to record all you need to know — so make sure those great ideas that are flowing that you’re seeking out more people! through your head! You may find You may never get the definitive that you need to grab a friend to help word, but the chorus of voices helps sort through them all. you settle on something. SUDOKU Weather Leo Virgo Min Max Condition Jul. 23-Aug. 22 Aug. 23-Sept. 22 China You need to listen carefully — This day is less nailed down than Easy Easy+ your friends are trying to tell you others — which means that your something that may be somewhat actions have a greater effect! Make Beijing -7 0 clear/cloudy delicate. It’s not exactly life and sure that you do your best, so you Harbin clear death, though, so you don’t have to can at least feel good about your -27 -15 feel like the world is at stake. activities when it’s all over. Tianjin -3 0 cloudy Urumqi -8 cloudy/clear Libra Scorpio -15 Xi’an -4 4 cloudy/overcast Sep.23-Oct. 22 Oct. 23 - Nov. 21 Lhasa -9 7 cloudy Your social and intellectual energies Try to relax and avoid the temptation Chengdu 0 10 cloudy/clear are working together, and you to take risks today — you can tell that are seeking out new topics for the odds are just not on your side. Chongqing 4 10 overcast/cloudy conversation. Things may get really Things could get really weird if you Kunming 1 15 clear interesting when you run into let them, but you’re better off just someone who’s like-minded! lying low. Nanjing 3 5 moderate rain Shanghai 5 8 drizzle Sagittarius Capricorn Wuhan 2 6 drizzle/cloudy Medium Hard Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Hangzhou 4 6 moderate rain You’ve got almost too much going on Keep chatter to a minimum today — Taipei 18 24 moderate rain today — but you don’t really mind! you need to just relax and focus on Guangzhou heavy rain Things may get a little nutty as you your work or whatever else you’ve 13 17 swing from one rope to the next, but decided is of primary importance. Hong Kong 15 18 heavy rain you always manage to catch yourself. Things are looking good, but stay on task!

Aquarius Pisces world

Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Feb.19-Mar. 20 Moscow 0 2 sleet You need to speak from the heart — What you thought was solid turns Frankfurt 1 11 cloudy/drizzle but you need to do so in a way that out to be rather mushy — so make acknowledges that you still have a sure that you’re in a good place to Paris 1 11 clear/cloudy brain! Make sure that your people watch and see what needs to happen London 10 12 drizzle get the message in a way that only next. Your energy is perfect for you can deliver it. improvising! New York -2 5 clear/overcast

Crosswords Useful telephone numbers Across: 1- DEA agent; 5- Nobelist Bohr; 10- Enemies; 14- Moonfish; 15- Dam extending across the Nile; 16- Smell ___; 17- Aloe ___; 18- ___ having fun yet?; 19- Nothing more than; 20- Rebirth of the soul in a new body; 23- Back of the neck; 24- “Runaway” singer Shannon; 25- Cow catcher; 28- CD forerunners; 31- Laid- Emergency calls 999 Taxi 28 939 939 / 2828 3283 back; 35- Construction pieces; 37- ___ Lingus; 39- Year abroad; 40- In spite of; 44- Hobby shop buy; 45- Affirmative answer; 46- Off-campus local; 47- Reduces Fire department 28 572 222 Water Supply – Report 1990 992 speed; 50- Desire; 52- Actress Spacek; 53- Curvy letter; 55- ___ arms (angry); 57- Donkey; 63- Confer; 64- Broadcasting; 65- Escaping fluid; 67- Cairo’s river; PJ (Open line) 993 Telephone – Report 1000 68- Churns up; 69- Patron saint of sailors; 70- Animated character; 71- 1957 hit for the Bobbettes; 72- Stains; PJ (Picket) 28 557 775 Electricity – Report 28 339 922

Down: 1- Calendar abbr.; 2- Imitator; 3- Infrequent; 4- Portable power saw; PSP 28 573 333 Macau Daily Times 28 716 081 5- Civil rights org.; 6- Sharon’s land; Customs 28 559 944 7- Large jug or pitcher; 8- Mown grass; Yesterday’s solution 9- Slammin’ Sammy; 10- Clan; 11- Black- and-white treat; 12- Merit; 13- Fr. holy S. J. Hospital 28 313 731 woman; 21- A Judd; 22- Vietnamese New Year; 25- Rings of a chain; 26- Bubbling; Crossword puzzles provided by BestCrosswords.com Kiang Wu Hospital 28 371 333 27- Rhubarb; 29- Dated; 30- Collector’s goal; 32- Hurts; 33- Bandleader Skinnay Commission Against ___; 34- One over par; 36- Sloppy place; 38- Fink; 41- Yo!; 42- Polite refusal; 43- Corruption (CCAC) 28326 300 Lessened; 48- Enervate; 49- Conscription org.; 51- Marriageable; 54- Tempest; IACM 28 387 333 56- Money bag; 57- Scott of “Charles in Charge”; 58- Cockney greeting; 59- ___ Tourism 28 333 000 about; 60- Go belly up; 61- Hard to hold; 62- Title; 63- Explosive initials; 66- Floors; Airport 59 888 88

