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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 JAMADA ALAWWAL 2, 1436 AH No: 16440 Kuwait vows to Indian diamond New Zealand uproot terrorism trader buys Modi rout England and extremism2 suit13 for $700,000 by46 8 wickets Sandstorm batters

Kuwait, shuts ports Min 06º 150 Fils Max 18º Snow blizzards sweep across Middle East

(Left) The Grand Mosque is seen in a haze as a heavy sandstorm blows into Kuwait yesterday. (Right) Palestinian children play as snow falls in front of the Dome of the Rock Mosque in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the old city of Jerusalem yesterday. — Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh and AFP

By Hanan Al-Saadoun and Agencies Dispute between US, KUWAIT/ JERUSALEM: A heavy sandstorm blanketed Kuwait yesterday afternoon, which rolled in from Salmi and quickly reached Kuwait City. Some canopies at the Gulf airlines heats up heritage village in Salmi collapsed during the storm, but no injuries were reported. “Citizens and residents are required to take precautions to protect themselves and 9/11 comment escalates row their family members, observe speed limits on roads and use seatbelts in all conditions and circumstances in order DALLAS: US airlines have been sparring for several years with too. And that is where things got testy this week. to avoid collisions,” the Minister of Interior’s security fast-growing Gulf rivals that seem to be poaching passengers After the terror attacks of Sept 11, 2001, Congress approved information department said in a statement. The ministry from the Americans. Now, a CEO’s comment that dragged $5 billion in cash aid and up to $10 billion in loan guarantees also urged motorists to keep traffic flowing smoothly and 9/11 into the debate has escalated the fight. The three largest to help US airlines survive a sharp drop in travel. The Gulf air- stay away from sites of accidents. US airlines claim that three big Gulf carriers have received lines contend that those payments, and benefits that major US The weather bureau warned that the sandstorm will more than $40 billion in subsidies from their governments airlines received from bankruptcy protection, amounted to gradually move inland, accompanied by winds of more since 2004, making competition with them unfair because subsidies. their costs are artificially low. In response to those claims, Delta CEO Richard Anderson than 79 km/h, while visibility will drop to less than 500 m. The CEOs of American, United and Delta are asking federal seemed to link the Gulf carriers and their nations to the 9/11 Some areas will have no visibility, it added. officials to renegotiate or kill treaties that have allowed airlines attacks, in which American Airlines and United Airlines jets The Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to increase flights to were crashed into the World Trade Center in New York and the that navigation at Kuwait International Airport was sus- the US. American, United and Delta say that unless the treaties Pentagon outside Washington, killing nearly 3,000 people. “It’s pended after visibility dropped to 200 m. Director of the are changed, they will be forced to cut back or drop interna- a great irony to have the United Arab Emirates from the operations department at the airport Saleh Al-Fadaghi tional routes. State-owned Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad Arabian Peninsula talk about that, given the fact that our told KUNA that the required visibility for navigation is Airways say that the US airlines are merely blocking competi- industry was really shocked by the terrorism of 9/11, which between 300-500 m, depending on the type of the plane. tion and protecting the high fares they charge on international came from terrorists from the Arabian Peninsula,” Anderson Fadaghi later said navigation resumed after visibility flights. Some US consumer groups agree. The Gulf airlines also said on CNN. restored to normal at 500 m. have also claimed that the US airlines have gotten subsidies Continued on Page 13 Continued on Page 13 LOCAL SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 Kuwait vows to uproot Ghanem hails Crown Prince as terrorism, extremism great statesman KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem Defense Minister urges comprehensive solution yesterday sent a cable of congratula- tions to HH the Crown Prince Sheikh WASHINGTON: Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Sheikh Khalid renewed, during the tion since it was formed to counter ter- Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh conclusion of “The Countering Violent rorism, as well as through a commitment making the 9th anniversary of Sheikh Khalid Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah has expressed Extremism (CVE) Summit” at the White to international resolutions issued in this Nawaf’s assumption of the post. Kuwait’s commitment to counter violent House dedicated to facing violent regard to confront violent extremism. Ghanem hailed Sheikh Nawaf as a extremist ideology and underscored the extremism late on Thursday, Kuwait’s He noted that Kuwait formed a team great statesman, “armed with wisdom, need to address it from a comprehensive commitment to address this extremist from several competent bodies to con- modesty and closeness to the people”. perspective in order to find solutions to ideology through active participation front and refute the messages broadcast HH Sheikh Nawaf, since his proclama- the region’s problems. with partners in the international coali- by extremist groups via the various tion as the heir apparent, has been an social media outlets, recalling Kuwait’s example of devotion and discipline, he hosting last October of the first meeting said, noting that HH the Crown Prince aimed at finding ways to face ideological has left a good impression among staff messages of the terrorist organizations, during his service in state various Marzouq in addition to strengthening action with posts and departments. Al-Ghanem civil society organizations, intellectuals and clerics in that way. Sheikh Khalid stressed that there is no News doubt that the continuing instability in in brief the region led to the creation of an incu- bator environment for these extremist ideas, emphasizing the need that any solution to such ideologies must be MEW warns users to through a comprehensive perspective to pay outstanding bills solve the problems of the region in order KUWAIT: The Ministry of Electricity and Water has to eliminate terrorism and extremism because they represent a regional and warned consumers - citizens and expats - to pay their international threat. dues at the nearest office to avoid further action. The He added that this summit is held in ministry said there are many steps it takes against users crucial circumstances the international who are late in paying bills, adding it will initially send community is passing through, a matter warnings, then cut the water service if no payments are that would necessitate the need to address these terrorist and extremist ide- made. Meanwhile, the ministry said that Minister ologies which represent a common chal- Abdelaziz Al-Ibrahim will open a consumer affairs office lenge for all, praising the initiative of the in Siddiq in South Surra on Monday. friendly United States in hosting this meeting. The Countering Violent Extremism summit, which lasted for Cleaning firms three days, wrapped up its deliberations accused of laxity WASHINGTON: Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister on Thursday night - in which representa- Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah is seen during the conclusion of “The tives from more than 60 countries had KUWAIT: Several expats who live in investment and Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Summit” at the White House. —KUNA taken part. —KUNA commercial areas are disappointed because of the low level of cleanliness near some well-known mar- kets in some governorates. They said there is a clear Kuwaiti charities send aid to deficiency, because some cleaning companies are not complying with the contracts signed with the Syrian refugees in Lebanon Municipality, to a point where some dumpsters are left overflowing for more than a week before being emptied. They asked the municipality and the BEIRUT: An air shipment carrying 27 tonnes of humanitarian aid arranged municipal council to suspend such companies, as by several Kuwaiti charities for Syrian some of them have left it up to workers to do the refugees arrived in Lebanon on job, who in turn are busy separating and sorting Thursday. The shipment consists of garbage in residential areas to sell to recyclers. They food, dates, heaters, wheelchairs, blan- said fines must be increased against these compa- kets and winter utilities, according to head of the operation Bader Burhama. nies so that they adhere to the job they are sup- The campaign will be followed up with posed to do. an additional 50-tonne shipment in the near future, he told KUNA, along- side more relief batches Kuwaiti chari- Swiss National Council ties and the government are providing chief invited to Kuwait to other refugee-hosting nations. BERN: Kuwait’s Ambassador to Switzerland Bader Al- The relief comes amid a harsh snow Taneeb has delivered an official invitation from National storm that has hit Lebanon thus Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem to President of increasing the suffering of refugees liv- ing in camps along the border, said the National Council Stephane Rossini to visit Kuwait’s Diplomatic Attache at the Kuwaiti parliament. “The invitation by Al-Ghanem to Rossini Embassy Ahmad Al-Sabti. Syrian reflects the depth of relations between the two legisla- refugees fleeing to neighbouring tures,” Taneeb told KUNA in a statement yesterday. Lebanon have exceeded the one-mil- Rossini expressed his satisfaction with the National lion mark, most of whom are concen- trated in northern cities and towns like Assembly’s performance and its tangible effort aiming at Al-Beqaa Valley, Akkar and Tripoli. maintaining democracy’s march in the country, he not- Kuwaiti state initiatives and NGOs col- ed. He added that official visits by Ghanem and parlia- lectively represent the biggest donors mentary delegations to Switzerland have great impact to Syrian refugees in Lebanon since on reactivating the atmosphere of understanding and the outbreak of violence in Syria began around four years ago. —KUNA Officials from Kuwaiti charities are seen with the aid. —KUNA coordination in several issues of common concern. LOCAL SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 Indian ex-MP: Agency should recruit nurses

By Sajeev K Peter to root out corruption in recruitment and ensure job security of the external affairs ministry, said ministry officials must discuss the matter nurses who are recruited,” he said. Sudhakaran discussed the matter with their counterparts in Kuwait to institute a mutually acceptable KUWAIT: A former Indian parliament member and a leader of the with two Indian nurses who called on him Thursday after his arrival nodal agency for the recruitment of nurses. Congress party K Sudhakaran said in Kuwait. Despite several instances of cheating by recruiting agents “This nodal agency must be entrusted with the job of recruiting yesterday that a government who make a windfall out of nursing recruitments, hundreds of nurses directly from India to various foreign countries and its opera- nodal agency must be entrusted Indians still pay hefty amounts to illegal firms to land a nursing job tions must be transparent keeping the middlemen at abeyance,” with the job of recruiting nurses in Kuwait. Sudhakaran said. Sudhakaran, who represented the Kannur Lok Sabha directly from India to Kuwait in Sudhakaran, while asking Indian social organizations in Kuwait to constituency in the 15th Lok Sabha, was in Kuwait to attend a conven- order to avoid illegal recruitment take up the matter with the Indian overseas department under the tion organized by Indian Overseas Cultural Congress (OICC) yesterday. and corruption. The former MP, who arrived in Kuwait on Thursday on a brief visit, told Kuwait Times that the governments of both Kuwait and India must address the issue mush more seriously and find a permanent solution to keep middlemen out of recruitment of nurses. “It is imperative that we keep K Sudhakaran the middlemen out of the picture Policemen jailed for disciplinary reasons to be freed

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior’s Undersecretary Maj Suleiman Al- Fahd ordered the release of all policemen who are jailed for disci- plinary reasons on the occasion of the national celebrations. As per a statement issued the Ministry’s Security Media Department, the jailed policemen will be release on Tuesday, Feb 24. The state- ment added that the decision was taken on instructions from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Mohammad Khaled Al-Hamad Al- Sabah on the occasion of the Suleiman Al-Fahd national days. —KUNA Alleged violations at Sabahiya Co-op

By A Saleh

KUWAIT: The Vice Chairman of Sabahiya Cooperative Society Abdelrazaq Al-Ruwaili said the co-op is suffering from many problems, alleging many financial violations with the approval of some board members, adding that “I have documents that prove those violations”. Ruwaili told journalists that he requested a meeting with Social Affairs and Labor Minister Hind Al-Subaih to expose the violations at the co- op, adding that the funds belong to shareholders and should be pro- tected. He said he will hold a press conference in a few days to reveal the violations in front of shareholders in order to stop them. Ruwaili spoke about violations such as manipulating the stationery and files at the co-op as well as some branches, as money is paid to companies that do not have a balance to cover slow-moving items, saying this is a major violation of the co-op’s funds. He asked Subaih to form an investigation committee to discuss the 2014 financial and administrative report of the co-op. He appealed Subaih to look into the violations for the sake of its shareholders.

Market Makeover E yed Meanwhile, the Municipality is discussing refurbishing of the “saffa- reen” market in Shuwaikh, after it received a memo in this regard from a technical team. The memo said the location is not used and has more than 120 shops of 16 sq m each, with passages betweens shops at 4.80 m. The memo said the market can be covered and air-conditioned to become a hub for youth who have occupational hobbies to help them market their products. It said the shops can be rented to them, or make them pay token rents for a limited time. It also said that the building can be demolished and rebuilt to create an integrated occupational complex. LOCAL SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 Crime Report Blind and deaf woman raped KUWAIT: A 45-year-old handicapped Kuwaiti woman was raped by an unidentified person after she left home unaccompanied. Her sister told police that the victim had a mobile phone with the phone numbers of her relatives so that anyone who finds her can call them, as she is blind and deaf. She said her sister did not return calls, and asked them to register a missing person case. A source said that just before the woman left the police station, she received a call from her missing sister’s phone, and the caller told her he is a policeman who found a handicapped woman. The source said the sister went to the police station from where she received the call, and found her sister bruised on the face, so she took her to Mubarak Hospital where injuries on her scalp, face, hands and pri- vate parts were found. The medical report confirmed that the vic- tim was raped, and detectives are now working on the case.

Manager, trainer fight A fight broke out between a manager of a health club in Salmiya and a trainer, and they exchanged blows. The manag- er then locked the trainer in a room until the end of her work- ing hours. A security source said that the Egyptian trainer told KUWAIT: People run towards a collapsed canopy at the heritage village in Salmi after a heavy sandstorm blanket- Salmiya police that she was beaten and detained by the man- ed Kuwait yesterday afternoon, which started from Salmi and reached Kuwait City. —Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh ager of the health club where she works, adding that the fight was over work issues. Police investigations are underway.

Fight over parking spot Hawally police brought a fight between a Gulf expat and two citi- zens under control after the three women fought over a parking spot in front of a mall in Salmiya. A security source said a call was received about the fight between the three women, so a patrol was sent and took the three to the police station for further action.

Man resists arrest Hawally patrols arrested a wanted citizen on Gulf Road over several cases including a debt of KD 34,000. The suspect, who resisted arrest, had drugs and drug para- phernalia. The arrest was made when a patrol spotted a car driven erratically, so it was stopped. When the dri- ver’s ID was checked, he was found wanted. When he was being led to the patrol car, he resisted, but was brought under control and searched. Hashish, shabu, narcotic pills and drug paraphernalia was found on him. He was sent to the Drugs Control General Department.

Man attacks ex-wife An Arab expat complained against her estranged husband, Bank manager tries to flee a citizen, for beating her when he saw her in a Salmiya cafe. The woman said that while she was with a female friend in the café, her ex-husband swore at her, then after stealing KD 700,000 attacked and beat her. Police are investigating.

Suspect extradited from Egypt Wanted man arrested By Hanan Al-Saadoun when a customer complained about the loss of money Police patrols arrested a Palestinian in Salwa over drugs from his account. The bank then checked the accounts of and civil cases and a jail sentence in absentia. A police source said the Palestinian drew their attention when KUWAIT: A security source said that Kuwait has repatriat- other customers, and filed a complaint with the prosecu- he attempted to hide as soon as he saw them, so they ed a Kuwaiti citizen from Egypt who worked as a bank tion. Criminal detectives and Interpol traced her to Egypt, stopped him and asked for his ID, and found out he is manager, after she fled Kuwait when an embezzlement of from where she was extradited to Kuwait and confessed. wanted. He was sent to concerned authorities. KD 700,000 from customer accounts was discovered. The source said the woman decided to escape after she was Body found busted, traveling to Dubai, then Cairo on her way to The body of an unidentified person was sent to the Mandoob robbed Britain. medical examiner to determine the cause of death. A bot- A thief broke into the car of an Egyptian mandoob and The source said the manager embezzled from cus- tle containing what is thought to be liquor was found next stole a case with seven passports and KD 2,700 inside. The tomers’ accounts who deposited money in raffle draw to the body in an open area in Bneid Al-Gar. Meanwhile, an mandoob went to Maidan Hawally police station and told accounts as well as dormant ones. Most withdrawals were Egyptian was killed when a car hit him on Fahaheel them that he left the car in front of the building where he from the account of an expat businessman, taking advan- Expressway while he was crossing the road. The body was lives, and when he returned an hour later, he discovered tage of handling his account. The bank discovered her acts recovered by the coroner. the theft. Police are investigating. —Al-Rai

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 Al-Jazeera reporter in Egypt 25 killed as Al Shebab ‘Terrifying’ storm slams cites employer’s ‘negligence’ 8 hits Mogadishu hotel 10 into Australia northeast 14

TABUK, Saudi Arabia: Saudi men stand around a camp fire in the Aleghan Heights, located some 1,500 km northwest of the Saudi capital Riyadh in the Tabuk region yesterday after a heavy snow storm hit parts of the Middle East. — AFP MERS deaths surge in Saudi Authorities warn as death toll mounts

RIYADH: Deaths from the MERS virus have MERS virus, which was first identified in 2012. people working with camels are at increased risk WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organization surged in Saudi Arabia, health ministry figures A total of 899 people have been infected in of infection from MERS-CoV, and young camels and other UN agencies are concluding a mission showed yesterday, after authorities warned of a the kingdom, of whom 382 have died. Doctor are particularly susceptible. to Saudi Arabia after “a surge in cases in the past seasonal increase in Middle East Respiratory Abdul Aziz bin Saeed, who heads the centre Saeed said “you have more infected camels few weeks,” WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The ministry coordinating the ministry’s response to MERS, right now circulating.” The ministry reported said. He told reporters in Geneva that more than recorded five deaths on Thursday alone, bring- warned earlier this month that a surge in cases new cases from across the kingdom. Half of 40 cases have been reported in the kingdom this ing to 16 the number since February 11. That fig- typically occurs around this time of year, those who died were in their 70s or 80s. A public month, including some contracted inside health ure compares with a single death from the virus because of the risks posed by newborn camels. awareness campaign is continuing. The WHO facilities. More than 20 countries have been in the first 10 days of the month. Saudi Arabia is The World Health Organization (WHO) has cited urged people working with camels to pay partic- affected by MERS but most cases have been the country which has been hardest hit by the the preliminary results of studies indicating that ular attention to personal hygiene. Experts from linked to the Middle East. — AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 Al-Jazeera reporter in Egypt cites employer’s ‘negligence’ Qatar ‘waging a media war’ against Cairo?

CAIRO: Al-Jazeera English journalist Mohamed Fahmy, who is out awaiting retrial after more than a year behind bars in Egypt on terrorism-related charges, said his Qatar- funded employer is partially to blame for his grinding ordeal. Fahmy said it would be “naive” and “misleading” to see the case purely as a crackdown on press freedom, because it was complicated by Al-Jazeera’s BENGHAZI: Libyan military soldiers fire their weapons “negligence” and Qatar’s use of the outlet to “wage a media war” against Cairo. “I am not during clashes with Islamic militias in Benghazi. — AP losing sight of who put me in prison,” he said, referring to the Egyptian prosecutors, who Finding Libya solution, a failed to present any evidence related to the daunting task for world terror charges in a trial widely condemned by rights groups and major media outlets. “However, Al-Jazeera’s epic negligence TRIPOLI: Having balked at Egypt’s call for military interven- has made our situation harder, more difficult, tion in Libya, the international community faces a daunting and gave our captor more firepower,” Fahmy task to find a political solution to the lawless North African said in an interview at his family home in a country’s crisis, analysts say. Roiled by turmoil ever since the Cairo suburb. “It is an infringement on free- NATO-backed ouster of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, dom of speech to silence three innocent, rec- Libya’s security has continued to deteriorate, prompting calls ognized journalists. Yet a very important CAIRO: Al-Jazeera journalist Mohamed Fahmy gives an interview in Cairo after for an easing of an arms embargo to help the internationally aspect of this case is Qatar abusing its Al- he and his colleague Egyptian producer Baher Mohamed were released from recognized government regain some control. Jazeera Arabic platform in waging a media an Egyptian jail. — AFP The beheading this week of 21 mainly Egyptian Coptic war against Egypt,” he said. Al-Jazeera Christians by the Islamic State group sparked Cairo to launch spokesmen did not respond to emails seek- permits. Al-Jazeera has said that lacking press includes Amal Clooney, who has waived 90 air strikes against the jihadists in Libya and call for an interna- ing comment. The broadcaster spearheaded credentials is an administrative matter that percent of her fees, he said. tional coalition to hit IS. But Western and Arab states have a global media campaign calling for the should never have landed the reporters in Fahmy and his Egyptian producer Baher flinched at the suggestion of force, and UN envoy Bernardino release of the reporters, insisting they were criminal court. After a purely Egyptian affiliate Mohammed begin their retrial on Monday, Leon told the UN Security Council Wednesday that the only unjustly punished for doing their job. of the network was ordered closed by a court after an appeals court threw out the case that cure for Libya’s trauma was political. Claudia Gazzini of the Egypt and Qatar have had tense relations in September 2013, the network continued to opened last year and ended in sentencing the since 2013, when the Egyptian military oust- International Crisis Group said a political accord would be “dif- broadcast from its Doha studios, relying on two to seven and ten years respectively. ed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi amid amateur videos. At least 11 defendants were Australian journalist Peter Greste, who was ficult, but not impossible to achieve.” “The international com- massive protests. Doha is a strong backer of tried with Fahmy and the others allegedly for originally sentenced to seven years, was munity must stay focused on supporting the dialogue efforts Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood and other providing amateur videos to the network. released and deported Feb 1. Fahmy was and resist calls to lift the arms embargo,” the analyst said. Islamist groups in the region. Cairo accused Late last year, before a retrial was ordered, Al- released on bail Feb. 12 following more than a Libya is awash with weapons and rival militias are battling Al-Jazeera of being a mouthpiece for Morsi’s Jazeera shut down its Egyptian affiliate, in year in prison. He said he is preparing for a for control of its cities and oil wealth. It has two rival govern- supporters, charges denied by the broadcast- what was seen as part of a thaw in the rela- lengthy legal battle in which his lawyers will ments and parliaments, one recognized by the international er. Fahmy maintained that Al-Jazeera English, tions between Cairo and Doha. But tensions question the main investigator in the case, who community and the other with ties to Islamists. Any additional for which he was bureau chief for just three flared again over Egypt’s recent airstrikes in accused him of being the head of a terror cell weapons could strengthen the divisive General Khalifa Haftar, months before being detained in December Libya, when an Egyptian official accused that was providing a platform for the Islamists. whose forces are fighting Islamist militias in battles that widen 2013, was doing balanced and independent Qatar of funding terror groups there. He is also going to seek deportation under the gulf between competing factions. One UN diplomat said reporting. Al Jazeera’s Arabic affiliates, how- the same new law that allowed Greste to be lifting the arms embargo would be tantamount to pouring ever, were the only remaining platform for New tiff deported and spared a retrial. Fahmy, a dual fuel on the fire. Islamists to criticize the military-backed gov- Fahmy said the new tiff will likely compli- Canadian-Egyptian citizen, was asked to give Since launching efforts at dialogue in September, Leon ernment after Morsi’s ouster. cate matters for him. “Like it or not, this case up his Egyptian nationality by Egyptian offi- has been unable to bring together leading players from rival Fahmy said his senior managers failed to is a public opinion case and the judge could cials in order to qualify for deportation. It’s camps. The UN envoy’s best achievement so far has been to provide the English network’s staff with be affected by what is happening in the polit- not clear why he was not then deported, but begin “indirect” talks last week between the internationally enough security, and to explain to the ical arena,” he said. Fahmy said he thinks Canada could have recognized government and the General National Congress, Egyptian government that they were differ- Al-Jazeera’s lawyer quit during the course pressed Cairo harder on the matter. Fahmy, which is under the leadership of the Islamist Fajr Libya mili- ent from the Arabic stations. “They should of the trial in a highly emotional scene in who turned 40 in detention, has meanwhile have provided a security umbrella and put tia currently controlling the capital Tripoli. But observers which he also accused the broadcaster of been forced to postpone his wedding. the security of their staffers ahead of getting jeopardizing its staff by choosing to sue the Without Egyptian citizenship, he must apply believe efforts to bridge the gap between the two sides will the story, because it was framed as Al-Jazeera Egyptian government for $150 million for to the Justice Ministry to marry his Egyptian fail so long as their respective armed factions-Haftar for the and Qatar are challenging the Egyptian gov- closing its offices and jamming its signal at fiancee Marwa Omara. Fahmy also has to elected government and Fajr Libya for the GNC-are not at ernment,” he said. He also said Al-Jazeera the height of the trial. Fahmy is now raising report to the local police station every day the same table. —AFP failed to provide press passes or equipment funds for his own defense team, which while the trial continues. — AP Jihadists stalking divided Libya

TRIPOLI: The main armed organizations in divided launched an eastward offensive aimed at seizing recognized government and parliament based in Brigades, as well as the jihadist Ansar Al-Sharia. Libya, which has seen the rise of jihadist move- Libya’s main oil export terminals, the source of its the east. Forced out of second city Benghazi by Ansar Al-Sharia is known to be close to Al-Qaeda ments, including the Islamic State group, as law- wealth. It advanced unchecked along the coast Islamist fighters last July, Haftar’s men withdrew and is blacklisted by the United Nations as a terror- lessness plagues the North African nation. Fajr passing through Sirte and reaching Bin Jawad, 600 farther east to cities loyal to him such Al-Baida, Al- ist organization. In addition to Benghazi, it has a Libya (Libya Dawn) A diverse and well-armed km east of Tripoli. It has a presence in Sirte, but Marj and Tobruk near the frontier with Egypt. In presence in Derna, and in Sirte and Sabratha in the alliance of militias, whose core comprises groups does not control all of the hometown of slain dicta- October Haftar launched a counter-offensive and west. Its ties with the Islamic State group are from third city Misrata (200 kilometers/125 miles tor Muammar Gaddafi which is now considered to retook large parts of Benghazi, 1,000 km east of the unclear, although several of its members are east of Tripoli). In summer 2014, Fajr Libya be a jihadist stronghold. Fajr Libya also has a pres- capital, although he still faces Islamist resistance. In reported to have defected to IS. The country’s attacked militiamen from Zintan (170 km south- ence in the south, including in its main city Sabha, the west, Haftar can count on the support of the branch of the Islamic State group has a strong pres- west of the capital) who were well established in and claims to control most of the country. powerful anti-Islamist Zintan militia and on region- ence in Derna, historically Libya’s most radical Tripoli and managed to oust them. al tribes. Zintanis say they form the core of the Islamist city. It also has forces in Sirte and the vil- The alliance also includes fighters from other Libyan National Army Libyan army. lage of Nufliyah to the south. towns and cities in the west, including members of A paramilitary force set up by renegade General It has cells in Libya’s vast southern desert, as the Berber minority and moderate Islamist militia- Khalifa Haftar, that includes former officers of Other armed groups well as in Tripoli, where it claimed a deadly attack men. It controls virtually all of Libya’s coastal cities, Gaddafi’s army in the east who defected in the The Shura Revolutionary Council in Benghazi, a on a hotel. Its Tripolitania branch posted gruesome from Misrata west to the border with Tunisia 2011 revolt. A handful of MiG-23 and MiG-21 war- coalition of Islamist and radical militias formed to video of the beheading of 21 Christians, most of through the capital, and cities to the south includ- planes and a special forces unit are the main units counter Haftar’s offensive. It has loose ties with Fajr them Copts from Egypt. Cyrenaica Force: anti- ing Gharyan, Nalut and Jado in the mainly Berber at Haftar’s disposal. It says it is battling “terrorism”, Libya and includes groups such as Libya Shield, the Islamist coalition of local tribes in eastern Libya led Nafusa mountain range. The group has also and is supported by the country’s internationally February 17 Martyrs and Rafallah Al-Sahati by Ibrahim al-Jodrane. —AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 News US seeks to spur global in brief action against jihadists Tight, cheap underpants force Canadian MP out Summit ends with little concrete action

OTTAWA: Canadian legislator Pat Martin on Thursday offered WASHINGTON: The United States sought to scored” a commitment to fighting extremist revealed Arab nations were planning to meet up one of the most original excuses ever heard for hurriedly unite nations around a common vision for groups and highlighted the need to support to “formulate a unified common Arab, Muslim running out of the House of Commons during a vote - his new combating violent jihadist groups in three local religious and community leaders. But stance” to what he called an “unprecedented cheap pair of underpants was too tight. Martin, who belongs days of talks which ended Thursday long on amid controversy over Obama’s refusal to threat.” to the official opposition New Democrats, bolted as members words but short on concrete steps. In the specify that the summit was aimed at con- “The war against extremism and radical of Parliament began to rise one by one to vote. He later wake of shocking beheadings and murders fronting Islamic militants, the statement not- ideology is our war,” said Judeh, again con- blamed his departure on an unwise purchase at a local store. by the Islamic State (IS) group, as well as a ed “the term ‘violent extremism’ like ‘terror- demning the murder of a captured Jordanian “They had men’s underwear on for half price and I bought a series of lone attacks in European cities, gov- ism,’ should not be associated with any reli- pilot burned alive by IS last month. Egyptian bunch that was clearly too small for me. I find it difficult to sit ernments must remain “unwavering in our gion, nationality, civilization, or ethnic group.” Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry denounced for any length of time,” he told the chamber to guffaws and fight against terrorist organizations,” the militant groups as “an affront to Islam.” applause from fellow legislators. Martin, one of the more color- President Barack Obama said. ‘Ugly lie’ Cairo launched air strikes on jihadist targets ful Canadian members of Parliament, did return in time to cast He vowed to ministers from some 60 “The notion that the West is at war with in Libya this week after IS militants beheaded his vote. nations to continue to hunt down Al-Qaeda Islam is an ugly lie,” Obama insisted. 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians. “In the end the militants in places like Yemen and Somalia Republican hawk John McCain immediately responsibility to confront the violent ideolo- and to help shore up fragile nations to “pre- turned the words back on the president, gy lies with Muslims themselves,” Shoukry ‘Predator’ US rabbi admits vent ungoverned spaces where terrorists find tweeting: “The notion that radical Islam isn’t said. The US administration said it would step filming scores of women safe haven.” On the final day of his high-pro- at war with the West is an ugly lie.” Obama up information-sharing to thwart would-be WASHINGTON: A “predator” rabbi in the US capital could file summit, Obama laid out some priorities to was also lambasted by the Republican chair- foreign fighters, and pledged to boost coop- spend the rest of his life in prison after admitting Thursday neutralize the “warped ideologies” espoused man of the House Homeland Security com- eration with Interpol. he hid cameras to secretly record scores of women prepar- by extremist groups like IS, which has cap- mittee Michael McCaul who said it had been Washington was also joining with the ing for a Jewish ritual bath. Bernard Freundel, 63, pleaded tured a swathe of territory in Iraq and Syria, “a summit without substance.” “Instead of a United Arab Emirates to create a new digital guilty to numerous counts of voyeurism and faces a maxi- by tackling the root causes driving recruit- real plan for rolling back and defeating communications hub to work with religious mum of 52 years behind bars when sentenced in May, the ment to their ranks. Governments must deep- Islamist terrorist groups, we got empty rheto- and civil society leaders to counter extremist US justice department said. “Bernard Freundel exploited en cooperation against foreign fighters. ric from the president and the announce- propaganda. Observers say some 20,000 for- Nations must seek to end sectarian tensions ment of ‘new’ initiatives that are really a eign fighters have left their homelands to join his position of power to victimize dozens of women who and conflicts, such as in Syria. rehash of old programs,” McCaul said. extremist groups in the past few years-includ- entered a sacred, intimate space of religious ritual,” said Funding must be cut off to groups fueling Many summit participants promised how- ing an estimated 4,000 since 2012 from west- attorney Ronald Machen. “He betrayed the trust of every hatred. Economic and political grievances ever to take up the baton by organizing fur- ern Europe. “Let us leave here today with a woman whose private moments he caught on camera must be addressed to allow growth and ther meetings to build a strategy.As a first renewed commitment to building a world along with an entire community that counted on him for development. In a statement released at the step, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said he would unmarred by terrorism and ideologies of vio- moral leadership. We hope that this guilty plea will allow end of the talks, the participants promised to host faith leaders from around the world, lence,” national security advisor Susan Rice each of his victims to move forward and heal.” Cathy “chart a path for progress” ahead of summit warning that the “emergence of a new gener- said as she brought the summit to a close. Lanier, chief of police for Washington, DC, added: “This talks on the margins of the UN General ation of transnational terrorist groups ... is a “Countering violent extremism is a difficult predator committed an outrageous breach of trust.” Assembly in September. Condemning the grave threat to international peace and secu- challenge, but it is not an insurmountable Freundel, rabbi of Kesher Israel Congregation in the north- recent wave of attacks, the statement “under- rity.” Jordan’s Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh one,” she insisted. — AFP west of the capital, was arrested in October after a clock radio that contained a hidden recording device was dis- covered facing a shower area of the National Capital World’s oldest leader triumphant Mikvah, a Jewish ritual bath adjacent to Kesher Israel. ahead of ‘obscene’ birthday bash

HARARE: The world’s oldest leader, Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe, turns 91 today with much to celebrate- even as critics condemn as “obscene” his lavish birthday party plans in a coun- try he is accused of plunging into pover- ty. After years of international criticism, the European Union is resuming aid to the country and has already lifted sanc- tions on some senior government fig- ures, while Mugabe has taken up the rotating chair of the African Union. “To put it very bluntly Mugabe has won,” said Richard Dowden, director of the London-based Royal African Society. “An immense amount of Western pressure to step down and reverse some of his policies-and he’s done neither.” When he came to power in 1980, NEW DELHI: In this file photo, US President Barack Obama Mugabe was a hero of the fight against (left) participates in a tree planting ceremony at the Raj white minority rule in the former HARARE: A picture shows Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe gesturing at a Ghat Mahatma Gandhi Memorial. — AP Rhodesia. He won international praise ZANU-PF extraordinary congress in Harare. — AFP Obama’s tree is not for his declared policy of racial reconcili- remained defiant. “Down with imperial- return from the AU meeting in Ethiopia- ‘dead,’ India insists ation and for extending education and ism. There was no country in Africa that which was gleefully seized on by oppo- health services to the black majority. But NEW DELHI: Officials in India want to make one thing clear: was opposed to Zimbabwe becoming nents on social media-he appears critics say that over the following The tree that President Barack Obama planted here three chair [of the AU], not even a single one,” remarkably fit for his age. decades he turned the ‘breadbasket of weeks ago is not dead. It just looks dead. The peepal tree was he boasted after his appointment last “If his aim was to rule Zimbabwe and southern Africa’ into a basket case, with awash in leaves when Obama planted it at the New Delhi month. Mugabe once quipped that he become the king of Zimbabwe for a long human rights, justice and democracy memorial to Indian independence leader Mohandas K Gandhi. would rule his country until he turned time, and whatever happened to the trampled. By Thursday, though, it was just a single lonely stem. The lack 100 - and he shows every sign of trying country he would stay there and become Mugabe’s violent seizure of white- of leaves has been giving Indian officials sleepless nights, with to achieve that goal. a continent-wide hero, I think he’s owned farms was followed by food the local media blasting them for allowing the tree to die. But He has recently purged his ruling achieved those aims,” Dowden said. “The shortages and hyper-inflation. Rigged the reality: Peepal trees often lose their leaves this time of Zanu-PF party of senior ministers and fact that Zimbabwe has been ruined in elections saw Europe and the US impose year. BC Katiyar, a government horticulturist, says it’s a sea- officials seen as allies of his former the process and it’s now just run by sanctions. Ostracized by the West, but sonal phenomenon, after he and other officials visited the tree deputy, Joice Mujuru,who was accused thieves who call themselves ministers, still respected as a liberation hero by and pronounced it in good health. He says it would send out of plotting to succeed him. Despite a looting the place continually, I don’t other African leaders, Mugabe has shoots soon. recent fall on the red carpet after his think that worries him a bit.” —AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 All alone but full of hope: Lampedusa migrant stories

LAMPEDUSA: “No mama, no papa. All alone.” Eleven-year-old Tanjin knows just enough English to sum up his situation in heart- wrenching fashion. But the Eritrean boy kicking a dirty white foot- ball around with other asylum seekers on the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa is anything but miserable. In fact, he rarely stops smil- ing and laughing. Whatever horrors lie behind him, Tanjin’s future - and perhaps that of the family he left behind in east Africa - looks brighter now he has made it to European soil. Tanjin is one of nearly 2,000 people to have landed on Italy’s southernmost outpost since the weekend after being rescued from people smuggling boats that never had much chance of making it across the Mediterranean. A combination of his young age and the likelihood that he would soon face compulsory con- scription if returned to Eritrea mean he has a good chance of being granted leave to remain in Europe and completing his edu- cation here. His next port of call will be a reception centre on the Italian mainland that specializes in coping with minors who reach the country unaccompanied.

I want to be a doctor Not all are as lucky as him. Several children are feared to be SICILY: Migrants wait to disembark from an Italian Coast Guard ship after being rescued in Porto Empedocle, Sicily, among more than 300 migrants thought to have drowned after southern Italy. — AP being ordered at gunpoint to embark from Libya at the weekend on rubber dinghies with no hope of remaining afloat in what were unusually rough seas. While Tanjin worked on his ball skills, Somali teenager Abdenajib was busy calling worried relatives back home. 25 killed as Al Shebab “I am saying that I’m in Italy now, it’s good. They see, I am saying that I haven’t died,” he said, after talking to his mother and sister, whom he said he had left in a refugee camp in Kenya. Thin, smiley and sporting a long black coat and dusty shoes, hits Mogadishu hotel Abdenajib acknowledges how lucky he was to survive a day and a half at sea just days after 29 migrants had perished from exposure. Speaking through the chain link fence at Lampedusa’s migrant Islamist gunmen blast their way into fortified building reception centre, the 15-year-old revealed his dream was to become a doctor. “I want help, I want to learn and education. I want to go to Norway,” he said. From Kenya, Abdenajib travelled MOGADISHU: Somalia’s Al-Qaeda- Abu Musab said. “The aim is to kill the after a Shebab suicide bomber exploded through Uganda and Sudan before finally reaching Tripoli, the linked Shebab insurgents killed at least apostate officials.” Shebab rebels have a car at the nearby SYL hotel, the day Libyan capital, where he paid 1,000 euros ($1,100) to smugglers 25 people in an attack on a popular staged a string of assaults in their fight before a planned visit by Turkey’s for the boat trip to Italy. —AFP hotel in the capital Mogadishu where to overthrow the country’s internation- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. UN government ministers and officials were ally-backed government. envoy to Somalia Nick Kay condemned holding yesterday prayers. Twin explo- They have targeted hotels, the inter- the “brutal terrorist attack” on the hotel. Boko Haram: Changing sions followed by heavy gunfire were national airport, Villa Somalia, a UN “My heart goes out to those who have heard from the upmarket Central Hotel, compound and restaurants. The extrem- suffered. We stand firm with the Somalia media strategy for close to the presidential palace, with the ists say they are targeting government people,” he said in a statement. Islamist gunmen reportedly blasting officials for allowing the deployment of Britain’s ambassador to Somalia Neil a wider conflict? their way into the fortified building foreign African Union troops on Somali Wigan also condemned the attack but before storming the complex. The attack soil. Shebab attacks in Somalia have tar- said it “will not derail Somalia’s deter- LAGOS: From grainy, amateurish footage and rambling, is one of the worst in the Somali capital geted key government and security sites mination to defeat Al-Shebab’s terror- almost inaudible speeches to slick, expertly edited produc- in recent years. An official at the presi- in a bid to discredit claims by the ism”. Somalia is due to vote on a new tions, Boko Haram’s media strategy has undergone a transfor- dential palace, known as Villa Somalia, authorities and AU troops that they are constitution ahead of elections in mation in recent months. The Nigerian militants this week said at least 25 people were killed and winning the war. 2016, but security remains a major published two videos that contrasted starkly with earlier that the severity of injuries among the Yesterday’s attack comes a month problem. — AFP efforts, using visual cues and a style resembling similar mes- wounded meant the death toll was sages from the Islamic State jihadists. The marked change in expected to rise. both the form and content of the propaganda has led some to Government radio said the deputy speculate on possible closer ties with the rebels in Syria and mayor of Mogadishu and a member of Iraq and whether an alliance could be forming. parliament were killed. The deputy But experts said there was no concrete proof of direct links prime minister and minister of transport as yet, even if foreign jihadis operating in the Sahel region may were among the injured. The hotel have had previous dealings with IS militants. “The core leader- attack began with two explosions ship of Boko Haram and ISIS don’t really have contact but a lot caused by a car bomb and a suicide of their affiliates do for business purposes,” said Yan St-Pierre, bomber followed by gunmen who from the Modern Security Consulting Group. Boko Haram’s charged the building, with heavy gun- control of the Lake Chad area-on an established arms traffick- fire heards as security forces took back ing and smuggling route-had forced foreign militants to enter control. “The building was badly hit, the talks with them, he said. As a result, Boko Haram, an essentially explosion was very big,” said police offi- home-grown rebel group with local aims at its inception, was cer Abulrahman Ali. “There were very increasingly open to international influence, he added. many wounded people too, many of them seriously.” Changing quality When Boko Haram first began distributing video messages, ‘Covered in blood’ the quality was poor. The images, shot on commercially avail- Thick clouds of black smoke were able cameras, were burnt onto CDs or copied onto memory seen pouring from the hotel as the sticks. They were then given to intermediaries and handed to injured were rushed to hospital. “There media organizations in northern Nigeria, including AFP. The were people covered in blood, I counted videos-often ranting monologues from the group’s leader, 10 dead bodies but that was only in one Abubakar Shekau, and up to an hour long-were frequently cor- rupted and could not be played. Some improvements were area,” said Ali Hussein, who was close to seen from 2012, but the insurgents, who were known to have a the hotel at the time. Shebab militants media wing, still regularly sent uncompressed files of up to claimed responsibility for the attack. two gigabytes. —AFP “Our fighters attacked the Central MOGADISHU: Somali security forces guard the entrance to the Central Hotel, Hotel,” Shebab spokesman Abdulaziz close to the presidential palace, in Mogadishu yesterday. — AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 A year on, families hunt for missing Kiev protesters KIEV: Faina Taran holds a crumpled black-and-white pic- How many missing? hope is wearing thin. “Unfortunately it is possible that it ture of her son Ivan in her trembling hands as she tells The final days of the protests were mired in bloodshed will stay at this number of people and that will be it,” said what little she knows about how he disappeared a year and chaos as security forces gunned down scores of pro- Melnik, of volunteer group Euromaidan SOS. “In normal ago. The security guard, 40, had left his hometown in testers in what was then the worst unrest in Ukraine since circumstances, if you don’t find someone in three days western Ukraine and-without telling his mother for fear of independence in 1991. Such is the confusion that sur- then you won’t find them at all or you’ll only find a body.” upsetting her-headed to join the anti-government rounds the culmination of the revolt-and the subsequent Speculation over what could have happened to those protests on Kiev’s Independence Square, or Maidan. upheaval that has engulfed Ukraine-that 12 months on who are genuinely missing usually focuses on Ukraine’s “The first I knew was when I got a call from his com- there is still no clear number of how many demonstrators security forces. Throughout the months of demonstrations rades telling me that my son had been on Maidan and that remain missing. Two volunteer organizations have put in Kiev activists documented the abduction and abuse of he had gone missing,” Taran said. “I travelled to the together separate lists that put the figure of those not protesters by the authorities. In a report released square and people confirmed he’d been there and fought found at either 27 or 55. Police say they are currently con- Wednesday, Amnesty International detailed 11 cases of with the riot police on February 20. He ended up behind ducting criminal investigations into the disappearance of protesters being detained and beaten by security officials their lines and then he was gone.” just eight people they are sure were on the square. that it said were only a “tiny sample” of the abuses com- A year after the bloody end of the protest movement in Diminutive post-graduate student Katya Melnik started mitted. Kiev that toppled pro-Moscow president Viktor collating figures on missing demonstrators as a volunteer Officials have been heavily criticised for the failure to Yanukovych, Taran is still waiting desperately for any word during the protests. By April she had over 100 names on hold those responsible for the bloodshed on Maidan of her son. He is among a number of people who were her list but that number was gradually whittled down as accountable, with activists saying they are deliberately believed to have gone missing from the sprawling Maidan people turned up at home or were discovered to have dragging their heels. Only two low-ranking former riot protest camp in the heart of the Ukrainian capital and headed east to fight a pro-Russian rebellion. But a stub- police are currently awaiting trial over the deaths of have not been heard from since. born small number of cases have remained unsolved and demonstrators. —AFP Tensions up in Venezuela Police arrest opposition leader

CARACAS: Police broke into Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma’s office and carted off the longtime critic of Venezuela’s socialist government, adding to tensions on the anniversary of the outbreak of protests that paralyzed the nation a year ago. President Nicolas Maduro took to television and radio to say that Ledezma, one of the most vocal opposition leaders, would be punished for trying to sow unrest in Venezuela, which is struggling with severe economic problems. Emotions were already running high before dozens of men in flak jackets and camouflage uni- forms smashed down the door of Ledezma’s office and forcibly carried him out of the building. As news of the incursion spread across the capital, peo- ple spontaneously banged pots from their windows in protest while drivers tapped rhythms on their car horns in rush hour traffic. As night fell, a few dozen people vented their anger in front of the headquarters of the intelligence service police, where Ledezma was thought to be. “He’ll be held accountable for all his crimes,” Maduro said in a speech that TV and radio stations across the country were LAS VEGAS: An unidentified police official leads Erich Nowsch, 19, from a car to police headquarters for questioning in required to carry. Last week, Maduro named Ledezma Las Vegas. — AP among government critics and Western powers he accused of plotting a coup to bring down the govern- ment, one of more than a dozen such denunciations Teen neighbor suspected Maduro has made since taking power in 2013. Ledezma mocked the accusation in multiple interviews, saying the real destabilizing force in Venezuela was the in Vegas road-rage killing government’s corruption. Tensions have been running high in Venezuela this week, with the one-year anniversary of the start of weeks LAS VEGAS: Police took an important step toward solving the mystery try to confront the driver who had frightened her earlier. of anti-government street protests that choked the coun- surrounding the killing of a Las Vegas mother outside her home, They went looking for the driver, followed the vehicle and eventu- try with tear gas and smoke from flaming barricades and arresting a teenage neighbor who had a history with the family that ally went home. The silver car then showed up outside the Meyers’ resulted in more than 40 deaths. National police arrested reached a boiling point the night of the shooting. Erich Nowsch, 19, home and a shootout occurred, police said. The mother was shot in several other mayors and former mayors during that was arrested on suspicion of murder Thursday after SWAT teams sur- the head outside the home. Brandon Meyers, 22, said this week he unrest, including Leopoldo Lopez, who is considered by rounded his home a block away from the residence of victim Tammy fired back to protect his family. “Everyone can think what they have to human rights groups as Latin America’s most high-profile Meyers. Las Vegas police Capt Chris Tomaino said detectives believe think,” he said at a Tuesday night vigil. “I did it for a reason. And I’d do political prisoner. Nowsch was the gunman. He was arrested on a murder warrant, but it for anyone I love.” Melissa Mours, who lives next door to the suspect, not been formally charged. said several people showed up at her neighbor’s house this week and Allies of Ledezma called for more protests to demand Tomaino said police are seeking a second suspect. Police and the knocked on the door, including at least one Meyers family member. his immediate release, a call echoed by Human Rights family of the victim have characterized the case as a road rage alterca- It’s still not clear if Nowsch was driving the car involved in the alterca- Watch. The US State Department, meanwhile, called the tion that escalated into the deadly encounter a week ago. The exact tion with the family. Mours said she didn’t think he had a car or drove. Venezuelan government’s accusations of coup-plotting circumstances of the fight remained unclear, but the family knew the Earlier, as authorities worked to coax the suspect to surrender, Robert “baseless and false” and said they are meant to draw suspect said Robert Meyers, the victim’s husband. He said Tammy Meyers arrived and was emotionally distraught as he tried get close to attention away from mounting economic problems such Meyers took on a nurturing role for Nowsch, giving him money and the home that police had surrounded. As he walked past the yellow as widespread shortages and inflation that reached 68 food and urging him to dress properly. “We know this boy,” Robert police tape, he was stopped by a police officer who tried to calm the percent last year. “The Venezuelan government needs to Meyers said. “I couldn’t tell you this before. He knew where I lived. We man down. “It’s OK,” the officer could be heard telling him. “No it ain’t deal with the grave situation it faces,” the State knew how bad he was but we didn’t know he was this bad.” OK!” the husband shouted back, his voice breaking up. Department said in a statement. The case has received significant attention since police initially said The officer asked the man to step back behind the yellow tape, and Ledezma, Lopez and other hard-line leaders of the oppo- Meyers was killed by an angry driver who followed her home after she he stormed off past reporters. “Are you all happy? You made my wife sition had marked the anniversary of last year’s protests gave her teenage daughter a driving lesson. look like an animal,” he told reporters. “There’s the animal, a block with a call for a national pact establishing a transitional gov- She was removed from life support on Valentine’s Day as police away!” He said outside his home later Thursday that his wife spent ernment to rescue Venezuela from a coming “humanitarian hunted for a suspect, and donations for her funeral costs quickly countless hours “consoling this boy.” “She fed him, she gave him mon- emergency.” Maduro on Thursday flashed a copy of the Feb poured in to a fundraising site. The sympathy morphed into skepti- ey, she told him to pull his pants up and be a man,” Robert Meyers 11 statement and called it a green light and political cover cism and the fundraising site was shut down after police revealed that said. Neighbor Brian Atkinson said he was awakened at about 11:30 for his opponents to launch a coup. —AP Meyers was not followed home, and instead dropped her daughter off am by bullhorns and the sound of a helicopter as police showed up to and picked up her 22-year-old son, armed with his 9 mm handgun, to arrest the suspect. —AP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 Thailand bans surrogacy for foreigners after scandals

BANGKOK: Thailand has passed a law banning foreign couples from women’s uteruses will no longer be a hub” for surrogacy, said breaching the law could face up to 10 years in jail, said Wallop. using Thai women as surrogates after a series of high-profile scandals National Legislative Assembly member Wallop Tungkananurak. Official figures on surrogacy in Thailand are limited as most cou- tainting the image of the hitherto unregulated industry. The legisla- Under the new law, likely to be enforced by June, only Thai cou- ples do not register but the majority of service users are foreign, tion was unanimously approved by Thailand’s junta-picked parlia- ples or those where at least one partner comes from Thailand will be according to the Thai medical council, a regulatory body, and the law ment on Thursday in a bill spurred by the case of an Australian couple eligible to use surrogates in the kingdom. People seeking surrogacy in may leave scores in limbo. Sam Everingham, global director of accused of abandoning a baby with Down’s syndrome while taking Thailand will have to prove that they are unable to bear children and Families Through Surrogacy, said the legislation would “make it a lot his healthy twin sister carried by a Thai surrogate. “Thailand and its have no relatives to act as surrogates on their behalf. Anyone found harder” for many prospective parents but welcomed a move to clear up a murky legal area. “We welcome clarification the law has brought for many... We don’t want parents engaging in a country where com- pensated surrogacy is not welcome,” said the Sydney-based Everingham.

In a dilemma According to an estimate by the surrogacy organization there are around 300 Thai surrogates currently carrying babies for foreigners. Everingham said that while his understanding was that existing preg- nancies “will be allowed to complete”, the new law could put some couples in a dilemma. “There are at least 80 couples from European countries” being forced to find ways around the ban including by having one member of the couple marry the surrogate, he said. Commercial surrogacy is officially banned by the Medical Council of Thailand and authorities moved to close several IVF clinics in the weeks after the scandal over the Australian couple last August. The pair denied deliberately leaving the boy, called Gammy, with the Thai surrogate mother, who was paid around $15,000 to carry the twins. Gammy’s biological father, David Farnell, a convicted sex offender, is under investigation by Australian authorities regarding the wellbeing and safety of the Gammy’s twin, Pipah. Some experts in Thailand think the legislation does not go far enough. “I am not happy with this law... Only foreigners are targeted, Thai couples are not restricted,” Sappasit Kumprabhan, a children’s rights activist who helped draft the bill said. But Thai medical council president Somsak Lolekha said he supports the legislation as a means to widen the net to prosecute those who break the law while retaining SIRIRACHA, Thailand: Thai surrogate mother Pattaramon Chanbua holds her baby Gammy, born with Down syndrome, at the the service for Thais. “Life has changed, people marry late so it is Samitivej hospital, Sriracha district in Chonburi province. Thailand has passed a law banning foreign couples from using Thai more difficult for them to have babies and surrogacy can help,” he women as surrogates after a series of high-profile scandals tainting the image of the unregulated industry. — AFP said. — AFP

Winter storms ease Jakarta delays execution of California drought Australians drug smugglers SACRAMENTO: Wet winter storms that dropped up to a foot of rain on parts of California have modestly eased the state’s ongoing drought over the past three months, US Canberra ramping up diplomatic pressure drought experts said on Thursday. The portion of California in the most extreme categories of drought has JAKARTA: Indonesia has delayed the execution of two Australian delayed their transfer because of logistical difficulties at dropped by about 13 percent since mid-November, said drug smugglers by up to a month, backtracking on an earlier pledge Nusakambangan-the notorious island prison where five inmates were Mark Svoboda, a climatologist with the National Drought to put the pair before the firing squad by the end of February. Vice shot last month-with facilities at the execution site already at capacity. Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska. President Jusuf Kalla’s office yesterday said the execution of Andrew Tony Spontana, a spokesman for the attorney-general’s office The relief provided by two so-called atmospheric rivers Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, the ringleaders of the so-called “Bali which oversees the executions, said once the prison was ready to is far from enough to make more than a dent in Nine” heroin trafficking group, “will be delayed for between three receive the prisoners the executions would proceed. “What needs to California’s ongoing dry conditions, which are entering weeks to a month from now due to technical reasons,” without elabo- be underscored is the execution will still be conducted,” he said after their fourth year. Part of the reason is that it was relatively rating further. the postponement was announced yesterday. He has said previously warm during the most recent storms, which occurred in Indonesian authorities insist they will proceed with the executions the prisoners would only be taken to Nusakambangan three days early February, leading to rain but not to the snow that is despite this delay. Widodo-an ardent supporter of the death penalty before their execution. Death row inmates must be given 72 hours’ needed in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, which who has refused clemency for the two Australians-denied pressure notice under Indonesian law before facing the firing squad. Indonesia provides drinking water and protection from fire when it from Australia had swayed his resolve to see drug traffickers execut- also claimed they delayed the transfer because Australia had request- melts in the spring. ed. “No such thing,” he told reporters yesterday. “This is our judicial ed the men be granted more time with their families, but denied sovereignty.” Canberra has been ramping up diplomatic pressure in Jakarta was bowing to pressure from Canberra. “We did see a chipping away of the drought,” Svoboda recent weeks for the pair to be spared, straining ties between the two said. “The concern now is as we get closer to March is countries, but analysts say public perception will guide Indonesian International pressure that we don’t have a lot of snow.” Still, the relief is meas- President Joko Widodo far more than pleas for mercy from Australia. Indonesia’s pledge to proceed with the execution of the urable in the parched state. Three months ago, 55 percent Widodo has shocked rights groups with his support for capital Australians has hiked tensions between Jakarta and Canberra, a rela- of California was in the worst category of exceptional punishment for drug dealers, vowing he won’t grant clemency to tionship only just recovering from a damaging rift in 2014 over spying drought, compared to 41 percent now. About 80 percent anyone caught selling narcotics to his countrymen. Hikmahanto revelations and people-smuggling. Aleksius Jemadu, a political expert was in the next-to-worst category, extreme drought, com- Juwana, an international law professor from the University of at Indonesia’s Pelita Harapan University, said arm-twisting by Australia pared to 67 percent now, according to the US Drought Indonesia, said the majority of Indonesians shared Widodo’s tough would not be at the front of Widodo’s mind as he mulls this issue. Monitor, which is published by the Drought Mitigation stance on traffickers and expected him to tackle the “drug emer- “The president is very much influenced by his image as a populist Center and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric gency” facing the country. “He should not back down because it was president,” he said. “His government (by proceeding with the execu- Administration. causing an uproar in Australia,” he said. “If he backs down, he will face tions) will be considered a brave one which cannot be dictated to by Overall, about 98 percent of California is considered to the Indonesian public.” foreigners, and is independent in decision making.” Diplomatic ten- be in a drought, down from 100 percent three months sions boiled over this week after Prime Minister Tony Abbott said ‘Logistical difficulties’ Indonesia should remember the significant financial aid Australia pro- ago. Further atmospheric rivers are not forecast for the This month, Indonesia’s foreign ministry informed the Australian vided in the aftermath of the devastating 2004 tsunami that killed near-term in California, but two more modest storm sys- embassy that the execution of the two drug convicts would be carried 170,000 Indonesians. Abbott denied the comment was threatening, tems may hit parts of the state in the next 10 days, said out in February. But since then it has announced, and subsequently but Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Friday suggested Tom Dang, a meteorologist with the National Weather backtracked, on details of the executions plan for Chan and Jakarta felt otherwise. “We will not respond to an emotional state- Service based in Sacramento. The first, which may move Sukumaran. On Monday it was announced the pair would be trans- ment, which was a threat in nature,” she said, adding she did not think into the Sierra Nevada next week, is a weak system but it ferred this week from Bali to a high-security prison on Indonesia owed Australia anything for their tsunami aid. Australia’s could bring with it some snow, Dang said. — Reuters Nusakambangan-signaling a date for their execution was near-only foreign minister Julie Bishop rang Kalla on Thursday to explain the for that decision to be reversed 24 hours later. Indonesia said it “misunderstanding”, the vice-president told reporters Friday.—AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 Indian PM seeks tolerant and humble image after poll rout Modi’s suit sold for $647,765

NEW DELHI: It’s out with the flashy suit, in with religious tolerance for India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking to soften his image after an electoral pounding in New Delhi and grumblings in his party about his top-down leadership style. Abruptly ending a string of national and regional election victories, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was thrashed in the capital this month, a defeat many blamed on a perception that Modi was tacitly fanning Hindu extremism. “The Delhi ? election results ended ? the party’s ? honeymoon period with a jolt,” a senior BJP leader in New Delhi said, asking not be identified as he is not authorized to speak to the media. “If we don’t start the damage control and make immediate corrections, defeat in other state elections is imminent.” In the space of a week, Modi, a Hindu nationalist who rarely attends events organized by religious minorities, delivered a long-awaited speech about inter-faith toler- ance to a Christian congregation. Leaders of the hardline Hindu group Vishwa Hindu Parishad associated with the BJP have cautioned members across India against making comments that “hurt Narendra Modi’s image”. A saint-like bust of the prime minister was removed from a temple in his home state of Gujarat after he tweeted his disapproval, and a designer suit he wore to meet US President Barack Obama was auctioned for charity in Gujarat. The navy blue outfit, embroidered with gold pinstripes bearing Modi’s name, was mocked by his opponents, and even the party faithful said it undermined the voter-friend- ly narrative of Modi’s humble beginnings as the son of a GUJARAT: Diamond merchant Lalji Patel (center) celebrates after he made the winning bid of 43 million rupees ($695,000) for tea seller. “Modi’s image as a son of a tea vendor was his Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dark suit with its unique monogram pinstripes (seen on Modi mannequin) in Surat. — AP trump card,” said a senior election campaign adviser to the party. “Voters admired his simplicity, but now he is viewed tutions in New Delhi and vowed to protect all religious Bora quit. In his resignation letter to the party’s president, as a flashy leader.” Yesterday, the suit was sold for 40.3 mil- groups. “Voters did not expect him to be silent after Amit Shah, the rebel complained about the centralization lion rupees ($647,765) in the western city of Surat to a dia- churches were attacked,” said the BJP leader. “We realize of power in the prime minister’s office. Bora, who set up mond merchant, a government official involved in the that it was a mistake.” Urban development minister the BJP unit that spread the party’s message through social three-day auction said. The proceeds will be used to clean Venkaiah Naidu said the Delhi elections were a setback for media, said Modi’s leadership style was damaging democ- up India’s holiest but heavily polluted River Ganges. the BJP and cause for introspection, but denied Modi had racy within the party. People might soon forget that Modi’s lost touch with voters. “There is no change in their regard monogrammed pinstripe suit cost as much as a million ‘Mistake’ and admiration for Narendra Modi,” Naidu told Headlines rupees ($16,100), Bora said. “But the increasing arrogance The day before the suit went on auction, Modi broke Today television this week. “People love him.” of top (party) leaders does not seem to be fading away,” he months of silence after a series of attacks on Christian insti- The day after Naidu spoke, senior BJP official Prodyut said. — Reuters Sandstorm batters Kuwait, shuts ports Dispute between US...

Continued from Page 1 urged to stay in their homes because of Snow also covered much of the occu- Continued from Page 1 blocked or icy roads. People in pied West Bank, and Palestinian author- On Thursday, Emirates charged that Anderson’s comments The Kuwait Ports Authority also Jerusalem woke up to around 25 cm of ities issued warnings advising people were “deliberately crafted and delivered for specific effect. This announced the suspension of naviga- snow after the second major blizzard of not to drive or even venture outside brings into question his credibility.” Earlier, Emirates CEO Tim tion at the Shuwaikh, Shuaiba and winter swept across the hilltop Holy unless absolutely necessary, suggesting Clark had said Anderson “crossed the line” with the comments Doha ports due to low visibility. City. In January, 10-15 cm fell, media that people stay at home. There was about 9/11, which “caused great offense in this part of the Director of marine operations at reported. Schools closed for the day also rare snowfall in southern Israel’s world”. The United Arab Emirates is among the most prominent Shuwaikh Port Mousa Behbehani told yesterday and urban bus services were Negev desert, the meteorological serv- Arab members in the US-led coalition against Islamic State mili- KUNA that the suspension of the move- limited. ice said. tants in Iraq and Syria, and all three big Gulf carriers are major ment of vessels from and into the port The two main highways into In Dec 2013, the heaviest fall in customers of US-made Boeing jets - together, they have taken 176 Boeing jets and have another 544 on order. was necessary to ensure the safety of Jerusalem, which climb to around 795 decades since a metre of snow fell on Delta said that Anderson did not mean to link the Gulf air- workers. He pointed out that the wind m above sea level, were closed in both Jerusalem in 1920 blocked roads across lines or their governments to the 9/11 attackers. In a statement, speed exceeded 52 km/h and visibility directions for several hours but Israel and the West Bank. After the lat- Delta spokeswoman Betsy Talton said Anderson was only react- fell to less than 100 m. Navigation will reopened at around midday, police est blizzard, the army has put tracked ing to claims by the Gulf carriers that the post-9/11 payments resume once the weather improves, he said. Earlier, few cars were seen on the vehicles on standby to help civilians in and bankruptcy laws amounted to subsidies. “We apologize if said. Meanwhile, acting director of icy streets except for emergency vehi- the least accessible areas. anyone was offended,” she said. The US airlines have been com- marine operations at Shuaiba Port cles or those with four-wheel drive. In neighboring Jordan, many roads plaining about the Gulf carriers for several years. They say unfair Tawfiq Shehab told KUNA that the wind “There’s heavy snow falling in were blocked, including in the capital competition has reduced the share of traffic between the US speed exceeded 40 km/h and the visi- Jerusalem, about 25 centimetres so far Amman. Authorities broadcast warn- and the Indian subcontinent on US and partner airlines while the Gulf carriers’ share has grown. They say the Gulf carriers are now bility lowered to less than half a mile. and it will continue to fall throughout ings to people not to leave their homes. targeting routes between the US and Europe. Four vessels were denied access to the the day,” Israel Meteorological Service Lebanon also saw heavy snowfall, with But the effort to reopen or repeal aviation treaties is opposed port and three others were prevented forecaster Rinat Rehamim told public schools closed across the country and by some consumer groups, who say the agreements have from leaving due to the bad weather, radio. some mountain roads blocked. “There boosted competition and lowered fares. “The overall impression he added. The landmark Dome of the Rock in was heavy hail in Beirut, and snow has is that the big US network airlines want to lock out independent Meanwhile, snow blanketed much the Al-Aqsa mosque compound was fallen from 200 metres above sea level,” airlines that offer lower fares, newer airplanes, faster connec- of Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon frosted with snow and Palestinian chil- said Wissam Abu Hashfeh of Lebanon’s tions, more destinations and better service,” said Kevin Mitchell early yesterday, with many residents dren threw snowballs in its forecourt. Meteorological Service. of the Business Travel Coalition. American, Delta and United declined to make their CEOs available for interviews. — AP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015

Chinese MH370 ‘Terrifying’ storm slams relatives criticize into Australia northeast Malaysia Airlines Homes destroyed as twin cyclones wreak havocs KUALA LUMPUR: Grieving Chinese relatives of MH370 passen- gers blasted Malaysia Airlines yesterday, detailing a long list of ROCKHAMPTON: A powerful cyclone slammed into northeast coastal town of Yeppoon which, like Rockhampton, was facing a complaints and traumas they said were suffered as a result of the Australia yesterday, destroying homes, upending trees, cutting power night without power. flight’s mysterious disappearance 11 months ago. The 21 family lines and causing flash floods, while a second storm severed commu- “The home is one of the oldest in Yeppoon,” Melanie Cobb told members arrived in Malaysia last week from China to demand nications to a northern island where heavy damage was expected. Reuters as she sifted through the rain-soaked contents of her grand- authorities cancel a declaration that the plane’s 239 passengers Tens of thousands took what shelter they could as Cyclone Marcia mother’s 80-year-old house where one wall had been ripped away. and crew were presumed dead, and voiced discontent over the caught Queensland state almost unawares, gathering strength in just Among the ruined contents was Cobb’s childhood teddy bear. More airline’s responses to questions they submitted on a litany of a few hours before making landfall midmorning as a category 5 sys- than 10 percent of Australia’s sugar crop was at risk from Marcia, an issues. tem - the highest rating. industry body warned. BHP Billiton suspended rail lines hauling coal At a news conference in Kuala Lumpur, they showed journal- Emergency services scrambled to evacuate thousands of homes from its inland collieries to the Hay Point shipping terminal. Marcia’s ists photos of Chinese passengers’ relatives who suffered emo- before pulling out and warning anyone who had not left to barricade forecast trajectory indicated the impact on coal mining was expected tional and physical trauma, including one elderly man whom themselves inside to avoid wind gusts peaking at 285 kph (177 mph). to be less severe than in 2011, when Queensland missed its annual they claimed had a stroke after hearing of Malaysia’s declaration Rail lines to coastal ports, an essential part of Queensland’s A$280 bil- coal export target by 40 million tons after storms dumped unprece- about the passengers. “We are extremely dissatisfied with the lion ($218 billion) commodities export-driven economy, were dented amounts of rain into pits. replies from Malaysia Airlines,” said Jiang Hui, whose mother was brought to a standstill. Data supplied by the Bureau of Meteorology showed Marcia mov- on the ill-fated flight. “The answers were contradictory and not “Stay indoors, take the safest room in the home and let the storm ing inland rather than directly impacting the Gladstone industrial hub, within the scope of the questions asked.” pass,” Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Assistant where Rio Tinto operates Australia’s largest aluminum smelter. Two-thirds of the plane’s passengers were Chinese. Xu Commissioner John Watson told media after the storm passed over Emergency service officials in the neighboring Northern Territory Jinghong, 43, whose mother was also on MH370, told AFP the the coastal city of Rockhampton, home to 75,000 people, and head- were beginning to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Lam that Malaysia Airlines support centre in Beijing was not helpful and ed south towards Australia’s third-largest city, Brisbane. There were made landfall in the remote region east of Darwin. The category 4 expressed fears search operations might be called off. “We think no reports of deaths or injuries and the storm was downgraded to a storm hit near the settlement of Ramingining, where residents were the plane can be found. I don’t think they are searching at the category 2 by evening. But authorities warned heavy rains and beginning to emerge to inspect the damage. Communications had right area,” she said. “I don’t think it’s in the sea.” Malaysian flooding were likely to continue for several days and extend inland. been cut with tiny Elcho Island, which was believed to have experi- authorities issued the declaration on the plane last month, draw- Some 48,000 homes were left without power, Watson added, bro- enced widespread damage, police said. By evening, Lam had been ing howls of protest from next of kin in Malaysia and China, ken power lines and flooding leaving some areas too dangerous for downgraded to a tropical low but continued to dump heavy rain many of whom have sharply criticized the airline’s and Malaysian energy companies to begin repairs. The storm roared over the across the north as it moved southwest.— Reuters government’s handling of the tragedy.