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Rugby ap photo No talk of who’s favorite among Six Nations teams

Foster Niumata, London

Football | FA Cup he new leaders of ap photo the bookmakers' favorite team Van Gaal defiant to win the Six TNations were keen to as criticism downplay their qualities. Eddie Jones said he was mounts ahead of enjoying his honeymoon period as England coach, FA Cup match still waiting for the first big blow-up in the squad, whi- le captain Dylan Hartley, Steve Douglas, Manchester their most experienced player by far, admitted he Saturday, 3:55am was "not the finished arti- Derby v Man Utd cle, I need help." H 4.3, D 3.5, A 2 The kind of help Hartley was referring to at the tournament media launch f Manchester United went on the attack this week was in regard Iin games as much as its manager does in to skills, though it could news conferences, England's biggest team also have been about his may not be in such a rut. poor disciplinary record. Yesterday, a defiant Louis van Gaal cri- More than a year's worth ticized sections of the British media who of suspensions caused his reported this week he had offered to resign suitability to be the ski- in the wake of United's latest poor result — pper to still be questioned a 1-0 home loss to Southampton in the two days after his appoint- Premier League on Saturday. ment, and prompted "I think it's awful and horrible," said Van answers from the straight-­ Gaal, who walked out of a news conferen- backed hooker as prickly ce last month. "It's the third time I've been as his haircut. anti-English jingoism that nham in the Rugby World cing back is what we must sacked and I'm still sitting here." Hartley's appointment comes with Calcutta Cup Cup last September, and do." Lose to second-tier Derby in the FA Cup prompted a rush of be- games. doesn't expect anything After years of underwhel- today (Saturday, 3:55am), and even Van tting at William Hill on "We can't go into it with less than a fight to the fi- ming rugby from France, Gaal acknowledges the scrutiny could be England as the favorite for clouded minds, we need nish next week. Noves was, like England too much to take. the title and a Grand Slam, clear minds to win this There's pessimism in Ire- counterpart Jones, trying "Now I cannot lose anymore because I am which didn't put off Jones game," Laidlaw said. land about its chances of to return the team to its condemned for the fourth time that I have calling their first oppo- Defending two-time a hat trick of Six Nations strengths and restore pri- been sacked," Van Gaal said. "And maybe nent, Scotland, "the form champion Ireland annou- titles after all three pro- de. It was less about ambi- then you have written the truth, because team of Europe," presu- nced a clear mind for star vincial teams - all former tion, than taking responsi- sometimes it happens." mably because the Scots flyhalf Jonathan Sexton, European club champions bility on the field. Van Gaal was heckled by fans after the reached the Rugby World who passed concussion - failed to reach the Cham- "The players must not loss to Southampton, with United having Cup quarterfinals and En- protocols and trained pions Cup quarterfinals. only take pleasure on the won just three of its last 13 games and in gland didn't. on Tuesday after suffe- "Have you seen our re- field but also give pleasu- fifth place in the Premier League. United's Jones admitted he was ring another head inju- cord?" Wales coach War- re," Noves said. style of football under Van Gaal is dull and still finding out what ry in the Champions Cup ren Gatland asked. Nei- They have the pleasure risk-averse, and the supporters appear to makes each of his players last weekend. He will be ther of the two Welsh pro- of hosting the tournament have had enough. tick, but was sure enough available for Ireland's Six vinces made the quarters opener on Feb. 6 against The Dutchman said that he hadn't offered to pick three uncapped Nations opener against either, and a Welsh club Italy, which will try to to quit and the support of Ed Woodward, players who could receive Wales on Feb. 7 at Lans- hasn't reached the final for give leaving