Search efforts Authorities say it allows families to move on and seek com- pensation, but stressed that search efforts would go on for now. Malaysia Airlines could not immediately be reached for com- ment yesterday. It defended itself against the Chinese relatives’ criticisms in a statement to AFP on Wednesday, saying that since the declaration it had deployed additional resources at a family support centre in Kuala Lumpur. It also reiterated a standing offer of a $50,000 advance pay- ment to next of kin that does not waive rights to future compen- sation claims, and said it had gone “in many instances, beyond international best practices” in its MH370 response. “It is hoped that all interested parties mutually respect and support each oth- er in this very difficult time,” the statement said. The Chinese rel- atives also criticized Boeing, saying the US manufacturer of the plane refused to answer their queries on whether any “product design and structure” issues may be responsible for the mystery. MH370 vanished on a routine red-eye flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8 in one of the greatest mysteries in aviation history. Malaysia says satellite data indicates the plane inexplicably detoured to the remote southern Indian Ocean, which they suspect was due to “deliberate” action onboard. But no evidence has turned up despite an intensive search there, and Malaysian authorities are yet to release any findings from their various investigations into the incident. Some relatives accuse Malaysia’s government and the airline of a bungled response to the disaster and possible cover-up, charges that are YEPPOON: Residents try to clear a road blocked by uprooted trees after Tropical Cyclone Marcia hit the coastal town of strenuously denied. — AFP Yeppoon in north Queensland yesterday. — AFP Myanmar’s army deepens offensive on ethnic rebels

LASHIO: Myanmar’s army intensified an offensive to flush out rebels Laukkai, which is now an apparent ghost town. Rebels say they have and went on until the next morning,” she added, requesting anonymi- from areas around a flashpoint town on the northeastern border with also inflicted casualties on the army over recent days. ty. Yesterday around 500 people were camped at the monastery China, state media said yesterday, after 11 days of fighting displaced where thousands who have fled the violence, many of them tempo- tens of thousands of people. The conflict, which flared on February 9 More flee conflict rary workers, have taken refuge before travelling on to their homes in when ethnic Kokang rebels killed nearly 50 soldiers during a series of The conflict has renewed doubts over a government attempt to other parts of Myanmar. Vice President Sai Mauk Kham was due to vis- attacks on Laukkai town, has seen at least 30,000 people flee into forge a nationwide ceasefire in a country peppered with bitter ethnic it the site later as the latest senior official to travel to Lashio after meet- China, prompting Beijing to call for an end to the clashes. A similar insurgencies. The Kokang, who are mainly ethnic Chinese, have con- ing wounded soldiers at the local military hospital. number of people are believed to be displaced within Myanmar’s tinued ambushes on army convoys despite losing dozens of men in Efforts to evacuate remote communities have been hampered northern Shan State, but clear estimates are hard to glean as local aid the government push back. They have been joined by other nearby by Tuesday’s attack on a local Red Cross convoy which wounded groups have limited operations after a Myanmar Red Cross convoy rebel groups, including the Ta’ang National Liberation Army and the two aid workers. It is unclear who shot at the six-vehicle convoy, came under fire. powerful Kachin Independence Army, an ominous sign for peace in which was carrying civilians and journalists. Yesterday the United The army has struck back against the rebels with air strikes and the country as it opens up and heads towards a crunch general elec- States Embassy in Yangon condemned the attack as “unaccept- ground forces, after apparently being caught flat-footed by the pace tion later this year. able”. Myanmar has blamed Kokang rebel leader Phone Kya Shin and ferocity of the initial rebel assault. “Army columns were in hot pur- Civilians have continued to stream into the Shan town of Lashio, for the upsurge of violence-after six years of relative peace-and suit of Kokang insurgents into retreat,” around the Laukkai area, state some 140 kilometers from the fighting. “We left yesterday (Thursday) called on Beijing to rein in any local officials who might be helping mouthpiece the Global New Light of Myanmar reported yesterday. morning because we were scared,” a tired, sunburnt 50-year-old the group on its side of the border. Reform-minded President The report said the bodies of two rebels were recovered by Myanmar woman taking shelter at a Lashio monastery said. “The fighting was Thein Sein has vowed “not to lose an inch of Myanmar’s territory” soldiers after fighting early Thursday to secure roads leading to continuous... we could see the firing. One day it started around 3 pm to the rebels. — AFP Yemen FX reserves stabilize Subsidy cuts in India budget Nasdaq nears all-time highs as Businessbut borrowing balloons 16 may disappoint investors17exuberance yields to reason 18 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 ECB prepares for a Greece exit: Report 19

ATHENS: A woman passes by a graffiti in central Athens yesterday. Germany and Greece face off in yet another euro-zone meeting yesterday in search of a last minute bailout compromise, with Berlin insisting Athens accept continued austerity in return for fresh debt aid. — AFP Greece, Germany face off in debt talks Make-or-break meeting enters critical phase

BRUSSELS: Last-minute wrangling delayed a out of hand but a lengthy phone call between to some extent by the Tsipras-Merkel exchange. jobs. For France and Italy, led by left-wing govern- make-or-break euro-zone meeting yesterday as Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tspiras and German ments, easing up on austerity is essential to give Greece’s demand for a radical easing of its bailout Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared to calm the Personality clash them the leeway to borrow to boost growth. program ran into German-led opposition to relax- waters. Meeting in Paris Friday with French Time is pressing to find a solution before the Against this backdrop, a European diplomatic ing its austerity commitments. President Francois Hollande, Merkel said the current bailout program ends, for fear that failure source said there would be no agreement Friday, After days of sharp exchanges, the 19 euro- German position “since the beginning of the Greek could see Greece run out of money and be forced with Schaeuble unwilling to give way on such an zone finance ministers were due to gather for the program” had been that Greece remain in the bloc out of the euro-zone within weeks. important point of principle. third time in little over a week to consider Athens’ and added that Berlin “would do everything to Analysts downplay the likelihood of a “Grexit”, take-it or leave-it proposal to extend an EU loan continue along this path.” saying the euro-zone is much stronger now than at Greek concessions program which expires this month. “Start (of) “Greece is in the euro-zone. Greece has to stay the height of the debt crisis in 2011-12. But the In its request, Greece offered some major con- Eurogroup rescheduled to 16:30” (15:30 GMT), in the euro-zone,” said Hollande. For its part, uncertainty weighs heavily at a time when the cessions including a return, if not in name, of the Dutch Finance Minister and Eurogroup head Greece said it would request an EU summit should economy has faltered and governments are des- hated “troika” mission of creditors that has over- Jeroen Dijsselbloem said in a tweet. Dijsselbloem the Eurogroup meeting fail. “If we do not reach a perate to boost growth. seen Athens’s finances through two bailouts. But gave no reason for the delay as EU officials contin- deal, I think the question can be resolved thanks to A top European official said the stand-off had stung by Schaeuble’s rejection, Athens said its ued to try to find the compromise wording need- political interventions at a higher level,” said State come down to a clash of personalities with request was final. Tsipras insists he can satisfy both ed to get the euro-zone off the hook of a Greece- Minister Nikos Pappas, a close ally of Tspiras. Schaeuble furious at the negotiating style of his the demands of Greece’s partners and meet a Germany stand-off. The spokesman for European The Merkel-Tsipras call came after a Greek gov- Greek counterpart, the casual and fast-talking Yanis promise to voters to end the detested austerity Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker said “we ernment source released a document said to out- Varoufakis. The issues go beyond that, however, conditions which he says destroyed the economy. are confident a deal is possible in the forseeable line Berlin’s defiant stance at official-level talks and echo a divisive debate in the European Union “The government... is not asking for an exten- future if everyone is reasonable.” Thursday. Greece’s proposal “is not clear at all... a whether the austerity policies adopted to cope sion to the memorandum,” an official source in “We are not there yet,” added spokesman Trojan horse, intending to get bridge financing and with the debt crisis have done more harm than Athens said, referring to the reform agreement Margaritis Schinas. Any Eurogroup decision must in substance putting an end to the current pro- good. For Germany, fiscal discipline and tight between Greece and the troika-the EU, European be unanimous. German Finance Minister Wolfgang gram,” the German statement said, according to spending controls are the only basis for the sus- Central Bank and International Monetary Fund Schaeuble on Thursday rejected the Greek request the source. Financial markets were calm, reassured tainable growth needed to deliver much-needed creditors. —AFP BUSINESS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015

Oil rises towards $61 US rig count expected to fall

LONDON: Brent crude oil rose towards $61 a barrel week to record highs, data from the Energy a substantial lag time of months before the rig num- yesterday as expectations of falling US rig count num- Information Administration (EIA) showed on Thursday. bers begin to force a levelling in output,” they said. bers outweighed concerns about oversupply. The Stockpiles of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) US crude Expectations of continued oversupply were sup- number of rigs drilling for oil in the United States fell to at the Cushing oil hub in Oklahoma rose the most in six ported by rising production levels from top oil exporter its lowest since August 2011 last week. This week’s years, the EIA said. Saudi Arabia. Barclays oil analyst Miswin Mahesh said numbers, produced by oil services firm Baker Hughes Brent crude futures for April were up 56 cents at exports from Saudi Arabia could reach 9 million barrels Inc, are due around 1800 GMT on Friday. $60.77 by 1315 GMT, having hit an intraweek low of per day next year as it focuses on protecting market “A further sharp decrease in the oil rig count is $57.80 in the previous session. US crude for March share. “It is uniquely positioned relative to other oil expected ... which points to declining US oil production delivery was up 29 cents at $51.45. The contract producers in a highly competitive market,” he said. In in the second half of the year,” said Commerzbank ana- expires yesterday. Trading was quiet in Asian hours as Libya, three car bombs killed 40 people in the eastern lyst Carsten Fritsch in a note to traders. “This does China and other countries were closed for the Lunar city of Qubbah yesterday, days after Egyptian air strikes nothing to change the considerable oversupply on the New Year holiday. Jeffries Futures analysts said a rise in on Islamic State militants there. Libya’s oil output has oil market in the short term, however,” he added. oil prices on falling rig numbers would be premature. almost completely collapsed, falling to less 200,000 US crude inventories rose 7.7 million barrels to “Although the market could receive another pre-week- barrels per day (bpd) from 1.6 million bpd before the 425.6 million barrels last week, rising for a sixth straight end boost from a plunge in rig counts, we will reiterate country’s 2011 civil war. — Reuters

Yemen FX reserves Shop in X-cite showrooms stabilize but borrowing balloons and on xcite.com DUBAI: Yemen’s foreign exchange reserves have stabilised after a steep fall due to its political tur- Add more Joy to your celebrations with ‘National Day deals’ moil, but ballooning government debt issuance indicates the country may be moving closer to a fis- cal crunch, central bank data showed yesterday. KUWAIT: X-cite by Alghanim Shiite Muslim Houthi rebels completed a takeover Electronics, Kuwait’s leading retail elec- of the capital Sanaa last month while in the south, tronics and e-commerce player is cur- forces loyal to former president Abd-Rabbu rently running ‘National Day Deals’ pro- Mansour Hadi still appear in charge. Tribal conflicts motion with an aim to add more joy to and al Qaeda insurgency are also disrupting the festive holiday period spanning the Yemen’s oil and gas exports and other parts of the the National and Liberation Days of economy. Kuwait. The promotion started on Gross foreign reserves, which had sunk to $4.65 February 19thand is valid till 28th of billion in November from $5.35 billion at the end of February 2015. 2013, recovered slightly in December to $4.67 bil- The promotion includes discounts lion, equivalent to 4.6 months of the country’s and gift bundles on computers, tablets, imports, the central bank figures showed. This sug- phones, gaming consoles, TVs, cameras, gests that for now at least, Yemen can avoid a col- home appliances and much more. Each lapse of its external payments position. But a sharp day of the promotion would also feature rise of domestic borrowing by the government special daily deals valid for 24 hours shows it is being forced to borrow heavily from only. Customers can avail the incredible local banks to stay afloat. discounts by visiting any of X-cite’s 17 The government issued a record 77.2 billion rials showrooms, the website or via the ‘Xcite ($359 million) of domestic bonds in December, up Mobile App’ available in the Google Play 18 percent from a year earlier, while outstanding and iOS Apple Stores. Stay tuned on Treasury bill issuance climbed 9 percent to 1.55 tril- these channels, as this is one great To stay updated on the monthly pro- the daily newsletter on www.xcite.com or lion rials. In addition to the political turmoil, the opportunity to get your hands on the motions and offers visit X-cite’s ever- follow X-cite’s social media channels on plunge of oil prices has slashed the government’s gadgets you’ve always wanted for your- expanding retail network of 17 show- Facebook.com/XcitebyAlGhanim, energy income; the value of oil exports fell to $1.67 self or as a gift for your family members. rooms. Customers can also subscribe to Instagram and Twitter on @xcitealghanim. billion last year from $2.66 billion in 2013, the cen- tral bank data showed. That makes foreign aid more critical, but the political instability has called aid into question; Saudi Arabia has suspended most of its financial aid to Yemen, worried that the rebels will gain access to it, Yemeni and Western sources said. The International Monetary Fund agreed in July to provide a $553 million loan to Yemen over the next three years after the government pledged economic reforms, including a cut of about 50 per- cent in fuel subsidies and higher tax revenues. So far, the IMF deal is holding together, officials on both sides told Reuters. An official in Yemen’s planning ministry, declining to be named, said the IMF had not made any decision to suspend the loan, and that the future of the deal would depend on a solution to the political crisis. A senior IMF official said his organization was maintaining regular contacts with Yemeni officials and continuing to provide them with technical analysis. “What I’m in a way pleasantly surprised by is that despite all this, at the working level, at the policy level, even the ministers are continuing to engage on the policy discussion, on the agenda,” the IMF official said. “I could have imagined everything would come to a halt right now. And yet they’re very keen to keep at it. And also, they keep saying that they’re pursuing the things they committed to do, so they would like the IMF-supported program to continue. So I hope that will be the case.” — Reuters NEW DELHI: An Indian laborer uses a horse-drawn cart to deliver unbaked clay bricks to a brick kiln in Sahibabad on the out- skirts of New Delhi yesterday. — AFP Business SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015

Palestinian farms break new ground

DAR SALAH: The small farm in the southern West Bank seems unremarkable, but for one thing. Instead of the sheep traditional to the area, its livestock are ostriches. Fifty-year-old farmer Abdelrahman Abu Tir, whose name coincidentally translates as “father of the bird”, has for the last three years been farming ostriches for meat in a project unique in the Palestinian Territories. In another corner of the West Bank in Jericho, a separate group of agricultural entre- preneurs have begun the first Palestinian mushroom farm since Israel occupied the territories in 1967. The two projects are among a growing number of ventures in Palestinian agriculture that seek to fill gaps in the market, both for business purposes and to cut reliance on the Jewish state for food. Picking at tufts of coarse grass, Abu Tir’s giant birds-normally spotted on the plains of Africa-look out of place in the village of Dar Salah, where he keeps 200 of them on around two hectares (five acres) of land. He said the idea for the farm came to him when Israel banned ostrich farming several years ago because it considers the animals a “protected wild species”. “I began buying the ostriches from Israeli farms when I saw that those farms were being closed” Abu Tir said. Since then he has been selling meat, feathers and eggs to Palestinian and Israeli buyers, but also to customers in the Gulf and neighboring Jordan. Given BRUSSELS: Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde, center, arrives for a meeting of ostrich meat is not a common delicacy among Israelis eurogroup finance ministers in Brussels yesterday. Euro-zone finance ministers met for a crucial day of talks yesterday to or Palestinians, for now Abu Tir sells only on demand, see whether a Greek debt relief proposal is acceptable to Germany and other nations using the common currency. — AP but he is optimistic the business can grow. “It will take a while for the idea of eating ostrich to gain traction in the local market. For Palestinians it’s a strange meat Subsidy cuts in India budget and it’s also fairly expensive,” he said. “Even turkey took a while to catch on. Palestinians prefer to eat fat- tier meat such as lamb.” may disappoint investors Abu Tir has an arsenal of arguments to promote his product. “Ostrich meat is better for your health, and Fuel subsidy seen down by nearly two-thirds the way they are farmed is much less damaging to the environment than with sheep or cattle,” he said. NEW DELHI: India may slash its food and fuel subsidy bill by accounts of over 100 million households earlier this year for Confident his business will grow, Abu Tir is negotiat- about $8 billion in next week’s budget, two sources said, but subsidised cooking gas alone is expected to contribute over ing with the Palestinian agriculture ministry to despite the impressive headline, the cut is not as radical as one billion dollars towards overall savings next year. Nearly expand the farm. “I’d like to have maybe 1,000 or free market champions had hoped for in Prime Minister 100 billion rupees ($1.6 billion) of the savings could come 2,000 ostriches within the next two years, and eventu- Narendra Modi’s first full budget. from clamping down on corruption in fertiliser distribution ally 10,000.” Most of the 20 percent cut in the budget for subsidies and adjusting food subsidies, he said. results from lower global oil prices rather than structural The officials said the thrust of the budget was to improve ‘100% Palestinian mushroom’ changes, with the government’s appetite for reform tempered the economic environment by trying to spark consumer Palestinian agriculture has been suffering, with its by a heavy local election defeat in New Delhi this month. “The demand and investment without overshooting a fiscal deficit share of GDP dropping from 77 percent 20 years ago total subsidy bill could come down to around 2 trillion rupees target of 3.6 percent of GDP. to just five percent today, largely because of Israel’s ($32 billion),” a senior government official, who has direct Lower subsidy costs would help the government increase control of areas of the West Bank through settlements knowledge of the matter, told Reuters. That calculation was funding for Modi’s dream projects like railways, roads, solar and accompanying restrictions on access for echoed by another source privy to budget discussions. power and support to exports while honoring deficit commit- Palestinian farmers. It is unclear to what extent ostrich Fuel subsidies are expected to drop by around two-thirds ments closely watched by ratings agencies. India’s vast but farming can help a revival, but another venture in to 220-230 billion rupees in the fiscal year that starts on April decrepit state railways have sought to nearly double spending Jericho in the Jordan Valley is making inroads. 1, thanks above all to a halving of international oil prices to on new infrastructure to 500 billion rupees in the upcoming A group of young Palestinians are growing and around $60 a barrel. rail budget for 2015/16, a senior Railways Ministry source said. selling the “first 100 percent Palestinian mushroom”, The sources said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was likely to with packets appearing in supermarkets in the set the total budget for subsidies at about $32 billion, down FOOD WELFARE Palestinian administrative centre Ramallah. from $40 billion in the current financial year. Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party ideologically support It will be the first full budget presented since Modi’s weaning voters off distorting subsidies. But Modi needs to win Mushrooms have long been a part of local cuisine, but Bharatiya Janata Party swept to power in India last May. It pro- state elections to implement that agenda in parliament, and a under the occupation Palestinians have come to rely duced an interim budget in July that was largely designed by resounding defeat in the high-profile Delhi state poll this on produce from Israeli farms, often located on settle- the outgoing Congress party government. month may force him to reconsider some proposals. ments. Four young Palestinian high-tech workers- The numbers imply four-fifths or $6.5 billion of the total “The finance minister will have to meet investors’ expecta- Mahmud Kahil, Samir Khreisheh, Tayeb Aql and Wadie subsidy savings will come from lower fuel subsidy costs. Other tions without inviting a political backlash,” said the second Nassar-quit their jobs so they could pursue the subsidy costs will only be cut by around 5 percent. official. Modi is expected to quietly delay implementation of a “Amoro” project, named after the type of mushroom That could disappoint investors, who see the Feb. 28 budg- food aid law passed by the last government that would widen they grow. et as a test of Modi’s stomach for unpopular reforms, with distribution of ultra-cheap grains to two-thirds of the popula- Based since October at a farm in Jericho, they now some critical that he has not moved faster to revive the econo- tion. Delaying the implementation of food scheme could, produce some four or five tons of mushrooms every my. “The direction of subsidy reduction is perfect but we need along with a smaller increase to government-set farm-gate month, which sell at an average of $2 for 250 grams, more to be done,” said Deven Choksey, managing director at prices, avert 200-300 billion rupees in extra spending on food against $2.50 for Israeli mushrooms. Mumbai brokerage K.R. Choksey Securities, who called for subsidies, said the first official. They said their project is undercutting Israeli pro- more welfare schemes, including fertilisers, to shift to direct Despite calls from policy advisers to end subsidies on fer- ducers and helps give consumers more of a chance to cash payments to avoid fraud. tilisers, the officials said the government favored deregulating boycott Israeli products. “Ramallah itself consumes The sources suggested that the focus on savings would be urea prices in a phased manner, to avoid “protests inside and 2.5 to 3 tons of mushrooms each month,” Kahil said. on cutting waste rather than more radical free market efforts outside the parliament”. “It is not easy. But we can save about “The goal is to sell 15 tons per month,” eventually some policy advisers have been lobbying for. According to cal- 50 billion rupees by plugging leakages,” said the first official, expanding sales to the Gaza Strip and neighboring culations described by the first source, lower oil prices com- referring to scams to abuse the fertilizer subsidy. countries, he said. — AFP bined with measures to deregulate fuel prices and clamp Welfare reform is highly sensitive in India, where nearly 70 down on fuel benefit fraud will account for four-fifths of the percent of the 1.25 billion population lives on $1.50 a day or savings. The launch of direct transfer of funds into bank less, according to the Asian Development Bank. — Reuters Business SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 Gold rebounds, but set for 4th weekly drop

LONDON: Gold rebounded and world shares weak- $1,240 for a while.” The dollar firmed after upbeat US demand for non-interest-bearing bullion. Liquidity was ened yesterday before a meeting of euro-zone finance jobless claims data, while the euro dipped after a thin in Asia as No 2 consumer China and several other ministers that could put Greece on its way to exiting report on German news magazine Spiegel that Asian countries were shut for the Lunar New Year holi- the bloc, but prices were still headed for their fourth European Central Bank officials are preparing for a day. Gold prices had received some support from straight weekly drop. Spot gold, lower initially, rose 0.4 departure of Greece from the euro-zone. Investors Chinese buying ahead of the holiday, when gold is percent at $1,211.90 an ounce by 1243 GMT. The metal were waiting for the outcome of Greece’s debt talks, bought for gift-giving. has lost 1.6 percent so far this week, dipping to its low- scheduled to start at 1530 GMT in Brussels. “A lot hinges on the return of China next est in six weeks at $1,197.56 on Wednesday, when On Thursday, Germany rejected Athens’ proposal Wednesday as many participants are expecting them hopes for a successful resolution to Greece’s debt talks for an extension to its loan agreement. Berlin stance to be on the bid following their New Year festivities,” boosted investor appetite for risk. set the scene for tough talks at the crucial meeting. MKS Group said in a note. US gold futures for April delivery were up $3.90 an Traders were set to focus on the US Federal Reserve “If this fails to be the case, the complex would likely ounce to $1,211.50 on the day. “Germany rejected the and its monetary policy for clues on a possible interest continue its slide lower.” Silver rose 0.9 percent to Greek proposal ... the market has had just a tiny knee- rates hike by June, despite caution evident in the min- $16.47 an ounce, while platinum dropped 0.2 percent jerk reaction to that,” NRC Commodities analyst Andrey utes from the latest Fed policy meeting. to $1,164.24 an ounce, after reaching a 5-1/2-year low Kryuchenkov said. “But the dollar is still king and we Any hike by the Fed, which has kept rates near zero at $1,151.50 earlier. Palladium fell 0.4 percent to are likely to sit in this range between $1,180 and since 2008 to stimulate the US economy, could hurt $781.00 an ounce. — Reuters

Nasdaq nears all-time highs as exuberance yields to reason

NEW YORK: As the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index closes in on the all-time high it reached in March 2000, investors are facing a market that barely resembles the go-go era of 15 years ago. Valuations, as measured by what investors are willing to pay for the last 12 months of earnings, are an eighth of what they were at the peak of the dot com bubble, when the Nasdaq hit an intraday record of 5,132 before falling more than 63 percent in 12 months. Dividend investors, too, now routinely hold large positions in technology companies such as Microsoft, Cisco , and Oracle, a decision unthinkable in the growth-focused days of 2000 but now common thanks to mountains of corporate cash and changes in tax policy that have been favorable to dividends. Should the Nasdaq set a new record soon, as many expect - the index remains about 4 percent below its highest point after gaining nearly 15 percent over the last 12 months - its catalyst won’t be irrational exuberance, fund managers and analysts say. Instead, three key factors underpin the Nasdaq’s 125 percent rise over the last five years: the Federal Reserve’s ongoing policy of near-zero interest rates that has made equi- ties more attractive than bonds; the maturation of technology companies; and the rise of Apple Inc, a company that didn’t TOKYO: People watch an electronic stock board of a securities firm in Tokyo yesterday. Asian trading was quiet with appear among the largest 20 companies by market value in most markets closed for the Lunar New Year holidays yesterday, and Tokyo shares continued to rise on recent optimism the index 15 years ago and now represents more than 10 per- about an economic recovery. —AP cent of its weight.

BUBBLE QUESTIONS Tokyo investors keep eye on The Fed’s policy of keeping short-term interest rates near zero is credited with pushing up the prices of stocks and real estate broadly over the last five years. Yet fund managers say down-to-wire Greek talks that they see few signs of a bubble in technology stocks, at least for now. “Because the Federal Reserve has waited so long to get TOKYO: The fate of last-ditch talks on a uidity globally, and with Japanese stocks despite violations-including the storm- rates back to normal, it’s almost set up to fuel a bubble,” said Greek debt deal and the situation in vio- starting to look profitable after they ing of a key town by pro-Russian rebels. David Kelly, chief global strategist at JP Morgan Funds. “But lence-wracked Ukraine will be high on went through a critical juncture, Yesterday, the benchmark Nikkei my sense is that there’s still a nervousness about the US equi- the radar for Tokyo investors next week, investors are more likely to take risks,” ended 0.37 percent, or 67.51 points, ty market and it’s been keeping a lid on valuations getting out with any surprises likely to jolt the mar- Masayuki Doshida, a senior market ana- higher at 18,332.30, after closing at a 15- of hand.” The pace of new initial public offerings has slowed ket, analysts said yesterday. lyst at Rakuten Economic Research year high on Thursday. The index added considerably from the 630 tech IPOs that came to market “We’ve been worrying about Greece Institute, told Bloomberg News. But he 2.34 percent over the week. between 1999 and 2000, leading to less speculation overall. and Ukraine for a long time and nothing added: “The gains look too quick and as The broader Topix index of all first- By comparison, 299 companies overall went public between has surfaced yet, so if it does, there it starts to feel top heavy selling is going section shares rose 0.36 percent, or 5.40 the start of 2014 and the year to date, according to could be a big shock to the market,” said to take priority.” Investors are focusing points, to finish at 1,500.33, with a week- Renaissance Capital. Technology companies make up 43 per- Tomomi Yamashita of Shinkin Asset on Europe, where finance ministers from ly gain of 3.52 percent. cent of the Nasdaq. Management. the 19 euro-zone states hold a meeting Japan Display shares jumped 5.39 Back then, companies routinely went public with little “At least here in Japan it seems we’re in Brussels later in the day to consider a percent to 488.0 yen amid reports that more than a concept. Now, companies such as Uber, the pop- managing to overcome that thanks to a proposal by Athens to extend its loan the company was mulling the construc- ular ride-hailing service, have seen their valuations top $40 stronger economic outlook, confidence program, which expires at the end of tion of a new plant to supply smart- billion in the private markets, in part because mutual fund in earnings, and expectations of higher the month. phone screens to Apple. Factory robot- firms are more willing to take stakes in early-stage companies. wages for workers at big companies.” ics maker Fanuc rose 1.20 percent to Facebook Inc, for instance, reached a valuation of $50 bil- The Nikkei 225 index hit its highest German challenge 23,285.0 yen, Toyota was up 1.00 per- lion while still private, thanks in part to investments by fund level in 15 years this week on the back of Germany threw up a challenge cent to 8,078.0 yen, while market heavy- companies such as T. Rowe Price, according to date from relatively upbeat Japanese economic Thursday when it dismissed a proposal weight Fast Retailing, operator of the VentureSource. On an inflation-adjusted basis, that was larger data and record-setting highs on Wall from Athens to apply for a six-month Uniqlo clothing chain, fell 0.36 percent than the market value of all but 14 companies in the Nasdaq Street recently, while a still-weak yen extension that was free of painful aus- to 42,910.0 yen. at its record on March 10, 2000, according to data from inflated the bottom line at many firms, terity measures, just moments after the Bankrupt Skymark Airlines, which will Nasdaq OMX Group. as the latest earnings season wraps up. European Union had hailed it as a step be delisted from the Tokyo exchange “Companies are staying private longer to develop their Tokyo investors are also optimistic in the right direction. next month, jumped 44.44 percent to businesses so that when they go public they have a better that spring labor negotiations in Japan The leaders of Ukraine, Germany, 39.0 yen after reports emerged that chance of success out of the gate,” said Michael Cuggino, will usher in pay hikes, answering calls France and Russia on Thursday, mean- major Japanese travel agency H I S has portfolio manager of the Permanent Portfolio Aggressive from the government to lift wages in a while, pledged renewed support for a applied to extend support to the strug- Growth Fund. —Reuters bid to boost spending. “With excess liq- tattered ceasefire in eastern Ukraine gling carrier. — AFP BUSINESS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015

Schaeuble at ECB’s Draghi wants to buy odds with Greece bonds, but who will sell? FRANKFURT: Germany’s influential and veteran Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble is deeply pro-European but Regulation forces banks, insurers to hoard bonds unbending on the need to stick to commitments and seems at the end of his tether with debt-wracked Greece. As the most experienced member of the German cabinet, LONDON: At the height of the euro- and France’s BNP Paribas said they were be able to stay below its self-imposed zone debt crisis in 2012, ECB President unlikely to sell when the ECB comes cap of not owning more than a quarter Schaeuble, 72, has served as Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Mario Draghi’s problem was how to knocking. of any one bond. right-hand man throughout the lengthy battle to resolve the convince investors to hold on to “The volume of sovereign bonds we Holders of 5- to 10-year debt are euro-zone crisis. European bonds. Now he faces a strug- own at the moment is not linked to likely to be hedge funds or other asset But his uncompromising stance over a new debt deal gle to make them sell. monetary policy,” BNP Paribas deputy managers that bought government with Greece’s fledgling anti-austerity government could, if it Weeks before the European Central CEO Philippe Bordenave said. “It’s bonds in anticipation of the ECB enter- comes to the much-feared “Grexit”, eventually see him cast Bank begins a program to buy about 1 linked to the regulation.” ing the market. as the man who forced Greece out of the euro. trillion euros of euro zone government If Greece were to leave the euro, sell- “The ECB have a lot of flexibility in His insistence on often painful reforms in return for rescue bonds, banks, pension funds and insur- ing pressure might increase, but Grexit the sense that they haven’t disclosed loans had already earned him both admirers and enemies. ers across the continent are hoarding is seen as an outside risk. what amounts they would buy in cer- But his head-on collision with the new hard-left government them for regulatory or accounting rea- tain segments of the curve,” Patel said. in Athens under Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his sons. That may complicate implementa- BIG HOLDERS If the ECB gets desperate, some ana- Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis has become openly hos- tion of the quantitative easing program, Banks are big holders of govern- lysts say, it could raise its deposit rate tile. A joint news conference with his Greek counterpart in aimed at reviving growth and inflation Berlin at the beginning of this month was icy. And when a in the euro zone. The ECB might have to Greek newspaper caricature depicted Schaeuble in a Nazi- pay way above market prices, or take era army uniform, his spokesman condemned the cartoon as additional measures to encourage “vile”. Since then, Schaeuble has been clearly piqued by investors to sell. what he saw as a string of personal insults coming from “We prefer to hold on to them,” said Greece. Antoine Lissowski, deputy CEO at Tsipras even said the German finance minister had lost French insurer CNP Assurances. “The ECB’s policy ... is reaching its limits now.” his cool with Varoufakis at a meeting in Brussels. Banks, which buy mainly short-term Schaeuble insists he is fighting for smaller eurozone coun- bonds, use government debt as a liq- tries which have made great sacrifices and pushed uidity buffer. Selling would force them through painful and unpopular economic reforms to to invest in other assets, for which- remain in the single currency. unlike government bonds- regulators ask banks to set cash aside as a precau- Personality clash tion. Alternatively, they can deposit A top European official said the stand-off between money with the ECB, at a discouraging Germany and Greece has come down to a clash of personali- interest rate of minus 0.20 percent. ties between the plain-talking Schaeuble and the casual and Insurers and pension funds typically fast-talking Varoufakis. buy long-term debt. They could make “There is a real problem of personalities and I understand hefty profits selling to the ECB. But the BRUSSELS: The Greek, left, and EU flag flap in the wind outside the Greek that Schaeuble is outraged by comments made by money would have to be re-invested in embassy in Brussels yesterday. Euro-zone finance ministers meet for a cru- Varoufakis,” the official said. The 72-year-old is one of other bonds whose yields would be cial day of talks to see whether a Greek debt relief proposal is acceptable to Merkel’s most trusted and loyal allies, and her most seasoned much lower than their long-term com- Germany and other nations using the common currency. —AP cabinet member. He has held five ministerial offices since mitments to clients-a regulatory no-no. 1994 and been a member of parliament for more than 40 In 2012, many euro zone bonds ment bonds, especially in the more to zero to encourage banks to sell. years. offered double-digit yields. Today, indebted states that most need ECB Regulation and central bank pur- It was under former conservative leader Helmut Kohl that Greece aside, the bloc’s highest yielding support. In Spain and Italy, they own a chases, along with efforts by indebted the pro-European Schaeuble forged his career, rising debt is a 30-year Portuguese bond quarter of the market, or around 600 governments to reduce issuance, are offering 3.30 percent. Between a quar- billion euros combined on a net basis. among the reasons global demand for through the ranks to eventually become Kohl’s chief of staff ter and a third of the market carries In Germany, banks own over 250 bil- bonds is almost $700 billion above sup- and one-time heir apparent. negative yields, meaning investors pay lion euros of public debt. ply, according to a JPMorgan estimate. He has been confined to a wheelchair since an assassina- governments to park their money in UBS estimates local pension funds, But everything has a price. RBS tion attempt by a deranged man in 1990, the same year he debt. In Belgium, a country whose rates insurers and mutual funds own 20 to strategists see a 40 percent chance that oversaw Germany’s joyful national reunification. are taken as indicative of the euro zone 25 percent of the domestic govern- ECB purchases would help turn German Schaeuble nearly sacrificed his career in a slush-fund average, benchmark 10-year bonds ment bond market in Belgium, Italy 10-year Bund yields negative this year. scandal that shattered Kohl’s reputation. But after a period in yield 0.7 percent, just above record lows and the Netherlands. One of the Swiss “There’s a lack of bonds to meet cur- the political wilderness, he made a comeback in 2002. around 0.5 percent. bank’s rate strategists, Nishay Patel, rent demand globally, so it’s going to While Merkel refused to back Schaeuble two years later “If we were to sell bonds, we would says this hoarding is likely to force the be difficult to see a lot of sellers,” said for the role of federal president-instead picking former head make huge capital gains, but we will ECB to buy more bonds maturing in 5 Patrick O’Donnell, portfolio manager at of the International Monetary Fund, Horst Koehler-he then have to reinvest that money at a to 10 years to meet its trillion euro tar- Aberdeen Asset Management, who became interior minister the following year. yield of 0.5 percent, set against liabili- get. does not plan to sell. Schaeuble did not have an easy time in the position and ties at 3.50-3.75 (percent),” said Bart de He calculates that if 45 percent of “The risk is that if the ECB is serious was criticized by civil liberties groups for curbing rights in Smet, the CEO of Belgian insurer Ageas. the ECB’s purchases are in that sector, about buying at the rate of 60 billion a response to the threat of extremist attacks. —AFP Dutch banks ING and Rabobank, Spain’s 35 percent in shorter maturities and 20 month, the price impact could be quite Bankinter and rescued lender Bankia percent in longer ones, the ECB would material.” —Reuters ECB prepares for a Greece exit: Report

FRANKFURT: The European Central Bank is European Central Bank denied a report in a attempts to renegotiate its aid-for-reform pro- preparing for the event that Greece leaves the German newspaper that it wanted Greece to gram. The ECB agreed a modest increase in euro-zone and its staff are readying contingency introduce capital controls to stem the outflow of emergency funding for Greek banks on plans for how the rest of the bloc could be kept deposits from its banks. Wednesday, keeping pressure on Athens to intact, German news magazine Spiegel reported Germany’s finance minister was hostile to strike a financing deal with its European partners in a preview of its magazine. Athens’ proposal this week although the govern- before its lenders run out of money. Greek banks The ECB declined to comment on the report. ment softened its tone on Friday as euro zone have seen deposit outflows pick up in recent The German magazine also reported that the ECB finance ministers raced to break the deadlock. days as the new leftist-led government has failed was pushing Athens to introduce controls on the Much of the German media has also been to agree an extension of its international bailout, movement of capital. Earlier this week, the skeptical about Greece’s new government’s which expires on Feb. 28. —Reuters BUSINESS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015

US ports dispute taking heavy toll on economy

WASHINGTON: Federally mediated talks to costs from the port slowdown, while in Japan already sagging global economy. After being October and has progressively worsened. end a grinding labor dispute at US West automakers said they were being forced to ordered into the fray by President Barack Adding their own pressure, port manage- Coast ports entered their third day Thursday air-freight crucial parts. The head of Nintendo Obama, Labor Secretary Thomas Perez spent ment shut down operations on two recent as complaints mounted from businesses feel- said deliveries of its hot new game console a third straight day in talks Thursday to long weekends, aiming to hit workers’ holi- ing pain on both sides of the Pacific. Massive were being held up at the ports. resolve the impasse. Both sides say the other day and overtime pay. container ships were backed up around key is asking for too much in terms of conces- The net effect is that the ports are pro- ports from Long Beach in southern California Third day of mediated talks sions. “They need to understand that a very cessing much less freight than they did a to Tacoma, Washington as some 20,000 There was no news of progress in the quick solution is needed here,” said John year ago: down 13 percent in January in longshoremen continued their work slow- talks Thursday from the Pacific Maritime Keeling, chief executive of the National Tacoma and Seattle, nearly 20 percent in down to pressure port owners to agree a Association, representing management for Potato Council, which has seen a sharp drop Long Beach, and down 32 percent in new contract. 29 West Coast ports, and the International in sales to Asia. Oakland. The port of Oakland, the key container ter- Longshore and Warehouse Union. Without a If Perez cannot mediate a solution, he “We have been strongly urging the two minal for the San Francisco Bay area, was deal, businesses worry the situation could said, “The president should step in and parties to come to an agreement on a new completely closed for the seventh day this turn into a full-blown strike with nothing become a part of this.” contract, so that we can clear the backlog of month as dockworkers held a union meeting. moving through ports which handle about While negotiations have gone on for nine cargo on the docks and the ships anchored US businesses from potato producers to half of the country’s trade, most of it to and months, the work slowdown that caused off the coast,” Port of Long Beach chief exec- online retailers complained of mounting from Asia. The impact could roll across the ships and containers to back up began in late utive Jon Slangerup said. —AFP

Portugal backs Germany on debt deal for Greece

FRANKFURT: Portuguese Finance Minister Maria Luis Albuquerque insisted in a German newspaper interview yes- terday that Greece must fulfil the current conditions of its international bailout. “There is a framework within which we are prepared to talk to the Greek government. That framework is the current aid program, which is up for extension,” Albuquerque told the business daily Handelsblatt. “But we are not prepared to talk under any other condi- tions. Everyone is agreed on this, all the 18 other euro-zone countries, as well as the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund,” the minister added. Her com- ments put her firmly behind Germany in its insistence that Athens accept further austerity in return for more aid. Finance ministers from the 19-member euro-zone are meeting in Brussels later yesterday to consider a take-it-or- leave-it proposal by Athens to extend its European loan pro- gram that expires at the end of the month. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has slammed DENVER: A “for rent” sign is posted outside a home in Denver. Real estate data firm Zillow reported on US the request as “not a substantial proposal for a solution.” home rental prices in January 2015 yesterday. —AP Albuquerque agreed that the bailout could not simply be extended without any conditions. “That’s not possible for any- one else in the world, neither for Greece nor Portugal, not for Shale producers defer you or me,” she said. “If I ask a bank for a loan, I must commit myself to paying it back. And I have to offer security. There’s no other way of doing it.” Portugal, too, benefitted from a bailout by its euro-zone partners and pushed through painful reforms oil well completions to repair its troubled its finances and economy in return. —AFP Companies to bide time for price gain

LONDON: EOG Resources became the latest major shale producer to source of frustration for producers and mineral rights owners waiting for state that it would “delay a significant number of completions” when it the oil to begin flowing and royalty payments to start arriving. announced fourth-quarter results. For the most part, delays in completing wells arose inadvertently as The company plans to end 2015 with 285 wells awaiting completion drilling outpaced completions during the frenzied drilling boom in the services, up from 200 at the end of 2014, it told investors during an earn- first eight months of 2014. ings call on Thursday. Continental Resources has also announced plans But now some exploration and production companies are deliberate- to go slow on well completions in response to the slump in oil prices. ly postponing completions to improve their financial performance. “It’s a Apache and Anadarko Petroleum are among other shale producers much more prudent business decision to wait. It will give us better capi- to announce a deliberate strategy of delaying completions. US shale pro- tal returns if we do that,” EOG’s chief executive told analysts, in com- ducers are postponing well completions to conserve cash and defer pro- ments reported by Fuel Fix (“Delaying completions is right business deci- duction until prices recover. There are a large number of wells that have sion” Feb. 19). been drilled but are awaiting the arrival of pressure pumping crews to fracture them and service companies to link them up to gathering PRUDENT BUSINESS pipelines. In North Dakota, there were an estimated 750 wells that had Postponing completions has a double benefit-it can cut costs and been drilled but not yet completed at the end of December, according to cash outlays in the short term and enhance earnings in the medium the state’s Department of Mineral Resources. term. The cost and revenue profiles for shale wells are different from con- Once these wells are completed, they will increase the number of ventional ones and it is these differences that shale producers are seek- producing wells in the state by more than 8 percent, from the current ing to exploit by postponing completions. total of around 8,950. In a conventional oil well, the cost of drilling the hole (including cas- WASHINGTON: The Fannie Mae headquarters in At recent completion rates, it would take another 3-4 months to clear ing and cementing) typically accounts for almost all the cost. The aim is Washington. Fannie Mae reported quarterly finan- the backlog even if no new wells were drilled in the meantime. Similar normally to complete the well, put it into production and start recover- cial results yesterday. —AP backlogs have emerged in the other shale plays. They have been a ing the capital expenditure as quickly as possible. —Reuters 21, 2015 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY FEBRUARY SATURDAY,

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Harris feels Oscars Swift will be tricky he ‘How I Met Your Mother’ star has has dinner Tbeen working with writers on material for the Academy Awards, with Kanye which he will host tomorrow, but is upset that his “funny and strong” material keeps cropping up elsewhere. He said: “It’s a tricky process with the con- tent. “I’m finding good jokes that we had that are funny and strong, then I’ll watch a late- night talk show and they’ll say the same joke ... the Grammys, ‘Saturday Night Live’ ... I just want everyone to stop talking until Monday!” The 41- year-old actor admitted he has been “having nightmares” on how to top last year’s host Ellen DeGeneres’ famous selfie with a number of Hollywood stars. Speaking to Ellen on her talk show, he said: “[It’s created] this horrible dark cloud over my head. “How do you beat the selfie that broke the Internet?” However, Ellen reassured him her picture was a “perfect fluke” as she had no idea how the star-studded audience would react to the idea. She said: “You can’t plan that. I hoped that it would he ‘Blank Space’ hitmaker, who was a no-show at going to go in.” But just days later he admitted he was happen. I hoped people would jump in. “So all you have to do is have a nugget of a good idea, and if everybody’s on board and the 37-year-old rapper’s fashion show last week, was surprised when she failed to make an appearance at the they’re playing, whatever your idea is, they’re with you. That Tspotted enjoying a meal with him at The Spotted star-studded launch of his new Adidas collaboration at just was such a perfect fluke that happened and I was so lucky.” Pig in New York City proving they have repaired their New York Fashion Week. Asked if he would like to see the Neil thinks it is important as host to consider both the guests at friendship after the ‘New Slaves’ hitmaker famously blonde beauty wearing some of his new designs, he said: the Oscars and those tuning in at home. He said: “I want to humiliated the 25-year-old singer at the MTV Video Music “Yeah, I think she was supposed to be here today, so I make sure that the people that are in the theatre, that are nomi- Awards (VMAs) in 2009. A source told Hellomagazine.com don’t know what happened. I’d like to see everyone wear- nated, that are very nervous, enjoy the show and feel respect- that the duo were careful not to arrive or leave the ing everything.” But a source close to the ‘Shake It Off’ hit- ed, like I’m talking to them. “But I think it’s more important - nay upscale eatery together, but dined at a table for two dur- maker later insisted: “Taylor wanted to attend but had a equally important - to be talking to people at home and mak- ing what is believed to have been a business meeting. scheduled photo shoot that day that she could not ing sure that the people, the larger group of people that are Kanye recently confirmed he had ironed out his issues move.” Up until recently relations between Kanye and watching it at home feel that I’m talking to them and that with Taylor, who he was spotted chatting with at the Taylor have been icy since he stormed the stage at the they’re not excluded from the party. Grammy Awards in Los Angeles earlier this month, and VMAs six years ago during her Best Female Video accept- revealed they are planning to record a duet together. He ance speech and told the crowd Beyonce deserved to said: “She wants to get in the studio, and we’re definitely take home the prestigious prize instead. Bieber backed out of fashion show he 20-year-old pop star attended the charity fashion event as part of New York Fashion Week and was meant to take to Maggie Grace Tthe catwalk as a model but decided he was too frightened to take part after arriving at the Lincoln Centre where the event was taking place. Recalling the incident, Naomi admitted: “He was going to walk and then he got nervous. He just felt like he wanted to watch, but I thanked him for his support.” The London-born gets engaged fashionista was snapped holding hands with the he ‘Taken 3’ actress announced on Instagram on Calvin Klein model while Thursday that she is to marry boyfriend Matthew backstage at the show - TCooke and shared a picture of them celebrating the which was raising funds happy news with her stunning diamond ring clearly on for the Ebola crisis - but show. Quoting the poet Rumi, she wrote: “The minute I laughed off rumours the heard my first love story, I started looking for you, not know- pair are dating, and ing how blind that was. Lovers do not finally meet some- explained she was sim- ply leading him to a styl- where. They are in each other all along. “Matthew Cooke & I ist to try on an outfit. are so excited to share our engagement with you guys! I She said: “I was taking could not feel more grateful to share my life with this incred- him to try some clothes ible man.” And the 31-year-old beauty also teased she and on, I was taking him to Matthew was considering eloping that night. Posting anoth- the stylist. But they er picture taken before they went out to Global Green USA’s made a huge thing 12th annual pre-Oscar party at Avalon Hollywood, she about it which is not wrote: “We’re all fancied up for @globalgreen tonight so we true.” However, the 44- thought - let’s ask our friend to take a fancy photo!. “Since year-old supermodel we’ve got the photo thing covered should we just elope?!” admitted she was Maggie recently admitted she feels able to take “risks” in her thrilled by the event career because she feels so “secure” in her relationship. She despite the ‘Boyfriend’ hitmaker’s refusal to walk the runway, and said: “It’s sometimes a dance, managing my time, but since I said the fundraiser’s success was down to those who gave up have a secure base and feel anchored, I’m able to take risks their time including Kelly Osbourne, Paris Hilton and Jessica Hart in work and life. I think of relationships as having a really who all modelled at the event. She continued: [It was] so much safe place with someone where you are, and making an fun, it was a lot of fun and everyone was there, giving their time effort to show up everyday - to see them and feel seen, and effort and collaboration. It was great.” And while Naomi will especially as an actor when you’re already pretending to be celebrate the 30th anniversary of her first modelling job later this other people all the time. It’s an incredible gift to feel seen year, the star confessed she still feels uneasy when she walks the by one person; a culture of two.” runway. She told BBC Radio 1: “I always get nervous, it’s just the way. You never know what can happen on a live show.” SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 Smith finds teenagers Morgan very difficult still struggling he ‘Focus’ star - who has 14-year-old Willow and 16-year- old Jaden with his wife Jada Pinkett Smith - has admitted This daughter commands “90 per cent” of the attention in their home. He said: “We have teenagers in the house, so it’s with rehab very difficult. 90 per cent of the focus is Willow; a 14-year-old girl takes all of the attention. “It’s everything; it’s like the world ends three times a week. It’s like 14-year-old girl inde- pendence day at my house every week.” The 46-year-old actor recalled a time where his ‘Whip My Hair’ singer daughter gave him a “disdainful sneer” when the family lost their cat after he mistakenly left a door open. He explained: “So she has these cats and she loves these cats and we live out in the boonies so I accidentally left one of the door’s open and she can’t find the cat and it’s a bad look for cats in my neighborhood because there’s coyotes and stuff out there, they’re not gonna make it. “So she’s very upset and she looked at me and tears welled up in her eyes and she said, ‘I cannot believe you would be that irresponsible.’ There’s he 46-year-old actor, who sustained a traumatic brain last weekend due to his injuries. An insider told PEOPLE.com: nothing that destroys the heart of a middle-aged man like the injury, broken femur, broken nose and broken ribs “Tracy would have loved to have been there, but he just isn’t disdainful sneer of a 14-year-old girl.” The family eventually Twhen a Walmart truck crashed into the vehicle he was up for it at this point.” His former co-stars Tina Fey and Alec found the cat but whilst Will was on the phone to his wife, travelling in last summer in New Jersey, has been making Baldwin both honored him during the show. Tina said: “I asking what he should do, he was approached by an angry “slow progress” with his recovery, but isn’t ready to return to wish my friend Tracy Morgan was here tonight, and I know Willow, who felt as though her father wasn’t making enough work. The former ‘30 Rock’ star’s lawyer Benedict Morelli that he was hoping that he was well enough to be here too.” effort to locate the missing pet. Speaking on The Late Show said: “He’s still struggling with rehab to get better. He’s While Alec added: “See you at the 41st, Tracy!” Walmart with David Letterman, he recalled: “I called Jada to figure out working hard to get well.” Tracy, who is getting regular recently reached a confidential financial settlement with the what to do and Willow walked up and I was on the phone and physical, speech and cognitive therapy, was forced to miss family of Tracy’s close friend James McNair, who was killed in that was too much for her. [She said,] ‘The least you could do the 40th anniversary special of ‘Saturday Night Live’ - on the car accident, and insisted it is “committed to doing what was look.’ “We found the cat; the cat was in the house.” which he was a regular cast member from 1996 until 2003 - is right” for everyone else involved. Kendrick prefers Leto ugly actresses he ‘Into the Woods’ actress, is ‘terrible’ who lists comediennes Tincluding Tina Fey and Amy Poehler among her hero- at eating ines, doesn’t feel the need to be perfect and prefers Hollywood he singer-and-actor needs to bulk up to stars who don’t try to play it safe. play the Joker in the forthcoming She said: “[My heroines are] T‘Suicide Squad’ movie but the 43-year- women who are willing to show old actor - who is vegan, meaning he doesn’t themselves and be honest, and consume animal products - is finding it hard be a little ugly. “I love it when to gain weight. He said: “I’m trying to gain a people don’t want things to be lot of weight. It means I have to eat every cou- polite and comfortable. ple of hours — and I’m terrible at eating a lot.” Sometimes I catch myself self- The ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ star is excited about censoring in that way, where it the “challenge” of portraying such a “beautiful feels like I’m being kind of edgy disaster”. He told Billboard magazine: “The and subversive, but I know that opportunity to take on this nearly I’m not; I know that I’m playing it Shakespearean character — that’s what safe.” But the 29-year-old also graphic novels and comic books are becom- admits she wasn’t always confi- ing, right? “[He’s] this beautiful disaster of a dent and only threw out her character — what a big challenge.” While waitressing uniform two years Jared’s diet is making it hard for him to ago because she didn’t believe gain weight, he has previously credit- her success would continue, as ed it for his youthful looks. He said: she used to “black out” during “It’s probably just down to sleep and auditions. She told Net-a-Porter’s diet. If you travel long-haul a lot or The Edit magazine: “It was this don’t sleep much, [your body’s] not underlying sense of, ‘Well, I defi- going to last very long, that’s for nitely have to keep those [clothes], in forward to getting older. She said: “I sure. “I’m pretty healthy so I think case I need the extra cash.’ “There were know that things will be more complicat- that helps a lot. I’ve been that so many auditions where I’d leave, and it ed as an older actress, in ways that I can’t way for a long time. Twenty was like I had blacked out. All I remem- anticipate, but I would really enjoy get- solid years of eating vegetari- bered was walking in and walking out.” ting to the point where the reason I’m an/vegan and taking care of Despite enjoying her success, the ‘Pitch getting roles or not isn’t based on if myself. That probably helps Perfect’ star claims she is already looking somebody thinks I’m hot enough”. the preservation process.” SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015

In this image released by Fox Searchlight Pictures, Michael Keaton portrays Riggan in a This image released by Sony Pictures Classics shows JK Simmons and Miles Teller in a scene from ‘Birdman’. scene from ‘Whiplash’. Some facts about the 2015 Oscars he 87th Academy Awards takes place Sunday at in “Two Days, One Night). She won for “La Vie en Rose “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and “The Imitation Game.” the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Here’s a look at (2007). She is the fifth performer to receive two or more The last person to do so was Steven Soderbergh, nomi- Tsome facts and figures about this year’s extrava- nods for a foreign language performance. Italian leg- nated for best director for both “Erin Brockovich” and ganza end Marcello Mastroianni won three, while Sophia “Traffic” in 2000 (He won for “Traffic.”) Loren, Liv Ullmann and Isabelle Adjani won two each. All white Gone (bond) girl Every single one of the 20 acting nominees is white, Streep sweep Britain’s Rosamund Pike becomes the third former for only the second time in nearly two decades. The last Meryl Streep extends her lead as the most nominat- Bond girl to be nominated for an Oscar, for “Gone Girl.” time there were no non-white nominees was in 2011. ed actor ever with her 19th nod for “Into the Woods.” Both her predecessors won: Halle Berry for “Monsters Before that, 1998. Notable snubs include Britain’s David She has won three times, most recently in 2012 as Ball” in 2002 and Kim Basinger for “LA Confidential” in Oyelowo, widely tipped for playing Martin Luther King Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady.” Before that she 1998. Jr. in “Selma.” won in 1980 for “Kramer v. Kramer” and 1983 for “Sophie’s Choice.” Fashion alert First timers The parade of stars on the Oscars red carpet is, for Nearly half the acting nominees are first-timers Black and white some, almost as big a show as the Academy Awards vying for Hollywood’s biggest awards. They are Steve “Ida” is the 11th mostly black and white film nomi- themselves. Who will wear what? What colors will be in Carell, Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Keaton, Eddie nated for cinematography since 1967, when black and (and out)? Will anyone make a fashion statement on Redmayne, JK Simmons, Felicity Jones, Rosamund Pike, white was cut as a category. Previous films included the scale of Bjork in her swan dress at the 2001 Oscars? Patricia Arquette and Emma Stone. Four nominees are “Cold Blood” (1967), “The Last Picture Show” (1971), Or Lady Gaga emerging from her egg at the 2011 previous winners: Robert Duvall, Marion Cotillard, “Lenny” (1974), “Raging Bull” (1981), “Zelig” (1983), Grammys? Watch out, Gaga is due to perform at this Reese Witherspoon and Meryl Streep. “Schindler’s List” (1993), “The Man Who Wasn’t There” year’s Oscars. (2001), “Good Night, and Good Luck” (2005), “The White Three in a row Ribbon” (2009) and “The Artist” (2011). In memoriam Bradley Cooper is nominated for his third consecu- Each year the show includes a segment dedicated tive year-this year’s leading actor nod for “American Battle of hulks to Hollywood greats who passed in 2014. This year, Sniper” follows nominations for last year’s “American Two actors who have played muscle-bound Marvel Tinseltown’s biggest loss was comic actor Robin Hustle” and “Silver Linings Playbook” the year before. superhero The Hulk are slugging it out in the best sup- Williams, who committed suicide in August. Others The last actor to do the same was Renee Zellweger porting actor category: Mark Ruffalo (up for mourned include “The Graduate” director Mike Nichols (2001-3), preceded by Russell Crowe (1999-2001). “Foxcatcher”) and Edward Norton (“Birdman.”) and actress Lauren Bacall, along with Britain’s Richard Attenborough and Bob Hoskins. — AFP English not required Double Desplat French actress Marion Cotillard received her second French composer Alexandre Desplat is a rare double nomination for a role in a language other than English, nominee in the same category: best original score for

This image released by Music Box Films shows Agata Trzebuchowska in a scene from ‘Ida’. In this image released by Paramount Pictures, David Oyelowo portrays Dr Martin Luther King, Jr in a scene from ‘Selma’. — AP photos SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015

‘Citizenfour’ may seal documentary Oscar nlike the often long, arduous slog of making documentary films, with subjects sometimes followed for years, the bulk Uof Oscar contender “Citizenfour” came together in eight dramatic days. Inside the Hong Kong luxury hotel room of National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden, the former government contractor detailed the US and British gov- ernments’ secret mass surveillance programs before fleeing the territory. “We met on a Monday, and then he went underground on the following Monday,” director Laura Poitras told Reuters ahead of tomorrow’s Academy Awards ceremony, where “Citizenfour” is widely expected to win best documentary. The biggest chal- lenge, however, was what would happen if there was a knock at the door. “I just figured I would roll as much as I can,” said the American filmmaker, who was placed on a US travel watch list after her 2006 Iraq war documentary “My Country, My Country.” “I backed up all my footage and made sure to get it out of the hotel room Kenneth Rendell, founder and director of the World War II Museum, poses with Nazi Enigma encryption machines on dis- in case someone tried to stop us from reporting,” Poitras added. play. — AP photos “Citizenfour” - the final installment of Poitras’ trilogy on US post- 9/11 policy - will be released the day after tomorrow’s Academy Awards on US premium cable network HBO. “‘Citizenfour’ is exactly the kind of movie from a documentary ‘Imitation Game’ brings WWII point of view that the Academy loves,” said Jonathan Taplin, an Oscar voter and producer of Martin Scorsese’s “Mean Streets.” The film hits the so-called Oscar sweet spot with its timely social and political import. Snowden, meanwhile, remains a political codebreakers to audiences refugee in Russia. he Oscar-nominated film “The Imitation Game” may fudge big element,” he says. “Because it was supposed to be unbreak- Beyond box office some of the facts and amp up the drama to appeal to able, people relaxed.” “Citizenfour,” named after the pseudonym Snowden used in THollywood audiences, but there’s still a lot the film gets Rendell says he began collecting Enigma machines, many of his early correspondence with Poitras, has won dozens of awards, right about the Allied effort to crack the German armed forces’ which resemble a round-button typewriter encased in a sturdy including honors from the Directors Guild and the British sophisticated communications code during World War II, says the wooden box, when their existence first became public long after Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). Poitras also shared owner of one of America’s largest collections of Enigma encryp- World War II ended. Among his prized possessions are two a Pulitzer Prize with journalists Glenn Greenwald and Ewen tion machines used by the Nazis. Enigma machines that can still communicate with one another, MacAskill, who first reported Snowden’s story from the hotel Kenneth Rendell, a historian and collector who operates the meaning museum patrons can encrypt and decrypt messages room. Museum of World War II, says the movie’s biggest achievements themselves. The filmmaker said one of the biggest challenges she faced are introducing the critical wartime contributions of pioneering The museum, which was established in 1999 and contains was finding a way to understand and then communicate the British mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing to new over 7,000 artifacts, displays nine Enigma machines, the largest technical complexity of the NSA surveillance programs. “We audiences and showcasing the legendary complexity of the Nazi private collection on display in the US, according to Rendell. Only come into this hotel room and talk about code name after code code machines, which were used for nearly every level of military the National Security Agency, which owns more than 50 name, and we don’t have any idea how the puzzle fits together,” communication, from the mundane to the top secret. The role machines and loans them out to museums around the country, Poitras said. “You need to let the audience know that it’s OK that Allied codebreakers played in saving lives and bringing an end to has more, he said. “The Imitation Game,” released in the US in late they don’t understand everything, because that’s part of what the deadliest conflict in history wasn’t widely known until the November, is up for Best Picture and seven other Oscar awards. that’s all about.” — Reuters 1974 publication of the book “The Ultra Secret” by former British Cumberbatch has been nominated for Best Actor award while intelligence officer FW Winterbotham. Knightley is up for Best Supporting Actress. — AP “The net result of the movie, I think, is giving people a very good idea of what really went on - with the complexity of Enigma, with how important it was to do it, how important people were,” Rendell said Thursday in his sizeable museum, which is tucked in a business park about 20 miles west of downtown Boston. “It’s too bad that many of the folks depicted in the movie did not live long enough to see their story told.” He says “The Imitation Game,” which stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley, also shows the importance of the “intellectual side” of warfare and how technologies like computers, radar, jet engines and plas- tics were developed or refined during the war years.