coach Jacques United's executive vice-chairman, was testing debuts on Feb. 6 downe Road, coach Joe 20 years. Brunel a suitable send-off. "fantastic." at Murrayfield in front of Schmidt said. Like the Welsh players, Expectations aren't high, "It gives you a lot of pressure becau- "65,000 crazy Scots." Schmidt admitted he Gatland expected the Irish as usual. Especially after se when the board has such confidence Scotland captain Greig was concerned about Sex- players to have their en- the squad included 10 new in you, the pressure is much higher than Laidlaw hopes that crowd ton's long-term health, but thusiasm renewed by re- caps, and will have limited when they say it's your last game," Van plays its part because "we trusted the medical advice joining the national setup, training together. Gaal said. "Then the confidence is not so want to make Murrayfield on Sexton, who was stood and reminded of their past "Every single year peo- high." not a nice place for teams down for 12 weeks a year achievements. ple ask if we deserve to be United may be playing Derby just at the to come and play us." ago after four concussions It's been six years sin- in this tournament, and right time. It has won only one of its last The Scots haven't beaten in quick succession, and ce France last won the every year we must show six games — in the FA Cup third round — England for eight years, took another head knock championship, and its that we really deserve to and has dropped off the top of the League but they are riding a wave against France at the Wor- last appearance anywhere play," Italy captain Sergio Championship. of confidence after making ld Cup. was a record 62-13 hiding Parisse said. Derby is managed by Paul Clement, the the World Cup quarters, "All we can do is go on from New Zealand in the "The only way we can be former assistant manager at Real Madrid which ended in controver- the best medical opinion," World Cup quarterfinals. credible as a team is by where he worked under Carlo Ancelotti. sial fashion. Schmidt said. "If there are But new coach Guy Noves performing well. We know Clement said he might speak to Ancelotti A year after being whi- people who question that, was bored of the remin- it's going to be really, before the game at Pride Park. tewashed in the Six Na- it's a disappointment and ders, and preferred to look really difficult to get vic- "I am not sure it will quite be a giant-­ tions, the Scots have sta- a reality." ahead. tories in the first two ma- killing if we get a good result," Clement ted they are aiming for the Schmidt was impressed "I have no defeats with tches against France and said. "It is a challenge we are really looking title they haven't won this by how Wales "picked my team," he said. "We England, but we will try forward to, up against a team that is not in century, and can't afford to themselves off the ground" have good players who can to build confidence for the great form." AP / Oddschecker.com get caught up in the usual to beat England at Twicke- bounce back, and boun- matches afterwards." AP THE US: 19 arrested in connection Station29.01.2016Air quality fri th Anniversary BUZZ with drug, gambling ring Roadside 50-70 20 Moderate Nineteen people from four states were arrested more than a decade ago. They are among near- in connection with an international drug traffi- ly two dozen people indicted this month in San High cking and illegal gambling ring that authorities Diego. Density 55-75 allege was headed by a former college athlete. The federal indictment, unsealed yesterday, Residental Arrests were made in Southern California, Sacra- alleges that Hanson ran an organization known Moderate mento, Phoenix, Louisiana and Virginia, the U.S. as “ODOG” that sold drugs from heroin to meth, Area attorney’s office said. laundered millions of dollars through shell com- opinion Two other people were previously arrested, in- panies, operated illegal sports gambling websites, Ambient 55-75 cluding Owen Hanson, who played football and ran a network of bookies, and strong-armed de- Moderate source: dsmg source: Kapok volleyball at the University of Southern California btors. Eric Sautedé WORLD BRIEFS