Artificial intelligence Turing, who died in 1954 of cyanide poisoning, is widely con- sidered a founding father of computer science. His work would lead to the development of concepts like “artificial intelligence.” Rendell says the movie makes some missteps, including its por- trayal of Turing’s struggles as a gay man in the war effort and how it plays down the significant role women - not just Knightley’s character - had at Britain’s famed codebreaking center, Bletchley Park. “All of this drama about him being blackmailed during the war because he was gay, it wasn’t true. In those circles, I just don’t think anyone cared,” Rendell said of Turing. “And there were a lot of women breaking codes at Bletchley Park. Women really played a big role.” Critics and other historians have noted other liberties in the movie, which takes its name from a test the real Turing developed to see if machines could exhibit human intelligence. For example, the name of Turing’s code breaking machine is called “Christopher” in the film, apparently after a childhood crush. It was actually called “Victory.” Rendell suggests Turing’s mathematical genius was helped, in no small part, by “human error.” Nazi coders were either too confident that no one would ever crack their code, he says, or they simply became sloppy or careless over time, leading to lapses that ultimately helped Turing and his team break the code faster. “Human nature was really a Actor Benedict Cumberbatch SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 Mummy find highlights Buddhist ‘living gods’

or more than a century he sat in a medita- dead. “We believe they are alive, therefore we has been suggested that it has also been prac- tive pose in remote western Mongolia believe they are living gods,” Purevbat said. ticed by Tibetan Buddhists.” Fbefore being thrust into the spotlight by Photos published shortly after the body’s dis- an unscrupulous thief. The discovery of the covery show a bony, dusty-looking figure sit- Years of persecution near perfectly preserved mummy of a Buddhist ting with legs crossed, one palm slightly Buddhists in Mongolia were subject to monk born almost 200 years ago may have upturned with its head and upper body bent intense persecution during much of the 20th baffled many but it is also shining a light on forward. century when the country was a communist how the religion venerates relics of holy fig- Requests by AFP to see the mummy, now in satellite of the Soviet Union. The oppression ures. the hands of forensics officials in Ulan Bator, involved the destruction of numerous stupas, The corpse, still sitting in the lotus position, were rebuffed. Purevbat cited the need to con- temples and monasteries and the killing of was recovered in the Central Asian country’s clude the investigation and properly clean the some 24,000 lamas in the 1930s, according to capital of Ulan Bator after being stolen from its mummy before showing it to the public. Purevbat. He illustrated the nature of the vio- provincial resting place by a man who aimed to Jonathan Mair, an authority on Buddhism at lence by showing photos of bones and skulls of sell it, Mongolian media reported last month. the University of Manchester in Britain, said executed lamas-some with bullet holes-that he The remains are believed to those of a monk that the preservation of bodily relics in the faith has worked to collect and inter. named Sanjjab who lived from 1822 to 1905, goes all the way back to the Buddha himself. Mongolia in 1990 threw off Soviet control in according to G Purevbat, a noted Mongolian “In Tibetan Buddhism (as practiced in the aftermath of the collapse of communism in Buddhist artist and lama-spiritual teacher- Mongolia) intentional preservation of bodies Eastern Europe and swiftly transformed itself involved in the investigation into the identity of important religious teachers is common- into a vibrant democracy. The Ninth Bogd of the recovered mummy, as well as its long place,” he told AFP in an e-mail. “The body is Jebtsundamba, the Tibetan-born spiritual term preservation. placed in the lotus position, as in this case, leader of Mongolia’s Buddhists who had been Purevbat said that the deceased monk had before being packed in salt or other preserva- forced to spend most of his life outside the been a disciple of the Geser Lama, a revered tives for a period of years” and eventually country in India, died in 2012 and has been figure in Mongolian Buddhism who lived from being exhumed and put in a stupa, or shrine, subject to mummification at Ulan Bator’s 1811-1894. “He is preserved so well, so beauti- he said. Gandan monastery. fully,” Purevbat told AFP in an interview at the The exact circumstances of Sanjjab’s mum- The original sites of Sanjjab and the Geser Ulzii Badruulagch Monastery, located in snowy mification were not immediately clear and Lama’s remains are two small separate stupas mountains in Tov province about a 90-minute may come to light after the ongoing investiga- on Sodnomdarjaa Mountain in the country’s drive from Ulan Bator. Purevbat is head of the tion is complete. Mair, however, cited the west central Arkhangai province. Sanjjab’s monastery. “Once they finish the cleaning it country’s weather conditions as a possible body will eventually be returned to its original will look like (the) real features,” he said, adding factor. “Mongolia is a very dry climate and it is resting place, although officials plan a more that dust and earth had accumulated on the possible that this contributed to the preserva- secure structure to avoid a repeat theft and will mummy’s body and that it was now being tion of the body in this case,” he said. also build a small temple where faithful can carefully prepared for re-interment. “There have also been cases of attempted- pray, Purevbat said. He added that while and sometimes successful-self-mummifica- Sanjjab’s mummy was looted, the remains of ‘They are alive’ tion, in which the body is prepared through an the Geser Lama were not taken because “his Photo shows the preserved mummy of a Buddhist Mummified holy figures are a vital spiritual arduous process involving starvation and cul- energy protects him”. “Just a simple man on monk born nearly 200 years ago, which was recov- force for Mongolian Buddhists, with some minating in a meditation-unto-death,” Mair the street can’t reach him because he’s very ered in the Central Asian country’s capital of Ulan believers maintaining that senior lamas whose added. “This is well documented in Chinese, powerful,” Purevbat said. “No one can reach Bator. —AFP photos bodies have been preserved are not really and especially in Japanese Buddhism, and it him.” —AFP

Visitors look over masses of ice formed around the Canadian Horseshoe Falls in Tourists take a photo near masses of ice formed around the Canadian Niagara Falls. ‘Horseshoe’ Falls in Niagara Falls. —AP Photos Frozen Niagara Falls a winter spectacle

he winter’s deep freeze has transformed Niagara Falls the brink has become a tourist magnet for the second thick coating of ice and snow on every surface near the into an icy spectacle, encasing the trees around it straight year after several relatively mild winters. falls, including railings, trees and boulders. Things aren’t Tinto crystal shells and drawing tourists. The Niagara Visitors have been flocking to Niagara Falls State Park, expected to thaw out soon: Temperatures dipped to -7 River keeps flowing below the ice cover, so the falls aren’t next to the American Falls, one of three waterfalls that degrees Fahrenheit (-22 Celsius) in Niagara Falls yesterday completely frozen over. But the massive ice buildup near make up the natural attraction. The cold has created a morning. —AP SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 ‘Two and a Half Men’ wraps up comedy

harlie Harper lives - at least, he lived until the final moments of Thursday’s series finale of “Two and a Half Men.” If you Cdon’t want to know what happened next, stop reading now. A baby grand piano fell on the millionaire playboy as he made a momentous return to his Malibu beach house, clearly finishing him off four years after his presumed death with the firing of Charlie Sheen, who had played him. It was a kookie, sly twist, followed a moment later by a second piano falling on the show’s co-creator, Chuck Lorre, who had only a split-second to gloat that he had pulled a fast one on viewers: Charlie Sheen hadn’t, as widely expected, made a conciliatory return to the show after all as it ended its 12-season run. Portrayed by a body double, Charlie Harper was only seen from behind as he approached his front door and met his startling, presumably final, demise. Sheen, of course, had been dumped from the CBS sitcom four years ago after scandalous behavior and stormy feuding with Lorre, and from the first moments of the finale the viewer was set up not only to expect the return of Charlie Harper, but of Sheen in the role. Quickly evidence mounted that Harper hadn’t really fallen to his death in front of a Paris subway train, as had been reported at the time by Rose, the crazy one-night-stand-turned-wife who back then had followed him to Paris. Instead, Rose (Melanie Lynskey) had been holding him hostage for four years in a dungeon under- neath her house back in Los Angeles. All this she explained mid- way in the episode as she stopped in at his old homestead, the This photo provided by Sam Rudy Media Relations shows Nicolette Robinson and the cast performing in a posh beach-front digs still occupied by his brother Alan (series vet- scene of the musical “Brooklynite” in New York. —AP photos eran Jon Cryer) and Walden, the subsequent owner of the house (played by Ashton Kutcher, who joined the show after Sheen left). Strange good-byes New musical stars Rose told them that Charlie had escaped from the pit a few days earlier and was on the loose, threatening revenge on Alan and Walden - and maybe on Rose herself. “Now that you’re all caught up, I’ll say my good-byes,” Rose said. “I’m not gonna stick Brooklyn superheroes around to find out what he’s gonna do to me just because I loved him too much.” Indeed, Alan and Walden realized there had never been a death certificate. Walden: “How do you know he’s really dead?” Alan: “Of course he’s dead! I have his ashes.” Walden: “How ove aside, Gotham. Brooklyn has got- but there is also a villain who hopes to lay The show sounds like “indie rock, slightly do you know that they’re HIS ashes?” Alan: “What do you want me ten so cool these days that it now has waste to Brooklyn. retro with a contemporary feeling,” Mayer said. to do? Test them for herpes?” Mits own group of superheroes. The “Through all the color and comedy and silli- The music is very influenced by TV classic The pair reported the possible danger Charlie posed to an LAPD original musical “Brooklynite” stars six brand- ness, the message really is to be yourself,” said superhero theme songs, including the animat- lieutenant played by Arnold Schwarzenegger in one of the show’s new crusaders with superpowers protecting Nick Cordero, the Tony-nominated star of ed shows “Superman,” “Speed Racer” and cameo performances. Bewildered, he recapped the case (and in the the borough, a mysterious substance in an “Bullets Over Broadway” who stars in the new “Mighty Mouse.” The show also gently goofs process, the series’ wacky 12 seasons) and advised them to wrap asteroid and a look influenced by the old show. “Let your freak flag fly.” “Brooklynite” has on the real Brooklyn, which has lately become “this whole thing up. This whole thing has been going on waaaay “Batman” TV show starring Adam West. as complicated an origin story as the plot itself. the hippest part of the city. There are jokes too long.” “Yeah,” said Alan, in one of the episode’s self-referential “It’s silly and fun. We’re having a blast,” said Producer Amanda Lipitz was originally inspired about artisanal taco bars, smug artist collec- wisecracks, “a lot of people have been saying that.” “Two and a Half Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer, by the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company, tives and, of course, facial hair. Men” premiered in September 2003, tailored for Sheen and his real- who is helming and co-writing what he calls which, in reality, is a tutoring center for kids in Mayer lived in several Brooklyn neighbor- life image as a bad boy and freewheeling bachelor. The character “the love child of ‘Batman’ and ‘Scooby-Doo.’” the Park Slope section of the borough. hoods for many years and recalls the days he played, who was flush from writing jingles, shared his home with “Brooklynite,” which opens Wednesday off- his uptight brother and Alan’s young son (Angus T Jones, who, now Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre, has a 13- grown and departed from the show, made a guest appearance on member cast, songs by the much-buzzed the finale). Sheen was fired from the show in March 2011. That about composer Peter Lerman and choreogra- spring, he roared back with a bizarre nationwide tour of live appear- phy by Steven Hoggett, who has enlivened ances billed as “My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat is Not An such shows as “Once” and “The Last Ship.” Option.” Among his “truths” were ugly rants directed at Lorre. Lorre The plot will have elements familiar to any got his comeuppance Thursday night. —AP avid comic book reader: An asteroid hits Brooklyn and releases gamma rays of a sub- stance called Brooklynite, which gives super- powers to anyone nearby the crash site. Six people get various doses of the stuff, including a short order cook who develops the power of fire, a bike messenger who becomes the fastest man alive and a marine biologist who then controls water. The woman closest to the aster- oid becomes the powerful superhero Astrolass, while the one farthest from the crash site - an (From left) Nick Cordero, Nick Choksi, and Max Chernin, performing in a unemployed gamer called Angelo - gets only a scene from the musical, ‘Brooklynite’ . little bit of a superpower: really good parking karma. Lipitz and Mayer developed the idea with before it became so fun and cool. He was twice Flying the freak flag characters created by author Michael Chabon mugged - once at gunpoint - in the 1980s and Why are there only a half-dozen crusaders (“The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay”) now lives in Manhattan. If he could pick his in the show? “We can only afford to have six and his wife, Ayelet Waldman. But what they own superpower, Mayer doesn’t hesitate. It’s superheroes. This is off-Broadway,” said Mayer, came up with was, in Mayer’s words, “very not invisibility or the power to fly or bend steel. whose other works include “Spring after-school special.” So Mayer connected with It’s simply to commute faster. “Not a day goes In this Jan 7, 2009 file photo, Charlie Sheen, Angus T. Awakening” and “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” Lerman, a Jonathan Larson Award winner and by that I don’t wish I could teleport,” he said. Astrolass, who helps make Brooklyn safe and composer for “Modern Family.” They tried to “I’m always late. I feel like, for me, that would Jones and Jon Cryer, pose for a picture backstage with hip, soon grows tired of constantly being on hire a playwright but none got their daffy, idio- be the superpower I would have. I really do their favorite TV comedy award for “Two and a Half call and hopes to hang up her cape. A love sto- syncratic point of view so they went ahead and think about it. For real. Long before this. I was Men” at the 35th Annual People’s Choice Awards. —AP ry with her and a hardware store clerk develops wrote their own script and songs. like, ‘Couldn’t I just get there now?’” —AP SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein dazzle as NY show ends

Models present the creations of Calvin Klein during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2015 in New York. — AFP photos

ew York Fashion Week wrapped up Thursday with collections from American design royal- Nty as Ralph Lauren offered cashmere ele- gance and Calvin Klein urban eroticism ahead of a final show by Marc Jacobs. Celebrities were again out in force with rapper Kanye West front row at Ralph Lauren chewing gum in a bomber jacket, and British actress Sienna Miller in a white suit at Calvin Klein. West has been a fixture this Fashion Week, making his New York design debut with a collec- tion for Adidas, while attending shows in the com- pany of wife Kim Kardashian and the couple’s 20- month-old daughter. West looked delighted to be at Ralph Lauren, greeting a star-struck Chirlane McCray, wife of the New York mayor, posing for photographs and getting a picture on his own cell phone with Lauren and his wife after the show. Lauren presented a long, refined silhouette in brown and gray, with dashes of black, white and cream. The designer, who refuses to use real fur, sent models down the runway in shearling hats, coats, stoles and cuffs. There were cashmere turtle- necks, cable-knit skirts and sweaters, feminine touches in a chiffon skirt with feathers and beaded georgette, and cowboy influences in wide-brimmed hats, fringes and tassels. For evening, Lauren offered tuxedo-inspired trouser suits, tailored to trace the contours of a woman’s body, complete with watch-chains and dress shirts, and georgette or tulle-bead- ed evening gowns. The 75-year-old designer came out to rapturous applause at the end, kissed his wife and shook West’s hand, and walked the length of the runway dressed in his own label’s jeans and a plaid shirt. Lauren told reporters that it was a “very sexy” collection that emphasized “very sharp black silhouettes.” He told AFP that West had asked to come. “I’ve met him before and I was glad to have him,” the designer said. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015

Leather, patchwork shearling Former supermodel Christie Brinkley praised the designer for “throwing things together” so interestingly. “You see comfortable classic pieces but they’re put together with such style and flair like the thick socks under the sandals... and very American, very Western-inspired,” she said. Francisco Costa, the Brazilian-born women’s cre- ative director at Calvin Klein, sent edgy leather and patchwork shearling clothes down the run- way in black, ivory, forest and blush in a SoHo loft. Costa told AFP backstage that he was inspired by strong women who combine femi- nism with feminity. “I think there’s a great energy in New York, in the whole world, women are speaking up a little more,” he said. One of his inspirations was a book of polaroids taken by Italian designer Carlo Mollino on the cusp of the 1960s and 1970s. “When you think of (French actress Catherine) Deneuve at that time, also, it’s that kind of woman. But here she gets blended in with this New York spirit, the Lou Reed cool. She’s kind of cool, she’s a cool chick. She’s sophisticated and beautiful and cool. There’s an ease about her.” — AFP TECHNOLOGY SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 YouTube releasing Android app for kid-friendly viewing

SAN FRANCISCO: YouTube on Thursday revealed plans for the US release of a mobile application built with children-and their parents’ concerns-in mind. A free YouTube Kids app tailored for Android-powered devices and “built from the ground up with little ones in mind” is set to hit the Google Play store on Monday. The appli- cation is designed as a simple-to-use stage for age-appropri- ate videos, channels and playlists skewed toward content that promotes literacy, according to YouTube. It also boasts parental controls including a countdown clock to limit viewing time and the ability to disable online searches. YouTube Kids launch partners include Jim Henson TV, DreamWorks TV, Mother Goose Club, National Geographic, Reading Rainbow, and Talking Tom and Friends. Google- owned YouTube said it will continue to expand the library of videos available through the application. “YouTube Kids is a parents’ best friend when it comes to helping kids discover and enjoy age-appropriate video,” ConnectSafely.org co-director Larry Magid said in a release. “Nothing can replace an involved parent, but YouTube Kids makes parents’ job easier, more fun and more rewarding for them and their kids.” —AFP

KAMPALA: This picture shows the hands of Gerald Abila, the Managing Director of Barefoot Lawyers, work- ing at his office in Kampala. —AFP Lenovo shipped laptops with security Tech-savvy ‘barefoot law’ opens flaw: Experts doors of Ugandan justice SAN FRANCISCO: If you’ve recently purchased a laptop computer made by Lenovo, you may want to hear this: Experts say the world’s dial-a-lawyer service through smartphone biggest computer maker shipped laptops with pre-installed soft- ware that could let hackers steal passwords or other sensitive infor- mation when you use the web to shop, pay bills or check email. KAMPALA: When revealing photographs * Justice, not mob violence case any of you decided to take this law Lenovo said Thursday that it has disabled the offending soft- of a Ugandan student were leaked online in The site offers an employment guide into your own hands, you’ll be charged with ware, known as Superfish, and will provide customers with a tool a case of revenge porn, it left her terrified and a will template for free download, as indecent assault, assault or battery’,” said that permanently removes the program from their computers. The she herself might face criminal charges well as Uganda’s constitution - something Abila. company initially said its own investigation didn’t find “any evi- under tough new laws. Abila said needed to be consulted as much “For all you women, in case you’re a vic- dence to substantiate security concerns.” With the photographs then printed in as religious texts. tim call this number, you can get in touch But it later removed that sentence from a statement on its web- tabloid newspapers following repeated “It gives you your legal rights on earth, with us or the police.” site. The problem affects an unknown number of computers: threats, the devastated and humiliated vic- while the religious book gives you your Lenovo said it shipped “some” laptops with Superfish between tim turned to lawyer Gerald Abila, whose rights in heaven,” he stated. With parlia- ‘Legal rebel’ September and December last year, before it stopped because of innovative and tech-savvy legal aid project, ment passing a series of laws-including con- Today Barefoot Law receives up to 100 customer complaints. That could cover a large number of machines. Barefoot Law, has helped hundreds of troversial statutes outlawing homosexual queries a day ranging from the sometimes Lenovo shipped more than 16 million laptop and desktop machines thousands with advice. “She was hiding acts-it can be hard for ordinary people as absurd to everyday issues. One query —- in the fourth quarter. from shame - and at the same time hiding well as policeman on the ground to keep “Can animals be arrested?”-was asked after Superfish wasn’t intended as malware. Lenovo has said it was from legal prosecution,” Abila told AFP, up. two protesters were held along with two designed to show targeted ads by analyzing images of products explaining how a 2013 anti-pornography “There is this thinking that the law is a piglets they had sneaked into parliament as that a user might see on the web and then presenting “identical and law had created controversy and confusion, magic bullet, and in the case of any ‘social part of an anti-corruption protest. similar product offers that may have lower prices.” Lenovo said the with those featured in naked photographs problem’-like HIV, homosexuality, Another enquired whether there was a software doesn’t track users or collect any identifying information. fearing arrest. miniskirts-just bring in a law and it will be law to take action “when the neighbor’s But some users initially complained the software shows unwant- “But we said if your photo has been tak- sorted out,” said Abila. tree falls into my compound, as opposed to ed “pop-up” ads. And this week, several independent experts en and leaked, then you can easily take the In the case of the anti-porn law, Ethics going and beating them?” In remoter parts reported that Superfish works by substituting its own security key person who has leaked it to the police - and Minister Simon Lokodo initially insisted it of the country, Barefoot lawyers offer for the encryption certificates that many websites use to protect actually have them arrested,” he added. meant women could be locked up for wear- advice via radio stations. users’ information. “This means that anyone affected by this adware Barefoot Law was born two years ago ing skimpy clothes in public. “You have a population talking about cannot trust any secure connections they make,” researcher Marc when Abila, now 32, began offering legal But the law passed in December 2013 mob justice but you want the population to Rogers wrote on his blog. advice via social media and Skype on his not only has a sweeping definition of believe in the law,” said Abila, adding that smartphone in the east African nation. “pornography” with no clear mention of many people had lost confidence in a judi- Encryption Today it is an award-winning non-profit what that means - it also contains no refer- cial system swamped by backlogs of thou- What’s worse, experts said, is that Superfish appears to re-use social enterprise with nine volunteer staff ence to a miniskirt. Last year, the Barefoot sands of cases. the same encryption certificate for every computer, which means a reaching thousands of people a month, Law team were bombarded with up to 200 “A lot of these issues can be nipped at hacker who cracked the Superfish key could have broad access to a spreading beyond Uganda to countries queries a day from across the country wor- the bud if only you know what the law is,” variety of online transactions. Robert Graham, chief executive of including even war-torn Somalia, where ried about the law - including women he added. Errata Security, boasted in a blog post Thursday that he was able to thousands of Ugandan soldiers are peace- stripped by mobs for sporting miniskirts. “All you have to do is get in touch, figure out the Superfish encryption password in a few hours. keepers. “People were taking things into their because ignorance of the law is no defence So far, there’s been no evidence that hackers have used the vul- Barefoot Law-which also offers legal aid own hands,” said Abila, adding that the law at all.” nerability to steal information. To do that, some experts said, a through phone, text message and email- had “opened a Pandora’s box”. One woman Last September, Abila was given a “legal hacker would probably need to search for owners of laptops that provides a “dial-a-lawyer” service through was nearly stripped by a gang in Mbale in rebel” award by the American Bar have the Superfish software and are using a public Wi-Fi connection its website, barefootlaw.org, as well with a eastern Uganda, yet police failed to help Association, and in January, Barefoot to visit secure websites. smartphone app. her. scooped the Facebook page of the year cat- But some critics blasted Lenovo for acting irresponsibly by For many Ugandans, it is the only Barefoot Law shared her experience egory at the inaugural Social Media Awards installing the software. “Lenovo has not just injected ads in a wildly source of legal advice they can access. online. Within an hour, 7,000 people had Africa in Nigeria. “We’ve changed people’s inappropriate manner, but engineered a massive security catastro- “Don’t end up playing the victim and being viewed their alert, with local media and mindsets towards a lot of issues,” said Abila. phe for its users,” said the Electronic Frontier Foundation, an intimidated by what is going on,” Abila police informed of the reality of the law. “Some people even want to go to law Internet advocacy group, in a blog post Thursday. —AP said. “We tried to educate people, saying: ‘In school now.” —AFP TECHNOLOGY SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 US, British spies hacked mobile SIM card keys: Report

WASHINGTON: US and British intelligence services can tap into mobile voice and data communications of many devices after stealing encryption keys of a major SIM card maker, a report said Thursday. The report, from investigative website The Intercept, said the US National Security Agency and its British coun- terpart GCHQ obtained encryption keys of the global SIM manufacturer Gemalto. Citing a 2010 document leaked by former NSA contrac- tor Edward Snowden, the report said that with the encryp- tion keys, the intelligence services can secretly monitor a large portion of global communications over mobile devices without using a warrant or wiretap. The Intercept said a covert operation led by GCHQ with support from the NSA was able to mine private communi- cations of unwitting engineers at Gemalto, which is based in the Netherlands. The report suggests the intelligence services could have access to a wider range of communications than has been previously reported. Other documents have indicated NSA can monitor email and traditional phone communications. The NSA did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment. A Gemalto spokeswoman said in an email to AFP that the company “is especially vigilant Yahoo President and CEO Marissa Mayer delivers the keynote address at the first-ever Yahoo Mobile against malicious hackers and of course has detected, Developer Conference Thursday in San Francisco. —AP logged and mitigated many types of attempts over the years.” Gemalto “at present can make no link between any of Yahoo woos outside those past attempts and what was reported by The Intercept,” the statement said. “We take this publication very seriously and will devote developers in mobile push all resources necessary to fully investigate and understand the scope of such highly sophisticated technique to try to obtain SIM card data.” SAN FRANCISCO: Yahoo on Thursday host- the Silicon Valley company’s products and devices and sophisticated technology,” ed its first conference for mobile application services to mobile devices. Fuloria said. It added that the intended target was “not Gemalto, per makers, adopting a strategy used by rivals in Internet titans including Facebook, “We are sharing a lot of great content se-it was an attempt to try and cast the widest net possi- a push to be at the heart of mobile Internet Google, Apple, Twitter, and Microsoft have alongside our partners and clients, and our ble to reach as many mobile phones as possible.” lifestyles. made a practice of hosting conferences for main event is the launch of a new suite of Gemalto, which produces billions of SIM cards and oth- More than 1,000 people attended a outside developers whose creations are products that makes it easier for mobile er digital identity products, describes itself as a provider of Yahoo Mobile Developer Conference where considered vital to staying relevant and hip developers to analyze, monetize, advertise “trusted and convenient digital services to billions of indi- the Internet pioneer unveiled a new suite of on fickle technology terrain. and enhance their apps.” viduals.” services designed to help developers Yahoo Mobile Developer Suite com- The move comes with Yahoo seeking to refocus its efforts around mobile and media, The company was formed in 2006 by a merger of improve and profit from applications tai- bined technology from Flurry and digital ad lored for smartphones or tablet computers. firm BrightRoll, which the company bought after falling behind in the battle for Internet Axalto Holding NV and French-based Gemplus “Mobile went from a hobby, to becoming a last year, according to senior vice president search. International. —AFP core part of our business,” Yahoo chief exec- of advertising products Prashant Fuloria. The company has announced plans utive Marissa Mayer said during a keynote The analytics firm Flurry “has a deep under- to spin off an entity controlling its stake kicking off the one-day gathering in San standing of the mobile developer’s needs in Chinese Internet giant Alibaba, which Francisco. Since taking the Yahoo helm in and the mobile ecosystem, and Yahoo is a represents the lion’s share of Yahoo’s 2012, Mayer has made a priority of adapting place with an enormous audience across value. —AFP French minister urges Internet firms to fight extremism

WASHINGTON: French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve Cazeneuve asked for partners from 60 countries to better called Thursday for better coordination in the fight against coordinate their fight against extremism to create interna- online “terrorist propaganda,” asking Internet firms to coop- tional norms in removing illegal content. erate against extremism. France already has a law allowing authorities to block Cazeneuve was speaking in Washington ahead of a trip websites that call for or glamorize terrorism. He noted laws Friday to San Francisco to meet with leaders of Google, against condoning crime and inciting terrorism have already Facebook, Microsoft and Twitter to urge them to share been strengthened in the country. Cazeneuve said he would responsibility in fighting an extremist threat. Militant Islamist ask the major companies of the online industry not to allow attacks at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and a “the great area of freedom and growth” to become a “space AMSTERDAM: Exterior view of the building housing Jewish deli killed 17 people in Paris in January. of fanatic indoctrination.” the head office of Gemalto, which produces “sub- The attacks sparked alarm in France and across Europe “Facing terrorism, we need regulation and responsibility,” scriber identity modules”, or SIM cards, in over fears of a growing and hard-to-combat terror threat. he said. Amsterdam yesterday. Britain’s electronic spying “Today, terrorism is diffuse and ‘open access,’” said the Cazeneuve said he will ask the tech firms to withdraw French minister on the last day of an international summit “without delay” jihadist propaganda as soon as authori- agency, in cooperation with the US National against extremist violence. Videos of gruesome executions ties report it. Companies like Google, Microsoft, Twitter Security Agency, hacked into the networks of Dutch have been frequently distributed online by the Islamic State and Facebook can find solutions to censor dangerous company Gemalto to steal codes that allow both group as a propaganda tool. content without affecting freedom of expression, governments to seamlessly eavesdrop on mobile More generally, calls to join violent jihad or methods to Cazeneuve said. “France is well placed to know the price phones worldwide, according to the documents giv- carry out “lone wolf” attacks are spread on social media by that can be paid by those committed to freedom of en to journalists by Edward Snowden. —AP militants and their supporters. expression,” he said. —AFP TV listings SATURDAY, FEBRUARAY 21, 2015

01:20 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen 18:00 Come Dine With Me 11:25 Street Outlaws 03:45 Art Attack 03:00 My Dog Ate What? Notebook: London 18:25 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 12:15 Hellriders 04:10 Jungle Junction 04:00 Big, Bigger, Biggest 01:45 Sweet Baby James 19:15 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 13:05 Auction Hunters 04:20 Jungle Junction 05:00 Ultimate Airport Dubai 02:10 Nigel Slater’s Simple Cooking 20:00 How To Cook Like Heston 13:30 The Liquidator 04:35 Jungle Junction 06:00 Secrets Of The Great Escape 02:40 Masterchef: The Professionals 20:20 Come Dine With Me: South 13:55 Auction Hunters 04:45 Jungle Junction Revealed 00:20 Swamp Brothers 03:05 Bargain Hunt Africa 14:20 Tethered 05:00 Art Attack 07:00 Caught In The Act 00:50 Mountain Monsters 03:50 Come Dine With Me 21:10 Baking Mad With Eric Lanlard 15:10 Fat N’ Furious: Rolling Thunder 05:25 Art Attack 08:00 One Ocean 01:45 Deadly Islands 04:15 Planet Cake 21:35 Masterchef: The Professionals 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 05:50 Mouk 09:00 The Indestructibles 02:40 Tanked 04:35 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 22:25 Bargain Hunt 16:50 How It’s Made 06:00 Kim Possible 09:30 The Indestructibles 03:35 Shamwari: A Wild Life 05:20 Food & Drink 23:10 Come Dine With Me 17:15 How It’s Made 06:25 Austin & Ally 10:00 Animal Autopsy 04:00 Shamwari: A Wild Life 05:50 Nigel Slater’s Simple Cooking 23:35 The Hairy Bikers USA 17:40 Dual Survival 06:50 Girl Meets World 11:00 Breakout 04:25 Deadly Islands 06:15 Sweet Baby James 18:30 Overhaulin’ 07:15 Liv And Maddie 12:00 Fight Science 05:15 Treehouse Masters 06:40 Masterchef: The Professionals 19:20 Kindig Customs 07:40 Jessie 13:00 Ancient Secrets: Witch Hunter’s 06:02 Call Of The Wildman 07:05 Delicious Iceland 20:10 The Liquidator 08:05 Dog With A Blog Bible 06:25 Call Of The Wildman 07:35 Planet Cake 20:35 Auction Hunters 08:30 Good Luck Charlie 14:00 Megacities 06:49 Shamwari: A Wild Life 08:00 Bargain Hunt 21:00 Overhaulin’ 08:55 Good Luck Charlie 15:00 Mega Factories: Supercars 07:12 Shamwari: A Wild Life 08:45 Come Dine With Me 21:50 Kindig Customs 09:20 Sonny With A Chance 16:00 Mega Breakdown 07:36 The Wild Life Of Tim Faulkner 09:10 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 00:20 Fast N’ Loud 22:40 Fantomworks 09:45 Sonny With A Chance 17:00 Live Free Or Die 08:00 The Wild Life Of Tim Faulkner 09:55 Food & Drink 01:10 Airplane Repo 23:30 Dual Survival 10:10 Suite Life On Deck 18:00 Hunter Hunted 08:25 Too Cute! 10:25 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen 02:00 Street Outlaws 10:35 Suite Life On Deck 19:00 Mega Factories: Supercars 09:15 Shamwari: A Wild Life Notebook: London 02:50 Hellriders 11:00 That’s So Raven 20:00 Mega Breakdown 09:40 Shamwari: A Wild Life 10:50 Big Chef Takes On Little Chef 03:40 Auction Hunters 11:25 That’s So Raven 21:00 Live Free Or Die 10:10 Call Of The Wildman 11:40 Masterchef: The Professionals 04:05 The Liquidator 11:50 A.N.T. Farm 22:00 Hunter Hunted 10:35 Call Of The Wildman 12:10 Sweet Baby James 04:30 Auction Hunters 12:15 A.N.T. Farm 23:00 Breakout 11:05 Gator Boys 12:35 Bargain Hunt 05:00 How It’s Made 00:00 Violetta 12:40 Hannah Montana 12:00 Too Cute! 13:20 Come Dine With Me 05:30 How It’s Made 00:45 The Hive 13:05 Hannah Montana 12:55 Shamwari: A Wild Life 13:50 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 06:00 Tethered 00:50 Art Attack 13:30 Wizards Of Waverly Place 13:20 Shamwari: A Wild Life 14:35 Food & Drink 06:50 Fat N’ Furious: Rolling Thunder 01:15 Art Attack 13:55 Wizards Of Waverly Place 13:50 Treehouse Masters 15:00 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 01:40 Jungle Junction 14:20 Austin & Ally 14:45 Deadly Islands Notebook: London 08:30 Auction Hunters 01:50 Jungle Junction 15:00 Girl Meets World 15:40 Tanked 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 15:30 Big Chef Takes On Little Chef 08:55 The Liquidator 02:05 Jungle Junction 15:20 Girl Meets World 16:35 Shamwari: A Wild Life Stewart 16:20 Masterchef: The Professionals 09:20 Auction Hunters 02:15 Jungle Junction 15:45 Liv And Maddie 17:00 Shamwari: A Wild Life 01:00 Modern Family 16:50 Sweet Baby James 09:45 How It’s Made 02:30 Violetta 16:10 Violetta 17:30 Sharkageddon 01:30 Family Guy 17:15 Bargain Hunt 10:10 How It’s Made 03:10 The Hive 17:00 Snow Buddies 18:25 Treehouse Masters 02:00 It’s Always Sunny In 10:35 Airplane Repo 03:20 Art Attack 18:40 Girl Meets World 19:20 Wild Things With Dominic Philadelphia 19:05 Girl Meets World Monaghan 02:30 South Park 19:30 Violetta 20:15 Tanked 03:00 New Girl 20:20 I Didn’t Do It 21:10 Gangland Killers 03:30 How I Met Your Mother 20:45 I Didn’t Do It 22:05 Treehouse Masters 04:00 Raising Hope 21:10 I Didn’t Do It 23:00 Wild Things With Dominic 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 21:35 I Didn’t Do It Monaghan Jimmy Fallon 22:00 Suite Life On Deck 23:55 Gator Boys 05:30 My Boys 22:25 A.N.T. Farm 06:00 The Goldbergs 22:50 Shake It Up 06:30 Better Off Ted 23:10 Wolfblood 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 23:35 Wolfblood 08:00 Raising Hope 08:30 My Boys 00:25 Eastenders 09:00 New Girl 00:55 Doctors 09:30 Community 01:25 Lark Rise To Candleford 10:00 Hot In Cleveland 02:20 The Mimic 00:00 Fashion Bloggers 10:30 Better Off Ted 02:45 Zen 00:30 Fashion Bloggers 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 04:15 The Weakest Link 00:55 Extreme Close-Up Jimmy Fallon 05:00 The Green Balloon Club 01:25 Kourtney And Khloe Take The 12:00 The Goldbergs 05:25 Mr Bloom’s Nursery Hamptons 12:30 Raising Hope 05:45 Me Too! 02:20 E! News 13:00 My Boys 06:05 Jollywobbles 03:15 Giuliana & Bill 13:30 Better Off Ted 06:15 The Green Balloon Club 04:10 The E! True Hollywood Story 14:00 How I Met Your Mother 06:35 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 05:05 E!ES 14:30 Community 06:55 Gigglebiz 06:00 Keeping Up With The 15:00 Hot In Cleveland 07:15 The Weakest Link Kardashians 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 08:00 Dad’s Army 06:55 Kourtney And Kim Take Miami Stewart 08:30 The Omid Djalili Show 07:50 Style Star 16:00 Modern Family 09:00 Eastenders 08:20 E! News 16:30 The Goldbergs 09:30 Doctors 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 10:00 Lark Rise To Candleford 10:15 E!ES 18:00 New Girl 10:50 The Weakest Link 11:10 E!ES 18:30 How I Met Your Mother 11:35 Dad’s Army 12:05 E! News 19:00 Community 12:05 The Omid Djalili Show 13:05 Fashion Police 19:30 Hot In Cleveland 12:35 2 Point 4 Children 13:35 Fashion Bloggers 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 13:05 Eastenders 14:05 Fashion Bloggers Jimmy Fallon 13:35 Doctors 14:30 Fashion Bloggers 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 14:05 Lark Rise To Candleford 15:00 House Of DVF Stewart 14:55 The Mimic 16:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take The 21:30 Modern Family 15:20 Dad’s Army Hamptons 22:00 Silicon Valley 15:50 The Omid Djalili Show 17:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take The 22:30 Silicon Valley 16:20 The Weakest Link Hamptons 23:00 South Park 17:10 My Family 18:00 E! News 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 17:40 Doctors 19:00 Beyond Candid With Giuliana 18:10 Casualty 20:00 Giuliana & Bill 19:00 Blackadder II 21:00 Fashion Bloggers 19:30 Lead Balloon 21:30 Fashion Bloggers 20:00 Zen 22:00 E! News 00:00 Covert Affairs 21:30 Ideal 23:00 Fashion Police 01:00 American Idol 22:00 Live At The Apollo 02:00 24: Live Another Day 22:45 Watson & Oliver 03:00 Grimm 23:15 Blackadder II 04:00 American Idol 23:45 The Weakest Link 05:00 The Flash 06:00 Covert Affairs 07:00 The Fosters 00:00 One Ocean 08:00 Parenthood 01:00 The Indestructibles 09:00 American Idol 10:00 The Flash 00:10 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 01:30 The Indestructibles 11:00 Suits 00:55 Food & Drink THE DAY ON OSN MOVIES ACTION 02:00 Animal Autopsy TV listings SATURDAY, FEBRUARAY 21, 2015

12:00 Emmerdale 15:30 Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver 08:00 Jesus Henry Christ-PG15 10:45 My Last Day Without You-PG15 06:00 Marvel’s Ultimate Avengers II- 14:00 UIM Aquabike Champs 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show Surfer 10:00 Men At Work-PG15 12:30 Tales Of The Night-PG PG 16:00 Prizefighter 14:00 Parenthood 17:15 The Grandmaster 12:00 Stand Off-PG15 14:00 Reviving Ophelia-PG15 08:00 The Great Ghost Rescue-PG 19:00 NHL 15:00 Covert Affairs 19:30 White House Down 14:00 What To Expect When You’re 16:00 The Last Harbor-PG15 09:45 Transformers-PG15 21:00 UFC Unleashed 16:00 Emmerdale 21:45 Oblivion Expecting-PG15 18:00 Too Big To Fail-PG15 12:15 Vehicle 19-PG15 22:00 UFC 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 16:00 Jesus Henry Christ-PG15 20:00 Texas Killing Fields-PG15 14:00 Epic-PG 18:00 Parenthood 18:00 All In Good Time-PG15 22:00 Fruitvale Station-18 16:00 The Great Ghost Rescue-PG 19:00 Once Upon A Time 20:00 The Big Wedding-PG15 18:00 Dark Tide-PG15 20:00 Grey’s Anatomy 22:00 21 & Over-18 20:00 Drinking Buddies-PG15 01:30 Dubai World Cup Carnival 21:00 American Idol 00:00 The Haunting In Connecticut 2: 22:00 The Counselor-18 01:00 Hummingbird-PG15 09:30 ICC Cricket 360 23:00 Grimm Ghosts Of Georgia-18 03:00 Mandela: Long Walk To 10:00 World Cup of Pool 02:00 Stolen-PG15 Freedom-PG15 03:45 2 Fast 2 Furious-PG15 11:00 World Cup of Pool 05:30 Call Me Crazy: A Five Film-PG15 12:00 World Pool Masters 05:45 White House Down-PG15 01:30 Golfing World 01:00 Emperor-PG15 07:00 Frozen-PG 08:00 The Grandmaster-PG15 03:00 Live IRB Sevens World Series 21:00 World Cup of Pool 01:00 Good Morning America 03:00 The Citizen-PG15 09:00 The Wolverine-PG15 10:15 Stolen-PG15 12:30 Golfing World 22:00 World Cup of Pool 05:00 Good Morning America 05:00 Timer-PG15 11:15 Oggy & The Cockroaches: The 12:00 40 Days And Nights-PG15 13:30 Total Rugby 10:00 Emmerdale 07:00 The Glass Man-PG15 Movie-PG 23:00 World Pool Masters 13:30 Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver 14:30 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 09:00 The Butler-PG15 13:00 A Family Reunion-PG15 Surfer-PG 15:00 Inside The PGA Tour 15:00 Live Good Morning America 11:15 Timer-PG15 14:45 Grace Of Monaco-PG15 15:15 The Grandmaster-PG15 16:00 Snooker - The Masters 19:00 Drop Dead Diva 13:00 Love And Honor-PG15 16:45 The Wolverine-PG15 17:30 White House Down-PG15 19:00 Golfing World 20:00 Chicago Fire 15:00 Playing For Keeps-PG15 19:00 Ender’s Game-PG15 19:45 Oblivion-PG15 20:00 IRB Sevens World Series 01:00 NHL 23:00 Justified 16:45 The Butler-PG15 21:00 Tinker Bell And The Pirate Fairy- 22:00 R.I.P.D.-PG15 23:00 Live Super League 03:00 Bellator MMA 19:00 I, Anna-PG15 FAM 23:45 Aliens-18 07:00 Monster Jam 21:00 The Pact-PG15 22:45 The Legend Of Hercules-PG15 09:00 The World’s Strongest Man 00:00 The Day 23:00 Killing Season-18 02:00 The Haunting In Connecticut 2: 10:00 WWE Smackdown Ghosts Of Georgia 01:00 NHL 12:00 NHL 04:00 Stolen 00:00 Mr. 3000-PG 03:00 WWE This Week 14:00 WWE Raw 06:30 Motor Sports 2013 05:45 2 Fast 2 Furious 02:00 What To Expect When You’re 01:00 Metro Manila-PG15 17:30 Bellator MMA 09:00 WWE Bottom Line 07:45 White House Down Expecting-PG15 03:00 Sense And Sensibility-PG 00:00 Legendary Amazons-PG15 20:00 NHL 10:00 The Grandmaster 05:15 Great Expectations-PG15 10:00 WWE Vintage Collection 04:00 Son Of Rambow-PG 02:00 One Direction: This Is Us-PG 22:00 WWE Bottomline 12:15 Stolen 07:15 Bully-PG15 04:00 Vehicle 19-PG15 11:00 NHL 06:00 Ghost Dad-PG 23:00 WWE Superstars 14:00 40 Days And Nights 09:00 The Last Harbor-PG15 13:00 Motor Sports 2013

OBLIVION ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION WHAT’S ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 Kuwait National English School holds Science and Technology Fair

uwait National English School, Hawally celebrated its best ever 2015 Annual Science and Technology Fair on Thursday KJanuary 29, 2015 in the Al Farabi Theatre. The theme for this year’s Science Fair was “Green Energy and Healthy Eating”. As usual, the entire age range of the school participated from the very youngest students in the Primary right through to the Secondary Department. The event started on Wednesday with the prestigious visit of Dr Sanjay Gupta from CNN. Dr Gupta interviewed our students and Madame Chantal Al Gharabally, School Director. Our Mission Statement recognizes the value of a Healthy Diet - “...... to make sure that body and mind are one, a healthy mind works only with a healthy body.” In our teach- ing we inculcate the importance of healthy Eating and our students understand the importance of a balanced diet. Representatives from CNN explored our school campus in Hawally and were impressed with the positive, safe, healthyand caring attitude around Kuwait National English School. During the whole week the entire school participated in a series of events: Projects, Drawings, writing Poems, Power Point presenta- tions, Essay competitions, displayed their exhibits and “hands on” experiments and showed an incredible knowledge and under- standing of a Healthy diet and renewable resources in Science. Experiments included working models of solar robots, solar cars, wave energy, using the electrolysis of water to activate a watch, using solar panels to charge mobile phones, simulating experi- ments using our school’s up to date state of the art IT Technology, etc. The event was very well attended and each year group took turns to attend throughout the day. The day culminated with a Science Quiz with teams of students from Primary and Secondary Departments competing to show their understanding of scientific facts and principles on Green Energy and Healthy Eating. Winners among students from the Primary and Secondary Departments were rewarded with prizes, medals and trophies from the School Director. On Thursday, there was a full school assembly during which Madame Chantal Al Gharabally addressed the school population and stressed the importance of Science and Technology to the young generation. Her speech was centered on healthy eating and green energy. Philosophical thought towards ethics through vari- ous examples such as Recycling, Getting Green, Use of Solar energy, Water & Life, etc. Madame Chantal highlighted the work of famous scientists and explained the importance of their work. She conclud- ed that mankind must cooperate together to save the environ- ment. The Kuwait National English School Science Fair was an excel- lent event that showcased the successes of our students. The school has invested extensively in Science and Technology over the last few years. Presently we have our own solar panel which is pro- viding energy to light our Preschool Garden all night. This event is very encouraging; staff and students enthusiastically working together to realize and achieve the Mission of the entire school. Madame Chantal Al Gharabally, School Director, and the team of Science & Technology teachers from the school have been hold- ing the event each year (since 1998) in January as a way to develop student’s skills and interest in the subjects of Science and Technology. This interest is obviously building as each year stu- dents seem to get an earlier start on their Science Day exhibits in order to prepare everything they can about their science topics before the fair begins.

What’s On - Submission Guidelines IBA hosts Don Bosco Interschool All photos submitted for What’s On should be minimum 200dpi. Basketball Tournament players Articles must be in plain text and should include name and phone BA (Indian Basketball Association) honored the champions in shibu UIS - Most Valuable Player 16 boys; Ahmed Abdel Azezel numbers. Articles and photos that the recently held Don Bosco Inter School Basketball DPS - Most Valuable Player 16 boys; Anu Sara Mathew UIS - ITournament 2015 - bringing laurels to themselves and their Most Valuable Player 16 girls; Govind Sunil Kumar UIS - Most fail to meet these requirements will institution. IBA really believes in nurturing and commending Valuable Player 14 boys; Jovin Joseph CSK - Most Valuable not be published. the upcoming champions to reach the pedestal of victory. IBA Player 14 boys; Arlene C Periera ICSK - Most Valuable Player 14 commended the best upcoming and most valuable players girls; Nikhil varghese UIS - Most Promising Player 12 boys; Ethan Please send them to under the different categories who played exceptionally well. Sebastian lobo IEAS - Most Promising Player 12 boys; Md. Amir Hon General secretary of IBA DK Dileep and Vice President Sibi Ali IISM - Most Promising Player 12 boys; Shreya Sunil Joseph [email protected] Kurian gave away the prizes to the young champions. IEAS - Most Promising Player 12 girls; Angel Rose UIS - Most Jeevan Thomas UIS - Most Valuable Player 16 boys; Arjun Promising Player 12 girls. WHAT’S ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015

Spectacular Whizkid Award ceremony at ICSK Amman

grand prize distribution ceremony was conduct- ed for the winners of ‘Whizkid Competition’ on A12th February, 2015, at the Indian Community School Kuwait, Amman. George Abraham, Associate Editor and Chief Bureau of Deepika Daily (based in New Delhi) was the Chief Guest for the occasion. He was accompanied with his wife Sindhu George, a teacher at Ryan International School, Delhi. The function was graced by Secretary to the Board of Trustees of ICSK Vijay Karayil, Principal of ICSK Khaitan K G Shirsath, par- ents and teachers. Principal of ICSK Amman Rajesh Nair C welcomed all the dignitaries and informed that each child of the ICSK is seen as independent, strong, capable, curious, talent- ed and gifted. In the Presidential address, Vijay Karayil appreciated all the winners, participants, teachers and parents for all their endeavors. He wished that all the parents would encourage the children with their contin- ued support throughout their schooling. The tiny tots of the LKG and UKG were the stars of the day, sparkling in their colorful attires. The ceremony began with the school prayer and proceeded with a wel- come speech by the students of UKG, a welcome song and six spectacular dances, performed by the tiny tots. The teachers and the parents collectively nurtured and trained the children bringing out the artistic, musical and other talents in them. Different competitions were organized as part of the ‘Whizkid Competitions’ likeorigami, action-song, memo- ry test, show ‘n’ tell, dance competition, quiz and recita- tion. The winners of Whizkid from LKG and UKG were crowned and awarded with trophies and certificates. Whizkid winners from each class of LKG are 1) Shiv AnkurUpadhyay (LKG-A) 2) Seira Elizabeth Wilson (LKG_B) 3) Reyansh Rajiv Kumar & 4) ReemaJafar (LKG-C) Whizkid winners from each class of UKG are 1) Akshita Preethymon(UKG-A) 2) KarenRuth Ramesh & 3) Parvathy Krishna Prasad (UKG-B)4) Meha Sudheesh Kumar.(UKG-C). 1st and 2nd runner-up trophies and cer- tificates were given to 13 students of LKG and UKG respectively. It was a wonderful sight to behold as the Amman school auditorium glowed with the beaming young winners, their gratified teachers and proud par- ents. Indeed, the enthusiasm of parents, the hard work of children and the teachers brought out the best in the students making the show a great success. Vote of thanks was given by the students of UKG and Julie Anthony, the supervisor of the pre-primary section. Former Indian MP visits Kuwait ormer Indian parliament member and Indian National Congress leader K Sudhakaran (center left) poses with FOverseas Indian Cultural Congress (OICC) president and director of the Non-Resident Keralites’ Affairs (NORKA) depart- ment’s welfare board Varghese Puthukulangara (second left); OICC Vice President Vijay Karayil (center right) and OICC General Secretary B S Pillai after a brief meeting yesterday. The Indian leader was in Kuwait to inaugurate OICC’s Kannur dis- trict convention yesterday. HEALTH SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015

Pakistan hires ‘rat killer’ to tackle rodent problem PESHAWAR: A government agency in Peshawar has hired a man who claims to have killed 100,000 rats in a bid to rid the northwestern Pakistani city of the rodents that plague its streets. Nasser Ahmad, who has been assigned the straight- forward job title of “Rat Killer”, will receive a monthly salary of 15,000 rupees ($147), as well as a 2,000-rupee bonus per mis- sion. Ahmad says he has already killed more than 100,000 rats in the past 19 months, inspired to take action after seeing the wife of a friend hospitalised after being bitten by one of the rodents. “We have been receiving complaints about the growing number of rodents in the city, which were causing damage to the fabric of houses and shops, and contaminating food,” Nasir Ghafoor, the general manager of Water Supply and Sanitation Peshawar, told AFP.”I called Ahmad and gave him a job in the firm, creating for the first time in the history of the city the post of rat killer.” Ahmad, who has thus far done the job with just a hoe, a wheelbarrow and plastic gloves, has been assigned a staff of five, and plans to train others in a bid to tackle Peshawar’s rat problem. — AFP

Los Angeles hospital alert after ‘superbug’ outbreak LOS ANGELES: A Los Angeles hospital said Thursday it may have unwittingly infected nearly 180 people with a treatment-resistant WASHINGTON: In this April 24, 2014 file photo, a variety of healthy fruits and vegetables are displayed for sale at a mar- “superbug” linked to the deaths of two of its patients. ket in Washington. Drink less sugary soda, but an extra cup of coffee or two is OK. So are eggs. And as always, don’t for- The Ronald Reagan UCLA Health System said at least seven of get your vegetables. — AP its patients have been infected with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae bacteria (CRE), apparently transmitted to them in the hospital via tainted surgical tools. The bacteria “may have been ... a contributing factor in the Sugary drinks out; death of two patients,” it said in a statement. Initially it said it was trying to notify over 100 patients possibly at risk, but in an update Thursday it put the figure at 179. Hospital officials said they are making home testing kits avail- coffee and eggs in able to the at-risk patients to determine if they have been infect- ed with the superbug. WASHINGTON: An extra cup or two of coffee report advises limiting saturated fats to 10 mends at least trying to reduce sodium intake In a statement, the hospital said an internal investigation may be OK after all. More eggs, too. But you percent of total calories. The panel doesn’t by 1,000 milligrams a day if the goals are unat- definitely need to drink less sugary soda. And, give a specific recommendation for how found that the bacteria appear to have been transmitted via tainable. as always, don’t forget your vegetables. much cholesterol - or eggs - a person may eat. Alice Lichtenstein, a member of the panel medical implements used in an endoscopic procedure to diag- Recommendations Thursday from a gov- and a professor at Tufts University, said the nose and treat diseases of the pancreas and bile duct. ernment advisory committee call for an envi- WATCH THE ADDED SUGAR new recommendation “puts the focus where The procedures-performed between October 2014 and ronmentally friendly diet lower in red and Added sugars should be around 200 calo- it should be.” Get sodium intake down, and January of this year apparently transmitted the bacteria to the processed meats. But the panel would reverse ries a day - about the amount in one 16-ounce fine-tune the numbers as more evidence patients even though UCLA “sterilized the scopes according to previous guidance on limiting dietary choles- sugary drink, says the advisory committee, comes in. the standards stipulated by the manufacturer,” the hospital state- terol. And it says the caffeine in a few cups of which is made up of doctors and nutritionists. ment said. coffee could actually be good for you. The The recommendation is part of a larger HEARTY ENDORSEMENT “The two scopes involved with the infection were immediately committee also is backing off stricter limits on push in recent years to help consumers isolate The report looks at caffeine for the first removed and UCLA is now utilizing a decontamination process salt, though it says Americans still get much added sugars from naturally occurring ones time, and says coffee is OK - even good for that goes above and beyond the manufacturer and national stan- too much. It’s recommending the first real lim- like those in fruit and milk. Added sugars gen- you. The panel says there is strong evidence dards,” it said. The hospital added: “Both the Los Angeles County its on added sugar, saying that’s especially a erally add empty calories to the diet. that 3 to 5 cups a day can be part of a healthy Department of Health and the California Department of Public problem for young people. The Agriculture Americans now get about 13 percent of their diet, and there’s consistent evidence that it’s Health were notified as soon as the bacteria were detected.” and Health and Human Services Departments calories from added sugar, or 268 calories a even associated with reduced risk of type 2 The CRE bacterium is resistant to treatment by most common will take those recommendations into day, the committee says. Older children, ado- diabetes and heart disease. The advice comes antibiotics, and is particularly dangerous in a hospital setting, account in writing final 2015 dietary guide- lescents and young adults generally take in with some caveats - don’t add calories with where patients might have compromised immune systems or lines by the end of the year. The guidelines more. The committee recommends 10 per- cream, milk and added sugars. The report also might be recovering from surgery. — AFP affect nutritional patterns throughout the cent, which is “a target within reach,” says advises against large-size energy drinks that country - from federally subsidized school Miriam Nelson, a Tufts University professor of are popular in the marketplace, and it recom- lunches to food package labels to your doc- nutrition who served on the panel. mends pregnant women limit caffeine to two tor’s advice. Sugary drinks should be replaced with cups of coffee a day. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said “it is water instead of those with low-calorie sweet- by no means over” with the release of the eners; there’s not enough evidence those EAT A PLANT-BASED DIET report. The government will take comments drinks can help with weight loss, the commit- The panel recommends eating more veg- on the advice before distilling it - and possibly tee advises. etables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts changing it - into final guidelines for con- and seeds. A plant-based diet is “more health sumers. Even with the changes, the report A SOFTER APPROACH ON SALT promoting and is associated with less environ- sticks to the basic message of the previous Sodium adds up quickly. A turkey sand- mental impact” than the current U.S. diet, guidelines in 2010: Eat more fruits and vegeta- wich and a cup of soup can average about which is high in meat. The report stops short bles and whole grains; eat less saturated fats, 2,200 milligrams. That’s just under the com- of telling people not to eat meat, saying “no salt and sugar. mittee’s recommendation of 2,300 milligrams food groups need to be eliminated complete- a day for all people, even those most at risk for ly to improve sustainability outcomes.” EGGS ARE OK heart disease. Overall, the panel advises a diet lower in The report says dietary cholesterol now is The 2010 dietary guidelines had recom- red and processed meat, and in a footnote “not considered a nutrient of concern for mended those at risk for heart disease limit says lean meats can be part of a healthy diet. overconsumption.” This follows increasing sodium to 1,500 milligrams. The new report The North American Meat Institute criticized medical research showing the amount of cho- said lowering to that amount can still be help- the report, saying the health benefits of lean LOS ANGELES: Dr. David Feinberg, president, UCLA Health lesterol in your bloodstream is more compli- ful for some. But the new advice follows a meat should be “a headline, not a footnote.” System (right) takes questions from the media outside the cated than once thought. 2013 report by the Institute of Medicine that The meat recommendations in particular may Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles The committee says available evidence said there is no good evidence that eating less prompt pushback from Capitol Hill. Last year, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. Health officials at the news con- “shows no appreciable relationship” between than 2,300 milligrams a day of sodium offers Congress noted the panel’s interest in the ference sought to reassure the public that a “superbug” heart disease and how much dietary choles- benefits. environment and directed Vilsack “to only bacterial outbreak at the local hospital doesn’t pose any terol you eat, but it still recommends eating With the average American eating more include nutrition and dietary information, not threat to public health. — AP less saturated fat. As in previous years, the than 3,400 milligrams daily, the panel recom- extraneous factors” in final guidelines. —AP HEALTH SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 Cholesterol no longer a concern: US experts MIAMI: More butter, anyone? A warning against eating foods Israel hospital in New York. “We have known for many years moting and is associated with less environmental impact than high in cholesterol is no longer included in the US govern- that cholesterol levels are impacted primarily by genetics and is the current US diet,” the report said. ment’s draft dietary guidelines for Americans, representing a high saturated fat intake and not by intake of dietary choles- Environmental groups applauded the draft’s mention of major shift in policy, officials said Thursday. terol. I am happy to see this evolved position.” sustainability, saying such changes could help reduce global Until now, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recom- warming and food insecurity. mended that cholesterol intake be limited to 300 milligrams SUSTAINABLE EATING “The inclusion of sustainability criteria in the Dietary per day-the amount in about one stick of butter, or two small The overarching theme of the draft guidelines was to urge Guidelines’ recommendations is a huge step forward for eggs, or a 10-ounce (300 gram) steak. Medical experts used to Americans to eat more fruit and vegetables, and human and planetary health,” said Kari Hamerschlag, senior believe that eating too much cholesterol could raise the risk of Mediterranean and vegetarian diets were recommended as program manager at Friends of the Earth. “By recommending heart attack and stroke by contributing to plaque buildup in healthy options. “A diet higher in plant-based foods, such as consumption of more plant foods and less meat, these guide- the arteries. vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, and lines will encourage people to lessen the huge impact of our But the 2015 version of the guidelines will no longer place lower in calories and animal-based foods is more health-pro- diets on our natural resources.” — AFP an upper limit on cholesterol “because available evidence shows no appreciable relationship between consumption of dietary cholesterol and serum cholesterol,” the US Department of Agriculture said in a statement. The draft report, published online at health.gov/dietaryguidelines, said “cholesterol is not a nutrient of concern for overconsumption.” The recommend- ed changes were compiled by 14 nationally recognized nutri- tion, medicine and public health experts. The guidelines do not become official right away. Instead, they are open for a 45- day comment period and will be discussed at a public meeting in Bethesda, Maryland on March 24. “We have seen this con- troversy, especially surrounding the consumption of eggs, which are very high in cholesterol yet filled with beneficial nutrients,” said Suzanne Steinbaum, preventive cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. The committee “clearly is try- ing to dispel the idea that cholesterol matters.” While cholesterol may be getting a free pass, the saturated fat that usually accompanies it is not. In fact, experts recom- mend that Americans eat less than before. Calories from satu- rated fat should make up about eight percent of a person’s daily calorie intake, compared to the 2010 guidelines that advised 10 percent. For an average person, eating 2,000 calo- ries per day, the new guidelines would mean the limit of satu- rated fat could be achieved with a few spoonfuls of butter, or a dozen eggs-since eggs are naturally low in saturated fat-or a seven-ounce steak. “Saturated fat is still a nutrient of concern for overcon- sumption, particularly for those older than the age of 50 years,” said the report. The recommended changes show RAWALPINDI: In this file photo, a Pakistani health worker gives polio vaccine to a child at a bus terminal in Rawalpindi, “good progress in the arena of nutrition science,” said Rebecca Pakistan. While vaccine distrust has sparked debates amid a measles outbreak in the United States, Pakistan is in a Solomon, director of clinical nutrition at Mount Sinai Beth deadly battle to wipe out polio. — AP SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015

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

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DRAGON BLADE 6:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 9:15 PM (C 4933) DRAGON BLADE 9:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:45 PM 21-2-2015 (C 4932) YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:45 PM 18-2-2014 AVENUES-1 MUHALAB-1 YELLOWBIRD 11:45 AM CHANGE OF NAME DRAGON BLADE 1:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 1:45 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 1:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 4:15 PM MATRIMONIAL THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 3:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 6:45 PM Thiru Ganesan (Hindu), son THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 5:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 9:15 PM of Thiru Rengaiah, born on Inviting proposal for Keralite DRAGON BLADE 7:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:45 PM 10th August 1982 (native dis- Orthodox boy aged 29, cur- TEMPER (Telugu) 7:00 PM trict: Pudukkottai), residing at rently working as a Engineer DRAGON BLADE 10:00 PM AVENUES-2 No. 674, Kummankulam, in a private company in DRAGON BLADE 12:30 AM HOUSEBOUND 12:45 PM Pudukkottai Veduthi, HOUSEBOUND 3:00 PM Kuwait. Seeking proposal MUHALAB-2 HOUSEBOUND 5:15 PM Alangudi Post, Pudukkottai- from God fearing any KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:30 PM HOUSEBOUND 7:30 PM 622301, holder of Indian Christian girls working in KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 3:15 PM HOUSEBOUND 9:45 PM Passport No. F6077280, has Kuwait or India. HOUSEBOUND 5:45 PM HOUSEBOUND 12:05 AM converted to Islam with the [email protected] KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 8:00 PM name of Abdul Rahman. HOUSEBOUND 10:30 PM AVENUES-3 (C4930) KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:45 AM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 1:15 PM (C 4931) 17-2-2014 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 3:45 PM 18-2-2015 MUHALAB-3 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 6:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 8:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 3:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 5:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:45 PM AVENUES-4 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 10:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:15 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 2:45 PM Sabah Hospital 24812000 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 5:15 PM Amiri Hospital 22450005 FANAR-1 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:30 AM Special Show “KINGSMAN: The Secret Service” 7:45 PM Maternity Hospital 24843100 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:15 PM SUN- 22.02.2015 Plan B (ARABIC) 4:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 10:15 PM Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 6:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:45 AM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 9:15 PM Chest Hospital 24849400 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:05 AM 360º 1 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:30 AM Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 FANAR-2 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 2:00 PM Adan Hospital 23940620 DRAGON BLADE 12:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 4:30 PM DRAGON BLADE 2:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:00 PM Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 DRAGON BLADE 5:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 9:30 PM DRAGON BLADE 7:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:05 AM Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 DRAGON BLADE 10:00 PM DRAGON BLADE 12:30 AM 360º 2 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 DRAGON BLADE 1:00 PM FANAR-3 DRAGON BLADE 3:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:30 AM DRAGON BLADE 6:30 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 1:45 PM DRAGON BLADE 9:15 PM Kaizen center 25716707 THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 3:30 PM DRAGON BLADE 12:15 AM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 5:30 PM Rawda 22517733 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:15 PM 360º- 3 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 9:30 PM HOUSEBOUND 11:30 AM Adaliya 22517144 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:45 PM HOUSEBOUND 1:45 PM YELLOWBIRD 4:00 PM Khaldiya 24848075 FANAR-4 HOUSEBOUND 6:15 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER (3D) 11:45 AM HOUSEBOUND 8:30 PM Kaifan 24849807 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 1:30 PM HOUSEBOUND 10:45 PM Shamiya 24848913 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 3:45 PM HOUSEBOUND 1:00 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 6:00 PM Shuwaikh 24814507 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 8:15 PM AL-KOUT.1 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 10:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:45 PM Abdullah Salem 22549134 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:45 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 3:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 5:15 PM Nuzha 22526804 FANAR-5 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:30 PM SONG ONE 12:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 9:45 PM Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 HOUSEBOUND 2:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:05 AM Qadsiya 22515088 HOUSEBOUND 4:30 PM SONG ONE 6:45 PM AL-KOUT.2 Dasmah 22532265 HOUSEBOUND 8:45 PM DRAGON BLADE 11:30 AM TEMPER (Telugu) 9:00 PM HOUSEBOUND 2:15 PM Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 SONG ONE 11:00 PM DRAGON BLADE 4:30 PM HOUSEBOUND 1:00 AM HOUSEBOUND 7:00 PM Shaab 22518752 DRAGON BLADE 9:15 PM Qibla 22459381 information SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

In case you are not travelling, your proper cancellation of bookings will help other passengers use seats

Arrival Flights on Saturday 21/2/2015 UAL 982 IAD 17:55 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 Airlines Flt Route Time JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 IRM 1181 Mashhad 10:50 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 JZR 239 Amman 00:25 SVA 500 Jeddah 18:00 KAC 541 Cairo 11:05 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:15 KLM 413 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:40 KAC 542 Cairo 18:25 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 KAC 118 New York 18:30 KAC 741 Dammam 11:45 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 FDB 063 Dubai 18:40 RBG 554 Alexandria 11:55 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 ABY 121 Sharjah 18:40 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 QTR 1084 Doha 01:00 CLX 856 Luxembourg 18:50 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:25 RJA 642 Amman 01:05 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 DLH 637 Dammam 01:15 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:15 SYR 342 Damascus 13:00 SAI 441 Lahore 01:30 KAC 618 Doha 19:15 IRM 1189 Mashhad 13:10 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:35 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 KAC 176 Geneva/Frankfurt 19:45 MRJ 4814 Mashhad 14:10 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 IRA 669 Mashhad 19:50 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JZR 553 Alexandria 02:45 KAC 104 London 19:55 IAW 158 Al Najaf 14:20 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 02:50 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:00 AGY 685 Sohag 14:40 FDB 067 Dubai 02:55 KAC 614 Bahrain 20:00 IRC 527 Mashhad 14:55 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05 KAC 785 Jeddah 15:00 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 JZR 189 Dubai 20:15 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 KKK 6507 Istanbul 03:20 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 MSR 576 Sharm el-Sheikh 15:00 OMA 643 Muscat 03:25 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 KNE 474 Jeddah 20:25 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:05 ABY 123 Sharjah 20:35 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 KAC 546 Alexandria 04:10 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:50 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:20 JZR 503 Luxor 05:25 KAC 786 Jeddah 21:05 IZG 4168 Mashhad 15:35 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 JZR 188 Dubai 15:40 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 BAW 157 London 06:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 KNE 471 Jeddah 15:50 KAC 416 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 06:45 FDB 073 Dubai 21:35 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:10 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 RJD 136 Abu Dhabi 16:05 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 KAC 503 Beirut 16:15 KAC 204 Lahore 07:45 QTR 1074 Doha 21:55 OMA 646 Muscat 16:25 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 KNE 480 Taif 22:00 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 JZR 157 Dubai 22:05 KNE 463 Madinah 16:30 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 JZR 135 Bahrain 22:05 KAC 613 Bahrain 16:35 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 KLM 415 Amsterdam 22:15 KNE 481 Taif 16:50 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 FDB 052 Dubai 17:00 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 KAC 344 Chennai 08:45 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:30 NIA 252 Alexandria 17:15 KAC 284 Dhaka 08:50 MSC 403 Sohag 22:45 JZR 156 Dubai 17:35 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 UAL 981 Bahrain 23:10 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 AGY 684 Sohag 23:15 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 IRM 1186 Tehran 09:40 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 THY 764 Istanbul 23:35 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:50 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 IRM 1187 Tehran 18:15 UAE 873 Dubai 11:00 Departure Flights on Saturday 21/2/2015 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 RBG 553 Alexandria 11:15 Airlines Flt Route Time GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 MSC 405 Sohag 11:25 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 PIA 206 Lahore 00:40 IZG 4162 Mashhad 18:45 IRM 1188 Mashhad 11:45 FDB 072 Dubai 00:45 SYR 341 Damascus 12:00 JZR 238 Amman 18:50 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 JZR 134 Bahrain 19:10 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 KLM 413 Amsterdam 01:55 MRJ 4815 Mashhad 12:55 UAL 982 Bahrain 19:15 DLH 637 Frankfurt 02:15 ABY 122 Sharjah 19:20 JZR 241 Amman 12:55 SAI 442 Lahore 02:30 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 SVA 505 Jeddah 19:30 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 UAE 876 Dubai 19:40 IAW 157 Al Najaf 13:20 THY 773 Istanbul 02:55 JZR 779 Jeddah 13:35 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25 FDB 064 Dubai 19:55 AGY 680 Alexandria 13:40 KAC 381 Delhi 03:40 KAC 382 Delhi 13:45 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 CLX 856 Hong Kong 20:20 IRC 526 Mashhad 13:50 FDB 068 Dubai 03:55 KAC 283 Dhaka 20:30 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 IRA 666 Esfahan 20:50 MSR 575 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:15 KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:10 KAC 361 Colombo 20:50 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:25 OMA 644 Muscat 04:25 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:00 FDB 057 Dubai 14:30 QTR 1085 Doha 04:30 JZR 554 Alexandria 21:05 IZG 4167 Mashhad 14:35 MSC 406 Sohag 05:05 MSR 607 Luxor 21:05 KAC 742 Dammam 14:45 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 KNE 475 Jeddah 21:10 KNE 470 Jeddah 14:55 THY 765 Istanbul 05:40 KAC 331 Trivandrum 21:10 RJD 135 Abu Dhabi 14:55 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 KAC 351 Kochi 21:15 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 06:35 ABY 124 Sharjah 21:15 OMA 645 Muscat 15:25 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:40 RJA 643 Amman 07:05 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 KNE 462 Madinah 15:45 JZR 240 Amman 07:15 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 FDB 051 Dubai 16:00 JZR 778 Jeddah 07:55 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:15 KNE 460 Riyadh 16:00 FDB 054 Dubai 08:25 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 JZR 535 Cairo 16:10 BAW 156 London 08:45 FDB 074 Dubai 22:30 NIA 251 Alexandria 16:15 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 KAC 562 Amman 16:20 JZR 256 Beirut 09:05 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 JZR 357 Mashhad 16:30 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 KNE 461 Riyadh 22:50 JZR 257 Beirut 16:30 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:55 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 KAC 101 London/New York 09:50 QTR 1075 Doha 23:05 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:55 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:50 KLM 415 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:15 IRM 1180 Mashhad 17:00 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 KAC 543 Cairo 23:20 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:20 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:30 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 KAC 561 Amman 10:25 MSC 404 Sohag 23:45 IZG 4161 Mashhad 17:45 JZR 356 Mashhad 10:30 FDB 060 Dubai 23:50 Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015