Make the results (truly) Norwegian Pakistan Diplomats from Pakistan, Afghanistan, public China and the US are due Reports released by any audit commission to meet in Islamabad next anywhere are often written in a dreary, matter-­ preschool month, Pakistan’s Foreign of-fact style, and deal with topics that, although Ministry announced, to of general interest and direct taxpayer concern, discuss how to resume seldom capture the public’s imagination. Yet, con- drops carnival the stalled peace process trary to the general belief, they habitually make between the Kabul a fun read. The title itself can be eye-catching - government and the although not a Macao tradition - and of course Taliban. the general conclusions and recommendations over gender need to be unequivocal and effective, especially when your values are “professionalism, indepen-

dence, objectivity and professional due care” and ap photo your mission is “to conduct independent audit on stereotypes public sector organizations with respect to their utilization and management of public funds,” as it is the case for the Commission of Audit (CA) in Macao. Here, no abusive speech about the need Mark Lewis, Stavanger for consensus building, but rather hard talk and professional judgment with the clear transforma- preschool in egalita- India Suspected Maoist tional objective of making the administration more rian Norway has can- accountable and capable. A rebels killed seven The tradition runs deep in China. Censors, a mix celed its traditional car- policemen and injured six of graft-fighters and auditors, were put in place un- nival celebration saying it ged in recent years so we boys later on with a skirt. others, a top police official der the Han dynasty (206 BCE - 8 CE) and then encourages gender stereo- felt we needed to look again I believe at one point we in India said yesterday, the position of Censor-in-chief became one of the types, with boys dressing at the arrangements.” have to admit that there after they detonated a land most coveted positions in Imperial China up to up in macho superhero Norwegians are proud is difference between girls mine in Jharkhand state. 1911. In Republican China, the Control Yuan was costumes and girls in frilly of their record in promo- and boys.” The rebels operate mostly in central and eastern and is still today in the Republic of China (Taiwan) princess dresses. ting women’s rights. Some While referencing gender-­ one of the five main branches of government as India, demanding a greater imagined by Sun Yat-sen (the four others being the Renate Kvivesen, the 40 percent of Norwegian stereotyped costumes, the local share in the region’s Executive, Legislative, Judicial and Examination principal of the Vikaasen lawmakers are women, in- email to parents also added natural resources. yuan), and the Ministry of Audit is actually placed preschool near Trondheim, cluding the prime minister concern at the commercia- under the Control Yuan. In the People’s Republic told The Associated Press and finance minister, while lization of the holiday. “Not Australia A teenage of China, a National Audit Office was created in that “we don’t think it fits company boardrooms are all children experience this suspect discussed with a 1983 and is constitutive of the State Council - we our values to host an event required to have a female day as something positive,” British accomplice packing were reminded of the existence of that institution where children feel it’s im- quota of four in every 10. it said. a kangaroo with explosives this week when one of the Deputy Directors of the before setting it loose on Macao Liaison Office, Zheng Zhentao, was nomi- portant to fit into specific Still, some are sensitive Hilde Noest, who had Australian police officers, nated discipline inspection chief in that very office. gender roles.” about letting gender politi- planned to send her prosecutors allege. The And of course, we have the pretty notorious Central The preschool has children cs affect the upbringing of 18-month-­old daughter to suspect is believed to Commission for Discipline Inspection, the highest from zero to six years old. their children. preschool in a piglet costu- internal-control institution of the Communist Party be connected to an IS- Parents were informed One of those who disa- me, said some might think inspired terrorist attack at a of China that brought down the like of Bo Xilai and by email that the annual greed with the decision to of Norway as “the crazy Zhou Yongkang. Veteran’s Day ceremony in In Macao, the CA merely deals with the (mis) dress-­up for carnival, held cancel the dress-up was equality country,” but ad- April last year. More on p12 management of public funds, and is not concerned just ahead of Lent in the Sarah Askim, a Swiss-born ded the decision would with corruption or even maladministration as these Christian calendar, would mother of three boys, the help protect children. Brazil New figures are left to the probing of the Commission Against not be taking place as usual youngest of which attends “It’s OK if all of the boys released by Brazil’s Health Corruption. Although it enjoys administrative and this year after a split deci- the preschool. want to be Batman and Ministry as part of a probe financial autonomy, the CA reports directly to the sion by the parent-teacher “I appreciate that they try all of the girls want to be into the Zika virus have Chief Executive. Yet, in more than 16 years it has board. to open the kids’ minds,” princesses,” she said. “But found fewer cases of a released dozens of convincing and daring reports, Kvivesen said some pa- she said. “I am happy if maybe some of them feel rare birth defect than first first under the stewardship of long-term civil ser- feared. vant Mrs Fátima Choi Mei Lei and since 2009 under rents were disappointed the girls play with cars and differently and they shou- Mr Ho Veng On, the only element of continuity still but added “the nature of the boys play with kitchen ld not be made to feel left France An activist from standing today after the extensive cabinet reshuffle the celebration has chan- stuff. But I won’t dress my out.” AP international women’s of December 2014. rights organization, Femen, Released last week, the latest CA report concerns staged a mock hanging the awarding of surveys and consultancy services of herself from a bridge in by the government agencies, and clearly there is a lot to be improved. In terms of number, things times square by rodrigo Paris to protest the visit of are not so bad: out of 1,514 “contracted” projects Iranian president Hassan representing more than MOP1.4 billion from Ja- Rouhani yesterday. She nuary 2010 to June 2013, only 280 are conside- had an Iranian flag painted red as posing a “high risk” and 81 being “actually on her chest. More on p15 problematic”, for a total of only MOP153 million. More worrying though is that all of these are con- centrated among a handful of administrations, the

worst of which in value and/or instances being the ap photo Transport Bureau, the Public Works Bureau, the Macao Foundation and the Environmental Bureau; the main faults residing in discretionary attributions of contracts and disregard for due processes and regulations. It is all the more disturbing that these are precisely the departments where issues are the most pressing and public wariness the most vocal: city planning, transport and environment! The se- cretaries have immediately issued directives to all France A man with two departments to carefully “study” the cases raised handguns and a Quran was and the recommendations made. The Chief Execu- detained yesterday along tive himself has requested the utmost vigilance and with his female partner indicated that this poses a wider question as to why at Disneyland Paris, so much expert advice needed to be outsourced. In the end, if the CE wants his “scientific gover- Europe’s most-visited nance” promise to take hold, all the reports pro- tourist attraction, police duced (and their authors) should be made public said. No one was hurt in as the end result as much as the due processes the incident and the park appear to be at fault! remained open after the arrests.