DOWN 1. Someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike. CROSSWORD822 2. Type genus of the Sulidae. 3. A raised mark on the skin (as produced by the blow of a whip). 4. A percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance. 5. Any of several tall tropical palms native to southeastern Asia having egg-shaped nuts. 6. The network in the reticular formation that serves an alerting or arousal function. 7. A bloody and prolonged operation in which American marines landed and defeated Japanese defenders (February and March 1945). 8. The basic unit of luminous intensity adopted under the System International d'Unites. 9. (informal) Being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition. 10. Large-flowered garden plant derived chiefly from the wild pansy of Europe and hav- ing velvety petals of various colors. 11. Deciduous horn of a member of the deer family. 12. A public official authorized to decide questions bought before a court of justice. 13. At full speed. 14. A family of Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in southeastern Asia. 22. A family of fish in the order Zeomorphi. 24. The ending of a series or sequence. 26. The basic unit of money in Western Samoa. 29. A large Yoruba city in southwestern Nigeria. 30. Of or relating to or characteristic of Benin or its people. 32. A member of an agricultural people of southern India. 36. The elementary stages of any subject (usually plural). 37. A woman of refinement. 39. Any of a group of heavenly spirits under the god Anu. 40. Dormouse of southern Europe and northern Africa. 41. A condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people. 43. A volcano in south central Guatemala. 46. A state in New England. ACROSS 48. Resembling the action of a machine. 52. United States writer (born in Poland) who wrote in Yiddish (1880-1957). 1. The compass point midway between south and southwest. 54. A kind of heavy jacket (`windcheater' is a British term). 4. A member of a North American Indian people of the Gila river valley in Arizona. 55. A soft yellow malleable ductile (trivalent and univalent) metallic element. 12. Immense East Indian fruit resembling breadfruit of. 57. An informal term for a father. 15. An actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action 58. Small terrestrial lizard of warm regions of the Old World. or speech. 59. Being nine more than ninety. 16. Of or relating to the peoples who speak the language of the Arawak. 60. A large number or amount. 17. A benevolent aspect of Devi. Yesterday’s Solution 63. A state in the western United States. 18. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism. 65. Large burrowing rodent of South and Central America. 19. Inducing resonance. 66. A male monarch or emperor (especially of Russia prior to 1917). 20. An informal term for a father. 68. A French abbot. 21. French novelist. 69. Horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits. 23. Impaired ability to express ideas verbally. 70. Unpleasantly cool and humid. 25. A card game for 2 players. 72. A drug combination found in some over-the-counter headache remedies (Aspirin 27. Of or relating to or characteristic of Yemen or its inhabitants. and Phenacetin and Caffeine). 28. The inner and thicker of the two bones of the human leg between the knee and 74. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth. ankle. 78. (Akkadian) God of wisdom. 31. A white linen liturgical vestment with sleeves. 33. A rare heavy polyvalent metallic element that resembles manganese chemically and is used in some alloys. Yesterdayʼs Solution 34. In bed. 35. A deep bow. 38. A river that rises in western New Mexico and flows westward through southern Arizona to become a tributary of the Colorado River. 42. Valuable fiber plant of East Indies now widespread in cultivation. 44. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group. 45. Harmed or injured or spoiled. 47. A farewell remark. 49. A self-funded retirement plan that allows you to contribute a limited yearly sum toward your retirement. 50. Imperial dynasty that ruled China (most of the time) from 206 BC to 221 and expand- ed its boundaries and developed its bureaucracy. 51. Prolific Spanish playwright (1562-1635). 53. Half the width of an em. 56. A site where people on holiday can pitch a tent. 61. A radioactive element of the actinide series. 62. French poet and novelist and dramatist. 64. Cause to adhere. 67. The (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb. 71. Type genus of the Otariidae. 73. Squash bugs. 75. The cry made by sheep. 76. A Tibetan or Mongolian priest of Lamaism. 77. A tricycle (usually propelled by pedalling). 79. A container. 80. East Indian tree bearing a profusion of intense vermilion velvet-textured blooms and yielding a yellow dye. 81. Dried bark of the cascara buckthorn used as a laxative. 82. Large northern deer with enormous flattened antlers in the male. CHALLENGING MAZE Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution SPORTS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 Islanders cool Predators

UNIONDALE: Nick Leddy had a goal and two assists, Jaroslav Halak tied the team record for wins in a season, and the New York Islanders cooled off the NHL-leading Nashville Predators with a 5-2 win on Thursday night. Brian Strait, John Tavares and Johnny Boychuk scored in the first for the Islanders, who snapped Nashville’s six-game winning streak with their sixth victory in seven games. Tavares has at least one goal in each of his last four games. Leddy and Josh Bailey scored 1:39 apart in the third period to break open a one-goal nail biter. Halak made 30 saves for his 32nd win. Filip Forsberg and James Neal scored for the Predators. Pekka Rinne had a rare off night, allow- ing five goals on 40 shots. The Islanders lost cen- ter Mikhail Grabovski for the game with 11:21 left in the first when he was leveled by a shoulder from Eric Nystrom. A stretcher was brought onto the ice, but Grabovski skated off on his own after being down for several minutes. He sustained an unspecified upper-body injury.

BLUE JACKETS 2, PENGUINS 1 Brandon Dubinsky poked a pass from Matt Calvert past a sprawled Marc-Andre Fleury with 2:17 remaining, sending Columbus to the road win. Pittsburgh’s Blake Comeau turned it over and the Blue Jackets quickly pounced. Calvert fed Dubinsky as Pittsburgh’s Steve Downie ran over Fleury. Dubinsky had little trouble tapping in his seventh goal of the season. Scott Hartnell also scored for Columbus. Curtis McElhinney stopped 29 shots as the Blue Jackets won their second UNIONDALE: New York Islanders defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky No. 11 shoots against Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne No. 35 straight. Evgeni Malkin picked up his 22nd goal during their game at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. — AFP for Pittsburgh. Captain Sidney Crosby was held without a point, though he tussled with Dubinsky PANTHERS 3, CANADIENS 2 in the second period. It was the seventh fight of Dave Bolland scored in the sixth round of NHL results/standings Crosby’s 10-year career. the shootout, lifting Florida to the road victory. Tomas Fleischmann and Steven Kampfer scored SHARKS 5, STARS 2 in regulation for the Panthers (26-19-12), who NY Islanders 5, Nashville 2; Vancouver 5, NY Rangers 4 (So); Buffalo 3, Philadelphia 2 (SO); Andrew Desjardins scored two second-period won their second game in a row to start a five- Columbus 2, Pittsburgh 1; Washington 5, Winnipeg 1; Florida 3, Montreal 2 (SO). goals, and San Jose held on for the win. Antti game trip. Western Conference Tampa Bay 36 18 6 195 160 78 Niemi made 37 saves for the Sharks, who had lost Brendan Gallagher scored both of Montreal’s Pacific Division Detroit 32 14 10 163 143 74 two straight. The victory vaulted them into a tie goals in the second period. The Canadiens (37- W L OTLGF GA PTS 16-5) outshot the Panthers 39-21 and blew a 2-0 Boston 28 20 9 150 149 65 for seventh place in the Western Conference with Anaheim 35 16 7 170 164 77 Florida 26 19 12 141 157 64 Calgary, tied for third in the Pacific Division. lead. Vancouver 33 21 3 163 151 69 Ottawa 23 23 10 159 160 56 The Stars had won four of their previous five Calgary 32 22 4 168 150 68 games. They fell six points behind Calgary and SABRES 3, FLYERS 2 San Jose 30 22 8 170 172 68 Toronto 23 30 5 162 178 51 San Jose in the race for the final wild-card berth. Brian Flynn scored the clinching goal in the Los Angeles 27 18 12 159 151 66 Buffalo 17 37 4 108 197 38 Marc-Edouard Vlasic scored the Sharks’ first shootout, leading Buffalo to a rare win. Nicolas Arizona 20 31 7 131 194 47 Metropolitan Division goal. Patrick Marleau and Tommy Wingels scored Deslauriers and Brian Gionta scored in regula- Edmonton 17 32 10 139 199 44 NY Islanders 39 19 1 193 165 79 into an empty net after Dallas cut a 3-0 deficit to tion for Buffalo, which won for just the fourth Central Division NY Rangers 34 16 6 178 141 74 3-2 on goals by Trevor Daley and Erik Cole. time in the last 27 games. The Sabres improved Nashville 39 13 6 177 137 84 Washington 32 17 10 176 147 74 to 7-2 in shootouts. Jakub Voracek and Ryan St. Louis 37 16 4 179 141 78 Pittsburgh 32 17 9 163 146 73 White scored for Philadelphia, which fell to 2-7 CAPITALS 5, JETS 1 Chicago 35 18 5 174 134 75 Philadelphia 24 23 11 155 170 59 Nicklas Backstrom scored two second-period in the tiebreaker. Winnipeg 30 20 10 166 162 70 Columbus 26 27 3 149 173 55 goals and had an assist, and Washington won for After Voracek tallied on Philadelphia’s first Minnesota 29 21 7 158 154 65 the fourth time in five games. Capitals star Alex shootout attempt, Claude Giroux, Wayne Dallas 27 23 8 181 185 62 New Jersey 22 26 9 126 155 53 Ovechkin added his league-leading 38th goal and Simmonds and Sean Couturier came up empty. Colorado 24 23 11 150 165 59 Carolina 20 29 7 127 154 47 an assist. Troy Brouwer had an empty-net goal Ray Emery stopped Zemgus Girgensons and Eastern Conference Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one and an assist, and John Carlson also scored. Tyler Ennis after Gionta scored in the tiebreaker. Atlantic Division point in the standings and are not included Backstrom, who has 16 assists in his past 16 But Flynn deked past Emery to win it for Montreal 37 16 5 154 130 79 in the loss column (L). games, moved into a tie with Chicago’s Patrick Buffalo. — AP Kane atop the NHL scoring list with 63 points. Ovechkin, celebrating his bobblehead night, extended his point streak to six games, and Tough at the top for Clermont, Toulon Braden Holtby stopped 19 shots. Toby Enstrom scored for Winnipeg, which had won four of five, PARIS: Clermont, locked in a three-way tussle with gent can overcome the disappointment of France’s in the league in action. But it is unlikely to be a and Ondrej Pavelec made 28 saves. Stade Francais and Toulon at the head of the Top latest performance and the absence of key players. closed game, Debaty believes. “We don’t play like 14 table, face arguably the toughest test of the “This isn’t anything new for us. It’s been like that that and Racing have been playing well lately. Both CANUCKS 5, RANGERS 4 weekend when they travel to Racing-Metro today. for years and we knew the calendar when it was defences will challenge, that’s a given. But it’s a crit- Alexandre Burrows and Radim Vrbata scored A victory for Clermont in Paris would see fourth- published,” he said. “As international players, we ical factor in modern rugby,” he said. in the shootout, and Vancouver stopped New placed Racing fall further behind the leading trio, know how to handle the situation. We clearly are Earlier today, Toulon take on Bordeaux-Begles, York’s four-game winning streak. who they already trail by six points. But Clermont focused on the Top 14. who are sixth and go into the game with no fewer Henrik Sedin scored twice for the Canucks, travel to the capital with a patched-up side, missing “This game is very important for us and we are than seven players sidelined. Defending champi- including a tying tally on a rebound with 2:00 left Damien Chouly, Camille Lopez and Wesley Fofana, focused on it. We are facing a direct opponent, we ons Toulon also have injury worries but the depth in regulation after Vancouver pulled goaltender who are all rested after French international duty need to apply ourselves and, if possible, maintain of Bernard Laporte’s star-studded squad more than Ryan Miller. Miller finished with 30 saves, and he stopped Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan in the against Scotland and Ireland in the past two weeks. the gap between us”. compensates. But coach Raphael Ibanez has done a shootout. Shawn Matthias and Bo Horvat also Jamie Cudmore (knee), Raphael Chaume (back), Clermont haven’t won any of their last five away sterling job at Bordeaux, making them a difficult scored as Vancouver snapped a five-game losing Viktor Kolelishvili (knee) and Aurelien Rougerie games and head into the showdown knowing they proposition on their own turf, and he is now widely streak against the Rangers dating to January 2011. (elbow) are also missing for a game sandwiched have beaten Racing at home just once since 2011. seen as the successor-in-waiting to national coach Stepan, Rick Nash, Martin St. Louis and Carl between Six Nations action. Before the international break, Racing were on a Philippe Saint-Andre. Stade Francais, meanwhile, Hagelin scored for the Rangers. Cam Talbot made But prop Vincent Debaty, who is available but run of consecutive wins against Lyon in the Top 14 face an easier challenge on paper as they head to 24 saves, but he was beaten on both shootout included in the France squad to play Wales in their and Northampton in the European Cup. And the Bayonne, who are 12th, just three points ahead of attempts. next match, insists Clermont’s international contin- match offers the prospect of the two best defences bottom side Castres. —AFP SPORTS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 Earnhardt, Johnson cruise

DAYTONA, BEACH: Former winners and team mates Dale unique qualifying format Johnson keeps his second-place starting Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson won Daytona 500 qualifying position due to his qualifying run last Sunday. races on Thursday, underscoring their status as contenders for the That left the other spot on row two to Kyle Busch, who fin- Great American Race. The front of the grid for NASCAR’s show- ished second behind Johnson in heat two to earn a fourth place case race is star-studded and deep with former champions and starting position for the big race. some of stock car racing’s biggest names lining up for the sport’s “It’s huge to have the week like we’ve had” said six-time biggest prize. NASCAR champion Johnson, who dominated the second, 60-lap With three-time champion Jeff Gordon earning pole and 150 mile, event. In the second Duel, Denny Hamlin tangled with Johnson the number two spot last weekend everyone else was Danica Patrick’s car causing serious damage to her Chevrolet. left fighting for position in twin races dubbed the Duel 150s. The Patrick and Hamlin also came together during Wednesday’s prac- results set the rest of 43 car field that will take the green flag at tise forcing her into a backup car for qualifying. Patrick limped the high-banked 2.5 mile Daytona International Speedway. into the pits for repairs then re-entered the race with just a few Earnhardt started the first heat in 25th and last due to his car laps to run and was pushed to a 10th place finish by her Stewart- failing post qualifying inspection last Sunday but it did not stop Haas team mate Kurt Busch crossing the line under her own pow- the defending 500 champion from locking up a second row spot. er. Pole sitter in 2013, Patrick will start Sunday’s race from the DAYTONA BEACH: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 88 “I’m so glad to be able to get through the Duel in one piece 10th row. “It was all going pretty smooth until three to go, four to Nationwide Chevrolet, poses with the trophy in Victory Lane because I know how good this race car is,” said Earnhardt. “We go,” said Patrick. “I said yesterday, it’s horrible that it’s left up to after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Duel have a couple more practices to go through and try to stay out of other people and what they can do to you to whether or not you 1 at Daytona International Speedway. — AFP trouble during those and put this thing on the grid.” Under a get in the race or not.” —Reuters

Nadal battles into Rio Wozniacki earns top quarters seed clash in Dubai RIO DE JANEIRO: Clay king and world num- ber three Rafael Nadal thwarted a deter- mined challenge Thursday from fellow DUBAI: Caroline Wozniacki overcame a persist- upset the seedings for the second successive who had eliminated the Wimbledon champion, Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta to reach the ent fever, a seed-beater, difficulties with her first day and reached the semi-finals for the second Petra Kvitova. quarter-finals of the ATP Rio Open. Top seed serve, and a late night finish to reach the semi- successive week. Navarro, with her great movement and bat- Nadal, determined to kick-start his season on finals of the Dubai Open for the fifth successive She also turned her match dramatically on its tling ground strokes, tenaciously saved three set clay as he targets a 10th French Open crown time on Thursday. The former world number head from a set and 1-3 down in a 3-6, 7-6(7-5), points and grabbed the first set, but Muguruza, at Roland Garros, won 7-5, 6-3 against 55th- one from Denmark’s 7-5, 6-0 win over the world 6-1 win over Lucie Safarova, her 11th seeded calm and elegantly proficient in all areas there- ranked Carreno to advance to a Friday meet- number 14 from Italy, Flavia Pennetta, con- compatriot. Last week the tall Czech with one of after looked slightly the more likely to win a ing with Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas, ranked 23. firmed the feeling that she is gradually edging the steepest and most dangerous first serves in high quality encounter full of fluent rallies, Cuevas saw off Spaniard Albert Montanes her way back towards the summit, even though the game reached the Antwerp semis, and last Muguruza said she was helped by her coach 6-2, 6-2. Fourteen-time Grand Slam champi- her standard was not always all she wanted. month she became the youngest top 20 player Alejo Macisidor. “He said to me just, this match is on Nadal missed three set points in the open- Wozbiacki twice conceded early breaks of by breaking into the top echelon for the first mentally (sic),” she said. “You’re playing good, er and had to dig deep as his rival fought serve before repairing the damage, and was time. both Carla and you. It’s just mentally. You know, tigerishly to keep pace with his decorated unable to force her advantage home when she However, she had to survive a crisis at 5-5 in don’t be with a lot of nerves. Just become. rival, who is bidding to retain the title he won was twice within two points of taking the first the second set when she slipped to 15-40, with- That’s it. All mental.” in Rio 12 months ago. set. in one solid blow of probable defeat, before Muguruza added that she might have “It was pretty humid and he is a tough She nevertheless struck her ground strokes altering the psychology of the match utterly in learned something from having played Karolina young cookie. I am very happy to be through consistently, if not always as forcibly as she has an emotion-turning last point of the tie-break. Pliskova before, but then on second thoughts to the quarters,” said Nadal, 28. “It was a recently. Once she had a set in the bag Muguruza, a 21-year-old from Barcelona, wasn’t sure whether it had been her twin sister tough match. I was glad to get the break Wozniacki accelerated her progress encourag- delivered a 6-7(4-7), 6-3, 6-3 win over her dou- Krystina. Hopefully she will become surer some back when he got to 3-2. At 5-4 I made a ingly against an opponent who had dismissed bles partner Carla Suarez Navarro, the 13th seed time tomorrow. — AFP couple of mistakes. Then in the second set I the seventh-seeded Angelique Kerber the previ- was a bit tired from the first to begin with ous day. and sought to bring my serve through. “Obviously with the way I have been feeling “At 3-2 I tried to get the break and it didn’t this week, I’m just trying to save as much energy come off but the next one did. For me every as I can for all the matches I have to play,” win is important-and especially on clay.” Wozniacki said. “I’m definitely very pleased with In the host city for next year’s Olympics, the way I have played and the way I fought. 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medal winner Even when I haven’t felt good, I’ve still managed Nadal improved his record to 16-0 on to win. Brazilian soil, having won titles at Costa do “But today, you know, with the fever down, I Sauipe in 2005, Sao Paulo in 2013 and Rio last definitely felt much better. Hopefully it’s a step year. The left-hander has made a tentative in the right direction, and I don’t mind being sick start to this year after a slew of injury prob- for the rest of this week because obviously that’s lems last season. He lost in the first round in bringing me some good luck.” Doha and then at the Australian Open made Wozniacki next plays the top seed, Simona a surprise exit against Tomas Berdych. Halep, who had a much closer call to reach the Carreno has trained with Nadal in semis. The lively and creative Romanian was Mallorca and the 23-year-old had clearly within one point of going a break down in the learned something along the way as he pro- seventh game of the final set before surviving 6- duced a gutsy showing in hot conditions at 3, 1-6, 7-5 against Ekaterina Makarova, a decep- the Jockey Club in downtown Rio, where tive left-hander from Russia. total prize money of $1.5 million is on offer. Halep then led 5-3, was broken to love, Argentine Federico Delbonis saw off eighth reached 6-5 and still needed five match points seed Martin Klizan in straight sets to book a before she was able to close it out. “I was a little contest with Italian Fabio Fognini, seeded bit nervous to finish,” she admitted. “I don’t four, after the latter eased past Spaniard know why, but, you know, sometimes you feel Pablo Andujar 6-3, 6-2. Brazilian fans cheered like that.” a success in the women’s event when Beatriz The other semi-final will be between two of Haddad Maia emphatically ousted Slovenian the newest and most interesting young climbers seventh seed Polona Hercog 6-1, 6-2 to reach in the world’s top 30, Karolina Pliskova and DUBAI: Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark reacts after winning a point from Flavia Pennetta of the quarters.—AFP Garbine Muguruza. Italy during the quarter-finals of the WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. — AFP† Pliskova, a striking 22-year-old from Prague, SPORTS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015

Racism and violence still stain the beautiful game LONDON: The veneer of respectability cov- Jewish following. agenda in Spain too after the death of a ing the pitch after their game at regional ering modern European football was rolled In 2013 Chelsea’s Israeli midfielder Yossi Deportivo La Coruna fan before a game rivals Borussia Moenchengladbach, prompt- back to expose the rot that still festers below Benayoun said he suffered anti-Semitic against Atletico Madrid in November and the ing calls from the German soccer association this week, with high-profile incidents of abuse from the club’s own supporters. stabbing of two Paris St Germain fans out- (DFB) to consider the option of banning racism and violence bringing chill reminders While it is undoubtedly true that such side Barcelona’s Nou Camp stadium in away fans. France is currently having prob- of the bad old days of the 1980s. incidents are no longer the norm and that December. lems with Corsica-based club Bastia and in That there was widespread shock and stadiums are far safer, more pleasant envi- Spanish authorities have attempted to December visiting Nantes player Paul revulsion at the sight of Chelsea fans chanti- ronments these days, the idea that football make the clubs more responsible, introduc- Georges Ntep refused to take a corner kick as ng “We’re racist and that’s the way we like it” has been cleansed of violence and racism ing stadium closures and potential point he was being racially abused by fans. while preventing a black Frenchman board- and is the glossy family affair that the author- deductions as well as sanctions for verbal The countries of what was once ing a carriage in the Paris Metro, is some- ities and clubs love to promote is to wilfully abuse. Swedish father of four Stefan Isaksson Yugoslavia also remain hotbeds for racism, thing of a positive in that such incidents, ignore the evidence from countries all over was another victim, kicked and beaten to with Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia plagued with once widely prevalent, are now uncommon. the continent. Also this week fans of visiting death by rival fans as he made he way to a abusive ethnic slurs and chants. The condemnation from all sides that fol- Dutch side Feyenoord fought with Italian riot league match last year. Last year Croatia’s Australia-born defend- lowed, with the club issuing three immediate police ahead of their Europa League match er Josip Simunic was handed a 10-match ban banning orders and manager Jose Mourinho against AS Roma, leading to dozens of PRE-ARRANGED FIGHTS that ruled him out of the World Cup after saying on Friday he was ashamed, are also arrests and leaving parts of the city centre Dutch and Russian soccer has been shouting a pro-Nazi chant to fans at an inter- indicative of how times have changed. looking like a bomb site. plagued by domestic soccer violence for national match. However, this was no one-off. Three years It is almost ironic that Italian authorities, decades, but much of it now has been shift- The latest incident in Paris moved the ago a group of Chelsea fans brought more with even the country’s Prime Minister wad- ed to out-of-sight venues such as industrial United Nations Human Rights Commissioner shame on the club for making hissing noises ing in, reacted with such shock given that estates and woodland, where fans meet for to issue a statement on Friday, clearly recog- during a match against Tottenham Hotspur, their capital remains one of the most dan- pre-arranged fights away from the gaze of nising that it was no one-off. a repellent and once-common terrace ges- gerous for foreign fans to visit, with attacks the police, often filmed to become internet “The events in Paris show that much work ture designed to replicate the Nazi gas and stabbings in the surroundings of the hits. In Germany last week a group of remains to be done before racism is truly chambers of the Holocaust and aimed at Olympic Stadium almost commonplace. Cologne “ultras” wearing white medical eradicated from sport, let alone from society Spurs because of their traditionally strong Soccer violence has been high on the overalls lit flares and fireworks before storm- at large,” the statement said. — Reuters

PSG look for boost in title race PARIS: Laurent Blanc’s French champions Paris Saint-Germain will be looking to build on an encouraging display in Europe in midweek as they turn their attention back to the fight with Lyon and Marseille at the top of Ligue 1. Paris came from behind to claim a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Champions League last 16 first leg on Tuesday and now host Toulouse at the Parc des Princes today. The capital club have drawn their last two Ligue 1 games, including throwing away a two-goal lead late on in a 2-2 stalemate with Caen last time out. However, they are unbeaten in their last 10 matches in all competitions and have yet to lose at home this season so will fancy their chances of beating a struggling Toulouse side. If they do that they will move provisionally top of the table before Lyon and Marseille play tomorrow. Toulouse will not be relishing a visit to face the champions, even if the hosts have Lucas, Serge Aurier, Thiago Motta and Yohan Cabaye on the injury list while Marco Verratti and David Luiz are both suspend- ed. Indeed, Toulouse coach Alain Casanova insists that France is blessed to have Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and PSG’s other ‘extraordinary’ players. “Ligue 1 is very lucky to have players like Zlatan and Thiago ITALY: Fans cheer prior the UEFA Europa League round of 32 match AS Roma vs Feyenoord at the Olympic Stadium. —AFP Silva. Without being nasty we could have become like Belgium if PSG hadn’t started signing stars,” the Toulouse coach said this Italian League Preview week. Gerard Houllier has coached both Lyon and Paris to league titles and this week he tipped PSG to win the championship for the third season running. “Paris is probably more comprehensive because they really Roma confidence suffers knock have some key players in key areas,” Houllier told beIN Sports. MILAN: Roma’s Serie A title hopes come there and we’re lacking confidence in our and Samuel Eto’o joined the club, while “Lyon is a young team lacking a bit of experience. But they under the spotlight when Rudi Garcia’s men game,” Garcia said. “We should have wrapped Genoa last week claimed their second win on play very well together and their game is fluent and very enter- visit struggling Verona tomorrow with a likely up the game and we didn’t.” the trot with a 5-2 drubbing of Verona. Eto’o taining,” added the Frenchman, who suggested autumn champi- 10-point deficit to leaders and champions With Verona themselves stuck in a rut- has yet to score for Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side ons Marseille-two points off the lead in second are running out of Juventus. Andrea Mandorlini’s men have lost four of since joining from Everton but hit the head- steam. Lyon are unbeaten in 10 league games and are set to wel- Juventus, who boast a seven-point lead at their past five outings-Roma’s hopes of end- lines in midweek when local newspapers come back 21-goal leading scorer Alexandre Lacazette as Nantes the top of Italy’s top flight, host Atalanta late ing their luckless spell will be high. claimed he bought a 30-room property that is visit the Stade de Gerland on Sunday. yesterday, four days before the first leg of But the pressure is on, especially with supposedly haunted. The Corriere dello Sport Lacazette is one of 16 former Lyon youth team players in the their Champions League last-16 tie at home Napoli, who sit third five points further adrift, daily said the Villa Altachiara, which was built senior squad, and one of 12 who were born in the Lyon area. to Borussia Dortmund. Atalanta have won in largely solid form ahead of the visit of in the 19th century by George Herbert, Earl of “Statistics prove that a player has better chances of success only five games this season so are not expect- Sassuolo on Monday. Napoli’s 3-1 defeat Carnarvon-an Egyptologist who discovered when he’s close to home,” the head of their youth centre ed to hand Juventus a first home reverse this away to Palermo last weekend ended a run of the tomb of Tutankhamun-is cursed. Stephane Roche said this week. season, but the Turin club’s coach four consecutive wins but Rafael Benitez’s Elsewhere, ailing AC Milan host struggling Marseille have won two, drawn two and lost two since the Massimiliano Allegri has warned against com- men raised spirits again with a 4-0 rout of Cesena looking to end a sorry run of results winter break, but Saint-Etienne have lost three of their last four placency. Trabzonspor in Turkey in the Europa League which has left the Rossoneri in 11th, 24 points ahead of what should be a boisterous evening at the Stade “It’s as though we’ve already wrapped up on Thursday. behind Juventus and all but out of the run- Geoffroy-Guichard as two of France’s best supported clubs go the league title, which I don’t believe is true,” Benitez is sure Napoli have the mettle to ning for a return to the Champions League. head to head. Ligue 1’s worst supported club is Monaco, with an Allegri said on Thursday. “We’re a few points challenge Roma for second place. “If we keep Coach Filippo Inzaghi’s job is on the line average attendance of just 7,835. They travel along the coast to ahead of Roma but there are still plenty of our current form up then we have a great following a 1-1 home draw with struggling Nice for a Cote d’Azur derby late yesterday. matches to play. The title race is far from chance of achieving that aim,” the Spaniard Empoli, after which speculation mounted After 14 matches unbeaten Monaco drew at Lyon and then over.” Roma could have been top of the said ahead of his side’s trip to Turkey. “A lot that club owner Silvio Berlusconi is looking to lost at Guingamp in their last two league outings, but they have league had they not dropped 12 points in will depend on Roma and whether they slip sell up. Central defender Adil Rami said it’s only conceded twice in 10 matches in 2015. their past six games-five of which Garcia’s up again. If they do, we’ll be there ready to time to stop the rot: “The fans don’t deserve Goals have been the problem after the summer departures of men have drawn. Added to a 1-1 draw in the capitalise.” Today in Serie A, meanwhile, has this moment and they deserve a Milan team Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez, and their coach Leonardo first leg of their Europa League last 32-tie at been reserved solely for the Genoese derby that wins every game. “For the moment we Jardim is now banking on veteran Bulgarian striker Dimitar home to Feyenoord, confidence in the Roma between Sampdoria and Genoa. can’t give them this gift, but we’re working, Berbatov. —AFP camp is decidedly low. Sampdoria are on the wane, having failed hoping for a bit of luck and let’s see what “Unfortunately the results are just not to win their past four games since Luis Muriel happens against Cesena.” — AFP SPORTS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 Barca target Chelsea glad to perfect 12 return to action MADRID: Barcelona can move to the top of La Liga for the first time since early November when they look to stretch their win- ning run to 12 games against Malaga today. The Catalans have LONDON: After a testing week of negative non-sporting atten- “That’s what it’s all about-players digging deep at this time of struck 42 goals in that hot streak to close to within a point of Real tion, Chelsea will hope to return to making headlines on the pitch year,” he said. “We have a little bit of time, especially after the Madrid and to the brink of reaching the Copa del Rey final. this weekend when the Premier League leaders host Burnley Burnley game before we play the Capital One Cup final against However, Luis Enrique’s men will be intent on not only taking today. Their preparations for the fixture have been overshadowed Spurs. “More importantly, we are back in the Premier League this top spot for at least 24 hours before Madrid travel to Elche on by the fall-out from the incident on Tuesday when a group of weekend for what is a massive three points. Sunday, but also ensuring they suffer no injury setbacks ahead of Chelsea fans pushed a black man off a Paris Metro train and “It is important we win and they have shown already at Man their return to Champions League action away to Manchester launched into a chorus of racist chanting. City (where Burnley drew 2-2) that they’re hungry and fighting. City on Tuesday. Their 1-1 Champions League draw at Paris Saint-Germain that Where we and they are in the table means nothing. We will cer- “We know there is a lot of work ahead of us until the end of night has barely been discussed as a consequence and with tainly be up for it.” the season and is it a key moment for us. We need to be at 100 French and British police both investigating what happened, Burnley lost 3-1 against Chelsea in August in their first top- percent,” Barca full-back Adriano said on Thursday. Chelsea have taken action by banning three of the fans involved flight game since winning promotion last season, when Jose Barca dismissed City 4-1 on aggregate at the same stage of from Stamford Bridge. The conduct-and songs-of the home fans Mourinho’s side scored three times in a stunning 20-minute spell. the competition last year and Adriano warned that will act as will be under close scrutiny today, but for the players, it will be a But manager Sean Dyche is not ready to run up the white flag motivation for the English champions despite their indifferent relief to get back on to the pitch against second-bottom Burnley. as he prepares for the return fixture, even though his side have form in the Premier League. “We know we have drawn a very Captain John Terry, himself banned for racially abusing an won just one of their last nine league games. strong opponent that we could easily have faced in the semi- opponent in 2012, has praised young team-mate Kurt Zouma “I thought at the beginning of the season that any team that finals. “They aren’t in great form, but in a tie like this there aren’t ahead of a game that will see Chelsea look to defend their seven- finishes above Chelsea would be some side and I still think that,” any favourites. It will be just as hard or even more difficult than point lead over Manchester City. said the Burnley manager, whose side impressed on their last out- last year because they will definitely want revenge.” The emergence of 20-year-old Zouma has seen Gary Cahill’s ing despite going down 3-1 at Manchester United. Barca have no fresh injury worries with Andres Iniesta avail- place alongside Terry in central defence come under threat, but “They are very strong and are playing some good stuff. But it’s able once more after missing last weekend’s 5-0 thrashing of the 34-year-old former England captain believes the competition not like we are a non-league side going there. We have shown we Levante due to a fever. However, Enrique is expected to make a is healthy for everyone. “It’s difficult when you see young boys can compete at this level.” raft of changes after handing a rest to the likes of Gerard Pique, come in like Kurt,” said Terry. Burnley’s attack will again be led by England under-21 interna- Dani Alves and Luis Suarez last time out. “He’s been a revelation since he came in. He’s young, fit, tional Danny Ings, who has scored five times in his last six league Real already look well set for a fifth consecutive Champions strong and hungry and it makes it even more difficult. “When games but who is out of contract at the end of the season and League quarter-final after beating Schalke 2-0 away in the first leg Gary Cahill plays he’s been great, when Kurt plays he’s been great, looks set to leave Turf Moor. of their last 16 tie on Wednesday. Cristiano Ronaldo ended his so it’s hard to get the balance, but we’re all rotating and there’s He is interesting Liverpool and last weekend held talks about a month-long goal drought to put Madrid in front before teeing up enough games to share around. We all want to play every game.” possible move to Real Sociedad, but Dyche is confident the 22- Marcelo for a stunning second 11 minutes from time. Chelsea face Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup final on year-old is still focused on Burnley’s survival fight. “In the team we don’t have any problems if Cristiano doesn’t March 1, with the second leg of the PSG tie to come on March 11, “I have no reason to doubt his thoughts about Burnley score for one or two games. Everyone knows that the goal will and Terry knows squad depth will be a key factor in his side’s bid Football Club and what we’re doing,” Dyche said. “You can tell come sooner or later,” said Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti. for glory on three fronts. that by his performances.”— AFP Ronaldo will be keen to get back on the scoresheet in domes- tic competition, having seen his huge lead over Lionel Messi as the top marksman whittled down to just two goals in recent weeks. Real continue to be dogged by injuries, though, as Dani Carvajal is a doubt after picking up a knock against Schalke, whilst Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, James Rodriguez and Sami Khedira remain out. Madrid needed a controversial stoppage time penal- ty converted by Ronaldo to take all three points at the Martinez Valero last season and Elche will be confident of an upset having won four of their last six league games to climb out of the relega- tion zone. Champions Atletico Madrid suffered a huge blow to their hopes of retaining the title last time out when they lost 2-0 at Celta Vigo just eight days after thrashing Real 4-0 to fall seven points behind the leaders. Diego Simeone’s men also return to Champions League action in midweek, away at Bayer Leverkusen, and will be hopeful of a problem-free evening when they host struggling Almeria at the Vicente Calderon. Spanish international Koke is still sidelined by a hamstring problem, but midfielders Arda Turan and Raul Garcia will be free to return after missing out through suspension last weekend. Indeed, rather than challenging for the title, Atletico’s primary objective in the coming weeks will be fighting off Valencia and Sevilla for the final two Champions League places. Valencia can move level on points with Atletico should they beat Cordoba on Saturday.—AFP FRANCE: Chelsea’s Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic celebrates after scoring a goal in this file photo. — AFP Paderborn prepare for ‘the real Bayern Munich’

BERLIN: Bayern Munich will be aiming to get back to winning ways at looking forward to seeing what awaits us,” he said on Thursday. Bayern to third-placed Borussia Moenchengladbach. Club captain Rafael van Paderborn in the Bundesliga today following their draw with Shakhtar were handed a boost on Thursday when midfielder Thiago Alcantara der Vaart admitted he is not enjoying being part of a side that is once Donetsk in the Champions League. The German champions were dis- came through some light training following knee surgery. The 23-year- again involved in a relegation dogfight. appointed to be held goalless in Ukraine on Tuesday in the first leg of old Spanish international last played in March 2014. Captain Philip “I’m in not in the form that I’d like and I’ve played badly,” the Dutch their last 16 tie. Pep Guardiola’s side will be expected to bounce back Lahm also returned to training this week with a view to playing again midfielder said on Thursday. “Running, scrapping, running, scrapping - this weekend after sporting director Matthias Sammer said the per- in a month’s time. that’s not the situation I can shine in.” Second-bottom Hertha Berlin formance against Shakhtar did not reflect “the real Bayern Munich”. Meanwhile, having lost 2-0 at home to Real Madrid in the must travel to second-placed VfL Wolfsburg. Pressure is seemingly get- “Everyone can see we have room to improve before we reach peak Champions League last 16 on Wednesday, fourth-placed Schalke host ting to the visitors, with goalkeeper Thomas Kraft and midfielder form and that’s the message for the next few days,” he said. “We have Werder Bremen. Schalke lost their last league match 1-0 at Eintracht Ronny reportedly involved in a training ground bust-up on Thursday. to shift up a gear.” Frankfurt, while Werder are the form side in the Bundesliga. Last week’s Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund boss Juergen Klopp said he would Bayern, who are currently eight points clear at the top of the table, win over fifth-placed Augsburg was their fifth in succession and anoth- concentrate on their game at bottom club VfB Stuttgart on Friday beat Paderborn 4-0 in Munich in September. Paderborn earned a vital er victory on Saturday would see Werder move to within two points of rather than letting thoughts drift to Tuesday’s Champions League last win at Hanover last time out as they seek to avoid a swift return to the the home team. Sitting one point above the relegation zone, Mainz 05 16 clash against Juventus in Italy. second division. Their manager Andre Breitenreiter dismissed the theo- replaced Kasper Hjulmand with Martin Schmidt during the week. The “What sort of idiot would I be if I rested someone so he could play ry that Bayern are not near their best by pointing out the result of the new manager’s first game in charge will be at home to midtable against Juve?” Klopp asked. “We’ll have the full band with us against Bavarians’ last league match. “After their 8-0 win over Hamburg, I’m Eintracht Frankfurt.Tomorrow, Hamburg face a tough fixture at home Stuttgart. I’ll be picking my team without thinking about Juve.”— AFP SPORTS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 Walcott encouraged by fast starts LONDON: Theo Walcott believes Arsenal’s first-half form has been the key to the club’s change in fortunes since the turn of the year. Arsene Wenger’s side travel to face Crystal Palace on Saturday looking for their eighth victory in nine games since the defeat at Southampton on New Year’s Day. That run, blemished only by defeat at Tottenham two weeks ago, has fired up the Gunners’ top four challenge and earned an FA Cup quarter-final meeting with Manchester United. A feature of Arsenal’s recent form has been their ability to con- jure an early goal that has allowed them to take a grip on the game. Last weekend it was a double strike from Olivier Giroud mid- way during the first half that effectively killed off Championship club Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fifth round. And England winger Walcott maintains Arsenal’s ability to work up an early head of steam has helped generate belief within the side. “The confidence has come from the way we are starting games,” Walcott said. “The manager has put in our heads that we need to start well, particularly from the front and pressure the ball well. “You need the fans behind you so getting that early goal settles them and the players down. “We have maybe been working a lot harder in training. I don’t know if that’s the reason, but everyone relates to each other and knows their weaknesses and positives. It is working well.” Walcott credits the improvements made at the back with help- ing move Wenger’s side up to fifth place, a point behind fourth- placed Southampton going into the latest round of matches. PRESTON: Manchester United’s Dutch manager Louis van Gaal (center) leaves the pitch with his players in “Keeping clean sheets will mean we win games because we this file photo. —AFP always know we are going to score goals and we’ve continued to do that in recent weeks,” he said. “Things are paying off for us at the moment so we just need to make sure we take it into the next Van Persie set to add few weeks.” Wenger’s team will be boosted by the return of England mid- fielder Jack Wilshere for the trip to Selhurst Park. Wilshere returned to full training last week after damaging ankle ligaments against to United’s firepower Manchester United in November and is expected to take a place on the bench. But Aaron Ramsey, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy are out, SWANSEA: Robin van Persie is expected to dressing room. “The club has always had great keeper) David de Gea, who is having a fantas- while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mathieu Flamini and Hector return to the squad as Manchester United aim spirit. I’ve seen that since I’ve been here,” tic season.” Bellerin are doubtful. to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches Young said. “All the boys in the dressing room Swansea have won just once in the Palace have been revived since the arrival of Alan Pardew, los- in all competitions when they face Swansea are fighting for each other and when you have Premier League since Boxing Day and Garry ing just one of five Premier League games since the former today. that off the pitch you take it on to the pitch. Monk’s side have slipped to ninth in the Newcastle manager took charge. Last weekend’s FA Cup defeat at Netherlands striker van Persie missed “It’s one of the qualities we have as a team. table. home to Liverpool ensured the club’s remaining target is to build United’s 3-1 FA Cup fifth round victory over It’s a team sport and we always go out and play But Sigurdsson is available again, having on their recent run and secure a mid-table finish. Palace striker Preston North End with an unspecified minor as a team. “We showed that on Monday night served a three-match ban after being sent off Marouane Chamakh will have an added incentive to do well injury, but manager Louis van Gaal confirmed from the first minute to the last and in the way at Blackburn in the FA Cup fourth round. against his former club after a disappointing stay at the Emirates his compatriot is expected to be fit for the we came back into the game and won it.” And the former Tottenham midfielder, 25, Stadium. Premier League fixture at the Liberty Stadium. Van Gaal has already had his nose bloodied is desperate to make amends with a strong Pardew believes the Morocco international has benefitted from If van Gaal decides to recall van Persie, who by Swansea during his brief United career. The performance against third-placed United. being given a more prominent role at his new club and said: “I is United’s top scorer with 10 league goals so Welsh club enjoyed a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford “We have got to get better if we want to think he’s grown in confidence and sometimes only games can do far this season, it is most likely to be at the on the opening day of the season, courtesy of get a result against them. We lost a bit of that for you. “You know he was in and out at Arsenal, it’s a difficult expense of Radamel Falcao. Gylfi Sigurdsson’s goal. form after Christmas but I’m confident we will club to break through. For players like Chamakh, sometimes it’s The Colombia forward has struggled to find However, the Icelandic midfielder bounce back,” Sigurdsson said. best to move away and find yourself and he has found himself and consistent form since moving to Old Trafford believes van Gaal’s team are a different “It has been frustrating for the boys too he’s an asset to us.” on a season-long loan from Monaco in proposition now. “While it was a fantastic because we haven’t got the results we want- Palace forward Yaya Sanogo, on loan from Arsenal, is ineligible September. result at Old Trafford for us, United are differ- ed. But you go through these types of patches to face his parent club and having lost Yannick Bolasie and Mile He was replaced by Ashley Young after 60 ent now,” Sigurdsson said. in the season when things don’t go your way. Jedinak to extended international duty last month, Pardew admits minutes during Monday’s match at Preston “They are more settled and are winning “We need to turn it around and a win he has not yet had the opportunity to field his strongest side. and United improved significantly after the games and grinding out results - like we saw against United would certainly do that. “We “We’ve not actually got it all together and I don’t think this substitution and tactical switch. at Preston in the FA Cup on Monday. “They’ve beat them on the opening day of the season weekend we will because we’re not quite there,” Pardew said. That victory meant United have now lost found their rhythm and have some great for- and it was a great start for us. We went on a “This is a bonus game for us in a way because no one will expect just once in 19 matches and Young attributes ward players who can turn games around. good run after that and we’ll look to do the us to get anything outside of Crystal Palace.” —AFP the recent success to a strong bond within the “And at the back they’ve got quality in (goal- same this time around.” —AFP City won’t surrender title, warns Aguero

MANCHESTER: Sergio Aguero says Manchester City won’t pions will continue to fight. have all shown good form, too.” surrender in the race to catch Premier League leaders Chelsea “I believe this will be one of the most highly contested City have managed to keep pace with Chelsea despite because they know what it takes to snatch the title at the Premier Leagues of recent years and we will be giving every- being without Aguero for six weeks after their top-scorer suf- death. Second-placed City could be 10 points behind leaders thing to retain our title,” Aguero said. “Why not? We were fered a knee injury. Chelsea when they kick-off against Newcastle at 1730 GMT worse off in past seasons we still won and I was always con- Fellow forwards Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic are also on Saturday because Jose Mourinho’s team will already have vinced we’d be champions. back in action, while January signing Wilfried Bony is in line to finished their match against Burnley at Stamford Bridge earli- “There is a long way to go and a lot of games to play so make his debut after his January move from Swansea. er in the day. anything is possible. Right now, it’s anyone’s title and it’s not “Now we are back to full strength and we have also added Aguero memorably scored in stoppage-time against just two sides competing there are many teams that are still to our squad,” Aguero said. “Bony is a valuable addition to QPR on the last day of the 2011-12 season to earn City in the hunt. bolster our ranks for the final months of the season. “We have the Premier League title. And with 13 matches still to “Arsenal and Manchester United are back on their feet, a lot of quality in our team which makes things very competi- play the Argentina striker says Manuel Pellegrini’s cham- Southampton are not far behind and Liverpool and Spurs tive and it will remain that way.” —AFP SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015

Southee’s seven rocks England

WELLINGTON: Paceman Tim Southee recorded McCullum. England skipper Eoin Morgan said the best one-day figures by a New Zealander that he was always expecting two tough games while Brendon McCullum hit the fastest World first up. “We need a win as soon as possible now. Cup half-century to lead their team to an eight- Batting in those conditions and trying to get 270 wicket rout of hapless England on Friday. plus was tough,” said Morgan. Sensing an easy Southee took seven for 33 in nine overs as win, McCullum launched a ferocious attack on England collapsed to 123 all out in just 33.2 the England bowling, hitting Stuart Broad for a overs. New Zealand captain McCullum’s rollick- six off the first ball he faced. ing 25-ball 77 with seven sixes and eight fours at Fast bowler Steven Finn was not spared as the top of the order then saw the tournament McCullum hit six, four, four and six off the co-hosts romp to victory in just 12.2 overs of Middlesex paceman’s first four balls and then their reply in Wellington. another six to bring up his fifty off just 18 balls. When the umpires called for a dinner break McCullum held the previous record for the with New Zealand needing just 12 more runs to fastest World Cup fifty, off 20 balls against win, jeers rang out around the packed 33,000 Canada at St Lucia in 2007. Finn’s two wicketless capacity Westpac Stadium. overs cost a whopping 49 runs before Chris Woakes ended McCullum’s knock by bowling him off a bottom edge. South Africa’s AB de Villiers holds the record for the fastest-ever one-day international fifty, off just 16 balls, made against the West Indies last month. Earlier it was Southee who left England clueless after Morgan won the toss and SCOREBOARD batted on a flat looking pitch. Southee achieved the third-best figures in all World Cups and beat WELLINGTON: Complete scoreboard in the World Cup Pool A match between New the previous best by a New Zealander in all Zealand and England played at Westpac stadium in Wellington yesterday: ODIs, recorded by Shane Bond, now the team’s bowling coach, who took six for 19 against India England 2-32-1 (1w), Milne 5.2-1-25-1 (2w), Vettori at Bulawayo in 2005. I. Bell b Southee 8 7-0-19-1, Anderson 2-0-8-0 (1w) Only Joe Root, last man out in the 34th over, Moeen Ali b Southee 20 offered resistance with 46 while opener Moeen G. Ballance c Williamson b Boult 10 New Zealand Ali made 20 and Morgan managed 17 in an oth- J. Root c Vettori b Milne 46 B. McCullum b Woakes 77 erwise disappointing batting display. E. Morgan c Milne b Vettori 17 M. Guptill b Woakes 22 “It’s a bit of a blur at the moment,” said J. Taylor b Southee 0 K. Williamson not out 9 Southee during the change of innings. “We’re J. Butler c Ronchi b Southee 3 R. Taylor not out 5 good swing bowlers and, although we lost the C. Woakes b Southee 1 Extras: (lb4, w8) 12 toss, the ball swung throughout the innings. S. Broad c Vettori b Southee 4 Total: (one wkt; 12.2 overs) 125 “They say that when there’s a bit of blue sky S. Finn c Taylor b Southee 0 Did not bat: G. Elliott, C. Anderson, L. WELLINGTON: New Zealand bowler Tim in Wellington, the ball swings.” England were J. Anderson not out 1 Ronchi, D. Vettori, A. Milne, T. Southee, T. Southee holds his Man of the Match trophy looking at a revival at 103 for three with Morgan Extras: (lb6, w7) 13 Boult after taking seven wickets in New Zealandís and Root at the crease. Total: ( all out; 33.2 overs) 123 Bowling: Anderosn 5-0-37-0 (3w), Broad 2.2- eight wicket win over England in their But former Ireland left-hander Morgan, who Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Bell), 2-36 (Ali), 3-57 0-27-0 (1w), Finn 2-0-49-0, Woakes 3-1-8-2 Cricket World Cup match. — AP had managed just two runs with four ducks in (Ballance), 4-104 (Morgan), 5-104 (Taylor), Fall of wickets: 1-105 (McCullum), 2-112 his previous five innings, holed out at long-on 6-108 (Butler), 7-110 (Woakes), 8-116 (Guptill) But although the amount of cricket played off Vettori. He was left to rue his shot as England was under half the scheduled 100 overs of a lost their last seven wickets for just 19 runs. (Broad), 9-117 (Finn), 10-123 (Root) Result: New Zealand win by eight one-day international, the crowd certainly got Openers Ian Bell (eight) and Moeen Ali (20) Bowling: Southee 9-0-33-7 (3w), Boult 10- wickets. their money’s worth. were both bowled by Southee, who subse- Victory gave New Zealand, one of the tourna- quently dismissed James Taylor (nought), Jos ment favourites, their third win in as many Pool Buttler (three), Chris Woakes (one), Stuart Broad A games while England were left with two (four) and Steven Finn (nought). Boycott rips into defeats in two following a 111-run thrashing by He took his final five wickets in the space of Australia. “It was an incredible performance. We just 18 balls to record the third best figures in all wanted to bat first too and it shows the ability of World Cups behind the Australian duo of Glenn feeble England our bowlers to get swing through the air,” said McGrath (7-15) and Andy Bichel (7-20). — AFP LONDON: England are not as good as lowed a heavy defeat by Australia and World Cup results/standings they think they are and have a lot of hard England will need to win at least three of work to do to even qualify for the World their four remaining Pool A games to Cup quarter-finals, former opening bats- have a chance of reaching the last eight. Pool A man Geoffrey Boycott said yesterday. “England are not out of the World At Wellington Eoin Morgan’s side suffered a humili- Cup,” Boycott said. “They have to beat England 123 all out (Tim Southee 7-33) v New Zealand 125-2 (Brendon McCullum 77) New Zealand won by eight wickets ating eight-wicket defeat by New Scotland, Bangladesh and Afghanistan Zealand after being bowled out for 123 and then they’re through to quarter- Played won lost tied N/R points run rate in Wellington and allowing the hosts to finals. It’s a good job they’ve got min- Pool A reach their target in 12.2 overs. nows to play because they are not play- New Zealand 3 3 0 0 0 6 +3.586 “Perhaps they are not as good as they ing good enough to beat any decent Australia 1 1 0 0 0 2 +2.220 think they are,” Boycott told the BBC. “I team. I will be a bit nervous on Monday Bangladesh 1 1 0 0 0 2 +2.100 said that about the captain Morgan and for the Scotland game.” Sri Lanka 1 0 1 0 0 0 -1.960 everybody went mad, but maybe England’s preparations for the tourna- Afghanistan 1 0 1 0 0 0 -2.100 England aren’t either.” ment were far from ideal with Alastair Scotland 1 0 1 0 0 0 -3.039 England lost their last seven wickets Cook axed as captain in December but England 2 0 2 0 0 0 -3.952 for 19 runs and New Zealand seamer Tim they beat India twice to reach the Tri- Pool B Southee became only the fourth bowler Series final in Australia. “They have got a India 1 1 0 0 0 2 +1.520 to take seven wickets in a World Cup lot of hard work to do,” Boycott said. South Africa 1 1 0 0 0 2 +1.240 game. “We’ve had an interminably eventful few Ireland 1 1 0 0 0 2 +0.618 “This was not an uncovered or grassy months with things going on. What have Zimbabwe 2 1 1 0 0 2 -0.495 pitch seaming all over the place,” New Zealand been doing? They’ve had a UAE 1 0 1 0 0 0 -0.258 Boycott said. “This was a flat 270-pitch settled side, good leadership and win- West Indies 1 0 1 0 0 0 -0.618 minimum and they made a right mess of ning test and ODIs, while we don’t know Pakistan 1 0 1 0 0 0 -1.520 it.” The mauling by New Zealand fol- our best batting line-up.” — Reuters SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015

Shakib raises bar for Bangladesh players

MUMBAI: A Bangladesh cricketer leading any average than the two men ahead of him. individual world ranking is an achievement in The kind of celebrity Shakib enjoys in itself but Shakib Al Hasan has raised the bar Bangladesh can perhaps only be matched by considerably by topping the all-rounder’s top cricketers in neighbouring India. charts in all three formats. While a few might He can’t risk going out for a lazy stroll on argue whether the 27-year-old is indeed cur- the densely-populated streets of Dhaka, the rently the world’s best all-rounder, there is capital of the world’s eighth most populous not an iota of doubt that Shakib is the best country. cricketer Bangladesh has ever produced. “I don’t go to any of the shopping malls-I The attacking middle-order batsman can’t go there. I go to a few of the restaurants, became the first from his country to cross but selected ones. I don’t go out much,” 4,000 runs in one-day internationals on Shakib, whose wedding was broadcast live in Wednesday and is fourth on the list of test Bangladesh in 2013, told the Cricket Australia runs, boasting an average better than the website last month during the Big Bash three ahead of him. League. Made captain at the age of 22, he also sits In November, he joined Imran Khan and top of the list in test wickets with his left-arm Ian Botham as the only men to take 10 wick- spin and third in ODIs, again with a better ets and score a century in the same test match when he achieved the feat against Zimbabwe at home. Runs and wickets also flowed in the five- match ODI series following the tests and the CHRISTCHURCH: West Indies player Andre Russell plays a shot during training ahead of result was his elevation to the top of the all- their 2015 Cricket World Cup match against Pakistan. — AFP rounders’ rankings in all three formats in January. Critics blame Shakib for a lack of control Pakistan, West Indies over his temper and say his achievements and stardom have gone to his head. The start of 2014 saw him banned by the in fight for survival Bangladesh Cricket Board for three matches for making an indecent gesture during the live telecast of a match. CHRISTCHURCH: The 44-day World Cup is barely a chasing 300. The bowling was no better with Sohail Later in the year he was handed a six- week old and Pakistan and the West Indies are Khan the exception with his five for 55 off his 10 month ban for a ‘severe attitude problem’ already viewing their second match as crucial to overs. The West Indies at least had a century maker and told he would not be allowed to play in morale and potentially to their survival. Both suf- in Lendl Simmons who scored 102 of their 304 overseas competitions until the end of 2015. fered first game defeats and both are embroiled in against Ireland, but captain Jason Holder was Shakib was accused of travelling to the off-field controversy, with their Pool B clash in unable to generate any venom in the bowling Caribbean to play a Twenty20 tournament Christchurch today likely to be decided by the attack. Ireland reached 273 for two before losing without clearance from his board and had an team best able to overcome disharmony in the four quick wickets when the result was already altercation with coach Chandika ranks. Before the tournament, Pakistan and the beyond doubt. The problems facing both sides are Hathurusinghe. West Indies, along with South Africa and India, similar. Unpredictable Pakistan are beset by a cap- Local media reported that he threatened knew that on world rankings they should fill the taincy tussle involving incumbent Misbah and for- to quit playing for the country over the dis- four Pool B quarter-final slots ahead of Zimbabwe, mer leader Shahid Afridi. There are also disciplinary pute. The ban was lifted after two months, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates. issues with Afridi involved in a curfew breach however, allowing his return for the home But when Ireland reprised their giant-killer role before the tournament started, along with a num- series against Zimbabwe. to beat the West Indies in Nelson it became clear to ber of other players, and he has been linked to a Shakib is well aware that the World Cup is Pakistan that they in turn could not afford to fall to row with fielding coach Grant Luden. the perfect stage to resurrect his image and a wounded Caribbean side determined to claw On the field, Pakistan are short of leading pace- make a mark. “The World Cup is perfect,” he back lost points. Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq man Umar Gul, ruled out of the World Cup because said. “To perform on the big stage is a great was aware of the magnitude of the task facing his of injury, and spinner Saeed Ajmal who was with- opportunity.” side even before the Ireland result. drawn because of his disputed bowling action. He has started well with a 63 under pres- “I think we need to win the next game. That’s In the West Indies camp, the loss to Ireland has sure and two wickets against Afghanistan in the only way to stay in the tournament,” he said put the spotlight on the selection of 23-year-old their World Cup opener and coach when reviewing his side’s 76-run opening loss to Holder as captain, and his need to win the respect Hathurusinghe knows the worth of his all- India. All-rounder and former West Indies captain of senior players, after a shake up following a player rounder. Darren Sammy was equally blunt in his assessment revolt. “We have the number one all-rounder in of his side. Sammy was involved in several on-field discus- all formats. I am expecting (Shakib) to per- “If we continue to play like that we won’t be sions during the Ireland match although he main- form and take a lead role,” the former Sri here for long for sure,” he said after the four-wicket tained afterwards Holder had his full support. Chris AUSTRALIA: Bangladesh batsman Shakib Al Lanka cricketer said. “He’s an explosive batter loss to Ireland. Against India, Pakistan’s batting was Gayle, who is capable of changing a game when on Hasan runs during the Pool A 2015 Cricket who can get in and control the game. He is a miserable with only Misbah getting more than 50 form, has been critical of the make up of the World World Cup match in this file photo. — AFP very clever bowler.” — Reuters as the team was rolled for 224 in 47 overs when Cup squad.—AFP Waiting game in storm-hit Brisbane

BRISBANE: Organisers will delay as long as possible a decision extreme weather situation in the State and the forecasts for ongo- off, a no-result will be declared and the teams awarded a point on whether or not today’s World Cup match between Australia ing rain in Brisbane apiece. Meanwhile, Gabba head groundsman Kevin Mitchell and Bangladesh at storm-battered Brisbane will go-ahead once “Our thoughts are with the people affected. However as there admitted he wasn’t optimistic that the game, set for a 0330 GMT the devastation from Tropical Cyclone Marcia has been assessed. is no reserve day for pool matches, we will continue to prepare in start, would go ahead. Marcia, a category five tempest, slammed into the Queensland the hope that the match can go ahead,” the statement from the “Obviously with the forecast of the cyclone moving down the coast just after 2200 GMT Thursday with its landfall coming just global governing body added. coast it doesn’t look that great. You are always hopeful but it is hours after a second big storm-Cyclone Lam-hit further north in “The ICC match officials will make a decision on the match not promising,” Mitchell told the Australian Associated Press. Australia. The deluge is expected to swamp the city’s famed tomorrow (Saturday) based on conditions at the time. “The match He added it could take hours to prepare the field-if the torren- Gabba ground and an International Cricket Council statement can still go ahead with a delayed start if necessary. A match can tial rain stopped. “The way the system is tracking it will be north issued Friday said: “ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 organisers are be successfully completed if each side has a minimum of 20 overs, of Brisbane around lunch time tomorrow (Saturday),” he said. working closely with authorities in Queensland regarding tomor- which means that it is still possible to achieve a result with a start “And considering it is a wide system, it will be a long time to go row’s match between Australia and Bangladesh given the after the scheduled innings break.” If the Pool A match is called until it eases.”— AFP Wozniacki earns top seed showdown SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 FEBRUARY SATURDAY, SportsSports in Dubai 42

ITALY: Roma’s defender from Greece Konstantinos Manolas jumps for the ball during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 match AS Roma vs Feyenoord.— AFP Celtic held, Lukaku slams hat-trick

PARIS: Celtic’s rematch with Inter Milan ended in a John Guidetti was the hero for Celtic on the Meanwhile, the Europa League again brought BALOTELLI WINNER memorable 3-3 draw in Glasgow in the first leg of night, coming off the bench to volley home a stop- out the best in Everton as Lukaku became only the Liverpool won 8-0 the last time they enter- the Europa League round of 32 on Thursday as page time equaliser against Roberto Mancini’s fourth player representing the blue half of tained Besiktas in the Champions League in Romelu Lukaku inspired Everton to a big win. side. Before that, Celtic’s evening had started in Merseyside to score a hat-trick in Europe, follow- 2007, but on this occasion they needed Balotelli Lukaku scored a hat-trick in a 4-1 Everton victo- nightmare fashion, with Xherdan Shaqiri and ing in the footsteps of Alan Ball, Andy Gray and to score an 85th-minute penalty to win the game ry against Swiss side Young Boys that leaves the Rodrigo Palacio putting Inter 2-0 up inside 13 min- Yakubu Aiyegbeni. Seamus Coleman also scored, at Anfield and give them an advantage to take to Toffees with one foot in the last 16, but the utes. Stuart Armstrong, making his home debut for with Roberto Martinez’s side coming from behind Istanbul. And Balotelli only scored after an Premier League’s other representatives in the Celtic following his January move from Dundee after Guillaume Hoarau gave Young Boys an early apparent disagreement with Jordan Henderson, competition still have work to do. United, got one back and then forced the 26th- lead at the Stade de Suisse. the captain on the night, and Daniel Sturridge A late Mario Balotelli penalty gave Liverpool a minute own-goal by Hugo Campagnaro that The Toffees have won only one of their last over who would take the penalty. 1-0 win against Turkish league leaders Besiktas at restored parity. nine Premier League games but they won their Tottenham took the lead against Fiorentina Anfield, while Tottenham Hotspur drew 1-1 with However, Inter went back in front just before Europa League group in style in the autumn and as Roberto Soldado, starting instead of the in- Fiorentina at White Hart Lane, meaning they must the break when Palacio pounced on an error by they were impressive again on this occasion. form Harry Kane, volleyed in after just six min- now score in the return in Florence next week. Celtic ‘keeper Craig Gordon to roll the ball home. However, the one blotch on their evening’s utes, but Jose Maria Basanta equalised before Celtic will also be up against it in Italy but they “We don’t get punished the way we did tonight work was the sending-off of defender John Stones the interval. have given themselves a chance after coming from in the domestic league, but we were also a little for bringing down Hoarau in the box, although Elsewhere, trophy holders Sevilla won 1-0 at 2-0 and then 3-2 down to hold Inter in a repeat of unlucky,” Celtic manager Ronny Deila told BT Hoarau blazed the resulting spot-kick over the bar. home to Borussia Moenchengladbach in the first the 1967 European Cup final. Sport. “We have to do better defensively. They Of Lukaku, who missed several chances to leg of their tie in Spain thanks to a Vicente Iborra Members of the Celtic team, known as the maybe scored from every chance they had.” add to his tally late on, Martinez said: “He’s the goal. In-form Bas Dost scored both goals as Lisbon Lions, that won that game 2-1 to become However, the Norwegian added: “I’m so proud complete striker, but he’s only 21 and people German Bundesliga high-fliers Wolfsburg beat the first British club to be crowned champions of of the boys. In the second half we controlled the forget about that. “We saw today he really makes Sporting Lisbon 2-0, and there were also wins for Europe, were in attendance to watch a remarkable game and had three or four chances and scored at a difference in front of goal and he’s someone Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, Napoli, Zenit St match played in wild winter conditions in the end. The atmosphere was fantastic. Without who is going to have a really strong ending to Petersburg, Club Brugge, Guingamp, Villarreal Glasgow’s East End. fans like that it wouldn’t be possible.” the season.” and Ajax. —AFP